| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08385359B2 |
Information communication system, connection setting apparatus and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing connection setting program
A connection setting apparatus includes: a device-registered section to register first and second device information specifying a first and a second information-communication device, respectively; a physical-connection-port-information-acquiring section to acquire a physical connection port information from a first information output port of the first information communication device; a logical-connection-port-information-acquiring-section to acquire a logical connection port information from the second information output port of the second information communication device; a connection-port-display section to display a mark representing the first physical connection port specified by the physical connection port information and a mark representing the second information communication device; a selection section to select the first physical connection port and the second information communication device to be communication parties in information communication by a selection operation to the marks; and a correspondence-registering section to register a logical correspondence between the logical connection port and the first physical connection port. |
| US08385357B2 |
Network device of transfer switching type and frame transfer method
A network device of is a network device that transfers frames by repeating, in a constant cycle, a reserved transfer interval and a free transfer interval. The network device includes a transmission port, a cycle timer, a mode switching control unit that monitors a transfer state of the transmission port and selects a store-and-forward system when the transmission port is in the transfer process and selects a cut-through system when the transmission port is not in the transfer process, and a transfer prohibition control unit that selects the cut-through system as a transfer system when a non-reserved frame is transmitted and switches a transfer method of the non-reserved frame to the store-and-forward system when a reserved transfer interval is established, with reference to the cycle timer. |
| US08385352B2 |
Generic information element
A computer data signal embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium is described. In one embodiment, the computer data signal includes a generic element identifier, a plurality of task-specific data, a variable length identifier and a multi-use data type identifier. The generic element identifier is configurable to identify an information element containing the generic element identifier as a generic information element. The variable length identifier is configurable to indicate a number of the plurality of task-specific data. The multi-use data type identifier is configurable to indicate a type of the plurality of task-specific data. |
| US08385351B1 |
Multiple media fail-over to alternate media
The present invention is a system and method for failing over from a current network access medium to an alternative network access medium. A customer premises equipment (CPE) box has ports for connections to a network through several network access media, such as high speed cable connections, DSL connections and dial-up connections. QoS parameters for each of the connections are monitored from a bandwidth manager remote from the CPE box. When it is determined that a fail-over would be beneficial, a message is sent from the bandwidth manager to the CPE box containing a command to fail-over and an identity of the alternate network access media. |
| US08385350B2 |
Detection for end of service using dynamic inactivity timer thresholds
Techniques to detect for end of service using dynamic inactivity timer thresholds are described. An access terminal establishes a radio connection for one or more applications. Data and signaling for the application(s) may be sent on one or more first flows (e.g., RLP flows) that may carry any number of second flows (e.g., IP flows). The access terminal determines a dynamic inactivity timer threshold for each first flow, e.g., based on at least one inactivity timer threshold for at least one second flow mapped to that first flow. The access terminal determines whether each first flow is inactive based on the inactivity timer threshold for that first flow, e.g., declares each first flow to be inactive if no activity is detected on that first flow for a period exceeding the inactivity timer threshold. The access terminal closes the radio connection when all first flow(s) are determined to be inactive. |
| US08385348B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication method, program, and storage medium
A wireless communication method in a wireless communication apparatus, which can exchange data with another wireless communication apparatus via a wireless communication, searches for another wireless communication apparatus, and determines a function of the other wireless communication apparatus. The method selects a communication route required to wirelessly communicate with the other wireless communication apparatus in accordance with the function of the other wireless communication apparatus, and communicates data to the other wireless communication apparatus in accordance with the selected communication route. |
| US08385347B2 |
Mobile node for obtaining IP address allocation information, data server for providing IP address allocation information, and method of providing IP address allocation information
A mobile node transmits a frame requesting IP address allocation information needed to obtain an IP address in a neighboring network; receives a frame including the IP address allocation information requested in the transmitted frame; and obtains an IP address in the neighboring network based on the IP address allocation information in the received frame to move to the neighboring network. |
| US08385346B2 |
System and method for forming N0GBASE-T
A system and method for forming N0GBASE-T. In one embodiment, N 10GBASE-T PHYs are matched to a N×10G MAC via a shim layer. The shim layer is designed to distribute data received from a higher rate MAC to multiple lower-rate PHYs on the transmit end, and to collect data received from multiple lower-rate PHYs to a higher rate MAC. |
| US08385342B2 |
System and method of virtual private network route target filtering
A system of route target filtering includes an import filter receiving a plurality of routes having a next hop routing information. The import filter accepts a first subset of the routes according to an import target policy. The system further includes a re-export filter also receiving the plurality of routes. The re-export filter modifies the next hop information of a second subset of the routes, and distributes the modified routes. |
| US08385341B2 |
Ethernet frame broadcast emulation
A method to facilitate the broadcast of frames between a set of Edge Nodes of a transport network, where nodes of the transport network forward frames using labels added to the frames at ingress Edge Nodes. The method comprises, at each of said Edge nodes and at intermediate nodes in the paths between said Edge Nodes, installing an entry or entries into a forwarding table mapping frame labels to output forwarding ports such that said entries together form a single forwarding construct such that frames labelled by any of the Edge Nodes of said set are transmitted to all other Edge Nodes of the same set. Upon receipt of a frame at one of said Edge Nodes or intermediate nodes, the provided forwarding table is used to map the frame label of the frame to one or more forwarding ports. Frames are then sent via the identified forwarding port(s). |
| US08385340B1 |
Pipeline of a packet processor programmed to concurrently perform operations
A packet processor includes a memory and a programmable compute pipeline. The memory stores microcode that specifies respective sets for the packet types, and the respective set for each type specifies elementary operations for each stage except an initial stage of the programmable compute pipeline. The programmable compute pipeline includes a sequence of stages beginning with the initial stage. The initial stage includes an operation selector that selects the respective set for the type of each packet. Each stage except the initial stage includes elementary components that are programmable to concurrently perform each of multiple combinations of elementary operations. The elementary components concurrently perform a selected one of the combinations for each packet. The selected combination includes the elementary operations specified for the stage in the respective set that the operation selector selects for the packet's type. |
| US08385336B2 |
Communication apparatus and communication method
A source apparatus writes, in a route request packet, the number of routes requested by the source apparatus. When a relay apparatus receives a route request packet for the first time, the relay apparatus determines a waiting time period, based on a route evaluation value that indicates a state of a route through which the route request packet has passed, and starts a timer. The relay apparatus selects route request packets having as high route evaluation values as possible, among route request packets that have been received until the timer expires, the number of route request packets to be selected being equal to the number of routes requested by the source apparatus, and then broadcasts the selected route request packets. |
| US08385335B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing fast reroute of a unicast packet within a network element to an available port associated with a multi-link trunk
A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing fast reroute of a packet is presented. A unicast packet is received by an FDU in a data plane of a network element and a destination is determined for the packet. A lookup is performed in a port state table maintained by the FDU to determine an available local port that is in an UP state for the destination, and if no local port is UP, then a lookup is performed in the port state table to determine an available remote port that is in an UP state for the destination. If a port in the UP state cannot be determined for the unicast packet, then the packet is dropped. |
| US08385333B2 |
Mechanism for clock synchronization
A method and apparatus for synchronizing time between a master device and a target device arranged across a network, wherein the target device communicates to the master device through a PCIe interconnect includes transmitting a first message at a first time from the master device to the target device, the first message including a message indicator; and receiving a reply message at a subsequent time from the target device to the master device, the reply message including the message indicator. |
| US08385331B2 |
Secure and reliable policy enforcement
A system includes a policy enforcement point that is located within a first network. The policy enforcement point is configured to connect the first network to a second network via a secure connection. The policy enforcement point is configured to receive traffic from a first device via the first network or a second device associated with the second network via the secure connection, determine whether to apply a policy to the received traffic, and discard the received traffic when a policy is determined to apply to the received traffic. |
| US08385330B2 |
System and method for call routing and paging across different types of networks
A network architecture uses an Application Server Autonomous Access (ASAA) server which allows paging and call routing across different types of wireless and wireline access networks. The ASAA server provides connectivity between an external voice or data network and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). The external voice or data network may be a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or a public data network (PDN), so that the connectivity between the external network and the WTRU is provided through the access networks using data from the ASAA server. |
| US08385328B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing mirroring service in VolP system including IP-PBX
An apparatus and method for automatically mirroring Real Time Protocol (RTP) packets in a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system including an Internet Protocol-Private Branch Exchange (IP-PBX). It is possible automatically detects call startup and/or termination from an RTP packet or an RTP Control Protocol (RTCP) packet provided through a mirroring port of the IP-PBX, and based on the detection of call startup and/or termination, automatically mirrors the RTP/RTCP packet, which is transmitted/received due to call establishment. |
| US08385326B2 |
Handling early media in VoIP communication with multiple endpoints
Technologies for handling early media in VoIP communications with multiple endpoints are provided. A calling device sends an initial VoIP call request to multiple destination devices, or endpoints. The calling device then receives a provisional response from one or more of the destination devices that includes media streaming parameters regarding the destination device. The calling device creates a media context associated with the destination device that contains the media streaming parameters and stores the media context. The calling device uses the media context to establish a media connection with the destination. One of the destination devices returning a provisional response is selected to exchange early media over the media connection established with the destination device. |
| US08385325B2 |
Method of transmitting data in a communication system
A method of receiving at a terminal a first signal transmitted via a communication network, said method comprising the steps of; receiving at the terminal the first signal comprising a plurality of data elements; analysing characteristics of the first signal; receiving from a user of the terminal a second signal to be transmitted from the terminal; analysing characteristics of the second signal to detect audio activity in the second signal; and applying a delay between receiving at the terminal and outputting from the terminal at least one of said plurality of data elements; and adjusting the delay based on the analysed characteristics of the first signal and on the detection of audio activity in the second signal. |
| US08385319B2 |
Method and apparatus of enabling multi band transmission
A method and apparatus for enabling multi-band transmission includes transmitting a beacon on a first radio band and transmitting the beacon on a second radio band. The beacon includes coordination information for transmission on the first and second radio bands. |
| US08385318B2 |
Transmitter, receiver, mobile communication system and synchronization channel
A transmitter includes an amplitude adjustment unit multiplying an amplitude adjustment sequence value for adjusting amplitude with a synchronization channel transmitted from a base station for establishing synchronization with a mobile station. |
| US08385316B2 |
Methods and apparatus related to peer to peer communications timing structure
Methods and apparatus related to peer to peer communication networks are described. A peer to peer timing structure is implemented which includes a pattern of different types of time intervals including at least a peer discovery time interval and a traffic interval. A wireless communications device, supporting peer to peer operations stores the peer to peer timing structure information, accesses the stored information, and used the accessed information to determine an operation to be performed during a current time period. The operation is, e.g., a peer discovery operation, a peer to peer timing synchronization operation, a peer paging operation, or a peer to peer traffic signaling operation. Various exemplary relationships between the different types of intervals, including relative frequencies, relative durations, and spacing information, are described. Advantageous construction of the recurring peer to peer timing structure facilitates efficient utilization of air link resources and/or higher traffic data throughput capabilities. |
| US08385315B2 |
System and method of message delivery in a wireless communication network
A router system receives from a host service a message which is intended for delivery to a mobile device via a wireless network. The message includes at least a first field having an identifier which identifies the mobile device, a second field having a payload of the message, and a third field having a return packet indication on whether to return a return packet to the host service. The router system examines the indication in the message and, if the indication is set to a first setting, the router system returns to the host service a return packet which indicates a status associated with the message for delivery to the mobile device. If the indication is set to a second setting, then the router system does not return to the host service the return packet which indicates the status associated with the message for delivery to the mobile device. |
| US08385307B2 |
TFC selection apparatus in mobile communication system and TFC selection method
A TFC selection apparatus includes: a SIR calculation unit calculating SIR by using a CPICH symbol of receive data; a conversion unit obtaining STFC(m) which contains m pieces of TFC corresponding to the calculated SIR; a total transmit power calculation unit selecting TFC corresponding to the obtained STFC(m) from a TFCS which is a set of TFCs sequenced in proportion to a magnitude of total transmit power, and calculating total transmit power of TFC included in the TFCS in order indicated by a search direction signal, beginning with the selected TFC as a starting point; and a TFC selection unit generating the search direction signal based on the calculated total transmit power of the TFC as the starting point, and selecting an optimum TFC to be applied to transmit data from the TFCS, wherein the TFC selection unit selects TFC as the optimum TFC corresponding to total transmit power which indicates less than or equal to as well as approximate to a maximum value allowed for the transmit data. |
| US08385302B2 |
Methods and apparatus for enabling distributed beacon transmissions
A method to support distributed beacon transmission in a directional communication network is provided. The method may comprise receiving, by a second apparatus, a first reference signal from a first apparatus, wherein the first reference signal comprises network shared information associated with a first network and specific information associated with the first apparatus, generating a second reference signal by updating the network shared information in the first reference signal to include specific information associated with second apparatus, and transmitting the second reference signal at a defined time, wherein the defined time is selected to minimize any interference associated with a subsequent transmission of the first reference signal by the first apparatus. |
| US08385298B2 |
Wireless communication system, control center, and base station
The base station includes a notification module configured to notify a control center of output power data, a measurement module configured to measure a reception quality of each time slot from received radio signals of control data transmitted from other base stations via a control channel, and a transmission module configured to transmit reception quality data indicating the reception quality to the control center, along with data indicating the time slot selected by the base station. The control center includes a reception module configured to receive the output power data, the reception quality data, and the data indicating the time slot, and a construction module configured to construct adjacent base station data indicating adjacency relationship between the base stations by comparing the reception quality and the output power of each of the base stations, the reception quality being obtained by converting the reception quality data based on the time slot. |
| US08385295B2 |
Radio transmission control method, radio receiver apparatus, and radio transmitter apparatus
Conventionally, if the number of transmission antennas is greater than that of reception antennas, different signals simultaneously transmitted from the transmission antennas cannot be separated from one another at the receiving end, resulting in a significant degradation of received-signal quality. A transmitter and a receiver each have a plurality of antennas. The transmitter transmits a pilot signal. The receiver receives the pilot signal, calculates transmission-related information corresponding to the pilot signal, selects, based on this calculated information, a transmission signal to be used by the transmitter, and notifies the transmitter of the selected signal. The transmitter selects, from the informed transmission signal, transmission antennas and uses the selected antennas to transmit information signals, so that a signal separation can be easily performed at the receiving end. |
| US08385287B2 |
Base station apparatus and communication method
Provided is a base station capable of suppressing increase of overhead of allocation result report in frequency scheduling in multi-carrier communication and obtaining a sufficient frequency diversity effect. In the base station, encoding units (101-1 to 101-n) encode data (#1 to #n) to mobile stations (#1 to #n), modulation units (102-1 to 102-n) modulate the encoded data so as to generate a data symbol, a scheduler (103) performs frequency scheduling according to a CQI from each mobile station so as to uniformly allocate data to the respective mobile stations for a part of RB extracted from a plurality of RB, and an SCCH generation unit (105) generates control information (SCCH information) to report the allocation result in the scheduler (103) to the respective mobile stations. |
| US08385282B2 |
Systems and methods that autonomously detect and measure ancillary communications for making handover decisions
A networked computing system facilitating ancillary device measurement of regional network communications in order to determine intra-network communications handovers. The networked computing system includes a base station, one or more transceiver devices having shorter-range communications capability than the base station, user equipment, and a data communications network facilitating data communications amongst the networked computing systems devices. Within the network, a first transceiver device may be configured to detect ancillary communications between a user equipment and the base station, and then measure one or more characteristics associated with the ancillary communications in response to detecting the ancillary communications. The first transceiver device may also be configured to transmit the measured characteristics to the base station or to an auxiliary network controller device that is capable of making network communications usage decisions based on one or more network resource usage rules. |
| US08385281B2 |
Method and apparatus for component carrier aggregation in wireless communications
A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) receives a downlink subframe having multiple component carriers, each component carrier having control information encoded in a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). The WTRU performs a blind decoding of control information in a first PDCCH located within a first component carrier to obtain a location of a second PDCCH located within a second component carrier, where the location of the second PDCCH is relative to a location of the first PDCCH as control channel element offset. The WTRU decodes the second PDCCH at the obtained location. |
| US08385273B2 |
Mobile station, base station, and communication control method
A base station according to the present invention includes: a scheduling unit configured to perform a persistent scheduling for transmitting data at a predetermined timing; and a scheduling information generating unit configured to generate scheduling information and to notify the scheduling information to a predetermined mobile station, when the persistent scheduling is performed. The scheduling information includes resource assignment information that indicates a radio resource assigned to the predetermined mobile station at the predetermined timing in the persistent scheduling. |
| US08385272B2 |
System and method for burst channel access over wireless local area networks
A system comprises a medium access engine operative to contend for access to a channel and to control transmission of data packets onto the channel on behalf of a particular data stream, the particular data stream belonging to a particular access class of a plurality of different access classes, the medium access engine operative to discriminate quality of service based on the different access classes; and a burst channel access engine operative to maintain a burst list of other data streams belonging to the particular access class and to control burst access to the channel based on the burst list on behalf of the particular data stream. |
| US08385271B2 |
Systems and methods for providing time and location dependent bandwidth in wireless networks
Systems and methods are described for allocating bandwidth in a wireless network. Entry of subscriber equipment into a wireless network is detected at a base station which typically provides information used to determine geographic location of the subscriber equipment. Based on the determined location, a level of service is selected from a plurality of service levels available to a subscriber and provided. Location can be determined based on information provided by the subscriber equipment, provided by a global positioning system and/or provided by a user of the subscriber equipment. Location of the subscriber equipment can be identified with an activity of a user of the subscriber equipment, including business and non-commercial activity. Selection of the level of service may be further based upon time of day, day of week or upon a date and time of provision of the level of service. |
| US08385266B1 |
Reverse power control parameter adjustment based on subscriber distribution of two protocol versions
A method and system is disclosed for dynamic adaptation of reverse-link power control based on the distribution of ATs implementing different protocol versions. An access terminal in a wireless communication system that includes a base station may operate in a first state in which, at least, the access terminal uses a first protocol for determining and adjusting transmission power on a reverse link of an air interface with the base station. While operating in the first state, responsive to receiving a protocol version message from the base station on a forward link of the air interface, the access terminal will transition to operating in a second state in which, at least, the access terminal uses a second protocol for determining and adjusting transmission power on the reverse link of the air interface with the base station. The first protocol is different from the second protocol. |
| US08385264B2 |
Method and arrangement for repeater/relay control
In a method in a controllable repeater in a telecommunication system, said system comprising a radio base station, at least said controllable repeater and a plurality of user terminals, receiving a list of associated user terminal identities for said repeater, and searching for and decoding downlink channel control messages based on said provided list. |
| US08385261B2 |
Methods and systems for setting CID mask length of a HARQ-MAP/SUB-MAP pointer IE in WiMAX systems
Methods and apparatus for setting the connection identifier (CID) mask length of a Hybrid Automatic Repeat-Request (HARQ)-MAP or a SUB-MAP pointer information element (IE) in a compressed downlink map (DL-MAP) of an orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) frame are provided in an effort to reduce the number of false indications in the CID mask, while also striving, as a secondary concern, to reduce the CID mask length. In this manner, an individual mobile station (MS) may not waste processing, battery power, or time interpreting a HARQ-MAP message or a sub downlink/uplink map (SUB-DL-UL-MAP) message that was not intended for this particular MS. For some embodiments where the CID mask length is set to be small, the control overhead (i.e., the size of the HARQ-MAP or the SUB-MAP pointer IE) may be decreased, and more of the OFDMA frame may be available for data traffic. |
| US08385259B2 |
Cross channel coexistence beaconing protocol for wireless dynamic spectrum access networks
A wireless system including a plurality of WRAN's operating on different channels identifies and addresses a number of important issues relating to the current CBP mechanism (in D0.3) used for inter-cell discovery and communication. The present invention provides fundamental remedies to respectively resolve these issues. Moreover, an Enhanced Coexistence Beaconing Protocol (CBP) is provided that allows efficient, scalable, and backward-compatible cross-channel inter-cell communications for IEEE 802.22 systems. |
| US08385255B2 |
Radio apparatus and communication system utilizing the same
Using as a reference a known signal assigned to one of a plurality of streams that constitute a packet signal, a control unit applies a cyclic timing shift to known signals assigned to the other streams so as to produce packet signals which are to be transmitted finally. While varying the amount of timing shift, the control unit produces a plurality of packet signals and appends an identification number, with which to uniquely identify each of the plurality of produced packet signals, to each of the packet signals. A baseband processing unit and the like transmit, as a transmission rate inquiry signal, a packet signal constituted by a plurality of streams where the amounts of timing shift are made to differ, and receive a response signal to which the same identification number is appended for the inquiry signal. |
| US08385249B2 |
Apparatus and method for basic multicast support for proxy mobile internet protocol version six (IPv6)
An apparatus comprising a mobile access gateway (MAG) configured to receive a tunneled multicast packet from a local mobility anchor (LMA), decapsulate the tunneled multicast packet, and forward the multicast packet to a mobile node (MN). A network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising receiving a request message tunneled by a MAG for a MN, wherein the request message indicates that the MN wants to join a multicast group, decapsulating the tunneled message, connecting to a router for the multicast group, receiving a multicast packet from the router, and sending a tunneled multicast packet to the MN via the MAG, wherein the tunneled multicast packet has at least three Internet Protocol (IP) layer or layer 3 headers. |
| US08385248B2 |
System and method for multicast and broadcast service
The present invention relates to a system and method for providing Multicast and Broadcast Service (MCBCS). According to the present invention, the MCBCS system and method supports session start and data path registration procedures, join and leave procedure for providing the MCBCS with static or dynamic multicast service schemes, and supports procedures for providing to mobile stations operating in idle mode. Accordingly, the present invention enables effectively implementing the MCBCS in a wireless communication system, particularly in WiMAX system, and provides the MCBCS according to the mobile stations operating in idle mode. |
| US08385246B2 |
Downlink MIMO transmission control method and base station apparatus
A method of controlling downlink transmission from a base station having multiple antennas to a mobile station having multiple antennas includes the steps of applying open loop-type MIMO diversity to one or more common control channels, an MBMS channel, and an L1/L2 control channel; and applying closed loop-type MIMO multiplexing and/or MIMO diversity to a shared data channel. |
| US08385245B2 |
System and method for multicasting in a network environment
An apparatus is provided in one example embodiment and includes a content player that receives a request for content from an endpoint and evaluates whether a given portion of the content has already been multicasted. If the portion has been multicasted, then the endpoint is connected to a multicast version of the portion of the content, and if the portion has not been previously multicasted then the portion of content is added to a multicast transmission schedule. In more specific embodiments, the content player requests a piece of content from a content source and segments the piece of content into clips to be delivered to one or more endpoints. In still other embodiments, if the portion has not been previously multicasted then the portion of content is sent over a unicast channel. |
| US08385244B2 |
System and method for dynamic timeslot reduction
A method for communicating with a mobile station is presented. The method includes transmitting a first radio block to the mobile station. The first radio block including an indication instructing the mobile station to enter a DTR mode. Before receiving an indication of whether the mobile station is in DTR mode, the method includes retransmitting to the mobile station at least one of the first radio block and a radio block previously transmitted to the mobile station using a timeslot that is not monitored by the mobile station when the mobile station is in the DTR mode. |
| US08385243B2 |
Method of selecting bit rate and transmit power for energy-efficient transmission
A time-of-propagation distance-determining method involves sending a probe request from a handset to an AP and receiving a return ACK. The time it takes for the probe request to propagate to the AP, the turnaround time, and the time it takes the ACK to propagate back to the handset is measured on the handset. The turnaround time is subtracted from the measured time, and the result is used to make a distance determination. In order to reduce power consumption, the “lowest overall transmit energy” setting that will give acceptable reception of a probe request sent by the handset to the AP station is determined. The lowest overall transmit energy setting involves a bit rate setting and a transmit power setting. The lowest overall transmit energy setting is used to send probe requests when probe requests are sent from the handset in carrying out a time-of-propagation distance-determining transaction. |
| US08385241B2 |
Semi-persistent scheduling and discontinuous reception alignment
A method is provided for detection of an uplink grant for a user agent (UA). The method comprises detecting a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) activation/reconfiguration signaling over a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) only during an SPS activation window, wherein the SPS activation window precedes a discontinuous reception (DRX) on-duration by a predetermined amount of time. Also included is a UA comprising a component configured to detect an SPS activation/reconfiguration signaling over a PDCCH only during an SPS activation window, wherein the SPS activation window precedes a DRX on-duration by a predetermined amount of time. |
| US08385240B2 |
Selection and utilization of shared wireless wide area network modems
A device chooses to use any one of a number of nodes with wireless wide area network (WWAN) modems, depending on whether utilization of one of the nodes will mitigate the power consumption of the device. The choice might also be a function of an energy level of the nodes. The choice can also be based on a link performance indicator. The chosen node is selected as a WWAN modem for communication and utilizes the identity of the device for application data services being supported in this mode. |
| US08385237B2 |
Method and system for simplex or duplex transmission mode of an ethernet link in an energy efficient network
Ethernet link partners coupled via an Ethernet link that comprises a plurality of channels are operable to transmit and receive at different maximum data rates on different channels. Based on link conditions, a link partner may negotiate a transmission rate and/or accept or reject a reception rate. Based on link conditions, a first link partner is configured to communicate in simplex mode at a first rate via at least one channel and receive in simplex mode at a second rate via at least one channel. The configured data rates are less than or equal to the respective maximum rates or a rate of zero. Link conditions comprise link load or utilization, current or past conditions, PER, BER and SNR. Power may be lowered for transmitters, receivers, near-end and/or far end cross talk cancellers, hybrids, echo cancellers and other components. Channels may be transitioned from duplex mode to simplex. |
| US08385234B2 |
Media stream setup in a group communication system
A basic idea for efficient media communication between two nodes in a group communication system is to set up a number, N, of parallel, separate media streams of the same media type in a given direction between the nodes, where N is equal to or greater than 2. Before setting up the media streams, the actual number of media streams is negotiated (S1). Once the negotiation is completed, the media streams are established (S2). Media data of the same type can then be transferred in parallel, media streams (S3), where each media stream may include media data from a separate source or from a mix of sources. In this way, a richer and/or more personalized rendering of the media data is enabled since media data may be transported as individual media streams and processed locally in a participant, rather than processed and mixed into a single stream by a central mixer. |
| US08385233B2 |
Active speaker identification
Procedures for identifying clients in an audio event are described. In an example, a media server may order clients providing audio based on the input level. An identifier may be associated with the client for identifying the client providing input within the event. The ordered clients may be included in a list which may be inserted into a packet header carrying the audio content. |
| US08385229B2 |
Web based capacity management (WBCM) system
A user interface for viewing network system data is provided and includes at least one company level view that includes a list of one or more service regions within a company, at least one regional level view that includes a list of one or more service markets within each of the one or more service regions, and at least one market level view that includes a list of one or more wire centers within the one or more service markets. |
| US08385214B2 |
Method and apparatus for mitigating cell outage
Cell outage within a wireless communication network is automatically mitigated. This way, neither manual operator intervention nor manual base station reconfiguration is needed to cover problematic cells. Quality of wireless services provided by the network improves when cell outage is automatically mitigated. In one embodiment, cell outage is mitigated in a wireless communication network by automatically communicating cell status messages between radio base stations or within a node that controls the radio base stations (300) indicating whether one or more cells within the network are currently disabled or expected to be disabled. The coverage area of one or more preexisting cells is modified to cover those cells which are currently disabled or expected to be disabled as indicated by the cell status messages (302). The inter-base station interface can also be used to send messages directly between the base stations indicating addition of new cells or deletion of preexisting cells. |
| US08385213B2 |
Error identification in a computer-based network
A method for identifying possible error causes in a network having a plurality of computer-based nodes is provided. The method comprises proceeding from a control node, the execution of a test module in each case running locally on all or on selected nodes that are to be tested is triggered for the purpose of identifying possible error causes on the respective node; testing of a network connection between all or selected nodes that are to be tested for the purpose of identifying possible error causes; and recording of a result including one error cause, provided such a cause can be identified. |
| US08385212B2 |
Method and apparatus for finding latency floor in packet networks
A latency floor between two nodes of a packet-switched network is estimated using transit times of a group of packets traversing the two nodes. In particular, a periodically generated histogram of packet transit times is used to estimate the latency floor. In some packet-switched networks, the behavior of some network elements changes drastically when the network is congested. Because latency floor cannot be accurately estimated under such conditions, packet transit times collected during a congested state of the network are discarded. |
| US08385208B1 |
Method and apparatus for preventing head of line blocking among Ethernet switches
An Ethernet switch for preventing head of line blocking by passing an Ethernet packet carrying congestion status information among Ethernet switches over the Ethernet. When a port of an Ethernet switch is congested, the switch informs other Ethernet switches by broadcasting to other switches over the Ethernet an Ethernet packet indicating that the port is congested. If another Ethernet switch finds that one of its traffic classes is destined to the congested port, this switch drops packets of that traffic flow until receiving an Ethernet packet indicating that the congestion is alleviated. |
| US08385206B2 |
Single and dual rate three color marker systems
An advance is made over the prior art in accordance with the principles of the present invention that is directed to a new approach for a system and method of Single Rate Three Color Marker (srTCM) and Two Rate Three Color Marker (trTCM) methodology. The invention eliminates deficiencies present in existing standards that allow a user to defeat the traffic meter that is used to ensure bandwidth usage is within limits imposed by the provider. Adoption of these invention will ensure compliance with the goals of an ideal Single Rate Three Color Marker (srTCM) and Two Rate Three Color Marker (trTCM) scheme. |
| US08385204B1 |
Buffer overflow prevention for network devices
Methods, apparatus, and computer programs for processing packets. The method includes receiving a packet at a first port of an apparatus, wherein the packet (i) is associated with a first session of a plurality of sessions being maintained by the apparatus and (ii) includes a first transmit window size associated with the first session; storing the packet in a packet buffer prior to retransmitted the packet from the apparatus, the packet buffer having a predetermined size; modifying the first transmit window size as set forth in the first packet based on (i) the predetermined size of the packet buffer, and (ii) a second transmit window size associated with a second session of the plurality of sessions, wherein the second session is separate from the first session; and transmitting the packet having the modified first transmit window size from a second port of the apparatus. |
| US08385202B2 |
Virtual switch quality of service for virtual machines
In one embodiment a method includes selectively controlling a virtual network switch to control a quality of service (QoS) for a flow associated with a virtual machine (VM). Controlling the QoS may include controlling the virtual switch to provide classification, congestion management, congestion avoidance, bandwidth limiting, traffic shaping, and/or priority manipulation. The method may also include migrating a policy associated with a virtual interface between the VM and the virtual switch from a first server to a second server when the VM is to be migrated from the first server to the second server. The migration may also include moving statistics associated with the policy. The method may include selectively adapting the policy or an existing policy on the receiving server when a discrepancy is detected between the policies. The method may include reserving resources to provide guaranteed minimum bandwidth, even without control of an ingress and egress queue. |
| US08385201B2 |
End-system dynamic rate limiting of background traffic
Dynamic rate limiting of background traffic to alleviate congestion in the access network is enabled. ICMP echo round-trip times and ICMP losses to a nearby node outside the local area and just beyond the divergence in end-to-end paths are measured, allowing unambiguous discrimination of nearby from distant congestion points. Using round-trip time samples, either short-run delay or short-run variance in delay can be measured to estimate congestion. When combined with an appropriate control law, background traffic can be rapidly reduced to allow interactive traffic to traverse unhindered through the access network. The described system and methods can be implemented in the application-layer and without any additional support from the network. |
| US08385199B1 |
Adaptive traffic shaping for wireless communication systems
Adaptive traffic shaping techniques, apparatuses, and systems can include obtaining information that associates mobile devices with wireless network areas handling wireless communications with the mobile devices and influencing data flow transmissions to the mobile devices associated with the wireless network areas based at least on the obtained information. Adaptive traffic shaping can include determining loading factors for the wireless network areas based on the associations. Techniques, apparatuses, and systems can control data flows to the mobile devices based on associated loading factors. |
| US08385198B2 |
Wireless communication system, transmission terminal, reception terminal, and transmission method
The transmission terminal in a wireless communication system includes: a communication unit for intermittently transmitting a radio signal; a transmission-side beacon reception unit; a beacon analysis unit for analyzing the received beacon signal; and a transmission output level change unit for estimating an emission time period of a beacon signal to be received by the transmission-side beacon reception unit on the basis of the beacon period information and the beacon reception time information, thereby obtaining an estimated emission time period; wherein the transmission output level change unit instructs the transmission-side communication unit to transmit the radio signal having a raised transmission output level during at least the estimated emission time period, the raised transmission output level being higher than a transmission output level during a time period other than at least the estimated emission time period. |
| US08385194B2 |
Quality of service admission control network
A network includes an advanced bandwidth manager (ABM) to manage loading when a network nears or exceeds its capacity due to changes in the network, e.g., component failures or incremental growth. The ABM gathers strategic information from remote listeners about how traffic is being routed over the whole network, and is abstracted into point-to-point tables. The information gathered also helps to provide long term service planning. Autonomous policy enforcement points (PEP's) provide short term controls on their own. Intelligent action can be taken by the ABM through the PEP's by downloading admission tables based in the point-to-point abstractions. The goal is to keep the highest level of service up for the most users and prevent total failures. Requested network connections are either admitted or denied to these ends. |
| US08385190B2 |
Controlling multicast source selection in an anycast source audio/video network
Particular embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to support a multicast source selection system. In an example embodiment, the system includes a network element in data communication with a network, the network element being operable to: receive a request for withdrawal of a server as a source of a multicast data stream; and propagate information to the network indicating withdrawal of the server as a source of the multicast data stream, the propagation of information by the network element being responsive to the request for withdrawal of the server as a source of the multicast data stream. |
| US08385189B2 |
Multi-hop wireless backhaul network and method
Some embodiments of the invention provide an implementation for a multi-hop wireless backhaul network, in particular an aggregation node (AGN). The AGN includes a plurality of spatially switched antennas and a transceiver configured to operate on the plurality of spatially switched antennas in a time divisional multiplexing (TDM) fashion to establish active connections with other network nodes in a hierarchical manner. The AGN is further configured to perform a bi-directional relay function for backhaul traffic with the other network nodes using at least one virtual circuit having an allocated bandwidth for delay sensitive traffic. The AGN may serve to aggregate and relay/amplify circuit traffic between network nodes in the up stream and down stream directions. If the AGN is interposed within a circuit between two other nodes, the AGN can switch the circuit traffic between the end-nodes of the circuit. |
| US08385184B2 |
Device and method for information mass storage
A device for mass storage of information, the device comprising: a substrate (30); an electrically-conductive tip (10) for atomic force microscopy located above the surface (31) of said substrate (30) in electrical contact therewith; and a voltage generator (41) for applying a potential difference between said tip (10) and said substrate (30); the device being characterized in that: said substrate (30) has a surface (31) of a material presenting electrical conductivity that is both electronic and ionic in nature; and in that said generator (41) is adapted to apply a potential difference that is sufficient to induce a redox reaction of said material that modifies the surface electrical conductivity of the substrate (30). The use of such a device (1) for mass storage of information. |
| US08385178B2 |
Multi-stage focus actuator and optical head
Techniques are provided for using a multi-stage actuator to actuate one or more optical components of an optical head. The multi-stage actuator includes a cross-layer displacement component which actuates an optical component to change the beam focus in a displacement range corresponding to the thickness of the data layers in a holographic disk, such that a beam is impinged on the target data layer. The multi-stage actuator also includes a intra-layer focusing component which actuates the optical component in a smaller range to focus the beam on the target data position. The cross-layer displacement component and the intra-layer focusing component may each include more than one actuator. In some embodiments, the focusing component also actuates the optical component in a tilting motion to compensate for movement or imperfections of the disk during a reading or recording process. |
| US08385177B2 |
Content transmitting apparatus for transmitting content with copy control information, content identification information and content status information
A content transmitting apparatus and the like which execute copy control of content more securely than conventional, and can count copy number correctly according to the situation, even in the case where content transfer is interrupted are provided. The content reproducing apparatus 10 for transmitting content that is digital copyrighted work including a plurality of content blocks comprises: the content reproducing unit 11 which reads out content and the like from the DVD 30; the control unit 12 which repeats, for each of the plurality of content blocks, transmitting in parallel with the content blocks, the copy control information indicating copy permission of the content, the content identification information identifying content, and the content status information indicating status of the content blocks in the overall content; the data building unit 15; the transmission unit 16; and the like. |
| US08385176B2 |
Read-only optical disc and method of manufacturing a read-only optical disc
[Object] To enable additional supplementary information such as PID to be utilized in a generally-used DVD player.[Solving Means] Additional supplementary information recorded with additional recording mark rows of the additional recording mark rows and pit rows is set to be previously recorded in a format of command information for instructing a normal DVD player to read. Similar to a so-called navigation command in a DVD system, in recording information that can be handled by the reproduction device, the additional supplementary information can be used, to thereby utilize the additional supplementary information in the current reproduction device. |
| US08385173B2 |
Method for determining characteristics of signal and apparatus using the same
A method of determining characteristics of a signal and an apparatus using the method. The apparatus for determining characteristics of a signal includes: a level detector receiving sample values of a radio frequency (RF) signal and binary data obtained by binarizing the RF signal, generating selection signals based on the binary data, classifying each of the sample values of the RF signal into one of a plurality of levels using the selection signals, and outputting average values of sample values of each level; and a signal characteristics determiner determining a characteristics value that indicates the characteristics of the RF signal using the average values of the sample values belonging to each level. |
| US08385170B2 |
Optical disc discrimination method, optical disc transport device, optical disc device, optical disc inspection device, and optical pickup inspection device
An optical disc device compatible with optical discs of different types having different track pitches, having a light detecting means (104) disposed in the path of diffracted light from the recording tracks on the optical disc (101), on which a light beam from a light emitting section (103) is incident. During the loading of the optical disc, the optical disc device discriminates the type of optical disc from the detection output of the light detecting means (104) and the positional relation between the optical disc (101) and the light detecting means (104). A simple structure thus enables the optical disc type to be discriminated. |
| US08385169B2 |
Optical disc drive and optical information system
An optical disc type is determined by detecting focus error signals and an amount of returned light, while (i) emitting light having a wavelength maximizing a focal length and (ii) moving an objective lens in a direction of an optical axis. If an S shape and AS immediately after a surface are greater than those at the surface, the optical disc is determined to have a largest capacity. It is also determined whether there is a reflective layer at a depth equal or less than 0.1 mm, if not, then it is determined whether there is a reflective layer at a depth of 0.6 mm. If there is a reflective layer at the depth of 0.6 mm, then the type of the reflective layer is determined based on TE/RF signals, using blue light. If the blue light is not adaptable, red light is emitted to replay at a depth of 0.6 mm. |
| US08385167B2 |
Information storage medium and method and apparatus for recording/reproducing data on/from the same
A method of reproducing data from an information storage medium having a plurality of recording layers, each layer having a user data area, on which data is recordable by a pickup. A first amount of data is reproduced from a recording layer located closest to the pickup and lesser amounts of data than the first amount of data are reproduced from other ones of the plurality of recording layers. The amount of data reproduced from each of the other ones of the plurality of recording layers progressively decreases from the recording layer closest to the pickup to a recording layer farthest from the pickup. |
| US08385164B2 |
Optical disk drive and computer
The present invention provides an optical disc drive and computer. The optical disc drive comprises: a tray for laying a disc therein; a drive means connected to the tray; and a control circuit for connecting the drive means and a power supply of a computer connected to the optical disc drive, wherein the drive means establishes an electrical connection with the power supply via the control circuit. The control circuit comprises: a determination unit for determining whether a optical disc drive power-off condition is valid and acquiring a determination result; and a power supply control unit for transmitting a power-off instruction to a computer host when the determination result indicates that the optical disc drive power-off condition is valid. The power-off instruction is configured for instructing the computer to control the power supply to stop supplying power to the control circuit and the drive means. The present invention enables complete power-off of the optical disc drive so that electrical power consumption is reduced to a maximum degree. |
| US08385163B2 |
Optical disc library system and methods
A system for optical disc storage, writing and reading including a housing holding at least two optical disc racks and a plurality of read/write drives that may be positioned in line with the storage rack. A track spans the racks, (e.g., a parallel track is positioned between two racks). A shuttle mounted on the track allows transfer of discs from the racks to drives. The shuttle may allow for disc pass through, disc rotation, or have other structures for disc transport. |
| US08385160B2 |
Magnetic recording element used for thermally-assisted magnetic recording
A magnetic recording element that faces a recording medium and that executes a magnetic recording while the recording medium is heated, the element including a waveguide that is configured with a core and a cladding, the core, through which laser light propagates, including an enlarged part, which is enlarged at an air bearing surface facing the recording medium; and the cladding surrounding a periphery of the core. |
| US08385158B1 |
Method and system for providing a magnetic recording transducer having a planarized near-field transducer and a sloped pole
A method and system for fabricating an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) transducer is described. The EAMR transducer has an air-bearing surface (ABS) and a waveguide. The method includes providing a planarized near field transducer (NFT) for the waveguide and forming a sloped surface on the planarized NFT. The sloped surface has a front edge separated from the ABS by a distance. The method and system also include providing a write pole on the sloped surface. |
| US08385151B2 |
Reverse time migration with absorbing and random boundaries
Images relating to a subsurface region may be generated based at least in part on a backward propagated source wavefield and a receiver wavefield. A source wavefield may be propagated from an initial wavefield-state forward in time, from an initial time-state to a final time-state, through an earth model associated with the subsurface region. The backward propagated source wavefield may be determined by propagating the source wavefield backward in time, from the final time-state to the initial time-state, through the earth model to reconstruct the initial wavefield-state. The receiver wavefield may be propagated, from the final time-state, through the earth model. The earth model may include at least one boundary region that can be defined as having one or more of absorbing characteristics, boosting characteristics, randomly perturbed characteristics, and/or other characteristics. As such, wavefields may be dampened, amplified, randomly scattered, and/or otherwise altered at the at least one boundary region. These wavefields may be used for constructing images of subsurface regions with improved signal-to-noise ratios. |
| US08385150B2 |
Delay efficient gater repeater
A gater repeater circuit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the circuit includes an activation circuit coupled to receive an input signal and a clock signal and configured to activate an output circuit. The output circuit is configured to drive an output signal. The output circuit includes first and second devices configured to drive the output signal to first and second states, respectively. A feedback circuit is configured to provide a delayed version of the output signal. A deactivation circuit is coupled to receive the clock signal and the delayed version of the output signal, and is configured to, when the clock signal is in the first state, cause the deactivation of an active one of the first and second devices. When the clock is in the second state, the circuit is configured to cause the second device to drive the output signal to the second state. |
| US08385149B2 |
Gate oxide breakdown-withstanding power switch structure
The present invention proposes a gate oxide breakdown-withstanding power switch structure, which is connected with an SRAM and comprises a first CMOS switch and a second CMOS switch respectively having different gate-oxide thicknesses or different threshold voltages. The CMOS switch, which has a normal gate-oxide thickness or a normal threshold voltage, provides current for the SRAM to wake up the SRAM from a standby or sleep mode to an active mode. The CMOS switch, which has a thicker gate-oxide thickness or a higher threshold voltage, provides current for the SRAM to work in an active mode. The present invention prevents a power switch from gate-oxide breakdown lest noise margin, stabilization and performance of SRAM be affected. |
| US08385145B2 |
Semiconductor memory apparatus
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes memory banks, each having sub banks. The semiconductor memory apparatus is configured to allocate same test input/output line to a certain sub bank of one memory bank and a certain sub bank of another memory bank during a multi-bit test. |
| US08385139B2 |
Semiconductor device using plural internal operation voltages and data processing system using the same
A semiconductor device includes an input buffer that receives an address signal having a first amplitude, a level shifter that converts an amplitude of the address signal output from the input buffer to a second amplitude that is smaller than the first amplitude, an address controller that receives the address signal output from the level shifter, address decoders that generate a decode signal by decoding the address signal output from the address controller, and level shifters that convert an amplitude of the address signal or of the decode signal from the second amplitude to the first amplitude such that at least an amplitude level of the decode signal becomes the first amplitude. |
| US08385138B2 |
Internal voltage generation circuit
An internal voltage generation circuit includes a driving control signal generation unit configured to receive a temperature signal enabled when the internal temperature is below a preset temperature and generate first and second driving control signals, and an internal voltage generation unit configured to receive the first and second driving control signals and generate an internal voltage. |
| US08385137B2 |
Termination circuit of semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a termination driver for driving a data line with a predetermined termination level by using an external power supply voltage and a drive current controller for controlling a drive current flowing into the data line from the termination driver in response to a voltage level of the external power supply voltage. |
| US08385135B2 |
Low consumption voltage regulator for a high voltage charge pump, voltage regulation method, and memory device provided with the voltage regulator
A voltage regulator for a regulated voltage generator configured to generate an operating voltage and including a variable comparison voltage generator, a comparison voltage, a partition branch including a plurality of active devices of a resistive type to receive the operating voltage and supply an intermediate voltage correlated to the operating voltage, and a comparator, to receive the comparison voltage and the intermediate voltage and supply a regulation signal for the regulated-voltage generator. |
| US08385134B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
When a leakage type determining circuit determines that leakage current components of a gate leakage and a substrate leakage are larger in a resume standby mode, a VDDR regulator generates a power supply voltage VDDR at a first voltage level lower than a power supply voltage VDD, and supplies the voltage as a power supply voltage VDDR1 to an SRAM module via a selector switch. When the leakage type determining circuit determines that a leakage current of a channel leakage is larger, the VDDR regulator supplies the power supply voltage VDDR1 higher than the first voltage level and lower than the power supply voltage VDD to the SRAM module. Also, an ARVSS regulator supplies a cell source power supply voltage higher than a reference voltage to an SRAM module in another region. |
| US08385130B2 |
Semiconductor memory device which stores plural data in a cell
A memory cell array is configured to have a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix, each of the memory cells being connected to a word line and a bit line and being capable of storing n values (n is a natural number equal to or larger than 3). A control circuit controls the potentials of the word line and bit line according to input data and writes data into a memory cell. The control circuit writes data into the memory cell to a k-valued threshold voltage (k<=n) in a write operation, precharges the bit line once, and then changes the potential of the word line an i number of times to verify whether the memory cell has reached an i-valued (i<=k) threshold voltage. |
| US08385124B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
The semiconductor device includes the nonvolatile memory cell in the main surface of a semiconductor substrate. The nonvolatile memory cell has a first insulating film over the semiconductor substrate, a conductive film, a second insulating film, the charge storage film capable of storing therein charges, a third insulating film over the charge storage film, a first gate electrode, a fourth insulating film in contact with the set of stacked films from the first insulating film to the foregoing first gate electrode, a fifth insulating film juxtaposed with the first insulating film over the foregoing semiconductor substrate, a second gate electrode formed over the fifth insulating film to be adjacent to the foregoing first gate electrode over the side surface of the fourth insulating film, and source/drain regions with the first and second gate electrodes interposed therebetween. The conductive film and the charge storage film are formed to two-dimensionally overlap. |
| US08385120B2 |
Method of programming a nonvolatile memory device
A method of programming a nonvolatile memory device is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of memory cells coupled to a wordline, the plurality of memory cells grouped into a plurality of groups, each group including at least two memory cells, such that for each cell of the plurality of memory cells that has memory cells adjacent both sides, the memory cells immediately adjacent either side of the cell belong to different groups from each other. The method further includes selecting one group from the plurality of groups, and performing a program operation including applying a program pulse to the selected group while one or more non-selected groups of the plurality of groups are inhibited from being programmed. |
| US08385116B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor storage device, controller and threshold adjustment method
A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device includes a plurality of cells for storing data on a basis of charges stored nonvolatilly, a write unit for writing and erasing data on the cell by injecting or extracting charges into or from the cell, a comparator for comparing the voltage produced by a selected cell to be read out with a threshold, a read unit for outputting read data on the basis of the comparison result by the comparator, and a threshold update unit for updating the threshold of the comparator according to the voltage produced by the selected cell. |
| US08385114B2 |
Nonvolatile memory circuit using spin MOS transistors
Certain embodiments provide a nonvolatile memory circuit in which a first p-channel MOS transistor and a first n-channel spin MOS transistor are connected in series, a second p-channel MOS transistor and a second n-channel spin MOS transistor are connected in series, gates of the first p-channel MOS transistor and the first n-channel spin MOS transistor are connected, gates of the second p-channel MOS transistor and the second n-channel spin MOS transistor are connected, a first n-channel transistor includes a drain connected to a drain of the first p-channel transistor and the gate of the second p-channel transistor, a second n-channel transistor includes a drain connected to a drain of the second p-channel transistor and the gate of the first p-channel transistor, and gates of the first and second n-channel transistors are connected. |
| US08385112B2 |
Variable resistance memory with lattice array using enclosing transistors
A variable resistance memory array, programming a variable resistance memory element and methods of forming the array. A variable resistance memory array is formed with a plurality of word line transistors surrounding each phase change memory element. To program a selected variable resistance memory element, all of the bitlines are grounded or biased at the same voltage. A top electrode select line that is in contact with the selected variable resistance memory element is selected. The word line having the word line transistors surrounding the selected variable resistance memory element are turned on to supply programming current to the element. Current flows from the selected top electrode select line through the variable resistance memory element into the common source/drain region of the surrounding word line transistors, across the transistors to the nearest bitline contacts. The word lines are patterned in various lattice configurations. |
| US08385110B2 |
Semiconductor memory device with security function and control method thereof
A semiconductor memory device includes a security controller. When a one time programmable (OTP) device is programmed, the semiconductor memory device prohibits lock-status information pre-stored in an OTP lock register from being changed to an unlock status, such that it increases the stability of data stored in an OTP area. The semiconductor memory device includes an OTP device configured to determine whether or not data is changed according to a lock/unlock status when a program command is received, and an OTP controller configured to prohibit the lock status from being changed to the unlock status. |
| US08385104B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
A semiconductor storage device includes: a memory cell array having memory cells positioned at respective intersections between a plurality of first wirings and a plurality of second wirings, each of the memory cells having a rectifier element and a variable resistance element connected in series; and a control circuit selectively driving the first and second wirings. The plurality of first wirings that are specified and selectively driven at the same time by one of a plurality of address signals are separately arranged with other first wirings interposed therebetween within the memory cell array when a certain potential difference is applied to a selected memory cell positioned at an intersection between the first and second wirings by the control circuit. |
| US08385103B2 |
Non-volatile memory device
A non-volatile memory device includes a bank including a plurality of unit cells so as to output sensed data to a global input/output (I/O) line, and a data input/output (I/O) unit configured to store the same data as that of a unit cell contained in a bank in a register, store external input data in the register during a write operation, and output data stored in the register to an external part during a read operation. |
| US08385099B2 |
Semiconductor memory cell and manufacturing method thereof, and semiconductor memory devices
A semiconductor memory cell includes: a memory element formed by a first field effect transistor having a gate insulating film made of a ferroelectric film; and a select switching element formed by a second field effect transistor having a gate insulating film made of a paraelectric film. The ferroelectric film and the paraelectric film are stacked together with a semiconductor film of a compound semiconductor interposed therebetween. A first gate electrode of the first field effect transistor is formed on a side of the ferroelectric film, and a second gate electrode of the second field effect transistor is formed on a side of the paraelectric film so as to face the first gate electrode. The semiconductor film forms a common channel layer of the first and second field effect transistors. |
| US08385090B2 |
Power supply system
A power supply system includes an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter circuit, a rectifier and filter circuit, a switch circuit, a transformer, a feedback circuit and a controller. The feedback circuit includes a voltage divider circuit, a filter circuit, and a voltage and temperature compensation circuit. The voltage divider circuit generates a voltage dividing signal, and includes a first lossless element and a second lossless element connected in series between an output of the transformer and the ground, and the voltage dividing signal is generated at a node of the first and second lossless elements. The filter circuit filters the voltage dividing signal into a direct current (DC) signal. The voltage and temperature compensation circuit does voltage compensation and temperature compensation to the DC signal to generate a feedback signal, and sends the feedback signal to the controller. |
| US08385088B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing an unregulated dormant mode with output reset in a power converter
An implementation of an unregulated dormant mode with an output reset controller in a power converter is disclosed. An example method for controlling an output of a power converter includes generating a drive signal with a drive signal generator to regulate a flow of energy to one or more loads coupled to an output of the power converter in response to an energy requirement of the one or more loads. The drive signal generator is rendered dormant to cease for a first time period the regulation of energy flow to the one or more loads when the energy requirement of the one or more loads falls below a threshold value. The energy requirement of the one or more loads is not responded to during the first time period. The drive signal generator is then powered up to resume after the first time period has elapsed the regulation of energy flow to the one or more loads. After the first time period has elapsed, it is identified whether there is an increase in the energy requirement of the one or more loads. If there is the increase in the energy requirement of the one or more loads, the output of the power converter is reset to allow a voltage at the output of power converter to be discharged during a second time period after the first time period has elapsed to a value substantially below a normal regulation output voltage. |
| US08385086B2 |
Converter having a polyphase mains-commutated power converter and a load-side power converter
A converter has a network-side and a load-side power converter that are connected together on the DC side in an electrically conductive manner. An upper and a lower valve branch of each phase module, respectively, of the load-side power converter has at least one two-poled subsystem. At least one multiphase network-controlled power converter is provided as the network-side power converter. In this way, a converter is obtained, in particular an intermediate voltage circuit converter for intermediate voltages, which combines a simple and cost-effective feed circuit on the network side with a modular multilevel converter on the load side. |
| US08385085B2 |
PWM signal generator, and inverter equipped with this PWM signal generator
The PWM signal generator of the present invention generates a first pulse waveform in which a first on-time ΔT1 calculated by a first on-time calculator (401) is used as an on-duration, and a second pulse waveform in which a second on-time ΔT2, calculated by a second on-time calculator (402) when a preset delay time has elapsed from the start of the calculation of the first on-time ΔT1, is used as an on-duration. Also, a PWM signal generator (413) generates a PWM signal on the basis of a composite pulse in which the generated first pulse waveform and second pulse waveform are combined, and the first on-time calculator (401) calculates the first on-time ΔT1 at the end of the composite pulse waveform. |
| US08385081B2 |
Stacked mounting structure
A stacked mounting structure includes a first substrate which includes a first electronic component, a second substrate disposed facing the first substrate and including a second electronic component, an intermediate member having a space for accommodating the second electronic component, an electroconductive member provided to the intermediate member, a first electrode for testing electrically connected to the first electronic component, as an electrode for testing an operation of the first electronic component, a connecting electrode toward the second substrate electrically connected to the second electronic component, as an electrode for electrically connecting to the electroconductive member, and a second electrode for testing provided to the first substrate as an electrode for testing an operation of the second electronic component and electrically connected to the second electronic component via the electroconductive member and the connecting electrode toward the second substrate. |
| US08385078B2 |
Power transducer
A power transducer is downsized by reducing the size of a power source board and highly reliable. The power source board is provided in the power transducer and for a large-current circuit. The power transducer includes a power semiconductor module having lead terminals. Of the lead terminals provided for the power semiconductor module and connected with the main circuit board, predetermined one or ones of the lead terminals is or are connected with the main circuit board in the vicinity of a main circuit terminal stage and at a position or positions lower than the main circuit terminal stage. Alternatively, predetermined one or ones of the lead terminals is or are connected with the main circuit board at a position or positions lower than a position at which the main circuit terminal stage is provided. |
| US08385076B2 |
Electronic device with pivotable arm
An exemplary electronic device includes a case, an inner body and a pivotable arm pivotally connected on the inner body by a pivot. The case defines an opening at a first lateral side thereof and a latching hole at a second lateral side thereof adjacent to the opening. The inner body is inserted in the case through the opening. The pivotable arm includes a frame engaged in the latching hole of the case, a latching member pivotally connected to the frame by the pivot, and a resilient member. The latching member includes an inner end and an outer end at opposite sides of the pivot. The outer end of the latching member is engaged in the latching hole. The resilient member abuts against the inner end of the latching member such that the inner end of the latching member biases the inner body. |
| US08385073B2 |
Folded system-in-package with heat spreader
A folded system-in-package (SiP) assembly is provided for minimizing the footprint of two corresponding circuit board modules in a handheld electronic device. The assembly includes top and bottom circuit board modules that are electrically interconnected through a flex circuit. Either a plate or wrapped heat spreader may be thermally coupled to the top circuit board module to conduct heat from the heat-generating components mounted to the top circuit board module and to a case of the electronic device. |
| US08385069B2 |
Liquid coolant conduit secured in an unused socket for memory module cooling
An apparatus for cooling a memory module installed in a computer system includes a liquid coolant conduit that is connected to a conduit support structure having a form factor selectively securable within a first preconfigured memory module socket of the computer system in order to position the liquid coolant conduit above the first socket. A heat pipe provides direct thermal contact between the liquid conduit and a heat spreader assembly in direct thermal contact with a face of the memory module. The apparatus may include a second heat pipe and second heat spreader assembly for similarly cooling a second memory module. In alternative configurations, the apparatus may cool memory modules on opposing sides of the conduit or memory modules that are both on the same side of the conduit. |
| US08385068B2 |
Cooling of electrical components
The invention concerns a converter as well as a cooling device and a method for cooling at least a first and a second group of electrically interconnected electrical components (SWA1, SWA2, SWA3, SWA4, SWA5, SWA6, SWA7, SWA8, SWB1, SWB2, SWB3, SWB4, SWB5, SWB6, SWB7, SWB8) in the converter, where the first and second groups are placed on opposite sides of a conductor leading to a connection terminal of the converter. The cooling device (22) comprises a first transporting arrangement (HSA1, HSA2, HSA3, HSA4, HSA5, HSA6, HSA7, HSA8, HSA9, COA1, COA2, COA3, COA4, COA5, COA6, COA7, COA8) transporting cooling medium (M) past the first group and a second transporting arrangement (HSB1, HSB2, HSB3, HSB4, HSB5, HSB6, HSB7, HSB8, HSB9, COB1, COB2, COB3, COB4, COB5, COB6, COB7, COB8) transporting the same cooling medium past the second group. |
| US08385067B2 |
In-line memory and circuit board cooling system
A system to remove heat from an in-line memory module and/or circuit board may include a cold-rail to engage each end of an in-line memory module adjacent to where the in-line memory module is attachable to a circuit board, the cold-rail to remove heat from the in-line memory module. The system may also include a cold-plate connected to the cold-rail with the circuit board between the cold-plate and the cold-rail, the cold-plate to remove heat from the circuit board. |
| US08385064B1 |
Reversible fan module for electronic enclosures
An enclosure for electronics includes a chassis and an interface connector positioned within the chassis and configured to provide power. A fan shelf module is received within the chassis and has at least one fan to provide air flow through the chassis. The fan shelf module includes a pinout connector along a horizontal or vertical line of symmetry and configured to engage the interface connector and receive power therefrom, such that the fan shelf module is selectively installed in one of two opposing directions allowing a fan air flow direction to the chassis to be selected as either pulling air or pushing air through the chassis depending on the installed direction of the fan shelf module. |
| US08385063B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a body, a cover, a sliding apparatus, and a latch assembly. The body defines two sliding slots. The sliding apparatus is received in the two sliding slots and is slidable relative to the two sliding slots. The cover is foldable on the body and is rotatably coupled to the sliding apparatus. The latch assembly is fixed to the sliding apparatus. When the latch assembly latches the body, the sliding apparatus is unlatched from the electronic device, and the cover is slidable relative to the body and is unfolded while the cover slides away from the body. |
| US08385062B2 |
Hard disk device frame
A hard disk device frame for fastening a plurality of hard disk devices, a fan, and a main board is disclosed. The hard disk device frame includes a rotary piece, a back chassis, and plural hinges. The rotary piece includes a front chassis having an opening; and a bracket fixed on the front chassis, wherein the hard disk devices enter the opening and couple to the bracket. The fan and the main board are fixed on the back chassis. The hinges connect the front chassis and the back chassis, thereby the rotary piece is pivoted relative to the back chassis to hide or expose the fan and the main board on the back chassis. |
| US08385060B2 |
Handheld computing device
A handheld computing device is disclosed. The handheld computing device includes a seamless housing formed from an extruded tube. The extruded tube includes open ends and internal rails which serve as a guide for slidably assembling an operational assembly through the open ends of the extruded tube, a reference surface for positioning the operational assembly relative to an access opening in the seamless housing, and a support structure for supporting the operational assembly during use. |
| US08385058B2 |
Display device and electric device
A display device and an electronic device are provided. The display device includes at least a circuit board, a frame and a sliding circuit board module. The frame has a receiving space and an opening. The sliding circuit board module is used for carrying the circuit board. The sliding circuit board module is movably coupled with the frame, such that the sliding circuit board module can slide both inside and outside of the receiving space via the opening. The sliding circuit board module comprises a bottom board and a lateral board. The bottom board is used for carrying the circuit board. The lateral board is coupled with the bottom board, wherein the lateral board and the bottom board substantially form an L-shaped structure. The lateral board has a first lateral board through hole for exposing a first connecting port of the circuit board. |
| US08385055B2 |
Electric device and display panel thereof
An electronic device and a display panel thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a first display panel and a casing. The first display panel has a first displaying part and a second displaying part. The first display panel includes a first bending mechanism which is disposed between the first displaying part and the second displaying part to bend or spread the first display panel. The casing has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The casing includes a rail mechanism which is disposed on the second surface. The second displaying part is slid on the rail mechanism to shift the first display panel relatively to the casing. |
| US08385052B2 |
Electrochemical capacitor containing ruthenium oxide electrodes
A capacitor containing an electrochemical cell that includes ruthenium oxide electrodes and an aqueous electrolyte containing a polyprotic acid (e.g., sulfuric acid) is provided. More specifically, the electrodes each contain a substrate that is coated with a metal oxide film formed from a combination of ruthenium oxide and inorganic oxide particles (e.g., alumina, silica, etc.). Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the inorganic oxide particles may enhance proton transfer (e.g., proton generation) in the aqueous electrolyte to form hydrated inorganic oxide complexes (e.g., [Al(H2O)63+] to [Al2(H2O)8(OH2)]4+). The inorganic oxide thus acts as a catalyst to both absorb and reversibly cleave water into protons and molecular bonded hydroxyl bridges. Because the anions (e.g., sulfate and bisulfate ions) in the electrolyte are not bound in the coordination sphere of the formed aqua complexes, they do not impede the condensation of these complexes required to achieve the additional capacitance over the potential range. As a result, the ionic charges are kept separate and the chemical process may generate pseudo-capacitance. This, in turn, may result in an increase in the charge density and capacitance of the electrode. |
| US08385048B2 |
Chip type laminated capacitor
There is provided a chip type laminated capacitor, including: a ceramic body including a dielectric layer having a thickness equal to 10 or more times an average particle diameter of a grain included therein and being 3 □m or less; first and second outer electrodes formed on both ends of the ceramic body in a length direction; first and second band parts formed to extend inwardly of the ceramic body in the length direction on a length-width (L-W) plane from the first and second outer electrodes and having different lengths; and third and fourth band parts formed to extend inwardly of the ceramic body in the length direction on a length-thickness (L-T) plane from the first and second outer electrodes and having different lengths. |
| US08385047B2 |
Integrated power passives
A multi-layer film-stack and method for forming the multilayer film-stack is given where a series of alternating layers of conducting and dielectric materials are deposited such that the conducting layers can be selectively addressed. The use of the method to form integratable high capacitance density capacitors and complete the formation of an integrated power system-on-a-chip device including transistors, conductors, inductors, and capacitors is also given. |
| US08385043B2 |
Galvanic isolator
Galvanic isolators are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a galvanic isolator comprises a generally planar electrically insulating substrate comprising opposing first and second surfaces, the substrate comprising an electrically insulating, low dielectric loss material and having a transmitter coil disposed on the first surface and a receiving coil disposed on the second surface. A transmitter circuit is operably connected to the transmitter coil. The transmitter circuit comprises a first detector that detects a rising edge of an input signal; a first pulse generator that generates a plurality of first pulses upon detection of the rising edge; a second detector that detects a falling edge of the input signal; and a second pulse generator that generates a plurality of second pulses upon detection of the falling edge. A receiver circuit is operably connected to the second receiving coil. The receiver circuit generates a signal that is substantially similar to the input signal based on the first pulses and the second pulses. |
| US08385041B2 |
Honeycomb structure and method of using the structure
A method of using honeycomb material having opposite surfaces and flow channels between the surfaces, includes directing fluid flow through the channels while applying a voltage between the surfaces and across fluid flowing in the channels. A method of using honeycomb material that includes at least one electrode, the honeycomb material and electrode be useful in an electrical or electronic device, includes using the honeycomb material to support or to suspend the electrical or electronic device. An apparatus includes a honeycomb structure of dielectric material having a number of flow channels therethrough, an electrode at a surface of the dielectric material responsive to electrical input to apply an electrical response alone or with regard to another electrode, the honeycomb structure having cohesive strength and rigidity to support itself and the electrode from in suspended relation. |
| US08385036B2 |
System and method for negative voltage protection
An electronic system is disclosed, which includes a connector unit to communicate data with a host system, an electronic circuit to store the data, and a switch to convey the data to and from the electronic circuit via the connector unit. The switch includes a negative voltage protection unit coupled to the connector unit, and a transistor switch coupled to the negative voltage protection unit, the connector unit, and the electronic circuit. The negative voltage protection unit forces the transistor switch off if a negative voltage is detected. |
| US08385035B2 |
Protection system having reduced energy let-through mode and zone selectivity
A method to protect a circuit having at least a first circuit breaker, and a second circuit breaker arranged upstream of said first circuit breaker, said first circuit breaker having configuration settings selectable between a normal mode and an alternate mode, the alternate mode setting including a reduced energy let-thru (RELT) mode setting having a RELT mode trip time delay. The method including determining if said first circuit breaker is configured in said RELT mode, determining a. dynamic delay time for opening said second circuit breaker, wherein said dynamic delay time is based at least in part on said RELT mode trip time delay of said first circuit breaker, and triggering said second circuit breaker to open after said dynamic delay time has elapsed. |
| US08385034B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection circuit
The invention discloses an electrostatic discharge protection circuit suitable for an integrated circuit system. The integrated circuit system includes a first power terminal, a second power terminal, an internal circuit and a reset signal wiring. The electrostatic discharge protection circuit includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor has a first gate, a first electrode and a second electrode. The first gate is coupled to the first power-source. The first electrode is electrically connected to the second power-source. The second transistor has a second gate, a third electrode and a fourth electrode, which are electrically connected to the second electrode, the first power-source and the reset signal wiring respectively. When the integrated circuit system is under an electrostatic discharge condition, the first and the second transistors are switched on, so as to equalize the voltage level of the reset signal wiring to the voltage level of the first power terminal. |
| US08385031B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing power from a power source to a portable electrical device
An apparatus for providing power from a vehicle power source to at least one portable electrical device includes: (a) a power interface unit for coupling with the vehicle power source; (b) a power converter unit coupled with the power interface unit; (c) at least one first voltage output connection structure coupled with the power converter unit; the at least one first voltage connection structure presenting at least one first voltage output; the at least one first voltage output connection structure being configured for effecting universal serial bus coupling; and (d) first short-circuit protection circuitry coupled with the power converter unit and the at least one first voltage output connection structure. |
| US08385021B2 |
Temperature assisted magnetic recording element having grounded near field light generator
A plasmon generator positioned away from the substrate and extending to the air bearing surface (ABS) as facing a part of the waveguide. The plasmon generator has a propagation edge extending in a longitudinal direction. The propagation edge has an overlapping part overlapping the waveguide in the longitudinal direction, and a near field light generator positioned on the ABS and located in the vicinity of the edge part of the recording magnetic pole. The overlapping part of the propagation edge is coupled with the laser light propagating through the waveguide in a surface plasmon mode so that a surface plasmon is generated. The propagation edge propagates the surface plasmon generated in the overlapping part to the near field light generator. The magnetic recording element further has a grounding element electrically connecting the plasmon generator and the substrate. |
| US08385019B1 |
Magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording including a coil element located between the top surface of a main pole and an inclined surface of a shield
A magnetic head includes a coil, a main pole, a write shield, a gap part, and a return path section. The return path section is located on the front side in the direction of travel of a recording medium relative to the main pole, and connects the write shield and part of the main pole away from a medium facing surface to each other. The coil includes a specific coil element. The main pole has a top surface including an inclined portion and a flat portion. The write shield has an inclined surface. The inclined surface includes a first portion opposed to the inclined portion with the gap part therebetween, and a second portion located farther from the medium facing surface than the first portion. The specific coil element includes a portion interposed between the flat portion and the second portion. |
| US08385014B2 |
Systems and methods for identifying potential media failure
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for medium utilization control. As an example, a method for identifying potentially damaged media regions is discussed that includes receiving a data set; performing a data detection process on the data set to yield a detected output and a status value corresponding to the data set; performing a data decoding process on the detected output to yield a decoded output; and identifying a region of a storage medium from which the data set was derived as failing based at least in part on the status value. |
| US08385011B2 |
Image pickup lens, image pickup apparatus, mobile terminal, and manufacturing method of image pickup lens
An image pickup lens includes a first lens block with a positive refractive power, a second lens block with a negative refractive power, and an aperture stop. The first lens block includes a first lens substrate, and lens portions 1a and 1b arranged on the first lens substrate. The lens portions 1a and 1b are different from the first lens substrate in at least one of a refractive index and an Abbe number. The second lens block includes a second lens substrate, and lens portions 2a and 2b arranged on the second lens substrate. The lens portions 2a and 2b are different from the second lens substrate in at least one of a refractive index and an Abbe number. The image pickup lens satisfies predetermined conditions relating to a refractive index of the lens portion 2b, and composite thicknesses of the first lens block and the second lens block. |
| US08385010B2 |
Imaging lens, optical apparatus and method for forming image using this imaging lens
An imaging lens includes a first lens group having a positive refractive power, an aperture stop, and a second lens group having a positive refractive power, which are disposed in order from an object. The first lens group has a first lens component having a negative refractive power and a second lens component having a positive refractive power, which are disposed in order from the object, and conditions expressed by the expressions 0.12 |
| US08385004B2 |
Accessory for portable imaging device
An apparatus for attachment to a portable image capture and storage device. The apparatus includes an auxiliary lens and an elastic band coupled thereto. The auxiliary lens is shaped for image alteration of an image obtained by the portable image capture and storage device. The auxiliary lens characterized by an optical axis extending from a base of the lens to a crown of the lens. The elastic band extends, at least in part, in a lateral direction, substantially orthogonal to the optical axis, from the auxiliary lens. The elastic band in combination with the auxiliary lens forms a closed loop whereby the apparatus is removably attachable to a peripheral portion of the image capture and storage device to alter the appearance of the image obtained by the portable image capture and storage device. |
| US08385001B2 |
Zoom projection lens system
A zoom projection lens system, in order from the magnification side to the minification side thereof, includes a first lens group with negative refraction power, a second lens group with positive refraction power, a third lens group with positive refraction power, a fourth lens group with negative refraction power; and a fifth lens group with positive refraction power. The first, second, third, fourth lens group are movably positioned, and the fifth lens group is immovably positioned. The first lens group includes a first aspherical plastic lens. The second lens group includes a second aspherical plastic lens. The fourth lens group includes a third aspherical plastic lens. The system satisfies the formula: −2.4≦Fa1/Fw≦−2.1; 2.9≦Fb1/Fw≦3.2; −3.8≦Fa2/Fw≦−3.6, wherein Fa1, Fa2, Fb1 are the effective focal lengths of the first, second, third aspherical plastic lens respectively, Fw is the effective focal lengths of the system in a wide angle state. |
| US08385000B2 |
Concentric ring dielectric lens
A lens and a method of forming a lens are included. A lens can include a plurality of concentric rings formed from a dielectric material interleaved by a plurality of gaps separating the plurality of concentric rings. |
| US08384998B2 |
Antireflection film, display device and light transmissive member
An antireflection film is provided in which a light scattering property is suppressed. In at least one example embodiment, the antireflection film includes, on a surface thereof, a moth-eye structure including a plurality of convex portions such that a width between vertices of adjacent convex portions is no greater than a wavelength of visible light. In at least one example embodiment of this antireflection film, the moth-eye structure does not include a sticking structure formed when tip end portions of the convex portions are joined to each other. |
| US08384997B2 |
Optical pattern projection
Optical apparatus includes first and second diffractive optical elements (DOEs) arranged in series to diffract an input beam of radiation. The first DOE is configured to apply to the input beam a pattern with a specified divergence angle, while the second DOE is configured to split the input beam into a matrix of output beams with a specified fan-out angle. The divergence and fan-out angles are chosen so as to project the radiation onto a region in space in multiple adjacent instances of the pattern. |
| US08384994B2 |
Method for operating an optical system and optical system
The invention provides a microscope (2) as part of an optical system (1) used to spatially image an object in an image plane, and methods for its use, wherein the microscope (2) has at least one lens system assigned to a respective beam path (3, 4) and a converging lens arrangement (11) assigned to the beam path(s) (3, 4), wherein the at least one lens system includes a first lens arrangement (3a; 4a) and a second lens arrangement (3b; 4b) arranged between the first and the converging lens arrangement. |
| US08384991B2 |
Saturable absorber using a fiber taper embedded in a nanostructure/polymer composite and lasers using the same
A saturable absorber (SA) is constructed using a fiber taper embedded in a carbon nanotube/polymer composite. A fiber taper is made by heating and pulling a small part of standard optical fiber. At the taper's waist light is guided by the glass-air interface, with an evanescent field protruding out of the taper. Carbon nanotubes mixed with an appropriate polymer host material are then wrapped around the fiber taper to interact with the evanescent field. Saturable absorption is possible due to the unique optical properties of the carbon nanotubes. The device can be used in mode-locked lasers where it initiates and stabilizes the pulses circulating around the laser cavity. The SA can be used in various laser cavities, and can enable different pulse evolutions such as solitons, self-similar pulses and dissipative solitons. Other applications include but are not limited to optical switching, pulse cleanup and pulse compression. |
| US08384982B2 |
Display element
A display element containing an electrolyte (containing a metal salt compound) disposed between counter electrodes, wherein a compound represented by the following Formula (A) is immobilized on at least one of the counter electrodes: wherein R22 represents an aryl group, R23 and R24 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; X represents >N—R25, an oxygen atom or sulfur atom; and R25 represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, a ratio of a region on which the compound of Formula (A) is immobilized to a region on which the compound is not immobilized is 1:4 to 4:1. A black display, a white display and a color display having a color other than black are achieved by the operation of the counter electrodes. |
| US08384978B2 |
Optical clock
An optical clock comprises a laser oscillator and modulating means arranged to cooperate with the laser oscillator to produce a series a series of phase-modulated optical pulses. The optical clock further comprises an optical fiber arranged to provide compression of the optical pulses, and may also comprise a step-recovery diode arranged to pulse-pick pulses output from the fiber to produce a series of optical clock pulses, depending on the mode of operation of the modulating means. Phase-modulation is carried out a frequency which provides sufficient linewidth broadening to inhibit stimulated Brillouin scattering within the optical fiber. An optical clock of the invention provides a robust and reliable alternative to clocks based on modelocked lasers, and may be assembled from inexpensive, commonly-available components. The repetition rate of a clock of the invention may easily be adjusted by electronic means. Unlike many modelocked lasers, a clock of the invention does not require precise optical alignment. |
| US08384977B2 |
Light extracting device and light extracting method
A light extracting device includes a dual light generating unit and a first order Bragg grating unit. The dual light generating unit is for receiving an input optical signal and a control signal, and for generating from the input optical signal first and second optical signals that have a phase difference there between. The phase difference is associated with the control signal. The first order Bragg grating unit is for receiving the first and second optical signals from the dual light generating unit, and for causing optical interference to occur between the first and second optical signals within a predetermined wavelength range to result in first and second output optical signals. |
| US08384975B2 |
Micromechanical assembly having a displaceable component
A micromechanical assembly having a mounting, at least one stator electrode comb, which is fixedly placed on the mounting, having at least two stator electrode fingers, whose central longitudinal axes are on a central plane of the stator electrode comb, at least one actuator electrode comb having at least two actuator electrode fingers, and a displaceable component, which is coupled to the at least one actuator electrode comb so that the displaceable component is displaceable in relation to the mounting at least in one first displacement direction using a nonzero operating voltage, which is applied between the at least two stator electrode fingers and the at least two actuator electrode fingers, the first displacement direction having one first nonzero directional component perpendicular to the central plane. |
| US08384974B2 |
Method of computing a hologram by determining wavefronts at an observer eye position
A method of computing a hologram for reconstructing an object using a display device. The display device enables a holographic reconstruction of the object. The display device includes a light source and an optical system to illuminate a hologram-bearing medium being encodable with the hologram. The method includes the steps of: (a) computing the hologram by determining the wavefronts at an approximate observer eye position that would be generated by a real version of the object to be reconstructed; and (b) encoding the computed hologram in the hologram-bearing medium. |
| US08384971B2 |
System and method for rendering image values to be printed in a single pass by serially arranged printheads
A method processes image data for a color separation to reduce visible perception of misalignment of printheads in a plurality of serially arranged printheads. The method includes detecting cross-process edges in image values for objects in a color separation to be printed by a plurality of serially arranged printheads, and disproportionately mapping image values corresponding to the object in the color separation to one of the printheads in the plurality of serially arranged printheads. |
| US08384968B2 |
Transmission mechanism and scanning apparatus for switching output powers
A transmission mechanism for switching output powers includes first to fourth transmission gears, first and second power-connecting members and a driving mechanism. The first power-connecting member coaxially disposed between the first and second transmission gears is moved axially, and connects the first and second transmission gears together to transmit power to the second transmission gear. The second power-connecting member coaxially disposed between the third and fourth transmission gears is moved axially and connects the third and fourth transmission gears together to transmit power to the fourth transmission gear. The driving mechanism synchronously drives the first and second power-connecting members to move axially to selectively connect the first transmission gear to the second transmission gear, or connect the third transmission gear to the fourth transmission gear. A scanning apparatus using the transmission mechanism is also disclosed. |
| US08384963B2 |
System and method for monitoring output of printing devices
A printing device is provided with an imager to capture an output image of the paper after it is printed on. The output image is compared to an input image representing the image being printed to detect any artifacts in the output image and to determine the type of the artifacts. The types of the artifacts include effects caused by dirty drum, low or missing toner, dirty or wrinkled paper, etc. The printing device performs a responsive action based on the type of artifacts detected, including displaying a diagnostic message, stopping the printing, rejecting the sheet, re-printing, printing subsequent pages with a corrective action, etc. Further, another imager is provided to capture an image of the paper before it is printed on, and the image is analyzed to detect artifacts of the input paper, including dirty or wrinkled paper, wrong paper size, paper skew or misalignment, etc. |
| US08384952B2 |
Image processing and forming apparatus, method and computer-readable medium for improving document image compression efficiency and quality
A compression process and apparatus includes: generating a background layer by extracting a text region from an input image and removing at least the text region from the input image; extracting a background region corresponding to a color characteristic from a background layer; recording coordinate values of the background region extracted; and storing the background region in a form in accordance with the color characteristic of the background region extracted. Further, a data storage section stores a local background and a page background as information including the background color estimated and the coordinate values of the background region including the background color, each of which local background and page background are included in the background layer. This configuration makes it possible to improve a compression efficiency and image quality. |
| US08384950B2 |
Processing system and processing method for processing system
When color measurement is performed, a printer driver of a host apparatus 150 transmits a job start command “JS” to a printer 10, then performs printing instruction (print data transmission for color measurement printing), color measurement instruction, reception of a color measurement result (color measurement data) from a color measuring device (a color meter 41 and a color measurement driving device 80), label printing instruction, job information storage instruction, and positioning instruction, and subsequently transmits a job end command “JE” to the printer 10. During a period from the job start command “JS” until the job end command “JE” is received, a communication connect between the printer 10 and the host apparatus 150 is maintained while an interrupt from other than the host apparatus 150 is inhibited. |
| US08384945B2 |
Printing apparatus, data generation apparatus, printing method, data generation method, and storage medium
A printing apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine whether objects overlap one another by analyzing print data, and a printing unit configured, if it is determined by the determination unit that the objects overlap one another, to separately print an image obtained before the objects overlap one another and an image obtained after the objects overlap one another based on the print data, and if it is determined by the determination unit that the objects do not overlap one another, to print an image based on the print data. |
| US08384942B1 |
Message preview control
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computing devices and systems, as well as software, computer programs, applications, and user interfaces, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods to facilitate message preview control. For example, the method may include generating representations for messages to present on an interface, and detecting selection of the representation for the message. Further, the method can include presenting preview information for the message, which can be an electronic facsimile. The representations for the messages can include a representation for an electronic facsimile, as well as a voice message and an email. |
| US08384938B2 |
Image reading apparatus capable of supporting a plurality of transmission modes and selecting the transmission mode
An image reading apparatus includes: a reading unit; a transmission unit and a limiting unit. The reading unit is configured to read a document and create image data. The transmission unit supports a plurality of transmission modes, and is configured to transmit the image data to an external apparatus using at least one selected from the plurality of transmission modes. The limiting unit is configured to limit selectable transmission modes of the transmission unit based on at least one of: a user-designated attribute of the document set by a user; a reading attribute of the reading unit; and a content of the document read by the reading unit. |
| US08384933B2 |
Image forming apparatus providing scan data along with advertisement data
When a user selects not to insert advertisement data into scan data when transferring the scan data from an MFP to a Web server, the MFP converts the advertisement data into an HTML format to transfer to the Web server in association with the scan data. Accordingly, a PC accessing the Web server displays a Web page showing contents of the advertisement and information including an icon functioning as means for requesting download of the scan data. The scan data inserted with no advertisement data is downloaded to the PC by operating the icon. |
| US08384929B2 |
Systems and methods for efficiently handling image data
A method for efficiently handling image data may involve creating an imaging job that includes image data corresponding to an outputting operation that is to be performed by an imaging device. The method may also involve determining whether the image data includes one or more reduced size images in addition to one or more full size images. The method may also involve determining whether the one or more reduced size images are satisfactory for the outputting operation. If the image data includes the one or more reduced size images in addition to the one or more full size images, and if the one or more reduced size images are satisfactory for the outputting operation, the method may involve despooling the one or more reduced size images to the imaging device without despooling the one or more full size images to the imaging device. |
| US08384927B2 |
Print job management method and apparatus with grouping function to group print jobs and submit groups of print jobs to printing devices
An efficient and effective method for managing a plurality of print jobs is implemented on a print job management apparatus (e.g. a server) which is connected to a plurality of printing devices. The print job management apparatus groups the received print jobs into a number of groups based on various criteria, such as customer information, print priority, color settings, the number of copies, paper size, paper type, finishing options, etc., and submits each group of print jobs to one printing device for printing. Different groups of print jobs can be submitted to different printing devices, and each printing device prints the print jobs submitted to it. The print job management apparatus can also display the grouping result to an operator. The method allows the print job management apparatus and the operator to more efficiently manage the print jobs. |
| US08384923B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and storage medium storing image forming program thereof
A past print job is held as a history; selection of a target item by a user, from among a plurality of types of print setting items that are settable for a print job in which print processing of image data will be performed, is received; with respect to the target item, a search is performed for a past print job in which the content of the target item was set; a list of past print jobs is displayed; selection of a print job by the user, from among the list of past print jobs that was displayed, is received; the content of the target item that has been set for the selected past print job is set to the print job of the image data; and print processing of the image data is performed using the print job for which settings have been set. |
| US08384921B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for managing a mode program constituted by operation mode information set to a job performed by the image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus registers a mode program constituted by operation mode information set to a job in order to execute the job by retrieving the mode program. A mode program registration section outputs an instruction to acquire the operation mode information set to the job and acquires the operation mode information. An operation mode acquisition section sends a request to a software part corresponding to a process constituting said job to acquire the operation mode information, and acquires and outputs the operation mode information of a predetermined type, which is a return value output from the software part, to the mode program registration section. A mode program information management section creates mode program information including the operation mode information acquired by the mode program registration section and identification information of the mode program, and stores the mode program information in a mode program information retaining section. |
| US08384915B2 |
Test block for use in a welding process
A method and test block for controlling weld penetration depth in a work piece are disclosed. The test block simulates a work piece relative to a welding process of the work piece. The test block includes a test welding path. The test welding path replicates a production welding path on a weld surface of the work piece. The test block includes a melt-thru surface that underlies the test welding path. The melt-thru surface is spaced apart from the test welding path by a spacing that decreases along a length of the test welding path. The spacing varies from more than a standard weld penetration depth to less than the standard weld penetration depth. |
| US08384912B2 |
Wide field of view optical tracking system
In an optical tracking system for determining the pose of a moving object in a reference coordinate system, the system including at least one light emitter, at least one optical detector for detecting the light emitted by the at least one light emitter and a pose processor, coupled with the at least one optical detector, and with the at least one light emitter, for determining the pose of the moving object according to the light detected by the at least one optical detector. |
| US08384910B2 |
Double pass interferometer with tilted mirrors
An interferometer of the present invention includes a PBS2 which splits light into reference light and measurement light, a reference mirror 4a which reflects the reference light entering the reference mirror from a first direction, a measurement mirror 4b which reflects the measurement light entering the measurement mirror from a second direction, a lens system 6 which reflected lights from the reference mirror 4a and the measurement light 4b enter, a reflective device 5 which reflects light from the lens system 6, and a light receiving device 16 which receives multiplexed light, wherein the reference mirror 4a and the measurement mirror 4b are in a conjugate relation with respect to the reflective device 5, and at least one of the reference mirror 4a and the measurement mirror 4b is tilted so that its normal direction differs from the first and the second direction. |
| US08384905B2 |
Tunable light source for label-independent optical reader
A tunable light source for interrogating at least one resonant waveguide grating (RWG) biosensor having a resonance linewidth. The tunable light source includes a broadband light source that emits a light beam having a first spectral bandwidth greater than the RWG biosensor resonance linewidth. The broadband light source may be substantially spatially incoherent. A tunable optical filter having a tunable spectral linewidth is arranged to receive and filter the light beam to cause the light beam to have a second spectral bandwidth substantially the same as the RWG biosensor resonance linewidth. Label-independent optical readers that employ the tunable light source are also disclosed. |
| US08384901B2 |
Method for the tomographic examination of microscopic objects and a scanning microscope for the implementation thereof
The invention relates to the scan methods and means for tomographic examination of two-dimensional structure of planar objects. The invention aims at developing a method of studying nanodimensional or microscopic objects with a resolution of the order of 30 nanometer and means of implementation of such a method. The task in view is performed such that the scanning microscope comprises a radiation source 1, as well as, positioned along the radiation rays, an opaque screen 2 with a slit, an object stage 4 with a mobility device for disposing of and maneuvering with an object under examination within the scan plane 7, a radiation detector 8 connected to an information processing unit 9, wherein according to the embodiment, the opaque screen is supplied with at least one slit shutter 3 movable in the plane of the opaque screen, the slit shutter providing the variability of cross-sectional dimensions of the slit. |
| US08384896B2 |
Optical slicer for improving the spectral resolution of a dispersive spectrograph
An optical slicer for generating an output spot comprising an image compressor which receives a substantially collimated input beam and compresses the beam, wherein the input beam, if passed through a focusing lens, produces an input spot; an image reformatter which receives the compressed beam to reformat the beam into a plurality of sliced portions of the compressed beam and vertically stacks the portions substantially parallel to each other; and an image expander which expands the reformatted beam to produce a collimated output beam which, if passed through the focusing lens, produces the output spot that is expanded in a first dimension and compressed in a second dimension relative to the input spot. |
| US08384894B2 |
Superior analyzer for raman spectra with high acceptance cone, resolution, transmission, and quantum efficiency, and strong background reduction
A Raman analyzer for analyzing light emitted from a Raman cell is provided that has a beam splitter configured to split the light emitted from the Raman cell into a first beam and a second beam. An atomic vapor filter can be used to filter a Raman scattered line from the first beam and a chopper system can periodically interrupt the first and second beams that are directed towards a photo detector, which can convert light from the first and second beams into an electrical signal. The signal output from the photo detector can optionally be amplified, digitized, Fourier filtered, and/or subjected to Fourier analysis. |
| US08384893B2 |
Raman detecting system and detection method for using the same
A Raman detecting system for detecting a vapor of an explosive includes a surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate for absorbing the vapor of the explosive. The substrate includes a carbon nanotube film structure and a plurality of metallic particles disposed on the carbon nanotube film structure. The carbon nanotube film structure includes a plurality of stacked carbon nanotube films. |
| US08384891B2 |
Direct detection of markers in pressurized hydrocarbon fluids
This invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for direct detection of one or more markers in pressurized hydrocarbon fluids. The apparatus includes a vessel (130) and one or more valves (150, 160, 170). The hydrocarbon fluid (240) may be a liquid or gas. Markers may include a variety of optical markers, such as fluorescent markers. The apparatus may be coupled to a hydrocarbon fluid source (210), and the vessel (130) may be at least partially filled with hydrocarbon fluid from the hydrocarbon fluid source (210). A> detector (140) coupled to the vessel (130) may be used to detect at least one of the markers in the hydrocarbon fluid (240) while the apparatus is coupled to the hydrocarbon fluid source (210) and without the addition of reagents. Detection of markers may include, for example, fluorescence detection. |
| US08384890B2 |
Apparatus for measuring the inner surface of a culvert or other tunnel defining structure imbedded in the ground
The inner surface of an underground tunnel defining structure, such as a culvert or pipe, is measured by apparatus including a portable hand held battery powered laser unit releasably attached to a rotor disk supported within the tunnel by an adjustable stand or tripod for rotation on a generally horizontal axis. The disk has peripherally spaced notches which receive a spring-biased latch member for positioning the disk and laser unit at predetermined angular positions about the axis. The laser unit emits a laser beam to a target on the inner surface of the structure and displays on the unit a precision distance reading from the laser unit to the target. The distance reading for each target is entered in a chart for comparison with a prior measurement reading to indicate changes in the shape or profile of the inner surface. |
| US08384889B2 |
Outer shape determination device
An outer shape determination device includes: a mounting base having a rectangular mounting surface for placing an object to be subjected to determination thereon; a longitudinal light-emitting optical waveguide, a longitudinal light-receiving optical waveguide, a transverse light-emitting optical waveguide, and a transverse light-receiving optical waveguide which are provided along the periphery of the mounting surface; a heightwise light-emitting optical waveguide and a heightwise light-receiving optical waveguide which are erected upwardly from the mounting surface; a light source connected to light-emitting cores of the longitudinal, transverse and heightwise light-emitting optical waveguides; a photoelectric conversion element connected to light-receiving cores of the longitudinal, transverse and heightwise light-receiving optical waveguides; and an outer shape calculating means for receiving a light interception signal from the photoelectric conversion element to perform a computation process, thereby calculating the outer shape of the object. |
| US08384883B2 |
Optoelectronic sensor and method for the measurement of distances in accordance with the light transit time principle
An optoelectronic sensor (10) for the measurement of distances or distance changes in accordance with the light transit time principle is provided having a light transmitter (12) for the transmission of a light signal and having a light receiver (16) for the reception of the remitted or reflected light signal, wherein an evaluation unit (18) is provided which is made to trigger the transmission of a light signal at a transmission time in a respective measurement period (100) and to sample the received light signal as well as to accumulate a histogram (110) of such received light signals over a plurality of measurement periods (100) and to determine the reception time from the histogram (110) and the light transient time from this. In this respect, a unit (40) for the fine setting of a transmission time is provided which is made to shift the respective transmission time within the measurement periods (100) by an offset, with the offsets forming a distribution (56, 60) whose center of mass forms a desired transmission time. |
| US08384881B2 |
Lithographic apparatus, stage apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus is described, the apparatus comprising an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam; a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate, a chuck constructed to hold the substrate table; a positioning device for, in use, displacing the chuck; a control unit configured to control the positioning device, wherein the control unit is arranged to drive the positioning device to excite the chuck by a substantially dynamic force to enable deformation of the chuck, prior to aligning the patterning device. |
| US08384876B2 |
Method of detecting reticle errors
A method of detecting reticle error may include using an optical source of an exposure unit to cause light to be incident on a reticle installed in the exposure unit, and detecting the reticle error using only 0th diffraction light from among diffraction lights transmitted through the reticle. A method of detecting reticle error may include: installing a reticle, including a mask substrate and mask patterns having a critical dimension formed on the mask substrate, in an exposure unit to cause light to be incident on the reticle; exposing a photoresist film disposed on a wafer in the exposure unit using only 0th diffraction light from among diffraction lights transmitted through the reticle; developing the exposed photoresist film; and analyzing a thickness change, an image, or the thickness change and image of the developed photoresist film, in order to detect the reticle error at a wafer level. |
| US08384869B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
Disclosed is an LCD device comprising: a substrate; gate and data lines intersecting each other on the substrate; a thin film transistor at the intersection of the gate and data lines; a pixel electrode electrically connected with the thin film transistor; a common electrode forming an electric field with the pixel electrode; and a reflection control layer on at least one of the pixel electrode and common electrode. At this time, at least one electrode of the pixel electrode and common electrode is formed of the opaque metal material, to thereby improve black luminance and contrast ratio. Simultaneously, the reflection control layer is formed on the at least one electrode of the opaque metal material so that it is possible to adjust the reflectivity of external light, and to prevent the problem of rainbow-colored image. |
| US08384867B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device, includes: a gate line (14) provided as a first conductive layer to extend the gate line in a predetermined direction; a thin film transistor (13) including a gate electrode (13a) connected to the gate line (14); a first pixel electrode (12) provided as a second conductive layer closer to a liquid crystal layer (30) side than the first conductive layer; a shielding electrode (17) provided as a conductive layer to be closer to the liquid crystal layer side than the first conductive layer and provided in a region between a location region of the gate line (14) and a location region of the first pixel electrode (12); a connection portion (13j) provided to at least partially overlap the shielding electrode (17) and provided to be closer to the first conductive layer side than the shielding electrode (17), the connection portion connecting a source electrode (13h) of the thin film transistor (13) with the first pixel electrode (12); and a common electrode (23) which is opposing the first pixel electrode (12) via the liquid crystal layer (30) and is set to have the same potential as the shielding electrode (17). |
| US08384862B2 |
Production method of nanoimprint film, display device, and liquid crystal display device
A method is disclosed for efficiently producing a nanoimprint film with high-accurately formed nanostructures even if a base on which the nanoimprint film is formed is capable of absorbing UV light. The production method of at least one embodiment of the present invention is a production method of a nanoimprint film formed on a base, the nanoimprint film having a surface with nanosized protrusions and recesses formed thereon. In at least one embodiment, the production method includes a first step of applying a UV-curable resin on a base containing a UV-absorbing component to form a film; a second step of irradiating the film with UV light from a top-side surface of the film to form a semi-cured film; a third step of imprinting nanosized protrusions and recesses on the semi-cured film to form a film having a surface with protrusions and recesses formed thereon; and a fourth step of curing the film with protrusions and recesses to form a nanoimprint film. |
| US08384859B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for fabricating the same
Disclosed are a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, and a method for fabricating the same. The LCD device comprises a lower substrate, gate lines and data lines crossing each other on the lower substrate and defining pixel regions, thin film transistors (TFTs) formed at intersections between the gate lines and the data lines, protrusions disposed on the gate lines in a crossing manner, an upper substrate disposed to face the lower substrate, a first column spacer formed on the upper substrate and corresponding to the protrusion disposed on the lower substrate, a second column spacer disposed on the upper substrate with a distance from the lower substrate, and corresponding to a non-pixel region of the lower substrate, and a liquid crystal layer filled in a space between the lower substrate and the upper substrate. |
| US08384858B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A backlight source has a spectral distribution such that luminances of red and green light are stronger than luminance of blue light. A color filter includes a blue coloring layer that can best transmit a blue light, a red coloring layer that can best transmit a red light, a green coloring layer that can best transmit a green light, and a porous layer in which penetration holes are formed so as to penetrate therethrough in its thickness direction. The blue coloring layer is formed so as to be thicker than the red and green coloring layers. A liquid crystal layer is formed so as to be thinner in a portion facing the blue coloring layer than a portion facing the red and green coloring layers. The porous layer is formed from the same material and to have the same thickness as the blue coloring layer. |
| US08384855B2 |
Automatic darkening filter apparatus and method
Herein is disclosed an automatic darkening filter apparatus comprising a shutter control system configured to cause a shutter to switch from a dark state to an intermediate state in response to a change from high intensity incident light to low intensity incident light being detected. The control system is further configured to maintain the shutter in the intermediate state for a period of time, unless during this period of time high intensity light is detected, in which case the control system causes the shutter to switch to the dark state. If, at the end of the period of time, high intensity light is not detected, the shutter is caused to switch from the intermediate state to a light state. |
| US08384849B2 |
LCD and light guide plate thereof
A light guide plate includes a main body, a main reflective structure and an auxiliary reflective structure. The main reflective structure has a first included angle and a second included angle with respect to a bottom surface of the main body. The auxiliary reflective structure is adjacent to the main reflective structure and has a third included angle and a fourth included angle with respect to the bottom surface. A height difference between the main reflective structure and the auxiliary reflective structure ranges between 1.5 micrometer and 5 micrometer, and a bottom width of the auxiliary reflective structure on the bottom surface is smaller than a bottom width of the main reflective structure on the bottom surface. A liquid crystal display is also disclosed herein. |
| US08384845B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and illuminating device
The side surface of the light guide plate includes an incident surface which faces the light source unit in an opposed manner, and a fixing surface which is directed in the left-and-right direction orthogonal to the top-and-bottom direction which is the direction along which the light source unit and the incident surface each other in an opposed manner. An engaging portion which is engageable with a lower frame is formed on the fixing surface or an edge portion which forms the fixing surface. The engaging portion is configured to allow a change of a distance between the incident surface and the lower frame due to expansion or shrinkage of the light guide plate while restricting the movement of the light guide plate in the top-and-bottom direction. |
| US08384839B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
An embodiment of this document relates to a liquid crystal display device. A liquid crystal display device in accordance with an aspect of this document may comprise a mold frame; a liquid crystal panel supported by the mold frame and having a display area and non-display area; a polorizer film disposed at least one surface of the liquid crystal panel; a light source substrate supported by the mold frame and having a light source; a light guide plate deliver the light produced by the light source to the liquid crystal panel; a plurality of optical sheets disposed on the light guide plate; a black frame disposed between the optical sheets and the liquid crystal panel and having an exposal area corresponding to the display area of the liquid crystal panel; and a dummy film disposed between the liquid crystal panel and the black frame. |
| US08384837B2 |
Array substrate of liquid crystal display device and repair method thereof
A repair method for an array substrate of a liquid crystal display device includes, providing an array substrate for a liquid crystal display device, detecting a line defect of a signal transmitting wire and locating the line defect, performing a removal process to remove a shielding layer covering two ends of the line defect and the shielding layer extending to a common line adjacent to the line defect, performing a deposition process to deposit a connecting metal layer the region where the shielding layer is removed, and performing a cutting process to cut outer ends of the common line adjacent to the line defect to form a common line section. The signal transmitting wire forms an electrical circuit with the common line section. |
| US08384835B2 |
Pixel circuit and display device
A display device includes liquid crystal capacitor element interposed between a pixel electrode and a counter electrode. The pixel electrode, one terminals of a first switch circuit and a second switch circuit, and a first terminal of a second transistor form an internal node. The other terminals of the first switch circuit is connected to the source line. The other terminal of the second switch circuit is connected to the voltage supply line and is configured by a series circuit of transistors. A control terminal of the transistor, a second terminal of the transistor, and one terminal of a boost capacitor element form an output node. The other terminal of the boost capacitor element, the control terminal of the transistor, and the control terminal of the transistor are connected to a boost line, a reference line, and a selecting line, respectively. |
| US08384830B2 |
Pre-alarm video buffer
A method for buffering an alarm video sequence includes receiving input image frames from an input video stream comprising full image frames and differential image frames, storing the received input image frames, and generating an output alarm video sequence by combining at least one full image frame with the input image frames stored in the buffer. The full image frame may be inserted as a first image frame in the output alarm video sequence. |
| US08384829B2 |
Display apparatus and display apparatus driving method
A display apparatus includes: a display panel that includes display elements having a current-driven light-emitting portion, in which the display elements are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix in a first direction and a second direction, and that displays an image on the basis of a video signal; and a luminance correcting unit that corrects the luminance of the display elements when displaying an image on the display panel by correcting a gradation value of an input signal and outputting the corrected input signal as the video signal. The luminance correcting unit includes a reference operating time calculator, an accumulated reference operating time storage, a reference curve storage, a gradation correction value holder, and a video signal generator. |
| US08384828B2 |
Video display device, video display method and system
There is provided a video display device including a content control unit for displaying a video content on a display screen; a user specifying unit for specifying a user viewing a video content displayed on the display screen; and an image quality adjustment unit for adjusting the image quality of the display screen according to the user specified by the user specifying unit. |
| US08384824B2 |
Display device having image pickup function and two-way communication system
A compact and lightweight display device having an image pickup function and a two-way communication system which can shoot an image of a user as an object and display an image at the same time without degrading image quality by disposing a semi-transmitting mirror or the like which blocks an image on the display screen (display plane). The display device having the image pickup function includes a display panel capable of transmitting visible light at least and arranging display elements which can be controlled by voltage or current, and an image pickup device disposed around the display panel. The image pickup device is input with data of an image of a user or the like by a reflector, or equipped with a fiberscope bundling optical fibers. |
| US08384821B2 |
Apparatus, method, and program product for autofocus including a contrast obtaining unit that obtains a focus contrast and a control unit that controls a focus lens according to the focus contrast
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is an autofocus method that includes moving a focus lens according to an image signal generated from an image of a subject formed by an imaging optical system with a focus lens, obtaining a focus contrast of each of multiple image signals generated in a case of moving a position of the focus lens; and determining a moving direction of the focus lens according to the multiple obtained focus contrasts in response to a focus instruction. |
| US08384820B1 |
Real time video frame masking and processing for auto focus and other quality optimizations
A system and method for optimizing a video stream from a high frame rate image sensor. The high frame rate video stream is split into two separate video streams so that one video stream can be shown to a user or recorded, while the other video stream can be processed. The processed video stream can be analyzed for sharpness to adjust for focus or it can be imaged with or without an optical filter and used to enhance the appearance of the other video stream. |
| US08384819B2 |
Electromagnetic shielding coating and lens module utilizing the same
An electromagnetic shielding coating covers a lens coated with an optical coating. A light shielding coating covers the optical coating. The electromagnetic shielding coating covers the light shielding coating. The electromagnetic shielding coating includes a first metal layer containing stainless steel and covering the light shielding coating directly, a second copper layer formed on the first metal layer, and a third metal layer formed on the second copper layer. The third metal layer includes stainless steel and copper. |
| US08384817B2 |
Solid-state imager, method of manufacturing the same, and camera
A solid-state imager includes a photoelectric conversion region for photoelectrically converting a light beam received on a light receiving surface thereof into a signal charge and a waveguide path for guiding the light beam to the light receiving surface. The waveguide path includes a plurality of waveguide members, each waveguide member guiding a light beam incident on a light incident surface thereof to a light output surface thereof. The plurality of waveguide members are laminated on the light receiving surface. A first waveguide member closest to the light receiving surface from among the plurality of waveguide members faces the light receiving surface and is smaller in area than a light incident surface of a second waveguide member farthest from the light receiving surface from among the plurality of waveguide members. |
| US08384814B2 |
CMOS imager with integrated circuitry
A CMOS imager is integrated on a single substrate along with logic and support circuitry for decoding and processing optical information received by the CMOS imager. Integrating a CMOS imager and peripheral circuitry allows for a single chip image sensing device. |
| US08384810B2 |
Image sensor array, an intensified image sensor array, an electron bombarded image sensor array device as well as a pixel sensor element for use in such an image sensor array
The invention relates to an image sensor array having multiple pixel sensor elements along the surface area of said image sensor and outputting at a specified video frame rate subsequent video frames corresponding to the image, characterized in that each multiple pixel sensor element is arranged for generating one or more video frame segments, said segments each having a time duration being a fraction of the time equivalent to the video frame rate, and composing a single video frame from the multiple of said video frame segments. The invention also relates to said pixel sensor element for use with an image intensifier or in an electron bombarded image sensor array device according to the invention. |
| US08384807B2 |
Imaging element, drive device for an imaging element, drive method for an imaging element, image processing device, image processing method, and imaging device
An imaging element includes: a plurality of color filters arranged in a Bayer array; photoelectric conversion elements provided for the respective color filters; a signal adder circuit which carries out additions in each of the unit grids, by (i) adding up signals outputted from two photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to different colors of two color filters out of four color filters, and (ii) adding up signals outputted from two photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to remaining two color filters; and an A/D converter. The imaging element outputs: (i) a first digital image signal where signals of one color out of Ye (yellow) and Cy (cyan), and signals of G, are alternately placed; and (ii) a second digital image signal where signals of an other color out of Ye and Cy, which is different from the one color, and signals of Mg (magenta), are alternately placed. |
| US08384804B2 |
Imaging apparatus for processing noise signal and photoelectric conversion signal
An imaging apparatus includes a pixel unit having a photoelectric conversion section and an amplifying device for amplifying a signal from the photoelectric conversion section and outputting the signal, a reading unit having a first mode in which a signal obtained by resetting an input section of the amplifying device is sampled a plurality of times via the amplifying device and a second mode in which a photoelectric conversion signal generated in the photoelectric conversion section is sampled a plurality of times via the amplifying device; a mixing unit for generating a first mixing signal by mixing the signals that are sampled in the first mode, outputting the first mixing signal, generating a second mixing signal by mixing the signals that are sampled in the second mode, and outputting the second mixing signal; and a difference processing unit for performing difference processing between the first mixing signal and the second mixing signal. |
| US08384803B2 |
Camera system and method for amalgamating images to create an omni-focused image
This invention relates to a system and method for creating an omni-focused image. Specifically, this invention relates to a system and method for electronically amalgamating images using real-time distance information to create an omni-focused image. The system of the invention comprises one or more video cameras aimed at a scene each generating a video output focused at a different distance, a distance mapping camera providing distance information for one or more objects in the scene, and a pixel selection utility wherein the pixel selection utility uses the distance information to select pixels from the video outputs to be used to generate a video display. The system is then operable to focus and amalgamate the video outputs to produce one image with multiple focal points or an omni-focused image. |
| US08384801B2 |
Scene-dependent auto exposure control
A device has a processing unit to implement a set of operations to use both luma and chroma information from a scene of an image to dynamically adjust exposure time and sensor gain. The processing unit collects bright near grey pixels and high chroma pixels in the scene. Based on the collected pixels, brightness of the near grey pixels is increased to a predetermined level without saturation. At the same time, the high chroma pixels are kept away from saturation. |
| US08384797B2 |
System, method, and computer readable medium for defining an allowable range of image processing
According to the present invention, the album including user's favorite pictures as main features can be easily provided. The system includes; a image capturing section which captures an image; an image capturing time measuring section which measures the time after setting the image capturing section ready to capture the image and while the user continues to operate the image capturing section to capture the image in each image capturing operation of the image capturing section; a ranking calculating section which ranks the image based on the image capturing time calculated by the image capturing time measuring section; and an output controlling section which displays or prints out the image ranked more highly by the ranking calculating section. |
| US08384794B2 |
Image sensing device and camera
An image sensing device is configured as follows. Namely, the device includes a recording unit configured to record correspondence data formed by making an action state of the object and voice information recorded prior to the shooting to correspond to each other, a voice determination unit configured to determine whether the voice acquired by a voice acquisition unit contains the voice information which forms the correspondence data, an action state determination unit configured to, when the voice acquired by the voice acquisition unit contains the voice information which forms the correspondence data, determine whether the action state of the object that corresponds to the voice information and an actual action state of the object match each other, and a control unit configured to, when the action state of the object that corresponds to the voice information and the actual action state of the object match each other, control shooting processing. |
| US08384790B2 |
Video image enhancement method and apparatus using reference and auxiliary frames
A video sequence is enhanced by selecting a reference video frame and at least one auxiliary video frame from the video sequence. The information from the reference frame and the auxiliary frame are combined based on measurements of the displacement of objects between the reference frame and each of the auxiliary video frames. Video and multimedia presentations are then generated using the enhanced video frame combining information from the reference video frame and the at least one auxiliary video frame. |
| US08384788B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing system, computer readable medium, and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes a memory that memorizes a plurality of pickup images in which an object has been picked up by varying an irradiation direction of a light; an extracting portion that extracts an area image of an area indicated by a user from each of the pickup images memorized in the memory; a calculating portion that calculates at least one illumination parameter for each area image by one of calculating an amount of edges from each extracted area image, executing a clustering process to brightness of each extracted area image, and executing a totaling process of totaling differences in brightness between the extracted area images; and a generating portion that generates at least one synthetic image by synthesizing the extracted area images with the at least one illumination parameter. |
| US08384787B2 |
Method for providing a stabilized video sequence
A method for providing a stabilized digital video sequence, comprising: analyzing a set of image frames captured at different times to determine one-dimensional image frame representations; combining the one-dimensional frame representations to form a two-dimensional spatiotemporal representation of the video sequence; identifying a set of trajectories corresponding to structures in the two-dimensional spatiotemporal representation; identify a set of foreground trajectory segments and a set of background trajectory segments; analyzing the background trajectory segments to estimate a motion pattern for the digital video camera; analyzing the motion pattern for the digital video camera to determine a undesired motion portion corresponding to an unintended camera shaking motion; applying spatial shifts to at least some of the image frames of the digital video sequence to provide a stabilized digital video sequence. |
| US08384785B2 |
System and methods for video imaging modulation
A multi-functional digital imaging system is described that disaggregates camera functions into video imaging modulation processes, including DSP feedback, moving object modulation, frame rate modulation, video file analysis and video file organization. |
| US08384784B2 |
Digital photographing apparatus and method of controlling the same
Provided is a method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus. The method includes: determining a target subject; determining whether the target subject exists in a moving image photographing domain; determining whether a condition of temporarily stopping recording of a moving image based on whether the target subject exists is satisfied; and temporarily stopping the recording of a moving image when the condition is satisfied. |
| US08384779B2 |
Display device for vehicle
A display device for a vehicle which includes: an image-taking unit which takes images of an area ahead of the vehicle at predetermined intervals; a display which displays the images taken by the image-taking unit; and a controller which divides a display area of the display into a plurality of areas including a center area and a right-and-left side area, wherein the controller sets a first interval for the image-taking unit for taking images to be displayed in the right-and-left side area of the display to become longer than a second interval for the image-taking unit for taking images to be displayed in the center area. |
| US08384778B2 |
Instrument for acquisition and distribution of terrestrial observation images with high spatial and temporal resolution
An instrument for of observation images exhibits a high ground resolution and a high frequency of coverage of the Earth. Such an instrument includes a spatial images acquisition layer (1) including satellites (4), a terrestrial images processing layer (3), including images processing devices (5), and a telecommunications layer (2) that is suitable to ensure a transfer of the images from the spatial layer (1) to the terrestrial layer (3), wherein each satellite (4) includes at least one images acquisition device with fixed aim exhibiting a spatial resolution of the order of one meter; each images processing device (5) includes at least one communications line (8) coupling the images processing device (5) and at least one immediately adjacent images processing device, a processing unit that is suitable to process the images received, element for storage of the processed images, and a connection to a digital network. |
| US08384777B2 |
Apparatus and method for, in an image space, decoding and playing back a light control signal having successive computer generated images in correspondence with a changing point of view acquired by a device navigated in motion in an object space
An apparatus and method in which a light control signal comprising successive computer generated images are retrieved from a storage medium and played back in an image space with a point of view with respect to a frame of reference of the image space synchronized with a changing point of view of images acquired in an object space by an image acquisition device sensed in an object space changing in its point of view with respect to a frame of reference of the object space, the frame of reference of the image space corresponding to the frame of reference of the object space. |
| US08384769B1 |
3D image display method and system thereof
A three-dimensional image display method is disclosed. The three-dimensional image display method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: displaying an object image; displaying a background image by using a three-dimensional image display method; and disposing the object image at a close distance and the background image at a far distance such that the object image and the background image overlap inside a same viewing angle. By using images having a different sense of depth, a high-resolution image can be displayed while providing a sense of reality. |
| US08384766B2 |
Apparatus for processing a stereoscopic image stream
A system is provided for processing a compressed image stream of a stereoscopic image stream, the compressed image stream having a plurality of frames in a first format, each frame consisting of a merged image comprising pixels sampled from a left image and pixels sampled from a right image. A receiver receives the compressed image stream and a decompressing module in communication with the receiver decompresses the compressed image stream. The left and right images of the decompressed image stream are stored in a frame buffer. A serializing unit reads pixels of the frames stored in the frame buffer and outputs a pixel stream comprising pixels of a left frame and pixels of a right frame. A stereoscopic image processor receives the pixel stream, buffers the pixels, performs interpolation in order to reconstruct pixels of the left and right images and outputs a reconstructed left pixel stream and a reconstructed right pixel stream, the reconstructed streams having a format different from the first format. A display signal generator receives the stereoscopic pixel stream to provide an output display signal. |
| US08384764B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating multiview image data stream and method and apparatus for decoding the same
Provided is a method and apparatus for generating a multi-view image data stream, the method including: recording multi-view image data onto the multi-view image data stream; recording onto the multi-view image data stream a multi-view image parameter recording parameter indicating whether a multi-view image parameter with regard to the multi-view image data is to be recorded onto the multi-view image data stream; and determining whether the multi-view image parameter is to be recorded onto the multi-view image data stream based on a value of the multi-view image data parameter recording parameter. |
| US08384763B2 |
Generating a depth map from a two-dimensional source image for stereoscopic and multiview imaging
Depth maps are generated from a monoscopic source images and asymmetrically smoothed to a near-saturation level. Each depth map contains depth values focused on edges of local regions in the source image. Each edge is defined by a predetermined image parameter having an estimated value exceeding a predefined threshold. The depth values are based on the corresponding estimated values of the image parameter. The depth map is used to process the source image by a depth image based rendering algorithm to create at least one deviated image, which forms with the source image a set of monoscopic images. At least one stereoscopic image pair is selected from such a set for use in generating different viewpoints for multiview and stereoscopic purposes, including still and moving images. |
| US08384758B1 |
Video management system over satellite
A videoconference system has videoconference terminals which communicate with a centralized station over satellite. Video signals from each videoconference terminal are unicast to the centralized station via satellite. The centralized station forms a composite signal of all the video signals multicasts the composite signal to the local videoconference terminals over satellite that can be received by hundreds, thousands or more recipients. The system dynamically allocates satellite bandwidth and other network resources to establish a high definition videoconference call on demand. A frequency allocation manager manages the resources available on the satellite network according with the capacity of each transponder and network resources available. It administrates the resources available and dynamically assigns a satellite capacity and network resources. |
| US08384757B2 |
System and method for providing videoconferencing among a plurality of locations
A method of displaying images among a plurality of spaced apart locations is provided, which method, in one exemplary embodiment, includes displaying an image associated with a first location on a first surface at a central location, displaying an image associated with a second location on a second surface at the central location, and displaying an image associated with the central location and the image associated with the first location at a common surface at the second location. |
| US08384755B2 |
Portable remote presence robot
A tele-presence system that includes a portable robot face coupled to a remote station. The robot face includes a robot monitor, a robot camera, a robot speaker and a robot microphone. The remote station includes a station monitor, a station camera, a station speaker and a station microphone. The portable robot face can be attached to a platform mounted to the ceiling of an ambulance. The portable robot face can be used by a physician at the remote station to provide remote medical consultation. When the patient is moved from the ambulance the portable robot face can be detached from the platform and moved with the patient. |
| US08384751B2 |
Thermal head
A thermal head includes an insulating head substrate, one or a plurality of driver ICs, a plurality of heat generating elements that is arranged on the head substrate in a main scanning direction, a plurality of individual electrodes that is provided on the head substrate at one ends of the respective heat generating elements and connects the respective heat generating elements to the driver ICs, and a common electrode that is provided on the head substrate at the other ends of the respective heat generating elements so as to be common to the heat generating elements. Capacitance adjustment portions, which adjust capacitance difference between the respective individual electrodes so that the capacitance difference is reduced, are formed at a wiring pattern of the individual electrodes. |
| US08384748B2 |
Fabrication of improved aluminum rollers with low adhesion and ultra/super hydrophobicity and/or oleophobicity by electrospinning technique in solid ink-jet marking
Exemplary embodiments provide materials and methods for a printer member used in ink-jet marking systems that can include a layer electrospun over an aluminum roller to facilitate transport of a printable substrate having ink images thereon and to reduce ink offset from the printable substrate. |
| US08384744B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
There is provided an information processing apparatus including: a display panel for displaying a plurality of objects; an area region detection unit for detecting an operation body positioned on the display panel, and detecting an area region of the display panel corresponding to the operation body; a contacting object detection unit for detecting one or a plurality of objects contacting the area region detected by the area region detection unit; and an object selection unit for setting part of or all of the objects detected by the contacting object detection unit to a selected state. |
| US08384734B2 |
System and method for user selectable white level
A method for implementing a user selectable white level includes displaying a default white patch of a default shade of white on a display, displaying a modified white patch of a modified shade of white that is different than the default shade of white on the display, receiving a selection of the modified white patch, associating another default shade of white with the modified shade of white in response to receiving the selection, receiving pixel data for a pixel, the pixel data comprising color information for displaying the default shade of white, and displaying the pixel with the second default shade of white. |
| US08384730B1 |
System, module, and method for generating HUD image data from synthetic vision system image data
A present novel and non-trivial system, apparatus, and method for generating HUD image data from synthetic image data is disclosed. Based on a multi-channel pixel intensity data set generated by a synthetic vision system, a single-channel pixel intensity data set representative of a lighted solid image of terrain comprised of a plurality of intensities of one color may be generated. The single-channel pixel intensity image data set may be determined as a function of multi-channel pixel intensity data set and channel weighting, where channel weighting may be based on sky and/or terrain colors employed by an SVS. Based on the multi-channel pixel intensity data set, a three-dimensional perspective scene outside the aircraft may be presented to the pilot on a HUD combiner. Also, the multi-channel pixel intensity data set may be modified by using at least one chroma key, where such chroma key may be assigned to a specific multi-channel pixel intensity value. |
| US08384728B2 |
Supplemental cache in a graphics processing unit, and apparatus and method thereof
Disclosed herein is a supplemental cache for use with a graphics processing unit. The supplemental cache can be used to supplement a vertex cache used with a graphics processing unit. The supplemental cache stores vertex values generated in assembling primitives from vertices provided to the graphics processing unit as part of an image geometry. Generated vertex values associated with a vertex determined to be shared by two or more primitives can be retrieved from the supplemental cache, so as to reduce the need to perform duplicative operations to generate vertex values for shared vertices. |
| US08384727B2 |
Video display device capable of compensating for display defects
A video display device including an integrated atypical/typical defect compensation circuit is disclosed. The video display device includes a display panel, a memory storing atypical/typical defect information used to compensate atypical/typical defect regions of the display panel, and an integrated atypical/typical compensation circuit including a first compensator for compensating input data to be displayed on the atypical/typical defect regions, using the atypical/typical defect information from the memory, and a second compensator for finely compensating the data compensated by the first compensator, using first and second dithering patterns. The compensation circuit supplies data to be displayed on normal regions, without compensation. The video display device also includes a timing controller including a dithering unit for finely compensating data output from the integrated atypical/typical compensation circuit, using a third dithering pattern different from the first and second dithering patterns, and a panel driver for driving the display panel under a control of the timing controller. |
| US08384723B2 |
Method and system of rendering parallel global illumination
A method of rendering parallel global illumination for obtaining a photo-realistic rendering image, includes: generating candidate parallel random numbers for creating a sample; creating a sample by selecting one of the generated random numbers; performing Monte Carlo integration on the basis of the created sample; and providing an application programming interface (API) common to operations having attributes of algorithm parallelism and data-level parallelism according to processed works, so that a common call interface calls a sample creating function, a random number generating function, and a Monte Carlo integration performing function. Furthermore, the method includes: demanding an operation regarding a processed work from a system call controller by the common call interface; performing parallel processing through a preset scheduling when the system call controller performs the operation demanded by the common call interface; and performing the processed work transferred from the system call controller by an operation hardware. |
| US08384721B2 |
System and method for video choreography
An electronic entertainment system for creating a video sequence by executing video game camera behavior based upon a video game sound file includes a memory configured to store an action event/camera behavior (AE/CB) database, game software such as an action generator module, and one or more sound files. In addition, the system includes a sound processing unit coupled to the memory for processing a selected sound file, and a processor coupled to the memory and the sound processing unit. The processor randomly selects an AE pointer and a CB pointer from the AE/CB database. Upon selection of the CB pointer and the AE pointer, the action generator executes camera behavior corresponding to the selected CB pointer to view an action event corresponding to the selected AE pointer. |
| US08384717B2 |
Method and system for B-rep face and edge connectivity compression
A system, method and computer program product for reconstructing B-Rep data for a graphic model. A method includes receiving B-Rep data of a graphic model, the B-Rep data including edges and coedges. The method includes constructing, from the B-Rep data, a vertex table having coordinates of a plurality of vertices of the graphic model and an edge table associating each edge of the graphic model with at least one of the plurality of vertices of the graphic model. The method includes storing the constructed edge table and vertex table associated with the B-Rep data. |
| US08384715B2 |
View-dependent rendering of parametric surfaces
Views of parametric surfaces are rendered. A set of parametric surface patches representing a parametric surface being rendered is projected onto a scene, producing a set of view-projected surface patches. Each view-projected surface patch is identified for either culling, subdivision or rendering. For patches which are identified for subdivision, the patches are recursively subdivided into sub-patches until for each sub-patch a prescribed screen-space projection of the sub-patch satisfies a prescribed screen-space error metric. Once the error metric is satisfied, the sub-patch is identified for rendering. Patches and sub-patches which have been identified for rendering are prepared and rendered. |
| US08384706B2 |
Organic light emitting display and driving method thereof
An organic light emitting diode display that includes a pixel unit including a plurality of scanning lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of first control lines, a plurality of second control lines, a first power source, a second power source and a third power source, a pixel unit including a plurality of pixels connected to the scanning lines, the data lines, the first control lines, the second control lines, the first power source, the second power source, and the third power source, a control line driving unit configured to provide each of said pixels with a first control signal and a second control signal through the first control lines and the second control lines respectively, a scan driving unit configured to provide each of said pixels with scanning signals through the scanning lines and a data driving unit configured to provide each of said pixels with data signals. |
| US08384703B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display device which arranges a drive circuit on left and right sides of a display region in a two-split manner, flickering at an edge of a screen can be reduced. In a liquid crystal display device which arranges first and second counter electrode drive circuits on left and right sides of a display region respectively, during an arbitrary 1 frame period, a first counter electrode signal drive circuit 3L applies a first voltage to at least one counter electrode signal line portion CX1, CX3, . . . CXn−1 and a second voltage different from the first voltage to at least one counter electrode signal line portion CX1, CX3, . . . CXn−1, and a second counter electrode signal drive circuit 3R applies the first voltage to at least one counter electrode signal line portion CX2, CX4, . . . CXn and the second voltage to at least one counter electrode signal line portion CX2, CX4, . . . CXn. |
| US08384701B2 |
Organic light emitting display apparatus and method of driving the same
An organic light emitting display apparatus capable of preventing degradation of a driving transistor includes a third transistor in the pixel circuit with the third transistor removing a voltage stress applied to a gate electrode of the driving transistor by applying a ground voltage to the gate electrode of the first transistor according to a second scan signal. The third transistor is different from the driving transistor and the switching transistor. A method of driving the organic light emitting display apparatus is also provided. |
| US08384699B2 |
Semiconductor device
The present invention intends to realize a narrow frame of a system on panel. In addition to this, a system mounted on a panel is intended to make higher and more versatile in the functionality. In the invention, on a panel on which a pixel portion (including a liquid crystal element, a light-emitting element) and a driving circuit are formed, integrated circuits that have so far constituted an external circuit are laminated and formed. Specifically, of the pixel portion and the driving circuit on the panel, on a position that overlaps with the driving circuit, any one kind or a plurality of kinds of the integrated circuits is formed by laminating according to a transcription technique. |
| US08384698B2 |
Direct navigation of two-dimensional control using a three-dimensional pointing device
Direct and absolute pointing is provided for with respect to a two-dimensional information display surface, much like how one would point a laser pointer or flashlight at a desired point. The displayed control may be moved by manipulating the pointing device in three dimensions. The translational position of the pointing device may be measured in three dimensions. Also, the three-dimensional orientation of the pointing device may be measured. A computing device may receive this information from the pointing device and determine where the pointing device is pointing to. If the pointing device is pointing at a display, then the computing device may cause the control to be displayed at the position to which the pointing device is pointing. In addition, the control may be displayed at an orientation that depends upon the orientation of the pointing device. |
| US08384693B2 |
Low profile touch panel systems
A low profile touch display can be provided, namely one including an optical detection system with the bulk of the electronics and optics positioned partially or completely below the detecting plane surface. The light source and optical detection system components can be configured so that the exit and entry apertures for light being directed to and/or received from the detection plane are the only members above the touch surface. For instance, a reflective or refractive member at the edge of the touch surface can direct light to detection optics and/or from illumination sources via a pinhole aperture, with the light moving between the detection optics and illumination sources in one or more detection planes above the touch surface. Consequently, the touch screen can have a thin cross section that is more suitable for devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, and other portable computing devices for which minimal device thickness is a priority. |
| US08384692B2 |
Menu selection method and apparatus using pointing device
A menu selection apparatus and method using a pointing means are disclosed. The menu selection apparatus includes a display unit for displaying a menu; a position change detector for detecting a change in a pointing-position of the pointing means; a control unit for outputting a menu selection control signal on the basis of a pointing-position change detected by the position change detector; and a pointer movement processor for updating, according to a menu selection control signal from the control unit, a virtual location of a pointer in units of menu items in a current menu screen. As a result, the precision of the pointer's movement for the purpose of menu navigation can be enhanced for user convenience. |
| US08384690B2 |
Interface device with integrated solar cell(S) for power collection
Disclosed herein are embodiments of an interface device (e.g., a display, touchpad, touchscreen display, etc.) with integrated power collection functions. In one embodiment, a solar cell or solar cell array can be located within a substrate at a first surface and an array of interface elements can also be located within the substrate at the first surface such that portions of the solar cell(s) laterally surround the individual interface elements or groups thereof. In another embodiment, a solar cell or solar cell array can be located within the substrate at a first surface and an array of interface elements can be located within the substrate at a second surface opposite the first surface (i.e., opposite the solar cell or solar cell array). In yet another embodiment, an array of diodes, which can function as either solar cells or sensing elements, can be within a substrate at a first surface and can be wired to allow for selective operation in either a power collection mode or sensing mode. |
| US08384689B2 |
Switched-capacitor tracking apparatus of touch panel and operating method thereof
A switched-capacitor tracking apparatus including a variable capacitor, an auxiliary capacitor, and a plurality of switches, and an operating method thereof are provided. In a charge period, a first reference voltage charges a panel capacitor, and a second reference voltage charges the variable capacitor. In a detection period, a control circuit detects a parallel connected voltage of the panel capacitor and the variable capacitor. The control circuit compares a third reference voltage and the parallel connected voltage. According to a comparison result, the control circuit dynamically determines whether to parallel connect the auxiliary capacitor to the variable capacitor. If all the comparison results accumulated in a statistics period are a first logic value, then the control circuit increases a capacitance of the variable capacitor. Moreover, if all the comparison results are a second logic value in the statistics period, then the control circuit decreases the capacitance of the variable capacitor. |
| US08384684B2 |
Multi-touch input discrimination
Techniques for identifying and discriminating between different input patterns to a multi-touch touch-screen device are described. By way of example, large objects hovering a short distance from the touch-surface (e.g., a cheek, thigh or chest) may be identified and distinguished from physical contacts to the surface. In addition, rough contacts due to, for example, ears and earlobes, may be similarly identified and distinguished from contacts due to fingers, thumbs, palms and finger clasps. |
| US08384683B2 |
Method for user input from the back panel of a handheld computerized device
The present invention relates to a handheld computerized device with a bit mapped display screen on the front panel, and a touchpad installed on the back panel. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and graphical user interface that enable the user to see the user's finger position and motion from behind the device superimposed upon a virtual keyboard layout on the front panel. This allows the user to use a touchpad keypad on the back of the device to input keystrokes and mouse actions, and these will be reflected on the display screen on the front of the handheld computerized device as “virtual fingers” or equivalent. |
| US08384681B2 |
Touch screen panel and method of fabricating the same
A touch screen panel provided in an image display device. The touch screen panel includes a transparent substrate, a plurality of first sensing patterns on a first side of the transparent substrate and coupled to each other along a first direction, a first insulating film on the first sensing patterns, and a plurality of second sensing patterns on the first insulating film and coupled to each other along a second direction crossing the first direction. The second sensing patterns are alternately arranged with the first sensing patterns to not overlap with the first sensing patterns, wherein the thickness of the first sensing patterns is different from that of the second sensing patterns. |
| US08384674B1 |
Integrated enclosure/touch screen assembly
An integrated enclosure/touch screen assembly with a soft thermoplastic outer surface coupled directly to a digitizer mechanism. A touch screen assembly consisting of a display mechanism and a resistive digitizer mechanism are enclosed within a single piece cover. The digitizer mechanism consists of a top film and a digitizing element, and the single piece cover is affixed directly to the top film of the digitizer mechanism. The single piece cover has a flat outer surface that is free of any steps or indentations which provides an enclosure that is both dust free and waterproof. The soft thermoplastic material used for the single piece cover will allow activation of the digitizer mechanism by means of mechanical pressure applied to the outer surface of the single piece cover. In one embodiment, the single piece cover is constructed by coupling a soft thermoplastic outer film directly to the top film of the digitizer mechanism by an in mold decoration process. This process forms the flat outer surface for the single piece cover and also may be used to provide various shapes for the outer edges of the cover. In a second embodiment, a touch screen assembly consisting of a display mechanism and a digitizer mechanism are enclosed within a mechanical support mechanism. A soft thermoplastic film is then coupled directly to the top film of the digitizer mechanism and the support mechanism to form a flat outer surface for the entire enclosure that is free of any steps or indentations. |
| US08384673B2 |
Method of fast typing twin special characters
A method for inputting characters pairs in an electronic device having a user input device, a display for displaying characters input through the user input device, and a memory for storing characters input through the user input device, including storing a character input through the user input device in the memory and displaying the input character on the display; and determining if the input character is an opening character of a predefined character pair, and if so, automatically and without further user input, causing a corresponding closing character of the predefined character pair to be inserted in the memory and on the display, and locating an input pointer so that subsequently input characters will be inserted between the opening and closing characters in the memory and on the display. |
| US08384668B2 |
Portable gaming device and gaming system combining both physical and virtual play elements
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. |
| US08384663B2 |
Position determination utilizing a cordless device
A system for generating position information includes a reflector, an image collection system, and a processor. The image collection system is configured to collect at least two sets of image data, where one set of image data includes a stronger indication of the reflector than the other set of image data. The two sets of image data can be collected in many different ways and may include using a retroreflector as the reflector. The two sets of image data are used to generate position information related to the reflector. In particular, position information related to the reflector is generated by taking the difference between the two set of image data. Because one set of image data includes a stronger indication of the reflector than the other set of image data, the difference between the two sets of image data gives a definitive indication of the reflector's position. |
| US08384657B2 |
Semiconductor device
A variable capacitor is formed from a pair of electrodes and a dielectric interposed between the electrodes over a substrate, and an external input is detected by changing capacitance of the variable capacitor by a physical or electrical force. Specifically, a variable capacitor and a sense amplifier are provided over the same substrate, and the sense amplifier reads the change of capacitance of the variable capacitor and transmits a signal in accordance with the input to a control circuit. |
| US08384650B2 |
Reference voltage generators for use in display applications
A multi-reference voltage generator includes an interface controller, a first bank of N m-bit registers and a second bank of N m-bit registers. A first multiplexer has inputs connected to outputs of the first and second bank of registers. An m-bit digital-to-analog (DAC) has an m-bit parallel input connected to an output of the first multiplexer. An analog demultiplexer has an input connected to an analog output of the m-bit DAC. Each voltage storage device in a first group of N voltage storage devices is connected to a corresponding output of the analog demultiplexer. Similarly, each voltage storage device in a second group of N voltage storage devices is connected to a corresponding output of the analog demultiplexer. N further multiplexers each have a first input connected to an output of a corresponding one of the voltage storage devices in the first group and a second input connected to an output of a corresponding one of the voltage storage devices in the second group. N output buffers, each have an input connected to an output of a corresponding one of the N further multiplexers, and an output useful for driving a column driver. |
| US08384648B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and driving unit thereof
A driving unit for a liquid crystal display device is provided. The driving unit includes a first group of driving stages and a second group of driving stages. A first driving stage of the first group receives a first gate start voltage. The first group of driving stages sequentially outputs scan signals according to a first clock signal. The scan signal outputted by one driving stage of the first group is sent to a next subsequent driving stage of the first group. A first driving stage of the second group receives a second start voltage. The second group of driving stages sequentially outputs the scan signals according to a second clock signal. The scan signal outputted by one driving stage of the second group is sent to a next subsequent driving stage of the second group. The driving stages of the first group and the second group alternately output the scan signals. |
| US08384647B2 |
Display driver with improved charge sharing drive arrangement
In a driver circuit which controls the supply of charge to cells each of which can store a charge, the EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference) which occurs at the time of performing the charge sharing driving can be reduced. A preceding conduction means (SW13) which is controlled in response to a clock signal (CLK1) makes an output signal line corresponding to a first circuit which has positive polarity of a potential higher than a reference potential and an output signal line corresponding to a second circuit which has negative polarity of a potential lower than the reference potential electrically conductive with each other. After a lapse of a predetermined time, a succeeding conduction means (SW23) which is controlled in response to a clock signal (CLK2) makes an output signal line corresponding to a third circuit which has the positive polarity and an output signal line corresponding to a fourth circuit which has the negative polarity electrically conductive with each other. |
| US08384641B2 |
Amplifier circuit and display device including same
In one embodiment of the present application, during an initial setting period, switches are rendered conductive, so that voltage on a signal line becomes equal to a source voltage, and input voltages of inverters become equal to a logic threshold voltage. During a writing period, other switches are rendered conductive, and the inverters serve as amplifiers. The last-stage inverter is made up of a P-type Tr14, and an N-type Tr15 having a lower current drive capability than the P-type Tr14. At the beginning of the writing period, the voltage on the signal line varies due to current flowing through the P-type Tr14, and therefore the rate of change of the voltage on the signal line does not change by reducing the current drive capability of the N-type Tr15. On the other hand, by reducing the current drive capability of the N-type Tr15, the output resistance of the inverter increases, so that an amplifier circuit has frequency characteristics with an increased phase margin, resulting in reduced power consumption of the amplifier circuit. |
| US08384637B2 |
Liquid crystal display having a wide viewing characteristic and capable of fast driving
A charge sharing style wide viewing liquid crystal display to which fast driving pre-charging technology may be applied to is disclosed. A charge sharing style wide viewing liquid crystal display is provided such that charge sharing is carried out between a liquid crystal capacitor and a charge sharing capacitor that correspond to the nth gate line when the mth (m≧n+2) gate line is turned on. |
| US08384633B2 |
Optical writing display apparatus, optical writing apparatus and optical writing method
An optical writing display apparatus that performs: applying to a pair of electrodes a first voltage having a first polarity that applies a first partial voltage to a cholesteric liquid crystal layer, the first partial voltage being more than a threshold at which the state of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer changes from focal conic to homeotropic when the exposure is conducted, and exposing an photoconductive layer to light; stopping applying the first voltage for a predetermined time and exposing the photoconductive layer to light; applying a second voltage having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity that applies a second partial voltage to the cholesteric liquid crystal layer, the second partial voltage being not more than the above threshold when the exposure is not conducted, but more than the above threshold when the exposure is conducted; and selectively exposing the photoconductive layer to light and stopping applying the second voltage. |
| US08384632B2 |
Pixel circuit
A pixel circuit has an organic light emitting diode, a driving transistor, a capacitor and a first switch. The organic light emitting diode has a first end coupled to a first power source terminal. The driving transistor has a source and a drain respectively coupled to a second power source terminal and a second end of the light emitting diode. The capacitor couples a gate of the driving transistor to a reference voltage terminal. The first switch couples the second end of the light emitting diode to the capacitor, and couples the gate and the drain of the driving transistor together when a first scan signal is asserted. |
| US08384631B2 |
Method and device for driving an active matrix display panel
An active matrix display panel comprises a substrate, an array of pixel circuits being arranged in a matrix of at least one column and a plurality of rows on the substrate, each pixel circuit comprising a light-emitting element, capable of emitting light of an intensity determined by the value of a current passed through it, and at least one column line, each column line arranged to conduct a reference current, provided by a current driving circuit, when connected to the panel. The pixel circuits in a column are divided into a plurality of groups of at least one pixel circuit. The active matrix display panel comprises at least one current mirror circuit associated with a first group, comprising a first current mirror, arranged to mirror a reference current flowing through a column line to a first current mirror output. Each pixel circuit in the first group comprises at least a first current-memory stage, having an output terminal connected to the light-emitting element, wherein the first current-memory stage is capable of drawing a current determined at least partly by the current mirrored to the first current mirror output through the output terminal. Each current mirror circuit comprises at least one additional current mirror, arranged to mirror a reference current flowing through an associated column line to an additional current mirror output, wherein each additional current mirror output is connected in parallel to the first current mirror output. |
| US08384630B2 |
Light emitting, photovoltaic or other electronic apparatus and system
The present invention provides an electronic apparatus, such as a lighting device comprised of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a power generating apparatus comprising photovoltaic diodes, which may be created through a printing process, using a semiconductor or other substrate particle ink or suspension and using a lens particle ink or suspension. An exemplary apparatus comprises a base; at least one first conductor; a plurality of diodes coupled to the at least one first conductor; at least one second conductor coupled to the plurality of diodes; and a plurality of lenses suspended in a polymer deposited or attached over the diodes. The lenses and the suspending polymer have different indices of refraction. In some embodiments, the lenses and diodes are substantially spherical, and have a ratio of mean diameters or lengths between about 10:1 and 2:1. The diodes may be LEDs or photovoltaic diodes, and in some embodiments, have a junction formed at least partially as a hemispherical shell or cap. |
| US08384624B1 |
Plasma display panel
The priming or conditioning of an AC gas discharge plasma display panel for improved selective write and selective erase which comprises addressing n number of rows in an order or sequence that is changed from frame to frame such that later rows to be addressed are advanced in the sequence with each subsequent frame. Each frame consists of the addressing of all n rows. Specific embodiments include the use of plasma-shells, plasma-tubes, and/or combinations thereof. |
| US08384622B2 |
Plasma display panel drive circuit and plasma display device
The total number of the scan electrodes is divided into a first scan electrode group and a second scan electrode group. The first scan electrode group drive section for driving the first scan electrode group produces a selection potential and a non-selection potential in the scan period, and supplies scan pulses based on the two potentials in the first half of the scan period. The complex switch section supplies the selection potential produced using the first scan electrode group drive section to the second scan electrode group drive section for driving the second scan electrode group in the latter half of the scan period. The second scan electrode group drive section supplies scan pulses based on the input selection potential. |
| US08384620B2 |
Laser projection white balance tracking
The radiance of a laser diode is a function of laser diode drive current. The radiance is also a function of other factors, such as age and temperature. A laser projection device includes laser diodes to generate light in response to a commanded radiance, and also includes photodetectors to provide a measured radiance. The commanded radiance and measured radiance are compared, and drive currents for the laser diodes are adjusted to provide luminance and color balance tracking. |
| US08384619B2 |
Graphic meter display
When switching a motion blur pointer image to a normal pointer image, an intermediate pointer image is displayed between the motion blur pointer image and the normal pointer image. The intermediate pointer image is a rectangle, and coordinates of vertexes of the rectangle are composed of coordinates of vertexes of the motion blur pointer image and the next normal pointer image. |
| US08384616B2 |
Isolating alignment and structural strength in LED display systems
A display system, a method of constructing a display system, and a method of displaying an image are provided. In one embodiment, a display system includes a support structure having a plurality of attachment members and a plurality of tiles. Each of the plurality of tiles is attached to a corresponding attachment member of the plurality of attachment members. The support structure is configured to structurally support each of the plurality of tiles, and at least one of the plurality of tiles includes at least one connection configured to removably connect and align the at least one of the plurality of tiles with another one of the plurality of tiles. |
| US08384615B2 |
Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device includes a main body and a cover rotatably mounted to the main body. The main body includes a central processing unit (CPU), a sensor, a first display, and a second display. The sensor, the first display, and the second display are connected to the CPU. The cover includes a third display connected to the CPU. The CPU detects the position of the cover relative to the main body using the sensor, switches the first display on when the cover is positioned at a first state, and switches the second display and the third display on when the cover is positioned at a second state. |
| US08384614B2 |
Deployable wireless Fresnel lens
Apparatus and methods for enhancing the gain of a wireless signal are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the apparatus can include a screen comprised of one or more electrically conductive regions for reflecting electromagnetic radiation and one or more non-conductive regions for permitting electromagnetic radiation therethrough. The one or more electrically conductive regions can be disposed adjacent to at least one of the one or more non-conductive regions. The apparatus can also include a support member disposed about at least a portion of the screen. The screen can be capable of collapsing by twisting the support member in opposite screw senses to form interleaved concentric sections. |
| US08384612B2 |
Antenna with divided ground plane
A transceiver, including a multi-layer printed circuit board including a layer that serves as a first ground plane, and an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio signals, a second ground plane, and at least one ground contact for connecting the first ground plane and the second ground plane, wherein the first ground plane is too short for the antenna to resonate at a desired frequency, but the first and second ground planes, when connected, provide a combined ground plane sufficient for the antenna to resonate at the desired frequency. |
| US08384608B2 |
Slot antenna
Technology is described for a slot antenna. The slot antenna can include a substrate having a metal layer on a first side of the substrate. A feed line can be located on a second side of the substrate. A first polygon shaped slot can be formed in the metal layer of a first side of the substrate. A second polygon shaped slot can also be formed in the metal layer of the first side of the substrate. The second polygon shaped slot can be recessed within a perimeter of the first polygon shaped slot and the second polygon shaped slot and first polygon shaped slot share a common side. Examples of the first and second polygon shapes may include square or diamond shapes. |
| US08384604B2 |
Integrated antenna and EMI shielding support member for portable communications terminals
According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of portable communications terminals and assemblies thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, a portable communications terminal includes a support member. An antenna is supported by the support member. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding structure is also supported by the support member. A printed circuit board includes one or more electronic components mounted thereon. The EMI shielding structure is operable for providing EMI shielding for one or more electronic components that are disposed within the interior defined by the EMI shielding structure and the printed circuit board. |
| US08384602B2 |
Plasma devices for steering and focusing antenna beams
A plasma array of plural plasma containers of selected shapes and a selected spacial distribution, contain variable plasma density within each container and from one container to the next for establishing plasma frequency ranges from zero to an arbitrary plasma frequency. The plasma array is operating in a mode to transmit, receive, filter, reflect and/or refract radiation. |
| US08384590B2 |
System and method for time synchronization
The present invention relates to a system, and a method for time synchronization with low power consumption and high accuracy. The system comprises a plurality of devices for time synchronization. Each device comprises a GPS receiver, a microprocessor, and an oscillator. The microprocessor generates a drift per second according to the difference between the PPS signal and the clock signal, and calibrates the clock signal constantly according to drift per second. The GPS receiver is turned off when the drift per second is obtained, and then is turned on after a pre-determined time period for updating the drift per second. |
| US08384589B2 |
Positioning apparatus for calculating and correcting reception position and speed and method for the same
A positioning apparatus includes: a first positioning device for calculating a reception position of a GPS receiver with respect to each combination of satellites based on a pseudo distance from each positioning satellite to the reception position; a component error calculator for calculating an error of at least one component in a calculation result of the first positioning device; a pseudo distance error calculator for obtaining a relation equation between the error of the at least one component and an error of the pseudo distance, and for solving simultaneous equations comprising the relation equation so that the error of the pseudo distance with respect to each positioning satellite is calculated; and a second positioning device for correcting the reception position based on the error of the pseudo distance. |
| US08384585B2 |
Low cost, high performance radar networks
A real-time radar surveillance system comprises at least one land-based non-coherent radar sensor apparatus adapted for detecting maneuvering targets and targets of small or low radar cross-section. The radar sensor apparatus includes a marine radar device, a digitizer connected to the marine radar device for receiving therefrom samples of radar video echo signals, and computer programmed to implement a software-configurable radar processor generating target data including detection data and track data, the computer being connectable to a computer network including a database. The processor is figured to transmit at least a portion of the target data over the network to the database, the database being accessible via the network by at least one user application that receives target data from the database, the user application providing a user interface for at least one user of the system. |
| US08384582B2 |
Active transponder, particularly for synthetic aperture radar, or SAR, systems
An active transponder for synthetic aperture radar systems includes a receiving antenna for receiving a first radiofrequency signal modulated according to a first train of one or more first pulses, separating means comprising two outputs outputting the first radiofrequency signal, second processing means connected to a first output of the separating means to generate a code synchronized with the first pulses, signal generating means connected to the second output and to the second processing means generate a second radiofrequency signal modulated by the code, and a transmitting antenna means to transmit the second radiofrequency signal to generate, for each one of the first pulses, a sequence of one or more second pulses, the code being synchronized with the second pulses. |
| US08384577B1 |
Voltage-mode, series-connected, segmented, optically-isolated, power digital-to-analog converter
A power digital to analog converter may include a course-resolution digital to analog converter for converting a first segment of binary digits into a first analog output having a first voltage. The power digital to analog converter may also include a fine-resolution digital to analog converter connected in series with the course-resolution digital to analog converter. The fine-resolution digital to analog converter may be configured for converting a second segment of binary digits into a second analog output having a second voltage. The first voltage and the second voltage may be added together to produce an analog output signal representing the binary digits. |
| US08384572B2 |
Noise injection technique
A novel noise injection technique is presented to improve dynamic range with low resolution and low speed analog to digital converters. This technique combines incoming signal and noise signal with wave front de-multiplexer and split into several channels. Then low resolution and low speed analog to digital converters are used to sample each channels. All signals are recovered using wave front multiplexer. For advanced design, ground diagnostic signals with optimizing processor can be added to guarantee recovery quality. |
| US08384565B2 |
Expanding operating device and operating system
An expanding operating device has a first connector, a second connector and a sensor. The first connector has a first shape physically and electrically connectable with a connector provided with an operating device. Thus, by connecting the first connector to the connector of the operating device, the expanding operating device can be used with the operating device as a single unit, which eventually adds the sensor to the operating device. On the other hand, the second connector has a second shape connectable with a connector with the first shape. This allows a connector conventionally connected to the connector of another operating device to be also connected with the second connector. Accordingly, if the connector of another device is connected to the second connector in a state that the first connector is connected to the connector of the operating device, the another device is eventually connected to the operating device via the expanding operating device. |
| US08384559B2 |
Sensor device with flexible interface and updatable information store
A sensor device includes an interface that receives a request. The sensor device includes an updatable information store that responds to the request if the request is directed to the updatable information store, the updatable information store being in a first power domain of the sensor device. The sensor device also includes a power manager that activates a sensor element in the sensor device in response to receiving the request if the request is a request for measurement of a parameter by the sensor element. The sensor element is in a second power domain of the sensor device. The sensor element communicates measured parameter information to the updatable information store. |
| US08384556B2 |
Solar powered light and alarm system
An elliptically housed solar powered intrusion detection/notification device having a flashing LED light source and audible human voice alarm activated by a passive infrared (PIR) sensor motion detector in conjunction with a battery recharged via surface mounted photovoltaic cells, and a control circuit coupled to the light source/alarm, the PIR motion detector and the battery. |
| US08384547B2 |
Wireless IC device
A wireless IC device includes a wireless IC chip having a power supply circuit including a resonant circuit having a predetermined resonant frequency and a radiation plate that externally radiates a transmission signal supplied from the power supply circuit and that supplies a reception signal externally transmitted to the power supply circuit. The radiation plate is connected to the power supply circuit via an electric field or the radiation plate is coupled to the power supply circuit via a magnetic field. The radiation plate is a two-surface-open type radiation plate including at least one radiation portion arranged to externally exchange a transmission-reception signal and a power supply portion arranged to exchange a transmission-reception signal with the power supply circuit. |
| US08384545B2 |
System and method of identifying tagged articles
An automatic data collection system tracks articles by providing a robust electromagnetic (EM) field within an enclosure in which the articles are stored. Respective data carriers, such as RFID tags, attached to each article respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting unique data identified with each article. Where the frequency of the EM field coupled to the enclosure differs from the natural resonance frequency of the enclosure, the placement of a probe to couple energy to the enclosure is selected to have the reflected phase of the EM energy from walls equal at the probe location thereby producing a robust EM field to activate and/or detect data carriers. |
| US08384543B2 |
Security system
A security system includes a sensor attached to a merchandise item, a slave unit attached to a merchandise rack and connected to one or a plurality of sensors via a wire, and a master unit that monitors theft of the merchandise item by wirelessly receiving a signal using a first frequency band from one or a plurality of slave units. |
| US08384533B2 |
Hostless automobile reverse radar warning system
A hostless automobile reverse radar warning system installed to an automobile includes a reverse signal light power module for supplying an electric power required by the system, a plurality of distance sensing modules installed to an external periphery of the automobile for performing a distance detection to detect external environment conditions of the automobile, producing a distance detection result, and generating a warning signal based on the distance detection result, and a warning module for receiving the warning signal and producing a sound to alert a driver based on the warning signal. |
| US08384531B2 |
Recommended following distance on full-windshield head-up display
A substantially transparent windscreen head up display includes one of light emitting particles or microstructures over a predefined region of the windscreen permitting luminescent display while permitting vision through the windscreen. A method to display a graphic upon a substantially transparent windscreen head up display of a host vehicle describing a preferred driving distance for the host vehicle includes monitoring a speed of the host vehicle, determining a preferred driving distance for the host vehicle based upon the speed of the host vehicle, determining a graphic describing the preferred driving distance for display upon the substantially transparent windscreen head up display, and displaying the graphic upon the substantially transparent windscreen head up display. |
| US08384527B2 |
Portable and personal alarm clock system
A portable and personal alarm clock system which incorporates the use of wireless technology to wake a person up through a personal earpiece alarm. This device comprises two main components including an earpiece alarm and a receiving base. The earpiece alarm is integrated with a small rechargeable battery and charging portal and is designed to automatically turn on after removing from receiving base. The receiving base resembles an electric alarm clock having an LED face, two speakers, a snooze button, buttons for setting the clock and alarm, and an alarm sound selector function. There is a charging means for the earpiece(s) and a volume control for the ear piece and base speakers. The base could also include a backup power source. |
| US08384526B2 |
Indicator apparatus for healthcare communication system
An indicator apparatus is configurable for use in a healthcare communication system, such as a nurse call system. The indicator apparatus includes a visual indicator. The visual indicator is operable to selectively display one or more colors in response to calls received by the healthcare communication system. |
| US08384525B2 |
Contactless programming and testing of memory elements
The present invention provides a method for contactless programming of a memory element of an electronic device having a wireless short range communications interface. The method comprises performing an interrogation for detecting the presence of said wireless short range communications interface, receiving, responsive to said interrogation, data from said wireless interface, said data indicating a hardware configuration of said electronic device, selecting programming data for programming said memory element based on said hardware configuration, and transmitting said selected programming data to be received by said wireless short range communications interface. The method further comprises detecting an interrogation, transmitting, responsive to said interrogation, data via said wireless interface, said data indicating a hardware configuration of said electronic device, receiving programming data at said wireless short range communications interface, and programming said memory element according to said programming data. The invention also provides devices for performing the inventive method. |
| US08384524B2 |
Passive surface acoustic wave sensing system
The present disclosure relates generally to wireless detection systems. In one illustrative embodiment, a wireless detection system includes a plurality of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors, and an electronic reader for interrogating the plurality of SAW sensors. In some instances, each of the surface acoustic wave based sensors includes an integrated sensor coil. The electronic reader may include a plurality of reader coils and a controller. The controller may be configured to interrogate the plurality of surface acoustic wave based sensors using a time division interrogation. In some cases, each of the plurality of reader coils is inductively coupled to only one of the integrated coils of the SAW sensors at any given time. |
| US08384523B1 |
Battery assisted RFID system command set
Specialized battery assisted command set design methods are disclosed that provide for interference rejection using highly sensitive but relatively broadband RFID tags. The command set design also supports RFID system RF power control for further interference control. The command set design also allows for convenient expansion to active transmitters and receivers in tags operating within the same system. Embodiments of the present invention provide RFID systems having battery-assisted, Semi-Passive RFID tags that operate with sensitive transistor based square law tag receivers utilizing a plurality of tag receiver dynamic range states. Embodiments of the present invention are also enhanced with receiver training and synchronizing methods suited to the high tag sensitivity and need for dynamic range state switching. These enhancements may employ pseudo-random sequence based receiver training, activation signaling, and frame synchronizing. Additional enhancement attained via power leveling methods that optimize the amount of transmitted power and interference from a reader in relation to the sensitivity of the RFID tags, their ranges from the reader, and the unique physics of the backscatter RFID radio link. |
| US08384512B2 |
Detection sensor and setting information acquisition method thereof
A detection sensor and method enable a communication of setting information without a dedicated communication device. In particular, the output of an output signal as well as the reception of the setting information data are conducted using a common external connecting terminal, by selectively enabling a second output circuit, which a pressure sensor essentially includes, and an input circuit commonly connected to the external connecting terminal that is connected to the second output circuit. |
| US08384506B2 |
Magnetic device having a conductive clip
A magnetic device that includes a magnetic core having a surface facing a conductive substrate. The magnetic device also includes a conductive clip facing a surface of the magnetic core with ends of the conductive clip electrically coupled to the conductive substrate to cooperatively form a winding therewith about the magnetic core. |
| US08384502B2 |
Circuit breaker
A circuit breaker, may comprise a circuit board, a resetting button, a tripping button, a lock pin and an elevator. The resetting button may comprise a locking device with a resetting drawbar having a resetting spring on an upper portion, a tripping spring on a middle portion, and a hook at a lower end. A lock pin below the resetting drawbar, may comprise a lock pin slope for selectively contacting the hook. The tripping button may comprise a tripping device configured to selectively contact the locking device. The tripping device may comprise a tripping block, a loosening block slope configured to selectively contact the lock pin slope, and a moveable spring between the tripping block and the circuit board. The elevator may house the portion of the resetting drawbar covered by the tripping spring, and the hook may align with the bottom of the elevator. |
| US08384501B2 |
Electromagnetic actuator having a magnetostrictive element and method for operating the electromagnetic actuator
An electromagnetic actuator (1) with an armature (3) mounted so that the armature can be moved by virtue of a bearing arrangement (6A, 6B) and an electric coil (4) is provided for moving the armature (3). A magnetostrictive element (8) is provided, by which relative movement between the armature (3) and at least part of the bearing arrangement (6A, 6B) is produced. |
| US08384500B2 |
Method and system for MEMS switches fabricated in an integrated circuit package
Methods and systems for MEMS switches fabricated in an integrated circuit package are disclosed and may include controlling switching of RF components, and signals handled by the RF components, within an integrated circuit. One or more MEMS switch arrays embedded within a multi-layer package bonded to the integrated circuit may be utilized for the switching and signal control. The RF components and one or more MEMS switch arrays may be integrated in the multi-layer package. The RF components may be electrically coupled to the integrated circuit via the one or more MEMS switch arrays. The MEMS switch arrays may be electrostatically or magnetically activated. The RF components may be coupled to one or more capacitor arrays in the integrated circuit. The RF components may include transformers, inductors, transmission lines, microstrip and/or coplanar waveguide filters and/or surface mount devices. The integrated circuit may be coupled to the multiple-layer package utilizing a flip-chip bonding technique. |
| US08384496B2 |
Multiband filter
A band-stop filter is proposed which is constructed on a multilayered substrate and consists of a parallel circuit comprising a bandpass filter and a high-pass filter. The two filters are at least partly realized in the form of LC-elements integrated into the substrate. Further circuit components can be arranged as discrete components on the substrate. In the filter branch having the bandpass filter, an electroacoustic resonator is arranged in a transverse branch to ground. By means of the filter, a wide stop band is obtained, while the passband or passbands can comprise a plurality of radio bands. |
| US08384495B2 |
Acoustic wave duplexer
An acoustic wave duplexer includes a piezoelectric substrate, a first filter and a second filter whose center frequency is higher than that of the first filter, the first and second filters being provided on the piezoelectric substrate. The first filter is structured as a ladder type. A resonator positioned nearest to an antenna terminal out of series-arm resonators is designated as a first resonator. A pitch of a comb-shaped electrode structuring the first resonator is set such that a bulk wave emission frequency of the first resonator becomes higher than a passband of the second filter. |
| US08384492B2 |
Coaxial line to microstrip connector having slots in the microstrip line for receiving an encircling metallic plate
A connector comprises a coaxial connector and a metallic plate. The coaxial connector has an outer conductor, a dielectric material, a mounting wall, and a center conductor. The space between the two conductors is filled with the dielectric material. The center conductor is extended from the inside of the coaxial connector to the other side of the mounting wall. The metallic plate has a through hole and is attached to the mounting wall of the coaxial connector. The outside center conductor of the coaxial connector is placed within the through hole. Hence, the connector improves the transmission passband of the transition between a coaxial line and a microstrip line at high frequencies. |
| US08384491B2 |
Signal transmission apparatus
A signal transmission apparatus includes two circuit layers. First and second ground sheets are arranged in the two circuit layers respectively. A third ground sheet is arranged between the two circuit layers. A differential pair includes a transmission line arranged between the first and third ground sheets and a transmission line arranged between the second and third ground sheets. The first to third ground sheets have same electric potential. Projections of the first and second ground sheets on the third ground sheet superpose a border of the third ground sheet. The third ground sheet is formed by extending the border along a signal transmission direction. A vertical distance between the first and second transmission lines is twice as each of a vertical distance from the first ground sheet to the first transmission line and a vertical distance from the second ground sheet to the second transmission line. |
| US08384486B2 |
Piezoelectric oscillator and transmitter
A piezoelectric oscillator includes: a piezoelectric resonator element having a piezoelectric substrate and an excitation electrode formed on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate; a semiconductor circuit element provided with an oscillation circuit for oscillating the piezoelectric resonator element and having a first insulating film formed on a principal surface; a package for airtightly housing the semiconductor circuit element and the piezoelectric resonator element; and a protruding section having at least of a thin film circuit component formed on the first insulating film and connected to the oscillation circuit; and a second insulating film formed on the first insulating film and covering the thin film circuit component. In the oscillator, the piezoelectric resonator element is fixed to an upper surface of the protruding section. |
| US08384480B2 |
Differential amplifier
A differential amplifier includes first and second current paths, each connected between first and second power supplies (PS) and respectively outputting first and second differential output signals. The first current path includes: first transistor, selectively interconnected between the first PS and a first output terminal, its gate receiving one differential input signal; second transistor, connected between the second PS and the first output terminal, its gate receiving the other differential input signal; and first switch circuit. The second current path includes: third transistor, selectively interconnected between the second PS and a second output terminal, its gate receiving one differential input signal; fourth transistor, connected between the first PS and the second output terminal, its gate receiving the other differential input signal; and second switch circuit. One of the first and second switch circuits is connected to the first PS and the other is connected to the second PS. |
| US08384478B2 |
Versatile audio power amplifier
An audio power amplifier with a four-quadrant power supply having a synchronous output rectifier that includes a planar transformer. The amplifier includes a first amplification unit including a switching voltage amplifier with a command signal input and an amplified signal output. Control electronics provide a signal input to the first amplification unit. |
| US08384477B2 |
Distortion compensating apparatus, amplifying apparatus, transmitting apparatus, and distortion compensating method
A distortion compensating apparatus that compensates signal distortion caused by an amplifier includes a distortion compensating process unit that using a distortion compensation coefficient, compensates distortion of an input signal; a memory unit storing therein the distortion compensation coefficient; and an address generating unit that generates a first address that is based on electrical power of the input signal and is for acquiring the distortion compensation coefficient from the memory unit, and a second address that is based on any one among the electrical power, phase of the input signal and amplitude of the input signal, is for acquiring the distortion compensation coefficient from the memory unit, and is normalized in a normalizing range determined according to the electrical power of the input signal. The distortion compensating process unit acquires the distortion compensation coefficient from the memory unit, based on the first and the second addresses to compensate the distortion. |
| US08384475B2 |
Composite amplifier, a radio terminal and a method for improving the efficiency of the composite amplifier
The present invention relates to a composite amplifier (3, 4, 120), a radio terminal (100) including such composite amplifier and to a method for improving the efficiency of such composite amplifier in particular. The composite amplifier according to embodiments of the present invention is arranged to be connected to an output combiner network (43, 53, 63, 73, 83) and to a load (49, 130). the output combiner network comprising at least one dynamically tuneable reactance (47, 48). The instantaneous efficiency of the composite amplifier (3, 4, 120) is increased by tuning the impedances/admittances seen by each of said at least two power amplifiers (41, 42, 71, 72). The amplifiers being differently driven and they may further be part of a Chireix outphasing system or a pair of a Doherty amplifier. |
| US08384471B2 |
Bias circuit with high enablement speed and low leakage current
A circuit includes a first PMOS transistor and a second PMOS transistor, wherein a gate of the second PMOS transistor is coupled to a gate and a drain of the first PMOS transistor; a first NMOS transistor having a drain coupled to a drain of the first PMOS transistor; and a second NMOS transistor, wherein a drain of the second NMOS transistor is coupled to a gate of the first NMOS transistor, a gate of the second NMOS transistor, and a drain of the second PMOS transistor. A first switch is coupled between the drain of the first PMOS transistor and the drain of the second PMOS transistor. A second switch is coupled between a source of the first NMOS transistor and an electrical ground. A third switch is coupled between a source of the second NMOS transistor and the electrical ground. |
| US08384470B2 |
Internal power supply voltage generation circuit
Provided is an internal power supply voltage generation circuit with which a through current of a logic circuit supplied with an internal power supply voltage does not depend on a power supply voltage. A reference voltage (VREF) is generated based on a constant current of a current source (1) independently of a power supply voltage (VDD). Based on the reference voltage (VREF), an internal power supply voltage (DVDD) is generated independently of the power supply voltage (VDD) because of a source follower. A through current of a logic circuit (9) flows based on the internal power supply voltage (DVDD). The through current of the logic circuit (9) is therefore independent of the power supply voltage (VDD). The internal power supply voltage (DVDD) is a minimum power supply voltage for the logic circuit (9) to operate based on the specification. The through current of the logic circuit (9) is therefore small. |
| US08384460B1 |
Techniques for phase adjustment
An adjustable delay circuit includes first and second transistors each having a control input coupled to an input node of the adjustable delay circuit and an output coupled to an output node of the adjustable delay circuit. The adjustable delay circuit includes a first pass gate coupled between first and second capacitors and the output node of the adjustable delay circuit. The first and the second capacitors are coupled between a node at a high voltage and a node at a low voltage. The first pass gate is operable to be controlled by a first delay control signal. |
| US08384456B1 |
Integrated phase-locked and multiplying delay-locked loop with spur cancellation
A phase delay element coupled to an output of A multiplexor and a first input of the multiplexor. A reference clock line is coupled to a second input of the multiplexor. A selector that is coupled to a selector input of the multiplexor. A signal divider element coupled to an output of the phase delay element. A variable delay controller is coupled to a) the output of the variable delay controller; b) at least one output of the variable delay controller. An integrated phase detector and charge pump element (PDCHP) is coupled to at least: a) an output of the variable delay controller; and b) the selector; c) and a first and second output of the divider element. A capacitor is coupled to an output of the PDCHP, wherein the capacitor is also coupled to a controller input of the phase delay element. |
| US08384455B2 |
Apparatus for clock skew compensation
An apparatus for clock skew compensation is provided. The apparatus includes a first delay locked loop (DLL) module disposed in a first die and a second DLL module disposed in a second die. A first input terminal of the first DLL module receives a reference clock. A first input terminal of the second DLL module is electrically connected to an output terminal of the first DLL module. An output terminal of the second DLL module is electrically connected to a second input terminal of the first DLL module. |
| US08384453B1 |
Frequency adjustment in a control system
The present disclosure relates to a method, apparatus, and system for locking a phase locked loop (PLL). The method may include receiving a reference signal at a phase locked loop (PLL) circuitry having a first PLL circuitry and a second PLL circuitry. The first PLL circuitry may include a fixed frequency oscillator. The method may further include adjusting a division ratio using, at least in part, a fractional divider circuitry in communication with the fixed frequency oscillator, to generate a feedback signal having a substantially equal frequency and a substantially equal phase in relation to a reference frequency. The method may also include receiving the feedback signal and the reference frequency at a phase detector. |
| US08384450B2 |
Frequency synthesizer device and modulation frequency displacement adjustment method
A frequency synthesizer device that includes two modulation paths and suitably adjusts the amplitude of a control voltage that is outputted from a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to a voltage-controlled oscillator. The frequency synthesizer device is provided with a voltage-controlled oscillator, a programmable frequency divider, a frequency phase comparator, a DAC, a switch and a modulation frequency displacement correction circuit. The voltage-controlled oscillator oscillates at an oscillation frequency depending on an input voltage. The programmable frequency divider frequency-divides a signal from the voltage-controlled oscillator. The frequency phase comparator outputs a phase difference between the frequency-divided signal and a reference clock. The DAC outputs an adjustment voltage. The switch connects the voltage-controlled oscillator to a reference voltage power source at a time of correction of the adjustment voltage. The modulation frequency displacement correction circuit specifies adjustment data that corresponds to the adjustment voltage corresponding to the target frequency displacement. |
| US08384449B2 |
Synthesizer and reception device using the same
A synthesizer of the present invention includes a synthesizer section that generates an oscillation signal based on a reference oscillation signal output from a MEMS resonator and inputs the oscillation signal to a frequency converter; and a control section that adjusts a frequency of the oscillation signal output from the synthesizer section. In frequency adjustment by the control section, when a frequency adjustment unit of the synthesizer section is defined as predetermined value F in which quality of an output signal from the frequency converter is a quality limit threshold value, frequency adjustment unit Δfcont of the synthesizer section is within predetermined value F. |
| US08384448B2 |
DLL circuit and method of controlling the same
A DLL circuit includes a duty ratio correction unit that corrects the duty ratios of first and second delay clocks duty ratio to generate first and second correction clocks. A duty ratio detection unit detects the duty ratios of the first and second correction clocks, thereby generating first and second detection signals. A voltage comparison unit compares the levels of the first and second detection signals, thereby generating a first fine control signal. An operation mode setting unit generates a locking completion signal and a second fine control signal. A switching unit selectively transmits the first fine control signal or the second fine control signal to a delay control unit according to whether or not the locking completion signal is enabled. |
| US08384446B2 |
Power-up signal generation circuit
A power-up signal generation circuit includes: a first section signal generation unit configured to sense a level of an external voltage and a level of an internal voltage and generate a first section signal; a second section signal generation unit configured to output a second section signal by buffering the first section signal when the internal voltage is lowered to below a minimum level; and a selective output unit configured to output the first section signal as a power-up signal, wherein the selective output unit outputs the second section signal as the power-up signal when a power-up section is ended and a mode register setting operation is performed. |
| US08384445B2 |
Driving stage and related driving method
A driving stage of a signal transmitting system includes: a driver powered by a first supply source and arranged to output a driving signal via an output port capable of being connected to an external device; and a controllable isolating circuit including: a switching circuit arranged to selectively couple the first supply source to the output port, and a detecting circuit arranged to detect a specific signal derived from the signal transmitting system, wherein when the specific signal indicates the signal transmitting system turns into a power-off state, the detecting circuit controls the switching circuit to disconnect the output port from the first supply source. |
| US08384444B1 |
I/O driver with pass gate feedback controlled output driver
In an I/O driver, noise reduction is achieved while maintaining good performance, by providing a conventional output driver leg and a secondary output driver leg, the primary output driver leg comprising a primary predriver and a primary output driver, and the secondary output driver leg comprising a secondary output driver having a common output with the primary output driver, wherein feedback from the common output is fed through a pair of pass gates that control the secondary output driver. |
| US08384443B2 |
Current mirror and current cancellation circuit
Techniques are described to mirror currents and subtract currents accurately. In an implementation, a circuit includes a first current source coupled to a first node to provide a current IPD1 and a current mirror coupled to the first node through a first switch T1 to provide a current IREF1. In a closed configuration, the current IREF1 flows from the current mirror into the first node. A sigma delta modulator controls the switch T1 such that over a period of time an average current flowing from the current mirror into the first node is equal to the current IPD1 flowing out of the first node. The sigma delta modulator generates a digital output to control switch T2 to allow a current IREF2 into a second node, thus subtracting a portion of a current IPD2 at the second node over a period of time. |
| US08384439B2 |
Semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the same
Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device may be a complementary device including a p-type oxide TFT and an n-type oxide TFT. The semiconductor device may be a logic device such as an inverter, a NAND device, or a NOR device. |
| US08384419B2 |
Soft-error resistant latch
A soft-error resistant redundant latch including a first stage and second stage, each stage coupled to receive and to latch a binary signal in a latched state. Each stage is arranged to maintain the latched state at an intermediary node of the stage in response to a feedback path internal to the stage and in response to a stage output signal from the other stage. Each stage is arranged to generate a stage output signal in response to the latched state of the stage. The state of each stage is set to a first selected state by selectively coupling a stage set transistor between a first power rail and the intermediary node of the first stage in response to a set signal. The stage set transistor of the first stage and the stage set transistor of the second stage are complementary types. |
| US08384414B2 |
Implementing hacking detection and block function at indeterminate times with priorities and limits
A method and circuits for implementing a hacking detection and block function at indeterminate times, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. A circuit includes an antenna wrapped around a dynamic bus inside circuitry to be protected. The antenna together with the dynamic bus node is designed so an average bus access activates a field effect transistor (FET) that is connected to a capacitor. The FET drains the capacitor in a specified number of activations by the antenna. The capacitor has a leakage path to a voltage supply rail VDD that charges the capacitor back high after a time, such as ten to one hundred cycles, of the dynamic bus being quiet. The capacitor provides a hacking detect signal for temporarily blocking operation of the circuitry to be protected responsive to determining that the dynamic bus is more active than functionally expected. |
| US08384412B2 |
Circuit personalization
A method distributes personalized circuits to one or more parties. The method distributes a generic circuit to each party, encrypts a unique personalization value using a secret encryption key, and transmits each encrypted personalization value to the corresponding party. Each party then stores the encrypted personalization value in their circuit. The stored encrypted personalization value allows a piece of software to be properly executed by the circuit. A semiconductor integrated circuit is arranged to execute a piece of software that inputs a personalization value as an input parameter. The circuit comprises a personalization memory arranged to store an encrypted personalization value; a key memory for storing a decryption key; a control unit comprising a cryptographic circuit arranged to decrypt the encrypted personalization value using the decryption key; and a processor arranged to receive the decrypted personalization value and execute the software using the decrypted personalization value. |
| US08384407B2 |
Test pad structure, a pad structure for inspecting a semiconductor chip and a wiring subtrate for a tape package having the same
A test pad structure may include a plurality of test pads and a plurality of connection leads. A plurality of the test pads may be sequentially arranged from a wiring pattern on a substrate and arranged in rows parallel with one another. The plurality of the test pads may include a first group of test pads having at least one pad arranged in a first row and a second group of test pads having at least two pads. A plurality of the connection leads may extend from end portions of the wiring pattern to be connected to the plurality of test pads. A plurality of the connection leads may include at least one inner lead passing between the at least two pads of the second group of the test pads arranged in a second row closest to the first group of the test pads. The at least one inner lead may be connected to at least one pad of the at least two pads of the second group of the test pads arranged in a third row next to the second row. |
| US08384405B2 |
Method for performing burn-in test
A method of the invention for performing burn-in test includes assembling, on a fixture stand, a plurality of light source elements and a plurality of light detectors for monitoring a light output from a corresponding one of the plurality of light source elements; and electrifying the plurality of light source elements in a state where at least the plurality of light source elements and the plurality of light detectors are immersed in an insulation liquid. Thereby, it is realized to hold a stable temperature in a short period of time, to maintain a temperature that does not deviate from normal load conditions, and to perform a sorting test between defect parts and good part for light source unit chips without causing damage to the elements. |
| US08384400B2 |
Capacitance measurement circuit and method therefor
A capacitance measurement circuit includes an operation amplifier; a reference capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a first input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal selectively coupled to a first or second reference voltage; a sensor capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a second input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal selectively coupled to the first or second reference voltage; an approximation unit having an output terminal and an input terminal coupled to an output terminal of the operation amplifier; a conversion unit having an output terminal and an input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the approximation unit; and a coupling capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the first or second input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal coupled to the output terminal of the conversion unit. |
| US08384395B2 |
Circuit for controlling temperature and enabling testing of a semiconductor chip
A circuit for controlling temperature of a semiconductor chip includes a first heating element that is built into the semiconductor chip. The first heating element generates heat to increase the temperature of the semiconductor chip. The chip also includes a temperature controller that is coupled to the first heating element and built into the semiconductor chip. The temperature controller controls the temperature to enable testing of the semiconductor chip at a desired temperature. |
| US08384391B2 |
Cold cathode ionization vacuum gauge, vacuum processing apparatus having the same, discharge starting auxiliary electrode used for the same, and method of measuring pressure using the same
The present invention provides a cold cathode ionization vacuum gauge that can trigger discharge in a short time even after a long period of operation. The cold cathode ionization vacuum gauge of an embodiment of the present invention includes an anode, a cathode disposed so as to form a discharge space together with the anode, and a discharge starting auxiliary electrode disposed in the discharge space and electrically connected to the cathode. The discharge starting auxiliary electrode has an electrode part disposed in parallel with an axially longitudinal direction of the anode. |
| US08384386B2 |
Dedicated system for msk joint imaging
A system and method are presented that facilitate imaging of the joints of the upper and lower extremities including, for example, the hip and shoulder as well as sections of the spine, among others. One embodiment of the invention includes a short bore cylindrical magnet with an imaging volume smaller than that of a comparable whole body system, an articulated table that allows placement of the joint to be imaged in the center of the magnet homogeneous volume while maintaining a high degree of patient comfort and openness. The gradient and RF coils may be positioned above and below the patient instead of 360 degrees surrounding the patient. A smaller RF and gradient coil is made feasible because of the reduced imaging volume. |
| US08384382B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
An imaging pulse sequence includes a tagging sequence for modulating nuclear magnetization of an object to be imaged, and an imaging sequence for non-measurement of a part of k-space data. Control means includes: measurement-requiring region specification means which specifies a measurement region (measurement-requiring region) of the k-space required for reflecting the affect of the modulated nuclear magnetization on the image to be reconstructed; and sequence modification means for modifying the imaging sequence so as to measure the measurement region specified by the measurement requiring region specification means when executing the imaging sequence. |
| US08384379B2 |
Non-destructive determination of the pore size distribution and the distribution of fluid flow velocities
A method is disclosed for the non-destructive determination of the pore size distribution and the distribution of fluid flow velocities using NMR spin echo signal measurements. In one embodiment, the invention involves simultaneously injecting acoustic energy (208), generating a magnetic field having a gradient, and injecting radio-frequency electromagnetic energy (206) into a subsurface region, using for example an NMR tool and a well logging tool having an acoustic transmitter placed in a wellbore (202). The spin echo signal generated in the subsurface region is measured (210) by the NMR tool for at least two values (212) of the magnetic field gradient. A relationship is provided by which the pore fluid velocity distribution may be calculated (214) from the inverse Fourier transform of the spin echo data. The pore size distribution may then be calculated from the pore fluid velocity distribution. |
| US08384378B2 |
Conductivity sensor
A conductivity sensor is disclosed. The conductivity sensor includes an oscillator for providing an input signal and a reactive circuit having an induction coil, a capacitive element, and a resistive element connected in parallel. The induction coil is adapted to be placed adjacent to a specimen. The conductivity sensor further includes a control circuit for driving the reactive circuit to resonance when the induction coil is placed adjacent to the specimen. The reactive coil is configured to provide an output signal having a parameter representative of the conductivity of the specimen when the reactive circuit is at resonance. The induction coil may include a first conductive element that spirals outward to an external perimeter and a second conductive element operably connected to the first conductive element. The second conductive element spirals inward from the external perimeter staggered relative to the first conductive element. |
| US08384373B2 |
AC line signal detection device and method and power supply device
Disclosed herein is an AC line signal detection device including: a semiconductor integrated circuit; and a conversion section adapted to rectify an AC line signal and convert the rectified signal to an input signal to be fed to the semiconductor integrated circuit, wherein the semiconductor integrated circuit includes a monitoring section adapted to divide the AC line signal into a plurality of voltage ranges with at least one reference voltage proportional to the amplitude of the AC line signal to monitor within which voltage range the AC line signal falls; a measuring section adapted to measure a duration for which the AC line signal remains in each of the voltage ranges; and a determination section adapted to determine, based on the monitoring result of the monitoring section and the measurement result of the measuring section, whether the duration for which the AC line signal remains in each of the voltage ranges exceeds a set time which can be set in advance to make a pass/fail determination on the AC line signal. |
| US08384371B2 |
Various methods and apparatuses for an integrated zig-zag transformer
A method, apparatus, and system in which a neutral deriving transformer incorporates a zig-zag transformer configuration is provided. A zig-zag transformer provides an electrical load with a neutral wire. The zig-zag transformer may be electrically connected downstream of a main AC voltage step-down transformer. Additionally, three phase AC voltage lines can be routed to the zig-zag transformer such that the zig-zag transformer comprises a neutral deriving transformer that electrically connects to a ground conductor. The neutral deriving transformer might not be electrically connected to a neutral conductor of the main voltage step-down transformer. The zig-zag transformer can phase shift each winding by approximately 120 degrees and may derive a neutral for at least one single phase load connected to the zig-zag transformer and one of the three phase AC lines in order to provide a common neutral point that takes the place of a neutral cable that connects back to the main AC voltage step-down transformer. |
| US08384366B2 |
System and method for providing stable control for power systems
System and method for providing stable control for power systems. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for providing one or more control signals for a power system. The apparatus includes an input terminal for receiving an electrical energy, which can be characterized by a first input voltage. The apparatus includes a control component that is configured to generate a first control signal based on at least information associated with the first input voltage. The apparatus additionally includes an output terminal for sending the first control signal. Moreover, the apparatus includes a timing component that is coupled to the control component. The control component is configured to process at least information associated with a first value of the first input voltage at a first time and a first reference voltage and to generate a second control signal. |
| US08384362B2 |
Power regulator and controlling method thereof
Methods and circuits related to power regulation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a power regulator for converting an input electrical signal to an output electrical signal to supply power to a load, can include: (i) a power stage having switching devices and a filter; (ii) a regulation signal generator for the switching devices that includes a feedback circuit and a PWM, the feedback circuit receiving an output signal from the power stage, the PWM receiving an output from the feedback circuit, and generating a PWM control signal; (iii) a constant time generator receiving the PWM control signal and generating a constant time signal based on the PWM control signal duty cycle; and (iv) a logic/driving circuit receiving the PWM control signal and the constant time signal, and controlling operation of the switching devices to modulate the output signal from the power stage, and maintaining a pseudo constant operation frequency. |
| US08384361B2 |
Switching technique for efficient electrical power utilization
An active phase angle correction circuit which corrects the phase angle between voltage and current in an AC supply varies the capacitive loading of the AC mains to reduce the phase angle to near zero by detecting the phase angle, reactively and resistively loading the AC mains in steps until the phase angle is at a desired level close to zero, and then maintaining or incrementally adjusting the loading. The applied loading may be continuously switched in and out at a rate much greater than the mains supply frequency. |
| US08384357B2 |
Computer system with charging unit and control method thereof
A computer system include: a system unit; a charging unit which outputs a charging current to a battery unit for supplying electric power to the system unit; and a first temperature compensating unit which selectively adjusts the level of the charging current so that the temperature of the charging unit is substantially maintained within a predetermined range. |
| US08384356B2 |
Self contained power source
A self-contained power source to charge a battery and/or power a load is provided. The power source does not utilize a connection to an external power supply, such as AC mains and/or an AC to DC converter. In one embodiment, the self-contained power source includes an ultra low voltage power generator, such as 0.3V of a single solar cell, or even lower to slightly above the GND potential, that provides a voltage to a rechargeable battery, a load or both. A voltage converter with boost topology is used to supply a voltage comparable to the voltage of the rechargeable battery. A first push circuit containing a zero threshold voltage switch, a MUX circuit and a one-pulse-control block is utilized to ensure initial and continued operation of the voltage converter. |
| US08384351B2 |
Battery system using battery unit in which battery arms are connected in parallel
A battery system includes a battery unit in which battery arms are connected in parallel, and a charge/discharge control device that controls charge/discharge of the battery unit. Each of the battery arms includes: a battery composed of one or more battery cells connected in series; a switch connected in series to the battery; and a battery monitoring device that, in a case of having detected abnormality of the battery, opens the switch to thereby isolate the battery arm including the abnormal battery, and sends a switch opening signal indicating that the switch has been opened to the charge/discharge control device. The charge/discharge control device performs a control to reduce a charge/discharge current or charge/discharge power of the battery unit when the switch opening signal is sent from the battery monitoring device of the battery unit to the charge/discharge control device. |
| US08384350B2 |
Battery cell voltage balancing device
Disclosed herein is a battery cell voltage balancing device for connecting two or more battery cells to one another in parallel so as to minimize a voltage difference between the respective battery cells, the battery cell voltage balancing device including an insulative main body having partitions, between which the two or more battery cells are mounted, respectively, configured in a structure in which the partitions are open upward, terminal connection parts disposed at opposite ends of the insulative main body for connecting cathodes and anodes of the battery cells mounted at the insulative main body to cathodes and anodes of neighboring battery cells mounted at the insulative main body, and an interval adjustment unit for variably adjusting an interval between the partitions in a state in which the battery cells are mounted between the partitions to achieve secure mounting of the battery cells between the respective partitions and electrical connection of electrode terminals of the respective battery cells to the terminal connection parts. |
| US08384346B2 |
Techniques for producing an electrical pulse
Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus, comprising a field emission source having polarities and positions in accordance with a code, a plurality of connected coils adapted to move proximate to said field emission source and having positions in accordance with said code, and wherein an electrical pulse is created when said field emission source is aligned with said plurality of connected coils according to said code. |
| US08384345B2 |
Control method for lithium ion secondary battery, and lithium ion secondary battery system
A control method for a lithium ion secondary battery includes performing a charging step of charging the lithium ion secondary battery with a predetermined quantity of electricity when the battery voltage of the lithium ion secondary battery has decreased to a lower limit battery voltage that is set at a value that falls within a range higher than (B−C) V and lower than or equal to (B−C+0.2) V where a maximum value of a positive electrode potential of a flat portion in a discharge positive electrode potential curve is B (V) and a negative electrode dissolution potential is C (V). It is possible to suppress a dissolution of a negative electrode current collector of the lithium ion secondary battery to prevent the service life of the lithium ion secondary battery from shortening because of an internal short circuit. |
| US08384344B1 |
System and method for charging a battery within a vehicle
A charging system and method for the batteries of a vehicle. A charging station is mounted in a fixed position where the vehicle is parked. A support extends upwardly. The support is selectively movable between a fully elevated position and a lower position. The support is biased into its fully elevated position. Two electrical contacts are mounted to the support. The electrical contacts are connected to wires that lead to an external power source. Two receiving contacts are mounted to the vehicle. The receiving contacts are positioned to automatically make direct electrical contact with the power supply contacts of the charging station as the vehicle is parked at the fixed position of the charging station. |
| US08384343B2 |
Electric accumulators having self regulated battery with integrated bi-directional power management and protection
A power management system may comprise a generative power source, a main bus between the generative power source and electrical loads, a energy accumulator and a main bi directional power converter interposed between the main bus and the energy accumulator unit. The energy accumulator may comprise a plurality of energy storage blocks. The energy storage blocks may individually comprise energy storage units and control units with dedicated DC/DC bidirectional power converters. |
| US08384342B2 |
Fuel cell system and control method thereof
The present invention provides a fuel cell system including a fuel cell configured to cause reactant gas to be electrochemically reacted to generate electrical power when the reactant gas is supplied to the fuel cell, power consuming equipment such as a reactant gas supply apparatus and a heating device operable to consume electrical power generated by the fuel cell, and a controller for controlling operation of the fuel cell system. During a warm-up operation, the controller causes the reactant gas supply apparatus to start a flow of the reactant gas and to increase the flow of the reactant gas over time, such that the reactant gas supply device starts to consume power and consumes increased power over time. After starting the flow of the reactant gas, the controller causes the heating device to start heating the coolant such that the heating device consumes power. |
| US08384341B2 |
Battery cell for MEMS device and related methods
A micro electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) device INCLUDES a MEMS substrate and at least one MEMS structure on the MEMS substrate. In addition, there is at least one battery cell on the MEMS substrate coupled to the at least one MEMS structure. The at least one battery cell includes a support fin extending vertically upward from the MEMS substrate and a first electrode layer on the support fin. In addition, there is an electrolyte layer on the cathode layer, and a second electrode layer on the electrolyte layer. The support fin may have a height greater than a width. The first electrode layer may have a processing temperature associated therewith that exceeds a stability temperature associated with the second electrode layer. |
| US08384337B2 |
Conveyor system
A conveyor system includes an electric motor to move a conveyor. A voltage determining device is coupled to an alternating-electricity source that supplies alternating electricity to the conveyor system. A power supply appliance supplies power between the electric motor and the alternating-electricity source. The power supply appliance includes an inverter and an inverter control. The inverter includes a rectifying bridge and a motor bridge. The rectifying bridge input is coupled to the alternating-electricity source and the rectifying bridge output is coupled to the motor bridge input. The motor bridge output is coupled to the electric motor. The inverter control is coupled between the voltage determining device and the motor bridge. The inverter control is responsive to frequency and phase of the determined voltage of the alternating-electricity source to adjust the frequency and phase of the motor bridge output voltage such that the motor bridge output voltage is made to be essentially constant. |
| US08384332B2 |
Integrated gearbox/encoder and control system
An integrated gearbox/encoder and control system that includes: a gearbox with an output shaft connected to a mechanical load; a first sensor detecting the rotary position of the output shaft; a motor; a second sensor detecting the rotary position of the motor; and a system controller controlling motive drive to the motor. The two rotary position sensors permit direct determination of gearbox backlash which can be used in motor control. A drive current sensor similarly permits determination of a vibration signature for comparison with a standard. |
| US08384331B2 |
Servo system and safety control device
This invention aims to achieve safety without interchanging an entire existing servo system to a servo system having the safety function. In a servo system including a servo motor, and a servo amplifier for controlling the drive of the servo motor based on the output of an encoder attached to the servo motor, a safety control device for monitoring presence of abnormality based on the output of the encoder, and shielding the supply of drive power to the servo motor if abnormality is present is arranged, and the monitoring content is set as setting information. |
| US08384330B2 |
Method of managing the steering control of an aircraft undercarriage
The invention relates to a method of managing a steering control for a steerable portion of an aircraft undercarriage, the method comprising implementing servo-control to servo-control an electromechanical steering actuator on an angular position setpoint, wherein, according to the invention, the servo-control implements a control relationship H∞ type, the position and speed information being delivered by means of a fieldbus of deterministic type to a computer that implements the servo-control. |
| US08384326B2 |
Motor controlling circuit for multiple control modes
A motor driving circuit has a motor operated with a forward operation, a reverse operation, an inactivating operation, and/or a brake operation under a constant current mode, a constant voltage mode, and/or a full swing mode. The motor driving circuit also prevents usage of multiple operational amplifiers and errors brought by the usage of the multiple operational amplifiers with simple circuit designs. |
| US08384325B2 |
Motor driving circuit and method for driving motor
A motor driving circuit receives a control pulse signal pulse-width modulated according to a target rotational speed, and drives a fan motor. A start pulse signal generating unit generates a start pulse signal having a predetermined duty ratio. A driving unit drives the fan motor by pulse width modulation according to the driving pulse signal received from a control unit. When the duty ratio of the control pulse signal is switched from zero to a nonzero value when the fan motor is in the stopped state, the control unit commences the driving operation for the fan motor. The control unit outputs, as the driving pulse signal, the start pulse signal, in a predetermined start period Ts from the commencement of the driving operation. After the start period elapses, the control unit outputs the control pulse signal as the driving pulse signal. |
| US08384319B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling an inertia of a synchronous condenser
Systems and methods for controlling an inertia of a synchronous condenser are described. An example system may include a motor, bidirectional power source, and at least one control device. The motor may be configured to alter a rotation of a condenser shaft to obtain a desired inertia of a synchronous condenser during a power disturbance event. The bidirectional power source may be coupled to the motor. The at least one control device may be configured to identify the power disturbance event, determine an amount of power to supply to or receive from the motor to obtain the desired inertia, and control the supply of power from the power source to the motor or from the motor to the power source based upon the determined amount of power. |
| US08384316B2 |
Synchronized vibration device for haptic feedback
The present invention relates to synchronized vibration devices that can provide haptic feedback to a user. A wide variety of actuator types may be employed to provide synchronized vibration, including linear actuators, rotary actuators, rotating eccentric mass actuators, and rocking mass actuators. A controller may send signals to one or more driver circuits for directing operation of the actuators. The controller may provide direction and amplitude control, vibration control, and frequency control to direct the haptic experience. Parameters such as frequency, phase, amplitude, duration, and direction can be programmed or input as different patterns suitable for use in gaming, virtual reality and real-world situations. |
| US08384315B2 |
Image forming apparatus, motor control apparatus, and motor control method
An image forming apparatus includes an engine unit to perform an image forming job, an engine control unit to control operation of the engine unit, a plurality of brushless direct current (BLDC) motors to operate the engine unit, a communication interface unit to receive a digital control command for the plurality of brushless DC motors from the engine control unit, a sensor unit to sense operation information of the plurality of brushless DC motors, an operation signal unit to generate an operation signal to control the plurality of brushless DC motors, and a speed control unit to control operation of the operation signal unit according to the received digital control command and sensing result of the sensor unit. |
| US08384298B2 |
Resonant inverter with sleep circuit
A sleep circuit for use in a resonant inverter is disclosed. The sleep circuit activates a “sleep mode” (non-continuous operation) when the inverter output has no connected load, or a connected load is non-operative (e.g., fails). The “sleep mode” utilizes hysteresis control via the under voltage lockout protection feature of a control IC of the inverter. A primary DC source permanently connects to the Vcc pin of the control IC for startup (on) and burst (non-continuous) operation modes. An auxiliary DC source connects to the Vcc pin via a switch for continuous operation mode. A load current sensor controls the switch. When a sensed output current is above a threshold level, the switch connects the auxiliary DC source, and the control IC (and the inverter) operates continuously. When the sensed output current falls below the threshold, the auxiliary DC source is not provided and the inverter operates in “sleep mode”. |
| US08384292B2 |
Inrush current protection
Methods of protecting an electrical device, such as a ballast, from damage due to an inrush current, and devices incorporating such methods, are disclosed. A loss of input power received by the ballast is detected. In response, the ballast is entered into a standby mode. The ballast is able to remain in the standby mode for a standby period of time. The input power is monitored during the standby period of time to measure a start time. Measurement of the start time is triggered by the ballast receiving input power again. The ballast is entered into an active mode when the measured start time exceeds a protection time. The protection time corresponds to an amount of time needed for an inrush current to dissipate following input power again being received by the ballast, protecting the ballast from possible damage due to the inrush current. |
| US08384291B2 |
Backlight protection circuit
A backlight protection circuit includes a driving circuit, two lamps, a pulse modulator, and a feedback circuit. The pulse modulator controlling the operating state of the driving circuit includes an over-voltage sampling end. Each of the two lamps includes a high voltage end connected to the driving circuit, and a low voltage end connected to the over-voltage sampling end through the feedback circuit. The pulse modulator stops the operation of the driving circuit when the voltage of the low voltage end exceeds a reference voltage. |
| US08384287B2 |
Organic electro-luminescent display device
A high-definition organic EL display device which enhances utilization efficiency of a space within a pixel is provided. In an organic EL display device in which pixels each of which is constituted of an organic El element are arranged in a matrix array, the pixel includes a pixel circuit which is configured to control an electric current supplied to the organic El element, the pixel circuit includes a capacitance, and the capacitance is arranged on a boundary of the pixels arranged adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction of the pixels. Further, one electrode which constitutes the capacitance is used in common by the pixels arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction, and another electrode which constitutes the capacitance is separated between the pixels arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction. |
| US08384283B2 |
Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, and electronic device
It is an object of the present invention to provide a light-emitting element with high light emission efficiency. It is another object of the present invention to provide a light-emitting element with a long lifetime. A light-emitting device is provided, which includes a light-emitting layer, a first layer, and a second layer between first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first layer is provided between the light-emitting layer and the first electrode, the second layer is provided between the light-emitting layer and the second electrode, the first layer is a layer for controlling the hole transport, the second layer is a layer for controlling the electron transport, and a light emission from the light-emitting layer is obtained when voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode so that potential of the first electrode is higher than potential of the second electrode. |
| US08384282B2 |
LED lamps using recycled metal containers as heat sinks and the method of making the same
The core of this invention is to replace lamp cups with recycled metal cans (after pretreatment processes) as a good heat sink of the LED lamps. The heat sink adheres to the lamp bases, LED circuit boards and lamp covers through advanced technology, thereby producing a variety of LED lamps. As a result, the invention achieves a complete metal construction of LED lamps which not only improves the thermal performance of LED lamps but also develops a low-carbon, environmentally friendly and economical way of metal containers recycling. Consequently, these improved LED lamps are suited to be widely used for the purpose of illumination or decoration. A semi-knocked-down DIY kit for end users to assemble such improved thermal performance LED lamp and the method of making it are provided herein. |
| US08384278B2 |
Leadless package housing having an insulator and composition
A spark plug for an internal combustion engine, having an insulator including an insulator shoulder designed for mounting a tensioning nut or a housing and having a first outer diameter, an insulator head which is situated farther from the combustion chamber and adjoins the insulator shoulder, and which has a second outer diameter which is smaller than the first outer diameter, and a continuous cavity, a composition including a first contact composition, a second contact composition, and a composition resistor situated between the first contact composition and the second contact composition, a connecting pin which contacts the first contact composition, a center electrode which contacts the second contact composition, and a ground electrode. The connecting pin, the composition, and the center electrode are situated in the cavity, and the composition resistor has a third outer diameter, and a ratio of the third outer diameter to the second outer diameter is between 0.35 and 0.7. |
| US08384276B2 |
LED lamp structure
An LED lamp structure includes a heat sink and a base. The heat sink includes a first receiving cavity, a second receiving cavity opposite to the first receiving cavity and a partition. A light board having LED modules is mounted on the partition. The partition defines two first threaded through holes therein. The base has two positioning protrusions engaging in two positioning grooves of the heat sink. Thus, second screw holes of two screw pillars of the base are aligned at the first screw holes of the partition of the heat sink. Screws are used to threadedly engage in the first screw holes, the second screw holes and third screw holes in the light board to thereby assemble the heat sink, the base and the light board together. |
| US08384271B2 |
Electroactive polymer actuator and method of manufacturing the same
A multilayer electroactive polymer actuator and a method of manufacturing the same. The multilayer electroactive polymer actuator is divided into an actuating area and a non-actuating area. A plurality of driving electrodes, each formed on a side of the respective polymer layer to correspond to the actuating area. A plurality of extension electrodes connected to the driving electrodes and a common electrode for vertically connecting the extension electrodes are formed to correspond to the non-actuating area. A via hole is formed through the plurality of non-actuating layers and has a diameter which increases in a stepwise manner upwards. The common electrode is formed in the via hole. The driving electrode includes an alloy of aluminum and copper. The extension electrode is formed of material having a small reactivity with respect to laser as compared to the reactivity of the polymer layer. |
| US08384268B2 |
Surface acoustic wave device having an increased surface acoustic wave velocity and an increased electromechanical coupling coefficient
An inexpensive surface acoustic wave device that increases an acoustic velocity of a surface acoustic wave and an electromechanical coupling coefficient includes a piezoelectric substrate in which a LiNbO3 single-crystal plate having Euler angles (0°, 67° to 160°, −5° to +5°) or (90°, 51° to 133°, −5° to +5°) is provided on a high acoustic-velocity substrate in which an acoustic velocity of a transverse wave is in a range of about 5400 m/sec to about 8660 m/sec or lower, and an electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate and made of metal. |
| US08384265B2 |
Inner-rotor-type motor and claw-pole member thereof
An inner-rotor-type motor includes a casing, a shaft and a claw-pole member. The shaft is rotatably coupled to the casing, and coupled to a permanent magnet having a magnetism-inducing surface. The claw-pole member is coupled within the casing and has an annular portion and a plurality of salient-poles. The annular portion has an inner circumferential wall. Each salient-pole is disposed between the annular portion and a respective pole plate. Each pole plate has a first side and a second side. The first side and the second side oppose each other. A magnetic pole surface is formed between the first side and the second side and faces the magnetism-inducing surface of the permanent magnet. An air gap is formed between the magnetic pole surface and the magnetism-inducing surface. Each pole plate has an extension portion and a shrinking portion. The coil unit is coupled to the plurality of salient-poles. |
| US08384254B2 |
Electromagnetically-driven mechanical shutter and electronic device using the same
A mechanical shutter includes a base including a plate with an aperture and a protruding positioning projection. A core on the surface surrounds the aperture and includes a first end and a second end. The positioning projection is arranged between the first end and the second end, on one corner of the surface. A coil surrounds the core and a blade and a permanent magnet are pivoted on the positioning projection. When receiving current, the coil magnetizes to the core to generate a magnetic force and rotates the permanent magnet, and the blade, to cover and expose the aperture. An electronic device having the mechanical shutter is also provided. |
| US08384253B2 |
Positioning system for positioning a positioning unit along a longitudinal axis
This invention relates to a positioning system for positioning a positioning unit along a longitudinal axis. The positioning system comprises a linear guide arrangement for enabling a linearly guided motion parallel to said axis, wherein the positioning unit is operatively connected to said guide arrangement. Furthermore, the positioning system comprises a motor, wherein the motor comprises a moving motor member operatively connected to said linear guide arrangement and an elongated stationary motor member extending parallel to said axis. The moving motor member is adapted to move along the stationary motor member for providing motion parallel to said axis. Moreover, the positioning system further comprises a force transmission arrangement which operatively connects said moving motor member to the positioning unit. The force transmission arrangement is arranged to provide an engagement between said positioning unit and said moving motor. The engagement is rigid in a direction parallel to said axis for instantaneous transmission of a linear force, and is resilient in directions other than said direction parallel to said axis, whereby transmission to the positioning unit of forces arising from thermal expansion of the motor is reduced or eliminated. |
| US08384252B2 |
Linear motor
The disclosure discloses a linear motor comprising: a field system in which a plurality of permanent magnets are linearly arranged: and an armature configured to face said field system and to have an armature core provided with armature windings, said linear motor running along a predetermined direction of travel with either said field system or said armature serving as a mover and the other serving as a stator, wherein: said armature core comprises: auxiliary teeth that are respectively provided on both ends along said direction of travel and around which said armature windings are not wound; and a plurality of main teeth that are provided between said auxiliary teeth, and each of said auxiliary teeth comprises an end portion shape in which a dimension in a teeth height direction orthogonal to said direction of travel is variable along said direction of travel. |
| US08384251B2 |
Linear and curvilinear motor system
A linear and curvilinear motor system includes: linear and curvilinear guiding devices movably guiding and respectively supporting right and left of a slider, each having a guide rail configured by linear tracks and a circular arc track and slider blocks; a motor unit having a stator with a stator linear section and a stator circular arc section and a mover with a linear section and provided for the slider and away from the stator with a gap interposed therebetween; and an encoder head and a hole sensor detecting positions of the linear tracks and the circular arc track. When a magnetic pole pitch of the linear section of the stator is a distance λm and a magnetic pole pitch of the circular arc section of the stator is an angle γm, a radius r of the circular arc track at the position detection point is defined as r=λm/γm. |
| US08384248B2 |
Power control apparatus and electronic appliance equipped with power control apparatus
A power control apparatus includes an input terminal and an output terminal for an AC signal; a DC removing capacitor connected between the input terminal and the output terminal; and a variable capacitor that is connected between the input terminal and the output terminal and whose capacitance can be changed by a control signal. One of a current and a voltage of the AC signal is controlled by changing the capacitance of the variable capacitor using the control signal, and dielectrics that form a serially connected row of capacitors composed of the DC removing capacitor and the variable capacitor are configured so as to be integrally laminated, and the control signal is applied across a dielectric that forms the variable capacitor and the AC signal is applied across the dielectrics that form the row of capacitors. |
| US08384247B2 |
Wireless energy transfer to moving devices
A system exchanges energy wirelessly and includes a source configured to generate evanescent waves, in response to receiving the energy, on at least part of a surface of the source. The system also includes a sink configured to receive the energy wirelessly from the source via a coupling of the at least part of the evanescent waves and a load configured to receive the energy from the sink. The load and the sink are configured to move along the surface of the source such that the at least a part of the evanescent waves are coupled between the source and the sink within an energy transfer area. |
| US08384246B2 |
Converter device and uninterruptible power supply equipped with such a device
A converter device comprising a power supply input, rectifier means, switching means, control means, and a switching aid circuit, said switching aid circuit comprising inductive means, branch-off means of an input current, and power storage means. The device of the invention is characterized in that the inductive means are essentially formed by a transformer directly connected to the power supply input and comprising reverse-coiled windings, and that the branch-off means comprise auxiliary switching means directly connected between said inductive means and a voltage reference or an output line to establish branch-off of the input current onto said inductive means before main turn-on.An uninterruptible power supply comprising the converter device described above. |
| US08384245B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for photovoltaic power management
Methods and apparatuses for equalizing voltages across a plurality of photovoltaic units connected in series are provided. The apparatus may include a plurality of energy storage devices. In a first configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a first set of the photovoltaic units, and a voltage across a first one of the energy storage devices has a first polarity. In a second configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a second set of the photovoltaic units, and the voltage across the first one of the energy storage devices has a second polarity that is different from the first polarity. The apparatus may also include a plurality of switches configured to switch between the first configuration and the second configuration, to equalize the voltages across the photovoltaic units. |
| US08384241B2 |
In-wall multi-voltage AC/DC delivery system with AC outlets receptacles and at least one USB power outlet
A system of components pertaining to electrical wiring and adaptive, multipurpose outlets. A standardized and interchangeable in-wall system includes low voltage, direct-current power from an alternating current power source, compatible with existing AC outlet boxes. In a preferred embodiment, a standardized configuration of in-wall USB ports supplies low voltage, direct current, and includes a removable, interchangeable docking station. The invention allows for the charging of electronic devices while simultaneously preserving the availability of all AC outlets. |
| US08384239B2 |
DC source assemblies
Embodiments of DC source assemblies of power inverter systems of the type suitable for deployment in a vehicle having an electrically grounded chassis are provided. An embodiment of a DC source assembly comprises a housing, a DC source disposed within the housing, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The DC source also comprises a first capacitor having a first electrode electrically coupled to the housing, and a second electrode electrically coupled to the first terminal. The DC source assembly further comprises a second capacitor having a first electrode electrically coupled to the housing, and a second electrode electrically coupled to the second terminal. |
| US08384236B2 |
Vehicle mounted converter
An object is to miniaturize device size in a vehicle mounted converter. The vehicle mounted converter includes a plurality of inductors, a switching unit for switching current path, an external power acquisition unit for acquiring alternating current power from a power generation source provided separately from the mounted vehicle, and a switching means for switching a circuit connection state to a connection state of either a boost connection state for connecting one end of the inductors to a path to a battery for vehicle drive power supply and connecting the switching unit to the other end of the inductors, or a charging connection state for connecting one end of one of the plurality of inductors to the path to the battery, disconnecting one end of the remaining inductors from the path to the battery and connecting to the external power acquisition unit, and connecting the other end of the inductors to the switching unit. |
| US08384232B2 |
Generating energy from fluid expansion
An apparatus includes an electric generator having a stator and a rotor. A turbine is coupled to an end of the rotor to rotate at the same speed as the rotor. The turbine may rotate in response to expansion of a working fluid flowing from an inlet side to an outlet side of the turbine. The apparatus also includes a housing assembly with an inwardly oriented shroud, which is located at close proximity to the turbine. The proximity of the shroud to the turbine establishes the pressure ratio of the turbine, allowing the system to operate without seals. Magnetic bearings and position sensors are used to maintain the distance between the shroud and the wheel. In certain implementations, the positioning of the turbine can be controlled to optimize machine performance. |
| US08384230B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a wiring board that has a conductive pattern formed on at least one principal surface, and an IC chip that is mounted on the wiring board. The IC chip includes a plurality of electrodes to make conductor connection with the wiring board. The conductive pattern includes a lead line pattern and a heat dissipation pattern. The lead line pattern is connected with at least one of the plurality of electrodes through a conductor. The heat dissipation pattern is physically spaced from the IC chip and the lead line pattern and has a larger surface area than the lead line pattern. Further, the lead line pattern and the heat dissipation pattern are placed opposite to each other with a gap therebetween, and their opposite parts respectively have interdigitated shapes and are arranged with the respective interdigitated shapes engaging with each other with the gap therebetween. |
| US08384226B2 |
Hybrid bump capacitor
A device fabricated on a chip is disclosed. The device generally includes (A) a first pattern and a second pattern both created in an intermediate conductive layer of the chip, (B) at least one via created in an insulating layer above the intermediate conductive layer and (C) a first bump created in a top conductive layer above the insulating layer. The first pattern generally establishes a first of a plurality of plates of a first capacitor. The via may be aligned with the second pattern. The first bump may (i) be located directly above the first plate, (ii) establish a second of the plates of the first capacitor, (iii) be suitable for flip-chip bonding, (iv) connect to the second pattern through the via such that both of the plates of the first capacitor are accessible in the intermediate conductive layer. The first pattern and the second pattern may be shaped as interlocking combs. |
| US08384225B2 |
Through silicon via with improved reliability
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a through-silicon via (TSV) extending from the top surface of the substrate to the bottom surface of the substrate, the TSV having a height and a side profile extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the side profile has an upper segment forming a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and a lower segment forming a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis, the second angle being different from the first angle, and wherein the lower segment has a height that is less than 20% of the height of the TSV. |
| US08384223B2 |
Backside mold process for ultra thin substrate and package on package assembly
In some embodiments, selective electroless plating for electronic substrates is presented. In this regard, a method is introduced including receiving a coreless substrate strip, forming a stiffening mold on a backside of the coreless substrate strip adjacent to sites where solder balls are to be attached, and attaching solder balls to the backside of the coreless substrate strip amongst the stiffening mold. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US08384221B2 |
Semiconductor device, LED head and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, and a semiconductor thin film bonded to the substrate, wherein the semiconductor thin film includes a plurality of discrete operating regions and an element isolating region which isolates the plurality of discrete operating regions, and the element isolating region is etched to a shallower depth than a thickness of the semiconductor thin film, and is a thinner region than the plurality of discrete operating regions. |
| US08384219B2 |
Semiconductor having interconnects with improved mechanical properties by insertion of nanoparticles
In a BEOL process, UV radiation is used in a curing process of ultra low-k (ULK) dielectrics. This radiation penetrates through the ULK material and reaches the cap film underneath it. The interaction between the UV light and the film leads to a change the properties of the cap film. Of particular concern is the change in the stress state of the cap from compressive to tensile stress. This leads to a weaker dielectric-cap interface and mechanical failure of the ULK film. A layer of nanoparticles is inserted between the cap and the ULK film. The nanoparticles absorb the UV light before it can damage the cap film, thus maintaining the mechanical integrity of the ULK dielectric. |
| US08384217B2 |
Increasing reliability of copper-based metallization structures in a microstructure device by using aluminum nitride
By forming an aluminum nitride layer by a self-limiting process sequence, the interface characteristics of a copper-based metallization layer may be significantly enhanced while nevertheless maintaining the overall permittivity of the layer stack at a lower level. |
| US08384215B2 |
Wafer level molding structure
A wafer level molding structure including a first chip, a second chip and an adhesive layer therebetween is provided. The first chip includes a first back side, a first front side and a plurality of lateral sides, and a plurality of first front side bumps are disposed on the first front side. The second chip includes a second back side and a second front side, and a plurality of second back side bumps and second front side bumps are respectively disposed on the second back side and the second front side. A plurality of through electrodes are disposed in the second chip, and electrically connected the second back side bumps to the second front side bumps. Adhesive materials including a plurality of conductive particles cover the lateral sides, and electrically connect the second back side bumps with the first front side bumps. |
| US08384213B2 |
Semiconductor device, circuit board, and electronic instrument
A semiconductor device with a package size close to its chip size is, apart from a stress absorbing layer, such as to effectively absorb thermal stresses. A semiconductor device (150) has a semiconductor chip provided with electrodes (158), a resin layer (152) forming a stress relieving layer provided on the semiconductor chip, wiring (154) formed from the electrodes (158) to over the resin layer (152), and solder balls (157) formed on the wiring (154) over the resin layer (152); the resin layer (152) is formed so as to have a depression (152a) in the surface, and the wiring (154) is formed so as to pass over the depression (152a). |
| US08384207B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device having insulated through wires
A semiconductor integrated circuit device (10) which has a layered structure is composed of a plurality of semiconductor layers (L1, L2, L3) in which an integrated circuit is formed on a substrate. Each of the semiconductor layers (L1, L2, L3) has a semiconductor integrated circuit portion (16) that includes the abovementioned integrated circuit on a substrate (11). Each of the semiconductor layers (L1, L2, L3) also has on a substrate at least one unit of through-wiring (17a) for electrically connecting the integrated circuit included in the semiconductor integrated circuit portion (16) to an integrated circuit of another semiconductor layer, and a surrounding insulation portion (18) for surrounding and insulating the through-wiring from the semiconductor integrated circuit portion. A structure formed by the surrounding insulation portion (18) and the through-wiring portion (17) composed of a plurality of units of through-wiring (17a) reduces the resistance of the through-wiring portion and increases the degree of integration of a circuit. |
| US08384206B2 |
Semiconductor package
In one embodiment, a semiconductor package is formed to include a leadframe that includes a plurality of die attach areas for attaching a semiconductor die to the leadframe. The leadframe is positioned to overlie another leadframe that forms some of the external terminals or leads of the package. |
| US08384204B2 |
Circuit carrier and semiconductor package using the same
A circuit carrier suitable for being connected with a bump is provided. The circuit carrier includes a substrate and at least one bonding pad. The substrate has a bonding pad disposed on a surface thereof for being connected with the bump. A brown-oxide layer is disposed on a surface of the bonding pad. |
| US08384202B2 |
Semiconductor device, and communication apparatus and electronic apparatus having the same
Provided is a package structure of a semiconductor device, capable of further reducing a planar size. The semiconductor device comprises a first package 2 embedding a first element 1, and a second package 4 stacked on and fixed to the first package while internally housing a second element 3. The first package 2 includes a lead frame 5 and a metallization wiring 6. The metallization wiring 6 is formed by resin-molding the first package 2 using a transfer lead frame having the metallization wiring 6 arranged on a base substrate, and, after the resin molding, removing the base substrate to leave the metallization wiring 6 on a removing surface of a molded resin in a transferred manner, while allowing a peripheral region of the metallization wiring 6 to be exposed on the side of and in flush relation with the removing surface of the molded resin so as to serve as an external terminal 6a. The first element 1 is mounted on the external terminal 6a of the metallization wiring 6in at least partially overlapped relation therewith, through an insulator layer 8, and electrically connected to the lead frame 5 and the metallization wiring 6. |
| US08384197B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an inter-layer insulating film, a wiring, and a via. The inter-layer insulating film is provided on the semiconductor substrate. The wiring is provided in the inter-layer insulating film. The via is provided in the inter-layer insulating film. Inside the inter-layer insulating film in a circumferential region around a device region, a vertical structure body is formed in which the wiring and the via are vertically connected. At least in an upper portion inside the inter-layer insulating film in an edge region located around the circumferential region and constituting an outer edge portion, no vertical structure body is formed in which the wiring and the via are vertically connected. |
| US08384195B2 |
Nanochannel device and method for manufacturing thereof
The present disclosure relates to a device comprising a mono-crystalline substrate, the mono-crystalline substrate having at least one recessed region which exposes predetermined crystallographic planes of the mono-crystalline substrate, the at least one recessed region further having a recess width and comprising a filling material and an embedded nanochannel, wherein the width, the shape, and the depth of the embedded nanochannel is determined by the recess width of the at least one recessed region and by the growth rate of the growth front of the filling material in a direction perpendicular to the exposed predetermined crystallographic planes. The present disclosure is also related to a method for manufacturing a nanochannel device. |
| US08384193B2 |
Bipolar transistor with two different emitter portions having same type dopant of different concentrations for improved gain
Insufficient gain in bipolar transistors (20) is improved by providing an alloyed (e.g., silicided) emitter contact (452) smaller than the overall emitter (42) area. The improved emitter (42) has a first emitter (FE) portion (42-1) of a first dopant concentration CFE, and a second emitter (SE) portion (42-2) of a second dopant concentration CSE. Preferably CSE≧CFE. The SE portion (42-2) desirably comprises multiple sub-regions (45i, 45j, 45k) mixed with multiple sub-regions (47m, 47n, 47p) of the FE portion (42-1). A semiconductor-metal alloy or compound (e.g., a silicide) is desirably used for Ohmic contact (452) to the SE portion (42-2) but substantially not to the FE portion (42-1). Including the FE portion (42-1) electrically coupled to the SE portion (42-2) but not substantially contacting the emitter contact (452) on the SE portion (42-2) provides gain increases of as much as ˜278. |
| US08384190B2 |
Passivation of integrated circuits containing ferroelectric capacitors and hydrogen barriers
An integrated circuit that includes a logic region, a buffer region, and a ferroelectric capacitor region that contains ferroelectric capacitors. The integrated circuit also includes a hydrogen diffusion barrier film that overlies ferroelectric capacitors and also overlies a buffer region located between a ferroelectric capacitor region and a logic region. However, the hydrogen diffusion barrier film is removed from a portion of the logic region. Moreover, a method for forming a hydrogen barrier layer that overlies ferroelectric capacitors and a buffer region but is removed from a portion of the logic region. |
| US08384187B2 |
Semiconductor device with shallow trench isolation
To provide a semiconductor device provided with an element isolation structure capable of hindering an adverse effect on electric characteristics of a semiconductor element, and a method of manufacturing the same. The thickness of a first silicon oxide film left in a shallow trench isolation having a relatively narrow width is thinner than the first silicon oxide film left in a shallow trench isolation having a relatively wide width. A second silicon oxide film (an upper layer) having a relatively high compressive stress by an HDP-CVD method is more thickly laminated over the first silicon oxide film in a lower layer by a thinned thickness of the first silicon oxide film. The compressive stress of an element isolation oxide film finally formed in a shallow trench isolation having a relatively narrow width is more enhanced. |
| US08384184B2 |
Laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor device
A semiconductor device and a related fabrication process are presented here. The device includes a support substrate, a buried oxide layer overlying the support substrate, a first semiconductor region located above the buried oxide layer and having a first conductivity type. The device also includes second, third, fourth, and fifth semiconductor regions. The second semiconductor region is located above the first semiconductor region, and it has a second conductivity type. The third semiconductor region is located above the second semiconductor region, and it has the first conductivity type. The fourth semiconductor region is located above the third semiconductor region, and it has the second conductivity type. The fifth semiconductor region extends through the fourth semiconductor region and the third semiconductor region to the second semiconductor region, and it has the second conductivity type. |
| US08384178B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device
In a rear surface incidence type CMOS image sensor having a wiring layer 720 on a first surface (front surface) of an epitaxial substrate 710 in which a photodiode, a reading circuit (an n-type region 750 and an n+ type region 760) and the like are disposed, and a light receiving plane in a second surface (rear surface), the photodiode and a P-type well region 740 on the periphery of the photodiode are disposed in a layer structure that does not reach the rear surface (light receiving surface) of the substrate, and an electric field is formed within the substrate 710 to properly lead electrons entering from the rear surface (light receiving surface) of the substrate to the photodiode. The electric field is realized by providing a concentration gradient in a direction of depth of the epitaxial substrate 710. Alternatively, the electric field can be realized by providing a rear-surface electrode 810 or 840 for sending a current. |
| US08384175B2 |
Method for manufacturing solid state imaging device and solid state imaging device
Certain embodiments provide a method for manufacturing a solid state imaging device, the method including: forming a plurality of first semispherical lens bodies; forming a second transparent resin layer; and forming a second lens body. The plurality of first semispherical lens bodies are respectively formed on a plurality of photodiode layers formed on a principal surface of a semiconductor substrate. The second transparent resin layer is a resin layer having an etching rate higher than that of the first lens body, and is formed so that the semiconductor substrate including the plurality of first lens bodies is covered with the second transparent resin layer. The second lens bodies are formed on a surface except the top part of each of the first lens bodies by etching an entire surface of the second transparent resin layer until top parts of the first lens bodies are exposed. |
| US08384171B2 |
Writable magnetic element
The invention relates to a writable magnetic element comprising a stack of layers presenting a write magnetic layer, wherein the stack has a central layer of at least one magnetic material presenting magnetization having a magnetization direction that is parallel to the plane of the central layer, which layer is sandwiched between first and second outer layers of non-magnetic materials, the first outer layer comprising a first non-magnetic material and the second outer layer comprising a second non-magnetic material that is different from the first non-magnetic material, at least the second non-magnetic material being electrically conductive, and wherein it includes a device to cause a write current to pass through the second outer layer and the central layer in a current flow direction parallel to the plane of the central layer at an angle α lying in the range 90°±60°, in particular 90°±30°, and more particularly 90°±15° relative to said magnetization direction in order to generate an effective magnetic field in the central layer, the current being applied either in a first direction or in a second direction opposite to the first, in order to orient the magnetization direction in a first magnetization direction or in a second magnetization direction opposite to the first. |
| US08384169B1 |
MEMS DC to DC switching converter
The present invention provides a DC high voltage converter having an oscillator driver, main switch array and topological enhanced capacitors. The switch array utilizes MEM cantilevers and topological capacitors for charge storages for the generation of a high voltage output from a low voltage input. |
| US08384168B2 |
Sensor device with sealing structure
Apparatus and related fabrication methods are provided for a sensor device. The sensor device includes a sensor structure including a first portion having a sensing arrangement formed thereon and a second structure. A sealing structure is interposed between the sensor structure and the second structure, wherein the sealing structure surrounds the first portion of the sensor structure. The sealing structure establishes a fixed reference pressure on a first side of the first portion, and an opposing side of the first portion is exposed to an ambient pressure. |
| US08384167B2 |
Semiconductor device with field effect transistor and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate in which a SiGe layer having a first width in a channel direction is embedded in a channel forming region; gate insulating film formed on the channel forming region; a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film and having a region protruding from a forming region of the SiGe layer with a second width wider than the first width; and source/drain regions having extension regions formed on the semiconductor substrate which sandwiches the channel forming region, thereby forming a field effect transistor, wherein the extension region is apart from the SiGe layer so that a depletion layer extending from a junction surface between the extension region and the semiconductor substrate does not reach the SiGe layer. |
| US08384165B2 |
Application of gate edge liner to maintain gate length CD in a replacement gate transistor flow
A method to maintain a well-defined gate stack profile, deposit or grow a uniform gate dielectric, and maintain gate length CD control by means of an inert insulating liner deposited after dummy gate etch and before the spacer process. The liner material is selective to wet chemicals used to remove the dummy gate oxide thereby preventing undercut in the spacer region. The method is aimed at making the metal gate electrode technology a feasible technology with maximum compatibility with the existing fabrication environment for multiple generations of CMOS transistors, including those belonging to the 65 nm, 45 nm and 25 nm technology nodes, that are being used in analog, digital or mixed signal integrated circuit for various applications such as communication, entertainment, education and security products. |
| US08384162B2 |
Device having adjustable channel stress and method thereof
The present invention relates to a device having adjustable channel stress and method thereof. There is provided an MOS device (200, 300), comprising a semiconductor substrate (202, 302); a channel formed on the semiconductor substrate (202, 302); a gate dielectric layer (204, 304) formed on the channel; a gate conductor (206, 306) formed on the gate dielectric layer (204, 304); and a source and a drain formed on both sides of the gate; wherein the gate conductor (206, 306) has a shape for producing a first stress to be applied to the channel so as to adjust the mobility of carriers in the channel. In the present invention, the shape of the gate conductor may be adjusted by controlling the etching process parameter, thus the stress in the channel may be adjusted conveniently, meanwhile, it may be used in combination with other mechanisms that generate stresses to obtain the desired channel stress. |
| US08384159B2 |
Semiconductor devices and methods with bilayer dielectrics
A semiconductor device is disclosed that includes: a substrate; a first dielectric layer formed over the substrate and formed of a first high-k material, the first high-k material selected from the group consisting of HfO2, HfSiO, HfSiON, HfTaO, HfTiO, HfTiTaO, HfAlON, and HfZrO; a second dielectric layer formed over the first dielectric layer and formed of a second high-k material, the second high-k material being different than the first high-k material and selected from the group consisting of HfO2, HfSiO, HfSiON, HfTaO, HfTiO, HfTiTaO, HfAlON, and HfZrO; and a metal gate formed over the second dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer includes ions selected from the group consisting of N, O, and Si. |
| US08384154B2 |
Bidirectional power switch controllable to be turned on and off
A bidirectional power transistor formed horizontally in a semiconductor layer disposed on a heavily-doped semiconductor wafer with an interposed insulating layer, the wafer being capable of being biased to a reference voltage, the product of the average dopant concentration and of the thickness of the semiconductor layer ranging between 5·1011 cm−2 and 5·1012 cm−2. |
| US08384152B2 |
Semiconductor device having trench gate VDMOSFET and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a first conductivity type layer of a first conductivity type, a body layer of a second conductivity type formed on the first conductivity type layer, a gate trench passing through the body layer so that the deepest portion thereof reaches the first conductivity type layer, a source region of the first conductivity type formed around the gate trench on the surface layer portion of the body layer, a gate insulating film formed on the bottom surface and the side surface of the gate trench, and a gate electrode embedded in the gate trench through the gate insulating film, and the bottom surface of the gate electrode and the upper surface of the first conductivity type layer are flush with each other. |
| US08384147B2 |
High endurance non-volatile memory cell and array
Systems of electrically programmable and erasable memory cell are disclosed. In one exemplary implementation, a cell may have two storage transistors in a substrate of semiconductor material of a first cooductivity type The first storage transistor is of the type having a first region and a second region each of a second conductivity type in the substrate The second storage transistor is of the type having a third region and a fourth region each of a second conductivity type in the substrate. Arrays formed of such memory cells and non-volatile memory cells are also disclosed. |
| US08384145B2 |
Non-volatile memory device using hot-carrier injection
Each of a hot-carrier non-volatile memory device and a method for fabricating the hot carrier non-volatile memory device is predicated upon a semiconductor structure and related method that includes a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor structure. The semiconductor structure and related method include at least one of: (1) a spacer that comprises a dielectric material having a dielectric constant greater than 7 (for enhanced hot carrier derived charge capture and retention); and (2) a drain region that comprises a semiconductor material that has a narrower bandgap than a bandgap of a semiconductor material from which is comprised a channel region (for enhanced impact ionization and charged carrier generation). |
| US08384142B2 |
Non-planar thin fin transistor
Methods for fabricating a non-planar transistor. Fin field effect transistors (finFETs) are often built around a fin (e.g., a tall, thin semiconductive member). During manufacturing, a fin may encounter various mechanical stresses, e.g., inertial forces during movement of the substrate and fluid forces during cleaning steps. If the forces on the fin are too large, the fin may fracture and possibly render a transistor inoperative. Supporting one side of a fin before forming the second side of a fin creates stability in the fin structure, thereby counteracting many of the mechanical stresses incurred during manufacturing. |
| US08384136B2 |
Demultiplexed nanowire sensor array for detection of chemical and biological species
A demultiplexed nanowire sensor array for detecting different chemical and biological species are provided, comprising a sensor array and a demultiplexer array. Methods of detecting at least two chemical and/or biological species are also provided, using the demultiplexed nanowire sensor array. |
| US08384135B2 |
Phase-change random access memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A phase-change random access memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a bottom electrode structure formed on the semiconductor substrate, a cylindrical bottom electrode contact that includes a conductive material layer, which is in contact with the bottom electrode, and a cylindrical phase-change material layer that is in contact with the bottom electrode contact. Therefore, the contact area between the bottom electrode contact and the phase-change material layer can be minimized. |
| US08384134B2 |
MEMS device including an electrical interconnect through a substrate
A MEMS device is disclosed. The MEMS device comprises a MEMS substrate and a CMOS substrate having a front surface, a back surface and one or more metallization layers. The front surface being bonded to the MEMS substrate. The MEMS device includes one or more conductive features on the back surface of the CMOS substrate and electrical connections between the one or more metallization layers and the one or more conductive features. |
| US08384129B2 |
Transistor with enhanced channel charge inducing material layer and threshold voltage control
High electron mobility transistors and fabrication processes are presented in which a barrier material layer of uniform thickness is provided for threshold voltage control under an enhanced channel charge inducing material layer (ECCIML) in source and drain regions with the ECCIML layer removed in the gate region. |
| US08384127B1 |
Bi-directional ESD protection circuit
A structure is designed with an external terminal (100) and a reference terminal (102). A first transistor (106) is formed on a substrate. The first transistor has a current path coupled between the external terminal and the reference terminal. A second transistor (118) has a current path coupled between the external terminal and the substrate. A third transistor (120) has a current path coupled between the substrate and the reference terminal. |
| US08384124B2 |
Semiconductor device and semiconductor integrated circuit device for driving plasma display using the semiconductor device
The output circuit uses an IGBT incorporating a normal latch-up operation measure and the ESD clamp circuit uses an IGBT that can more easily latch up than the output circuit device which has the latch-up prevention layer lowered in impurity density or removed. |
| US08384123B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
An IGBT having a good balance between high switching speed and low on-resistance.Specifically disclosed is an IGBT 10 in which a defect layer 25 is formed in an n layer 102 in an active region 20 and formed in a p-type substrate 101 in a non-active region 40. In other words, the defect layer 25 in the active region 20 is at a shallower position than the defect layer 25 in the non-active region 40 when viewed from the surface. Due to this configuration, the switching speed is increased by reducing the amount of holes injected in the non-active region 40 in the IGBT 10. Meanwhile, the reduction of hole injection amount in the active region 20 is smaller than that in the non-active region 40, and thus increase in the on-resistance is suppressed at that time. |
| US08384121B2 |
Electronic devices with yielding substrates
In accordance with certain embodiments, a semiconductor die is adhered directly to a yielding substrate with a pressure-activated adhesive notwithstanding any nonplanarity of the surface of the semiconductor die or non-coplanarity of the semiconductor die contacts. |
| US08384120B2 |
Method of fabricating vertical structure LEDs
A method of fabricating semiconductor devices, such as GaN LEDs, on insulating substrates, such as sapphire. Semiconductor layers are produced on the insulating substrate using normal semiconductor processing techniques. Trenches that define the boundaries of the individual devices are then formed through the semiconductor layers and into the insulating substrate, beneficially by using inductive coupled plasma reactive ion etching. The trenches are then filled with an easily removed layer. A metal support structure is then formed on the semiconductor layers (such as by plating or by deposition) and the insulating substrate is removed. Electrical contacts, a passivation layer, and metallic pads are then added to the individual devices, and the individual devices are then diced out. |
| US08384113B2 |
Photoelectric device
A photoelectric device includes a ceramic substrate defining a cavity in a top thereof and having two electrode layers beside the cavity. A photoelectric die is received in the cavity. A first packing layer is received in the cavity and encapsulates the photoelectric die. The photoelectric die is electrically connected with the electrode layers via two wires. A reflective cup is mounted on the ceramic substrate and defines a receiving space above the top of the ceramic substrate and the first packing layer. A second packing layer is received in the receiving space and covers the first packing layer. |
| US08384107B1 |
Increasing the brightness of a light source by using a thin-film dielectric
An improved lighting system by increasing the effective brightness of a lighting source. |
| US08384106B2 |
Light emitting device and light emitting device package having the same
A light emitting device may comprise a first semiconductor layer having a first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces being opposite surfaces, the first semiconductor layer having a plurality of semiconductor columns extending from the second surface, the plurality of semiconductor columns being separated from each other; a light emitting structure formed over the first semiconductor layer, the light emitting structure including a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second semiconductor layer, the light emitting structure having a side surface and an exposed side surface of a semiconductor column closest to the side surface of the light emitting structure being non-aligned with the side surface of the light emitting structure; and a substrate provided adjacent to the plurality of semiconductor columns. |
| US08384105B2 |
Light emitting diodes with enhanced thermal sinking and associated methods of operation
Solid state lighting devices and associated methods of thermal sinking are described below. In one embodiment, a light emitting diode (LED) device includes a heat sink, an LED die thermally coupled to the heat sink, and a phosphor spaced apart from the LED die. The LED device also includes a heat conduction path in direct contact with both the phosphor and the heat sink. The heat conduction path is configured to conduct heat from the phosphor to the heat sink. |
| US08384104B2 |
Light emitting device, light emitting device package and lighting system including the same
A light emitting device, a light emitting device package and a lighting system including the same are provided. The light emitting device may include a light emitting structure, a dielectric pattern, a second electrode layer, and a resonator structure. The light emitting structure may include a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer. The dielectric pattern may be disposed on the second conductive type semiconductor layer. The second electrode layer may be disposed on the second conductive type comprising the dielectric pattern. The resonator structure may be disposed on the light emitting structure. |
| US08384102B2 |
OLED or group of adjacent OLEDs with a light-extraction layer efficient over a large range of wavelengths
An organic light emitting diode comprises, between a bottom electrode and a top electrode, an organic light-emitting layer and a light-extraction enhancement layer made of a dielectric material. According to the invention, if nD, is the optical index of said dielectric material, and if λM is the center of the range of wavelengths of the emitted light, the thickness of the light-extraction enhancement layer is approximately equal to 5.λM/8.nD. Thank to the invention, light extraction is enhanced in a range of wavelengths superior or equal to 150 nm. |
| US08384101B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device
Such a semiconductor light-emitting device (10, 30, 40) that emitted light has small directivity of light intensity and a color tone and a light output is hardly reduced is obtained. This semiconductor light-emitting device includes a semiconductor light-emitting element (1, 31) and a thin-film light diffusion portion (8, 8a, 38, 41) arranged on a light-emitting direction side of the semiconductor light-emitting element. |
| US08384094B2 |
Light emitting device, method of manufacturing the same, light emitting device package and lighting system
A light emitting device includes a first conductive type semiconductor layer, a second conductive type semiconductor layer, and an active layer between the first conductive type semiconductor layer and the second conductive type semiconductor layer; and a plurality of polarizers, wherein a distance between a polarizer and an adjacent polarizer along a first direction is different from the polarizer and an adjacent polarizer in a second direction. |
| US08384090B2 |
Low 1C screw dislocation 3 inch silicon carbide wafer
A high quality single crystal wafer of SiC is disclosed having a diameter of at least about 3 inches and a 1c screw dislocation density of less than about 2000 cm−2. |
| US08384086B2 |
Method of crystallizing amorphous semiconductor film, thin-film transistor, semiconductor device, display device, and method of manufacturing the same
A method of crystallizing an amorphous semiconductor film, the method comprising the steps of: forming a gate electrode on a transparent insulating substrate; forming a gate insulating film on the transparent insulating substrate and on an upper part of the gate electrode; forming an amorphous semiconductor film on the gate insulating film; forming a light-transmissive insulating film on the amorphous semiconductor film; forming a metal film having an opening on the light-transmissive insulating film; irradiating laser light onto both a region of the light-transmissive insulating film exposed by the opening and the metal film, which is used as a mask for shielding the laser light; and performing laser annealing to make the laser light to be absorbed through the light-transmissive insulating film into a region of the amorphous semiconductor film exposed by the opening, so that the amorphous semiconductor film is heated and converted to a crystalline semiconductor film. |
| US08384083B2 |
Thin-film transistor having high adhesive strength between barrier film and drain electrode and source electrode films
This thin-film transistor includes adhesive strength enhancing films between a barrier film and electrode films. Each of the adhesive strength enhancing film is composed of two zones including (a) a pure copper zone that is formed on the electrode film side, and (b) a component concentrated zone that is formed in an interface portion contact with the barrier film, and that includes Cu, Ca, oxygen, and Si as constituents. In concentration distributions of Ca and oxygen in a thickness direction of the component concentrated zone, a maximum content of Ca of a Ca-containing peak is in a range of 5 to 20 at %, and a maximum content of oxygen of an oxygen-containing peak is in a range of 30 to 50 at %, respectively. |
| US08384080B2 |
Thin film transistor, display device, and electronic device
A thin film transistor, which is capable of improving carrier mobility, and a display device and an electronic device, each of which uses the thin film transistor, are provided. The thin film transistor includes: a gate electrode; an oxide semiconductor layer including a multilayer film including a carrier travel layer configuring a channel and a carrier supply layer for supplying carriers to the carrier travel layer; a gate insulating film provided between the gate electrode and the oxide semiconductor layer; and a pair of electrodes as a source and a drain. A conduction band minimum level or a valence band maximum level corresponding to a carrier supply source of the carrier supply layer is higher in energy than a conduction band minimum level or a valence band maximum level corresponding to a carrier supply destination of the carrier travel layer. |
| US08384076B2 |
Transistors, semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing the same
A transistor having a self-align top gate structure and methods of manufacturing the same are provided. The transistor includes an oxide semiconductor layer having a source region, a drain region, and a channel region between the source region and the drain region. The transistor further includes a gate insulating layer and a gate electrode, which are sequentially stacked on the channel region. Semiconductor devices including at least one transistor and methods of manufacturing the same are also provided. |
| US08384072B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An OLED display is disclosed. The display includes: a substrate main body, and an organic light emitting diode (OLED) formed on above the substrate main body, where the OLED includes: a first electrode injecting holes, a second electrode injecting electrons, an emission layer formed between the first and second electrodes, a hole injection layer (HIL) and a hole transport layer (HTL) sequentially formed between the first electrode and the emission layer, and a semi-transparent layer formed between the first electrode and the emission layer in red and green pixels. |
| US08384071B2 |
Organic light-emitting diodes
Disclosed is an organic light-emitting diodes including a ZnO nanoparticle and an ionic group. The organic light-emitting diodes according to the present invention includes: a substrate formed of glass or a flexible plastic material; an anode formed on the substrate; a hole transport layer formed on the anode; an emissive layer formed on the hole transport layer; an electron transport layer being formed on the emissive layer and including a ZnO nanoparticle; an electron injection layer being formed on the electron transport layer and including an ionic group; and a cathode formed on the electron injection layer. |
| US08384070B2 |
Organic electroluminescence device
Provided is an organic electroluminescence device having high efficiency and a long lifetime. The organic electroluminescence device includes an anode; a cathode; and an organic compound layer interposed between the anode and the cathode, and including an emission layer formed of a first emission layer provided on an anode side and a second emission layer provided on a cathode side, in which the first emission layer contains a first host and a first dopant, the second emission layer contains a second host and a second dopant, the following relationship (a) is established between the first host and the first dopant, the following relationship (b) is established between the second host and the second dopant, and the following relationship (c) is established between the first host and the second host: |LUMO(H1)−LUMO(D1)|>|HOMO(H1)−HOMO(D1)|, (a) |LUMO(H2)−LUMO(D2)|>|HOMO(H2)−HOMO(D2)|, and (b) |HOMO(H1)|>|HOMO(H2)|. (c) |
| US08384067B2 |
Hybrid organic/nanoparticle devices
Example embodiments disclosed herein may relate to organic electronic and/or organic optoelectronic devices, which may further relate to hybrid organic/nanoparticle devices with dual functions of resonant tunneling and light emission behaviors. |
| US08384059B2 |
Phase-change memory device
A phase-change memory device has a plurality of first wiring lines WL extending in parallel to each other, a plurality of second wiring lines BL which are disposed to cross the first wiring lines WL while being separated or isolated therefrom, and memory cells MC which are disposed at respective cross points of the first wiring lines WL and the second wiring lines BL and each of which has one end connected to a first wiring line WL and the other end connected to a second wiring line BL. The memory cell MC has a variable resistive element VR which stores as information a resistance value determined due to phase change between crystalline and amorphous states thereof, and a Schottky diode SD which is connected in series to the variable resistive element VR. |
| US08384058B2 |
Structured silicon anode
A battery can be fabricated from a substrate including silicon. This allows the battery to be produced as an integrated unit. The battery includes a anode formed from an array of spaced elongated structures, such as pillars, which include silicon and which can be fabricated on the substrate. The battery also includes a cathode which can include lithium. |
| US08384052B2 |
Electron beam lithography apparatus and electron beam lithography method
An electron beam lithography apparatus includes an electron gun emitting an electron beam, a deflector deflecting the electron beam, a focus corrector correcting a focus of the electron beam, a storage unit storing exposure data, and a controller correcting the exposure data based on a constant correction coefficient independent of time passage and a fluctuating correction coefficient changing with time, calculates a deflection efficiency indicating a relation between an input signal to the deflector and an amount of beam deflection, and a correction intensity indicating a relation between an input signal to the focus corrector and a beam focus, and writes the electron beam on a sample according to the deflection efficiency and the correction intensity. |
| US08384049B1 |
Radiotherapy apparatus and a multi-leaf collimator therefor
Embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-leaf collimator with a plurality of leaves and at least one motor for each leaf. The motor for each leaf has a lateral width which is equal to or narrower than the corresponding leaf, and in this way the motors can be arranged within the lateral extent of the leaf. A cut-out section in the leaf allows the motor to lie at least partially within the depth of the leaf, and in this way the drive mechanism and the multi-leaf collimator as a whole are made extremely compact. This in turn allows the leaves to be deeper than would otherwise be the case, increasing their efficacy in blocking radiation. |
| US08384048B2 |
Charged particle beam deflection method with separate stage tracking and stage positional error signals
The invention provides a method for patterning a resist coated substrate carried on a stage, where the patterning utilizes a charged particle beam. The method comprises the steps of: moving the stage at a nominally constant velocity in a first direction; while the stage is moving, deflecting the charged particle beam in the first direction to compensate for the movement of the stage, the deflecting including: (a) compensating for an average velocity of the stage; and (b) separately compensating for the difference between an instantaneous position of the stage and a calculated position based on the average velocity. The separately compensating step uses a bandwidth of less than 10 MHz. The invention also provides a deflector control circuit for implementing the separate compensation functions. |
| US08384038B2 |
Readout electronics for photon counting and energy discriminating detectors
A data acquisition system includes a charge-sensitive amplifier (CSA) configured to receive a charge from an x-ray detector, the CSA includes a high-gain electronic voltage amplifier, an electrical energy storage device coupled with the amplifier, and an electrical resistor coupled with the amplifier. The data acquisition system includes a baseline sampling circuit configured to receive an output from the CSA and to sample a baseline signal from the CSA, at least one discriminator coupled to an output of the CSA and to an output of the baseline sampling circuit, the at least one discriminator configured to output a voltage if the output of the CSA exceeds a threshold, and a counter coupled to an output of the discriminator and configured to output a digital signal indicative of a photon count received at the x-ray detector and based on the output from the CSA and on the signal from the CSA. |
| US08384029B2 |
Cross-section systems and methods
A first instrument (230) is used to image a first semiconductor article having a trench (110) of defined cross-section, while a second instrument (220) is used to simultaneously prepare a second semiconductor article with a trench of defined cross-section. Furthermore, a method is disclosed to prepare a trench (110) of defined cross-section in a semiconductor article by rough milling and subsequent fine milling. |
| US08384027B2 |
Ion guide array
An ion guide array is disclosed comprising a first ion guide section and a second ion guide section and optionally further ion guide sections. Each ion guide section may comprise a plurality of electrodes having an aperture through which ions are transmitted in use. A transfer section is arranged at the exit of the first ion guide section and ions are transmitted radially from the first ion guide section into the second ion guide section. The electrodes in the transfer section may have a radial aperture enabling ions to be transmitted radially from the first ion guide section to the second ion guide section. |
| US08384026B2 |
Atmospheric pressure solids analysis probe assembly
An atmospheric pressure ion source probe assembly (10) includes an outer casing assembly (14) adapted for attachment to an atmospheric pressure ion source chamber of a mass spectrometer and a docking probe (12) for detachable connection to the outer casing. The arrangement is such that in its docked condition or position the probe extends through, and in sealing engagement with the outer casing. In this docked condition or position, a sample holder (28) carried by the docking probe (12) is presented within the ion chamber. When the docking probe is detached from the outer casing the casing can be sealed off relative to the ion source chamber. |
| US08384025B2 |
Device for separating, enriching and detecting ions
A device for separating, enriching and detecting ions comprises: a gas tube, in which a carrier gas flows at a uniform rate; an ion source; multiple electrodes provided in the gas tube and applied with electric voltages respectively, so that at least an electric field is produced along the axis of the gas tube; an ion detector; and an ion extraction channel, by which specific enriched ions will be guided across the side wall of the gas tube toward the ion detector and be analyzed. The device enriches ions utilizing the following characteristic: compound ions with specific ion mobility maintain a dynamic balance for a period of time in a flow field under the combination of a carrier gas and a suitable electrical field against the direction of the carrier gas. Simultaneously, multiple compound particles with different ion motilities can be separated and enriched at positions with different electrical field intensities in a flow field in the same manner. The device also comprises synchronously export latitudinally enriched ions at different positions in a flow field, and performs later mass analysis using a mass spectrometer. |
| US08384014B2 |
Interpolation method and device for increasing the resolution of encoders
A method for interpolating an encoded signal of encoders is disclosed. The first step may include generating four first stage signals having a first frequency that are 45 degrees out of phase. The four signals may then be multiplied to obtain a plurality of second stage signals that are 90 degrees out of phase having a second frequency two times the first frequency. The second stage signals may then go through further computation to obtain a plurality of third stage signals that are 45 degrees out of phase. The third stage signals may be further adapted for further multiplication to obtain higher levels of interpolation. Interpolators and optical encoders characterized by the interpolation capability are also disclosed. |
| US08384009B2 |
Optical member with high refractive index layers, solid-state imaging device having an optical member with high refractive index layers, and manufacturing method thereof
An optical member including high refractive index layers having a great refractive index and low refractive index layers having a small refractive index, which are each relatively thin as compared with an optical length, disposed alternately in the lateral direction as to an optical axis. Each width of the high refractive index layers and the low refractive index layers is equal to or smaller than the wavelength order of incident light. |
| US08384005B2 |
Systems and methods for selectively projecting information in response to at least one specified motion associated with pressure applied to at least one projection surface
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that are related to projection. In one instance, a method includes, but is not limited to, obtaining information associated with one or more changes in one or more positions associated with one or more projection surfaces; and transmitting one or more signals that include the information associated with one or more changes in one or more positions associated with one or more projection surfaces. |
| US08383996B2 |
Electrical cartridge heater with supply cable
The invention concerns an electrical cartridge heater (1) with supply cable (7), wherein the cartridge heater (1) comprises a metal jacket (2), in which at least one electrical conductor (3) is arranged in an insulated fashion, which conductor is connected with a metal terminal pin (6) protruding from the jacket (2), wherein the supply cable (7) is exposed at an end region, is enclosed in the exposed region by a housing, wherein the housing encloses a contact bush (10) fixed at the free end of the supply cable (7), into which contact bush the terminal pin (6) can be inserted or is inserted, wherein finally the housing is connected or can be connected immediately detachably with the cartridge heater (1), which while keeping the advantage of the easy exchangeability of the cartridge heater without supply cable, secures a simplified manufacture, a safe assembly and a high tightness against environmental influences such as hydraulic oil, splash or surge water. |
| US08383991B2 |
Adhesive dispensing system with spaced ports and related methods
An adhesive melter includes an inlet port, an outlet port, and an interior configured to heat and hold adhesive pellets. The melter includes a lid for providing access to the interior and the outlet port communicates with the interior. An intake conduit is coupled to the inlet port and is configured to deliver forced air and adhesive pellets to the interior. An exhaust conduit is coupled to the outlet port and is configured to remove the forced air from the interior and to receive a filter for trapping particles of the adhesive pellets borne by the forced air. The outlet port and the inlet port are non-concentric but closely spaced and centrally located on the lid and the outlet port is spaced from the inlet port so as to cause the forced air to travel in a generally U-shaped path within the interior of the melter. |
| US08383989B2 |
Cooking device
A cooking device, that prevents erroneous operations which are not intended by a user, includes a top plate on an upper surface of a main body, a heating section to perform induction-heating of a bottom surface of an object to be heated that is placed on the upper portion of the main body, a control unit to control heating output of a heating coil, one or more operation switches at the top plate, a light source to illuminate the operation switch, and a connection terminal to electrically connect the operation switch to the control unit. The operation switch includes a conductive detection section to detect that a user touches the conductive detection section based on capacitance change, and a conductive connection section contacted with the connection terminal. The connection section is formed to be directly connected to a portion of an outer edge of the detection section. |
| US08383987B2 |
Welding contact tips for pulse applications
A contact tip for a welding torch includes a body having a front discharge end, an opposite rear feed end, and a bore extending through the body. A cap is mounted on the body at the front end. The cap has an aperture generally aligned with the bore. The cap is composed of a material having an electrical conductivity between 1.74×107 and 4.35×107 Siemens per meter at 20° C. The body is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of copper and a copper alloy. The body has an electrical conductivity that is higher than the electrical conductivity of the cap. A portion of the bore at the front end of the body and at least a portion of the aperture in the cap define a contact area for a consumable electrode wire. |
| US08383986B2 |
Arc start control method in robot welding
An arc start control method in robot welding includes the steps of shorting a welding wire with a base metal, retracting a welding torch by a welding robot for taking the welding wire off the base metal to generate an initial arc, retracting the welding torch to a predetermined position with maintaining the initial arc maintained while applying an initial arc current smaller than a steady welding current during this initial arc period, and starting to feed the welding wire steadily and to supply the steady welding current so as to make a transition from the initial arc to a steady arc as well as starting to move the welding torch along a welding line. During a re-shorting prevention period which starts from a beginning of the initial arc period, a re-shorting prevention current which is larger than the initial arc current is applied in order to prevent re-shortening between the wire tip and the base metal right after the initial arc was generated. Thereafter, the initial arc current is applied. |
| US08383982B2 |
Methods and systems for semiconductor structure processing using multiple laser beam spots
Methods and systems selectively irradiate structures on or within a semiconductor substrate using multiple laser beams. The structures may be laser-severable conductive links, and the purpose of the irradiation may be to sever selected links. |
| US08383979B2 |
Part-holding device in a repairing method for a blade of a monobloc bladed disc in a turbo-machine
A part-holding device in a method for repairing a blade of a monobloc bladed disc of a turbo-machine, through electron-beam welding of a patch onto the blade along a junction plane is disclosed. The device includes a disc supporting device which supports the disc and an adjustable holding device which holds the blade and the patch. The adjustable holding device includes a platen which supports the adjustable holding device, arranged such that the space located above the junction plane allows for an electron beam to pass. The relative positions of the blade and the patch are set using the adjustable holding device that is supported by the platen, while leaving some space allowing for an electron beam to pass. Such a device is simple and reliable. |
| US08383977B2 |
System and method for sorting items
A system and associated method is provided for sorting parts, which includes a conveyor system for receiving and circulating a plurality of randomly presented parts, a sorting buffer for accumulating selected parts from the plurality of randomly presented parts in an assigned buffer location, and a sequencing system for sequencing the accumulated selected parts. |
| US08383973B2 |
Tripping assembly for switching device
A tripping assembly is provided for a switching device. The tripping assembly includes: a body part, a tripping axle configured to turn between a trip position and a tensioned position in relation to the body part; a tripping frame configured to turn between a trip position and a tensioned position in relation to the body part and whose turning axis is substantially parallel with the turning axis of the tripping axle; at least one tripping spring which has an non-tensioned state and a tensioned state and which is functionally connected to the tripping axle and to the tripping frame; a frame spring which has a non-tensioned state and a tensioned state and which is functionally connected between the body part and the tripping frame; and a connecting member which is arranged to functionally connect the tripping axle and the tripping frame both in the final stage of a tensioning event and in the initial stage of a tripping event. In the tripping event: (i) both the frame spring and the at least one tripping spring are configured to transfer from the tensioned state to the non-tensioned state, thus releasing energy needed for the tripping event to the tripping assembly; and (ii) the tripping frame and the tripping axle are configured to turn from their tensioned positions to their trip positions, and while doing so, to turn to opposite directions with respect to one another. |
| US08383962B2 |
Exposed die pad package with power ring
A packaged semiconductor is disclosed. The packaged semiconductor comprises a conductive integral frame that includes an inner portion and a ring portion encircling the inner portion, a semiconductor die that is mounted to a first surface of the inner portion of the conductive frame, and a casing that supports the conductive frame and covers the semiconductor die. Sections of the conductive frame that connect the inner portion to the ring portion are removed after the casing is applied to the conductive frame. |
| US08383961B2 |
EMI shields and methods of manufacturing the same
An electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding apparatus generally includes a lid and a framework. The lid includes a top portion having at least one projection joining part thereon. The at least one projection joining part has a peripheral contour. The framework includes a top portion and a lateral side extending downward from the top portion. The top portion includes at least one joining opening having a peripheral contour coinciding with the peripheral contour of the at least one projection joining part of the lid. Accordingly, the at least one projection joining part of the lid is engagable with the at least one joining opening of the framework via an interference fit. |
| US08383956B2 |
Plating apparatus, plating method and multilayer printed circuit board
A multilayer printed circuit board has an insulation layer, a first conductor layer provided over a first side of the insulation layer, a second conductor layer provided over a second side of the insulation layer opposite to the first side, and multiple filled vias electrically connecting the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer. The filled vias have upper surfaces, respectively, and each of the upper surfaces is made such that a difference between a lowest point and a highest point of each of the upper surfaces is less than or equal to about 7 μm. |
| US08383953B2 |
Circuit board and method for manufacturing the same
In a circuit board, a laminate includes a plurality of laminated insulating material layers made of a flexible material. First external electrodes are provided on an upper surface of the laminate, and an electronic component is mounted thereon. Second external electrodes are provided on a lower surface of the laminate and mounted on a wiring board. An internal conductor is provided between first and second adjacent insulating material layers, fixed to the first insulating material layer, and not fixed to the second insulating material layer. The internal conductor is arranged so as to extend across regions obtained by connecting certain ones of the second external electrodes to certain ones of the first external electrodes located closest to the certain ones of the second external electrodes. |
| US08383952B2 |
Printed compatible designs and layout schemes for printed electronics
Embodiments of the present invention relate to circuit layouts that are compatible with printing electronic inks, printed circuits formed by printing an electronic ink or a combination of printing and conventional blanket deposition and photolithography, and methods of forming circuits by printing electronic inks onto structures having print-compatible shapes. The layouts include features having (i) a print-compatible shape and (ii) an orientation that is either orthogonal or parallel to the orientation of every other feature in the layout. |
| US08383947B2 |
Conductor module and electromagnetic welding method
The present invention is intended to provide an enhanced conductor module capable of reducing a joint area between conductors, and a method for preparing the same. The conductor module has a pair of flattened circuits each of which comprises a rectangular shaped conductors, a pair of sheeted coverings disposed on both sides of the conductor, and at least one hole having a diameter smaller than a width of the conductor, and formed in the coverings so as to expose one surface of the conductor to outside the flattened circuit. The conductor of one flattened circuit is joined to the conductor of the other flattened circuit via the hole by application of electromagnetic welding. |
| US08383943B2 |
Electrical cable harness and assembly for transmitting AC electrical power
An electrical connector/cable harness includes an electrically insulative housing and first and second passageways extending from a first end of the connector/cable harness to a second end thereof, first and second electrically conductive wires disposed in the passageways, respectively, wherein the passageways and the wires therein reverse their dispositions in the connector/cable harness such that at the second end of the connector/cable harness the two wires are disposed oppositely to their disposition at the first end of the connector/cable harness. |
| US08383941B2 |
Headphone tangle prevention apparatus
A method and apparatus for keeping headphone and earpiece cables from tangling is disclosed. The apparatus may include a flexible sleeve capable of moving relative to a headphone cord to restrict the movement of earpiece cables associated with the headphone cord. |
| US08383939B2 |
Structure of bus bar assembly
A bus bar assembly used for establish electric connections with semiconductor modules of an electric power converter. The bus bar assembly includes a resinous body, a first and a second bus bar to which terminals of the semiconductor modules are to be connected. Each of the first and second bus bars includes a plate body and a plurality of connecting terminals extending from the plate body substantially in parallel to a major surface of the plate body. At least a portion of the body plate of the first bus bar is disposed inside the resinous body. The second bus bar is mounted at the plate body on the resinous body and laid to overlap the first bus bar at a given distance away from the first bus bar. This structure minimizes the misalignment between the first and second bus bars after the resinous body is formed. |
| US08383938B2 |
Sliding cover faceplate and electronic device using the same
A sliding cover faceplate and an electronic device using the same are provided. The sliding cover faceplate includes a sliding cover, a cover plate, and a sliding structure. The cover plate is provided on the electronic device, and the sliding cover is disposed on one side of the cover plate. The sliding structure includes a guiding portion and an elastic positioning portion. The guiding portion is disposed on the cover plate and is connected to the sliding cover to guide the sliding cover to slide between a first location and a second location on the cover plate. The elastic positioning portion connects the cover plate with the sliding cover to provide an elastic force to the sliding cover, such that when the sliding cover slides close to the first location or the second location, the sliding cover is automatically positioned on the first location or the second location. |
| US08383936B2 |
Grounding mechanism for slide-type electronic devices
A grounding mechanism is used for a slidable electronic device including a first housing, a second housing, a conductive member and a grounding tab. The grounding tab is for attachment to the first housing. The receiving portion is formed in the second housing. The conductive member is attached to the receiving portion. The grounding tab contacts the conductive member, the first housing is electrically connected to the second housing. |
| US08383933B2 |
Earthing system for a wind turbine connected to a utility grid and for a wind turbine park
The invention relates to an earthing system for a wind turbine connected to a utility grid. The wind turbine comprises at least one electric system such as low or high voltage power systems and cables (16), at least one control system such as a SCADA system and control cables (18), and/or at least one safety system such as a lightning protection system, wherein a connection to an electrically earth potential is established from one defined place (12) within the wind turbine for said systems. |
| US08383931B2 |
Derivatives or dipyrannylidene type as anode interface layer in electronic devices
The present invention relates to substrates coated with films comprising compounds of general formula (I) below: and also to the process for manufacturing them and to their use as anode interface layer in electronic devices. The present invention also relates to organic electroluminescent diodes (OLED), polymeric electroluminescent diodes (PLED), organic field-effect transistors (OFET) and organic solar cells (OSC) comprising a substrate according to the invention, to specific organic solar cells and to the process for manufacturing them.Compounds of formula (I) as such also form part of the invention. |
| US08383930B2 |
Solar cell and method for producing solar cell
Disclosed is a solar cell including a passivation film formed on a light-receiving surface of a silicon substrate, and an antireflection film formed on the passivation film, wherein the passivation film has a refractive index higher than that of the antireflection film. The passivation film and the antireflection film can each be made of a silicon nitride film. |
| US08383928B2 |
Concentration solar battery protected against heating
The invention concerns concentration solar batteries which are protected against heating caused by the fraction of solar radiation which does not enable excitation of the photovoltaic cells (101) constituting said generator. It consists in covering the concentrator (106) which reflects the solar flux (107) towards the photovoltaic cells (101) with a filter (206) which enables the useless part of the radiation to be eliminated. It consists in using for that purpose either an absorbent material or an oblique or Fresnel stepped arrangement of the outer surface (107) of said transparent layer enabling said useless part to be reflected outside the photovoltaic cells (101). |
| US08383925B2 |
Sound collector, sound signal transmitter and music performance system for remote players
A music station is connected through a communication network to another music station, and pieces of music data expressing an exhibition performance on a automatic player piano and pieces of voice data expressing tutor's explanation are transmitted from the music station to the other music station through different communication channels; and a close-talking microphone and a bone conduction microphone are incorporated in a sound collector on the music station, and a vibration signal from the bone conduction microphone is examined to see whether or not the cord of tutor vibrates; when the answer is given affirmative, a voice signal from the close-talking microphone is relayed to a transmitter module so that the sound collector does not permit the transmitter module to transmit the voice signal expressing noises such as the tones; whereby the music performance system prevents the trainee from tones reproduced from a headphone. |
| US08383923B2 |
System and method for musical game playing and training
A system and method for musical training allows users to visually and aurally associate musical notes. The system allows user input to designate musical notes and instruments on which those notes are to be played. Users can spell words and phrases using the letter designations of the musical scale. The note associated with the letter designation of the musical scale is played back to the user on demand. Words and phrases are spelled with the letter designations can also be played back as musical notes associated with the letters used. The system can generate musical notes in a variety of musical instruments. |
| US08383916B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X05B936
A novel maize variety designated X05B936 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X05B936 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X05B936 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X05B936, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X05B936. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X05B936. |
| US08383914B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X8H569
A novel maize variety designated X8H569 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X8H569 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8H569 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8H569, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8H569. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8H569. |
| US08383912B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X7K442
A novel maize variety designated X7K442 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X7K442 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X7K442 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X7K442, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X7K442. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X7K442. |
| US08383911B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X13A467
A novel maize variety designated X13A467 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X13A467 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13A467 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13A467, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13A467. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13A467. |
| US08383910B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X8K858
A novel maize variety designated X8K858 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X8K858 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8K858 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8K858, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8K858. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8K858. |
| US08383908B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X03A121
A novel maize variety designated X03A121 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X03A121 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X03A121 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X03A121, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X03A121. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X03A121. |
| US08383906B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X13A494
A novel maize variety designated X13A494 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X13A494 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13A494 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13A494, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13A494. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13A494. |
| US08383905B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X08A147
A novel maize variety designated X08A147 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08A147 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08A147 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08A147, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08A147. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08A147. |
| US08383903B1 |
Inbred maize variety PH17PC
A novel maize variety designated PH17PC and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH17PC with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH17PC through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH17PC or a locus conversion of PH17PC with another maize variety. |
| US08383900B2 |
Soybean variety XB15C11
A novel soybean variety, designated XB15C11 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB15C11, cells from soybean variety XB15C11, plants of soybean XB15C11, and plant parts of soybean variety XB15C11. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB15C11 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB15C11, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB15C11, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB15C11. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB15C11 are further provided. |
| US08383899B2 |
Soybean variety XB17V11
A novel soybean variety, designated XB17V11 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB17V11, cells from soybean variety XB17V11, plants of soybean XB17V11, and plant parts of soybean variety XB17V11. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB17V11 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB17V11, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB17V11, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB17V11. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB17V11 are further provided. |
| US08383896B2 |
Soybean variety A1023758
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1023758. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1023758. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1023758 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1023758 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08383895B2 |
Soybean variety A1024198
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024198. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024198. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024198 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024198 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08383893B2 |
Soybean variety A1020078
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1020078. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1020078. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1020078 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1020078 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08383892B2 |
Soybean variety A1015895
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1015895. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1015895. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1015895 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1015895 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08383891B2 |
Wuschel (WUS) gene homologs
This invention relates to isolated polynucleotides encoding WUS polypeptides. The invention further provides isolated WUS polypeptides. The invention also provides methods of using the polynucleotides to modulate the level of WUS, improve transformation efficiency, to stimulate plant cell growth, including stem cells, to stimulate organogenesis, to stimulate somatic embryogenesis, to induce apomixis, and to provide a positive selection for cells comprising the polynucleotide. The invention also relates to cells, plants and seeds comprising the polynucleotides of the invention or produced by the methods of the invention. |
| US08383890B1 |
Genes encoding fatty acid desaturases from Sorghum bicolor
This invention relates to the fatty acid desaturase genes, designated SbDES2 and SbDES3, cloned from an expressed sequence tag (EST) database prepared from isolated root hairs from sorghum. Heterologous expression of the cDNAs in S. cerevisiae revealed that recombinant SbDES2 converted palmitoleic acid (16:1Δ9) to hexadecadienoic acid (16:2Δ9, 12), and that recombinant SbDES3 was capable of converting hexadecadienoic acid into hexadecatrienoic acid (16:3Δ9, 12, 15). Desaturase enzymes capable of performing desaturation reactions producing a terminal double bond have not previously been characterized in a plant system. |
| US08383888B1 |
Plants and plant products useful for biofuel manufacture and feedstock, and methods of producing same
A method of processing plant cellulose includes providing plant cellulose that is from a plant expressing a CESA polypeptide variant having at least one amino acid mutation in its carboxy-terminal transmembrane region; and saccharifying the plant cellulose to produce fermentable sugars. The method can also include fermenting the fermentable sugars to produce alcohol. A method of producing a plant having beneficial saccharification properties includes introducing into a plant a polynucleotide encoding a CESA polypeptide variant having at least one amino acid mutation in its carboxy-terminal transmembrane region; and expressing in the plant the CESA polypeptide variant, wherein plant cellulose of the plant expressing the CESA polypeptide variant has beneficial saccharification properties as compared to a wild-type plant. |
| US08383884B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X8N327
A novel maize variety designated X8N327 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X8N327 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8N327 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8N327, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8N327. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8N327. |
| US08383883B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X8M174
A novel maize variety designated X8M174 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X8M174 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8M174 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8M174, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8M174. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8M174. |
| US08383879B2 |
Non-human animal disease mode for hepatitis B virus-associated disease
A non-human animal disease model for hepatitis B virus-associated liver disease is disclosed. The animal disease model is transduced with a hepatitis B virus genome in the liver cells thereof and exhibits the following symptoms: hepatitis B viral particles and hepatitis B viral DNA in the serum, hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope and HBV e proteins in the serum, expression of HBV core and HBV envelope proteins in the liver but not in the kidney, heart, lung, brain, pancreas, spleen, stomach or intestine tissues. The animal disease model may develop hepatocellular carcinoma, exhibiting an elevated level of alanine aminotransferase as compared to a control animal without the hepatitis B virus genome in the liver cells thereof, and liver pathological symptoms such as tumor nodules, dysplasia, inflammatory infiltrates, necrosis and fibrosis. |
| US08383874B2 |
Process for isoparaffin olefin alkylation
A reactor for the autorefrigerant alkylation process has a reactor vessel with a lower end inlet for the refrigerant reactant and the sulfuric acid and a series of inlets for the olefin reactant at vertically spaced intervals. A flow path for the reactants is provided by co-acting baffles which define sequential reaction zones. The baffles interact with a rotary mixer with multiple impellers to provide agitation. Outlets for the vaporized refrigerant and the reaction effluent are provided at the upper end of the vessel. In the alkylation process, the liquid isoparaffin hydrocarbon reactant/refrigerant with a sulfuric acid alkylation catalyst is introduced into the lower end and passed along the extended reactant flow path with the olefin reactant introduced at intervals along the path. The reaction mixture flows in the sequence of serial reaction zones within the reactor to promote mixing of the isoparaffin reactant with the acid catalyst. |
| US08383873B2 |
Terminal 1,1-disubstituted alkenes, method of making and using thereof
Disclosed is a process for preparing terminal 1,1-disubstituted alkenes and is to compounds prepared therewith. |
| US08383868B2 |
Method of producing iodizing agent, and method of producing aromatic iodine compound
A method of the present invention, for producing an iodizing agent, includes the step of electrolyzing iodine molecules in a solution by using an acid as a supporting electrolyte. This realizes (i) a method of producing an iodine cation suitable for use as an iodizing agent that does not require a sophisticated separation operation after iodizing reaction is completed, and (ii) an electrolyte used in the method. Further, a method of the present invention, for producing an aromatic iodine compound, includes the step of causing an iodizing agent, and an aromatic compound whose nucleus has one or more substituent groups and two or more hydrogen atoms, to react with each other under the presence of a certain ether compound. This realizes such a method of producing an aromatic iodine compound that position selectivity in iodizing reaction of an aromatic compound is improved. |
| US08383866B2 |
Process for preparing diols by hydrogenating a carboxylic acid-comprising mixture by means of cobalt-comprising catalysts
The present invention relates to a process for preparing diols by hydrogenating a mixture comprising carboxylic acid, carboxylic anhydrides and/or carboxylic esters/lactones by means of a cobalt-comprising catalyst, wherein alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal ions are added to the hydrogenation feed, excluding alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal ions of mineral acids. |
| US08383860B2 |
Process to selectively manufacture diethylenetriamine (DETA) or other desirable ethyleneamines via continuous transamination of ethylenediamine (EDA), and other ethyleneamines over a heterogeneous catalyst system
The present invention reacts ethylenediamine with one or more additional ethyleneamines in the presence of a transamination catalyst to provide a different, preferably more desirable product mix of one or more ethyleneamines. |
| US08383858B2 |
Processes and intermediates for preparing steric compounds
This invention relates to processes and intermediates for the preparation of an alpha-amino beta-hydroxy acid of Formula 1 wherein the variables R1, R′1 and R2 are defined herein and the compound of Formula 1 has an enantiomeric excess (ee) of 55% or greater. |
| US08383856B2 |
Process for urea production and related plant
A process for urea production from ammonia and carbon dioxide, made to react at a predetermined high pressure in an appropriate synthesis reactor (112), from the reaction between NH3 and CO2 being obtained a reaction mixture comprising urea, ammonium carbamate and free ammonia in aqueous solution, from which a recovery of ammonium carbamate and ammonia is carried out with their subsequent recycle to the synthesis reactor (112), said recovery from the reaction mixture taking place through operative steps of decomposition of the ammonium carbamate into NH3 and CO2 and of their stripping and a subsequent operative step of their recondensation into ammonium carbamate that is recycled to the synthesis reactor, the said reaction mixture obtained from the reaction between ammonia and carbon dioxide being pumped to the operative steps of decomposition and stripping. |
| US08383854B2 |
Use of chemical reaction to separate ethylene from ethane in ethane-based processes to produce acetic acid
Described herein is a process in which acetic acid is produced by ethane oxidation. One byproduct of the ethane oxidation is ethylene. High ethylene content in the recycle gas stream will lead to poor efficiencies and higher losses to the COx byproduct in the acetic acid reactor. In fact, ethylene in the recycle feed competes with the ethane for the limited amount of oxygen feed, resulting in higher inefficiencies to carbon oxides than straight ethane oxidation. Ethylene is removed in this process by a further oxidation reaction at a temperature low enough such that ethane is not reactive, but the ethylene is converted to acetic acid. Either the ethane oxidation reactor effluent or a portion or all of the recycle stream to the ethane oxidation reactor, or any combination of the same, can be processed in this manner to reduce the ethylene content of those streams. |
| US08383850B2 |
Blocked mercaptosilane coupling agents, process for making and uses in rubber
The invention relates to sulfur silane coupling agents containing multiple blocked mercapto groups which are in a state of reduced activity until activated. The coupling agents are advantageously used in rubber formulations, for example, for fabricating tires with low rolling resistance. |
| US08383844B2 |
Process for producing (±)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyldodecahydronaphtho [2,1-b]furans
The present invention relates to a process for producing (±)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl dodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furans from crude (±)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl dodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furans obtained by subjecting (±)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl dodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furan-2(1H)-ones which are produced by cyclizing a homofarnesylic acid amide or a monocyclohomofarnesylic acid amide in the presence of an acid agent and then hydrolyzing the cyclized product, to reduction reaction and then to cyclization reaction, said process including (i) an alkali treatment step in which the crude (±)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl dodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furans are heated in the presence of an alcohol and a metal hydroxide; and (ii) a washing treatment step in which the crude (±)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl dodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furans are washed with an aqueous acid solution. The thus obtained (±)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl dodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furans have a less off-odor and hardly suffer from deterioration of their smell during storage. |
| US08383841B2 |
Phenyl xanthene dyes
Fluorescent phenyl xanthene dyes are described that comprise any fluorescein, rhodamine or rhodol comprising a particular C9 phenyl ring. One or both of the ortho groups on the lower C9 phenyl ring is ortho substituted with a group selected from alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkoxy, halo, haloalkyl, amino, mercapto, alkylthio, cyano, isocyano, cyanato, mercaptocyanato, nitroso, nitro, azido, sulfeno, sulfinyl, and sulfino. In one embodiment, halo and/or hydroxy groups are used. Optimal dyes contain a lower C9 phenyl ring in which both ortho groups are the same and the lower ring exhibits some form a symmetry relative to an imaginary axis running from the phenyl rings point of attachment to the remainder of the xanthene dye through a point para to the point of attachment. The phenyl xanthene dyes may be activated. Furthermore, the phenyl xanthene dyes may be conjugated to one or more substances including other dyes. The phenyl xanthene dyes are useful for a number of purposes, including labels for use in automated DNA sequencing as well the formation of fluorescent “bar codes” for polymeric particles used in the multiplexed analysis of analytes. |
| US08383838B2 |
5-oxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-benzo[b]oxepine-4-carboxylic acid amides and 2,3-dihydro-benzo[b]oxepine-4-carboxylic acid amides for treatment and prevention of diabetes typ 1 and 2
The present invention relates to novel compounds of general formula (I) and uses thereof. |
| US08383836B2 |
Methods and systems for treating cell proliferation disorders with psoralen derivatives
Psoralen compounds of Formula (I): wherein (N+ Aryl) is a member selected from the group consisting of nitrogen containing aromatic heterocycles of formulae (i)-(iii): wherein Z is a group of formula: wherein R is C1-C30 hydrocarbyl, which may be linear, branched or cyclic and contains from 1 to 15 carbon-carbon double bonds, which may be conjugated or unconjugated with one another or may include an aryl ring, and may contain one or more substituents; R1 is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkene-aryl, alkene-heteroaryl, alkene-heterocyclyl, alkene-cycloalkyl, fused cycloalkylaryl, fused cycloalkylheteroaryl, fused heterocyclylaryl, fused heterocyclyheteroaryl, alkylene-fused cycloalkylaryl, alkylene-fused cycloalkylheteroaryl, alkylene-fused heterocyclylaryl, alkylene-fused heterocyclyheteroaryl; n is an integer from 1 to 8 and X is a pharmaceutically acceptable counter ion; and their use in methods for the treatment of a cell proliferation disorder in a subject, pharmaceutical compositions containing the psoralen derivatives, a kit for performing the method, and a method for causing an autovaccine effect in a subject using the method. |
| US08383834B2 |
Process for preparing unsaturated lactones
The invention relates to a process for preparing saturated or unsaturated lactones. This process involves reacting a bicyclic compound or a monocyclic compound with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a first acid having a pKa of 3 or less and a first organic solvent, thereby forming a hydroperoxide. The obtained mixture comprising the hydroperoxide is subsequently metered to a mixture of a second organic solvent and a dissociation-enhancing catalyst, optionally comprising a second organic acid. The invention also pertains to a process of preparing the hydroperoxide. |
| US08383833B2 |
Method for producing optically active amino acid derivative
The present application relates to a method for producing an optically active α-amino acid derivative, comprising steps of reacting an α-haloester derivative represented by the general formula (1): of which alcohol part of the ester group is an optically active alcohol derivative, with an amine compound; then deprotecting the obtained compound; further carrying out an ester exchange reaction. According to the present invention method, it is possible to easily produce an optically active α-amino acid ester derivative which is useful as an intermediate for drugs with high selectivity. |
| US08383831B2 |
Dye for dye-sensitized solar cell, semiconductor electrode, and dye-sensitized solar cell
The dye for a dye-sensitized solar cell, which dye is a compound classified into melocyanine dyes and has a structure in which an electron donor unit and an electron acceptor unit are connected with conjugated double bonds, provided by this invention, has excellent photoelectric conversion efficiency and excellent durability, and according to this invention, there can be provided a semiconductor electrode sensitized by the dye and a dye-sensitized solar cell using the semiconductor electrode. |
| US08383828B2 |
Transition metal complexes comprising one noncarbene ligand and one or two carbene ligands and their use in OLEDs
The present invention relates to heteroleptic carbene complexes comprising both carbene ligands and heterocyclic noncarbene ligands, to a process for preparing the heteroleptic carbene complexes, to the use of the heteroleptic carbene complexes in organic light-emitting diodes, to organic light-emitting diodes comprising at least one inventive heteroleptic carbene complex, to a light-emitting layer comprising at least one inventive heteroleptic carbene complex, to organic light-emitting diodes comprising at least one inventive light-emitting layer, and to devices which comprise at least one inventive organic light-emitting diode. |
| US08383825B2 |
Kinase inhibitors
The present invention relates to drug delivery systems comprising ocular implant, which include organic molecules, capable of modulating tyrosine kinase signal transduction in order to regulate, modulate and/or inhibit abnormal cell proliferation, in combination with a polymer, which polymer serves to control, modify, modulate and/or slow the release of the therapeutic component into the environment of the eye in which said composite is placed. |
| US08383816B2 |
Aryl-quinolyl compounds and their use
The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds for treating proliferative disorders, cancer, etc., and more specifically to certain aryl-quinolyl compounds, as described herein, which, inter alia, inhibit RAF (e.g., B-RAF) activity. The present invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and compositions, both in vitro and in vivo, to inhibit RAF (e.g., BRAF) activity, to inhibit receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activity, to inhibit cell proliferation, and in the treatment of diseases and disorders that are ameliorated by the inhibition of RAF, RTK, etc., proliferative disorders such as cancer (e.g., colorectal cancer, melanoma), etc. |
| US08383811B2 |
Process for preparing efavirenz polymorph
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of crystalline non-hygroscopic form H1 of efavirenz, and pharmaceutical compositions containing it. In accordance with the present invention efavirenz was dissolved in acetone at 25° C.-30° C., the solution was slowly added to water at 0° C.-5° C., the separated solid was filtered, washed with mixture of acetone and water and dried at 25° C.-35° C. under below 65% relative humidity for 18 hours to give crystalline non-hygroscopic efavirenz form H1. |
| US08383810B2 |
Process for the synthesis of azetidinones
A process is provided for preparing azetidinones useful as intermediates in the synthesis of penems and as hypocholesterolemic agents, comprising reacting a β-(substituted-amino)amide, a β-(substituted-amino)acid ester, or a β-(substituted-amino)thiolcarbonic acid ester with a silylating agent and a cyclizing agent selected from the group consisting of alkali metal carboxylates, quaternary ammonium carboxylates, quaternary ammonium hydroxides, quaternary ammonium alkoxides, quaternary ammonium aryloxides and hydrates thereof, or the reaction product of: (i) at least one quaternary ammonium halide and at least one alkali metal carboxylate; or (ii) at least one quaternary ammonium chloride, quaternary ammonium bromide, or quaternary ammonium iodide and at least one alkali metal fluoride, wherein a quaternary ammonium moiety of the cyclizing agent is unsubstituted or substituted by one to four groups independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, arylalkyl and arylalkyl-alkyl. |