| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08385651B2 |
Character recognition device, image-reading device, computer readable medium, and character recognition method
A character recognition device includes: an acquiring unit that acquires image data describing pixel values representing colors of pixels constituting an image; a binarizing unit that binarizes the pixel values; an extracting unit that extracts boundaries of colors in the image; a delimiting unit that delimits plural image areas in the image; a specifying unit that specifies, with regard to first image areas arranged according to a predetermined rule, pixels binarized by the binarizing unit, as a subject for character recognition, and specifies, with regard to second image areas not arranged according to the predetermined rule, pixels of areas surrounded by boundaries extracted by the extracting unit, as a subject for character recognition; and a character recognition unit that recognizes characters represented by the pixels specified by the specifying unit as a subject for character recognition. |
| US08385649B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method for detecting object in image data
Learning is sequentially executed with respect to weak discriminators based on learning data held in a storage device. Upon learning, an evaluation value for the weak discriminator is calculated. It is discriminated, based on a shift of the evaluation value, whether or not the learning is overlearning. If it is discriminated that the learning is overlearning, new learning data is added. Thus, the overlearning is easily detected and the learning is efficiently executed. |
| US08385641B2 |
Method and apparatus for eliminating chromatic aberration
A method and apparatus for eliminating chromatic aberration; in an embodiment, only the chrominance signal is filtered in the luminance/chrominance coordinates so as to eliminate the chromatic aberration so that the chromatic aberration can be eliminated regardless of a property of a lens. In addition, there are advantages in not only eliminating the chromatic aberration but also preventing resolution of the original image from being damaged. |
| US08385632B2 |
System and method for adapting generic classifiers for object detection in particular scenes using incremental training
A generic classifier is adapted to detect an object in a particular scene, wherein the particular scene was unknown when the classifier was trained with generic training data. A camera acquires a video of frames of the particular scene. A model of the particular scene model is constructed using the frames in the video. The classifier is applied to the model to select negative examples, and new negative examples are added to the training data while removing another set of existing negative examples from the training data based on an uncertainty measure. Selected positive examples are also added to the training data and the classifier is retrained until a desired accuracy level is reached to obtain a scene specific classifier. |
| US08385627B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspecting defects of semiconductor device
When an inspection apparatus of a semiconductor device repeatedly executes computation of prescribed area data, such as image processing for detecting defects, procedures for commanding, data load, computation, and data store need to be repeated the number of times of the computation. This may impose a limitation on the speeding up of the operation. In addition, when performing parallel computation by a high-capacity image processing system for handling minute images, a lot of processors are needed, resulting in an increase in cost. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the invention, an inspection apparatus of a semiconductor device includes a data memory including an access section which is capable of reading and writing simultaneously, a plurality of numerical computation units, a connector for connecting the data memory and the numerical computation units, a controller for collectively controlling the contents of processing by the plurality of numerical computation units, another connector for connecting the numerical computation units and the controller, and a data transfer controller for controlling data transfer between the numerical computation units. |
| US08385626B2 |
Replacement of build to order parts with post configured images in any manufacturing environment
An embedded imaging system for addressing burn rack time issues. The embedded imaging system focuses on flexibility, control, and the ability to run without manufacturer specific IT capabilities (which allows the use of the embedded imaging system at outside manufacturing facilities). |
| US08385624B2 |
Automated transient image cytometry
A method, system, and instrument for automatically measuring transient activity in cells uses image time sequences to identify transients in cells. Preferably, the transient activity is stimulated or provoked in synchronism with acquisition of the image time sequences. A cell mask is applied to each image of an image time sequence in order to localize the transient activity with respect to each cell. Localization enables cell-by-cell analysis of properties of the transient activity. |
| US08385622B2 |
Image diagnostic support apparatus
An image diagnostic support device is configured to acquire a tomographic image including a lung region of an object to be examined and is provided with image display to display the tomographic image. The device is also configured to set up a measurement range, extract the chest wall from the image in the set measurement range, extract a thickened portion incidental to the chest wall in the measurement range, and measure the thickness of a thickened portion at each position in the measurement range. |
| US08385620B2 |
Method and system for multi-detector-row computed tomography utilizing projection data up-sampling with shift
A computed tomography apparatus and method where data is upsampled with shifting to produce upsampled data. The data is shifted up and down in the same amount in the z-direction, and then upsampled through interpolation. An image is reconstructed using the upsampled data. The process is preferably performed column-by-column. An upsampling shift and interpolation kernel size can be adaptive to the data z-gradient. |
| US08385619B2 |
Fully automatic rapid microscope slide scanner
Apparatus for and method of fully automatic rapid scanning and digitizing of an entire microscope sample, or a substantially large portion of a microscope sample, using a linear array detector synchronized with a positioning stage that is part of a computer controlled microscope slide scanner. The invention provides a method for composing the image strips obtained from successive scans of the sample into a single contiguous digital image. |
| US08385613B2 |
Biometric authentication
A biometric authentication system, including a database of digital images of biometrics of known people, a camera for capturing a digital image of a biometric of an unknown person, a two-dimensional gradient filter coupled with said database and said camera for deriving a spatial gradient of a digital image, and a match processor coupled with the two-dimensional gradient filter for processing two spatial gradients and determining the extent to which the unknown biometric corresponds with a known biometric. A method and a computer-readable storage medium are also described and claimed. |
| US08385612B2 |
Fingerprint image background detection apparatus and detection method
Even if streak-like noise or streaks caused by dragging which can be hardly distinguished from upheaval lines exist, background regions and impressing regions are separated from each other without being affected by existence of streaks. A fingerprint image background detection apparatus which discriminates background regions and impressing regions in an input fingerprint image includes impressing feature extraction means 22 which finds a pixel value variation quantity in a direction parallel to streak-like noise or streaks caused by dragging every small region obtained by dividing the input fingerprint image, tentative impressing region decision means 23 which judges impressing regions by comparing a pixel value variation quantity of every small region found by the impressing feature extraction means with a threshold, and impressing region shaping means 24 which shapes the impressing regions judged by the tentative impressing region decision means to obtain a convex shaped figure and obtains regions other than the impressing regions as background regions. |
| US08385607B2 |
Imaging apparatus, image processing apparatus, image processing method and computer program
An imaging apparatus includes an image pickup unit for capturing an image of a subject, an image input unit for inputting the image captured by the image pickup unit, a face detecting unit for detecting a face from the image input by the image input unit, a face position marker generating unit for generating a face position marker indicating a position of the face, detected by the face detecting unit, in the image input by the image input unit, an overlaying unit for overlaying the face position marker generated by the face position marker generating unit and the image input by the image input unit, and a display unit for displaying an image overlaid by the overlaying unit. |
| US08385606B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes detecting means for detecting the number of face image elements, which are one or more image elements of faces, included in an image, and associating means for associating the image with the detected number of face image elements. |
| US08385604B2 |
Rock core logging
The invention is provides a method of logging rock core. A digital photograph of core from a borehole is taken and the image is first processed. This involves calibration and correction, or un-distortion, of the digital image. A reference frame is included in the photograph to facilitate processing. The two-dimensional image is then used as a virtual three-dimensional model of the core enabling length and angle measurements to be logged. These include linear rock interval measurements as well as angular measurements of geological structures. The method is implemented using a software program which enables suitable hardware. The software program will be provided on a suitable computer readable medium. Manually logged data of the same kind is imported for comparison to data logged using the software program. All of this data can be displayed on the image and incrementally on a Stereonet as it is logged. A permanent visual record and reliable means of rapidly assessing the accuracy and quality of the data is provided. The invention also provides for automation of a significant part of the image processing and logging. The reference frame is preferably provided by a rock core tray frame having suitable indicators with known dimensions. The frame is rectangular with orthogonal lines on an upper surface. The mid-points of these lines are marked and spaced apart brackets provide for elevated lines superimposed on the orthogonal lines. |
| US08385600B2 |
Vehicle driving assistance apparatus
A vehicle driving assistance apparatus has an image capturing system capturing a road on which the vehicle travels, a white line type recognition section recognizing a type of a white line that defines a current traffic lane on which the vehicle is travelling on the basis of an image captured by the image capturing system, a white line type storage section storing the white line type recognized by the white line type recognition section, a white line type estimation section and a vehicle control system. When the white line type cannot be recognized by the white line type recognition section, the white line type estimation section estimates the white line type from white line types stored in the white line type storage section. The vehicle control system executes a vehicle control on the basis of the white line type estimated by the white line type estimation section. |
| US08385595B2 |
Motion detection method, apparatus and system
A motion detection method, apparatus and system are disclosed in the present invention, which relates to the video image processing field. The present invention can effectively overcome the influence of the background on motion detection and the problem of object “conglutination” to avoid false detection, thereby accomplishing object detection in complex scenes with a high precision. The motion detection method disclosed in embodiments of the present invention comprises: acquiring detection information of the background scene and detection information of the current scene, wherein the current scene is a scene comprising an object(s) to be detected and the same background scene; and calculating the object(s) to be detected according to the detection information of the background scene and the detection information of the current scene. The present invention is applicable to any scenes where moving objects need to be detected, e.g., automatic passenger flow statistical systems in railway, metro and bus sectors, and is particularly applicable to detection and calibration of objects in places where brightness varies greatly. |
| US08385590B1 |
Video watermarking with temporal patterns
In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a system that includes a user interface device; and one or more computers operable to interact with the user interface device and to perform operations including: receiving video data including frames; varying a watermark pattern in accordance with a function of frame numbers of the frames of the video data to create multiple variations of the watermark pattern; applying the variations of the watermark pattern to the video data in respective frames; and outputting the watermarked video data. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding methods, apparatus, and computer program products, as well as corresponding receiver and watermark detection system, methods, apparatus, and computer program products. |
| US08385586B2 |
Flat loudspeaker structure
A flat loudspeaker structure is provided. A conductive electrode of a vibrating membrane of a flat speaker unit is disposed on both utmost sides of the flat speaker unit, so as to improve reliability of the flat speaker unit. The utmost conductive electrodes of the flat speaker unit are further grounded to achieve the EMI preventing function and/or thereby prevent a user from a risk of contacting high voltages. The flat speaker unit at least includes a pair of vibrating membranes each having the conductive electrode, a plurality of supporting members, a perforated electrode structure with a plurality of holes, and an insulator layer. |
| US08385581B2 |
Speaker with dual magnetic circuits
A speaker includes a case, a dome, a diaphragm, a first voice coil, a second voice coil, a first pole plate, a second pole plate, a first magnet, a second magnet and a yoke. The case is supported on the frame to form a receiving room therebetween. The yoke includes a bottom portion and a side portion perpendicularly extending upward from the center of the bottom portion. A first magnetic gap is formed between the inner wall of the side portion and the outer wall of the magnet for receiving the first voice coil, and a second magnetic gap is formed between the outer wall of the side portion and the inner wall of the second magnet for receiving the second voice coil. |
| US08385579B2 |
Diaphragm and loudspeaker using the same
A diaphragm includes a membrane and at least one reinforcing structure stacked on the membrane. The at least one reinforcing structure includes at least one free-standing carbon nanotube structure. The at least one free-standing carbon nanotube structure includes a net structure of a plurality of carbon nanotubes combined to each other due to the van der Waals attractive force. A loudspeaker using the diaphragm is also disclosed. |
| US08385573B2 |
System for hearing assistance device including receiver in the canal
The present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device connection system for a user having an ear canal comprising a housing, electronics disposed in the housing, a cable electrically connected to the receiver and at least one conductive silicone component to electrically connect the electronics to the receiver. |
| US08385568B2 |
Low-profile speaker arrangements for compact electronic devices
A portable electronic device that provides audio sound output from multiple internal speakers to a common output audio opening in a housing of the portable electronic device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the multiple internal speakers are provided in close proximity to one another, such as adjacent to one another, and serve to produce audio sound pertaining to different audio channels. The sound (i.e., pressure waves) produced by each of the internal speakers is directed into a respective acoustic chamber and output via the output audio opening in the housing. Accordingly, the acoustic chambers for the multiple internal speakers can each direct their audio sound output to the same output audio opening in the housing. The respective acoustic chambers can be formed adjacent to one another with a structural barrier serving to separate the distinct acoustic chambers. |
| US08385567B2 |
Condenser microphone and method for fixing microphone cable
There is provided a condenser microphone of a type such that a microphone cable is directly drawn into a microphone casing, in which the electromagnetic shieldability of a microphone cable draw-in portion can be enhanced, and the microphone cable can be fixed easily. In a condenser microphone in which a microphone cable 20 is directly drawn into a microphone casing 10 formed with a cable insertion hole 12 in an end wall 11, a gel-form ferrite sheet 30 having a cable insertion hole 31 having an outside diameter approximately equal to the inside diameter of the microphone casing 10 and formed coaxially with the cable insertion hole 12 is disposed along the inner surface of the end wall 11 in the microphone casing 10, and after the microphone cable 20 has been inserted through the cable insertion holes 12 and 31, the gel-form ferrite sheet 30 is pressed toward the end wall 11 by a predetermined pressing means 40 to reduce the diameter of the second cable insertion hole 31 and to cause the gel-form ferrite sheet 30 to adhere closely to the microphone cable 20, whereby the microphone cable 20 is fixed. |
| US08385566B2 |
Decentralized audio mixing and recording
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a decentralized mixer includes an audio input circuit to receive one or more local audio input signals, a network adapter to couple to a network and to receive one or more mix busses from one or more other mixers coupled to the network, a digital signal processor to create a local mix of the local audio input signals in combination with the mix busses from the network, and a recording circuit to record the local mix, and/or to record the raw signals from the mix busses and the local audio input signals. |
| US08385563B2 |
Sound level control in responding to the estimated impedances indicating that the medium being an auditory canal and other than the auditory canal
A system and method for controlling a sound level of a mobile audio device are disclosed herein. In accordance with at least some embodiments, a system includes a transducer, a phase estimator, and a sound level control. The transducer converts an electrical signal applied to the transducer into audible sound. The phase estimator estimates a phase difference between a voltage and a current of the electrical signal applied to the transducer. The sound level control controls the loudness of sound produced by the transducer based, at least in part on the estimated phase difference. |
| US08385562B2 |
Sound source signal filtering method based on calculated distances between microphone and sound source
Provided is a sound source signal filtering method and apparatus. The sound source signal filtering method includes: generating two or more microphone output signals by combining sound source signals input through a plurality of microphones; calculating distances between the microphones and a sound source from which the sound source signals are emitted by using distance relationships according to frequencies of the sound source signals extracted from the generated microphone output signals; and filtering the sound source signals to obtain one or more sound source signals corresponding to a predetermined distance by using the calculated distances. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain only sound source signals emitted from a sound source at a particular distance from the microphone array among a plurality of sound source signals input through the microphone array. |
| US08385556B1 |
Parametric stereo conversion system and method
A system for generating parametric stereo data from phase modulated stereo data is provided. A phase difference system receives left channel data and right channel data and determines a phase difference between the left channel data and the right channel data. A phase difference weighting system receives the phase difference data and generates weighting data to adjust left channel amplitude data and right channel amplitude data based on the phase difference data. A magnitude modification system adjusts the left channel amplitude data and the right channel amplitude data using the weighting data to eliminate phase data in the left channel data and the right channel data. |
| US08385555B2 |
Content delivery with segmented key list
A content delivery network and method employing a Downloadable Conditional Access System (“DCAS”) includes first and second personalization servers. A unit key list having unique keys is segmented into different blocks. Each block is encrypted with a separate transmission key corresponding to that block such that first and second blocks are respectively encrypted with first and second transmission keys. The encrypted blocks are communicated to the personalization servers. The first transmission key is communicated to the first personalization server without being communicated to another personalization server such that the first server can decrypt the first block using the first transmission key to access the keys of the first block. The second transmission key is communicated to the second personalization server without being communicated to another personalization server such that the second server can decrypt the second block using the second transmission key to access the keys of the second block. |
| US08385554B2 |
Preventing execution of pirated software
A method, system and computer program product for preventing execution of pirated software. A file is loaded on an end user's computer containing a binary image that is generated by removing one or more code bits from an executable code. A request is sent to a remote server to return a software key required for execution of the executable code from the binary image. The software key is downloaded to the end user's computer on which the binary image is loaded. One or more bits from the software key is inserted into the appropriate location of the binary image to regenerate the executable code. The executable code is enabled for execution on the end user's computer only following the embedding of the one or more bits. |
| US08385552B2 |
Techniques for managing keys using a key server in a network segment
The election of a key server is provided. The key server is a single device that broadcasts an encryption key to other devices in a network segment. Also, automatic reelection of a new key server is provided when a current key server becomes unavailable. Key receivers may separately detect that a new key server is needed and separately determine from state information which key receiver should be elected the new key server. The state information may have been received in previously sent messages. Thus, further messaging is not needed to elect a new key server. |
| US08385546B2 |
System and method for storing and accessing digital media content using smart card technology
A system and method for delivering digital media content to a user over a network is disclosed. The illustrative embodiment of the present invention enables multiple types of electronic devices to access the same digital media content for the same end user through the use of a smart card equipped with a license for the digital media content. Depending on the format of the digital media content, devices such as phones, pagers, internet appliances or PDAs can be used to present the digital media content to a user, as can traditional consumer electronic devices such as DVD players and VCRs. The encrypted content may be freely transferred and stored without copyright concerns since the decryption key is generated by the smart card containing the license. |
| US08385545B2 |
Secure content key distribution using multiple distinct methods
Systems and methods of secure content key distribution using multiple distinct methods are disclosed herein. Example embodiments include receiving multiple distinct control words from multiple conditional access systems and encrypting packets or a group of packets using the multiple distinct control words. |
| US08385542B2 |
Methods and apparatus for securing communications between a decryption device and a television receiver
Techniques are described herein for securing communications in a television transmission network. A television receiver receives encrypted content from a transmission network and the encrypted content is input into a decryption device. The decryption device decrypts the encrypted content and generates supplemental data in order to pad the size of the decrypted content. The padded content may then be output from the decryption device to other components of the television receiver, for further processing, such as decoding and output to an associated presentation device. |
| US08385540B2 |
Block cipher algorithm based encryption processing method
A block cipher algorithm based encryption processing method comprises the following steps: external key registration, external data registration, key expansion, data encryption conversion, internal data registration, and data iteration processing, which solves the problems of the prior ciphering method based on block cipher algorithm, such as low ciphering efficiency and high implementation cost, and efficiently reduces the resource consumption under the premise of keeping the high efficiency of the prior art, thereby reducing the implementation cost of the device. When the number of the conversion component is 1, the resource consumption is only about 60 percent of the prior art; and when the number of the conversion component is 2, the resource consumption is only about 70 percent of the prior art. The present invention increases a sub-key registration unit, which can reduce the critical paths and increase the clock dominant frequency of the ciphering equipment during the implementation of integrated circuits, thereby improving the ciphering capacity of the inventive method. |
| US08385535B2 |
Method and system for remotely automating cross-connects in telecom networks
A method and system for automating cross-connects for a telecommunication system comprising a network of communication lines for connecting subscriber locations to a central office exchange 112. The communication lines extend to the subscriber locations from a main distribution frame (MDF) (320) in which a plurality of standard termination blocks are housed in the MDF for terminating the lines from to the subscriber side and lines from the exchange side, which are cross-connected in the prior art with jumper wires. In an embodiment of the invention, the cross-connects are mounted on modular cross-connect boards having mechanical switching means that are inserted into or connected to the termination blocks. Automation is achieved by selectively controlling the connection state of the cross-connects via a computer terminal (350,352) located remotely from the MDF. The system is scalable to the growth in subscriber lines within the MDF by installing additional cross-connect boards. A further embodiment includes automation of street cabinets (328) and drop point sites (330) containing cross-connect boards of the present invention. |
| US08385533B2 |
Bidding work assignment on conference/subscribe RTP clearing house
A distributed contact center and method of managing tasks within such a contact center is provided. The various sites of the distributed contact center are adapted to bid on contacts by transmitting bids to a work item distribution mechanism via RTP streams, thereby enabling the work item distribution mechanism to analyze the bids in real-time and route the contact accordingly. |
| US08385531B2 |
Performing routing of a phone call based on mutual contacts of a contact list
A method, system, and computer program for routing an outgoing communication in real time is presented. A communication is received from a caller to an intended receiving wireless telecommunication device. In response to the communication failing to connect to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device, scan of other alternate telecommunication devices is initiated to determine if other communication devices are available for receiving a re-route of the original communication. If an alternate telecommunication device is available to receive the communication, then the communication is rerouted to the preferred alternate telecommunication device based on the alternate telecommunication device being a mutual contact of the contact list of the caller telecommunication device and the mapping profile of the intended receiving telecommunication device. |
| US08385529B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for recipient identification
Methods, systems, and products provide called party identification to a calling party. A communication is processed from a calling communications address to one of a plurality of communications addresses associated with a simultaneous ring. When an answer is detected at one of the plurality of communications addresses, an answering communications address is sent to the calling communications address. |
| US08385525B2 |
Internet accessed text-to-speech reading assistant
An Internet accessed server that on demand downloads and activates text-to-speech program elements to a subscriber's computer. Program elements are customized to match the operating system of the subscriber's computer. Upon termination of the text-to-speech session, the server deactivates all program elements and the subscriber becomes free to reinitiate over the Internet the text-to-speech program on the same or another computer system. |
| US08385522B2 |
Method for awarding discount and promotions for delayed services to subscribers charged in real time
A method and system for updating the available amount of a service to be used by a user in a communications system, wherein a requested amount of a requested service is reserved if it is available. It is detected if a valid delivery of the requested service has been performed, if so, the delivered amount of said requested service is accumulated; and available amount is updated in dependence of the delivered amount. |
| US08385519B2 |
Methods and arrangements in a client and telephony server
The present invention relates to arrangements and methods for information relating to updates of a web page associated with a call dialog between the client that has a call set up with a further client via the telephony server, wherein the client comprises a telephony interface for managing at least one dialog and a browser for disclosing at least said web page. The method of the client comprises the steps of: receiving a first telephone signaling message, wherein the message comprises an address to said web page and a first identifier associated with the address of said web page, connecting to said web page, receiving a second telephone signaling message, wherein the message comprises executable code, a web page, or a link to a web page, and a first identifier associated with the address of the web page to be updated, mapping the executable code, a web page, or a link to the web page identified by the first identifier and updating said web page disclosed on the browser of the client by executing the executable code or showing the web page or following the link to the mapped web page. |
| US08385513B2 |
Processing a received voicemail message
Aspects of the present invention are directed at software for processing a received voicemail message to provide enhanced features in a voicemail system. In one embodiment, a user interface is provided where a callee may generate events to modify audio attributes of a received voicemail message. When an event to modify the audio attributes of the received voicemail message is received, aspects of the present invention obtain a set of event data that describes input generated by the callee. Then, a media player program is used to modify attributes of the data packets in the voicemail message in accordance with the input received from the callee. |
| US08385512B2 |
Achieving hearing aid compatibility on handsets with low acoustic impedance receivers
In one embodiment, an equalizer outputs a compensated received signal that flattens the acoustic frequency response characteristic of a handset having a leak tolerant ear piece. A hardware based filter is implemented within the handset having a response matched to the response of the equalizer so that the acoustic and magnetic frequency responses of the handset are substantially flat over the audible frequency range to comply with regulatory requirements. |
| US08385508B2 |
Scattered radiation collimator element, scattered radiation collimator, radiation detector unit and method for producing a scattered radiation absorber element
A scattered radiation collimator element is disclosed for producing a scattered radiation collimator for absorbing scattered radiation which is generated during an examination of an object by interaction of x-ray or gamma radiation used for this purpose. For the purposes of simplification and reducing costs during production, in at least one embodiment, the scattered radiation collimator element includes a plurality of absorber elements, designed in a strip-like or filament-like fashion and arranged adjacent to one another to form an absorber surface. |
| US08385506B2 |
X-ray cathode and method of manufacture thereof
The disclosed embodiments include embodiments such as an X-ray tube cathode filament system. The X-ray tube cathode filament system includes a substrate and a coating disposed on the substrate. In this cathode filament system, an electron beam is emitted from the coating but not from the substrate. The electron beam is produced through the use of the thermionic effect. |
| US08385503B2 |
X-ray diffraction contrast tomography (DCT) system, and an x-ray diffraction contrast tomography (DCT) method
An X-ray diffraction contrast tomography system (DCT) comprising a laboratory X-ray source (2), a staging device (5) rotating a polycrystalline material sample in the direct path of the X-ray beam, a first X-ray detector (6) detecting the direct X-ray beam being transmitted through the crystalline material sample, a second X-ray detector (7) positioned between the staging device and the first X-ray detector for detecting diffracted X-ray beams, and a processing device (15) for analysing detected values. The crystallographic grain orientation of the individual grain in the polycrystalline sample is determined based on the two-dimensional position of extinction spots and the associated angular position of the sample for a set of extinction spots pertaining to the individual grain. |
| US08385502B1 |
Treatment planning simulation and verification system
A treatment planning, simulation, and verification system is described. According to one embodiment, a treatment plan and a fluoroscopy data image of a treatment volume are received and the treatment plan is automatically adjusted based on the movement of the fluoroscopy data image. According another embodiment, a system includes a treatment planning component to generate a treatment plan and a simulation component to simulate the execution of the treatment plan. |
| US08385501B2 |
Self contained mobile inspection system and method
The inspection methods and systems of the present invention are mobile, rapidly deployable, and capable of scanning a wide variety of receptacles cost-effectively and accurately on uneven surfaces. The present invention is directed toward a portable inspection system for generating an image representation of target objects using a radiation source, comprising a mobile vehicle, a detector array physically attached to a movable boom having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is physically attached to the vehicle. The invention also comprises at least one source of radiation. The radiation source is fixedly attached to the distal end of the boom, wherein the image is generated by introducing the target objects in between the radiation source and the detector array, exposing the objects to radiation, and detecting radiation. |
| US08385497B2 |
Channel confinement method for dry-storage of BWR fuel bundles
A method to confine a nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly including: inserting a lower portion of the fuel bundle assembly into an open end of a lower fuel particle barrier; supporting the lower portion of the fuel bundle with the lower fuel particle barrier; grasping the lower portion of the fuel bundle assembly with the lower fuel particle barrier; lowering an upper fuel particle barrier over an upper tie plate of the fuel bundle assembly; moving at least a portion of a handle fixed to the upper tie plate through an open slot in the upper fuel particle barrier; closing the open slot with a closure device after the handle passes through the slot, and preventing fuel particles being released from the nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly by the upper and lower fuel particle barriers. |
| US08385493B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving linearity in clock and data recovery systems
Disclosed is a system and method for improving the linearity of a clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit. In one embodiment, a data stream is received, and the phase of a clock signal is adjusted using two interpolators. The phase of the output signal of the second interpolator is adjusted simultaneously with, and complementary to, adjusting the phase of the first interpolator. The first interpolator's output signal is injected into a first delay cell in a delay loop having a plurality of delay cells, and the output of the second interpolator is inactivated. When the maximum phase of the first interpolator's output signal is reached, the second interpolator's output signal is injected into another one of the delay cells, and the first interpolator's output signal is inactivated. The data stream is then recovered using the output of the delay loop as a clock signal. |
| US08385491B2 |
Synchronization system and method
In a system packing multiple PDUs on a single physical burst and using OFDM or OFDMA, a synchronization method comprising: a. performing an initial lock; b. processing each new header information, verifying if checksum OK, and if OK—remain in (b), system is in locked state; c. activating new header seeker, to enable running window processor to compare the expected checksum with the last byte as tentative checksum; d. declaring Tentative lock, when detecting a checksum correspondence; e. declaring Final lock, when two or more consecutive successful detections of headers, at their expected locations based on prior detections, then Goto (b). |
| US08385490B2 |
Discrete time filter and receiver including the same
A discrete time filter includes a plurality of sampling cells and a first dummy sampling cell. Each of the sampling cells performs a current mode sampling operation based on current input to an input terminal in response to a corresponding one of a plurality of sampling clock signals and is reset in response to a corresponding one of the plurality of sampling clock signals and a first dummy sampling clocks. The first dummy sampling cell alternately performs with the first sampling cell the current mode sampling operation based on current input to the input terminal in response to the first dummy sampling clock signal and is alternately reset with the first sampling cell in response to the first sampling clock signal. |
| US08385487B2 |
Receive diversity systems
A diversity receiver and a method of recovering symbols in a diversity receiver system comprises receiving first and second signals at first and second antenna elements. The first signal comprises first and second consecutive symbols modified by a first channel coefficient and the second signal comprises the first and second symbols modified by a second channel coefficient. The first and second signals are delayed and the first and second channel coefficients are estimated by applying the delayed first and second signals to a master Rake finger having first and second outputs for the estimated the first and second channel coefficients. A complex conjugate of the estimated second channel coefficient is produced. First and second composite signals are produced from the delayed first and second signals using a slave Rake finger by decoding the respective delayed first and second signals, producing a complex conjugate of the second composite signal, interleaving the first composite signal and the complex conjugate of the second composite signal and providing an interleaved signal output, and applying said interleaved signal output, the estimated first channel coefficient and the complex conjugate of the estimated second channel coefficient to a space time transmit diversity derotator for the recovery of the first and second symbols. |
| US08385486B2 |
Diversity receiving apparatus and diversity receiving method
There is provided a diversity receiving apparatus, comprising: a first branch (5) for decoding a frequency multiplexing signal in which a carrier group has been multiplexed, thereby outputting a first data carrier and a first pilot carrier; a second branch (6) for decoding a frequency multiplexing signal in which a carrier group has been multiplexed, thereby outputting a second data carrier and a second pilot carrier; a timing adjusting unit (7) for synchronizing processing timing for a carrier group decoded by the first branch (5) and a carrier group decoded by the second branch (6); a combining/selecting unit (8) for combining/selecting the first data carrier and/or the second data carrier; and a control unit (10) for controlling stopping and starting operation of at least one of the first branch (5) and the second branch (6) according to at least one of a receiving status of the first branch (5) and a receiving status of second branch (6). |
| US08385485B2 |
Adaptive control of clock spread to mitigate radio frequency interference
In some embodiments an adaptive clocking controller determines a clock spread of a system clock that would result in a lowest total interference between a channel received by a radio receiver and the system clock. A clock generator modifies a spread of the system clock in response to the determined clock spread. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08385475B2 |
Calibration-free local oscillator signal generation for a harmonic-rejection mixer
A circuit for producing multiple switching control signals for a harmonic rejection mixer from multiple phases of a digital local oscillator signal is presented, wherein a first waveform combiner circuit is arranged to generate from the multiple phases of the digital local oscillator signal at least one switching control signal by logical combining two from the multiple phases of a digital local oscillator signal, and a second waveform combiner circuit is arranged to generate from the multiple phases of the digital local oscillator signal at least one first switching control signal by logical combining one from the multiple phases of a digital local oscillator signal with a predetermined signal having a static logical value. To compensate for phase errors the schematic topology of the first and the second waveform combiner circuit are arranged to be fully symmetrical to each other in that in the first waveform combiner, the circuit part for providing the function of the second waveform combiner is used as a dummy circuit, and in the second waveform combiner, a circuit part for providing the function of the first waveform combiner is used as a dummy circuit. Accordingly, the sources for providing the multiple phases of the digital local oscillator signal see the same load, and hence required phase shift is guaranteed. |
| US08385473B2 |
Apparatus and method for classifying modulations in multipath environments
A receiver supports a single carrier (SC) form of modulation and a multi-carrier form of modulation such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). Upon receiving a signal, the receiver determines a maximum fluctuation range (MFR) as a function of at least a fourth-order cumulant of a received signal; and classifies a modulation type of the received signal as a function of the determined maximum fluctuation range. After determining the modulation type of the received signal, the receiver switches to that modulation mode to recover data from the received signal. |
| US08385469B2 |
High-efficiency all-digital transmitter
A low cost high-efficiency all-digital transmitter using all-digital power amplifiers (“DPA”) and various mapping techniques to generate an output signal, which substantially reproduces a baseband signal at a carrier frequency. A baseband signal generator generates a baseband signal which is quantized by a signal processor using a quantization map. A DPA control mapper outputs control signals to phase selectors using the quantized signal and a quantization table. Each phase selector receives one of the control signals and outputs a waveform at a carrier frequency with a phase corresponding to the control signals, or an inactive signal. Each DPA in a DPA array has an assigned weight, receives one of the waveforms from the phase selectors, and outputs a power signal according to the weight of the DPA and the phase of the received waveform. The combined power signal substantially reproduces the baseband signal at the carrier frequency. |
| US08385465B2 |
Transmitter chain timing and transmit power control
In a communications system, transmitter power gain can be changed between symbols. A power gain change of a first part of a transmit chain is initiated a first time, whereas a power gain change of a second part of the transmit chain is initiated at a second time, such that the resulting power gain changes of the first and second parts both occur substantially within an inter-symbol time in a desired relationship to one another. In one example, the power gain change of the first part is initiated before the beginning of the inter-symbol time to account for expected serial bus latency between initiation and execution of the power gain change of the first part. The power gain change of the second part is initiated during the inter-symbol time such that overall power does not exceed an amount (for example, a maximum permitted under a communication standard). |
| US08385464B2 |
Methods and apparatus for reducing average-to-minimum power ratio in communications signals
A baseband circuit for a communications transmitter includes a baseband modulator, a pulse-shaping filter, and an AMPR reduction circuit. The baseband modulator is configured to generate a sequence of symbols formatted in accordance with a non-constant envelope modulation scheme. The pulse-shaping filter is configured to band-limit the sequence of samples to provide a sequence of samples. The AMPR reduction circuit is configured to analyze and modify one or more samples in the sequence of samples, if a sample in the sequence of samples that has been previously analyzed by the AMPR reduction circuit is determined to have a magnitude less than a predetermined low-magnitude threshold. |
| US08385462B2 |
Subband indexing methods and systems
Methods and systems for indexing subband selections are disclosed. The selected subbands can be represented as a binary sequence and the index can be determined by employing a choose function, where a choose function value for a particular selected bit position is defined by a selection occurrence count of the selected bit position that is chosen from a bit position count of the selected bit position. In particular, the index can be the summation of choose function values for each selected bit position. |
| US08385457B2 |
Methods and systems to compensate IQ imbalance in wideband zero-if tuners
Methods and systems to compensate IQ imbalances in a tuner system, including relatively wideband ZIF tuner systems and tuner systems having substantially linear frequency dependent phase imbalance, where a one-tap compensation element may be utilized to compensate frequency dependent phase imbalance. A two tone probe may be applied in controlled loop-back modes, and resultant baseband components may be used to determine a straight line from which to determine compensation. The probe may include a Multi-Media over Coax Alliance (MoCA) Type 2 probe. Compensation parameters may be determined as fixed or non-adaptive compensation parameters in a digital domain and may be applied at baseband. One or more compensation values may be determined in a fixed point circuit. |
| US08385448B2 |
Transport stream generating device, transmitting device, receiving device, and a digital broadcast system having the same, and method thereof
A transport stream (TS) generating apparatus, a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, a digital broadcast system having the above, and a method thereof are provided. The digital broadcast system includes a transport stream (TS) generating apparatus which generates a multi transport stream (TS) by multiplexing a normal stream and a turbo stream having a variable coding rate, a transmitting apparatus which re-constructs the multi TS by processing the turbo stream, and transmits the re-constructed multi TS, and a receiving apparatus which receives the re-constructed multi TS, and decodes the normal stream and the turbo stream respectively, to recover normal data and turbo data. Accordingly, a multi TS, which includes normal stream and a turbo stream of various coding rates, can be transmitted and received efficiently. |
| US08385447B2 |
Transport stream generating device, transmitting device, receiving device, and a digital broadcast system having the same, and method thereof
A transport stream (TS) generating apparatus, a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, a digital broadcast system having the above, and a method thereof are provided. The digital broadcast system includes a transport stream (TS) generating apparatus which generates a multi transport stream (TS) by multiplexing a normal stream and a turbo stream having a variable coding rate, a transmitting apparatus which re-constructs the multi TS by processing the turbo stream, and transmits the re-constructed multi TS, and a receiving apparatus which receives the re-constructed multi TS, and decodes the normal stream and the turbo stream respectively, to recover normal data and turbo data. Accordingly, a multi TS, which includes normal stream and a turbo stream of various coding rates, can be transmitted and received efficiently. |
| US08385444B2 |
Discrete digital receiver with blocker circuit
A receiver includes a bandpass filter module, a sample and hold module, a discrete time bandpass filter module, a discrete time notch filter module, a combining module, and a conversion module. The bandpass filter module filters an inbound wireless that includes a desired signal component and an undesired signal component. The sample and hold module is operable to sample and hold the filtered inbound wireless signal to produce a frequency domain sample pulse train. The discrete time bandpass filter module bandpass filters the frequency domain sample pulse train to produce a bandpass filtered sample pulse. The discrete time notch filter module notch filters the frequency domain sample pulse train to produce a notched filtered sample pulse. The combining module combines the bandpass filtered sample pulse and the notched filtered sample pulse to produce a filtered inbound signal. The conversion module converts the filtered inbound signal into an inbound baseband signal. |
| US08385440B2 |
Apparatus for generating spreading sequences and determining correlation
An apparatus includes a signal generator to output one of a first sequence or a second sequence and to augment sequences with cover codes, such that a sum of out-of-phase aperiodic autocorrelation coefficients of the first sequence and the second sequence of is zero, a physical layer preamble controller to control the signal generator to generate a preamble of a data unit, including a short training field (STF) formatter to cause the signal generator to generate an STF for use in at least frame synchronization, and a long training field (LTF) formatter to cause the signal generator to generate an LTF for use in at least channel estimation, such that the STF formatter controls the signal generator to include the first sequence in a last portion of the STF, and the LTF formatter controls the signal generator to include the second sequence in a beginning portion of the LTF. |
| US08385436B2 |
Apparatus and method for modifying transmissions on specified wireless channels to reduce interference with higher-priority transmitters
A method includes obtaining data to be transmitted wirelessly and detecting if any transmitting devices having a higher priority are currently using at least one of multiple wireless channels. The method also includes transmitting the data wirelessly over the multiple wireless channels in a first specified manner when no transmitting devices having the higher priority are detected. The method further includes transmitting at least a portion of the data wirelessly over the multiple wireless channels in a second specified manner when at least one transmitting device having the higher priority is detected. The data could normally be transmitted using OFDM. When a higher-priority transmitting device is detected, at least a portion of the data could be transmitted using a reduced transmit power and a reduced constellation size and/or larger error correcting code. One or more wireless channels associated with one of two quadrature components could also be suppressed. |
| US08385427B2 |
Reduced resolution video decode
A video signal can be decoded at a reduced resolution by receiving a video signal encoded at a first resolution; determining a second resolution at which the received video signal is to be decoded, wherein the second resolution is lower than the first resolution; and decoding the received video signal at the second resolution. The second resolution can be selected from a plurality of predetermined decoding resolutions. Further, the second resolution can be selected in response to an input received from a user. Decoding of the received video signal can include scaling one or more reference pictures by a first scaling factor and scaling one or more non-reference pictures by a second scaling factor. Additionally, scaling can comprise transforming a first portion of frequency coefficients associated with a block of picture information and discarding a second portion of frequency coefficients associated with the block of picture information. |
| US08385420B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating motion vector using plurality of motion vector predictors, encoder, decoder, and decoding method
Provided are a method and apparatus for estimating a motion vector using a plurality of motion vector predictors, an encoder, a decoder, and a decoding method. The method includes calculating spatial similarities between the current block and the plurality of neighboring partitions around the current block, selecting at least one of the neighboring partitions based on the calculated spatial similarities, and estimating a motion vector of the selected partition as the motion vector of the current block. |
| US08385412B2 |
Method and apparatus for inter-layer residue prediction for scalable video
There are provided methods and apparatus for inter-layer residue prediction for scalable video. An apparatus is described for an encoder for encoding a block of a picture, or a decoder for decoding a block of a picture, by applying inverse tone mapping to an inter-layer residue prediction process for the block, wherein the inverse tone mapping is performed in the pixel domain. Methods for encoding or decoding a block of a picture are also described; and performed by applying inverse tone mapping to an inter-layer residue prediction process for the block, wherein the inverse tone mapping is performed in the pixel domain. |
| US08385408B2 |
Image display apparatus, image transmitting apparatus, image transmitting method and recording medium
An image transmitting apparatus including a database configured to store first moving image data for multiple speed reproduction separately generated from second moving image data for normal speed reproduction, the first moving image data being constructed using I-frames selected from a plurality of group of pictures (GOPs) included in the second moving image data; a data transceiver configured to receive a signal requesting a bit stream for reproducing a moving image at an arbitrary multiple speed, and to transmit the bit stream for reproducing a moving image at an arbitrary multiple speed according to the signal; and a controller configured to control transmission of the bit stream for reproducing a moving image at the arbitrary multiple speed based on the first moving image data stored in the database. |
| US08385407B2 |
Moving image coding apparatus, moving image decoding apparatus, moving image coding method and moving image decoding method
In a decoding apparatus in accordance with H.264, when the POC type is determined as “1” and a recovery point SEI is detected, the maximum frame number MaxFrameNum (or its integral multiple) is set as the initial value of the frame number offset (FrameNumOffset). |
| US08385401B2 |
Equalizer and method for performing equalization
An FFE/DFE equalizer is provided that uses unclocked FIR filters. At least one of the unclocked FIR filters has tunable delay cells that can be tuned to adjust their respective time delay time periods. Because the FIR filters of the FFE/DFE equalizer are unclocked, the complexity and die area associated with clocking circuits are avoided, thereby enabling costs to be reduced. Because the delay cells of at least one of the FIR filters are tunable to enable their respective time delay periods to be adjusted, very good equalizer performance is achieved without having to use clocked circuits. In addition, because clocked circuits are not used in the FIR filters, the need for clocking circuits to control the timing of clocked circuits is obviated, which leads to a reduction in the amount of power consumed by the FFE/DFE equalizer. |
| US08385398B2 |
Receiver with chip-level equalisation
The present invention relates to receiver apparatuses and methods of controlling weight adaptation in a receiver of a code multiplex telecommunications system with orthogonal spreading codes, wherein received discrete time signal samples are chip-level filtered by using a first equalizing step. Additionally, the received discrete time signal samples are delayed by a time period corresponding to a data symbol and used in a second equalizing step. Symbol estimates obtained from the first equalizing step are non-linearly filtered and used as a desired response for the second equalizing step in the following symbol period, wherein equalizer weights adapted in the second equalizing step are used for the first equalizing step. Alternatively, the second equalizing step may be dispensed with and weight adaptation may be incorporated in a single equalizing step. As an additional or alternative option, a hybrid equalizer architecture may be provided, where the above two-step equalization is used during an active phase where a channel is allocated, while another weight updating scheme is used during an inactive phase where no channel is assigned. Thereby, detrimental effects of interference power can be reduced at low increase in complexity. |
| US08385397B2 |
Method for determining the step size for an LMS adaptive equalizer for 8VSB
A method and system for determining a step size of an adaptive equalizer for a digital data receiver. The data received by the receiver includes coded symbols and uncoded symbols. The method includes determining a first error estimate based on decoded symbols corresponding to the coded symbols, determining a second error estimate based on the uncoded symbols, adaptively selecting the first error estimate or the second error estimate based on a convergence criterion, and determining a step size based on the selected error estimate. |
| US08385396B2 |
Waveform equalizer and method for controlling the same, as well as receiving apparatus and method for controlling the same
The present invention relates to a waveform equalizer and a method for controlling the same, as well as a receiving apparatus and a method for controlling the same whereby better receiving characteristics are provided than before.In a filter 28, registers 911 through 915 delay an input DT1; multipliers 920 through 925 multiply outputs from the registers by filter coefficients C20 through C25 respectively; and adders 931 through 935 add up outputs from the multipliers to acquire DT2. A selector 81 either outputs a timing signal at intervals of a symbol period of DT1 to drive the filter 82 as a symbol rate equalizer, or outputs the timing signal at intervals of half the symbol period to operate the filter 82 as a fractionally spaced equalizer. The present invention may be applied to waveform equalizers performing waveform equalization of the input signal. |
| US08385395B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a quantized channel vector
A method for determining a quantized channel vector in a terminal of a Multiple Input Multiple Output communication system includes determining a channel quality of a channel between a base station and the terminal and determining the quantized channel vector from a plurality of quantized channel vectors based on the determined channel quality. The determined quantized channel vector provides a predefined channel property value. |
| US08385389B2 |
Collaborative data sharing for CDMA interference subtraction
Implementations and techniques for collaborative data sharing for CDMA interference subtraction are generally disclosed. |
| US08385388B2 |
Method and system for signal reconstruction from spatially and temporally correlated received samples
A method and system for reconstructing a user's received signal based on knowledge of the user's transmitted signal to yield efficient interference cancellation when there is spatial and/or temporal correlation in the received signal. The invention may be applied to the cancellation of pilot, decoded data and overhead signals. The method may involve a linear combination of the received samples across time, e.g., at a per-chip or sub-chip resolution, and across antennas, and build upon previous work in that the tap weights need not be the sole functions of the de-spreader outputs in the RAKE receiver. |
| US08385385B2 |
Permission-based secure multiple access communication systems
Systems (100) and methods for selectively controlling access to multiple data streams which are communicated using a shared frequency spectrum and spreading code. The methods involve forming a global data communication signal (134) by amplitude modulating a global data signal (130) comprising global data symbols and forming a phase modulated signal (120) by phase modulating a protected data signal. The phase modulated signal represents protected data symbols. The methods also involve forming a protected data communication signal (126) by changing phase angles of the protected data symbols using a variable angle Ø determined by a random number source and combining the protected data signal with a spreading sequence (CSC). The methods further involve combining the global and protected data communication signals to form an output communication signal (140) having a spread spectrum format. The output communication signal is transmitted over a communications channel (104). |
| US08385379B2 |
Optical semiconductor device and pumping light source for optical fiber amplifier
A semiconductor device of the invention is formed so that n-type InP current blocking layers enter the inside of p-type InP cladding layers, i.e., the n-type current blocking layers ride over the upper part of the p-type InP cladding layers, so that a distance between the n-type InP current block layers composing a current blocking region is narrower than a width of the p-type cladding layers contacting with the n-type InP current blocking layers. Thereby, the semiconductor device whose leak current in the current blocking region may be reduced which permits high-output and high-temperature operations may be readily fabricated. |
| US08385377B2 |
Semiconductor laser device
A semiconductor laser device includes a semiconductor laser element configured to emit a fundamental wave; a transducer configured to receive the fundamental wave incident thereon and convert a wavelength of the fundamental wave to emit wavelength converted light; a filter configured to selectively transmit wavelength range light having a desired wavelength range of the wavelength converted light; a sealing member including a light-transmitting member and configured to enclose the semiconductor laser element, the light-transmitting member being configured to receive the wavelength range light transmitted through the filter and incident on the light-transmitting member, specularly reflect part of the wavelength range light, and substantially transmit the remaining part of the wavelength range light; and a photoreceptor configured to receive the specularly reflected light from the light-transmitting member. |
| US08385375B2 |
P-element doped laser medium apparatus and method
A glass composition for use as a laser medium, a method for producing the glass composition, and a laser apparatus including the glass composition are provided. The glass composition includes a host glass; a 3p component having a concentration of about 5 mole percent to about 10 mole percent; and at least one of a 6p component having a concentration of about 1 mole percent to about 5 mole percent and a 5p component having a concentration of about 1 mole percent to about 5 mole percent. |
| US08385374B1 |
Multilane communication device
A multilane communication device and methods for using the multilane communication device. In one embodiment, a physical coding sub-layer module comprising includes multiple data transfer lanes in a port of a multi-lane Ethernet switch for transferring blocks of data between devices in the port. The physical coding sub-layer module further includes a synchronization marker generator for generating synchronization markers to be periodically transmitted over the multiple data transfer lanes. The physical coding sub-layer module further includes a data marker module configured to generate at least two data marker blocks from a respective portion of a synchronization marker and a respective portion of a block of data, and to provide the at least two data marker blocks to respective first and second ones of the multiple of data transfer lanes. |
| US08385372B2 |
Time-based maintenance via a packet-oriented digital interface in radio-frequency transmitting and receiving assemblies
Disclosed herein are techniques, systems, and methods relating maintaining a time base between receiving and transmitting assemblies during interruption of data streams communicated therebetween. |
| US08385371B2 |
Frame synchronizer, frame synchronization method and demodulator
A frame synchronizer, frame synchronization method and demodulator which can more positively establish frame synchronization of an input signal which is likely to have a plurality of frame lengths. A differential correlation detector calculates a differential correlation value with no pilot which is associated with the absence of a pilot signal inserted in the input signal and a differential correlation value with a pilot which is associated with the presence of a pilot signal inserted in the input signal. Frame period confirmation counters perform, based on the differential correlation values with no pilot, frame synchronization control appropriate to the input signals whose frame lengths are 21690 and 32490 symbols, respectively. The frame period confirmation counters 1 perform, based on the differential correlation values with a pilot, frame synchronization control appropriate to the input signals whose frame lengths are 22194 and 33282 symbols, respectively. |
| US08385364B2 |
Distributed message-passing based resource allocation in wireless systems
Systems and methods are disclosed to allocate resources in discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiple access (DFT-S-OFDMA) networks, which involve determining a reward for each user when assigned a frequency chunk (FC) of subcarriers, where each FC is a set of contiguous subcarriers; splitting each user into one or more sub-users, with each sub-user having identical rewards; and assigning resources with a message-passing based FC allocation. |
| US08385362B2 |
Method and system for contention-based medium access schemes for directional wireless transmission with asymmetric antenna system (AAS) in wireless communication systems
A method and system for wireless communication in an asymmetric antenna system (AAS) communication system is provided. A wireless station performs carrier sensing by sensing a wireless communication channel for ongoing communications in one or more directions. Upon detecting that the wireless communication channel is idle, the station transmits a frame preamble on the channel to a receiving wireless station in more than one transmit direction, and transmits a frame payload on the channel to the receiving wireless station in one transmit direction. |
| US08385358B2 |
Simple low-jitter scheduler
A method for managing packets, including identifying a first packet source having a first weight and second packet source having a second weight, where the first weight exceeds the second weight; assembling a first regular subsequence of packets using a first packet from the second packet source and a first set of packets from the first packet source having a cardinality equal to a first weight ratio; assembling a first augmented subsequence of packets using a second packet from the second packet source and a second set of packets from the first packet source having a cardinality equal to the first weight ratio plus one; and forwarding a first sequence of packets including a first set of regular subsequences, which includes the first regular subsequence, and a first set of augmented subsequences, which includes the first augmented subsequence and has a cardinality based on the first augmented subsequence factor. |
| US08385353B2 |
Connectivity fault management (CFM) auto-provisioning using virtual private LAN service (VPLS) auto-discovery
Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) auto-provisioning using Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) auto-discovery is described. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises VPLS logic and configuration logic. The VPLS logic is operable at least to receive and send configuration information for a VPLS instance, where the configuration information comprises: a first value that uniquely identifies the VPLS instance; and a plurality of second values that respectively and uniquely identify a plurality of network elements that are operable to provide the VPLS instance. The configuration logic is operable at least to automatically configure, based on the first value and on the plurality of second values, a CFM association and a local maintenance endpoint (MEP) for the VPLS instance on the apparatus. |
| US08385349B2 |
Medium access control device and method for optical packet-switched metro WDM slotted-ring networks
A medium access control (MAC) device and method for optical packet-switched metro wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) slotted-ring networks are used for providing quality of service (QoS) guarantees for isochronous traffic. The device includes a MAC processor and a distributed call admission control (CAC) module. The CAC module in each node of an optical packet-switched network is designed in a distributed manner, and flexibly allocates a reserved bandwidth to an isochronous traffic by a mean-rate-reservation method, controls a quota of the isochronous traffic below a quota ratio rH, resolves output contention by recording node locations forming a connection, and establishes a connection for each isochronous traffic. The MAC processor establishes a connection in the reserved bandwidth for each isochronous traffic between the nodes according to control information carried in a control channel, controls uploading, unloading, and erasing of a plurality of data channels, and updates corresponding contents in the control information. |
| US08385345B2 |
Data forwarding in hybrid mesh networks
A system and method are disclosed for forwarding data in hybrid wireless mesh networks. The method includes configuring a number of mesh network nodes as Potential Relay Nodes (PRNs) in an overlay network associated with a hybrid wireless mesh network, streaming data packets from a source node to a destination node using a native data forwarding algorithm of the hybrid wireless mesh network, dynamically identifying Relay Nodes (RNs) among PRNs in the overlay network, creating secondary paths for sending data packets towards selected RNs in the overlay network, and relaying data packets from RNs to the destination node using the overlay network. |
| US08385338B2 |
Implementation to avoid the acknowledgement-implosion in a multicast group
In at least some embodiments, a multicast communication system includes sender and a plurality of receivers in communication with the sender. The sender is configured to multicast a data packet to the plurality of receivers. The plurality of receivers are configured to acknowledge the data packet received from the sender based on weakest member selection without a sender-side competitive time window. |
| US08385327B2 |
Access system, method, and device
An integrated access system and method and an integrated access module are provided. The system includes a broadband service interface module (310), a narrowband service interface module (320), and a main control switching interface module (10). The main control switching module (10) includes a broadband service switching module (110) providing a broadband uplink interface and a narrowband service processing module (120) providing a narrowband uplink interface and performing narrowband service data process. The broadband service switching module (110) is connected to the broadband service interface module (310) and the narrowband service interface module (320) though broadband buses (21), so as to collect and switch the narrowband service data. The broad band service switching module (110) is connected with network though the broadband uplink interface, and the narrowband service processing module (120) is connected with network though the narrowband uplink interface. Thus, the broadband service and the narrowband service can be accessed simultaneously. |
| US08385324B2 |
Method and device for managing allocation of data transmission paths in a meshed communications network, corresponding computer program product and storage means
A method for managing allocation of paths for transmission, in packets of symbols, of at least a first data content, each content being transmitted from a source node up to a destination node in a meshed communications network comprising a plurality of nodes, each destination node receiving a plurality of copies of a same packet of symbols of the content transmitted to said destination node by a source node, each copy being received by the destination node via a distinct transmission path directly from the source node or via at least one relay node of the meshed communications network, the packets being encoded with an error correction code enabling decoding by erasure of packets symbols. Such a method comprises the following steps: selecting a set of transmission paths from the source node up to the destination node for the transmission of copies of at least one packet of the first content, for which an estimated first number of erasures of symbols of the at least one packet is smaller than a determined threshold, the first number of erasures being estimated from a piece of information on quality of transmission that is determined and associated with each of the selected transmission paths, the threshold being determined as a function of an erasure correction capability of the error correction code; allocating the selected transmission paths to the transmission of the first content from said source node up to said destination node. |
| US08385323B2 |
Route determining methods for a network
An invitation message (112, 116, 120) is sent from a concentrator (102) to nodes in a network. Each node records (124) an identifier (126) of the node or concentrator from which it received the message and forwards (122) the message to its neighbors. A node (108) then sends a trace message (132, 134, 136) to the concentrator (102) via intermediate nodes (106, 104) traversed by the invitation message in reaching the node and appends thereto the identifiers of the intermediate nodes. The concentrator then uses source routing to send a subsequent message (144, 146, 148) to the node (108) using the identifiers included in the trace message. The invitation message and/or the subsequent message includes characteristics) (200) of the concentrator one or more of which are then stored by nodes, including node (108). The characteristic(s) are used in deciding (206, 208) to send further trace messages, thereby regulating use of network bandwidth. |
| US08385321B2 |
Method and system for synchronizing a data base at a plurality of nodes in an ad hoc network
A method for synchronizing a data base at a plurality of nodes in an ad hoc network including at least one authentication node group; each authentication node group including a leader node and at least one member node; the method includes: (a) in each respective authentication node group, comparing and identifying differences between the data base at the respective leader node and the data base at each respective member node; (b) for each comparing, if the differences are identified, exchanging data bases between the leader node and the member node; and (c) for each comparing, in no particular order: (1) merging the leader node data base with the member data base at the leader node to create a leader node merged data base; and (2) merging the member node data base with the leader data base at the member node to create a member node merged data base. |
| US08385314B1 |
Method and system for modifying a data-synchronization interval based on number of terminals being served in the coverage area
Disclosed are methods and systems for modifying a data-synchronization interval for an access terminal based on a number of access terminals being served by a wireless access point in a coverage area. In at least one embodiment, an access terminal periodically polls at least one network device via the access point for synchronization data according to a first data-synchronization interval. The access terminal receives from the access point information indicative of a number of access terminals being served by the access point in the coverage area. The access terminal determines a second data-synchronization interval based at least in part on a comparison of the number to a threshold value. Subsequent to determining the second data-synchronization interval, the access terminal periodically polls the at least one network device for synchronization data according to the second data-synchronization interval. |
| US08385310B2 |
Optimal user pairing for downlink multiuser MIMO
A method includes operating a transmitter connected with nt transmit antennas serving K users having nr receive antennas each; and scheduling which users are to be simultaneously served in a same time-frequency-code slot. A particular user pairing configuration is denoted by π within a set of all configurations Π, and scheduling includes expressing mutual information as an additive objective function and maximizing the additive objective function over a particular choice of πεΠ. |
| US08385309B2 |
Communication set up between wireless devices
A slave wireless device includes several applications, a wireless communication interface and a processing module. The processing module interprets a presentation request and time-slotted markers received on the communication interface, selects several applications or application groups corresponding to the presentation request, and transmits the wireless slave device identifier distinctive for each application or application group selected in the distinctive time slot in response to the presentation request. The slave device is thus enabled to indicate several application groups in response to a single presentation request. |
| US08385308B2 |
Methods and systems for extensible extended information element mapping
Methods and apparatus for expressing two or more extended information elements (IEs) of a MAP message using a single Extended or Extended-2 Downlink Interval Usage Code (DIUC) or Uplink Interval Usage Code (UIUC) in an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) or orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) frame are provided. This enhancement, called extensible Extended IE mapping, allows the WiMAX network to include more IEs into the DL-MAP and UL-MAP messages as the IEEE 802.16 family of standards evolves. Without this enhancement, all of the new IEs may most likely have to be included in the data bursts, and a user terminal (e.g., a mobile station) cannot decode these data-burst IEs unless the user terminal receives the Downlink Channel Descriptor (DCD) message(s). |
| US08385305B1 |
Hybrid band intelligent backhaul radio
A hybrid band intelligent backhaul radio (HB-IBR) is disclosed that is a combination of two radios operating in different bands. Embodiments include a dual radio configuration wherein a first radio operates in a non-line of sight (NLOS) radio link configuration and a second ancillary radio operates in a near line of sight or line of sight configuration (n)LOS. For example, the HB-IBR may have an Intelligent Backhaul Radio (IBR) operating in the non-line of sight mode of operation within the 5.8 GHz unlicensed band, and have an ancillary radio link operating in the FCC part 101E band of operation at 60 GHz. A common medium access control (MAC) block may be utilized between the dual radios. |
| US08385301B2 |
Apparatus and method for increasing operation time in IEEE802.15.4-2006 beacon based wireless sensor network
Provided are an apparatus and method for increasing operation time in an IEEE802.15.4-2006 beacon based wireless sensor network (WSN) with respect to the same amount of power consumption used by coordinators included in a WSN, by reducing unnecessary standby power consumption required during an active period of a super frame in a beacon-enabled mode. |
| US08385300B2 |
Internet protocol address management for communicating packets in a network environment
A method is provided in one example implementation and the method includes identifying through a home bearer manager that an Internet Protocol (IP) address has been previously sent to an access terminal, the IP address being issued by a visited bearer manager as a result of the access terminal requesting registration in a visited network. The method further includes communicating the IP address to the access terminal in response to the access terminal registering in a home network. The registrations in the home and the visited network allow a plurality of packets to be communicated to the access terminal via the IP address. In more specific embodiments, the IP address serves as a care of address (CoA) address and a home IP address concurrently. The IP address can be exchanged via a mobile IP (MIP) exchange. The home and visited bearer managers are independent or interdependent. |
| US08385299B2 |
Private network communication terminal and method for realizing private network communication
The present invention relates to communication technologies and provides a private network communication terminal and a method for realizing private network communication, In the invention, one private network communication can only be performed in one time slot with a fixed location in a DMR TDMA frame, so that other mobile communication terminals that do not participate in the private network communication can determine an unoccupied time slot in advance, thereby they can initiate a new private network communication with the unoccupied time slot. |
| US08385294B2 |
Dynamically reconfigurable receiver
Aspects of the disclosure describe a cellular transceiver that can include multiple diversity branch receivers that receive a transmitted signal from a base station (BS). The cellular transceiver can include 1) a windup detector that can detect a low windup condition and 2) a receiver selector that can modify a number of active diversity branch receivers when the low windup condition is detected. |
| US08385291B2 |
Mobility in a wireless enterprise network
A method for configuring a network is described, the method comprising: receiving, from a first radio node in the network, network information associated with one or more second radio nodes in the network; generating a network relation table, the network relation table comprising network information associated with the first radio node and the one or more second radio nodes; and performing a handoff to a third radio node in the network using the network relation table. |
| US08385290B2 |
Method and apparatus for handling a local breakout session
A method and apparatus for handling a Local Break Out (LBO) session taking place in a first network between a user equipment and a corresponding node (CN) is provided. For the downlink packets, embodiments include: converting, in a node in the first or the second network, the IP address of the downlink packets from an LHoA to a Global Home Address (GHoA) and routing, from the first node to a second node in the second network, any downlink packets being sent from the corresponding node, so that the downlink packets will arrive at the user equipment having a GHoA. For the uplink packets embodiments include: converting, in a node in the first or the second network, the IP address of the uplink packets from a GHoA to an LHoA and routing, from the second node to the first node, any uplink packets being sent from the user equipment; so that the uplink packets will arrive at the corresponding node with a source address that is an LHoA. |
| US08385286B2 |
Resource sharing between secondary networks
Method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed to provide for wireless resource sharing on a fair basis between heterogeneous wireless networks to enable coexistence in a TV band white space. An example embodiment of the invention includes a method, comprising the steps of: receiving a coexistence value associated with a wireless network; receiving radio frequency spectral environment information of the wireless network; receiving coexistence values and radio frequency spectral environment information of wireless networks neighboring the wireless network; receiving a resource request for the wireless network; generating a resource allocation based at least on the received coexistence values and received radio frequency spectral environment information; and communicating at least a portion of the generated resource allocation to the wireless network. The resulting embodiments provide for wireless resource sharing on a fair basis between heterogeneous wireless networks to enable coexistence of secondary networks. |
| US08385284B2 |
Control channel signaling using a common signaling field for transport format and redundancy version
The invention relates to a method for providing control signalling associated to a protocol data unit conveying user data in a mobile communication system and to the control channel signal itself. Furthermore, the invention also provides a mobile station and a base station and their respective operation in view of the newly defined control channel signals defined herein. In order to reduce the control channel overhead, the invention suggests defining a common field for the transport format and redundancy version in the control channel information format. According to one approach, the common field is used to jointly encode transport format and redundancy version therein. According to another aspect, one shared field is provided on the control channel signal that indicates either a transport format or a redundancy version depending of whether the control channel signal relates to an initial transmission or a retransmission. In another embodiment, further enhancements to a HARQ protocol are suggested for addressing certain error cases. |
| US08385280B2 |
Scheduling method, base station and computer program product
A method for scheduling use of a downlink packet data traffic channel shared by a plurality of mobile and/or immobile stations, each station having a scheduling downlink transmission rate. The method comprises the steps of: determining a ranking metric for each of said mobile/immobile stations having queued data that varies directly with the mobile/immobile station's scheduling downlink transmission rate, and a delay factor indicative of the staleness of data queued for each of said mobile/immobile stations having queued data. The method also comprises the steps of: determining an uplink metric for each of said mobile/immobile stations having queued data, and scheduling one or more downlink transmissions to the mobile/immobile stations on the downlink packet data traffic channel based on said ranking metric and on said uplink metric. |
| US08385277B2 |
Base station apparatus, mobile station, radio communication system, and communication control method
In a radio communication system including a mobile station and a base station apparatus for communicating with the mobile station according to a SC-FDMA scheme in uplink, the mobile station includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit at least one of a first signal and a second signal; and a Sounding RS transmitting unit configured to determine a transmission band for a Sounding Reference Signal (Sounding RS) based on mapping information of at least one of the first signal and the second signal. |
| US08385275B2 |
Systems and methods for service flow retention in a wireless communication system
A subscriber station may determine whether a service flow between the subscriber station and a base station is retained during an idle mode of the subscriber station. The subscriber station may reactivate the service flow when the subscriber station exits the idle mode. The subscriber station may monitor whether the service flow has data activity. The subscriber station may delete the service flow if there is no data activity. |
| US08385274B2 |
Method of requesting and reporting link quality in an EGPRS2 system
The link quality reporting method includes measuring link quality for received radio blocks, and if there is a modulation scheme with a largest number of radio blocks, reporting link quality for the modulation scheme, and if there is a plurality of schemes with the same number of radio blocks, reporting link quality for a modulation scheme selected using a predetermined method. Performance deterioration can be minimized in a link adaptation process. |
| US08385265B2 |
Wireless communication device, wireless communication system and wireless communication method
A wireless communication device includes: a reception portion that receives a transmission request signal addressed to the wireless communication device that is transmitted from a counterpart communication device; a determination portion that, when the reception portion receives the transmission request signal, determines whether data transmission from the counterpart communication device is possible, based on an availability of a wireless transmission path; a suspension control portion that, when it is determined that the data transmission from the counterpart communication device is not possible, performs transmission control of a suspension request signal that requests suspension of the data transmission; and a response control portion that, when the determination portion determines that the data transmission from the counterpart communication device is possible after the transmission control of the suspension request signal, performs transmission control of a response signal in response to the transmission request signal addressed to the wireless communication device. |
| US08385258B2 |
Self-configuring, adaptive, three-dimensional, wireless network
A network for wireless transmission of a media data in a building includes a plurality of access points. A first access point receives the media data from a source and transmits the media data downstream at a first data rate. A plurality of additional access points is distributed about the building, each of which includes an upstream transceiver to receive the media content on a first channel and a downstream transceiver to re-transmit the media content at substantially the first data rate on a second channel. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US08385254B2 |
Method for sharing wireless channel resource in communication system
A method for sharing a channel in a communication system is disclosed. The method includes receiving scheduling information including information about a channel time reserved by other user devices, and transmitting data through the reserved channel time if a result of performing scanning in the reserved channel time indicates that no interference occurs, wherein the communication system performs communication using beam signals which are directional. If the signals are highly directional, the channel sharing method enables a plurality of user devices to share a channel, thereby increasing the efficiency of channel use. |
| US08385253B2 |
Propagation of changes in a network
A network of nodes and connections is provided, each connection connecting two nodes. Operating a first node in the network includes detecting a change in a node connected to the first node, identifying that the number of nodes connected to the first node with the detected change is above a predetermined threshold, and executing the detected change at the first node and/or propagating the detected change to one or more nodes connected to the first node that do not have the detected change. |
| US08385252B2 |
Mobile terminal and communication control method
An object is to realize execution of an access point function while keeping power consumption low. A cell phone 1 has a relay unit 16 for relaying data transmitted between a digital camera 5 and a network, and a relay controller 17 for changing an operation state of the relay unit 16, based on a location state in a mobile communication network 2 derived based on a reception situation of a signal from a base station 2a of the mobile communication network 2, and a location information in a wireless LAN 3 derived based on a reception situation of a signal from a base station 3a of the wireless LAN 3. |
| US08385250B2 |
Digital broadcasting system and data processing method in the digital broadcasting system
A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. In an aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a data processing method including receiving a broadcast signal in which main service data and mobile service data are multiplexed, demodulating the received broadcast signal, outputting demodulation time information of a specific position of a broadcast signal frame, and acquiring reference time information contained in the mobile service data frame, setting the reference time information to a system time clock at a specific time based on the demodulation time information and decoding the mobile service data according to the system time clock. |
| US08385239B2 |
Control channel signalling for triggering the independent transmission of a channel quality indicator
The invention suggests a method for providing control signalling in a communication system of generating a control channel signal comprising a transport format and a channel quality indicator trigger signal for triggering a transmission of a channel quality indicator by at least one terminal to the base station, and transmitting the generated control channel signal to at least one terminal, wherein said transport format is a predetermined format for user data transmission by the at least one terminal to the base station and said control channel signal indicates a predetermined mode for reporting the channel quality indicator to the base station, wherein the channel quality indicator transmission is to be triggered by the at least one terminal based on the channel quality indicator trigger signal. |
| US08385238B2 |
Transmitting system and method of processing digital broadcast signal in transmitting system
A transmitting system, a receiving system, and a method of processing broadcast signals are disclosed. The method for transmitting a broadcast signal includes multiplexing a specified number of mobile data packets, a first scalable number of mobile data packets, and a second scalable number of main data packets, interleaving mobile data in the mobile data packets and main data in the main data packets, transmitting the interleaved mobile and main data during a slot, the slot during which the main data and a data group including the mobile data are transmitted, the data group including a plurality of regions, the plurality of regions including data blocks, each data block including a plurality of data segments, wherein a first and second regions include a primary ensemble of the mobile data, known data sequences and signaling bytes for signaling the mobile data, a third, fourth and fifth regions include a secondary ensemble of the mobile data, and the fifth region includes the first scalable number of mobile data packets. |
| US08385236B2 |
Mobile communications system, base station apparatus, user apparatus, and method
A user apparatus for use in a mobile communications system is disclosed. The user apparatus includes a unit which determines, using acknowledgement information received from a communications counterpart, whether retransmission is required for a transmitted signal; and a unit which transmits, to the communications counterpart, a signal required to be retransmitted according to a round-trip delay (RTD) which is set for the user apparatus for retransmission control, wherein, the RTD of the user apparatus is arranged to be changed, when the user apparatus enters a region which uses an RTD shorter than the RTD set for the user apparatus to an integer multiple of the shorter RTD. |
| US08385230B2 |
Automatic network address assignment in a wireless mesh
A computing environment containing a mesh network that is adapted to provide a reliable transport mechanism over which services may be delivered. Nodes of the mesh can automatically select routable addresses without conflicts, which allows nodes of the mesh to be accessed, even as the mesh changes through the addition or deletion of nodes. Also, nodes communicate with a protocol that supports service advertisements. These advertisements can identify mesh nodes that supply services, such as file or print servers, for which devices that have not yet connected to the network may be searching. Advertisements can also identify services to be used by nodes in the network, allowing, for example, a node to select a gateway providing a reliable connection to an external network. The mesh network can be used as a transport for communication using protocols, such as TCP/IP, that generally exhibit poor performance when using unreliable transports. |
| US08385228B2 |
Communication paradigm switching based on link quality information
In an example embodiment, a method is provided that accesses a list of communication preferences. The list identifies a communication paradigm and a different communication paradigm. Link quality information associated with the communication paradigm also is accessed. Based on the link quality information, communication may be switched from the communication paradigm to the different communication paradigm. |
| US08385227B1 |
Estimating round trip time of a network path
A base round trip time (RTT) for a path in a network is determined. The RTT along a network path between a source node and a destination node is measured one or more times. A sample set of fitting parameters based on a distribution of historical queue delays is obtained. A Monte Carlo simulation is performed using the fitting parameters in the sample set to generate a distribution of queue delays for the measured network path. A base RTT for the network path is determined using the measured RTT and the distribution of queue delays. |
| US08385226B2 |
Radio fingerprint method in a positioning node for providing geographic region data
A method for providing geographic region data includes receiving geographic position data associated with a location point of a first user equipment and receiving a first radio fingerprint. The method also includes associating the received first radio fingerprint with the received geographic position data and clustering the received geographic position data to create cluster boundaries defining geographical region data. The method further includes receiving a second radio fingerprint and comparing the second radio fingerprint received from the second user equipment with previously received radio fingerprints being associated with geographic region data, and if the second radio fingerprint corresponds to a previously received radio fingerprint, associating the geographic region data of the previously received radio fingerprint with the location point of the second user equipment, and providing the geographic region data, associated with the location point of the second user equipment. |
| US08385222B2 |
Method and apparatus for channel quality derivation
In one aspect, a method and apparatus derive channel quality estimates for given subcarriers in an OFDM signal, based on reference signal (RS) or other known-signal measurements made for another set of subcarriers. In at least one embodiment, a wireless communication apparatus implements a method whereby it is configured for receiving reference information on the first set of subcarriers; generating the first channel quality estimates in the frequency domain, based on the received reference information; computing a power delay profile for the first set of subcarriers; and determining the second channel quality estimates either by extrapolating from the first channel quality estimates or as an average of the first channel quality estimates, depending on a delay spread of the power delay profile. |
| US08385218B2 |
Communication apparatus and communication method
To efficiently compress the information amount for feedback when a communication apparatus sends back a result of performing discrete cosine transform on the reception quality information to a communication apparatus of a communicating destination. In a communication apparatus for transmitting feedback information generated based on a plurality of reception quality information to a communicating destination apparatus, the feedback information is a result of performing discrete cosine transform on the plurality of reception quality information, and performing respective different quantization on signal components of at least a group of samples among signal components of a plurality of samples obtained by the discrete cosine transform. |
| US08385217B2 |
Method for configuring channel and carrier resources for multi-carrier high speed downlink packet access
A channel for multicarrier high speed downlink packet access and a method for allocating the carrier resource include: the wireless network controller configures the multicarrier high speed downlink packet access resource of a multicarrier cell, the multicarrier high speed downlink packet access resource includes the high speed physical downlink shared channel resource, the high speed shared control channel and the high speed shared information channel pair resource. The resource is managed and allocated by the node B. The wireless network controller allocates the associated—dedicated physical channel according to the recorded original configuration information and original allocation information of each carrier, and sends the configuration information to the node B, then the node B allocates the high speed physical downlink shared channel carrier resource, the associated high speed shared control channel and the high speed shared information channel pair resource. |
| US08385216B1 |
Method and system for vertical handoff with target traffic channel setup conveyed via source channel
A method and system for vertical handoff of a mobile station from a first-protocol RAN to a second-protocol RAN. The method and system provide a make-before-break vertical handoff, by having the first-protocol RAN (i) acquire, on behalf of the mobile station, a traffic channel assignment defining one or more traffic channel parameters for air interface communication in the second-protocol RAN, and (ii) pass to the mobile station, via the first air interface protocol, the one or more traffic channel parameters so that the mobile station can then readily switch over to communication under the second-protocol RAN. Optimally, the acquisition and passing of the one or more second-protocol traffic channel parameters may occur without the mobile station having requested the handoff, without the mobile station having asked for the traffic channel assignment, and without the mobile station having yet begun communication with the second-protocol RAN. |
| US08385215B1 |
System and method for providing testing in an Ethernet network environment
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes generating a test port in a network environment, positioning the test port on a network element, associating the test port with a bridge domain, and configuring a maintenance point (MP) on the test port. The method further includes using the MP on the test port for connectivity fault management (CFM) operations at a test level. |
| US08385211B2 |
Method for routing in a mobile ad hoc network
The present disclosure relates to mobile ad hoc networks that may include aircraft. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of providing routing data for use in routing a message from a source node to available destination nodes through a mobile ad hoc network. A list of neighbor nodes corresponding to nodes within range for direct communication is obtained. For each neighbor node, a cost function is used to calculate the lowest costs of sending messages to respective available destination nodes; and routing data is generated based on these lowest costs. A message may be routed to the most suitable neighbor node by reference to the routing data. |
| US08385209B2 |
Network communication apparatus
A network communication apparatus transmitting a first acknowledgment from a higher-level layer to a transmission source of a predetermined number of first segments and a second segment from the higher-level layer to a transmission source of a second acknowledgment, includes: a first condition setting section in which a first condition for specifying a connection to delay the first acknowledgment is set; a first judgment section to judge whether the first acknowledgment is to be delayed; a transmission processing section to delay the to-be-delayed first acknowledgment and transmit it to the transmission source of the first segments; a second condition setting section in which a second condition for specifying a connection to delay the second acknowledgment is set; a second judgment section to judge whether the second acknowledgment is to be delayed; and a reception processing section to delay the to-be-delayed second acknowledgment and transfer it to the higher-level layer. |
| US08385203B2 |
Resending control circuit, sending device, resending control method and resending control program
A resending control circuit for controlling resending of data to be sent to a sending destination, includes: a writing unit for writing resending information generated corresponding to each of data to be resent and including the resending point-in-time of the data in memory; a reading unit for reading out the resending information from the memory; and a control unit for comparing resending point-in-time included in the oldest resending information of resending information stored in the memory with current point-in-time, and executing resending processing of data corresponding to the resending information according to the comparison result. |
| US08385197B2 |
Practical measurement-based session admission control for Wi-Fi LAN systems
A communication system is provided that can control which communication sessions with mobile devices are admitted to a wireless access point. The admission decisions are based on actual measurements of radio frequency (RF) utilization. The RF utilization is determined on a per access class basis. Access classes may be defined by protocol but are, generally, voice, video and data. Thus, the system provides the ability to determine admissions that allows for the incorporation of factors including collisions, the distance from the access point to which a mobile device is communicating, and other factors. |
| US08385196B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting uplink starvation avoidance in a long term evolution system
A method and apparatus for uplink (UL) starvation avoidance includes determining a current buffer status information. The current buffer status information is reported to an evolved Node B (eNB). A grant that includes a determination of a number of tokens a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may accumulate is received from the eNB. |
| US08385192B2 |
Deduplicated data processing rate control
A plurality of workers is configured for parallel processing of deduplicated data entities in a plurality of chunks. The deduplicated data processing rate is regulated using a rate control mechanism. The rate control mechanism incorporates a debt/credit algorithm specifying which of the plurality of workers processing the deduplicated data entities must wait for each of a plurality of calculated required sleep times. The rate control mechanism is adapted to limit a data flow rate based on a penalty acquired during a last processing of one of the plurality of chunks in a retroactive manner, and further adapted to operate on at least one vector representation of at least one limit specification to accommodate a variety of available dimensions corresponding to the at least one limit specification. |
| US08385191B2 |
Line bypass system using vendor specific area of common public radio interface (CPRI)
To provide means for taking action against a fault of a CPRI link of a radio base station in which a CPRI is used as an internal interface between a radio control unit and a radio unit at a low cost, a communication device for directly connecting a plurality of radio units and a device for realizing a bypass route of the CPRI link for connecting a pertinent radio unit to the radio control unit by the communication device and a vendor specific area on a CPRI link connecting another radio unit to the radio control unit are provided. |
| US08385188B2 |
Multi-port, gigabit serdes transceiver capable of automatic fail switchover
A multi-port Serdes transceiver includes multiple parallel ports and serial ports, and includes the flexibility to connect any of the parallel ports to another parallel port or to a serial port, or both. Furthermore, the transceiver can connect any of the serial ports to another serial port or to a parallel port. The transceiver further includes a switch, a logic core, and a bus. The switch is selectively coupled to at least a first port and a second port. The switch activates the first port and deactivates the second port based on satisfaction of a condition associated with the first port. The logic core operates the serial and parallel ports, and the bus connects the ports. The bus can be described as a “ring” structure (or donut “structure”) around the logic core, and is configured between the logic core and the ports. The ring structure provides efficient communication between the logic core and the ports. |
| US08385185B2 |
Apparatus and method for recording and/or reproducing data on an information storage medium using padding information, and the information storage medium
An apparatus and method for recording and/or reproducing data on a disc are provided using padding information, and a corresponding information storage medium. The recording method includes recording a recording unit block in which invalid data is padded in part of the block and recording padding information indicating that the invalid data is included. According to the method, a disc drive becomes able to distinguish valid data from invalid data in an error correction block such that reliability of reproduction increases and stability of the system is improved. |
| US08385181B2 |
Objective lens and optical pickup apparatus
Provided are an optical pickup apparatus and an objective lens which can appropriately record and/or reproduce information on three types of discs with different recording densities and improve the light-utilization efficiency using a simple structure. A first optical path difference providing structure is formed on an optical surface of the objective lens. The first optical path difference providing structure is a step structure in which plural ring-shaped step units each including the same number of steps are arranged concentrically about the optical axis as the center. The width w1 in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the highest step or the lowest step in at least one step unit in the step structure is approximately half of the average value w2 of two steps at both sides of the highest step or the lowest step in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. |
| US08385180B2 |
Optical pickup apparatus
An optical pickup apparatus comprising: a laser diode; an objective lens made of a synthetic resin configured to focus laser light emitted from the laser diode to a signal recording layer of an optical disc; and a collimating lens having a diffraction grating and arranged in an optical path between the laser diode and the objective lens, the collimating lens being so moved in an optical axis direction of the laser light as to correct spherical aberration occurring in response to a change in temperature when performing a recording operation for the optical disc, and the collimating lens correcting by the diffraction grating chromatic aberration occurring when switching from the recording operation to a reproducing operation for the optical disc. |
| US08385179B2 |
Optical disk device and optical disk discriminating method
An optical disk discriminating method and an optical disk device which can detect reflected rays for making discrimination among kinds of optical disks with high accuracies. By switching a plurality of lasers and moving a spherical aberration corrector while moving an objective lens to cause it to approach or keep away from an optical disk, rays reflected light from the optical disk can be detected with high accuracies. Discrimination among the kinds of a plurality of optical disks can be made on the basis of signals generated from the detected reflected rays. This ensures that the kind of an optical disk can be determined through one operation of sweeping. |
| US08385175B2 |
Recording and reproduction apparatus and method for monitoring and managing laser power calibration areas in a multi-layer recording medium
Medium recording and reproduction apparatus and method can prevent prohibition of disc recording due to the fact that laser power calibration area becomes unusable by studying a management information update method during data recording. When usable capacity of the laser power calibration area is monitored and the capacity is reduced, management information area to be currently updated is changed to another layer. |
| US08385166B2 |
Repeatable run out compensation
A method to compensate repeatable run out of a hard disk drive apparatus includes receiving a write or read command to write or read data with respect to a disk having an inner diameter (ID) area, a middle diameter (MD) area, and an outer diameter (OD) area which are preset, determining a present position of a magnetic head and a position where the magnetic head writes or read data, stopping an operation of at least one of RRO compensators for RRO components of particular frequencies when the present position of the magnetic head is the ID area and the position where the magnetic head writes or reads the data is the MD area or OD area of the disk, and performing data writing or reading by performing seeking and settling of the magnetic head. |
| US08385165B1 |
Method and apparatus for calibrating optical recording system
Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for efficiently calibrating an optical recording device. The method can include receiving a first signal corresponding to a wobbled track of a memory medium, phase-locking a second signal to the first signal, the second signal being used to extract embedded information in the wobbled track, and determining an optimum setting of the optical recording device based on a locking quality of the first signal and the second signal. |
| US08385162B2 |
Shingled-writing thermal assistance recording (TAR) disk drive with avoidance of adjacent track erasure from a wide-area heater
A thermally-assisted recording (TAR) disk drive that uses “shingled” recording and a rectangular waveguide as a “wide-area” heat source includes a controller that counts the number of writes to each annular band of data tracks. The wide-area heater generates a heat spot that extends across multiple tracks, so that each time an annular band is written, the data in tracks in adjacent bands are also heated. Because the bands are written independently, the number of passes of the heat spot and thereby the number of times the data tracks in a band are exposed to elevated temperatures without being re-written is related to the number of re-writes of the adjacent bands. The number of writes to each band is counted and when that count reaches a predetermined threshold value, one or more tracks in an adjacent band are re-written to avoid reaching an unacceptable level of magnetization decay in the tracks of the adjacent band. |
| US08385161B2 |
Optical information reproducing device, optical information reproducing method and integrated circuit
An optical information reproducing device includes a light focusing unit for generating near-field light, a signal quality measuring circuit for measuring reproduction signal quality of the optical information recording medium using the near-field light generated by the light focusing unit, a gap length determining circuit for determining a gap length between the light focusing unit and a surface of the optical information recording medium as a set value based on a measurement result on the reproduction signal quality in the signal quality measuring circuit, and a gap control circuit for controlling a gap between the light focusing unit and the surface of the optical information recording medium based on the set value determined in the gap length determining circuit. Information is reproduced from the optical information recording medium using the near-field light generated by the light focusing unit. |
| US08385159B2 |
Near field transducer with shaped energy radiating end
A magnetic recording head consists of a write pole and a near field transducer close to the write pole that focuses light energy to a focal point. A near field transducer is positioned to receive light energy from a waveguide. The near field transducer comprises an energy-receiving end and an energy-radiating end. The energy-receiving end is located near the focal point of the waveguide and the energy-radiating end is shaped such that it is narrower closer to the write pole and wider farther from the write pole. |
| US08385156B2 |
Radio-controlled adjustment timepiece
A start date and an end date of a daylight saving time input by a user is stored in the daylight saving time information storage unit (41). The radio-controlled adjustment section (20) generates a time to adjust the time which the clocking unit (10) is clocking, by daylight saving time information and a standard time received via an antenna (AT) and a reception circuit (21), and adjusts the time of the clocking unit (10) by use of the generated time. Here, the daylight saving time determination unit (42) references to the daylight saving time period stored in the daylight saving time information storage unit (41), and adjusts the time of the clocking unit (10) so that the time becomes one which corresponds to the user-set daylight saving time. |
| US08385155B2 |
Digital hydrophone
A digital underwater acoustic sensor system is disclosed. The system can include an acoustic sensor configured to detect an underwater acoustic signal and form an analog signal proportional to the underwater acoustic signal. The acoustic sensor can include an interior cavity. A digital communication module can be positioned within the interior cavity. The digital communication module comprises an amplifier configured to amplify the analog signal. An analog to digital converter is configured to convert the analog signal to a digital signal. A digital signal transmission module is configured to communicate the digital signal to a receiver. |
| US08385153B2 |
Light control system with multiple ultrasonic receivers
A lighting system comprising a lamp arranged to transform electricity into a light beam having properties such as intensity, colour, colour temperature, direction and beam cone angle; a light control means arranged to adjust said light beam properties; at least one ultrasonic transmitter arranged to transmit ultrasonic signals; a plurality of spaced apart ultrasonic receivers arranged to receive reflected ultrasonic signals; and a processing means arranged to determine for each of said receivers time-of-flight signals representing the time differences between said transmitted signals from said at least one transmitter and the associated received reflected ultrasonic signals from said receiver, and to send control signals to said light control means in dependence of the combination of said time-of-flight signals for each of said receivers. Said ultrasonic transmitter and one of said ultrasonic receivers are arranged on a rotating means for moving along the circumference of said lamp. |
| US08385152B2 |
Method and system for remote sound speed measurement
A system and method of remote sound speed measurement are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for estimating a sound speed comprises a plurality of transducers configured to i) transmit a first acoustic signal from a first location, ii) transmit a second acoustic signal at a second location, iii) receive a first reflected signal at a third location, and iv) receive a second reflected signal at a fourth location, the reflected signals comprising at least one echo from at least one of the acoustic signals; and a microprocessor configured to i) estimate a travel time based on at least the first or second reflected signals, ii) estimate a travel time difference based on at least the first and second reflected signals, and iii) estimate a sound speed based on at least the estimated travel time and estimated travel time difference. |
| US08385147B2 |
Systems and methods of non-volatile memory sensing including selective/differential threshold voltage features
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing selective threshold voltage characteristics via use of MOS transistors having differential threshold voltages. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a metal oxide semiconductor device comprising a substrate of semiconductor material having a source region, a drain region and a channel region therebetween, an insulating layer over the channel region, and a gate portion of the insulating layer. Moreover, with regard to the device, the shape of the insulating layer and/or the shape or implantation of a junction region are of varied dimension as between the gate-to-drain and gate-to-source junctions to provide differential threshold voltages between them. |
| US08385143B2 |
Semiconductor memory apparatus and read/write control method thereof
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes: a read/write control unit configured to generate a write control signal and a read control signal using internal signals generated through separate signal paths in response to a write command and a read command respectively; and a plurality of ranks configured to perform a write operation or read operation according to the write control signal or the read control signal. |
| US08385142B1 |
Flexible data strobe signal bus structure for wirebond and flip-chip packaging
An integrated circuit with a flexible data strobe signal (DQS) bus structure is presented. The integrated circuit has a number of input/output (I/O) modules with a number of data pins to receive and transmit data. In addition, a subset of the I/O modules also have a data strobe pin. The input/output modules are connected to data strobe signal buses having a fixed configuration. The configuration of the fixed DQS bus groups a number of data pins with a corresponding data strobe pin and the grouping of data pin spans multiple I/O modules. The integrated circuit also has a flexible data bus connected to the I/O modules. Data pins of I/O modules of a second integrated circuit are mapped a subset of the data pins of corresponding I/O modules of the integrated circuit. The flexible data strobe signal bus enables selection of the subset of data pins in the integrated circuit. |
| US08385140B2 |
Memory elements having shared selection signals
Apparatus are provided for memory elements and related computing modules. An exemplary memory element includes a first array of one or more memory cells, a second array of one or more memory cells, write selection circuitry associated with the first array, and read selection circuitry associated with the second array. The write selection circuitry and the read selection circuitry are configured to be activated concurrently. |
| US08385133B2 |
High-speed download device using multiple memory chips
A flash memory system for an A/V player, utilizing a two-level round-robin write scheme upon N flash memory planes, enabling the A/V player to be loaded with data at a data throughput essentially N times the write throughput of one of the flash memory planes. The flash chips' memory cores and data registers, and the memory system's write buffers, can be kept fully utilized during data writing. |
| US08385132B2 |
Alternate bit line bias during programming to reduce channel to floating gate coupling in memory
In a non-volatile storage system, capacitive coupling effects are reduced by reducing the probability that adjacent storage elements reach the lockout condition at close to the same program pulse. A slow down measure such as an elevated bit line voltage is applied to the storage elements of a word line which are associated with odd-numbered bit lines, but not to the storage elements associated with even-numbered bit lines. The elevated bit line voltage is applied over a range of program pulses, then stepped down to ground over one or more program pulses. The range of programming pulses over which the slow down measure is applied, can be fixed or determined adaptively. A program pulse increment can be dropped, then increased, when the bit line voltage is stepped down. Storage elements which are programmed to a highest target data state can be excluded from the slow down measure. |
| US08385129B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and control method thereof
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory cells in which data can be rewritable, a plurality of bit lines connected to the plurality of memory cells, and a plurality of sense circuits that are connected to the plurality of bit lines, respectively, sense data written in the memory cells to perform a verify operation with the bit lines charged to first potentials, and charge a bit line, which is connected to a memory cell determined to be defective as a result of the verify operation, to the first potential in the verify operation. |
| US08385121B2 |
Memory adapted to program a number of bits to a memory cell and read a different number of bits from the memory cell
A memory has a memory array with a memory cell. The memory is adapted to program a first number of bits into the memory cell. The memory is adapted to sense a second number of bits, different from the first number of bits, from the memory cell. |
| US08385119B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes: a data write portion configured to repeat a write loop until data write is complete, the write loop including a program operation of applying a selected word-line with a program voltage necessary for program and a verify operation of applying the selected word-line with a verify voltage necessary for verify, the program voltage being changed for each write loop by a predetermined step width, the data write being performed in units of a page including a plurality of memory cells selected by the selected word-line; and an endurance determination portion configured to determine the endurance of the memory cells of the page, the data write portion supplies the selected word-line with a program voltage of a step width depending on the endurance. |
| US08385118B2 |
Multi-pass programming in a memory device
A method for programming a memory device, a memory device, and a memory system are provided. According to at least one such method, a first programming pass generates a plurality of first programming pulses to increase the threshold voltages of target memory cells to either a pre-program level or to the highest programmed threshold. A second programming pass applies a plurality of second programming pulses to the target memory cells to increase their threshold voltages only if they were programmed to the pre-program level. The target memory cells programmed to their respective target threshold levels during the first pass are not programmed further. |
| US08385115B2 |
Methods of precharging non-volatile memory devices during a programming operation and memory devices programmed thereby
Embodiments are directed to a method of programming a semiconductor memory device, the memory device including: a plurality of memory cell transistors arranged in a plurality of transistor strings; a plurality of word lines, each word line connected to a corresponding memory cell transistor of each of the transistor strings; and a plurality of bit lines, each bit line connected to at least one of the transistor strings, the method comprising: applying a first voltage, and then applying a programming voltage to a selected word line corresponding to the selected memory cell transistor; and in advance of applying the first voltage to the selected word line, applying a second voltage to at least one neighboring word line that neighbors the selected word line, the neighboring word line connected to a neighboring, unselected memory cell transistor of the selected transistor string, to ensure precharging of a channel region of another, unselected transistor string between a first, unselected transistor of the unselected transistor string connected to the neighboring word line and a second, unselected transistor of the unselected transistor string connected to the selected word line, the first, unselected transistor neighboring the second, unselected transistor in the unselected transistor string. |
| US08385113B2 |
Nanoelectromechanical systems and methods for making the same
Nanoelectromechanical systems are disclosed that utilize vertically grown or placed nanometer-scale beams. The beams may be configured and arranged for use in a variety of applications, such as batteries, generators, transistors, switching assemblies, and sensors. In some generator applications, nanometer-scale beams may be fixed to a base and grown to a desired height. The beams may produce an electric potential as the beams vibrate, and may provide the electric potential to an electrical contact located at a suitable height above the base. In other embodiments, vertical beams may be grown or placed on side-by-side traces, and an electrical connection may be formed between the side-by-side traces when beams on separate traces vibrate and contact one another. |
| US08385108B1 |
Differential magnetic random access memory (MRAM)
A method of method of writing to a magnetic memory cell includes selecting a magnetic memory cell of a magnetic memory array to be written to, the magnetic memory cell including a pair of MTJs, and setting a bit line (BL) coupled to the magnetic memory cell to a state that causes current to flow through the pair of MTJs in a manner that causes the direction of current flow through one of the MTJs of the pair of MTJs to be in a direction opposite to that of the other MTJ of the pair of MTJs. |
| US08385107B2 |
Magnetic memory with a thermally assisted spin transfer torque writing procedure using a low writing current
A magnetic random access memory (MRAM) cell with a thermally assisted switching (TAS) writing procedure, comprising a magnetic tunnel junction formed from a ferromagnetic storage layer having a first magnetization adjustable at a high temperature threshold, a ferromagnetic reference layer having a fixed second magnetization, and an insulating layer, said insulating layer being disposed between the ferromagnetic storage and reference layers; a select transistor being electrically connected to said magnetic tunnel junction and controllable via a word line; a current line, electrically connected to said magnetic tunnel junction, passing at least a write current; characterized in that the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the ferromagnetic storage layer is substantially orthogonal with the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the ferromagnetic reference layer. The STT-based TAS-MRAM cell achieves simultaneously thermal stability and requires low write current density. |
| US08385105B2 |
Semiconductor device
An object is to provide a semiconductor device capable of accurate data retention even with a memory element including a depletion mode transistor. A gate terminal of a transistor for controlling input of a signal to a signal holding portion is negatively charged in advance. The connection to a power supply is physically broken, whereby negative charge is held at the gate terminal. Further, a capacitor having terminals one of which is electrically connected to the gate terminal of the transistor is provided, and thus switching operation of the transistor is controlled with the capacitor. |
| US08385097B2 |
Method for controlling a voltage source converter and a voltage converting apparatus
In a method for controlling a Voltage Source Converter having at least one phase leg comprising a series connection of switching elements, in which each said element has at least two semiconductor devices of turn-off type, at least two free-wheeling diodes connected in parallel therewith and at least one energy storing capacitor, each said switching element is controlled according to a Pulse Width Modulation pattern so that each switching element is switched to change between applying a zero voltage and the voltage across its capacitor across its terminals each time a saw tooth voltage wave for that switching element crosses a reference alternating voltage belonging to that switching element. |
| US08385096B2 |
Unbalanced voltage compensation method, unbalanced voltage compensator, three-phase converter control method, and controller of three-phase converter
In compensating for unbalanced voltages of three-phase AC, instantaneous values of wye-phase voltages 120° out of phase with each other are obtained from line voltages using a centroid vector operation, symmetrical component voltages of three-phase balanced system are obtained from the instantaneous values of wye-phase voltages, a compensation signal to compensate unbalanced voltages of three-phase AC is generated from zero-phase-sequence voltage of symmetrical component voltages is generated, wye-phase voltages 120° out of phase, the unbalanced voltages of which are compensated, are obtained from the compensation signal and the symmetrical component voltages, a control signal of a PWM conversion is generated based on the compensated wye-phase voltage compensated, and the unbalanced voltages of three-phase AC are compensated. The amount of time to compensate the three-phase unbalanced voltages required for detecting an unbalance of voltages and generating a control signal can be shortened. |
| US08385095B2 |
Electric power supply circuit and PAM control method for the same
An increase in a ripple voltage of a capacitor in a smoothing circuit is prevented to achieve a compact capacitor and cost reduction for capacitors in an electric power supply circuit which performs PAM control using a switching element. An electric power supply circuit includes a bridge circuit for rectifying alternating current power, a smoothing circuit which has two capacitors serially connected to each other, and a PAM control section for turning a switching element on and off at a predetermined timing. The PAM control section includes a phase difference detection section which detects a phase shift of a PAM waveform based on a change in a voltage difference between the two capacitors, and a phase correction section which corrects the phase of the PAM waveform so that an input current has a sine waveform. |
| US08385092B1 |
Power converter with current vector controlled dead time
In one embodiment, a method is provided for a power converter system comprising a switching circuit having a plurality of switches operable to be turned on and off to cause current to flow to deliver power to a load. The method includes the following: generating PWM control signals for turning on and off the switches in the switching circuit; sensing the direction of current flow, wherein the direction of current flow is related to a likelihood of shoot-through in the switching circuit; providing a current vector signal indicative of the direction of current flow; and enabling or disabling introduction of a dead time into the PWM control signals for the switches in the switching circuit in response the current vector signal. |
| US08385089B2 |
Multiple-output switching power supply unit
A multiple-output switching power supply unit includes: a voltage generating circuit Q1, Q2, T1a, 10a configured to generate a pulse voltage by intermittently interrupting a direct current power supply 1; a series resonance circuit including a current resonance capacitor Cri2, a primary winding P2 of a transformer T2, and a switching element Q3, the pulse voltage generated in the voltage generating circuit being applied to the series resonance circuit; a rectifying/smoothing circuit D2, C2 configured to rectify and smooth a voltage which is generated in a secondary winding S2 of the transformer, and thus to output a direct current output voltage; and a control circuit 11 configured to turn on and off the switching element based on the direct current output voltage. |
| US08385083B2 |
Method and system for isolating local area networks over a co-axial wiring for energy management
An energy management system. The system includes a coax controller apparatus comprising an exterior housing and plurality of coax modules numbered from 2 through N, where N is an integer greater than 3. In a specific embodiment, each of the coax modules comprises a powerline chip (PLC) module coupled to an analog front end, which is coupled to a coaxial connector. The system also has an electromagnetic shield configured to each of the coax modules. In a specific embodiment, the electromagnetic shield is configured to substantially maintain the coax module substantially free from interference noise or other disturbances. The system has a power meter coupled to one or more ports of the coax controller apparatus. |
| US08385082B2 |
Electrical connection arrangement having PCB with contacts received therein
An electrical connection arrangement includes an IC package, and a PCB having a plurality of receiving holes for receiving a plurality of contacts therein. The contact having a contacting portion engaged with the IC package that seated upon the PCB. A retaining device is provided for securing the IC package onto the PCB. Since there is no socket utilized in the present invention, the total profile of the arrangement and the cost are effectively reduced. |
| US08385079B2 |
Pressure conductive sheet
A pressure conductive sheet includes a connector body formed of a thin plate of insulation material, an elastic body deposited as one body with the connector body, pluralities of connection terminals provided with a given interval to pass through the elastic body and the connector body, and a ground plate constituting a matching circuit, the ground plate being buried by a given width in between the connector body and the elastic body. The ground plate is coupled to a ground terminal among the connection terminals and is separated from an outer circumference face of a signal terminal. The connector body, the elastic body, the connection terminals and the ground plate are combined with one another to substantially reduce an interference between signal terminals through the matching circuit formed based on capacitance of a gap between a ground face of the ground plate and the signal terminal, and to improve electrical characteristics. |
| US08385077B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a housing having an accommodation space, a first support body being slidably insertable into the accommodation space in parallel with a predetermined plane, a second support body coupled with the first support body rotatably around a rotation axis parallel to a front side of the housing and being rotatable between a reference attitude disposed in the same plane with respect to the first support body and an inclined attitude disposed at a given angle with respect to the first support body, and a drive mechanism for changing the attitude of the second support body. |
| US08385074B2 |
Display device
A display unit for displaying information including a housing having an opening and a display unit with a display, moveable between a rest position in which the display unit is completely retracted into the housing and a display position in which the display unit is extended from the housing. A cover is moveably driven between a cover position that covers the housing opening and a release position releasing the housing opening. The display unit and the cover can be moveably driven by way of a coupling assembly by a rotary drive. The coupling assembly couples the motion of the display unit and the cover. The coupling assembly includes a first coupler that can rotate about a fixed first axis of rotation with a free end of hinged to the cover. The display unit is hinged to a free end of a second coupler by a second linkage at the cover and at distances from the first linkage and the second linkage by a third linkage. |
| US08385072B2 |
Computer having airflow guiding device
A computer includes a main board, a plurality of electrical element mounted on the main board and a airflow guising device. The airflow guiding device includes a metallic cover and two flexible films. The cover includes a top plate and two side plates extending downward from opposite edges of the top plate. The top plate and the side plates cooperatively define a guiding channel. Each side plate is spaced a distance from the main board to form a clearance space. The flexible films are correspondingly attached to the side plates. Each flexible film includes a connecting portion and a shielding portion. The connecting portion is attached on the corresponding side plate. The shielding portion extends from an edge of the corresponding side plate to the main board and shields the clearance space. |
| US08385065B2 |
Gimbal system with forced flow of external air through a channel to remove heat
Gimbal system, including apparatus and methods, with forced flow of external air through a channel to remove heat. The system may comprise a support portion including at least one electronic component and defining a channel, a gimbal assembly pivotably connected to and supported by the support portion, and a payload pivotably orientable with respect to the support portion by the gimbal assembly. The support portion alone or collectively with the gimbal assembly may define a chamber in which the electronic component is disposed. The support portion may include a forced-air device configured to drive flow of external air through the channel, thereby removing heat transferred to the channel from the electronic component. |
| US08385054B2 |
Support structure, support mechanism and computer apparatus using the same
A support structure for supporting a computer device includes a clamping frame, two clamping members, and a support rod. The clamping frame is used for clamping a side of the computer device. The two clamping members are disposed on the clamping frame. At least one of the two clamping members has at least one angle positioning bump. The support rod is disposed at a side of the clamping frame for supporting the clamping frame. The support rod includes an arm portion and a shaft portion. The arm portion has an angle positioning hole for engaging with the angle positioning bump to fix an angle of the arm portion relative to the clamping frame. The shaft portion is extendedly connected to an end of the arm portion and detachably disposed between the clamping members, for making the arm portion capable of rotating relative to the clamping frame. |
| US08385053B2 |
Electronic device
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing and a plurality of ribs. The housing houses at least part of an electronic component. The ribs are arranged along a flat side surface of the electronic component in the housing such that the inner surface of the ribs faces the side surface. The ribs comprises a rib that faces the side surface of the electronic component, and another rib that is located on an edge side of the side surface compared to the rib and more distant from the side surface than the rib. |
| US08385049B2 |
Dielectric ceramic and laminated ceramic capacitor
Provided is a dielectric ceramic which exhibits desired high temperature load resistance characteristics even under a high electric field strength on the order of 15 kV/mm. The dielectric ceramic contains, as its main constituent, a perovskite compound represented by the general formula (Ba1-h-i-mCahSriGdm)k(Ti1-y-j-n-o-pZryHfjMgnZnoMnp)O3, 0≦h≦0.03, 0≦i≦0.03; 0.042≦m≦0.074; 0.94≦k≦1.075; 0≦(y+j)≦0.05; 0.015≦n≦0.07; 0≦o≦0.04; 0≦p≦0.05; and 1.0 |
| US08385046B2 |
Nano scale digitated capacitor
A capacitor device having a first conductive element and a second conductive element. The capacitor includes a porous membrane disposed between the first and second conductive elements. The capacitor has pores included in the porous membrane extending from the first conductive element to the second conductive element, and a conductive material is disposed inside the pores and in contact with the first conductive element. |
| US08385045B2 |
Variable capacitor, control method thereof, electronic device and communication mobile device
A variable capacitor and a control method thereof capable of responding to applications of electronic apparatuses including various electronic devices and communication mobile devices. The variable capacitor includes a pair of electrodes formed so as to sandwich a ferroelectric material layer, in which polarization processing higher than a coercive field in hysteresis characteristics of polarization has been performed to the ferroelectric material layer, and the capacitance can be varied in accordance with a control voltage applied to the electrodes. |
| US08385044B2 |
Film capacitor
A film capacitor is provided that includes a case in which a film cell is incorporated and a heat radiating plate including a heat absorption unit being positioned adjacent to the film cell while not being in contact with the film cell for absorbing heat and a heat radiating unit being exposed to the outside of the case. Preferred film capacitors can perform a stable operation and have durable lifespan, even when an inverter adopting the film capacitor is mounted on a trunk room and an engine room, by effectively cooling heat generated from a film cell of the film capacitor. |
| US08385042B2 |
Selective control of wireless initiation devices at a blast site
Disclosed herein are methods for selective control of groups of wireless initiation devices such as wireless electronic boosters at a blast site. Such methods may be applied to a wide variety of blasting techniques that would benefit from the use of wireless control and initiation of explosive charges at the blast site. |
| US08385033B2 |
Emergency run-down unit for superconducting magnets
In an emergency run down unit for a superconductive magnet assembly, a quench in the magnet is induced by the release of stored mechanical energy or by direct manual actuation. |
| US08385028B2 |
Galvanic isolator
A galvanic isolator having a split circuit element, a polymeric substrate, a transmitter and receiver is disclosed. The split circuit element has first and second portions, the first portion being disposed on a first surface of the substrate and the second portion being disposed a second surface of the substrate. The transmitter receives an input signal and couples a signal derived from the input signal to the first portion. The receiver is connected to the second portion of the circuit element and generates an output signal that is coupled to an external circuit. The galvanic isolator can be economically fabricated on conventional printed circuit board substrates and flexible circuit substrates. |
| US08385025B2 |
Current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) magnetoresistive (MR) sensor with improved seed layer structure for hard bias layer
A current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) magnetoresistive (MR) sensor has an improved seed layer structure for the ferromagnetic hard (high coercivity) bias layer that is used to longitudinally bias the sensor's free ferromagnetic layer. The seed layer structure is a trilayer consisting of a first seed layer of tantalum (Ta), a second seed layer of one or both titanium (Ti) and Ti-oxide on and in contact with the Ta layer, and a third seed layer of tungsten (W) on and in contact with the second seed layer. |
| US08385024B2 |
Tolerance ring with edge bump difference
A novel tolerance ring includes a hollow cylindrical body defining a longitudinal axis that passes axially through its center. A circumferential gap divides the hollow cylindrical body so that the hollow cylindrical body includes first and second longitudinal edges that define the circumferential gap. A plurality of bumps protrude radially from the hollow cylindrical body, and consists of a plurality of gap-adjacent bumps and a plurality of non-gap-adjacent bumps. At least one of the plurality of bumps is circumferentially between the gap and each of the non-gap-adjacent bumps. None of the plurality of bumps is circumferentially between the gap and each of the gap-adjacent bumps. The tolerance ring includes a means for increasing an otherwise lower average radial compressive stiffness of the gap-adjacent bumps to become substantially equal to an average radial stiffness of the non-gap-adjacent bumps. |
| US08385020B2 |
Modified shield design to eliminate the far-field WATE problem
A shield design for a magnetic write head is described that eliminates the far-field WATE problem while still maintaining side shielding ability. This is achieved by moving all but the central sections of the three shields (LS, SS, and WS) and, optionally, the top yoke a short distance further away from the recording medium than the ABS. |
| US08385015B2 |
Method of operating pre-amplifier, pre-amplifier, and apparatuses including the same
A method of operating a pre-amplifier of a hard disk drive is provided. The method includes generating a comparison signal corresponding to a result of comparing a reference signal with a difference between differential signals corresponding to write data, and controlling transmission of the differential signals to a write head in response to the comparison signal. |
| US08385013B2 |
Optical module, method for production thereof, and imaging apparatus
An optical module includes a substrate, an optical element directly built in a predetermined area of the substrate, and a piezoelectric element directly formed on the substrate along the circumference of the optical element. The piezoelectric element drives the optical element, by displacing the predetermined area of the substrate, in such a manner to displace the optical element in the direction of the optical axis of the optical element or to incline the optical axis of the optical element. |
| US08385009B2 |
Scanner lens
A scanner lens includes a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens. The first lens is provided with a first focal length. The first, second, and third lenses are sequentially arranged from an object end to an imaging end and are respectively provided with a plus diopter, a minus diopter, and a plus diopter. At least one of the first, second, and third lenses comprises an aspheric lens. The ratio of the first focal length to a system focal length of the scanner lens ranges between 1 and 2. |
| US08385008B2 |
Optical lens system with a wide field of view
An optical lens system with a wide field of view comprises, in order from the object side to the image side: a first lens element with negative refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface; a second lens element; a third lens element; a fourth lens element having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface; a fifth lens element with positive refractive power; a sixth lens element with negative refractive power; a seventh lens element, one of an object-side surface and an image-side surface being aspheric. There are seven lens elements with refractive power. By adjusting the arrangement of curvature, refractive power of the respective lens elements and a stop, sufficient field of view can be obtained and the aberrations of the system can be corrected in order to obtain good image quality. |
| US08385003B1 |
Zoom lens
A zoom lens includes a first lens group of negative refractive power, a second lens group of positive refractive power and a third lens group of positive refractive power. The zoom lens satisfies the following condition formulas: 0.68<|f2/f1|<0.85, and 0.65 |
| US08385002B2 |
Zoom lens and photographing apparatus
A zoom lens and a photographing apparatus including the same. The zoom lens includes a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, and an additional lens grouping having a positive refractive power, which are sequentially arranged from an object side, wherein the additional lens grouping comprises a third lens group having a positive refractive power. |
| US08384999B1 |
Optical modules
An optical module for head mounted displays and other applications comprises: an optical substrate and optical superstrate having inter-engaging ridged surfaces. A reflective layer is formed on at least one of the surfaces. An index matching material may be located between the surfaces. A region that receives a projected image, from a projector, directs rays launched from the projector onto the ridged surfaces, so that in use a viewer perceives an augmented image. The augmented image comprising reflected rays from the projector and transmitted rays from an object located on an opposite side of the module to that of the viewer. |
| US08384993B2 |
Semiconductor optical amplifier with a reduced noise figure
A semiconductor optical amplifier for amplifying an optical signal. The amplifier comprises an input for receiving the optical signal and an output for outputting an amplified version of the optical signal. A semiconductor active medium is provided for defining an amplification path extending between the input and the output for amplifying the optical signal as the optical signal propagates along the amplification path. A control means selectively controls the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) of the semiconductor optical amplifier. The control means is co-operable with the active medium for selectively varying carrier density along the amplification path. |
| US08384990B2 |
Infrared frequency comb methods, arrangements and applications
Certain embodiments relate to and involve producing broadband phase-locked frequency combs in the near-infrared and mid-infrared spectral ranges. One such embodiment is directed to a system, with a pump laser and an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) resonator, that is configured to produce broad-bandwidth frequency combs in the near-infrared and mid-infrared frequency ranges. The pump laser is configured to produce femtosecond pulses of light having a pulse repetition rate. The optical parametric oscillator (OPO) resonator that is coupled to the pump laser for facilitating synchronous OPO pumping by matching a roundtrip time of the pulses of light within the OPO resonator with the pulse repetition rate of the pump laser. Among other more specific aspects, the OPO resonator can include a nonlinear optical gain element to provide broad-bandwidth parametric amplification, and optical elements to direct the pulses of light from the femtosecond laser to the nonlinear gain element and to direct subharmonic frequencies of the light out of the optical cavity. |
| US08384986B2 |
Image area or display
An image area is described comprising numerous pixels arranged in a raster-like manner which have at least three color levels which are formed by flat transparent chambers. These chambers of the color levels are each connected to a reservoir whose content is electronically movable in such a way that colored fluid flows from the reservoir into the color level or from the color level into the reservoir. For visual and manufacturing-related reasons, the pixels and their color levels in the image plane have substantially the shape of an isosceles triangle and the channels for the supply of the colored fluids are flat and situated on the three different sides of the pixel. |
| US08384985B2 |
Transflective electrowetting display device
Transflective electrowetting display device comprising electrowetting elements, each having at least one reflective area and at least one transmissive area, whereby the surface of the at least one reflective area of the structured reflector is offset in the direction of the viewing side of the display device with respect to the at least one transmissive area of the structured reflector such that a thickness of the second fluid over the at least one transmissive area is greater than the thickness of the second fluid over the at least one reflective area. |
| US08384984B2 |
MEMS wavelength converting lighting device and associated methods
A lighting device is described for receiving source light within a predetermined source wavelength range, converting the source light into a converted light, and reflecting the converted light to a desired output direction. The lighting device may use a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) device to receive and redirect the source light to the desired output direction. A conversion coating may be applied to the operative surface of the MEMS device to convert the source light into a converted light. |
| US08384983B2 |
Electrochromic display device, fabrication method therefor, and driving method therefor
An electrochromic display device includes a display substrate, a counter substrate facing the display substrate, counter electrodes formed on the counter substrate, at least first and second display electrodes arranged between the display substrate and the counter electrodes, the first display electrode and the second display electrode having a predetermined distance from each other, a first electrochromic layer arranged on the first display electrode and a second electrochromic layer arranged on the second display electrode, an electrolyte layer arranged between the respective first and the second display electrodes and the counter electrodes, and a protective layer made of an insulator material formed on a counter electrode facing side surface of one of the first and the second display electrodes such that the protective layer is sandwiched between the selected one of the first and the second display electrodes and a corresponding one of the first and the second electrochromic layers. |
| US08384979B2 |
Writing device including display panel and stylus
A writing device includes a display panel, a stylus, a transparent first electrode layer and a second electrode layer. The display panel includes a displaying layer and a first light source. The displaying layer consists essentially of a photochromic material reversibly transformable between a first state of an electroluminescent material, and a second state of a non-electroluminescent material. The first light source is configured for emitting light to the displaying layer to transform the displaying layer into the second state. The stylus includes a second light source configured for emitting light to illuminate portions of the displaying layer, thus transforming the illuminated portions of the displaying layer into the first state. The first and second electrode layers attached on opposite sides of the displaying layer are configured to excite the illuminated portions of the displaying layer in the first state to emit light. |
| US08384967B2 |
Image scanning device, image forming apparatus, and light source failure detection method
An image scanning device includes lighting circuits; a light source including light-emitting elements arranged in a line such that the light-emitting elements connected in series to the same lighting circuit are not positioned adjacent to each other; a reflecting part; a photoelectric conversion unit photoelectrically converting reflected light from the reflecting part; a lighting control unit selectively turning on one of the lighting circuits; a memory storing an area information table containing information on main-scanning areas of the photoelectric conversion unit in association with identification information of the lighting circuits; and a failure determining unit identifying the main-scanning areas corresponding to the identification information of the turned-on lighting circuit by referring to the area information table and comparing intensities of the reflected light entering the identified main-scanning areas with a first threshold to determine whether the light-emitting elements connected to the turned-on lighting circuit are at fault. |
| US08384964B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
Each object in input image data is separated into an area by an image area separation unit. An area determined to be a character area based on the image area separation processing is smoothened by an MTF correction unit. The resulting data is then binarized by a binarizing unit. The binarized data is split according to types of objects, and characters and line drawings are vectorized and stored in a storage unit. Alternatively, the characters and line drawings are printed out. |
| US08384961B2 |
Method of creating color-mapping lookup table and color-mapping method using the same
Disclosed is a method of creating a color-mapping lookup table and a color-mapping method using the same. The method of creating a color-mapping lookup table includes; obtaining color-space data for respective solid colors specified as lattice points of the color-mapping lookup table, obtaining color-space data for respective achromatic colors specified as lattice points of the color-mapping lookup table, and tabulating the color-space data for the respective solid colors specified as the lattice points and the color-space for the respective achromatic colors specified as the lattice points. Therefore, the methods can create a color-mapping LUT in which significant colors such as solid colors or achromatic colors are specified as lattice points, so that significant colors are more optimally reproduced since device data for the significant colors are not calculated through interpolation. |
| US08384959B2 |
Threshold matrix generating method, image data generating method, image data generating apparatus, image recording apparatus and recording medium
In a matrix area, a plurality of linear areas each of which extends in a tilt direction tilted relatively to row and column directions are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the tilt direction without spaces, and the plurality of linear areas are alternatively assigned to first and second element groups along an arrangement direction. One element is specified in each element group, and subsequently a process of specifying an element farthest from the specified elements is repeated, to acquire a turn-on order of dots with increase in gray level in one grayscale range and a turn-off order of dots with decrease in gray level in the remaining grayscale range, and a threshold value of each element is determined according to these orders. Thus, generated is a threshold matrix capable of reducing graininess in a halftone image with directionality in the tilt direction, and improving the reproduction of thin lines and characters. |
| US08384956B2 |
Image processing apparatus generating an image processing flow for each segmented block of image data and corresponding, image processing method, and storage medium storing program instructing a computer to execute the method
An image processing method includes: selecting an image processing module for each attribute associated with a block of image data in accordance with the content of image processing made to correspond to the attribute; generating an image processing flow for each block by use of the selected image processing module; and determining whether the image processing flow can be constructed in an image processing area. When it is determined that a processing area of the image processing flow cannot be constructed in the image processing area, the method selects an image processing flow having an image processing module which is not contained in the other image processing flows from among a plurality of the image processing flows the blocks, the selected image processing flow being constructed in the image processing area such that the processing area of the image processing flow is included in the image processing area. |
| US08384951B2 |
Image generating devices and printing devices that generate gradations using symmetry and methods for generating gradations using symmetry
An image generating device for generating a gradation in which the color value changes from a center of the gradation through multiple areas includes an acquisition unit that acquires parameters representing a gradation pattern including the center and shape of the gradation, a symmetry judgment unit that judges whether the gradation symmetry is satisfied (condition that the shape has line symmetry or point symmetry and the gradation center is on a line symmetry axis or at the center of point symmetry), an area determination unit that determines a partial area usable for generating a whole gradation using the gradation symmetry if the gradation symmetry is judged to be satisfied, a drawing unit that draws the gradation in the partial area based on the parameters, and a gradation development unit that develops the drawn gradation into the whole gradation using the gradation symmetry. |
| US08384948B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method using multi-processor
An image forming apparatus including a multi-processor and an image forming method thereof. The apparatus includes a data processing unit to divide input print data into a plurality of divided print data according to a predetermined criterion and to simultaneously process the plurality of divided print data using a multi-processor, and an image forming unit to form an image corresponding to the processed print data. |
| US08384943B2 |
Image processing apparatus, control method of image processing apparatus, and storage medium for managing images in a multi-image file
It enables even by an image forming apparatus which does not have a function to recognize an image other than a leading image included in a multi-image file to print the image other than the leading image. To do so, there is provided a control method which comprises: outputting the image included in the multi-image file of a format in which the leading image can be processed by an image processing apparatus which does not deal with the multi-image file but an image other than the leading image cannot be processed by the image processing apparatus which does not deal with the multi-image file; and replacing, in a case where an output instruction to output, among the plural images included in the multi-image file, the image other than the leading image has been accepted, the image to which the output instruction has been accepted with the leading image. |
| US08384941B2 |
System and method for enabling an environmentally informed printer choice at job submission time
A system and method for facilitating environmentally informed print job selection are provided. The method includes assigning a status to each of a set of networked printers, the status of an operational printer denoting a printer as being one of at least awake, asleep, and waking up soon. The assigned status is provided to a graphical user interface, enabling a user to compare the status and/or environmental costs of printing with user selectable ones of the set of printers. |
| US08384939B2 |
Document imaging system and method
A document imaging system is configured to allow scanning and transmission of document images. A scanner system images a document and wirelessly transmits the image to a personal digital assistant (PDA). The PDA transmits the image to a document server located on a network. An authenticated user may then retrieve a scanned document image from the document server via the network. Because the scanner system and/or PDA may be located in a remote location, remote documents may be quickly presented for viewing by a user. |
| US08384937B2 |
Image forming system, image forming apparatus, control method for image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus, control method for information processing apparatus, and storage medium storing control program thereof, that determine whether detected wireless communication speed is sufficient for successful printing
An image forming system capable of determining whether a detected communication speed reaches a communication speed needed for printing the received printing data successfully according to printing ability of an image forming apparatus. A detection unit detects a communication speed of wireless communication executed between the image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus. An obtainment unit obtains a communication speed needed so that the image forming apparatus successfully prints the print data that is received by using wireless communication according to a printing ability of the image forming apparatus. A determination unit determines whether the communication speed detected by the detection unit reaches the communication speed obtained by the obtainment unit or not. A notification unit notifies a user that the detected communication speed is insufficient when the determination unit determines that the communication speed detected by the detection unit does not reach the communication speed obtained by the obtainment unit. |
| US08384935B2 |
Information processing device for reproducing contents information
An information processing device includes a plurality of modules for realizing a plurality of functions. The information processing device reproduces contents information and expects information which is to be inputted based on the functions relating to the reproduced contents information. Further, based on the expected information, the information processing device controls operations of at least some of the plurality of modules. |
| US08384934B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method thereof
An image processing apparatus, which includes an input unit configured to input image data and which is communicably connected to multiple external apparatuses via a network, which obtains a document with a predetermined form via the network from one of the multiple external apparatuses and transmits the image data input by the input unit according to instructions from a user based on the predetermined form. Also, in the case that the predetermined form described in the obtained document is recognized as a form to request input of image data, determines whether transmission of the image data should be restricted according to transmission destination of the image data transmitted, and based on the determining results, a control unit restricts transmission of the image data. |
| US08384932B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method thereof
Prior to image output of output information, printing information is analyzed and an important inspection processing item regarding inspection to be performed on the image output, and an inspection point, are selected. Inspection instruction information including the important inspection processing item and the inspection point that have been selected is generated for inspection of the output results which are image-output. The generated inspection instruction information is then output. |
| US08384926B2 |
Method for displaying state of processing data
A method for displaying a progress state of processing data and a host computer for implementing the method is provided. Further, a method for displaying a plurality of progress states of processing data and a host computer for implementing the method is provided. According to the method, at least more than a signal representing a plurality of progress states of processing data are generated, and a plurality of progress states of processing data are respectively displayed according to the generated signals. The method displays a progress state of the image data reception and a progress state of processing the image data by using a plurality of progress bars, respectively, so that a user may easily check the progress state of the reception of the image data and the progress state of the image process of the image data. |
| US08384917B2 |
Font reproduction in electronic documents
A method, system, and computer program product for font reproduction in electronic documents are provided. The method includes: receiving an image of a printed document; extracting pairs of consecutive characters from the image of the printed document; storing the extracted pairs as images of the characters; and reproducing the printed document as an electronic document with text of overlapping extracted character pair images. Extracting pairs of consecutive characters includes extracting adjacent horizontal characters, extracting spaced horizontal characters, and extracting spaced vertical characters. Reproducing the printed document as an electronic document includes reproducing the spacing between words and between lines using the spaced horizontal characters and the spaced vertical characters as anchors in the reproduced document. |
| US08384914B2 |
Device for optically scanning and measuring an environment
In a laser scanner for optically scanning and measuring an environment, the scanner having a center which defines for a scan the stationary reference system of the scanner and the center of the scan, a light emitter which emits an emission light beam, a light receiver which receives a reception light beam reflected by an object in the environment of the scanner, a control and evaluation unit which determines, for a multitude of measuring points of the scan, at least the distance between the center of the scan and the object, the scanner, for registering a scene with several scans having different centers, being movable between the centers of the scans, and a scanner mouse for registering the path followed by the scanner between the different centers of the scans, the scanner mouse optically registering the movement of the laser scanner relative to a reference surface. |
| US08384913B2 |
Measuring method and measuring device
The invention provides a measuring method for installing a measuring rod 6 in a predetermined relation with respect to a coordinate system set to a mobile object 1, for transcribing a predetermined position of the measuring rod on a ground surface where the mobile object is set, for transcribing a measuring point of an object to be measured as set on the mobile object to the ground surface, for measuring a distance on the ground surface between the transcribed predetermined position and the transcribed measuring point, for obtaining a relation between the measuring point and the measuring rod on the ground based on a result of distance measurement, and for obtaining a position on a horizontal coordinate plane in the coordinate system of the measuring point based on the obtained relation and on the relation with the measuring rod with respect to the coordinate system, and the invention also provides a method for measuring a vertical distance between the predetermined position and the ground surface and a vertical distance between the measuring point and the ground surface, and for measuring three-dimensional position of the measuring point in the coordinate system. |
| US08384911B2 |
Measurement device and measurement method
A measurement device includes a pattern light characteristic setting unit configured to set illumination light having a pattern light characteristic to be projected onto a measurement object, a reflected light measurement unit configured to measure reflected light when the measurement object is irradiated with the illumination light on, an image feature extraction unit configured to extract from the measured reflected light an image feature based on a physical characteristic of the measurement object, a feature distribution calculation unit configured to calculate a distribution characteristic for each local region of the image feature, and a pattern light control unit configured to control the pattern light characteristic of the illumination light, which includes a pattern light characteristic for distance measurement and a pattern light characteristic for image feature extraction, based on the calculated distribution characteristic for each local region. |
| US08384909B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing optical imaging using frequency-domain interferometry
An apparatus and method are provided. In particular, at least one first electro-magnetic radiation may be provided to a sample and at least one second electro-magnetic radiation can be provided to a non-reflective reference. A frequency of the first and/or second radiations varies over time. An interference is detected between at least one third radiation associated with the first radiation and at least one fourth radiation associated with the second radiation. Alternatively, the first electro-magnetic radiation and/or second electro-magnetic radiation have a spectrum which changes over time. The spectrum may contain multiple frequencies at a particular time. In addition, it is possible to detect the interference signal between the third radiation and the fourth radiation in a first polarization state. Further, it may be preferable to detect a further interference signal between the third and fourth radiations in a second polarization state which is different from the first polarization state. The first and/or second electro-magnetic radiations may have a spectrum whose mean frequency changes substantially continuously over time at a tuning speed that is greater than 100 Tera Hertz per millisecond. |
| US08384903B2 |
Detection system for nanometer scale topographic measurements of reflective surfaces
A linear position array detector system is provided which imparts light energy to a surface of a specimen, such as a semiconductor wafer, receives light energy from the specimen surface and monitors deviation of the retro or reflected beam from that expected to map the contours on the specimen surface. The retro beam will, with ideal optical alignment, return along the same path as the incident beam if and only if the surface is normal to the beam. The system has a measurement device or sensor within the path of the retro or reflected beam to measure deviation of the retro beam from expected. The sensor is preferably a multiple element array of detector-diodes aligned in a linear fashion. A unique weighting and summing scheme is provided which increases the mechanical dynamic range while preserving sensitivity. The system further includes a bright field Nomarski Differential Interference Contrast sensor used to split the beam into two beams and for scanning in an orientation orthogonal to the orientation of the optical lever created by the system. |
| US08384900B2 |
Exposure apparatus
An exposure apparatus includes a controller configured to calculate a position of an alignment mark detected by a detector, to approximate a deformation of a substrate by using an approximation equation, to calculate a correction amount of each of the plurality of shots, and to control driving of a stage in exposing each shot based on a correction amount that is calculated. The approximation equation is defined as a sum of a first term representative of a deformation of the entire substrate, and at least one of a second term representative of a distortion of a shot arrangement and a third term representative of a shot shape. |
| US08384899B2 |
DNA sequencing system
An apparatus for detecting labeled beads is provided. The apparatus can include: one or more irradiation sources disposed for irradiating the one or more detection zones with radiation; at least one detector disposed for collecting charges corresponding to light signals emitted from labeled beads in the one or more detection zones, which have been excited by the radiation; and a system coupled to the at least one detector for effecting time delay integration of the charges by accumulating the charges before reading the charges at the output of the at least one detector. |
| US08384895B2 |
Spectrometer flip top sample head
A spectrometer sample head including a housing, at least one source of radiation in the housing, and a flip top sample cell. First and second hinged plates each include a window aligned with each other when the plate are coupled together. The housing includes a channel for receiving the plates when coupled together for placing the sample in the optical path of the radiation. |
| US08384892B2 |
Surface enhanced raman spectroscopy on optical resonator (e.g., photonic crystal) surfaces
Highly sensitive Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) sensors are described in the form of a optical resonator and a metal nanostructure deposited on surface of the optical resonator. In one embodiment the optical resonator is in the form of a photonic crystal, but other optical resonators are contemplated. Examples are described in which the resonant near-fields of a large-area replica molded photonic crystal efficiently couples light from a laser to dielectric-metal “post-cap” nanostructures deposited on the photonic crystal surface by a glancing angle evaporation technique, achieving a high SERS enhancement factor. Other constructions are also contemplated a metal nanostructure formed on a dielectric support deposited on the photonic crystal, including a metallic film deposited over close-packed surface of nanospheres, arrays of metallic nanotriangles, metallic nanorods, metallic nanohelices, arrays of metallic nanospheres, and roughened metal surfaces. |
| US08384888B2 |
Mask defect measurement method, mask quality determination and method, and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
A method for measuring a shape of a phase defect existing on an exposure mask includes making inspection light incident on the mask, measuring the intensity of light scattered in an angular range in which the width of an scattering area on the phase defect can be predicted, calculating a radius of the phase defect based on the measured scattered light intensity, changing the angular range of scattered light to be measured, remeasuring scattered light intensity in the thus changed angular range, and calculating a scattering cross-sectional area based on the scattered light intensity obtained by remeasurement. A process of remeasuring the scattered light intensity and calculating the scattering cross-sectional area is repeatedly performed until the remeasured scattered light intensity is saturated and the shape of the phase defect is determined by using the calculated radius of the phase defect and each of the calculated scattering cross-sectional areas. |
| US08384887B2 |
Methods and systems for inspection of a specimen using different inspection parameters
Methods and systems for inspection of a specimen using different parameters are provided. One computer-implemented method includes determining optimal parameters for inspection based on selected defects. This method also includes setting parameters of an inspection system at the optimal parameters prior to inspection. Another method for inspecting a specimen includes illuminating the specimen with light having a wavelength below about 350 nm and with light having a wavelength above about 350 nm. The method also includes processing signals representative of light collected from the specimen to detect defects or process variations on the specimen. One system configured to inspect a specimen includes a first optical subsystem coupled to a broadband light source and a second optical subsystem coupled to a laser. The system also includes a third optical subsystem configured to couple light from the first and second optical subsystems to an objective, which focuses the light onto the specimen. |
| US08384885B2 |
Personal identification system
A personal identification system, which uses a vein pattern of a finger, optimizes the amount of light of a light source based on a captured finger image and emphasizes the vein pattern during image processing for identification. |
| US08384884B2 |
Range finder
A range finder 100 includes a transmission optical system 20 that transmits signal light toward a target object, a detection optical system 30 that has a different optical axis from that of the transmission optical system and detects the signal light reflected from the target object, and a photodetector 12 that is disposed on an imaging surface of the detection optical system. A distance to the target object is measured on the basis of a time difference between a transmission time and a detection time of the signal light. The detection optical system 30 includes a variable focal length optical system 14 that makes the focal length of the detection optical system variable, thereby providing a range finder capable of measuring a distance to a target object that locates from further away to nearer by using a photodetector having the same size. |
| US08384880B2 |
Exposure method, substrate stage, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate. |
| US08384879B2 |
Optical position sensor, a position sensitive detector, a lithographic apparatus and a method for determining an absolute position of a movable object to be used in a relative position measurement system
A sensor includes a semiconductor body having a top and bottom surface, a first doped surface oriented region of a first conductivity type at the top surface, and a second doped surface oriented region of a second and opposite conductivity type at the bottom surface, wherein a sensitive area is defined where the first region overlaps with the second region. A resistive layer is partially arranged in the sensitive area. The sensor includes two first electrode contacts and two second electrode contacts, wherein the first electrode contacts are placed on the resistive layer to define a first detection area in the sensitive area between the first electrode contacts, and wherein the second electrode contacts are placed partially in the sensitive area on the bottom surface of the body, the surfaces of the second electrodes in the sensitive area defining a second detection area that overlaps with the first detection area. |
| US08384875B2 |
Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and method for producing device
An exposure apparatus includes a mask-moving section movable in a first direction while holding a mask formed with a pattern; an illumination system which forms first and second illumination areas separated each other by a spacing distance in the first direction; a substrate-moving section movable in a second direction while holding a photosensitive substrate; a projection optical system which forms first and second projected images of the patterns of the first and second illumination areas; and a restricting section which restricts the first and second projected images to be within first and second projection areas respectively. A spacing distance between a first conjugate area with the first projection area and a second conjugate area with the second projection area is set to be such a spacing distance that scanning exposures are successively performed for first and second transfer areas provided adjacently in the second direction. |
| US08384874B2 |
Immersion exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method to detect if liquid on base member
An exposure apparatus which prevents the damage due to the liquid having flowed out from spreading and enables satisfactory performances of the exposure processes and the measurement processes is provided. An exposure apparatus (EX) includes a movable table (PT), a base member (41) having an upper surface (41A) that guides the movement of the table (PT), and a detecting device (60) that detects whether there is a liquid on the upper surface (41A) of the base member (41). |
| US08384873B2 |
Drill for repairing point defect in liquid crystal device and method of manufacturing liquid crystal device
A drill 40 for repairing a point defect in a liquid crystal device 10 in accordance with the present invention is the drill 40 for cutting the glass substrate 11 included in the liquid crystal device 10 so as to repair the point defect in the liquid crystal device 10. The drill 40 is characterized by having a point angle PA from 130 to 180 deg. |
| US08384871B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus and method for manufacturing the same
In a liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus and a method for manufacturing the LCD apparatus, the LCD apparatus includes first and second substrates, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrates. The first substrate includes a transparent insulating substrate, a conductive layer formed over an entire surface of the transparent insulating substrate, and a transparent conductive electrode formed on the conductive layer. |
| US08384870B2 |
Display substrate, method of manufacturing the same and display panel having the display substrate
A display substrate includes a first switching element, a second switching element, a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode, a main storage electrode and a sub-storage electrode. The first switching element is connected to a data line and a first gate line. The second switching element is connected to the data line and a second gate line adjacent to the first gate line. The first pixel electrode is electrically connected to the first switching element. The second pixel electrode is electrically connected to the second switching element. The main storage electrode is disposed in an area between the first pixel electrode and the second electrode to overlap with first ends of the first and second pixel electrodes. The sub-storage electrode is spaced apart from the first and second gate lines. |
| US08384865B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display is provided that includes first and second panels facing each other, an alignment layer disposed on at least one of the first and second panels, a fixing member disposed on the surface of the alignment layer to fix the alignment structure of the alignment layer, and liquid crystal materials disposed between the first and second panels. The liquid crystal materials include liquid crystal molecules that have a pre-tilt angle and are disposed on the alignment layer. |
| US08384861B2 |
Diffractive liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display (LCD) comprises a light source; a light diffractor over the light source configured to diffract light received from the light source; a liquid crystal diffraction grating over the light diffractor and between liquid crystal pixel structures comprising a plurality of liquid crystal pixels; the liquid crystal diffraction grating has a changed diffraction index in response to application of a voltage differential across the diffraction grating, and when having the changed diffraction index aligns diffracted light received from the light diffractor into aligned light directed toward the liquid crystal pixel structure. An LCD may comprise a plurality of liquid crystal pixels each comprising a reflective part and a transmissive part, the reflective part of at least some of the plurality of liquid crystal pixels comprising a retroreflector configured to reflect at least some light rays, received from an external light source, toward the external light source. |
| US08384857B2 |
Color filter substrate with part of spacer disposed above color filter pattern protrusion and liquid crystal display panel
A color filter substrate disposed with a spacer is provided. The color filter substrate includes a light shielding layer and a plurality of striped color filter pattern. The light shielding layer is disposed on a substrate and defines a plurality of sub pixel regions and a plurality of light shield regions. The striped color filter patterns partially cover the light shielding regions and the sub pixel regions. Each striped color filter pattern includes a protrusion portion extending to the light shielding regions, and part of the spacer is disposed above the protrusion portion. |
| US08384856B2 |
Color filter substrate and display device
A color filter substrate and a display device are each capable of reducing color separation of a straight line displayed with a mixed color and particularly color separation of a straight white line displayed with a mixed color on a black background. The color filter substrate is a color filter substrate including colored layers of at least four colors, arrayed inside a pixel region, wherein at least one pair of colored layers that are not next to each other when the colored layers of all the colors are arrayed in order of hue is adjacently arranged to each other inside the pixel region. |
| US08384854B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus having grids
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a backlight unit, a second polarization layer, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the backlight unit and the second polarization layer, a first polarization layer disposed between the backlight unit and the liquid crystal layer. In an embodiment, a surface of the first polarization layer facing the backlight unit includes a reflective surface and a surface of the first polarization layer facing the backlight unit includes an absorbent surface. In another embodiment, the first polarization layer includes grids, which include a metal, and absorbing members, which include dielectric materials. In another embodiment, the first polarization layer includes grids, each of which includes a first component including a dielectric material and a second component including a metal. |
| US08384853B2 |
Display and viewing angle control element used for same
It is an object to provide a display that can reliably shield visible light in the entire wavelength regions when viewed from an oblique direction and a viewing angle control element used for the display. A viewing angle control liquid crystal panel (2) is comprised of a liquid crystal cell (21) and an emission-side polarizing plate (22). When light having a part of wavelength components (R,G) in the visible wavelength regions enters at least at a predetermined angle, the liquid crystal cell (21) provides the incident light with a phase difference so as to function as a first light-shielding layer that shields the light of the R and G components not to pass through the emission-side polarizing plate (22). A retardation plate (4) and a polarizing plate (5) function as auxiliary light-shielding layers, more specifically, when the light that has passed through the first light-shielding layer enters at least at the predetermined angle, the retardation plate (4) provides the light with a phase difference so that at least light having a wavelength component (B) is shielded and thus not transmitted by the polarizing plate (5). |
| US08384852B2 |
Hybrid daylight-coupled backlights for sunlight viewable displays
An daylight-coupled display includes a plurality of passive backlights cascaded in a stack for backlighting of LCD panels or static display panels. The display includes a diffuser to transmit light to multiple cascaded curved reflectors, each of which reflects light for backlighting of the display. A polarization rotator is located within the backlight such that the reflectors provide the correct polarization of light to the LCD panel for backlighting of it. One daylight-coupled display can include an active light source to provide light to the reflectors A secondary light source can provide light to at least one of the reflectors to provide backlighting of the display in low lighting conditions. |
| US08384847B2 |
Prism sheet having wet-out property and LCD back light unit thereby
A prism sheet, capable of enhancing wet-out ability in a whole back light unit while maintaining center brightness, transmittance and haze in good condition, is disclosed. The prism sheet includes a base film made of a transparent material and having a flat first surface, and a light refracting part including a plurality of unit prisms unitarily formed with the base film on a second surface of the base film, opposite to the flat first surface. The unit prisms have a predetermined shape of a cross section, and are arranged with orientation. When an angle formed between a ridge of the unit prism of the light refracting part and a normal line of the flat first surface is defined as θn, θn and θn+1 have different values from each other, and n is an integer more than 2. An LCD back light unit using the above prism sheet is also disclosed. |
| US08384846B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display having the same
A backlight unit including: a light emitting diode (LED) module including a metal substrate and an LED which is disposed on a first side of the metal substrate; a frame on which the LED module is mounted; a first mounting portion formed lengthwise on the LED module; and a second mounting portion formed on the frame, the second mounting portion remaining within a width of the LED module. |
| US08384844B2 |
Flat display panels, methods and apparatuses to repair the same
When a defective pixel causing light leakage is detected in a flat display panel, an optical modulation region is formed in a substrate by emitting a laser beam such that a virtual image is displayed at a position corresponding to the defective pixel. Accordingly, quality of the flat display panel may be improved thereby increasing manufacturing process yield. |
| US08384833B2 |
Television and electronic device
According to one embodiment, a television includes a housing includes a light-transmitting portion, a control part provided on an inner surface of the housing, a first light-emitting diode provided on the inner surface of the housing and configured to emit light towards the light-transmitting portion as controlled by the control part and a wiring provided on the inner surface of the housing and configured to connect the control part and the first light-emitting diode to each other. |
| US08384832B2 |
Systems and methods for partitioned color, double rate video transfer
Systems, methods and devices provide for fast and power efficient transfer of three color data words (e.g., a M-bit red color word, a M bit green color word and a M-bit blue color word) per pixel from a controller to a laser diode driver (LDD). First and second transfer words are produced based on the three color data words. The first transfer word is transferred from the controller to the LDD and stored at LDD in response to a low-to-high portion of a cycle of a data transfer clock, and the second transfer word is transferred and stored in response to a high-to-low portion of a cycle of the data transfer clock. The first, second and third color data words are reproduced by the LDD in dependence on the first and second received transfer words. First, second and third DACs of the LDD are driven with the first color data word, the second color data word, and the third color data word. Three light sources (e.g., red, green and blue laser diodes or LEDs) are driven with output currents of the DACs. |
| US08384826B2 |
Image displaying device and method, and image processing device and method
Deterioration of the image quality of a moving image which is deteriorated due to a motion-compensated frame rate conversion (FRC) processing is prevented. An image display device comprises an FRC portion (10) for converting the number of frames of an input image signal by interpolating an image signal to which the motion compensation processing is performed between frames of the input image signal and a controlling portion (15) for controlling the operation of the FRC portion (10) after determining whether or not the degree of deterioration of the input image signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The FRC portion (10) comprises a motion vector detecting portion (11e) for detecting a motion vector between frames of the input image signal, an interpolating vector evaluating portion (11f) for allocating an interpolating vector between the frames based on the motion vector information, and an interpolating frame generating portion (12d) for generating an interpolating frame from the interpolating vector. If the degree of deterioration of the input image signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the controlling portion (15) makes the motion compensation of the FRC portion (10) ineffective by setting the motion vector detected by the motion vector detecting portion (11e) to a zero vector. |
| US08384823B2 |
Method and apparatus for maximizing the sustainable flash of a handheld portable electronic device
A method and apparatus for maintaining a maximum sustained flash current over the whole length of a flash using a programmable current drive in a handheld portable device powered by a battery. The method involves measuring the battery voltage before and after a flash is initiated and calculating the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the battery. The calculated ESR is then used to adjust the flash current. The process may be repeated to correct for errors in the flash current. |
| US08384813B2 |
Suspending column addressing in image sensors
An image sensor includes a two-dimensional array of pixels having multiple column outputs and an output circuit connected to each column output. Each output circuit is configured to operate concurrent sample and read operations. A timing generator outputs a column address sequence that is received by a column decoder that is electrically connected to each output circuit. The timing generator suspends the output of the column address sequence during a sample operation and resumes the output of the column address sequence at the end of the sample operation. |
| US08384809B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and method of manufacturing the same, and imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes: a semiconductor substrate; and a plurality of pixels arrayed two-dimensionally in the semiconductor substrate, each of the pixels having a photoelectric conversion element that performs photoelectric conversion, the photoelectric conversion element having a first impurity region, formed in the semiconductor substrate, containing an impurity of a first conductivity type; a second impurity region formed in the semiconductor substrate so as to be in contact with the first impurity region, containing an impurity of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type; and a PN junction portion in which the first impurity region and the second impurity region are in contact with each other, formed in a protruding shape projecting toward a surface side of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08384806B2 |
Black level control apparatus and method
A black level control apparatus and method, particularly for a high-speed video camera (8). The apparatus (10,100) comprises an image signal channel (30,130) for receiving an image signal having a black level from an image sensing device (22,122); a black level sensing device (24,124) for generating a black level signal; a black level signal channel (40,140), independent from the image signal channel, for receiving the black level signal from the black level sensing device; a black level controller (60,160) for receiving an input signal based on the black level signal, measuring a difference between the input signal and a reference signal, generating a control signal based on the difference, outputting the control signal to the image signal channel to adjust the black level of the image signal, and feeding the control signal to the black level signal channel, such that the input signal is based on the black level signal and the control signal. |
| US08384805B2 |
Image processing device, method, and computer-readable medium for executing pixel value correction in a synthesized image
An image processing device includes an image correction unit which receives a synthesized image and pseudo color pixel information indicating a pseudo color pixel position included in the synthesized image and executes pixel value correction. The image correction unit selects non-pseudo color pixels as reference pixels from a reference region set in a surrounding region of the pixel to be corrected, sets a similarity weight coefficient in which a large weight is set as a pixel value of the reference pixel that is close to a pixel value of the pixel to be corrected and a pixel position weight coefficient in which a large weight is set as the pixel value of the reference pixel that is near a pixel position of the pixel to be corrected, with respect to the reference pixels, and determines a correction pixel value of the pixel to be corrected by a weighted summation process. |
| US08384802B2 |
Image generating apparatus and image regenerating apparatus
An image generating apparatus generating image data of a plurality of different viewpoints, comprises: a file converting device which records the image data of each viewpoint in a general-purpose image file format, and records moving image regeneration information including a regeneration time interval for regenerating each image as a moving image, and viewpoint information for regenerating each image as a three-dimensional image in a file header portion at the beginning of the general-purpose image file. By recording an image of a plurality of viewpoints along with the viewpoint information in a general-purpose moving image format, the exclusive-use regenerating apparatus becomes able to regenerate and display a three-dimensional image and a moving image, and the general-purpose regenerating apparatus becomes able to regenerate as a moving image. |
| US08384800B2 |
Methods of acquiring images
Example embodiments are directed to time division of an exposure for image acquisition. More specifically, example embodiments reduce flicker in images taken with an image sensor, such as a CMOS image sensor. At least one example embodiment discloses a method of acquiring an image with an image sensor. The method includes determining, by a controller of the image sensor, an exposure time for image acquisition and dividing, by the controller, the exposure time into at least two active time intervals. The at least two active time intervals are separated by at least one inactive time interval. |
| US08384796B2 |
Methods and systems for automatic white balance
A method for compensating an automatic white balance (AWB) reference generated for a first image sensor is provided that includes computing a red adjustment factor, a green adjustment factor, and a blue adjustment factor based on an average red value, an average green value, and an average blue value of the first image sensor and an average red value, an average green value, and an average blue value of a second image sensor, and modifying a red value, a green value, a blue value, and chromaticity values of the AWB reference based on the red adjustment factor, the green adjustment factor, and the blue adjustment factor to generate a compensated reference for the second image sensor. A method for tuning AWB references based on changes in chromaticity values of the references is also provided. |
| US08384795B2 |
Digital image signal processing method and apparatus, and medium having recorded thereon the method
Provided are a digital image signal processing method including determining a saturation condition by comparing a delta between a plurality of pieces of image data of an input image exhibiting different color components with a standard for white scene recognition, determining a bright condition by using a distribution of grey levels of the input image, and determining that the input image is a white scene when the input image satisfies the saturation condition and the bright condition, and a digital image signal apparatus for executing the method, and a medium having recorded thereon the method. Thus, a white scene is quickly and accurately determined. And settings of the digital image signal processing apparatus can be properly set for capturing the white scene. |
| US08384789B2 |
Sensor array module with wide angle, and image calibration method, operation method and application for the same
A sensor array module with wide angle for creating a composite image includes a first image sensor, a second image sensor, a storage unit and a processor. The first image sensor is for capturing a first image. The second image sensor is for capturing a second image and has a relative spatial relationship with respective to the first image sensor. The storage unit stores at least one transformation matrix obtained according to the relative spatial relationship between the first and the second image sensors. The processor combines the first image and the second image by using the transformation matrix to create the composite image. The present invention also provides an image calibration method, an operation method and an application for a sensor array module with wide angle. |
| US08384786B2 |
Method for compensating for vibration and imaging apparatus using the same
A method of compensating for vibration and an imaging apparatus are provided. The method of compensating for vibration includes determining whether a vibration compensation starting condition is satisfied, and starting compensating for vibration prior to operating a shutter, if the vibration compensation starting condition is satisfied. Accordingly, a shutter lag is reduced and power consumption is reduced, and accuracy of vibration compensation is improved. |
| US08384782B2 |
Apparatus and method for displaying bird's eye view image of around vehicle to facilitate perception of three dimensional obstacles present on a seam of an image
The present invention features an apparatus and method for displaying a bird's eye view image of around a vehicle in a relatively simple manner without causing a large amount of processing load, in which a driver can easily perceive a three-dimensional obstacle placed adjacent to a seam. |
| US08384780B1 |
Infrared camera systems and methods for maritime applications
Systems and methods disclosed herein provide for some embodiments infrared camera systems for maritime applications. For example in one embodiment, a watercraft includes a plurality of image capture components coupled to the watercraft to capture infrared images around at least a substantial portion of a perimeter of the watercraft; a memory component adapted to store the captured infrared images; a processing component adapted to process the captured infrared images according to a man overboard mode of operation to provide processed infrared images and determine if a person falls from the watercraft; and a display component adapted to display the processed infrared images. |
| US08384774B2 |
Glasses for viewing stereo images
Spectacles are disclosed for use in viewing images or videos, and include at least two lenses each having an adjustable optical property and an image capture device associated with the spectacles for receiving a digital image comprising a plurality of digital image channels each containing multiple pixels. The spectacles further include the image capture device for capturing a digital image and a processor for computing a feature vector from pixel values of the digital image channels wherein the feature vector includes information that would indicate whether the image is an anaglyph or a non-anaglyph image. |
| US08384773B2 |
Method and system for displaying an image in three dimensions
A method and system for displaying an image in three dimensions during a frame period. The method includes generating a left image sub-frame and a right image sub-frame. The left image sub-frame defines a visual perspective of a left eye and the right image sub-frame defines a visual perspective of a right eye for the image. The method further includes displaying the left image sub-frame utilizing a first plurality of colors and displaying the right image sub-frame utilizing a second plurality of colors. The first plurality of colors is distinct from the second plurality of colors. |
| US08384772B2 |
Three-dimensional image display device and three-dimensional image display method
It is made possible to provide a three-dimensional image display device by which an alarm image with high visibility can be displayed at the end of the viewing zone in a parallel-ray one-dimensional IP system, without a reduction of the viewing zone or a decrease in processing speed. A three-dimensional image display device includes: an elemental image display unit that has pixels arranged in a matrix form in a display plane, and displays elemental images; an optical plate that is placed to face the elemental image display unit, has optical apertures that extend linearly in a vertical direction and are arranged at regular intervals in a horizontal direction, and controls light rays from the elemental image display unit; and an image data converting unit that converts image data so that single-color portions having periodically varying widths are inserted to boundary portions between the elemental images, the width varying with locations in the elemental image display unit, the inserted single-color portions being asymmetrical in the entire elemental image display unit. |
| US08384771B1 |
Method and apparatus for three dimensional viewing of images
A method, apparatus and computer program product for three dimensional viewing of images is presented. Embodiments of the invention provide a process for combining slices generated by medical imaging devices to create a volume of interest and then present this volume in a three-dimensional representation to a head display unit so that the user can obtain a holistic view of the patient. Key image processing techniques are applied which enable the user to rotate and view the volume of interest from alternative viewpoints; to enable tissue subtraction to facilitate unobstructed viewing of a region of interest; to identify differing tissues with color schematics; and to zoom in for optimal viewing. |
| US08384770B2 |
Image display system, image display apparatus, and image display method
A hand-held image display apparatus includes a touch panel, a stereoscopic display apparatus, a first imaging section, and a second imaging section. The hand-held image display apparatus detects a marker from a real world image shot by at least one of the first imaging section and the second imaging section, and determines the relative positions of a virtual object and a pair of virtual cameras with respect to each other in a virtual space, based on the result of the detection. Then, the hand-held image display apparatus superimposes virtual space images drawn based on the first virtual camera and the second virtual camera, onto the real world images shot by the first imaging section and the second imaging section, and displays images that are stereoscopically visible by naked eyes, on the stereoscopic display apparatus. |
| US08384767B2 |
Stereoscopic image pickup apparatus and method of adjusting optical axis
A stereoscopic camera includes first and second image pickup units, having respectively first and second optical axes, for photographing an object to form two image frames. Two angle adjusters make angle adjustment of the optical axes. An object detector detects a human face as a principal object in the two image frames. An arithmetic processor obtains a shift amount of the face between two image frames, and determines an axial correction angle according to the shift amount for the angle adjustment in consideration of the face. A checker checks whether the angle adjustment should be made for both optical axes or for one thereof. A controller operates at least one of the two angle adjusters according to the axial correction angle and in response to information from the checker, for positioning the face equally between the two image frames optically by adjusting the first and/or second optical axis. |
| US08384765B2 |
Transmitter, receiver, signal transmission system, and signal transmission method
A transmitter is provided. When a three-dimensional image signal including a two-dimensional image signal and depth information of the two-dimensional image signal is transmitted to a receiver using a two signal transmission lines, the three-dimensional image signal including the two-dimensional image signal and the depth information of the two-dimensional image signal is input. Also, signal separation of the two-dimensional image signal is performed. In addition, one signal-separated part of the two-dimensional image signal is transmitted to a first signal transmission line and the other signal-separated part of the two-dimensional image signal is combined with the depth information and then transmitted to a second signal transmission line. |
| US08384762B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying stereographic images of a region
The present invention relates to a method of displaying stereographic images of a region R. The method comprises: moving a vehicle (10) relative to the region, the vehicle carrying a camera system (12) for acquiring images I of the region; during movement of the vehicle relative to the region acquiring a series of temporally sequential multiple images (I1, I2, . . . ) of the region at respective multiple different spaced apart locations (L1, L2, . . . ) of the vehicle relative to the region; displaying successive stereographic images of the region during movement of the vehicle relative to the region. Each stereographic image comprises a first of said multiple images acquired at a first location and a second of said multiple images acquired at a second location which are temporally spaced apart in the series one from the other. The method comprises the step of varying the temporal spacing of the first of said multiple images and the second of said multiple images according to a velocity of the vehicle relative to the region so that the spatial separation between the first and the second locations is not less than a predetermined amount so that the stereographic images having a required depth can be displayed independent of the velocity of the vehicle relative to the region. |
| US08384759B2 |
Video conferencing apparatus and method for configuring a communication session
A method of setting up communication sessions in a telepresence call including a multiple point-to-point connections between at least two telepresence systems, wherein the information required for setting up the communication sessions is embedded in a control protocol message flow establishing a first communication session between the two telepresence systems. |
| US08384754B2 |
Method and system of providing lighting for videoconferencing
An approach provides lighting for a videoconferencing system to improve an image of a user of the videoconferencing system. Light is emitted onto the user of a videoconferencing system, and is controlled onto the user in conjunction with capturing of the image of the user by the videoconferencing system to improve the captured image. |
| US08384753B1 |
Managing multiple data sources
Devices for managing multiple data sources or networks are described herein. One such device may include a data source input module configured to input a plurality of signals, which may include video signals, from multiple local data sources. The device may further include an output module, which may receive the signals from the data source input module and output the signals onto a single display device. |
| US08384747B2 |
Autostereoscopic display apparatus and colour filter therefor
An autostereoscopic display apparatus includes a plurality of colored individually addressable display elements (2) arranged in an array of rows and columns. A lenticular sheet (15) includes a plurality of light directing elements, for example lenticular elements (16). A color order of the individually addressable display elements (2) in the row direction (4) provides triplets (21; 23; 24) of adjacent individually addressable display elements (2), each individually addressable display element (2) of a triplet (21; 23; 24) being a respective one of the colors (R, G, B) of the display. The internal color order of the individually addressable display elements (2) within a triplet (21; 23; 24) is different for different triplets (21; 23; 24) in at least one of the row direction (4) and the column direction (6). |
| US08384742B2 |
Virtual white lines (VWL) for delimiting planned excavation sites of staged excavation projects
Methods and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. Source data representing one or more input images of a geographic area including the dig area is electronically received at a first user location, which may be remote from the dig area. The source data is processed so as to display at least a portion of the input image(s) on a display device. One or more indicators are added to the displayed input image(s), via a user input device associated with the display device, to provide at least one indication of the dig area and thereby generate a marked-up digital image. In the case of a staged excavation project, the input image, or a plurality of associated images, may include indicia of multiple dig areas corresponding to multiple stages of the staged excavation project. |
| US08384741B2 |
Numerical-simulation-result display program, numerical-simulation-result display method, and numerical-simulation-result display system
A numerical-simulation-result display system includes an image output apparatus, a three-dimensional-CAD-model-data input unit configured to read three-dimensional-CAD-model data of an object to be analyzed, a CAD-model-data converting unit configured to convert the read three-dimensional-CAD-model data into CAD graphic data capable of being displayed on the image output apparatus, a numerical-simulation-result-data input unit configured to read numerical-simulation-result data of the object, a simulation-result converting unit configured to convert the read numerical-simulation-result data into simulation-result graphic data capable of being displayed on the image output apparatus, and a display unit configured to display the CAD graphic data and the simulation-result graphic data on the image output apparatus in a superimposed manner. |
| US08384739B2 |
Systems and methods for optimization of pixel-processing algorithms
Methods consistent with some embodiments presented provide methods for identifying at least one pixel in a raster image buffer for inclusion in a processing space. In some embodiments of methods identifying at least one pixel in a raster image buffer for inclusion in a processing space may include analyzing a tag-field associated with the at least one pixel. The tag-field may identify object types associated with the pixel. In some embodiments, an action directive may be assigned to the pixel based on the value of the tag-field. In some embodiments, the pixel may be included in a processing space based on the action directive. |
| US08384738B2 |
Compositing windowing system
A set of buffers is made available on a system-wide basis to provide capabilities for robust presentation of windows. The buffers can include a frame buffer, a system off-screen buffer and a compositing buffer.Windows are analyzed to determine and implement the most time-and memory-efficient use of the available buffers to properly display the intended result. In some situations, applications write directly to the frame buffer. Clipping can be used to prevent occluded portions of windows from being displayed. In other situations, some data is written to the off-screen buffer and/or to one or more application buffers, and the compositing buffer is used to perform compositing operations.Thus, a device can provide a wide range of display capabilities, including window compositing, while minimizing costs in terms of memory usage and processing power. Such advantages are of particular use in mobile devices and other systems having limited resources. |
| US08384736B1 |
Generating clip state for a batch of vertices
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for generating a batch clip state stored in clip state machine (CSM) associated with a batch of vertices. Per-vertex clip state is generated for each vertex in the batch of vertices based on the position of each vertex relative to each clip plane. For a given vertex, per-vertex clip state indicates whether the vertex is inside or outside each of the one or more clip planes. The per-vertex clip states of all the vertices in the batch of vertices are coalesced into a batch clip state by determining whether each vertex in the batch of vertices is inside every clip plane, each vertex is outside at least one clip plane or neither. The batch clip state is stored in the CSM associated with the thread group that processes the batch of vertices that can be accessed by further stages of the graphics pipeline. |
| US08384732B2 |
Method for adjusting color saturation and image displaying system applying the same
A method for adjusting color saturation is adapted for color adjustment of a pixel in a color space. The method includes: determining a color cube in the color space; selecting one from a plurality of diagonals of the color cube as a primary diagonal, and setting the primary diagonal at a vertical axis of the color space; determining a hue azimuth angle and a height in the color cube desired by the pixel; determining a reference point at an outermost periphery of the color cube corresponding to the azimuth angle, and obtaining a reference height and a reference horizontal distance of the reference point distant from the primary diagonal; and obtaining a color saturation value of the pixel by multiplying the reference horizontal distance with a ratio between the reference height and the height of the pixel. |
| US08384725B2 |
Method and computer for controlling image processor, and machine readable storage medium for use in computer
A method is provided for controlling an image processor to perform display of an image on a first display device in synchronization with short frames and to perform display of an image on a second display device in synchronization with long frames each of which has a time length longer than a time length of each short frame. According to the method, a synchronization signal acquisition process acquires a first synchronization signal synchronized with switching of the short frames. An estimation process estimates, each time the first synchronization signal is acquired, a generation position of a second synchronization signal synchronized with switching of the long frames within a 2-frame period corresponding to two short frames after the first synchronization signal is acquired. The image processor is provided with a drawing command instructing generation of an image to be displayed on the first display device or the second display device controllably in accordance with results of the estimating by the estimation process. |
| US08384722B1 |
Apparatus, system and method for processing image data using look up tables
According to one aspect, a display controller is included in a graphics processing system where the display controller includes a plurality of look up tables in a data path. According to one embodiment, each of the plurality of look up tables is configured to be coupled to a source of surfaces, each of the plurality of look up tables includes circuitry that is physically separate from circuitry included in others of the plurality of look up tables, and the display controller is configured to employ a combination including at least two of the plurality of look up tables to process a first component of a plurality of pixels included in a surface received from the source of surfaces. |
| US08384719B2 |
Avatar items and animations
Mechanisms for accessorizing avatars with animated items. Avatars may be accessorized by items that have animations that are item specific, or they may be accessorized by items that apply to the entire body of the avatars. In addition, such item accessories may apply to avatars across different game titles and they may be added during the execution of a game, whether using a user interface or the game itself (e.g. receiving accessories for achieving certain milestones in a game). Such accessories may also be obtained from remote sources as packages, and then applied locally to avatars. |
| US08384718B2 |
System and method for navigating a 3D graphical user interface
A system enables a user viewing a plurality of graphical objects rendered on a display screen of a mobile device to manipulate the renderings of each graphical object for purposes of selecting a first of the graphical objects. The system comprises the display screen and a facial proximity system determining the distance of the mobile device from the face of the user. A graphical user interface control system drives a rendering of the graphical objects on the display screen. Further, upon receiving an indication of a change in distance between the mobile device and the face of the user and, upon determining that the distance between the mobile device and the face of the user has changed, the graphical user interface control system modifies at least one of the size of the rendering of the graphical objects and the perspective of the rendering of the graphical objects on the display screen. |
| US08384714B2 |
Systems, methods and devices for motion capture using video imaging
A variety of methods, devices and storage mediums are implemented for creating digital representations of figures. According to one such computer implemented method, a volumetric representation of a figure is correlated with an image of the figure. Reference points are found that are common to each of two temporally distinct images of the figure, the reference points representing movement of the figure between the two images. A volumetric deformation is applied to the digital representation of the figure as a function of the reference points and the correlation of the volumetric representation of the figure. A fine deformation is applied as a function of the coarse/volumetric deformation. Responsive to the applied deformations, an updated digital representation of the figure is generated. |
| US08384711B2 |
Ray tracing a three dimensional scene using a grid
Ray tracing a three-dimensional scene using a grid. One example embodiment is a method for ray tracing a three-dimensional scene using a grid. In this example method, the three-dimensional scene is made up of objects that are spatially partitioned into a plurality of cells that make up the grid. The method includes a first act of computing a bounding frustum of a packet of rays, and a second act of traversing the grid slice by slice along a major traversal axis. Each slice traversal includes a first act of determining one or more cells in the slice that are overlapped by the frustum and a second act of testing the rays in the packet for intersection with any objects at least partially bounded by the one or more cells overlapped by the frustum. |
| US08384709B2 |
Information processing apparatus and related method, image forming apparatus and related control method, program, and recording medium
An information processing apparatus includes a display control unit, a receiving unit, and a switching unit. The display control unit helps set information on printing product post-processing to be performed. The receiving unit receives a print instruction. If the post-processing apparatus is selected, the switching unit performs distributed transmitting processing on an image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus in response to the print instruction such that, print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus and post-processing data is transmitted to the post-processing apparatus. If the post-processing apparatus is not selected, the switching unit performs the transmitting processing on the image forming apparatus in response to the print instruction such that both the print data and the post-processing data are transmitted to the image forming apparatus. The post-processing apparatus specifies the post-processing data transmitted with identification information in response to identification information being input in the post-processing apparatus. |
| US08384705B2 |
Display panel with shift register having reserve pull-up transistor
A display panel includes a substrate, a pixel array, and a plurality of shift registers. The pixel array is disposed on the substrate. The shift registers are disposed on the substrate for sequentially outputting a plurality of scanning signals to drive the pixel array. Each of the shift registers includes a pull-up transistor and a first reserve transistor. The pull-up transistor raises the voltage level of the corresponding scanning signal. A control terminal of the first reserve transistor is coupled to a control terminal of the pull-up transistor, and a second terminal of the first reserve transistor is coupled to a second terminal of the pull-up transistor. When the pull-up transistor in each of the shift registers has insufficient output ability, a first terminal of the first reserve transistor is coupled to a first terminal of the pull-up transistor. |
| US08384704B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device which can reduce a scale of the whole counter-electrode-signal drive circuits is provided. The liquid crystal display device includes: a substrate; a plurality of counter electrodes which are formed on the substrate corresponding to pixels; a plurality of counter electrode signal lines which are formed on the substrate, are electrically made conductive with the counter electrodes, extend in the X direction, and are arranged parallel to each other in the Y direction which intersects the X direction; and counter electrode signal drive circuits having control signal outputting parts which are mounted on the substrate at a rate of one control signal outputting part for two counter electrode signal lines. |
| US08384702B2 |
Semiconductor device, display panel and electronic apparatus
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of thin film transistors of a single channel formed on an insulating substrate, and a buffer circuit including an outputting stage; a first inputting stage; a second inputting stage; a seventh thin film transistor; and an eighth thin film transistor. |
| US08384697B2 |
Stylus device adapted for use with a capacitive touch panel
A stylus device is adapted for use with a capacitive touch panel, and includes a main body having a handle portion, and a transparent touch portion connected to the handle portion, adapted to be placed on the capacitive touch panel and having a flat touch surface. A transparent conductive membrane is formed on the touch portion and the handle portion, and covers the touch surface of the touch portion so that the transparent conductive membrane connects electrically a user's hand when the handle portion of the main body is held by the user's hand. |
| US08384694B2 |
Infrared vision with liquid crystal display device
Various embodiments related to infrared vision for a liquid crystal display (LCD) device are disclosed herein. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a display system, comprising an LCD device and a display backlight configured to illuminate the LCD device by directing visible light toward an interior surface of the LCD device. The display system further comprises a wavelength-selective reflector disposed between the display backlight and the LCD device and having a smooth surface facing the interior surface of the LCD device, where the wavelength-selective reflector has a wavelength-selective coating configured to cause incident visible light from the display backlight to be transmitted through the wavelength-selective reflector to the LCD device, and cause incident infrared light reflected from an object on or near an exterior surface of the LCD device to be reflected off of the wavelength-selective reflector and directed to an infrared vision subsystem. |
| US08384688B2 |
Touch screen display device and method of driving the same
A touch screen display device includes; a touch screen display panel including; first sensing lines which extend in a first direction, second sensing lines which extend in a second direction, and a plurality of touch sensors located at a plurality of sensing positions, each of which provides touch data or untouch data, a readout unit which reads the touch data or the untouch data and outputs the read data as sensing data corresponding to each of the sensing positions, and a sensing unit which groups the sensing positions into at least one pre-touch areas using the sensing data and which recognizes at least one touch positions using the pre-touch areas, wherein when first and third sensing positions from among first through third sensing positions provide the touch data while the second sensing position provides the untouch data, the sensing unit recognizes the untouch data as the touch data. |
| US08384687B2 |
Manipulation input apparatus
A manipulation input apparatus includes a panel member, strain gauges, and a controller. The panel member has a front surface functioning as a manipulation input surface to which an input is executed by touch manipulation. The strain gauges detect a load which is applied to the panel member. The controller calculates a position to which a load is applied based on load detection result by the strain gauges. A stick as a convex-shaped structural section is further arranged and integrated in the manipulation input surface of the panel member such that an upward load against the panel member is applied via the stick. |
| US08384682B2 |
Optical interactive panel and display system with optical interactive panel
An optical interactive panel includes a cladding layer, a first waveguide array, a second waveguide array, a first set of image sensor, and a second set of image sensor. The cladding layer has a first index of refraction. The first waveguide array has first waveguide channels formed on the cladding layer, wherein the first waveguide channels have a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction, and extending at a first direction. The second waveguide array has second waveguide channels, formed on the cladding layer and extending at a second direction. The first set of image sensor detects a first set of light signals from the first waveguide channels to determine a first-direction location. The second set of image sensor detects a second set of light signals from the second waveguide channels to determine a second-direction location. |
| US08384680B2 |
Portable electronic device and method of control
A portable electronic device includes a housing, a touch-sensitive display movable with respect to the housing, and at least one piezoelectric actuator arranged to provide tactile feedback to the touch-sensitive display in response to an actuation signal by moving the touch-sensitive display. The at least one piezoelectric actuator may move the touch-sensitive display, resulting in vibration or a single movement of the touch-sensitive display. |
| US08384675B2 |
User interface gestures
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device. |
| US08384672B2 |
Remote control system having a touch screen
The present embodiments provide systems and methods for use in remote controlling devices including consumer electronic devices. Some embodiments provide a remote control system that comprises a processor, a touch screen display coupled with and receiving display control signals from the display driver such that the touch screen display displays one of a plurality of control views with a fixed number of function buttons displayed in each of the plurality of control views, and a wireless transmitter coupled with the processor that wirelessly transmits function signals in response to a detection of a selection of one of the function buttons. |
| US08384671B2 |
Split QWERTY keyboard with reduced number of keys
A reduced size and split keyboard arrangement is provided for a portable computing apparatus. The arrangement of the keys, together with mapping of multiple characters to the keys allows reduction of the keyboard to a smaller footprint of a handheld device. Keys may have a single character or multiple characters mapped thereto. For the keys with multiple character mapping, the selection of the character may be by done by simultaneous or near-simultaneous pressing of adjacent physical keys. In one embodiment, disambiguation software may be employed to determine selection of a character from a physical or virtual key with multiple characters assigned thereto. |
| US08384669B2 |
Information processing apparatus, remote system, and computer readable medium
An information processing apparatus includes a mouse driver that adds a second data to a first data showing a movement distance of a mouse cursor, and transmits the combined data to an OS. The information processing apparatus has: an input portion that inputs the first data from an external device via a KVM switch, and a flag showing effectiveness or invalidation of adding the second data to the first data; and a controlling portion that transmits the first data input to the input portion to the mouse driver, and when the flag shows invalidation of addition of the second data, the controlling portion interrupting between the mouse driver and the OS, acquiring the combined data, removing the second data from the combined data, and transmitting the first data to the OS. |
| US08384667B2 |
Gesture recognition input device
A gesture recognition based input device includes a number of finger wear components and image capture modules, and an image capture module. Each finger wear component dedicatedly reflects light of a unique wavelength. Each image capture module dedicatedly picks up light reflected by a corresponding finger wear component and thereby dedicatedly captures images of the corresponding finger wear component. The image recognition module recognizes movements of the finger wear components from the images and interprets the movements of the finger wear components into control signals. |
| US08384666B2 |
Input device for operating in-vehicle apparatus
An input device having a manipulation member is disclosed. The input device has an absolute input mode and a relative input. In the absolute input mode, the input device determines a coordinate of a pointed point on a window of a display unit based on a coordinate of the manipulation member. In the relative input mode, the input device determines the pointed point on the window in a relative manner based on a two-dimensional displacement of the manipulation member with respect to a reference position, which is set when an input mode is switched into the relative input mode. When the manipulation member receives a load that causes the manipulation member to move beyond a predetermined range, the input device generates and applies a force corresponding to the load to the manipulation member. |
| US08384665B1 |
Method and system for making a selection in 3D virtual environment
Techniques for selecting a portion of a 3D virtual environment are disclosed, where the portion of the 3D virtual environment may be one or more objects in the 3D virtual environment or one of scenes in the 3D virtual environment. A motion sensitive device (controller) is used. The controller generates sensor data sufficient to derive position and orientation of the controller in six degrees of freedom. In one embodiment, when selecting the portion of the 3D virtual environment, the controller generates a ray to an interaction of a display screen provided to display the 3D virtual environment, wherein the ray is further projected into the 3D virtual environment by a ray tracing technique as if the user had a real laser pointer that crosses from the physical world into the 3D virtual environment being displayed. Further a user is optionally to use a secondary input device to select one or more points or objects in a 3D space to control a distance along the ray being used. |
| US08384664B2 |
Opto-electronic system for controlling presentation programs
An input device for controlling a presentation program that is being run on a remote computing device is provided. The input device includes a first optical sensor configured to be activated by exposure to a focused beam of light and a second optical sensor configured to be activated by exposure to a focused beam of light. An RF communication device wirelessly delivers the instructional signals to the remote computing device to advance or reverse the presentation program. |
| US08384660B2 |
Display system, display device and display method
A display system displays a received image on a display device based on image information transmitted from at least one image supply device via a network. An image generating unit generates a segmented image segmented into plural individual areas, the segmented image contains an individual connection image representing connection information for the image supply device to connect to the display device in an area correlated to one individual area of the plural individual areas. A determining unit determines whether connection is permitted or not based on the connection request information. When connection to the image supply device is permitted by the determining unit, the image generating unit generates the segmented image containing the received image based on the image information from the image supply device in the individual area. |
| US08384655B2 |
LED driving circuit and method of controlling the same
An LED driving circuit includes a control logic circuit, a dimming circuit and a counter. The control logic circuit is electrically coupled to an enable pin for receiving an input signal, and asserts an internal enable signal for activating the LED driving circuit. The dimming circuit is electrically coupled to the enable pin and outputs a control signal for controlling current flowing into at least one load connected to the LED driving circuit. The counter identifies the input signal based on a clock signal and asserts a detection signal for informing the control logic circuit of de-asserting the internal enable signal to de-activate the LED driving circuit when identifying the input signal as the enable signal being de-asserted for a predetermined period of the clock signal. A method of controlling an LED driving circuit is also disclosed herein. |
| US08384654B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus
The present invention provides a display device capable of realizing an appropriate screen display luminance in accordance with a video feature quantity and brightness around and sufficiently reducing power consumption. A liquid crystal display apparatus (1) includes: a liquid crystal panel (20) for displaying a video by an input video signal; a backlight unit (17) as a light source for irradiating the liquid crystal panel (20); and a brightness sensor (24) for detecting the brightness around the liquid crystal display apparatus (1). According to the brightness detected by the brightness sensor (24), luminance conversion characteristic defining the light emission luminance of the backlight for the feature quantity (such as APL) of the input video signal is changed. Here, the luminance conversion characteristic is changed so that the light emission luminance is reduced as the brightness around the liquid crystal display apparatus becomes darker and the position of the characteristic modification point as the point where the slope of the luminance conversion characteristic is changed is shifted in the direction of the feature quantity change. According to the obtained luminance conversion characteristic, the light emission luminance of the backlight is controlled. |
| US08384652B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A method of operating a display includes providing light having a luminance that varies periodically, overdriving a pixel circuit of the display, and modulating the light using the pixel circuit to generate modulated light. The amount of overdrive and the phase of the light relative to the overdriving of the pixel circuit are controlled such that the modulated light has a predetermined level of uniformity. |
| US08384643B2 |
Drive circuit and display device
A drive circuit for driving a display panel includes a first operation amplifier for operating using a first power source voltage and a second power source voltage; a second operation amplifier for operating using a third power source voltage and a fourth power source voltage; a control unit for supplying a first control voltage and a second control voltage; and a switch circuit for switching the first operation amplifier and the second operation amplifier. The switch circuit includes an n-channel type field effect transistor. The control unit applies the first control voltage to the n-channel type field effect transistor, so that the n-channel type field effect transistor transits from a non-conductive state to a conductive state. |
| US08384642B2 |
Signal line driving device comprising a plurality of outputs
A driving device that outputs signals of different polarities from plural output terminals includes: a first power source wire that connects power terminals of some of plural first output circuits each outputting a signal of one polarity and power terminals of some of plural second output circuits each outputting a signal of the other polarity; and a second power source wire that connects power terminals of the rest of the plural first output circuits and power terminals of the rest of the plural second output circuits, the second power source wire being different from the first power source wire. |
| US08384639B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for emphasizing temporal signal change on a video signal based on at least a polarity for the video signal
A drive circuit of a liquid crystal display device performs line inversion drive based on a correction video signal V. A look-up table (12) includes two types of tables having stored therein correction values for use in overshoot drive. Based on a current-frame video signal X, a previous-frame video signal Y stored in a frame memory (11), and a polarity-reversing signal REV, a correction process portion (13) reads a correction value from the look-up table (12), and outputs the correction value being read as the correction video signal V. In such a manner, a correcting circuit (10) is used to control the degree of overshoot in accordance with the polarity-reversing signal REV. Thus, it is possible to suitably control the change in pixel brightness regardless of the polarity of the applied voltage, thereby preventing any fringes from being generated while displaying moving images. |
| US08384636B2 |
Overdriving apparatus and method thereof
An overdriving apparatus including a memory unit, a position unit and an overdriving unit is provided. The memory unit stores a present frame received and outputs a previous frame stored in the memory unit. The position unit generates pixel position information according to a display control signal of the present frame. The overdriving unit determines a corresponding relationship between several pixel grey values of the present frame and several display areas of a display panel according to the pixel position information, so as to select a corresponding specific table group of each of the pixel grey values from a plurality of overdriving tables. The overdriving unit further generates an overdriving frame by looking up the corresponding specific table group of each of the pixel grey values. |
| US08384627B2 |
Display device and electronic equipment
A display device includes: a pixel array section; and a drive section, the pixel array section including scan lines, signal lines, pixels, and power lines, the drive section including a main scanner, a drive scanner, and a signal selector, wherein each of the pixels includes a light-emitting element, sampling transistor, drive transistor, and holding capacitor. |
| US08384625B2 |
Servo-assisted scanning beam display systems using fluorescent screens
Methods and systems for improving imaging quality and power efficiency of scanning beam display systems using fluorescent screens are disclosed. In various embodiments, beam shaping mechanisms for maximizing overlap between the beam cross-section and the florescent element corresponding to each color sub-pixel of the screen, as well as pulse width and timing adjustments, are introduced to reduce imaging noise and improve power efficiency of the display system. |
| US08384623B2 |
Plasma display device and plasma display panel drive method
Sustain discharge is stably caused while power consumption is reduced, and image display quality is improved. A plasma display device has a plasma display panel, an electric power recovering circuit for raising or falling a sustain pulse by resonating an inductor and the inter-electrode capacity of a display electrode pair, and a sustain pulse generating circuit for alternately applying, to the display electrode pair, as many sustain pulses as the number corresponding to the luminance weight in the sustain period of a plurality of subfields that are disposed in one field and have initializing, address, and sustain periods. The sustain pulse generating circuit switches and generates at least three kinds of sustain pulses including a first sustain pulse serving as a reference, a second sustain pulse that rises more gently than the first sustain pulse, and a third sustain pulse that rises more steeply than the first sustain pulse. |
| US08384621B2 |
Plasma display device and method for driving plasma display panel
One field period includes a plurality of subfields each having (i) an initialization period in which a gradually descending sloping waveform voltage is applied to a scan electrode, (ii) a writing period in which a negative scan pulse voltage is applied to the scan electrode, and (iii) a sustain period. A sloping waveform voltage is generated by switching a minimum voltage in the sloping waveform voltage between a first voltage and a second voltage that has a lower voltage value than that of the first voltage. A number of subfields, in which an initialization is carried out by the sloping waveform voltage having the minimum voltage as the second voltage, is increased when a temperature of a plasma display panel is determined to be low as compared with when the temperature is determined to be not low. |
| US08384618B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus which comprises an image module for generating an image, a spectacle-like frame which carries the image module, and wherein the spectacle-like frame comprises a front portion with a nose support, as well as two lateral temples mounted to the front portion. At least one of the temples has shiftably mounted to it a holding element. The holding element comprises a first portion extending downwards from the temple, and a second portion connected with the lower end of the first portion, the second portion extending from the lower end of the first portion in a direction pointing away from the front portion. |
| US08384611B2 |
Antenna device, antenna reflector, and wireless communication unit incorporating antenna
Disclosed herein is an antenna device including, a radiator having a feeder, and a planar reflector spaced from the radiator in a radio wave incoming direction, the reflector having at least one slit defined in a side edge thereof. |
| US08384610B2 |
Antenna having a reflector with coverage and frequency flexibility and satellite comprising such an antenna
An antenna including a reflector with coverage and frequency flexibility is provided. The antenna comprises a reversible reflector having two separate reflecting surfaces shaped geometrically so as to cover respectively a first and a second geographical zone which are different and have predetermined shapes, in which the two reflecting surfaces are fastened back to back on a common support, and at least two independent sources arranged in a fixed configuration and connected to separate radiofrequency supply chains defining different and predefined operating frequency planes, the reflector having a first deployment position, in which the focal point of the first reflecting surface is located at the phase center of the first source, and a second deployment position, in which the focal point of the second reflecting surface is located at the phase center of the second source. Application notably to the field of satellite telecommunication antennae. |
| US08384607B2 |
Compact antenna system
The present invention relates to an antenna system comprising on a substrate, at least a first and a second printed radiating elements, each supplied by a feed line, with, between the two radiating elements, at least one transmission line comprising a first extremity and a second extremity. The first and the second extremities of the transmission line are respectively coupled to the first and the second radiating elements according to a coupling function with a ratio 1:b, b>1 and a phase φ, linked to the physical difference between the radiating elements, the length of the transmission line bringing a phase difference θ such that θ compensates for φ.The invention applies to antennas compatible with WIFI. |
| US08384606B2 |
Antenna device and communication terminal
An antenna device includes: an antenna element that transmits or receives wireless signals in a predetermined first frequency band and in a second frequency band higher in frequency than the first frequency band; a feeding terminal portion; a first bandwidth adjustment circuit that includes a first capacitor for widening a bandwidth of the first frequency band to a predetermined bandwidth, the capacitance of the first capacitor being set at a predetermined value in accordance with the predetermined bandwidth; and a second bandwidth adjustment circuit that includes second and third capacitors and a first inductor for widening a bandwidth of the first frequency band to the predetermined bandwidth, the capacitance of each of the second and third capacitors and the inductance of the first inductor being respectively set at predetermined values in accordance with the predetermined bandwidth. |
| US08384599B2 |
Multiple-cavity antenna
An antenna for a Radio-Frequency IDentification (RFID) system is disclosed that comprises a pair of resonant cavities. The antenna is realized by folding the ends of a ribbon of conductive material, such as metal foil, over the middle part of the ribbon. The antenna generates a higher voltage than prior-art antennas used in RFID systems, and it makes possible RFID systems with an improved range. In an alternative embodiment, the antenna comprises a reflector that enables the RFID system to better tolerate the presence of nearby metal objects. |
| US08384597B2 |
Tilt-dependent beam-shape system
The present invention relates to a system for changing the radiation pattern shape of an antenna array during electrical tilting. The antenna array has multiple antenna elements, and the system comprises a phase-shifting device provided with a primary port configured to receive a transmit signal, and multiple secondary ports configured to provide phase shifted output signals to each antenna element. The system further comprises a phase-taper device that changes phase taper over the antenna elements, and thus the beam shape, with tilt angle θ. The invention is adapted for use in down-link as well as up-link within a wireless communication system. |
| US08384591B2 |
Locating satellites
A system and method of locating the position of a satellite or a user using a satellite positioning system. The system and method includes receiving, at a terminal, satellite positioning data for at least one specified time period over a communications channel. In addition, the system includes storing, at the terminal, the satellite positioning data for the at least one specified time period. Responsive to an event at a later time, the system generally calculates, at the terminal, the satellite position at the later time based only on the satellite positioning data for the at least one specified time period. |
| US08384584B2 |
Reduced computation communication techniques for location systems
Techniques are generally disclosed for communications between a locator device and a transponder device. The locator device may be located in a space based location such as on a surface of a remote celestial body, on a space craft or space station, on a satellite, or on a low earth orbit aircraft. The locator can encode an interrogation signal for receipt by one or more distant transponders. The transponder devices can receive the communications from the distant locator device and determine frequency, phase, cadence, and Doppler for encoding a reply transmission to the locator device. The encoding process estimates Doppler shift and adapts the reply transmission for a quantized reverse Doppler shifted frequency and cadence, which effectively pre-compensates for the Doppler shift that will be apparent to the locator due to the relative velocity. The locator can use the Doppler quantization scheme to reconstruct the actual relative velocity. |
| US08384580B2 |
System and method for extending transmitter training window
A method for configuring a transmitter device to transmit a recognized transmission to a receiving device is provided. The method includes transmitting a first transmission and transmitting a second transmission after the first transmission. The method further includes receiving, during the second transmission, a user input signal from an interface for receiving signals from one or more user interface elements. The method further includes storing an attribute associated with the second transmission in a memory device in response to the user input signal. |
| US08384579B2 |
Systems and methods for data conversion
Systems and methods are provided for converting analog data to digital data that can include a discharge capacitor coupled to a voltage source. The voltage source supplies an initial data charge to the discharge capacitor; an amplifier coupled to the discharge capacitor; a divider circuit coupled to the amplifier; and a comparator coupled to the amplifier and the divider circuit. The divider circuit includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a switch that is operated to alternately divide a remaining charge Q by 2N using the first and second capacitors until the remaining data charge Qin at the amplifier is below a threshold value in the process of converting analog data to digital data. |
| US08384578B2 |
Stochastic analog-to-digital (A/D) converter and method for using the same
An analog-to-digital (A/D) converter circuit arranged for receiving an analog input signal and for outputting a digital representation of said analog input signal is described. The A/D converter circuit includes: a first converter stage configured for receiving the analog input signal and for generating a first set of conversion bits, a first completion signal and a residual analog output signal representing the difference between the analog input signal and a signal represented by said first set of conversion bits, a second converter stage comprising a clock generation circuit arranged for receiving the first completion signal and for generating a clock signal, a plurality of comparators each being configured for receiving the residual analog output signal and a common reference voltage, said plurality of comparators arranged for being activated by the clock signal and for outputting a plurality of comparator decisions, a digital processing stage configured for receiving the plurality of comparator decisions and for generating a second set of conversion bits, means for generating the digital representation of the analog input signal by combining the first and second set of conversion bits. |
| US08384576B2 |
Output circuit, and data driver and display devices using the same
An output circuit includes a connection switch and an operation unit. The connection switch receives first and second voltages from first and second terminals, respectively, selects and outputs the first voltage or the second voltage for first to third intermediate terminals, including selection of the same voltage and switches assignment of the first and second voltages to the first to third intermediate terminals responsive to a connection switching signal. The operation unit receives the voltages assigned to the first to third intermediate terminals and outputs to an output terminal a voltage obtained by performing a predetermined operation on the voltages. |
| US08384575B1 |
Configurable continuous time sigma delta analog-to-digital converter
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes a continuous time filter, a quantizer, a continuous time digital-to-analog converter, a discrete time DAC, and a switch. The quantizer has an input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the continuous time filter, and a plurality of output terminals. The continuous time DAC has a plurality of input terminals coupled to the plurality of output terminals of the quantizer, and an output terminal. The discrete time DAC has a plurality of input terminals coupled to the plurality of output terminals of the quantizer, and an output terminal. The switch has a first input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the continuous time DAC, a second input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the discrete time DAC, and an output terminal coupled to the input terminal of the continuous time filter. |
| US08384566B2 |
Pressure-sensitive keyboard and associated method of operation
An apparatus is provided that includes a processor to at least perform or cause the apparatus to at least perform a number of operations. These operations include receiving pressure-measurement signals from a keyboard including an arrangement of keys, and a plurality of pressure sensors associated with a respective plurality of the keys. In this regard, the pressure sensors are configured to measure a pressure applied to the respective plurality of the keys, and produce the pressure-measurement signals representative of the measured pressure. The operations also include predicting one or more next keystrokes on the keyboard as a function of the pressure-measurement signals, and determining one or more commands or instructions for directing performance of one or more operations of an apparatus or software operating on the apparatus, where the command(s) or instruction(s) are determined as a function of the predicted next keystroke(s). |
| US08384562B2 |
Advanced accessible pedestrian control system for the physically disabled
A mobile traffic controller to aid pedestrians includes a wireless transmitter and receiver that are configured to communicate with a traffic signal or a traffic control system. In response to a user request, the transmitter sends a traffic control request to a traffic signal or a traffic system controller. The request is acknowledged, and when appropriate, the mobile traffic controller receives a message indicating that a crossing is authorized. The mobile controller can include a vibro-tactile or audio output device for communication with the user. In addition, position and orientation systems can be included so that the user can be directed along a preferred path or alerted that a predetermined or legally established passage zone has been exited or is about to be exited. |
| US08384560B2 |
Real-time vehicle position determination using communications with variable latency
A system and method for predicting the location of a vehicle in an electronic toll collection system employing a wide area communication protocol. The vehicle includes a transponder that sends reports regarding the position of the vehicle and the time at which the position was determined. The system includes a vehicle position predictor for estimating the future position of the vehicle within a roadway based on two or more reports of past positions and the times at which they were recorded. Speed data or other data impacting likely future position may also be reported and factored into the estimate. The estimate of future position may be used in connection with triggering enforcement measures, timing a toll transaction, integrating wide area toll communications into a legacy toll transaction system, or for other applications. |
| US08384553B2 |
Trigger mechanism
A trigger mechanism including sensing electronics, a power source and a length of bifilar wire. The bifilar wire has two electrically conductive filaments separated by an insulator, with a first end in electrical connection with the sensing electronics and the power source and a second end that is free. A circuit can be created by fusing together the two filaments in a section of the bifilar wire. The sensing electronics are configured to monitor the status of a circuit created between the bifilar wire, sensing electronics and power source and to output a signal when the circuit is broken. |
| US08384551B2 |
Sensor device and method for monitoring physical stresses placed on a user
A sensor device has an insole, a sensor body abutting the insole, pressure sensors operably mounted on the sensor body for generating a pressure data signal, and an accelerometer mounted on the insole for generating a movement data signal indicating the measuring movement of the insole. A transmitter is used for transmitting the pressure data signal and the movement data signal to a reporting device having a receiver for receiving the pressure data signal and the movement data signal. The reporting device further has a processor and a computer-readable medium for storing the pressure data signal and the movement data signal. |
| US08384546B2 |
Enhanced security protocol for radio frequency systems
This invention relates to security protocols for RFID systems. Systems and methods are presented to protect the system from hackers attempting to compromise the RFID system. Also, methods and systems for improving RFID security are disclosed. The systems utilize mechanisms to determine the authenticity of the RFID tags used in such systems. The systems and methods also reduce unauthorized access to the RFID system. A system and method to make tags more difficult to compromise or counterfeit is also described. |
| US08384544B2 |
Systems and methods that integrate radio frequency identification (RFID) technology with agent-based control systems
The subject invention relates to systems and methods that distribute electronic data, such as Electronic Product Code (EPC) data, obtained from RFID tags by Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers and/or servers to agents within an agent-based control system. The systems and methods employ a component that collects, filters, processes, and stores electronic product data. The component collects electronic product data through corresponding reader and/or server interfaces. This data can be filtered to accept particular electronic product data, processed to a format suitable to the agents, and stored. Such storage can include delineating the electronic product data across rows of a table by electronic product code and across columns of the table by various types of data. Upon receiving a subscription and/or request from an agent for electronic product data, the component can obtain and convey the information to the agent. |
| US08384541B2 |
Charging method for a mobile terminal
A charging method of a mobile terminal is provided. The method comprises detecting brightness of ambient light around the mobile terminal by an illumination sensor of the mobile terminal; activating a charging circuit for charging a battery of the mobile terminal when the detected brightness is more than a first value; measuring a generated current of a solar cell; and deactivating the charging circuit when the generated current of the solar cell is below a second value. |
| US08384539B2 |
Collaborative incident media recording system and related methods
Methods for responding to a potential incident are provided in which data about the potential incident is received from a first remote sensing unit. Additional remote sensing units are identified that may have additional data about the potential incident, and additional data about the potential incident is received from at least some of these additional remote sensing units. The totality of the received data is then analyzed, and at least one remote entity is automatically notified regarding the occurrence of the potential incident. |
| US08384538B2 |
Remote monitoring of fixed structures
Arrangement and method for monitoring a structure at a fixed location, e.g., a house, parked boat or parked airplane, includes a monitoring or sensor system arranged to obtain information about the structure, an exterior of the structure and/or an interior of the structure different than the location of the structure, and a communication system coupled to the sensor system and being provided with a location of the structure. The communication system transmits the information about the structure obtained by the sensor system and the location of the structure to a remote facility. The remote facility can therefore monitor the structure, and take steps to ensure the integrity of the reservoir and the fluid therein. To enable wireless and powerless monitoring, a power source independent of a power grid extending outside of the fixed structure may be provided to supply power to the sensor system and the communications unit. |
| US08384537B1 |
Vehicle occupant emergency communication apparatus
The vehicle interior security apparatus ensures the security of living beings within the confines of an auto or other enclosure in which they might reside or temporarily reside. The apparatus importantly provides for automatic emergency alert as well as manually triggered emergency alert. The apparatus can therefore safely guard even animals, babies, and others unable to fend for themselves. The apparatus provides for power generation so that existing power, such as that of a vehicle, need not be fully relied upon. The solar grid can power the apparatus and can also recharge existing electrical systems as well as operate the apparatus. The apparatus provides multiple components for audio, visual, and airwave warnings. |
| US08384532B2 |
Lane of travel on 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 represent graphical images upon a transparent windscreen head up display of a vehicle describing transit of the vehicle with respect to a lane of travel includes monitoring informational inputs describing an operational environment of the vehicle. Monitoring these informational inputs includes monitoring a desired lane of travel, and monitoring a current position of the vehicle. The method further includes determining a relationship of the desired lane of travel to the current position of the vehicle, determining a graphic describing the relationship of the desired lane of travel to the current position of the vehicle, and displaying the graphic describing the relationship of the desired lane of travel to the current position of the vehicle upon the substantially transparent windscreen head up display. |
| US08384522B2 |
Radio frequency identification triangulation systems for communications patching systems and related methods of determining patch cord connectivity information
Methods of determining patch cord connectivity information include receiving, at each of a plurality of RFID readers, a signal from an RFID tag that is associated with a first patch cord and then, identifying the one of a plurality of connector ports that the first patch cord is connected to based at least in part on respective strengths of the signals received at each of the plurality of RFID readers. RFID triangulation systems and methods of calibrating such systems are also provided. |
| US08384520B2 |
Glazing comprising an electronic device and method of reading/writing information in said device
A window panel including at least one electronic device that includes at least one electronic memory in which is stored information that can be read remotely using an appropriate reading apparatus. An electronic device connected to the memory receives and processes data so as to transmit and enter information to and in the memory in response to signals received in a programmed way by one or more units for detecting and sending data associated with the window panel and/or a device accommodating the window panel. |
| US08384519B2 |
Reader device for radio frequency identification transponder with transponder functionality
A reader device for radio frequency identification transponders, which implements enhanced radio frequency identification transponder functionality. The reader device is capable of serving as a radio frequency identification transponder. Such a reader device includes a reader logic unit, a radio/high frequency (RF/HF) interface and an antenna, and is adapted to communicate at least with radio frequency identification transponders in a reader operation mode. The reader device also includes a transponder logic unit that is connected to the reader device and in particular to the radio/high frequency (RF/HF) interface such that the reader device acts as a radio frequency identification transponder in a transponder operation mode. In particular, the transponder logic unit is adapted to communicate with other reader devices for radio frequency identification transponders. The reader device for radio frequency identification transponders can be attached, connected, implemented and/or embedded in electronic device and particularly portable electronic devices, respectively. |
| US08384514B2 |
Enhanced biometric authentication
Enhanced biometric authentication is achieved by combining a user's inherent biometric data with the user's knowledge of a secret glyph. In one embodiment, a touchpad is provided on which the user may use a finger to indicate a plurality of strokes that form a distinct glyph. Image stabilization may be used to extract a readable fingerprint from the strokes, and the glyph and finger print are matched to a stored profile. The glyph may be one or more alphanumeric characters that represent a password. The user can then enter the password on the touch pad with his finger. If the fingerprint and password both match, the user is authenticated. |
| US08384513B2 |
Transmitter and method for transmitting an RF control signal
A transmitter for transmitting an RF control signal to a remote system includes a user input device, a memory and a transmitter circuit. The memory includes control data associated with the remote device. The control data includes a first frequency and a second frequency. The transmitter circuit is coupled to the user input device and memory. In response to a single user input, the transmitter circuit generates a rolling code signal, transmits the rolling code signal at the first frequency for a predetermined amount of time, and, upon expiration of the predetermined about of time, transmits the rolling code signal at the second frequency. |
| US08384510B2 |
Transmission apparatus, method for controlling transmission apparatus, and information communication system
When a communication between a camera and a television is performed utilizing a first wireless communication mode which employs high-directional radio transmission, and a second wireless communication mode which employs low-directional radio transmission with lower directivity than that of high-directional radio transmission, the television detects that the communication in the first wireless communication mode has been disconnected and notifies the camera. The camera determines whether or not the movement of the camera is the cause of disconnection in the first wireless communication mode. If the reason for disconnection is the movement of the camera, a control signal is transmitted to the television so as not to execute the process for an avoiding no-signal condition. |
| US08384508B2 |
Method for making high-performance RF integrated circuits
A new method and structure is provided for the creation of a semiconductor inductor. Under the first embodiment of the invention, a semiconductor substrate is provided with a scribe line in a passive surface region and active circuits surrounding the passive region. At least one bond pad is created on the passive surface of the substrate close to and on each side of the scribe line. A layer of insulation is deposited, a layer of dielectric is deposited over the layer of insulation, at least one bond pad is provided on the surface of the layer of dielectric on each side of the scribe line. At least one inductor is created on each side of the scribe line on the surface of the layer of dielectric. A layer of passivation is deposited over the layer of dielectric. The substrate is attached to a glass panel by interfacing the surface of the layer of passivation with the glass panel. The substrate is sawed from the backside of the substrate in alignment with the scribe line. The silicon that remains in place in the passive surface of the substrate underneath the scribe lines is removed by etching, the glass panel is separated along the scribe line. Under the second embodiment of the invention, the inductor is created on the surface of a thick layer of polymer that is deposited over the layer of passivation. |
| US08384505B2 |
Transformer having a simplified winding structure
A transformer (100) includes a bar-shaped core (5), a number of coils (7) comprising a first winding group (71, 72) and a second winding group (73, 74) wound around the core, a housing (1) receiving the core and the coils, and a number of conductive terminals (3) being secured in the housing. The first winding group and the second winding group wound around different parts of the core. The coils are soldered to the conductive terminals (3). The coils (7) are wound around the core automatically by an automatic winder. Therefore, the cost of manufacturing the transformer is decreased. |
| US08384504B2 |
Superconducting quick switch
A magnet system for generating a magnetic field may include a superconducting magnet, a switch, and a heater element thermally coupled to the switch. The superconducting magnet is structured to generate magnetic fields, and the switch includes a non-inductive superconducting current carrying path connected in parallel to the superconducting magnet. In general, the switch is structured to only carry a level of current that is a portion of the current required to obtain a full field by the superconducting magnet. |
| US08384499B2 |
Leaky cable having at least one slot row for propagating electromagnetic waves that have been diffracted backwards
A leaky cable with a central conductor, and an outer conductor having a rectangular cross section surrounding the central conductor. The outer conductor has a first and a second surface parallel to each other, and at least one slot row formed in at least one of the first and second surface. The slot row is formed in a first direction of the outer conductor and includes a plurality of slots each configured to form a leaky electromagnetic field. An insulator is disposed between the central conductor and the outer conductor. The width of the rectangular cross section in a direction parallel to the first and second surfaces is less than half of a wavelength of an electric signal transmitted through the leaky cable. |
| US08384498B2 |
Capacitively loaded spurline filter
In an exemplary embodiment, a spurline filter comprises a capacitive element connected to a spur and either a through-line of the spurline filter or ground. In another embodiment, multiple capacitive elements are connected to the spur. In an exemplary embodiment, the capacitively loaded spurline filter provides a band rejection frequency response similar to the band rejection frequency response of a similar spurline filter that does not comprise at least one capacitive element but the capacitively loaded spurline filter has half the layout area or less. In an exemplary embodiment, the spurline filter comprises capacitive elements, where the capacitive elements are configured to reduce the resonant frequency of the filter. |
| US08384494B2 |
Multiband coupling circuit
A distributed multiband coupling circuit including: a number n of first and of second terminals equal to the number of frequency bands; a third terminal and a fourth terminal; a number n of distributed couplers equal to the number of frequency bands, all couplers being identical and sized according to the highest frequency band, and each coupler including a first conductive line between first and second ports intended to convey a signal to be transmitted in the concerned frequency band, and a second conductive line coupled to the first one between third and fourth ports; a first set of resistive splitters in cascade between the third ports of the couplers, a terminal of the splitter associated with the first coupler being connected to the third terminal of the coupling circuit; and a second set of resistive splitters in cascade between the fourth ports of the couplers, a terminal of the splitter associated with the first coupler being connected to the fourth terminal of the coupling circuit. |
| US08384489B2 |
Serpentine micro-strip lines configured in an aggressor/victim type transmission line structure
A micro-strip transmission line capable of reducing far-end crosstalk is provided. The micro-strip transmission line having a serpentine shape is capable of reducing the far-end crosstalk of the transmission line by increasing capacitive coupling between neighboring transmission lines by allowing parallel micro-strip transmission lines to have serpentine shapes. In the structure of the micro-strip transmission line having the serpentine shape, it is possible to reduce the far-end crosstalk of the transmission line by increasing capacitive coupling between neighboring transmission lines by allowing parallel micro-strip transmission lines to have serpentine shapes. |
| US08384485B2 |
Reducing spurs in injection-locked oscillators
Various embodiments of a radio-frequency (RF) transmitter receiver circuit that utilizes an injection locked oscillator may allow for the introduction of a DC offset to correct the RF signal. The DC offset may be adjusted to eliminate (or minimize) even order harmonics to correct for RF effects. The DC offset correction may be performed around the injection locked oscillator to target even order terms. |
| US08384484B2 |
Power amplifier with improved bandwidth
An amplifier output impedance matching configuration including a first impedance transformer and one or more second impedance transformers. The first impedance transformer receives input signals from a power amplifier and generates output signals to a load. The one or more second impedance transformers are connected between the first impedance transformer and the load through which the output signals are passed. |
| US08384483B2 |
High efficiency power amplifier power architecture
A distributed power converter is for use with an RF power amplifier and includes a primary converter connected to an input voltage and configured to provide an unregulated DC intermediate voltage that is galvanically isolated from the input voltage. Additionally, the distributed power converter also includes a secondary regulator connected galvanically to the unregulated DC intermediate voltage and configured to generate a regulated DC supply voltage for at least a portion of the RF power amplifier. In another aspect, a method of operating a distributed power converter is for use with an RF power amplifier and includes providing an unregulated DC intermediate voltage that is galvanically isolated from an input voltage and generating a regulated DC supply voltage for at least a portion of the RF power amplifier that is galvanically connected to the unregulated DC intermediate voltage. |
| US08384481B2 |
Signal amplification device and signal amplification method
A signal amplification device includes: a signal generator which divides an input signal so as to generate a plurality of division signals having a specified amplitude and different phases; a plurality of amplifiers which amplify the plurality of division signals by using a field effect transistor, respectively; transmission lines through which the division signals pass, the division signals being amplified with individual amplifiers of the plurality of amplifiers, the transmission lines have different lengths and no isolation is provided between ends of the transmission lines; and a detector which performs a comparison between gate currents input to the individual amplifiers to detect whether an input of the division signal to any of the plurality of the amplifiers exceeds a saturation level. |
| US08384479B2 |
Partial cascode in combination with full cascode operational transconductance amplifier
An amplifier circuit includes a first stage and a second stage. The first stage includes a differential input circuit coupled to a differential input node. The first stage includes a first partial cascode circuit including devices of a first type, the first partial cascode circuit being coupled to a first power supply node, a first bias node, and the differential input stage. The first stage includes a second partial cascode circuit including devices of a second type, the second partial cascode circuit being coupled to a second power supply node and the differential input circuit. The second stage is coupled to the first stage. The second stage includes a first full cascode circuit coupled to an output node. |
| US08384474B2 |
Bi-directional and adjustable current source
A Bi-Directional and Adjustable Current Source (“BACS”) for providing an input voltage to a mute/standby control pin of a power stage integrated circuit (“IC”) of an amplifier input with a voltage signal that is linear, where an output of the BACS and the input to the control pin are shunted with a capacitor, is described. The BACS may include a first switch in signal communication with a high voltage reference and a first current source in signal communication with the first switch. The BACS may also include a second switch in signal communication with a low voltage reference and a second current source in signal communication with the second switch. The BACS may further include a directional current element in signal communication with both the first current source, the second current source, the output of the BACS, the input to the control pin, and the capacitor, where the directional current element is configured to prevent current flow from the output BACS to the first current source. |
| US08384473B2 |
Voltage output device having an operational amplifier
A voltage output device capable of preventing an increase in circuit scale includes an offset compensation function and is suitably applicable to a drive circuit for display devices. The voltage output device includes an operational amplifier having an inverting input terminal and a non-inverting input terminal. Resistance values of a load resistor on the inverting input side and a load resistor on the non-inverting input side are maintained when the output voltage of the amplifier has changed while sequentially varying either one or both of the resistance values of the load resistor on the inverting input side and the load resistor on the non-inverting input side in a state that the inverting input terminal and the non-inverting input terminal are connected. The voltage output device is configured to output the output voltage of the amplifier with the inverting input terminal not connected to the non-inverting input terminal. |
| US08384472B2 |
Circuit for and method of reducing power consumption in input ports of an integrated circuit
A circuit for reducing power consumption in input ports of an integrated circuit is disclosed. The circuit comprises a plurality of receiver circuits of the integrated circuit for receiving input signals coupled to the integrated circuit; and a bias current generator coupled to the plurality of receiver circuits, the bias current generator providing a bias voltage for each receiver circuit of the plurality of receiver circuits to mirror the current in the bias current generator in each of the receiver circuits. A method of reducing power consumption in input ports of an integrated circuit is also disclosed. |
| US08384467B1 |
Reconfigurable charge pump
An apparatus includes a charge pump array including multiple charge pump cells. The charge pump array is configurable into a first arrangement of the charge pump cells coupled in series or a second arrangement of the charge pump cells coupled in parallel. The apparatus can include reconfiguration circuitry configured to select the first arrangement of the charge pump cells or the second arrangement of the charge pump cells. The charge pump array is configured to alter a voltage level of a signal based, at least in part, on the selected arrangement of the charge pump cells. |
| US08384466B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes an electric fuse circuit and a program protective circuit. The electric fuse circuit includes a fuse element and a transistor connected together in series and placed between a program power supply and a grounding, and controlling sections. The program protective circuit is placed in parallel with the electric fuse circuit and between the program power supply and the grounding. When a surge voltage is applied between the program power supply and the grounding, the foregoing structure allows a part of a surge electric current can flow through the program protective circuit. |
| US08384463B2 |
Clock supply circuit and control method thereof
A clock supply circuit includes a clock generating portion configured to generate a clock signal and to change a frequency of the clock signal from a first frequency to a second frequency being higher than the first frequency; and a intermittent clock generating portion configured to receive the clock signal and to mask a clock pulse of the clock signal at a predetermined rate for a predetermined period when the frequency of the clock signal is changed to the second frequency. |
| US08384462B2 |
Delay element, variable delay line, and voltage controlled oscillator, as well as display device and system comprising the same
To provide, with a simple structure, a voltage controlled oscillator, etc., whose center oscillation frequency is stable even if there is a change in the temperature. A delay element includes: a delay generating part which adds a delay amount to an input signal to generate an output signal; and a delay control part which controls the delay. The delay control part has a delay adjusting circuit which outputs a first control signal for adjusting the delay amount, and a temperature compensating circuit which outputs a second control signal for compensating property changes caused by the temperature. The delay control part outputs a third control signal obtained by synthesizing the first control signal and the second control signal to the delay generating part to control the delay amount. The delay control part obtains the third control signal by having the delay adjusting circuit and the temperature compensating circuit connected in series. |
| US08384461B2 |
Shift register and display device
Disclosed are a shift register and a display device which can suppress noise of output of each stage without causing an increase in circuit scale. In at least one example embodiment, each stage of the shift register includes a first output transistor, a second output transistor, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, an input gate, a first switching element, a second switching element, a third switching element, a fourth switching element, and a fifth switching element. |
| US08384454B2 |
DLL circuit with dynamic phase-chasing function and method thereof
A method of dynamically adjusting phase-chasing speed for increasing efficiency of a DLL circuit includes detecting an overall loop delay for an input clock signal in the DLL circuit, obtaining an optimal divisor according to the overall loop delay, and in the phase-locking period of the DLL circuit, dividing the frequencies of the input clock signal and a feedback clock signal corresponding to the input clock signal according to the optimal divisor. |
| US08384451B2 |
PLL circuit, method for operating PLL circuit and system
A PLL circuit includes: a first counter to accumulate a frequency command word in response to a reference clock signal and to generate a first counted value; a second counter to count an output clock signal and generate a second counted value; a time measuring circuit to measure an interval between a transition edge of the reference clock signal and a transition edge of the output clock signal to output a third counted value; a phase difference normalizing circuit to multiply the third counted value by a normalizing coefficient to generate a first phase difference; an operating circuit to subtract a value obtained by subtracting the first phase difference from the second counted value from the first counted value to generate a phase difference signal; and an oscillator to change a frequency of the output clock signal based on the phase difference signal. |
| US08384441B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit having a squelch circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit has a squelch circuit which has a first noninverting input terminal and a first inverting input terminal, which compares differential amplitude between a signal which is input to the first noninverting input terminal and a signal which is input to the first inverting input terminal with a preset threshold, and which outputs a signal depending upon a result of the comparison. The semiconductor integrated circuit has a first switch circuit between a first reception terminal and the first noninverting input terminal. The semiconductor integrated circuit has a second switch circuit between a second reception terminal and the first inverting input terminal. The semiconductor integrated circuit has a third switch circuit between the first reception terminal and the first inverting input terminal. The semiconductor integrated circuit has a fourth switch circuit between the second reception terminal and the first noninverting input terminal. |
| US08384440B2 |
High resolution capture
The high resolution capture (HRCAP) of this invention enables time stamping of input signals with very high resolution without requiring high frequency sampling. This invention uses a capture delay line to time stamp an input edge signal as a fraction of the input signal sampling frequency. The capture delay line includes a first input receiving a synchronized signal and a second input receiving the input signal. These inputs propagate toward one another within a sequence of bit circuits. The meeting location within the sequence of bit circuits indicates a time of the input signal transition at a resolution greater than possible via the sampling frequency clock. |
| US08384438B1 |
Single-to-differential conversion circuit and method
A conversion circuit includes a first inverter having an input node configured to receive a single-ended signal and second and third inverters each having respective inputs coupled to an output of the first inverter. A fourth inverter has an input coupled to an output of the second inverter and has an output coupled to a first node. A fifth inverter has an input coupled to the first node and an output coupled to a second node to which an output of the third inverter is coupled. Sixth and seventh inverters are configured to respectively output a differential signal based on the single-ended signal. The sixth inverter has an input coupled to the first node, and the seventh inverter has an input coupled to the second node. |
| US08384437B2 |
Method and apparatus for gating a clock signal
A semiconductor device comprising clock gating logic. The clock gating logic comprises clock freezing logic arranged to receive a selected clock signal and an enable signal. The clock freezing logic is further arranged to output a gated clock signal substantially corresponding to the selected clock signal when the enable signal comprises an inactive state, and to freeze the output gated clock signal when the enable signal comprises an active state. The clock gating logic further comprises polarity comparison logic arranged to compare polarities of an input clock signal and the gated clock signal and selector logic arranged to select from the input clock signal and an inverted input clock signal, based on a result of a comparison of the polarities of the input clock signal and the gated clock signal and to provide the selected clock signal to the clock freezing logic. The polarity comparison logic and the selector logic being further arranged such that, upon the enable signal transitioning from an active state to an inactive state, the selected clock signal provided to the clock freezing logic comprises a polarity substantially equivalent to that of the gated clock signal. |
| US08384434B2 |
Semiconductor device capable of switching operation mode and operation mode setting method therefor
A semiconductor device includes a chip, a plurality of pads that is formed along the perimeter of the chip, and that includes a first pad and a second pad placed next to the first pad, and a circuit that is formed on the chip, and that is coupled to the first and second pads. The circuit includes first and second conductivity type transistors that are coupled between first and second reference potentials and a comparator that includes a first input node coupled to the first pad and a second input node coupled to the second pad, and that compares a potential of the first input node with a potential of the second input node. The first pad is coupled to gate electrodes of the first and second conductivity type transistors, and the second pad is coupled to drain electrodes of the first and second conductivity type transistors. |
| US08384433B2 |
Semiconductor device generating complementary output signals
To include a first inverter that receives an input signal to output an inverted signal, a second inverter that receives the inverted signal to output a first internal signal, and a third inverter that receives the input signal and outputs a second internal signal by using the inverted signal as a power supply. According to the present invention, because a signal on one signal path is used as a power supply of an inverter included in the other signal path, phases of a pair of output signals based on the input signal can be exactly matched without adding a capacitor or a resistor for adjustment. |
| US08384431B2 |
Voltage level shifting apparatuses and methods
Level shifting circuits and related methods are disclosed herein. The level shifting circuit includes a cross-coupled pull-up circuit coupled to a higher supply voltage, an output signal, and an inverted output signal. An input signal transitions between a ground and a lower supply voltage and an inverted input signal transitions in a direction opposite from the input signal between the ground and the lower supply voltage. A first n-channel transistor has a gate coupled to the lower supply voltage, a drain coupled to the output signal, and a source coupled to the inverted input signal. A second n-channel transistor has a gate coupled to the lower supply voltage, a drain coupled to the inverted output signal, and a source coupled to the input signal. The level shifting circuit may be included in an IC with core logic in a first voltage domain and input/output logic in a second voltage domain. |
| US08384428B1 |
Pre-configuration programmability of I/O circuitry
In one embodiment of the invention, a programmable logic device, such as an FPGA, has programmable I/O circuits that can be programmed into any one of a number of different operating modes before configuration is completed. As such, the same set of I/O circuits and corresponding I/O pads can be used to configure the device using different configuration interfaces having different interface signaling requirements. Such a device may be able to be implemented using fewer I/O pads than conventional devices that employ a different set of I/O pads for each different type of configuration interface supported by the device. |
| US08384427B1 |
Configuring multiple programmable logic devices with serial peripheral interfaces
In one embodiment, a programmable logic device includes configuration memory, an SPI port for receiving a bitstream, a chip select output pin, and configuration control circuitry. The chip select output pin can provide a chip select signal having a first logic state for selecting another device (such as another PLD) to receive a bitstream and a second logic state for de-selecting the other device. The configuration control circuitry is responsive to a command embedded in the received bitstream to drive the chip select output pin from the second logic state to the first logic state, thereby selecting the other device to receive the bitstream. Several such PLDs connected in a daisy chain can thus be configured from a single configuration source or have their configuration data read back while so connected. |
| US08384426B2 |
Semiconductor device and structure
A novel Integrated Circuit device including a plurality of antifuse-configurable interconnect circuits, each circuit including: at least two interconnects, and at least one antifuse, wherein the antifuse is adapted to directly connect at least two interconnects. The Integrated Circuit device also includes a plurality of transistors adapted to configure at least one antifuse of the antifuse-configurable interconnect circuits, wherein the transistors are above the antifuse-configurable interconnect circuits. |
| US08384424B2 |
Real time averaged impedance calibration for on-die termination
An averaged impedance calibration is obtained by utilizing two separately controlled resistive loads arranged in parallel and choosing two adjacent control codes to configure switch arrays to set the resistance of each of the separate resistive loads. The resistance of the resistive loads is averaged to provide greater accuracy. The two adjacent control codes are close to the target impedance value and typically one is slightly higher and one is slightly lower than the target impedance value. |
| US08384421B1 |
Digital CMOS circuit with noise cancellation
A system is provided with a digital complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device and a noise cancellation circuit. The CMOS device has a first interface to accept a binary logic input signal, a second interface to accept a source current, a third interface to supply a binary logic output signal, and a fourth interface connected to a first dc voltage (e.g., ground) to sink current. A first resistor is interposed between a second dc voltage (e.g., Vdd), with a potential higher than the first dc voltage, and the second interface of the CMOS device. The noise cancellation circuit has a first interface connected to the second dc voltage. The noise cancellation circuit high pass filters ac noise on the second dc voltage, amplifies the filtered noise, and supplies the amplified noise at a second interface connected to the second interface of the CMOS device. |
| US08384418B1 |
Mitigating the effect of single event transients on input/output pins of an integrated circuit device
A system for protecting an input/output (I/O) pin of an integrated circuit device (IC) from single event transients is disclosed. The system includes a first delay circuit that is configured to delay a clock signal from the clock source by a first predetermined amount of time, and a second delay circuit that is configured to delay the clock signal by a second predetermined amount of time. The system further includes a first register that is clocked by the clock signal, a second register that is clocked by the clock signal delayed by the first predetermined amount of time, and a third register that is clocked by the clock signal delayed by the second predetermined amount of time. The system also includes voter circuits, where each voter circuit is configured to receive a first data signal from an output of the first register, a second data signal from an output of the second register, and a third data signal from an output of the third register. |
| US08384417B2 |
Systems and methods utilizing redundancy in semiconductor chip interconnects
An integrated circuit, or combination of integrated circuits, has a primary interconnect, a redundant interconnect, and circuitry connecting the primary and redundant interconnects allowing selection of the redundant interconnect to bypass the primary interconnect. |
| US08384416B2 |
Fault tolerant integrated circuit architecture
The exemplary embodiments provide a resilient integrated circuit. An exemplary IC comprises a plurality of composite circuit elements, a state machine element (SME), and a plurality of communication elements. Each composite circuit element comprises an element interface and a selected circuit element which may vary by element type, and which may be configurable. The state machine element assigns various functions based on element type, such as assigning a first configuration to a first element type, assigning a second configuration to a second element type, and providing a first data link for the corresponding assignments. In response to detection of a fault or failure, the state machine element re-assigns the first configuration to another composite circuit element and creates a second data link for performance of the same function. The assignment, routing, fault detection, and re-assignment and data re-routing can occur in real time for a wide variety of programs and algorithms, providing for the IC to continue the same functioning despite defects which may arise during operation. |
| US08384413B2 |
Anti-tampering obscurity using firmware power mirror compiler
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a mirror compiler is provided for each protected device or circuit resulting in a program that is embedded into the protected device's source code. The mirror compiler can be configured to have multiple selectable compilation parameters offering the programmer flexible options for mirrored power cancellations.In the preferred embodiment, the mirror compiler comprises a digital-to-analog converter and a digital-to-analog load to sink current. These elements serve to define a complement of the normal (i.e., unprotected) programmed device's output current. The digital-to-analog load currents are output and thus act to cancel the expected variations in the currents of the protected programmed device. |
| US08384411B2 |
Method and device for measuring inter-chip signals
A method and device for measuring a signal of a die to be placed within a package is disclosed. At least one die as a Device Under Test (DUT) is mounted on a substrate and a chip-type measurement instrument is mounted on the substrate, or embedded into the substrate, wherein the instrument analyzes and/or processes the signal of the DUT and may provide stimulus signal to the DUT. The substrate having the DUT and the measurement instrument is mounted on a circuit board that has plural electrodes to be connected to the signal paths of the DUT and the instrument. An electrode is coupled to a standard interface port to provide the signal of the chip-type instrument to an external instrument. |
| US08384410B1 |
Parallel test circuit with active devices
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a system is provided that comprises a first terminal for receiving an input testing signal during operation; a plurality of input/output terminals coupled with the first terminal; wherein the input/output terminals are configured to parallel output respective output testing signals during parallel output operation; wherein the input/output terminals are configured to parallel input testing response signals during parallel input operation from devices under test; and wherein each of the input/output terminals is electrically isolated during operation from the remaining plurality of input/output terminals. |
| US08384408B2 |
Test module with blocks of universal and specific resources
A test module for a test apparatus for testing a device under test, the test module being adapted for performing a specific test function and having a universal section adapted to provide test resources being unspecific with regard to the test function of the test module, the universal section having a control interface adapted to be connected to a central control device of the test apparatus, and having a specific section to be coupled to the universal section and adapted to provide test resources being specific with regard to the test function of the test module, the specific section having a device under test interface adapted to be connected to the device under test. |
| US08384398B2 |
Structural health monitoring system and method using soft capacitive sensing materials
A structural health monitoring system is provided to diagnose and localize crack damage on structural elements. The system uses one or more capacitive sensor assemblies that employ a soft dielectric material. The system can be applied over a large area as a sensing skin, allowing the presence of cracks to be localized. |
| US08384394B2 |
Communication apparatus and withstand voltage test method
A communication apparatus including: a frame; a transmission line connectable to a public line network; a print circuit board including a frame ground terminal portion and configured such that a dielectric strength between the transmission line and the frame ground terminal portion takes a specific value in a state in which elements are connected to between the transmission line and the frame ground terminal portion via conductor patterns. The frame ground terminal portion includes: a first land formed on a first conductor pattern formed on a face of the print circuit board, a surge protection element being connected to the first conductor pattern; and a second land formed on a second conductor pattern formed on the face, elements different from the surge protection element being connected to the second conductor pattern. The first and second lands contacts the frame by fixing of the print circuit board to the frame. |
| US08384393B2 |
Method and apparatus for evaluating electromagnetic hazard protection devices
A method and apparatus which provide for measurement of embedded EMH, HIRF, or EMI (collectively referred to herein as EMH components), non-destructive measurement of embedded EMH components, component determination using only a simple current measurement; component determination without a priori knowledge of the range of values, the architecture of the test circuit that uses three MOSFET (or equivalent), switches, current measuring circuits, and suitable timing to accurately determine the component values, measurement of an embedded capacitor with relatively unknown parallel load resistance, and/or non-destructive measurement of R/C/TPD type components for any application. |
| US08384392B2 |
Methods and apparatus for continuous ground fault self test
Methods and apparatus for continuous ground fault self-test are disclosed. An example ground fault detection device includes a sense coil to detect current in a line conductor and a neutral conductor, the sense coil comprising a winding influenced by a current difference between the line conductor and the neutral conductor. The example ground fault detection device also includes a current bypass to facilitate a continuous current imbalance detected by the sense coil, and a ground fault detector circuit to detect at least one of the continuous current imbalance in the sense coil or a ground fault current imbalance. |
| US08384389B2 |
Method of monitoring behavior of carbon dioxide in porous aquifer by using marine controlled-sources electromagnetic survey
A method of monitoring a behavior of carbon dioxide in a stratum by using a marine Controlled-Sources Electromagnetic survey, includes: (S10) collecting a sample of sandstone at a stratum for charging carbon dioxide; (S20) calculating an effective porosity of the collected sample; (S30) measuring an electrical resistivity by saturating the collected rock sample with a pore fluid having a different concentration; (S40) forecasting a change of an electrical resistivity of stratum by charging carbon dioxide; (S50) carrying out a Marine CSEM exploration before and after charging the carbon dioxide separately in each step; and (S60) monitoring a charging behavior of carbon dioxide in stratum by a Marine CSEM exploration. |
| US08384388B2 |
Magnetic resonance acquisition system, receiver antenna module, transmission signal reception module, magnetic resonance system and method to transfer MR response signals
A magnetic resonance receiver system has an antenna arrangement with a number of receiver antenna elements to receive MR response signals. The magnetic resonance system has a combination network arrangement with a number of combination networks in order to combine the MR response signals received by various receiver antenna elements, to form modes, a frequency multiplexer arrangement downstream of the combination network that superimposes at least some of the modes in a common transmission signal, and a transmission line arrangement with a number of transmission lines in order to respectively transfer the transmission signals to an input channel of a first channel switching matrix. This input channel is associated with the transmission line. Downstream of the first channel switching matrix is a frequency demultiplexer arrangement that filters the modes superimposed in a transmission signal out of the transmission signal. Downstream of the frequency demultiplexer arrangement is a second channel switching matrix that connects the modes at specific inputs of an MR signal processing device. |
| US08384387B1 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
A magnetic resonance imaging configuration to straighten and otherwise homogenize the field lines in the imaging portion, creating improved image quality. Through use of calibrated corrective coils, magnetic field lines can be manipulated to improve uniformity and image quality. Additionally, when the apparatus is composed of non-ferromagnetic materials, field strengths can be increased to overcome limitations of Iron-based systems such as by use of superconductivity. A patient positioning apparatus allowing multi-positioning is also disclosed. |
| US08384385B2 |
Magnetic resonance apparatus and method to detect incorrect magnetic resonance data
In a method and apparatus to detect incorrect MR data in k-space representing MR signals acquired from an examination subject with at least two acquisition coils, MR data are acquired to generate at least one raw data set with each of the at least two acquisition coils and a check is made, for at least one k-space point, as to whether the MR data acquired for this k-space point should be replaced or not. In the event that the check yields that the MR data acquired for the at least one k-space point should be replaced, the MR data are replaced with reconstructed MR data that are based on at least two of the acquired raw data sets. |
| US08384384B2 |
System and method for split-echo split-blade data collection for propeller magnetic resonance imaging
A computer readable storage medium has stored thereon a computer program having instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to apply a first plurality of RF pulses during a first TR interval of an MR pulse sequence to generate a first echo train. A plurality of echoes of the first echo train are split into a plurality of echo pairs. Within a first echo space, first and second gradient pulses are applied during respective first and second generated echoes, and respective first and second sets of k-space data are acquired that correspond to respective first and second blades of k-space data in the same k-space. The first and second blades have orientations at different angles from one another. The instructions further cause the computer to reconstruct an image based on the acquired first and second sets of k-space data. |
| US08384381B2 |
Biological detector and method
A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid. |
| US08384380B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method
In order to stably obtain an even fat-suppressed image without reduction of an imaging efficiency and without being affected by unevenness of irradiation magnetic field of an RF pulse, when an imaging sequence having a first sequence part for suppressing a signal from a desired component of an examinee by applying a CHESS pulse and a second sequence part for measuring an echo signal from the examinee is repeated, the flip angle of the CHESS pulse is changed at plural times. In the case of multi-slice imaging, the flip angle of the CHESS pulse is changed in at lest two slice imaging. |
| US08384377B2 |
Self-powered magnetic tachometer for supplying a signal representative of rotational rate and absolute position
A tachometer for supplying a signal representative of the rotational rate of a rotatable device includes a plurality of detection magnets, an index feature, and one or more non-rotationally mounted magnetic circuits. The detection magnets are coupled to, and spaced around, the device, to thereby rotate with the device when the device is rotated. The index feature is associated with the rotatable device, to thereby rotate with the device when the device is rotated. The index feature and the plurality of detection magnets are spaced evenly around the device. The magnetic circuits are spaced evenly around the device, and each magnetic circuit is configured to supply a first electrical signal each time one of the detection magnets rotates past the magnetic circuit and a second electrical signal each time the index feature rotates. |
| US08384375B2 |
Noncontact position sensor
A non-contact position sensor includes a magnet, magnetoresistive elements arranged on a line extending in a predetermined direction on a pole surface of the magnet with predetermined intervals, and an object made of magnetic material displaceable in the predetermined direction. The magnetoresistive elements are connected serially between a power supply and a ground. A first magnetoresistive element is connected to the second magnetoresistive element at a first node. A second magnetoresistive element is connected to a third magnetoresistive element at a second node. The object includes a projection and a shaft connected to the projection. The projection can face the first to third magnetoresistive elements. The shaft is located away from the pole surface by a distance longer than a distance between the projection and the pole surface of the magnet. |
| US08384372B1 |
Non-linear electrical actuation and detection
A method and system is disclosed to detect and analyze an electric signal based on movement between an element and a counter electrode influenced by a nonlinear electric field produced by an electrical signal impressed between the element and counter electrode. Through detection of changes in the distance between the element and the counter electrode characteristics of the element and/or the environment of the element may be ascertained. Changes in the distance between the element and the counter electrode may be monitored based on changes in the value of capacitance between the element and counter electrode. The disclosed devices and methods may be employed to detect, for instance, presence of chemical/biological species in a sample or measure physical parameters of a sample such as pressure/acceleration, density, viscosity, magnetic force, temperature, and/or extremely small masses. |
| US08384369B2 |
Microprocessor controlled variation in cut-out pulse application in alternating current power
A microprocessor operated controller device and associated method for modifying an AC input power to provide a reduced power AC output power to a load when coupled to the controller device. The AC output power has a series of cut-out pulses in each half cycle of the AC output power waveform. The device includes a switching system having a plurality of switching elements for positioning the series of cut-out pulses in each half cycle of a waveform of the AC input power to result in said reduced power AC output power and a switch control system for coordinating opening and closing of the plurality of switching elements during positioning of the series of cut-out pulses. The switch control system includes a synchronization system for synchronizing the switching system with timing of each half cycle of the AC input power waveform. The device also includes a digital processor for selecting a predefined pattern of the series of cut-out pulses from a plurality of predefined patterns of cut-out pulses, such that at least two patterns of the plurality of predefined patterns of cut-out pulses have different combinations of parameter definitions including number of cut-out pulses per half cycle and positioning of the pulses per half cycle. |
| US08384368B2 |
Power conversion apparatus and controller thereof
A power conversion apparatus includes a converter having an input power source Vin, a reactor L1, a switching element Q1, and a rectifying element D1, a smoothing capacitor C1 connected to an output terminal of the converter, and a controller 10b to turn on/off the switching element and thereby control power to be outputted from the converter. The controller has a pulse generator 15 to generate a pulse signal according to an input voltage to the converter and an output voltage from the converter, the pulse signal being used to turn on/off the switching element. The controller also has an adjuster 18 to mask an ON time of the pulse signal for a predetermined time and thereby provide the pulse signal with an adjusted ON time, the adjusted ON time determining a duty ratio at which the switching element is turned on/off. |
| US08384363B2 |
Buck DC-to-DC converter and method
A method and apparatus for converting a DC voltage to a lower DC voltage, provides for conducting current from an input terminal, through an inductor to charge a capacitor connected to the inductor at an output terminal and to provide a varying range of load current from the output terminal, alternately switching the input terminal between a supply voltage and a ground potential to produce a desired voltage at the output terminal that is lower than the supply voltage, while providing the varying range of load current, and disconnecting the input terminal from both the supply voltage and the ground potential to reduce an increase in voltage at the output terminal caused by a substantial reduction in the load current, while current through the inductor adjusts in response to the reduced load current. |
| US08384360B2 |
Hybrid battery
A hybrid battery includes a converter, a controller, a power source, and an ultracapacitor configured to be discharged. The converter is operable to receive a control signal and to regulate a current level that is allowed to be drawn from the power source to charge the ultracapacitor in accordance with the control signal. The controller is operable to generate and provide the control signal to the converter. The controller is operable to generate the control signal based at least in part on a measure of the voltage level of the ultracapacitor and a measure current being drawn to charge the ultracapacitor. |
| US08384358B2 |
Systems and methods for electric vehicle charging and for providing notification of variations from charging expectations
Methods and systems are provided to charge a vehicle battery from an external power source. The system includes a sensor configured to detect an electrical current received from the external power source and a processor configured to determine a charging schedule related to charging the vehicle battery. The processor is also configured to determine a variation from the charging schedule based on the electrical current and to direct transmissions of messages based on the electrical current detected by the sensor. The system includes a remote electronic device configured to receive the messages and to alert a driver of the plug-in vehicle based on the messages. |
| US08384354B2 |
Sensor arrangement and method of using the same
A sensor arrangement and method that may be used with a variety of different energy storage devices, including battery packs found in hybrid vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and other types of vehicles. An exemplary sensor arrangement includes a number of sensor units, a controller, and several connections, wherein two or more sensor units are coupled to each node of the battery pack and are coupled to the controller over different connections. An exemplary method is divided into two aspects: an error detection aspect and an error resolution aspect. Because the sensor arrangement provides multiple sensor readings for each node being evaluated, the method can enable the sensor arrangement to continue operating accurately and with redundancy even if it experiences a loss of one or more sensor units. |
| US08384353B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack which is detachably connected to a charger and charged by connecting thereto, includes a battery assembly including a plurality of secondary batteries serially connected; a pair of power terminals connected to a negative and a positive electrode of the battery assembly, respectively; a control circuit adapted to individually detect voltages across respective secondary batteries and output a charge control signal to the charger when the detected voltages exceed a predetermined value; a signal terminal adapted to output the charge control signal to the charger; and a temperature measurement element for detecting a temperature of the battery assembly. Further, the control circuit changes the predetermined value to be compared with the detected voltages based on the detected temperature of the temperature measurement element. |
| US08384349B2 |
Monitoring system for electric power tool, battery pack for electric power tool, and battery charger for electric power tool
A battery monitoring system for electric power tool includes a battery pack for electric power tool and an auxiliary power source. The battery pack has a battery and a monitoring circuit. The battery is provided with at least one battery cell. The monitoring circuit is operated by electric power supplied from the battery, and monitors a status of the battery. The auxiliary power source outputs electric power allowing the monitoring circuit to operate. The monitoring circuit is configured such that, when the monitoring circuit is unoperational with the electric power of the battery due to a decrease in a voltage of the battery, the monitoring circuit becomes operational by the electric power supplied from the auxiliary power source. |
| US08384348B2 |
Touch-switchable USB charging receptacle
A touch-switchable USB charging receptacle includes a rectifying and transforming circuit connected to a public power supply for converting AC power into DC power and supplying the latter to DC devices, such as mobile phones, MP3 players, video games, personal digital assistants, etc.; a power supply connector and an illuminating indicator module electrically connected to the rectifying and transforming circuit to obtain power supply; an integrally formed cover plate isolating the rectifying and transforming circuit, the power supply connector and the illuminating indicator module from external environment; and a touch switch located behind the cover plate and electrically connected to the rectifying and transforming circuit for controlling a power supply state of the latter. The illuminating indicator module emits indicating light, which is visible via a light-pervious indicator provided on the cover plate. Therefore, the cover plate is not only water-retardant but also capable of indicating a power supply state. |
| US08384340B2 |
Electrical appliance that utilizes multiple power sources
An electrical appliance (20) that accepts multiple different self-contained power sources (24, 33). As an example, an electrical appliance may receive a rechargeable battery pack (24) or a power cartridge (33) that is designed to receive disposable batteries (40). If the user does not have sufficient power left in a battery pack (24), the power cartridge (33) may be filled with disposable dry cell batteries (40), and may be inserted in the electrical appliance (20) to provide power. Another self contained power cartridge (44) may include a fuel cell. The fuel cell power cartridge (44) may include removable fuel cell cartridges (48), for example, each having a fuel therein, such as hydrogen. |
| US08384338B2 |
System and method for determining stator winding resistance in an AC motor using motor drives
A system and method for determining the stator winding resistance of AC motors is provided. The system includes an AC motor drive having an input connectable to an AC source and an output connectable to an input terminal of an AC motor, a pulse width modulation (PWM) converter having switches therein to control current flow and terminal voltages in the AC motor, and a control system connected to the PWM converter. The control system generates a command signal to cause the PWM converter to control an output of the AC motor drive corresponding to an input to the AC motor, selectively generates a modified command signal to cause the PWM converter to inject a DC signal into the output of the AC motor drive, and determines a stator winding resistance of the AC motor based on the DC signal of at least one of the voltage and current. |
| US08384335B2 |
Motor driving apparatus having DC link voltage regulating function
A motor driving apparatus comprises: an AC/DC converter which converts AC voltage supplied from an AC power source into DC voltage through PWM switching control of a power switching device; and a DC/AC converter which converts the DC voltage into variable-frequency AC voltage for driving a motor in a controlled manner. The AC/DC converter includes: a control unit which generates, based on an error between the DC voltage and a DC voltage command value, a PWM signal for the PWM switching control of the power switching device; and a frequency/gain varying unit which sets the frequency of the PWM signal to be generated by the control unit and a control gain in the control unit higher than their normal levels during a period in which a load in the DC/AC converter varies. |
| US08384329B2 |
Wiper system and wiper control method
A wiper is continuously reciprocally swung between an upper return position and a lower return position by controlling an electric motor when an operational command for executing a continuous operational mode is entered by a user through a wiper switch. The wiper is reciprocally swung after stopping of the wiper for a predetermined time period at a predetermined position, which is located on an outer side of the lower return position that is opposite from the upper return position in a swing direction of the wiper and at which an influence of a wind pressure applied to the wiper is smaller in comparison to the lower return position, by controlling the electric motor when an operational command for executing an intermittent operational mode is entered through the entering means. |
| US08384323B2 |
Motor magnetic-pole-position estimating apparatus
A motor magnetic-pole-position estimating apparatus includes a command voltage output device and a current detector. A model-current calculator is configured to calculate a model current corresponding to a voltage equation for a predetermined model of a motor based on a command voltage and an actual current. A current-difference calculator is configured to calculate a current difference between the model current and the actual current. Each of first and second magnetic-pole-position-difference calculators is configured to calculate a magnetic-pole-position difference between an actual magnetic-pole position of the motor and an estimated or designated magnetic-pole position based on the current difference depending on whether or not a rotation speed of the motor is lower than a predetermined value. A magnetic-pole-position calculation device is configured to calculate the magnetic-pole position of the motor based on the magnetic-pole-position difference calculated by the first or second magnetic-pole-position-difference calculator. |
| US08384320B2 |
Protection method for a reversible electric motor
A method of protecting a reversible electric motor that includes an armature capable of rotating axially about itself between two angular end positions, the axial rotation of the armature undergoing a deceleration phase as each angular end position approaches, where the method involves determining a characteristic value of the deceleration phase, comparing this characteristic value to a predetermined threshold value, and applying a degraded operating mode when the characteristic value is far from the threshold value. |
| US08384318B2 |
Induction motor torque control in a pumping system
A system and method are provided for controlling the speed of a motor driving a load that is electrically connected to a generator driven by an engine, through use of a first control feedback loop configured to control the rotor flux of the motor by controlling the field excitation of the generator, and a second control feedback loop configured to control the speed of the motor by controlling the throttle position of the engine. |
| US08384313B2 |
System and method to improve switching in power switching applications
A circuit for improving the control of a change in state of a signal in an electronic device between a first state and a second state, wherein a first change in state occurs when the state changes from the second state to the first state and a second change in state occurs when the state changes from the first state to the second state and wherein the first and second changes in state have associated therewith a first and a second time delay over which each change in state occurs, characterized in that said circuit comprises a determining unit for measuring the first time delay and a calculator for calculating a common delay to replace one or more of the first and second delays to thereby improve the control of the change in state of the signal. |
| US08384312B2 |
Power distribution system for supplying electrical power to a plurality of lighting units
A power distribution system for applying electric power to a plurality of lighting units is provided. The power distribution system includes at least one user interface having a first pairing setting unit, a plurality of second pairing setting units, and a power line. The user interface is electrically connected with a power source. Each of the second pairing setting units is electrically connected with one of the lighting units, respectively. The power line connected with the lighting units is electrically connected between the first pairing setting unit and the second pairing setting units. Each of the second pairing setting units is capable of receiving an electrical signal output by the first pairing setting unit and determining whether the lighting unit controlled thereby is turned on or not. Therefore, each of the second pairing setting units connected with the same power line can be controlled individually. |
| US08384311B2 |
Light emitting diode selection circuit
The present invention relates to a Light Emitting Diode (LED) selection circuit for an LED driver that drives multiple unequal lengths of LED strings, which selectively turns the LED strings ON and OFF corresponding to an input alternating current (AC) line voltage. The LED driver provides optimal efficiency as input AC line voltage varies from low to high voltages (i.e. 90V to 150V for nominal 120 VAC operation and 190V to 250V for nominal 220 VAC operation). Thus The LED driver can be used internationally since it accepts voltages from virtually every industrialized country in the world. The LED selection circuit in accordance with the present invention comprises a rectifier, multiple LED strings, multiple current sources and a controller. The controller generates multiple signals to the corresponding current source and turns ON and OFF the LED strings. |
| US08384308B2 |
Drive circuit for LEDs
This present invention provides a drive circuit to drive LEDs. The drive circuit comprises a transistor and a voltage regulator. The transistor is connected to the LEDs in series. The voltage regulator receives a first voltage to generate a second voltage to control the gate electrode of the transistor. The second voltage can turn on the transistor and ensure this transistor operated in saturation mode to generate a drive current to drive the LEDs. |
| US08384307B2 |
Continuous step driver
A light emitting diode (LED) lamp includes an LED cluster including LED groups arranged in series, a power source configured to provide an input power to the LED cluster, and a driving unit configured to adjust a number of the LED groups connected to a current path of the LED cluster in series based on the input power to the LED cluster. |
| US08384305B2 |
LED driver with direct AC-DC conversion and control, and method and integrated circuit therefor
The present invention discloses an LED driver with direct AC-DC conversion and control function, and a method and integrated circuit therefor. The LED driver comprises: a primary side circuit receiving rectified AC power, the primary side circuit including at least one power switch; a transformer coupled to the primary side circuit and controlled by the at least one power switch to convert a primary voltage to a secondary voltage which is supplied to an LED circuit; and a secondary side circuit coupled to the transformer, the secondary side circuit directly controlling current flowing through the LED circuit and sending a feedback signal to the primary side circuit to control the at least one power switch thereby. |
| US08384302B2 |
Operating device for operating a light source, in particular LED
The invention relates to an operating device for operating an LED light source. The device includes a first power converter stage (P1) supplied with mains voltage with a first reference potential (Z1), a second power converter stage (P2) with a second reference potential (Z2), which is connected to the secondary side of the first power converter stage (P1) via a first potential isolation unit (G1), a digital control unit (C1), which, via a second potential isolation unit (G2), controls the first power converter stage (P1) and the second power converter stage (P2) without potential isolation, at least one power switch (S2) which clocks the converter stage (P2), and an illuminant (L), which is supplied with energy by the second converter stage (P2). |
| US08384297B2 |
Method of controlling an operating frequency of an electronic dimming ballast
An electronic ballast for driving a gas discharge lamp comprises an inverter circuit, a resonant tank circuit, and a control circuit operable to determine an approximation of a resonant frequency of the resonant tank circuit and to control the inverter circuit in response to the approximation of the resonant frequency. The control circuit determines the approximation of the resonant frequency by adjusting an operating frequency of a high-frequency inverter output voltage provided to the resonant tank circuit from a frequency above the resonant frequency down towards the resonant frequency, measuring the magnitude of a lamp voltage across the lamp, and storing the present value of the operating frequency as the resonant frequency when the magnitude of the lamp voltage reaches a maximum value. The control circuit may control the operating frequency of the inverter output voltage in response to the approximation of the resonant frequency and a target intensity of the lamp. |
| US08384296B2 |
High pressure discharge lamp lighting apparatus and projector
A high pressure discharge lamp lighting apparatus that comprises a power supply apparatus that supplies a rectangle wave alternating current to the high pressure discharge lamp for lighting, such that when the lamp is operated by electric power of 0.5×P (W) or less, when maximum operation power P (W) in a steady lighting state except an initial lighting period that is immediately after starting, where a first polarity driving period of a rectangle wave alternating current is Ta (seconds), and where a second polarity driving period is Tb (seconds) an operation is performed so that the second polarity driving period Tb is 5 ms or less (Tb≦5 ms) and a ratio Tb/Ta of these two driving periods is 0.1 or less (Tb/Ta≦0.1). |
| US08384294B2 |
System and method for color creation and matching
Systems and methods for controlling an output of a luminaire. The luminaire uses stored spectral information for light sources within the luminaire to determine a coordinate for each light source within a color space. A desired output color is also converted to a coordinate within the color space. The distance between the desired output color coordinate and each of the coordinates corresponding to the light sources is calculated to select initial control values for the light sources. The initial control values for each light source are individually modified by a step size value, the total output of the luminaire is calculated and converted to a coordinate within the color space, and the distance between the total luminaire output coordinate and the desired color coordinate is calculated. The control values for the light sources are iteratively modified until the luminaire output coordinate is within a threshold value of the desired color output. |
| US08384293B2 |
Lamp brightness remote controlling device
A lamp brightness remote controlling device is provided for regulating a brightness level of a lamp correspondingly provided with a wireless receiver unit, and includes a first central processor, to which an ambient brightness detector, a setting key, and a wireless transmitter module are electrically connected. The first central processor compares a user-set brightness level set by a user via the setting key with an ambient brightness detected by the ambient brightness detector, computes, and then outputs a comparison signal to the wireless transmitter module for transmitting to the wireless receiver unit on the lamp, so that a luminance of the lamp is automatically regulated to always keep a working environment at the user-set brightness level. |
| US08384290B2 |
Illumination system adaptable to a cooling appliance
The present invention is directed to an illumination system adaptable to a cooling appliance. The illumination system includes a lighting module, a mode switch and a controller. Specifically, the lighting module includes at least one lighting device; the mode switch is used to determine a power mode for the lighting module; and the controller provides corresponding power to the lighting device according to the power mode. In one embodiment, the illumination system further includes a heating module having a heater for providing heat to the controller. In another embodiment, the lighting device is disposed near the controller. |
| US08384289B2 |
Method and system for a light sensing headlight modulator
Techniques for providing a method and system for light sensing vehicle light modulator are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method, comprising detecting incoming light utilizing a plurality of light sensors operatively connected to an vehicle, measuring the incoming light intensity, and decreasing a intensity of light output by one or more lights of the vehicle based at least in pan on a measurement of the incoming light intensity. |
| US08384288B2 |
Electroluminescent fabric embedding illuminated fabric display
Disclosed herein is an electroluminescent fabric embedding an illuminated fabric display. The electroluminescent fabric according to the present invention comprises: a foundation layer composed of a synthetic, regenerated or natural fiber; a polymer layer stacked on the base layer; a first bus bar stacked on the polymer layer; a transparent electrode layer stacked on the first bus bar; a fluorescent layer stacked on the transparent electrode layer; a dielectric layer stacked on the fluorescent layer; an interface electrode layer stacked on the dielectric layer; and a second bus bar connected to the interface electrode layer. |
| US08384286B2 |
Compound and organic light emitting device using the compound
A novel mono(benzo[k]fluoranthene) compound having a molecular structure containing at least one condensed ring aromatic group which is tricyclic or more at any of 7- to 9-positions of benzo[k]fluoranthene. Also an organic light emitting device including at least a pair of electrodes formed of an anode and a cathode, and a layer formed of an organic compound, the layer being interposed between the pair of electrodes, in which the layer formed of an organic compound contains a compound represented by the following structural formula. An organic light emitting device in which the layer is a light emitting layer. |
| US08384284B2 |
Phosphors having high light emission luminescence
Provided are phosphors that can exhibit higher emission luminance. Phosphors in which the activator is included in a compound represented by Formula xM1O.M2O.yM3O2 (wherein M1 represents one or more of a group comprising Ca, Sr and Ba, M2 represents Mg and/or Zn, M3 represents Si and/or Ge, x is a value in the range 4 to 6 and y is a value in the range 2 to 4). Phosphors represented by Formula M15(1−z)EuzM2M33O12 (wherein M1, M2 and M3 have the same meanings as above, and z is a value in the range 0.0001 to 0.3). The above phosphors have the same crystal structure as bredigite. |
| US08384281B2 |
Matrix-type cold-cathode electron source device
A matrix-type cold-cathode electron source device includes: an emitter array (3b) in which a plurality of emitters are arranged, and a gate electrode (5) opposed to the emitter array (3b). The gate electrode (5) includes: an emitter area gate electrode (5c) opposed to the emitter array (3b); a gate address electrode (5a) connecting the emitter area gate electrode (5c) to a gate signal wire (8a); and a high-resistance area (5b) disposed between the gate address electrode (5a) and the emitter area gate electrode (5c). |
| US08384280B2 |
Reflective electrode, display device, and method for producing display device
A reflective electrode (2) includes an aluminum alloy layer (2a) and an aluminum oxide layer (2b) arranged on or above a substrate and is directly connected to a transparent pixel electrode (3) without the interposition of a barrier metal layer. The aluminum alloy layer contains 0.1 to 2 atomic percent of nickel or cobalt and 0.1 to 2 atomic percent of lanthanum. The aluminum oxide layer has a ratio [O]/[Al] of the number of oxygen atoms [O] to the number of aluminum atoms [Al] of 0.30 or less. The aluminum oxide layer has a thickness in its thinnest portion of 10 nm or less. The reflective electrode has a high reflectance and a low contact resistance, even when subjected to a heat treatment at a low temperature of 100° C. or higher but 300° C. or lower. The reflective electrode also has excellent thermal stability and does not cause defects such as hillocks. |
| US08384279B2 |
Composite ceramic electrode and ignition device therewith
A spark plug, center electrode and method of construction is provided. The spark plug has a generally annular ceramic insulator and a conductive shell surrounding at least a portion of the ceramic insulator. A ground electrode is operatively attached to the shell, with the ground electrode having a ground electrode sparking surface. A center electrode has an elongate body with a center electrode sparking surface. The center electrode sparking surface and the ground electrode sparking surface provide a spark gap. The center electrode body is constructed of a composite material including at least one ceramic material. |
| US08384277B2 |
Spark plug with an identifier
A spark plug includes an insulator having an axial hole extending in the direction of an axis, and a terminal electrode disposed at a rear end portion of the axial hole. An identifier bearing externally visible identification information is joined to the rear end surface of the terminal electrode. The identifier has a thickness of 0.03 mm or greater along the direction of the axis. |
| US08384266B2 |
Brush wear detector system with wireless sensor
A brush wear detector system for a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The brush wear detector system includes a brush holder, and at least one brush located within the brush holder. At least one spring is in contact with the brush and the spring operates to force the brush against an electrically conductive member of the dynamoelectric machine. A wireless sensor is configured to detect when a predetermined amount of wear has occurred to the at least one brush, and is also configured to identify the brush having the predetermined amount of wear. The wireless sensor is attached to the at least one brush. |
| US08384261B2 |
Stepping motor including a connection structure of a stator yoke and a front plate
A motor includes a stator having boss portions on an end plate thereof, a front plate provided on an upper surface of the stator, and a band connecting the stator and the front plate. Recess portions are formed adjacent to an outer peripheral edge of the front plate, and a protruding portion is provided in each recess portion. The band has a bottom plate part and attachment parts. The bottom plate part includes notched portions. Each attachment part includes an engagement portion at a tip end thereof which includes a notched portion. The notched portions of the bottom plate part are fitted with the boss portions of the end plate, and the notched portions of the engagement portions are fitted with the protruding portions of the front plate to form engagement hooks at most tip ends of the engagement portions, respectively, thereby connecting the stator and the front plate. |
| US08384260B2 |
Geared motor assembly
A geared motor assembly has a rotation-transmitting shaft for transferring output rotation of a reducer on the front side of a motor to an output shaft sensor on the rear side of the motor. A front end portion of the rotation-transmitting shaft is securely bonded to a rotation output member of the reducer by an adhesive that exhibits flexibility or elasticity after hardening, and a rear end portion of the rotation-transmitting shaft is rotatably supported by a sensor cover via a bearing in a position adjacent to the output shaft sensor. The rotation-transmitting shaft can be supported in a state free of axial runout by deformation of the adhesive and by the bearing. Consequently, the rotation angle position of the rotation output member can be detected with precision by the output shaft sensor in a position adjacent to the bearing. |
| US08384258B2 |
Stator for electric rotating machine
A stator includes a stator coil that is formed of a plurality of electric wires each being comprised of an electric conductor having a substantially rectangular cross section and an insulating coat covering the electric conductor. The electric wires include a pair of first and second electric wires each having an end portion where the electric conductor is not covered by the insulating coat. Each of the end portions of the two electric wires includes a joined part at a distal end thereof; the joined parts of the end portions are joined together. At least one of the first and second electric wires has a bent part that is bent only once and adjoins the joined part of the end portion of the electric wire. The end portion of the at least one of the first and second electric wires includes at least part of the bent part. |
| US08384257B2 |
Brushless motor
A brushless motor includes an external stator where a magnetic circuit is electrically formed by winding electric wires around an iron core; a bus bar bundling the electric wires and forming an external input terminal; and an internal rotor formed by integrating a permanent magnet and rotatably supported through a bearing with respect to the external stator, wherein an insulation plate is held on one end of the external stator and attached thereto a magnetic pole sensor detecting a magnetic pole of the permanent magnet. |
| US08384255B2 |
Superconducting rotating electrical machine
A superconducting rotating electrical machine configuring a motor or generator, includes a base member, a stator supported by the base member, a rotor rotatably provided relative to the stator and including a superconducting material, a rotary shaft supporting the rotor, a cooling portion cooling the stator, a low temperature container forming an accommodating chamber accommodating the stator, the rotor, and a coolant, the accommodating chamber being arranged within the base member, a vacuum heat insulation chamber arranged at an outer side of the accommodating chamber and thermally insulating the accommodating chamber with vacuum, and a bearing positioned a portion of the base member where the accommodating chamber is prevented from being provided and which is exposed to an ambient atmosphere including atmospheric air, the bearing rotatably supporting the rotary shaft. |
| US08384249B2 |
Method and apparatus for combining AC power relay and current sensors with AC wiring devices
A method and a device for joining a remotely controlled switching and current sensing AC device structured for attachment to standard and popular three way SPDT AC switches or cross DPDT AC switches and/or power outlets, such that the front wall plate of a single gang electrical box will cover the joined AC device with the manual switch or the AC outlet. The AC device is operated and communicates via lightguide or fiber optic cable using two way optical signals and via IR in air in line of sight and/or via RF in air. The lightguide is cascaded in series from one AC device to another and/or from a joint switch device to a joined AC outlet and to an optoport in front of an outlet socket for communicating the current drain and/or operation controls with the appliance, powered by the AC socket, via a lightguide included in the power cable with plug assembly of the appliance. |
| US08384244B2 |
Rack-based uninterruptible power supply
A rack power unit is configured to be inserted into a device rack of a data center. The rack power unit includes one or more power supplies and one or more battery packs. The one or more power supplies are each configured to receive power (e.g., AC power) when the apparatus is in the device rack, and convert the received power to a DC power. The one or more power supplies are further configured to output the DC power to a DC power bus of the device rack. The one or more battery packs are each configured to provide, in response to an interruption in the received power, DC power to the DC power bus of the device rack. |
| US08384243B2 |
Distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources
A method for maintaining reliability of a distributed power system including a power converter having input terminals and output terminals. Input power is received at the input terminals. The input power is converted to an output power at the output terminals. A temperature is measured in or in the environment of the power converter. A temperature signal is input responsive to the temperature. The power conversion is controlled by adjusting the input power based on the temperature signal. The power conversion of the input power to the output power may be controlled to maximize the input power by setting at the input terminals the input voltage or the input current according to predetermined criteria. One of the predetermined criteria is configured to reduce the input power based on the temperature signal responsive to the temperature. The adjustment of input power reduces the input voltage and/or input current thereby lowering the temperature of the power converter. |
| US08384242B2 |
Method for controlling interconnection system
An interconnected system that supplies power to a power system, and includes a power generator that changes in output, and an electric power storage-compensation device. The interconnected system is controlled so that operation of a sodium-sulfur battery that is included in the electric power storage-compensation device and compensates for a change in output of the power generator is stopped, or the interconnected system is set in a non-power transmission mode in which a planned power generation value of a power generation schedule is set to the sum of power generated by the power generator and local load power of the system, when the planned power generation value is 0 kW or less, and the sum of the power generated by the power generator and the local load power of the system has reached a value at which power is supplied to the interconnected system from the power system. |
| US08384238B2 |
Wiring method and wiring system for structures
A unitized wiring portion (wiring unit) has a hard pipe member, a wire provided in the pipe member, and outside wiring connectors connected at each end of the wire. A plurality of wiring units are prepared in advance, wherein wiring units are divided into multiple groups having different length of wires and so on. The wiring units are arranged in a structure (e.g. a vehicle body) and the outside wiring connectors are connected to each other to form a wiring network. The wiring units are fixed to frame and/or reinforcing members to thereby increase mechanical strength of the structure. |
| US08384237B2 |
Low voltage bus stability
Systems and methods provide voltage stability for a low voltage bus coupling a DC/DC converter with a low voltage load comprising one or more vehicle accessories. The DC/DC converter can be coupled to a high voltage battery, the low voltage load, and a starter circuit configured for starting an engine. Prior to engaging a starter motor to start the engine, the DC/DC converter can be isolated from the starter circuit so as to be shielded from any large current demand during an engine start event. While starting the engine, the starter motor can draw current from a secondary battery, while the DC/DC converter provides a sufficient and stable voltage to the vehicle low voltage accessories. After completion of the engine start event, the DC/DC converter can be recoupled to the starter circuit, allowing the high voltage battery to charge the secondary battery. |
| US08384234B2 |
Energy recovery system and method for exhaust energy capture and electrical generation
An exhaust energy recovery and electrical generation system includes a conduit having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the conduit is configured to receive a gas flow transmitted by a gas flow channel of a gas flow source and wherein the conduit is configured to transmit the received gas flow from the first end thereof toward the second end thereof. A first blade assembly is coupled to the conduit, wherein the first blade assembly is configured to be moved when the received gas flow is transmitted from the first end of the conduit; and an electrical generator coupled to the first blade assembly to generate electricity when the first blade assembly moves. A cross-sectional area of the first end of the conduit may be less than a cross-sectional area of the gas flow channel. |
| US08384228B1 |
Package including wires contacting lead frame edge
Embodiments of a microelectronic package are generally described herein. A microelectronic package may include a lead frame including a major surface, and a die having including a bond pad. A wire may electrically couple a location of the major surface of the lead frame with the bond pad of the die, the wire being situated such that the wire is substantially unbent from the location of the major surface to an edge of the lead frame. |
| US08384227B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming interposer frame electrically connected to embedded semiconductor die
A semiconductor device has an interposer frame mounted over a carrier. A semiconductor die has an active surface and bumps formed over the active surface. The semiconductor die can be mounted within a die opening of the interposer frame or over the interposer frame. Stacked semiconductor die can also be mounted within the die opening of the interposer frame or over the interposer frame. Bond wires or bumps are formed between the semiconductor die and interposer frame. An encapsulant is deposited over the interposer frame and semiconductor die. An interconnect structure is formed over the encapsulant and bumps of the first semiconductor die. An electronic component, such as a discrete passive device, semiconductor die, or stacked semiconductor die, is mounted over the semiconductor die and interposer frame. The electronic component has an I/O count less than an I/O count of the semiconductor die. |
| US08384220B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device and fabrication process thereof
A semiconductor IC device includes a buried interconnection in interconnection layers over a semiconductor substrate, in which electrical connection of interconnections are provided over and under an interconnection layer of an embedded interconnection from among the interconnection layers such that a first connecting conductor portion within a connecting hole extending from an upper interconnection toward the interconnection layer of a predetermined buried interconnection and a second connecting conductor portion within the connecting hole extending from a lower interconnection toward the interconnection layer of the predetermined buried interconnection are electrically connected via a connecting conductor portion for relay in the connecting groove of the interconnection layer of a predetermined buried interconnection. The connecting conductor portion for relay is sized so that the length of the connecting conductor portion for relay in an extending direction of the predetermined buried interconnection is longer than that of the connecting hole. |
| US08384218B2 |
Back side metallization with superior adhesion in high-performance semiconductor devices
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, the metal-containing layer stack at the back side of the substrate may be provided so as to obtain superior adhesion to the semiconductor material in order to reduce the probability of creating leakage paths in a bump structure upon separating the substrate into individual semiconductor chips. For this purpose, in some illustrative embodiments, an adhesion layer including a metal and at least one non-metal species may be used, such as titanium oxide, in combination with further metal-containing materials, such as titanium, vanadium and gold. |
| US08384212B2 |
Semiconductor equipment and method of manufacturing the same
To provide a semiconductor equipment having high heat-transfer effect and breakdown voltage, and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor equipment includes: a sealed container; a stem connected to the sealed container via a stem peripheral portion; and a semiconductor chip mounted on a top surface of the stem, inside the sealed container. The semiconductor chip is electrically connected to a lead provided to the stem, the stem peripheral portion, which is of a material that is different from the material of stem and the same as the material of the sealed container, is bonded along a periphery of the stem, and the sealed container is filled with a working fluid including at least one of ethanol, a perfluorocarbon, and a fluoroether. |
| US08384208B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device capable of improving a mechanical strength of a porous silica film while inhibiting a film located on a lower layer of the porous silica film from deterioration is obtained. This semiconductor device includes an organic film formed on a semiconductor substrate, an ultraviolet light permeation suppressive film, formed on a surface of the organic film, composed of a material which is difficult to be permeable by ultraviolet light, and a first porous silica film formed on a surface of the ultraviolet light permeation suppressive film. |
| US08384203B2 |
Packaging structural member
A structural member for use in semiconductor packaging is disclosed. The structural member includes a plurality of packaging regions to facilitate packaging dies in, for example, a wafer format. A packaging region has a die attach region surrounded by a peripheral region. A die is attached to the die attach region. In one aspect, the die attach region has opening through the surfaces of the structural member for accommodating a die. Through-vias disposed are in the peripheral regions. The structural member reduces warpage that can occur during curing of the mold compound used in encapsulating the dies. In another aspect, the die attach region does not have an opening. In such cases, the structural member serves as an interposer between the die and a substrate. |
| US08384199B2 |
Integrated conductive structures and fabrication methods thereof facilitating implementing a cell phone or other electronic system
Circuit structures and methods of fabrication are provided for facilitating implementing a complete electronic system in a compact package. The circuit structure includes, in one embodiment, a chips-first multichip base layer with conductive structures extending therethrough. An interconnect layer is disposed over the front surface of the multichip layer and includes interconnect metallization electrically connected to contact pads of the chips and to conductive structures extending through the structural material. A redistribution layer, disposed over the back surface of the multichip layer, includes a redistribution metallization also electrically connected to conductive structures extending through the structural material. Input/output contacts are arrayed over the redistribution layer, including over the lower surfaces of at least some integrated circuit chips within the multichip layer, and are electrically connected through the redistribution metallization, conductive structures, and interconnect metallization to contact pads of the integrated circuit chips of the multichip layer. |
| US08384196B2 |
Formation of devices by epitaxial layer overgrowth
Methods and structures are provided for formation of devices on substrates including, e.g., lattice-mismatched materials, by the use of aspect ratio trapping and epitaxial layer overgrowth. A method includes forming an opening in a masking layer disposed over a substrate that includes a first semiconductor material. A first layer, which includes a second semiconductor material lattice-mismatched to the first semiconductor material, is formed within the opening. The first layer has a thickness sufficient to extend above a top surface of the masking layer. A second layer, which includes the second semiconductor material, is formed on the first layer and over at least a portion of the masking layer. A vertical growth rate of the first layer is greater than a lateral growth rate of the first layer and a lateral growth rate of the second layer is greater than a vertical growth rate of the second layer. |
| US08384188B2 |
Semiconductor device and fabrication method thereof
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes: providing a substrate; forming a plurality of trenches by etching the substrate; forming a first isolation layer by filling the plurality of the trenches with a first insulation layer; recessing the first insulation layer filling a first group of the plurality of the trenches to a predetermined depth; forming a liner layer over the first group of the trenches with the first insulation layer recessed to the predetermined depth; and forming a second isolation layer by filling the first group of the trenches, where the liner layer is formed, with a second insulation layer. |
| US08384186B2 |
Power semiconductor device with new guard ring termination design and method for producing same
A power semiconductor device, such as a power diode, and a method for producing such a device, are disclosed. The device includes a first layer of a first conductivity type, a second layer of a second conductivity type arranged in a central region on a first main side of the first layer, a third electrically conductive layer arranged on the second layer, and a fourth electrically conductive layer arranged on the first layer at a second main side opposite to the first main side. A junction termination region surrounds the second layer with self-contained sub-regions of the second conductivity type. A spacer region is arranged between the second layer and the junction termination region and includes a self-contained spacer sub-region of the second conductivity type which is electrically disconnected from the second layer. This spacer sub-region has a width for enabling a reliable alignment of a shadow mask during an ion implantation such that an implanted lifetime control region having carrier lifetime reducing defects may be restricted to a central area while no such defects are implanted into the junction termination region to improve electrical characteristics. |
| US08384185B2 |
Semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same
A technique is provided which allows a chip mounted by wire bonding and a chip mounted by bump electrodes to share a manufacturing process. Both in a case where a chip is electrically coupled to an external circuit by bump electrodes and a case where the chip is electrically coupled to the external circuit by bonding wires, a bump coupling part and a bonding pad are both provided in a single uppermost wiring layer. When the bump electrodes are used, an opening is provided in an insulating film on the bump coupling part and a surface of the bonding pad is covered with the insulating film. On the other hand, when the bonding wires are used, an opening is provided in an insulating film on the bonding pad and a surface of the bump coupling part is covered with the insulating film. |
| US08384182B2 |
Junction barrier schottky rectifiers having epitaxially grown P+-N methods of making
A junction barrier Schottky (JBS) rectifier device and a method of making the device are described. The device comprises an epitaxially grown first n-type drift layer and p-type regions forming p+-n junctions and self-planarizing epitaxially over-grown second n-type drift regions between and, optionally, on top of the p-type regions. The device may include an edge termination structure such as an exposed or buried P+ guard ring, a regrown or implanted junction termination extension (JTE) region, or a “deep” mesa etched down to the substrate. The Schottky contact to the second n-type drift region and the ohmic contact to the p-type region together serve as an anode. The cathode can be formed by ohmic contact to the n-type region on the backside of the wafer. The devices can be used in monolithic digital, analog, and microwave integrated circuits. |
| US08384176B2 |
Solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion section which is provided for each pixel and which converts light incident on a first surface of a substrate into signal charges, a circuit region which reads signal charges accumulated by the photoelectric conversion section, a multilayer film including an insulating film and a wiring film, the multilayer film being disposed on a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface, and a transmission-preventing film disposed at least between the wiring film in the multilayer film and the substrate. |
| US08384173B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and method for making the same, and imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes a light receiving unit formed in a semiconductor base and configured to perform photoelectric conversion; an insulating layer disposed on the semiconductor base; a film constituting a cladding of a waveguide together with the insulating layer and being formed in an outer part of an interior of a hole by coating, the hole being formed in the insulating layer above the light receiving unit; a core of the waveguide, the core being composed of a material having a higher refractive index than a material for the insulating layer and a material for the film formed by coating, the core being formed in an inner part of the interior of the hole; and an inner lens integrated with the waveguide, the inner lens having a lens surface formed at the bottom of the hole at the interface between the film formed by coating and the core. |
| US08384170B2 |
Pressure sensor
A piezoresistive pressure sensor is especially suitable for measuring smaller pressures and has a small linearity error. The pressure sensor is manufactured from a BESOI wafer having first and second silicon layers and an oxide layer arranged therebetween. The pressure sensor includes, formed from the first silicon layer of the BESOI wafer, an active layer, in which piezoresistive elements are doped, and, formed from the second silicon layer of the BESOI wafer, a membrane carrier, which externally surrounds a cavity in the second silicon layer, via which a membrane forming region of the active layer and an oxide layer associated therewith are exposed, wherein, in an outer edge of the region of the oxide layer exposed by the cavity, a groove is provided surrounding the region. |
| US08384166B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device and semiconductor device
A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes the steps of: successively forming, on a semiconductor substrate, a gate insulating film and first and second dummy sections stacked in this order; forming a notch section by processing the gate insulating film and the first and second dummy gate sections into a previously set pattern and making the first dummy gate section move back in the gate length direction relative to the second dummy gate section; forming a side wall of an insulating material in a side part of each of the gate insulating film and the first and second dummy gate sections and embedding the notch section therewith; removing the first and second dummy gate sections to leave the gate insulating film and the notch section in the bottom of a removed portion; and forming a gate electrode made of a conductive material by embedding the removed portion with the conductive material. |
| US08384164B1 |
Interconnect structure
An interconnect structure includes a substrate, a first diffusion region within the substrate, a plurality of first lines on the substrate and the first diffusion region, a first enclosure coupled to an end of the plurality of first lines, and a first contact within the first enclosure. The interconnect structure further includes a second diffusion region within the substrate, a plurality of second lines on the substrate and the second diffusion region, a second enclosure coupled to an end of the plurality of second lines, and a second contact within the second enclosure. A spacing can be present between the plurality of first lines and the plurality of second lines. The plurality of first lines, the first contact, the plurality of second lines, and the second contact are trimmed, but the first enclosure, the second enclosure, and the spacing are not trimmed. |
| US08384160B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing same
To provide a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same capable of suppressing, when a plurality of MIS transistors having different absolute values of threshold voltage is used, the reduction of the drive current of a MIS transistor having a greater absolute value of threshold voltage. The threshold voltage of a second nMIS transistor is greater than the threshold voltage of a first nMIS transistor and the sum of the concentration of lanthanum atom and the concentration of magnesium atom in a second nMIS high-k film included in the second nMIS transistor is lower than the sum of the concentration of lanthanum atom and the concentration of magnesium atom in a first nMIS high-k film included in the first nMIS transistor. |
| US08384157B2 |
High ohmic integrated resistor with improved linearity
An integrated circuit that includes a resistor module with improved linearity is disclosed. The resistor module includes a diffused resistor body of a first conductivity type; a first terminal and a second terminal, each making direct electrical contact with the diffused resistor body; a doped well of a second conductivity type substantially surrounding the diffused resistor body on all but one major surface of the diffused resistor body, the doped well having contact regions; a first amplifier connected to the first terminal and to one contact region of the doped well; and a second amplifier connected to the second terminal and to another contact region of the well, such that the first amplifier and the second amplifier are connected for power supply only to the first terminal and second terminal, respectively. The first and second amplifiers may be unity gain buffer amplifiers or inverting opamps. |
| US08384156B2 |
Complementary metal oxide semiconductor devices
Improvements in Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) devices; in particular, field effect transistors (FETs) and devices using said transistors which are able to take advantage of the higher carrier mobility of electrons compared to holes by replacing the conventional p-channel transistor with an n-channel transistor having a double gate (or vice versa): Such a. Unipolar CMOS (U-CMOS) transistor can be realized by adapting the source and/or the drain such that when the body region undergoes inversion at a first surface current, is able to flow between the drain and the source and when the body region undergoes inversion at a second surface current is not able to flow between the drain and the source. Various logic gates may be constructed using U-CMOS transistors. |
| US08384155B2 |
Semiconductor capacitor
A one time programmable memory cell having a gate, a gate dielectric layer, a source region, a drain region, a capacitor dielectric layer and a conductive plug is provided herein. The gate dielectric layer is disposed on a substrate. The gate is disposed on the gate dielectric layer. The source region and the drain region are disposed in the substrate at the sides of the gate, respectively. The capacitor dielectric layer is disposed on the source region. The capacitor dielectric layer is a resistive protection oxide layer or a self-aligned salicide block layer. The conductive plug is disposed on the capacitor dielectric layer. The conductive plug is served as a first electrode of a capacitor and the source region is served as a second electrode of the capacitor. The one time programmable memory (OTP) cell is programmed by making the capacitor dielectric layer breakdown. |
| US08384151B2 |
Semiconductor device and a reverse conducting IGBT
A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body with a base region and a first electrode arranged on a main horizontal surface of the semiconductor body. The semiconductor body further includes an IGBT-cell with a body region forming a first pn-junction with the base region, and a diode-cell with an anode region forming a second pn-junction with the base region. A source region in ohmic contact with the first electrode and an anti-latch-up region in ohmic contact with the first electrode are, in a vertical cross-section, only formed in the IGBT-cell. The anti-latch-up region has higher maximum doping concentration than the body region. Further a reverse conducting IGBT is provided. |
| US08384150B2 |
Vertical double diffused MOS transistor with a trench gate structure
A semiconductor device of the present invention includes vertical double diffused MOS transistor. A gate electrode of the vertical double diffused MOS transistor is disposed within a trench formed on a semiconductor substrate and projects from a surface of the semiconductor substrate. On a side surface of the gate electrode, a side wall is formed. On the surface of the semiconductor substrate and a surface of the gate electrode, a metal silicide film is formed. |
| US08384148B2 |
Method of making a floating gate non-volatile MOS semiconductor memory device with improved capacitive coupling
A method of making a non-volatile MOS semiconductor memory device includes a formation step, in a semiconductor material substrate, of STI isolation regions (shallow trench isolation) filled by field oxide and of memory cells separated each other by said STI isolation regions. The memory cells include a gate electrode electrically isolated from said semiconductor material substrate by a first dielectric layer, and the gate electrode includes a floating gate self-aligned to the STI isolation regions. The method includes a formation phase of said floating gate exhibiting a substantially saddle shape including a concavity; the formation step of said floating gate includes a deposition step of a first conformal conductor material layer. |
| US08384146B2 |
Methods for forming a memory cell having a top oxide spacer
Methods for fabricating a semiconductor memory cell that has a spacer layer are disclosed. A method includes forming a plurality of source/drain regions in a substrate where the plurality of source/drain regions are formed between trenches, forming a first oxide layer above the plurality of source/drain regions and in the trenches, forming a charge storage layer above the oxide layer and separating the charge storage layer in the trenches where a space is formed between separated portions of the charge storage layer. The method further includes forming a spacer layer to fill the space between the separated portions of the charge storage layer and to rise a predetermined distance above the space. A second oxide layer is formed above the charge storage layer and the spacer layer and a polysilicon layer is formed above the second oxide layer. |
| US08384141B2 |
Semiconductor device with vertical channel transistor
Provided is a semiconductor device having a vertical channel transistor and method of fabricating the same. The semiconductor device includes first and second field effect transistors, wherein a channel region of the first field effect transistor serves as source/drain electrodes of the second field effect transistor, and a channel region of the second field effect transistor serves as source/drain electrodes of the first field effect transistor. |
| US08384140B2 |
Structure for dual contact trench capacitor and structure thereof
A dual contact trench capacitor and design structure for a dual contact trench capacitor is provided. The structure includes a first plate extending from a trench and isolated from a wafer body, and a second plate extending from the trench and isolated from the wafer body and the first plate. |
| US08384133B2 |
Image sensor comprising anti-reflection layer having high refractive index
In a solid state imaging device, and a method of manufacture thereof, the efficiency of the transfer of available photons to the photo-receiving elements is increased beyond that which is currently available. Enhanced anti-reflection layer configurations, and methods of manufacture thereof, are provided that allow for such increased efficiency. They are applicable to contemporary imaging devices, such as charge-coupled devices (CCDs) and CMOS image sensors (CISs). In one embodiment, a photosensitive device is formed in a semiconductor substrate. The photosensitive device includes a photosensitive region. An anti-reflection layer comprising silicon oxynitride is formed on the photosensitive region. The silicon oxynitride layer is heat treated to increase a refractive index of the silicon oxynitride layer, and to thereby decrease reflectivity of incident light at the junction of the photosensitive region. |
| US08384131B2 |
Semiconductor device and methods of forming the same
The semiconductor device includes a fuse structure disposed on a substrate. An interlayer dielectric disposed on the fuse structure. A first contact plug, a second contact plug, and a third contact plug penetrate the interlayer dielectric and wherein each of the first contact plug, the second contact plug and the third contact plug are connected to the fuse structure. A first conductive pattern and a second conductive pattern are disposed on the interlayer dielectric. The first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern are electrically connected to the first contact plug and second contact plug, respectively. |
| US08384130B2 |
Nitride semiconductor device having a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) channel
Provided is a nitride semiconductor device including: a nitride semiconductor layer over a substrate wherein the nitride semiconductor has a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) channel inside; a drain electrode in ohmic contact with the nitride semiconductor layer; a source electrode spaced apart from the drain electrode, in Schottky contact with the nitride semiconductor layer, and having an ohmic pattern in ohmic contact with the nitride semiconductor layer inside; a dielectric layer formed on the nitride semiconductor layer between the drain electrode and the source electrode and on at least a portion of the source electrode; and a gate electrode disposed on the dielectric layer to be spaced apart from the drain electrode, wherein a portion of the gate electrode is formed over a drain-side edge portion of the source electrode with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween, and a manufacturing method thereof. |
| US08384128B2 |
Carrier mobility in surface-channel transistors, apparatus made therewith, and systems containing same
A surface channel transistor is provided in a semiconductive device. The surface channel transistor is either a PMOS or an NMOS device. Epitaxial layers are disposed above the surface channel transistor to cause an increased bandgap phenomenon nearer the surface of the device. A process of forming the surface channel transistor includes grading the epitaxial layers. |
| US08384122B1 |
Tunneling transistor suitable for low voltage operation
Several embodiments of a tunneling transistor are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tunneling transistor includes a semiconductor substrate, a source region formed in the semiconductor substrate, a drain region formed in the semiconductor substrate, a gate stack including a metallic gate electrode and a gate dielectric, and a tunneling junction that is substantially parallel to an interface between the metallic gate electrode and the gate dielectric. As a result of the tunneling junction that is substantially parallel with the interface between the metallic gate electrode and the gate dielectric, an on-current of the tunneling transistor is substantially improved as compared to that of a conventional tunneling transistor. In another embodiment, a tunneling transistor includes a heterostructure that reduces a turn-on voltage of the tunneling transistor. |
| US08384119B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes a light emitting element, a base, and a transparent layer. The base has an upper side portion including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a mounting region of the light emitting element, and has a first porosity. The second portion surrounds the first portion, includes a plurality of transparent particles, and has a second porosity larger than the first porosity. The light transmitting layer encapsulates the light emitting element, and is attached to the first portion in a state where the transparent layer is apart from the second portion. |
| US08384116B2 |
Substrate with chips mounted thereon, method of manufacturing substrate with chips mounted thereon, display, and method of manufacturing display
Disclosed herein is a substrate with chip mounted thereon, including: a solder pattern having a plan-view shape in which projected parts are projected radially from a central part; and a chip fixed in the state of being aligned to the central part of the solder pattern. |
| US08384114B2 |
High efficiency LEDs and LED lamps
The present invention relates to a light emitting device comprising a plurality of electrically coupled light emitting elements, wherein each light emitting element has a luminous efficacy vs. current characteristic, wherein said luminous efficacy vs. current characteristic has a maximum luminous efficacy value and wherein at least one of said light emitting devices is operated at a current corresponding to a luminous efficacy value that is within 10% of said maximum luminous efficacy value. The present invention also relates to methods of making said light emitting device, to lamps comprising said light emitting device and to methods of operating said light emitting device. |
| US08384112B2 |
Light emitting chip
A light emitting chip includes a substrate, a reflective layer, a light emitting structure and a first electrode having a base formed between the reflective layer and the substrate. The light emitting structure includes a first semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second semiconductor layer. The first electrode further includes a connecting section extending upwardly from the base. An electrically insulating ion region is defined in the light emitting structure and extends from an upper surface of the base to the first semiconductor layer. A receiving groove is defined in the ion region and extends upwardly from the upper surface of the base to the first semiconductor layer. The connecting section is positioned in the receiving groove and electrically connects with the first semiconductor layer. |
| US08384103B2 |
Increasing contrast in electronic color displays via surface texturing of LEDs
In an embodiment, the invention provides a light source comprising a plurality of light-emitting semiconductor chips, a plurality of electrical leads and an encapsulant. The plurality of electrical leads is connected to the plurality of light-emitting semiconductor chips. The encapsulant completely encases the plurality of semiconductor chips. The encapsulant partially encases the plurality of electrical leads. |
| US08384100B2 |
InGaAIN light-emitting device and manufacturing method thereof
There is provided an InGaAlN light-emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof. The light emitting device includes a conductive substrate having a main surface and a back surface, a metal bonding layer formed on the main surface of the substrate, a light reflecting layer formed on the bonding layer, a semiconductor multilayer structure including at least a p-type and an n-type InGaAlN layer disposed on the reflecting layer, the p-type InGaAlN layer directly contacting the reflecting layer, and ohmic electrodes disposed on said n-type InGaAlN layer and on the back surface of the conductive substrate, respectively. |
| US08384098B2 |
AC light emitting diode and method for fabricating the same
The present invention relates to an AC light emitting diode. An object of the present invention is to provide an AC light emitting diode wherein various designs for enhancement of the intensity of light, prevention of flickering of light or the like become possible, while coming out of a unified method of always using only one metal wire with respect to one electrode when electrodes of adjacent light emitting cells are connected through metal wires. To this end, the present invention provides an AC light emitting diode comprising a substrate; bonding pads positioned on the substrate; a plurality of light emitting cells arranged in a matrix form on the substrate; and a wiring means electrically connecting the bonding pads and the plurality of light emitting cells, wherein the wiring means includes a plurality of metal wires connecting an electrode of one of the light emitting cells with electrodes of other electrodes adjacent to the one of the light emitting cells. |