| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08411657B2 |
Radio access network node with IP interface
Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed to directly connect a node of a Radio Access Network (RAN) with an Internet Protocol (IP) network. The node is provided with an interface to a broadband local loop network. Access to the local loop network or last mile enables the node to communicate directly with an IP network, including an IP Multimedia System (IMS) core. The node need not access a packet-switched core network via a controller. Embodiments include a Node B with an IP interface in a UMTS system and a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) with an IP interface in a GSM system. |
| US08411655B2 |
System and method for implementing personalized interaction
A system and method for implementing an interactive session between a display equipment and a handheld electronic device is provided. The system has a display screen operable to display a data/information, a telecommunication network coupled with a local area network and a world wide web, a smart-IB box capable of sending and receiving a data/information, a system server capable of interpreting the received messages from the Smart-IB and a user's mobile phone. The method involves detecting a request by a mobile phone, initiating a user preferred schedule for pushing a data/information in response to the request, determining the installation of an interactive interface to access the various options available through the menus, receiving and processing the request, sorting the request for a scheduled data/information, relaying and displaying the scheduled data/information in accordance with a preferred schedule. |
| US08411654B2 |
Autonomous wireless communication system and method of use
An autonomous wireless system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of devices. Each of the plurality of devices includes a wireless interface. At least two devices directly communicate with each other through a direct link between the wireless interfaces of the at least two devices. Methods and apparatus for two or more devices equipped with wireless local area network (WLAN) interface to communicate and exchange selected information are disclosed. Accordingly, a system and method in accordance with the present invention enables a handheld, laptop, smart phone or the like, which is equipped with a WLAN interface, to communicate and exchange business contact, sales brochures, event announcements, presentation materials, alert messages, etc., to other devices that include a WLAN interface. |
| US08411653B2 |
Receiving apparatus and receiving method
There is provided a receiving apparatus including a radio receiving section that receives a first radio signal transmitted according to a first communication system and a second radio signal transmitted according to a second communication system, a first detection section that detects the first radio signal among radio signals received by the radio receiving section, a second detection section that detects the second radio signal among radio signals received by the radio receiving section using a predetermined correlation threshold, and a threshold control section that temporarily changes the correlation threshold of the second detection section when the first radio signal is detected by the first detection section. |
| US08411652B2 |
Method of operating a mobile radio network
A method of operating a mobile radio network for adjusting the counter states of the packet data units to be transmitted in the convergence protocol layer protocol units of network entities of the mobile radio network. User data is transmitted from a first network entity of the mobile radio network, in particular a mobile station, to a second network entity of the mobile radio network, in particular a higher-level network unit, the user data is combined prior to transmission into at least one packet data unit in a first convergence protocol layer protocol unit of the first network entity; and the at least one packet data unit is transmitted from a first radio link control layer protocol unit of the first network entity to a second radio link control layer protocol unit of the second network entity. If the transmission of the at least one packet data unit fails, the first radio link control layer protocol unit transmits an error message to the first convergence protocol layer protocol unit after receiving a confirmation message confirming the failure from the second radio link control layer protocol unit. |
| US08411644B2 |
Apparatus for transmitting/receiving beacon signal and method thereof
Methods and apparatuses of transmitting a beacon using fragmentation are disclosed. One of the methods includes configuring a beacon in a manner that a schedule block selected for a specific wireless device (deice) only is included in an information element by a coordinator and transmitting the configured beacon to the specific wireless station directionally. Accordingly, an overhead of a beacon can be reduced in a manner of transmitting information specified to a station using a directional beacon or transmitting the beacon by dividing information contained in the beacon into several fragments. |
| US08411643B1 |
Controlling mobile-device roaming
Media and systems for controlling roaming of a mobile device on a wireless-communications network are described. Wireless-communications systems along a coverage area border are designated as roaming border systems. A parameter value is communicated from wireless-communications systems of a home network to a mobile device. The parameter takes on a value indicating whether a mobile device is permitted to initiate a connection to a roaming network. A mobile device is restricted to use of home-network systems when a first parameter value is received. The mobile device is permitted to use home-network and roaming-network systems when a second parameter value is received. Thus, the mobile device can only roam when the second parameter value has been communicated thereto. |
| US08411642B2 |
Random access method, evolved node B, and terminal equipment
A random access method, an evolved Node B (eNB), and a terminal equipment are provided. The method includes: determining target component carriers to which a User Equipment (UE) is to be handed over, and notifying the UE of information about the target component carriers through a source eNB; and after receiving a dedicated random access preamble sent by the UE, sending a random access response message on at least one component carrier in the target component carriers. The terminal equipment includes: a handover command receiving unit, a sending unit, and a random response receiving unit. Therefore, in a random access procedure of cell handover, the eNB is capable of determining downlink component carriers that a UE monitors, thereby increasing utilization rate of downlink resources. |
| US08411640B2 |
Communication apparatus
A communication apparatus transmits a request message to connectable relay apparatuses, and receives a response message from the relay apparatuses. The communication apparatus determines whether the received request message includes the device identification data of a relay apparatus to which it is currently connected. If no received response message includes the device identification data of a relay apparatus to which it is currently connected, the communication apparatus requests another relay apparatus identified based on device identification data that is included in any of the received response messages to make a connection with the communication apparatus. |
| US08411639B2 |
Methods and apparatus for quickly exploiting a new link during hand-off in a wireless network
A method to deliver traffic to a mobile node that is undergoing a hand-off between two Access Routers (AR) is described. The method of the present invention operates to perform the following. Decrease, or minimize, delays between the time the old link breaks and the first packet is sent from the new link. Reduce or eliminate packet bursts from old to new Access Router (AR) when an old (existing) link breaks. Ensure that packets are neither lost nor duplicated during hand-off. Maintain Quality of Service (QoS) control of delivery order to the Mobile Node (MN). Make good or best use of multiple links during Make before break hand-off. Support both uplink and downlink traffic. |
| US08411638B2 |
Methods and systems for background scanning in OFDMA mobile stations
Certain embodiments provide techniques for background scanning in a wireless communication device receiving signals from multiple base stations using a background scanning processor separate from a receive processor. The techniques generally include buffering raw signal data from multiple base stations, forwarding the raw signal data to a receive baseband processor for decoding data from a first one of the base stations that is currently designated as a serving base station with an active connection to the wireless communications device, forwarding the raw signal data to a background scanning processor, separate from the receive baseband processor, and generating channel characteristics corresponding to the multiple base stations with the background scanning processor without interrupting the exchange of data with the first base station designated as the serving base station. |
| US08411634B2 |
User apparatus, base station apparatus, and method in mobile communication system
A user apparatus transmits an uplink control signal to a base station apparatus using a single carrier scheme. The user apparatus includes: a unit configured to receive a downlink control signal and a downlink data signal; a unit configured to prepare acknowledgement information indicating positive acknowledgement or negative acknowledgement for the downlink data signal; a unit configured to prepare the uplink control signal including the acknowledgement information; a unit configured to transmit the uplink control signal using different resources which are different from resources that can be used for an uplink data signal; and a storage unit configured to store predetermined correspondence relationship which uniquely associates resources of the downlink control signal or the downlink data signal with resources used for the uplink control signal. |
| US08411627B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing control channels for broadcast and paging services
An approach is provided to support resource allocation of broadcast or paging control channels. It is determined whether resource is allocated for a logical control channel. One or more fields of a physical downlink control channel is defined to signal the resource allocation for the logical control channel. The physical downlink control channel has a first format to support transmission of data over a downlink channel, and a second format that includes the one or more fields to support allocation of the logical control channel. |
| US08411626B2 |
Method and apparatus for handling UL-SCH transmission
A method for handling Uplink Shared Channel (UL-SCH) transmission in a User Equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes steps of performing an UL-SCH transmission, and prioritizing a Message 3 (Msg3) transmission when the Msg3 transmission and a retransmission of a transport block (TB) already stored in an UL HARQ buffer of the UE are scheduled at the same time. |
| US08411625B2 |
Variable coding length for resource allocation
According to one general aspect, a method comprising establishing a connection with at least one mobile station (MS). The method further comprising, in one embodiment, allocating communication resources, in resource blocks, to the MS. In various embodiments, the method also comprising selecting a size of a burst length field based in part upon a bandwidth and a number of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols used to communicate with the MS. In another example embodiment, the method also comprising selecting a size of a burst length field based in part upon a bandwidth and scheduling time duration (which can be based upon sub-frame, multiple sub-frame or frame duration) used to communicate with the MS. In one embodiment, the method may also include transmitting, to the MS, a message that includes the burst length field. In some embodiments, the burst length field may indicate to the MS the number of resource blocks allocated to the MS for purposes of communication. |
| US08411624B2 |
Method of dynamic resource allocations in wireless systems
A method of dynamic resource allocations in wireless network is disclosed. The method provides that a base station in the network allocates resources to users independently of other base stations and without resource planning. Resource allocations are done based at least in part on a local optimization objective and a channel quality indicator from one or more users, and result in efficient resource reuse. |
| US08411623B2 |
Wireless communication method and communication apparatus
A wireless communication method for performing wireless communication between a first and second communication apparatus. The method includes: allocating a first subchannel in a first frequency region of a wireless frame to the second communication apparatus when the second communication apparatus performs a first communication, and allocating a second subchannel in a second frequency region of the wireless frame to the second communication apparatus when the second communication apparatus performs a second communication, by the first communication apparatus; and changing physical subchannels within the first frequency region and performing transmission when the first subchannel is allocated to the second communication apparatus, and changing physical subchannels within the second frequency region and performing transmission when the second subchannel is allocated to the second communication apparatus, by the second communication apparatus. |
| US08411622B2 |
Multi-channel inter base-station communication
The invention relates to systems and methods for spectrum sharing and communication among several wireless communication networks with overlapping service areas (or cells); especially to Wireless Regional Area Networks (WRANs). Particular embodiments of the invention disclose using a conference channel to communicate between base stations. Other embodiments use slotted coexistence windows within frames to transmit and receive information, including for reserving transmission times within subsequent frames. |
| US08411616B2 |
Pre-scan for wireless channel selection
A system and method for pre-scanning for a wireless channel selection is provided. The methodology is executed by a first fixed location wireless device to improve initial channel selection in a wireless network where a plurality of fixed location wireless devices is contemporaneously initialized. On a predetermined channel, there is a transmission of at least one message including an identifier of the first device. On the predetermined channel, there is a transmission of at least one message indicative of readiness to transition to a subsequent processing step. The methodology also commences scanning for channel selection purposes. |
| US08411603B2 |
Method and system for dual digital microphone processing in an audio CODEC
Methods and systems for dual digital microphone processing in an audio CODEC are disclosed and may include demultiplexing one or more received time-multiplexed digital audio signals from one or more digital microphones, and separately processing each of the demultiplexed digital audio signals. The digital microphones may include microelectromechanical (MEMS) microphones. The demultiplexed digital audio signals may be level-converted, downshifted, and/or filtered. The filtering may include a finite impulse response (FIR) filter. A sampling rate of the one or more demultiplexed digital audio signals may be converted by repeating the demultiplexed digital audio signals. Audio beamforming and/or diversity processing may be performed utilizing the digital microphones. |
| US08411601B2 |
Electromagnetic wave circuit disruptor and method
Disclosed herein is an electromagnetic wave circuit disruptor apparatus including: a biasable non-reciprocal device having terminals for receiving and transmitting the electromagnetic signals, a controllable biaser, a signal detector, and a controller connected to the signal detector and the controllable biaser to selectively reverse the bias of the controllable biaser. The energy level at the receiver terminal of the non-reciprocal device is monitored to detect a condition such as an inappropriate amount of power at a circuit, such as at a receiver circuit. When a failure mode is detected the bias of the controllable biaser is reversed, thus reversing the direction of the non-reciprocal device. Instead of flowing into the circuit, energy flows into a properly matched load on a provided terminal of the non-reciprocal device and is dissipated. |
| US08411600B2 |
Method and apparatus for acknowledging a reception of a data packet in a CDMA communication system
In a communication system (100), a method and an accompanying apparatus provide for acknowledging reception of a packet of data. A receiver (400) at a serving base station (101) receives a message on an acknowledgement channel (340) for indicating the reception of the packet of data at a mobile station (102), and may determine an erasure of the message. A non-serving base station (160) may also receive the message on the acknowledgement channel (340) from the mobile station (102), determines a value of the message, and communicates the value of the message to the serving base station (101). The serving base station (101) changes the erasure to the value of the message, and terminates a transmission of a remainder of data units of the packet of data to the mobile station (102) when the value of the message is a positive acknowledgment from the non-serving base station (160). |
| US08411598B2 |
Telephony user interface to specify spatial audio direction and gain levels
In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving through a telephony user interface from a user at the telephony user interface an indication of a first direction of a sound source along a first axis with respect to the user and a second direction of the sound source along a second axis with respect to the user. The first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis. The method further involves communicating the indication of the first direction and the second direction to enable audio communication of sound originating at the sound source to the user as if coming from the first direction and the second direction with respect to the user. |
| US08411597B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for setting up multimedia call
A method includes receiving a multimedia request message; setting up a multimedia call path to a CS UE according to the multimedia request message; negotiating a media coding mode with the CS UE and negotiating the media coding mode with a peer UE according to the multimedia call path; and setting up a multimedia call between the CS UE and the peer UE after determining the coding mode of the CS UE and the peer UE. In the embodiments of the present invention, the MSC negotiates the coding mode of the CS UE and the peer UE (such as an IMS UE), and sets up a multimedia call between the CS UE and the peer UE, thus overcoming the inability of setting up a multimedia call between the CS UE and the peer UE in the prior art. |
| US08411596B1 |
Systems and methods for collaborative communication
Systems and methods for dynamically configuring and optimizing a multimedia conference session. An exemplary method of the invention may include providing a plurality of services to be used in the multimedia conference session, wherein each of the plurality of services may be hosted by and independently executable through at least one service endpoint in a communications network. Further, a plurality of users may be enabled to participate in the multimedia conference session. In particular, each user may participate in the conference session through a respective user endpoint in the communications network, where the respective user endpoint may be hosted by and independently executable through at least one service endpoint. Each service endpoint is configurable as an authentication service and a presence service such that the at least one service endpoint is operable to authenticate and publish a presence of each user endpoint. |
| US08411595B2 |
System and method for providing reservationless conferencing
A video teleconferencing system and method for providing reservationless conferencing is disclosed. The method involves creating a conference profile identifying selected connection parameters; allocating a dial-in number; notifying participants of the dial-in number; detecting a call from a requesting participant; determining if sufficient resources for the participant are available; and connecting the requesting participant into the reservationless conference. Additionally, the video teleconferencing method allows the conference time to be automatically extended. This is done using timers and reallocating available resources when the original end of conference time arrives. The method also enables the conference to automatically terminate after all conference participants leave the conference. |
| US08411592B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication method therefor, and program
A communication apparatus searches for another network after a network is created, participates in another network in accordance with a role, in communication parameter setting processing, of a communication apparatus existing in another network, and executes the communication parameter setting processing. After the communication apparatus decides to receive the communication parameters from another communication apparatus, the communication apparatus determines an activation state of a providing function of a provider apparatus of the communication parameters, and requests the provider apparatus to provide the communication parameters in accordance with the determination. |
| US08411591B2 |
Method for efficiently retrieving topology-specific data for point-to-point networks
Network topology codes are computed and used as keys to retrieve topology-specific information for isomorphic networks. |
| US08411589B2 |
Communication system, information processing apparatus, and control method
The invention makes it possible to manage the wireless resources of each network even if network separation, disappearance, and recreation are repeated. The invention includes a management apparatus (104) which communicates with an AP (101) in the first network. The management apparatus (104) includes a reception unit which receives a message (M502) from some (111) of the communication apparatuses when some (111, 112) of a plurality of communication apparatuses form the second network, a management unit which manages information for forming the second network, and information on a network with which some (111, 112) of the communication apparatuses that have belonged to the second network should associate, and a transmission unit which transmits messages (M503, M505) containing the information for forming the second network to some (111, 112) of the communication apparatuses when the message (M502) is received. |
| US08411585B2 |
Network interference evaluating method, dynamic channel assignment method and apparatus used in wireless networks
There are disclosed a network interference evaluating method, a dynamic channel assignment method and apparatus used in wireless networks. The dynamic channel assignment method used in a wireless network, comprising steps of: calculating each pair of visual delayed time for each pair of basic service sets based on received signal strength indicators, traffic information and rate information, and evaluating an overall network interference under a current channel allocation based on the calculated visual delayed time; constructing an undirected graph so that each basic service set is located at a vertex, and each connection line between each pair of basic service sets has a weight obtained from the pair of visual delayed time for this pair of basic service sets; coloring the undirected graph to get a new channel allocation approach and an optimized minimal overall network interference under this new channel allocation approach; comparing a difference between the evaluated overall network interference under the current channel allocation and the optimized minimal overall network interference with a predetermined threshold; and changing channel allocation for the basic service sets according to the new channel allocation approach if the difference is larger than the predetermined threshold. |
| US08411582B2 |
Communication connecting method, communication connecting device and storage medium with program stored therein
A user is prompted to turn on power supply of a device to be connected with a screen. When it is detected that the power supply is turned on, the screen is displayed for confirming a user whether the device whose power supply is turned on should be connected or not. Thus, connection is carried out. With such a method, a communication connection method capable of selecting a device to be connected reliably is provided. |
| US08411579B2 |
Communication system hierarchical testing systems and methods—entity dependent automatic selection of tests
Hierarchical testing systems and methods for testing communication systems are disclosed. Testing functions which test entities such as equipment or services of a communication system are classified into testing function groups. The testing function groups have an order which is based on an order of operational dependencies in the communication system. Testing functions to be performed for a particular entity to be tested are selected from testing functions for testing the entity itself and testing functions for testing other entities that have an operational dependency with the entity to be tested. Related data structures and user interfaces are also disclosed. |
| US08411576B2 |
Route control system and route control method in a switching apparatus
A route monitor control system includes a plurality of OAM cell handlers (OCHs); a plurality of virtual path handlers (VPHs); a plurality of virtual channel handlers (VCHs); trunks; and a control unit. The control unit issues an OAM (operation and maintenance) cell send instruction to a specific one of the plurality of OAM cell handlers, and carries out a loop back control to at least one of the virtual path handler, the virtual channel handler, and the trunk, which are associated with the specific OAM cell handler, as an object unit in response to the OAM cell send instruction. Also, when the specific OAM cell handler sends out an OAM cell from the specific OAM cell handler to the object unit in response to the OAM cell send instruction, the control unit determines a fault position based on returning or non-returning of the OAM cell from the object unit to the specific OAM cell handler. |
| US08411574B2 |
Starvation free flow control in a shared memory switching device
A shared memory packet switching device includes: a shared memory providing a shared memory space; an input logic unit associated with at least one receive port, and being operative to determine whether the associated receive port is saturated by determining whether a number of packets received via the associated receive port and currently stored in the shared memory exceeds a drop threshold value; a packet routing control unit operative to determine a destination one of the transmit ports for each of the received data packets; and an output logic unit associated with at least one of the transmit ports, the output logic unit being communicatively coupled with the packet routing control unit, and being operative to determine whether the associated transmit port is congested by determining whether a number of packets currently stored in the shared memory that are to be transmitted via the associated transit port exceeds a congestion threshold value, and also being operative to generate an associated output full signal indicative of whether the associated transmit port is congested. The input logic unit is responsive at least in part to each of the output full signals, and further operative to cause a selected packet received via the associated receive port to be dropped if the associated receive port is currently saturated and the output full signals indicate that a destination transmit port associated with the selected packet is currently congested. |
| US08411573B2 |
Systems and methods for hybrid rate-limiting schemes based on protocol data unit characteristics
A networked computing system that utilizes a hybrid rate-limiting scheme to jointly affect both PDU payload throughput and total PDU throughput. The networked computing system includes one or more service provider devices (SPDs), one or more subscriber computing devices (SCDs), and a data communications network facilitating data communications between a SPD and a SCD. The SPD can apply the hybrid rate-limiting scheme to data communications provided to the SCD, based on both protocol data unit (PDU) header and payload characteristics. The hybrid rate-limiting scheme can simultaneously facilitate rate-limiting PDU payload throughput and rate-limiting total PDU throughput. |
| US08411570B2 |
Serial clustering
Serial clustering uses two or more network devices connected in series via a local and/or wide-area network to provide additional capacity when network traffic exceeds the processing capabilities of a single network device. When a first network device reaches its capacity limit, any excess network traffic beyond that limit is passed through the first network device unchanged. A network device connected in series with the first network device intercepts and will process the excess network traffic provided that it has sufficient processing capacity. Additional network devices can process remaining network traffic in a similar manner until all of the excess network traffic has been processed or until there are no more additional network devices. Network devices may use rules to determine how to handle network traffic. Rules may be based on the attributes of received network packets, attributes of the network device, or attributes of the network. |
| US08411566B2 |
Apparatus and a method for distributing bandwidth
A method and an apparatus for distributing bandwidth, on one or more first ports having a maximum bandwidth, the bandwidth usage being monitored and compared to a percentage of the maximum bandwidth. If the bandwidth usage at the first port(s) exceeds the percentage, a bandwidth of data received on the first port(s) and forwarded to a local user on one or more second port(s) being reduced so as to reduce the bandwidth of the data at the first port(s). |
| US08411562B2 |
Network system and method for providing an ad-hoc access environment
Network system and method for providing an ad-hoc access environment. A network system capable of providing an ad-hoc access environment comprises a controller unit connected to the network for receiving access requests from a device; and an authority unit for providing an authorization assertion to the controller unit; wherein the controller unit carries out an authorization process based on an access control policy including at least one rule based on which the controller unit contacts the authority unit and the authority unit provides an authorization assertion. |
| US08411561B2 |
Method and nodes for congestion notification
A method of performing congestion notification for a data transmission (10) from a sender (14) to a receiver (11) is described. Furthermore, nodes for such a transmission as well as methods of controlling such nodes are described. The data transmission involves a first node (12) and a second node (13) between said sender and receiver. The data packets pass from said second node to said first node towards said receiver. The method comprises: —sending (S82) a message (15) from said first node to said second node, said message relating to a decision on whether to notify said receiver of a congestion condition in said data transmission, —sending (S83) an explicit congestion notification (16) from said second node to said receiver if it is decided to notify said receiver of said congestion condition. |
| US08411559B2 |
Double ring network system and communication control method thereof, and transmission station, and program for transmission stations
A double ring network system configured with two or more transmission stations each including a pair of bi-directionally communicative communication ports, including any adjacent two transmission stations as terminal stations, and any transmission station as a base, as mutually connected in a ring form by communication ports through a transmission line, for intercommunications between transmission stations, in which the transmission stations are each adapted to determine whether or not frame signals are received from adjacent transmission stations, transmit route identifying frame signals for identification of routes to adjacent transmission stations, when having failed in reception, and set own station as a terminal station substituting for a current terminal station, when having received no responses to the route identifying frames from adjacent transmission stations, so they are kept from arriving at ring-like connected subsequent transmission stations. |
| US08411556B2 |
Method for optimized reference signal downlink transmission in a wireless communication system
A method and system optimizes the transmission of a downlink reference signal (DLRS) in a wireless communication system that uses orthogonal division multiple access (OFDMA) for the downlink. Each Node-B (base station) is capable of transmitting the DLRS reference symbols in different subframes of the OFDM radio frame and changing both the number and location of the subframes in response to changing network conditions. The network conditions include the number of terminals being served by the Node-B and multiple access interference (MAI) from adjacent Node-Bs. |
| US08411554B2 |
Methods and apparatus for multi-dimensional data permutation in wireless networks
Methods and apparatus that seek to increase the diversity seen in wireless communication systems by intelligently implementing a joint multi-dimensional permutation approach. In an exemplary embodiment, this is accomplished by combining the permutation of various transmitter antennas, various data streams (for example, in a MIMO configuration) and various constellation-bit mappings into a coherent multi-dimensional permutation scheme. Subsequent retransmissions in combination with an initial transmission are utilized to obtain substantial signal flattening at a receiver which increases the likelihood that retransmissions that follow detected errors will successfully convey the transmitted data to the receiver. Both open and closed-loop approaches are contemplated which take advantage of the multi-dimensional permutation schemes. In addition, embodiments utilized in the context of retransmission mechanisms such as HARQ are also contemplated. |
| US08411551B2 |
Guide-layer separated optical recording medium, optical recording medium drive apparatus, and recording layer access method
A guide-layer separated optical recording medium includes a guide layer with a guide track formed therein and a plurality of recording layers, these layers being separately deposited from each other. A layer position information region for indicating position information of each of the recording layers, is formed on the guide track within a different range of the guide layer for each of the recording layers. Each of the recording layers includes a preformat region having a predetermined signal written on a record track along the guide track, and the preformat region on each of the recording layers is provided in a region corresponding to the layer position information region. An optical recording medium drive apparatus and a recording layer access method for the guide-layer separated optical recording medium are also provided. The apparatus and method implement: determining whether a reproduced signal has been obtained, based on the detection level of a reflected beam from the preformat region by a read/write optical system; acquiring position information of one of the plurality of recording layers based on the detection level of a reflected beam from a layer position information region by a servo optical system; and causing a second laser beam to access a desired one of the plurality of recording layers in accordance with the determination result of the reproduced signal and the position information. |
| US08411543B2 |
Recording apparatus and control method
A recording apparatus including: a light-illuminating/receiving-unit illuminating an optical-disc-recording-medium through a common object-lens with recording-light and ATS-light and receiving reflected-ATS-light; a rotation-driving-unit driving rotation of the medium; a tracking-mechanism driving the lens in a tracking-direction parallel to the radial direction; a tracking-error-signal-generation-unit generating a tracking-error-signal; and a tracking-servo-controller performing tracking-servo-control on the lens based on the tracking-error-signal, wherein the tracking-servo-controller includes: a servo-calculation-unit based on the tracking-error-signal in a feedback-loop as a tracking-servo-loop; and a feed-forward-controller calculating an estimated control-target-value of the tracking-servo-control based on an estimated illumination-spot-position value of the ATS-light obtained in a first-filter-process emulating a transfer-characteristic of the tracking-mechanism on an output of the servo-calculation-unit and a distance between the illumination-spot-positions and applies a control-signal generated in a second-filter-process on the estimated value for suppressing a transfer-characteristic-gain of the tracking-servo-loop to 0 dB or less in the entire band to the tracking-servo-loop. |
| US08411542B2 |
Method for controlling layer changes for an optical disk drive
A method for controlling layer changes for an optical disk drive is provided, where a focus of a laserbeam emitted by a pickup head of the optical disk drive is moved from a current data layer of a disk to a target data layer of the disk. First, a position of a collimator lens of the pickup head is adjusted for spherical aberration correction. The objective lens is then lowered to a low position to move the focus of the laserbeam off the surface of the disk. The objective lens is then raised towards the disk. A focusing error signal is generated while the objective lens is being raised. Whether a target S-curve corresponding to the target data layer is present in the focusing error signal is then started to be detected. If the target S-curve is detected, the focus on operation on the target data layer of the disk is successful. |
| US08411534B2 |
Data storage device, data storage apparatus, and methods for storing and reading datas
A data storage device comprises: a light waveguide element; a protective element; and a plurality of data storage elements interposed between the light waveguide element and the protective element. The light waveguide element irradiates light at a critical angle or more on the data storage elements. Each of the data storage elements comprises a transparent ferromagnetic element, which has been magnetized, disposed therein, and the magnetized transparent ferromagnetic element is movable by a magnetic field. When the magnetized transparent ferromagnetic element is moved close to the light waveguide element to allow light from the light guiding element to pass the data storage element, a first data is recorded, and when the magnetized transparent ferromagnetic element is moved away from the light waveguide element to prohibit light from the light guiding element to pass the data storage element, a second data is recorded. |
| US08411532B2 |
Distance sensor for vehicle with electrical connector
A distance sensor equipped with a mount for mounting the sensor in a mount hole of a bumper of a vehicle. The mount includes a casing with a sensor holder, a bezel, and a resin-made retainer. The bezel is made up of a cylindrical member joined to the sensor holder and a flange having an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the mount hole. The retainer includes an annular base joined to the bezel, a plurality of arms, and a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions extend from ends of the arms radially outward of the base and serve to establish a snap-fit on a peripheral edge of the mount hole, thereby nipping a wall of the bumper between the protrusions and the flange tightly to secure the distance sensor to the bumper. |
| US08411530B2 |
Multi-frequency, multi-beam acoustic doppler system
An acoustic Doppler system including an acoustic subsystem controller operatively connected to a plurality of acoustic transceivers, with a first of the plurality of acoustic transceivers, operating at a first acoustic frequency, operatively connected to a first group of at least one transducer, and a second of the plurality of acoustic transceivers, operating at a second acoustic frequency, operatively connected to a second group of at least one transducer, where the acoustic subsystem controller includes a digital circuit configured to sample analog signals received from the first and second groups of transducer in pairs having a pair-wise sampling frequency that is four times the operating frequency of associated acoustic transceiver. Also presented is a method of sampling acoustic Doppler signals received from such devices, with samples comprising a pair of values taken with a pair-wise sampling frequency that is four times the operating frequency of associated acoustic transceivers, and the resulting pairs of values being further processed as representative values of the cosine and sine components of a Doppler-shift signal. |
| US08411528B2 |
Semiconductor device capable of adjusting memory page size based on a row address and a bank address
A semiconductor device includes a memory cell array comprising a plurality of banks and a page size controller. The page size controller decodes a part of a bank selection address or a power supply voltage and a remaining part of the bank selection address to enable one of the plurality of banks or enable two of the plurality of banks to set a page size of the semiconductor device. |
| US08411527B1 |
Multiple sleep mode memory device
In a memory device, an array of memory cells is coupled between a virtual ground node and a supply node. First and second transistors are coupled in source-drain parallel between the virtual ground node and a ground bus. The first transistor is substantially larger than the second transistor. A control circuit provides a first gate signal to a gate of the first transistor and a second gate signal to a gate of the second transistor. The control circuit includes: a configuration memory cell providing a first control signal; an interconnect providing a second control signal; and control logic receiving the first and second control signals and providing the first gate signal. The array of memory cells has three modes responsive to the first and second gate signals, where the three modes include an active mode, a first sleep mode, and a second sleep mode. |
| US08411526B2 |
Storage device, electronic device, and storage device control method
A storage device includes a volatile memory, an auxiliary power source, a nonvolatile memory, a write module, and an inhibition module. The volatile memory stores user data. The auxiliary power source supplies power to the volatile memory when power from a main power source is cut off. The nonvolatile memory is written with the user data, write incomplete information indicating the user data, and power off information indicating that power from the main power source is cut off. While supplied with power from the auxiliary power source when power from the main power source is cut off, the write module writes the write incomplete information, the user data, and the power off information to the nonvolatile memory. The inhibition module inhibits reading of the user data if the power off information is not written in the nonvolatile memory when the volatile memory is supplied with power. |
| US08411523B2 |
Reduced current requirements for DRAM self-refresh modes via staggered refresh operations of subsets of memory banks or rows
Embodiments of the invention describe systems, methods, and apparatuses to reduce the instantaneous power necessary to execute a DRAM device initiated self-refresh. Embodiments of the invention describe a DRAM device enabled to stagger self-refreshes between a plurality of banks. Staggering self-refreshes between banks reduces the current required for a DRAM self-refresh, thus reducing the amount of current required by the DRAM device. |
| US08411520B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of reducing consumption of standby current therein
A semiconductor memory device comprises a memory array including a plurality of bit lines and a plurality of dummy bit lines, a bias application unit configured to supply bias voltages having a plurality of voltage levels to the plurality of dummy bit lines, a standby current measuring unit configured to measure a value of at least one of standby currents between at least one of the plurality of bit lines and at least one of the plurality of dummy bit lines. Each of the standby currents is generated by each of the bias voltages applied by the bias application unit. |
| US08411519B2 |
Selective retirement of blocks
Systems and methods are provided for selectively retiring blocks based on refresh events of those blocks. In addition to refresh events, other criteria may be applied in making a decision whether to retire a block. By applying the criteria, the system is able to selectively retire blocks that may otherwise continue to be refreshed. |
| US08411517B2 |
Delay locked loop circuit including delay line with reduced sensitivity to variation in PVT
A delay locked loop circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes a phase detector for comparing the phase of an input clock signal with the phase of a feedback clock signal that is fed back into the phase detector, and for outputting a detection signal. The circuit also includes a control circuit unit for controlling a delay line in response to the detection signal, a delay line for delaying the input clock by a predetermined amount of delay in response to output impedance calibration codes applied to the delay line, and a replica circuit configured to have the same delay conditions as those of an actual clock path to a circuit of the semiconductor device, to receive a delay clock signal of the delay line, and to generate the feedback clock signal. |
| US08411515B2 |
Semiconductor memory
Semiconductor memory including a reference amplifier and a high-speed start-up circuit having four FETs. The reference amplifier supplies the reference voltage to a sense amplifier via a reference voltage supply line. The high-speed startup circuit has four FETs. The first FET is turned on to apply a first voltage onto a first line when the enable signal indicates deactivation. The second FET is turned on to apply ground potential onto the first line when the voltage on the reference voltage supply line is higher than a gate threshold voltage value. The third FET is turned on to generate the first voltage when the enable signal indicates activation. The fourth FET is turned off when the first line is at ground potential and is turned on to supply the first voltage from the third FET onto the reference voltage supply line when the first voltage is applied onto the first line. |
| US08411510B2 |
Flash memory device, memory system and method of operating the same
A memory system includes a memory device and a data converting device. The memory device includes a memory cell array which includes a plurality of memory cells. The data converting device includes an encoding device. The encoding device converts input data into converted data by changing a bandwidth corresponding to the input data, and provides the converted data to the memory device. Accordingly, the memory system is capable of improving the reliability of programmed data by changing the bandwidth corresponding to data to be programmed. A method of storing data in a memory system is also disclosed. |
| US08411508B2 |
Automatic selective slow program convergence
Apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed, including those to improve program voltage distribution width using automatic selective slow program convergence (ASSPC). One such method may include determining whether a threshold voltage (Vt) associated with a memory cell has reached a particular pre-program verify voltage. In response to the determination, a voltage applied to a bit-line coupled to the memory cell may be automatically incremented at least twice as the program voltage is increased, until the cell is properly programmed. Additional embodiments are also described. |
| US08411507B2 |
Compensating for coupling during programming
Shifts in the apparent charge stored on a floating gate (or other charge storing element) of a non-volatile memory cell can occur because of the coupling of an electric field based on the charge stored in adjacent floating gates (or other adjacent charge storing elements). To compensate for this coupling, the read or programming process for a given memory cell can take into account the programmed state of an adjacent memory cell. To determine whether compensation is needed, a process can be performed that includes sensing information about the programmed state of an adjacent memory cell (e.g., on an adjacent bit line or other location). |
| US08411506B2 |
Non-volatile memory and operating method of memory cell
A non-volatile memory and a manufacturing method thereof and a method for operating a memory cell are provided. The non-volatile memory includes a substrate, first and second doped regions, a charged-trapping structure, first and second gates and an inter-gate insulation layer. The first and second doped regions are disposed in the substrate and extend along a first direction. The first and second doped regions are arranged alternately. The charged-trapping structure is disposed on the substrate. The first and second gates are disposed on the charged-trapping structure. Each first gate is located above one of the first doped regions. The second gates extend along a second direction and are located above the second doped regions. The inter-gate insulation layer is disposed between the first gates and the second gates. Adjacent first and second doped regions and the first gate, the second gate and the charged-trapping structure therebetween define a memory cell. |
| US08411502B2 |
Flash memory device using adaptive program verification scheme and related method of operation
A method of programming a flash memory device comprises programming selected memory cells, performing a verification operation to determine whether the selected memory cells have reached a target program state, and determining a start point of the verification operation based on a programming characteristic associated with a detection of a pass bit during programming of an initial program state. |
| US08411501B2 |
Programming method for non-volatile memory device
Provided is a method of programming a non-volatile memory device. The method includes applying a first programming pulse to a corresponding wordline of the non-volatile memory device, applying a second programming pulse to the wordline, wherein a voltage of the second programming pulse is different from that of the first programming pulse, and applying voltages to each bitline connected to the wordline, the voltages applied to each of the bitlines are different from each other according to a plurality of bit values to be programmed to corresponding memory cells in response to the first programming pulse or the second programming pulse. |
| US08411500B2 |
Magnetic device with optimized heat confinement
The present disclosure concerns a magnetic element to be written using a thermally-assisted switching write operation comprising a magnetic tunnel junction formed from a tunnel barrier being disposed between first and second magnetic layers, said second magnetic layer having a second magnetization which direction can be adjusted during a write operation when the magnetic tunnel junction is heated at a high threshold temperature; an upper current line connected at the upper end of the magnetic tunnel junction; and a strap portion extending laterally and connected to the bottom end of the magnetic tunnel junction; the magnetic device further comprising a bottom thermal insulating layer extending substantially parallel to the strap portion and arranged such that the strap portion is between the magnetic tunnel junction and the bottom thermal insulating layer. The magnetic element allows for reducing heat losses during the write operation and has reduced power consumption. |
| US08411498B2 |
Magnetic tunnel junction devices, electronic devices including a magnetic tunneling junction device and methods of fabricating the same
Perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices, methods of fabricating a perpendicular MTJ device, electronic devices including a perpendicular MTJ device and methods of fabricating the electronic device are provided, the perpendicular MTJ devices include a pinned layer, a tunneling layer and a free layer. At least one of the pinned layer and the free layer includes a multi-layered structure including an amorphous perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) material. |
| US08411495B2 |
Spin-transfer torque memory self-reference read method
A spin-transfer torque memory apparatus and self-reference read schemes are described. One method of self-reference reading a spin-transfer torque memory unit includes applying a first read current through a magnetic tunnel junction data cell and forming a first bit line read voltage, the magnetic tunnel junction data cell having a first resistance state and storing the first bit line read voltage in a first voltage storage device. Then applying a low resistance state polarized write current through the magnetic tunnel junction data cell, forming a low second resistance state magnetic tunnel junction data cell. A second read current is applied through the low second resistance state magnetic tunnel junction data cell to forming a second bit line read voltage. The second bit line read voltage is stored in a second voltage storage device. The method also includes comparing the first bit line read voltage with the second bit line read voltage to determine whether the first resistance state of the magnetic tunnel junction data cell was a high resistance state or low resistance state. |
| US08411494B2 |
Three-dimensional magnetic random access memory with high speed writing
One embodiment of a magnetic random access memory includes a transistor formed on a substrate and having a gate width, a plurality of magnetoresistive elements disposed above the transistor and jointly electrically coupled to the transistor at their first terminals, a plurality of parallel conductive lines formed above magnetoresistive elements and independently electrically coupled to their second terminals. A magnetoresistive element includes, a pinned layer having a fixed magnetization direction, a free layer having a reversible magnetization direction, a tunnel barrier layer disposed between the free and pinned layers, and an element width that is substantially smaller than the gate width. The magnetization directions of the pinned and free layers are directed substantially perpendicular to the substrate. The magnetization direction of the free layer is reversed by a joint effect of a bias magnetic field and a spin-polarized current applied to the magnetoresistive element. Other embodiments are described and shown. |
| US08411493B2 |
Selection device for a spin-torque transfer magnetic random access memory
A spin-torque transfer magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) that includes a magnetic bit coupled between a first conductor line and a selection device. The selection device includes at least two transistors. The selection device is operative to (a) select the magnetic bit for a spin-torque transfer (STT) write operation when the at least two transistors are in a first state and (b) select the magnetic bit for a read operation when the at least two transistors are in a second state. The selection device may be implemented in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology, and the transistors may include body ties. The selection device may also be radiation hardened. |
| US08411492B2 |
Memory base cell and memory bank
A memory base cell stores a bit of information implemented from a regular and compact structure made up of multiple identical and replicated base elements, on the “sea of gates” model, in which the base element of the structure is a cell able to be configured with a minimum width in relation to the particular technology used. Such a cell includes a bistable element with an input node operatively connected to a writing data line of the memory base cell, and an output node operatively connected to a reading data line of the memory base cell. The bistable element also has a first inverter and a second inverter arranged in a feedback configuration with respect to one another between the input node and the output node of the bistable element. |
| US08411483B2 |
Testing one time programming devices
A one time programming (OTP) memory array is divided into a user section and a test section. The cells in the user section and in the test section are configured to form a checkerboard pattern, that is, having repeats of one user cell and one test cell in both column and row directions. Programming the test section and various additional tests are performed to both the user and test sections and other circuitry of the memory array while the user section is not programmed. Even though the OTP user section is not programmed or tested, the provided tests in accordance with embodiments of the invention can provide a very high probability that the OTP memory including the user section is of high quality, i.e., the OTP cells in the user section can be programmed and function appropriately. |
| US08411481B2 |
Information storage devices using magnetic domain wall movement and methods of manufacturing the same
In an information storage device, a writing magnetic layer is formed on a substrate and has a magnetic domain wall. A connecting magnetic layer is formed on the writing magnetic layer, and an information storing magnetic layer is formed on an upper portion of side surfaces of the connecting magnetic layer. A reader reads information stored in the information storing magnetic layer. |
| US08411480B2 |
Semiconductor device
An object is to provide a semiconductor device having a novel structure, which can hold stored data even when not powered and which has an unlimited number of write cycles. A semiconductor device includes a memory cell including a widegap semiconductor, for example, an oxide semiconductor. The memory cell includes a writing transistor, a reading transistor, and a selecting transistor. Using a widegap semiconductor, a semiconductor device capable of sufficiently reducing the off-state current of a transistor included in a memory cell and holding data for a long time can be provided. |
| US08411478B2 |
Three-dimensional stacked semiconductor integrated circuit
Various embodiments of a three-dimensional, stacked semiconductor integrated circuit are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the circuit may include a master slice, a plurality of slave slices, and a plurality of through-silicon vias for connecting the master slice to the plurality of slave slices. At least one of the plurality of through-silicon vias may be configured to transmit an operation control signal from the master slice to the plurality of slave slices. The at least one of the plurality of through-silicon vias is configured to be shared by the plurality of slave slices. |
| US08411475B1 |
Power supply converting AC to DC and using changing voltage of AC to force DC into a load
A power supply to convert AC power to DC power with a relatively constant voltage and linear current delivery. The DC power may be positive or negative voltage, or both may be produced. A fluctuating voltage from an AC voltage source (e.g., a transformer) is utilized to charge and substantially discharge a storage device on a cycle by cycle basis. The voltage of the storage device continuously supplements the fluctuating voltage to result in relatively constant voltage. Unlike a typical power supply, (a) the discharge of the storage device forces power into a load, (b) total capacitance may be substantially less than (e.g., 1% or less of) the capacitance of a typical power supply, (c) a shunt capacitor is not required, and (d) the transformer may be continuously utilized throughout the entire cycle (rather than for only a brief portion of each cycle), which may reduce noise. |
| US08411472B2 |
Power conversion device
In a power conversion device, reactors in an AC input filter absorbing a voltage at a carrier frequency of a PWM converter and reactors in an AC output filter absorbing a voltage at a carrier frequency of a PWM inverter include one six-leg six-phase iron core reactor. Accordingly, the device can be reduced in size when compared with a case where the reactors are composed of two four-leg six-phase iron core reactors. |
| US08411471B2 |
Electronic circuit and semiconductor arrangement with a load, a sense and a start-up transistor
Disclosed is an electronic circuit with a first load terminal, a second load terminal, a supply terminal configured for having a charge storage arrangement connected thereto, and a load transistor, a current sense circuit with a sense transistor, and a start-up circuit with a start-up transistor. |
| US08411470B2 |
Synchronous rectification control device, method for synchronous rectification control, and insulated type switching power supply
A synchronous rectification control device achieves high power conversion efficiency without supplying additional signal to a secondary side from a primary side. An insulated type switching power supply provides such a synchronous rectification control device. An output power is regulated based on a phase difference between two half bridges in the primary side. In the secondary side of the full bridge converter circuit, a center tap is lead out from the secondary windings of a transformer to obtain two symmetrical sections of windings. A device for detecting winding voltage observes winding voltages at terminals of the sections of windings. The synchronous rectification control circuit controls transistors and MOSFETs connected to the secondary windings to make the transistor in the ON or OFF state depending on the current flow in the secondary windings. |
| US08411466B2 |
Output controlled DC-to-DC converter
The present invention includes: a plurality of switching elements connected in series and connected between two ends of a DC power supply; a first control circuit to alternately turn on and off the switching elements in response to a constant oscillation frequency signal; a series circuit including a primary winding of a transformer and a capacitor connected together in series, and being connected to a connecting point between the switching elements, and to an end of the DC power supply; a rectifying/smoothing circuit to rectify and smooth a voltage in a secondary winding of the transformer thereby to output a DC voltage; a control switching element connected to two ends of the primary or secondary winding of the transformer; and a second control circuit to control the DC voltage at a predetermined voltage by turning on and off the control switching element. |
| US08411465B2 |
Method for organizing cables in a cabinet to reduce impeded airflow
An equipment cabinet (2) includes an equipment rack (3) for mounting equipment (20), and includes organizational elements for organizing cables within the cabinet. The cables may be organized to reduce impeding airflow to or from the equipment, and/or to reduce unwanted bending of the cables themselves. The organizational elements may include one or more of: a trunk cable (40) including a furcation plug (45) and universal clip (47); a furcation bracket—either vertical (60) or horizontal (80); a termination panel (100); a trunk cable manager (140, 200); and/or an accessory bracket (180). The organizational elements may be used in various combinations with one another, and may be provided in a kit. |
| US08411464B2 |
Portable electronic device with rotatable cover
A portable electronic device includes a base, a cove, a first plate, a second plate, a first post, a second post, and an adjusting mechanism. The first plate is secured to the cover. A guiding slot and a receiving hole are defined in the first plate. The second plate is secured to the base. A receiving slot and a pin hole are defined in the second plate. The first post passes through the pin hole and the receiving hole. The second post passes through the receiving slot and is slidably received in the guiding slot. One end of the adjusting mechanism is rotatably connected to the first and second plates by the first post, and the other end of the adjusting mechanism is slidably connected to the first and second plates by the second post. |
| US08411462B2 |
Noise reduction apparatus of mobile terminal
A noise reduction apparatus of a mobile terminal improves reception sensitivity by creating a electrical closed loop. The mobile terminal has a main circuit board and a slide hinge. The mobile terminal also includes a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) that includes a first end coupled to the main circuit board and a second end fixed and coupled to a portion of an upper surface of the slide hinge. A noise reduction apparatus is installed between the main circuit board and the slide hinge to form an electronic closed loop that includes the main circuit board, the FPCB, the slide hinge, and the noise reduction apparatus. Noise is reduced by inducing noise abandoned to a slide hinge through a FPCB to an electrical close loop formed by the noise reduction apparatus, thereby improving reception sensitivity. |
| US08411459B2 |
Interposer-on-glass package structures
A device includes an interposer including a substrate, and a first through-substrate via (TSV) penetrating through the substrate. A glass substrate is bonded to the interposer through a fusion bonding. The glass substrate includes a second TSV therein and electrically coupled to the first TSV. |
| US08411457B2 |
Semiconductor package substrate
A semiconductor package substrate suitable for supporting a damage-sensitive device, including a substrate core having a first and opposite surface; at least one pair of metal layers covering the first and opposite surfaces of the package substrate core, which define first and opposite metal layer groups, at least one of said layer groups including at least one metal support zone; one pair of solder mask layers covering the outermost metal layers of the at least one pair of metal layers; and a plurality of routing lines; wherein the at least one metal support zone is formed so that it lies beneath at least one side of the base of the damage-sensitive device and so as to occupy a substantial portion of the area beneath the damage-sensitive device which is free of said routing lines; a method for the production of such substrate is also described. |
| US08411455B2 |
Mounting structure and motor
A mounting structure 1 in which an electronic component 5 is surface-mounted with solder 4 to a wiring substrate 2 is disclosed. The solder is Sn—Ag—Bi—In-based solder containing 0.1% by weight or more and 5% by weight or less of Bi, and more than 3% by weight and less than 9% by weight of In, with the balance being made up of Sn, Ag and unavoidable impurities. The wiring substrate has a coefficient of linear expansion of 13 ppm/K or less in all directions. Thus, it is possible to realize a mounting structure using lead-free solder and for which the occurrence of cracks in a solder joint portion due to a 1000-cycle thermal shock test from −40 to 150° C. has been suppressed. |
| US08411449B2 |
Electronic device and connection mechanism for touch buttons thereof
An electronic device includes a housing, a capacitive touch button, a PCB and a connection mechanism. The capacitive touch button is secured in the housing and includes a number of button bodies. The PCB is secured in the housing. The connection mechanism includes a circuit board and a connection element. The circuit board is secured in the housing and includes a number of sensor electrodes and a number of electrical protrusions, which are all arranged corresponding to the number of button bodies of the capacitive touch button. The sensor electrodes are connected to the capacitive touch button and the electrical protrusions. The connection element includes a first end and a second end. The first end is fixed on the PCB. The second end resists against the electrical protrusions for electrically connecting the capacitive touch button and the controller of the PCB. |
| US08411448B2 |
Security protection device and method
A security protection device includes a cover circuit board, at least one inner wiring layer being included within the cover circuit board. The device also includes a base circuit board, at least one inner wiring layer being included within the base circuit board. The device further includes a security frame between the base circuit board and the cover circuit board, at least one electrically conductive wire being wound and included within the security frame to form at least one winding protection layer around sides of the security frame. The cover circuit board, the security frame, and the base circuit board form an enclosure enclosing a security zone, and the at least one inner wiring layer within the cover circuit board, the at least one inner wiring layer within the base circuit board, and the at least one electrically conductive wire within the security frame are connectable to a security mechanism configured to detect an intrusion into the security zone. |
| US08411447B2 |
Power amplifier chassis
A power amplifier chassis for an n+1 redundant power amplifier system. The power amplifier chassis includes an embedded controller and a power amplifier. The embedded controller operates the power amplifier chassis in a master controller mode or a slave controller mode. When operated in the master controller mode, the embedded controller monitors operating parameters associated with the power amplifier chassis, and can transfer control of the power amplifier system when the embedded controller senses that the monitored operating parameters indicate a failure or impending failure of the power amplifier chassis. When operated in the slave controller mode, the embedded controller receives control instructions from the master controller power amplifier module, and is enabled to reconfigure the power amplifier chassis from the slave controller mode to the master controller mode in response to a failure or imminent failure indication of a first power amplifier chassis operated in master controller mode. |
| US08411446B2 |
Equipment case with slideout racks
A container includes an outer case with an interior volume sized to receive an equipment rack assembly, which in turn includes an inner (i.e., movable or slidable) platform assembly slidably coupled to an outer (i.e., non-movable or fixed) isolation assembly fixed to the case. In one example, the inner platform assembly slidably engages the outer isolation assembly using a joint, such as a dove-tail style joint. In addition, the outer isolation assembly may be supported by one or more shock absorbent devices positioned between the outer isolation assembly and the case. The shock absorbent devices may be positioned, oriented and tuned to achieve a desired amount of shock attenuation and damping. |
| US08411443B2 |
Slidingly-engaged heat-dissipating assembly for memory and memory device having the same
A heat-dissipating assembly includes a first heat-dissipating body and a second heat-dissipating body adhered to two sides of the memory. The bottom edge of the first heat-dissipating body has a first supporting piece and first engaging pieces comprising a first stopping section and a first insertion section. The bottom edge of the second heat-dissipating body has a second supporting piece and second engaging pieces comprising a second stopping section and a second insertion section. The second insertion section extends toward the first insertion section. The first insertion section is slidingly disposed inside the second stopping section. The second insertion is slidingly disposed inside the first stopping section. The first stopping section abuts against the second stopping section, so that the first engaging piece and the second engaging piece are slidingly engaged with each other. |
| US08411438B2 |
Heat sink for power module
A heat sink (1) for power module is capable of mounting a power device (101) on at least a surface of the heat sink. The heat sink includes a refrigerant passage (1d) in which cooling medium that dissipates heat generated by the power device (101) flows and a corrugated fin body (1a) arranged in the refrigerant passage (1d). The corrugated fin body (1a) has crests (21b) and troughs (21c) that extend in the flow direction of the cooling medium, and side walls (21a) each of which connects the corresponding one of the crests (21b) with the adjacent one of the troughs (21c). Each adjacent pair of the side walls (21a) and the corresponding one of the crests (21b) or the corresponding one of the troughs (21c) arranged between the adjacent side walls (21a) form a fin (21). Each of the side walls (21a) has a louver (31) that operates to, at least, rotate the cooling medium flowing in the associated fin (21). The heat sink (1) thus has a further improved heat dissipating performance. |
| US08411434B2 |
Small form factor desk top computer
An aesthetically pleasing small form factor desktop computer is described. The small form factor desktop computer can be formed of a single piece seamless housing that in the described embodiment is machined from a single billet of aluminum. The single piece seamless housing includes an aesthetically pleasing foot support having at least a portion formed of RF transparent material that provides easy user access to selected internal components as well as offers electromagnetic (EM) shielding. This simplicity of design can accrue many advantages to the small form factor desktop computer besides those related to aesthetic look and feel. Fewer components and less time and effort can be required for assembly of the small form factor desktop computer and the absence of seams in the single piece housing can provide good protection against environmental contamination of internal components as well as EM shielding. |
| US08411427B2 |
Mobile terminal
Disclosed is a mobile terminal including a main body, an upper body having a display unit and disposed to be tiltable from the main body by a preset angle, a lower body having a user interface and disposed to be drawn out of the main body, and a driving unit configured to draw the lower body out of the main body in cooperation with the upper body being tilted from the main body. |
| US08411426B2 |
Information processing device and display device
An information processing device has: a support stand having a base that lies flat and a pole that stands on the base; a processing unit that performs data processing; a display panel that displays an image; and a storage unit that stores information. The device further has an adaptor that supports the processing unit and the storage unit, when the adaptor is attached to the support stand. The adaptor also supports the display panel such that the processing unit and the storage unit are hidden behind the display panel. |
| US08411425B2 |
Adjusting mechanism for adjusting a position of a screen and related display device
An adjusting mechanism includes a stand, a vertical sliding component installed inside the stand in a slidable manner along a vertical direction relative to the stand so as to fix a vertical position of a screen. A plurality of slots is formed on a side of the vertical sliding component, and the vertical sliding component includes a plurality of inclined structures respectively formed nearby the plurality of slots. The adjusting mechanism further includes a vertical positioning device installed on a side of the stand for inserting into the slot of the vertical sliding component so as to fix the vertical position of the screen. The inclined structure is for pushing the vertical positioning device out of the slot. |
| US08411424B2 |
Strap mounting structure and electronic device using the same
A strap mounting structure is used for assembling a strap. The strap mounting structure includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate defines through holes. The second plate is assembled to the first plate. The second plate defines a guiding chamber for guiding the strap from entering into one through hole and exiting from another one through hole. |
| US08411422B2 |
Resin overcap provided with IC tag
[Problem] To provide a resin overcap provided with an IC tag that can be used as an overcap being fitted onto a metal cap and having an IC tag that is so provided that the transmission and reception of signals will not be disturbed by the metal cap.[Means for Solution] A resin overcap used being fitted onto a metal cap, comprising a top panel and a cylindrical side wall hanging down from the circumferential edge of the top panel and in which the metal cap is fitted, wherein a step or a protrusion is formed on an upper portion on the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall to prevent the upward motion of the metal cap fitted in the cylindrical side wall, and an IC tag provided with an IC chip is mounted on the top panel in a manner of maintaining a predetermined distance D to a top plate of the metal cap fitted into the cylindrical side wall. |
| US08411419B2 |
Electronic apparatus to which AC adaptor can be connected
In a case where a first AC adaptor with a small capacity is connected to a notebook personal computer, an electronic apparatus supplies electric power supplied from the first AC adaptor or electric power as a sum of the electric power supplied from the first AC adaptor and electric power supplied from a battery to the load (3), depending on a load state (power consumption). According to this configuration, irrespective of the amount of the power consumption at the load (3), it is possible to connect the first AC adaptor with a small capacity to the notebook personal computer so as to operate the load (3). The AC adaptor with a small capacity is downsized and reduced in weight since in general it has a smaller transformer (transforming circuit) in comparison with a large-capacity AC adaptor. |
| US08411417B2 |
Solid electrolytic condenser with enhanced volumetric efficiency
A solid electrolytic condenser includes a condenser element, an anode wire including one end inserted into the condenser element, a cathode drawing layer formed on outer side of the condenser element, terminal reinforcements arranged respectively under opposite side portions of a bottom surface of the condenser element, a liquid epoxy resin filled in spaces between the terminal reinforcements and between the bottom surface of the condenser element and top surfaces of the terminal reinforcements, a molding part surrounding the condenser element while exposing the other end of the anode wire, an end portion of the cathode drawing layer, and bottom surfaces of the terminal reinforcements, and anode and cathode terminals formed by a plating layer provided on the bottom surfaces of the terminal reinforcements and on opposite side surfaces of the molding part. The liquid epoxy resin includes fillers of a smaller size than those in the molding part. |
| US08411413B2 |
High voltage EDLC cell and method for the manufacture thereof
An EDLC device in which the double layer capacitors themselves are produced lithographically. The resultant EDLC can be of any capacitance and voltage combination for a particular application. The entire lithographically formed entity can be housed in a single container and rated according to its capacitance and voltage standoff characteristics. Through material control processes, the electrochemical composites developed onto the current collector is unilaterally equalized, providing the desired distributed voltage standoffs, thus promoting the ability to design high voltage independent cells without the normal electronic balancing circuitry associated with multiple series-connected electrochemical cells. |
| US08411412B2 |
Ceramic powder composition, ceramic material, and multilayer ceramic capacitor fabricated thereby
A ceramic powder composition, a ceramic material and a multi-layer ceramic capacitor fabricated thereby are presented. The ceramic powder composition includes a main component and a glassy component. A content of the glassy component is 0.2 to 2.0 mole % based on the main component. The main component includes (Ba1-xCax)mTiO3+αMgO+βRe2O3+γMnO+δB2O5, where α, β, γ and δ are molar ratio constants, and 0.1≦α≦3.0, 0.05≦β≦3.0, 0.001≦γ≦0.2, and 0.0<δ≦0.1; 0.99≦m≦1.030, and 0.005≦x≦0.015; element Re is selected from a group consisting of yttrium (Y), chromium (Cr), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), and ytterbium (Yb); and element B is selected from a group consisting of vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), and tantalum (Ta). The glassy component includes (BayCa1-y)SiO3, where 0 |
| US08411404B2 |
Overvoltage protection plug
An overvoltage protection plug is disclosed. The overvoltage protection plug includes a protection plug body formed from a chassis and a housing and defining an interior volume, the protection plug body including an insertion portion and a handle. The overvoltage protection plug further includes a gas tube located within the interior volume, the gas tube electrically connected to metallic leads protruding through the body at the insertion portion. The overvoltage protection plug also includes a grounding plate electrically connected to a ground pin of the gas tube. |
| US08411403B2 |
Voltage surge and overvoltage protection with current surge protection
Disclosed are various embodiments of voltage protectors that include a first voltage clamping device configured to clamp a voltage of an input power applied to an electrical load, and a second voltage clamping device configured to clamp the voltage applied to the electrical load. A series inductance separates the first and second voltage clamping devices. Also, a switching element is employed to selectively establish a direct coupling of the input power to the electrical load, where a circuit is employed to control the operation of the switching element. |
| US08411401B2 |
Method for current conditioning, in particular on a fault current limiter
A method for current conditioning, comprising transporting a primary current (1) through a primary coil (2), coupling a secondary coil (3) to the primary coil (2) via a common magnetic flux, wherein the secondary coil (3) comprises a superconductor capable of quenching, with the quenching causing a transition of the superconductor from a low resistance superconducting state to a high resistance quenched state, and in the low resistance superconducting state of the secondary coil (3), guiding a major fraction (8) of the common magnetic flux of the primary coil (2) and the secondary coil (3) within a ferromagnetic medium (5a), is characterized by upon quenching, switching the common magnetic flux such that a major fraction (17) of the common magnetic flux is guided outside the ferromagnetic medium (5a) in the high resistance quenched state of the superconductor. An economic and efficient method for current conditioning is thereby provided which reduces harmonic distortions. |
| US08411400B2 |
Method and apparatus for mitigation of dynamic overvoltage
A distribution and power transformer has its primary connected to the high voltage bus of the network and its secondary connected to a switching device. Upon the occurrence of a condition known to cause a dynamic overvoltage (DOV) and the occurrence of the DOV, a control system causes the switching device to change from a nonconductive mode to a conductive mode in less than the time for one cycle of the operating frequency of the AC network. This change in switching device conduction places a short circuit across the transformer secondary and thus mitigates the DOV. |
| US08411399B2 |
Defectivity-immune technique of implementing MIM-based decoupling capacitors
An integrated circuit power supply decoupling circuit includes a capacitor and a protection circuit. The capacitor has a first terminal and a second terminal. The protection circuit includes a first transistor having a first conduction path, and a second transistor having a second conduction path. One terminal of the first conduction path is connected to the first terminal of the capacitor, and another terminal of the first conduction path is connected to a first power supply rail. One terminal of the second conduction path is connected to the second terminal of the capacitor, and another terminal of the second conduction path is connected to a second power supply rail. |
| US08411397B2 |
Power supply apparatus and method
A power supply apparatus and method are provided. A conversion component outputs a first current having a predetermined phase region, an output component outputs a load voltage, a sense component senses a second current value, and a switch element allows current to flow in a first state and impedes current in a second state. The switch element changes between states based on a drive signal forcing the switch into the second state when the first current is in the predetermined phase region and the second current value exceeds a threshold indicating an overcurrent condition. A region determination circuit determines whether the first current is in the predetermined phase region and produces a phase region signal. An overcurrent detection circuit senses the second current value, determines whether it exceeds an overcurrent condition threshold, and produces an overcurrent signal. A protection circuit causes the drive circuit to switch the drive signal. |
| US08411396B2 |
Preventing metal oxide varistor (MOV) from releasing smoke, smell, and/or sound
A system includes an electrical component, a MOV, a voltage sensor, and a circuit. The MOV is connected in parallel to the electrical component. The voltage sensor detects a voltage over the MOV and the electrical component. The circuit removes power in response to the voltage sensor detecting the voltage over the MOV and the electrical component being greater than a threshold voltage for a length of time greater than a threshold length of time. Removing power prevents the MOV from releasing one or more of smoke, smell, and sound. The MOV is thus not damaged as a result of a power surge. The system may be a power supply, or another type of electrical system. The electrical component may be a capacitor, or another type of electrical component. |
| US08411395B2 |
Spin valve element and method of driving same
A method for driving a spin valve element, including passing driving current through the spin valve element to generate an oscillation signal, and performing amplitude modulation of the driving current at a frequency lower than the oscillation frequency of oscillation signals. This amplitude modulation can be ON-OFF modulation, and the interval ton in the conducting state of the ON-OFF modulation is made to satisfy the relation ton |
| US08411392B2 |
Magnetic field sensor including multiple magnetoresistive sensing elements for patterned media
An apparatus for sensing magnetic domains in a patterned media that includes a first sensing element and a second sensing element in electrical communication with the first sensing element. The first sensing element has an output voltage lead and the second sensing element has an output voltage lead. The patterned media may be a bit patterned media or a track patterned media. |
| US08411391B2 |
Head gimbal assembly
A head gimbal assembly comprises a slider having reproduction/reproducing elements for reproducing and recording information to/from a surface of a recording medium. A suspension flexibly supports the slider opposite to a surface of a recording medium. A light source is disposed on the suspension for emitting a light beam. An optical waveguide is disposed between the slider and the laser light source for introducing a light beam from the light source into the slider. |
| US08411390B2 |
Integrated half coil structure for write assist of high coercivity media
A structure for providing two write assist components for perpendicular thin film heads writing to high coercivity media is disclosed. The two components provided by the present invention include a media writing assist component and a head switching assist component. The structure includes an auxiliary half coil surrounding the pole tip at the ABS, and includes conductive elements running parallel to the pole layer which are connected to the auxiliary half coil. Integrated heat sinks located at either the ABS or at a recessed position are provided. The conductive elements can prove either symmetric or asymmetric current feed geometries, which allow differential or common mode current flow to the half coil. |
| US08411384B2 |
Writer having a shield structure for adjacent and far track interference refreshment
In one embodiment, a data storage system includes a magnetic head having a main magnetic pole and a wrap around shield positioned around the main magnetic pole at an ABS thereof, a magnetic medium, a drive mechanism for passing the magnetic medium over the magnetic head, and a controlling mechanism electrically coupled to the magnetic head for controlling operation of the magnetic head that initiates rewriting of information of a recording track of the magnetic medium if a recording magnetic field applied to the recording track exceeds a threshold. In another embodiment, a method includes writing data to a first track of a magnetic medium using a magnetic head, determining characteristics consistent with data degradation from tracks adjacent to the first track and far tracks away from the first track using a controlling mechanism, and rewriting data in tracks determined to be degraded due to ATI and/or FTI. |
| US08411383B2 |
Systems and methods for high order asymmetry correction
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for signal offset cancellation. For example, a method for error cancellation is disclosed. The method includes: receiving an input signal that includes a second order error component; applying a transfer function to the processed input to reduce the second order error component; and providing an output signal that is the result of applying the transfer function to the input signal. |
| US08411382B2 |
Emergency vision apparatus with distributed stowage space
The present invention provides an emergency vision apparatus, comprising a blower; an inflatable enclosure remote from the blower, the enclosure being made of airtight material and having an expanded form when deployed and a deflated form when not in use; first and second clear members disposed at respective first and second ends of the enclosure to enable a user to see through the enclosure when expanded and observe a source of information at a distal end of the enclosure while smoke or other particulate matter is in the environment; a switch operably associated with the blower to activate the blower and thereby inflate the enclosure when deployed; and an air passageway connecting the blower and the enclosure, the passageway being extendible from a shorter length to a longer length when the enclosure is deployed. |
| US08411380B2 |
Lens barrel
A lens barrel is provided that includes an optical system, a housing, a cover member, an electronic part, a flexible substrate. The optical system is configured to form an optical image of a subject. The housing supports the optical system in an interior. The cover member supports the housing in a state of covering an opening of the housing. The electronic part is provided in the interior of the housing. The flexible substrate is electrically connected to the electronic part. The flexible substrate has a connection terminal. The cover member has a through-hole formed in a specific direction. The connection terminal is positioned on inside of the through-hole when viewed in the specific direction. |
| US08411375B2 |
Method and apparatus providing gradient index of refraction lens for image sensors
A lens and its method of making. The lens includes a material having a lower index of refraction and a material having a higher index of refraction arranged in a pattern such that the lens has a gradient effective index of refraction. |
| US08411374B2 |
Image pickup optical system and image pickup apparatus using the same
The image pickup optical system comprises: an aperture is placed on the most object side, the image pickup optical system comprises, in order from the object side: a first lens having a positive refractive power; a second lens having a negative refractive power; a third lens having a positive refractive power; a fourth lens having a positive refractive power; and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power, and the following conditional expression is satisfied: −1.49<(r6+r7)/(r6−r7)<1.24 (1) where r6 is the paraxial radius of curvature of an object side surface of the third lens, and r7 is the paraxial radius of curvature of an image plane side surface of the third lens. |
| US08411373B2 |
Zoom lens barrel capable of retracting into lens barrel body
A zoom lens barrel includes a first optical element 300, 400 and a second optical element 600, a first guide member 703 configured to linearly guide the first optical element 300, 400 in an optical axis direction, a second guide member 704 configured to linearly guide the second optical element 600 in the optical axis direction, and a linear cylinder 700 including an opening portion configured to be able to integrate the first optical element and the second optical element only in the optical axis direction, a first holding portion 700g, 700h that supports both ends of the first guide member, and a second holding portion 700i, 700j that supports both ends of the second guide member. |
| US08411371B2 |
Compact zoom lens
A zoom lens includes a first lens, a first lens barrel, a shutter assembly, and a guide barrel. The first lens barrel houses the first lens. The shutter assembly is positioned on a distal end of the first lens barrel toward an object side of the zoom lens. The guide barrel is received in the first lens barrel and configured for guiding the first lens barrel to move along the optical axis of the zoom lens. |
| US08411370B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens group that has a positive refractive power; a second lens group that has a negative refractive power; and a third lens group that has a positive refractive power, wherein the second lens group is constituted by three lenses of a first negative lens, a second negative lens, and a positive lens which are arranged in order from the object side to the image side, wherein an aspheric surface is formed on at least an object side of the positive lens in a shape of which a curvature gradually decreases as an outer periphery of the lens gets closer from an optical axis, and wherein the following Conditional Expressions (1) and (2) are satisfied: 0.8<10×(R22r−R23f)/(R22r+R23f)<1.8 (1) 3.0<100×{D(2,23)/TH2}<7.0 (2). |
| US08411362B2 |
Optical element retaining system for sensor systems
A system for retaining an optical element with a card assembly and heat sink is provided. The retaining system includes an optical element fastener and a retainer member. The optical element fastener is configured to hold the optical element to the heat sink. The retaining member is configured to hold the card assembly to the heat sink, and also serves to make the optical element fastener captive. In one embodiment, the retaining member includes a ridge for holding the card assembly to the heat sink. The top end of the retainer member may also include one or more recessed slots for tool engagement to facilitate fastening of the retainer member. In one embodiment, the retaining member is threaded at the bottom end to fasten the retaining member to the heat sink. Also, in one embodiment the retaining member includes an axial opening used to access the optical element fastener. |
| US08411359B2 |
Stereoscopic image displaying device and a method of manufacturing the same
A reflecting apparatus comprising: an array of reflectors including a first subset of reflectors and a second subset of reflectors, wherein the first subset of reflectors guide light toward a first viewing position and the second subset of reflectors guide light toward a second viewing position that is different from the first viewing position. |
| US08411358B2 |
Microscope apparatus
An arbitrary entire region of a specimen, or a plurality of individual regions, is simultaneously stimulated without a time lag, or a strong stimulus is applied to an arbitrary region of a specimen. The invention provides a microscope apparatus including a first stimulation optical system having a galvanometer mirror that scans a specimen with first stimulus light, which applies an optical stimulus to a specimen, on the specimen; a second stimulation optical system which has a plurality of two-dimensionally arrayed movable mirrors and which switches the angle of each movable mirror so that second stimulus light, which applies an optical stimulus to the specimen, can be selectively deflected towards the specimen; and a dichroic mirror that combines a light path of the first stimulation optical system and a light path of the second stimulation optical system. |
| US08411357B2 |
Motor-operated microscope system and software for controlling motor-operated microscopes
A motor-operated microscope system has a motor-operated microscope section including an illumination optical system, an electric stage, an image forming optical system having an objective lens and an image forming lens, and an image pickup device; a housing; a control device having a screen display and an arithmetic processing section; and software displaying an operating condition setting screen of the motor-operated microscope section on the screen display and controlling an operation of the motor-operated microscope section in accordance with a set condition. The operating condition setting screen has, on one screen, a setting section for an exposure condition with the image pickup means; a setting section for a focusing condition with the objective lenses; an objective interchange setting section; a setting section for wavelength and luminance of illumination light; a setting section for an image pickup range; a display section for a picked-up image; and an operation commanding section for the motor-operated microscope section. |
| US08411352B2 |
Pulsed fiber-MOPA with widely-variable pulse-duration
Master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) apparatus includes two seed-pulse sources coupled to a single fiber amplifier including one or more stages of amplification. One of the seed-pulse sources is a single-mode source generating pulses having a duration selectively variable between about 0.1 ns and 10 ns. The other seed-pulse source is a multi-mode source generating pulses having a duration selectively variable between about 1 ns and 10 μs. Selectively operating one or the other of the seed-pulse sources provides that the apparatus can deliver pulses selectively variable in a range between about 0.1 ns and 10 μs. |
| US08411350B2 |
Optical demodulator
The embodiments of the present invention provides an optical demodulator, which includes a first reflective mirror, a second reflective mirror, a third reflective mirror, and an optical splitter. The optical splitter is configured to: split input light for the first time; split for the second time a first path of light reflected back by the first reflective mirror, where two paths of light obtained by splitting the first path of light are emitted to the first reflective mirror and the third reflective mirror respectively, split for the second time a second path of light reflected back by the second reflective mirror, where two paths of light obtained by splitting the second path of light are emitted to the first reflective mirror and the third reflective mirror respectively. |
| US08411345B2 |
Shutter device with multi-stage diaphragm
A shutter device with a multi-stage diaphragm includes a base, a shutter unit pivoted on the base, a driving unit, and an actuator unit. The base includes a first optical opening defining an optical axle passing through the first optical opening. The shutter unit is adjusted to cover the first optical opening. The driving unit includes a main axle perpendicular to the optical axle and installed on the base, and a driving bar moving along the main axle and linking to the shutter unit. The actuator unit includes a coil board installed on one of the base and the driving bar, and an actuator magnet installed on the other of the base and the driving bar corresponding to the coil board. The coil board receives signals to change the relative position between the coil with pattern and the actuator magnet, whereby the actuator unit drives the shutter unit in multi-stages. |
| US08411340B2 |
Ultra-wide angle MEMS scanner architecture
An optical microscanner achieves wide rotation angles utilizing a curved reflector. The optical microscanner includes a moveable mirror for receiving an incident beam and reflecting the incident beam to produce a reflected beam and a Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) actuator that causes a linear displacement of the moveable mirror. The curved reflector produces an angular rotation of the reflected beam based on the linear displacement of the moveable mirror. |
| US08411337B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
A step and non-uniformity in density in a drawing object due to an offset for an electrical color-shift correction are reduced. An image forming apparatus includes: a unit for determining a changing coordinate in a main scanning direction for correcting a color shift; a unit for detecting a closed region lying across the determined changing coordinate, from a drawing object; and a unit for performing a changing by using the determined changing coordinate without changing a shape of the detected closed region. |
| US08411336B2 |
Image reader, image forming device having the same, and computer-readable storage medium for the same
An image reader is provided, which includes a feeder feeding a document sheet, a first reading sensor, a first reference member, a moving mechanism moving the first reading sensor to a document reading position to read an image of the document sheet and a reference reading position to read an image of the first reference member, and a controller that controls the moving mechanism to move the first reading sensor to the reference reading position, controls the first reading sensor to read the image of the first reference member, and controls the moving mechanism to move the first reading sensor to the document reading position after the first reading sensor reads the image of the first reference member. The controller controls the feeder to start feeding the document sheet to the document reading position before the first reading sensor reaches the document reading position from the reference reading position. |
| US08411335B1 |
Document processing system and document transport / camera interface
A document processing system includes a feeder stage for feeding documents and a transport stage downstream of the feeder stage for receiving the fed documents. The transport stage includes a document transport track defining a document transport path along which the documents are conveyed. The transport stage further includes an image camera located along the document transport track for performing document imaging. The document transport track includes a camera window at the image camera to allow the image camera to view passing documents. The camera window is positioned proud into the document transport path to facilitate wiping of the camera window with the passing documents. |
| US08411334B2 |
Paper-sheet recognition apparatus
A paper-sheet recognition apparatus includes a base plate; and one or a plurality of line sensors engaged in the base plate. An engaging portion between the line sensor and the base plate has a concave-convex engaging structure in which a concave-convex portion provided in the line sensor and a concave-convex portion provided in the base plate are engaged with each other, a convex portion of the concave-convex portion provided in the line sensor has the same size as a convex portion of the concave-convex portion provided in the base plate in the direction perpendicular to the paper-sheet transport direction, each of the concave-convex portions is formed having an inclined surface that extends downwardly from a horizontal plane, and edges of end faces of the concave-convex portions and boundaries between a horizontal plane of the base plate and the inclined surfaces of the concave-convex portions are round chamfered. |
| US08411332B2 |
Image forming apparatus
A power saving mode includes a plurality of levels that are different in recovery time to a normal mode and in power consumption of a main body system. The plurality of levels are set to correspond to remaining heat temperature of a fixing device so that the recovery time to the normal mode becomes shorter as the remaining heat temperature is higher, and the power consumption of the main body system becomes lower as the remaining heat temperature is lower. Depending on a change in the remaining heat temperature, a power control section switches to a level corresponding to the remaining heat temperature, of the plurality of levels of the power saving mode of the main body system. |
| US08411329B2 |
Dual optical path image scanner for automatic image quality measurements in an image production device
A method for automatically measuring image quality using a dual optical path image scanner an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a signal to measure image quality, moving a flip-mirror into an optical path of the image scanner, initiating scanning and printing of a test image for measuring image quality, outputting the test image, and measuring image quality based on the output test image. |
| US08411323B2 |
Method for generating print data and a color printer system
A method for generating print data for digital color images uses a division of the images in windows. Each window is characterized as belonging to a predefined class, based on values of pixels in corresponding windows in at least two sub-images that are derived from the color image by a series of image processing steps. These sub-images are, e.g. a gradient sub-image in which the value of every pixel indicates the difference of that pixel with its local neighborhood and a non-uniformity sub-image in which each pixel determined to be comprised in a uniform area is provided with a predetermined value. The percentage of windows belonging to a class is calculated and compared to threshold values to identify an image type. This image type is used to select a conversion method to convert the color image into print data for printing on the printer system. |
| US08411317B2 |
Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus capable of adjusting the difference between the spectral characteristics
An image reading apparatus includes a light source which irradiates an original with light, an imaging unit which images by condensing reflected and scattered light from the original via a plurality of reflecting mirrors and imaging mirrors, and a photoelectric conversion unit which converts, into an electrical signal, the reflected and scattered light imaged by the imaging unit. The imaging unit is an imaging optical system which is adjusted such that the difference between the spectral characteristic at an end portion in the main-scanning direction of the image reading apparatus and that at the central portion in the main-scanning direction becomes 5% or less at the peak wavelength of the light source. |
| US08411308B2 |
Printing machine and ejection control method for the same
Disclosed is a printing machine comprising: encoders (311 and 312) configured to detect respective angular velocities of a drive roller and a driven roller as a travel speed of core members inside a transfer belt (160); a DSP (321) configured to extract from a temporal variation in a ratio of the measured speed at each roller speed ratio data (profile data) having a frequency corresponding to the speed ratio of a core portion; profile data memory (332) configured to store the profile data; and a head controller (334) configured to control the timing at which each image is formed by a head unit (110) on the basis of the profile data so that positional deviation among multiple images on the transfer belt (160) may be reduced. The head unit (110) forms multiple images on a record medium under the control of the head controller (334). Thus, an ink misalignment at the time of printing can be prevented with high accuracy by recording a change in the core members inside the belt as a profile, using this profile, and reducing memory usage and arithmetic processing load. |
| US08411306B2 |
Image forming apparatus, document reading apparatus, server apparatus, and data processing system
A data processing system is provided, which improves convenience for a user in setting an operation parameter for application software to be executed by a server apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus via a network. An extracting portion of the image forming apparatus extracts a parameter entered by the user from a parameter setting sheet bearing the parameter entered therein, and transmits the extracted parameter to the server apparatus. Application software installed in the server apparatus receiving the parameter apply various kinds of information processing to document image data transmitted from the image forming apparatus, based on the parameter extracted by the extracting portion of the image forming apparatus. |
| US08411302B2 |
Printing system, printing apparatus and print control method therefor
When an instruction to transfer a print job, which has been issued from a print data source to Device A, to Device B is made, a transfer request for the job is issued from Device A to Device B (1502). Device B then spools the transfer request in a print queue and issues a job data transmission request for the print job to Device A at a timing at which Device B can execute the transfer request (1503). In response to the transmission request, Device A transmits job data to Device B (1504), and Device B prints the job data (1505). Through this, an unnecessary transfer of job data from a device to another device can be eliminated, and thus throughput during transfer of job data is improved. |
| US08411301B2 |
Document printing by setting time and location based on facility/building map
The subject application is directed to a system and method for location-based document output scheduling. At least one electronic document is first received into an associated data storage. A map is generated on an associated display, which map includes indicia corresponding to alternative facility locations associated with a selected event. The map also includes indicia corresponding to locations of alternative document rendering devices corresponding to the facility. Device selection data is received from an associated user of at least one document rendering device selected from the alternative document rendering devices as well as temporal data corresponding to a time of the selected event. Operation of each selected document rendering device is commenced so as to render the at least one electronic document at a timing corresponding to the temporal data. |
| US08411300B2 |
Image processing apparatus and workflow execution system, method, and program for executing workflow by proxy image processing apparatus
In a workflow execution system, work control information for executing a work assigned to one of a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to a network; workflow execution information indicating which works of a workflow have been executed; and information indicating an image processing apparatus on the next tier, are stored in a portable recording medium. When the work is executed by a proxy image processing apparatus, it is judged from the information stored in the portable recording medium whether or not the work can be executed by the proxy image processing apparatus, and if it can be executed, the work is executed based on the information stored in the portable recording medium. When proxy execution of the work is completed, workflow execution information including the execution result and image information are stored in the portable recording medium and transmitted to the image processing apparatus on the next tier. |
| US08411288B2 |
Method and a device for measuring the edge of optical lenses
A method and an arrangement for determining the coordinates K of at least one point P1 on an edge of an optical lens, wherein the lens is held/can be positioned, by a retaining device, with the edge which is to be measured in an optical path of an optical micrometer, whereby the lens is held/can be positioned with the edge in the optical path, a coordinate Za is determined for the point P1, a variation of the relative position between the lens and the optical path is made, which is based on a pivotal axis S, a coordinate Zb is determined in the new position B for the point P1, and the coordinates Ya and Yb are determined. |
| US08411287B2 |
Metrology method and apparatus, lithographic apparatus, device manufacturing method and substrate
A metrology apparatus is arranged to illuminate a plurality of targets with an off-axis illumination mode. Images of the targets are obtained using only one first order diffracted beam. Where the target is a composite grating, overlay measurements can be obtained from the intensities of the images of the different gratings. Overlay measurements can be corrected for errors caused by variations in the position of the gratings in an image field. |
| US08411280B2 |
Surface shape measurement apparatus
An apparatus for measuring a shape of a surface, comprises a measurement head which measures at least one of a distance between a reference point and the surface and a direction of a normal from the surface to the reference point, a scanning mechanism which scans the measurement head, and a processor which calculates the shape of the surface based on a measurement result measured using the measurement head and coordinates of the reference point, wherein the coordinates of the reference point are calibrated using a measurement result measured by scanning the measurement head along a scanning path in association with a first surface to be measured, and a shape of a second surface to be measured is calculated based on a measurement result measured by scanning the measurement head along the same scanning path in association with the second surface, and the calibrated coordinates of the reference point. |
| US08411276B2 |
Multi-grade object sorting system and method
A paper sorting system allows the high speed determination of the presence of printed matter for individual sheets of paper in a stream of waste paper. Sorting criteria may be selected by a user from a plurality of predefined options to sort the paper stream. The selected category of paper to be sorted may include newspaper or magazines. |
| US08411275B1 |
Nanocomposite thin films for high temperature optical gas sensing of hydrogen
The disclosure relates to a plasmon resonance-based method for H2 sensing in a gas stream at temperatures greater than about 500° C. utilizing a hydrogen sensing material. The hydrogen sensing material is comprised of gold nanoparticles having an average nanoparticle diameter of less than about 100 nanometers dispersed in an inert matrix having a bandgap greater than or equal to 5 eV, and an oxygen ion conductivity less than approximately 10−7 S/cm at a temperature of 700° C. Exemplary inert matrix materials include SiO2, Al2O3, and Si3N4 as well as modifications to modify the effective refractive indices through combinations and/or doping of such materials. At high temperatures, blue shift of the plasmon resonance optical absorption peak indicates the presence of H2. The method disclosed offers significant advantage over active and reducible matrix materials typically utilized, such as yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) or TiO2. |
| US08411271B2 |
Pattern forming method, pattern forming apparatus, and device manufacturing method
A plurality of wafer marks on a wafer is detected while a wafer stage moves from a loading position where a wafer is delivered onto the wafer stage to an exposure starting position where exposure of a wafer begins, with a part of an alignment system also moving, using the alignment system. Accordingly, the time required for mark detection can be reduced, therefore, it becomes possible to increase the throughput of the entire exposure process. |
| US08411269B2 |
Spectroscopic module
In the spectroscopy module 1, a light detecting element 4 is provided with a light passing opening 4b through which light made incident into a body portion 2 passes. Therefore, it is possible to prevent deviation of the relative positional relationship between the light passing opening 4b and a light detection portion 4a of the light detecting element 4. Further, an optical element 7, which guides light made incident into the body portion 2, is arranged at the light passing opening 4b. Therefore, light, which is to be made incident into the body portion 2, is not partially blocked at a light incident edge portion of the light passing opening 4b, but light, which is to be made incident into the body portion 2, can be guided securely. Therefore, according to the spectroscopy module 1, it is possible to improve the reliability. |
| US08411265B2 |
Apparatus for stabilizing mechanical, thermal, and optical properties and for reducing the fluorescence of biological samples for optical evaluation
An apparatus is presented for stabilizing an optical, thermal, and mechanical interface between a spectroscopic and/or imaging system and a biological sample. The apparatus includes a window retainer having a retainer surface and a well. The retainer surface surrounds the well. Further, the retainer surface is substantially planar. An optical window is located in the well. The optical window comprises a first and second surface. The second surface is in contact with the window retainer. The first surface is substantially flush with the retainer surface. The apparatus further includes an attachment mechanism coupling the window retainer to the biological sample such that a fluid, gel, adhesive or elastomer interposed between the optical window and the biological sample is trapped in the well. |
| US08411262B2 |
Downhole gas breakout sensor
A downhole fluid analysis tool has a housing and a flow passage for downhole fluid. A device disposed in the tool housing relative to the flow passage has a one or more sources, one or more sensing optics, one or more detectors, and control circuitry. The source generates an input signal. The sensing optic has a refractive index (RI) higher than crude oil and other expected constituents. A sensing surface of the optic optically coupled to the source interfaces with a downhole fluid. When the variable RI of the downhole fluid reaches a defined relationship to the optic's RI, the input signal interacting with the sensing surface experiences total internal reflection, and the reflected signal from the sensing surface remains in the sensing optic and reflects to a detector. The control circuitry monitors the detector's response and indicates gas break out if the response is above a threshold. |
| US08411259B2 |
Optical time-domain reflectometer
A optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) which sends and receives pulses for multiple frequencies down a fiber under testing (FUT). These frequencies can include frequencies for testing a live FUT and frequencies for testing a dark FUT. The pulses of the various frequencies are sent and received through a single optical connection with the FUT. The number of connections necessary to test the fiber is thus reduced. The OTDR may also include a built in passive optical network (PON) power meter, which measures the power level of the fiber over the same single optical connection. |
| US08411257B2 |
Folded path laser rangefinder architecture and technique incorporating a single circuit board for mounting of both laser emitting and detecting elements
A handheld, folded-path, laser rangefinder architecture and technique incorporating a single circuit board for mounting of both the laser emitting and detecting elements is disclosed. The architecture disclosed provides an efficient and low cost design for a laser rangefinder, and by eliminating the conventional provision of separate circuit boards for the laser transmitting and receiving elements, reduces the overall size of the unit and its cost of manufacture by concomitantly eliminating unnecessary interconnecting cables and the like. |
| US08411256B2 |
Distance measuring apparatus and control method thereof
The invention provides a distance measuring apparatus for measuring distance to a target, having: a light emitter for emitting a measuring light; a light receiving system for receiving a reflected light reflected from the target and outputting a sensing signal; a comparator having a reference signal input terminal for receiving a reference signal, a sensing signal input terminal for receiving the sensing signal, and a comparison result signal output terminal for outputting a comparison result signal according to comparison results between the reference signal and the sensing signal; and a process and control module for providing the reference signal to the reference signal input terminal of the comparator and adjusting the reference signal according to the comparison signal. |
| US08411254B2 |
Device manufacturing method, control system, computer program and computer-readable medium
A device manufacturing method in a lithographic apparatus includes determining a plurality of positions on a substrate. The plurality of positions on a measurement substrate are scanned in a first direction to determine a first substrate map of the substrate levels of the measurement substrate. The plurality of positions on the measurement substrate are scanned in a second direction to determine a second substrate map of the substrate levels of the measurement substrate. A difference map is produced that includes information of the difference in measurement substrate surface level using the first substrate map and the second substrate map. |
| US08411250B2 |
Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method
An exposure apparatus includes a measurement system which performs exposure control measurement using a first mark arranged on an original stage and a second mark arranged on a substrate stage, and a control unit which can set, when the measurement system performs the measurement in order to expose a substrate to light under a certain illumination condition, an illumination condition different from the certain illumination condition. |
| US08411246B2 |
Resist coating and developing apparatus and method
A resist coating/developing apparatus includes: a resist film-forming unit configured to apply a resist onto a substrate to form thereon a resist film; a resist developing unit configured to develop the resist film after exposure to pattern the resist film; a solvent gas generator configured to generate a solvent gas containing a vapor of a solvent having a property of dissolving the resist film; a solvent gas conditioner connected to the solvent gas generator and configured to condition the solvent gas generated in the solvent gas generator; a processing chamber configured to house the substrate having thereon the resist film which has been developed and patterned in the resist developing unit, and connected to the solvent gas conditioner so that the solvent gas, which has been conditioned in the solvent gas conditioning section, is supplied to the substrate housed in the processing chamber; and an exhaust system connected to the processing chamber to evacuate the processing chamber to a reduced pressure. |
| US08411244B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and fabricating method thereof with a simplified mask process
A liquid crystal display device and a fabricating method thereof for simplifying a process are disclosed. In the method of fabricating the liquid crystal display device, a first conductive pattern group including a gate line and a gate electrode, a common line and a common electrode, a pixel electrode and a pad in a multiple conductive layer having a stepwise shape including a transparent conductive layer is formed on a substrate by a first mask process. An insulating film and a semiconductor layer including a plurality of contact holes are formed on the first mask pattern group by a second mask process. A second pattern group including a data line, a source electrode and a drain electrode is formed on the semiconductor layer and the semiconductor layer is patterned, and an active layer is exposed between the source electrode and the drain electrode by a third mask process. |
| US08411242B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
Disclosed is an active matrix liquid crystal display device including substrates and a liquid crystal layer. The substrate includes: scan signal wiring lines; common signal wiring lines; video signal wiring lines intersecting these wiring lines; and pixels surrounded with the scan signal wiring lines and the video signal wiring lines. Each of pixels includes: a thin film transistor; source electrodes in a layer with the video signal wiring lines; pixel electrodes connected to the source electrodes; and common electrodes connected to the common signal wiring lines. The source electrodes include first parts overlapping the scan signal wiring lines and second parts connecting with the pixel electrodes, which are positioned around central parts between the video signal wiring lines. Molecular axes in the liquid crystal layer rotate under an electric field applied between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes. |
| US08411236B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal display device having high aperture ratio and method of fabricating the same
A transflective liquid crystal display device including a first substrate including a plurality of pixel regions, each of the pixel regions having a transmissive portion and a reflective portion, a gate line on the first substrate along a first direction, a data line along a second direction transverse to the first direction and crossing the gate line, an organic layer formed over the gate line and the data line, a switching device connected to the gate line and the data line, a transparent pixel electrode formed on the transmissive region and connected to the switching device, a reflective layer formed on the reflective region, the reflective layer having an open portion that exposes the pixel electrode on the transmissive region, wherein the reflective layer covers the gate line and the data line, and the organic layer covered by the reflective layer has a step profile at a side portion along a periphery of the organic layer, and a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and a second substrate. |
| US08411234B2 |
Active array substrate, electrode substrate, and liquid crystal display panel capable of locating ions in a non-display region
An active array substrate, an electrode substrate, and a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) are provided. The LCD includes an active array substrate, an electrode substrate, and a liquid crystal layer. The active array substrate includes a base, a plurality of scan lines and data lines disposed on the base, a plurality of pixel electrodes, and a plurality of active devices. Each of the active devices is electrically connected to the corresponding scan line, date line, and pixel electrode to define a pixel region and a non-display region. The electrode substrate includes a base and a common electrode disposed on the base of the electrode substrate. The liquid crystal layer is formed between the active array substrate and the electrode substrate and includes liquid molecules with a threshold voltage, a saturation voltage and ions located in the non-display region. |
| US08411230B2 |
Light polarizer
A polarizer is provided comprising a subwavelength optical microstructure wherein the microstructure is partially covered with a light-transmissive inhibiting surface for polarizing light. The inhibiting surface can include a reflective surface, such as a metalized coating. The subwavelength optical microstructure can include moth-eye structures, linear prisms, or modified structures thereof A polarizing structure is further provided comprising a plurality of moth-eye structures stacked on one another for polarizing light. |
| US08411225B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
An LCD device is disclosed. The LCD device includes: a main support of a rectangular rim shape configured to receive a backlight; a liquid crystal display panel disposed on the main support; and first and second top cases disposed to respectively cover first and second portions of the main support and to be mutually discrete and separate from each other, wherein the first and second top cases contact with the main support and bury the liquid crystal display panel therein. |
| US08411223B2 |
Protective plate integrated display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a display panel, a protective plate to protect the panel, a resin layer to join them, and a support having an opening corresponding to a screen area of the panel. The panel is disposed on one side of the support so that the screen area faces the opening. A peripheral portion of the panel is fixed to the support. The plate has such projecting widths that the peripheral portion thereof is overlapped on the periphery of the opening. The plate is arranged on the other side of the support with the peripheral portion thereof being fixed to the support through spacers provided between the support and plate to surround the opening at intervals. Some spacers are continuously formed extending from the edge of the opening to the edge of the plate. The resin layer is charged into the opening and a region surrounded by the spacers. |
| US08411222B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and video display device using the same
In a liquid crystal display device and a video display device using the same, for suppressing light unevenness at the end of a display region, the video display device is provided with a liquid crystal display device and a housing configured to support the liquid crystal display device, wherein the liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel, a first frame and a liquid crystal support member which interpose the liquid crystal panel therebetween, a light guide plate which is disposed at the liquid crystal support member on a side opposite to a side where the liquid crystal panel is disposed, and a light source which is disposed at a side surface of the light guide plate, and wherein a cushion member is disposed between the liquid crystal support member and the light guide plate. |
| US08411221B2 |
Display device and repairing method for the same
A display device and a repairing method for the same are disclosed. The display device includes a substrate, a pixel array, at least one gate driver unit, at least one source driver unit, a first repair line, a second repair line, a first dummy line, and a second dummy line. The first repair line is disposed between the pixel array and the source driver unit. The second repair line is disposed opposite to the first repair line on the pixel array. The first dummy line and the second dummy line are respectively disposed at two sides of the pixel array and crossing the gate lines, the first repair line, and the second repair line. A signal transmission is not required to go around the outmost periphery of the gate driver unit in a repairing process. As a result, the signal attenuation can be decreased effectively. |
| US08411208B2 |
Attached device control on television event
A television includes at least two inputs and at least one connected device (component). Upon a system event such as changing from one input to another input, the television signals the at least one connected device to change at least one operating parameter of the device. |
| US08411205B2 |
Noise reducing image processing apparatus
An electrical apparatus to reduce noise and minimize a drop in resolution. A recording unit records a processing target frame image and prior and future frame images; a first pixel-extracting section extracts pixels in a prescribed region; a second pixel-extracting section extracts pixels in a region corresponding to the prescribed region in the prior and future frame images; a first distance calculating section calculates temporospatial distances; a second distance calculating section calculates inter-pixel-value distances; and a noise reduction section reduces the processing target frame image on the basis of the temporospatial distance and the inter-pixel-value distance. |
| US08411204B2 |
Image display device
According to the present invention, there is provided an image display device for displaying acquired image information including: an information acquisition section for acquiring image information and information associated with the image information by communication from an external device; an adjustment section for executing image quality adjustment processing in relation to display of the image information; and a setting section for setting details of the image quality adjustment processing, based on the information. Therefore, details of the image quality adjustment processing may easily be set automatically in an appropriate manner. |
| US08411202B2 |
Automatic gain control circuit in video signal processing device
In an automatic gain control circuit comprising a black level detecting unit which detects a black level from a video signal, a white level detecting unit which detects a white level from the video signal, and an analog-to-digital converter which adjusts a dynamic range of the video signal based on a difference value between the black level and the white level, a video signal for adjustment including a black level which indicates a minimum brightness of a video image and a white level which indicates a maximum brightness of the video image is input and the dynamic range is adjusted. |
| US08411199B2 |
Transport device for an instrument for photo, video, audio recording or the like
The transport device for an instrument (2) for photo, video, audio recording or the like comprises a body (10), connection means (3) accommodated in the body (10) and intended for fixing the instrument (2) to the device (1), supporting means (4) fixed to the body (10) and intended for anchoring the device (1) to the user's body, and a sustaining element (5) one extremity of which is restrained to the body (10). |
| US08411195B2 |
Focus direction detection confidence system and method
An apparatus and method for determining confidence in focus direction detection, including the steps of capturing a plurality of images, calculating sets of matching errors and blur difference estimations relating to the images, capturing a plurality of object images; calculating sets of matching errors and blur difference estimations relating to the images, calculating a confidence indicator as a function of either the matching errors or blur difference estimations, and automatically adjusting a focus control element in response to said confidence indicator exceeding a threshold value. |
| US08411192B2 |
Image capturing module, method for manufacturing the image capturing module, and electronic information device
An image capturing module according to the present invention includes a holder member, which accommodates therein a focusing lens for forming an image of a subject light on an image capturing chip attached on a substrate and is attached to the substrate to cover the image capturing chip, where the holder member is directly supported on a surface of the image capturing chip. |
| US08411191B2 |
Display control device, imaging device, and printing device
A digital camera (1) has an image recorder (12), a microcomputer (3), and an image display controller (13). The image recorder (12) is configured to record a moving picture formed from a plurality of still pictures, along with a panning mode signal (60) related to the panning of the digital camera (1). The microcomputer (3) is configured to produce a plurality of extracted images from the moving picture recorded by the image recorder (12), and configured to determine the disposition of the plurality of extracted images on the basis of the panning mode signal (60) recorded by the image recorder (12). The image display controller (13) is configured to display at least two of the plurality of the extracted images side by side on a display section (55) on the basis of the determination result of the microcomputer (3). |
| US08411188B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device
A solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element that converts light into an electric signal, a feedback amplifying circuit that amplifies a signal of the pixel using an amplification factor that is based on a variable feedback capacitor, a storage capacitor connected to an output node of the amplifying circuit via a first switch, and a load element connected to the output node of the amplifying circuit via a second switch. The second switch is in an on state during any one of or both of a period in which the feedback capacitor is reset and a period in which the first switch is in an on state. |
| US08411185B2 |
Solid-state imaging apparatus having plural unit cell groups with transfer switches connected to different common output lines
A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a plurality of unit cell groups arranged in a row direction and a plurality of common output lines for transmitting output signals from the plurality of unit cell groups, each including a plurality of unit cells arranged in the row direction. Each of the plurality of unit cells includes an m number of pixels arranged in a column direction and including photoelectric conversion elements each converting incident light to different color signals; an m number of holding units holding color signals of the m number of pixels; an m number of color selecting switches each selecting one color signal from within the color signals held in the m number of holding units; and a transfer switch outputting the color signals selected by the color selecting switches to one common output line of the plurality of common output lines. |
| US08411183B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and driving method as well as electronic appartus
A solid-state imaging device includes: a CMOS image sensor including a plurality of pixels disposed in an array and each including a light reception element, a discharging unit, a charge accumulation section, a transfer unit, a reset unit, an amplification unit, and a selection unit; and a control unit adapted to generate a selection pulse for rendering the selection unit operative to control operation of the CMOS image sensor. |
| US08411181B2 |
Image pick-up apparatus for controlling generation of an electronic shutter pulse signal based on one of a detected brightness of an imaging object and an obtained current exposure value, and method and non-transitory computer readable recording medium therefor
The digital still camera 1 has CCD 33 with an electronic shutter for controlling an exposure amount, and a timing generator 34 and a vertical/horizontal driver 35 for driving CCD 33. Under control of a controlling unit 42, the timing generator 34 and a vertical/horizontal driver 35 generate an electronic shutter pulse signal once every time plural periods have come each for reading charge of one line from CCD 33. Power consumption can be reduced in controlling exposure using the electronic shutter. |
| US08411180B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, camera system, solid-state imaging device reading method and program
A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel section formed by pixels having a photoelectric conversion function arranged in a matrix; a pixel driving section driving the operation of the pixels to allow a readout to be performed according to a readout mode; a readout circuit reading out signals from the pixels and outputting the signals as image data in a raw data format; and a logic section performing scaling and phase correction in preparation for a resolution conversion process on a signal output from the readout circuit. The logic section includes a resize portion performing a scaling process on the signal from the readout circuit according to a scaling factor N and a correction portion obtaining a distance Scaled_P between pixels of the same color which have been scaled from the scaling factor N, a readout factor B, and a distance P between pixels of different colors, obtaining the amount of correction to be made on a pixel to be corrected from the distance Scaled_P and the distance P, and performing phase correction according to the amount of correction. |
| US08411178B2 |
Solid-state imaging apparatus, imaging system and driving method for solid-state imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging apparatus, an imaging system and a driving method for the solid-state imaging apparatus that can reduce jaggy while increasing speed of operation for reading out signals are provided. The driving method includes a first step of storing one or more signals from the plurality of pixels in each of the plurality of first holding units; a second step of adding the signals from the plurality of pixels stored in the plurality of first holding units; and a third step of outputting the signal stored in the second holding unit, such that at least a part of a period of the first step is overlapped with a period of the third step. |
| US08411177B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing current pulses to illumination source in imaging scanner
A method and apparatus for providing current pulses to the illumination source in an imaging scanner. The method includes: (1) sensing a current supplied from a current port to obtain a current-monitoring signal; (2) controlling a charge current provided to a storage capacitor based on the current-monitoring signal; (3) measuring a parameter related to a voltage across the storage capacitor; and (4) generating a driving current for the illumination source by the illumination driver circuit, if the parameter is above a predetermined threshold value, to provide a driving current for a illumination source in an imaging scanner. |
| US08411176B2 |
Image input device
Provided is an image input device capable of generating a luminance signal having a high ratio of S/N of an image, and further capable of providing the image with a little uncomfortable feeling even in the night time when the amount of photons is few, wherein, when a visible light luminance signal is relatively low, and an infrared component is predominant in an original image component, for example, correcting color-difference signals with added luminance prevents the color-difference signals with the added luminance from being too high, thereby it becomes possible to perform more natural color reproduction, which is close to original visible light, and gives a little uncomfortable feeling. |
| US08411173B2 |
Black level correction circuit and solid-state imaging device
A black level correction circuit includes: a counter counting a black signal level of an image; a black level determination section determining a feedback gain by comparing data outputted from the counter with a previously set threshold; an average value calculation section calculating an average value from data supplied from the counter; a feedback calculation processing section selecting the feedback gain by a control signal supplied from the black level determination section and calculating the selected feedback gain and the averaged data; and a digital-analog converter correcting data to which feedback calculation processing has been performed and converting the corrected data into analog data to output an analog black signal. |
| US08411170B2 |
Image processing device and image processing program
An image processing device that rotates an image according to the inclination of a line segment included in the image, includes an evaluation unit 106 that evaluates a plurality of line segments whose inclinations are different, on the basis of each of a plurality of different decision standards, and a selection unit 106 that selects, on the basis of the results of the plurality of evaluations, from among the plurality of line segments, a line segment on the basis of which the image is to be rotated. |
| US08411161B2 |
Apparatus for automatic estimate of the angle in tilted images for level correction
A method of and an apparatus for automatically estimating the tilting angle in tilted images enables level correction of the images. A preferred orientation of objects in an image and the deviation of the current orientation from the preferred orientation is determined by tilt image analysis without object recognition. Tilt image analysis includes several steps such as gradient feature computation, line segment tracking, line segment estimation and orientation deviation estimation. Once the tilt angle is determined, the image can be corrected so that an object or scene is not tilted or is tilted by only the appropriate amount. |
| US08411156B2 |
Signal processing apparatus and method for suppressing a delay in imaging data
According to one embodiment, an imaging apparatus including an imaging module that outputs imaging data for each color component including a synchronization code, a synchronization detecting module that detects a synchronization code from imaging data output from the imaging module, a data holding module that temporarily holds video data for each color component output from the imaging module, and a synchronization module that aligns the phases of video data for each color component held by the data holding module. |
| US08411155B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and lens barrel
An imaging apparatus capable of preventing photographing sensitivity from being increased more than necessary, reducing image quality degradation caused by camera shake or object shake and easily photographing images in good image quality. The imaging apparatus includes an imaging optical system that forms an optical image of a photographing object. An imaging sensor receives the optical image and converts the optical image to an electrical image signal. A detector determines, based on the image signal, whether the photographing object is a specific photographing object likely to move while a photograph is being captured that corresponds to information stored in a memory device provided to the imagining apparatus. A control section establishes an operational mode causing the imaging apparatus to continuously take a plurality of photographs of the photographing object when the photographing object is determined to be the specific photographing object that is likely to move. |
| US08411150B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
In an apparatus, object information and information on a transmission destination representing the transmission destination of image data are registered in correspondence with each other. An object in the image data is identified. The image data is transmitted to a transmission destination represented by information on a transmission destination corresponding to identified object information. The transmission status of the image data by a transmission unit is displayed on a display unit together with the image data. |
| US08411149B2 |
Method and device for identifying and extracting images of multiple users, and for recognizing user gestures
The invention relates to a method for identifying and extracting images of one or more users in an interactive environment comprising the steps of: —obtaining a depth map (7) of a scene in the form of an array of depth values, and an image (8) of said scene in the form of a corresponding array of pixel values, said depth map (7) and said image (8) being registered; applying a coordinate transformation to said depth map (7) and said image (8) for obtaining a corresponding array (15) containing the 3D positions in a real-world coordinates system and pixel values points; —grouping said points according to their relative positions, by using a clustering process (18) so that each group contains points that are in the same region of space and correspond to a user location (19); —defining individual volumes of interest (20) each corresponding to one of said user locations (19); —selecting, from said array (15) containing the 3D positions and pixel values, the points located in said volumes of interest for obtaining segmentation masks (35) for each user; —applying said segmentation masks (35) to said image (8) for extracting images of said users. The invention also relates to a method for recognizing gestures of said users. |
| US08411146B2 |
Single camera color and infrared polarimetric imaging
A single aperture polarimetric color imaging system includes a color filter array including a plurality of RGB filter elements in a path of received radiation that includes color band and near IR light. A linear polarizer array includes a plurality of polarization filter elements that provide a plurality of different polarization orientations that are optically aligned with the RGB filter elements. A single common pixel array includes a plurality of photodetector pixels for transducing the color band or near IR light into electrical signals after processing by the color filter array and linear polarizer array. A band select switching device switches between selectively transmitting the near IR band and color band or color band including light. A signal processor is coupled to receive and process the electrical signals from the common pixel array and generates polarimetric image data from the near IR band light and color image data from the color band or color band including light. |
| US08411140B2 |
Tactile sensor using elastomeric imaging
A tactile sensor includes a photosensing structure, a volume of elastomer capable of transmitting an image, and a reflective skin covering the volume of elastomer. The reflective skin is illuminated through the volume of elastomer by one or more light sources, and has particles that reflect light incident on the reflective skin from within the volume of elastomer. The reflective skin is geometrically altered in response to pressure applied by an entity touching the reflective skin, the geometrical alteration causing localized changes in the surface normal of the skin and associated localized changes in the amount of light reflected from the reflective skin in the direction of the photosensing structure. The photosensing structure receives a portion of the reflected light in the form of an image, the image indicating one or more features of the entity producing the pressure. |
| US08411137B2 |
Dual projection system with inversely synchronized channel projections
A dual projection system utilizes a first projector and a second projector to project alternating left and right channel images of a 3D display. The projectors are inversely synchronized such that while the first projector projects a right channel image the other projector projects a left channel image. A projection filter in each projector has left channel properties when the image being projected is a left channel image and right channel properties when the image being projected is a right channel image. The images projected from each projector alternate between left and right channel images approximately once per frame. |
| US08411136B2 |
Video display apparatus and video display method
In general, according to one embodiment, a video display apparatus includes a backlight, a signal processing module, a transmission-type display panel, and a lighting timing generation processing module. The signal processing module is configured to process an input video signal and output an output video signal for 2D display or 3D display. The transmission-type display panel is configured to control transmission of light supplied from the backlight according to the output video signal. The lighting timing generation processing module is configured to switch between a backlight lighting period for the 2D display and a backlight lighting period for the 3D display in such a manner that a time of a center of gravity of a figure formed by a response level-time curve in the backlight lighting period is later in the 3D display than in the 2D display. |
| US08411128B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling camera of portable terminal
An apparatus and method for controlling a camera of a portable terminal are provided. The method includes determining a rate at which at least a portion of a subject occupies an input image obtained in a video phone call from camera, comparing the determined rate with a preset reference level, automatically controlling a zoom function of the camera according to the comparison result, and transmitting the input image obtained from the camera in which the zoom function is automatically controlled. |
| US08411125B2 |
Exposure device and image forming apparatus, with driving unit setting barycentric position
Each of a plurality of pixels is formed with a group of a plurality of spots or a single spot. The barycentric position of each pixel is determined by the distribution of the spots or the position of the single spot. While the number of pixels on the exposure object is maintained in a first direction corresponding to the array direction of the light sources, an exposure feasible width on an exposure object can be adjusted in the first direction by setting the barycentric position at least in the first direction out of the first direction and a second direction that is the moving direction of the exposure object. |
| US08411122B2 |
Exposure device and image forming apparatus
An exposure device includes light emitting elements, a driving circuit, an image-signal connector, a power connector, and an adjustment-control-signal connector. The light emitting elements emit light which an exposure target member is exposed to. The driving circuit performs one of first and second drive operations. The image-signal connector has terminals connected to core wires of an image-signal cable, and relays, to the driving circuit, image signals transmitted through the image-signal cable. In the image-signal cable, the core wires are arranged at a first pitch. The power connector has terminals arranged at a pitch wider than the first pitch, and relays, to the driving circuit, power transmitted through power cables. The adjustment-control-signal connector has terminals arranged at a pitch wider than the first pitch, and relays, to the driving circuit, light-amount adjustment control signals transmitted through adjustment-control-signal cables. |
| US08411120B2 |
Generation of color images
Methods for generating a color image are provided which include a multi-layer construction in which at least one of the layers is a thermally activatable layer that includes a thermally activatable composition. The thermally activatable composition includes a non-linear light to heat converter composition and a color forming compound. Upon activation with a light source an image forms. |
| US08411119B2 |
Printer module including movable blade module and fixed blade module
A printer module for use in a printer apparatus having a rotationally openable lid includes a fixed blade module having a fixed blade, a movable blade module having a movable blade and configured to be joined to the fixed blade module such that the movable blade and the fixed blade face each other, and a positioning unit configured to position the movable blade module relative to the fixed blade module such that an angle between the movable blade and the fixed blade becomes optimum upon joining the movable blade module to the fixed blade module, wherein the movable blade module is configured to be movable relative to the rotationally openable lid upon being mounted on the rotationally openable lid of the printer apparatus. |
| US08411115B1 |
Scaling raster objects in a graphical development enviroment using nine-slice scaling
Scaling of raster or bitmapped objects is described by converting such raster or bitmapped objects into symbol objects in a graphics development environment (GDE). A grid of lines is superimposed over the symbol visually dividing it into multiple segments. The position and shape of each segment will determine how the symbol is scaled during operation. The various segments may either be locked or editable. When edit input is received to change a size of the symbol, the locked portions of the symbol object are preserved while the editable regions are scaled to accommodate the edit instruction. |
| US08411114B2 |
Image display device, and program product for displaying image
The image display device includes: a storage unit that stores a plurality of templates for image arrangement a setting unit that sets a number of arrangement subject images; an image selection unit that selects the arrangement subject images from among photographic images; a decision unit that makes a decision as to whether or not the orientations of the selected arrangement subject images are portrait format or landscape format; a template selection unit that selects a subject template from among the plurality of templates stored in the storage unit, on the basis of the number of images to be arranged and the decision result by the decision unit; a creation unit that creates an image for display by arranging the arrangement subject images in the image arrangement regions within the selected subject template; and a display control unit that displays the created image upon a display device. |
| US08411107B2 |
Adaptive snapping
A computer implemented method, apparatus, system, article of manufacture, and computer readable storage medium provide the ability to position/manipulate an object in a computer drawing application. A drawing model having a snap option and a first zoom level is displayed. The snap option that enables a positioning of an object in alignment with grid lines by causing the object to automatically jump to an exact position when the object is moved to within a first snap distance of the exact position. A zoom operation changes the first zoom level to a second zoom level. Automatically, dynamically, and independently from additional user actions, the first snap distance is recalculated based on the second zoom level. |
| US08411104B2 |
Image processing device and image display system
The present invention provides an image processing device and an image display system achieving image quality improvement in moving picture by suppressing a motion blur in a hold-type display device, while maintaining low cost. The image processing device processes image data provided from outside and outputting the image data to a hold type display device. The image processing device includes a correction processing section performing a correction process to correct a pixel value in the image data for each pixel through performing a spatial HPF (high pass filter) process on the image data in a frame to be displayed in the display device according to a magnitude of a motion vector in the image data, the HPF process allowing an overshoot region and an undershoot region to be provided in a vicinity of both ends of the changing edge portion in the image data. |
| US08411098B2 |
Display device modulation system
Arrangements and methods are provided that modulate various display device outputs in response to detected changes in environmental conditions affecting a display screen. The arrangement responds to changing environments to maximize the quality of the display. A sensor that is responsive to the changing environment, such as changes in ambient light, is provided to modulate the display accordingly. The arrangement contains logic for utilizing the sensing input and user preferences to provide the best display under the prevailing conditions. |
| US08411094B2 |
Rendering module for bidimensional graphics
The disclosure relates to a graphics module for rendering a bidimensional scene on a display screen comprising a graphics pipeline of the sort-middle type, said graphics pipeline comprising: a first processing module configured to clip a span-type input primitive received from a rasterizer module into sub-span type primitives to be associated to respective macro-blocks corresponding to portions of the screen, and to store said sub-span type primitives in a scene buffer; a second processing module configured to reconstruct the span-type input primitive starting from said sub-span type primitives, the second processing module being further intended to implement a culling operation of sub-span type primitives of the occluded type. |
| US08411093B2 |
Method and system for stand alone graphics independent of computer system form factor
A discrete graphics system (DGS) for executing 3D graphics instructions for a computer system is disclosed. The discrete graphics system includes a GPU for executing 3D graphics instructions and a DGS system chassis configured to house the GPU. A serial bus connector coupled is to the GPU and the DGS chassis. The serial bus connector is configured to removably connect the DGS and the GPU to the computer system. The GPU of the DGS accesses the computer system via the serial bus connector to execute the 3D graphics instructions for the computer system. |
| US08411089B2 |
Computer graphics method for creating differing fog effects in lighted and shadowed areas
A method for providing fog or fading due to atmospheric effects during computer animation of an image. The method includes determining a lighting value for a scene's or an image's pixels based on the positions of the pixels relative to a light source. The method includes, for each of the pixels, setting a fade in start distance for each pixel measured from a camera location so as to define when fog is added, e.g., when to fade a pixel's color by blending this color with a fog color. The fade in start distances are set based on each pixel's lighting value, whereby pixels with smaller lighting values or shadowed pixels begin to fade first while highlighted pixels fade with greater distances. The method includes adding fog to the image starting at the fade in start distances for each of the pixels and then rendering the image. |
| US08411088B2 |
Accelerated ray tracing
Methods, systems and computer program code (software) products executable in a computer processor element include computing, in the processor element, a minimal axis-aligned bounding box of the intersection of a given axis-aligned bounding box and a triangle under linear motion, and/or traversing, in the processor element, a ray tracing acceleration hierarchy for a given set of rays, wherein the traversing includes computing decisions for a representative form of the rays, without requiring a traversing of all rays in turn. |
| US08411084B2 |
Analysis model generation program, analysis model generation apparatus, analysis model generating method, and method for manufacturing apparatus with analysis model generating method
A program stored in a storage medium directs a computer to perform the processes of: receiving a three-dimensional geometric model; referring to attribute information about fastening between the parts; extracting a fastening portion at which a first and second parts are fastened based on the attribute information and the three-dimensional geometric model; dividing each of the first and second parts into a first geometry in proximity of the fastening portion and one or more second geometries corresponding to a remaining portion in the three-dimensional geometric model; and with respect to each of the first geometries obtained by dividing the first and second parts respectively, referring to a parameter depending on the attribute information and a property value depending on a material of the part, calculating an equivalent property value reflecting fastening based on the parameter and the property value, and assigning the equivalent property value to the first geometry. |
| US08411082B1 |
Streamed ray tracing system and method
An ordered object list is compared with an ordered ray list and if the coordinate value of an entry in the ray list is less than the coordinate value of an entry in the object list, then the ray is added to an active ray list, and a trace of that ray is made against all objects in an active object list. If the coordinate value of the entry in the ray list is greater than the coordinate value of the entry in the object list, then the coordinate value corresponding to the entry in the object list is added to an active object list, and a trace of all rays in the active ray list is made against that coordinate value. Rays and objects are removed from the active lists based on determinations as to whether a trace hit occurred and/or which object point is encountered. |
| US08411081B2 |
Systems and methods for enhancing symmetry in 2D and 3D objects
Systems and methods for enhancing symmetry in 2D and 3D objects are disclosed. At least some embodiments include a computer-readable storage medium including software (executable on a processor) to symmetrize a modeled physical object that causes the processor to identify a plurality of clusters (each including a plurality of symmetric point pairs each derived from a plurality of sampled surface points of the object), and to calculate and apply each of a first plurality of displacement value pairs to corresponding sample positions of the symmetric point pairs within at least one cluster, increasing the symmetry of the cluster. The software further causes the processor to calculate a second plurality of displacement value pairs, to contract the cluster using the second plurality of displacement value pairs, to merge two or more clusters within the transformation space, and to present a graphical representation of the symmetrized modeled physical object to a user. |
| US08411079B2 |
Unit circuit, control method thereof, electronic device, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
A unit circuit includes a capacitive element having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a dielectric layer; a transistor having a gate electrode connected to the first electrode, a first terminal, and a second terminal connected to a driven element; a first switching element controlling electrical connection between the gate electrode of the transistor and the second terminal; and a second switching element connected to the second electrode. A potential of the first electrode is set to a predetermined potential higher by a threshold voltage of the transistor than a first potential by turning on the first switching element, and the potential of the first electrode is set to the first potential by supplying a first operation signal to the second electrode through the turned-on second switching element in a state that the first electrode is electrically isolated from the predetermined potential by turning off the first switching element. |
| US08411078B2 |
Method of modulating/demodulating a signal, apparatus for performing the method and display apparatus including the apparatus
In a method of modulating/demodulating a signal, a transmission signal is generated from an input data signal including data information by combining a plurality of input shift clock signals, which are modulated based on input clock signal during an interval period of the input clock signal, during 2 interval periods of the input clock signal. An output clock signal is detected and an output clock signal is generated from the transmission signal by combining a plurality of output shift clock signals, demodulated based on the output clock signal during an interval period of the output clock, during 2 interval periods of the output clock signal, to restore the data information. |
| US08411076B2 |
Display device
The present invention relates to a display device comprising a battery (6) used as the power supply in standby mode and a standby mode microcontroller (3) which controls the elements used in standby mode by measuring the current drawn from the battery (6) and the battery voltage (Vbat), and in which device, the power drawn from the mains supply in standby mode is zero. |
| US08411075B2 |
Large area electronic sheet and pixel circuits with disordered semiconductors for sensor actuator interface
A pixel circuit including a first transistor; a second transistor, the first transistor and the second transistor serially coupled between a first power supply terminal and a second power supply terminal; and a first capacitor coupled between a gate of the first transistor and a gate of the second transistor, and an electronic sheet including the same. |
| US08411074B2 |
Gate driving circuit having a shift register stage capable of pulling down gate signals of a plurality of shift register stages
A high-reliability gate driving circuit includes a plurality of odd shift register stages and a plurality of even shift register stages. Each odd shift register stage generates a corresponding gate signal furnished to a corresponding odd gate line according to a first clock and a second clock having a phase opposite to the first clock, and further functions to pull down a gate signal of at least one even gate line or at least one odd gate line different from the corresponding odd gate line. Each even shift register stage generates a corresponding gate signal furnished to a corresponding even gate line according to a third clock and a fourth clock having a phase opposite to the third clock, and further functions to pull down a gate signal of at least one odd gate line or at least one even gate line different from the corresponding even gate line. |
| US08411067B2 |
Capacitive touch sensor and fabrication method thereof and capacitive touch panel
A capacitive touch sensor includes multiple first-axis traces, multiple second-axis traces, an insulation layer and multiple metal traces. Each first-axis trace includes multiple first touch-sensing pads and first connecting lines connected therebetween. Each second-axis trace includes multiple second touch-sensing pads and second connecting lines connected therebetween. At least one of the first connecting line and the second connecting line is a metal printing line. |
| US08411063B2 |
Sensing electrode layer and display panel
A display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a display medium. The display medium is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate has a pixel array. The second substrate includes first sensing electrodes arranged in a first direction and second sensing electrodes arranged in a second direction. Each of the first sensing electrodes is formed by alternately arranging first upper sensing electrode patterns and first lower shading electrode patterns. Each of the first upper sensing electrode patterns is electrically connected to the adjacent first lower shading electrode patterns. Each of the second sensing electrodes is formed by alternately arranging second upper sensing electrode patterns and second lower shading electrode patterns. Each of the second upper sensing electrode patterns is electrically connected to the adjacent second lower shading electrode patterns. |
| US08411060B1 |
Swipe gesture classification
Systems and methods for processing a swipe gesture are provided. A method includes receiving an indication of the swipe gesture via a touch screen. The indication of the swipe gesture includes a first event position on the touch screen associated with a first event time and a second event position associated with a second event time. The method also includes calculating a gesture speed for the swipe gesture. The method also includes calculating a reconstructed event position based on the gesture speed and one of the first event position and the second event position. The method also includes, if the reconstructed event position is closer to the edge than the edge threshold, providing an output associated with taking a first action. The method also includes, if the reconstructed event position is further from the edge than the edge threshold, providing an output associated with taking a second action. |
| US08411055B2 |
Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device includes a main body including a housing, a display electrically connected to the main body, and a frame for connecting between the main body and the display. The display includes a display panel and a carrier for carrying the display panel. The portable electronic device is capable of being operated to switch between a closed state and an open state. When the portable electronic device is in the closed state, the display covers the main body with either one of the display panel or the carrier facing the housing of the main body, and the main body and the display are surrounded by the frame. When the portable electronic device is in the open state, the main body is straddled by the frame and is supported by the frame to define a first predetermined angle between the main body and the frame. |
| US08411054B2 |
Input device of touch panel type for vehicle
The present invention features an input device for a touch panel type for a vehicle, wherein, by replacing the conventional switch of a tact type into a touch panel using an electric field sensor, it is able to change an analog input method according to an operation of the conventional switch of the tact type into a digital input method according to electric signals, and also, by a touch panel of a button-integrated type that senses a change of an electric field, it is able to improve utilization of the inner space in the vehicle, and for unifies the panel. |
| US08411048B2 |
Touch panel with parallel electrodes
The disclosure discloses a touch panel with parallel electrodes. The parallel electrodes mainly include a pair of parallel electrodes in x-axis and a pair of parallel electrodes in y-axis, further forming a ring structure by means of a series connection of eight corner resistances. The ring structure is the improvement of the electrode design, and is formed on the conductive layer of touch panel with a chain of series resistances. The voltage support of the conductive layer of the ring structure is provided by the corner electrodes on the conductive layer for touch detection. |
| US08411047B2 |
Touch-sensitive display panel
A touch-sensitive display panel including a first substrate, a second substrate, a display layer and at least one touch-sensitive device is provided. The second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate. The display layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The touch-sensitive device is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and located beside the display layer. The displaying brightness of the touch-sensitive display panel is not adversely affected by the touch-sensitive device. In addition, the thickness of the touch-sensitive display panel is relative small. |
| US08411046B2 |
Column organization of content
Column organization of content is described. In an implementation, a mobile communications device configures a user interface to include a plurality of representations of content arranged according to a plurality of columns that permits navigation between first and second said columns upon detection of a gesture input via a touchscreen of the mobile communications device. The user interface is displayed on a display device of the mobile communications device. The first column is configured for vertical navigation through each of the plurality of representations and the second column includes a filtered subset of the plurality of representations such that at least one of the representations is included in the first column and not the second column. |
| US08411041B2 |
Touch event-driven display control system and method for touchscreen mobile phone
A touch event-driven display control system and method for a touchscreen mobile phone is provided to control the information display by onscreen touch manipulation. An information display method for a touchscreen-enabled device according to the present invention includes detecting a touch on an information region of a touchscreen, determining a type of the touch and processing display of information item according to the type of touch. |
| US08411040B2 |
Operating device of a motor vehicle and method for recording user inputs
In an operating device of a motor vehicle and a method for recording user inputs in a motor vehicle, the operating device includes a control unit and at least one operating element coupled to the control unit, via whose operation a user input is able to be recorded, an approach sensor system being coupled to the control unit, using which an approach of an actuating element, e.g., of a body part, for example, of a finger of a user to the at least one operating element is able to be recorded before the operation of the at least one operating element occurs. The control unit is adapted to, in response to a recorded approach of the actuating element to the at least one operating element, output information in connection with an operation of the operating element before an operation of the operating element occurs. |
| US08411035B2 |
Handheld electronic device, cursor positioning sub-system and method employing cursor scaling control
A track ball cursor positioning sub-system is employed by a handheld electronic device including an operating system and a plurality of applications having a plurality of predetermined scaling values. The cursor positioning sub-system includes a track ball cursor positioning device adapted to output a plurality of device pulses, and a track ball cursor resolution controller adapted to repetitively input the device pulses and to responsively output to the operating system a plurality of cursor movement events. The cursor resolution controller is further adapted to be controlled by the operating system or by the applications to learn which one of the applications is active and to automatically scale a number of the cursor movement events for a corresponding number of the device pulses based upon a corresponding one of the predetermined scaling values of the active one of the applications. |
| US08411028B2 |
Electrophoretic display device driving circuit, electrophoretic display device, and electronic apparatus
An electrophoretic display device driving circuit that drives an electrophoretic display device. The electrophoretic display device includes a display unit that includes a plurality of pixels, each of which includes an electrophoretic element, containing electrophoretic particles, that is provided between a pixel electrode and a common electrode that face each other; a pixel switching element; a memory circuit to which an image signal may be written through the pixel switching element; and a switch circuit that controls switching of the pixel electrode in accordance with an output based on the image signal in the memory circuit. The electrophoretic display device driving circuit includes: a low-speed clock supply unit that supplies a low-speed clock; a high-speed clock supply unit that supplies a high-speed clock having a frequency higher than that of the low-speed clock; and a control unit that (i) controls writing of the image signal to the memory circuit on the basis of the high-speed clock, and that (ii) controls an operation including supply of a predetermined pixel potential to the pixel electrode through the switching control on the basis of the low-speed clock. |
| US08411027B2 |
Image display apparatus
A plurality of scanning signal lines GLn divided into groups, and each group is made up of three scanning signal lines GLnR, GLnG and GLnB, and a plurality of pixels are divided into pixel blocks, and each pixel block is made up of three pixels PR (n, m), PG (n, m) and PB (n, m) respectively connected to the scanning signal lines GLnR, GLnG and GLnB. These pixels PR (n, m), PG (n, m) and PB (n, m) are connected to a common data signal line SLm. To the scanning signal lines GLnR, GLnG, GLnB, scanning pulses are sequentially outputted to the scanning signal lines GLnR, GLnG and GLnB from shift registers SRnR, SRnG and SRnB, and video signals for R, G and B are outputted to the data signal line SLm from a driver IC by time division. |
| US08411025B2 |
Lighting apparauts
Disclosed is a lighting device. The lighting device includes: a light source unit; a first optical exciter and a second optical exciter converting lights emitted from the light source unit into lights having different color temperatures from each other and different color coordinates from each other; a third optical exciter emitting light having a color coordinate and a color temperature which are different from those of the light converted by the second optical exciters; a sensor outputting a first component signal, a second component signal and a third component signal, each of which corresponds to light quantities of a first component, a second component and a third component, respectively, of the light output from the first optical exciter, the second optical exciter and the third optical exciter; a controller controlling light quantity of the light source unit such that a color coordinate of the light emitted from the first optical exciter, a color coordinate of the light emitted from the second optical exciter, and a color coordinate of the light emitted from the third optical exciter are placed within an area formed by the color coordinates of the first optical exciter, the second optical exciter and the third optical exciter; and a power supplier supplying voltage changing the light quantity of the light source unit under the control of the controller. |
| US08411023B2 |
Image displaying apparatus having an image correcting section and luminance adjusting section
An image displaying apparatus includes a displaying section capable of performing a luminance adjustment, an image correcting section performing a luminance correction on each of a plurality of images at a time of a dynamic display continuously displaying the plurality of images on the displaying section at a constant interval, a luminance adjusting section performing a luminance adjustment at the displaying section displaying the images to which the luminance correction is performed based on the luminance correction at the image correcting section, and a display controlling section performing a control at the luminance adjusting section within a shorter period than the constant interval when switching from the dynamic display to a static display displaying an image different from the plurality of images. |
| US08411020B2 |
Hysteresis-type controlling method for backlight of portable electronic device
A method for controlling backlight of portable electronic device in hysteresis manner pre-sets the portable electronic device in a default mode and senses a background brightness. The portable electronic device is operated at a daylight mode when the sensed background brightness is larger than a first threshold. When the portable electronic device is operated at the daylight mode and the sensed background brightness is smaller than a second threshold, the portable electronic device is again operated at the default mode, where the second threshold is much smaller then the first threshold to provide hysteresis effect. Therefore, the backlight can be turned off when the background brightness is sufficient. A rapid switch between default mode and daylight mode can be prevented by the hysteresis-manner control and user dizziness caused by rapid modes switch can also be prevented. |
| US08411019B2 |
Display apparatus and control method thereof
A display apparatus includes a display panel, a light source unit including a plurality of light sources that irradiate the display panel with light, a first control signal generating unit that inverts and forward rectifies a scan signal for scanning of the light source unit, a second control signal generating unit that inverts and backward rectifies an overdrive signal for overcurrent emission of the light source unit and has its output port coupled to an output port of the first control signal generating unit, and an inverter that supplies current to the light source unit based on a control signal output from the output port of the first control signal generating unit and the output port of the second control signal generating unit. |
| US08411016B2 |
Scanning drive circuit and display device including the same
A scan driving circuit and a display device, the display device including display elements two-dimensionally disposed in a matrix; scanning lines, initialization control lines, and display control lines extending in a first direction; and data lines extending in a second direction different from the first direction. The scan driving circuit includes a shift register portion and a logic circuit portion, and generates scan signals and initialization signals, both based on two or more enable signals, and control signals. The scan driving circuit is configured such that changing the width of a start pulse (and thereby the ratio of a light emitting period to a non-light emitting period) does not affect the scan signals or the initialization signals. |
| US08411015B2 |
Operational amplifier, source driver of a display, and method for controlling the operational amplifier thereof
An operational amplifier includes a first stage, a second stage, and a switching unit. The first stage receives an analog input signal. The second stage has an output node coupled to an output switch. The switching unit is coupled between the first stage and the second stage. The switching unit includes a capacitive component and a first switch coupled to the capacitive component in series. The first switch is turned off when the output switch is turned on. The first switch is turned off while the analog input signal is in transition, and is turned on while the analog input signal is steady. The first switch is turned on when the output switch is turned off. |
| US08411013B2 |
Active matrix liquid crystal display device and driving method with overlapping write periods
A display device includes a circuit which is configured to execute such control that write of a non-video signal in pixels is executed in the first period, write of a video signal in the pixels is executed in the second period which partly overlaps the first period, write of the video signal, in the pixels is executed in the third period which partly overlaps the second period, the write of the non-video signal and the write of the video signal are alternately executed in units of one horizontal cycle or horizontal cycles in a period in which the first period overlaps the second period, and the write of the video signal corresponding to the second period and the third period are alternately executed in units of one horizontal cycle or horizontal cycles in a period in which the second period overlaps the third period. |
| US08411012B2 |
Liquid crystal display device with charging and discharging module
By way of enabling a reset signal while turning off a liquid crystal display, a method for decaying residual image of the liquid crystal display is capable of setting the corresponding gate signal of each of a plurality of gate lines of the liquid crystal display based on the enabled reset signal. Accordingly, enhanced discharging processes on all the storage units of the liquid crystal display for fast decaying residual image can be performed via the data switches of the liquid crystal display turned on by the gate signals being set. The reset operation for performing discharging processes in response to the reset signal can be carried out based on a reset circuit for setting all the gate signals to become high-level signals, or based on a charging/discharging module for furnishing a high-level voltage directly to all the gate lines. |
| US08411011B2 |
Method and apparatus to generate control signals for display-panel driver
A method to generate control signals for a display-panel driver, which needs to receive a set of predetermined number of input signals so as to output a set of control signals. The method includes starting with a reset process. The display-panel driver receives a first part of the set of input signals through multiple input terminals. At least two of the input terminals are used as secondary input terminals, and at least two enabling input signals of different definitions are input, respectively. The enabling input signals internally enable a control signal generator to generate a second part of the set of input signals. The second part of the set of input signals and the first part of the set of input signals form a complete set of input signals. When a serial data of the input signals cannot satisfy the predetermined format, the method goes back to the reset process. |
| US08411006B2 |
Display device including scan signal line driving circuits connected via signal wiring
In a display device having a plurality of scan signal line driving circuits, its display quality is improved. The display device comprises a plurality of scan signal lines, a plurality of image signal lines, and a plurality of scan signal line driving circuits for generating scan signals for driving the scan signal lines. Each of the scan signal line driving circuit internally generates a driving signal having the waveform of such potential variation that the potential decreases with a slope from a high potential to an intermediate potential between the high potential and a low potential. Each of the scan signal line driving circuits further includes a signal wiring for connecting the scan signal line driving circuits to one another and applying the driving signal. |
| US08410996B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display panel including first to fourth pixels in a first direction, wherein each of the first to fourth pixels has a first width in the first direction and a length more than the width and in a second direction; and a backlight unit including first and second line light regions supplying light to the display panel to display three-dimensional images, wherein the first and second line light regions have a slanted angle with respect to the second direction, wherein light from the first line light region comes to right and left eyes of a viewer through the first and second pixels, respectively, and light from the second light region comes to the right and left eyes through the third and fourth pixels, respectively, wherein the display device has K view points. |
| US08410994B1 |
System and method for remote graphics display
A method and system for displaying graphics on a display of a second module remotely connected with a first module via a data communications medium. A first controller for the first module and a second controller for the second module are connected to first and second graphics processors, respectively, both graphics processors being operative to request data from the first module when ready to process data. The first controller interfaces between the first graphics processor and the first module. The second controller interfaces between the second graphics processor and the first module via the data communications medium and the first controller. The first controller duplicates data returned to the first graphics processor by the first module in response to data requests, and transmits the duplicated data to the second controller via the data communications medium. The second controller intercepts data requests made by the second graphics processor, correlates the intercepted requests with the duplicated data received from the first controller and transmits the duplicated data to the second graphics processor on a basis of this correlation. The second graphics processor uses the received duplicated data to generate graphics for display on the display of the second module. |
| US08410993B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for highly interactive large image display and manipulation on tiled displays
Display units which can be arranged to form a single arrayed display system, thereby allowing the display of much larger images than can be shown on a single display. Each display unit can include an image display, a communication mechanism, such as a network interface card or wireless interface card, and an image display module, such as a video card and an image processor. Each display module can be configured to selectively process and display portions of large digital images. |
| US08410992B2 |
Fluorescent dye to improve primer coverage accuracy for bonding applications
A method of visually verifying the application of a primer or adhesion promoter to a surface for optimizing the adhesion of a bonding tape to the surface. A fluorescing agent is mixed with the primer and a light source is emitted on the surface causing the agent to fluoresce when the primer is applied. The technician can then visually verify coverage of the primer. The fluorescing agent does not affect the bonding properties of the bonding tape or affect the aesthetic appearance of the surface or the material being bonded to the surface. |
| US08410990B2 |
Antenna with integrated RF module
An antenna assembly includes an antenna housing, an antenna located within the housing, a radio frequency (RF) module located within the housing and connected to the antenna, and a wire assembly operably associated with the module. The module includes a radio frequency device, such as a transmitter, receiver or transceiver, electrically connected to the antenna. The wire assembly includes electrical wires for providing external power to the module and conducting processed signals between the module and external circuitry. The proximal nature of the antenna and RF module reduces or eliminates induced power losses between the antenna and module, resulting in a very effective power transfer ratio. A conductive sleeve is located in the housing and surrounds the RF module. The conductive sleeve is electrically connected to the module to thereby provide a ground plane for the antenna and a shield against outside emissions. A spacer located between the sleeve and the mounting base together with a step between the sleeve and the wire assembly provide a choke effect for the RF energy. |
| US08410980B2 |
Active phased array architecture
In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array solid-state architecture has dual-polarized feeds and is manufactured, for example, on highly flexible silicon germanium (SiGe). The implementation of dual-polarized feeds facilitates the operation of phased arrays where the polarization can be statically or dynamically controlled on a subarray or element basis. In an exemplary embodiment, the sub-component control is configured to optimize a performance characteristic associated with polarization, such as phase or amplitude adjustment. An active phased array architecture may replace traditional distributed and GaAs implementations for the necessary functions required to operate electronically steerable phased array antennas. The architecture combines active versions of vector generators, power splitters, power combiners, and RF hybrids in a novel fashion to realize a fully or substantially monolithic solution for a wide range of antenna applications that can be realized with radiating elements having single-polarized or dual-polarized feeds. |
| US08410979B2 |
Digital front end in system simultaneously receiving GPS and GLONASS signals
A receiver for receiving both GPS signals and GLONASS signals is provided. This receiver includes an analog front end (AFE), a GPS digital front end (DFE) and a GLONASS DFE for receiving an output of the AFE, and a dual mode interface (DMI) for receiving outputs of the GPS and GLONASS DFEs. Search engines are provided for receiving outputs of the DMI. Notably, certain front-end components of the AFE are configured to process both the GPS signals and the GLONASS signals. |
| US08410977B2 |
Methods and systems for identifying hazardous flight zone areas on a display
Systems and methods for representing a weather hazard without also including a large percentage of non-hazard area. An exemplary system includes a memory that stores radar reflectivity data in a three-dimensional buffer, a display device and a processor that is in data communication with the memory and the display device. The processor receives a two-dimensional shape based on a portion of the data stored in the three-dimensional buffer, then finds a center of the shape. Next the processor finds the furthest away point of the shape in a plurality of regions sharing the center as a common point and generates a polygon based on the furthest away points. The display device displays the generated polygon. The shape is associated with hazardous weather information determined from the radar reflectivity data stored in the three-dimensional buffer. The display device is an aircraft weather radar display. |
| US08410975B1 |
Systems and methods for generating and verifying altitude data
Present novel and non-trivial systems and methods for altitude data from a radar system and employing such data to verify altitude data from another source. A processor receives reflection point data generated by an aircraft radar system and reference point data from an applicable data source. Based upon the reflection point data and reference point data, first altitude data representative of a first measurement of aircraft altitude is generated. Then, the processor receives second altitude data representative of a second measurement of aircraft altitude from another source. Validity of the second altitude data may be determined by comparing it with the first data, after which validity advisory data may be generated that, is responsive to the validity determination. Then, the processor may provide the validity advisory data to a presentation system, whereby validity information of the second altitude data is presented to the pilot. |
| US08410974B2 |
Image processing device, radar apparatus equipped with the same, method of processing image, and image processing program
This disclosure provides an image processing device, which includes an actual trail image memory for storing an actual trail data group indicating absolute changes in position of a target object detected by echo signals obtained corresponding to detection signals transmitted while changing an azimuth direction of the transmission, and a moving target object determination processing module for determining whether the target object detected with the detection signals is a moving target object based on the actual trail data group. |
| US08410970B2 |
Programming a universal remote control via direct interaction
A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a remote-controlled device is disclosed. Programming codes for the remote-controlled device may be transferred from an original remote control using a programming interface. The transfer may be performed directly with the URC. The transfer may also be performed using consumer-premises equipment of a multimedia content distribution network. The URC may be configured to use at least one of the programming codes to remotely control the remote-controlled device. |
| US08410967B2 |
Comparator circuit
An analog-to-digital converter includes a comparator configured to receive a first input signal and a second input signal, in which at least one of the input signals is received between two transistors, each of the transistors being in common-gate configuration. A method for comparing input signals performed by a comparator circuit includes: receiving a first input signal between a drain terminal of a first transistor of the comparator circuit and a source terminal of a second transistor of the comparator circuit; receiving a second input signal; and outputting a value based on a comparison of the first input signal and the second input signal. |
| US08410965B2 |
Dynamic element matching method and system thereof
A dynamic element matching method and system thereof is provided. The method includes grouping a plurality of switches into a plurality of groups; allocating a plurality of to-be-turned-on switches of the switches for an input signal to the groups; and maintaining a switch activity of each of the groups at a predetermined value. Accordingly, mismatch noise and harmonic noise are effectively reduced. |
| US08410964B2 |
AD conversion method and AD conversion circuit
A disclosed AD conversion circuit includes a holding portion storing sequence information, signal selection information and time information; a sequencing counter to be initialized by receiving a timing signal output at a predetermined period and counting upon receipt of a matching signal to obtain a sequencing counter count value; a time period counter to be initialized by receiving the timing signal or the matching signal and counting a time period counter count value; a comparator generating the matching signal when the time information matches the time period counter count value after comparison by referring to the sequence information using the sequencing counter count value; a selecting portion selecting analog signals of one type corresponding to the signal selection information obtained by referring to the sequence information using the sequencing counter count value out of analog signals of various types; and an AD converter converting the selected analog signals. |
| US08410963B2 |
Data converter circuit and method
In an embodiment, an oversampled data converter includes a lowpass filter having a filter stage comprising a dynamic limiter, where the dynamic limiter having a limit set by an signal level at an input to the oversampled data converter. The oversampled data converter also includes a quantizing block comprising an input coupled to an output of the lowpass filter and an output coupled to an input of the lowpass filter. |
| US08410957B2 |
Traffic light passing support system, in-vehicle apparatus for the same, and method for the same
An in-vehicle arithmetic unit calculates a required time, which is needed for a vehicle to arrive at a traffic light when the vehicle maintains a present speed, according to a speed of the vehicle, a present position of the vehicle, and information on the traffic light. An in-vehicle determination unit determines whether the vehicle can pass the traffic light by maintaining the present speed, according to the required time and the traffic light information. An in-vehicle generating unit generates a request signal to request the traffic light to light a passing permission color such as a blue light after the required time elapses, in response to a determination that the vehicle cannot pass the traffic light. An in-vehicle transmission unit transmits the request signal to the traffic light. A control unit of the traffic light controls the signal light according to the transmitted request signal. |
| US08410956B2 |
Message management protocol persistent geocast routing
A system and method for providing a protocol to maintain a persistent warning message in a region of interest. The protocol begins its operation when a hazardous condition is detected by a vehicle. The detecting vehicle uses a multi-hop geocast broadcasting process to transmit a warning message to other vehicles in the region of interest. When the vehicles in the region of interest receive the warning message, they are prevented from re-broadcasting the message for a first predetermined period of time. After the first predetermined period of time has expired, a contentious timing process is used to determine which of those vehicles will re-broadcast the message to other vehicles entering the region of interest. This process of re-broadcasting continues until a second predetermined period of time expires at which time the message is not re-broadcast. |
| US08410955B2 |
Module with a radio transceiver device and an actuator, system, and method with this module and a central unit
A module with a radio transceiver device, an actuator, and an activation device. Also disclosed is a system comprising such a module and a central unit, and a method with such a module and a central unit and the activation device with the radio transceiver device. The radio transceiver device is coupled with the actuator and with an electrical energy source, and the activation device is constructed to feed electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the radio transceiver device and the actuator. |
| US08410954B2 |
Moving and stationary body system using telemetry
A moving or rotating body and a stationary body having a wireless communication link with each other. The communication link may involve RF telemetry. The stationary body may provide power in a wireless manner to the rotating body. The moving body may be a rotation sensor for determining torque, speed of rotation, angular position, power and the like. The stationary body may also interact with a processing module via a communication medium. The communication medium may be an Ethernet or an equivalent. |
| US08410953B2 |
Wireless power transmission system
The wireless power transmission is a system for providing wireless charging and/or primary power to electronic/electrical devices via microwave energy. The microwave energy is focused to a location in response to receiving a beacon signal from a beacon device by a power transmitter having one or more adaptively-phased microwave array emitters. Rectennas within the device to be charged receive and rectify the microwave energy and use it for battery charging and/or for primary power. |
| US08410949B2 |
Emergency exit indicating device and firefighting system having same
An emergency exit indicating device includes an exit sign and a smoke dispelling system. The exit sign is configured for displaying where an emergency exit is located. The smoke dispelling system is configured for dispelling smoke from around the exit sign in the event of fire. |
| US08410948B2 |
Recreational vehicle holding tank sensor probe
A wastewater holding tank sensor probe for use in determining the presence of a conductive liquid held within a wastewater holding tank in a recreational vehicle is disclosed. The probe is less sensitive to the presence of conductive residue as a result of an improved geometry and/or choice of materials that reduce the leakage currents between the probe tip and the sensor probe attachment surface, typically the wall of the tank. This reduction in sensitivity to conductive residue buildup can be measured by a geometrically determined resistivity factor between the probe tip and the mounting surface of the probe. The reduction in sensitivity can also be measured by the length of the path through the conductive residue between the probe tip and the mounting surface of the probe. A variety of geometries and material choices to reduce the sensitivity of electrical conductance based sensor probes to conductive residue are disclosed. |
| US08410947B1 |
Leak detection system for pressurized pipeline
A leak detection system for a pressurized pipeline used in conjunction with a fluid control valve having an electric actuator or with an alarm signaling device. The leak detection system includes a chamber surrounding the pipeline. A normally flat or planar thin sheet of material has a pair of opposed ends brought together to form a cylinder around the pipeline so that the sheet has a spring force when in a cylindrical position to a normal flat position. A seal between the cylinder and the pipeline forms a closed chamber around the pipeline. At least one fastener holds the opposed ends of the sheet together in the cylindrical position unless the force overcomes the fastener. A switch detects movement of the cylinder toward the flat position and the switch is connected to the actuator in order to close the valve. |
| US08410944B2 |
Radiator detecting device
A radiator detecting device of the present invention includes a radiator cap, a sensing unit, a circuit device, a warning device, and an adjusting means. One end of the sensing unit connects to the radiator cap, and another end extends toward a direction away from the radiator cap. The circuit device has a circuit board. The circuit board includes a control circuit for detecting a state of the sensing unit, and the sensing unit selectively makes the control circuit generate a suggestion signal. Once receiving the suggestion signal generated by the control circuit, the warning device generates a warning signal. The adjusting means is used for adjusting a length of the sensing unit received in the radiator. Said sensing unit can be moved with respect to the radiator between a first position and a second position. Thereby, the sensing unit can fit different depths of different radiators. |
| US08410940B2 |
Transceiver unit in a measurement system
A measurement system may comprise a sensor wire and a transceiver unit. The sensor wire may comprise an insertable portion configured to be inserted in a blood vessel of a patient's body and a sensor disposed within the insertable portion at a distal end of the sensor wire. The sensor is configured to measure a parameter when inserted inside the patient. The transceiver unit may comprise: a housing adapted to be connected to a proximal end of the sensor wire; and a first communication module within the housing adapted to wirelessly communicate by a communication signal with an external second communication module in order to transfer information to the external second communication module. |
| US08410935B2 |
Rotatable tags for automated location and monitoring of moveable objects and related systems
A rotatable tag is provided that is configured to be affixed to a moveable object, the tag includes a housing configured to provide an increased volume and occupy a relatively small amount of surface area on the object to which the tag is affixed. The rotatable tag is configured to transmit information related to the tag and/or an environment surrounding the tag. Related systems are also provided herein. |
| US08410932B2 |
Capacitive sensor arrangement with a sensor electrode, a screen electrode and a background electrode
A capacitive sensor array including a sensor electrode which detects the intrusion of an object, a shield electrode and a background electrode. A control and evaluation circuit is coupled to the sensor electrode which detects a change in the capacitance of the sensor electrode. The sensor electrode periodically evaluates at least one of a current and voltage profile to detect the capacitance change. The shield electrode is coupled to the sensor electrode through the control and evaluation circuit such that it has no influence on the measured capacitance. The background electrode is controlled such that its potential is periodically switched between the reference potential and a second potential. When the sensor electrode is coupled with the first potential, the background electrode may be located on the reference potential. When the sensor electrode is not coupled with the first potential, the background electrode may be located on the second potential. |
| US08410931B2 |
Mobile inventory unit monitoring systems and methods
Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to mobile inventory unit monitoring systems and methods. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile inventory unit monitoring system comprising a computer configured to execute at least one computer program, at least one wireless transmitter located proximate to a mobile inventory unit, a plurality of radio-frequency transceivers dispersed geographically at defined locations, and a gateway connected to a wide area network. Select information can be transmitted from the transmitter proximate to the mobile inventory unit, through a transceiver in the plurality of transceivers, through the gateway, and to the wide area network. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described. |
| US08410930B2 |
Method and apparatus pertaining to barrier movement controllers and employing a camera and a wireless transmitter
A control circuit, upon detecting a condition of interest, automatically forwards information regarding a recently-captured image to a predetermined recipient. Upon then later receiving an instruction (which instruction was prompted at least on behalf of the predetermined recipient), the control circuit then wirelessly transmits a movable barrier remote control signal to a corresponding barrier movement controller. |
| US08410925B2 |
Portable alarm and methods of transmitting alarm data
A portable alarm system includes a wireless receiver configured to receive signals from remote wireless devices and a processor in communication with the wireless receiver, wherein the processor is configured to receive the signals from the wireless receiver. The system further includes an intelligent communications interface in communication with the processor, the intelligent communications interface being configured to receive and translate into wireless digital data at least a portion of the signals from the processor, and transmit the wireless digital data to an external location. |
| US08410910B2 |
Passive contactless integrated circuit comprising a flag for monitoring an erase/programming voltage
A passive contactless integrated circuit includes an electrically programmable non-volatile data memory (MEM), a charge accumulation booster circuit for supplying a high voltage necessary for writing data in the memory. The integrated circuit includes a volatile memory point for memorizing an indicator flag, and circuitry for modifying the value of the indicator flag when the high voltage reaches a critical threshold for the first time after activating the booster circuit. |
| US08410908B2 |
Method and device for emulating multiple RFID tags within a single mobile electronic device
The present invention provides a method for emulating multiple RFID tags for an RFID tag interrogation device, comprising the steps of storing one or more data sets, wherein each data set defines operational properties of an RFID tag, maintaining a list of said one or more data sets, indicating one data set in said list as active data set, receiving an interrogation from said RFID tag interrogation device, emulating, responsive to said interrogation, the operation of the RFID tag according to the active data set; and indicating another data set in said list as active data set. Also provided is a device for emulating multiple RFID tags for an RFID tag interrogation device, comprising a circuit configurable to emulate the operation of an RFID tag, a memory adapted for storing one or more data sets and a list of said one or more data sets, wherein each data set defines operational properties of an RFID tag, and wherein one data set in said list is indicated as active data set, a controller connected with said circuit and said memory, wherein said controller is adapted for being activated by an interrogation from said RFID tag interrogation device, for configuring said circuit according to said active data set, and for indicating another data set within said list as active data set. Furthermore a mobile electronic device comprising this device is provided. |
| US08410906B1 |
Battery assisted RFID system RF power control and interference mitigation methods
The present invention discloses battery assisted RFID system RF power leveling methods that optimize the amount of transmitted power and interference from a reader in relation to the sensitivity of the RFID tags, their ranges from the reader, and the unique physics of the backscatter RFID radio link. These methods enhance system reliability when employing battery assisted RFID tags that operate with sensitive transistor based square law tag receivers and highly sensitive RFID readers intended to take advantage of outstanding tag sensitivity. Further enhancement is achieved via design of system command sets and tag state machine behavior that optimally support the power level operations, power level operations that span across tag hibernation and normal modes, and that otherwise control system interference. Embodiments of the present invention are also enhanced with receiver training and synchronizing methods suited to the high tag sensitivity and need for dynamic range state switching. These enhancements may employ pseudo-random sequence based receiver training, activation signaling, and frame synchronizing. |
| US08410905B2 |
RFID reader cancelling leakage signal
A radio frequency identification (RFID) recorder for cancelling a leakage signal includes a digital unit calculating and storing an amplitude and a phase of the leakage signal, and a leakage cancellation circuit generating a leakage cancellation signal to cancel the leakage signal in response to a control of the digital unit. |
| US08410904B2 |
Wireless remote control lighting unit and wireless remote control lighting system and control method thereof
The present invention discloses a wireless remote control lighting unit and a wireless remote control lighting system and a control method thereof. The wireless remote control lighting unit comprises a power on detection circuit, which detects and counts the power on times of a power source during a predetermined period. When the power on times reach a threshold number, the wireless remote control lighting unit enters an address setting mode to set its address. |
| US08410903B2 |
Personal authentication apparatus and personal authentication method
A personal authentication apparatus comprises an input unit configured to input image data; a face detection unit configured to detect a face region of a person included in the image data input by the input unit, and to detect feature data from the detected face region; a facial expression determination unit configured to determine a facial expression from the face region detected by the face detection unit; a storage unit configured to store feature data used to authenticate a person in correspondence with respective facial expressions of a plurality of faces; a selection unit configured to select feature data corresponding to the facial expression determined by the facial expression determination unit from the storage unit; and an authentication unit configured to authenticate a person by comparing the feature data of the detected face region, and the feature data selected by the selection unit. |
| US08410896B2 |
Occupancy sensors programmed to determine loss of lamp life as lamp is used
Programmable occupancy sensors that control the on/off operation of a fluorescent lamp automatically determine loss of lamp life as the lamp is used. The programmable occupancy sensors can provide lamp life status and can automatically alert a user when a lamp is nearing its end of life and should be replaced. The occupancy sensors are also programmable to automatically improve lamp life and energy savings by selecting an optimal time delay from among a number of selectable time delays at which to operate the sensor. The selection is based on an occupancy pattern sensed by the sensor over a given period of time. The optimal time delay, which prevents the lamp from turning off immediately after last sensing occupancy, extends lamp life by limiting the number of lamp off/on transitions, which shortens lamp life, in view of overall energy usage and lamp usage. |
| US08410893B2 |
Magnetic detector and method for manufacturing the same
A first short-circuit layer and a second short-circuit layer are electrically connected to and integrally stacked onto only a first magnetoresistance effect element layer and a first resistance element layer, respectively, so as to achieve short-circuiting, and thereby adjusting electrical resistances of the first magnetoresistance effect element layer and the first resistance element layer. |
| US08410892B2 |
Conductive matrix power control system with biasing to cause tripping of the system
A three-terminal device (1, 21, 31) which can operate as an electrical switch, controlled by a third terminal (3, 24, 36/36A) that controls switching the device (1, 21, 31) from a closed circuit (conducting) state to an open circuit (insulating) state. Polymer and/or ceramic materials are loaded with different conductive materials, forming a device (1, 21, 31) having various electrical conductivities depending on local temperature. In preferred embodiments, the device (1, 21, 31) exhibits a non-linear increase or decrease in resistance versus temperature. Various embodiments of the three-terminal devices (1, 21, 31) are disclosed. The third terminal (3, 24, 36/36A) may be a non-electrically conductive biasing element such as a thermal transfer rod or tube containing a variable temperature fluid. |
| US08410887B2 |
Built-in-coil substrate
In a built-in-coil substrate, when viewed in perspective in a stacking direction in which insulating layers of a substrate body are stacked, mutually superposed second coil elements are located further inward than inner peripheries of mutually superposed first coil elements. A cavity is continuous between at least one of the second coil elements and one insulating layer that is in contact with the second coil element(s), and another insulating layer that opposes the second coil element(s) such that the second coil element(s) are exposed, and, when viewed in perspective in the stacking direction, the cavities have annular shapes and extend further inward than the outer peripheries of the mutually superposed first coil elements, there being an interval provided between the cavities and these outer peripheries, and further outward than the inner peripheries of the mutually superposed second coil elements. |
| US08410885B2 |
Combined transformer
A combined transformer is provided. The transformer comprises at least three bobbins arranged abreast and a core assembly. Each of the bobbins includes two separated guard plates, a winding column, a through groove and two metal pins; the winding column is disposed between the guard plates, while the through groove extends through the guard plates and the winding column. Furthermore, the two metal pins are disposed on one of the guard plates; the winding column is wound with a coil, and two end portions of the coil are connected to the two metal pins respectively. The core assembly includes two separated magnetic plates and at least three separated magnetic columns disposed between the magnetic plates. The bobbins are sandwiched between the magnetic plates, and the magnetic columns are located in the through grooves. Thus, the combined transformer can have a reduced thickness and multiple outputs. |
| US08410884B2 |
Compact high short circuit current reactor
A three phase compact high short circuit current reactor also commonly known as an inductor is disclosed which can be easily be modified during initial construction to provide predefined gaps between the internal core sections for enhancing performance for each individual customized application. Inductor core sections are commonly oriented horizontally. The present design provides a core construction which includes multiple vertically stacked coils with yokes positioned between adjacent coils for facilitating flux cancellation to enhance performance. The coils can be round or square in cross-section and normally are made of either wire or foil usually of copper or aluminum. The material of the core is preferably of a silicon steel material which can be grain-oriented or non-grain-oriented. |
| US08410876B2 |
Electronic overload relay switch actuation
The disclosed concept provides for an operating mechanism in a overload relay assembly having a solenoid with a permanent magnet. The solenoid includes a ferrous output member. The solenoid moves the output member between a first retracted position and a second extended position. When the output member is in the first retracted position, the permanent magnet maintains the output member in the first retracted position. Thus, in a system wherein the overload relay assembly interrupts power to its own operating mechanism solenoid, the permanent magnet maintains the output member in the first retracted position even when the solenoid is de-energized. |
| US08410870B2 |
Filter
A filter includes: a container; at least one barrier, an input device and an output device. The at least one barrier divide the space of the container into at least two resonant cavities. Each resonant cavity has a harmonic oscillator disposed therein. The harmonic oscillators includes a supporter and a carbon nanotube structure disposed on a surface of the supporter. |
| US08410866B2 |
Radio frequency filter and filtering unit thereof
Parameters of a radio frequency filter can be changed by changing structure of each component of the filter. Material of each component, diameters of each of magnetic cylinders, density of each of conductive coils, thickness of a dielectric layer, and thickness of an insulation tube can be changed. When any component needs to be replaced, each cover is rotated, with connection partitions moving to two slots of an insulation portion, to detach the filter. |
| US08410862B1 |
Compact multi frequency-range impedance tuner
An automatic multi frequency-range electro-mechanical impedance tuner covers frequencies from a low megahertz to a high gigahertz range, by combining a high frequency with one or two a low frequency tuner modules; the low frequency module is made using either variable phase shifter-capacitor or multi-capacitor-transmission line tuner structures. The high frequency module is a single, double or triple probe slide screw tuner covering up to 1.5 decades in frequency; the low frequency tuner is using cascades of three or more capacitor-coax cable tuning sections or a low frequency phase shifter combined with a variable shunt capacitor; the low frequency tuner can operate as low as a few megahertz whereas the high frequency tuner can operate up to several gigahertz. Depending on the application, low frequency parallel-blade capacitors or high frequency coaxial trimmers are used. Typical cross-over frequencies between low and high frequency modules range from 200 to 800 megahertz, lowest frequencies can reach below 10 megahertz and highest frequencies 26 to 40 gigahertz. Appropriate calibration, control and tuning procedures allow for a fully integrated operation. |
| US08410861B2 |
Piezoelectric vibrator, oscillator, electronic equipment and radio-controlled timepiece, and method of manufacturing piezoelectric vibrator
A piezoelectric vibrator including a base substrate and a lid substrate which are bonded to each other with a cavity formed therebetween; a piezoelectric vibrating reed which has a pair of vibration arm portions extending in parallel, a pair of excitation electrodes that vibrate the pair of vibration arm portions, and a mount electrode that is electrically connected to the pair of excitation electrodes, the piezoelectric vibrating reed being mounted on the base substrate within the cavity via the mount electrode; an insulation film which is formed on the piezoelectric vibrating reed so as to cover the excitation electrodes; and a getter material formed of the metallic material that is formed on any of the base substrate or the lid substrate so as to be arranged within the cavity and improve a degree of vacuum within the cavity by being heated. |
| US08410860B2 |
Oscillator with resonator generating terahertz wave
An oscillator includes a resonator section structured such that a dielectric is interposed between first and second conductors and such that the first and second conductors are electrically connected to a resonant tunneling diode, a capacitor section structured such that the dielectric is interposed between the first and second conductors, a line section configured to electrically connect the resonator section and the capacitor section in parallel to each other, and a resistor section configured to electrically connect the first and second conductors to each other. A first position of the resonator section and a second position of the capacitor section are connected to each other by the line section so that the first position and the second position are substantially electrically equivalent to each other in a wavelength range larger than a wavelength of an electromagnetic wave that resonates in the resonator section. |
| US08410859B2 |
Microwave generator and processes thereof
A microwave generator and/or methods thereof. A microwave generator may include a plurality of connected sequential sections in cascade. A microwave generator may include a first section and an output section. Each section may include an intermediate conductor, an upper conductor and a lower conductor. A first isolating material having a first thickness may be connected between an intermediate conductor and an upper conductor. A second isolating material having a second thickness may be connected between an intermediate conductor and a lower conductor. A switch may be connected between an intermediate conductor and an upper conductor and/or a lower conductor, forming a switched thickness and an unswitched thickness. The unswitched thickness of an output section is larger than the unswitched thickness of the first section and the increase in unswitched thickness from the first section to the output section includes a monotonic increase. |
| US08410853B2 |
Inductive circuit arrangement
A bond wire circuit includes at least three bond wires arranged to split an input signal into two output signals. In connection with various example embodiments, bond wires are arranged in a generally parallel manner to mitigate magnetic coupling and related issues for splitting an input signal and providing each of split signals to an amplifier. The bond wires are connected by capacitive circuits that facilitate the splitting, and in some applications, additional capacitive (to ground/reference) and load circuits to further facilitate the splitting of the input signals for specific amplifier circuit implementations, and applications to various loads. In some implementations, the input signals are split in equal or arbitrary portions with frequency independent phase differences in a wide frequency band, with isolation between ports of the circuit. |
| US08410846B2 |
Variable gain amplifier
A variable gain amplifier includes an integrator having an input, an output and a feedback loop connected between the input and output, a plurality of input chains connected in parallel between the amplifier input and the input of the integrator, each input chain including a resistor and a first switch and a plurality of second switches, each second switch connected between an intermediate node between the resistor and first switch of a respective input chain and the feedback loop of the integrator, wherein the resistance of the resistors in the input chains is scaled by a scaling factor with respect to one another and the on-resistances of the first and second switches connected to each intermediate node are scaled by the corresponding scaling factor. |
| US08410845B2 |
Switching power amplifier and method of controlling the same
A switching power amplifier having a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generation unit that converts an input audio signal into a PWM signal with a predetermined carrier frequency, a correction unit that corrects the difference between an audio signal included in the PWM signal and a negative feedback output audio signal to generate a corrected PWM signal, a low pass filter that removes a high-frequency component from the corrected PWM signal, a frequency modulation unit that modulates the corrected PWM signal so that the corrected PWM signal has a switching frequency different from the carrier frequency of the input PWM signal to generate a modulated PWM signal, and a power amplification unit that amplifies a power of the modulated PWM signal. |
| US08410843B2 |
Polyphase nonlinear digital predistortion
Polyphase nonlinear digital predistorters (pNDPs) mitigate nonlinear distortions generated by time-interleaved digital-to-analog converters (TIDACs). Processors in an example pNDP compute nonlinear and linear compensation terms representative of channel mismatches and other imperfections in the TIDAC based on the digital input to the TIDAC. The pNDP subtracts these compensation terms from a delayed copy of the digital input to yield a predistorted digital input. The TIDAC converts on the predistorted digital input into a fullband analog output that is substantially free of nonlinear distortion. |
| US08410838B2 |
Nonvolatile latch circuit and logic circuit, and semiconductor device using the same
To provide a novel nonvolatile latch circuit and a semiconductor device using the nonvolatile latch circuit, a nonvolatile latch circuit includes a latch portion having a loop structure where an output of a first element is electrically connected to an input of a second element, and an output of the second element is electrically connected to an input of the first element; and a data holding portion for holding data of the latch portion. In the data holding portion, a transistor using an oxide semiconductor as a semiconductor material for forming a channel formation region is used as a switching element. In addition, an inverter electrically connected to a source electrode or a drain electrode of the transistor is included. With the transistor, data held in the latch portion can be written into a gate capacitor of the inverter or a capacitor which is separately provided. |
| US08410831B2 |
Low-voltage high-speed frequency divider with reduced power consumption
A low-voltage high-speed frequency divider substantially reduces the power required to generate a half-rate in-phase clock signal and a half-rate quadrature-phase clock signal by reducing the number of pairs of transistors that respond to a full-rate clock signal and a full-rate inverse clock signal. |
| US08410829B2 |
Method and apparatus switching a semiconductor switch with a multi-stage drive circuit
A multi-stage drive circuit is to be coupled to a semiconductor switch having a drive terminal, a first terminal and a second terminal, to switch the semiconductor switch on and off. The multi-stage drive circuit includes a first drive circuit, a second drive circuit and a selector circuit. The first drive circuit is to be coupled to provide a first drive signal to the drive terminal of the semiconductor switch and the second drive circuit is to be coupled to provide a second drive signal to the drive terminal of the semiconductor switch. The selector circuit is to be coupled to turn on the first and second drive circuits to provide the first and second drive signals to the drive terminal, respectively. The selector circuit turns on the second drive circuit responsive to a voltage between the first and second terminals of the semiconductor switch falling to a threshold value. |
| US08410825B2 |
Drive unit for driving voltage-driven element
A drive unit comprises a first connector, second connector, switching element, and controller. The first connector is configured to be connected with a gate resistor of a voltage-driven element. The second connector is configured to be connected with a driving power source. A first input-output terminal of the switching element is connected to the first connector, and a second input-output terminal thereof is connected to the second connector. The controller is connected to a control terminal of the switching element, and controls a voltage input to the control terminal of the switching element. The controller has an error amplifier, reference power source, and switch. One input terminal of the error amplifier is connected to the reference power source, an other input terminal thereof is connected to the first connector, and an output terminal thereof is connected to the control terminal of the switching element. One end of the switch is connected to the second connector, and an other end thereof is connected to the control terminal of the switching element. |
| US08410819B2 |
Programmable pulse width discriminator
Disclosed is a programmable pulse width discriminator circuit operable to receive a set of parameters from a user and indicate when an input signal satisfies conditions set by the user-defined parameters. The input signal is sampled by the pulse width discriminator circuit to detect a desired state of the input signal. The user may set the parameters such that the pulse width discriminator indicates the condition wherein the number of consecutive samples for which the input signal is the desired state is (i) greater than a first threshold value, (ii) less than a second threshold value, or (iii) between the first and second threshold values. In these embodiments, the user sets the first and second threshold values and selects which set of conditions are indicated by the output of the circuit. |
| US08410818B1 |
High speed communication interface with an adaptive swing driver to reduce power consumption
A high-speed bus interface with an adaptive swing driver. A high speed interface includes a transmitter and a receiver coupled via a bus. The transmitter has an adaptive swing driver and a voltage-regulating-module (VRM). The adaptive swing driver includes a post-driver and a pre-driver. The post-driver provides an adaptive swing output with a dedicated adaptive voltage power supply (VDDQ) and transition emphasis driving capacity with an internal logic voltage supply (VDD). The pre-driver provides the transition emphasis driving capacity with a pull-up and a pull-down signal path to the post-driver. The voltage-regulating-module is configured to supply signal to the adaptive swing driver. The receiver includes a comparator and a bit-error-rate detector. The comparator amplifies the adaptive swing output received from the transmitter via a bus, while the bit-error-rate detector diagnoses the amplified adaptive swing output received from the comparator. |
| US08410816B1 |
Low-swing signaling scheme for data communication
A low-swing receiver includes a sense amplifier including a first transistor having a source connected with a first voltage supply and a gate for receiving a control signal, and a second transistor having a source connected with a second voltage supply, a drain connected to a drain of the first transistor, and a gate coupled to a second control signal via a capacitive element. A switching circuit is operative to selectively couple an input signal supplied to the sense amplifier with the gate of the second transistor as a function of a signal generated at an output of the sense amplifier. The sense amplifier is operative in a first mode to store charge in the capacitive element, and is operative in a second mode to impart a voltage on the gate of the second transistor which is indicative of the charge stored in the capacitive element. |
| US08410815B2 |
Transistor arrangement and integrated circuit
A transistor arrangement includes a switch transistor and a sense transistor. The switch transistor includes a charge storing structure and a control structure. The sense transistor includes a charge storing structure, a control structure and a select structure. The charge storing structure of the switch transistor is electrically connected to the charge storing structure of the sense transistor. The sense transistor is configured such that the select structure and the control structure of the sense transistor may be electrically controlled independently from one another. |
| US08410812B2 |
“Supply-less” HDMI source terminated output stage with tuned wide-range programmable termination
A “supply-less” transmitter output stage is provided for a transmitter. This transmitter output stage can include a tunable source termination and a reference voltage generator. The tunable source termination can be coupled between a differential pair of the transmitter. The reference voltage generator can advantageously generate reference voltages from a far-end termination. These reference voltages provide a way of translating the internal supply voltage level to the pad voltage level to enable/disable the tunable source termination. Also, it provides a way to minimize leakage and minimize the junction stress of switching transistors in the tunable source termination as well as the transmitter. The dependency between the reference voltages and the far-end termination voltage makes this design more portable to other supply voltages and other technologies specifications other than HDMI. |
| US08410811B2 |
Input circuit and semiconductor storage device
According to one embodiment, an input circuit includes an input buffer, a control unit, a holding unit, a feedback unit. The input buffer receives a signal input from an outside. The input buffer includes a plurality of CMOS inverters connected in parallel. The plurality of CMOS inverters includes a plurality of PMOS transistors and a plurality of NMOS transistors. The control unit selects one or more PMOS transistors from the plurality of PMOS transistors so as to enter an operable state. The control unit selects one or more NMOS transistors from the plurality of NMOS transistors so as to enter an operable state. The holding unit holds a level of a signal transferred from the input buffer in synchronization with a clock signal. The holding unit outputs the held signal level. The feedback unit feeds the level of the signal output from the holding unit back to the control unit. |
| US08410808B2 |
Anisotropic conductive connector, probe member and wafer inspection system
Provided is an anisotropic conductive connector and a prove member, each of which ensures that all of the conductive parts exhibit uniform conductivity when a pressing force is applied, even when the inspection target wafer has a large area and total number of inspection target electrodes of integrated circuits is 10,000 or more, and a wafer inspection system including the probe member. The anisotropic conductive connector includes a frame plate in which a plurality of anisotropic conductive film placement holes are formed, and elastic anisotropic conductive films respectively disposed in the anisotropic conductive film placement holes in the frame plate and supported by a peripheral part of the frame plate around the corresponding anisotropic conductive film placement hole, each of the elastic anisotropic conductive films includes a plurality of connection conductive parts each extending in a thicknesswise direction of the elastic anisotropic conductive film, being disposed corresponding to a connection target electrode, and comprising an elastic polymer substance and magnetic conductive particles densely contained in the elastic polymer substance; and an insulating part that insulates the connection conductive parts to one another, and the connection conductive parts of the elastic anisotropic conductive films disposed in a peripheral area of the frame plate having a thickness smaller than that of the connection conductive parts of the elastic anisotropic conductive films disposed in a center area of the frame plate. |
| US08410807B2 |
Test system and probe apparatus
A probe apparatus includes a wire substrate with terminals; a wafer tray forming a hermetically sealed space with the wire substrate and for mounting a semiconductor wafer; a probe wafer provided between the wire substrate and the wafer tray, having an apparatus connection terminal electrically connected to a terminal of the wire substrate and wafer connection terminals electrically connected to the semiconductor chips respectively and collectively; an apparatus anisotropic conductive sheet provided between the wire substrate and the probe wafer; a wafer anisotropic conductive sheet provided between the probe wafer and the semiconductor wafer; and a decompressing section that decompresses the hermetically sealed space between the wire substrate and the wafer tray, to cause the wafer tray to move to a predetermined position from the wire substrate, to electrically connect the wire substrate and the probe wafer, and to electrically connect the probe wafer and the semiconductor wafer. |
| US08410806B2 |
Replaceable coupon for a probing apparatus
The contacts of a probing apparatus are elastically supported on a replaceable coupon and electrically interconnected with conductors on a membrane or a space transformer. |
| US08410805B2 |
Electric field detection probe, method thereof, and manufacturing method of circuit board
An electric field detection probe includes a cable including an internal conductor line, an insulating layer that coats a surface of the internal conductor line and exposes a tip end of the internal conductor line, an external conductor layer that coats a surface of the insulating layer and exposes the tip end, and an electric field diaphragm wherein the electric field diaphragm is electrically coupled to the external conductor layer, covers the tip end surface of the cable except for an opening. |
| US08410804B1 |
Measurement system with high frequency ground switch
A system for making high frequency measurements on a DUT includes a high frequency measurement instrument; a plurality of DUT probes; a first coaxial cable having a center conductor and a coaxial conductor for connection between the instrument and a first DUT probe; and a second coaxial cable having a center conductor and a coaxial conductor for connection between the instrument and a second DUT probe, at least one of the first and second cables being selectively shortable between the respective center conductor and coaxial conductor at a location near the respective DUT probe. |
| US08410801B2 |
Pressure detection apparatus
A pressure detection apparatus has a pressure-sensitive resistor whose first resistance varies according to pressure and a change of its own temperature, a temperature-sensitive resistor which has a same resistance-temperature coefficient as the pressure-sensitive resistor and whose second resistance varies according to the change of the temperature, a current source supplying first and second constant-currents to the pressure-sensitive and temperature-sensitive resistors respectively, and a pressure signal generation output section. The current source adjusts the first and second constant-currents so that when the pressure is an initial pressure, a reference first voltage appearing across the pressure-sensitive resistor and a reference second voltage appearing across the temperature-sensitive resistor become equal to each other. The pressure signal generation output section outputs a first voltage signal corresponding to the pressure on the basis of a difference voltage between a first voltage of the pressure-sensitive resistor and a second voltage of the temperature-sensitive resistor. |
| US08410795B1 |
Serpentine touch sensor pattern
A capacitive sensor array may include a first sensor element of a first plurality of sensor elements, and a second sensor element. The second sensor element may include a plurality of subelements, where each of the plurality of subelements is connected to at least another of the plurality of subelements by one of a plurality of connecting traces. A width of each of the connecting traces may be less than a width of any of the plurality of subelements. Connecting traces in a subset of the plurality of connecting traces may be staggered about a central axis of the second sensor element. |
| US08410793B2 |
Apparatus for ascertaining and/or monitoring at least one fill level of at least one medium in a container according to a travel-time measuring method and/or a capacitive measuring method
An apparatus for ascertaining and/or monitoring at least one fill-level of at least one medium in a container according to a travel-time measuring method and/or a capacitive measuring method by means of at least one measuring probe. A capacitive measurement circuit, which produces a low frequency measurement signal on the measuring probe, a time-domain reflectometer measurement circuit, which produces a high frequency, electromagnetic signal sent out as a sent signal and a control/evaluation unit, which controls both measurement circuits are included. Also included is a diplexer, which sends the low-frequency measurement signal and the high-frequency, electromagnetic measurement signal to the measuring probe and effects a signal separation of the high-frequency, electromagnetic measurement signal into the first signal path of the time-domain reflectometer measurement circuit and the low-frequency measurement signal into the second signal path of the capacitive measurement circuit. |
| US08410788B2 |
Method for diagnosing an electronic display device
A method of diagnosing an electronic display device (1) having a screen (3) and a graphics memory (2) in which image data (14), of an image displayed or to be displayed on the screen (3), are one of stored or changed. A measured value (15) characterizes a current consumption or the change in current consumption of the screen (3) or display device (1) while a reference value (16) characterizes the current consumption or the change in current consumption of the screen (3) or display device (1) on the basis of the image data (14) or the change in image data (14). The method compares the reference value (16) to the measured value (15) to determine any malfunction or error in the electronic display device (1). |
| US08410787B2 |
Testing of an integrated circuit with a plurality of clock domains
An integrated circuit comprises a plurality of clock domains (10, 12). Test data is shifted into the integrated circuit through a scan chain (100, 14, 104). In a test mode a connection is interrupted between a functional output of a first clock domain (10) and a functional input of a second clock domain (12). Test data is applied from the scan chain (100, 14, 104) to the functional input and a test response is captured into from the functional output. A delay circuit (24, 28) is used to delay transfer of the test result from the scan cell (21) to the functional input when the test result is captured in the scan cell (21), to ensure that timing differences between the clock domains do not affect the test. Subsequently the test result is shifted through the scan chain. |
| US08410786B1 |
Passive intermodulation (PIM) distance to fault analyzer with selectable harmonic level
A distance to PIM measurement circuit is made using a device such as an AWS transceiver that has separate transmit and receive bands. With a typical AWS transceiver placed in close proximity to a PCS transceiver, the AWS device will include a band reject filter to eliminate interference from the PCS signals. The PIM measurement circuit includes two frequency sources F1 and F2 that are provided through a combiner for characterization of the PIM circuit. To enable distance determination, an FM measurement is created by using a offset sweep generator attached to one of the two frequency sources. To avoid frequencies blocked by the band reject filter, a desired harmonic of a test PIM harmonic signal is selected outside the band of the band reject filter. In one embodiment, a reference signal is provided by mixing a signal from an xM multiplier connected to the F1 source with an xN multiplier signal connected to the F2 source, the mixed output being filtered to select the desired harmonic reference signal to avoid the band reject filter. In another embodiment, a reference signal is created by generating all harmonics of the combined F1 and F2 signal using a series connected amplifier and clipping diodes with a filter again used to select the desired harmonic reference signal to avoid the band reject filter. |
| US08410784B1 |
Method and device for measuring static charge
A device senses a static charge resulting from the impingement of particles on a surface, such as an aircraft's outer skin. The device includes a sensor adapted to be installed on the surface and a corona guard for guarding against corona discharge from the sensor. |
| US08410783B2 |
Detecting an end of life for a battery using a difference between an unloaded battery voltage and a loaded battery voltage
One particular implementation conforming to aspects of the present invention takes the form of a method for detecting the end of life of a battery for an electronic device. The method may include calculating the voltage of the battery in an unloaded state, holding the sampled unloaded battery voltage, measuring a loaded battery voltage, calculating the difference between the unloaded and loaded battery voltages and amplifying the calculated difference. Other implementations may take the form of a circuit to perform one or more of the operations of the above method. The circuit may include a sample and hold section and a differential amplifier to provide the amplified difference to a microcontroller for analysis. The microcontroller may also provide a warning or indication to the device or to a user of the device when the battery nears the end of life. |
| US08410781B1 |
High temperature superconductor receiver coil magnetic resonance imaging systems and methods compatible with an infant incubator
Systems and methods which employ a high temperature superconductor (HTS) receiver coil configuration for MRI analysis of small volume subjects, such as infants, are shown. Embodiments provide a HTS tape RF phase array receiver coil implementation. The foregoing HTS tape receiver coil implementation may be provided in a Helmholtz coil configuration. With such a Helmholtz coil configuration, circuitry is preferably provided to provide tuning, matching, and/or decoupling with respect to the HTS receiver coils. Embodiments implement a cryostat configuration to maintain one or more HTS receiver coils at a desired operating temperature (e.g., ≦77° K) while providing a safe environment for a subject (e.g., infant) being imaged. |
| US08410777B2 |
NMR imaging system with reduced cryogenic losses and reduced acoustic noise
A magnetic resonance imaging system having an exterior cryogenic enclosure containing a device for creating an intense main magnetic field in a usable interior tunnel space an RF exciter, a set of solenoid gradient windings in a cylindrical space around the interior tunnel space and electronic control circuits. The cryogenic enclosure includes an interior cylindrical space vacuum at room temperature having the set of windings therein, at least one thermal screen in a temperature range of 20° K to 80° K, a cold box below 5° K, and a former supporting the exciter for creating an intense main magnetic field. To reduce acoustic noise and cryogenic losses, an additional envelope is between the set of windings and the vacuum enclosure, the additional envelope being of a conductive material having electrical resistivity at least 7×10−8 Ω·m and having a characteristic frequency no more than the characteristic frequencies of each of the other components of the exterior cryogenic enclosure. |
| US08410776B2 |
Detector module for an emission tomography scanner
An emission tomography detector module and an emission tomography scanner are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the emission tomography detector modules includes a scintillator to capture an photon, the scintillator emitting a scintillating light on capturing the photon; a first type of solid-state photodetector to detect the scintillating light; and a second type of solid-state photodetector to detect the scintillating light, wherein the first type of solid-state photodetector and the second type of solid-state photodetector are different with respect to a detecting property. |
| US08410769B2 |
Power converter with controller operable in selected modes of operation
A power converter and method of controlling the same for selected modes of operation. In one embodiment, the power converter includes a first power switch coupled to a source of electrical power and a second power switch coupled to the first power switch and to an output terminal of the power converter. The power converter also includes a controller configured to control an operation of the first and second power switches during selected modes of operation. |
| US08410768B2 |
Switch-mode power supply having reduced audible noise
A power supply having an input and an output, includes a power converter coupled between the input and output of the power supply including at least one switch that is controlled by comparing a sensed voltage, the sensed voltage corresponding to a current flowing through the switch, to a reference voltage. A controller, in response to a change detected in a switching frequency of the switch, reduces audible noise generated by the power supply by at least one of: adjusting the reference voltage; adjusting the current sense voltage; or adjusting a resistance used to generate the sensed voltage. |
| US08410765B2 |
Pulse modulation circuit and method
A pulse modulation method for adjusting pulse signals according to a working voltage of a load, the method includes the following steps. The working voltage of the load is detected by a feedback terminal of a PWM controller. Whether the load is a light load or a heavy load is determined, if the load is a light load, a pulse skipping mode is entered; the voltage output to the load is detected by the feedback terminal. Whether the voltage output to the load is normal is determined, if the voltage output to the load is low, the pulse skipping mode is stayed for a number of clock cycles; the voltage output to the load is detected to determine whether the voltage is normal. If the voltage output to the load is still low, the pulse skipping mode is jumped out and a normal working mode is entered. |
| US08410764B2 |
Automatic current limit adjustment for linear and switching regulators
Circuits and methods for dynamic adjustment of the current limit of a power management unit to avoid unwanted automatic interruption of the power flow have been disclosed. The power management unit is automatically adjusted to the output resistance of a power source (including interconnect resistance). The invention maximizes the time and hence the power transferred from a power management unit to the system (including the battery, in case of battery operated systems). The input current is reduced thus increasing the input voltage in case of a high voltage drop across the internal resistance including interconnections between power source and power management unit. |
| US08410761B2 |
Low-loss zero current switching shunt regulator for AC alternator
A control circuit for use with an AC alternator has a plurality of outlet lines leading from the alternator, each receiving a phase of current generated by the alternator. Tap lines are associated with each of the power lines and are associated with a switch. The switches drain power to a drain when in a first state, and allow the power to pass downstream to a system load when in a second state. A switch control changes the switches between the first and second state. A detector detects when the current signal is approaching a zero crossing between a cycle positive portion and a negative portion. The switch control takes in the information with regard to the approaching zero crossing, and change the switches between the first and second states based upon the detected zero crossing point. An alternator is also disclosed. |
| US08410752B2 |
Charger device for a portable electronic device
A charger unit includes: a housing, prongs for engaging an electrical outlet, the prongs being coupled to one another by a cross-member and being movable relative to the housing between a retracted position in which the prongs are received in the housing and an extended position in which the prongs protrude from the housing, the prongs being biased toward the extended position, a locking arm comprising a first end, a cut out for receiving the cross-member when the prongs are in the retracted position and a second end for abutting the cross-member when the prongs are in the extended position, the first end of the locking arm being coupled to a carriage and the cutout being provided between the first end and the second end, the locking arm being movable by the carriage into and out of engagement with the cross-member and the locking arm being biased toward the passage and electrical components for electrically communicating with a portable electronic device to enable charging of a power pack of the portable electronic device. |
| US08410751B2 |
Device housing a battery and charging pad
A device housing a battery (50) includes a receiving coil (51), and a charging pad (10) includes a transmitting coil (11) that magnetically couples with, and supplies charging power to the receiving coil. The device further includes a modulator circuit (61) that changes the impedance of the receiving coil according to internal battery data. The charging pad further includes a detection circuit (17) that detects receiving coil impedance changes to detect the battery data. The modulator circuit has a load circuit (62) connected in parallel with the receiving coil and has a series-connected switching device (64) and impedance modulating capacitor (63), and a control circuit (65) that switches the load circuit switching device ON and OFF according to the battery data. The modulator circuit switches the switching device 64 ON and OFF to transmit battery data to the charging pad. |
| US08410749B2 |
Device and method for controlling the charging and discharging of a battery for supplying power from the battery and a fuel cell
According to one embodiment, a power supply device includes a fuel cell, a battery, a switch, and a controller. The fuel cell supplies electric power to an electronic device provided with a built-in battery. The battery is charged with electric power supplied from the fuel cell and supplies electric power to the electronic device. The switch switches the battery between charge mode and discharge mode. The controller controls the switch to switch the battery between the charge mode and the discharge mode. The controller calculates integrated discharge electric power and integrated discharge amount of the battery and, when the integrated discharge electric power reaches predetermined discharge electric power, switches the battery from the discharge mode to the charge mode. The controller calculates integrated charge amount of the battery and, when the integrated charge amount reaches the integrated discharge amount, switches the battery from the charge mode to the discharge mode. |
| US08410747B2 |
Flexible fuel cell structures having external support
Fuel cell components provide fuel cells on a flexible sheet that defines a wall of a flexible plenum. An external support structure limits expansion of the plenum in response to forces exerted by a pressurized reactant. The external support structure may comprise a portion of a housing of a portable device. Cathodes of the fuel cells may be accessible from an outside of the flexible sheet and exposed to ambient air while anodes of the fuel cell are accessible from an inside of the flexible sheet and exposed to a fuel, such as hydrogen gas. |
| US08410746B2 |
Inverter circuit for vehicles
The present invention provides an inverter circuit for a vehicle, which includes: a switching unit that includes a plurality of switching elements and switches a direct current into an alternating current; and a variable clamping unit that clamps an overshoot in case the overshoot is generated, and stops the operation of the switching unit in case a system voltage is greater than a clamping breakdown voltage. The circuit enables a voltage (DC input voltage) greater than a breakdown voltage of clamping unit to be used as a system voltage. |
| US08410745B2 |
Controller for motor, and vehicle
When a short-circuit failure of any of switch portions (13) including switch elements (11) and parallel-connected feedback diodes (12) of an inverter circuit (7) is detected during the operation of a motor (1), a switch portion (13) where the short-circuit failure has occurred is checked for whether it is on the positive polarity side or the negative polarity side. The switch elements (11) are so controlled that all the switch portions (13) on the same polarity side as where the short-circuit has occurred are brought into a conducted state and all the others are disconnected. This prevents a large electric current from flowing into each switch portion of the inverter circuit without requiring any switch to block the power distribution between a motor and the inverter circuit when a short-circuit failure of the switch portion of the inverter circuit occurs. |
| US08410744B2 |
Motor driving apparatus
During motor acceleration control period that starts at time T1, if power supply output or supply current exceeds a predetermined level at time T2, PWM control in a PWM converter is turned off until a deceleration control period of T3 to T4 ends. As a result, DC link voltage (voltage of a power storage device) at the start of the deceleration control at time T3 drops to provide space for storing regenerative power; since the PWM control in the PWM converter is off during the deceleration control period, the regenerative power can be stored into the power storage device and reused in the next control cycle. |
| US08410743B2 |
Pulse generating device, rotator module, rotational speed control device, and image forming apparatus
A pulse generating device includes a rotatable disc having a plurality of patterns that are formed on a surface of the rotatable disc in a circumferential direction of the rotatable disc, and three pulse generators to each detect the plurality of patterns formed on the rotatable disc and to respectively generate three pulse signals each corresponding to a rotational speed of the rotatable disc based on the detected patterns. The three pulse generators are evenly spaced at intervals of 120 degrees of angle with respect to a rotational axis of the rotatable disc in the circumferential direction of the rotatable disc. |
| US08410740B2 |
Electric power conversion apparatus
An electric power conversion apparatus converts electric power supplied to a motor having a winding set formed of coils corresponding to a plurality of phases. An inverter part has a plurality of FETs forming switching element pairs, each of which corresponds to each phase of the winding set. Pull-up resistors are provided between the coils and a high-potential side of a battery, respectively. A neutral point voltage detection part detects a neutral point voltage of the winding set. A microcomputer detects abnormality based on the neutral point voltage. |
| US08410737B2 |
Device and method for generating an initial controller lookup table for an IPM machine
Embodiments of the present invention provide a device and method for generating initial operating points for controlling an interior permanent magnet (IPM) machine. The method includes loading an inductance lookup table, first calculating a maximum torque per Ampere (MTPA) trajectory for a first threshold speed based on machine parameters of the IPM machine, second calculating a truncated voltage limit ellipse with monotonically increasing torque for a first speed based on the machine parameters, if the first speed is higher than the first threshold speed, determining an operating trajectory at the first speed based on at least one of the calculated MTPA trajectory and the calculated truncated voltage limit ellipse, and generating an Id,Iq map that maps an Id value and an Iq value to each torque command of a plurality of torque commands for the first speed based on the determined operating trajectory. |
| US08410734B2 |
Motor control device and electric power steering device
In a motor control device, a control calculation unit obtains a phase voltage instruction value. A current detecting unit detects an electric current which flows into the brushless motor. A rotational position detecting unit detects the rotational position of a rotor in the brushless motor. A correction unit corrects the phase voltage instruction value based on the detection results of the current detecting unit and the rotational position detecting unit so that a dependency of a ratio on an electric angle shown by a secondary harmonic component of the ratio concerning the electric angle of the brushless motor. The ratio is a ratio of a q-axis or d-axis component of the electric current, which flows into the brushless motor, to a q-axis or d-axis instruction value. A driving unit drives the brushless motor based on the phase voltage instruction value after the correction by the correction unit. |
| US08410733B2 |
Wound field synchronous motor drive
A hybrid synchronous motor drive circuit and method operates in one or two or more modes based on the speed of the synchronous machine. In a first mode, the synchronous machine is driven at a relatively low frequency by a current controlled voltage source inverter (VSI). In a second mode, the synchronous machine is driven at a relatively high frequency by a load commutated inverter (LCI) in tandem with the VSI. In the second mode, the LCI acts as the main power source for controlling the machine and determining machine torque and speed. The VSI acts as a harmonic compensator by compensating the dominant harmonic currents fed to the machine from the LCI such that the synchronous machine will see sinusoidal currents and thereby sinusoidal voltages at its terminals. The VSI also functions to provide sufficient reactive power at fundamental frequency so that the thyristors in the inverter are load commutated. |
| US08410730B2 |
Device and method for fast beam current modulation in a particle accelerator
The present invention relates to a circular particle accelerator capable of modulating the particle beam current exiting the circular particle accelerator. The circular particle accelerator includes: an ion source for generating the particle beam; Dee electrode and counter-Dee electrode separated from each other by gaps for accelerating the particle beam, the counter-Dee electrode being grounded; a generator capable of applying an alternating high voltage to the Dee electrode, so as it is possible to have an electric field between the gaps; means for measuring the current intensity of the particle beam exiting the circular particle accelerator. It also comprises a regulator capable of modulating the Dee electrodes voltage amplitude (VD) by comparing a given set point (I0) of the current intensity of the particle beam and the measured value of the current intensity (I′M) of the particle beam. |
| US08410720B2 |
Solid state lighting circuit and controls
In some embodiments, a solid state lighting circuit may include one or more of the following features: (a) a plurality of emitters operably connected to a power supply (b) the power supply operably coupled in series with a current limiting device, where one or more of the emitters is bypassed with a switched circuit, and (c) at least one MOSFET switch operably coupled to the voltage divider circuit. |
| US08410719B2 |
Electronic ballast and method for controlling at least one light source
An electronic ballast for driving at least one light source may include an input for connecting a supply voltage; an output configured to connect the at least one light source; an oscillator, which is designed to provide an oscillator output signal with a first frequency at its output, the oscillator having a calibration input in order to alter the first frequency; and a microcontroller configured to provide a drive signal with at least one spectral component at a second frequency for the at least one light source, the microcontroller being coupled to the oscillator output and being designed to generate the second frequency as a function of the first frequency; wherein the electronic ballast furthermore includes a drive circuit, which is coupled to the calibration input, the drive circuit being designed to vary the first frequency during running operation of the electronic ballast via the calibration input. |
| US08410715B2 |
Method of driving light sources, device for driving light sources, and display device having the same
One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for driving light sources, a device for driving light sources and a display device having the device for driving the light sources. Power information is read based on position information on the light sources to output a light source control signal transmitting the power information. The power information determines a level of power applied to each of the light sources. Externally provided input power is changed into a plurality of driving powers having a level changed based on the light source control signal. The driving powers are applied to the light sources, respectively. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, uniformity of luminance distribution of a display panel may be improved. |
| US08410711B2 |
Circuits and methods for driving light sources
In one embodiment, a driving circuit includes an AC/DC converter which converts an AC voltage to a DC voltage and a DC/DC linear regulator which regulates a current through, e.g., an LED light source, according to a first current reference if a monitoring signal indicating the DC voltage is within a predetermined range, and regulates the current according to a second current reference less than the first current reference if the monitoring signal is beyond the predetermined range. In another embodiment, a controller controlling power to an LED light source turns on a first plurality of LEDs and turns off a second plurality of LEDs if a monitoring signal indicative of a DC voltage received by the LED light source is within a predetermined range, and turns on both first and second plurality of LEDs if the monitoring signal is beyond the predetermined range. |
| US08410708B2 |
Structure of an LED decoration lamp
A dual colored LED decoration lamp which includes a lamp string combined of multiple dual colored LED lights and a controller connected between the power supply and the lamp string. The lamp string includes lamp groups combined of multiple LED lights with two different colors and with their anodes and cathodes cross-linked. The multiple lamp groups are then connected in series, and each LED light in every lamp group is connected in same direction with the same colored LED light in the next lamp group. The controller controls the variation of the direction of current in aforementioned lamp strings. Thus, the lamp string is able to emit light with different colors by varying the current direction in the same lamp string through the usage of controller, and there is no need to set with multiple lamp strings. |
| US08410702B2 |
Illumination apparatus having an adapter with a function block shot
Embodiments provide an illumination apparatus including an adapter coupled detachably and electrically to an incandescent lamp socket or a halogen lamp socket, configured to convert alternating power to driving power; and a light emitting device connected detachably and electrically to the adapter, configured to emit light according to the driving power from the adapter. |
| US08410700B2 |
Electrodeless lighting system and control method thereof
An electrodeless lighting system and its control method are disclosed. When the electrodeless lighting system starts, a larger amount of filament current of a magnetron is applied to stably drive the magnetron, and when the electrodeless lighting system operates normally, a smaller amount of filament current is applied, thus avoiding interference with a wireless LAN, lengthening a life span of the magnetron, reducing noise, and improving an operational efficiency of the electrodeless lighting system. |
| US08410698B2 |
High efficiency discharge lamp
A high pressure gas discharge lamp includes a discharge vessel with electrodes that project into a discharge space of a volume of 12-20 mm3. The discharge space has a filling of rare gas and a metal halide composition which is free of mercury. The metal halide composition includes at least halides of Sodium and Scandium with a mass ratio of halides of Sodium and Scandium of 0.9-1.5. The lamp further includes an outer enclosure provided around the discharge vessel. The outer enclosure is sealed and filled with a gas at a pressure below 1 bar. The lamp has an efficiency equal to or greater than 90 Im/W in a steady state operation at an electrical power of 25 W. |
| US08410697B2 |
Light source device
A light source device which can also advantageously control the growth of the projection using the DMD type is achieved in a light source device which has an ultrahigh pressure discharge lamp) in which the silica glass discharge vessel is filled with greater than or equal to 0.15 mg/mm3 mercury and bromine; a feed device; an oval reflector; and a color wheel by the electrode on the side of the opening of the oval reflector of the discharge lamp having an increased diameter, and the relation 0.06 |
| US08410696B2 |
Plasma display panel for multi-screen and fabricating method for the same
There are provided a plasma display panel (PDP) wherein a seam area is minimized, so that continuity of screens can be stably ensured, and a method of fabricating the same. In the PDP formed by assembling a plurality of unit PDPs, each of the unit PDPs includes front and rear substrates; a sealant formed on the side surfaces of the front and rear substrates; side electrodes formed on the sealant; and functional layers formed on the rear surface of the rear substrate and the side surfaces of the front and rear substrates. |
| US08410694B2 |
Plasma display panel
To provide a plasma display panel that can improve the bright room contrast.The PDP of the present invention provided with a discharge space formed between a front-side substrate assembly and a rear-side substrate assembly, wherein the front-side substrate assembly has a plurality of display electrodes for defining lines of a screen, and the rear-side substrate assembly has a plurality of barrier ribs for partitioning the discharge space in a column direction, and a phosphor layer that is applied to side surfaces and a bottom surface of each of grooves formed between the barrier ribs, the plasma display panel is characterized in that each of the display electrodes for defining the lines comprises a belt-like base portion that extends over an entire length of the screen in a line direction, and a plurality of projections that projects from the base portion toward another display electrode adjacent thereto, each projection having a width the same as or narrower than a width of a bottom of the phosphor layer, and having a visible light transmittance ranging from 0% to 80% inclusive. |
| US08410692B2 |
Lamp having a variable substrate as a base for a light source
A lamp for receiving at least one light emitting diode as a light-emitting means, having a bottom part as a supporting element and for feeding the electric connecting wires to a mounting device carrying the at least one light emitting diode, and having a lamp shade. The mounting device is a separate mounting substrate having a breaking strength between 100 and 1,000 MPa and is arranged on the bottom of the device. |
| US08410691B2 |
Organic EL device
An organic EL device includes a substrate; an organic EL element formed on the substrate; and a sealing film formed on the organic EL element that is a CVD-deposited silicon nitride film containing from 0.85 at % to 0.95 at % H. A method of manufacturing the organic EL device includes the steps of: forming an organic EL element on a substrate; and forming a sealing film on the organic EL element in a process including mixing SiH4, NH3, N2, and H2, during which the H2 is introduced at a flow rate set to from 1 volume percent to 5 volume percent of that of the N2, so that a silicon nitride film containing hydrogen atoms or hydrogen molecules is formed. |
| US08410690B2 |
Display device with desiccant
Systems and methods for providing MEMS devices with integrated desiccant are provided. In one embodiment, a dry composition comprising desiccant is impact sprayed onto the backplate or substrate of a MEMS device, and becomes fused with the substrate. In another embodiment, the desiccant is impact sprayed such that the desiccant adheres to the impact sprayed surface. In yet another embodiment, the impact-sprayed surface is impregnated with the desiccant. In still another embodiment, the desiccant is combined with a suitable inorganic binder, then impact sprayed such that the desiccant adheres to the impact sprayed surface. In yet a further embodiment, the desiccant is micronized or pulverized into a powder of desired particle size, and then impact sprayed onto a surface. Thus, the desiccant particles or powder are fused onto the target surface through the impact spraying process. |
| US08410687B2 |
Organic electroluminescent device including covered lower electrode
An emitting device in an organic electroluminescent device is disclosed, in which a lower electrode pattern is formed on a substrate, an emitting layer pattern is formed on the lower electrode pattern, and a transparent electrode is formed on the emitting layer pattern and an emitting body having a structure in which an organic thin film emits light when an application current is applied to it. The pattern of the transparent electrode completely covers and is larger than that of the lower electrode. The pattern of the transparent electrode is formed over the entire area of the pattern of the lower electrode. |
| US08410686B2 |
Display device having lens portions for enhanced extraction of light
Disclosed herein is a display device provided with: (A) a plurality of light-emitting devices comprising a first electrode, an organic layer including a light-emitting layer and a second electrode configured to resonate light, which is generated in the light-emitting layer, between a first interface defined by an interface between the first electrode and the organic layer and a second interface defined by an interface between the second electrode and the organic layer, and (B) a transparent upper substrate having a first side facing the second electrode and a second side located on an opposite side of the first side, and fixed above the second electrode. |
| US08410685B2 |
Organic electroluminescent panel, organic electroluminescent display, organic electroluminescent lighting device, and production methods thereof
The present invention provides an organic EL panel, an organic EL display, and an organic EL lighting device, which are capable of simultaneously producing a plurality of organic EL panels with a narrow frame region and high reliability, and also provides production methods thereof. The organic electroluminescent panel of the present invention comprises: an element substrate in which an organic electroluminescent element and a terminal region are formed; a sealing member that covers the organic electroluminescent element; a sealing substrate attached to the element substrate with the sealing member interposed therebetween; and a first spacer disposed only in a region between the organic electroluminescent element and the terminal region. |
| US08410684B2 |
Electronic display device having an auxiliary electrode in each pixel region to maximize emission area and its fabrication process
The invention relates to an electronic display device having an electroluminescent screen and to its manufacturing method. This device includes a substrate (2) coated with a matrix of pixels, each pixel formed by an organic emitting structure (5) intermediate between two electrodes, one (3) near and the other (4) far, relative to the substrate respectively, an electrically insulating resin (7) covering the substrate between the respective near electrodes of the pixels and furthermore extending onto a peripheral edge (3a) of each near electrode. Each pixel incorporates at least one auxiliary electrode (8) having a work function identical or substantially identical to that of the near electrode, and which extends inclinedly on the surface of the resin and facing said edge, from the near electrode towards the far electrode, so as to maximize the emission area of each pixel. |
| US08410680B2 |
Multi-chip light emitting device lamps for providing high-CRI warm white light and light fixtures including the same
A multi-chip lighting emitting device (LED) lamp for providing white light includes a submount including first and second die mounting regions thereon. A first LED chip is mounted on the first die mounting region, and a second LED chip is mounted on the second die mounting region. The LED lamp is configured to emit light having a spectral distribution including at least four different color peaks to provide the white light. For example, a first conversion material may at least partially cover the first LED chip, and may be configured to absorb at least some of the light of the first color and re-emit light of a third color. In addition, a second conversion material may at least partially cover the first and/or second LED chips, and may be configured to absorb at least some of the light of the first and/or second colors and re-emit light of a fourth color. Related light fixtures and methods are also disclosed. |
| US08410678B2 |
Liquid metal wetting of micro-fabricated charge-emission structures
Described is a micro-fabricated charged particle emission device including a substrate and a plurality of charged particle emission sites formed in the substrate. A path extends between each emission site and a source of liquid metal. Each path is coated with a wetting layer of non-oxidizing metal for wetting the liquid metal. Exemplary non-oxidizing metals that may be used to make the wetting layer include gold and platinum. The wetting layer is sufficiently thin such that some liquid metal is able to flow to each emission site despite any chemical interaction between the liquid metal and the non-oxidizing metal of the wetting layer. |
| US08410676B2 |
Sheet-shaped heat and light source, method for making the same and method for heating object adopting the same
The present invention relates to a sheet-shaped heat and light source. The sheet-shaped heat and light source includes a carbon nanotube layer and at least two electrodes. The at least two electrodes are separately disposed on the carbon nanotube layer and electrically connected thereto. Moreover, a method for making the sheet-shaped heat and light source and a method for heating an object adopting the same are also included. |
| US08410671B2 |
Vibratory actuator
An ultrasonic actuator includes an actuator body configured by alternately stacking piezoelectric layers, and a positive and a negative electrode layers. The positive electrode layer includes a first through a fourth positive split electrodes and a positive diagonal-connection electrode connecting together the first and the third positive split electrodes. The second and the fourth positive split electrodes are connected together outside the positive electrode layer. The negative electrode layer includes a first through a fourth negative split electrodes and a negative diagonal-connection electrode connecting together the first and the third negative split electrodes. The second and the fourth negative split electrodes are connected together outside the negative electrode layer. |
| US08410667B2 |
Electrical generators for low-frequency and time-varying rocking and rotary motions
An apparatus for generating electrical energy from a first motion having a low and/or variable frequency. The apparatus including: a first device to which the first motion is transferred; and a second device to which the first motion is transferred from the first device, the second device operating at a second motion having a frequency which is higher and/or more constant that the first motion. Wherein the first device comprises one of a first rotating shaft or first translating mass; the first shaft or first mass includes a tip interacting with the second device to transfer the first motion thereto, the second device comprises a mechanism having an electrical energy generator for converting the second motion to electrical energy; and the electrical energy generator comprises a rotary or linear coil and magnet generator or a piezoelectric generator. The interaction of the tip with the shaft or mass can be contactless. |
| US08410662B2 |
Electric universal drive
In a universal drive with a rotatable or linearly movable drive member and piezo actuators supported on a carrier for acting on a leg supported on the drive member and moving the leg in a high-frequency stepping sequence in a drive direction, wherein the carriers are jointly supported on a stator by a pretension member which biases them elastically toward the drive member via an elbow lever mechanism including a first elbow lever and at least a second elbow lever which are both connected to an actuator by a coupling member and this arrangement is such that, with the first elbow lever stretched, the second elbow lever is kinked and vice versa. |
| US08410658B2 |
Multi-layer electrostatic energy harvester and method of making the same
An electrostatic energy harvester comprises at least a plurality of variable capacitor layers. In one embodiment, at least two of the variable capacitor layers are directly bonded together. In another embodiment, at least two of the variable capacitor layers are bonded together with at least one moving mass layer. Still in another embodiment, at least two of the variable capacitor layers are located at different heights and are located separately from each other. A method of making such a device is also disclosed. |
| US08410657B2 |
Mounting-structure of stator core adapted to rotating electrical machine
A stator core of a rotating electrical machine, in which no compressive load is applied to divided cores each having an arc shape, when the divided cores are secured into a circular form, thereby decreasing the motor loss and improving the motor efficiency. The divided cores are circularly disposed, and the divided cores each having the arc shape in section perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotary axis. In the divided cores, there are provided welded portions each of which is diagonally formed between one corner end of a connecting edge and an opposite corner end of a neighboring connecting edge, thereby providing the welded portion diagonal with respect to the axial direction. The connecting edges are in parallel to the axial direction. |
| US08410654B2 |
Motor and electronic device using same
A motor comprises a stator having a plurality of magnetic poles disposed at first predetermined intervals along an outer periphery thereof, and a rotor having a permanent magnet with poles magnetized alternately to have different polarities at second predetermined intervals and disposed rotatably around the outer periphery of the stator with a predetermined gap. The magnetic poles of the stator has extended portions formed in a manner to extend from magnetic polar bases into a direction generally parallel to the permanent magnet, and the extended portions are formed of a high-permeability magnetic steel sheet with silicon content less than 3.0 wt-%. |
| US08410652B2 |
Motor assembly using polar anisotropic ring magnet
The rotor assembly contains a number of polar anisotropic ring magnets sequentially stacked, a number of supporting rings within the stacked ring magnets, and an axle threading through the supporting rings. The ring magnets are of a same diameter and length. Each supporting ring contains three co-centric rings: an inner steel ring, a middle rubber ring, and an outer steel ring. The supporting rings are positioned with substantially equal spacing and with a gap away from each aperture of the stacked ring magnets, so that additional weight elements could be positioned and adhered within the gap. The periodic positioning of a number of supporting rings could significantly reduce the weight of the motor assembly with much improved steadiness. Additionally, the middle rubber rings of the supporting rings provide a buffer mechanism for absorbing vibration and noise reduction. |
| US08410649B2 |
Electric motor, electric motor unit, blower, and electric device
A power supply connecting member is configured by a housing of the power supply connecting member molded with a terminal of the power supply connecting member by a resin. The terminal of the power supply connecting member has three bent portions, two bent portions are perpendicular to an axial direction before the terminal is bent, and the remaining bent portion is parallel to the axial direction before the terminal is bent. A distal end on a bending side of the terminal of the power supply connecting member is inserted into the power supply connecting member housing to configure the power supply connecting member. An output shaft support portion unit is configured such that a bearing to hold a rotor and an elastic member (spring for example) to hold the bearing are stored in a bottom cover (lower cover) having a recessed portion and a lid cover (upper cover) is press-fitted. |
| US08410648B2 |
Motor
There is provided a motor including a sleeve supporting a shaft; a sleeve holder allowing the sleeve to be fixed to an inner circumferential surface thereof and having a coupling rack protruding downwardly from a bottom surface in an axial direction; and a base plate having a sleeve holder insertion hole provided therein such that the sleeve holder insertion hole has a curvature defined by an inner circumferential surface thereof, in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the coupling rack of the sleeve holder, and a bottom surface thereof, in contact with a coupling portion of the coupling rack. |
| US08410645B2 |
Power tool
A power tool has a casing and a motor assembly installed in the casing. The motor assembly comprises a motor and a heat dissipation device. The motor comprises a housing and magnets or windings disposed at an inner surface of the housing. The heat dissipation device is arranged at an outer surface of the housing and a window is formed in the casing to expose the heat dissipation device. Preferably, the heat dissipation device comprises an annular heat absorbing section fitted to a radially outer surface of the motor housing and a plurality of fins extending from the heat absorbing section and into the window. |
| US08410637B2 |
Wireless power system with selectable control channel protocols
A wireless power system includes a wireless power transmit and receive units. The wireless power transmit unit includes a wireless power transmit circuit that generates a wireless power magnetic field and a transmit unit transceiver that transceives a communication regarding the wireless power magnetic field in accordance with a control channel protocol. The wireless power receive unit includes a wireless power receive circuit, a transceiver, and a processing module. The wireless power receive circuit converts the wireless power magnetic field into a voltage. The receive unit processing module is operable to: identify the control channel protocol; determine whether the receive unit transceiver is capable of communication using the control channel protocol; and, when the receive unit transceiver is capable of communication using the control channel protocol, coordinate configuration of the receive unit transceiver to transceive the communication regarding the wireless power magnetic field via the control channel. |
| US08410634B2 |
Grid-connected power storage system and method for controlling grid-connected power storage system
A grid-connected power storage system for coupling a power generation system to a grid, including: a main battery for discharging stored power to the load system; at least one additional battery coupled to the main battery for discharging stored power to the load system; a bidirectional converter coupled to the main and additional batteries, and including a plurality of switches for performing a conversion between a DC link voltage, between the power generation system and the grid, and a battery voltage, a first switch of the plurality of switches corresponding to the main battery and a second switch of the plurality of switches corresponding to the additional battery, wherein the first and second switches are connected to each other in parallel; and an integrated controller for selectively controlling operations of the first switch and the second switch based on an amount of power used by the load system. |
| US08410633B2 |
Dynamic load shedding system for a standby generator
A method and system for managing electrical loads on a standby generator. The method includes utilizing a transfer switch control to selectively shed loads each associated with one of a series of priority circuits. Priority values are initially assigned to each of the electric loads based upon the initial hard-wired connection of the electric loads to a main breaker panel during set up. The control unit of a transfer switch allows the user to reassign priority values to each of the electric loads based upon a user preference. The control unit includes one or more predefined priority assignment programs that can be selected to modify the priority values assigned to the electric loads. |
| US08410631B2 |
Method for transmitting and/or receiving signals for at least a first and a second different service, particularly in a vehicle
In a method for transmitting and/or receiving signals for at least one first and one second different service, particularly having a large range in a vehicle, at least one first antenna 25′ transmits and/or receives signals for the at least one first or second service, depending on a detectable event, and an antenna module performs this method. |
| US08410629B2 |
Tapered magnetic thrust bearing within an electric generator with adjusting air gap controls
A magnetically balanced electric generator is provided, which includes a rotor rotating, a fixing structure having a fixing axis, a rotating magnet body movably coupled with the fixing axis, and engaged with the rotor, a power-generating block vertically separated from the rotating magnet body, a first magnet mounted along the circumference of the rotating magnet body, a second magnet mounted along the circumference of the power-generating block, power-generating magnets mounted in the rotating magnet body and rotating about the fixing axis upon rotation of the rotating magnet body, power-generating units mounted in the power-generating block to generate electricity because of interaction with the power-generating magnet, and a gap control unit moving the rotating magnet body with an interaction of an external force to control a gap between the rotating magnet body and the power-generating block. |
| US08410628B1 |
Vehicle mounted energy airflow conversion apparatus
An electrical generating system includes a series of turbine generator assemblies installed within a system housing. The generator assemblies include a turbine assembly attached to a generator assembly. Airflow across the turbine assembly drives the generator assembly. The electrical power generated is transferred to a power management unit via a series of electrical conductors. The turbine assemblies are configured having less than half of a turbine wheel exposed externally from the system housing, allowing the turbines to be driven by passing airflow. |
| US08410624B2 |
Wind energy installation with variable rotation speed characteristic
A wind energy installation including a wind rotor, a doubly-fed asynchronous generator driven by the wind rotor, a converter, and a controller configured to determine an operating torque for an operating rotation-speed, the operating torque not exceeding a maximum torque. The installation also includes a frequency-adaptive torque limiter having a classifier—for an overfrequency or underfrequency, a torque shifter configured to reduce the maximum torque in the event of frequency discrepancies, and an inhibitor configured to block the torque shift at an underfrequency. The installation further includes a frequency-dependent rotation-speed limiter configured to interact with the classifier such that a lower limit rotation-speed is increased only at an overfrequency and an upper limit rotation-speed is reduced only at an underfrequency. Accordingly, the operating torque can be adapted with respect to the permissible limit values rather than over the entire operating range, thus minimizing yield losses when frequency discrepancies occur. |
| US08410621B2 |
Heat engine
Disclosed is a heat engine following an intermediate form between an ideal Carnot engine and a Stirling engine and having high thermal efficiency. The heat engine includes a cylinder in which operating gas is filled; a high temperature heater which heats a front end part of the cylinder and thermally expands the operating gas; a low temperature cooler which cools a rear end part of the cylinder and contracts the operating gas; and a piston which is accommodated inside the cylinder to rectilinearly reciprocate as the operating gas is thermally expanded and contracted, and includes a heat opening to make the operating gas directly contact the high temperature heater or the low temperature cooler. |
| US08410619B2 |
Granular epoxy resin composition for encapsulating semiconductor, semiconductor device using the same and method for producing semiconductor device
Disclosed is a granular epoxy resin composition for encapsulating a semiconductor used for a semiconductor device obtained by encapsulating a semiconductor element by compression molding, wherein, in the particle size distribution as determined by sieving the whole epoxy resin composition for encapsulating a semiconductor using JIS standard sieves, the ratio of particles having a size of 2 mm or greater is not more than 3% by mass, the ratio of particles having a size of 1 mm or greater, but less than 2 mm is from 0.5% by mass or more to 60% by mass or less, and the ratio of microfine particles having a size of less than 106 μm is not more than 5% by mass. |
| US08410615B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device including two silicon wafers stacked and bonded together with bumps of one wafer electrically coupled with those of the other wafer, in which generation of voids on the junction surface between the silicon wafers is suppressed. Due to a recess made in the surface of a buried conductive film, a cavity is formed in the junction surface between the silicon wafers. The ends of the cavity extend to the periphery of the junction surface between the silicon wafers. This allows the air trapped on the junction surface between the silicon wafers to get out through the cavity, thereby reducing the possibility of generation of voids on the junction surface. |
| US08410614B2 |
Semiconductor device having a semiconductor element buried in an insulating layer and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element having a first surface on which an electrode terminal is formed, and a second surface located opposite to the first surface. The semiconductor device further includes a first insulating layer in which the semiconductor element is buried, and second insulating layers and wiring layers formed in such a manner that at least one insulating layer and at least one wiring layer are formed on each of both surfaces of the first insulating layer. The electrode terminal of the semiconductor element is connected to a first wiring layer located on the first surface side through a first via formed in the first insulating layer, and the first wiring layer is connected to a second wiring layer located on the second surface side through a second via formed in the first insulating layer. |
| US08410610B2 |
Connecting terminals with conductive terminal-forming members having terminal portions extending in different directions
A connecting terminal, a semiconductor package, a wiring board, a connector, and a microcontactor that can achieve a stable contact with a contact target are provided. To achieve the object and to establish an electrical connection to a contact target by making a physical contact with the contact target, there are provided a plurality of conductive terminal-forming members each having a terminal portion, which is extended in a band shape and at least a part of a surface of which forms a curved surface. Each terminal portion is configured so that a part of which is laminated on a part of at least one terminal portion in a thickness direction. All the terminal portions may be laminated at respective tip portions in the thickness direction. |
| US08410607B2 |
Semiconductor memory structures
A semiconductor structure includes a transistor over a substrate, the transistor comprising a gate and a contact region, which is adjacent to the gate and within the substrate. A first dielectric layer is over the contact region. A contact structure is within the first dielectric layer and over the contact region. A first electrode and a second electrode are within the first dielectric layer, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is over the contact structure. The first electrode and second electrodes may be laterally or vertically separated. A phase change structure is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The phase change structure includes at least one spacer within the first dielectric layer and a phase change material (PCM) layer over the spacer. |
| US08410589B2 |
Lead frame, resin package, semiconductor device and resin package manufacturing method
A pressure loss section H1 (H2) extends from a position corresponding to a corner of a resin package, and S1 is the minimum value of the opening area of the pressure loss section H1 (H2) perpendicular to the direction of resin flow (X axis) in the pressure loss section H1 (H2) during resin molding, while S2 is the average value of the opening areas of excess resin reservoirs H3 to H5 perpendicular to the direction of resin flow (Y axis) within excess resin reservoir H3 to H5 during molding. In this lead frame, S1 |
| US08410586B2 |
Semiconductor package and method of assembling a semiconductor package
A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor component including a circuit carrier with a plurality of inner contact pads, a semiconductor chip, and a plurality of electrical connections. An adhesion promotion layer is disposed on at least areas of the semiconductor component and a plastic encapsulation material encapsulates at least the semiconductor chip, the plurality of electrical connections and the plurality of the inner contact pads. Surface regions of the semiconductor component are selectively activated. |
| US08410585B2 |
Leadframe and semiconductor package made using the leadframe
Metal leadframes, semiconductor packages made using the leadframes, and methods of making the leadframes and packages are disclosed. In one embodiment, the leadframe includes a rectangular frame. A chip pad and a plurality of leads are within the frame. The lower side of the chip pad and the leads includes one or more vertically recessed horizontal surfaces. The upper side of the chip pad may include a groove around a chip mounting region. In a package, the chip pad supports a semiconductor chip electrically connected to the leads. The lower side of the chip pad and leads are exposed at an exterior surface of the package body. Encapsulant material underfills the recessed lower surfaces of the chip pad and leads, thereby locking them to the encapsulant material. A wire may be reliably bonded to the chip pad within the groove formed in the upper side thereof. |
| US08410584B2 |
Semiconductor device packages with electromagnetic interference shielding
Described herein are semiconductor device packages with EMI shielding and related methods. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device package includes: (1) a substrate unit including a grounding element disposed adjacent to a periphery of the substrate unit and at least partially extending between an upper surface and a lower surface of the substrate unit; (2) a semiconductor device disposed adjacent to the upper surface of the substrate unit; (3) a package body disposed adjacent to the upper surface of the substrate unit and covering the semiconductor device; and (4) an EMI shield disposed adjacent to exterior surfaces of the package body. A periphery of the package body is laterally recessed, such that a connection surface of the grounding element is electrically exposed and electrically connected to the EMI shield. The grounding element provides an electrical pathway to ground electromagnetic emissions incident upon the EMI shield. |
| US08410583B2 |
Security chip
A security chip is disclosed. The security chip includes: a substrate; an integrated circuit disposed on the substrate, the integrated circuit including circuit elements, circuit interconnect layers connecting the circuit elements together, and interlayer contacts supporting the circuit interconnect layers; a shield to at least partially shield the integrated circuit; and at least one lightwell in the shield and the integrated circuit, wherein each lightwell has a closed shape formed from parts of the circuit interconnect layers and interlayer contacts, wherein no exploitable voltage can be measured on the parts of the circuit interconnect layers and interlayer contacts, and wherein each lightwell forms a path for light to penetrate to the substrate preventing the light from reaching the circuit elements. Related apparatus and methods are also disclosed. |
| US08410582B2 |
3D polysilicon diode with low contact resistance and method for forming same
A semiconductor p-i-n diode and method for forming the same are described herein. In one aspect, a SiGe region is formed between a region doped to have one conductivity (either p+ or n+) and an electrical contact to the p-i-n diode. The SiGe region may serve to lower the contact resistance, which may increase the forward bias current. The doped region extends below the SiGe region such that it is between the SiGe region and an intrinsic region of the diode. The p-i-n diode may be formed from silicon. The doped region below the SiGe region may serve to keep the reverse bias current from increasing as result of the added SiGe region. In one embodiment, the SiGe is formed such that the forward bias current of an up-pointing p-i-n diode in a memory array substantially matches the forward bias current of a down-pointing p-i-n diode which may achieve better switching results when these diodes are used with the R/W material in a 3D memory array. |
| US08410566B2 |
Application of electrical field power to light-transmitting medium
A device includes an input waveguide on a base. The input waveguide guides a light signal through a light-transmitting medium to a light sensor. The light sensor includes a sensor waveguide on the base. The sensor waveguide includes a light-absorbing medium that receives the light signal from the input waveguide. The light-absorbing medium has one or more continuous doped regions that are each positioned such that an application of electrical energy to the doped regions forms an electrical field in the light-absorbing medium. One or more of the doped regions has a first portion that is located within the light-absorbing medium and a second portion located outside of the light-absorbing medium. The device also includes an electrical conductor for applying the electrical energy to one of the doped regions. The electrical conductor contacts the portion of the doped regions that is located outside of the light-absorbing medium. |
| US08410564B2 |
Semiconductor device, method of manufacturing the same, and wireless transmission system utilizing the same
A device, and method for manufacturing the same, including a semiconductor package which allows transmission therethrough of a radio signal, a chip which generates the radio signal and a coupler adjacent the chip and effective to radiate the radio signal to outside of the semiconductor package. |
| US08410560B2 |
Electromigration reduction in micro-hotplates
A micro-hotplate is provided in the form of a device comprising a sensor and one or more resistive heaters within the micro-hotplate arranged to heat the sensor. Furthermore a controller is provided for applying a bidirectional drive current to at least one of the heaters to reduce electromigration. The controller also serves to drive the heater at a substantially constant temperature. |
| US08410556B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes pMISFET and nMIS formed on the semiconductor substrate. The pMISFET includes, on the semiconductor substrate, first source/drain regions, a first gate dielectric formed therebetween, first lower and upper metal layers stacked on the first gate dielectric, a first upper metal layer containing at least one metallic element belonging to groups IIA and IIIA. The nMISFET includes, on the semiconductor substrate, second source/drain regions, second gate dielectric formed therebetween, a second lower and upper metal layers stacked on the second gate dielectric and the second upper metal layer substantially having the same composition as the first upper metal layer. The first lower metal layer is thicker than the second lower metal layer, and the atomic density of the metallic element contained in the first gate dielectric is lower than the atomic density of the metallic element contained in the second gate dielectric. |
| US08410555B2 |
CMOSFET device with controlled threshold voltage and method of fabricating the same
There is provided a CMOSFET device with a threshold voltage controlled by means of its gate stack configuration and a method of fabricating the same. The CMOSFET device comprises: a semiconductor substrate; am interface layer grown on the silicon substrate; a first high-k gate dielectric layer deposited on the interface layer; a very thin metal layer deposited on the first high-k gate dielectric layer; a second high-k gate dielectric layer deposited on the very thin metal layer; and a gate electrode layer deposited on the second high-k gate dielectric layer. |
| US08410554B2 |
Method, structure and design structure for customizing history effects of SOI circuits
A design structure is embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing a design. The design structure includes a structure which comprises a high-leakage dielectric formed in a divot on each side of a segmented FET comprised of active silicon islands and gate electrodes thereon, and a low-leakage dielectric on the surface of the active silicon islands, adjacent the high-leakage dielectric, wherein the low-leakage dielectric has a lower leakage than the high-leakage dielectric. Also provided is a structure and method of fabricating the structure. |
| US08410552B2 |
Epitaxial substrate for semiconductor device, semiconductor device, and method of manufacturing epitaxial substrate for semiconductor device
Provided is an epitaxial substrate capable of achieving a semiconductor device that has excellent schottky contact characteristics as well as satisfactory device characteristics. On a base substrate, a channel layer formed of a first group III nitride that contains at least Al and Ga and has a composition of Inx1Aly1Gaz1N (x1+y1+z1=1) is formed. On the channel layer, a barrier layer formed of a second group III nitride that contains at least In and Al and has a composition of Inx2Aly2Gaz2N (x2+y2+z2=1) is formed such that an In composition ratio of a near-surface portion is smaller than an In composition ratio of a portion other than the near-surface portion. |
| US08410551B2 |
Checkerboarded high-voltage vertical transistor layout
In one embodiment, a transistor fabricated on a semiconductor die includes a first section of transistor segments disposed in a first area of the semiconductor die, and a second section of transistor segments disposed in a second area of the semiconductor die adjacent the first area. Each of the transistor segments in the first and second sections includes a pillar of a semiconductor material that extends in a vertical direction. First and second dielectric regions are disposed on opposite sides of the pillar. First and second field plates are respectively disposed in the first and second dielectric regions. Outer field plates of transistor segments adjoining first and second sections are either separated or partially merged. |
| US08410546B2 |
Semiconductor device and DC-DC converter
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type; a semiconductor region provided in the semiconductor substrate; a first trench formed in the semiconductor region; a second trench formed in the semiconductor substrate; a trench gate electrode provided in the first trench; and a trench source electrode provided in the second trench. The trench source electrode is shaped like a stripe and connected to the source electrode through its longitudinal portion. |
| US08410542B2 |
Charge-trapping nonvolatile memory devices having gate structures therein with improved blocking layers
Nonvolatile memory devices include a tunnel insulating layer on a substrate and a charge storing layer on the tunnel insulating layer. A charge transfer blocking layer is provided on the charge storing layer. The charge transfer blocking layer is formed as a composite of multiple layers, which include a first oxide layer having a thickness of about 1 Å to about 10 Å. This first oxide layer is formed directly on the charge storing layer. The charge transfer blocking layer includes a first dielectric layer on the first oxide layer. The charge transfer blocking layer also includes a second oxide layer on the first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer on the second oxide layer. The first and second dielectric layers have a higher dielectric constant relative to the first and second oxide layers, respectively. The memory cell includes an electrically conductive electrode on the charge transfer blocking layer. |
| US08410541B2 |
CMOSFET device with controlled threshold voltage characteristics and method of fabricating the same
There is provided a CMOSFET device with threshold voltage controlled by means of interface dipoles and a method of fabricating the same. A cap layer, for example a very thin layer of poly-silicon, amorphous silicon, or SiO2, is interposed inside high-k gate dielectric layers of the CMOSFET device, and the threshold voltage is adjusted by means of the interface dipoles formed by the cap layer inside the high-k gate dielectric layers. According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively optimize the threshold voltage of the CMOSFET device without significantly increasing EOT thereof. |
| US08410536B2 |
Substrate with embedded patterned capacitance
A process for forming a laminate with capacitance and the laminate formed thereby. The process includes the steps of providing a substrate and laminating a conductive foil on the substrate wherein the foil has a dielectric. A conductive layer is formed on the dielectric. The conductive foil is treated to electrically isolate a region of conductive foil containing the conductive layer from additional conductive foil. A cathodic conductive couple is made between the conductive layer and a cathode trace and an anodic conductive couple is made between the conductive foil and an anode trace. |
| US08410535B2 |
Capacitor and manufacturing method thereof
A capacitor and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The capacitor includes a first electrode, a first metal layer, a dielectric layer and a second electrode. The first electrode is disposed on a substrate. The first metal layer is disposed on the first electrode. The dielectric layer is disposed on the first metal layer, wherein the material of the first metal layer does not react with the material of the dielectric layer. The second electrode is disposed on the dielectric layer. |
| US08410533B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for producing same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having at least one surface provided with a semiconductor element, wherein the semiconductor substrate includes a region of a first conductivity type, the region being formed in a surface layer portion of the semiconductor substrate; a first diffusion region of a second conductivity type, the first diffusion region having a first impurity concentration and being formed in the surface layer portion, and a pn junction being formed between the first diffusion region and the region of the first conductivity type; and a first metal silicide film formed on part of a portion of the surface corresponding to the first diffusion region. |
| US08410530B2 |
Sensitive field effect transistor apparatus
The invention discloses a sensitive field effect transistor apparatus, which uses an inorganic membrane to sense hydrogen ions. The invention adopts the membrane with high deformation stress. The sensitivity of the sensitive membrane to hydrogen ions is adjusted through altering the membrane thickness and changing the substrate type and doped concentration. A differential amplifier is used to read a signal to form the inorganic Ion Sensitive Field Effect Transistor/Reference Field Effect Transistor apparatus. |
| US08410526B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device with reduced cell size
A semiconductor integrated circuit device with reduced cell size including a first tap formed in a first direction to supply a power-supply potential, a second tap formed in the first direction to supply a power-supply potential and positioned to confront the first tap in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a standard cell formed between the first and second taps, a cell height (distance) between the center of the first tap and that of the second tap both in the second direction set to ((an integer+0.5)×a wiring pitch of the second-layer wiring lines) or (an integer+0.25×a wiring pitch of the second-layer wiring lines. |
| US08410524B2 |
Group III nitride semiconductor device and epitaxial substrate
Affords Group III nitride semiconductor devices in which the leakage current from the Schottky electrode can be reduced. In a high electron mobility transistor 11, a supporting substrate 13 is composed of AlN, AlGaN, or GaN, specifically. An AlYGa1−YN epitaxial layer 15 has a full-width-at-half maximum of (0002) plane XRD of 150 sec or less. A GaN epitaxial layer 17 is provided between the gallium nitride supporting substrate and the AlYGa1−YN epitaxial layer (0 |
| US08410514B2 |
Light emitting device
Provided are a light emitting device. The light emitting device comprises a package body, an insulating layer on a surface of the package body, first and second electrode layers on the insulating layer, a light emitting diode disposed on the package body and electrically connected to the first and second electrode layers, a resistor layer connected to the first electrode layer, a first element part in a first doping region within the package body, a second element part in a second doping region within the package body, and a third electrode layer connected to the first element part and the second element part. |
| US08410513B2 |
Light emitting device package
Provided is a light emitting device package. The light emitting device package comprises a first conductive type package body, an insulating layer comprising an opening on the package body, a plurality of compound semiconductor layers disposed on the package body through the opening of the insulating layer, an electrode electrically connected to the plurality of compound semiconductor layers, a first metal layer electrically connected to the package body and disposed on a part of the insulating layer, and a second metal layer electrically connected to the electrode and disposed on the other part of the insulating layer. |
| US08410509B2 |
Light emitting diode module for line light source
A light emitting diode module for a line light source includes a circuit board having a wire pattern formed thereon and a plurality of LED chips directly mounted and disposed in a longitudinal direction on the circuit board and electrically connected to the wire pattern. The module also includes a reflecting wall installed on the circuit board to surround the plurality of LED chips, reflecting light from the LED chips. The module further includes a heat sink plate underlying the circuit board to radiate heat generated from the LED chip. |
| US08410508B1 |
Light emitting diode (LED) package having wavelength conversion member and wafer level fabrication method
A light emitting diode (LED) package includes a substrate and a light emitting diode (LED) die on the substrate configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in a first spectral region. The (LED) package also includes a dielectric layer on the (LED) die and a wavelength conversion member on the dielectric layer configured to convert the electromagnetic radiation in the first spectral region to electromagnetic radiation in a second spectral region. The (LED) package also includes an interconnect comprising a conductive trace on the wavelength conversion member and on the dielectric layer in electrical contact with a die contact on the (LED) die and with a conductor on the substrate, and a transparent dome configured as a lens encapsulating the (LED) die. |
| US08410501B2 |
Light source
A light source that restricts the heat accumulation in the phosphor. The light source includes: a substrate 5; LED elements D21, D22, D23, D41, D42 that have been implemented on a main surface of the substrate 5; projections 11 that have been formed in areas of the main surface of the substrate 5 in which any of the LED elements D21, D22, D23, D41, D42 have not been implemented; and a translucent sealing member 7 that has been formed on the substrate in a state that the LED elements D21, D22, D23, D41, D42 and the projections 11 are covered and sealed with the sealing member 7. The sealing member 7 includes a phosphor 13 that converts light from the LED elements D21, D22, D23, D41, D42 into light of a predetermined color. The heat conductivity of the projections 11 is higher than the heat conductivity of the sealing member 7. |
| US08410496B2 |
Pulsed growth of catalyst-free growth of GaN nanowires and application in group III nitride semiconductor bulk material
Exemplary embodiments provide semiconductor devices including high-quality (i.e., defect free) group III-N nanowires and uniform group III-N nanowire arrays as well as their scalable processes for manufacturing, where the position, orientation, cross-sectional features, length and the crystallinity of each nanowire can be precisely controlled. A pulsed growth mode can be used to fabricate the disclosed group III-N nanowires and/or nanowire arrays providing a uniform length of about 10 nm to about 1000 microns with constant cross-sectional features including an exemplary diameter of about 10-1000 nm. In addition, high-quality GaN substrate structures can be formed by coalescing the plurality of GaN nanowires and/or nanowire arrays to facilitate the fabrication of visible LEDs and lasers. Furthermore, core-shell nanowire/MQW active structures can be formed by a core-shell growth on the nonpolar sidewalls of each nanowire. |
| US08410493B2 |
Semiconductor device which can transmit electrical signals between two circuits
A semiconductor device sends and receives electrical signals. The semiconductor device includes a first substrate provided with a first circuit region containing a first circuit; a multi-level interconnect structure provided on the first substrate; a first inductor provided in the multi-level interconnect structure so as to include the first circuit region; and a second inductor provided in the multi-level interconnect structure so as to include the first circuit region, wherein one of the first inductor and the second inductor is connected to the first circuit and the other of the first inductor and the second inductor is connected to a second circuit. |
| US08410490B2 |
LED with current confinement structure and surface roughening
An LED having a p-type layer of material with an associated p-contact, an n-type layer of material with an associated n-contact and an active region between the p-type layer and the n-type layer, includes a confinement structure that is formed within one of the p-type layer of material and the n-type layer of material. The confinement structure is generally aligned with the contact on the top and primary emission surface of the LED and substantially prevents the emission of light from the area of the active region that is coincident with the area of the confinement structure and the top-surface contact. The LED may include a roughened emitting-side surface to further enhance light extraction. |
| US08410480B2 |
CMOS-MEMS cantilever structure
The present invention discloses a CMOS-MEMS cantilever structure. The CMOS-MEMS cantilever structure includes a substrate, a circuit structure, and a cantilever beam. The substrate has a circuit area and a sensor unit area defined thereon. The circuit structure is formed in the circuit area. The cantilever beam is disposed in the sensor unit area with one end floating above the substrate and the other end connecting to the circuit structure. With the above arrangement, the manufacturing process of CMOS-MEMS cantilever structure of this invention can be simplified. Furthermore, the structure of the cantilever beam is thinned down and therefore has a higher sensitivity. |
| US08410475B2 |
Compounds and organic light emitting diode using the same
Disclosed are new compounds and an organic light emitting diode using the same. The organic light emitting diode using the new compound according to the present invention exhibits excellent characteristics in terms of actuating voltage, light efficiency, and lifespan. |
| US08410474B2 |
Graphene grown substrate and electronic/photonic integrated circuits using same
A substrate having a graphene film grown thereon according to the present invention includes: a base substrate; a patterned aluminum oxide film formed on the base substrate, the patterned aluminum oxide film having an average composition of Al2−xO3+x (where x is 0 or more); and a graphene film preferentially grown only on the patterned aluminum oxide film, the graphene film having one or more graphene atomic layers, the graphene film growing parallel to a surface of the patterned aluminum oxide film, the graphene film having an electrical conductivity of 1×104 S/cm or more measured by a four-probe resistive method using an inter-voltage-probe distance of 0.2 mm. |
| US08410473B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes: a first layer made of a semiconductor of a first conductivity type; a second layer made of a semiconductor of a second conductivity type; an active layer including a multiple quantum well provided between the first layer and the second layer, impurity concentration of the first conductivity type in each barrier layer of the multiple quantum well having a generally flat distribution or increasing toward the second layer, average of the impurity concentration in the barrier layer on the second layer side as viewed from each well layer of the multiple quantum well being equal to or greater than average of the impurity concentration in the barrier layer on the first layer side, and average of the impurity concentration in the barrier layer nearest to the second layer being higher than average of the impurity concentration in the barrier layer nearest to the first layer. |
| US08410471B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes a substrate, and an LED chip mounted on the substrate. The chip includes: a body comprising a transparent conductor which comprises a base and sticks out of the base to taper off from the base; a light source comprising light emitting parts separately formed on the base; a first terminal formed on the base; and second terminals formed on the light emitting parts, respectively. A conductive pattern of the substrate includes: a first conductor electrically connected with the first terminal; and second conductors electrically connected with the second terminals, respectively. |
| US08410464B2 |
Optical coupler having first and second terminal boards and first and second conversion elements
An optical coupler has a first terminal board and a second terminal board, a first conversion element for converting an electrical signal into an optical signal mounted on a surface of a first element mounting section of the first terminal board, a second conversion element for converting an optical signal into an electrical signal mounted on a surface of a second element mounting section of the second terminal board; and a light reflective curved surface formed so as to cover the first conversion element and the second conversion element. The surfaces of the first element mounting section and the second element mounting section have the same orientation. An optical signal emitted from the first conversion element is reflected on the light reflective curved surface, to optically couple the first conversion element and the second conversion element. The second conversion element has a plurality of light receiving cells that are electrically connected in series, arrayed in parallel with one another, and longer in a longitudinal direction than in a width direction. The first conversion element is arranged inside an area sandwiched between two contact lines that are set so as to be in contact with an outline of the second conversion element, and are in parallel with a length direction of the light receiving cells. |
| US08410463B2 |
Optocoupler devices
Optocoupler devices and methods for making and using such devices are described. The optocoupler devices contain a light emitting component (a light emitting diode [LED]) and a light receiving component (a phototransistor [PT]) device that are embedded within the substrate, rather than being attached to the surface of the pre-molded substrate. Such a configuration eliminates the bond wires that are often used when the LED and PT are attached on the substrate, improves the electrical performance, and allows the final optocoupler package to be made smaller and thinner. Other embodiments are described. |
| US08410462B2 |
Optoelectronic apparatus for transmission of an electrical signal
An optoelectronic apparatus for transmission of an electrical signal via, galvanically isolated by means of a one-piece, translucent, plastic body, an input current circuit. At least one optical transmission element, and an output current circuit, having at least one optical receiving element, wherein the optical transmission element has a principle transmission axis and the optical receiving element a principle receiving axis, which are oriented so as to concide with a shared optical axis. The plastic body has two cavities separated via a partition for accommodating, respectively, the optical transmission element and the optical receiving element, wherein the transmitting element and/or the receiving element are/is placed through the openings so far into the cavities of the plastic body, that, following a case of overvoltage on the transmitting element and/or the receiving element, an insulating air distance and creep path according to an insulation coordination is still present along outer surfaces of the plastic body. |
| US08410455B2 |
Excitation-intensity-dependent, color-tunable, dual emitting nanocrystals
An embodiment of the invention is a device for photo-stimulated color emission having at least one plurally doped semiconducting nanoparticle comprising at least one semiconducting material and a plurality of at least one dopant coupled with an irradiation source such that the plurally doped semiconducting nanoparticle emit electromagnetic radiation at two or more wavelengths where the intensities of the emissions depend on the intensity of the irradiation. In an embodiment of the invention, the plurally doped semiconducting nanoparticle can be a doped core/shell nanoparticle where the plurality of dopants can reside in exclusively the core, exclusively the shell, or in both the core and shell. |
| US08410453B2 |
Ultraviolet sterilizer having vibration-proof function
Disclosed herein is an ultraviolet sterilizer having a vibration-proof function. The ultraviolet sterilizer includes an ultraviolet sterilization unit. The ultraviolet sterilization unit has an inlet through which ballast water is drawn thereinto, an outlet through which the ballast water is discharged therefrom, and an ultraviolet lamp located between the inlet and the outlet. The ultraviolet lamp applies ultraviolet rays to the ballast water. The ultraviolet sterilizer further includes a cap which supports each of the opposite ends of the ultraviolet sterilization unit, and a shock absorption unit which is elastically compressed at a first end thereof by the cap while a second end thereof compresses an end of the ultraviolet lamp. Thereby, even if the ultraviolet sterilization unit vibrates, the sleeve pipe or the ultraviolet lamp can be prevented from being damaged, and explosive gas which may cause the ultraviolet sterilizer to explode is also prevented from entering the cap. |
| US08410450B2 |
Apparatus for detecting X-rays and method of operating the same
An apparatus for detecting X-rays and a driving method of the X-ray detecting apparatus. The driving method includes sampling a first data voltage corresponding to a rheobase voltage and a bias voltage, the rheobase voltage being generated by a current from a photodiode, sampling a second data voltage corresponding to the bias voltage after resetting the rheobase voltage, and resetting the rheobase voltage from the time that the sampling of the second data voltage is finished to the time that a corresponding frame is finished. An image delay generated when an X-ray motion picture is displayed may be minimized. |
| US08410449B2 |
Silicon photomultiplier energy resolution
A family of photodetectors includes at least first and second members. In one embodiment, the family includes members having different pixel sizes. In another, the family includes members having the same pixel size. The detection efficiency of the detectors is optimized to provide a desired energy resolution at one or more energies of interest. |
| US08410447B2 |
Particle radiotherapy apparatus
In a particle radiotherapy apparatus which has a passage for allowing movement of a particle beam, this invention provides a particle radiotherapy apparatus with high sensitivity for detection of annihilation radiation pairs even if there is a difference between a point where the particle beam loses energy and a position of a detector ring in a body axis direction of a patient. For the purpose of solving such a problem, the particle radiotherapy apparatus according to this invention includes an elliptic detector ring which is vertically long and is reversibly tiltable. Consequently, annihilation gamma ray pairs are detected with the single elliptic detector ring. Then, annihilation gamma ray pairs occurring inside the elliptic detector ring will be detected. In other words, all annihilation gamma ray pairs will impinge on the single elliptic detector ring at substantially right angles. This inhibits lowering of sensitivity for detection. |
| US08410446B2 |
Fluorescent material, scintillator using same, and radiation detector using same
A fluorescent material for a scintillator to be used in a radiation detector is provided. The fluorescent material is designed to have a high fluorescent intensity and a low level of afterglow a short term of 1 to 300 ms after the termination of X-ray radiation.The above fluorescent material contains Ce as an activator. In addition, the material must contain at least Gd, Al, Ga, O, Fe, and a component M. The component M is at least one of Mg, Ti, and Ni. In addition, the composition of the material must be expressed by the general formula: (Gd1-x-zLuxCez)3+a(Al1-u-sGauScs)5−aO12 wherein 0≦a≦0.15, 0≦x≦0.5, 0.0003≦z≦0.0167, 0.2≦u≦0.6, and 0≦s≦0.1, and wherein, regarding the concentrations of Fe and M, Fe: 0.05≦Fe concentration (mass ppm)≦1, and 0≦M concentration (mass ppm)≦50. |
| US08410445B2 |
Human body sensing apparatus with improved accuracy
The present invention relates to a human body sensing apparatus with improved accuracy, in which whether a moving direction of a human body is a ‘determinate entry or exit’ or an ‘indeterminate entry or exit’ is determined by analyzing a sensing signal outputted from each of sensor units, and room occupancy states are classified into a ‘ZERO’ state, a ‘CHECK’ state, a ‘WAIT’ state, an ‘AOL’ state and an ‘IOL’ state depending on a determined result. Even a variety of unexpected behaviors that a human can perform in a sensing area of the sensor units can be detected, and thus correctness and correction rate are superior in calculating the number of people staying in a room. |
| US08410443B1 |
Integrated backscattered electron detector with cathodoluminescence collection optics
An apparatus for simultaneous detection of backscattered electrons and photons from a sample. The device includes a direct detection backscattered electron detector and a photon detector. The backscattered electron detector has a reflective surface that reflects photons emitted by the sample onto the photon detector. |
| US08410442B2 |
Detector tube stack with integrated electron scrub system and method of manufacturing the same
A novel detector tube structure (such as for a neutron detection tube) and method of manufacture are described. The novel manufacturing process carries out the electron scrubbing of the detection surface/material after the container enclosure has already been sealed. In this manner, much of the complex manufacturing equipment typically associated with such detection tubes can be eliminated and large numbers of detectors may be manufactured at the same time. The present invention therefore involves a novel detector tube structure and a new method of manufacture for the same. |
| US08410440B2 |
Specimen observation method
It is an object of the present invention to provide a specimen observation method, an image processing device, and a charged-particle beam device which are preferable for selecting, based on an image acquired by an optical microscope, an image area that should be acquired in a charged-particle beam device the representative of which is an electron microscope. In the present invention, in order to accomplish the above-described object, there are provided a method and a device for determining the position for detection of charged particles by making the comparison between a stained optical microscope image and an elemental mapping image formed based on X-rays detected by irradiation with the charged-particle beam. |
| US08410437B2 |
Mass spectrometer
An ion-ion reaction cell is provided comprising a plurality of electrodes (1) forming an ion guide (2). One or more transient DC voltage waves (8, 9) are applied to the electrodes (2). Reagent anions and analyte cations are arranged to undergo ion-ion reactions within the reaction cell and the resulting fragment ions which are formed within the reaction cell are then subsequently translated out of the reaction cell by means of one or more transient DC voltage waves (8, 9). |
| US08410436B2 |
Quadrupole mass spectrometer
In a scan measurement in which a mass scan is repeated across a predetermined mass range, when a voltage is returned from a termination voltage of one scan to an initiation voltage for the next scan, an undershoot or other drawbacks occur to destabilize the voltage value. Therefore, an appropriate waiting time is required. Conventionally, this waiting time has been set to be constant regardless of the analysis conditions. On the other hand, in the quadrupole mass spectrometer according to the present invention, the mass difference ΔM between the scan termination mass and the scan initiation mass is computed based on the specified mass range, and a different settling time is set in accordance with this mass difference. When the mass difference ΔM is small and hence requires only a short voltage stabilization time, a relatively short settling time is set. This shortens the cycle period of the mass scan, which increases the temporal resolution. |
| US08410432B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhanced ion mobility based sample analysis using various analyzer configurations
A ion mobility-based analyzer system including a first ion mobility-based filter for passing selected ions through a time-varying field where the time-varying field being compensated by an adjustable compensation setting. The analyzer also includes a second ion mobility-based filter for receiving a first portion of ions from the first ion mobility-based filter. The second ion mobility-based filter includes a voltage gradient for separating ions of the first portion of ions where the ions have associated retention times based on their times of flight through the voltage gradient. The second ion mobility-based filter includes a detector for detecting the ions at their retention times. The analyzer system further includes a display that displays the detected ions in a plot relating the retention times of the ions in the second ion mobility-based filter with compensation settings of the first ion mobility-based filter. |
| US08410431B2 |
Systems and methods for transfer of ions for analysis
The invention generally relates to systems and methods for transferring ions for analysis. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a system for analyzing a sample including an ionizing source for converting molecules of a sample into gas phase ions in a region at about atmospheric pressure, an ion analysis device, and an ion transfer member operably coupled to a gas flow generating device, in which the gas flow generating device produces a laminar gas flow that transfers the gas phase ions through the ion transfer member to an inlet of the ion analysis device. |
| US08410429B2 |
Ion manipulation cell with tailored potential profiles
An ion cell having an axis includes a sheath of individual electrodes that extends along the axis and defines an internal volume. Adjacent individual electrodes are electrically insulated from each other. The individual electrodes each receive a DC potential and RF voltage. At least some of the individual electrodes have a width that varies in the axial direction such that an electrical effect on an axis potential varies along the axis of the ion cell. |
| US08410428B2 |
Methods for detecting dihydrotestosterone by mass spectrometry
Provided are methods for determining the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing DHT in a sample and detecting and quantifying the amount of the ion to determine the amount of DHT in the sample. |
| US08410425B2 |
Liquid metal ion source, secondary ion mass spectrometer, secondary ion mass spectrometric analysis method and use thereof
A mass spectrometric method according to the Gentle SIMS (G-SIMS) method uses a liquid metal ion source which contains, on the one hand, a first metal with an atomic weight ≧190 U and, on the other hand, another metal with an atomic weight ≦90 U. One of the two types of ions are filtered out alternately from the primary ion beam and directed onto the target as a mass-pure primary ion beam. |
| US08410423B2 |
Nuclear gauges and related methods of assembly
Nuclear gauges, their components and method for assembly and adjustment of the same are provided. The nuclear gauges are used in measuring the density and/or moisture of construction-related materials. The nuclear gauge can include a gauge housing having a vertical cavity therethrough and at least one radiation detector located within the housing. The nuclear gauge can include a vertically moveable source rod and a radiation source operatively positioned within a distal end of the source rod. The nuclear gauge can also include a radiation shield assembly. |
| US08410421B2 |
Detector surface constructed from one or a plurality of planar optical waveguides
A detector surface which is based on optical signals and arranged as a flexible enveloping surface around the body in order to detect whether and where the illuminated indicator strikes the body. The detector surface composed of one or more planar optical fibers, wherein at least one layer of a planar optical fiber has photoluminescent properties, and wherein photodetectors are arranged on the planar optical fiber such that they can decouple light from the optical fiber and detect it. The planar optical fiber is designed as a film made of a transparent polymer having a thickness of 30 to 500 μm and the photodetector is arranged at a distance from all edges of the optical fiber on the optical fiber. |
| US08410420B1 |
Semiconductor travelling-wave evanescent waveguide photodetector
An optoelectronic structure includes a waveguide region, a detector region that is weakly evanescently coupled to the waveguide region, and a dielectric layer interposed between the waveguide region and the detector region and configured to provide the weak evanescent coupling. |
| US08410411B2 |
Microwave oven including hood
A microwave oven including a hood. The hood adapted to be withdrawn from or inserted into a hood casing. The microwave oven further including an elastic member that applies an elastic force on the hood to facilitate the withdrawal of the hood from the hood casing. The insertion of or withdrawal of the hood from the hood casing provides for a more efficient hood function. |
| US08410410B2 |
Ultraviolet lamp system with cooling air control
A microwave-excited ultraviolet lamp system includes a microwave chamber supplied with cooling air from an air source. At least one of a pressure sensor or a temperature sensor is positioned within the system to sense a pressure associated with the flow of cooling air or a temperature of the lamp system. A control receives a signal from the sensor and is operable to adjust the flow of cooling air from the source to obtain a desired cooling air flow rate. |
| US08410408B2 |
Induction heating unit, fixing device and method for attaching coil for induction heating unit
An induction heating unit enabling to attaching coil on coil attaching surface of bobbin with a high degree of accuracy, and a fixing device capable of maintaining the distance between the coil and the member to be heated at a high degree of accuracy, ensuring uniformity of temperature distribution of the member to be heated, rising temperature at a high speed, and enhancing quality of fixation. In an induction heating unit 30 including a magnetizing coil 39 attached on a coil bobbin 38 which is disposed outside of annular body 19 to be heated, the unit including: a layer of elastic adhesive 44a provided on the outer surface of the coil bobbin 38; a magnetizing coil 39 provided on the layer of elastic adhesive 44a, the magnetizing coil 39 being wound beforehand following an attaching surface; and a layer of elastic adhesive 44b provided on the magnetizing coil 39. |
| US08410407B2 |
Formed component heater element
A heater element for formed components is disclosed, along with the final formed component itself. The heater element is produced by photochemically etching a suitable heater track pattern from porous metallized fabric such a nickel coated woven polyester. The heater element is located within a mold. Thermo-formable material is then applied to the mold and the final component is shaped according to the shape of the mold. The final component has a heater element located within it. The component may have microencapsulated agents for initiation by operation of the heater element. Furthermore, the final component may have one or more digital images printed onto the surface for the purposes of decoration or personalization. |
| US08410406B1 |
Helical wire heating coil assemblies and methods for assembling helical wire heating coil assemblies
Helical wire heating coil assemblies and methods of assembling helical heating coil assemblies are provided. In one example, a helical wire heating coil assembly includes first and second support frames that are detachably coupled together by a first plurality of insulating standoffs coupled to the first support frame, a second plurality of insulating standoffs coupled to the second support frame, and a helical wire heating coil coupled to both the first plurality of insulating standoffs and the second plurality of insulating standoffs. |
| US08410404B2 |
Cooking appliance
The present invention includes a cooking appliance with an enamel composition. The enamel composition includes a heat resistance, chemical resistance, wear resistance, and pollution resistance, such that the cooking appliance withstands high temperature, acid or alkali and is readily cleaned. |
| US08410403B2 |
Glow plug with improved seal, heater probe assembly therefor and method of construction thereof
A heater probe assembly, a metallic glow plug assembly therewith and method of constructing the heater probe assembly is provided. The metallic glow plug assembly includes a metal shell having a through bore and a metal sheath extending between a distal end and a terminal end. The terminal end of the metal sheath is fixed in the through bore of the shell. Further, an electrode is provided having an end with a heating element attached to thereto. The heating element and end of the electrode are received in the sheath. A packing powder is disposed in the sheath about the heating element. Further, a ceramic seal has an outer surface attached to the sheath by a braze joint and an inner surface attached to the electrode by a braze joint. The ceramic seal provides a hermetic seal between the packing powder and an environment external to the sheath. |
| US08410395B2 |
Method for determining focal position
A method for determining a reference focal position of a focused laser beam passing through an opening in a nozzle body of a laser processing nozzle relative to a workpiece, in which the method includes: simultaneously cutting off a portion of the workpiece using the focused laser beam to form an edge on the workpiece and altering a distance between a focal point of the focused laser beam and the workpiece in a direction of an axis of the laser beam; determining coordinates of the edge formed on the workpiece; based on the determined coordinates, determining a section of the edge that protrudes the furthest from the workpiece; and establishing a reference focal position FL of the laser beam based on the determined coordinates corresponding to the section of the edge that protrudes the furthest from the workpiece. |
| US08410392B2 |
Machining device and method for machining material
The invention relates to a machining device (10) comprising at least one machining head (16) designed to provide at least one high-energy machining beam (22), especially an electron or laser beam. Such a machining device is used to remove material from workpieces (28) or for connecting workpieces (28) by bonding, especially by means of welding. According to the invention, at least one scanning device (32) designed as an optical coherence tomograph and provided for surface scanning is associated with the machining head (16). The invention also relates to a method for machining material using a high-energy machining beam for scanning surface areas of a workpiece which is machined, not yet machined, or being machined, by means of an optical coherence tomograph. |
| US08410388B2 |
Self-blowout circuit breaker having a filling and overpressure valve
A self-blowout circuit breaker is disclosed which includes contacts for connecting or disconnecting a circuit, a heating volume, a compression volume and an exhaust volume. The compression volume can be connected to the heating volume by at least one first valve, which heating volume is in turn connected to an arc zone. Upon the disconnection of the circuit, while a first arcing contact is being disconnected from an associated second arcing contact, an arc is produced between the two arcing contacts in the arc zone. The compression volume is separated from the exhaust volume by a combined filling and overpressure valve which is formed as at least one plate, and has at least one tab which is formed in the plate. |
| US08410381B2 |
Push-on switch
A high waterproof compact push-on switch includes a first contact plate, a spacer, and a second contact plate laminated in this order. The first contact plate is substantially rectangular, and made of highly conductive flat sheet metal. The spacer is flat, rectangular, made of LCP resin, and has a circular center hole at its center. The second contact plate is substantially rectangular, made of highly conductive flat sheet metal, and has a circular central opening at its center. The spacer is thermocompression-bonded to the surfaces of the first and second contact plates so as to integrate them. On the second contact plate is provided a dome-shaped movable contact, which is covered with an adhesive protective sheet. |
| US08410378B1 |
Grounding fitting
A grounding fitting for mounted engagement with an electrical enclosure has an elongated body with a first generally cylindrically shaped section and a hub section. Both sections have a longitudinally extending passageway dimensioned for passage of a ground electrode/ground rod. The first section includes a threaded aperture for receipt of a screw to electrically and mechanically secure a ground electrode/ground rod to the grounding fitting. The hub section is also dimensioned to secure a rigid or EMT conduit thereto. The first section includes a flange at one end with associated threads formed in the outer surface of the first section to mechanically and electrically secure the grounding fitting to an electrical enclosure with a locking ring. An O-ring positioned in the flange provides a fluid resistant barrier relative to the interior of the electrical enclosure. |
| US08410377B2 |
Mounted structure
A plurality of semiconductor elements is adjacently mounted on a substrate by a solder with a melting point of 200° C. or lower, an electronic part other than the semiconductor elements is mounted on the substrate between the adjacently mounted semiconductor elements by a solder with a melting point of 200° C. or lower, and spaces between the plurality of semiconductor elements and the substrate, spaces between the electronic part and the substrate, and spaces between the plurality of semiconductor elements and the electronic part are integrally molded with a molding resin. |
| US08410375B2 |
Wiring board and method of manufacturing the same
A wiring board has a wiring member, a first reinforcing member and a second reinforcing member. The wiring member has wiring layers and insulating layers which are stacked, and the wiring layers include a first connecting electrode formed on a surface of the wiring member and a second connecting electrode formed on a back surface of the wiring member. A pin is formed on the second connecting electrode. The second reinforcing member is formed by a resin and serves to reinforce the wiring member. The first reinforcing member is formed on the whole back surface of the wiring member except for the pin provided on the second connecting electrode. |
| US08410373B2 |
Printed circuit substrate and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed herein are a printed circuit substrate and a method of manufacturing the same. The printed circuit substrate includes an insulating layer, and a circuit layer that includes a circuit pattern disposed on the insulating layer and a barrier layer that is disposed to cover at least one surface of the circuit pattern and suppresses electrochemical migration from the circuit pattern, thereby making it possible to achieve high-density and secure reliability, and the method of manufacturing the same. |
| US08410371B2 |
Electronic device submounts with thermally conductive vias and light emitting devices including the same
A submount for an electronic device includes an electrically insulating substrate including first and second surfaces and having a thickness between the first and second surfaces, a thermally conductive pad on the first surface of the substrate, and a thermally conductive via extending from the first surface of the substrate toward the second surface of the substrate and having a length that is less than the thickness of the substrate. The thermally conductive via has a higher thermal conductivity than a thermal conductivity of the substrate. Methods of forming submounts are also disclosed. |
| US08410370B2 |
Touch pad
A touch pad including a printed circuit board, a plurality of column-conductor groups and a plurality of row-column groups. The printed circuit board is formed with an upper surface and a lower surface. The column-conductor groups include a plurality of first column-conductors and a plurality of second column-conductors. The row-conductor groups include a plurality of first row-conductors and a plurality of second row-conductors. The first column-conductors and the first row-conductors are provided on the upper surface. The second column-conductors and the second row-conductors are respectively provided on one and the other of the upper surface and the lower surface, and electrically connected to each other through column-vias and row-vias. Whereby the structure, the existing material and process can be still be used, and the problem of crossed wires can be avoided, also the yield of products can be increased with less waste of materials. |
| US08410368B2 |
Electrical conductor
An electrical conductor includes a primary electrical contact, at least one secondary electrical contact, and a connection element. The connection element electrically connects the first and the at least one secondary electrical contacts, and includes at least one plate-like region. Each plate-like region includes at least one deflection component with at least one first and at least one second pivot, wherein the first and second pivots of each deflection means are arranged such that each secondary electrical contact is movable relative to the primary electrical contact in a deflection direction, without creation of a shear force. |
| US08410365B2 |
Wire harness and method of installation thereof
A wire harness includes a cable and a clamp. The cable has an end portion at which a connection terminal is provided. The connection terminal is electrically connected to a connecting portion. The clamp is attached with the cable so as to be movable with respect to the cable in a direction in which the cable extends. The clamp is fixed to a fixing portion disposed adjacent to the connecting portion in a state that the connection terminal is electrically connected to the connecting portion. |
| US08410364B2 |
Universal rack cable management system
A cable slack management system may include a frame and a cable management module. The frame may include a plurality of perimeter frame members to provide support for a plurality of component modules. The plurality of component modules may be locatable between a first frame member and a second frame member parallel to the first frame member. The cable management module may be coupled to the first frame member and configured to slide into and out of the first frame member. The cable management module may be configured to hold a portion of one or more cables that run along the first frame member. |
| US08410361B2 |
Electrical junction box
To provide an electrical junction box in which an electrical junction box body includes one casing and the other casing, the other casing is prevented from being lifted from the one casing, and a bracket can be attached to a peripheral wall portion of the other casing stably and strongly. One casing is fitted in the other casing. A peripheral wall portion of the other casing is provided on an outer peripheral surface with engagement lock portions. A bottom wall section of the one casing is exposed from an opening defined by the peripheral wall portion. A fitting projection portion is provided on the bottom wall section near the engagement lock portions. The bracket is mated with the engagement lock portions. The fitting projection portion is mated with a fitting recess provided in the bracket to attach the bracket to the other casing. |
| US08410356B2 |
Photoelectric conversion element and solar cell
Provided is a photoelectric conversion element for which a novel compound (dye) exhibiting excellent adsorption to an oxide semiconductor and exhibiting high photoelectric conversion efficiency is used, and also provided is a solar cell employing the photoelectric conversion element. Disclosed is a dye-sensitizing type photoelectric conversion element possessing at least a pair of facing electrodes, a semiconductor layer possessing a semiconductor and a sensitizing dye supported on the semiconductor, and a charge transport layer, wherein the semiconductor layer and the charge transport layer are provided between the facing electrodes, and wherein the sensitizing dye comprises a compound represented by the following Formula (1). |
| US08410354B2 |
Photoelectric conversion device and manufacturing method thereof
Higher conversion efficiency and productivity of photoelectric conversion devices. A semiconductor layer including a first and second crystal regions grown in the layer-deposition direction is provided between an impurity semiconductor layer containing an impurity element imparting one conductivity type and an impurity semiconductor layer containing an impurity element imparting a conductivity type opposite to the one conductivity type. The first crystal region is grown from the interface between one of the impurity semiconductor layers and the semiconductor layer. The second crystal region is grown toward the interface between the semiconductor layer and the other of the impurity semiconductor layers from a position which is away from the interface between the one of the impurity semiconductor layers and the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer including the first and second crystal regions which exist in an amorphous structure forms the main part of a region for photoelectric conversion. |
| US08410353B2 |
Asymmetric surface texturing for use in a photovoltaic cell and method of making
A novel surface texturing provides improved light-trapping characteristics for photovoltaic cells. The surface is asymmetric and includes shallow slopes at between about 5 and about 30 degrees from horizontal as well as steeper slopes at about 70 degrees or more from horizontal. It is advantageously used as either the front or back surface of a thin semiconductor lamina, for example between about 1 and about 20 microns thick, which comprises at least the base or emitter of a photovoltaic cell. In embodiments of the present invention, the shallow slopes are formed using imprint photolithography. |
| US08410351B1 |
Concentrated photovoltaic and solar heating system
A solar power system concurrently generates electricity and a heated transparent fluid while maintaining the solar cells at an optimum temperature and optimizing the heat transfer by matching the refractive index of the secondary sunlight concentrator to the transparent fluid. A solar tracker aligns a primary sunlight concentrator to collect sunlight and directs the sunlight and a system for transferring solar heat to a transparent fluid and into a solar power electrical generating system. The concentrated sunlight transfers solar heat to a transparent fluid via first pass through the transparent fluid. The concentrated sunlight is further concentrated to raise its temperature by passing the concentrated sunlight through a secondary sunlight concentrator, and then passed again through the transparent fluid to transfer heat. The solar energy diminished concentrated sunlight strikes a solar cell array to generate electricity. |
| US08410349B2 |
Photovoltaic roofing wiring array, photovoltaic roofing wiring systems and roofs using them
Photovoltaic wiring arrays and photovoltaic wiring systems suitable for use in rooftop photovoltaic power generation systems are provided. Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a photovoltaic roofing wiring array for use with a plurality of photovoltaic roofing elements, the photovoltaic roofing wiring system including: a positive parallel wiring run comprising a main line and one or more connection branches pendant from the main line, each connection branch being terminated in a positive connector; and a negative parallel wiring run comprising a main line and one or more connection branches pendant from the main line, each connection branch being terminated in a negative connector. In some embodiments of the invention, the photovoltaic roofing wiring arrays are substantially prefabricated. |
| US08410348B1 |
Closing position sensor
A closing position sensor comprises detecting unit and signal converting unit. The detecting unit is disposed on the electronic instrument element for detecting the distance between one electronic instrument element and the other electronic instrument element, and generating a first signal representing the detected distance value; and the signal converting unit is configured to receive the first signal provided by the detecting unit, and convert the first signal to a second signal corresponding to generate a sound or mute a sound according to a predetermined reference. |
| US08410347B2 |
Music recommendation method with respect to message service
A music recommendation method and a music recommendation system are provided. The music recommendation method includes: selecting music files according to a theme of the message service and music, a mood of the music, a similarity between content of the message service and content of the music; and recommending selected music files to a user. |
| US08410346B2 |
Bass-drum pedal assembly
A pedal assembly for a drum has a floor plate, a clamp for securing the floor plate to a hoop of a drum, a pivot on the floor plate, a post pivotal on the pivot of the floor plate between an erect operating position extending upward from the floor plate and a transport position recumbent on the floor plate. An upper end of the post is adapted to hold a beater shaft. A pedal pivotal on the plate is couplable to the beater shaft. A latch releasably locks the post in at least the operating position. |
| US08410340B2 |
Soybean variety A1023838
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1023838. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1023838. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1023838 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1023838 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08410339B2 |
Soybean variety A1023771
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1023771. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1023771. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1023771 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1023771 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08410336B2 |
Transgenic plants with enhanced agronomic traits
This invention provides transgenic plant cells with recombinant DNA for expression of proteins that are useful for imparting enhanced agronomic trait(s) to transgenic crop plants. This invention also provides transgenic plants and progeny seed comprising the transgenic plant cells where the plants are selected for having an enhanced trait selected from the group of traits consisting of enhanced water use efficiency, enhanced cold tolerance, increased yield, enhanced nitrogen use efficiency, enhanced seed protein and enhanced seed oil. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing transgenic seed and plants with enhanced traits. |
| US08410331B2 |
Absorbent structure in an absorbent article
An absorbent structure comprising a silicone foam having pore walls and a plurality of hydrophilic particles anchored to the pore walls of the foam. Some of the hydrophilic particles have an anchored portion firmly anchored to the pore walls and an exposed portion extending outwardly away from the pore walls upon which the anchored portion is secured. |
| US08410328B2 |
Method of preparing multicomponent bismuth molybdate catalysts comprising four metal components and method of preparing 1,3-butadiene using said catalysts
A method of preparing multicomponent bismuth molybdate catalysts composed of four metal components and a method of preparing 1,3-butadiene using the catalyst, and particularly, to multicomponent bismuth molybdate catalysts composed of a divalent cationic metal, a trivalent cationic metal, bismuth and molybdenum, a preparation method thereof, and a method of preparing 1,3-butadiene from a C4 mixture including n-butene and n-butane using oxidative dehydrogenation are described. |
| US08410327B2 |
Process for isomerizing a saturated, branched and cyclic hydrocarbon
A process for isomerizing a saturated, branched and cyclic hydrocarbon, in which a tertiary carbon atom of the hydrocarbon is converted to a secondary carbon atom in the course of isomerization, by performing the isomerization in the presence of a superacidic ionic liquid comprising an organic cation and an inorganic anion, where the anion is a superacidic aluminum trichloride-Lewis base adduct, and of a copper(II) compound. |
| US08410324B2 |
Process for isomerizing a (hydro)fluoropropene
A process for isomerising a (hydrohalo)fiuoroalkene, the process comprising contacting the (hydrohalo)fluoroalkene with a catalyst comprising an unsupported Lewis acid, a chromia-containing catalyst containing at least one additional metal, an alumina, a supported liquid catalyst, and mixtures thereof. |
| US08410323B2 |
Process for downstream recovery of nitroalkane using dividing wall column
Disclosed are a process and apparatus for synthesizing nitroalkanes by reaction of a hydrocarbon feedstock with aqueous nitric acid. Energy and capital costs may be reduced by using a dividing wall column. |
| US08410322B2 |
Method for preparing dinitrotoluene
The present invention relates to a process for preparing dinitrotoluene. The process of the invention for preparing dinitrotoluene from mononitrotoluene, which comprises carrying out a mononitrotoluene nitration reaction using a nitrating mixture comprising nitric acid, sulphuric acid and water resulting in a two-phase medium and separating the organic and aqueous phases of said two-phase medium, is characterized in that the mononitrotoluene nitration is carried out using a nitrating mixture comprising at most 10% by weight of water resulting in a two-phase medium, in that the organic and aqueous phases of said two-phase medium are separated, and in that the aqueous phase derived from the separating operation is recycled, at the end of the mononitrotoluene nitration reaction and before the separation of the organic and aqueous phases, such that the weight ratio of the aqueous phase to the organic phase is at least equal to 1.2. |
| US08410319B2 |
Continuous catalytic generation of polyols from cellulose with recycle
A catalytic process for generating at least one polyol from a feedstock comprising cellulose is performed in a continuous manner. The process involves, contacting, continuously, hydrogen, water, and a feedstock comprising cellulose, with a catalyst to generate an effluent stream comprising at least one polyol, water, hydrogen, and at least one co-product. The water, hydrogen, and at least one co-product are separated from the effluent stream and recycled to the reaction zone. The polyol is recovered from the effluent stream. |
| US08410316B2 |
Iminopropene compound and use thereof
The compound (I) or a salt thereof has an excellent controlling activity against pests. Then the compound (I) or a salt thereof is useful for an active ingredient of a pesticidal composition. |
| US08410314B1 |
Method of synthesis
Described is a method of synthesizing 6-(5-ethoxyhept-1-yl)bicyclo[3.3.0]octan-3-one by reacting 3-(5-ethoxyhept-1-yl)cyclopentene with dichloroketene. The resulting reaction products are reacted with acetic acid and zinc to produce 4-(5-ethoxyhept-1-yl)bicyclo[3.2.0]heptan-6-one and 4-(5-ethoxyhept-1-yl)bicyclo[3.2.0]heptan-7-one, which are reacted with trimethylsulfonium iodide to produce 2-(5-ethoxyhept-1-yl)spiro[bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-6,2′-oxirane] and 4-(5-ethoxyhept-1-yl)spiro-[bicyclo-[3.2.0] heptane-6,2′-oxirane]. Lithium iodide is reacted with 2-(5-ethoxyhept-1-yl)spiro[bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-6,2′-oxirane] and 4-(5-ethoxyhept-1-yl)spiro-[bicyclo-[3.2.0]heptane-6,2′-oxirane] to produce 6-(5-ethoxyhept-1-yl)bicyclo[3.3.0]octan-3-one. A method of synthesizing 6-(5-methoxyhept-1-yl)bicyclo[3.3.0]octan-3-one is also described. |
| US08410309B2 |
Phenoxy carboxylic acid compounds and compositions for delivering active agents
Phenoxy carboxylic acid compounds and compositions for the delivery of active agents are provided. Methods of administration and preparation are provided as well. |
| US08410308B2 |
Process for production of oxygen-containing organic compound
Disclosed is a process for the production of an oxygen-containing organic compound by oxidizing an organic compound with molecular oxygen in a liquid phase in the presence both of a catalytic nitrogen-containing cyclic compound and a catalyst including a solid superacid and, supported thereon, a transition metal compound, in which the nitrogen-containing cyclic compound contains, as a ring constituent, a skeleton represented by following Formula (1), wherein X represents an —OR group, and wherein R represents hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl-protecting group. The process gives the oxygen-containing organic compound in a high yield and enables easy recovery and reuse of the catalyst. |
| US08410306B2 |
Method of producing a carboxylic alkyl ester
The present invention relates to a novel process for preparing alkyl polycarboxylates from an aqueous solution of an ammonium salt of the polycarboxylic acid by reactive distillation, and to a process for hydrogenating the alkyl carboxylates prepared in this way. |
| US08410305B2 |
Intermediates and methods for the preparation of epothilones
Highly efficient methods are provided for preparing key intermediates in the synthesis of epothilones and use new alane reagents which are broadly applicable and can provide selected components having a variety of substituents groups. |
| US08410304B2 |
Process for preparing gamma-hydroxybutyrate
Disclosed herein are processes for preparing aqueous γ-hydroxybutyrate having a pH of about 8 or less (upon reaching equilibrium). The disclosed processes include both continuous processes and batch processes wherein the ratio of reactants is controlled to provide the product at the desired pH. |
| US08410297B2 |
Process for producing organohalohydrosilanes
The invention pertains to a method of producing organohalohydrosilanes by treating a silicon metal with a halogen-containing compound, wherein the halogen-containing compound has a formula selected from RdSiX4-d (II) and RX (III), combining a catalyst and a promoter with the treated silicon metal, and contacting the combination with hydrogen gas and an organohalide. The invention also pertains to a method of producing organohalohydrosilanes by contacting an organohalide and hydrogen gas with a combination of silicon metal, a catalyst, a promoter and a hydrogen storage material. The invention also pertains to a method of producing organohalohydrosilanes by contacting an organohalide and hydrogen gas with a combination of a silicon metal, a catalyst, a promoter and a hydrogenation catalyst. The invention also pertains to a method of producing organohalohydrosilanes by contacting an organohalide and hydrogen gas with a reaction mass residue and optionally a hydrogenation catalyst. |
| US08410296B2 |
Surface treatment agent and surface treatment method
Provided are a surface treatment agent for which hydrophobization to a high degree is possible even in a case of the material of a substrate surface being TiN or SiN, and surface treatment method using such a surface treatment agent. The surface treatment agent according to the present invention contains a cyclic silazane compound. As this cyclic silazane compound, a cyclic disilazane compound such as 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-disila-1-azacyclopentane and 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-2,6-disila-1-azacyclohexane and a cyclic trisilazane compound such as 2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylcyclotrisilazane and 2,4,6-trimethyl-2,4,6-trivinylcyclotrisilazane are preferred. In the surface treatment, a substrate surface is exposed to a surface treatment agent according to the present invention, and the substrate surface is hydrophobized. |
| US08410289B2 |
Spirocyclic 3'-alkoxytetramic acids and-tetronic acids
The invention relates to novel 3′-alkoxy spirocyclic tetramic and tetronic acids of formula (I), wherein A, B, D, Q1, Q2, G, W, X, Y and Z are as defined in the description, to several methods and intermediate products for the production and the use thereof in the form of pesticides and/or herbicides and/or microbicides, to selective herbicide agents, 3′-alkoxy spicrorylic tetramic and tetronic acids and to at least one compound which improves cultivated plants compatibility. |
| US08410287B2 |
Hydrated sodium salt form of celecoxib
Hydrated celecoxib sodium salt forms and processes to prepare hydrated celecoxib sodium salt forms are disclosed. The celecoxib sodium salt forms are particularly useful and suitable for pharmaceutical applications. |
| US08410285B2 |
2′-halobiphenyl-4-yl intermediates in the synthesis of angiotensin II antagonists
A process for obtaining 2′-halo-4-methylbiphenyls is described, which comprises reacting 4 halotoluene with a 1,2-dihalobenzene in the presence of elemental metal such as magnesium, lithium or zinc, wherein 0 to 0.9 molar, particularly 0 to 0.2 molar excess of 4-halotoluene in regard to 1,2-dihalobenzene is used, and arised organometal intermediates are quenched by elemental mental halogen. In addition, the coupling of arised 2′-halo-4-methylbiphenyls with 2-(1-propyl)-4-methyl-6-(1′-methylbenzimidazole-2-il)benzimidazole to afford 3′-(2′-halo-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1,7′-dimethyl-2′-propyl-1H,3′H-[2,5′]bibenzoimidazolyl, which can be further converted to organometallic compound and said organometallic compound is further reacted with formic acid derivative, such as N,N-dimethylformamide, alkylformiate or carbon dioxide to obtain telmisartan, is also described. Further described is use of in line analytics for monitoring the aforementioned reactions, process for preparing a pharmaceutical composition and/or dosage for, or use in preparing a medicament. |
| US08410284B2 |
Cyclic benzimidazole derivatives useful as anti-diabetic agents
Novel compounds of the structural formula (I) are activators of AMP-protein kinase and are useful in the treatment, prevention and suppression of diseases mediated by the AMPK-activated protein kinase. The compounds of the present invention are useful in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, hyperglycemia, Metabolic Syndrome, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension. |
| US08410281B2 |
Compound having detrusor muscle-contracting activity and urethral sphincter muscle-relaxing activity
Since a compound represented by formula (I) wherein all of the symbols are the same as defined in the specification, a salt thereof, a solvate thereof, a prodrug thereof, a mixture with a diastereomer thereof in an arbitrary ratio, or a cyclodextrin clathrate thereof have a contracting activity of bladder detrusor and a relaxing activity of urethral sphincter, they can ameliorate bladder contraction dysfunction and/or urethral relaxation dysfunction, and for example, are effective for underactive bladder. Additionally, the compound of the present invention has little risk of side effects on the urinary system, the circulatory system and the digestive system, and exhibits excellent pharmacokinetics, such as oral absorbability etc. Therefore, the compound of the present invention is useful as a superior agent for preventing, treating and/or ameliorating underactive bladder. |
| US08410279B2 |
Substituted pyrroles and methods of use
The invention relates to substituted pyrrole compounds of Formula (I) which are useful as kinase inhibitors, more specifically useful as checkpoint kinase 1 (chk1) inhibitors, thus useful as cancer therapeutics. The invention also relates to compositions, more specifically pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and methods of using the same to treat various forms of cancer and hyperproliferative disorders, as well as methods of using the compounds for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis or treatment of mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions. |
| US08410278B2 |
Method for preparing a non-hydratable crystal form
A method is disclosed for preparing a non-hydratable crystal form from a hydratable crystal form of 3-bromo-1-(3-chloro-2-pyridinyl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-[(methylamino)-carbonyl]phenyl]-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide (Compound 1). |
| US08410276B2 |
Nitrogenous heterocyclic derivative and medicine containing the same as an active ingredient
A compound represented by formula (I), a salt thereof, an N-oxide thereof, a solvate thereof or a prodrug thereof: (wherein each symbol is as defined in the description.) The compounds represented by formula (I) has the antagonistic activity against CCR5, so they are useful in preventing and/or treating CCR5-related diseases, for example, various inflammatory diseases (asthma, nephritis, nephropathy, hepatitis, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis, etc.), immunological diseases (autoimmune diseases, rejection in organ transplantation (rejection of graft of solid organ, rejection of graft of pancreatic islet cells in therapy for diabetes, graft-versus-host disease, etc.), immunosuppression, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, etc.), infectious diseases (infection with human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, infection with RSV, etc.), allergic diseases (atopic dermatitis, urticaria, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis, etc.), cardiovascular diseases (arteriosclerosis, ischemic reperfusion injury, etc.), acute respiratory distress syndrome, shock accompanying bacterial infection, diabetes, cancer metastasis and so on. |
| US08410271B2 |
Chromen-2-one derivatives and their use as monoamine neurotransmitter re-uptake inhibitors
This invention relates to chromen-2-one derivatives useful as monoamine neurotransmitter re-uptake inhibitors.In other aspects the invention relates to the use of these compounds in a method for therapy and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention. |
| US08410268B2 |
Process for the preparation of ziprasidone
The present invention relates to a process for preparing Ziprasidone of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate or a hydrate thereof; comprising the steps of reacting 1-(1,2-benzisothiazol-3-yl) piperazine of formula II or its salt: with 5-(2-haloethyl)-6-chloro-oxindole of formula III: wherein X is leaving groups like fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo or sulphonyl; in the presence of a dispersing agent and a base in a solvent to form ziprasidone of formula I; and optionally converting the ziprasidone formed into a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts of ziprasidone; or a solvate or a hydrate thereof. |
| US08410267B2 |
Regioselective reduction of fused pyrrolocarbazoles-5,7-diones
The present invention relates to a method for regioselectively reducing the maleimide compounds of formula (I). The invention also relates to C7 hydroxy lactam regioisomers of formula (II) obtainable by this method and their use for the preparation of lactams of formula (III) which are particularly useful as intermediate for the synthesis of fused pyrrolocarbazoles. |
| US08410266B2 |
2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds and their uses
The present invention provides 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds that inhibit the IgE and/or IgG receptor signaling cascades that lead to the release of chemical mediators, intermediates and methods of synthesizing the compounds and methods of using the compounds in a variety of contexts, including in the treatment and prevention of diseases characterized by, caused by or associated with the release of chemical mediators via degranulation and other processes effected by activation of the IgE and/or IgG receptor signaling cascades. |
| US08410265B2 |
Processes for preparing JAK inhibitors and related intermediate compounds
The present invention is related to processes for preparing chiral substituted pyrazolyl pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines of Formula III, and related synthetic intermediate compounds. The chiral substituted pyrazolyl pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines are useful as inhibitors of the Janus Kinase family of protein tyrosine kinases (JAKs) for treatment of inflammatory diseases, myeloproliferative disorders, and other diseases. |
| US08410256B2 |
Nucleic acid aptamer which specifically binds to bisphenol A
A nucleic acid aptamer capable of binding specifically to bisphenol A and a method of detecting and removing bisphenol A using the nucleic acid aptamer. The nucleic acid aptamer capable of binding specifically to bisphenol A has affinity for bisphenol A at nM concentration, and thus can detect even a very small amount of bisphenol A. Also, the nucleic acid aptamer can specifically detect only bisphenol A without showing affinity for other bisphenols, including bisphenol B having no difference from bisphenol A except for a single methyl group. Accordingly, the nucleic acid aptamer is effective in detecting and removing the environmental hormone bisphenol A which is difficult to detect by conventional methods. |
| US08410254B2 |
Method for the synthesis of a rare-earth organophosphate and use thereof for preparing a preformed catalytic system
A process for preparing a rare-earth organophosphate in the form of a gel that can be used as is for the preparation of a “preformed” catalyst system intended, in particular, for the cis-1,4 stereospecific polymerization of conjugated dienes. |
| US08410253B2 |
Scavenger receptor
Novel scavenger receptors having an SR structure and a collectin-like structure are provided, which can be utilized in the elucidation of mechanisms of macrophage and basic immunity; in the elucidation of mechanisms of the development of a wide variety of diseases such as arteriosclerosis, diabetic complications and Alzheimer's disease, hyper β-lipoproteinemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypo α-lipoproteinemia, transplantation, atherectomy, post angiogenic restenosis, bacterial infections; in the diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic methods thereof; and in the development of reagents and drugs for the same. The novel scavenger receptors include proteins comprising an amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4 or 24 or proteins having equivalent properties to the same, or derivatives or fragments thereof as well as isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding these proteins, and related molecules such as antibodies, antagonists and the like. Also disclosed are methods for the treatment using the same. |