| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08401590B2 |
Combined omni- and directional-communications in high-frequency wireless networks
In a wireless communication network, specific portions of the communication may combine directional transmission with omnidirectional reception. In particular, sector-level directional transmission may be established through sector sweeps, followed by antenna training for more directionality. In some embodiments, collisions during the exchange may be reduced by having different network devices use different sub-channels or different time slots. In some embodiments, each network may restrict its network communications to a single sub-channel that is different than the sub-channels used by adjacent networks. |
| US08401589B2 |
Controlled text-based communication on mobile devices
Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for managing text-based services on mobile devices during the operation of a vehicle. Proactive service-controls use a time of day and location based services to determine that a mobile device is in a moving vehicle. Reactive position-awareness techniques use near-field communication (NFC) to determine that the mobile device is being operated by a user in a driver's seat of the vehicle. Upon satisfying both these determinations, specific text-based services such as messaging, browsing, etc. can be disabled by either the mobile device itself or by a network entity. The present invention can also be extended to managing other mobile device's usages in vehicles, including phone calls, online gaming, etc. |
| US08401586B2 |
System and method for power control in distributed networks
A system and method for power control in distributed networks is provided. A method for transmitting information includes setting a transmit power level for a subset of communications controllers in a communications network, and transmitting information to a communications device served by a communications controller. The subset of communications controllers includes ad hoc communications controllers in the communications network, and the setting of the transmit power level is performed in a distributed manner. The information is transmitted at a transmit power level set for the communications controller. |
| US08401584B2 |
Dynamic group prioritization in communication networks
An apparatus and method for dynamic group prioritization in a communication network includes a first step (400) of defining a dynamic list of group participants by an application, such as a dispatch function. A next step (402) includes sending a request to a Group Management Function, wherein the request includes a requested group priority and the list of group participants. A next step (404) includes allocating a unique identifier to the group and assigning a group priority to the group. A next step (406) includes notifying the application, group participants, and network of the unique identifier and the network of the assigned group priority. The assigned priority of the group and its flows can be dynamically altered in real-time while the group is active. |
| US08401581B2 |
Communication method and radio apparatus using the communication method
A control unit allocates sequentially a channel for use in data transmission and a channel for use in channel estimation used to acquire channel characteristics between a radio apparatus and another radio apparatus to be communicated with, to the another radio apparatus. A radio unit to an IF unit communicate with the another radio unit through the sequentially allocated data transmission channels, respectively. An acquisition unit acquires the traveling speed of the another radio apparatus in communication with the radio apparatus. A decision unit varies the frequency at which the channel for use in channel estimation is allocated, based on the traveling speed acquired. |
| US08401575B2 |
Network signaling for point-to-multipoint service over single frequency network mode
The present invention relates to communicating between a network and a mobile terminal in a wireless communication system. The invention includes receiving a message from the network for announcing a service. The message includes an attribute for identifying whether the service is to be received according to a specific mode. The specific mode is a mode wherein information is communicated on a frequency having no associated uplink service. The attribute is included in the message according to a session description protocol describing the service. |
| US08401574B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing delivery of information in a wireless communication network
A method and apparatus for managing delivery of information in a wireless network (100) includes bearer plane information handlers (110, 111), each of which maintains a database of paging controller associations (200). Each paging controller association is an association of an idle mobile device to a last known paging controller of that idle mobile device. The apparatus also includes paging controllers (115-118), each of which is associated with at least one paging area (130-133). For each paging area, the paging controller maintains a database of all base transmitters of the paging area that are associated with the paging controller (310) and maintains a database of other selected paging controllers that control base transmitters in the paging area (315). Using these resources, the method uses location notification messages and paging responses to deliver bearer plane information to a mobile device (125) that has been idle. |
| US08401569B1 |
System effective to demodulate a modulated code and provide content to a user
A system and method effective to provide content to a user. The system may include a sound device, a smart phone, and a processor. The sound device may produce a modulated code where different frequencies represent respectively logic 0s and 1s. The smart phone may apply a transform and peak detector to the modulated code to determine logic 0s and 1s to demodulate the code. The smart phone may send the demodulated code to a processor. The processor may receive the code, determine content associated with the code, and send the content over the network to the smart phone. The smart phone may further receive the content and output the content on a display. |
| US08401568B2 |
Providing location-based information in local wireless zones
The present invention allows mobile terminals to receive location-based information upon entering a local wireless zone established by an access point. The access point includes or is associated with one or more servers, which may provide the location-based information and control access. The local wireless zone is a limited area in which communications between the access point and the mobile terminal are possible. Once the mobile terminal enters into one or more local wireless zones, the presence of the mobile terminal in the local wireless zone is detected. Once detected, the mobile terminal is afforded access to a server on which the location-based information is stored. The server is associated with the local wireless zone. |
| US08401567B2 |
Method and system to locate an object
A computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product for handling identification information emitted by a radio frequency device, and a radio frequency device for emitting identification information. The method receives and stores identification information transmitted by the radio frequency device, retrieves the identification information from the first mobile communication device, and inserts the identification information into the communication. The system includes a first mobile communication device, a second communication device, and an inserting means. The computer program product includes computer program instructions for carrying out the steps of the method. The radio frequency device includes an antenna adapted to operate in UHF frequency bands, an energy storage means adapted to be charged with energy captured through the antenna, an information storage means adapted to store information, and a transmission means adapted to transmit the information using the energy from the energy storage means. |
| US08401565B2 |
Delayed emergency position determination and transmission
A method including detecting a communication call attempt in a portable communication device, determining whether the portable communication device is outside of a communication network coverage area, determining a location of the portable communication device where the communication call attempt is detected if outside of the communication network coverage area with a position determining module of the portable communication device and storing the location in a memory of the portable communication device, determining at least one route from the location of the portable communication device where the communication call attempt is detected to at least one communication network coverage area with a navigation module of the portable communication device and presenting the at least one route on a display of the portable communication device. |
| US08401563B2 |
Downlink resource allocation and mapping
Embodiments of the present invention provide for downlink resource allocation among a plurality of users. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08401562B2 |
Apparatus and method employing scheduler behavior aware predictive resource selection in a communication system
An apparatus, method and system to predict interference employing scheduler behavior information in a communication system. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a processor and memory including computer program code. The memory and the computer program code are configured, with the processor, to cause the apparatus to receive scheduler behavior information for an allocation of communication resources, and produce an interference history associated with at least one of a communication resource and a user equipment operable in a cellular communication mode. The memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the processor, to cause the apparatus to predict an interference level on the communication resource as a function of the interference history and the scheduler behavior information for a user equipment operable in a device-to-device communication mode. |
| US08401557B2 |
Mobile communication system, its control device, and hand-off control method
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a mobile communication system comprises a plurality of cellular stations configured to each form areas and a control device configured to connect the cellular stations to a network through communication resources. The control device comprises a construct processing module, a prediction processing module, a secure processing module and an establishment processing module. The construct processing module constructs a database storing hand-off records in time series of a plurality of the mobile terminals. The prediction processing module predicts one or more candidates of cellular stations of connection destinations next to the mobile terminals with reference to the time series of the database before hand-offs are requested. The secure processing module secures channels in the communication resources of the predicted candidates. The establishment processing module establishes communication links via the secured channels among the mobile terminals and the network when hand-off execution is requested. |
| US08401553B2 |
Access control in a mobile communication system
A method and radio network controller (RNC) in a radio access network (RAN) for controlling access to a cellular telecommunication system. Upon receiving an access request from a given user equipment (UE) through a given radio base station (RBS), the RNC retrieves authorization information from an access control database within the RAN. The authorization information indicates whether the given UE is authorized to access the system through the given RBS. The RNC alternatively grants access or denies access to the UE based on the retrieved authorization information. The RBS is particularly useful for controlling access through small cells with limited capacity. |
| US08401545B2 |
Dropped call re-establishment system with inter-network capabilites
In a communication system comprising multiple networks, a system is provided for re-establishing a dropped call, involving subscribers of possibly different networks, between a user A who has been unintentionally-disconnected from a communication network and a user B who is the other party to the call. The system includes a database, a detection task module, re-establishment task modules and a task manager module. The call is re-established after complete tear-down of the dropped call in both users' networks. |
| US08401543B2 |
Power switching for electronic device test equipment
An apparatus, system and method are provided for testing a battery-powered electronic device-under-test in a transport frame engaged with a test fixture. A transport frame power supply is arranged to provide power to the DUT in a pre-testing stage. A switching circuit is arranged to switch from the transport frame power supply to a test fixture power supply in response to receiving a power switching signal indicating satisfaction of a pre-testing condition. Power from the test fixture power supply can then be switched back to the first transport frame, or to a second transport frame, to begin testing a second DUT. The ability to start a DUT test without having to wait for the DUT to boot-up in the test fixture reduces test time and increases efficiency of use of test equipment. |
| US08401537B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for programming user-defined information into electronic devices
A device for programming user-defined information into an electronic device is provided. The programmer allows a user to program customized information, such as user-selected audio, video, or Internet access information into his or her programmable device. Such electronic devices include wireless telephones, pagers, and personal digital assistants. The programmer allows a user to, among other things, customize the device to suit his or her particular taste. |
| US08401534B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and method for controlling the same
A mobile communication terminal and a method for controlling the mobile communication terminal are discussed. According to an embodiment, the mobile communication terminal includes at least two memories to store data; and a controller, wherein if the controller loses its control authority for one of the at least two memories while certain data is read and processed from the one of the at least two memories, the controller reads and processes the same certain data or related data stored in another one of the at least two memories. |
| US08401531B2 |
Messaging service subscription
A messaging service system, including a call component for receiving a voice call from a caller and transmitting call data associated with the call, the call data including caller identification (ID) data; and a subscription server for receiving the call data, causing the call component to send a subscription acceptance message to the caller, and storing the caller ID data in association with data representing a messaging service identified by the called number of the call data. |
| US08401530B2 |
System for multimedia content-assisted trigger location, and service methods thereof
Disclosed is a mobile marketing and advertising based system comprised of a database, a mobile device, a trigger location (primary physical location), a secondary location in a favorable proximity to the trigger location and a means for providing multimedia content from the database to the mobile device. |
| US08401529B1 |
Sponsored keyword usage in voice communication
A server computer is provided comprising a processor, a memory, and an application stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, identifies at least one keyword based on one of a first communication device and a second communication device and transmits the at least one keyword to the first communication device. The server computer also analyzes a voice traffic between the first communication device and the second communication device to determine whether the at least one keyword occurs in the voice traffic. When the at least one keyword is determined to occur in the voice traffic, the server computer sends a confirmation message to the first communication device. |
| US08401527B2 |
Method of simulating communication
A method of simulating a conversation includes providing at least one pre-programmed conversational script on a storage device; selecting the at least one pre-programmed conversational script for playback on the mobile communications device at a predetermined time; receiving an incoming communications alert on the mobile communications device; reciting the selected at least one pre-programmed conversational script on the mobile communications device upon responding to the incoming communications alert; and simulating an authentic conversation through the mobile communications device using the at least one pre-programmed conversational script. |
| US08401526B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a password reset feature
A method for providing a voicemail password reset feature can include receiving a password reset request message (220) from a mobile device (118) at a voicemail system (102), resetting a current password to a default password (222) at the voicemail system (102), and sending a response message request (224) to a short message service center (122). The response message request can include a request to generate a response message that includes the default password. The method can further include generating the response message at the short message center (122) and sending the response message (226) to the mobile device (118), wherein the response message includes the default password. A system for providing a voicemail password reset feature and a computer-readable medium for initiating a voicemail password reset from a mobile device (118). |
| US08401523B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling quality of service of master bluetooth terminal in piconet
An apparatus for controlling Quality of Service (QoS) of a master Bluetooth® terminal in a piconet. A file-specific band setting unit sets information about files and information about bandwidths set for the files, which are stored in the master Bluetooth® terminal, for a content meta database. A QoS controller checks the content meta database when an arbitrary slave Bluetooth® terminal requests file download service, and provides the set bandwidth information of the corresponding file. A balancing Bluetooth® Network Encapsulation Protocol (BNEP) creates a virtual interface when the slave Bluetooth® terminal is accessed, and sets a bandwidth of the virtual interface, which is set for the slave Bluetooth® terminal requesting the download service, to a bandwidth of the corresponding file when the set bandwidth information of the file for which the download service is requested is received from the QoS controller, and provides the download service to the slave Bluetooth® terminal. |
| US08401513B2 |
Proximity sensor, in particular microphone for reception of sound signals in the human audible sound range, with ultrasonic proximity estimation
Proximity sensor, particularly for usage in an electronic mobile device, comprising at least one acoustic transducer adapted for receiving acoustic signals at least in parts of the frequency range of human audible sound and emitting and/or receiving ultrasonic signals for proximity estimation. The acoustic transducer preferably is a Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) microphone. Further, a method in an electronic device comprising an acoustic transducer is provided comprising the steps of generating at least one electric signal in the frequency range of ultrasonic sound, emitting at least one ultrasonic signal by means of the acoustic transducer; receiving at least one ultrasonic signal by means of the acoustic transducer; deducing from the at least one emitted ultrasonic signal and the at least one received ultrasonic signal at least the delay between emission of the emitted ultrasonic signal and reception of the corresponding ultrasonic signal. |
| US08401512B2 |
Compact high linearity MMIC based FET resistive mixer
A MMIC (microwave monolithic integrated circuit) based FET mixer and method for the same is provided. In particular, adjacent transistors, such as FETs (field effect transistors) share terminals reducing physical layout separation and interconnections. A smaller die size is realized with the improved system geometry herein provided. |
| US08401511B2 |
Current-mode wireless receiver and reception method thereof
A current-mode wireless receiver includes a pre-processor to receive a voltage-mode input signal and output a current-mode pre-processed signal corresponding to the voltage-mode input signal, a mixer to perform frequency down-conversion upon the current-mode pre-processed signal to generate a current-mode frequency down-converted signal, and an amplifier to amplify the current-mode frequency down-converted signal to generate a current-mode output signal. A method of wireless reception is also disclosed. |
| US08401506B2 |
Method and system for testing the radiation performance of wireless terminal based on data mode
The invention provides a method and system for the wireless terminal radiation performance test based on a data mode, and wherein, the method comprises: building a human body model, in which the upper limb of the model holds the device under test at a predefined distance in front of the head of the model; taking the antenna of the device under test as the origin to build a spherical coordinate and selecting a testing point in the spherical coordinate; placing the model under the circumstance of a full-anechoic chamber, enabling the device under test to work in a data mode, and collecting the total radiated power at the testing point in the spherical placement system using the testing antenna, so as to obtain the total radiated power of the device under test. Through using the invention, the performance effect of human body coupling on the mobile terminal in a data mode could be reflected truly. It has higher authenticity and is easy to use. |
| US08401503B2 |
Dual-loop automatic frequency control for wireless communication
Techniques for performing frequency control using dual-loop automatic frequency control (AFC) are described. The dual-loop AFC includes an inner loop that corrects short-term frequency variations (e.g., due to Doppler effect) and an outer loop that corrects long-term frequency variations (e.g., due to component tolerances and temperature variations). In one design, a first inner loop is implemented for frequency control of a first system (e.g., a broadcast system), a second inner loop is implemented for frequency control of a second system (e.g., a cellular system), and at least one outer loop is implemented for adjusting a reference frequency used to receive signals from the first and second systems. Each inner loop estimates and corrects the frequency error in an input signal for the associated system and may be enabled when receiving the input signal from the system. The reference frequency may be used for frequency downconversion, sampling and/or other purposes. |
| US08401502B2 |
Method and system for a control scheme on power and common-mode voltage reduction for a transmitter
Provided is a method and system for controlling current characteristics in a transceiver having a transmitter. The transmitter includes a plurality of current cells. Each cell is configurable for operating in different modes. The method includes determining a first probability associated with transmitting data at a particular symbolic level and determining a second probability associated with each cell being used during a transmission at the particular symbolic level. Next, one of the modes for each cell is selected in accordance with anticipated performance requirements. An average current of the transmitter is then calculated based upon the determined first and second probabilities and the selected modes. |
| US08401501B2 |
Transmit power management for a communication device and method for use therewith
In integrated circuit includes a processing module that determines a selected one of the plurality of power modes based on a function being currently performed by at least one non-transceiver module of a host device, and generates a power mode signal based on the selected one of the plurality of power modes. An RF transmitter generates a transmit signal at a selected one of the plurality of operating power levels based on the power mode signal and that operates from at least one transmitter power supply signal generated and selected by a power management circuit in response to the power mode signal. |
| US08401499B2 |
Baseband-derived RF digital predistortion
A baseband-derived RF predistortion system using a lookup table having coefficients extracted at baseband and then applied at RF by means of a vector modulator. The architecture combines the narrowband advantage of envelope predistortion with the accuracy of baseband predistortion, and including compensation for memory effects. A polynomial-based alternative is also described. |
| US08401496B2 |
Semiconductor antenna switch
A semiconductor antenna switch has an antenna terminal, a transmission terminal and a reception terminal. The antenna switch is capable of reducing harmonic distortion even though it includes field effect transistors formed over a silicon substrate. A shunt transistor including a plurality of series-connected field effect transistors is connected between he transmission terminal and a common terminal, such as a common terminal, which may be an electrical ground. Off capacitances and/or gate widths of a plurality of the series-connected field effect transistors increase monotonically in the direction from the common terminal to the transmission terminal, or equivalently, decrease monotonically in the direction from the transmission terminal to the common terminal. |
| US08401491B2 |
Basestation maintenance systems and method
A method and system for maintaining a basestation system is provided. The basestation includes a basestation module. The system includes a translating system for translating at least a portion of the basestation module between a first position and a second position. The system includes a connection module for detachably connecting to the portion of the basestation module when the portion of the basestation circuitry is at the second position. |
| US08401488B2 |
Transient RF detector and recorder
A portable device for detecting a radio frequency transmission of electromagnetic radiation includes a housing; a controller situated within the housing; memory communicatively connected to the controller; an antenna connected to the controller and configured to receive the radio frequency transmission; and an audio-generating component connected to the controller. The radio frequency transmission of the electromagnetic radiation is harmful to an electrical device and is from a transient electromagnetic device (TED) threat source. The controller is operative for sensing magnitude, duration, and/or repetition of the radio frequency transmission; identifying a class of the radio frequency transmission based on one of the magnitude, duration, and repetition associated with the radio frequency transmission; and causing the audio-generating component to output tones to provide aural discrimination of an identified class of the radio frequency transmission received by the portable device. The identified class is a transient electromagnetic pulse signal from the TED source. |
| US08401484B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus, wireless communication method, computer program, and wireless communication system
A wireless communication apparatus includes: a first wireless communication section performing wireless communication on the basis of a first communication mode; a second wireless communication section performing wireless communication on the basis of a second communication mode using a different frequency band from the first communication mode; a beam learning signal generation section generating a beam learning signal for specifying a beam pattern at the time of the communication based on the second communication mode and transmitting the beam learning signal from the second wireless communication section; a response information acquisition section acquiring response information responding to the transmitted beam learning signal; and a preliminary information generation section generating preliminary information so as not to cause interference among a plurality of wireless communications using the second communication mode on the basis of the response information and transmitting the preliminary information from the first wireless communication section. |
| US08401483B2 |
Apparatus and method for wireless communication via at least one of directional and omni-direction antennas
Techniques for using at least one of omni-directional and directional antennas for communication are described. A station may be equipped antenna elements selectable for use as an omni-directional antenna or one or more directional antennas. The station may select the omni-directional antenna or a directional antenna for use for communication based on various factors such as, e.g., whether the location or direction of a target station for communication is known, whether control frames or data frames are being exchanged, etc. |
| US08401481B1 |
Increased wireless communication transmissions in heterogeneous networks
A wireless communication system comprises a macrocell base station and a communication control system, wherein picocell base stations inhibit wireless communications during a first set of time slots and transfer the wireless communications during a second set of the time slots. The macrocell base station is configured to transfer wireless communication signals at a first power level to a plurality of wireless communication devices during the first set of the time slots. The communication control system configured to determine a quantity of the wireless communication devices that are within a distance threshold of the macrocell base station. The macrocell base station is configured to transfer additional wireless communication signals at a second power level during the second set of the time slots to at least some of the wireless communication devices if the quantity exceeds a quantity threshold. |
| US08401476B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for configuration automation
Methods and apparatuses for automated configuring of user preferences. In one aspect of the present invention, a method to operate a data processing system, includes: detecting whether or not a portable device is connected to the data processing system; and automatically configuring one or more user preferences of the data processing system according to an identity of the portable device in response to a change in whether or not the portable device is connected to the data processing system. In one aspect of the present invention, call forwarding of at least one of a land line phone and a mobile phone is automatically configured when the mobile phone is brought close to the land line phone or when the mobile phone is taken away from the land line phone. |
| US08401473B2 |
Apparatuses and methods that facilitate the transfer of power and information among electrical devices
The present invention is directed to apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer readable media that can facilitate the transfer of power between at least two electrical devices. At least one of the electrical devices is preferably a battery operated device. The present invention may also be used to facilitate the transfer of information among electrical devices. For example, the present invention may be used to automatically pair two Bluetooth devices together. |
| US08401469B2 |
Shield for use with a computing device that receives an inductive signal transmission
Embodiments described herein include a computing device that is capable of inductive signal transfer with other computing devices. Such computing devices are provided a shield that protects the device and other components from electromagnetic interference and unwanted electrical affects resulting from the inductive signal transfer. |
| US08401465B2 |
Relay frame structure for supporting transparent and bidirectional relays
A method for transmitting data includes receiving at a first relay station first data from a parent station during a downlink period comprising a plurality of downlink zones. A network coding zone is one of the plurality of downlink zones and is located at an end of the downlink period, and the first data is received in at least one of the plurality of downlink zones other than the network coding zone. The method further includes receiving at the first relay station from a child station, second data during an uplink zone, and transmitting third data by the first relay station to the child station, during the network coding zone using a resource. The method further includes transmitting the third data to the parent station, during the network coding zone, using the resource. The third data results from the first data being effectively logically XOR-ed to the second data. |
| US08401463B2 |
Relay station, radio communication system, and control method of relay station
A relay station for relaying a radio communication between a radio terminal and a base station includes a relay standby unit configured to, in a relay standby state, receive a connection request transmitted from the radio terminal to the base station in response to broadcast information from the base station; a connection request detector configured to, in a relay standby state, detect the connection request transmitted from the radio terminal to the base station; and a relay operation unit configured to relay a radio communication between the radio terminal and the base station when the relay station shifts from the relay standby state to a relay operation state in response to the connection request detected by the connection request detector in the relay standby state. |
| US08401460B2 |
Transmitting sports and entertainment data to wireless hand held devices over a telecommunications network
A method and system for wirelessly providing venue-based data to one or more wireless hand held devices. Venue-based data can be acquired from one or more venues. The venue-based data can be authenticated and wirelessly transmitted to one or more hand held devices through one or more wireless telecommunications networks, in response to authenticating the venue-based data and/or the hand held device(s) and/or a user of the hand held device(s), in order to permit the venue-based data to be accessible via one or more hand held devices at locations remote from the venue(s). |
| US08401458B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a reversing feeding unit
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including a reverse-feeding unit. The reverse-feeding unit includes a frame which forms a first feeding path along which a printing medium is fed and a second feeding path which is branched off from the first feeding path, a guide plate which rotates between a first position in which the printing medium fed along the first feeding path is supported and a second position in which the supported printing medium is directed towards the second feeding path, and a plate driving unit which comprises an actuator which actuates the guide plate, a driving source which drives the actuator, and an electronic clutch which selectively transmits a driving force of the driving source to the actuator. |
| US08401451B2 |
Heating fixing roller and process for producing the heating fixing roller
Provided is a heating fixing roller which includes a tubular base member and a fluororesin layer provided on an outer circumferential surface of the base member directly or through an adhesive layer, the heating fixing roller being characterized in that the fluororesin layer contains phosphorus-doped tin oxide. The heating fixing roller has a surface resistance capable of stably and effectively preventing the occurrence of electrostatic offsets, and also has an excellent releasing property. Also provided is a process for producing the heating fixing roller, characterized by including the steps of applying a fluororesin dispersion containing an aqueous dispersion of phosphorus-doped tin oxide onto a tubular base member or an adhesive layer disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the tubular base member, and then sintering the fluororesin. |
| US08401443B2 |
Toner-particle bearing roller, developing device, and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes a toner particle-bearing roller that bears toner particles on its surface and develops a latent image borne by an image-bearing member with those toner particles, the toner particle-bearing roller has a projection portion disposed on its surface, the projection portion having a top surface having a flat portion, and a width of the top surface being equal to or more than a volume average particle diameter of the toner particles. |
| US08401441B2 |
Cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus
A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a developer carrying member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member, and an electroconductive developer layer thickness regulating member for regulating a layer thickness of a developer deposited on the developer carrying member. A part of the developer layer thickness regulating member is directly contactable to the main assembly electrical contact. |
| US08401437B2 |
Toner cartridges for an image forming device
The present application is directed to toner cartridges for use with image forming devices. The cartridge may include an interior to contain toner that is transferred to the image forming device and used during image formation. The cartridge may include one or more engagement features that interact with the image forming device during insertion. The engagement features may include one or more alignment features that align the cartridge during insertion into the image forming device. The engagement features may also include one or more functional features that allow the cartridge to effectively transfer the toner to the image forming device. |
| US08401435B2 |
Developer supplying apparatus
A developer supply apparatus includes an accommodating portion for accommodating a developer; a discharge opening for discharging developer from the accommodating portion; a first feeding member, provided in the accommodating portion, for feeding the developer accommodated in the accommodating portion from one end of the accommodating portion toward the other end; and second feeding member, provided at a position remoter from the discharge opening than the first feeding member, for feeding the developer accommodated in the accommodating portion from the one end of the accommodating portion toward the other end; wherein a feeding power of the second feeding member per unit drive time is higher than that of the first feeding member. |
| US08401434B2 |
Powder storage device and image forming apparatus using the same
A powder storage device that stores powder to be supplied or recovered powder, includes: a storage container that is extractably mounted on a container receiver, and in which powder to be supplied or recovered powder is stored; an opening/closing door that opens and closes the container receiver; and an opening/closing restricting mechanism that restricts a closing operation of the opening/closing door, and the opening/closing restricting mechanism includes: a restricting member as defined herein; and a restricted member as defined herein. |
| US08401433B2 |
Methods for dual drive operation of an auger in a development station
Methods for operating a development station are provided. In one aspect a method comprises the steps of: applying a first force at a first end of an auger and a second force at a second end of the auger with the first force and the second force being sufficient to rotate the auger against a drag exerted by the developer and the replenishment toner. Both the first force and the second force are less than a third force applied to a single driven end of an alternative auger to rotate the alternative auger against the drag and wherein the auger has a first yield strength at the first end and a second yield strength at the second end that are less than a third yield strength required to receive the third force at the driven end of the alternative auger. |
| US08401428B2 |
Fixing device having a thermistor and a support member for supporting the thermistor
A fixing device is mounted on a main casing of an image forming apparatus. A heating member contacts a recording medium to apply heat thereto while rotating. A heating member includes a roller that rotates about an axis. A frame supports the heating member and includes a frame fixing part that is fixed to the main casing to mount the frame on the main casing. A detecting unit opposes the heating member in an opposing direction to detect a temperature of the heating member and is separated from the heating member. A support member supports the detecting unit. A position of the support member in the opposing direction with respect to the frame is determined at a position closer to the frame fixing unit than the detecting unit. A position of the support member in an axial direction of the roller with respect to the frame is determined at a same position as the detecting unit in the axial direction. |
| US08401422B2 |
Cleaning apparatus and image forming apparatus
Disclosed is a cleaning apparatus including: a blade and a roller to remove the residual toner on the image carrier, the blade and the roller provided on a downstream side of a rotating direction of the image carrier than a transfer position of the toner image; a scraper to remove toner attached to the roller; and a first controlling section to control movement of the residual toner removed by the blade and the roller, the first controlling section is provided on an upstream side of the rotating direction of the image carrier than the blade and on a downstream side of the rotating direction of the image carrier than the roller and the scraper, and the first controlling section is provided facing the image carrier with a certain area provided in between to form an accumulating section to accumulate residual toner in the certain area. |
| US08401421B2 |
Charging device, method for producing charging device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A charging device includes: a charging component, and a cleaning member for the charging component, containing a substrate and an elastic layer that contains a silicone oil and is arranged in a spiral form on an outer surface of the substrate, the charging device being satisfying a following formula: A≦6 atomic % wherein A is a maximum value of the contents of Si atom constituting a siloxane skeleton with respect to total atoms at a contact part where the charging component is brought into contact with the elastic layer and at a non-contact part where the charging component is not brought into contact with the elastic layer, in which the contents of Si atom are obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of a surface of the charging component after preparing the elastic layer of the cleaning member for the charging component in an initial state and the charging component in an initial state to bring into contact with each other for 24 hours. |
| US08401417B2 |
Power supply device, heating unit using same, and image forming apparatus using said heating unit
The invention reduces loss produced when a power supply device supplies power to a fixing unit of a copier, thereby contributing to a reduction in size, a saving in terms of energy and lower cost. To achieve this, it is arranged so that it is possible to vary the capacitance of a resonant capacitor C200 that constructs a resonant circuit together with a coil 71 through which a high-frequency current flows in order to produce an induced electromotive force in an electrically conductive heating element. In an interval in which a tail current flows after closure of an IGBT 401 that switches the coil current, the capacitance of the resonant capacitor C200 of a switching element SW402 is increased, thereby suppressing a rise in voltage Vce of the IGBT 40 over a fixed interval of time. As a result, loss ascribable to the tail current is reduced. |
| US08401413B2 |
Image forming device having a moving section
Disclosed is an image forming device which can prevent occurrence of damage on the surface of a fixing roller or a fixing belt due to the contact of the end of a sheet with the fixing roller or fixing belt. The image forming device, for transferring a toner image to a sheet fed out from a sheet feed section and fixing the toner image to the sheet by pressing the sheet carrying the toner image at a fixing section, includes a moving section for moving the sheet and or the fixing section in the direction at right angles to the traveling direction of the sheet within a preset moving range, the moving section being controlled based on a preset operation pattern. |
| US08401412B2 |
Conveyance speed difference maintaining heat and pressure fixing system
A fixing apparatus includes a fixing mechanism having a first motor, and a conveyance mechanism arranged downstream of the fixing mechanism having a second motor. A motor control section is provided to control sheet conveyance speeds V1 and V2 in the respective fixing and conveyance mechanisms to maintain a difference therebetween within a prescribed range by adjusting a number of rotations of one of the first and second motors. |
| US08401406B2 |
Image forming apparatus with forced toner consumption
An image forming apparatus includes a developing device for developing a latent image formed on an image bearing member into a developer image; a transferring device for transferring the developer image from the image bearing member onto a transfer material; a temperature detecting sensor in a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, for detecting a temperature; and a controller for controlling a forced consumption operation in which toner is forcedly consumed by the developing device without transferring the developer image from the image bearing member onto the transfer material. The controller is capable of executing the forced consumption operation when toner consumption is below a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is higher with higher temperature. |
| US08401402B2 |
Detection of data in signals with data pattern dependent signal distortion
A detection system and method may be used to detect data transmitted in a signal with data pattern dependent signal distortion such as intersymbol interference. In general, a detection system and method compares samples of a received signal with stored samples of distorted signals associated with known data patterns and selects the known data patterns that correspond most closely with the samples of the received signal. The detection system and method may thus mitigate the effects of data pattern dependent signal distortion. |
| US08401401B2 |
Polarization-diverse, heterodyne optical receiving system
To provide a polarization-diverse, heterodyne optical receiving system, a light signal is transmitted into an optical fiber having a plurality of optical sensors that are distinguishable using a multiplexing arrangement. A return light signal from the optical fiber is mixed with an optical local oscillator light signal, where the mixing outputs plural output signal portions having different polarizations. A birefringence of a particular optical sensor is determined based on the plural signal portions. |
| US08401391B2 |
Channel power management in a branched optical communication system
Channel power management may be achieved in a branched optical communication system such that uniform loading is provided across branch channels on a branch drop path without passing information signals that are not intended for the branch terminal to the branch drop path. In general, a system and method consistent with the present disclosure reuses one or more loading signals (e.g., noise bands) from the branch add path to maintain uniform loading in the branch drop path of the same branch. The system and method thus prevents trunk channels from being dropped to a branch terminal when those trunk channels are not intended for the branch terminal. |
| US08401387B2 |
Optical network interface devices and methods
A system comprises an optical network terminal (ONT) that provides an interface to a passive optical network (PON). The ONT is coupled to a subscriber gateway device via at least one cable. The ONT may be located outside a subscriber premises while the subscriber gateway device may be located within the subscriber premises. The ONT converts optical signals received from PON to electrical signals and transmits the electrical signals to the subscriber gateway device without performing any MAC layer functions. The subscriber gateway device includes an optical media access control (MAC) unit that converts the electrical signals into MAC layer signals and a gateway unit that distributes the MAC layer signals to one or more subscriber devices. In this manner the MAC and gateway layer functions are relocated from the ONT to the subscriber gateway device. |
| US08401386B2 |
Optical transmission apparatus
There is provided an optical transmission apparatus including: a plurality of wavelength selective switches including input ports, a transmission port, and monitor port used to output a light switched so that the light from the input port is monitored; a multiplexer to combine the lights output from the transmission ports of the plurality of wavelength selective switches; a monitor to monitor whether a same wavelength of the light output from the monitor port exists in wavelengths of the lights combined by the multiplexer; and a controller to control the wavelength selective switch so as to output, from the transmission port, the light switched to the monitor port in case that the same wavelength of the light output from the monitor port is absent in wavelengths of the lights combined by the multiplexer, based on a monitor result by the monitor. |
| US08401385B2 |
Optically switched communication network
A large communication network suitable for nationwide or worldwide utilization. The present invention overthrows the conventional packet switching technologies with an all-optical network. The invention uses tunable laser sources to generate large number of highly stable narrow-band optical signals, each serving as a communication channel. With packet processing replaced by all-optical channels, the network become highly secure and scalable while harnessing the virtually unlimited capacity of fiber-optic. A large number of nodes (called area code nodes) are connected with all-fiber-optic links with all-optical switches. A routing algorithm provides one or more communication links from each area code node to every other area code node so that information never has to change carrier wavelength as it travels the network. Each area code node contains circuits that are provided to connect individual users to the network. |
| US08401382B2 |
Passive optical network protection method, switchover control device, and passive optical network protection system
The present invention discloses a passive optical network (PON) protection method, a switchover control device, and a PON protection system. In embodiments of the present invention, a protection optical line terminal (OLT) is connected to optical links of at least two working OLTs through the switchover control device; when a working OLT or working optical link fails, the switchover control device replaces the working OLT through the protection optical link, thus ensuring smooth communication. In addition, by using the networking mode of multiple working OLTs and one protection OLT, the embodiments of the present invention greatly saves the networking cost and facilitates the application of the PON technology. |
| US08401374B2 |
Apparatus and method of managing data stored in a data storage unit to ensure a storage space
An apparatus and method of managing data stored in a data storage unit is provided. Data stored in the storage unit is classified into data to be preserved and deletable data. The data is preserved or deleted on the basis of preservation setting and a preservation period of the data in the storage unit. The preserving and deleting of the data may be automatically or manually performed based on the remaining storage capacity of the storage unit. |
| US08401370B2 |
Application tracks in audio/video containers
Techniques for providing application tracks in a media data container are described. An application descriptor may be extracted from a coded bitstream. The coded bitstream comprises media data to be played by a media presentation system. The application descriptor identifies an application archive (i) that is retrievable by the media presentation system from one or more sources and (ii) that is required by the media presentation system at a set media time associated with the media data. While playing the media data, the media presentation system causes retrieving all of the application archive from the one or more sources before the set media time. |
| US08401366B2 |
Method and apparatus for downloading ancillary program data to a DVR
A method and apparatus for downloading ancillary program data to a DVR. An embodiment allows multimedia device users to select programs to record or download movie or music over a network, such as the Internet, from a content provider. The system automatically downloads and stores ancillary program data that is directly related to, and associated with, a program that has been selected for recording or content requested for download. When a user selects a program to view the user is offered the opportunity to browse ancillary program data associated with the program and view an ancillary program data. The service can charge the content provider or an advertiser for each time their ancillary program data is viewed by a user. The ancillary programming is deleted when the associated recorded program is deleted. |
| US08401363B2 |
Data playback device, control method therefor, computer program, and recording medium
A data playback device comprising a data reader which reads out moving image data from a storage device that stores the moving image data, a speed detector which detects a reading speed of the moving image data from the storage device, a data rate detector which detects a data rate of the moving image data in playback, a playback speed designation acceptance unit which accepts designation of a playback speed of the moving image data and a controller which controls reading of the moving image data by the data reader on the basis of the reading speed, the data rate, and the designated playback speed. |
| US08401362B2 |
Indication of trickplay availability for selected multimedia stream
A user is able to select a multimedia stream from a plurality of multimedia streams available at a multimedia receiver. The availability of one or more trickplay features for the selected multimedia stream is determined in response to the selection of the multimedia stream. A visual indicator, an audible indicator, or both are selectively provided for display/output based on the determined availability status of the corresponding trickplay feature. The selective provision of a trickplay indicator can include providing a first trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is available and providing a second, different trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is unavailable. Alternately, the selective provision of a trickplay indicator includes providing the trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is unavailable and omitting provision of the trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is available, or vice versa. |
| US08401358B2 |
Attachment part and electronic apparatus
An attachment part includes: a base portion that has a through hole through which a lead of an optical component passes; and a plurality of holding portions that are provided in the base portion, that face each other, and that hold a chassis of the optical component. |
| US08401357B2 |
Telecommunications connection cabinet
A telecommunications cabinet includes a cabinet housing; a fiber optic splitter; a plurality of spools disposed on a cable management surface; a panel oriented at a fixed angle relative to the access opening so that the panel extends laterally and rearwardly between the access opening and the cable management surface; and a plurality of adapters disposed on the panel. |
| US08401356B2 |
Optical connector assembling jig and optical connector assembling method
An optical connector assembling jig and an optical connector assembling method includes an optical connection. The optical connector assembling jig includes a base and a guide. The base is provided in a longitudinal direction with an accommodation groove for accommodating an optical fiber, and a rear pressing member for restraining a rear part of the optical fiber accommodated in the accommodation groove. The rear part is set apart from an embedded fiber. The guide has a front holding portion for holding a front part of the optical fiber accommodated in the accommodation groove. The front part is near the embedded fiber, and the guide is capable of moving in the longitudinal direction. Moving the base toward the optical connector causes the intermediate section of the optical fiber to separate from the accommodation groove and bend. By moving the base further toward the optical connector, a buffered fiber in the optical fiber can be connected to the embedded fiber. |
| US08401355B2 |
Hydrogen-resistant optical fiber/grating structure suitable for use in downhole sensor applications
A hydrogen-resistant optical fiber particularly well-suitable for downhole applications comprises a relatively thick pure silica core and a depressed-index cladding layer. Interposed between the depressed-index cladding layer and the core is a relatively thin germanium-doped interface. By maintaining a proper relationship between the pure silica core diameter and the thickness of the germanium-doped interface, a majority (preferably, more than 65%) of the propagating signal can be confined within the pure silica core and, therefore, be protected from hydrogen-induced attenuation problems associated with the presence of germanium (as is common in downhole fiber applications). The hydrogen-resistant fiber of the present invention can be formed to include one or more Bragg gratings within the germanium-doped interface, useful for sensing applications. |
| US08401354B2 |
Fiber optic security systems and methods of using the same
A fiber optic security system is provided. The fiber optic security system includes at least one length of fiber optic cable affixed to at least one item to be monitored using the fiber optic security system. The fiber optic security system also includes at least one local control node, the at least one local control node including at least one light source for generating and transmitting light through the at least one length of fiber optic cable, and the at least one local control node monitoring a status of the light. The fiber optic security system also includes a remote control unit for receiving information from the at least one local control node regarding the status of the light. |
| US08401353B2 |
Optical fiber cable assembly
The present invention provides optical fiber communication cable assemblies useful for separating and conveying individual fibers from a multiple optical fiber cable to connectors in a protective manner. The optical fiber cable assembly is suitable for outdoor use and includes a (i) cable with multiple optical fibers; (ii) a furcation unit attached to the cable for directing individual optical fibers from the cable to furcation legs; and (iii) multiple furcation legs receiving at least one of the optical fibers. The furcation legs include (i) a buffer tube surrounding the optical fiber; (ii) strength members surrounding the buffer tube; and (iii) a jacket surrounding the strength members. The furcation legs typically exhibit a tensile rating of at least about 50 pounds (lbf), more typically 100 pounds (lbf) or more. Moreover, the furcation legs typically exhibit total shrinkage of less than about 2 percent when cycled from +23° C. to −40° C. to +70° C. to −40° C. |
| US08401351B2 |
90-degree hybrid
The present invention provides a 90-degree hybrid capable of miniaturization and also capable of a stable operation in a wide band. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a PLC-type 90-degree hybrid comprises: a PLC chip having a planar lightwave circuit formed therein; and a 90-degree hybrid circuit formed in the planar lightwave circuit, mixing a modulated signal light and an LO light to separate the signal light into quadrature components I and Q, and outputting the same. The 90-degree hybrid circuit includes: two Y-branch couplers each branching the signal light and the LO light; and two wavelength-independent directional couplers which cause LO lights passing through two paths and signal lights passing through two paths to interfere with each other, respectively. The above-described paths include waveguides having mutually inverted shapes and waveguides having an identical shape, and have a shape substantially symmetrical with respect to the signal light. |
| US08401350B2 |
Optical resonator, and fluid optical sensor employing an optical resonator
There is provided an optical resonator including: N individual optical waveguide paths of line segment shape disposed in a common flat-plane so as to intersect at a single intersection region, wherein N is an integer of 2 or more; curved optical waveguide paths connecting respective portions of the optical waveguide paths that extend towards the outside from the intersection region, wherein for a first to a 2Nth optical waveguide path portions in a clockwise direction, connection is made between end portions at the opposite side to the intersection region of the (2i−1)th to 2ith optical waveguide path portions, wherein i is an integer of 1 to N; and an optical coupler that couples light input or output perpendicular to the flat-plane with the optical waveguide paths, the optical coupler being formed in a region containing the intersection region where the optical waveguide paths are connected. |
| US08401349B2 |
Method for providing an automated patch panel
An approach is provided for an automated patch panel. A command is received to change a connection state of an optic patch cord. A robotic arm is controlled to change the connection state of the optic patch cord with respect to a particular port of a plurality of ports disposed about a disk-shaped face of a docking panel. |
| US08401348B2 |
Methods and apparatus for constructing large wavelength selective switches using parallelism
Optical networks are increasingly employing optical network nodes having multiple interfaces to allow a node to direct optical signals received at any interface to any other interface connected to the node. Constructing a larger wavelength selective switching (WSS) module used in such a node can be complex and expensive. A method an apparatus for constructing a large WSS using parallelism is provided. In example embodiments, a larger WSS may include multiple parallel non-cascaded smaller WSSs and an optical coupler configured to optically couple the multiple parallel, non-cascaded smaller WSSs. This technique may be used to construct both N×1 and 1×N WSSs. Because the technique employs multiple parallel, non-cascaded WSSs, all inputs of a larger N×1 WSS and all outputs of a larger 1×N WSS are available receive or transmit external signals rather than being rather than being unavailable due to, for example, cascading smaller WSS devices together. |
| US08401347B2 |
Photoelectric composite wiring module and method for manufacturing the same
A photoelectric composite wiring module includes a circuit substrate, an optical device, an LSI (device) having a driver and an amplifier for the optical device, and a thin film wiring layer having an electrical wiring. The optical device is connected with the LSI by means of the electrical wiring. The optical device is formed on the circuit substrate and optically coupled to an optical waveguide formed in the circuit substrate. The thin film wiring layer is formed on the optical device to ensure that the optical device is electrically connected with the electrical wiring of the thin film wiring layer. The LSI is mounted on and electrically connected with the thin film wiring layer. |
| US08401344B2 |
Semiconductor optical modulator and optical modulating apparatus
A semiconductor optical modulator that includes a first semiconductor optical waveguide having a laminated structure including a core layer, a first clad layer, a second clad layer, and a barrier layer, the first clad layer and the second clad layer being disposed below and above the core layer, the barrier layer being inserted between the second clad layer and the core layer; a second semiconductor optical waveguide having a laminated structure in which the second clad layer has a p-type semiconductor penetrating locally through a n-type semiconductor in a laminated direction in the laminated structure of the first semiconductor optical waveguide; a first electrode connected to the first clad layer of the first semiconductor optical waveguide; and a second electrode electrically connecting the second clad layer of the first semiconductor optical waveguide and the p-type semiconductor of the second clad layer of the second semiconductor optical waveguide. |
| US08401343B2 |
System and method for defining an augmented reality character in computer generated virtual reality using coded stickers
A system and method for defining an augmented reality character in a computer game having multiple players uses a portable cellular communications device having a camera. Tags are used comprising patterns which are scanned by the camera and transmitted to a game server. The pattern is translated by the server into an augmented reality item, being either a person or a character. The augmented reality item is transmitted to the camera and displayed to the gamer transposed over the object upon which the tag is placed. |
| US08401340B2 |
Image processing apparatus and coefficient learning apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes a storage unit in which regression coefficient data is stored for each class on the basis of a tap in which a linear feature amount corresponding to a pixel of interest of first image data and a non-linear feature amount determined from the image data are used as elements; a classification unit configured to classify each of linear feature amounts of a plurality of items of input data of the input first image into a predetermined class; a reading unit configured to read the regression coefficient data; and a data generation unit configured to generate data of a second image obtained by making the first image have higher quality by performing a product-sum computation process by using the regression coefficient data read from the reading unit and elements of the tap of each of the plurality of items of input data of the input first image. |
| US08401338B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image capturing apparatus, and method of controlling the same
The present invention provides an image processing apparatus for performing image processing of image data in which information specifying, on a first coordinate system, a position of a portion of interest in an image is recorded, including an image processing unit configured to perform rotation processing of the image data using a second coordinate system having an origin different from that of the first coordinate system, and a change unit configured to change the information specifying the position of the portion of interest in accordance with a rotation amount of the image data by the rotation processing such that an image of the portion of interest specified by the information specifying the position of the portion of interest after the rotation processing matches that before the rotation processing. |
| US08401330B2 |
No-reference spatial aliasing measure for digital image resizing
A method for detecting aliasing artifacts includes receiving a second image that has been converted from a first image and evaluating the second image using a computer to detect aliasing artifacts due to the conversion, where the evaluation is performed without reference to the first image. The second image is a different size than the first image The second image is evaluated by identifying patches in the image that are likely to contain strong directional energy with few distractions and to estimate a direction component for each of the identified patches. The total energy of each patch is partitioned into an estimated signal energy and an estimated aliasing energy. The estimated aliasing energy and the estimated signal energy of each of the identified patches are combined to obtain an estimate of the aliasing artifacts in the image. |
| US08401328B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes a detection circuit configured to detect an image, a luminance correction circuit configured to determine luminance of the detected image and to execute correction for reducing a luminance variation in the detected image, and an extraction circuit configured to extract feature amount data from the detected image corrected by the correction circuit for use in authentication processing. |
| US08401320B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus for compressing image data, includes: a compression unit that reduces data into a predetermined bit number per band of image data so as to satisfy a condition related to a predetermined compression and compresses the reduced data; a specifying unit that specifies a minimum bit number among the predetermined bit numbers applied to the bands and specifies bands which are not compressed by the minimum bit number; and a re-compression unit that performs re-compression on the specified bands so that the data is compressed by the minimum bit number. |
| US08401319B2 |
System and method for encoding and decoding using texture replacement
The invention provides devices and methods that process images. The invention processes a received signal representing information of texture and information of an image, which has the texture removed from at least one region. The image information is encoded to obtain encoded information of the image. An output signal is generated representing the texture information and the encoded image information. In another embodiment, the invention synthesizes texture based on the received texture information, decodes received image information, which is encoded, to obtain a decoded image, and then maps the synthesized texture onto the decoded image. |
| US08401318B2 |
Motion vector detecting apparatus, motion vector detecting method, and program
Generation of evaluation value information about a motion vector, extraction of candidates for the motion vector on the basis of the evaluation value information, and determination of the motion vector to be allocated from the candidates for the motion vector are performed. The possibility that a reference pixel a in a second frame is a candidate for a motion from a target point in a first frame is evaluated on the basis of pixel-value correlation information to generate an evaluation value table. A constant area is adaptively set around each of the target pixel and the reference pixel corresponding to each extracted candidate for the motion vector in accordance with the state of the continuity of a constant pixel value. The motion vector from the first frame to the second frame is allocated on the basis of the result of comparison between values calculated for the constant areas. |
| US08401314B2 |
Systems and methods for character correction in communication devices
A system and method for character error correction is provided, useful for a user of mobile appliances to produce written text with reduced errors. The system includes an interface, a word prediction engine, a statistical engine, an editing distance calculator, and a selector. A string of characters, known as the inputted word, may be entered into the mobile device via the interface. The word prediction engine may generate word candidates similar to the inputted word using fuzzy logic and user preferences generated from past user behavior. The statistical engine may generate variable error costs determined by the probability of erroneously inputting any given character. The editing distance calculator may determine the editing distance between the inputted word and each of the word candidates by grid comparison using the variable error costs. The selector may choose one or more preferred candidates from the word candidates using the editing distances. |
| US08401305B2 |
Contour-information extracting method by use of image processing, pattern model creating method in image processing, pattern model positioning method in image processing, image processing apparatus, image processing program, and computer readable recording medium
There is provided a pattern model creating method in image processing, which allows selection of an appropriate contour in accordance with an object image, the method being a pattern model creating method in image processing for positioning by searching an object to be searched that is similar to a pre-registered image out of an image to be searched by use of a pattern model corresponding to the registered image, the method including: extracting a plurality of edge points from the registered image; creating a plurality of continuous chains by coupling adjacent edge points among the plurality of extracted edge points; eliminating a chain with a length not larger than a predetermined length among the plurality of chains; selecting chains sequentially from the smallest chain among the remaining chains; and regarding aggregation of the selected chains as a contour extracted from the registered image, to construct a pattern model for positioning. |
| US08401299B2 |
Character line recognition method and character line recognition device
A character line recognition method for processing image data obtained by scanning a character line on a medium to recognize the character line may include processing the image data into monochrome binary format image data by using a predetermined binarization standard threshold; extracting character features from each character that composes the character line to calculate similarity with respect to standard character features; temporarily determining characters based on the similarity; calculating basic statistics of the similarity for all the characters which have been temporarily determined; and changing the binarization standard threshold based on the basic statistics and then returning to the processing the image data. |
| US08401293B2 |
Word recognition of text undergoing an OCR process
A method for identifying words in a textual image undergoing optical character recognition includes receiving a bitmap of an input image which includes textual lines that have been segmented by a plurality of chop lines. The chop lines are each associated with a confidence level reflecting a degree to which the respective chop line properly segments the textual line into individual characters. One or more words are identified in one of the textual lines based at least in part on the textual lines and a first subset of the plurality of chop lines which have a chop line confidence level above a first threshold value. If the first word is not associated with a sufficiently high word confidence level, at least a second word in the textual line is identified based at least in part on a second subset of the plurality of chop lines which have a confidence level above a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value. |
| US08401290B2 |
Method and system for processing to enhance digital images
A system reads a digital image that includes a set of pixels. The system determines a distribution of colors of the pixels of the digital image. Also, the system analyzes the distribution to identify a range of colors of a background of the digital image. Further, the system identifies pixels whose colors are within the identified range, and the system modifies the identified pixels to have a different color. |
| US08401289B2 |
Method for matching colors between two systems
A method for matching colors including comparing the appearance of a first white color associated with a first color imaging system and a second white color associated with a second color imaging system, wherein the tristimulus values of the first and second white color are similar; determining a fixed correction to the tristimulus values of the second white color to achieve a visual match to the first white color; measuring a first set of spectral values for a first color associated with the first color imaging system; determining a first set of tristimulus values from the first set of spectral values; measuring a second set of spectral values for a second color associated with the second color imaging system; determining a second set of tristimulus values from the second set of spectral values; applying a correction to the tristimulus values of the second color; determining a difference between the tristimulus value of the first color and the corrected tristimulus value of the second color; and adjusting the second color to reduce the difference. |
| US08401288B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for improved color statistic pruning for automatic color balance
Pixels from an image are sampled for gray world statistics. To avoid the effect of saturated regions, the color pixels are pruned based on predetermined criteria for individual and combined color channel values. If a predetermined percentage of the pixels are included in the gray world statistics, color channel gain is calculated and applied to the image for color balancing. |
| US08401286B2 |
Image detecting device and method
An image detecting device receives a video signal stream including at least one frame. Each frame includes rows of data, and each row of data has a plurality of pixels. The frame has an image portion and a blank portion. The image detecting device includes a characterizing unit and a searcher. The characterizing unit receives the pixels and determines pixel characterization values thereof. The searcher includes an image comparator and a blank comparator. The image comparator and the blank comparator evaluate the pixel characterization value of a current pixel to determine whether the current pixel belongs to the image portion or the blank portion. The searcher derives a position of the image portion based on determined results of the image comparator and the blank comparator. An image detecting method is also disclosed. |
| US08401284B2 |
Color correcting method and apparatus
Some embodiments provide a method of color correcting an image. Some such embodiments provide (1) a display area for displaying a modifiable graph correlating a first color attribute of the image to a set of second color attributes and (2) at least one tool that adjusts the graph in order to adjust color attributes in the image. The graph adjustment tool of some embodiments is a set of control points that specify the color correction adjustment over a parameterized curve representation of the graph. In some embodiments, the graphs are rasterized curves that are adjusted through the use of a Gaussian manipulator. The Gaussian manipulator distributes a second color attribute adjustment over a set of first color attribute values according to a Gaussian distribution. Moreover, some embodiments allow for the selective switching between the parameterized and rasterized curves or the control points and the Gaussian manipulator. |
| US08401283B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
An information processing apparatus includes the following elements. A learning unit is configured to perform Adaptive Boosting Error Correcting Output Coding learning using image feature values of a plurality of sample images each being assigned a class label to generate a multi-class classifier configured to output a multi-dimensional score vector corresponding to an input image. A registration unit is configured to input a register image to the multi-class classifier, and to register a multi-dimensional score vector corresponding to the input register image in association with identification information about the register image. A determination unit is configured to input an identification image to be identified to the multi-class classifier, and to determine a similarity between a multi-dimensional score vector corresponding to the input identification image and the registered multi-dimensional score vector corresponding to the register image. |
| US08401282B2 |
Method for training multi-class classifiers with active selection and binary feedback
A multi-class classifier is trained by selecting a query image from a set of active images based on a membership probability determined by the classifier, wherein the active images are unlabeled. A sample image is selected from a set of training image based on the membership probability of the query image, wherein the training images are labeled. The query image and the sample images are displayed to a user on an output device. A response from the user is obtained with an input device, wherein the response is a yes-match or a no-match. The query image with the label of the sample image is added to the training set if the yes-match is obtained, and otherwise repeating the selecting, displaying, and obtaining steps until a predetermined number of no-match is reached to obtain the multi-class classifier. |
| US08401275B2 |
Mobile robot with a head-based movement mapping scheme
A robotic system that includes a mobile robot and a remote input device. The input device may be a joystick that is used to move a camera and a mobile platform of the robot. The system may operate in a mode where the mobile platform moves in a camera reference coordinate system. The camera reference coordinate system is fixed to a viewing image provided by the camera so that movement of the robot corresponds to a direction viewed on a screen. This prevents disorientation during movement of the robot if the camera is panned across a viewing area. |
| US08401273B2 |
Apparatus for evaluating degradation of pattern features
A measurement tool apparatus for evaluating degradation of pattern features in a semiconductor device manufacturing process. The measurement tool apparatus detects variations in the patterns from SEM images thereof and extracts pattern edge points along the circumference of each pattern. The measurement tool apparatus compares the pattern edge points to corresponding edge points of an ideal shape so as to determine deviation of the patterns. Metrics are derived from analysis of the deviations. The measurement tool apparatus uses the metrics in calculating an index representative of the geometry of edge spokes of the pattern, an indicator of the orientation of the edge spokes, and/or anticipated effects of the edge spokes on device performance. |
| US08401264B2 |
Solid modeling based on volumetric scans
The geometry of an object is inferred from values of the signed distance sampled on a uniform grid to efficiently model objects based on data derived from imaging technology that is now ubiquitous in medical diagnostics. Techniques for automated segmentation convert imaging intensity to a signed distance function (SDF), and a voxel structure imposes a uniform sampling grid. Essential properties of the SDF are used to construct upper and lower bounds on the allowed variation in signed distance in 1, 2, and 3 (or more) dimensions. The bounds are combined to produce interval-valued extensions of the SDF, including a tight global extension and more computationally efficient local bounds that provide useful criteria for root exclusion/isolation, enabling modeling of the objects and other applications. |
| US08401255B2 |
Computer-assisted reconciliation of multiple image reads
A technique for reconciling two or more reads of an image data set. One or more computer implemented routines is employed to provide computer-assisted reconciliation (CAR) including resolution of discrepancies between the two or more reads. The computer-assisted reconciliation may optimally display the discrepancies, the concurrences and any associated information to a human reconciler, may resolve the discrepancies in a partially automated manner, or may resolve the discrepancies in a fully automated manner. The reconciled data may then be provided to an end user. |
| US08401254B2 |
Image search device and image search method
An object of the present invention is to provide an image search device and an image search method by which search efficiency is improved. The image search device includes a personal characteristic database (21) where images of individual multiple photographic subjects obtained by shooting by multiple cameras (10) are stored in the form of a database, a similarity search unit (22) that performs a similarity search by using a query image from the images of the individual multiple photographic subjects stored in the personal characteristic database (21), a query image generation unit (23) that generates a new query image by synthesizing, of the multiple images obtained by the similarity search unit (22), a correct image used as a criteria with another correct image or synthesizing the correct image used as the criteria with a negative-positive inverted incorrect image, and an image processing unit (24) that performs image processing for displaying the images retrieved by the similarity search unit (22) on a search terminal (30). |
| US08401252B2 |
Video retrieval system for human face content
A method and apparatus for video retrieval and cueing that automatically detects human faces in the video and identifies face-specific video frames so as to allow retrieval and viewing of person-specific video segments. In one embodiment, the method locates human faces in the video, stores the time stamps associated with each face, displays a single image associated with each face, matches each face against a database, computes face locations with respect to a common 3D coordinate system, and provides a means of displaying: 1) information retrieved from the database associated with a selected person or people, 2) path of travel associated with a selected person or people, 3) interaction graph of people in video, 4) video segments associated with each person and/or face. The method may also provide the ability to input and store text annotations associated with each person, face, and video segment, and the ability to enroll and remove people from database. The videos of non-human objects may be processed in a similar manner. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims. |
| US08401250B2 |
Detecting objects of interest in still images
A computer implemented method and system for detecting interest sections in a still image are provided. One or more sub images of the still image is subjected to segmentation. A gray scale version of interest sub images and/or a binary image version of the interest sub images are matched with a predefined template for filtering the interest sub images. Multiple prospective image sections comprising one or more of prospective interest sections and prospective near interest sections are determined by performing discriminative feature analyses of the filtered interest sub images using a gabor feature filter. The discriminative feature analyses are processed by a boosted cascade of classifiers. The boosted cascade of classifiers detects the interest sections in the still image from the prospective interest sections and the prospective near interest sections. The detected interest sections are subjected to a support vector machine classifier for further detecting interest sections. |
| US08401248B1 |
Method and system for measuring emotional and attentional response to dynamic digital media content
The present invention is a method and system to provide an automatic measurement of people's responses to dynamic digital media, based on changes in their facial expressions and attention to specific content. First, the method detects and tracks faces from the audience. It then localizes each of the faces and facial features to extract emotion-sensitive features of the face by applying emotion-sensitive feature filters, to determine the facial muscle actions of the face based on the extracted emotion-sensitive features. The changes in facial muscle actions are then converted to the changes in affective state, called an emotion trajectory. On the other hand, the method also estimates eye gaze based on extracted eye images and three-dimensional facial pose of the face based on localized facial images. The gaze direction of the person, is estimated based on the estimated eye gaze and the three-dimensional facial pose of the person. The gaze target on the media display is then estimated based on the estimated gaze direction and the position of the person. Finally, the response of the person to the dynamic digital media content is determined by analyzing the emotion trajectory in relation to the time and screen positions of the specific digital media sub-content that the person is watching. |
| US08401246B2 |
Mapping of retinal parameters from combined fundus image and three-dimensional optical coherence tomography
A second retinal characterization data set is mapped to a first retinal characterization dataset. The first retinal characterization dataset is displayed as a first graphical map. The second retinal characterization dataset is displayed as a second graphical map which is mapped to the first graphical map. The second graphical map may be warped and morphed onto the first graphical map. Retinal characterization datasets may be derived either from a fundus image or from a retinal parameter dataset calculated from a three-dimensional optical coherence tomography scan of a retina. Retinal parameter datasets may characterize parameters such as retinal thickness. In an embodiment, a fundus image is warped and morphed onto a retinal surface topographical map. |
| US08401243B2 |
Articulated object region detection apparatus and method of the same
An articulated object region detection apparatus includes: a subclass classification unit which classifies trajectories into subclasses; a distance calculating unit which calculates, for each of the subclasses, a point-to-point distance and a geodetic distance between the subclass and another subclass; and a region detection unit which detects, as a region having an articulated motion, two subclasses to which trajectories corresponding to two regions connected via the same articulation and indicating the articulated motion belong, based on a temporal change in the point-to-point distance and a temporal change in the geodetic distance between two given subclasses. |
| US08401242B2 |
Real-time camera tracking using depth maps
Real-time camera tracking using depth maps is described. In an embodiment depth map frames are captured by a mobile depth camera at over 20 frames per second and used to dynamically update in real-time a set of registration parameters which specify how the mobile depth camera has moved. In examples the real-time camera tracking output is used for computer game applications and robotics. In an example, an iterative closest point process is used with projective data association and a point-to-plane error metric in order to compute the updated registration parameters. In an example, a graphics processing unit (GPU) implementation is used to optimize the error metric in real-time. In some embodiments, a dense 3D model of the mobile camera environment is used. |
| US08401240B2 |
Passive single camera imaging system for determining motor vehicle speed
A system for passively determining a speed of moving vehicles includes a single imaging device (103) for acquiring a plurality of images at a first time and at least at one second later time, wherein each image includes a moving vehicle (406) on a vehicle pathway (402) and at least one fixed object (404) proximate to the vehicle, defining a first plane (π1) intersecting an adjacent portion of the vehicle pathway (402), wherein no geometric lengths of the vehicle (406) are known a priori. The system can also include a processor (121) operable to receive data associated with the images and determine a speed of the vehicle (406) in the images, wherein the processor (121) estimates at least one geometric length of the vehicle (406) by applying homography using the plurality of images, and where the processor (121) determines a speed of the vehicle (406) from the plurality of images and the estimated geometric length using a velocity estimation method. |
| US08401238B2 |
Map matching for security applications
An apparatus for map matching between a measured position for an object and information on a digital map is specified. This involves a computation unit being used to perform a first selection of cartography elements on the map on the basis of the measured position and on the basis of a predefined error. In addition, the computation unit is designed to provide the selected cartography elements for a first and a second secondary computation unit. In addition, values from the secondary computation units are converted in the same unit of measurement. |
| US08401235B2 |
Method and system for recognizing parking lot
Disclosed are a parking space recognition method and apparatus. The inventive parking space recognition system includes: a vehicle edge extraction unit for extracting a vehicle edge of a counterpart vehicle positioned adjacent to a parking space by analyzing an image acquired by a camera; a vehicle position extraction unit for extracting a vehicle position of the counterpart vehicle by analyzing ultrasonic wave data acquired by an ultrasonic sensor; a vehicle edge position analysis unit for analyzing the vehicle edge position for the extracted vehicle edge by mapping the extracted vehicle edge and the extracted vehicle position; and a parking space recognition unit for recognizing the parking space by determining the position of the counterpart vehicle on the basis of the analyzed vehicle edge position. According to the present invention, a sensor convergence type parking space recognition technology using a camera and an ultrasonic sensor in such a manner that the disadvantages of the ultrasonic sensor and the camera can be compensated with each other. |
| US08401232B2 |
Method, device, and computer-readable medium of object detection
Disclosed are an object detection method and an object detection device. The object detection method comprises a step of obtaining plural detection results of a current frame according to plural object detection methods; a step of setting initial probabilities of the plural detection results of the current frame; a step of calculating a movement frequency distribution diagram representing movement frequencies of respective pixels in the current frame; a step of obtaining detection results of a previous frame; a step of updating the probabilities of the plural detection results of the current frame; and a step of determining a final list of detected objects based on the updated probabilities of the plural detection results of the current frame. |
| US08401230B2 |
Signature based drive-through order tracking system and method
A system and method for providing signature-based drive-through order tracking. An image with respect to a vehicle at a POS unit can be captured at an order point and a delivery point (e.g., a payment point and a pick-up point) utilizing an image capturing unit by detecting the presence of the vehicle at each point utilizing a vehicle presence sensor. The captured image can be processed in order to extract a small region of interest and can be reduced to a unique signature. The extracted signature of the vehicle at the order point can be stored into a database together with the corresponding order and the vehicle image. The signature extracted at the delivery point can be matched with the signature stored in the database. If a match is found, the order associated with the vehicle together with the images captured at the delivery point and the order point can be displayed in a user interface at the delivery point to ensure that the right order is delivered to a customer. |
| US08401228B2 |
Autofocus using object tracking based on adaptive template matching range
An image recognition device includes a detection unit which is configured to detect a first difference between at least a part of the first image information and the reference information, a second difference between at least a part of the second image information and the reference information, and a third difference between at least a part of the third image information and the reference information. A recognition unit is configured to make a first determination whether the first difference is within a predetermined range, and to make a second determination whether the second difference is within the predetermined range. A changing unit is configured to change the predetermined range based on the first and second determinations. The recognition unit is configured to recognize an area corresponding to the reference image in the third image information based on the third difference and the predetermined range which has been changed. |
| US08401226B2 |
Method of accessing digital images of mailpieces franked by a standard franking machine
A method of accessing digital images of mailpieces from a workstation of a sender, includes franking the mailpieces on a franking machine of the sender; acquiring a digital image of each of the franked mailpieces at an office for receiving the mailpieces; extracting, from the digital images, a first identifier of the sender and a second identifier of a dealer of the franking machine; feeding a first database with the digital images and with the identifiers; making portions of the first database available to each of the servers of the dealers, the portions being determined as a function of the second identifier; feeding a second database with the determined portion; making portions of the second database available to a workstation of each of the senders, the portions being determined as a function of the first identifier; and accessing the digital image of each of the franked mailpieces on the workstation. |
| US08401225B2 |
Moving object segmentation using depth images
Moving object segmentation using depth images is described. In an example, a moving object is segmented from the background of a depth image of a scene received from a mobile depth camera. A previous depth image of the scene is retrieved, and compared to the current depth image using an iterative closest point algorithm. The iterative closest point algorithm includes a determination of a set of points that correspond between the current depth image and the previous depth image. During the determination of the set of points, one or more outlying points are detected that do not correspond between the two depth images, and the image elements at these outlying points are labeled as belonging to the moving object. In examples, the iterative closest point algorithm is executed as part of an algorithm for tracking the mobile depth camera, and hence the segmentation does not add substantial additional computational complexity. |
| US08401224B2 |
Hidden image signalling
An image is encoded to define one or more spatial regions that can be sensed by a suitably-equipped mobile device (e.g., a smart phone), but are imperceptible to humans. When such a mobile device senses one of these regions, it takes an action in response (e.g., rendering an associated tone, playing linked video, etc.). The regions may overlap in layered fashion. One form of encoding employs modification of the color content of the image at higher spatial frequencies, where human vision is not acute. In a particular embodiment, the encoding comprises altering a transform domain representation of the image by adding signal energy in a first chrominance channel, where the added signal energy falls primarily within a segmented arc region in a transform domain space. |
| US08401223B2 |
Embedding and decoding three-dimensional watermarks into stereoscopic images
Disclosed inventions relates to methods and systems for encoding at least one watermark into a stereoscopic conjugate pair of images. An example method comprises the step of encoding the at least one watermark by shifting selected pixels of said pair of images in one or more directions. The one or more directions include a horizontal direction. In the disclosed embodiments, ancillary information is not required to support decoding of encoded watermarks in addition to the transmitted left and right images. |
| US08401220B2 |
Piezoelectric micro speaker with curved lead wires and method of manufacturing the same
A micro speaker includes a substrate having a cavity formed therein, a diaphragm formed on the substrate overlapping the cavity. The diaphragm includes a first vibration membrane formed in a first area corresponding to a center portion of the cavity and a second vibration membrane formed in a second area corresponding to an edge portion of the cavity and formed of material different from that used for the first vibration membrane. A piezoelectric actuator is formed including a first electrode layer formed on the first vibration membrane, a piezoelectric layer formed on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer formed on the piezoelectric layer, and first and second curved lead wires, respectively connected to the first and second electrode layers across the second area, which are symmetrical to the center of the piezoelectric actuator. |
| US08401213B2 |
Snap-lock coupling system for a prosthetic device
A fixation system for a bone conduction device is disclosed. An abutment is coupled to a bone anchor such that vibrations applied to the abutment pass into the bone anchor. The abutment comprises a first conduction surface, a bearing surface, and a magnetic material at or near the first conduction surface. A coupler extends from a bone conduction device and comprises a second conduction surface, a leveraging extension, and a magnet. The second conduction surface is shaped complimentary to the first conduction surface. The magnet attracts to the magnetic material such that the second conduction surface seats on the first conduction surface, thereby enabling vibrations to pass from the bone conduction device to a recipient's skull. |
| US08401211B2 |
Hearing device with RF communication
In a hearing device with an audio signal processing stage (3, 7, 5) and an Rf signal processing stage (9, 11) the Rf signal processing stage is realized in one module (13a), whereas the audio signal processing stage is realized in a second module (13b). The two modules are releasably interlinked by means of a releasable positive locking link (15). |
| US08401210B2 |
System and method for dynamic control of audio playback based on the position of a listener
An optimal listening position for the multi-channel audio sound system is determined. A listening area and other audio playback controls may also be defined or modified by a listener. During subsequent audio playback, an imager captures images of at least a portion of the listener. When the listener has moved to a position that is different from a previous position, one or more audio parameters are adjusted for at least one channel in the multi-channel audio system in order to reposition the initial or previous optimal listening position to the current position of the listener. When the listener moves outside the listening area, an out of bounds response is initiated to disable or control the audio playback until the listener moves to a position within the listening area. |
| US08401206B2 |
Adaptive beamformer using a log domain optimization criterion
Described is a audio signal processing technology in which an adaptive beamformer processes input signals from microphones based on an estimate received from a pre-filter. The adaptive beamformer may compute its parameters (e.g., weights) for each frame based on the estimate, via a magnitude-domain objective function or log-magnitude-domain objective function. The pre-filter may include a time invariant beamformer and/or a non-linear spatial filter, and/or may include a spectral filter. The computed parameters may be adjusted based on a constraint, which may be selectively applied only at desired times. |
| US08401201B2 |
Sound processing apparatus and method
A sound processing apparatus according to the present invention acquires a test signal for measuring a standing wave state emitted in a listening room, and determines a peak position or a dip position due to a standing wave based on frequency characteristics of the test signal. Next, the sound processing apparatus emits a burst signal corresponding to the frequency of the peak position or the dip position, and acquires this signal. The sound processing apparatus calculates an increment ΔP of the acquired signal, which indicates an amount of increase of a peak in the trailing edge portion corresponding to the end position of the burst signal relative to a peak in the portion corresponding to the stationary portion of the burst signal, and attenuates the frequency of the above peak position or dip position of a sound signal to be output by an attenuation depending on ΔP. |
| US08401194B2 |
Diabetes care kit that is preconfigured to establish a secure bidirectional communication link between a blood glucose meter and insulin pump
A diabetes care kit for providing diagnostics and therapy that is preconfigured to reduce initial setup by a user. The kit can include a handheld diabetes managing device and insulin pump. The handheld diabetes managing device and insulin pump can each be preloaded with an encryption key such that the handheld diabetes managing device and the insulin pump are paired and a secure bidirectional communication link exists between the handheld diabetes managing device and the insulin pump. |
| US08401191B2 |
Efficient broadcast entitlement management message delivery mechanism using a scheduled delivery window
Systems and methods include broadcasting an entitlement management message (EMM) in a communication system using a scheduled delivery window. The systems and methods including receiving a EMM broadcast window from a distribution system, listening for the EMM during the EMM broadcast window, and receiving the EMM from the distribution system during the EMM broadcast window. |
| US08401189B2 |
Opportunistic use of keys during encryption/decryption
An encrypted program received in an MPEG transport stream is decrypted by receiving a message in the MPEG transport stream, wherein the message contains a key, decrypting the encrypted program based on the key, and replacing the message in the MPEG transport stream with a null packet. |
| US08401188B1 |
System and method for partial encryption of frame-based electronic content
Various embodiments of a system and method for partial encryption of frame-based electronic content are described. Embodiments may include a partial encryption component configured to receive electronic content that includes multiple frames to be displayed according to a chronological sequence. In various embodiments, such frames may include multiple key frames and multiple reference frames. For each reference frame, content of one or more other frames may be dependent on the content of that reference frame. In various embodiments, for each key frame, content of frames to be displayed subsequent to that key frame may not be dependent on content of any frame preceding the key frame in the chronological sequence. In various embodiments, the partial encryption component may be configured to generate partially encrypted content by encrypting a portion of the electronic content without encrypting other portions of the electronic content (e.g., at least some key frames and reference frames). |
| US08401187B2 |
Processing recordable content in a stream
Methods and a systems are described for processing recordable content in a broadcast stream sent to a receiver, wherein said broadcast stream is protected in accordance with a conditional access system and wherein said receiver is configured for storing and consuming content in said broadcast stream in accordance with a digital rights management system. In this methods and systems recording information is sent in one or more entitlement control messages over a broadcast network to a receiver. Using the recording information in the entitlement control messages the receiver is able to store recordable events in a broadcast stream on a storage medium and to consume said recorded events in accordance with a digital rights management system. |
| US08401182B2 |
Method of and device for updating group key
A method and device for updating a group key are disclosed. The group key updating method comprises determining a start node for a key update on a binary tree, updating a node key of the start node for a key update, updating a node key of a parent node of a node corresponding to the updated node key using the updated node key, and repeatedly performing the updating of the node key of the parent node, and then updating a node key corresponding to a root node of the binary tree. With the disclosed method and device, it is possible to efficiently perform a group key update process. |
| US08401177B2 |
Combined sidetone and hybrid balance
A combined sidetone and hybrid balance apparatus and method of operating same are disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may provide both a hybrid balance mode of operation and a sidetone generation mode of operation within a single integrated circuit device. The functionality provided by an embodiment of the present invention may be used in both Internet protocol (IP)-based telephones and residential gateways, and may be incorporated within the IP telephone chip used in such devices. An embodiment of the present invention may be used to reduce processor demand and the cost of materials, permitting greater IP telephone or residential gateway functionality at lower cost. |
| US08401175B2 |
Internet protocol telephone system
An internet protocol telephone includes a substrate having an input and an output that are capable of being connected to the internet protocol (IP) network. A relay is disposed on the substrate and is connected between the input and the output of the substrate. The relay includes first and second native FETs that have a threshold voltage of approximately zero volts. Therefore, the relay is nominally turned-on, even when little or no voltage (or power) is applied to the IP telephone substrate, as during the discovery mode of IP telephone operation. During discovery mode, The IP phone is configured to be responsive to extended link pulses and block data packets that are associated with legacy devices. Data packets have a higher signal duration and are more continuous than extended link pulses. The IP phone includes a switchable ground that is connected to the gates of the native devices, and is controlled by a rectifier and filter circuit that are connected to the substrate input. If the IP phone receives legacy data packets during discovery mode, then the high signal duration and continuous nature of the data packets are sufficient to cause the rectifier to generate a rectified signal having sufficient amplitude to activate the switchable ground, so as to ground the gates of the native devices and therefore turn-off the native devices. Therefore, the data packets are rejected and are not passed back to the switch. Extended link pulses have a frequency that is too low to generate a rectified signal that is sufficient to activate the switchable ground, and therefore the native devices remain turned-on. Accordingly, the extended link pulses are passed back to the switch. |
| US08401172B1 |
Methods and systems for processing and managing telephonic communications using ring pools
An online and offline communication processing and tracking using data processing and data/voice networks is described. A phone address from a phone address number pool is automatically assigned to a first entity. A call quality rating is determined and recorded. A call from a caller directed to the phone address is received at a call bridging system coupled to at least one network, wherein the call is associated with call signaling information. Based at least in part on the call quality associated with the caller call, the caller call is assigned to a first location in a call queue. An outbound call is generated from the call bridging system and the inbound and the outbound calls are bridged. One or more parameters of the bridged call are compared to the call quality rating. An indication is recorded regarding the successful bridging of the calls in association with an entity identifier. |
| US08401168B2 |
System and method for ring delay on a user agent
A system and method for ring delay on a user agent. A destination user agent may receive a request from an origination user agent to establish a session between the two user agents. The destination user agent may delay ringing according to a ring delay parameter. If the request has not been terminated by the time the ring delay parameter is met, the destination user agent may ring and a session may occur between the origination user agent and destination user agent. If the request is terminated before the ring delay parameter is met, the destination user agent may never ring. The ring delay parameter may be a ring delay time period. The ring delay parameter may be received as part of the request from the origination user agent, set by the destination user agent, or set by a service provider for the destination user agent. |
| US08401166B1 |
Systems and methods of mitigating phantom call traffic
Systems and methods for mitigating phantom call traffic in a communication system are disclosed. A call may be received at a communications exchange. A jurisdiction of the call may be determined in real-time, and egress signaling information and a route of the call to a terminating local exchange may be determined based on the jurisdiction. At least a portion of the egress signaling information may be provided to the terminating exchange in call signaling and/or in call detail billing records so that the terminating exchange is enabled to correctly charge for call termination. |
| US08401164B1 |
Methods and apparatus for providing expanded telecommunications service
System and method for putting control of incoming telephone calls in the hands of subscribers with the aid of computer software and the Internet. In effect, a very efficient multiplexer is provided that does not require a change in the behavior of the called party or the calling party. This system permits the called party to hear a spoken message by the calling party in real time, and the content of the spoken message permits the called party to decide how to handle the call. The system adaptively learns and captures the rules of the called party for handling calls, and learns which callers the called party always wishes to talk to. The system uses special control software on the called party's computer which is connected to the Internet. The system employs a central server in which all of the required intelligence is resident. Audio signals are exchanged via non-data channels provided by the telephone companies and by the Internet. Either a very simple Internet busy pick-up is provided, or a very complex messaging system is provided, as desired. A feature is the monitoring and screening of incoming calls before deciding how to handle them. Another feature is the capturing and storage of the decision making profile. |
| US08401161B2 |
Routing outbound toll-free calls through a VoIP network
A method for routing a toll-free call through a network includes receiving a toll-free call from a call origination endpoint, determining an identifier associated with the call origination endpoint, determining a meet point trunk based on at least a portion of the identifier if a DAL is not available, and routing the toll-free call to a LEC via the determined meet point trunk. A system for routing a toll-free call entering a network to an appropriate carrier includes an inbound gateway device configured to receive a toll-free call from a call origination endpoint having an assigned telephone number and to query a core routing engine (CRE) for a route plan using the assigned telephone number, and a CRE configured to select an interconnection access line based on the origination endpoint telephone number, wherein the interconnection access line is connected to a LEC that is operable to route the call to the appropriate carrier. |
| US08401155B1 |
Systems and methods for secure recording in a customer center environment
Systems and methods for secure recording in a customer center environment are provided. The system receives data related to a communication at a media distribution device. A key is provided by a key server to the media distribution device to encrypt the received data. In addition, an identifier may be associated with the received data. The key and the identifier are stored in a database associated with the key server. The encrypted data is recorded the a recorder, where it is accessible to authorized users within the customer center. Upon request, the key is provided to the authorized user to decrypt the encrypted data for play back. The customer center environment may include a user interface for viewing customer contacts. The contact may be organized into folders and annotations associated with the customer contacts may be received. |
| US08401154B2 |
Emergency text communications
A system includes one or more devices connected to or within one of a group of emergency services networks. The one or more devices may generate a text message that includes information identifying a user device, information identifying a geographic location of the user device, and information identifying a particular emergency services network of the group of emergency services networks; establish, based on the text message, a text-based communication session between the user device and a call taker device within the particular emergency services network; store session information regarding the text-based communication session; receive a subsequent text message; and transmit the subsequent text message to the call taker device based on the session information. |
| US08401150B2 |
Radiation imaging system and relay station selection method
This invention includes a radiation detector to detect the radiation transmitted through an object while being in a portable state or mounted on a detector holder, a control unit to control capturing of a radiographic image using the radiation detector, and a plurality of relay stations to relay wireless communication from the radiation detector. The detector holder includes a detection unit to detect the mounting of the radiation detector. The control unit determines the usage pattern of the radiation detector or the mounting of the radiation detector on a detector holder based on detection information from the detection unit or a connection request from the radiation detector, and selects one of the relay stations based on the determination result. |
| US08401147B2 |
Multiple screen detection systems
The present specification discloses an improved detection system employing multiple screens for greater detection efficiency. More particularly, a first enclosure has two adjacent walls, each with interior surfaces, a first end and a second end. The first ends of the two adjacent walls are connected at an angle to form an interior and the second ends of the two adjacent walls are connected to a semi-circular housing. At least one substrate, positioned on each of the interior surfaces of the adjacent walls, has an active area for receiving and converting electromagnetic radiation into light. A photodetector, positioned in the interior portion of the semi-circular housing, has an active area responsive to the light. |
| US08401142B2 |
Nuclear reactor vessel fuel thermal insulating barrier
The reactor vessel of a nuclear reactor installation which is suspended from the cold leg nozzles in a reactor cavity is provided with a lower thermal insulating barrier spaced from the reactor vessel that has a hemispherical lower section that increases in volume from the center line of the reactor to the outer extent of the diameter of the thermal insulating barrier and smoothly transitions up the side walls of the vessel. The space between the thermal insulating harrier and the reactor vessel forms a chamber which can be flooded with cooling water through passive valving to directly cool the reactor vessel in the event of a severe accident. The passive inlet valve for the cooling water includes a buoyant door that is normally maintained sealed under its own weight and floats open when the cavity is Hooded. Passively opening steam vents are also provided. |
| US08401140B2 |
Phase/frequency detector for a phase-locked loop that samples on both rising and falling edges of a reference signal
A circuit comprises a first phase detector, a second phase detector, and combinational logic. The first phase detector is for detecting a phase difference between a rising edge of a first clock signal and a rising edge of a second clock signal, and for providing a first difference signal indicating the phase difference. The second phase detector is for detecting a phase difference at a time of a falling edge of the first clock signal and a time of a falling edge of the second clock signal, and for providing a second difference signal indicating the phase difference. The combinational logic is coupled to receive the first difference signal and the second difference signal, and for preventing the second difference signal from being provided when the first difference signal is being provided. |
| US08401136B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit and communication system
Disclosed is a semiconductor integrated circuit for generating a frequency division clock signal that approximates a desired clock signal without increasing a size thereof. The semiconductor integrated circuit masks, for each programmable cycle, a clock signal to be supplied to a transmission clock generation unit 100, thereby delaying a counting operation of a clock counter 101, and setting a timing for extending a transmission clock signal so as to cause a transmission rate of an average frequency of the transmission clock signal to approximate a predetermined transmission rate, wherein the transmission clock generation unit 100 divides a frequency of a clock source signal S301 that is a high-speed clock signal. |
| US08401135B2 |
Post-equalization amplitude latch-based channel characteristic measurement
A serial data receiver includes an amplitude path including a first signal conditioner that adds a first offset or subtracts a second offset based on a selection input, a preamp configured to receive a signal from a transmitter and provide an input signal to the amplitude path, an amplitude latch coupled to the amplitude path, a data latch having a data output and a decision feedback equalization (DFE) logic block coupled to the first conditioning element and the data output and configured to generate the selection output based on the data output of the data latch. |
| US08401129B2 |
Digital automatic gain control
An automatic gain control (“AGC”) system. The system includes a first multiplier, an envelope detector, a summation module, a filter module, a convergence module, and a feedback module. The convergence module includes a convergence control module and a second multiplier. The feedback module includes an accumulator, a scalar multiplier module, and a third multiplier. The system is configured to adjust or modify its convergence speed according to the state of convergence of the AGC system, and the convergence speed of the AGC system is substantially independent of a signal level of the received signal. |
| US08401125B2 |
Receiving apparatus and method with no oversampling analog to digital conversion
A receiving apparatus and a receiving method for receiving signals in a wireless communication system are presented, the signals including a dedicated channel estimation sequence. The apparatus includes an analog to digital converter that converts received signals into digital samples with a sampling rate identical to a symbol rate of the received signals, a channel estimation unit that performs a channel estimation based on the dedicated channel estimation sequence comprised in a digital samples of the received signals, an evaluation unit that evaluates the channel estimation result from the channel estimation unit, and a control unit that controls a phase of the sampling rate of the analog to digital converter based on an evaluation of the channel estimation result. The present invention further relates to a corresponding receiving method. |
| US08401124B2 |
Method, device and system for detecting pilot sequence signal
A method for detecting pilot sequence signal includes: when the service data signal in the received signal is confirmed to be right, the said service data signal is extracted from the received signal, wherein, the service data signal and the pilot sequence signal in the received signal are located in the same slot; the pilot sequence signal is obtained from the received signal having been extracted the service data signal. At the same time, a communication device and a communication system are provided. The interference of pilot sequence signal made by the service data signal can be restrained, the detecting performance of the pilot sequence can be enhanced by using the present invention. |
| US08401121B1 |
Symbol error detection for bluetooth basic data rate packets
A symbol error detector can be configured to detect symbol errors of GFSK modulated portions of a Bluetooth packet without relying solely on a CRC error detection mechanism. The symbol error detector can operate on frequency error signals that are a difference between a frequency associated with a current symbol and predetermined frequency outputs from a bank of filters matched to a frequency response of the Bluetooth receiver for predefined combinations of three consecutive symbols (i.e., an estimated previously decoded symbol, an estimated current symbol, and an estimated subsequent symbol). The frequency error signals can be compared against a threshold and against each other to determine a potential unreliability in decoding the current symbol and to determine whether to generate a symbol error notification. The frequency error signals being within a threshold of each other can indicate potential unreliability in decoding the current symbol. |
| US08401120B1 |
Symbol error detection for bluetooth enhanced data rate packets
A symbol error detector can be configured to detect symbol errors of a Bluetooth enhanced data rate (EDR) packet without relying solely on a CRC error detection mechanism. After a phase of a current symbol is demodulated to determine a demodulated current symbol, the phase of the demodulated current symbol can be subtracted from the phase of the current symbol prior to demodulation to yield a phase error. The phase error can be compared against a phase error threshold to determine a potential unreliability of the demodulated current symbol. The phase error being greater than the phase error threshold can indicate that the demodulated current symbol may be unreliable. Accordingly, a symbol error notification can be generated to indicate that the demodulated current symbol may be unreliable. |
| US08401118B2 |
Method and apparatus for constant envelope demodulation
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for demodulating CPM modulated signals transmitted in a wired or wireless communication system using a linear modulation model consisting of a linear superposition of time pulses modulated using pseudo-PSK pulses. |
| US08401114B2 |
Mobile telecommunication device and ramping data transmitting method thereof
A mobile telecommunication device includes a digital baseband processing unit and an analog baseband processing circuit. The digital baseband processing unit is configured to extract a difference value of current ramping data of ramping data of ramping samples of a ramping profile from previous ramping data, the current ramping data and the previous ramping data having a first bit number, and to transmit the difference value to the analog baseband processing unit as sample difference ramping data having a second bit number which is smaller than a first bit number. The analog baseband processing unit configured to receive the sample difference ramping data, and to generate a ramping up/down signal of the first bit number based on the sample difference ramping data, wherein the ramping up/down signal controls an output power level of the mobile telecommunication device. |
| US08401111B2 |
Method and apparatus for sequencing and correlating a positioning reference signal
Aspects are disclosed for sequencing and correlating a positioning reference signal. A set of reference symbols associated with a reference signal are allocated, and a base sequence is generated. An extended sequence, which includes the set of reference symbols, is then provided according to the base sequence. The extended sequence is then transmitted in a sub-frame designated as an idle period. A sequence of reference symbols is received from a base station during an idle period of the base station. A replicated sequence of reference symbols is generated, and a correlation is ascertained between a subset of the received sequence of reference symbols and a corresponding subset of the replicated sequence of reference symbols. The received sequence of reference symbols is then identified according to the correlation. |
| US08401110B2 |
Transmission method, transmitter apparatus and reception method
A transmitter apparatus wherein a simple structure is used to successfully suppress the degradation of error rate performance that otherwise would be caused by fading or the like. There are included encoding parts (11—1-11—4) that encode transport data; a mapping part (3304) that performs such a mapping that encoded data sequentially formed by the encoding parts (11—1-11—4) are not successively included in the same symbol, thereby forming data symbols; and a symbol interleaver (3301) that interleaves the data symbols. In this way, a low computational complexity can be used to perform an interleaving process equivalent to a bit interleaving process to effectively improve the reception quality at a receiving end. |
| US08401109B2 |
Methods for sending and receiving a multicarrier signal comprising a preamble comprising data elements, corresponding devices and computer products
A method is provided for receiving a multicarrier signal formed by a temporal succession of symbols including of a set of data elements with real values, including informative data elements and pilots. Due to at least one preamble being inserted into the multicarrier signal and formed by at least two end symbols, encompassing at least one central symbol including of central pilots, such a reception method includes, for at least one central pilot, a step of eliminating or reducing an interference affecting the central pilot, and a step of estimating the transmission channel, taking into account the result of the eliminating or reducing step. |
| US08401102B2 |
Joint constellation multiple access
A method for communication includes defining N respective symbol constellations in a signal space for N transmitters (24), N(2, subject to a predetermined power constraint, so as to produce a joint constellation including superpositions of symbols selected from the N symbol constellations. Data is transferred from the N transmitters by simultaneously transmitting from M the N transmitters N respective symbols selected respectively from the N symbol constellations. A composite symbol including a superposition of the N transmitted symbols is received. The received composite symbol is demodulated using the joint constellation so as to reconstruct the data transferred from the N transmitters. |
| US08401101B2 |
Systems, devices, and methods for training sequence transmission and reception
A training sequence helps optimize SNR degradation in a wireless communication. Various sets of training sequences may be stored in a repository, and transmitters and receivers encoded with such sequences transmit at least one of the sequences between them as part of the wireless transmission of data. |
| US08401095B2 |
Apparatus for transmitting data using carriers and method thereof
An apparatus for transmitting data using a plurality of carriers and method thereof are disclosed, by which PAPR improving effect is enhanced. A method of generating an OFDM signal, which is transmitted by spreading data symbols using a DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform) matrix, according to the present invention includes the steps of generating an output symbol by data-processing the data symbols in time domain in a manner of giving a specific weight to the data symbols and summing up the weight-given data symbols and generating the OFDM signal by performing OFDM data processing on the output symbol. |
| US08401094B2 |
MIMO wireless communication method and apparatus for transmitting and decoding resource block structures based on a dedicated reference signal mode
The transmission and decoding of resource blocks (RBs) transmitted via a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna having a plurality of transmit antennas is disclosed. Each RB includes a plurality of resource elements (REs). Each RE is reserved for one of a common reference signal (CRS) associated with one of the transmit antennas, a dedicated reference signal (DRS) including a single beamformed or precoded pilot, a DRS including a composite beamformed or precoded pilot, and a data symbol. Each RB may include a “control type” data symbol that indicates a DRS mode associated with the RB. In one DRS mode, each DRS includes a single beamformed or precoded pilot. In another DRS mode, each DRS includes a composite beamformed or precoded pilot. In yet another DRS mode, single beamformed or precoded pilots, and composite beamformed or precoded pilots, may coexist and be transmitted simultaneously within the same RBs or in different RBs. |
| US08401092B1 |
Multi-reference clock synchronization techniques
Efficient synchronization techniques that support multiple reference clocks in an EQAM device. Consider a plurality of different modulators in the EQAM device receiving data from a corresponding plurality of different sources having corresponding different timing references (i.e., different source reference clocks). To accommodate this, the modulators all operate using a common system clock, and each modulator is provided with a phase synchronizer. The phase synchronizer synchronizes the modulated symbol phases to the corresponding reference clock. |
| US08401090B2 |
Video synchronization
A method of synchronizing the phase of a local image synchronization signal generator of a local video data processor in communication with an asynchronous switched packet network to the phase of a reference image synchronization signal generator of a reference video data processor also coupled to the network, the local and reference processors having respective clocks, the reference and local image synchronization signal generators generating periodic image synchronization signals in synchronism with the reference and local clocks respectively including: frequency synchronizing the local and reference clocks; sending an image timing packet providing reference image synchronization data indicating the difference in timing, measured with respect to the reference processor's clock, between the time at which the image timing packet is launched onto the network and the time of production of a reference image synchronization signal; and controlling the timing of the production of the local image synchronization signal. |
| US08401083B2 |
Extreme video compression over a fixed bandwidth channel
Compression using a graded wavelet, general and camera motion compensation, and spatial and entropy coding to create a compressed video. |
| US08401082B2 |
Methods and systems for refinement coefficient coding in video compression
A method for coding refinement coefficients in a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) scalable enhancement layer of a compressed video sequence is disclosed. A video sequence is received. A prediction of an original video signal in a current frame is constructed from the video sequence. A residual signal is formed by subtracting the prediction of the original video signal from the original video signal in the current frame. A transform is applied to the residual signal. A plurality of transform coefficients is quantized. A refinement coefficient is mapped to a ternary refinement symbol. Refinement symbols are grouped in a certain coding order. The refinement symbol groups are coded using variable length codes. |
| US08401081B2 |
Accurate motion portrayal for display and digital projectors
A system and method for motion portrayal manipulation includes performing a motion estimation to determine objects in motion in content provided at an acquisition rate. An eye motion trajectory of a viewer is predicted based on the content to determine a region of interest. An object in the area of interest is filtered along an object trajectory to adapt motion of the object to permit display of the acquisition rate on a display device having a refresh rate other than the acquisition rate. The content is portrayed at the acquisition rate on the display device. |
| US08401077B2 |
Video processing apparatus and method
A video processing apparatus includes a decoder, a controller and a display device. The decoder decodes a bitstream, wherein the bitstream includes a plurality of groups of pictures and each group of pictures includes a frame sequence. The controller is coupled to the decoder to determine whether a current frame of a current group of pictures to be displayed has macroblocks with forward reference to a previous frame of a previous group of pictures, wherein the current group of pictures is subsequent to the previous group of pictures. The display device is coupled to the controller to display the current frame of the current group of pictures when the current frame has no macroblock with forward reference to the previous frame of the previous group of pictures. |
| US08401072B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program
An information processing apparatus for decoding compression-coded video data, including: at least one decoder that decodes the compression-coded video data; and a controller than controls processing executed by the decoder, wherein the controller, when a picture at a head of a decoding processing unit is an I-picture or a P-picture among decoded pictures output from the decoder, controls the decoder so that a decode start timing at which the decoder starts decoding and a display output timing at which the decoder starts outputting the decoded pictures are displaced from each other by a first predetermined number of pictures. |
| US08401064B1 |
Systems, circuits and methods for adapting parameters of components in a receiver
A receiver is optimized by adapting parameters of components within the receiver. Various component parameters are adapted by using either a least means squared algorithm or a steepest descent algorithm. The taps of a decision feedback equalizer can be adapted by using either a least means squared algorithm or a steepest descent algorithm. The gain value of a linear equalizer and the input of a digital to analog converter coupled to the linear equalizer are also adapted through the least means squared algorithm or a steepest descent algorithm. A variable gain amplifier is also capable of being adapted through the use of the least means squared algorithm. Clock offsets are also configured by use of a steepest descent algorithm. |
| US08401063B2 |
Decision feedback equalization scheme with minimum correction delay
A decision feedback equalizer includes a correction circuit to correct a sampled value of an incoming bit based on intersymbol interference of at least one preceding bit, and to generate a received bit. The correction circuit includes a first multiplexer and a first pair of latches coupled thereto. The first multiplexer is controlled by a clock signal to generate a digital level representative of a sign of a first correction coefficient to be subtracted from the sampled value of the incoming bit for deleting the intersymbol interference. The first pair of latches receives as input the received bit and is clocked in phase opposition by the clock signal to generate respective latched replicas of the received bit during respective active phases of the clock signal. The respective latched replicas are input to the first multiplexer. |
| US08401059B2 |
Radio communication system
A radio communication system minimizes power consumption against noises. The system includes a first radio terminal (10A) with a first transmitter (40A) for transmitting a first data indicative of a specific event, and a second radio terminal (40A) with a battery (14B) and a receiver (20B). The first radio terminal (10A) includes a first bit interpolator (32A) which inserts a check bit pattern of “01010101” at a predetermined cycle into one frame of the first data. The second radio terminal (10B) has a second power controller (60B) which intermittently activates the second receiver (20B) at predetermined intervals in order to receive the bit-interpolated data from the first transmitter. A check bit detector (24B) is included in the second radio terminal (10B) to detect the check bit pattern from within the bit interpolated data and to issue a stop signal immediately upon occurrence of that the check bit pattern fails to appear at said predetermined cycle within a predetermined time frame shorter than one frame length of the first data. In response to the stop signal, the power controller of the second radio terminal terminates a current receiving operation. |
| US08401058B1 |
Channelized amplifier system and method
A channelized amplification system and method for mitigating non-linear amplification effects and controlling spectral re-growth is disclosed. A channelized amplifier system includes a frequency divider, a plurality of distributors coupled to the frequency divider, and a plurality of amplification modules coupled to the plurality of distributors. Each of the plurality of amplification modules includes a plurality of channelized non-linear amplifiers, a frequency combiner having a plurality of band-pass filters and coupled to the plurality of channelized non-linear amplifiers, and a band-pass filter coupled to the frequency combiner. |
| US08401055B1 |
Communications methods and apparatus
Apparatus for recovering symbols from control and data channels corresponding to a plurality of users is described. Samples corresponding to control channel signals from multiple users are processed on a time shared basis with various control channel processing elements being reused multiple times to processes the samples and recover signals, e.g., symbols, corresponding to the plurality of users. While the control channel processing elements are used on a time shared basis, a separate data channel processing chain or module maybe provided for each of the plurality of users. In some embodiments the order of despreading and filtering is reversed for the control and data channel signal processing. |
| US08401054B2 |
Power detection in a spread spectrum system
This disclosure relates to method, device and system for selecting a device for communication in a communication system. A node receives a spread signal from a first transmitter and a second transmitter. The node despreads the spread signal with a first spreading code into a first frame and determines a first receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) from the first frame. The node despreads the spread signal with a second spreading code into a second frame and determines a second RSSI from the second frame. The node selects an access point based in part on the first RSSI and the second RSSI. The node transmits an uplink signal to the access point based on a slot start time and a random timing offset. The node transmits while a portion of a second signal is transmitted from a second node such that both the uplink signal and the second signal are received. |
| US08401049B2 |
Surface-emission laser diode and fabrication process thereof
A surface-emission laser diode includes a GaAs substrate, a cavity region, and upper and lower reflectors provided at a top part and a bottom part of the cavity region, the upper reflector and/or the lower reflector including a semiconductor Bragg reflector, at least a part of the semiconductor distributed Bragg reflector includes a semiconductor layer containing Al, Ga and As as major components, there being provided, between the active layer and the semiconductor layer that contains Al, Ga and As as major components, a semiconductor layer containing Al, In and P as major components adjacent to the semiconductor layer that contains Al, Ga and As as major components, with an interface formed coincident to a location of a node of electric strength distribution. |
| US08401048B2 |
Group-III nitride semiconductor laser device, and method of fabricating group-III nitride semiconductor laser device
In a III-nitride semiconductor laser device, a laser structure includes a support base comprised of a hexagonal III-nitride semiconductor and having a semipolar primary surface, and a semiconductor region provided on the semipolar primary surface of the support base. An electrode is provided on the semiconductor region of the laser structure. The c-axis of the hexagonal III-nitride semiconductor of the support base is inclined at an angle ALPHA with respect to a normal axis toward the m-axis of the hexagonal III-nitride semiconductor. The angle ALPHA is in the range of not less than 45 degrees and not more than 80 degrees or in the range of not less than 100 degrees and not more than 135 degrees. The laser structure includes first and second fractured faces that intersect with an m-n plane defined by the m-axis of the hexagonal III-nitride semiconductor and the normal axis. A laser cavity of the III-nitride semiconductor laser device includes the first and second fractured faces. The laser structure includes first and second surfaces, and the first surface is opposite to the second surface. Each of the first and second fractured faces extends from an edge of the first surface to an edge of the second surface. The support base of the laser structure has a recess provided at a portion of the edge of the first surface in the first fractured face. The recess extends from a back surface of the support base, and an end of the recess is apart from the edge of the second surface of the laser structure. |
| US08401044B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting element, driving method of semiconductor light emitting element, light emitting device, and optical pulse tester using light emitting device
[Task] To provide a semiconductor light emitting element capable of emitting light beams with wavelengths in a plurality of wavelength ranges with a high optical output, a driving method of a semiconductor light emitting element capable of making a semiconductor light emitting element that can emit light beams with wavelengths in a plurality of wavelength ranges operate with a high optical output, a light emitting device, and a small and high-performance optical pulse tester using the light emitting device.[Means for Resolution] In a driving method of a semiconductor light emitting element with a configuration in which an active layer 13a with a gain wavelength λ1 of about 1.55 μm and an active layer 13b with a gain wavelength λ2 of about 1.3 μm are optically coupled along the guiding direction of light and are disposed in series in order of the length of the gain wavelengths λ1 and λ2 and a diffraction grating 20 with a Bragg wavelength of the short gain wavelength λ2 is formed near the active layer 13b with the short gain wavelength λ2 and near a butt-joint coupling portion 19 between the active layers 13a and 13b, an upper electrode provided above the active layer 13b is short-circuited to a lower electrode provided on a bottom surface of a semiconductor substrate so that a leakage current does not flow into the active layer 13b when a driving current is applied to the active layer 13a. |
| US08401042B2 |
Broadcasting signal receiver and method for transmitting/receiving broadcasting signal
A broadcasting signal receiver and a method for transmitting/receiving a broadcasting signal are disclosed. An identifier of a cell is set in the broadcasting signal and, if the cell is changed, channel information of the changed cell can be obtained from program table information having the channel information of the cell. Accordingly, the broadcasting signal receiver can continuously output a program although the cell is changed. |
| US08401035B2 |
One way SRS information transmission method
An exemplary method of one way transmission of information is provided, the exemplary method steps preferably include partitioning a portion of each network device along a transmission path (based on a configuration of a source adaptive translation device), to form a source dedicated one way transmission path, analyzing source customer supplied information received by the source adaptive translation device to discern the source supplied information format, mapping the source discerned supplied information into a first synchronous transport signal using the source adaptive translation device, transmitting the first synchronous transport signal across the source dedicated one way transmission path, receiving the first synchronous transport signal at a destination adaptive destination device, and remapping the received first synchronous transport signal back into the discerned source supplied information using the destination adaptive translation device. |
| US08401034B2 |
Transport apparatus and transport method
A transport apparatus, includes a switching frame generator that generates a GCC-mode-switching special frame for instructing a corresponding apparatus to switch a GCC mode, a GCC overhead insertion unit that inserts the GCC-mode-switching special frame generated by the switching frame generator into a GCC overhead and transmits the GCC overhead to the corresponding apparatus, a transmission-mode controller that performs a control operation to switch the GCC mode of its own apparatus after the transmission of the GCC-mode-switching special frame is completed by the GCC overhead insertion unit, a switching-frame determination unit that determines, upon receiving the GCC overhead from the corresponding apparatus, whether the GCC-mode-switching special frame is inserted into the GCC overhead, and a reception-mode controller that performs a control operation to switch the GCC mode of its own apparatus when the switching-frame determination unit determines that the GCC-mode-switching special frame is inserted into the GCC overhead. |
| US08401030B2 |
Allocation of channels in a dedicated frequency spectrum on a secondary basis
Allocation of channels in a dedicated frequency spectrum on a secondary basis. A direct mode communication request (150) from a first wireless communication device (112) can be received and processed to determine whether there are one or more secondary communication channels over which direct mode communication may be implemented between the first wireless communication devices and other wireless communication devices (114, 116, 118) without violating at least one communication policy for the secondary communication channel. Use of a secondary communication channel can be assigned or denied. In addition, a direct mode communication request can be communicated from a wireless communication device to a base transceiver station (104) identifying one or more other communication devices for which direct mode communication is requested. |
| US08401028B2 |
Selection of an edge node in a fixed access communication network
A method and apparatus for selecting an edge node from a plurality of edge nodes in a fixed access communications network. A selection node receives from a host entity a request for a network service. The selection node then obtains, from at least one further network node, data relating to a plurality of edge nodes. On the basis of the retrieved data, the selection node selects an edge node from the plurality of edge nodes, wherein the selected edge node provides a path between the host entity and the requested network service. The selection node then sends a response to the host entity, the response including information identifying the selected edge node. |
| US08401027B2 |
Method for traffic management, traffic prioritization, access control, and packet forwarding in a datagram computer network
The invention provides an enhanced datagram packet switched computer network. The invention processes network datagram packets in network devices as separate flows, based on the source-destination address pair in the datagram packet. As a result, the network can control and manage each flow of datagrams in a segregated fashion. The processing steps that can be specified for each flow include traffic management, flow control, packet forwarding, access control, and other network management functions. The ability to control network traffic on a per flow basis allows for the efficient handling of a wide range and a large variety of network traffic, as is typical in large-scale computer networks, including video and multimedia traffic. The amount of buffer resources and bandwidth resources assigned to each flow can be individually controlled by network management. In the dynamic operation of the network, these resources can be varied—based on actual network traffic loading and congestion encountered. The invention also teaches an enhanced datagram packet switched computer network which can selectively control flows of datagram packets entering the network and traveling between network nodes. This new network access control method also interoperates with existing media access control protocols, such as used in the Ethernet or 802.3 local area network. An aspect of the invention is that it does not require any changes to existing network protocols or network applications. |
| US08401022B2 |
Pragmatic approaches to IMS
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for providing services such as provided by Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) with an IP network that is not the IMS. According to one embodiment, a system for providing communication services can comprise a communication network, one or more subsystems communicatively coupled with the network and adapted to provide one or more telco functions, and one or more applications communicatively coupled with the network and adapted to utilize the telco functions. |
| US08401019B2 |
Method, integrated circuit, and communication unit for scheduling a processing of packet stream channels
A method for scheduling a processing of packet stream channels comprises: determining whether at least one packet stream channel comprises a frame ready for processing; if at least one packet stream channel comprises a frame ready for processing, identifying a frame ready for processing having a highest priority; and scheduling the identified highest priority frame for processing. The method further comprises prioritising frames ready for processing based on at least one of: a frame availability time and an estimated processing time, for each frame. |
| US08401017B2 |
Wireless communication network using an enhanced RLC status PDU format
An enhanced RLC STATUS PDU format is used in a wireless communication network in which a sender transmits AMD PDUs to a receiver, and the receiver responds a STATUS PDU. In the STATUS PDU, an ACK_SN field is provided for indicating the SN of a next not received AMD PDU which is not reported as missing in the STATUS PDU, and an E1 field is provided for indicating whether a set of NACK_SN, E1, and E2 fields follows or not. The NACK_SN field indicates a AMD PDU that has been detected as lost at the receiver. The E2 field indicates whether a set of SOstart, SOend, and E2 fields follows or not. The SOstart field indicates the first byte in the AMD PDU with SN=NACK_SN that has been detected as lost. The SOend field indicates the last byte in the AMD PDU with SN=NACK_SN that has been detected as lost. |
| US08401015B2 |
Method, device, computer program product and system for representing a partition of n w-bit intervals associated to d-bit data in a data communications network
The present invention relates to a method for representing a partition of n w-bit intervals associated to d-bit data in a data communications network, said method comprising the steps of: providing in a memory (102), a datagram forwarding data structure (10) provided for indicating where to forward a datagram in said network, which data structure (10) is in the form of a tree comprising at least one leaf (11) and possibly a number of nodes (13) including partial nodes, said data structure (10) having a height (h), corresponding to a number of memory accesses required for looking up a largest stored non-negative integer smaller than or equal to a query key, step 201, reducing worst storage cost by using a technique for reduction of worst case storage cost that are selectable from: partial block tree compaction, virtual blocks, bit push pulling, block aggregation or split block trees, and variations thereof, step 202, updating the layered data structure partially including by using a technique for scheduling maintenance work that are selectable from: vertical segmentation and bucket list maintenance, and providing a hybrid structure by using a technique that are selectable from cluster monitoring, path compression, prefix pointer encoding to provide a static hybrid block tree, step 203. |
| US08401013B2 |
Congestion management in a network
Management of congestion level, in a computer-related context, is disclosed. Also disclosed is a system generating a plurality of computer network-related tables during system operation. A number of the tables are each separately indexed by a different index. The system includes at least one tangible computer-readable medium adapted to store, at each indexed location, a swap count providing an indication of the congestion level of the indexed location. The system also includes insert logic stored as instructions on the at least one medium for execution. When executed, the insert logic is operable to: i) insert, when a predetermined condition has been satisfied, a new entry by overwriting the current entry stored in the indexed location having the lowest swap count; and ii) update the swap counts in each of the indexed locations in a manner that maintains the total swap count at least substantially constant over time. |
| US08401010B2 |
Multi-component compatible data architecture
A backbone network, comprising a first switch comprising a first port configured to communicate a data stream via an Ethernet interface, and a second port configured to communicate the data stream via a SONET/SDH interface, and a second switch comprising a third port configured to receive the data stream from the first switch via the Ethernet interface, wherein the first switch and the second switch are synchronized. |
| US08401009B1 |
Device independent message distribution platform
A system (and method) for device-independent point to multipoint communication is disclosed. The system is configured to receive a message addressed to one or more destination users, the message type being, for example, Short Message Service (SMS), Instant Messaging (IM), E-mail, web form input, or Application Program Interface (API) function call. The system also is configured to determine information about the destination users, the information comprising preferred devices and interfaces for receiving messages, the information further comprising message receiving preferences. The system applies rules to the message based on destination user information to determine the message endpoints, the message endpoints being, for example, Short Message Service (SMS), Instant Messaging (IM), E-mail, web page output, or Application Program Interface (API) function call. The system translates the message based on the destination user information and message endpoints and transmits the message to each endpoint of the message. |
| US08401007B2 |
Network synchronization over IP networks
Network timing is derived from the PSTN and distributed through the network to gateways capable of deriving timing from the incoming UDP stream. The derived timing has the correct frequency for voice telephony without using external timing sources or extraneous hardware components. For example, a digital signal processor (DSP) can derive the timing from a timed TDM bus and distribute messages, such as IP messages, to other gateways or port networks. The other gateways and port networks use the incoming stream to extract the timing which is then used to time their TDM bus. The port networks and gateways can also distribute other streams to other gateways in a fan-out type of arrangement. This internally generated timing can be used, for example, for Circuit Emulated Services (CES). |
| US08401006B2 |
Method and system for enforcing traffic policies at a policy enforcement point in a wireless communications network
Embodiments of a method and system for enforcing a traffic policy at a Policy Enforcement Point (PEP) that controls the flow of traffic in a wireless communications network are described. In one embodiment, a method involves learning the topology of the wireless communications network, defining a virtual PEP (VPEP) within the topology of the wireless communications network, the VPEP comprising a location component that is remote from the PEP, associating a traffic policy with the VPEP, associating a traffic flow with the VPEP if the traffic flow has a characteristic that corresponds to the location component of the VPEP, and enforcing, at the PEP, the traffic policy that is associated with the VPEP against the traffic flow. |
| US08401005B2 |
Session initiation protocol message content processing method and network
In a method for processing contents of a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message, a SIP sender sends a SIP message, and a SIP network content processing entity sets the message contents of the SIP message based on an acquired management strategy for the message content. A network for processing contents of a SIP message is also provided. Message contents of the SIP message may thereby be changed in the SIP message in accordance with the user's will and the strategy of the operator. |
| US08401002B2 |
Exchange and use of globally unique device identifiers for circuit-switched and packet switched integration
According to one aspect, a system and method of exchanging GRUUs (Globally Routed User Agent URI (Uniform Resource Identifier)) between a first telephony-enabled device and a second telephony enabled device using a circuit-switched message is provided. Once exchanged, the telephony enabled devices can exchange SIP (session initiated protocol) communications routed by the GRUUs. Any one of the telephony-enabled devices can add a media component to the SIP communications. According to another aspect, a system and method of generating GRUUs is provided. According to another aspect, a system and method of handing off communications to a packet switched network from a circuit switched network is provided. |
| US08401001B2 |
Method and apparatus of connectivity recovery in wireless network
A wireless communication device and a method of re-establishing a connection with a WPAN master device is presented. The method includes detecting that a first master station of a WPAN session which includes the first master device and one or more stations becomes unavailable, activating a master station application to become a second master station and sending one beacon to notify the stations of the session about the second master station connectivity parameters. |
| US08400998B2 |
Downlink control channel signaling in wireless communication systems
A method in a wireless communication terminal (103) including receiving a plurality of sub-frames having time-frequency resource elements and resource allocation fields associated with a corresponding sub-frame, wherein the resource allocation fields indicate a resource assignment. In another embodiment, terminal receives a radio frame comprising a plurality of sub-frames and a frequency diverse allocation field indicating frequency diverse resource allocations in multiple sub-frames of the radio frame. |
| US08400997B2 |
Wireless network communication system and method
A communication system comprising one or more wireless stations programmed to await for an authorizing signal to initiate wireless communications with a network controller or access point. The network controller maintains identification information in different queues, said queues based upon the wireless station's activity. The wireless station identification information is moved between the different queues in response to wireless station activity. Between polling, each mobile station aggregates data for the next opportunity to transmit. Multi-polling may be employed such that more than a single station is polled at a time. Polling is accomplished by polling one of the more active station along with a less active station. The less active station is unlikely to transmit, so collisions are avoided to a certain degree. If a lesser active station becomes active, it is moved into the more active queue and consequently will be polled more often. |
| US08400993B2 |
Radio communication system, radio communication apparatus, radio communication method, and computer program
An autonomously dispersed type wireless network is suitably formed with communication stations avoiding collision of beacons transmitted one to another. In the event that the range of reach of airwaves change and a receivable state is created and beacons collide, a communication station changes the beacon transmission position of itself in response to receiving a beacon from another station at a timing immediately prior to transmission to its own beacon. Also, in the event that beacon collision is exposed due to emergence of a new communication which can perform reception from two systems out of airwave range of each other, the newly-participating station requests one of the communication stations of which the beacons are colliding to change the beacon transmission timing. |
| US08400992B2 |
Call setup method for mobile virtual private network and access point apparatus thereof
A call setup method is provided for a MVPN which includes at least one access point apparatus, at least one database, and a plurality of users. The database records a private extension number, a user phone number, and a user identity module of each user and a link address of the corresponding access point apparatus. The access point apparatus corresponding to a MO user receives a call setup request message for setting up a call with a MT user from the MO user. The access point apparatus corresponding to the MO user determines whether the link address of the access point apparatus corresponding to the MT user is valid according to the database. If the link address of the access point apparatus corresponding to the MT user is valid, the MO user and the MT user set up the call through the access point apparatuses corresponding to the link addresses. |
| US08400982B2 |
Method for handling correctly received but header compression failed packets
A data processing method for a mobile communication system is provided. In a method in which a source base station processes data in a mobile communication system, a first data block including a full header and at least one second data block on which header compression was performed based on the first data block are transmitted to a user equipment and the first data block and the at least one second data block are then forwarded to a target base station during a handover procedure when the first data block was not correctly received and one or more of the at least one second data block was correctly received by the user equipment. |
| US08400981B1 |
Method and system for providing registration coverage in a telecommunications network
A method and system for providing registration coverage in a telecommunications network is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the method, the method includes determining a registration coverage hole in the telecommunications network, providing a single pilot site in proximity to the registration coverage hole, and broadcasting a single registration channel in a 360 degree pattern by the single pilot site. In accordance with an embodiment of the system of the present invention, the system includes the single pilot site in proximity to the registration coverage hole, where the single pilot site broadcasts the single registration channel in a 360 degree pattern. |
| US08400972B2 |
Apparatus and method for obtaining IP address of terminal using multiple frequency allocations in broadband wireless communication system
An Internet Protocol (IP) address acquisition in a broadband wireless communication system is disclosed. A terminal includes a driver for loading one of a plurality Media Access Control (MAC) addresses for a multi-Frequency Allocation (FA) connection when the terminal is initialized; an interface for registering the loaded MAC address to use in an upper layer of a MAC layer; and a manager for acquiring an IP address using the registered MAC address when a network entry for at least one FA is complete. |
| US08400970B2 |
System and method for securing a personalized indicium assigned to a mobile communications device
In one embodiment, a method operable on a mobile communications device is disclosed, the method comprising generating an authentication key for securing a personalized indicium assigned to the mobile communications device, wherein the personalized indicium comprises a Personal Information Number (PIN) that is mapped to at least one identifier associated with the mobile communications device; transmitting a registration request to a network node operable with a wireless network, the registration request having a registration request payload including the authentication key; receiving a challenge message from the network node, the challenge message generated when the network node detects a change of the IP address associated with the mobile communications device, and responsive to receiving the challenge message, executing a challenge response including an authentication value of a challenge string transmitted in the challenge message, wherein the authentication value is created using the authentication key. |
| US08400968B2 |
Frame padding for wireless communications
Systems and techniques relating to wireless communications are described. A described technique includes obtaining data for a transmission to a wireless communication device(s), including one or more medium access control (MAC) data units that encapsulate data in a physical (PHY) frame, determining a length of a MAC layer pad based on a number of symbols associated with the PHY frame, including, in response to the length of the MAC layer pad being greater than zero, the MAC layer pad in the PHY frame after the one or more MAC data units, determining a length of a PHY layer pad based on remaining available bits in the PHY frame, including, in response to the length of the PHY layer pad being greater than zero, the PHY layer pad in the frame after the MAC layer pad, and transmitting the PHY frame to the wireless communication device(s). |
| US08400967B2 |
Evolved nodeB, relay node and connection initialization method thereof
An evolved NodeB eNB, a first relay node (RN) and a connection initialization method thereof for use in a long term evolution (LTE) network are provided. The LTE network comprises the eNB, the first RN, a second RN and a mobility management entity (MME). In the LTE network of the present invention, various multi-hop protocols can be achieved by using different identification mapping implementations. |
| US08400962B2 |
Transmitter apparatus, receiver apparatus, mobile station, radio base station, mobile communication system and mobile communication method
A transmitter apparatus includes an MAC-PDU generator section configured to generate an MAC-PDU by multiplexing information elements in an MAC layer and a first data unit transmitter section configured to transmit the generated MAC-PDU. Each of the information elements is any of an MAC-SDU received from an RLC layer, an MAC control block and Padding. The MAC-PDU generator section is configured to add an MAC header to the first data unit. The MAC header includes a C/T identifying a type of each of the information elements multiplexed into the MAC-PDU and an LI indicating a size of each of the information elements. |
| US08400957B2 |
Propagation of changes in a network
A network of nodes and connections is provided, each connection connecting two nodes. A method of 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. |
| US08400956B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing service guide in a mobile broadcasting system
A method and apparatus for providing an SG in a mobile broadcasting system are provided. The apparatus and method include a terminal for receiving a first SG, for acquiring reception information about a second SG from the first SG, if a service fragment list extracted from the first SG includes information about at least one second SG different from the first SG, and for receiving the second SG based on the acquired reception information. |
| US08400955B2 |
System and method for power saving by coordinated wake-up in a wireless multi-band network
A system and method for wireless communication over multi-rate channels are disclosed. One embodiment of the system operates on wake-up schedules for power saving. The system includes a first multi-band wireless station that is capable of using a first frequency band and a second frequency band for wireless communication; and a second multi-band wireless station that is capable of using the first frequency band and the second frequency band for wireless communication. One or more of the first and second stations is configured to maintain therein one or more wake-up schedules on the second frequency band of one or more of the first station, the second station, and an access point. The first and second stations are configured to share the one or more wake-up schedules with each other via the first frequency band. The system allows the stations to effectively associate with each other, thereby saving power. |
| US08400950B2 |
Method of transmitting data in multiple antenna system
A method of transmitting data in a wireless communication system comprises receiving feedback data on an uplink data channel, the feedback data comprising a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), wherein the value of the PMI corresponds to an index in a codebook, transmitting a precoding scheme for downlink data on a downlink control channel, wherein the precoding scheme is determined as one of at least two of a transmit diversity irrespective of the received PMI, an acknowledgement indicating precoding according to the received PMI and a new PMI indicating that it is used in precoding downlink data to be transmitted, and transmitting the downlink data on a downlink data channel after applying precoding according to the determined precoding scheme. |
| US08400946B2 |
System and method for sharing common location-related information between communication devices
Methods and systems for supplying data objects to users of a communication system are disclosed. In an exemplary method a session is established between a first and second communication device, and a primary data object providing first information pertaining to a user of the first communication device is transferred to the second communication device upon the occurrence of a triggering event at the first communication device. A request for a secondary data object is transferred from the second communication device to a data server, the request including the first information and further including information pertaining to the user of the second communication device. A secondary data object intended for rendering at the first and second communication devices is created and transferred to the first and second communication devices. |
| US08400940B2 |
Splitterless multicarrier modem
A modem for use in Digital Subscriber Line communications transmits and receives data over the local subscriber loop in common with voice information over the loop, while avoiding the need for voice/data splitters. The modem responds to disruptions associated with “disturbance events” such as on-hook to off-hook transitions and the like by rapidly switching between pre-stored channel parameter control sets defining communications over the loop under varying conditions. In addition to changing parameter control sets responsive to a disturbance event, the modem may also change transmission power levels and other system parameters such as frequency domain equalizer characteristics. Further, provisions are made for reduced bandwidth communications under selected conditions. |
| US08400939B2 |
Method for monitoring control channel in wireless communication system
A method for monitoring a control channel in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes: dividing a control region of a subframe into a common search space having a variable size and monitored by every user equipment (UE) within a cell and a dedicated search space having a variable size and including at least one UE-specific search space to be monitored by at least one UE within the cell, and monitoring a control channel within the common search space; and monitoring a control channel within the UE-specific search space included in the dedicated search space. The performance of an overall system can be improved by effectively monitoring a downlink control channel. |
| US08400938B2 |
Wireless communication device, wireless communication system, and wireless communication method
An access point establishing a wireless LAN is constructed to have a monitor system ‘b’ for monitoring an available channel for communication, in addition to a communication system ‘a’. In the event of detection of radar/radio signals, the access point changes a communication channel used for wireless communication from a current active channel to the monitored channel. Each terminal belonging to the wireless LAN recognizes and follows this channel change by detection of a beacon broadcasted by the access point. In the case of non-detection of radar/radio signals for one minute at the monitored channel, the wireless communication is reestablished immediately at the monitored channel recognized as a CAC (channel availability check)-finished channel. This series of processing is also applicable to inter-access point communication, for example, communication in a WDS (wireless distribution system) mode. This arrangement desirably prevents the potential interruption of wireless communication in a 5 GHz frequency band for a significant period, in the event of detection of radar/radio signals, for example, a weather radar. |
| US08400935B2 |
Method and an apparatus for providing control information for multi-carrier uplink transmission
A method and an apparatus for providing control information for multi-carrier uplink transmission are disclosed. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may set a happy bit for enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) transmissions on each uplink carrier considering aggregated transmission capability over all uplink carriers. The happy bit is set to “unhappy” if the WTRU is transmitting as much scheduled data as allowed by a current serving grant, the WTRU has enough power available to transmit at a higher rate, and total E-DCH buffer status (TEBS) requires more than a pre-configured period to be transmitted with a current effective data rate aggregated over all uplink carriers. The WTRU may send scheduling information including power headroom measured on the anchor uplink carrier and/or power headroom measured on the supplementary uplink carrier. For power headroom measurements, the WTRU may initiate a short-lived dedicated physical control channel loop on the supplementary carrier. |
| US08400927B2 |
Service based lawful interception
The present invention relates to methods and arrangements in a telecommunication system to monitor information related to specified services in a service unaware node. The node handles Content of Communication associated with services. The system comprises a Delivery Function to which Content of Communication related to a target is received from the node. The method comprises the following steps: Receiving from a requesting entity to the Delivery Function a request to delimit the received Content of Communication according to not desired services. Parsing the received Content of Communication according to not desired services by a Packet Inspection Feature associated with the Delivery Function. Forwarding Control Information related to the not desired services to the requesting entity. |
| US08400926B2 |
Multi-protocol telecommunications routing optimization
A telecommunications switching system employing multi-protocol routing optimization which utilizes predetermined and measured parameters in accordance with a set of user priorities in determining the selection of a telecommunications path to be utilized for transmitting a data file to a remote destination. The switching system has a first memory for storing the data file to be transferred, a second memory for storing predetermined parameters such as cost data associated with each of the telecommunications paths, a third memory for storing a set of user priorities regarding the transmission of data files, and means for measuring the value of variable parameters such as file transfer speed associated with each of the telecommunications paths. |
| US08400921B2 |
System and method for providing rate control in a network environment
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes identifying a bandwidth parameter associated with a network link. The method includes evaluating a bandwidth request associated with user equipment, the bandwidth request is associated with a session, which involves the user equipment and which implicates the network link. The bandwidth request can be modified based on the bandwidth parameter that was identified. In more detailed embodiments, one or more header extensions in one or more packets are evaluated in order to assist in identifying the bandwidth parameter. The one or more header extensions can include a selected one of packet sequence numbers, an average packet transmission rate, an average packet receiving rate, and a packet reception error rate. In other examples, modifying the bandwidth request can include downgrading the bandwidth request to lower a bit rate based on the bandwidth parameter identified for the network link. |
| US08400917B2 |
Method and system for load balancing using queued packet information
A computer readable medium including instructions executable by a processor to perform a method, the method including obtaining a packet by a load balancer, obtaining queued packet information for a plurality of target hosts operatively connected to the load balancer, selecting the one of the plurality of target hosts using the queued packet information, and sending the packet to the selected target host using a first communication channel between the load balancer and the selected target host. |
| US08400916B2 |
Method of authorizing AF sessions using external subscriber database
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: receiving, at the policy and charging rules node from a requesting entity, a message including a request associated with at least one service data flow (SDF), wherein the request includes at least one requested bandwidth; extracting at least one subscriber identifier from the message; retrieving a subscription record associated with the at least one subscriber identifier; determining whether the request should be fulfilled by performing at least one comparison of the at least one requested bandwidth for the SDF against at least one field of the subscription record; if the request should be fulfilled, establishing the SDF; and if the request should not be fulfilled: generating a response message that indicates that the request was rejected, and transmitting the response message to the requesting entity. |
| US08400915B1 |
Pipeline scheduler for a packet switch
A packet switch includes a pipeline scheduler for scheduling packets according to a credit-based flow control protocol. A credit update pipeline stage initializes available credits for egress ports of the packet switch. A request pipeline stage generates packet requests for packets based on the available credits. A grant pipeline stage selects packets based on the ports requests and the available credits, and generates port grants for the selected packets. Additionally, the credit update stage updates the available credits based on the port grants. The packet switch routes the selected packets from ingress ports of the packet switch to the egress ports based on the port grants. In some embodiments, ingress ports generate enqueue requests based on the packets, an enqueue pipeline stage generates enqueue states based on the enqueue requests, and the request pipeline stage selects packets for routing based on the enqueue states and the available credits. |
| US08400914B2 |
Method and apparatus for access selection in a multiaccess communications system
The present invention relates to communications systems comprising multiple access technologies, and more especially it relates to access technology allocation of communications in such communications systems. Particularly, it relates to allocation of a plurality of communication flows to one or more of a plurality of access technologies avail able in the communications system. Access selection based upon stored one or more preference values is disclosed. |
| US08400913B2 |
Method for optimizing near field links
In a Near Field Communications (NFC) link, the data link turn-around time is adjusted to optimize battery use while maximizing the data throughput. A receiving device immediately transmits any pending high priority control or data messages in its own queue in response to a message from the sending device, subject to the flow control status of the sending device. The value of the delay time before sending a SYMM primitive is selected in accordance with the types of link frames recently received. |
| US08400912B2 |
Activating a tunnel upon receiving a control packet
Packet switch operating methods and packet switches receive, at a packet switch, a control packet from another packet switch. The packet switch and the other packet switch are coupled together by two or more tunnels. The control packet indicates that a particular one of the tunnels is active on the other packet switch. In response, the packet switch operating methods and packet switches activate the particular tunnel indicated by the received control packet on the packet switch. |
| US08400908B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting midamble in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus of transmitting a midamble in a wireless communication system is provided. A base station (BS) generates a midamble sequence for each of a plurality of antennas, and transmits the midamble sequence to a user equipment for each antenna. A location of a subcarrier to which each midamble sequence is mapped is determined based on a frequency reuse factor (FRF). |
| US08400907B2 |
Method for allocating reference signals in MIMO system
A user equipment (UE) receiving a plurality of reference signals in a wireless multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system includes a transceiver configured for receiving the plurality of reference signals for multiple antennas in a sub-frame, the sub-frame including a plurality of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in a time domain over a plurality of sub-carriers in a frequency domain. A first array is repeated in the frequency domain on a first OFDM symbol of the sub-frame, a second array is repeated in the frequency domain on a second OFDM symbol of the sub-frame and a third array is repeated in the frequency domain on a third OFDM symbol of the sub-frame, and each of the first, second and third arrays consists of six contiguous symbols in the frequency domain. |
| US08400906B2 |
Method and apparatus for allocating backhaul transmission resource in wireless communication system based on relay
In a relay based wireless communication system, a method for transmitting an uplink backhaul sub-frame of a relay node includes obtaining scheduling information for an uplink backhaul sub-frame through a downlink backhaul control channel from a base station, and performing a rate matching and mapping of data by regarding at least one predefined symbol as a blank symbol. The predefined symbol is located at a front part or a rear part of the scheduled uplink backhaul sub-frame. The transmitting method further includes performing a multiplexing of the uplink backhaul sub-frame, and transmitting the multiplexed uplink backhaul sub-frame. This method can eliminate an overlap of transmission and reception timing in a relay node due to an RF transmission/reception switching time delay. Also, the method can make better use of wireless backhaul resources and minimize an influence on conventional systems by offering the compatibility with conventional uplink and downlink sub-frame structures. |
| US08400905B2 |
Generation of MBSFN-DOB synchronization codes
Physical downlink channels PPHY1, PHY2 are summed in a summation unit 10. The output of summation unit 10 is forwarded to another summation unit 12, where it is combined with the primary and secondary synchronization channels P-SCH, S-SCH. The secondary synchronization channel S-SCH is formed as in WCDMA. The primary synchronization channel P-SCH is formed by connecting a switch SW either to a code generator 14 generating the conventional code PSCWCDMA or a code generator 18 generating the code PSCNEW. The selection is controlled by a PSC controller 18. This controller can be adapted to produce a P-SCH in accordance with one of several formats. PSCNEW has the properties that it is a hierarchical Golay sequence constructed by a plurality of constituent sequences with at least one of the constituent sequences being the Golay sequence, and that it is orthogonal to the primary and secondary synchronization codes used in non-MBSFN capable WCDMA. |
| US08400902B2 |
Optical waveguide clad material
An apparatus includes a waveguide having a core layer and first and second cladding layers on opposite sides of the core layer, wherein the cladding layers comprise a binary oxide composition. In another example, the cladding layers include a ternary or quaternary combination of oxides and/or oxynitrides. In another example, the cladding layers include a silicon oxynitride. |
| US08400893B2 |
Storage apparatus and estimating method of power consumption for storage apparatus
Power consumption is calculated in accordance with an operation state of disk devices without using a power meter in a storage system. The power consumption in accordance with the operation state is calculated as follows. That is, information on the power consumption for every type of hard disks is stored in advance when types of I/O process (random/sequential of read and write) operate at idle time up to a limit state in every type of hard disks. A control unit of the storage system aggregates time waiting a response from the hard disks in every type of I/O process. The power consumption of the disks is calculated on the basis of the information on the power consumption stored in advance and a sum of the waiting time of the response from the hard disks. |
| US08400890B2 |
Optical information recording medium, information recording apparatus, information reproducing apparatus, information recording method, information reproducing method and method for producing optical information recording medium
An optical information storage medium according to the present invention has at least one information storage layer. The optical information storage medium has a management area that stores at least one unit containing control information about the optical information storage medium. The control information includes a format number, which provides information about at least a write strategy type and a write pre-compensation type, and a write strategy parameter, which provides information about the magnitude of shift in an edge position, or variation in the pulse width, of a write pulse train to form a recording mark. And the value of the format number changes according to a combination of the write strategy type and the write pre-compensation type. |
| US08400889B2 |
Optical pickup device having disc protector
There is provided a low-cost and reliable optical pickup device, wherein an objective lens is in contact with an adhesive at least one or more portions and fixed to the adhesive and also the height of the adhesive for fixing the objective lens is higher than the surface of the objective lens or the end of the objective lens, thereby a sufficient adhesive strength is secured between the objective lens and a member to which the objective lens is adhered and further this adhesive serves also as a disc protector. |
| US08400879B2 |
Seismic sensor array devices and methods of data collection
A sensor vehicle of the present invention has one or more rotatable track means (parallel if two or more) spaced apart by a support frame and adapted to be towed or otherwise moved in a forward direction parallel to a forward axis of said track means. Rotatable track means have two or more supporting wheels aligned on a vertical plane along the forward axis, which axis is generally parallel to a ground surface upon which said sensor vehicle travels. Tracked vehicles are well known in the art of ground and earth moving equipment having flexible, elastomer-based tracks or segmented metal tracks with associated support frames and wheels, most of which may be adapted to achieve the objects of the invention. |
| US08400875B2 |
Active sonar system and active sonar method using a pulse sorting transform
An active sonar system, a method associated therewith, and a computer-readable medium associate therewith, each provide a method of sonar signal processing. The method includes receiving a plurality of initial detections of a target and associated initial detection times, associated with sound transmitted at a pulse rate interval (PRI), and associated with received sound including echoes from a target. The echoes result from the transmitted sound. The method also includes analyzing the plurality of initial detection times with a pulse sorting transform configured to identify periodic PST detection times within the plurality of initial detection times that are equally spaced in time and that are representative of the echoes from the target. |
| US08400873B2 |
Vibroseis seismic acquisition technique
A technique includes monitoring acquisition activity of a plurality of seismic vibrators. The technique includes receiving signals from the seismic vibrators during the monitoring. Each of the signals indicates that at least one of the seismic vibrators is available for an associated seismic operation. The technique includes, in response to the signals, regulating the operations based on the monitored acquisition activity. |
| US08400871B2 |
Seafloor-following streamer
Seismic exploration techniques and the seismic imaging of subsurface layers, particularly apparatus for seismic exploration near the seafloor, are disclosed. The apparatus enables controlled-depth towing of detectors to be carried out a short distance above the seafloor. The apparatus includes a streamer depth controller and at least one altitude keeper device, attached at intervals along the length of a towed streamer. The streamer carries detectors for measuring, for example, P- and S-waves in the seafloor. |
| US08400869B2 |
Semiconductor memory module
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of semiconductor memories, a clock signal synchronization circuit, and a first circuit. The clock signal synchronization circuit is electrically coupled to the plurality of semiconductor memories. The first circuit is electrically coupled to the plurality of semiconductor memories. The first circuit changes a bit width of data. The data is transferred between the first circuit and the plurality of semiconductor memories. |
| US08400868B2 |
Circuit and method for controlling a clock synchronizing circuit for low power refresh operation
A method and apparatus is provided for idling a clock synchronizing circuit during at least a portion of time during execution of a refresh operation in a memory device. In a memory device receiving an external clock signal, a method and apparatus for executing a refresh operation is provided that includes initiating at least one refresh operation in the memory device, and ceasing generation of an internal clock signal timed with respect to the external clock signal for at least a portion of the time in which at least one refresh operation takes to complete. |
| US08400865B2 |
Memory macro configuration and method
A memory macro comprises a plurality of memory array segments, each having a predetermined number of data inputs and outputs. A segment decoder circuit is configured to: receive a first value indicating a number of memory partitions among which the memory array segments are to be divided, and output a plurality of signals for selectively activating one or more of the plurality of memory array segments to be accessed based on the first value. A plurality of output drivers are coupled to the segment decoder circuit and to respective ones of the outputs. The plurality of output drivers are configured to selectively output data from the respective outputs of each of the respective activated memory array segments. |
| US08400860B2 |
Electrical fuse memory
Some embodiments regard a memory array that has a plurality of rows and columns. A column includes a program control device, a plurality of eFuse memory cells in the column, a sense amplifier, and a bit line coupling the program control device, the plurality of memory cells in the column, and the sense amplifier. A row includes a plurality of eFuse memory cells in the row, a word line coupling the plurality of eFuse memory cells in the row, and a footer configured as a current path for the plurality of eFuse memory cells in the row. |
| US08400854B2 |
Identifying at-risk data in non-volatile storage
The non-volatile storage system predicts which blocks (or other units of storage) will become bad based on performance data. User data in those blocks predicted to become bad can be re-programmed to other blocks, and the blocks predicted to become bad can be removed from further use. |
| US08400851B2 |
Output enable signal generation circuit of semiconductor memory
An output enable signal generation circuit of a semiconductor memory includes: a latency signal generation unit configured to generate a latency signal for designating activation timing of a data output enable signal in response to a read signal and a CAS latency signal; and a data output enable signal generation unit configured to control the activation timing and deactivation timing of the data output enable signal in response to the latency signal and a signal generated by shifting the latency signal based on a burst length (BL). |
| US08400850B2 |
Semiconductor storage device and its cell activation method
A semiconductor storage device in accordance with the present invention includes a first SRAM cell that stores data, and a word line circuit that outputs a first control signal used to activate the first SRAM cell. The word line control circuit gradually raises the voltage level of the first control signal from a substrate potential to a first power supply potential in a first activation period, maintains the voltage level of the first control signal at the first power supply potential in a second activation period subsequent to the first activation period, and raises the voltage level of the first control signal from the first power supply potential to a second power supply potential in a third activation period subsequent to the second activation period. |
| US08400848B2 |
Bit line negative potential circuit and semiconductor storage device
According to one embodiment, a bit line negative potential circuit includes a bit line capacitance compensation capacitor which compensates the capacitance of a bit line and a peripheral capacitance compensation capacitor which compensates the peripheral capacitance of the bit line. After the bit line is switched to a low potential, the bit line is driven based on a charging voltage of the bit line capacitance compensation capacitor and the peripheral capacitance compensation capacitor. |
| US08400847B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit for generating clock signals
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a write-read clock control signal generating unit that activates a read clock control signal and a write clock control signal in response to one of a write operational mode and a read operational mode after maintaining the read clock control signal and the write clock control signal at a deactivation state in response to one of an idle mode and a refresh operational mode, and a clock buffer that generates a read clock signal and a write clock signal in response to a clock signal, the read clock control signal, and the write clock control signal. |
| US08400837B2 |
Semiconductor memory device with memory cells having charge accumulation layer
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes memory cells, a memory cell array, a word line, a bit line, a source line, a row decoder, a sense amplifier, and a first MOS transistor. The word line is connected to gates of the memory cells. The bit line is electrically connected to drains of the memory cells. The source line is electrically connected to sources of the memory cells. The row decoder selects the word line. The sense amplifier senses and amplifies data read onto the bit line in a read operation. The first MOS transistor is capable of connecting a well region where the memory cells are formed with the source line and is arranged between the row decoder or the sense amplifier and the memory cell array. |
| US08400836B2 |
Segmented bitscan for verification of programming
A set non-volatile storage elements are subjected to a programming process in order to store a set of data. During the programming process, one or more verification operations are performed to determine whether the non-volatile storage elements have reached their target condition to store the appropriate data. Decisions about whether to continue programming or whether the programming is successful are made based on whether overlapping groups of the non-volatile storage elements have less than a threshold number of non-volatile storage elements that are not properly programmed. |
| US08400828B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device including a memory cell array of memory cells arranged in a matrix, each of which includes a selecting transistor and a memory cell transistor; a column decoder controlling the potential of bit lines; a voltage application circuit controlling the potential of the first word lines; a first row decoder controlling the potential of the second word lines; and a second row decoder controlling the potential of the source line. The column decoder is formed of a circuit whose withstand voltage is lower than the voltage application circuit and the second row decoder. |
| US08400823B2 |
Memory with separate read and write paths
A memory unit includes a giant magnetoresistance cell electrically coupled between a write bit line and a write source line. The giant magnetoresistance cell includes a free magnetic layer separated from a first pinned magnetic layer by a first non-magnetic electrically conducting layer. A magnetic tunnel junction data cell is electrically coupled between a read bit line and a read source line. The magnetic tunnel junction data cell includes the free magnetic layer separated from a second pinned magnetic layer by an oxide barrier layer. A write current passes through the giant magnetoresistance cell to switch the giant magnetoresistance cell between a high resistance state and a low resistance state. The magnetic tunnel junction data cell is configured to switch between a high resistance state and a low resistance state by magnetostatic coupling with the giant magnetoresistance cell, and be read by a read current passing though the magnetic tunnel junction data cell. |
| US08400818B2 |
Voltage-controlled oscillator and phase-locked loop circuit
A voltage-controlled oscillator includes an oscillating unit configured to output first and second output clock signals at first and second nodes, respectively, the first and second output clock signals having a frequency that is variable in response to a control voltage. An active element unit connected to the oscillating unit is configured to maintain oscillation of the oscillating unit. A bias current generating unit connected to the active element unit at a bias node provides a bias current to the bias node and is adapted to adjust the bias current in response to a control code. First and second capacitor blocks connected to the oscillating unit and the active element unit provide first and second load capacitances, respectively, to the first and second nodes, respectively, in response to the control code. |
| US08400816B2 |
Resistance change memory device
A resistance change memory device includes: a memory cell array with memory cells arranged therein, the memory cell having a variable resistance element for storing a rewritable resistance value; a reference cell formed of the same memory cells as those set in a high resistance state in the memory cell array, the reference cell being trimmed with selection of the number of parallel-connected memory cells to have a reference current value used for detecting data in the memory cell array; and a sense amplifier configured to compare a cell current value of a memory cell selected in the memory cell array with the reference current value of the reference cell. |
| US08400809B2 |
Memory bank signal coupling buffer and method
A memory array contains a plurality of banks coupled to each other by a plurality of data lines. Each of the data lines is divided into a plurality of segments within the array. Respective bidirectional buffers couple read data from one of the segments to another in a first direction, and to couple write data from one of the segments to another in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The data lines may be local data read/write lines that couple different banks of memory cells to each other and to respective data terminals, digit lines that couple memory cells in a respective column to respective sense amplifiers, word lines that activate memory cells in a respective row, or some other signal line within the array. The memory array also includes precharge circuits for precharging the segments of respective data lines to a precharge voltage. |
| US08400805B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes plural controlled chips CC0 to CC7 that hold mutually different layer information, and a control chip IF that supplies in common layer address signals A13 to A15 and a command signal ICMD to the controlled chips. Each bit that constitutes the layer address signals A13 to A15 is transmitted via at least two through silicon vias that are connected in parallel for each controlled chip out of plural first through silicon vias. Each bit that constitutes the command signal ICMD is transmitted via one corresponding through silicon via that is selected by an output switching circuit and an input switching circuit. With this configuration, the layer address signals A13 to A15 reach the controlled chips earlier than the command signal ICMD. |
| US08400803B2 |
Content addressable memory device
A content addressable memory device capable of making simultaneous pursuit of low power consumption and speeding up is provided. A match amplifier A determines coincidence or non-coincidence of search data and data stored in a content addressable memory in an entry of a memory array A, according to a voltage of a match line MLA. A match amplifier B determines coincidence or non-coincidence of search data and data stored in a content addressable memory in an entry of a memory array B, according to a voltage of a match line MLB. A block-B control circuit directs to start searching in the memory array B after two cycles after searching has been started in the memory array A. A block-B activation control circuit directs to stop searching in the memory array B according to a voltage of the match line MLA after searching in the memory array A. |
| US08400802B2 |
Binary content addressable memory
The present invention relates to a binary content addressable memory (CAM), and more particularly, to a binary content addressable memory (CAM) in which the number of transistors constituting the content addressable memory can be reduced to decrease the size of the content addressable memory, thereby increasing the degree of integration and improving power consumption. According to the present invention, since the binary content addressable memory according to the present invention has a smaller number of transistors than those of the conventional binary content addressable memory, a memory can be fabricated in a smaller size, thereby improving the degree of integration as one of most important factors in the memory design. In addition, improvement of the degree of integration contributes to miniaturization and lightweightness of the product in its design. Further, the inventive binary content addressable memory performs its own function using a smaller number of transistors, thereby reducing power consumption. |
| US08400801B2 |
Wireless power transfer terminal
This disclosure provides a wireless power transfer terminal that enables a power device to be used for both power transmission and power reception and allows space savings of circuits and a reduction in the cost of manufacturing. The wireless power transfer terminal includes first through fourth switching elements, a coil, and a control circuit. Each of two sets of switching elements forms a series circuit, and the two sets are connected in parallel to each other. The coil is connected between connection points of the switching elements of the series circuits. The control circuit performs switching control of the first to fourth switching elements in a power transmission mode and in a power reception mode. |
| US08400800B2 |
Universal power converter with two input drive operations during each half-cycle
Methods and systems for transforming electric power between two or more portals. Any or all portals can be DC, single phase AC, or multi-phase AC. Conversion is accomplished by a plurality of bi-directional conducting and blocking semiconductor switches which alternately connect an inductor and parallel capacitor between said portals, such that energy is transferred into the inductor from one or more input portals and/or phases, then the energy is transferred out of the inductor to one or more output portals and/or phases, with said parallel capacitor facilitating “soft” turn-off, and with any excess inductor energy being returned back to the input. Soft turn-on and reverse recovery is also facilitated. Said bi-directional switches allow for two power transfers per inductor/capacitor cycle, thereby maximizing inductor/capacitor utilization as well as providing for optimum converter operation with high input/output voltage ratios. Control means coordinate the switches to accomplish the desired power transfers. |
| US08400798B2 |
Predictive current control in driving a load in a PWM mode
A pulse width modulated current control method and system architecture may achieve the high performance of an advanced current control for full-bridge stages, in terms of accuracy, error, speed, and frequency response, but with a reduced complexity in terms of used analog circuits, being comparable with that of an elementary peak current control. The only analog blocks used may be a current sense transducer, i.e. a series resistor or a sense-FET, and a comparator for the current sensing while the rest of the control circuitry is digital. |
| US08400793B2 |
Method in a cascaded two-level converter, control device and computer program products
A method for providing a switching order signal to a cell of a cascaded two-level converter is provided. The cell includes a capacitor parallel-connected with two series-connected semiconductor devices. The cascaded two-level converter includes two or more of the cells cascade connected and arranged in a phase, divided into two phase arms, between a first pole and a second pole of a direct voltage side. The method includes measuring voltages of the capacitor of the cell; calculating a compensated voltage reference based on a voltage reference and the measured voltages of the capacitors, wherein the voltage reference corresponds to a desired ac current to be output on an ac-side; using the compensated voltage reference to calculate a switching order signal, and providing the switching order signal to the cells. |
| US08400792B2 |
Power conversion apparatus
A power conversion apparatus includes an inverter for converting DC power to AC power for supply to a load, a converter for converting AC power from an AC power supply to DC power for supply to the inverter, and a DC voltage converter for converting a voltage value of power stored in a storage battery and supplying DC power from the storage battery to the inverter when power supply by the AC power supply is abnormal. The converter includes a first three-level circuit which is a multi-level circuit. Similarly, the DC voltage converter includes a second three-level circuit. A control device controls the first and second multi-level circuits to suppress potential fluctuation at a neutral point between first and second capacitors. |
| US08400787B2 |
Resonant converter system having synchronous control circuit and controlling method thereof
The configurations of a resonant converter system and a controlling method thereof are provided. The proposed resonant converter system includes a resonant converter receiving an input voltage for outputting an output voltage, a rectifying device having a first rectifying switch and a synchronous rectification control circuit coupled to the resonant converter and including a signal generation apparatus generating a weighted turn-off signal to turn off the first rectifying switch at a zero crossing point of a first current flowing through the first rectifying switch. |
| US08400786B2 |
Apparatus having a shield conductor placed outside of the circuit board
An apparatus includes: a circuit board which is disposed in a main unit of the apparatus; a shielding conductor which is placed outside the circuit board as viewed from the apparatus main unit; a covering member which covers an outer side face of the apparatus main unit; and an electrically conductive member which is fixed to an inside of the covering member to cross an opening which exists between a main unit frame on which the circuit board is disposed, and the shielding conductor, one end portion of the electrically conductive member being connected to the shielding conductor, another end portion of the electrically conductive member being connected to a grounded frame of the apparatus main unit. |
| US08400783B2 |
Docking station for electronic device
A docking station includes an enclosure, two hook assemblies, a transmission assembly, a button and a pusher assembly. The enclosure defines a receiving room, two first through holes and a second through hole. The hook assemblies pass through the first through holes to secure an electronic device. The transmission assembly engages with the hook assemblies to drive the hook assemblies move forward and backward in the first through holes to be coupled to and uncoupled from the electronic device. The button extends into the receiving room from outside of the enclosure and used to drive the transmission assembly move. The pusher assembly passes through the second through hole to push the electronic device away from the enclosure. When the hook assemblies are detached from the electronic device, the pusher assembly push the electronic device detach from the enclosure. |
| US08400781B2 |
Using interrupted through-silicon-vias in integrated circuits adapted for stacking
In an integrated circuit (IC) adapted for use in a stack of interconnected ICs, interrupted through-silicon-vias (TSVs) are provided in addition to uninterrupted TSVs. The interrupted TSVs provide signal paths other than common parallel paths between the ICs of the stack. This permits IC identification schemes and other functionalities to be implemented using TSVs, without requiring angular rotation of alternate ICs of the stack. |
| US08400776B2 |
Multilayered printed wiring board
A multilayered printed wiring board includes a plurality of insulating layers; a plurality of wiring layers which are located between the corresponding adjacent insulating layers; and a plurality of interlayer connection conductors for electrically connecting the wiring layers through the insulating layers; wherein a cavity is formed through one or more of the insulating layers so as to insert a first electric/electronic component and an area for embedding a second electric/electronic component is defined for the insulating layers. |
| US08400771B2 |
Apparatus and methods for thermal management of electronic devices
An apparatus is disclosed that may include a printed circuit board (PCB) and an electronics package may be disposed about the first surface of the PCB. The PCB may include a metal layer and a core, and, in some aspects, may include multiple cores interposed between multiple metal layers, and in some embodiments a backplane may be disposed along the core. The metal layer may be disposed on a core first surface. The metal layer may comprise metal or other conductive material suitable to define traces, which may be circuit paths for electronic components affixed to the PCB. In some aspects, the core may be electrically non-conducting, and may be thermally insulating, and, accordingly, inhibit the transfer of heat from the electronics package through the PCB. However, pins may be configured to pass through the PCB including the core from the core first surface to the core second surface to conduct heat generated by the electronics package away for dispersion. In some embodiments, the pins may pass into the backplane. A pad may be disposed between the electronic package and the core in some embodiments, the pins passing into the pad. |
| US08400756B2 |
Capacitor arranged in a high pressure environment
An electronic component (2) for application in high pressure environments has a casing (4) entirely filled with an electrically insulating first fluid (F1), whereby the casing (4) exhibits or connects to a volume compensation unit for compensating a volume change of the first fluid (F1). An electric device (1) has at least one such electronic component (2) in a device housing (10), whereby the device housing (10) is filled with a second fluid (F2). |
| US08400755B2 |
Dielectric ceramic composition and monolithic ceramic capacitor
There is provided a dielectric ceramic composition suitable for, for example, a car-mounted monolithic ceramic capacitor used in a high-temperature environment. It is represented by the composition formula: 100(Ba1-xCax)mTiO3+aMgO+bV2O5+cSiO2+dR2O3 wherein R represents at least one metal element selected from Y, La, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb; and a, b, c, and d each represent a moles. The dielectric ceramic composition satisfying the requirements of 0.03≦x≦0.20, 0.99≦m≦1.03, 0.10≦a≦5.0, 0.025≦b≦2.5, 0.20≦c≦8.0, and 2.5≦d<3.5. Dielectric ceramic layers in a monolithic ceramic capacitor are formed of a sintered body of the dielectric ceramic composition. |
| US08400754B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing a ceramic electronic component
A method for producing a laminated ceramic capacitor allows a surface of at least a portion of a ceramic element body chip to be brought into contact with a plated layer formed in advance in a mold member, and performs heat processing on the ceramic element body chip in that contact state, thereby to form an external conductor layer made of the plated layer on the surface of at least the portion of the ceramic element body chip. Thus, a method and an apparatus for producing a ceramic electronic component accurately and precisely controls the thickness of the external conductor layer to be small, and easily controls the length of the external conductor layer. |
| US08400751B2 |
Air current generating apparatus and method for manufacturing same
In one embodiment, an air current generating apparatus includes: a dielectric substrate exposed to gas: a first electrode disposed inside the dielectric substrate; a second electrode disposed near a surface of the dielectric so as to correspond the first electrode and having a sharp shape; and a power source applying a voltage between the first and second electrodes and plasmatizing part of the gas to generate an air current. |
| US08400748B2 |
Magnetic coupler device and magnetically coupled isolator
In a magnetic coupler device comprising: a magnetic field generation circuit generating a magnetic field according to an input current; and a detection bridge circuit including a pair of magnetoresistance effect devices, a resistance value of each of the magnetoresistance effect devices changing by applying a magnetic field generated by said magnetic field generation circuit to each of the magnetoresistance effect devices, and having two outputs between which a voltage difference is generated according to an intensity of the magnetic field generated by said magnetic field generation circuit, by forming a geometric shape of each of said magnetic field generation circuit and said detection bridge circuit in line symmetric or point symmetric, a high S/N ratio is obtained even with high frequency. |
| US08400746B1 |
Bypass capacitor with reduced leakage current and power-down control
An integrated circuit is disclosed to bypass transients between first and second nodes. The circuit includes a first bypass capacitor implemented as a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor and coupled to a first node; and a switch coupled to the first bypass capacitor and the second node, the switch preventing leakage current from passing through the first bypass capacitor during power down. |
| US08400742B2 |
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuits, integrated circuits, systems, and operating methods thereof
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit coupled with an input/output (I/O) pad. The ESD protection circuit includes a clamp field effect transistor (FET) coupled between a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage. An inverter includes an input end and an output end. The output end of the inverter is coupled with a gate of the clamp FET. A RC time constant circuit is disposed between the first supply voltage and the second supply voltage. A current mirror includes a first transistor. The current mirror is coupled between the input end of the inverter and the second supply voltage. A circuit is coupled with the input end of the inverter. The circuit is capable of outputting a voltage state on the input end of the inverter that is capable of substantially turning off the clamp FET while the I/O pad is subjected to a latch-up test using a negative current. |
| US08400739B2 |
System and method for operating inverters
There is provided a control system and method related to the use of insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) devices in vehicles. An exemplary control method includes receiving a status signal that indicates a fault condition in the operation of an IGBT device of an affected converter. The exemplary method also includes sending a control signal that turns off all IGBTs of the affected converter. The exemplary method additionally includes receiving a second status signal for each of the IGBTs that indicates whether each of the IGBTs successfully turned off. The exemplary method further includes generating an indication that the fault condition relates to a saturation condition or a power supply being outside a designated range, depending on a duration of the fault signal. |
| US08400734B2 |
Magnetic recording head and magnetic recording apparatus
An example magnetic recording head includes: a main magnetic pole; a laminated body; and a pair of electrodes. The laminated body includes a first magnetic layer having a coercivity lower than magnetic field applied by the main magnetic pole, a second magnetic layer having a coercivity lower than the magnetic field applied by the main magnetic pole, and an intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The pair of electrodes is operable to pass a current through the laminated body. |
| US08400733B2 |
Process to make PMR writer with leading edge shield (LES) and leading edge taper (LET)
Methods for fabrication of leading edge shields and tapered magnetic poles with a tapered leading edge are provided. The leading edge shield may be formed by utilizing a CMP stop layer. The CMP stop layer may aid in preventing over polishing of the magnetic material. For the tapered magnetic poles with a tapered leading edge, a magnetic material is deposited on a planarized surface, a patterned resist material is formed, and exposed magnetic material is etched to form at least one tapered surface of the magnetic material. |
| US08400730B2 |
Multistage gasket
A multi-stage gasket having a multi-stage structure constituted by multiple kinds of gasket materials and being used by holding between a cover plate and a base plate, the multi-stage gasket having contactness of a gasket as the lowermost layer to the cover plate or the base plate in contact with the gasket that is higher than contactness of a gasket as the uppermost layer to the cover plate or the base plate in contact with the gasket. A gasket can be provided that provides good reworkability of a cover plate and a base plate of a hard disk device, provides sufficient adhesiveness of the gasket to a cover plate and a base plate even when used in a high humidity and temperature environment, and is prevented from being toppled sideways or peeled off even when applied with a force in an oblique direction. |
| US08400719B2 |
Lens system, interchangeable lens apparatus, and camera system
It has conventionally been difficult to reduce the size of a fast lens system having an F number of about 1.4 to 2.4. In a lens system of the present invention, a positive lens element is disposed closest to an object side. A diaphragm is disposed in a widest air space in the lens system. The lens system of the present invention satisfies the following conditions: 0.05 |
| US08400717B2 |
Optical lens system for taking image
An optical lens system for taking image comprises, in order from the object side to the image side: a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a second lens element with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface and an object-side surface cemented to an image-side surface of the first lens element; a third lens element with negative refractive power; a fourth lens element with positive refractive power having a concave image-side surface and at least one inflection point; and an aperture stop located between an object to be photographed and the third lens element. In the optical lens system for taking image, the number of the lens elements with refractive power being limited to four. A focal length of the optical lens system for taking image is f, a focal length of the first lens element is f1, they satisfy the relation: 0.8 |
| US08400715B2 |
High variable power zoom lens
A variable power zoom lens of four groups of lens pieces respectively exerting positive, negative, positive, and positive refractivities varies the power from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end as a result of the 1st and 2nd lens groups being separated more, the 2nd and 3rd lens groups, and the 3rd and 4th lens groups, coming closer to each other. The 3rd lens group has a leading set of lens pieces closer to the object side having a positive refractivity as a whole and the trailing set of lens pieces have negative refractivity as a whole, and the trailing set alone are moved to be orthogonal to the optical axis to compensate for defocus in the imaging plane. The 2nd lens group is displaced closer to objects for focusing. |
| US08400710B2 |
Observing device
The observing apparatus is being equipped with an image-forming optical system which forms an image of light emitted from a specimen, an imaging unit which picks up the image of the specimen formed by the image-forming optical system, and an illuminating unit which illuminates the specimen with a surface illuminant in which bright areas and dark areas are arranged alternately in order to provide an observing apparatus suitable to observe a transparent specimen with a wide field of view. If the position of the surface illuminant and the pitch of contrasting are set properly, each partial area of the specimen is illuminated obliquely at a small angle by each bright area of the surface illuminant. Therefore, the imaging unit can acquire a dark-field observation image of each partial area. |
| US08400703B2 |
Optical switch
An optical switch for switching between transmission and total reflection of incident light 101 applied to electro-optical crystal 104 by applying an electric field to electro-optical crystal 104 to thereby change the refractive index of electro-optical crystal 104 includes a plurality of electrodes 105 disposed in electro-optical crystal 104 to provide electrode assembly 106 for applying the electric field to electro-optical crystal 104. Electro-optical crystal 104 has a refractive index changing portion (not shown) whose refractive index is changed by the electric field applied by electrode assembly 106, the refractive index changing portion enclosing electrode assembly 106 in its entirety. The refractive index changing portion has a flat refractive index boundary. |
| US08400702B2 |
Optical modulation device and optical modulation method
According to an aspect of an embodiment, an optical modulation device includes a Mach-Zehnder modulator and a controller. The Mach-Zehnder modulator is supplied a drive signal and a bias voltage. The Mach-Zehnder modulator modulates inputted light on the bases of the drive signal and the bias voltage. The drive signal selectively is superimposes a predetermined frequency signal. The bias voltage selectively is superimposes the predetermined frequency signal. The controller selects a superimposing target which is the drive signal or the bias voltage so as to change modulation formats. |
| US08400699B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus using the same
An optical scanning device includes a light source device, a deflector, an input optical system for directing a light beam from the light source device onto the deflector, and an imaging optical system for imaging a light beam scanningly deflected by a deflecting surface of the deflector, upon a scan surface to be scanned, wherein, in a sub-scan section, a light beam directed from the input optical system toward the deflecting surface of the deflector is incident thereon at a finite angle with respect to a plane which is orthogonal to a rotational axis of the deflector, wherein the imaging optical system includes at least one molded imaging lens, and wherein a shape within a sagittal section of at least one lens surface, of lens surfaces of the at least one imaging lens, is non-arcuate, and a sagittal curvature in a light beam passage region has an extreme value. |
| US08400696B2 |
Three-dimensional image display and three-dimensional image displaying method
A three-dimensional image displaying apparatus comprises a spatial light modulation element having a discrete pixel structure and expressing a hologram, an illumination optical system generating reconstruction light by causing illumination light to enter said spatial light modulation element that expresses the hologram, and a lens as a reconstruction image converting optical system displaying a reconstruction image by producing a virtual image wavefront-converted from the reconstruction light. |
| US08400694B2 |
Image forming apparatus to save toner and method to control the same
An image forming apparatus to save toner, which can increase the sharpness of printed data (for example, images or characters) on a printing medium while achieving toner saving, and a method to control the same. The image forming apparatus includes a determinator, a storage unit, and a halftoning processor. The determinator receives a command signal to print and then determines whether or not the received command signal is a command signal for a toner saving mode. The storage unit stores a halftone table in which an LPI higher than a normal LPI is set. If the received command signal is a command signal for the toner saving mode, the halftoning processor generates and outputs halftoning result by comparing gray level values corresponding to pixels of received input image data with grayscale values of the stored halftone table. |
| US08400693B2 |
Image defect diagnostic system, image forming apparatus, image defect diagnostic method and computer readable medium
An image defect diagnostic system includes: an acquiring unit acquiring image data for a test target image; an image defect detecting unit detecting image defects in the test target image; a coordinate conversion processor performing coordinate conversion processing to convert position coordinate information on the image defects into position coordinate information in each rotated coordinate system by every predetermined angle by using a coordinate point in the test target image as rotation center coordinates; an occurrence state detecting unit detecting an occurrence state of the image defects in each rotated coordinate system by using the position coordinate information; a setting unit setting a coordinate rotation angle for the coordinate conversion processing on the basis of the occurrence state; and a feature amount extracting unit extracting a feature amount characterizing the image defects, by using the position coordinate information in a coordinate system rotated by the coordinate rotation angle. |
| US08400687B2 |
Document photosensor of surface-mounted elements
A document photosensor is provided which comprises upper and lower sensor assemblies 1 and 2 disposed on opposite sides of a passageway 55 along which a document 50 is transported. Upper sensor assembly 1 comprises an upper substrate 11, an upper LED chip 21 surface-mounted on upper substrate 11 and an upper PD chip 37 surface-mounted on upper substrate 11. Lower sensor assembly 2 comprises a lower substrate 12, a lower LED chip 31 surface-mounted on lower substrate 12 and a lower PD chip 38 surface-mounted on lower substrate 12. These chips 21, 37, 31 and 38 are secured at precise locations on upper and lower substrates 11 and 12 with accuracy on the order of a few micrometers or less to exactly detect by upper and lower PD chips 37, 38 lights irradiated from upper and lower LED chips 21 and 31 after penetration of these lights through particular points on a bill 50 moved along passageway 55 to improve validation performance of bill 50. |
| US08400686B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus including same
An optical scanning device includes a light source, an optical system, and a housing. The light source projects a light beam. The housing includes a holder and encloses the optical system. The optical system includes a liquid crystal element held by the housing via the holder, to modulate a phase of the light beam projected from the light source against a scanned surface. The liquid crystal element includes a plurality of substantially transparent substrates, a liquid crystal layer, and a sealing member. One of the plurality of the transparent substrates has a size larger than any other transparent substrates and is positioned in the holder. The liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the plurality of substantially transparent substrates. The sealing member seals the liquid crystal layer between the plurality of substantially transparent substrates. |
| US08400685B2 |
Image reading device and image forming apparatus having the same, and methods thereof
An image reading device and an image forming apparatus having the same. The image reading device includes an scanning glass, a white bar arranged opposite the scanning glass, and a drive roller provided at the white bar, the drive roller being rotated upon receiving power to allow a document to pass between the scanning glass and the white bar. |
| US08400680B2 |
Printing control apparatus, printing control method, and computer-readable storage medium
Flexible specifying is enabled in the event of using data created with a general application to specify printing by layering a color toner image and optional special color toner image. A printer driver specifies pages to perform printing using a clear toner out of the page group received from the application, generates a job including data for layering as to the same face on the same sheet and printing a clear toner page which is a specified page, and a color toner page which is a page not specified for clear toner in the page group, and sends this to the printer. |
| US08400679B2 |
Workflow partitioning method and system
A system and method for routing and processing jobs in a production environment considers the setup characteristics of each print job. Each set of jobs may be classified as a first job processing speed set, a second job processing speed set, or another job processing speed set based on the corresponding setup characteristics. First job processing speed sets are routed to a first group of job processing resources, while second job processing speed sets are routed to a second group of job processing speed resources. Each resource group may include an autonomous cell. |
| US08400677B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image forming system, image processing method and computer readable medium for calibrating profiles of multiple sheets
The image processing apparatus includes: a color conversion unit color-converting an image signal of a first color space into that of a second color space with a color conversion characteristic defining a correspondence relationship between the image signals; an adjustment unit adjusting the image signal of the second color space with adjustment conversion factor groups that is for adjusting it in accordance with a change in the color conversion characteristic, and is set for respective types of sheets on which an image is to be printed according to the image signal of the second color space; a calculation unit calculating the adjustment conversion factor groups; a memory storing an associating factor group associating, with each other, the adjustment conversion factor groups; and an update unit updating the adjustment conversion factor groups according to the calculated adjustment conversion factor group of one sheet and the stored associating factor group. |
| US08400671B2 |
System and method for selectively disabling document rendering
The subject application is directed to a system and method for selectively disabling document rendering. An electronic document is first generated having a customized operator. The generated electronic document is then communicated to an associated document rendering device. The generated electronic document is received by the associated document rendering device and the customized operator is parsed and executed so as to secure identification data representing an identity of the documents rendering device. The identification data is then tested. An output of a document rendering operation is then controlled in accordance with an output of testing of the identification data. |
| US08400667B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image information saving method
An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an image reading unit that reads an image from a document to generate base image data which matches predetermined default reading conditions; a reading condition identifying unit that identifies reading condition settings specified by a user in response to when the image is read; and an information saving unit that saves the base image data and the reading condition settings identified by the reading condition identifying unit in association with each other as saved-image information. |
| US08400661B2 |
Virtual printing currency for promoting environmental behavior of device users
A system and method for promoting environmental behavior by device users are provided. The method includes allocating “green” points to each of a plurality of users. A job request, such as a print job request, is received from one of the users. A cost in points is computed for executing the job request, based on a formula which is designed to promote environmental behavior by the user. The user's allocated points are reduced by the computed cost when the job is performed. |
| US08400657B2 |
Data utilization device, data utilization method, and data utilization system
A data utilization device is provided. The data utilization device includes an information storing unit; a first command receiving unit that receives a first command from a terminal device; a second command transmitting unit that transmits a second command to a server specified by the first command; a server registration item receiving unit that receives server registration items from the server; a third command transmitting unit that transmits a third command including the server registration items to the terminal device; a server registration information receiving unit that receives server registration information from the terminal device; a fourth command transmitting unit that transmits a fourth command including the server registration information to the server; a response receiving unit that receives from the server a response to the fourth command; and a storage control unit that stores the data utilization information if the response is an affirmative response. |
| US08400654B2 |
Print control apparatus, method and recording medium using selective conversion of printer setting data into PJL or PDL
Print control apparatuses, print control methods, and recording mediums are provided. In one embodiment, a print control apparatus includes an input unit that acquires print job definition data by acquiring print data including print job definition data and content data and interpreting the acquired print data, a plurality of converters that convert the acquired print job definition data into printer setting data, a distributor that divides the print job definition data by each item and distributes the divided items to the converters at a time when the print job definition data is supplied from the input unit to the converters and receives the printer setting data that has been converted by the converters, and a transmission unit that receives the converted printer setting data and the content data input from the input unit through the distributor and transmits the printer setting data and the content data to the printer. |
| US08400649B2 |
Approach for managing printer driver settings
An approach is provided for managing printer driver settings. According to the approach, printer driver settings specified by a user for electronic data are maintained as a “print tag”. Print tags may be stored, either local to a client device or remotely to a client device, and later retrieved when electronic data is to be printed again. This allows printer driver settings to be maintained on a per electronic data, e.g., electronic document, basis and re-used any number of times. It also allows printer driver settings to be persistently maintained when the execution of application programs and print drivers is terminated or in the event of failures. Print tags may be shared among different users to allow multiple users to easily and conveniently use the same printer driver settings to print the same electronic data, without each user having to manually enter the printer driver settings. |
| US08400648B2 |
Image forming apparatus, authentication method, and program
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus that include a personal identification method acquisition unit that extracts an identification method for identifying an operator from a first image scanned by an image scanning unit; a verification information extraction unit that extracts verification information with respect to personal identification information of the operator from the first image; a personal identification information acquisition unit that acquires the personal identification information in accordance with the identification method; a verification unit that verifies the acquired personal identification information with the verification information; and an authentication unit that authenticates the operator based on authentication information of the operator extracted from the first image when the personal identification information matches with the verification information. |
| US08400645B2 |
Printer with selectable capabilities
A system comprising a processor and a memory comprising firmware is provided. The firmware is executable by the processor to cause the processor to operate a print mechanism in accordance with a first state associated with a capability of the print mechanism, change the first state associated with the capability to a second state in response to receiving first information from an external interface, and operate the print mechanism in accordance with the second state associated with the capability. |
| US08400642B2 |
Optical position detection device, hand device, and display device with position detection function
A position detection device includes: a light source adapted to form a light intensity distribution of a detection light beam; a first detector adapted to receive a reflected light beam of the detection light beam reflected by an object in a detection area where the light intensity distribution is formed; a transmissive member disposed between the detection area and the light source, and between the detection area and the first detector, and having a first surface directed toward the detection area and a second surface directed toward the light source; a second detector adapted to receive a light beam reflected by the second surface out of the detection light beam; a position detector adapted to detect the object based on the detection result in the first detector; and a light blocking member disposed between the second detector and the detection area, and adapted to block the reflected light beam. |
| US08400641B2 |
Interferometer for aspherical or spherical surface measurements
An interferometer that measures a shape of a surface of an inspection object includes an interference optical system that splits light from a light source into inspection light and reference light and causes the inspection light reflected by the surface of the inspection object and the reference light to interfere with each other, and a photoelectric conversion element that detects interference fringes produced by interference between the inspection light and the reference light. The interference optical system includes a first optical element that transmits and reflects the inspection light, a second optical element that reflects the inspection light, and a moving unit configured to move the second optical element. The inspection light passes through the first optical element, is reflected by the second optical element, is reflected by the first optical element, and is then incident on the surface of the inspection object. |
| US08400637B2 |
Signal processing for optical computing system
The present subject matter relates to an apparatus and related method of high-speed analysis of product samples during production of the product. Light is directed to a portion of a product under analysis and reflected from or transmitted through the product toward optical detectors. Signals from the optical detectors are compared to determine characteristics of the product under analysis. Temperature within the monitoring system may be monitored in order to provide compensation for the signals produced by the optical detectors. The products under analysis may be stationary, moved by an inspection point by conveyor or other means, or may be contained within a container, the container including a window portion through which the product illuminating light may pass. |
| US08400633B2 |
Method of inspecting test parts with an optical comparator having digital gage
An optical comparator arranged for rear projection onto a viewing screen combines an optical projector that projects an optical image of a test part under inspection onto the viewing screen with a video projector that projects an optical image of a pixilated template pattern containing illustrated specifications of the test part onto the same viewing screen. The images of the test part and the pixilated template pattern are projected concurrently onto the viewing screen for visually comparing the form of the test part against its specified form. |
| US08400628B2 |
Enclosure for an optical inspection apparatus
An enclosure for an optical inspection apparatus for scanning the profile of at least one surface of an article moving along a travel path axis, which apparatus having a frame for mounting a profile sensor unit using a laser source, includes a peripheral portion connected to the frame and forming spaced apart peripheral edges defining a space in which the frame and the profile sensor unit are contained, and front end and rear end portions each having an opening aligned with the travel path axis to allow the movement of the article through the apparatus. At least one of the front and rear end portions is provided with a pair of access doors having outer closing edges adapted to mate with corresponding portions of the peripheral edges, and inner closing edges adapted to mate one with another at first portions thereof, wherein at least one of the inner closing edges is provided with a clearance at a second portion thereof to define one of the openings whenever the access doors are brought one toward another to a closing position. The second portion is provided with at least one shielding element adjacent to the clearance to confine reflections of the laser beam within the enclosure while allowing the movement of the article. |
| US08400626B2 |
Ambient light sensor
Embodiments described herein relate to a light sensing system. In one embodiment, the light sensing system may include a microprocessor including an input pin configured to receive a first voltage from a light sensor. The light sensing system may also include a pull-up resistor coupled to the input pin. The pull-up resistor may include a first gate. The light sensing system may further include a pull-down resistor coupled to the input pin. The pull-down resistor may include a second gate. The first and second gates may allow for connecting or disconnecting the pull-up and pull-down resistors based on the amount or intensity of light detected by the light sensor. |
| US08400623B2 |
Machine and method for measuring a characteristic of an optical signal
Machines and methods measure an unknown characteristic of an optical signal incident upon a detector characterized by one or more dynamic response parameters. One method receives an output signal from the detector and compares that output signal and a computationally determined response of the detector to a known optical signal incident upon the detector. The response is based on said one or more dynamic parameters. The method determines the unknown characteristic based on the comparison of the output signal and the computationally determined response of the detector. Another method receives an output signal from an optical detector detecting one or more optical signals, accesses a predetermined characteristic curve of detector response, compares the output signal from the detector to the predetermined characteristic curve of detector response, and calculates at least one unknown characteristic of one or more optical signals based on results of the comparing step. |
| US08400622B2 |
Enhanced OTDR sensitivity by utilizing mode-field diameter measurements
Described herein are systems and methods for enhancing sensitivity of an optical time-domain reflectometer (“OTDR”) using bi-directional analysis techniques. One embodiment of the disclosure of this application is related to a computer readable storage medium including a set of instructions that are executable by a processor. The set of instructions being operable to collect a first set of measurement data at a first resolution to provide a relative backscatter of the fiber, collect a second set of measurement data taken at a second resolution to calculate loss along the length of fiber, and combine the first set of measurement data with the second set of measurement data to calculate the loss along the fiber at the first resolution. |
| US08400621B2 |
Egg examining device
The present invention relates to an automatic egg examining device for differentiating between fertilized eggs and unfertilized eggs, comprising emission means (3), which comprise, for each egg to be examined, at least one coherent laser source forming a coherent optical beam (31) directed at an egg (9) to be examined, reception means (4), which receive the light flux passing through the egg, and data processing means (7), which process the light flux received by said reception means in order to determine the state—fertilized or unfertilized—of the egg. |
| US08400619B1 |
Systems and methods for automatic target tracking and beam steering
An automatic target tracking system and method employ an image capturing system for acquiring a series of images in real time of a distant area containing a remote target, and a processing system for processing the acquired images to identify the target and follow its position across the series of images. An automatic beam steering and method operate in conjunction with a laser source for emitting a laser beam to be transmitted in the form of a transmitted laser beam extending along a steerable beam transmission axis to the remote target. The beam steering system is controlled by the processing system to steer the beam transmission axis to be aimed at the target being tracked by the target tracking system, so that the transmitted laser beam will be transmitted at the appropriate angle and in the appropriate direction to be aimed at the tracked target. |
| US08400615B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
An immersion lithographic apparatus and method are disclosed in which measures are taken to account for dissolution of resist components, such as photo-acids or photo-acid generators, in immersion liquid. This may involve ensuring that each relevant part of the substrate is covered by liquid the same amount of time and/or by compensating for the differing amounts of time each relevant part of the substrate is covered by liquid by varying exposure intensity or duration based on the amount of time the substrate is covered by liquid. |
| US08400614B2 |
Pattern formation method and pattern formation apparatus, exposure method and exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
In a measurement zone that is spaced apart in a Y-axis direction from an exposure zone that is located immediately below a projection unit, a detection area of an alignment system is moved in the Y-axis direction and a plurality of marks are sequentially detected, and therefore a movement distance of wafer stages in the Y-axis direction when performing the mark detection can be decreased compared with the case where only the wafer stages are moved while fixing the alignment system and mark detection is performed as in the conventional cases. Accordingly, a width of the measurement zone in the Y-axis direction can be reduced, which allows the apparatus to be downsized. |
| US08400609B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of repairing bad pixels therein
A liquid crystal display device and a method of repairing bad pixels thereof, in which the bad pixels can be efficiently and easily repaired, includes a first insulating substrate, a gate wiring and a storage wiring arranged substantially parallel to each other in a first direction on the first insulating substrate, a data wiring intersecting the gate and storage wirings in an insulated manner and arranged substantially in a second direction, and a pixel electrode formed on a pixel area defined by the gate and data wirings. The storage wiring includes a horizontal portion arranged substantially in the first direction and at least a part of which does not overlap the pixel electrode, and a vertical portion branching off substantially in the second direction from the horizontal portion and overlapping the data wiring. |
| US08400608B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus according to the present invention comprises a display part, a housing which accommodates the display part, a circulator circulating the air in the housing around the display part in a vertical direction, and a fan provided on a rear side of the display part. The housing makes the display part be seen from outside therethrough. The fan converts the flow of the air circulating in the vertical direction to a horizontal direction in order to disperse heat generated from a rear surface of the display part. |
| US08400601B2 |
Flat panel display device and method of manufacturing the same
A flat panel display device and a method of manufacturing the flat panel display device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the flat panel display device includes: i) a first substrate, ii) an active layer formed over the first substrate, wherein the active layer comprises a source region, a drain region, and a channel region, iii) a gate insulating layer formed on the active layer, iv) a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating layer and over the channel region of the active layer and v) a first interlayer insulating film formed on the gate insulating layer and the gate electrode. The device may further includes 1) a source electrode and a drain electrode electrically connected to the source region and the drain region of the active layer, respectively, through a contact hole, wherein the contact hole is formed in the first interlayer insulating film and the gate insulating layer, 2) a second interlayer insulating film interposed substantially only between i) the first interlayer insulating film and ii) the source electrode and the drain electrode, 3) a passivation layer formed on the first interlayer insulating film and the source electrode and the drain electrode and 4) a pixel electrode electrically connected to the source electrode or the drain electrode through a via-hole formed in the passivation layer. |
| US08400597B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
Each of picture elements (14) has a plurality of alignment regions (R1, R2, R3, and R4), in each of which liquid crystal molecules contained in a liquid crystal layer are aligned in a direction that is different from those in the others of the plurality of alignment regions. Each of a plurality of scanning signal lines (32) and a border region (R11 and R12) between corresponding adjacent ones of the plurality of alignment regions (R1, R2, R3, and R4) at least partially overlap each other when viewed from above. |
| US08400596B2 |
Vertically aligned liquid crystal display and manufacturing method of the same
A liquid crystal display includes a first signal line disposed on a first substrate, a second signal line disposed on the first substrate and crossing the first signal line, a switching element disposed on the first substrate and connected to the first signal line and the second signal line, a first slope member disposed on the switching element and forming a ridge, a valley, and an inclined surface between the valley and the ridge, a pixel electrode disposed on the first slope member and connected to the switching element, a first alignment layer disposed on the pixel electrode and vertically aligned with respect to the surface of the first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a common electrode disposed on the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first alignment layer and the common electrode. |
| US08400584B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having a light guide plate being formed in a trapezoidal shape in cross section
A backlight which arranges light emitting diodes on a side surface of light guide plate adopts the structure which allows the easy removal of the light guide plate from a mold and makes it difficult for a stress or the like to influence the fine structure of a light incident portion of the light guide plate. In a liquid crystal display device having a backlight which radiates light to a liquid crystal panel, LEDs which constitute a light emitting element are mounted on a light guide plate which is mounted on a backlight, and edge portions of the light guide plate are tapered such that a width of the light guide plate is increased in the removal direction of the side surface of the light guide plate. Further, an ejector-pin mark is formed on a lower surface of the light guide plate by pushing an ejector pin in the removal direction of the light guide plate. |
| US08400582B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and backlight unit
Disclosed is a liquid crystal display including a liquid crystal panel, a light guide plate that transfers light from a light source to the liquid crystal panel and has a pattern formed on a base surface, a reflection plate that is positioned under the light guide plate and seated on a bottom cover, and a diffusing plate that is positioned between the light guide plate and the reflection plate and has a protection layer formed on a surface to face the light guide plate and a diffusing layer formed on the other surface to face the reflection plate. |
| US08400581B2 |
Back light unit and liquid crystal display comprising the same
Disclosed are a backlight unit capable of guiding light generated by LEDs to a light guide panel in order to eliminate brightness fault, as well as a light crystal display including the same. The backlight unit includes a light guide panel, an LED arranged at a lateral side of the light guide panel, and a light guide bar with at least one light diffusion pattern to scatter light generated by the LED and admit the scattered light into the light guide panel, thereby uniformly guiding the light generated by the LED to the light guide panel. |
| US08400580B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device having the same
A backlight unit capable of preventing a light leakage phenomenon caused by using a light guide plate of wedge type is disclosed. The backlight unit includes: at least one light source; a light guide plate configured to include a first portion with a first thickness disposed adjacent to the at least one light source, a second portion of plate shape having a second thickness thinner than the first thickness, and a wedge portion formed to connect the first and second portions and become gradually thinner from the first portion to the second portion; and a flexible printed circuit board loaded with the at least one light source and extended to cover the wedge portion of the light guide plate. The flexible printed circuit board is provided with a groove formed opposite a boundary area between the first portion and the wedge portion. |
| US08400577B2 |
Display apparatus and method of laying out pixel circuits
Herein disclosed a display apparatus including: a pixel array having a matrix of pixel circuits each including respective electrooptical elements for determining a display brightness level and respective drive circuits for driving the electrooptical elements; wherein adjacent two of the pixel circuits are paired with each other, and each of the drive circuits of the adjacent two pixel circuits includes at least one transistor having a low-concentration source/drain region or an offset region of an offset gate structure, the electrooptical elements and the drive circuits of the adjacent two pixel circuits being laid out such that a line interconnecting a drain region and a source region of the at least one transistor extends parallel to a direction of pixel columns of the pixel circuits of the pixel array. |
| US08400575B1 |
Pixel array substrate
A pixel array substrate includes a pixel region and a circuit region adjacent to the pixel region. A plurality of display pixel units are disposed in the pixel region and a plurality of dummy pixel units are disposed in the circuit region. Each of the dummy pixel units includes a data line, a scan line, a plurality of switching elements and a plurality of pixel electrodes. The switching elements are electrically connected to the scan line and data line. The pixel electrodes are electrically connected to the switching elements. Particularly, electrostatic currents in the pixel region can be dissipated by the dummy pixel units in the circuit region. The dummy pixel units preserve the continuity of electricity in the pixel array substrate and function as an inner short ring. Therefore, the area of the circuit region on the pixel array substrate is larger. |
| US08400569B2 |
Video system and method supporting display of different size pictures
Presented herein are system(s), method(s), and apparatus for dynamic blanking. In one embodiment, there is presented a method. The method comprises generating blank lines forming a portion of a larger picture if a picture is not available, until the picture is available; and including the picture in the larger picture when the larger picture is available. |
| US08400567B2 |
Method for recovering pixel clocks based on internal display port interface and display device using the same
A method for recovering pixel clocks based on an iDP interface includes selecting a prime factor closest to VA or HA from prime factors of X, and selecting a value obtained by subtracting VA from the selected prime factor, as VB, in Mvid = ( HA + HB ) × ( VA + VB ) X , where HA indicates a horizontal active period, HB indicates a horizontal blank interval, VA indicates a vertical active period, and VB indicates a vertical blank interval, fixing the selected VB value, and selecting a total of HB within one frame period and the number of lanes under a condition that Mvid has an integer value, and recovering pixel clocks by multiplying a frequency of link symbol clocks of data received via the lanes by a multiplication of Mvid/48. |
| US08400566B2 |
Feature optimization and reliability for audio and video signature generation and detection
Features are extracted from video and audio content that have a known temporal relationship with one another. The extracted features are used to generate video and audio signatures, which are assembled with an indication of the temporal relationship into a synchronization signature construct. the construct may be used to calculate synchronization errors between video and audio content received at a remote destination. Measures of confidence are generated at the remote destination to optimize processing and to provide an indication of reliability of the calculated synchronization error. |
| US08400559B2 |
Imaging apparatus
On a drive ring, a first flash lamp cam and a second flash lamp cam are formed. The first flash lamp cam engages with a flash unit to bring the flash unit into an in-use state when an imaging apparatus becomes a imaging state, and to bring the flash unit into a stored state when the imaging apparatus becomes a non-imaging state. If the flash unit is moved from the in-use state to the stored state by a manual operation, when the imaging apparatus is in the imaging state, the second flash lamp cam releases engagement between the flash unit and the first flash lamp cam to engage with the flash unit, and brings the imaging apparatus into the non-imaging state from the imaging state while maintaining the flash unit in the stored state. |
| US08400555B1 |
Focused plenoptic camera employing microlenses with different focal lengths
Methods and apparatus for capturing and rendering images with focused plenoptic cameras employing microlenses with different focal lengths. A focused plenoptic camera that includes an array of microlenses with at least two different focal lengths may be used to simultaneously capture microimages from at least two different planes at different distances from the microlens array. Image operations such as refocusing and focus bracketing may be performed on flats captured with the camera. Images may be constructed from subsets of the microimages captured using each type of microlens, thus creating multiple images each focused at a different depth. An array of stacked microlenses including stacks that provide different focal lengths may be used. The lens stacks may be provided by stacking two microlenses arrays on top of each other in the camera. |
| US08400553B2 |
Image pickup lens and image pickup device using the same
An image pickup lens capable of providing an angle of view of up to 70° or higher is provided. The image pickup lens can also be reduced in size and various aberrations associated with the lens can be corrected favorably, so that the image pickup lens is compatible with a high-pixel image pickup element. The image pickup lens 7 includes, in order from an object side to an image surface side: a first lens 1 that is a biconvex lens having positive power; a second lens 2 that has negative power and whose lens surface facing the image surface side is concave; a third lens 3 that is a meniscus lens having positive power and whose lens surface facing the image surface side is convex; and a fourth lens 4 that has negative power, whose lens surfaces are both aspherical and whose lens surface facing the image surface side is concave near an optical axis. The image pickup lens 7 satisfies the following conditional expressions (1) and (2), where f is the focal length of the overall optical system, Y′ is the maximum image height, and TL is the overall length of the optical system: 1.20 |
| US08400551B2 |
High resolution label free imaging
An apparatus having an optical reader system and method for label-independent detection having improved spatial resolution of the reader, as defined herein. The system includes an optical configuration for interrogating a sensor on a microplate at an incident angle (θ1) of greater than 45°, and recording the image received from the contacted sensor with the image recorder, the image recorder being oriented with respect to the reflected beam at a reflected angle (θ2) of greater than about 5°, as further defined herein. |
| US08400547B2 |
Imaging apparatus and display control method in imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes: a first display panel mounted on an apparatus casing so as to display images or data in a direction towards a user; a second display panel mounted on the apparatus casing so as to display images or data in a direction towards a subject; an imaging processor that performs a photoelectric conversion on incident light from the subject direction to obtain image signals; a person detector that detects whether or not a person is present in the subject direction; and a controller that allows images or data based on the image signals obtained by the imaging processor to be displayed on the first display panel and controls an operation of displaying the images or data based on the image signals obtained by the imaging processor on the second display panel in accordance with at least the detection results of the person detector. |
| US08400546B2 |
Image capturing device, image capturing system, and method of driving image capturing device
An image capturing device comprises a pixel array having a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion portion, a plurality of signal lines connected to the pixel array, a plurality of column amplifiers configured to respectively amplify signals transferred from the pixel array via the signal lines, the column amplifier comprising a first input terminal, a first output terminal, an amplifier having a second input terminal and a second output terminal, a feedback capacitance arranged between the second input terminal and the first output terminal, an input capacitance having an electrode connected to the first input terminal, and an electrode connected to the second input terminal, a first switch arranged between the second input terminal and the second output terminal, a second switch arranged between the first output terminal and the second output terminal, and a third switch arranged between a reference voltage terminal and the first output terminal. |
| US08400544B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and camera
The solid-state imaging device having pixels that are arranged in rows and columns and convert optical signals to electric signals to output the electric signals as voltage signals includes column signal lines each provided for a corresponding one of the columns and transmitting, in the direction of the columns, voltage signals outputted from the pixels, current sources each provided for and connected to a corresponding one of the column signal lines, column amplification circuits each provided for a corresponding one of the column signal lines and amplifying the voltage signals transmitted through the column signal lines, a current-source ground potential supply line supplying the current sources with ground potential, and a column amplification circuit ground potential supply line supplying the column amplification circuits with ground potential. The current-source ground potential supply line and the column amplification circuit ground potential supply line are interconnected at positions corresponding to the columns. |
| US08400541B2 |
Photoelectric conversion apparatus and imaging system using the same
A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes: a first semiconductor region forming a part of a photoelectric conversion element; a second semiconductor region stacked on the first semiconductor region, and forming a part of the photoelectric conversion element; a third semiconductor region to which a signal charge transferred from the photoelectric conversion element; a fourth semiconductor region of the first conductivity type having an higher impurity concentration, between the first and third semiconductor region and between the second and third semiconductor regions, closer to a main surface than the first semiconductor region, and connected to the first semiconductor region; a first gate electrode over the fourth semiconductor region, an insulating film on the main surface and between the first gate electrode and the fourth semiconductor region; and a second gate electrode between the third and fourth semiconductor regions, and over the insulating film. |
| US08400535B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device for removing fixed pattern noise
A solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel array, a gain adjusting unit that adjusts a gain of a pixel signal, an A/D conversion unit that performs A/D conversion on an image pickup signal, a plurality of fixed pattern noise detection units that detect a fixed pattern noise from a digital image pickup signal, a selecting unit that selects one output from outputs of the plurality of fixed pattern noise detection units, a fixed pattern noise correction unit that corrects the fixed pattern noise included in the digital image pickup signal, and a control unit that controls the gain adjusting unit setting a plurality of gain values, the control unit controlling the plurality of fixed pattern noise detection units detecting the plurality of fixed pattern noise based on the plurality of gain values and storing a plurality of correction values. |
| US08400532B2 |
Digital image capturing device providing photographing composition and method thereof
A digital image capturing device detecting a face in an input image and providing a photographing composition, and a method using the digital image capturing device are provided. An embodiment of the digital image capturing device includes: a face detecting unit for detecting a face in the input image; an extracting unit for extracting tilt information of the detected face and a gaze direction; an establishing unit for establishing a photographing composition according to the tilt information or gaze direction of the face; and a providing unit for providing a change of the photographing composition according to the established photographing composition. |
| US08400521B2 |
Electronic camera
An electronic camera includes an imager, having an imaging surface capturing a scene, which repeatedly outputs a scene image. An extractor extracts a specific reference image coincident with a partial image outputted from the imager corresponding to a predetermined area allocated to the imaging surface, from among a plurality of reference images. An adjuster executes a process of adjusting an exposure amount by emphasizing the predetermined area in parallel with the extraction process. An identifier identifies a color of an object equivalent to the partial image, corresponding to extracting the specific reference image. A corrector executes a process of correcting a tonality of the scene image with reference to the identified result, in place of the extraction process. A searcher searches for a partial image coincident with the specific reference image from the scene image having the corrected tonality. |
| US08400520B2 |
Subject tracking program and camera using template matching processing
A computer-readable computer program product contains a computer-executable subject tracking program in order to execute frame-to-frame subject tracking for a plurality of frames input in time series. The subject tracking program includes: an estimation procedure estimating a subject position within each frame by executing template matching processing for each of a plurality of partial areas assuming random positions within the frame; an identification procedure identifying a subject position within the frame by executing template matching processing for an estimated subject area containing the subject position having been estimated through the estimation procedure; a subject framing border display procedure displaying a subject framing border at the subject position having been identified through the identification procedure; and a tracking procedure tracking the subject position having been identified through the identification procedure from one frame to another through the plurality of frames. |
| US08400519B2 |
Mobile terminal and method of controlling the operation of the mobile terminal
A mobile terminal and a method of controlling the operation of the mobile terminal are provided. The method includes setting a first image as a reference image; if an image comparison mode is selected, operating a camera in a close-up photography mode; displaying a preview image currently being provided by the camera on a display module; and if the preview image is chosen to be captured, displaying a comparison result screen showing differences between the first image and a second image obtained by capturing the preview image on the display module. Therefore, it is possible for a user to easily identify the differences between the first and second images from the comparison result screen. |
| US08400517B2 |
Stabilization of captured images
Images captured by an image capture device on a line of sight with an associated gyrometric system designed to supply gyrometric measurement data relating to the line of sight are stabilized. To this end, a first series of captured images is obtained. Then, a second series of stabilized images is obtained by applying, to the first series of images, an image stabilization based on gyrometric information. Then, a residual stabilization error is determined by applying a digital processing to the second series of stabilized images. Finally, the preceding three steps are repeated. On initialization, the gyrometric information corresponds to the measurement data supplied by the gyrometric system. Then, subsequently, the gyrometric information is obtained by correcting, on the basis of the residual error, the measurement data supplied by the gyrometric system. |
| US08400514B2 |
Antivibration actuator and lens unit and camera equipped with same
The present invention is an antivibration actuator including an affixing plate (12), a moving frame (14) to which an image stabilizing lens (16) is attached, and a drive means for generating drive force in a first direction and a second direction; the drive means is furnished with a drive magnet (22) and a first drive coil (20a) and second drive coil (20b) disposed on substantially the same plane so as to face that the drive magnet; a first magnetic boundary line (C1) and a second magnetic boundary line (C2) disposed to connect to the first magnetic boundary line are provided on the drive magnet, and when current flows, a first direction drive force is generated; the second drive coil is disposed to face the second magnetic boundary line, and when current flows, a second direction drive force is generated. |
| US08400513B2 |
Data processing apparatus, data processing method, and data processing program
A data processing apparatus includes: a detection section detecting an image of an object from moving image data; a table creation section recording position information indicating a position on the moving image data in a table on the basis of a detection result by the detection section; a dubbing processing section performing dubbing processing on the moving image data; and a control section controlling the dubbing processing section so as to extract a portion of the moving image data recorded on a first recording medium on the basis of the position information recorded in the table, and to perform the dubbing processing on the extracted portion onto a second recording medium. |
| US08400512B2 |
Camera assisted sensor imaging system for deriving radiation intensity information and orientation information
The present invention relates to the fields of imaging systems, security screenings, contraband object detection, microwave screening, millimeter wave screening and Terahertz screening. The present invention especially relates to a camera assisted sensor imaging system and a multi aspect imaging system.The camera assisted sensor imaging system according to the present invention comprises an optical and/or infrared camera unit for generating camera image information, a processing and control unit for detecting targets based on the generated camera image information, and a sensor unit adapted to successively scan portions of a detected target and to generate a plurality of corresponding image information parts, whereby the sensor unit is operable in the microwave, millimeter wave and/or Terahertz frequency range, and the processing and control unit is further adapted to construct an image of the target based on the image information parts and based on the generated camera image information.The multi aspect imaging system according to the present invention comprises one or more reflective elements and a sensor section operable in the microwave, millimeter wave and/or Terahertz frequency range. The sensor section is adapted to scan a first and a second aspect of a target, whereby the second aspect is scanned via a reflective element and the second aspect is scanned directly or via another reflective element. |
| US08400511B2 |
Optical detection and ranging sensor system for sense and avoid, and related methods
An apparatus carried by an unmanned vehicle to provide passive sensing and facilitate avoiding airborne aerial obstacles is provided. The apparatus can include at least one, but typically multiple optical systems installed, for example, in the nose of the aerial vehicle to passively sense and determine a range, direction, and velocity of the airborne obstacles to allow the aerial vehicle to avoid the airborne obstacles. The typical optical system includes at least one focal plane array or other imaging device configured to receive a wide field of view and at least one focal plane array or other imaging device configured to receive a steerable narrow field of view within the wide field of view to allow concentrated determination of the range, direction, and/or velocity of obstacles detected by the wide field of view imaging devices. |
| US08400510B2 |
Night vision system
A night vision system includes an image intensifier tube and circuitry coupled to a digital storage medium that periodically samples a signal provided by the image intensifier tube and stores the sampled image to be viewed in near real time or at a later date by a data analyst. The night vision system includes a casing surrounding the image intensifier tube and the associated circuitry along with a port for accepting a power and/or signal cable for providing power to the image intensifier tube and image signal data to the digital storage medium. The system may further include a daytime camera and a switch for toggling the image signal data input to the digital storage medium between the daytime camera and the image intensifier tube. |
| US08400499B2 |
Endoscope device, camera device for endoscope, and defogging method
An endoscope apparatus (1) includes a rigid scope portion (2) having an imaging window (5) at a front end thereof; a camera unit portion (3) mounted to a root end of the rigid scope portion (2); and a vibration generating device (4) mounted to the camera unit portion (3). The camera unit portion (3) can obtain an image of the inside of a body cavity through the imaging window (5). The vibration generating device (4) provides vibration to the rigid scope portion (2) through the camera unit portion (3) to defog the imaging window (5). This can provide an endoscope apparatus that can reduce the cost and size of a scope portion and has a high defogging effect. |
| US08400492B2 |
Projection of stereoscopic images using linearly polarized light
A method and system for projecting linearly polarized stereoscopic images to a viewer that results in increased viewer head-tipping capabilities is provided. The design includes projecting linearly polarized light energy toward a screen and providing the viewer with a set of linearly polarized eyewear configured to receive the linearly polarized light energy projected to the screen and transmit a right perspective view to a right eye of the viewer and a left perspective view to a left eye of the viewer. Projecting comprises performing a noise reduction technique to reduce crosstalk in linearly polarized light energy images projected. |
| US08400491B1 |
Use-based adaptive video client for a bandwidth-constrained network
A method, system, and computer-readable media are provided for adjusting one or more video parameters of a video communication session based on a type of use for the video communication session. At least one method includes detecting a use for a certain video communication session and applying a profile of video parameters to the session based on the use. The method further includes detecting a network constraint and adjusting one or more of the video parameters based on the network constraint. |
| US08400488B2 |
Optical scanning apparatus and control method therefor
An optical scanning apparatus capable of properly correcting a main scanning scale factor. Upstream and downstream laser-light detection sensors of the optical scanning apparatus each generate a signal when first or second light beam passes through each of slits formed in the sensors. Based on signals, a scanning time required for each light beam to scan between the sensors is measured. A correction coefficient is decided by a correction value calculation unit based on a difference between wavelengths of the first and second light beams, a scanning time difference is calculated by a comparison unit based on the correction coefficient and scanning times of the light beams, and the downstream laser-light detection sensor is rotated by a sensor rotation drive unit to make the scanning time difference zero, whereby the slits are made parallel to each other. |
| US08400486B2 |
Thermal transfer sheet, transferred image receiving sheet, and thermal transfer method
Disclosed herein is a thermal transfer sheet including: a dye layer which is provided on one side of a substrate and which contains an indoaniline dye; and a transferred image coating layer provided on that side of the substrate on which the dye layer is formed, the transferred image coating layer being operable to coat an image thermally transferred onto a transferred image receiving sheet, wherein the transferred image coating layer contains a compound having a predetermined structure and a binder resin, and the content of the compound having the predetermined structure is 0.5 to 8 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the binder resin. |
| US08400484B2 |
Device and apparatus for controlling same
A device includes a first element substrate and a second element substrate for driving a driving element; a first signal input unit connected to an input terminal of the first element substrate; a second signal input unit connected to an input terminal of the second element substrate; and a signal output unit. Each of the first and second element substrates includes a driving element, a first signal generation unit configured to output a first signal, a second signal generation unit configured to output a second signal, an input terminal, an output terminal, and a selection unit configured to receive a signal from the first and the second signal generation units, select one of a state of the first signal, a state of the second signal, and a high-impedance state on the basis of the selection signal input from the input terminal, and output the state to the output terminal. |
| US08400480B2 |
Color display apparatus having pixel pattern including repeating units
Disclosed herein is a color display apparatus which has a pixel pattern including a plurality of repeating units of a pixel array, wherein each of the plurality of repeating units of the pixel array is composed of at least five sub-pixels while including at least one sub-pixel from a first to fourth sub-pixel, respectively, the first sub-pixel representing a red color (R), the second sub-pixel representing a green color (G), the third sub-pixel representing a blue color (B), and the fourth sub-pixel representing a mixed color of at least two colors from among the R, G, and B, and each of the plurality of repeating units of the pixel array corresponds to at least two image pixels. |
| US08400479B2 |
Color signal display apparatus and method
A color signal processing apparatus calculates a target color gamut including color signal values of each pixel of an input video, and calculates target primary colors corresponding to the calculated target color gamut. The color signal processing apparatus produces the calculated target primary colors by mixing primary colors in an input color gamut of the input video, and converts and outputs the color signal values of each pixel of the input video to match the calculated target color gamut defined by the calculated target primary colors. Since it is possible to adaptively transform the input color gamut of the input video, the input video that is reproduced has an increased light quantity and an enhanced contrast. |
| US08400478B2 |
Method and system for rendering of labels
A method for rendering static labels in a mobile device in applications such as map applications. Panning increments are received for panning a previously rendered frame to a panned frame and a rendering region is defined based on the panning increments. Ones of the labels that overlap the region and that overlap with the panned frame by a threshold amount are determined. Geometry that overlaps the rendering region is rendered and a portion of the previously rendered frame is copied. The ones of the labels are rendered to provide the panned frame. |
| US08400475B2 |
Method for processing data, driving apparatus for performing the method and display apparatus having the driving apparatus
A method for processing data includes; storing image data of a p-th frame, wherein p is a natural number, determining a display mode of the image data of the p-th frame based on the number of pulses of a data enable signal corresponding to the image data of the p-th frame, and processing the image data of the p-th frame according to the determined display mode. |
| US08400474B2 |
Imaging apparatus and method of controlling imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus comprises a remote controller including no operating button and an imaging instrument including a display screen portion capable of displaying a first graphical user interface in association with movement of the remote controller. Selection item of the first graphical user interface is selected and determined on the basis of anteroposterior movement of the remote controller. |
| US08400473B2 |
Multi-operator media retargeting
A method for image processing includes receiving in a computerized image processor a source image having a source size and a definition of a target size that is different from the source size, and defining a plurality of different sequences of two or more different image retargeting operations that when applied to the source image, generates respective target images of the target size. The different sequences are automatically tested, using the image processor, by measuring respective similarities of the respective target images to the source image. One of the sequences is selected responsively to the similarities, and the selected one of the sequences is applied to the source image, using the image processor, in order to generate a target image. |
| US08400467B1 |
Graphical planning and scheduling system
A graphical planning and scheduling system is described. The system is based on the Graphical Planning Method and object oriented principles. The system is graphics-driven and may support gestural and surface computing. The system may allow resource leveling, schedule optimization, and time/cost tradeoffs to occur interactively on a display and in conjunction with network construction. The system may allow forward and backward planning and scheduling of projects. The system may also allow project stakeholders to interactively participate in collaborative planning and scheduling sessions. |
| US08400465B2 |
Method of transmission of a video sequence of images that have to be color transformed using LUT
Before the transmission of the source color values of the images of each group Gk of images of this sequence, a partial color transform LUT related to this group Gk is generated, then transmitted, —and, a resultant color transform LUT related to said group Gk is reconstructed by combining the transmitted partial color transform look up table of this group Gk with, if any, all the other partial color transform look up tables that have been previously transmitted, —then each images of said group are color transformed using this LUT. The invention allows a good precision of color transformation with a limited bandwidth. |
| US08400463B2 |
Data processing module for generating dithered data and method thereof
A data processing module for generating dithered data includes a data transforming unit and a dithering unit, wherein the data transforming unit is utilized to transform input data into transformed data containing predetermined data, and the dithering unit is utilized to perform a dithering process on the transformed data to generate the dithered data. By making the display picture of the dithered data contain a fixed pattern corresponding to the predetermined data, the influence on the display picture caused by noise existing in the input data can be efficiently reduced. |
| US08400462B2 |
Code processing in electronic terminal
The invention relates to a method of locating a code in an image file, comprising forming an image window from a target comprising a readable code, dividing the image window into sub-windows, analysing for each sub-window whether it constitutes a part of the code by comparing the variation density color of the sub-window with one or more threshold values set for the color, gathering the sub-windows evaluated as constituting a part of the code into a group of sub-windows, and verifying that the gathered group of sub-windows defines a valid code. |
| US08400456B2 |
Systems and methods for integrating graphic animation technologies in fantasy sports contest applications
Systems and methods for integrating graphic animation technologies with fantasy sports contest applications are provided. This invention enables a fantasy sports contest application to depict plays in various sporting events using graphic animation. The fantasy sports contest application may combine graphical representation of real-life elements such as, for example, player facial features, with default elements such as, for example, a generic player body, to create realistic graphic video. The fantasy sports contest application may provide links to animated videos for depicting plays on contest screens in which information associated with the plays may be displayed. The fantasy sports contest application may play the animated video for a user in response to the user selecting such a link. In some embodiment of the present invention, the fantasy sports contest application may also customize animated video based on user-supplied setup information. |
| US08400455B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient offset curve deformation from skeletal animation
A method for use in animation includes establishing an influence primitive, associating the influence primitive with a model having a plurality of model points, and for each of the plurality of model points on the model, determining an offset primitive that passes through the model point. Another method includes deforming the model, and determining a deformed position of each of the plurality of model points by using a separate offset primitive for each model point. A computer readable storage medium stores a computer program adapted to cause a processor based system to execute one or more the above steps. |
| US08400454B2 |
System and method for creating motion blur
An embedded, programmable motion blur system and method is described herein. Embodiments include applying displacement on a vertex level and amplification on a primitive level within a graphics pipeline. Embodiments include receiving a plurality of vertices in a first component of a graphics processing unit (GPU), displacing each of the plurality of vertices, receiving a primitive that includes at least one of the displaced vertices in a second component of the GPU, and transforming the primitive. In one embodiment, transforming comprises at least one of translation, scaling, and rotation. Further included are generating a plurality of primitive samples over a time aperture, and outputting the plurality of primitive samples to further components of the GPU for further processing for display of the scene with motion blur. |
| US08400449B1 |
Volumetric data exploration using multi-point input controls
A three-dimensional data set is accessed. A two-dimensional plane is defined that intersects a space defined by the three-dimensional data set. The two-dimensional plane defines a two-dimensional data set within the three-dimensional data set and divides the three-dimensional data set into first and second subsets. A three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set is rendered on such that at least a portion of the first subset of the three-dimensional data set is removed and at least a portion of the two-dimensional data set is displayed. A two-dimensional view of a first subset of the two-dimensional data set also is rendered. Controls are provided that enable visual navigation through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the multi-touch display device that correspond to either the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set and/or the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set. |
| US08400447B1 |
Space partitioning trees using planes selected from a discrete set of orientations
A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for partitioning a scene with discrete oriented planes. In one embodiment, a scene comprising a plurality of objects may be partitioned into a plurality of sub-regions. The sub-regions may be divided by a plurality of planes having orientations selected from a discrete set of orientations comprising at least one orientation that is not the x axis, y axis, or z axis and is at a nonzero angle with respect to the x, y, or z axes. The partitioned scene may be stored in a binary tree comprising a plurality of nodes. Each node may correspond to a sub-region. In one embodiment, a ray tracing query may be solved for a particular ray. In solving the ray tracing query, the tree may be traversed to identify a first object of the plurality of objects intersected by the ray. |
| US08400446B2 |
Method and apparatus for placing fasteners in a model-based definition
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for placing fasteners in a three dimensional product definition. A fastener is identified from a plurality of different fasteners to fasten a set of components in a three dimensional product definition using a policy to form a selected fastener. A set of points on the set of components is received for which fasteners are to be placed to form a set of defined points. A set of locations in the set of components is generated in the three dimensional product definition using the set of defined points to form a set of defined locations. The selected fastener is placed into the set of defined locations. |
| US08400443B2 |
Plasma display device
A plasma display device is provided. The plasma display device can prevent the generation of complementary bright spots or the occurrence of voltage peaking by adjusting the time to apply a bias voltage during a reset period. Thus, it is possible to improve the discharge properties and picture quality of a PDP. |
| US08400441B2 |
Display apparatus and control method thereof
A display apparatus includes a display part to display an image thereon, a video signal processor to convert an input video signal into a signal having a format displayable by the display part, a network controller connectable to a network to transmit and receive data according to a predetermined protocol, a data processor to process the data transmitted and/or received through the network controller into a video signal processible by the video signal processor, and a controller to control power to be supplied to the data processor according to whether the data is being transmitted and/or received by the network controller through the network. Accordingly, the display apparatus transmits and receives data through a network and reduces power consumption. |
| US08400440B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a substrate, a display region having pixels on the substrate, a drive circuit element mounted on a peripheral portion of the substrate, a plurality of terminal portions formed on the peripheral portion and arranged on a mounting portion of the drive circuit element, and a plurality of wiring lines prolonged from the terminal portions to the outside of the mounting portion of the substrate. The terminal parts are arranged to two lines of the plurality of wiring lines along one end of the mounting portion, a plurality of bumps connected to each of the terminal portions by an anisotropic conductive film are formed on the plane facing the terminal portion of the drive circuit element, a part of the plurality bumps include a first bump and a second bump which is adjoined close to the first bump. |
| US08400439B2 |
Integrated circuit device, electro optical device and electronic apparatus
An integrated circuit device includes: a data line driving circuit provided for each of a plurality of data signal supply lines that supplies a multiplexed data signal to a corresponding data signal supply line; an order offset register that stores a first order offset setting value; an order setting circuit that sets the order of driving the first pixel; and an order offset addition circuit corresponding to the data line driving circuit. When the data line driving circuit drives the q-th (q is a natural number less than p) pixel in the r-th (r is a natural number less than p) place in the order, the order offset addition circuit processes addition of an order offset correction value based on the r-th order offset setting value among the first order offset setting value. |
| US08400438B2 |
Driving apparatus, display apparatus having the driving apparatus with non-conductive adhesive film and method of manufacturing the display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a display panel on which a pad part is formed, a driving chip including bumps making contact with the pad part, and a non-conductive adhesive film disposed between the display panel and the driving chip attaching the driving chip to the pad part. Each of the bumps includes a step-difference portion including a non-conductive elastic polymer and a bump line formed on the step-difference portion. The bump line is provided with a fine pattern through which a portion of the step-difference portion is exposed, and the bump line makes contact with the pad part. Accordingly, the reliability of the electrical connection between the driving chip and the display panel may be increased. |
| US08400437B2 |
Display device
An display device includes: a substrate; a display unit comprising subpixels positioned on the substrate; signal lines arranged on the substrate; turn-on circuits connected to the signal lines and turning on the subpixels in response to a turn-on signal supplied through the signal lines; and dummy circuits connected to the signal lines and inducing external electricity introduced through the signal lines to be introduced therein earlier than in the turn-on circuits. |
| US08400434B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program therefor
Provided is an information processing apparatus including a display control unit and an output unit. The display control unit displays image data of an operation unit including a rotary operation dial, and displays while rotating, according to a designated target volume value, the operation dial from a rotation angle position corresponding to a current volume value to a rotation angle position corresponding to the target volume value based on at least one of a predetermined speed and a predetermined acceleration speed. The output unit outputs a volume value corresponding to the rotation angle position of the operation dial displayed by the display control unit. |
| US08400427B2 |
Touch detection for a digitizer
A detector for providing position detection of objects over a sensor with a first and second set of conductor lines forming a grid with a plurality of junctions there between at which the conductor lines do not contact, includes a signal generator providing a signal to at least one conductor line of the first set of conductor lines, and circuitry detecting output arising from one or both of an electromagnetic stylus and one or more fingers when present. The output arising from each of the one or more fingers is detected from at least one conductor line of the second set of conductor lines in response to the signal provided to the at least one conductor line of the first set of conductor lines. The circuitry detects positions of one or both the electromagnetic stylus and each of the one or more fingers when present responsive to the output detected. |
| US08400425B2 |
Method and device for analyzing positions
A method and device for analyzing positions are disclosed. In sensing information, at least one position is determined according to a first characteristic of a touch related sensing information. The sensing information also has a touch related sensing information with a second characteristic, which is opposite to the first characteristic. The touch related sensing information with the second characteristic is neglected or filtered. In addition, another method and device for analyzing positions are disclosed. An AC signal is provided through a pen, and a first characteristic of a touch related sensing information corresponding to a finger is opposite to the second characteristic of the touch related sensing information corresponding to the pen. The first characteristic and the second characteristic can be used to distinguish the touch of the finger from the touch of the pen or for palm rejection. |
| US08400422B2 |
Method and device for analyzing positions
A method and device for analyzing positions are disclosed. In sensing information, at least one position is determined according to a first characteristic of a touch related sensing information. The sensing information also has a touch related sensing information with a second characteristic, which is opposite to the first characteristic. The touch related sensing information with the second characteristic is neglected or filtered. In addition, another method and device for analyzing positions are disclosed. An AC signal is provided through a pen, and a first characteristic of a touch related sensing information corresponding to a finger is opposite to the second characteristic of the touch related sensing information corresponding to the pen. The first characteristic and the second characteristic can be used to distinguish the touch of the finger from the touch of the pen or for palm rejection. |
| US08400418B2 |
Capacitance type input device and display device with input function
Provided is a capacitance type input device, in which a plurality of first light transmission electrodes extending in a first direction and a plurality of second light transmission electrodes extending in a second direction crossing the first direction are formed in an input region of a light transmission substrate, wherein, when the light transmission substrate is viewed from the top, dummy patterns formed of the same light transmission conductive film as the first light transmission electrodes and the second light transmission electrodes are formed in regions sandwiched between the first light transmission electrodes and the second light transmission electrodes. |
| US08400417B2 |
Soft keyboard display for a portable multifunction device
A computer-implemented method for use in conjunction with a computing device with a touch screen display comprises: detecting one or more finger contacts with the touch screen display, applying one or more heuristics to the one or more finger contacts to determine a command for the device, and processing the command. The one or more heuristics comprise: a heuristic for determining that the one or more finger contacts correspond to a one-dimensional vertical screen scrolling command, a heuristic for determining that the one or more finger contacts correspond to a two-dimensional screen translation command, and a heuristic for determining that the one or more finger contacts correspond to a command to transition from displaying a respective item in a set of items to displaying a next item in the set of items. |
| US08400416B2 |
Track compensation methods and systems for touch-sensitive input devices
Track compensation methods and systems for touch-sensitive input devices are provided. First, a track corresponding to an input tool on a touch-sensitive device of an electronic device is detected. At least one motion attitude information corresponding to the touch-sensitive device is obtained. Then, the track is compensated for according to the at least one motion attitude information corresponding to the touch-sensitive device. |
| US08400415B2 |
Interactive input system and bezel therefor
An interactive input system comprises at least one imaging device having a field of view looking into a region of interest. At least one radiation source emits radiation into the region of interest. A pliable bezel at least partially surrounds the region of interest. The pliable bezel has a reflective surface in the field of view of said at least one imaging device. |
| US08400413B2 |
Display apparatus and display method
Disclosed herein is a display apparatus including: a display panel having a plurality of picture elements configured to execute display by driving a liquid crystal layer; a backlight configured to illuminate a display surface of the display panel from a backside; a photodetector arranged on the plurality of picture elements and configured to receive a light entered from the side of the display surface of the display panel; and a detection block configured to execute image recognition in the proximity of the display surface from a difference between a photodetection amount in the photodetector in a state where an illuminating light from the backlight is radiated from the display surface and a photodetection amount in the photodetector in a state where the illuminating light is blocked before the display surface. |
| US08400411B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and liquid crystal display apparatus
A liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap, and a liquid crystal layer sealed between the first and second substrates. The first substrate includes pixel electrodes and thin-film transistors connected with the pixel electrodes. The transistors are turned on based on a scanning signal from scanning lines to electrically connect the pixel electrodes to signal lines. The second substrate has an opposed electrode, which forms pixels in areas facing the pixel electrodes. The device also has a touch input contact point provided on either the pixel electrodes or the opposed electrode to correspond to a previously selected pixel. The contact point protrudes at a height smaller than the gap between the first and second substrates and is brought into conduction by flexural deformation caused by a pressing force of a touch onto the first or second substrates. |
| US08400409B1 |
User interface devices, methods, and computer readable media for sensing movement of an actuator across a surface of a window
An interface device and method are provided for sensing movement of an actuator across a surface of a window in an enclosure thereof. The interface device comprises an optical navigation sensor including an illuminator within the interface to illuminate at least a portion of the actuator through the window when the actuator is positioned in contact with or proximal to the surface of the window, and a detector to receive light reflected through the window from the actuator. The interface device further includes a number of capacitive guard-sensors in the enclosure adjacent to the optical navigation sensor to disable the optical navigation sensor when a conductive body is sensed in proximity to the guard-sensors. |
| US08400407B2 |
Touch panel and interactive input system incorporating the same
A touch panel comprises a substrate having a forward major surface and formed of a plurality of assembled substrate segments. Cover material overlies the forward major surface to reduce the visibility of seams between adjacent substrate segments. |
| US08400405B2 |
Handheld electronic device and associated method enabling text input in a language employing non-roman characters
A handheld device includes a plurality of input members, a first set of which each have a Roman character assigned thereto, a least some of which have a first non-Roman and a second non-Roman character assigned thereto. In response to an actuation of a first one of the input members, a first one of the non-Roman characters that is assigned to the first one of the input members is displayed. Based on one or more rules which govern permissible character sequences in the subject language, the display of a second one of the non-Roman characters in response to an actuation of a second one of the input members having the second one of the non-Roman characters assigned thereto immediately following the actuation of said first one of the input members is prevented. |
| US08400403B2 |
Key input method and apparatus for portable apparatus
A key input apparatus for a portable apparatus includes a display unit that displays a key selected by a user input. The apparatus includes a light sensor comprising a plurality of light emitting elements and a plurality of light receiving elements. The respective light emitting elements generate first light signals upward at a predetermined angle from a direction in which the light emitting elements face the light receiving elements. The apparatus also includes input detection unit that detects the light receiving elements that receive the first light signals, and detects a user's space input position using the light receiving elements that receive the first light signals if the light receiving elements that receive the first light signals are detected. |
| US08400399B2 |
Torch
The invention relates to a location based gaming device. The gaming device comprises an elongated handheld body and a location control unit arranged in the body. The location control unit outputs location data. A light unit is arranged at a distal side of the body. A controller is adapted to control said light unit, the controller comprising a memory to store track data. The controller is arranged to change a light characteristic between an on track and an off track mode depending on a proximity function between the track data and the compass directional data and/or location data. Accordingly a device is provided that can provide intuitive direction indications, which may be interpretable by players of younger ages. |
| US08400395B2 |
Method of local dimming of display light source and apparatus performing same
In a machine-implemented method of local dimming a light source of a light source block for driving the light source block to provide a plurality of image regions with light, duty ratios of a first light source and a second light source adjacent to the first light source are initially determined by using a first target luminance value of a first image region closest to the first light source and a second target luminance value of a second image region closest to the second light source. The initially determined duty ratios are compensated by using a target luminance value of a remaining image region excluding the first and second image regions among the image regions receiving the light generated from the first and second first light sources. The first and second first light sources are driven by using the compensated duty ratios. |
| US08400394B2 |
Backlight unit assembly, liquid crystal display having the same, and dimming method thereof
A backlight unit assembly, a liquid crystal display having the same, and a dimming method thereof are provided. The dimming method for a liquid crystal display includes setting a plurality of lookup tables, each lookup table having different data for adjusting luminance corresponding to a same grayscale, calculating a grayscale average of a whole liquid crystal display panel and grayscale averages of individual liquid crystal display panel blocks with respect to an image signal input to the liquid crystal display panel, selecting one of the plurality of lookup tables in accordance with the whole grayscale average, and calculating the data for obtaining the luminance corresponding to the individual grayscale averages in the selected lookup table, and adjusting and applying power to a light emitting diode assembly using the calculated data. In the case of displaying an image, which is dark on the whole and only a part of which is bright, power is applied with a wider pulse width at the same grayscale, and thus the image can be displayed with a desired luminance to minimize image distortion. |
| US08400393B2 |
Method of controlling backlight module, backlight controller and display device using the same
A method of controlling backlight module, a backlight controller and a display device using the same are provided herein. First, an image having a plurality of regions is received, wherein the image is displayed by a plurality of color backlights which are provided from the backlight module. Next, a first average of a characteristic in a specific region of the image is calculated, wherein the specific region is one of the regions. According to the first average of the characteristic and a weight function, a characteristic weight is calculated. Next, one of the color backlights provided to the specific region is adjusted according to the characteristic weight. Therefore, adjusting the color backlights according to the image content can enhance the displaying quality of the image and adaptively reduce the artifacts perceived by human eyes in different images. |
| US08400392B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling backlight and liquid crystal display
Disclosed is a backlight control apparatus for controlling a backlight used in a liquid crystal display, the backlight having a lighting area that includes a plurality of blocks in each of which a backlight luminance is individually allowed to change. The apparatus includes a backlight control unit that calculates the backlight luminance of each block so that the absolute value of the difference between a backlight lighting ratio and 1 is at or below a first value, and controls the backlight so as to yield the calculated backlight luminances of the respective blocks, the backlight lighting ratio being the ratio between backlight set values of neighboring blocks. |
| US08400390B2 |
Gate driving device and liquid crystal display having the same
A gate driving device includes a plurality of stages, a first dummy stage connected to the plurality of stages and a second dummy stage connected to the first dummy stage. Stages of the plurality of stages are cascaded. The first dummy stage includes a first charge unit which receives a first input signal from a previous stage of the plurality of stages and is thereby charged, and a first pull-up transistor which outputs a clock signal when the first charge unit reaches a first charge level. The second dummy stage includes a second charge unit which receives a second input signal from the first dummy stage and is thereby charged, and a second pull-up transistor which outputs the clock signal when the second charge unit reaches a second charge level higher than the first charge level. |
| US08400389B2 |
Liquid crystal display having common voltage input pads connected to dummy channels
A liquid crystal display is provided. The liquid crystal display includes an edge common line receiving a common voltage through input sources, a plurality of pixel common line patterns that are formed in each of liquid crystal cells constituting each pixel and are electrically connected to one another, and a plurality of longitudinal common lines that are electrically connected to the edge common line to apply the common voltage to the pixel common line patterns. The pixel common line patterns are connected to common electrodes of the liquid crystal cells. Each of the longitudinal common lines is formed between two horizontally adjacent pixels in a direction parallel to data lines. The pixels includes a plurality of pixel units each including two vertically adjacent pixels, and two data lines and three gate lines are assigned to each of the pixel units. |
| US08400388B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display including a data driver, a gate driver and a liquid crystal display panel having a plurality of pixels and a plurality of pixel memories. According to embodiments of the present invention, the pixels and the pixel memories are configured to reduce power consumption of pixels displaying still images and improve image quality of the liquid crystal display. |
| US08400381B2 |
Analog output buffer circuit and organic light emitting display using the same
An analog output buffer circuit is provided. A first transistor has a source, drain, and gate coupled to a first node, a second node, and a third node, respectively. A second transistor is coupled between the second node and the third node. The second transistor has a gate coupled to a first control line. A third transistor has a source coupled to a data line, a drain coupled to the first node, and a gate coupled to the first control line. A fourth transistor has a source coupled to the second node, a drain coupled to an output terminal, and a gate coupled to a second control line. A fifth transistor has a source coupled to the first node, a drain coupled to a first power supply, and a gate coupled to the second control line. A capacitor is coupled between the third node and the first power supply. |
| US08400380B2 |
Organic light emitting display device and driving method thereof
An organic light emitting display device includes a scan driver for driving scan lines and light emitting control lines; a data driver for selecting any one gamma voltage of a plurality of gamma voltages corresponding to bit values of externally supplied data and generating data signals; a pixel coupled to a reference power, a first power, and a second power, and the pixel configured to compensate for a voltage drop of the first power using the reference power; and a gamma voltage controller for comparing a voltage value of the reference power with that of a comparative power having a target voltage value of the reference power to generate a comparison result and controlling voltage value of the gamma voltages in accordance with the comparison result. |
| US08400374B2 |
Semiconductor device
The invention provides a semiconductor device which is capable of decreasing an effect of a variation in characteristics of transistors, supplying a predetermined current even when voltage-current characteristics of a load change, and improving a write speed of a signal sufficiently even when the amount of a signal current is small. In the semiconductor device, a current-voltage converting element and a transistor are connected in series; and an amplifier circuit detects a voltage which is applied when a current flows to the current-voltage converting element, and sets a gate-source voltage of the transistor depending on the voltage. Therefore, since the amplifier circuit has low output impedance, a write speed of a signal can be improved sufficiently even when the amount of a signal current is small. |
| US08400372B2 |
Plasma display device and method of driving plasma display panel
In displaying a predetermined image on a plasma display panel, occurrence of an initializing bright point can be suppressed to reduce the maximum voltage in an all-cell initializing operation, light emission in the all-cell initializing operation is suppressed to reduce the black luminance, and the contrast is sharpened. In driving the plasma display panel, one field period includes a plurality of subfields having a setup period for causing initializing discharge in discharge cells, an address period, and a sustain period. One field period includes at least one subfield for applying ramp waveform voltage increasing in the setup period to the scan electrodes. The maximum voltage of the ramp waveform voltage can be varied. When a predetermined image establishing a previously determined condition is displayed, the ramp waveform voltage is generated whose maximum voltage is smaller than when an image other than the predetermined image is displayed, and a positive voltage is applied to the data electrodes at least while the ramp waveform voltage having the smaller maximum voltage is applied to the scan electrodes. |
| US08400367B2 |
Radio antenna assembly
An antenna assembly is provided for mounting on a predetermined support structure positioned on a surface, the support structure having a peripheral edge at an elevated position above the surface. The antenna assembly includes an antenna and a support for supporting the antenna at an elevated position above the surface when mounted on the support structure. The support is adapted to support the antenna at a sufficient height above the surface to provide a direct path for electromagnetic radiation at least a portion of the antenna to a position on the surface external of the peripheral edge of less than or equal to about 4.5 meters from substantially any point on the peripheral edge, or to a position on the surface at a point positioned 3 meters from the front of the support structure and 3 meters from a side of the support structure. |
| US08400351B2 |
GNSS moving base positioning
Methods and apparatus are presented for determining a position of an antenna of a GNSS rover from observations of GNSS signals collected at the antenna over multiple epochs and from correction data for at least one of the epochs. A first-epoch rover position relative to a moving base location is determined, a second-epoch update of the first-epoch rover position relative to the moving base location for a second epoch is determined using a single-differenced delta phase process, and the first-epoch position and the second-epoch update are combined to obtain a second-epoch rover position relative to a moving base location of the second epoch. |
| US08400350B2 |
Radar device and azimuth angle detection method
An electronic scanning radar device that detects an azimuth angle of a target based on a phase difference between a first pair of received waves received by a first pair of antennas separated by a prescribed distance, and combines the first pair of received waves and generates a first composite wave. The composite wave has a steep antenna pattern, for which the amount of level change is large for the amount of change in azimuth angle, and an azimuth angle judgment unit performs true/false judgment in which a detected azimuth angle is judged to be true when the level of the above first composite wave is equal to or above a reference value, and the azimuth angle is judged to be false when the level is below the reference value. |
| US08400349B1 |
Radar echo processing with partitioned de-ramp
The spurious-free dynamic range of a wideband radar system is increased by apportioning de-ramp processing across analog and digital processing domains. A chirp rate offset is applied between the received waveform and the reference waveform that is used for downconversion to the intermediate frequency (IF) range. The chirp rate offset results in a residual chirp in the IF signal prior to digitization. After digitization, the residual IF chirp is removed with digital signal processing. |
| US08400345B2 |
Multimedia assembly with a programmable universal remote control unit and method of programming a remote control unit
A multimedia assembly with a programmable universal remote control unit, which is configured to “learn” remote control codes from original remote control units, and which provides that remote control signals are transmitted from original remote control units to the control unit where they are analyzed, decoded, and newly encoded; and wherein newly encoded signals are then transmitted from the control unit to the universal remote control unit that is to be programmed, where they are stored in a memory. |
| US08400344B2 |
Methods and apparatus for learning remote control commands
Described herein are various techniques for transferring command codes between multiple remote controls. A first controlled device receives a signal from a remote control associated with a second controlled device. The signal is associated with a command for the second controlled device. The first controlled device receives user input, assigning the command to a selected button of a second remote control. The first controlled device transmits a message to the second remote control. The message includes information utilized by the second remote control to reproduce the signal responsive to actuation of the selected button, allowing the second remote control to generate the command for the second controlled device. |
| US08400338B2 |
Compensating for harmonic distortion in an instrument channel
Automatic test equipment (ATE) includes circuitry configured to pass a signal in a channel of the ATE, and memory configured to store a first and second correction values. A first correction value is based on a first version of the signal, where the first correction value is for use in correcting static non-linearity associated with the channel. A second correction value is based on a second version of the signal, where the second correction value is for use in correcting dynamic non-linearity associated with the channel. Digital signal processing logic is configured to use the first correction value, the second correction value, and the signal in order to compensate for harmonic distortion from the channel. |
| US08400333B2 |
Multi-directional input apparatus
A multi-directional input apparatus includes an operating member including a shaft portion which extends to the outside, a housing having an opening through which the shaft portion extends and configured to support the operating member in a tiltable manner, interlocking members moved by the operating member when the shaft portion is tilted, and detectors which detect changes in the positions of the interlocking members. A sliding member is externally fitted to the shaft portion such that the sliding member is movable in an axial direction, and a coil spring is disposed between a flange provided on the shaft portion and the sliding member. A rubbing surface of the sliding member is in elastic contact with a receiving surface on an inner wall of an annular edge portion surrounding the opening. The rubbing surface and the receiving surface are spherical surfaces centered on a tilting center of the shaft portion. |
| US08400332B2 |
Emotive advisory system including time agent
An emotive advisory system for use by one or more occupants of an automotive vehicle includes a computer. The computer is configured to receive input indicative of an operating state of the vehicle. The computer determines at least one of a need to provide time information to an occupant based on the operating state of the vehicle and an occupant request to provide time information to the occupant. The computer generates data representing an avatar having an appearance, and data representing a spoken statement for the avatar. The spoken statement provides time information to the occupant in spoken dialog based on at least one of the need and the request. The computer outputs data representing the avatar for visual display, and data representing the statement for the avatar for audio play. |
| US08400331B2 |
Vehicle-mounted device, information output method, and information providing system
A vehicle-mounted device (10) which receives and outputs a radio wave containing at least direction information as information includes: detection means which detects the radio wave; and control means which compares the detection direction received from the direction detection means which detects the direction of the vehicle head to the direction information so as to judge whether the information is to be outputted. Thus, it is possible to provide a vehicle-mounted device which can provide only the information required by a user, a method for outputting the information, and an information providing system. |
| US08400330B2 |
System for displaying multiple overlaid images to a pilot of an aircraft during flight
A system for displaying first and second images to a pilot of an aircraft includes, but is not limited to, a sensor subsystem that detects a light transmission originating from outside the aircraft and generates a first signal indicative of the light transmission, a dynamic condition sensor that detects a dynamic condition of the aircraft and generates a second signal indicative of the dynamic condition of the aircraft, a display unit, and a processor that is communicatively coupled to the sensor subsystem and to the dynamic condition sensor and operatively coupled to the display unit. The processor is configured to command the display unit to display a first image corresponding to the first signal, to display a second image overlaid over the first image corresponding to the second signal, and to modify the appearance of the second image to enhance the pilot's ability to discern the first image. |
| US08400325B2 |
Temperature controlled conducting device
An exemplary temperature controlled power line device includes a cable operable to transmit power. The cable includes a core and an oxidizing layer. The core and the oxidizing layer may be in selective electrical communication so as to initiate and halt oxidation of the core. The core may oxidize as a result of a galvanic reaction and the cable may be connected to a control box. The control box may be used to monitor as well as control the oxidation of the core. |
| US08400320B2 |
System for monitoring oil level and detecting leaks in power transformers, reactors, current and potential transformers, high voltage bushings and the like
System for monitoring oil level and detecting leaks in power transformers, reactors, current and potential transformers, high voltage bushings and the like, notably for a system that through the use of sensors and other electronic components measures and monitors transformers and similar equipment in real time, filled with insulating oil, with greater precision and without need for floats or mobile mechanical parts, while presenting countless facilities in the sense of making level monitoring more reliable and safer, highlighting the level error calculations, oil leak detection alarm, excess oil detection alarm during the equipment filling process and calculation of tendencies of evolution for levels among other facilities. |
| US08400318B2 |
Method for determining electrical power signal levels in a transmission system
A signal level detection method is provided, the method includes providing a feed line system that includes coaxial cable connectors connecting coaxial cable sections. Each coaxial cable connector includes a connector body, a coupling circuit positioned within the connector body, an electrical signal power level detection circuit electrically connected to the coupling circuit and comprised by the connector body, and an output component comprised by the connector body. At least one coupling circuit senses an electrical signal flowing through at least one associated coaxial cable connector. At least one electrical signal power level detection circuit detects a plurality of associated power levels of the electrical signal flowing through at least one associated coaxial cable connector. |
| US08400313B2 |
Vehicle driver sleep state classification generating device based on Hidden Markov Model, sleep state classification device and warning device
There is provided an arousal state classification model generating device for generating a blink waveform pattern model and an arousal state pattern model based on data on a blink waveform, which are preferably used for accurately estimating an arousal level with respect to unspecified object persons, an arousal state classifying device for classifying the arousal state of an object person, and a warning device. In the arousal state classification model generating device, a first pattern model is generated by learning a statistical model by using as learning data first feature data extracted from the blink data of at least one of the eyes of each object person at the time of blinking and blink waveform identification information. A second pattern model is generated by learning a statistical model by using as learning data second feature data including data on the occurrence ratio of each specific type of blink waveform in the sequence of analysis intervals and arousal state information data in which arousal state information indicating the arousal state of each object person is provided to each sequence of analysis intervals. |
| US08400309B2 |
Hygiene compliance
A system and method of monitoring compliance with a hygiene protocol is disclosed. The movement of person within or otherwise associated with a facility may be tracked and hygiene requirements may be imposed based on the movement. In monitoring hygiene compliance, a number of hygiene levels may be defined that are associated with difference hygiene requirements. A hygiene level may be associated with an individual and that level may be raised or lowered based on hygiene related activity associated with the individual. An individual's hygiene level and/or his compliance with multi-level hygiene requirements may be tracked through the use of monitored hygiene stations and/or location tracking stations. |
| US08400304B2 |
Methods and systems for using RFID in biological field
Biological reagent carrier devices and methods are disclosed, which employ RFID techniques to associate information with biological reagents. |
| US08400298B2 |
Device for the treatment and extracorporeal circulation of blood or blood components
The invention relates to a medical device for providing a plurality of extracorporeal blood or plasma treatments, apt to receive at least one disposable article that can be connected to extracorporeal circuit, each disposable article being equipped with storage means containing information about the disposable article, the device comprising a first receiving station (2) for disposable articles (100) with a first reading means (3) for the associated article, a second receiving station (3) for disposable articles (100) with a second reading means (3) for the associated article, a memory comprising information concerning at least one treatment protocol designed to be executed by the device, and information concerning a configuration of the disposable articles necessary for each treatment protocol at each receiving station, a control unit (10) for comparing the stored configuration of articles concerning a treatment protocol with the configuration of articles once it is installed. |
| US08400297B2 |
Power conserving active RFID label
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for a power conserving active RFID label. A system for performing radio frequency (RF) communications includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to one or more items to be tracked, the RFID tag configured to receive a request and a time interval indicating a time for determining a temperature and a battery voltage, and to adjust the time interval at a time of determining the temperature and the battery voltage if the detected voltage is less than a predetermined voltage, and an interrogator communicatively coupled to one or more antennas to transmit one or more requests to the RFID tag and to receive one or more responses, at least one response including a time, temperature and battery voltage. |
| US08400293B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing a task reminder based on travel history
A method of providing a reminder of a task to be performed at a task location is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving a location of a user via a mobile communication device associated with the user at predetermined time intervals for tracking historical travel information of the user. The method includes receiving user specified task information that includes a task and a task location. The method includes storing the user specified task information. The method includes generating a reminder for the task based on a comparison of an estimated probability of the user traveling in a trajectory leading toward the task location and an estimated probability of the user traveling in a trajectory leading away from the task location. |
| US08400292B2 |
System and method for location of mobile devices in confined environments
The sensor network may include a location capture processing unit; and a plurality of sensors in communication with the location capture processing unit. Each sensor of the plurality of sensors includes a controller and a RF receiver configured to receive RF signals. The RF receiver is in communication with the controller. A localization engine is configured to receive beacon signals transmitted by other sensors in the sensor network. The localization engine is in communication with the controller. The controller of each of the plurality of sensors is further configured to determine a position of its respective sensor using either RF receiver or localization engine or both. The plurality of sensors communicates their position to the location capture processing unit. |
| US08400290B2 |
Nuisance alarm reduction method for therapeutic parameters
This disclosure describes systems and methods for reducing nuisance alarms associated with monitoring non-physiological parameters in a ventilatory system. Non-physiological parameters may include, but are not limited to, parameters that are internally monitored by the ventilator based on pre-configured ranges dictated by the manufacturer, by an applicable protocol, or by the clinician. Embodiments described herein seek to mitigate nuisance alarms by basing alarm conditions, at least in part, on an integral threshold such that an alarm is not generated when a monitored parameter briefly falls outside an acceptable range by a slight degree, but such that an alarm is generated when a monitored parameter falls outside an acceptable range by a more significant magnitude and/or duration. |
| US08400285B2 |
Key locator for electronic key system
A key locator includes a first and second antenna arranged in a vehicle. A first query unit transmits a challenge from the first antenna. A second query unit transmits a challenge from the second antenna to an electronic key responding to the challenge of the first query unit. A key locating unit determines the location of the electronic key in accordance with whether responses to the challenges from the first and second antennas are received from the electronic key. |
| US08400283B2 |
Tactile feedback in an electronic device
An electronic device for providing tactile feedback is provided. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback using any suitable approach, including for example vibration, heat, electrical, visual, or any other type of feedback. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to detecting any particular status of the electronic device, receiving any particular input, or detecting any suitable communication received by the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to identifying the current network of the device, the status of a particular electronic device component, or any other electronic device status. As another example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to receiving a particular type of communication, or in response to receiving a communication from a particular contact. |
| US08400278B2 |
Semiconductor device and IC label, IC tag, and IC card having the same
The present invention provides a power supply circuit provided with a battery as a power source for supplying power to an RFID, and the battery of the power supply circuit is charged with a wireless signal. Then, a switching circuit is provided in the power supply circuit that supplies power to a signal control circuit which transmits and receives individual information to and from the outside to intermittently control supply of power to the signal control circuit by a signal from a low-frequency signal generation circuit. |
| US08400277B2 |
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for monitoring a transfer of fluid between a syringe and a fluid reservoir
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for monitoring a transfer of fluid between a syringe and a fluid reservoir. A syringe may include a chamber for holding fluid transferred between the syringe and a fluid reservoir, a distal end comprising a point of attachment for a needle enabling transfer of fluid between the syringe and the fluid reservoir, and a first signaling tag carried by the syringe. The first signaling tag may be positioned to enable the first signaling tag to come within a sufficient proximity of a second signaling tag carried by the fluid reservoir to trigger a state of a signal emitted by at least one of the first signaling tag or second signaling tag to change when the needle is inserted through a membrane of the fluid reservoir. |
| US08400268B1 |
End to end emergency response
The system comprises a plurality of reference tags affixed to reference locations in a coverage area and configured to form a wireless mesh network. The system also includes a call tag configured to communicate with the plurality of reference tags and to collect data regarding the communication with the plurality of reference tags. The call tag is configured to send a first signal in response to an event. A positioning system is coupled to the wireless mesh network and configured to receive the first signal and the data collected by the call tag. The positioning system is further configured to process the data collected by the call tag to determine the call tag location with respect to the plurality of reference tags. A portable electronic device is configured to communicate with the wireless mesh network and configured to receive call tag location from the positioning system. |
| US08400267B2 |
Vehicle authentication device
A vehicle authentication device has an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, an authentication unit disposed in the in-vehicle device, for matching an ID returned from a portable device in response to a request from the in-vehicle device and performing an authentication of the vehicle, and an operation switch for instructing a power supply transition of the vehicle. The in-vehicle device has a measurement unit for measuring a duration of an active state of the operation switch, a determination unit for determining whether the duration exceeds a predetermined time, and a control unit for executing a power supply transition control of the vehicle based on the determination that the duration time of the active state of the operation switch exceeds the predetermined time made by the determination unit and an authentication result of the authentication unit. |
| US08400266B2 |
Monitoring device, monitoring method, and monitoring program
To continuously detect a suspicious person, and to provide information for identifying the suspicious person, a monitoring device for monitoring an object existing in a detection area includes: a detection unit for detecting existence of the object in the detection area; an authentication information acquisition unit for acquiring authentication information held by the detected object; a registered authentication information storage unit for storing registered authentication information on an object admitted into the detection area; a determination unit for acquiring, based on the authentication information and the registered authentication information, a number of registered authentication objects and a number of unregistered authentication objects, for setting an alert mode when the detection unit detects the existence of the object, and when the number of registered authentication objects is zero, and for determining a suspicious object based on the number of registered authentication objects, the number of unregistered authentication objects, and the alert mode; and an alarming/notifying unit for notifying an alarm based on a result of determination by the determination unit. |
| US08400265B2 |
Touchless keyless entry keypad integrated with electroluminescence backlight
The present invention is a dead front actuating assembly, including a first layer having at least one selectively illuminated area, and a second layer having a plurality of sensors used for activating the at least one selectively illuminated area such that the at least one selectively illuminated area becomes illuminated, and the first layer is adjacent to the second layer. |
| US08400259B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes: a main unit operable by remote control using a remote controller, wherein the main unit includes a display section having a display screen, a main unit operation section performing input operation, and a main unit control section which performs both control operation corresponding to the operation of the main unit operation section and control operation corresponding to the operation of the remote controller, and the main unit control section displays a first guide screen for guiding the operation of the main unit operation section on the display screen as a first guide operation when detecting that the main unit operation section has been operated, and displays a second guide screen for guiding the operation of the remote controller on the display screen as a second guide operation when detecting that the remote controller has been operated. |
| US08400257B2 |
Via-less thin film resistor with a dielectric cap
The present disclosure is directed to a thin film resistor structure that includes a resistive element electrically connecting first conductor layers of adjacent interconnect structures. The resistive element is covered by a dielectric cap layer that acts as a stabilizer and heat sink for the resistive element. Each interconnect includes a second conductor layer over the first conductive layer. The thin film resistor includes a chromium silicon resistive element covered by a silicon nitride cap layer. |
| US08400256B2 |
Glove with a particularized electro-conductivity feature
A hand covering that may be in the form of a glove includes at least one finger receptacle having a sheath wall with an external surface and an internal surface, an outer strand having a metallic component and an inner strand. The outer strand includes a portion that extends into the sheath wall of the receptacle such that the portion of the outer strand does not cross the interior surface of the sheath wall of the receptacle. The outer strand and the inner strand are associated with one another such that, when a finger of a user is accommodated in the at least one receptacle, an electrical conductivity path exists that includes the finger of the user, the inner strand, and the outer strand. |
| US08400254B2 |
Surge absorbing element
A surge absorbing element has a first electrode, a second electrode, and a ceramic layer. The second electrode is opposed to the first electrode. The ceramic layer has a polycrystal structure including a plurality of crystal grains showing voltage nonlinearity, and is at least partially brought into contact with the first electrode and the second electrode. The ceramic layer has a void inside therein, and surface discharge is generated on surfaces, exposed to the void, of the crystal grains, whereby electric conduction is attained between the first and second electrodes. |
| US08400253B2 |
Thermal fuse resistor, manufacturing method thereof, and installation method thereof
Disclosed are a thermal fuse resistor having a case injection-molded by using thermosetting resin having heat resistance less than that of a filler, a manufacturing method of the thermal fuse resistor, and a method of installing the thermal fuse resistor such that a resistor and a thermal fuse are laid down on a printed circuit board. In the thermal fuse resistor, through changing a material of the case, the case has a lighter weight and is not easily broken, so that the thermal fuse resistor is advantageously used for an electronic appliance because of its lightness and slimness. The thickness of the case of the thermal fuse resistor serves as the thickness of the electronic appliance employing the thermal fuse resistor, so that the thermal fuse resistor allows the electronic appliance to have a slim structure. |
| US08400249B2 |
Common mode choke coil and high-frequency component
A common mode choke coil includes a first coil element and a second coil element connected in series between a first port and a second port, and a third coil element and a fourth coil element connected in series between a third port and a fourth port. With normal mode current flow through the first and second transmission lines, a first closed magnetic circuit forms in which magnetic flux passing through the first and second coil elements forms a closed loop, and a second closed magnetic circuit forms in which a magnetic flux passing through the third coil element and the fourth coil element forms a closed loop. With common mode current flow in the first and second transmission lines, a third closed magnetic circuit forms in which a magnetic flux passing through the first through fourth coil elements forms a closed loop. |
| US08400248B2 |
Wireless power transfer device
Provided is a wireless power transfer device. The wireless power transfer device includes: a base substrate including a base coil; transmission substrates spaced from the base substrate and including transmission coils; and a contact plug penetrating the base substrate and the transmission substrates to connect one ends of the transmission coils; wherein the transmission coils have the greater turn number than the base coil and transmitting/receiving a power signal through a magnetic resonance method. |
| US08400247B2 |
Coil component, reactor, and method for forming coil component
A coil component comprises a plurality of coil elements arranged side-by-side and a connecting portion that interconnects the coil elements. The plurality of coil elements are formed from a single flat wire wound edgewise so that the coil elements wind in the same direction. The connecting portion includes a portion of the flat wire between the two coil elements wound edgewise, wherein a part of the connection portion protrudes radially outward from the two coil elements. The connecting portion is bent flatwise at two positions so that the two coil elements are arranged side-by-side with their axes in parallel with each other. |
| US08400245B2 |
High current magnetic component and methods of manufacture
Magnetic components including pre-formed clips are described that are more amenable to production on a miniaturized scale. Discrete core pieces can be assembled with pre-formed coils and physically gapped from one another with more efficient manufacturing techniques. |
| US08400240B2 |
Magnetic switching device
A magnetic switching device is provided with a first switching device which is provided with a movable magnet connected to a contact bridge, and with a second switching device which is provided with a magnet connected to a movable switch element. The magnets have the same polarity on the front faces facing each other. Positioned between the magnets is a separating plate made of ferromagnetic material, which is smaller than the front faces of the magnets which face each other. |
| US08400239B2 |
Switching device and method for inserting or removing a tolerance insert in a magnet chamber of a switching device
The switching device includes an actuation magnet provided in a magnet chamber and fixed in the magnet chamber by at least one spring element, at least one displaceable switch contact, the at least one displaceable switch contact being displaceable by the actuation magnet and at least one stationary switch contact, the magnet chamber including an assembly opening for inserting or removing a tolerance insert. |
| US08400231B2 |
High-frequency coupler and communication device
A high-frequency coupler and a communication device are compact, capable of efficiently communicating a large volume of data over a short distance and can be used in combination with a non-contact IC card. The high-frequency coupler includes magnetic-field-generating patterns and a surrounding pattern disposed around a periphery thereof, and is used to communicate a large volume of data over a short distance in a communication system that uses broadband frequencies. Out of the magnetic fields radiated in directions perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the patterns from the magnetic-field-generating patterns, portions extending laterally in the plane of the patterns are blocked by the surrounding pattern, the magnetic fields are lengthened in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the patterns and the communication distance is increased. |
| US08400225B1 |
Photocapacitively tunable electronic device utilizing electrical resonator with semiconductor junction
An optically tunable cavity for an electronic device concurrently achieves high bandwidth (for example, at least about 10 percent, typically greater than about 50 percent) with high DC-RF efficiency (for example, at least about 50 percent, typically greater than about 85 percent). The electronic device may be a vacuum electronic device, including linear-beam and cross-field devices, with either an input circuit or an output circuit, or both, containing a photocapacitance-controlled resonator embedded such that a laser beam can impinge upon a semiconductor gap of the resonator. The laser beam may instantaneously change the resonant mode of the overall loaded cavity, thus allowing for amplification or oscillation of the desired frequency throughout the vacuum electronic device. |
| US08400222B2 |
Electronic circuits including a MOSFET and a dual-gate JFET
Electronic circuits and methods are provided for various applications including signal amplification. An exemplary electronic circuit comprises a MOSFET and a dual-gate JFET in a cascode configuration. The dual-gate JFET includes top and bottom gates disposed above and below the channel. The top gate of the JFET is controlled by a signal that is dependent upon the signal controlling the gate of the MOSFET. The control of the bottom gate of the JFET can be dependent or independent of the control of the top gate. The MOSFET and JFET can be implemented as separate components on the same substrate with different dimensions such as gate widths. |
| US08400220B1 |
Quiescent current control for class AB output stages
Quiescent current control for Class AB output stages is provided that is responsive to a sum of current of the pull-up and pull-down transistors in the crossover region, and responsive to a minimum of the pull-up or pull-down transistors otherwise. Replicating transistors operate responsive to activation of the pull-up and pull-down transistors. Additional circuit elements provide a summed current output that corrects for quiescent current variation, while having good operation over PVT variations, and having minimal distortive effects. Use of scaled replicating transistors reduces the current in the quiescent current control circuit. Additionally, a current limiter or topology change may be used to reduce current spikes in replication of the output stage current. Adjustment of a reference current can also prevent turning off a non-active output element to reduce the need to stew the element back on. |
| US08400219B2 |
Analog circuits having improved transistors, and methods therefor
Circuits are disclosed that may include a plurality of transistors having controllable current paths coupled between at least a first and second node, the transistors configured to generate an analog electrical output signal in response to an analog input value; wherein at least one of the transistors has a deeply depleted channel formed below its gate that includes a substantially undoped channel region formed over a relatively highly doped screen layer formed over a doped body region. |
| US08400218B2 |
Current mode power amplifier providing harmonic distortion suppression
A current mode power amplifier includes a current steering stage configured to steer a scaled current based on differential voltage inputs, a filtered current mirror connected to the current steering stage to receive the scaled current and produce a filtered output current, and a resonant load configured to receive the output current and generate an output voltage signal for transmission. |
| US08400216B2 |
3-way Doherty power amplifier using driving amplifier
Disclosed is a 3-way Doherty power amplifier using a driving amplifier in which driving amplifiers are connected to the front stages of a carrier amplifier and a peaking amplifier, respectively, so as to obtain a high gain and a high efficiency. To this end, the Doherty power amplifier includes: a hybrid power distributor for distributing an input signal into first and second path units; and a driving amplifier for receiving a signal outputted from the hybrid power distributor and controlling the driving of a carrier amplifier, a first peaking amplifier, and a second peaking amplifier, wherein: the carrier amplifier, the first peaking amplifier, and the second peaking amplifier are connected to a rear stage of the driving amplifier, respectively; the first path unit generates a high efficiency at a low input power; and the second path unit maintains a high efficiency and gain in a high output range. |
| US08400208B2 |
High-voltage switch using three FETs
Switch circuits are disclosed, for providing a single-ended and a differentially switched high-voltage output signals by switching a high supply voltage in response to at least one logic-level control signal. The switch that provides the single-ended switched high-voltage output signal includes a chain of at least three serially coupled field effect transistors (FETs). The chain receives the high supply voltage and switches it to output the high-voltage output signal. The switch that provides the differentially switched high-voltage output signal includes two differentially coupled chains, each having at least three serially coupled FETs. The chains receive the high supply voltage and switch it to output the differential high-voltage output signal. A control/bias circuit provides a control voltage to at least one of the FETs in the chains, responsive to the control signal. |
| US08400207B2 |
Level shift circuit, and driver and display device using the same
A level shift circuit includes a first circuit connected between a first power supply terminal (PST) and an output terminal (OT) of the level shift circuit to set OT to a first voltage (V1) when conducting, a second circuit connected between a second PST and OT to set OT to the second voltage (V2) when conducting, and a third circuit that receives an input signal and a feedback signal from OT so that, when OT=V2 and input=a third voltage (V3), the first circuit conducts, and when OT=V1, the first circuit is made nonconductive irrespective of the value of the input signal. The second circuit is made conductive and nonconductive, when the input=a fourth voltage (V4) and V3, respectively. A high/low relationship of V1, V2=that of V3, V4. The input between V3, V4 has a lower amplitude than the output signal between V1, V2. |
| US08400206B2 |
Low voltage input level shifter circuit and method for utilizing same
According to one embodiment, a level shifter circuit operable with a low voltage input comprises first and second pull-down switches configured to receive the low voltage input as respective non-inverted and inverted control voltages, first and second pull-up switches coupled between the respective first and second pull-down switches and an output supply voltage, and a pull-up boost switching stage coupled to a node between the first pull-up switch and the first pull-down switch. The pull-up boost switching stage is configured to turn ON in response to the second pull-down switch turning ON, and to turn OFF before the first pull-up switch turns OFF. In one embodiment, the level shifter circuit may be implemented as part of an input/output (IO) pad of an integrated circuit (IC) fabricated on a semiconductor die. |
| US08400199B2 |
Charge pump, phase frequency detector and charge pump methods
A charge pump being disposed in a phase locking system. The charge pump includes a sourcing element, a draining element and an offset element. The sourcing element is arranged to selectively source a first current into an output terminal of the charge pump according to a first control signal, and the draining element is arranged to selectively drain a second current from the output terminal according to a second control signal. The offset element is arranged to selectively conduct an offset current via the output terminal according to a third control signal, and one of the sourcing element and the draining element is disabled when the phase locking system is in a phase-locked state. |
| US08400197B2 |
Fractional spur reduction using controlled clock jitter
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a jitter generator configured to receive a reference clock; add jitter to the reference clock; and output the reference clock with the included jitter to a phase lock loop (PLL). The PLL is used to generate a local oscillator (LO) signal for a transceiver. A jitter controller outputs a signal to the jitter generator to control a characteristic of the jitter added to the reference clock. The reference clock with the added jitter is used to reduce a fractional spur caused by a radio frequency (RF) attacker coupling into the PLL. |
| US08400193B2 |
Backdrive protection circuit
Methods, devices and circuits are provided for protection from backdrive current. One such device is subject to back voltage from an output node of the device and includes circuitry that is configured to compare the supply voltage node and the output node. In response to the comparison, the circuitry generates an output signal. Level shifted versions of the output signal are used to provide an output voltage corresponding to the higher of a supply voltage node and an output node. Switches are used to place the device in different modes in response to the output signal. |
| US08400192B2 |
Architecture for frequency-scaled operation in resonant clock distribution networks
An architecture for resonant clock distribution networks is proposed. This architecture allows for the energy-efficient operation of a resonant clock distribution network at multiple clock frequencies through the deployment of flip-flops that can be selectively enabled. The proposed architecture is primarily targeted at the design of resonant clock networks with integrated inductors and exhibits no inductor overheads. Such an architecture is generally applicable to semiconductor devices with multiple clock frequencies, and high-performance and low-power clocking requirements such as microprocessors, ASICs, and SOCs. Moreover, it is applicable to the binning of semiconductor devices according to achievable performance levels. |
| US08400189B2 |
Voltage detection device and semiconductor device including the same
A voltage detection device and a semiconductor device including the same are provided. The voltage detection device includes: a first clock generator which generates a first clock signal having a period that changes according to an external voltage; a second clock generator which generates a second clock signal having a predetermined period corresponding to a reference voltage; and a detector which detects a change of the external voltage by comparing the first clock signal with the second clock signal. |
| US08400183B1 |
Voltage conversion
An embodiment of a method for powering a low-power device using a power supply designed for a high-power device is described. In such an embodiment, an input voltage is provided to a voltage converter at a first voltage level. The input voltage is periodically electrically coupled to and decoupled from the voltage converter during operation of the low-power device. An output voltage is output from the voltage converter at a second voltage level to power the low-power device. The output voltage is provided during both the input voltage being electrically coupled to and decoupled from the voltage converter, and the second voltage level is substantially less than the first voltage level. |
| US08400180B2 |
Tandem handler system and method for reduced index time
A system for testing with an automated test equipment (ATE) includes a tester having at least one test resource, a tandem handler, and a mux relay that switchably connects the test resource, via parallel connections, to either one of dual sockets at each instant of testing. The handler has first and second manipulator arms. Each arm operates as to a particular one of the respective sockets, to retrieve a next device to be tested and position the device in the socket (while testing is performed on a device in the other socket), to disposition the device from the socket once testing is completed as to the device in the socket, and thereafter repeat until all staged devices for testing have been tested (or an interruption of testing otherwise occurs). The mux relay switches between sockets in response to the tandem handler acting as a master and the tester as slave. Upon completion of testing via the test resource as to an applicable pin of one socket, the test resource is switchably connected via the mux relay to a functionally same applicable pin of the other socket. |
| US08400179B1 |
Method for load-line correction of pulsed measurements
A method for operating a measurement system having an interconnect between the measurement system and a device under test (DUT), the interconnect exhibiting voltage drops during measurements of the DUT, includes applying a test signal to the DUT through the interconnect, the test signal having a system value at the measurement system; measuring a resulting DUT value at the DUT; adjusting the system value according to the resulting DUT value to produce successive desired DUT values at the DUT; and using the successive DUT values to measure an electrical characteristic of the DUT. |
| US08400177B2 |
Device and method for testing display panel
A testing device is provided for testing a display panel including a first circuit board. The testing device includes a second circuit board and a pressing element. The second circuit board includes a main body, multiple test pads, multiple testing circuits and multiple conducting elements. The test pads are arranged on a first surface of the main body and corresponding to respective pins of the first circuit board. The testing circuits are formed on the second surface of the main body and corresponding to respective test pads. The first circuit board is stacked on the second circuit board. The testing circuits are electrically with respective pins through respective conducting elements and respective test pads. The pressing element presses a stacking region between the first circuit board and the second circuit board, thereby facilitating close contact between the first circuit board and the second circuit board. |
| US08400176B2 |
Wafer level contactor
A probe card assembly can include a plurality of probes disposed on a substrate and arranged to contact terminals of a semiconductor wafer. Switches can be disposed on the probe card assembly and provide for selective connection and disconnection of the probes from electrical interconnections on the probe card assembly. |
| US08400175B2 |
System and method for use in functional failure analysis by induced stimulus
A scanning/imaging system wherein an external stimulus is used for exciting a device under test (DUT). A stimulus source is included for providing a stationary stimulus with a controllable spot size to a device under test (DUT), the controllable spot size covering a portion of the DUT for excitation by the stationary stimulus. A sensor is operable for capturing at least one of a functional response signal and an optical image signal emanating from the DUT portion. A linear positioning device is operable to facilitate scanning of remaining portions of the DUT until a predetermined area thereof has been traversed. A controller is operably coupled to the linear positioning device, stimulus source and the sensor for providing the overall control thereof. |
| US08400174B2 |
Method of correcting a position of a prober
A method of correcting a position of a prober, the method including obtaining a first image of a pad, the pad having a predetermined reference contact position, contacting the prober to the pad after obtaining the first image of the pad, obtaining a second image of the pad after contacting the prober to the pad, determining an actual contact position of an actual contact mark on the pad, the actual contact mark being produced by the contacting of the prober to the pad, comparing the second image to the first image to obtain an offset data, the offset data relating the actual contact position to the reference contact position, and correcting the position of the prober by aligning the actual contact position with the reference contact position based on the offset data. |
| US08400173B2 |
Method and apparatus for thermally conditioning probe cards
Embodiments of probe cards and methods for fabricating and using same are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for testing a device (DUT) may include a probe card configured for testing a DUT; a thermal management apparatus disposed on the probe card to heat and/or cool the probe card; a sensor disposed on the probe card and coupled to the thermal management apparatus to provide data to the thermal management apparatus corresponding to a temperature of a location of the probe card; a first connector disposed on the probe card and coupled to the thermal management apparatus for connecting to a first power source internal to a tester; and a second connector, different than the first connector, disposed on the probe card and coupled to the thermal management apparatus for connecting to a second power source external to the tester. |
| US08400170B2 |
Moisture sensor
A novel and useful sensor and sensing system employs a transmission electrode which provides a length of transmission electrode that is greater than the physical length of the sensor, allowing for the effective and accurate determination of the moisture content of a volume of material using high-frequency measurement methods. The construction of the sensor allows the sensor to be directly inserted into the material, without requiring excavation or backfilling of the sensors in the material. The sensor can be employed as part of a sensing system, with one or more sensors preferably being managed by a field node, which in turn, interoperates with a system master node. |
| US08400167B2 |
Method and device for the calibration of network analyzers using a comb generator
A vectorial network analyzer including n test ports. With the connection of several different calibration standards to the test ports, several calibration measurements are implemented. For the calibration, different measurements are implemented. Initially, in n calibration measurements, a comb-generator signal is supplied via a direct connection successively to all n test ports. Using a measuring point at the output of the comb generator and the measuring point associated with the respective test port, phase measurements are implemented at all of the frequencies forming the comb-generator signal. A frequency-dependent phase offset is determined from the phase measurements. Moreover, in at least one measurement, all n test ports are terminated successively in each case using known, input impedances, identical within one measurement, of arbitrary transmission properties, wherein successively, all n test ports are excited using a transmission oscillator successively with all frequencies of the comb-generator signal. |
| US08400166B2 |
Non-destructive determination of electromagnetic properties
Systems and methods to determine electromagnetic properties are provided. A particular method includes directing electromagnetic energy toward an article under test. The method also includes taking measurements of electromagnetic energy scattered by the article under test. The method further includes determining expected baseline values of at least one electromagnetic property of the article under test. The expected baseline values are based on electromagnetic energy scattered by a control article. The method also includes determining output data based on a difference between the expected baseline values and characteristic values of the article under test determined based on the measurements of electromagnetic energy scattered by the article under test. The output data includes values indicative of inhomogeneous distribution of an electromagnetic property of the article under test. |
| US08400165B2 |
Power calibration system
A calibration system for calibrating power sensors includes a signal generator, a first signal splitter, a second signal splitter, a third signal splitter, a first measuring point, a second measuring point, a test port and a first power sensor. In this context, the signal generator is connected to the input of the first signal splitter. A first output of the first signal splitter is connected to the second signal splitter. A first output of the second signal splitter is connected to the test port. A second output of the second signal splitter is connected to the first measuring point. A second output of the first signal splitter is connected to the third signal splitter. A first output of the third signal splitter is connected to the first power sensor. A second output of the third signal splitter is connected to the second measuring point. |
| US08400158B2 |
Imaging in oil-based mud by synchronizing phases of currents injected into a formation
Disclosed is an apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole. The apparatus includes a carrier configured to be conveyed through the borehole. A first transmitter electrode and a second transmitter electrode are disposed at the carrier and configured to inject an electrical current into the earth formation. A first measurement electrode and a second measurement electrode are disposed at the carrier and configured to measure the electrical current to estimate the property of the earth formation. A first bucker amplifier is coupled to the first measurement electrode and a second bucker amplifier is coupled to the second measurement electrode, wherein the first and second bucker amplifiers are configured to equalize electrical potentials of areas in front of the first and second measurement electrodes. |
| US08400157B2 |
Bucking coil and B-field measurement system and apparatus for time domain electromagnetic measurements
The present invention relates to a HTEM system that includes a semi-rigid bucking coil and an algorithm to determine the magnetic field B from the measured signal dB/dt. The bucking coil may be positioned in a concentric coplanar manner relative to a transmitter coil and receiver coil, in order to minimize spurious signals at the receiver coil during data acquisition time. Signals gathered by the system may be further processed by a signal processing means. Moreover, measurements performed upon data generated by the system may be performed upon the entire period of a current waveform applied to the transmitter and bucking coils. |
| US08400154B1 |
Locator antenna with conductive bobbin
An antenna useful in an antenna array of a man-portable buried utility locator includes a flexible bobbin made of copper foil. The bobbin has a plurality of axially spaced grooves and an axially extending gap formed therein. A layer of insulation surrounds an outer surface of the bobbin. A conductive wire is disposed in the grooves and wound around the bobbin over the layer of insulation to form a plurality of axially spaced sub-coils. A layer of copper-foil tape having an insulating backing is wound about the conductive wire and has a second gap aligned with the gap in the bobbin. A layer of a low dielectric material is wound about the copper-foil tape. The antenna provides more antenna wire surface for an equivalent coil cross-sectional area, compared to prior art antennas, thus yielding greater sensitivity. The construction of the antenna provides a series of Faraday-shielded sub-coils, which yield a greater useful antenna bandwidth by moving the inherent resonance of each coil to a higher frequency. The construction of the antenna also reduces inherent winding capacitance and provides a self-shielding effect that further improves sensitivity. |
| US08400140B2 |
Sensitivity sensor system
A sensor system for receiving an input signal and applying a digital control signal to adjust an output sensitivity of a triggering signal within the sensor system. The input signal includes a bias DC and a fluctuation bias voltage. The sensor system includes a first voltage contact, a normalized voltage contact, a normalized circuit and a comparison circuit. The first voltage contact provides a first comparison voltage based on the digital control signal, wherein the first comparison voltage defines a standby voltage region. The normalized voltage contact provides a reference voltage based on the digital control signal, wherein the reference voltage is located within the standby voltage region. When the fluctuation bias voltage is located outside of the standby voltage region, the sensor system outputs a triggering signal so as to adjust the digital control signal. |
| US08400139B2 |
Sensor package having a sensor chip
Some embodiments herein relate to a sensor package. The sensor package includes a printed circuit board with a laminar current conductor arranged on a first main surface of the printed circuit board. The sensor package also includes a sensor chip adapted to measure a current flowing through the laminar current conductor, wherein the sensor chip comprises a magnetic field sensor. The sensor chip is electrically insulated from the current conductor by the printed circuit board, and is arranged on a second main surface of the printed circuit board opposite to the first main surface. The sensor chip is hermetically sealed between the mold material and the printed circuit board, or is arranged in the printed circuit board and hermetically sealed by the printed circuit board. |
| US08400135B2 |
Self-oscillating switch circuit and a driver circuit comprising such a switch circuit
A self-oscillating switch circuit is configured for use in a switching DC-DC converter (switched mode power supply (SMPS)). The self-oscillating switch circuit comprises an input terminal (Tin1, Tin2) for receiving power from a power supply (51) and an output terminal (Tont1, Tont2) for supplying power to a load. The load may be a high-power LED, for example. The self-oscillating switch circuit further comprises a power switch semi-> conductor device (Q1) having a control terminal and a control semi-conductor device (Q2) coupled to the power switch semi-conductor device. The power switch semi-conductor device is configured for controlling a load current between the input terminal and the output terminal and the control semi-conductor device is configured for supplying a control signal to the control terminal of the power switch semi-conductor device for controlling switching of the power switch semi-conductor device. In order to reduce a power loss in the power switch semi-conductor device, a gain semi-conductor device (Q4) is coupled between the power switch semi-conductor device and the control semi-conductor device for amplifying the control signal. Due to the amplification of the control signal, switching of the power switch semi-conductor device is performed faster, thereby reducing power dissipation due to a load current flowing through the power switch semi-conductor device, while the base-emitter voltage of the power switch transistor is below a base emitter voltage corresponding to the peak current at that time. |
| US08400130B2 |
Non-linear PWM controller for DC-to-DC converters
A controller for switching power supplies includes a nonlinear controller component capable of providing a duty cycle to a pulse width modulator. The duty cycle corresponds to at least one predetermining switching power supply state variable. A nonlinear controller component receives as inputs at least one predetermined switching power supply state variable. A relationship between duty cycle and at least one predetermined switching power supply state variable is obtained by a predetermined method. The nonlinear controller component comprises memory for access by an application component. The memory includes a data structure stored in memory and a plurality of duty cycles. Each of the plurality of duty cycles has a corresponding at least one predetermined switching power supply state variable. Each duty cycle, when provided to the pulse width modulator of the switching power supply, provides a predetermined switching power supply output. |
| US08400129B2 |
Adaptive constant on-time switching regulator
The present invention provides an adaptive constant on-time switching regulator which comprises a switching circuit, a control circuit, and an output circuit. The control circuit controls the switches in the switching circuit to be turned on for an adaptive constant time, and be turned off for a minimum time. |
| US08400128B1 |
Start mode in switching regulation
A voltage regulator is operated by, during a finite period of a voltage regular start mode having a plurality of current pulses, monotonically increasing the maximum current of the current pulses and a target voltage. |
| US08400127B2 |
Average current regulator and driver circuit thereof and method for regulating average current
The present invention discloses an average current regulator, a driver circuit of an average current regulator, and a method for regulating an average current. The average current regulator includes: a power stage including at least one power transistor which switches according to a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to convert an input voltage to an output current; a feedback circuit coupled to the power stage, for generating a feedback signal; an ON-time controller coupled to the feedback circuit, for receiving the feedback signal and generating an ON-time signal according to the feedback signal and an average reference signal relating to a target average current; and a PWM controller, for generating the PWM signal according to the ON-time signal to regulate the average of the output current to the target average current. |
| US08400126B2 |
Floating-gate programmable low-dropout regulator and method therefor
In an embodiment, a low-dropout (LDO) regulator includes at least one of a programmable voltage reference and a programmable frequency compensation circuit and is configurable to produce an output voltage. The programmable voltage reference includes a floating-gate transistor coupled to a reference output and configurable for providing a reference voltage to an input of an error amplifier. The programmable frequency compensation circuit is responsive to a programmable current reference circuit that includes at least one floating-gate transistor that is configurable to adjust a frequency compensation parameter. A control circuit is provided to selectively program floating gates of the floating gate transistors to adjust the output voltage and/or to adjust a frequency component of the output voltage. |
| US08400124B2 |
Startup circuit for self-supplied voltage regulator
A startup circuit for starting up a self-supplied voltage regulator which initiates startup by applying a voltage from a voltage supply to the startup circuit thus causing a voltage at an output node to rise. This rise will start the operation of the differential amplifier of the voltage regulator. When the voltage at the output node has reached the desired final output voltage, the startup circuit disconnects from the voltage regulator. The criterion for switching off the startup circuit is determined by a comparator which compares the output current capability of the voltage regulator with its output current plus the startup current. Inputs to the differential amplifier, such as the reference voltage, derive their power from the output node. |
| US08400122B2 |
Selectively activated three-state charge pump
This document discusses, among other things, a device for providing a DC output voltage, including a first output voltage and a second output voltage, from an input voltage. The device can include a first voltage regulator configured to provide the first output voltage when the input voltage is below a threshold voltage, and a charge pump configured to provide the second output voltage from the first output voltage in a two-state mode when the input voltage is below the threshold voltage, and to provide the first output voltage and the second output voltage in a three-state mode when the input voltage is above the threshold voltage. |
| US08400121B2 |
Semiconductor device and power supply device
The present invention realized miniaturization of a power supply device using a multiphase system. The power supply device includes, for example, a common control unit, a plurality of PWM-equipped drive units, and a plurality of inductors. The common control unit outputs clock signals respectively different in phase to the PWM-equipped drive units. The clock signals are controllable in voltage state individually respectively. For example, the clock signal can be brought to a high impedance state. In this case, the PWM-equipped drive unit detects this high impedance state and stops its own operation. It is thus possible to set the number of phases in multiphase arbitrarily without using another enable signal or the like. |
| US08400120B2 |
Switching power supply unit
A control function formula which provides a relationship between an output voltage signal Vo and an output differential value with, for example, a negative linear function is defined in a calculation means. The calculation means samples an input voltage signal, an output voltage signal and an output differential signal at time instants in synchronization with a cycle of switching of a main switching element, and calculates subsequent ON and OFF durations of the main switching elements such that the control function formula might be satisfied. A drive pulse generation means generates a drive pulse with which the main switching element is turned on and off based on the ON and OFF durations determined by the calculation means. The output differential signal is generated by, for example, a capacitor current detection means or an observer device which detect a current of a smoothing capacitor. |
| US08400119B2 |
Static var compensator apparatus
A one-phase static var compensator apparatus includes a compensator string consisting of a first static var compensator connected serially to a thyristor valve. The compensator string is arranged to be connected on its first end to one phase of a transmission grid of a rated voltage exceeding 69 kV. Moreover, the thyristor valve includes a plurality of thyristors connected serially and the compensator string is arranged to be directly connected to the transmission grid. A corresponding three phase apparatus is also presented. |
| US08400115B2 |
Charge device, electronic device and charge method thereof
A charge device is provided. The charge device includes a charge interface, a voltage detector and a control circuit. The charge interface receives a first power and provides a charge power to charge a rechargeable device accordingly. The voltage detector detects a charge voltage of the rechargeable device. The control circuit is respectively coupled to the charge interface and the voltage detector. When the charge voltage is smaller than a predetermined voltage, the control circuit makes the charge voltage and a charge current of the charge power to present a proportional relation. An electronic device and a charge method are also provided. |
| US08400111B2 |
Method for driving micro-hybrid system for vehicle and energy storage unit, and hybrid system for implementing the same
A micro-hybrid system (1) including an electric energy storage unit (12) and an electronic control unit (14). The storage unit includes a plurality of elementary cells mounted in series. A method includes the steps of: reading the elementary electric voltages of the elementary cells; deriving information on the state of the storage unit from the read voltages; and taking into account in the control unit the state information for defining an optimal driving of the micro-hybrid system. An electric energy storage unit and a micro-hybrid system with braking recovery is also disclosed. |
| US08400110B2 |
Energy efficient power adapter
According to one embodiment, an AC power adapter for providing voltage to an electrically-operated device includes a power converter module electrically coupled to a power source via at least one hot lead and at least one neutral lead. The power converter module is configured to convert voltage received from the power source to voltage suitable for use by the electrically-operated device. The AC power adapter also includes a relay circuit coupled to the hot lead to control the voltage passing from the power source to the power converter module. |
| US08400105B2 |
Non-contact charging system
In a power transmission terminal, a charging control unit outputs an alternating current signal having a charging control voltage based on a charging control signal. A power transmission unit excites a near-electromagnetic field. A primary-side signal processing unit acquires a reception signal on the basis of a voltage at the power transmission unit at the time of load modulation communication and sets the charging control signal on the basis of reference information included in the reception signal. In a power receiving terminal, a power receiving unit is couplable to the near-electromagnetic field excited by power transmission unit. A charging voltage generating unit generates a charging voltage for a rechargeable battery. A load modulation unit changes the load impedance of the power receiving unit as viewed from the power transmission unit by performing load modulation at the time of load modulation communication. A secondary-side signal processing circuit controls the load modulation unit at the time of load modulation communication using the acquired reference information. |
| US08400103B2 |
Clock signal generator
A clock signal generator comprising an input pin for receiving an oscillating signal and an output pin for providing a clock signal. The clock signal generator also comprises a frequency divider connected between the input pin and the output pin. The frequency divider having a plurality of frequency division factors associated therewith, wherein, in use, the frequency divider is configured to apply one of the plurality of frequency division factors as an in-use frequency division factor to the oscillating signal in order to generate the clock signal. The clock signal generator further comprising a controller configured to periodically replace the in-use frequency division factor with another of the plurality of frequency division factors. |
| US08400101B2 |
Power supply control circuit
In order to more rapidly warm up a battery device in a power supply equipped with a fuel cell and a battery device, a fuel-cell-mounted vehicle driving system for driving and controlling a rotating electric machine installed on a vehicle comprises an inverter connected to the rotating electric machine; a power supply circuit having a battery device, a voltage converter, and a fuel cell; and a power supply control device for controlling the power supply circuit. The power supply control device includes an FC output voltage setting module for setting the output voltage of the fuel cell, an OCV avoidance module for, when an FC output voltage is set, avoiding a voltage around an OCV, a battery warm-up control determination module for determining whether the battery device is under warm-up control or not, and an OCV avoidance release module for, when the battery device is under the warm-up control, releasing the OCV avoidance. |
| US08400099B2 |
Meter system with indicator for vehicle
A meter system includes: an indicator including a pointer, a step motor, a stopper mechanism and a driving controller; and a flasher function unit including a flasher switch, a flasher and a flasher controller. The driving controller has: a stopper position detection operation executing element for executing a pointer moving away operation when a stopper position detection operation executing condition is satisfied and for executing a voltage detection type zero point stopper position detection operation when the executing condition is satisfied, and the flasher switch does not turn on and off, and a zero point return enforcement type zero point stopper position detection operation when the executing condition is satisfied, and the flasher switch turns on and off; a zero point setting element; and an applying element for applying the driving signal having the zero point. |
| US08400098B2 |
Device and method of determining and defining a travel profile of a time-critical axle
A method for controlling the movement of axles whose drives are connected for exchanging energy, in particular by connecting intermediate circuits of the converters respectively comprised by the drives, prior to the start of the movement, a predictive determination of the sequence of movements being performed, in the process of which first the time-critical axle is determined, then the travel profile of the time-critical axle is defined, then a respective total energy consumption is assigned to the possible travel profiles of additional axles, from these, the profile is selected that has the smallest total energy requirement associated with it, and then the movement is carried out. |
| US08400097B2 |
Pulse period measurement method
The effect of chattering on the measurement of the pulse period is reduced. The pulse period representing the rise interval of target pulses appearing in a pulse signal PI is measured. The pulse signal PI is sampled in synchronization with a measurement clock CLK. Measurement of a designated inhibition period is started in synchronization with the fall of the signal PI. Measurement of the current pulse period is completed and measurement of a new pulse period is started if the inhibition period has elapsed at the rise of the signal PI. Counting of the current pulse period is continued if the inhibition period has not elapsed. |
| US08400093B2 |
Device, computer program product and computer-implemented method for backspin detection in an electrical submersible pump assembly
A system for detecting a backspin condition of a motor in an electrical submersible pump is disclosed herein. The system comprises a sensor mounted proximate to the motor, the sensor outputting a signal, a power cable connected between a motor and a controller, the power cable supplying a three phase AC voltage to the motor, one phase of the three phase signal having a control signal thereon; electronics connected to the sensor, the electronics receiving the signal and propagating the signal to the controller; and a computer defining the controller, the controller having a non-transitory memory, a computer processor, and a computer program product stored on the memory and executable by the processor, the computer program product performing a process of controlling the variable speed drive of the motor and a process of monitoring the signal from the sensor to determine if the motor is backspinning. |
| US08400090B2 |
HVAC condenser assemblies having controllable input voltages
Assemblies for HVAC systems and methods of operating HVAC systems are disclosed, including a method of operating an HVAC system having a condenser motor operatively coupled to a fan and a controllable bus voltage for powering the condenser motor. The method includes increasing the controllable bus voltage from a first voltage to a second voltage to increase a speed of the condenser motor. |
| US08400088B2 |
Sensorless control of salient-pole machines
A controller (100) for controlling a salient-pole machine (200) is disclosed. The controller (100) is adapted to determine at least one operational parameter of the salient-pole machine (200), such as for example a rotor position, a rotor angle or a steady-state voltage. The controller (100) comprises a calculating unit for calculating test pulse properties for test pulses for supply to phase inputs of the salient-pole machine. The test pulse properties thereby comprise a pulse width and the calculating unit (110) is adapted for determining the pulse width in an adaptive manner. |