| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08442491B2 |
Method and system for providing roaming service in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for providing roaming service in a wireless communication system. A roaming gateway for performing communication between an Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) network and a circuit switched (CS) network receives an authentication request for a roaming mobile station (MS), which roams from an IMS network to a CS network, from a mobile service center (MSC) of the CS network, acquires authentication information for the roaming MS and service information for services, with which the roaming MS has been provided from the IMS network, at the authentication request, checks if the roaming MS is entitled to use the services according to the service information by using the authentication information and the service information, and sends an authentication success message to the MSC when the roaming MS is entitled to use the services. |
| US08442483B2 |
Method for communicating indoor location to an emergency service system
A method for communicating location to an emergency service system. A wireless communication device (WCD) such as a cell phone attains a GPS location fix when outdoors and then uses dead reckoning to determine its direction(s) and distance(s) of travel reaching a position inside a building. When a user of the WCD places an emergency call, the WCD conveys an indication of its indoor location in a signaling message to an emergency service center, and an intermediation system such as an IMS system translates the indoor location indication to a textual description of a portion of the building (e.g., room, cubicle, zone, etc.) that encompasses the indicated location. An emergency service operator can thus receive the building portion description, to facilitate emergency service response. Further, a similar process can then be repeated during the call, to provide an updated building portion description to the operator. |
| US08442481B2 |
Emergency location information gateway for public safety answering points (PSAPs) and method of use
The emergency location information gateway provides Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) with the capability to receive NG911-compliant (i.e., Session Initiation Protocol (SIP-based) and/or SIP-Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)) and other types emergency calls including embedded emergency location information and determine a physical location of a mobile or non-mobile target network device based on the embedded emergency location information. Conversely, a legacy network gateway (LGN) enables the conversion of traditional 911, and E911 calls into NG911 calls for transport and dissemination by so-called Emergency Services IP networks, or ESInets. |
| US08442479B2 |
Privacy-related requests for an IMS emergency session
A network component is provided that includes a processor configured, upon the network component receiving an IMS (Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem) emergency call from a user equipment (UE) 110, to detect in the emergency call an indicator requesting the network component to restrict presentation of private information related to the UE 110. The processor is further configured, when the indicator is present, to transmit the emergency call without at least some of the private information to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) 130. |
| US08442476B2 |
Mobile radio receiver power management systems and methods
According to some embodiments, an analog radio receiver circuit is configured alternatively in a full-power mode when the receiver is situated in a cradle and connected to an external power source, and in a power-saving mode when the receiver is not connected to the external power source. In the power-saving mode, a scaled-down power level is supplied to an analog radio signal processing circuit component such as an amplifier, filter, oscillator, or mixer. Scaling down the power supplied to analog circuit components allows reducing their power consumption, at the expense of degraded circuit performance (e.g. increased non-linearity and intermodulation, decreased filter selectivity). Switching between full-power and power-saving modes may be achieved by controlling the connection of internal nodes of the signal processing circuit to a power source, and/or inserting circuit components (e.g. resistors, active devices, filter poles) into the signal processing circuit. |
| US08442475B2 |
Power conservation in wireless access terminals using integrated proxy function
A power conservation scheme is provided for conserving power in an access terminal that includes a dedicated proxy circuit, a receiver/transmitter chain, and/or a baseband processor. The baseband processor is adapted to determine when a wireless communication link with an access network has been inactive for at least a threshold amount of time. If such inactivity is ascertained, the baseband processor sends a proxy request to the proxy circuit. Upon receiving such proxy request, the proxy circuit monitors a data, control, and/or paging channel on behalf of the access terminal while the baseband processor is powered down. If a signal is received for the access terminal over the monitored channel, then a wake-up signal is sent to the baseband processor to cause it to power up and monitor a data channel. Upon receiving a response from the baseband processor, the proxy circuit may stop operating as a proxy. |
| US08442469B2 |
Methods, system, and computer program product for optimizing signal quality of a composite received signal
Signal quality of a composite received signal in a radio communication network is optimized by adjusting a phase offset between received and/or transmitted signals based on signal quality parameters of the received and/or transmitted signals. The phase offset is adjusted by varying the phase offset between the received or transmitted signals such that that the composite signal is circularly, elliptically, or linearly polarized. The phase offset between the received or transmitted signals is continually adjusted based on the received signal quality parameters. |
| US08442464B2 |
Low noise amplifier and mixer
A low noise amplifier (LNA) system with controllable linearity and noise figure versus power consumption is provided. The system comprises two control inputs for tuning. One input controls an effective transistor width, and the other input controls bias current. Changes to the effective transistor width alter a gain that is applied to a signal, and changes to the bias current alter a power consumption of the system. For more stringent signal specifications, an impedance matched inductive degeneration variation of the LNA is provided. |
| US08442463B2 |
Receiving device and method thereof
A receiving device is disclosed. The receiving device includes a receiving module and a processing module. The receiving module includes a plurality of parameters. The receiving module is used for setting the parameters according to a control signal, receiving a wireless signal according to settings of the different parameters, and outputting a first output signal and a second output signal separately. The processing module couples the receiving module and generates the control to set the parameters according the first output signal and the second output signal. |
| US08442460B2 |
Method for compensating signal distortions in composite amplifiers
A method for compensating signal distortions in multiple transmitting branches (3, 5; 43, 45, 46) entering a composite amplifier (1; 1′). According to the invention the method comprises the steps of: —providing (S1) one or more input signals (x) to the composite amplifier. —observing (S2) an output signal (z) from the composite amplifier (1; 1′) for each provided input signal; —deriving (S5) an error in each output signal (z) by comparing the output signal with an ideal output signal, said error being caused by said signal distortions; —deriving (S11) the individual contribution from each transmitting branch (3, 5; 43,45,46) to the error by utilizing a composite amplifier model, said composite amplifier model comprising information about the contribution from each constituent amplifier (23, 25; 103a,103b,103c) to the output signal for each provided input signal: —compensating the signal distortions in the transmitting branches (3, 5; 43,45,46) accordingly. |
| US08442458B2 |
Techniques for beamforming using predicted channel state information
A system, apparatus, method and article to manage channel prediction for a wireless communication system are described. The apparatus may include a media access control processor to perform channel prediction, and a transceiver to communicate information using the channel prediction. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08442455B2 |
Mobile terminal and terminal system having the same
A mobile terminal including a body having a battery configured to be mounted on a cradle, a first connection port disposed at one surface of the body to be electrically connected to power supply terminals of the cradle if the body is mounted on the cradle, a second connection port disposed at another surface different from the one surface of the body to be covered by at least part of the cradle if the body is mounted on the cradle, and a power supply path for electrically connecting the battery to the first and the second connection port respectively to charge the battery if power is supplied to the first and the second connection port. |
| US08442452B2 |
Integrated multimode radio transmitter and components thereof
An integrated multi-mode radio transmitter includes a multiplexor and a shared front-end. The is operable to select an IF signal of a plurality of IF signals based upon a selection signal that is indicative of a particular operational mode of the one of the plurality of IF signals. The shared front-end is coupled to receive the selected IF signal, wherein the shared front-end converts the selected IF signal into a radio frequency (RF) signal that is modulated in accordance with the particular operational mode of the one of the plurality of IF stages. |
| US08442451B1 |
Transmitter and receiver impedence control using shunt switches
Circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide isolation between receive and transmit circuits in a wireless transceiver. One example provides switches that can be included on an integrated circuit with at least portions of a wireless transceiver. These switches vary the impedance of transmitter and receiver circuits between a termination impedance and a high impedance by inserting or removing components in parallel with matching networks. Signal losses are minimized since these switches are shunt connected to input and output paths on the wireless circuit and are not connected directly in either signal path. |
| US08442450B1 |
Sub-carrier and channel matrix element ordering for receiver feedback
A network device includes a first feedback module and a first calibration module. The first feedback module selectively generates a first transmission schedule that is transmitted to a link partner, wherein the first transmission schedule includes a first matrix map. The first calibration module selectively transmits a first set of training signals to the link partner, receives a first set of channel state information (CSI) for the training signals from the link partner according to the first transmission schedule, and generates a first CSI matrix based on the first set of CSI and the first matrix map. |
| US08442447B2 |
Method, device and system for detecting the mobility of a mobile device
The disclosure is directed to a method, computer program product, or a mobile device configured for obtaining a mobility parameter indicative of a mobility of the mobile device. The mobility parameter may be further utilized to configure the operating state of the mobile device. The mobility parameter is obtained using a multi-sense approach, which utilizes both Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and Frequency Offset (FO) measurements. The mobility parameter is based on statistical parameters relating to the distributions of the RSSI and FO measurements. Various configurations of computer program products, mobile devices and systems are also described. |
| US08442445B2 |
Protocol reference model, security and inter-operability in a cognitive communications system
Various cognitive communications system architectures and their corresponding Protocol Reference Models (PRMs) are disclosed. Such PRMs incorporate a Cognitive Plane in addition to conventional Data and Management Planes. The additional Cognitive Plane functionality may include, for example, spectrum sensing, spectrum management, geolocation, and security functions. The Cognitive Plane may further include a Policy Engine and a Learning and Reasoning Module. In some embodiments, Management Plane functions may be effectively combined to form a database of primitives (and their respective values) called a Management Information Base (MIB). In addition, techniques are provided by which various components of cognitive and non-cognitive, as well as mesh-enabled and non-mesh-enabled nodes in a network, inter-operate with each other. The architectures allow a Spectrum Manager (or Signal Space Manager) to combine information from various network layers (e.g., PHY/MAC Layers, Spectrum Sensing Function, Geolocation Function, and/or Security Sublayers), and to make informed decisions on spectrum utilization. |
| US08442443B2 |
Beam selection method
The present invention relates to a method which analysis the characteristics of the received signal and selects the best beam arrangement for a transmitter/receiver pair for a given situation in a communication system. In particular, the channel delay profile provides characteristics which help to determine and evaluate the quality of a signal link. The result of this evaluation is used for selecting the best beam arrangement. |
| US08442440B2 |
Hierarchical spectrum sensing for cognitive radios
The present disclosure generally describes methods and systems for spectrum sensing within a cognitive radio. Example methods may include but are not limited to scanning radio frequencies within an initial portion of the radio frequency spectrum and analyzing the frequencies scanned within the initial portion. Example methods may also include but are not limited to dividing the initial portion into first and second portions, and selecting one of the first and second portions for further analysis. |
| US08442437B1 |
Method and apparatus for binding wireless devices
One embodiment includes a method for designating, at a first device, one of a first plurality of wireless channels as a bind channel, then transmitting a channel change request message using a second plurality of wireless channels, wherein the channel change request includes which one of the plurality of wireless channels is a designated bind channel, transmitting a bind request message using the designated bind channel, and then receiving a bind response message from a second wireless device using the designated bind channel. |
| US08442436B2 |
Wireless communication game system
A wireless communication game system includes a plurality of mobile game apparatuses, which function as a parent device or a child device and are capable of making a communication with each other, and broadcasts from the parent device a parent device packet including a parent device PID, a user name UserName, a game name GameName, an OC flag, an E slot, a U slot, and a payload. All the parent device packets are received from the parent device existing within a communicationable range of a user's own apparatus, and the user's own apparatus creates a parent device list, and displays the parent device list on an LCD. Therefore, a user or a player of his own apparatus looks at the game name of the parent device list, for example, and operates a cross key included in an operation key so as to select one desired parent device. Then, transmitting a child device number CID of the user's own apparatus at the E slot designated by the parent device packet, the user's own apparatus transmits a connection request to the parent device. |
| US08442434B2 |
Method and system for auto coexistence priority selection for a SCO link
Methods and systems for auto coexistence priority selection for a SCO link are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include a first Bluetooth device communicating with a collocated WLAN device via a coexistence method. The first Bluetooth device, prior to executing a non-SCO task, which may comprise tasks that do not involve SCO packet transfer, may communicate low priority via the coexistence method if a Bluetooth SCO link is present between the first Bluetooth device and a second Bluetooth device, and if a current task being handled by the first Bluetooth device is a high priority task. If a SCO link is not present between the first and second Bluetooth devices, and if the current non-SCO task is a high priority task, the first Bluetooth device may communicate high priority via the coexistence method prior to executing the non-SCO task. |
| US08442432B2 |
Terminal mode assignment for a satellite communications system
Satellite communications systems, methods, and related devices are described. In one embodiment, a satellite communications system is configured to dynamically allocate bandwidth and frequencies among different beams. Bandwidth request data may be received and compiled from the terminals. The satellite may be configured with different beam coverage areas, and may dynamically allocate bandwidth and particular frequency channels to different beam coverage areas based on the requests. In each of a series of one or more epochs, and according to the bandwidth requests, there may be allocations among carrier groups, traffic classes, and particular terminals. The setup of slot structure and selection of modes for particular terminals is also addressed. |
| US08442424B2 |
Interactive live political events
An interactive political event allows clients to provide feedback to political candidates speakers and/or event producers relative to the event being observed. Feedback options include shout outs, emotapplause, and voting. Ticket scarcity management system adjusts event marketing, and/or ticketed sales methodologies, which include free and paid to maintain optimal conditions for an interactive political event. Multiple video/audio streams of an interactive event are simultaneously distributed as part of a broadcast to enable switching between streams by the online audience members and/or users without interruption of the presentation of the event and may include additional data relative to a candidates and/or speakers history and/or position with respect to issues being debated and/or discussed. |
| US08442421B2 |
Conveying path switching structure and image forming apparatus
A conveying path switching structure includes a cover unit and a conveying path switch unit. The cover unit is attached to an image forming apparatus main body so as to be movable between a close state and an open state in which a fixing unit is exposed. The conveying path switch unit is rotatably attached to the cover unit and that switches a conveying path of a record medium between a discharge conveying path and a double-side conveying path. The discharge conveying path is a path where the record medium is conveyed from a discharge part of the fixing unit to a discharge unit that discharges the record medium to outside of the image forming apparatus main body in a close state. The double-side conveying path is a path where the record medium is conveyed again to an image forming unit. |
| US08442420B2 |
Intermediate transfer belt and electro-photographic image forming apparatus with intermediate transfer belt
An intermediate transfer belt is built in an electro-photographic image forming apparatus. A toner image formed on a photosensitive element is primary transferred on the intermediate transfer belt. The intermediate transfer belt secondary transfers the primary transferred toner image on a recording medium being conveyed at a secondary transfer unit. The intermediate transfer belt has streaks formed by surface roughening on the surface thereof and directed so as to have an angle relative to the driving direction of the intermediate transfer belt within a range from 40 to 140 degree. This angle setting enables stable transfer of an image without causing any character missing. |
| US08442416B2 |
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. A coupling member is provided adjacent to one axial end of the developing roller. The coupling member includes a driven portion, and an intermediary portion configured and positioned to engage with the driven portion. The intermediary portion is also configured to be movable relative to the driven portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the driven portion. The coupling member further includes a driving portion configured and positioned to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The driving portion is also configured to engage with the intermediary portion, and to be movable relative to the intermediary portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the intermediary portion. |
| US08442406B2 |
Filter, coherent receiver device and coherent receiving method
The present invention relates to filter, coherent receiver device and coherent receiving method. The filter is used for converting a partial response signal into a full response signal, wherein the filter uses the following transfer function HPre-Filter(z) with respect to a partial response signal having a transfer function H PR ( z ) = A ( 1 + z - 1 ) m ( 1 - z - 1 ) n : H Pre - Filter ( z ) = 1 A ( 1 + α z - 1 ) m ( 1 - α z - 1 ) n , in which A is other item, m and n are integers larger than or equal to 0 but not being 0 at the same time, 0<α<1. |
| US08442404B2 |
Optical dispersion compensator, optical transmission apparatus, optical transmission system, and method thereof
An optical dispersion compensator including a first optical device in which light inputted from a first port is outputted from a second port and light inputted from the second port is outputted from a third port, an optical filter type dispersion compensation device that receives light from the second port of the first optical device and compensates wavelength dispersion with respect to the received light, and a second optical device that includes a fourth port to which light is inputted from the optical filter type dispersion compensation device, and in which the light inputted from the fourth port is outputted from a fifth port and light inputted from a sixth port is outputted from the fourth port. |
| US08442403B2 |
Lighting and control systems and methods
A lighting and control system is described. One embodiment of the lighting and control system includes a lighting node and a controller. The lighting node may include a light emitting diode configured for illumination and further configured for optical communication with the controller, a node radio device configured for radio communication with the controller, and a node memory configured to store a node identifier and a group identifier. The controller may include an optical sensor configured to sense illumination of the lighting node and further configured for optical communication with the lighting node, a controller radio device configured for radio communication with the lighting node, and a controller memory configured to store a group identifier. The lighting node and the controller may each further include a power supply and a processor. In one embodiment, the lighting node and the controller belong to a wireless mesh network. |
| US08442402B1 |
Wide band digital receiver: system and method
A wide band digital RF receiver includes an RF front end configured to convert a RF signal into an IF signal. A wide band digital receiver also includes a photonic Analog-to-Digital Converter (pADC), and a digital processor. The pADC includes a photonic sampler that phase-encodes a stream of optical pulses with the IF signal to obtain phase-encoded optical pulses, and that amplitude-encodes an identical stream of optical pulses with the IF signal to obtain amplitude-encoded optical pulses. The pADC also includes a photonic processor and an electronic quantizer. The photonic processor processes the phase-encoded optical pulses by way of an I channel and a Q channel, and processes the amplitude-encoded optical pulses by way of an amplitude channel. |
| US08442397B2 |
Modulator, apparatus for obtaining light field data using modulator, and apparatus and method for processing light field data using modulator
A technology of acquiring and processing light field data for images is provided. A light field data acquisition apparatus includes a modulator with an attenuation pattern to spatially modulate a 4D light field for an image, and a sensor to acquire 2D signals of the spatially modulated 4D light field. By utilizing the attenuation pattern of the modulator, more spatial data may be acquired in a low angular frequency region than that acquired in a high angular frequency region. |
| US08442396B2 |
Focus detection apparatus
A focus detection apparatus comprising a focus detection sensor formed by arranging a plurality of pairs of line sensors, each pair of line sensors receiving light beams that have passed through different pupil areas of an imaging lens configured to form an object image, a sensitivity setting unit configured to set a sensitivity for each pair of the plurality of pairs of line sensors, a selection unit configured to select line sensors of the pair of line sensors, whose signals are to be used for focus detection calculation, and a calculation unit configured to perform the focus detection calculation using the signals of the line sensors selected by the selection unit. |
| US08442394B2 |
Imaging apparatus, flash device, and control method thereof
An imaging apparatus for performing wireless communication with an external device. An instruction transmitting unit transmits an operation instruction to the external device. A response signal receiving unit receives a response signal from the external device. A first controlling unit starts a first operation relating to an imaging process in a case that a first time passes from a point of receiving the response signal by the response signal receiving unit. The external device executes a second operation relating to the imaging process in a case that a second time passes from a point of transmitting the response signal from the external device to the imaging apparatus. |
| US08442391B2 |
Device for providing heat radiation of a surface
A device for providing heat radiation of a surface which is intended to be radiated for softening and removing of old paint, putty or furnish or drying of moisture. The heat radiation from the device is obtained by electric resistance wires forming a heat radiation element arranged in an open box. An arrangement for making the device more resistant to shocks is achieved by attaching the heat radiation element resiliently relatively to the casing. A reflector unit for such a paint removal device for reflecting of heat radiation includes a reflecting surface, at least one heat radiating element and resilient suspension attachments, the reflector unit including a plurality of attachment points for mounting of the resilient suspensions attachments thereto, the at least one heat radiating element being attached to at least two resilient suspension attachment s so as to face the reflecting surface of the reflector unit. |
| US08442389B2 |
Electronic apparatus, reproduction control system, reproduction control method, and program therefor
Provided is an electronic apparatus including: a storage to store first and second contents, each of which includes scenes, and meta-information items each indicating a feature of each scene of the first and second contents; a reproducer to reproduce the first and second contents; an operation receiver to receive an input of an operation by a user; and a controller to control the storage to store an operation-history information item indicating an operation history of the user for each scene during reproduction of the first content while it is associated with the meta-information item of each scene, to calculate a similarity between scenes of the first and second contents based on the meta-information items, and to control the reproducer to change a reproduction mode for each scene based on the operation-history information item and the similarity during reproduction of the second content. |
| US08442386B1 |
Selecting video portions where advertisements can't be inserted
Methods and apparatus provide for an insert deflector to provide a user (i.e. video editor) with greater control as to media enhancements applied to a user-created video. Specifically, the insert deflector provides blocking code for a portion of a media presentation created by the user. The blocking code is associated with an edit decision list that defines the media presentation. Via execution of the edit decision list to render the media presentation, the insert deflector applies the blocking code to prevent insertion of at least one media insert at the portion of the media presentation. A media insert can be an advertisement inserted into a user-created video, or an advertisement shown in conjunction with the playback of the video. |
| US08442385B2 |
Cut point detection system and short recognition system using the same, cut point detection method and cut point detection program
The MBT information for each frame is extracted from the moving picture compressed data containing the MBT information, an MBT symbol string is created by obtaining the frequency at which a specific MBT is contained from the extracted MBT information for each frame, appending a predetermined MBT symbol to each frame in accordance with its frequency feature, and arranging the MBT symbols according to the frame order, the cut point of the moving picture is discriminated from an array feature of MBT symbols in the MBT symbol string, and further a shot is identified based on an estimation model using the MBT symbol string. |
| US08442384B2 |
Method and apparatus for video digest generation
Automated video digest system and method. The system decomposes video and audio portions of video media into low-level descriptors, producing a large number of such descriptors for each video image and scene. These descriptors are optimized to be both compatible with rapid automated descriptor creation, and also to have some positive or negative statistical correlation with the viewing preferences of typical human viewers. By comparing the number of descriptors correlated with positive human viewing preferences, versus the number of descriptors correlated with negative human viewing preferences, the automated system may analyze an unknown video program and make educated guesses as to which portions of the program are likely to be most interesting to the viewer on playback. Less interesting portions may be skipped or fast-forwarded though. The method may also be optimized to individual viewers. Such methods are useful for controlling the playback of digital video recorders and other systems. |
| US08442378B2 |
Video recording device
A video recording device includes: a first identification block that reads video information from a first recording medium in which video information on an analog television broadcast is stored, and identifies the broadcasting format of the read video information; a recording execution block that records the video information, which is read from the first recording medium, in a second recording medium other than the first recording medium; a second identification block that when the video information is recorded in the second recording medium by the recording execution block, identifies the broadcasting format of the video information to be recorded in the second recording medium; and a format decision block that decides whether the broadcasting format identified by the second identification block agrees with the broadcasting format identified by the first identification block. When the format decision block decides that the broadcasting formats do not agree with each other, the recording execution part records the video information in the second recording medium according to the broadcasting format identified by the first identification block. |
| US08442377B2 |
Intelligent recording
An audio/video recording method and system is provided. The method includes receiving by a processor of an audio/video recording device, a request for recording broadcast audio/video data. The processor analyzes audio/video presentation capabilities for audio/video presentation devices and formats of a first group of broadcast audio/video files associated with the broadcast audio/video data. Results of the analysis are compared and in response a first audio/video file is selected from the first group of broadcast audio/video files. The first audio/video file includes a first format requiring a first amount of storage space within a storage device of the audio/video recording device. The first format is associated with the audio/video presentation capabilities of a first audio/video presentation device and the first audio/video file is recorded. |
| US08442374B2 |
Ultra-low loss hollow core waveguide using high-contrast gratings
Optical waveguides using segmented periodically-spaced high contrast gratings bounding a hollow core propagation region on at least two sides. Incident light is received in a hollow waveguide (HW) region (core) between opposing HCG faces which provide lateral confinement in response to glancing reflections of the incident light beam from high refractive index segments of the HCG as it traverses the core. Embodiments are described for planar waveguides (1D) having a planar core between two planar HCGs, as well as 2D waveguides, such as having rectangular segments of the HCG through which light is propagated. Additionally, other configurations of HCG-HW, including those having arbitrary incidence and azimuth, angled HCG segments, propagation in a direction which is transverse, or alternatively parallel, to the segments of the HCG. |
| US08442373B2 |
Laser based frequency standards and their applications
Frequency standards based on mode-locked fiber lasers, fiber amplifiers and fiber-based ultra-broad bandwidth light sources, and applications of the same. |
| US08442371B2 |
Tight-buffered optical fibers and optical fiber cables
An optical fiber cable and a tight-buffered optical fiber which suppress an increase in transmission loss in a humid and hot environment and have good manufacturability are disclosed. The tight-buffered optical fiber of the present invention comprises a glass fiber surrounded by a first coating layer and a second coating layer, the second coating layer comprising two or more layers; wherein a pull-out force is 15 N/20 mm or less in at least one pair of layers between the first coating layer and the second coating layer, or between any two layers of the second coating layer. |
| US08442369B2 |
Distributing optical power with a power balance ratio substantially constant over a broadband of wavelengths
Methods of using an optical device capable of distributing the optical power presented at an input to specified ratios in two output ports. The devices and methods described herein have the ability to broaden the range of wavelengths over which the splitting ratio is even, or substantially even. Methods involve achieving a desired splitting ratio over a broad or ultra-broad wavelength range. |
| US08442368B1 |
Cantilever couplers for intra-chip coupling to photonic integrated circuits
Development of Integrated Optical Circuits depends greatly on progress in coupling light to and between chip devices. Exemplary disclosed embodiments provide a system and method of fabricating couplers for optical chips that may allow for access to devices on the entire chip surface. Cantilever couplers comprising optical waveguides are deflected out-of-plane creating access to remote portions of devices. An exemplary system and method may provide waveguides with tunable angles of deflection creating greater flexibility in optical coupling options. |
| US08442364B2 |
Optical waveguide circuit and manufacturing method of optical waveguide circuit
An optical waveguide device includes an optical branch device for branching a first input light and outputting the branched first input light to a first and a second optical waveguides, another optical branch device, arranged between the first and the second optical waveguides, for branching a second input light and outputting the branched second input light to a third and a fourth optical waveguides, an optical coupler which couples the lights traveling along the first and the third optical waveguides, then branches the coupled lights, and outputs them; and another optical coupler which couples the lights traveling along the second and the fourth optical waveguides, then branches the coupled lights, and outputs them, wherein optical path lengths of either a pair of the first and the second optical waveguides or a pair of the third and the fourth optical waveguides are set to be equal. |
| US08442363B2 |
Apparatus for transforming the aspect ratio of an optical input field based on stacked waveguides
An apparatus consisting of stacked slab waveguides whose outputs are vertically staggered is disclosed. At the input to the stacked waveguides, the entrances to each slab lie in approximately the same vertical plane. A spot which is imaged onto the input will be transformed approximately to a set of staggered rectangles at the output, without substantial loss in brightness, which staggered rectangles can serve as a convenient input to a spectroscopic apparatus. A slit mask can be added to spatially filter the outputs so as to present the desired transverse width in the plane of the spectroscopic apparatus parallel to its dispersion. |
| US08442362B2 |
Method for manufacturing optical coupling element, optical transmission substrate, optical coupling component, coupling method, and optical interconnect system
An optical coupling structure that interfaces between optical devices mounted on a substrate and optical waveguides formed in the substrate. A manufacturing method includes preparing a wafer formed on an inorganic solid material on a dicing tape and cutting the back surface of the wafer to form substantially angled portions using a dicing blade having a point angle. The dicing tape is stripped from the wafer and the wafer is separated at the valleys between the substantially angled portions to obtain an optical coupling element. The obtained optical coupling element is a three-dimensional polyhedral light-reflecting member having a mirror surface corresponding to a surface of the wafer. The obtained optical coupling element is inserted into a trench that opens, substantially perpendicular to an optical waveguide of an optical transmission substrate, in the main surface of the optical transmission substrate to provide a structure for optical coupling with the outside. |
| US08442359B2 |
Image interpolation method and apparatus using reference block based on direction
Provided is an image interpolation method and apparatus using a reference block depending on a direction. The image interpolation method may generate a horizontal reference block and a vertical reference block each with respect to an inputted image, and determine interpolation directivity with respect to the inputted image using the generated horizontal reference block and vertical reference block, thereby performing an interpolation on an image based on accurate interpolation directivity. In particular, the image interpolation method may determine whether to verify interpolation directivity depending on an edge intensity of an inputted image, thereby performing a color filter array (CFA) interpolation on an image based on an edge direction without determining the interpolation directivity, when the edge intensity is strong. |
| US08442357B2 |
Method for reconstructing two-dimensional chemical maps from electron spectroscopy line scans
Two-dimensional chemical maps of a layered nanostructure are reconstructed from selected spectroscopy line scans in a scanning electron microscope. Embodiments include fast two-dimensional scanning a layered nanostructure to form a structure image having multiple layers, slow-rate spectroscopy scanning the nanostructure along selected scanning lines to form chemical profiles, warping the structure image into a warped structure image by flattening each of the layers in the structure image, aligning chemical profiles to the warped structure image, forming warped chemical maps, and inversely transforming the warped chemical maps into two-dimensional chemical maps. |
| US08442356B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for analyzing three dimensional data sets obtained from a sample
Methods of analyzing three dimensional data sets obtained from a sample over time are provided. The methods include aligning first and second volume intensity projection (VIP) images based on at least one landmark in the first and second VIP images. The first and second VIP images are obtained from a first three dimensional data set obtained from the sample at a first time and a second three dimensional data set obtained from the sample at a second time, respectively. |
| US08442355B2 |
System and method for generating a multi-dimensional image
A system and method for generating a multi-dimensional image of an object in a scene is disclosed. One inventive aspect includes a spectral estimation module configured to convert a two-dimensional (2D) high-resolution light intensity image of the scene to a spectral-augmented image of a selected channel. The system further includes a high-resolution depth image generation module configured to generate a high-resolution depth image of the object based on a three-dimensional (3D) low-resolution depth image of the scene and the spectral-augmented image. |
| US08442352B2 |
Method for generating alignment marks
A method (100), an apparatus (1100), and a computer program product are disclosed for generating alignment marks. A basis pattern (120) and a high frequency component (130) are combined (140). The basis pattern is defined such that a scaled and rotated version of the basis pattern correlated with the basis pattern is substantially equal to the auto-correlation of the basis pattern within a complex multiplicative constant. The high frequency component is of sufficient energy for cross correlation without detriment to the basis pattern. The basis pattern may be generated from a basis function, which may be a logarithmic radial harmonic function (LRHF). The combination is output as at least one alignment mark having an increased maximum frequency. The method (100) may further comprise printing the at least one alignment mark on a print medium. |
| US08442351B2 |
Image orientation determination device, image orientation determination method, and image orientation determination program
When positive image similarity (degree of training image similarity between input image features and those of positive training image) is higher than a predetermined first threshold, image orientation determination decision section determines input image orientation. When negative image similarity (degree of training image similarity between input image features and those of a negative training image) is not lower than a predetermined second threshold value, the image orientation determination decision section does not determine input image orientation. When the image orientation determination decision section determines the orientation of the input image, image orientation determination section calculates orientation similarity reflecting similarity between input image features and those stored in orientation-specific features storage section. If the calculated orientation similarity satisfies a predetermined condition, the image orientation determination section determines input image orientation according to positive training image orientation related to the image features stored in the orientation-specific features storage section. |
| US08442348B2 |
Image noise reduction for digital images using Gaussian blurring
Disclosed are methods, devices, and computer program products for image noise reduction. In one example embodiment, a method for reducing noise in a digital image includes several acts. First, one or more objects are identified in an input image. Next, the input image or a portion thereof is processed to produce another image, which may be a blurred version of the input image. Finally, one or more objects in the processed image that correspond to the one or more objects identified in the input image are evaluated to determine whether to discard the one or more objects identified in the input image. For example, if an amount of energy preserved in an object after blurring is less than a threshold, the object may be discarded as noise. |
| US08442343B1 |
Optimization of staged computations
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for providing one or more optimized functions for image processing and/or signal processing. Some exemplary methods described include receiving a media input and performing a first function of a staged computation on the media input to generate a result, the result comprising a constant value. Using the result, a second function of the staged computation may be compiled. The second function may correspond to inputs between a first value and a second value inclusive of the constant value. The second function may be performed to generate a media output. |
| US08442342B2 |
Generation of image data with correction for optical misfocus utilizing fractional powers of the fourier transform operator
Fractional Fourier transform properties inherent in lens systems and other light and particle-beam environments are used to correct optical misfocus utilizing numerical operations. The invention produces a focused image from a partially-focused operation computed by at least one processor and a misfocused lens or other imaging system. Image data is operated on by a two-dimensional discrete fractional Fourier transform operation and a two-dimensional discrete fractional Fourier transform phase operation to create misfocused phase-adjusted image data comprising some amount of misfocus, the misfocus resulting from the application of the two-dimensional discrete fractional Fourier transform operation. The misfocused phase-adjusted image is presented to a misfocused exogenous optical system to create a resulting image. The power parameter of the fractional Fourier transform is adjusted to maximize sharp edge content of the resulting image. The invention can be used in imaging, integrated optics, optical computing, particle beam systems, and radiation accelerator systems. |
| US08442337B2 |
Encoding adjustments for animation content
Techniques and tools are described for encoding animation video. In some embodiments, a video encoder designates animation video for encoding as animation content, which typically involves changing one or more encoder settings or rules to improve encoding performance for the animation content. When the encoder encodes the animation video, the encoder detects edges in the animation video using texture and changes settings for areas that include detected edges so as to improve encoding quality for the areas. In some embodiments, a video encoder adjusts differential quantization rules and quantizes animation video according to the adjusted differential quantization rules. |
| US08442334B2 |
Image coding method and image decoding method based on edge direction
Provided is an image coding method for performing intra prediction achieving higher coding efficiency. The method for coding image data on a block-by-block basis includes: generating a predicted block by predicting a current block; computing a difference between the current block and the predicted block; coding the difference computed in the computing; decoding the difference coded in the coding; and adding the difference decoded in the decoding to the predicted block to generate a decoded block, wherein the generating includes: detecting an edge in a previously decoded block corresponding to a block adjacent to the current block; and extrapolating or interpolating previously decoded image data corresponding to a pixel included in the block adjacent to the current block, along a direction of the edge detected in the detecting to generate the predicted block. |
| US08442332B2 |
Bit plane encoding/decoding system and method for reducing spatial light modulator image memory size
A bit plane generating system, a method of generating a bit plane and an integrated circuit incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the bit plane generating system includes: (1) a memory configured to store pixel data pertaining to an image to be displayed and (2) bit plane decoding circuitry coupled to the memory and configured to transform the pixel data into at least a portion of a bit plane in accordance with a signal received from a sequence controller. |
| US08442327B2 |
Application of classifiers to sub-sampled integral images for detecting faces in images
A method for more efficiently detecting faces in images is disclosed. The integral image of an image may be calculated. The integral image may be sub-sampled to generate one or more sub-sampled integral images. A plurality of classifiers may be applied in one or more stages to regions of each sub-sampled integral image, where the application of the classifiers may produce classification data. The classification data may be used to determine if a face is associated with any of the regions of each sub-sampled integral image. The face determination results may be used to modify the original image such that, when rendered, the image is displayed with a graphical object identifying the face in the image. Accordingly, face detection processing efficiency may be increased by reducing the number of integral image calculations and processing localized data through application of classifiers to sub-sampled integral images. |
| US08442325B2 |
Method for recognizing music score image with automatic accompaniment in mobile device
A method for recognizing a music score included in an image and various information included in the music score, which may be obtained through a camera provided in a mobile terminal without requiring a separate editing program. The method includes detecting a region with staff lines from the image including the music score; detecting a region with an accompaniment chord from the image by taking the region with the staff lines and a region with a musical note into consideration; extracting and removing the staff lines from the music score included in the image; recognizing the musical note by extracting the musical note from the image, from which the staff lines have been removed; recognizing the accompaniment chord by extracting the accompaniment chord from the image, from which the staff lines have been removed; and generating data for reproducing a sound source corresponding to the musical note and accompaniment chord. |
| US08442324B2 |
Method and system for displaying image based on text in image
A method and a system for displaying an image based on texts in the image are provided. The method of the invention for displaying the image includes: a text extracting step, extracting text regions in the image to be displayed; a text occupancy amount calculating step, calculating occupancy amount of the text in said image; a comparing step, comparing the calculated occupancy amount with a predetermined threshold; a display step, displaying the image in real size of the image if said occupancy amount exceeds said predetermined threshold. It is achieved to display the image to the user in a manner of satisfying the viewing aim of the user, and unnecessary load of the computer system is avoided. |
| US08442323B2 |
Handwriting recognition device having an externally defined input area
A handwriting recognition device includes a main body having a side surface and an operation surface perpendicularly connecting to the side surface, and a first lens module and a second lens module arranged at opposite sides of the side surface. A first optical axis of the first lens module extends to perpendicularly cross a second optical axis of the second camera module outside the side surface. An overlapped area of a view angle of the first lens module and a view angle of the second lens module is defined as an input area. The first lens module is configured to capture a first picture of a handwriting tool in the input area. The second lens module is configured to capture a second picture of the handwriting tool in the input area. The handwriting recognition device calculates coordinates of the handwriting tool according to the first and the second pictures. |
| US08442315B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer-readable medium
An image processing apparatus for applying a color balance correction to input image data, comprises a first highlight color calculation unit which estimates a light source at the time of shooting from pixel values of the image data, converts color values of the image data based on a condition of the estimated light source at the time of shooting, and calculates a first highlight color; a second highlight color calculation unit which calculates a second highlight color from the image data; a third highlight color calculation unit which calculates a third highlight color based on a positional relationship between the first highlight color and the second highlight color on a color space; and a correction unit which attains the color balance correction by converting the pixel values of the image data using the third highlight color. |
| US08442314B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An object input unit extracts the area of an object as an object area, and a mesh generation unit divides the object area into a plurality of meshes to obtain position information, gradient information, and color information of respective vertices that form the meshes. An optimization unit determines the position information, gradient information, and color information of the vertices by dividing each of the meshes into a plurality of small areas, and performing processing for changing the position information, gradient information, and color information of the vertices so as to locally minimize the differences between color information within the small areas and that within portions of the object area corresponding to the small areas. To divide each of the meshes into a plurality of small areas, the optimization unit changes the number or size of small areas in accordance with the number of times of changing processing. |
| US08442304B2 |
System and method for three-dimensional alignment of objects using machine vision
This invention provides a system and method for determining the three-dimensional alignment of a modeled object or scene. A 3D (stereo) sensor system views the object to derive a runtime 3D representation of the scene containing the object. Rectified images from each stereo head are preprocessed to enhance their edge features. 3D points are computed for each pair of cameras to derive a 3D point cloud. The amount of 3D data from the point cloud is reduced by extracting higher-level geometric shapes (HLGS), such as line segments. Found HLGS from runtime are corresponded to HLGS on the model to produce candidate 3D poses. A coarse scoring process prunes the number of poses. The remaining candidate poses are then subjected to a further more-refined scoring process. These surviving candidate poses are then verified whereby the closest match is the best refined three-dimensional pose. |
| US08442302B2 |
Method and device using rotating printing arm to project or view image across a workpiece
The technology disclosed relates to scanning of large flat substrates for reading and writing images. Examples are flat panel displays, PCB's and photovoltaic panels. Reading and writing is to be understood in a broad sense: reading may mean microscopy, inspection, metrology, spectroscopy, interferometry, scatterometry, etc. of a large workpiece, and writing may mean exposing a photoresist, annealing by optical heating, ablating, or creating any other change to the surface by an optical beam. In particular, we disclose a technology that uses a rotating or swinging arm that describes an arc across a workpiece as it scans, instead of following a traditional straight-line motion. |
| US08442300B2 |
Specified position identifying method and specified position measuring apparatus
A specified position in an array structure in which a reference pattern is displayed repetitively through reference pattern counting is identified. In an array structure image, the pattern detection estimating area generated from a starting point, the address of the starting point, and a unit vector are compared with a pattern detected position found in pattern matching with the reference pattern image, to execute pattern counting while determining correct detection, oversights, wrong detection, etc. Array structure images are photographed sequentially while moving the visual field with the use of an image shifting deflector to continue the pattern counting started at the starting point to identify the ending point specified with an address. If the ending point is not reached only with use of the image shifting deflector, the visual field moving range of the image shifting deflector is moved with use of a specimen stage. |
| US08442297B2 |
Methods of evaluating the quality of two-dimensional matrix dot-peened marks on objects and mark verification systems
Methods and mark verification systems for evaluating the quality of a two-dimensional matrix dot peen mark on an object are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the methods includes scanning a two-dimensional matrix dot peen mark disposed on a surface of an object with a laser displacement sensor to generate three-dimensional scanned data for the mark, the mark including a plurality of dots disposed in a plurality of rows and columns on the surface; and determining whether the mark passes a verification test based on the scanned data. |
| US08442296B2 |
Check and U.S. bank note processing device and method
A check and U.S. bank note processing device configured to process both checks and U.S. bank notes and a method of using the same. The device comprises an input receptacle configured to receive checks and U.S. bank notes and an output receptacle. The device further comprises a transport mechanism configured to transport the checks and U.S. bank notes from the input receptacle past an image scanner. The image scanner is configured to obtain an image of each check and U.S. bank note transported past the image scanner. The device is configured to determine the denominations of U.S. bank notes transported by the transport mechanism. The device further comprises a memory configured to store the images of checks transported past the image scanner. |
| US08442292B2 |
X-ray CT apparatus
An X-ray CT apparatus that can efficiently set a scanning condition in a scanning operation of a periodically moving internal organ such as a heart or the like is provided. The X-ray CT apparatus collects electrocardiographic information by using a periodic motion measuring device 6 (S1). Subsequently, an operator input a time resolution rate corresponding to time resolution expected in a target examination (S2). Subsequently, the X-ray CT apparatus calculates a scanning condition under which the input time resolution rate can be implemented (S3). Subsequently, the X-ray CT apparatus images a heart under the scanning condition calculated in S3 (S4). Subsequently, the X-ray CT apparatus reconstructs an electrocardiographic-synchronous image by using the scanning data obtained in S4 and the electrocardiographic information (S5). Subsequently, the X-ray CT apparatus displays the electrocardiographic-synchronous image reconstructed in S5 on a display device 5 (S6). |
| US08442291B2 |
Method and apparatus for establishing a position of a phantom in an image quality test
In a method and apparatus for establishing the position of one or more constituent elements of a phantom in an image quality test for a medical imaging apparatus, an image of the phantom is obtained, and a landmark pixel or region of the image determined. Values of a given variable at pixels or regions at a predetermined distance from the landmark pixel or region are determined. The landmark pixel or region and the values of the variable are then used to establish the position of one or more of the constituent elements of the phantom. |
| US08442289B2 |
Medical image processing device, method for processing medical image and program
There is provided a medical image processing device that enables high-precision identification of the type of a biomedical tissue and display of an identification degree with respect to medical image information in multi-energy imaging. The medical image processing device acquires tissue information (statistic amount information such as average CT value, standard deviation of CT values, etc., display color, etc.) of a biomedical tissue every energy intensity of the multi-energy imaging. The medical image processing device creates an identification map for identifying the type of the biomedical tissue on the basis of the statistic amount information, and further creates an identification probability map for determining the identification degree of the biomedical tissue on the basis of the statistic amount information and the identification map. The medical image processing device acquires imaging information based on the multi-energy imaging, identifies the type of the biomedical tissue on the basis of the identification map, determines the identification degree on the basis of the identification probability map and displays in accordance with the identification. |
| US08442288B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing three-dimensional digital mesh image representative data of three-dimensional subjects
A method for processing a digital mesh representing a three-dimensional subject is described. The method comprises utilizing smoothed splines to identify inflection points on the mesh for further processing. |
| US08442285B2 |
Combined feature ensemble mutual information image registration
This invention relates to medical image registration. Specifically, the invention relates to a combined feature ensemble mutual information (COFEMI) for robust inter-modal, inter-protocol image registration. |
| US08442283B2 |
Patient-specific three-dimensional dentition model
Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for generating a color-textured three-dimensional dental model that is specific to a patient. According to one embodiment, generating a patient-specific color-textured three-dimensional dental model can comprise obtaining a three-dimensional dental model of a patient. For example, obtaining the three-dimensional dental model can comprise obtaining volumetric image data of a dentition of the patient and generating the three-dimensional dental model based on the volumetric image data. Two-dimensional intra-oral image data of the patient can also be obtained. For example, obtaining the two-dimensional intra-oral image data can comprise obtaining a plurality of photographs. The patient-specific color-textured three-dimensional dental model can be generated based on the three-dimensional dental model and the two-dimensional intra-oral image data. |
| US08442282B2 |
Computer-aided imaging diagnostic processing apparatus and computer-aided imaging diagnostic processing method
In consideration of the fact that a lung field varies in the density of sponge-like tissue depending on an individual or display region, an opacity curve which gives priority to a nodule candidate region or an extended nodule candidate region can be set by generating a histogram concerning a volume of interest which includes a foreground region, and using the statistical analysis result on the histogram as an objective index. |
| US08442281B2 |
Artificially displaying information relative to a body
A method and system are described for generating a pattern indicating at least medical information related to an individual's body; and invoking circuitry for displaying at least the generated pattern on one or more surfaces on the individual's body. |
| US08442278B2 |
Covariance based face association
A system and method are provided for associating faces to determine whether the faces are similar. For example a captured face may be associated with known faces to determine which known face the captured most closely resembles. The system and method incorporate the use of Gabor filters applied to masked face images to develop covariance matrixes. The covariance matrixes are subject to a similarity measure to determine the similarity of the images. |
| US08442277B1 |
Identity authentication system for controlling egress of an individual visiting a facility
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for authenticating the identity of an authorized custodian of a dependent individual visiting a facility. In particular, the identity of an authorized custodian of a dependent individual visiting a facility is authenticated by: recording an image of an iris of the authorized custodian in a database; capturing an image of an iris of an individual attempting to accompany the dependent individual when the dependent individual exits the facility; and verifying, prior to allowing the dependent individual to exit the facility, that the captured image of the iris of the individual attempting to accompany the dependent individual matches the recorded image of the iris of the authorized custodian. |
| US08442274B2 |
Electronic golf assistant utilizing a plurality of images
Included are systems and methods for providing data. At least one embodiment of a method includes accessing, by a computing device, a plurality of images for a geographic location; determining which of the images has a predetermined geographic accuracy; determining which of the image has a predetermined image clarity; determining a common point on the image with the predetermined geographic accuracy and the image with the predetermined image clarity; utilizing the common point to merge the image with the predetermined geographic accuracy with the image with the predetermined image clarity; and providing one or more location services on the image with predetermined image clarity, utilizing geographic location data from the image with the predetermined geographic accuracy. |
| US08442271B2 |
Laser detection device and laser detection method
A laser detection method and apparatus for detection of laser beams can each perform operations for producing an interference image from detected light radiation, recording the interference image, and processing the recorded interference image in order to detect laser radiation. In order to allow more robust and faster laser detection, the apparatus and method can detect a spatially defined point distribution from the interference image, and transform the point distribution such that a grid interval remains between a point grid in the point distribution, and a fixed position, which is independent of a position in the original image, is associated with the point grid. The apparatus and method can further detect a grid interval in the point grid that was transformed, and detect the position of the point grid from the point distribution by filtering with the assistance of the grid interval. |
| US08442270B2 |
Object detecting method and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing an object detection program
An object detecting method includes dividing a standard pattern into two or more areas radially from a central point; selecting, in each divided area of the standard pattern, a standard pattern pixel position at the maximum distance from the area dividing central point as a standard pattern representative point; dividing a determined pattern into two or more areas; selecting, in each divided area of the determine pattern, a determined pattern pixel position at the maximum distance from the area dividing central point as a determined pattern representative point; determining a positional difference between the standard pattern representative point and the determined pattern representative point in the corresponding divided areas; and determining the determined pattern as a target object when the positional differences in all of the divided areas are within a predetermined range. |
| US08442260B2 |
Ribbon transducer
A ribbon transducer (101) is disclosed, comprising: a ribbon made of conductive material (2), a damping system (4) arranged at least at one end of the conductive ribbon (2), and two rigid supports (103) where the ends of the ribbon (2) are fixed. The damping system (104) comprises a suspension composed of at least one wire (105), anchoring means (107) to connect said ribbon (2) to said wire (105), and elastic means (150) operatively connected to said wire to generate mechanical stress. |
| US08442259B2 |
System for vibration confinement
Systems and apparatuses are provided for vibration confinement and stress management in a loudspeaker. In one embodiment, the loudspeaker comprises a diaphragm that extends from an inner diaphragm region (e.g., dome or cone-shaped) to an outer diaphragm region, wherein the outer diaphragm region bends at a defined angle (e.g., between about 45 degrees and about 135 degrees) relative to the inner diaphragm region. The loudspeaker also comprises a suspension member extending from an inner suspension region to an outer suspension region, the inner suspension region overlapping and attaching with the outer diaphragm region. The bend in the diaphragm isolates the inner diaphragm region from spurious vibrations in the suspension member. |
| US08442257B2 |
Cables with intertwined jackets
Fibers may be intertwined to form cables for headsets and other structures. The cables may include wires. The wires may be surrounded by a jacket formed from intertwined fibers. The intertwined fibers may include fibers with different melting temperatures. The jacket may be heated to a temperature that is sufficient to melt some of the fibers in the jacket without melting other fibers in the jacket. The melted fibers may flow into spaces between the unmelted fibers and may serve as a binder that holds together the unmelted fibers. The intertwining process may be used to form a bifurcation for a headset. A dipping process may be used to cover the jacket with a coating. The coating may be formed over the entire length of the cable or may be formed in a particular portion of the cable such as the portion of the cable that includes the bifurcation. |
| US08442256B2 |
Boundary microphone and desktop electro-acoustic transducer
A base having a flat shape; a support provided on a bottom surface of the base; a microphone unit incorporated in the base and converts sound into an electric signal; and a pressure sensitive switch with which an output signal from the microphone unit is turned on and off are included. At least one such pressure sensitive switch is provided to be pressed between the base and the support. |
| US08442255B2 |
Boundary microphone
A boundary microphone includes: a metal mesh; a base made of metal; a cover made of metal on which a plurality of holes through which a sound wave is passed is formed; and a microphone unit that is installed on the base and converts sound into an electrical signal. The metal mesh is welded onto the base with a metal material of the base entering a space of the metal mesh. The microphone unit is covered by the metal mesh. |
| US08442253B2 |
Hearing aid
A hearing aid of the present invention is convenient to repair and replace. The hearing aid includes: (i) an out-of-canal assembly comprising a power source (e.g., a battery) and a processor, and (ii) an in-canal assembly comprising a microphone and a receiver. The out-of-canal assembly is selectively, removably, electrically coupled to the in-canal assembly. Sound perceived by the in-canal assembly is processed by the out-of-canal assembly and transmitted to the user's eardrum. The in-canal assembly is conveniently, selectively decoupled from the out-of-canal assembly for convenient replacement or repair. |
| US08442251B2 |
Adaptive feedback cancellation based on inserted and/or intrinsic characteristics and matched retrieval
An audio processing system processing an input sound to an output sound includes: an input transducer for converting input sound to an electric input signal and defining an input side; an output transducer for converting a processed electric output signal to an output sound and defining an output side; a forward path defined between the input transducer and the output transducer; a signal processing unit for processing an SPU-input signal originating from the electric input signal and to provide a processed SPU-output signal, and an electric feedback loop from the output side to the input side, having a feedback path estimation unit for estimating an acoustic feedback transfer function from the output transducer to the input transducer, and a enhancement unit for estimating noise-like signal components in the electric signal of the forward path and providing a noise signal estimate output. |
| US08442248B2 |
Systems and methods for managing wireless communication links for hearing assistance devices
Various system embodiments comprise a plurality of devices adapted to wirelessly communicate with each other. The plurality of devices includes a battery-operated hearing assistance device adapted to be worn by a person. The hearing aid device includes a signal processing circuitry connected to a microphone and a receiver. At least one of the plurality of devices includes a link quality management device adapted to assess a link quality for a first wireless communication channel, provide channel metrics indicative of the assessed quality for the first wireless communication channel, and adjust wireless communication over the first wireless communication channel using the channel metrics for the first wireless communication channel. |
| US08442246B2 |
Hearing aid device and hearing aid method
A hearing aid device includes a plurality of microphones which converts picked sound to audio signals, an inter-signal phase difference calculation unit which calculates a phase difference between a first audio signal and a second audio signal, a hand placement determination unit, a directivity sound pickup unit which generates an output signal, a nonlinear amplification unit which controls the signal level of the output signal acquired from the directivity sound pickup unit, and a hearing aid process control unit which, when the hand placement determination unit determines that a state where a phase difference is equal to or smaller than a first threshold value continues for a first time, controls the directivity sound pickup unit such that at least one of the sensitivity-frequency characteristic and the frequency characteristics of the audio signals becomes nondirective, and controls the nonlinear amplification unit to amplify the signal levels of the acquired audio signals. |
| US08442245B2 |
Hearing device with automatic algorithm switching
A hearing device with a plurality of microphones is intended to be able to be continued to be operated sensibly, even if a microphone fails. Therefore, a hearing device, and in particular a hearing aid, is proposed which provides a decision unit for deciding whether one of the microphones is defective, and a signal processing unit for processing the signals from the microphones using a plurality of processing algorithms. The signal processing unit switches from a first one of the processing algorithms to a second one of the processing algorithms if a decision is made in the decision unit that one of the microphones is defective. In particular, if a microphone fails, automatic switching from directional microphone operation into omnidirectional operation is for example made possible. |
| US08442241B2 |
Audio signal processing for separating multiple source signals from at least one source signal
An audio signal processing device is provided whereby, from two systems of audio signals in which audio signals of multiple audio sources are included, the audio signals of the multiple audio sources can be suitably separated. The audio signal processing device divides each of two systems of audio signals into a plurality of frequency bands, calculates a level ratio or a level difference of the two systems of audio signals, at each of the divided plurality of frequency bands, and extracts and outputs frequency band components of and nearby values regarding which the level ratio or the level difference calculated at the level comparison means have been determined beforehand. The frequency band components have a level ratio or level difference at and nearby the values determined beforehand which are different one from another. |
| US08442240B2 |
Sound processing apparatus, sound processing method, and sound processing program
A sound processing apparatus includes a power spectrum operation unit obtaining a power spectrum of an audio signal, an envelope component removal unit removing an envelope component of the power spectrum and generating a signal characteristic that represents a peakness of the power spectrum, a filter characteristic calculation unit calculating a filter characteristic suppressing the signal characteristic by using the signal characteristic, and a suppress filter filtering the audio signal by using the filter characteristic. |
| US08442239B2 |
Audio system with balance setting based on information addresses
An audio system for a vehicle that includes a system for allowing an occupant of the vehicle to adjust a balance setting of each audio source (116). The audio system includes a plurality of audio sources (102) that are connected to an amplifier (104). The amplifier is connected to a head unit (106) that adjusts the balance setting of each audio source based on predetermined parameters or user preferences (112). Audio output signals from the audio sources are thus reproduced with different balance settings. |
| US08442235B2 |
Extensible management of self-encrypting storage devices
Security device objects can be utilized to support a stack of components of computer-executable instructions that are directed to managing the security functionality represented by the security device object. In the case of hardware encrypting storage devices, a security device object can represent the self-encrypting capabilities of those devices and the attendant stack can comprise drivers directed to band and key management. A default band management driver can support a band-centric set of input/output controls that can be redirected to the band management driver. It can cache band authentication keys or provide callback mechanisms for key providers to register themselves to provide keys on-demand. Key provider identifiers can be stored on the storage device and utilized to dynamically load, install or upgrade key providers when the band authentication key is required. The band management driver can also prevent the powering-down of the storage device in an unlocked state. |
| US08442232B2 |
Deleting confidential information used to secure a communication link
A system includes a first wireless-enabled device that transparently stores confidential information and a second wireless-enabled device that stores the same confidential information. The confidential information is to be used to secure a wireless communication link between the first device and the second device. One or both of the first device and the second device is to delete the confidential information upon fulfillment of one or more conditions related to the communication link. The conditions include general timeout, device inactivity, loss of connection over the communication link, a decline in signal strength, and a predefined number of transactions having occurred between the first device and the second device. |
| US08442227B1 |
Providing additional information with session requests
The present invention allows a communication client to send a session request to initiate a session with a receiving communication client, wherein the session request includes additional information configured to allow the receiving communication client to take an action in association with the communication session. The additional information may include context indicia, which may identify an association related to the subject matter of the session, or a specific instruction to take the action in association with the communication session. |
| US08442222B2 |
Job ticket issuing device and job execution device
A job ticket issuing device includes: a document encryption processing unit for encrypting document data with a document data encryption key; and a job ticket encryption processing unit for encrypting a job ticket, including information about a content of job processing with respect to the document data, with a job ticket encryption key which is different from the document data encryption key. |
| US08442221B2 |
Method and apparatus for image encryption and embedding and related applications
An image encryption method is described for encrypting an images using an encryption key. The encryption method includes dividing the image into pixel groups and shifting the location of the pixel groups according to an encryption key, and reordering the bits of the pixel values of the image according to an encryption key. Each shifting and reordering is done according to a shifting patterns that is defined by a shifting rule and the bit values of a bit sequence generated from the encryption key. The encrypted image is embedded in a cover image using less significant bits of the cover image for transmission or storage. Corresponding decryption method is also provided. Also described are various applications of image encryption methods in secure handling of digital images, including secure scanning, secure printing, secure ID scanning, secure check reading, remote picture ID verification, and remote document submitting and receiving systems. |
| US08442220B2 |
Transmission apparatus and transmission method
A base station generates a unicast channel, a MBMS channel, and a pilot channel, that are multiplied by a scrambling code specific to a particular cell. The pilot channel is replicated as necessary. The unicast channel and the MBMS channel are time-multiplexed. For data in a unit transmission frame, a same frequency component is multiplied by a same scrambling code. |
| US08442217B2 |
Method of implementing one way hash functions and apparatus therefor
A cryptographic system for encrypting a data stream to be transported over a network by using a one way hash function constructed according to Merkle-Damgard construction includes a plurality of Davies-Mayer structure modules. A Davies-Mayer module modifies two variables A and B according to at least four words by no more than three Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) block cipher rounds. |
| US08442211B2 |
Method and system for providing a ring back tone in a communication network
A method and system for implementing an interactive Ring Back Tone service are disclosed, and the method includes: obtaining (S101), when connecting a call, subscription information of an interactive Ring Back Tone service subscribed by a user; issuing (S102), when a called terminal is idle, to the called terminal a first subscription identifier for identifying an interactive Ring Back Tone service subscription of the user, where the first subscription identifier is for instructing the terminal to wait for playing of an interactive Ring Back Tone; and playing (S103), according to the interactive Ring Back Tone service subscribed by the user, the interactive Ring Back Tone to the called user. |
| US08442208B2 |
Method and system for transferring an automatic call distributor call
A method for transferring an automatic call distributor call includes receiving from a caller a call for distribution to one of a plurality of agents and distributing the call to a first agent of the plurality of agents for handling. The method includes receiving a transfer request to transfer the call to a supervisor and selecting an available supervisor to receive the call. The available supervisor comprises a supervisor not in an uninterruptible state. The method includes transferring the call to the selected available supervisor. |
| US08442207B2 |
System and method for observing a communication session
An approach is provided for initiating a service observing session by tracking a number of concurrent service observing sessions to an automatic call distributor, and selectively restricting the number of concurrent sessions based on a predetermined restriction criterion. Each of the service observing sessions is established for a user to monitor a voice call involving an agent. |
| US08442194B2 |
Apparatus and method for blocking specific network in mobile communication terminal
An apparatus and a method for blocking a specific network in a mobile communication terminal are provided. The method includes adding a first network to a blocked network list, when the first network is the only network available to provide service to a terminal, temporarily removing the first network from the blocked network list and temporarily receiving service from the first network. Thus, the user does not have to pay roaming fees in the unwanted network, suffer from undesired communication quality, or use unwanted additional functions. |
| US08442189B2 |
Unified communications appliance
A unified communications appliance provides integration of various types of information, regardless of the modality, in a common, centralized interface where the various types of information are grouped based on what they are related to. For example, as is common with most modalities of information exchange, there exists a “subject” that is present in one of the fields of communication. The ability to associate all of the types of communication with a common “subject” (or conversation) and provide an interface that allows access to the various types of information, regardless of the modality is provided by the unified communications interface. |
| US08442186B2 |
Backscatter energy analysis for classification of materials based on positional non-commutativity
A system and methods for characterizing regions within, or on, an inspected object, wherein a lower-Z scattering material and a higher-Z material may both lie along a common line of sight. The inspected object is scanned with penetrating radiation characterized by an energy distribution, and penetrating radiation scattered by the inspected object is detected in a manner that generates two detector signals that distinguish between materials of higher and lower effective atomic number under distinct sets of conditions with respect to the energy distribution of the penetrating radiation. An image is generated, based on a function of the two detector signals, as is a differential image, so as to allow distinction of higher-Z and lower-Z materials. |
| US08442182B2 |
Annular core liquid-salt cooled reactor with multiple fuel and blanket zones
A liquid fluoride salt cooled, high temperature reactor having a reactor vessel with a pebble-bed reactor core. The reactor core comprises a pebble injection inlet located at a bottom end of the reactor core and a pebble defueling outlet located at a top end of the reactor core, an inner reflector, outer reflector, and an annular pebble-bed region disposed in between the inner reflector and outer reflector. The annular pebble-bed region comprises an annular channel configured for receiving pebble fuel at the pebble injection inlet, the pebble fuel comprising a combination of seed and blanket pebbles having a density lower than the coolant such that the pebbles have positive buoyancy and migrate upward in said annular pebble-bed region toward the defueling outlet. The annular pebble-bed region comprises alternating radial layers of seed pebbles and blanket pebbles. |
| US08442180B2 |
Control rod position detector
A control rod position detector including a permanent magnet that is attached on a control rod inserted in a reactor pressure vessel, where the permanent magnet is capable of moving together with the control rod, and a plurality of reed switch mechanisms that are arranged in the reactor pressure vessel at regular intervals in an insertion direction of the control rod. Each of the reed switch mechanisms is provided with a pair of reed switches that are placed so as to overlap with each other in the insertion direction of the control rod. The pair of reed switches are connected to a common wiring. The common wiring is connected to a detector that detects a position of the control rod based on signals from the reed switches. |
| US08442176B2 |
Comma alignment with scrambled data
Computer-readable media, apparatus and other embodiments associated with performing comma alignment with scrambled data are described. One example method includes controlling an apparatus to generate a data stream that facilitates achieving and determining alignment in a device. The data stream includes sequences of N random portions of Y-bit characters followed by a Z-bit alignment character, N, Y and Z being integers. Another example method includes controlling an apparatus to receive and examine the data stream. The method also includes generating an alignment signal upon determining an alignment for recovered data in the device. |
| US08442172B1 |
Methods for PCO based UWB impulse radio with localized synchronization detection and retention
The present invention provides a communications system, node and method of operation for forming a wireless network from independently operating nodes that have the ability to self-synchronize with each other, independently determine master and slave modes of operation to cooperate as a network, and independently vary those functions to adjust to changes in the network. |
| US08442170B2 |
Equalizer for AM in-band on-channel radio receivers
A method is provided for equalizing OFDM symbol vectors received on AM in-band on-channel radio signal including a main carrier and first and second BPSK modulated subcarriers. The method comprises the steps of: computing a BPSK magnitude signal; filtering the BPSK magnitude signal; filtering complex samples received on the main carrier; using the filtered BPSK magnitude signal and the filtered complex samples received on the main carrier to compute a plurality of flat fade equalization coefficients; and multiplying the OFDM symbol vectors by the flat fade equalization coefficients. A receiver that includes an equalizer, which operates in accordance with the method is also provided. |
| US08442161B2 |
Estimation of sample clock frequency offset using error vector magnitude
A low complexity system and method for operating a receiver in order to estimate an offset between the actual sample clock rate 1/TS′ of a receiver and an intended sample clock rate 1/TS. The receiver captures samples of a received baseband signal at the rate 1/TS′, operates on the captured samples to generate an estimate for the clock rate offset, and fractionally resamples the captured samples using the clock rate offset. The resampled data represents an estimate of baseband symbols transmitted by the transmitter. The action of operating on the captured samples involves computing an error vector signal and then estimating the clock rate offset using the error vector signal. The error vector signal may be computed in different ways depending on whether or not carrier frequency offset and carrier phase offset are assumed to be present in the received baseband signal. |
| US08442159B2 |
Multi-protocol communications receiver with shared analog front-end
According to an example embodiment, a communications receiver may include a variable gain amplifier (VGA) configured to amplify received signals, a VGA controller configured to control the VGA, a plurality of analog to digital converter (ADC) circuits coupled to an output of the VGA, wherein the plurality of ADC circuits are operational when the communications receiver is configured to process signals of a first communications protocol, and wherein only a subset of the ADC circuits are operational when the communications receiver is configured to process signals of a second communications protocol. |
| US08442158B2 |
Method for digital wireless communications
In a multivalue modulation type with one pilot symbol inserted for every 3 or more symbols, signal points of each one symbol immediately before and after a pilot symbol are modulated using a modulation type different from that for pilot symbols. In this way, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the accuracy in estimating the reference phase and amount of frequency offset by pilot symbols and improve the bit error rate characteristic in the signal to noise ratio in quasi-coherent detection with symbols whose symbol synchronization is not completely established. |
| US08442155B2 |
Procedure for the removal of the DC component inherent in any radio frequency chain
A procedure for compensating the DC component inherent in any radio frequency chain making it possible from a single measurement, generally located in the digital stage, to determine a set of multiple compensation values that must be applied to multiple compensation points of the analogue chain. The compensation values are calculated by an iterative process converging towards a cancellation of the DC component and avoid saturating amplification components and components of the analogue digital converter. |
| US08442150B1 |
Measurement of transmitter impairments using offset local oscillators
Systems and methods for measuring transmitter and/or receiver I/Q impairments are disclosed, including iterative methods for measuring transmitter I/Q impairments using shared local oscillators, iterative methods for measuring transmitter I/Q impairments using intentionally-offset local oscillators, and methods for measuring receiver I/Q impairments. Also disclosed are methods for computing I/Q impairments from a sampled complex signal, methods for computing DC properties of a signal path between the transmitter and receiver, and methods for transforming I/Q impairments through a linear system. |
| US08442149B2 |
Method for adapting digital data transmission parameters to measured repetitive noise
Following a transmission comprising a plurality of symbols, an error measurement is generated for each symbol, so that one may distinguish between symbols having a relatively low error and symbols having a relatively high error. A bit rate to be used for subsequent transmission is determined as a function of error measurements of those symbols that have relatively low error and as a function also of the proportion of symbols having a relatively high error, such that the bit rate reduces as the proportion increases. Measurement of the error rate and/or the durations of high and low error conditions may also be used to set other transmission parameters such as error-correcting code and interleaver settings. |
| US08442148B2 |
Method for optimizing signals with multiple subcarriers
A method codes data in a transmitted signal. The transmitted signal comprises multiple subcarriers with orthogonal frequencies. The signals are modulated corresponding to a given subset of the subcarriers of the transmitted signal in order to encode information. The signal is modulated corresponding to least one reserved subcarrier depending on at least one optimization criterion relating to a quality of the overall transmitted signal. In order to enhance the quality of the transmitted signal, the optimization criterion depends on at least one first quantity relating to a peak-to-average-power ratio of the transmitted signal and on at least one second quantity relating to an out-of-band power of the transmitted signal. |
| US08442146B2 |
Apparatus and methods for reducing channel estimation noise in a wireless transceiver
Apparatus and methods for use in a wireless communication system are disclosed for reducing channel estimation noise in a device such as a wireless transceiver. A disclosed apparatus includes a processor that determines a channel activity portion and a noise portion of a channel estimation. The processor also determines a threshold noise level based on channel estimate values in the noise portion of the channel estimation. The processor compares channel estimate energy values in the channel estimation to the threshold noise level and sets each of the channel estimate energy values being less than the threshold noise level to a predetermined value such as zero in order to reduce or eliminate the noise. Similar methods are also disclosed. |
| US08442142B2 |
Method and system for beamforming signal transmission under a per-antenna power constraint
A method and system for beamforming signal transmission under a per-antenna power constraint is presented. In one aspect, a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transmitting station may compute a per-antenna power gain factor for each of a plurality of transmit chain signals. The transmit chain signals may be concurrently transmitted by a plurality of transmitting antennas at the MIMO transmitting station. The plurality of transmit chain signals may correspond to beamforming signals, which are generated by performing spatial mapping on a plurality of space-time signals. The plurality of power gain factors may be computed based on a per-antenna power constraint. Alternatively, the plurality of power gain factors may be computed based on joint per-antenna power and total-power constraints. Each of the transmit chain signals may be amplified or attenuated based on the corresponding antenna gain factor. The amplified or attenuated signal is then transmitted by the corresponding transmitting antenna. |
| US08442136B2 |
Method and apparatus for using control channel format indicator (CCFI) codewords in a wireless communication system
A method of transmitting a control channel format indicator (CCFI), also known as PCFICH (Physical Control Format Indicator Channel), in case where the length of a coded CCFI is not an integer multiple of three, including mapping a plurality of two-bit CCFI into a codebook with each component codeword having three bits; generating a sequence of codewords selected from the codebook by repeating the selected component codeword for predetermined times; generating a codeword by concatenating the sequence of the selected component codewords with the original CCFI bits; and transmitting the codeword carrying information of CCFI. The method further includes a step of generating a permutation of each of the four codewords by assigning K repetitions of the three-bit component codeword to the number of K resource units respectively and mapping remaining K bits of each of the four codewords separately to the number of K resource units. |
| US08442133B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting coexistence beacon protocol packet in cognitive radio wireless communication system
An apparatus and a method for transmitting a Coexistence Beacon Protocol (CBP) packet in a Cognitive Radio (CR) wireless communication system are provided. In the method for transmitting CBP packet in a transmitter that operates in a scalable Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) mode, a priority is given to each channel of one or more channels based at least partly upon channel use statuses of two or more neighbor Wireless Regional Area Networks (WRANs). Whether a Quality of Service (QoS) for CBP packet transmission for each channel is met is sequentially determined according to the respective priority. A channel having a highest priority is selected from the one or more channels meeting the QoS as a channel for CBP packet transmission. A CBP packet is transmitted via the selected channel. |
| US08442128B2 |
Signal transmitting device and phase modulated method for transmitting via a signal transmitting device
A signal transmitting device and a method for transmitting via a signal transmitting device is disclosed. In one embodiment the transmitting device comprises a first resonant circuit with a resonant circuit inductance and a resonant circuit capacitance and a second resonant circuit with a resonant circuit inductance and a resonant circuit capacitance, a coupling element which couples the first resonant circuit to the second resonant circuit, a first excitation circuit, coupled to the first resonant circuit, and at least one further excitation circuit coupled to the second resonant circuit. |
| US08442126B1 |
Synchronizing audio and video content through buffer wrappers
Techniques for synchronizing audio and video content are provided. According to techniques described herein, a data stream represents video frames and audio samples. For each video frame in the data stream, data structures, which refer to the video frame and to corresponding audio samples or parts thereof, and produced. These data structures indicate times at which the video frame and audio samples, or parts thereof, should be presented. As the data structures are passed among modules of a program, the video frames and/or audio samples to which the data structures refer may be processed. The time indicated in each data structure is preserved throughout the processing. Thus, when the data structures are passed to a file writing thread, the file writing thread can determine, from the time indicated in each data structure, the audio samples or parts thereof that should be played when corresponding video frames are displayed. |
| US08442123B2 |
Device, signal generation/decoding device, video transmission device, video reception device, and video transmission/reception system
By generating a transmission signal containing information on a video signal containing information on a video signal encoded in units of a video signal of a predetermined number of vertical periods and adding a flag indicating the header of the transmission signal to the header of the transmission signal, it is possible to extract the flag indicating the header of the transmission signal added to the header of the transmission signal which has been radio-received and decode the encoded video signal contained in the transmission signal at the timing in accordance with a reference signal outputted at the timing when the flag is extracted. |
| US08442122B2 |
Complexity scalable video transcoder and encoder
A method of encoding scalable video data streams and an encoder configured to generate an encoded scalable video data stream is provided. The encoder includes a mode controller configured to store a plurality of encoding modes, select a sub-set of the plurality of encoding modes and select a first encoding mode. The encoder generates the encoded scalable video data stream dependent on the first encoding mode. |
| US08442121B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for controlling a scene structure of multiple channels to be displayed on a mobile terminal in a mobile broadcast system
A method, apparatus and system are provided for controlling a scene structure of a mobile terminal for receiving and displaying data streams in a mobile broadcast system. When logical channels are multiplexed into one physical channel, the multiplexed channels are sequentially decoded and are displayed on an image. A channel circulation scene alternately displays the channels on one image in designated order. In a combination scene structure, a new node is added to a conventional Lightweight Application Scene Representation (LASeR) technology. To compose a scene, fields for time information and scene transition effect are provided. A delay time due to a channel change is reduced. A multi-channel image is effectively provided to address a problem when a user retrieves service content while directly switching a channel. The terminal dynamically composes the multi-channel image using stream source node information from a service provider without an additional mosaic channel. |
| US08442119B2 |
Moving image decoding apparatus and processing method thereof
A moving image decoding apparatus for decoding moving image data, where the apparatus includes a receiving unit for receiving moving image data, a decoding processing unit for decoding and controlling a display of decoded data, and an output control unit for outputting image data.The decoding processing unit includes an intra-block line determination unit for selecting a macroblock line in a frame of the moving image data as an intra-macroblock line; a refresh control unit for identifying an area refreshed during one circulation of an intra-macroblock line, wherein the intra-macroblock line is made to periodically circulate in units of a macroblock line for each frame; an error detection unit for detecting a decoding error; an error judgment unit for judging whether the error is within the refreshed area; and a restore point determination unit for determining a restore point to update an image. |
| US08442118B2 |
Calculating transformation parameters for image processing
The invention relates to a method for obtaining transformation parameters. A camera motion can be modeled by providing a vector field of motion vectors describing estimated motion vectors, projecting the vector field on at least one axis, and deriving the transformation vector parameters from the projection of the vector fields. As the camera motion can be modeled by way of translation, scale and rotation, the projections of the vector field on the axis can be used. |
| US08442113B2 |
Effective rate control for video encoding and transcoding
The quantization factor for each block of pixels in an image or video encoding or transcoding method is determined. The blocks of pixels are classified according to predefined criteria and the blocks are processed according to the resulting classification. The predefined criteria include, for example, anticipated characteristics of the blocks after quantization, such as the transform coefficients after quantization and/or the total number of non-zero transform coefficients. |
| US08442108B2 |
Adaptive updates in motion-compensated temporal filtering
Techniques and tools are described for scalable video coding and decoding. For example, a video encoder and decoder perform adaptive update operations in lifting-based motion-compensated temporal filtering and inverse motion-compensated temporal filtering, respectively. The encoder, in a prediction stage, computes a motion-compensated prediction for an odd image and computes a high-pass image as the difference between the odd image and the prediction. For an update stage, the encoder performs motion compensation on the high-pass image (and potentially another high-pass image) to compute a motion-compensated update. Based upon perceptual criteria, the encoder adaptively combines the update with an even image to form a low-pass image. The decoder, for an update stage, performs motion compensation on one or more high-pass images to compute a motion-compensated update. Based upon perceptual criteria, the encoder adaptively combines the update with a low-pass image to reconstruct an even frame. |
| US08442097B2 |
Apparatus for and method of making pulse-shape measurements
A receiver includes a pre-correlation filter that forms an image of the average chip shape of a received signal over a specified period of time. The filter includes an array of complex accumulation registers that accumulate measurements that are associated with signal samples from specific ranges of locations, or code chip phase angles, along a spread-spectrum chip. Using the accumulated measurements, the receiver estimates the location of the chip transitions in a direct path signal component. The receiver may thereafter change the starting points, sizes and numbers of ranges, such that the accumulation registers accumulate more detail from the chip edges. The receiver in addition may use the accumulated measurements from selected registers and/or selected groups of registers, to produce the correlation values that are needed to perform one or more correlation techniques and/or one or more multipath mitigation techniques. As appropriate, the sizes and/or starting points of the bins, and/or the selections of the bins for the various groupings may be altered, to change the spacings, locations, and so forth to which correlation values correspond. |
| US08442096B2 |
Low I/O bandwidth method and system for implementing detection and identification of scrambling codes
A system for detecting and identifying the identity of a base station or cell which transmits a scrambling code is provided. According to one aspect of the system, the system is used to perform scrambling code detection of eight (8) primary cells (each scrambling code's X-component being spaced sixteen (16) chips apart) in a group. According to another aspect of the system, a single scrambling code generator is used to generate a master scrambling code. The master scrambling code is then used to create individual scrambling codes which are used in correlation with received signals to detect in parallel which one of the eight (8) possible primary cells in the group transmitted the received signals. According to yet another aspect of the system, each of the correlators maintains a corresponding X-component segment of the master scrambling code. For every sixteen (16) chips, a new X-component segment of the master scrambling code is introduced into one of the correlators, a X-component segment of the master scrambling code is dropped from another correlator, and X-component segments of the master scrambling code are sequentially shifted or propagated through the remaining correlators; and concurrent correlations are performed by the correlators using their respective corresponding X-component segments of the master scrambling code and newly received signals. |
| US08442093B2 |
System and method for receiving time-hopping ultra-wide bandwidths signals
A novel receiver structure is proposed for detecting a time-hopping ultra-wide bandwidth signal in the presence of multiple access interference. The proposed structure achieves better bit error rate performance than the conventional matched receiver when operating in multiple access interference. When operating in a multiple access interference-plus-Gaussian-noise environment, the receiver structure outperforms the conventional matched filter receiver for moderate to large values of signal-to-noise ratio. A receiver structure with adaptive limiting threshold is further proposed to ensure the performance of the soft-limiting receiver always meets or surpasses the performance of the conventional UWB receiver for all values of signal-to-noise ratio. |
| US08442091B2 |
Microchannel laser having microplasma gain media
The invention provides microchannel lasers having a microplasma gain medium. Lasers of the invention can be formed in semiconductor materials, and can also be formed in polymer materials. In a microlaser of the invention, high density plasmas are produced in microchannels. The microplasma acts as a gain medium with the electrodes sustaining the plasma in the microchannel. Reflectors are used with the microchannel for obtaining optical feedback to obtain lasing in the microplasma gain medium in devices of the invention for a wide range of atomic and molecular species. Several atomic and molecular gain media will produce sufficiently high gain coefficients that reflectors (mirrors) are not necessary. Microlasers of the invention are based on microplasma generation in channels of various geometries. Preferred embodiment microlaser designs can be fabricated in semiconductor materials, such as Si wafers, by standard photolithographic techniques, or in polymers by replica molding. |
| US08442090B1 |
Efficient burst mode optical parametric source
A method and apparatus recycle residual energy in an optical parametric burst source. |
| US08442088B1 |
Diffractive grating coupled whispering gallery mode resonators
Optical resonators and optical devices based on optical resonators that implement diffractive couplers for coupling light with the optical resonators. |
| US08442087B2 |
Mounting member and semiconductor laser apparatus having the same
Provided is a mounting member having a light receiving element, capable of constraining increase in size and of arranging a plurality of laser element portions closer to each other. The mounting member includes three or more electrodes, which respectively include element mounting portions arranged in a first direction, and a light receiving element disposed in a second direction intersecting with the first direction relative to the element mounting portions. The length in the second direction of at least one of the element mounting portions disposed at both ends in the first direction among the three or more element mounting portions is smaller than the length in the second direction of an element mounting portion disposed at an inner position in the first direction among the three or more element mounting portions. |
| US08442083B2 |
Systems and methods for stabilizing laser frequency based on an isoclinic point in the absorption spectrum of a gas
Systems and methods for stabilizing laser frequency based on an isoclinic point of an atomic or molecular medium are provided herein. A system may include: a transmission cell containing a gas and configured to transmit light from the laser, the gas having an absorption spectrum with an isoclinic point; a photodiode generating an output based on an amplitude of transmitted laser light; and circuitry configured to tune the frequency of the laser to the isoclinic point of the absorption spectrum based on the output. The absorption spectrum may have first and second overlapping peaks respectively corresponding to first and second transitions of the gas, the isoclinic point being a saddle point between the first and second peaks. The first and second peaks may have substantially equal amplitude as one another and/or may broaden substantially equally as each other as a function of a physical parameter of the gas. |
| US08442082B2 |
Laser controller
A controller for controlling the power of a laser that is used in determining the motion of an object includes a power source that is arranged to supply power pulses to the laser in response to a controller signal. The controller controls the generation of pulses during periods in which a reliable result can be obtained, by detecting the laser radiation that has interacted with pulses reflected from the object, in order to conserve power consumption. Further the power pulses include a heating pulse portion, which serves to stabilize the temperature of the laser and calibrate the laser so that a known lasing wavelength is generated. |
| US08442081B2 |
Quantum cascade laser suitable for portable applications
A highly portable, high-powered infrared laser source is produced by intermittent operation of a quantum cascade laser power regulated to a predetermined operating range that permits passive cooling. The regulation process may boost battery voltage allowing the use of a more compact, low-voltage batteries. |
| US08442080B2 |
Laser operation for survey instruments
The performance of a laser scanner is optimized in the field by automatically determining appropriate laser parameters for the scan location. A laser control system uses information such as the environmental temperature to select an appropriate range of start points for various laser parameters, such as pump temperature and laser currents. Test pulses over that range can be used to determine optimal operating parameters. |
| US08442073B2 |
Method and an apparatus for analyzing a communication network
The invention provides a novel method and apparatus for analyzing a communication network such as a computer network or a social network comprising nodes communicating with each other by means of messages. A topic discovery unit is provided for performing a topic discovery on the basis of a message content which can be formed by textual content. A segmentation unit performs a segmentation of a global network graph representing the communication network into topic sub-graphs depending on the discovered topics. A property calculation unit calculates intra-topic network properties and inter-topic network properties of the network nodes. An advantage is that a deeper understanding of the analyzed communication network can be achieved such as communications patterns to identify roles of participating nodes. The method and apparatus according to the present invention can be used to optimize the organization of any communication network. |
| US08442067B2 |
Using gathered system activity statistics to determine when to schedule a procedure
Provided are a method, system, and computer program product for using gathered system activity statistics to determine when to schedule a procedure. Activity information is gathered in a computer readable storage medium indicating activity in a computer system during time slots for recurring time periods, wherein each time period includes a plurality of time slots. A high activity value is determined comprising an activity amount of a slot having a maximum amount of activity among the slots for the time periods and a low activity value is determined comprising an activity amount of a slot having a minimum amount of activity among the slots for the time periods. A threshold point is determined as a function of the high activity, the low activity, and a threshold percent comprising a percentage value. A determination is made as to whether there is at least one lull window having a plurality of consecutive time slots each having an activity value lower than the threshold point. A selection is made of one of the at least one lull window in response to determining that there is at least one lull window. The procedure in the computer system is scheduled to be performed during the time slots in the lull window in a future time period. |
| US08442050B2 |
Apparatus and method of controlling LSP of RSVP-TE protocol using label with availability of end-to-end range
Provided are a method and apparatus of controlling a Label Switched Path (LSP) of a Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE) protocol, which may define an available label in an End-to-End range when a label is not changed by transit nodes, and is determined only by an external management system or a manager, or an ingress node or an egress node, thereby more simply and effectively operating the RSVP-TE protocol, and removing limitations in functions of nodes such as path calculating. |
| US08442046B2 |
Sending routing protocol data on a multi-access network segment
In one embodiment, a method includes setting a re-flood time to a non-zero first value. Update data that indicates a change to link data is received over a network interface from an updating node of multiple nodes on a multi-access segment connected to the interface. The change is to link data that indicates links on the updating node. It is determined whether an acknowledgment message is not received within the re-flood time from a particular node of the multiple nodes. If an acknowledgment message is not received within the re-flood time, then a multicast packet directed to the multiple nodes and including the change to the link data is sent over onto the segment. This method enables rapid response to failure of a primary node designated to ensure reliable flooding of link data. |
| US08442042B2 |
Appliance and a consumable holder with an embedded virtual router
An embedded virtual router is provided for a system comprising a device having a first software component configured to obtain and convey information associated with a consumable and an appliance having a second software component configured to perform a physical cycle of operation on an article using the consumable. The embedded virtual router encapsulates the two software components so that collaboration between them is uniform and identical whether the collaboration is over a network or sharing a runtime environment. |
| US08442040B2 |
Modular adaptation and configuration of a network node architecture
The present invention provides a system, apparatus and method for modularly adapting a network node architecture to function in one of a plurality of potential node types. The architecture includes a configurable switching element, integrated optics, and a plurality of modules that allow a “type” of node to be adapted and configured within the base architecture. The module interfaces may be optical or electrical and be used to construct various different types of nodes including regenerators, add/drop nodes, terminal nodes, and multi-way nodes using the same base architecture. |
| US08442037B2 |
System and method for device registration replication in a communication network
A system for device registration replication in a packet-based network includes a first call manager and a second call manager that are coupled to the packet-based network. The first and second call managers each control one or more devices and store composite registration information associated with the devices. The first call manager communicates status information to the second call manager in response to a change in the control status of a device controlled by the first call manager. The second call manager updates the composite registration information stored by the second call manager in response to receiving status information from the first call manager. |
| US08442035B2 |
Method and device for grandparent media realm for session border controllers
A method may include receiving handshake signals to establish a media session between at least two endpoints, determining location information of the at least two endpoints based on the handshake signals, and releasing media exchanged between the at least two endpoints if it is determined that the location information of the at least two endpoints indicates that the at least two endpoints are in a same location. |
| US08442032B1 |
Method and system for customer selected direct dialed voice-over-internet protocol (VOIP)
A Voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) communications network system that enables direct-dialed (single-stage) access to the Internet Protocol (IP) network from the circuit-switched network. Specifically, the VoIP network system includes a VoIP service implemented on a communications system which, after a customer number has been registered for the service, automatically recognizes calls from the registered customer's telephone number and determines if the call can be routed as a VoIP call over the IP network. In embodiments of the present invention, the customer can register for the VoIP service by selecting both a provider (PIC) and a calling plan or by only selecting a provider. The system can be implemented to handle intra-state, inter-state and international voice-band calls (for example, regular telephone calls, facsimile transmissions and modem initiated calls) using standard circuit-switched telephone lines, cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL) and wireless. |
| US08442031B2 |
Method and apparatus for utilizing network services in a manner substantially transparent to service endpoints
The invention includes a method and apparatus for regenerative signaling. Specifically, the method includes receiving at least one base protocol message formatted in accordance with at least one base protocol, obtaining service information associated with at least one network service, and generating, in response to the at least one base protocol message, at least one companion protocol message formatted in accordance with at least one companion protocol. The at least one base protocol message is associated with at least one service endpoint. The service information associated with at least one network service is obtained using the at least one base protocol message. The at least one companion protocol message is generated using at least a portion of the service information. The at least one companion protocol message is operable for controlling the at least one network service in a manner substantially transparent to the at least one service endpoint. |
| US08442030B2 |
Software control plane for switches and routers
A Provider Network Controller (PNC) addresses the challenges in building services across Next Generation Network (NGN) architectures and creates an abstraction layer as a bridge, or glue, between the network transport and applications running over it. The PNC is a multi-layer, multi-vendor dynamic control plane that implements service activation and Layer 0-2 management tools for multiple transport technologies including Carrier Ethernet, Provider Backbone Transport (PBT), Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS), Transport MPLS (T-MPLS), optical and integrated networking platforms. Decoupling transport controls and services from the network equipment simplifies service creation and provides options for carriers to choose best-in-class equipment that leverages the PNC to enable rapid creation and management of transports and services. The PNC provides Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) interfaces to abstract transport objects expressly designed to support both wholesale and retail services, and supports service offerings with varied bandwidth and Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, thus achieving enterprise Ethernet economics. |
| US08442024B2 |
Advertisement and distribution of notifications in a wireless local area network (WLAN)
An Access Point (AP) advertises the availability of notifications, and this advertisement may be received and interpreted by stations (STAs), both by associated STAs and by non-associated STAs. Upon being informed of the availability of the notification message, a STA may take action in order to receive the notification message from the AP. Alternatively, the STA may be able to identify the notification message by analyzing the advertisement. If the contents of the notification message comprise a control message, the STA may act on the control message in a way that influences the STA's behavior. If the contents of the notification message indicate restrictions imposed by the AP, the STA may determine, in view of the restrictions, not to attempt association with the AP. |
| US08442018B2 |
Wireless communication system, router apparatus, wireless communication method, and program
A wireless communication system includes a first communication apparatus that uses first frequency band to communicate wirelessly by time division method, a second communication apparatus that uses second frequency band adjacent to the first frequency band to communicate wirelessly by time division method, and a router apparatus that relays data communicated wirelessly in the first and second communication apparatus. The router apparatus includes a first communication unit that uses the first frequency band to communicate wirelessly by time division method with the first communication apparatus, a second communication unit that uses the second frequency band to communicate wirelessly by time division method with the second communication apparatus simultaneously with wireless communication by the first communication unit, and a controller that causes transmission intervals and reception intervals in the second communication unit to coincide with transmission intervals and reception intervals that are partitioned by time divisions in the first communication unit. |
| US08442016B1 |
Co-existance of bluetooth and wireless local area network
A method for transmitting one or more first wireless local area network (WLAN) packets and one or more first Bluetooth (BT) packets. The method includes: prior to transmission of the one or more first wireless local area network (WLAN) packets, predicting a first time at which the transmission of the one or more first wireless local area network (WLAN) packets is going to end, and predicting a second time at which reception of one or more second Bluetooth (BT) packets is going to start; and simultaneously transmitting the one or more first wireless local area network (WLAN) packets and the one or more first Bluetooth (BT) packets in response to the first time being predicted to occur prior to the second time. |
| US08442014B2 |
Wireless base station apparatus and wireless communication method
A wireless base station apparatus for performing wireless communication with a plurality of wireless communication apparatuses includes a communication processing unit for allocating wireless resources to the wireless communication apparatuses to perform wireless communication, a statistics processing unit for obtaining information related to communication status of the wireless communication apparatuses in wireless communication, and an intermittent arrangement determination unit for detecting a wireless communication apparatus to be allocated with wireless resource at intervals of a predetermined number of communication frames based on the information obtained. The communication processing unit intermittently allocates the same time slot to a plurality of wireless communication apparatuses detected by the intermittent arrangement determination unit at intervals of a predetermined number of communication frames. |
| US08442013B2 |
Analysis and control of traffic based on identified packet control functions
A device receives packet control function (PCF) load information associated with a packet data serving node (PDSN), and determines PCF Internet protocol (IP) address information and a number of sessions per PCF based on the PCF load information. The device also receives IP information from an IP network associated with the PDSN, and determines PCF identity information based on the IP information. The device further generates control information based on the PCF IP address information, the number of sessions per PCF, and the PCF identity information, and provides the control information to the PDSN to control operation of the PDSN. |
| US08442012B1 |
Selecting wireless access resources based on past wireless activity
What is disclosed is a method of operating a wireless communication system, where a wireless access system provides wireless access to communication services for wireless communication devices. The method includes receiving a request to initiate a first communication session for a first wireless communication device, processing past dropped communication session information for the first wireless communication device to select a radio configuration type of wireless access resources for the first communication session, and providing the wireless access resources for the first communication session to the first wireless communication device using the selected radio configuration type. |
| US08442005B2 |
Seamless handoff across heterogeneous access networks using a handoff controller in a service control point
In a telecommunications network in which a mobile handset is capable of communicating in both an IP domain and a non-IP domain, the handoff of an existing communications session between the mobile handset and a fixed user is facilitated by a handoff controller implemented in a service control point. The handoff controller implements different handoff methods depending on the status of the fixed user and the transition of the mobile user. Additionally 802.21 Media Independent Handover Function in conjunction with SIP is used to facilitate handover between IP and Non-IP points in the system. |
| US08441998B2 |
Method of transmitting broadcast information in multiple carrier system
A method of transmitting broadcast information by using multiple carriers is provided. The method includes: configuring a superframe for an operation of the multiple carriers; and transmitting the broadcast information through at least one primary carrier selected from the multiple carriers. Accordingly, the multiple carrier system can effectively manage respective carriers, and particularly can effectively use radio resources in transmission of broadcast information. |
| US08441997B2 |
Remote management system for self-organizing femtocells
A method for initialization of a remote femto base station by a remote management system in a radio access network, the method comprising: powering on the femto base station; transmitting an initial configuration file from the remote management system to the femto base station; initializing the femto base station with the initial configuration file; scanning neighbor femto base stations; transmitting the results of the scanning of neighbor femto base stations and transmitting the femto base station location information to the remote management system; the remote management system setting a neighbor list and radio frequency parameters in response to receipt of the transmission from the femto base station; generating an updated configuration file based on the generated neighbor list and radio frequency parameters; transmitting the updated configuration file to the femto base station; and applying the updated configuration file at the femto base station and starting operation. |
| US08441996B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring control channel in multiple carrier system
A method and apparatus of monitoring a control channel in a multiple carrier system is provided. A user equipment monitors a plurality of candidate control channels within a control region of a subframe and receives reference control information on a reference control channel which is successfully decoded. The user equipment monitors the control region on a basis of the reference control information and receives link control information on a linked control channel which is successfully decoded. The link control information includes resource assignment information used to receive or transmit data packets via a plurality of component carriers. |
| US08441993B2 |
Apparatus and method for resumption request of extended real time polling service in a broadband wireless communication system
A method of operating a Base Station (BS) in a broadband wireless communication system to resume an extended real-time Polling Service (ertPS) is provided. The method of operating the BS includes detecting a codeword received through a Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) channel, and upon receiving a CQI CHannel (CQICH) codeword for requesting resumption of an extended real-time Polling Service (ertPS) connection from a Mobile Station (MS), allocating to the MS an uplink resource corresponding to the largest maximum sustainable traffic rate of at least one ertPS connec established to the MS. |
| US08441987B2 |
Beacon requests and RS bit resolving circular routes
The present technology relates to protocols relative to utility meters associated with an open operational framework. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to protocol subject matter for advanced metering infrastructure, adaptable to various international standards, while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field. The present subject matter supports meters within an ANSI standard C12.22/C12.19 system while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field, all to permit cell-based adaptive insertion of C12.22 meters within an open framework. Cell isolation is provided through quasi-orthogonal sequences in a frequency hopping network. Additional features relate to apparatus and methodology subject matters concerning the handling of Beacon Requests and Registered State bit resolving to avoid circular routes. |
| US08441985B2 |
Method for determining ISR activation in mobile communications system
Disclosed is a method for determining Idle mode Signaling Reduction (ISR) activation in a mobile communications system.When a mobility management node decides to activate an ISR feature in an IMS network environment where hetero mobile communications networks (e.g., E-UTRAN and UTRAN/GERAN) interwork with each other, considered are not only whether an ISR feature can be supported, and whether a UE can use IMS voice, but also conditions (information) on whether IMS voice over PS domain can be supported. This may allow a voice call transferred to the UE from the network to be delivered to a domain (PS or CS domain) selected with consideration of an access network state without delay. |
| US08441974B2 |
Method of providing multicast broadcast service
The present invention relates to a method of providing a multicast broadcast service. A message for providing an MBS (Multicast Broadcast Service) between network constituent elements is defined by applying a message defined in a wireless channel, and functions and parameters to be performed by the network constituent elements are defined. Therefore, the MBS can be provided in a wideband wireless access network that is a field of a mobile communication system and includes a wire channel. |
| US08441970B1 |
Uplink resynchronization for use in communication system
A method and apparatus for reusing an uplink control channel configuration associated with an uplink control channel, the method comprising the steps of, at a user agent, receiving an uplink control channel resource configuration assigned by an access device, transmitting to the access device using the control channel resources associated with the received uplink control channel resource configuration and, after a time alignment timer expires, retaining the uplink control channel resource configuration. |
| US08441967B2 |
Opportunistic 40 MHz mode of transmission in wireless transmitters
A system includes a signal processing module and a control module. The signal processing module receives a first clear channel assessment (CCA) signal for a first sub-channel of a communication channel, increases a pulse width of the first CCA signal by a predetermined period of time, and generates a second CCA signal. The control module receives the second CCA signal and a third CCA signal for a second sub-channel of the communication channel. The control module transmits data via one of the second sub-channel and the communication channel based on the second and third CCA signals. |
| US08441963B2 |
IP multicast management and service provision system and method
A system (10), method (90) and apparatus (14) are provided for provisioning a multicast stream, such as an IP multicast stream, in a network. The system includes a first tier (12), such as a national backbone, with a first Multicast Address Discovery (MCAD) directory (34), and at least one second tier having a headend, such as a regional headend (14), with a second MCAD directory (36, 38). The system (10) includes a tiered MCAD directory network that allows the assignment of multicast addresses to multicast streams received from an upper tier MCAD directory. The tiered MCAD directory structure allows for requesting and storing stream descriptors and delivering stream descriptors on-demand to MCAD-enabled devices throughout the system. The system (10) also allows for stream provisioning maintenance and validation at lower tier headends via MCAD-enabled device queries or re-queries of upper tier MCAD directories. |
| US08441959B2 |
Method of establishing a wireless multi-hop network
A method of establishing a wireless multi-hop network where devices establish a physical wireless connection to at least another device of the network in a self-organizing process. In the self-organizing process, a seeking device intending to join the network listens for beacon signals, emitted by candidate parent devices already in the network, that include a network identifier and a device identifier of the emitting devices. Then, in a parent selection process, the seeking device selects a parent device from among the candidate parent devices, according to given selection rules, based on the network identifiers, acceptance capabilities of the candidate parent devices, and link quality parameter values relating the device and the candidate parent devices. In this parent selection process, application-level connection data of the seeking device and/or the candidate parent devices are applied. The seeking device connects physically, and preferably also logically, via the selected parent device to the network. |
| US08441949B2 |
Methods, apparatuses and computer program products for routing a call from a circuit switched domain to a unified service domain
A technique for routing a call to a unified service domain using one or more client applications providing call routing support from a circuit-switch access domain to unified service domain is described. A first one of the client applications will be provided on a network side and a second one of the client applications may potentially be provided on a terminal side. A method implementation of this technique comprises, on the network side, the steps of receiving a message from the terminal side, detecting, in response to the message, the client application that is to provide the routing functionalities, and controlling an activation state of at least one of the two client applications dependent on a result of this detection. |
| US08441947B2 |
Simultaneous data packet processing
A packet controller for simultaneous processing of data packets transmitted via a plurality of communication channels includes a plurality of inputs to receive a respective plurality of signals, such that each of the plurality of signals is indicative of a presence of a data packet on a respective one of the plurality of communication channels, a clock source to supply a periodic clock signal, a plurality of independent processing modules coupled to the respective plurality of inputs to simultaneously process the plurality of signals, such that each of the plurality of independent processing modules implements a respective state machine driven by the periodic clock signal to process the respective signal independently of every other one of the plurality of processing modules, and an output to transmit an output signal indicative of a presence of at least one data packet on one or more of the plurality of communication channels. |
| US08441943B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method, program, and recording medium
An information processing apparatus for performing communication with another information processing apparatus via a network includes an instruction section instructing a transmission of a first packet in order to obtain a response from the other information processing apparatus; a first generation section generating a first time stamp containing a time when the first packet generated on the basis of instructions by the instruction section is sent out to the network; a second generation section generating a second time stamp containing a time when a second packet that is transmitted as a response for the first packet from the other information processing apparatus is obtained from the network; and a computation section computing a round trip delay between the information processing apparatus and the other information-processing apparatus on the basis of the first and second generated time stamps. |
| US08441939B2 |
Cable modem access using layer-2 messaging
In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving notification of a cable modem operational issue for a cable modem and establishing layer-2 logging communications with the cable modem. The method comprises receiving a message from the cable modem, the message generated by the cable modem in response to the operational issue and indicating the operational issue associated with the cable modem. |
| US08441937B2 |
GMPLS based OAM provisioning
A method and network are described herein for provisioning Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) entities for a connection when setting-up the connection between an ingress edge node and an egress edge node. |
| US08441936B2 |
Radio transmission apparatus, and radio transmission method
Provided is a communication device, which is enabled to improve the throughput of a communication system by reducing the difference of a transmission power between an SCCH and an SDCH thereby to satisfy the required quality of a PAPR. In this device, an MCS selection unit (111) of a transmission unit (110) decides, with reference to a CQI lookup table, an MCS pattern (MCS1) of the SDCH, an MCS pattern (MCS2) of the SCCH and information (multiplex information) on multiplex positions on the time axes of those two channels, on the basis of the CQI information. On the basis of the MCS2 and the MCS1, encoding modulation units (112 and 113) perform encoding and modulating operations. According to the multiplex information, a channel multiplexing unit (114) time-division multiplexes the SCCH and the SDCH thereby to generate a transmission signal. |
| US08441935B2 |
Method and apparatus to distribute signaling data for parallel analysis
A method and apparatus for capturing signaling data exchanged across multiple interfaces of a network via a distributed network analyzer, selectively manipulating the captured signaling data for parallel real time distributed analysis by a plurality of signaling analyzers, and transmitting the selectively manipulated signaling data to each of the plurality of signaling analyzers for the parallel real time distributed analysis by the signaling analyzers. The transmitted signaling data includes at least one of network signalizing data, user signalizing data, and application signaling data. Further, the captured signaling data analyzed by the signaling analyzers includes information needed for Quality of Service analysis of end user traffic. Accordingly, a method and apparatus for parallel real time distributed analysis of signaling data is provided, reducing complexity and cost of tools for analysis of signaling data. |
| US08441933B2 |
Deadlock prevention in direct networks of arbitrary topology
Aspects of the invention pertain to routing packets in a computer system while avoiding deadlock. A turn rule is set according to unique identifiers associated with switches in the system. Numeric values of switches in possible turns are compared to determine whether a turn is permissible. The rule applies to all nodes in the system. The rule may be violated when using virtual channels. Here, a violation is permissible when using monotonically increasing virtual channel numbers or monotonically decreasing virtual channel numbers. Alternatively, the violations of the turn rule may be allowed if they force a packet to change to a later virtual channel in some fixed ordering of virtual channels. Deadlock can thus be avoided in many different types of architectures, including mesh, torus, butterfly and flattened butterfly configurations. |
| US08441926B2 |
Method and system for a novel flow admission control framework
This invention presents a new FAC framework that keeps the stateless property of the Internet, allows statistical multiplexing gains, and is capable of handling admission control of both TCP and UDP flows.One of the key inventions of the patent is the solution for the signaling/data path divergence problem inherent in a session layer FAC scheme. The solution consists of two components. First, we keep the paths in the network symmetric (i.e. the forward and the backward path are the same) so that we only need to monitor SETUP packets in new flow detection. Second, we select either a tree or a nonblocking mesh topology for the network. Various topologies for constructing nonblocking networks for the proposed FAC architecture are also disclosed. |
| US08441920B2 |
Redundancy in voice and data communications systems
A method includes receiving information at an interface circuit and providing the information from the interface circuit to a processing circuit through a direct communications path between the interface circuit and a processing circuit, which processes the information received from the interface circuit. The method further includes providing the information from the interface circuit to the processing circuit via a crosspoint switch in response to a failure of the direct communications path, wherein the direct communication does not pass through the crosspoint switch. |
| US08441916B2 |
Method of communicating for smart utility network using TV white space and apparatus for the same
There are disclosed a method of communicating for a smart utility network using a TV white space and an apparatus for the same. The method of communicating for a smart utility network using a TV white space according to the present invention includes: generating a time domain sequence repeated every predetermined number of samples; generating an OFDM symbol having a cyclic prefix length corresponding to an FFT size divided by a natural number of 2 or more and including samples of a number corresponding to the sum of the FFT size and the cyclic prefix length; and generating an SUN packet to be transmitted through a TV channel band selected in the TV white space by using the time domain sequence and the OFDM symbol. Accordingly, it is possible to satisfy all requirements required by the IEEE 802.15.4g SUN standardization group. |
| US08441911B2 |
Optical disc, and production method and reproduction apparatus for optical disc
An optical disc has a data layer including a data-layer substrate made of a transparent material and a data-layer reflection film formed on an upper side of the data-layer substrate, a display layer including a display-layer substrate having a display pattern and a display-layer reflection film formed on a lower side of the display-layer substrate, and an intermediate layer made of a transparent material provided between an upper side of the data layer and a lower side of the display layer.The data- and display-layer reflection films exhibit specific reflectivity to allow the display pattern to be visible from a lower side of the data-layer substrate through the data-layer reflection film. |
| US08441910B1 |
System and method of adjusting gain and offset loops in data storage system
In one embodiment the present invention includes a qualification circuit that controls a read channel in a data storage device. The qualification circuit includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit receives a first signal and generates a second signal based on a signal quality of the first signal. The second circuit receives the second signal, an envelope-derived error signal resulting from performing envelope derived error detection, and a decision-aided error signal resulting from performing decision aided error detection. The second circuit modifies the envelope-derived error signal and the decision aided error signal according to the second signal. The second circuit generates a control signal that controls the read channel according to the envelope-derived error signal and the decision-aided error signal having been modified. |
| US08441908B2 |
Optical pickup device
Provided is an optical pickup device which suppresses the decrease of light amount and performs conversion to circular polarization light, wherein the optical pickup device includes a beam splitter and a raising mirror on each of which a layered member is formed, and the optical pickup device satisfies conditional expressions relating to intensities of S-polarized light and P-polarized light with respect to the beam splitter of a laser beam emitted from a semiconductor laser element, reflectances of S-polarized light and P-polarized light on the beam splitter, a reflection phase difference obtained by subtracting a phase of S-polarized light from a phase of P-polarized light after the reflection, reflectances of S-polarized light and P-polarized light on the raising mirror, and a reflection phase difference obtained by subtracting a phase of S-polarized light from a phase of P-polarized light after the reflection. |
| US08441907B2 |
Complex objective lens including saw-tooth diffractive element for using on blue, red and infrared lights
In an optical head device which performs recording/reading of data in/from a high-density optical disc using an objective lens with a large NA, a saw-tooth shape diffraction element is used for also performing recording/reading of data in/from a conventional optical disc, such as DVD, CD, or the like. A step difference that produces an optical path length for blue light which is equal to or longer than the wavelength of the blue light and optical path lengths for red and infrared light which are shorter than the wavelengths of the red and infrared light is utilized so as to exert an inverse action on the blue light to those exerted on the red and infrared light. The effect of increasing the working distances for CD and DVD enables multiple compatibility. The optical element is integrally combined with the objective lens to perform a tracking servo following operation. |
| US08441905B2 |
Optical information recording medium and optical information processing apparatus
This invention allows super-resolution reproduction with which a better bER value is attainable, when information is recorded by a random pattern including a mark length not longer than a resolution limit, by use of a highly versatile signal decoding method.Information is recorded as marks and spaces coded by RLL(1,7) modulation, which each of the marks and spaces have one of a plurality of lengths, and 2T marks and 2T spaces of the marks and spaces being formed are shorter than 0.12 μm. An information recording layer (20) includes a reproduction film (21) and a reflective film (22) which are provided in this order from a side from which reproducing light is incident, which reproduction film is made of (i) zinc oxide, (ii) strontium titanate, (iii) titanium oxide, (iv) cerium oxide, or (v) a material including at least one of the (i) through (iv), and which reflective film is made of tantalum or titanium. |
| US08441904B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring a signal
There is disclosed a method and apparatus for measuring a signal using a measurement system. The signal has a frequency component that is to be detected by the measurement. The frequency component has a varying phase. The signal has at least one interruption thereto. The method includes: processing the signal with the measurement system to detect the frequency component in the signal and stalling the measurement system before the start of the interruption. The stall period is calculated such that the processing of the signal is resumed: i) after the end of the interruption, and ii) where there is substantially no discontinuity between the phase of the frequency component in the signal at the end of the stall and in the phase of the frequency component in the signal at the beginning of the stall. |
| US08441890B2 |
Removing ground-roll from geophysical data using source-receiver interferometry
A method for processing geophysical data. The method includes applying a first interferometry on an estimate of a direct ground roll between a receiver location and one or more boundary source locations and an estimate of a direct ground roll between one or more boundary receiver locations and each boundary source location to generate an interferometric estimate of a direct ground roll between the receiver location and each boundary receiver location. The method then includes applying a second interferometry on geophysical data between the source location and each boundary receiver location and the interferometric estimate of the direct ground roll between the receiver location and each boundary receiver location to generate an interferometric estimate of a direct and scattered ground roll between the source location and the receiver location. After applying the second interferometry, the method then includes removing the interferometric estimate of the direct and scattered ground roll between the source location and the receiver location from geophysical data acquired at the receiver location due to a source at the source. |
| US08441885B2 |
Methods and apparatus for memory word line driver
A word line driver circuit and corresponding methods are disclosed. An apparatus, comprising a decoder circuit coupled to receive address inputs, and having a decoder output; and a word line clock gating circuit coupled to the decoder output and to a word line clock signal, configured to selectively output a word line signal responsive to an edge on the word line clock signal; wherein the address inputs have a set up time requirement relative to the edge of the word line clock signal, and the address inputs have a zero or less hold time requirement relative to the edge of the word line clock signal. Methods for providing a word line signal from a word line driver are disclosed. |
| US08441884B2 |
Semiconductor memory device, image processing system, and image processing method
A semiconductor memory device comprises: a memory cell group, the memory cell including a number of which is 2n, the n being a positive integer; and a first decoder provided with respect to each of the memory cell groups and a second decoder. The first decoder activates a word line by the memory cell group based upon a first address and an n bit in a second address and the second decoder activates a bit line based upon the second address. |
| US08441882B2 |
Memory devices having redundant arrays for repair
Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as those involving a memory device. One such memory device includes a memory array including a sub-array that includes a first number of columns of memory cells, and one or more global input/output (I/O) lines shared by the first number of columns for data transmission. The memory device also includes one or more multiplexers/demultiplexers, wherein each of the multiplexers/demultiplexers is electrically coupled to one or more, but not all, of the global I/O lines. The memory device further includes a plurality of local I/O lines, each configured to provide a data path between one of the multiplexers/demultiplexers and one or more, but less than the first number, of the columns in the sub-array. This configuration allows local I/O line repairability with fewer redundant elements, and shorter physical local I/O lines, which translate to improved speed and die size reduction. |
| US08441879B2 |
Semiconductor memory device requiring refresh operation
To provide a plurality of memory banks, each of which is divided into a plurality of segments; a bank address register that designates a memory bank that becomes a refresh target; a segment address register that designates a segment that becomes a refresh target; and a refresh control circuit that prohibits a refresh operation of the memory bank or the segment not designated by at least one of the bank address register and the segment address register. This semiconductor device is capable of designating whether to perform a refresh operation not only in a memory bank unit but also in a segment unit within the memory bank, and thus it achieves a further reduction of the power consumption. |
| US08441878B2 |
Embedded memory databus architecture
A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) having pairs of bitlines, each pair being connected to a first bit line sense amplifier, wordlines crossing the bitlines pairs forming an array, charge storage cells connected to the bitlines, each having an enable input connected to a wordline, the bit line sense amplifiers being connected in a two dimensional array, pairs of primary databuses being connected through first access transistors to plural corresponding bit line sense amplifiers in each row of the array, apparatus for enabling columns of the first access transistors, databus sense amplifiers each connected to a corresponding data bus pair, a secondary databus, the secondary databus being connected through second access transistors to the databus sense amplifiers, and apparatus for enabling the second access transistors. |
| US08441877B2 |
Semiconductor memory devices including burn-in test circuits
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including a first memory cell coupled to a first bit line and a word line, and a second memory cell coupled to a second bit line and the word line and disposed adjacent to the first memory cell. A controller circuit is configured to provide first and second precharge voltages to the first and second bitlines, respectively. The first precharge voltage is provided as a positive power supply voltage and the second precharge voltage is provided as a negative stress voltage during a burn-in test operation. Related methods of operation are also discussed. |
| US08441876B2 |
Memory module including parallel test apparatus
A memory module including a plurality of ranks. Each of the ranks includes a parallel test apparatus for simultaneous testing and a parallel test control unit. In response to a parallel test mode control signal, the parallel test apparatus generates first parity data for write data including a plurality of bits and generating first data obtained by replacing a bit value of at least one bit of the plurality of bits of the write data with the first parity data during a write operation, and generates second parity data for the first data and transmitting the second parity data as read data during a read operation. The parallel test control unit controls the write operation and the read operation in a parallel test mode by generating the parallel test mode control signal. Combinations of read data from the plurality of ranks correspond to different bits of the write data. |
| US08441875B2 |
Mat compress circuit and semiconductor memory device having the same
A mat compress circuit includes a pre-control signal generator that generates a first pre-control signal and a second pre-control signal alternatively activated in response to an up/down bank selection address in a mat compression test, and a control signal transmitter that inverts and transfers the first and second pre-control signals in response to a switching signal activated when there is an input of a block selection address in the mat compression test. |
| US08441870B2 |
Data strobe signal output driver for a semiconductor memory apparatus
A data strobe signal output driver includes a trigger block, a predriver block, and a main driver block. The trigger block is configured to receive a first signal, a second signal, a first clock and a second clock, and to output a predrive signal based thereon. The predriver block is configured to receive the predrive signal, a driver off signal and a termination enable signal, and to output a first main drive signal and a second main drive signal based thereon. The main driver block is configured to output a data strobe signal based on the first and second main drive signals. |
| US08441861B2 |
Self-check calibration of program or erase and verify process using memory cell distribution
Apparatus and methods determine a program verify (PV) induced reading parameter distribution. A measured post-PV reading parameter distribution can be compared with an expected post-PV reading parameter distribution. For example, de-convolution can be applied to identify the PV induced reading parameter distribution. Based on the PV-induced reading parameter distribution, adjustments can be made to one or more parameters of the PV process. |
| US08441860B2 |
NAND step up voltage switching method
Methods and memories having switching points for changing Vstep increments according to a level of a multilevel cell being programmed include programming at a smaller Vstep increment in narrow threshold voltage situations and programming at a larger Vstep increment where faster programming is desired. |
| US08441856B2 |
Method of providing an operating voltage in a memory device and a memory controller for the memory device
A method of providing an operating voltage in a memory device includes applying a read voltage to a selected word line while applying a first pass voltage to at least one unselected word line among word lines adjacent to the selected word line; and while applying a second pass voltage to the remaining unselected word lines (other than the at least one unselected word line to which the first pass voltage is applied). The level of the first pass voltage is higher than the level of the second pass voltage. The level of the first pass voltage may be set based on the level of the read voltage. |
| US08441852B2 |
Stacked memory device and method of fabricating same
A stacked semiconductor memory device comprises a semiconductor substrate having a functional circuit, a plurality of memory cell array layers, and at least one connection layer. The memory cell array layers are stacked above the semiconductor substrate. The connection layers are stacked above the semiconductor substrate independent of the memory cell array layers. The connection layers electrically connect memory cell selecting lines arranged on the memory cell array layers to the functional circuit. |
| US08441848B2 |
Set pulse for phase change memory programming
A memory device and method for programming the memory device, more particularly a single pulse algorithm for programming a phase change memory cell or array. The single pulse can heat the memory cell to above its melting point and reduce in signal level so that the memory cell is crystallized. |
| US08441847B2 |
Programming multi-level phase change memory cells
A method and a feedback controller for programming at least one multi-level phase-change memory cell with a programming signal. The method and feedback controller include a sequence of write pulses applied to the multi-level phase change memory cell, wherein the feedback controller adjusts in real time at least one parameter of each write pulse as a function of a determined resistance error of the phase-change memory cell with respect to a desired reference resistance level. |
| US08441846B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method for testing the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array configured to include a plurality of memory cells, a plurality of bit lines respectively coupled to the plurality of memory cells, a first power-supply voltage supplying circuit configured to provide a first power-supply voltage to the memory cell array through the plurality of bit lines, a second power-supply voltage supplying circuit configured to provide a second power-supply voltage to the memory cell array through the plurality of bit lines, a first address selection circuit configured to couple a bit line selected by a first selection address to the first power-supply voltage supplying circuit, and a second address selection circuit configured to couple a bit line selected by a second selection address to the second power-supply voltage supplying circuit. |
| US08441841B2 |
Semiconductor device and driving method of semiconductor device
An object is to provide a semiconductor device with 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 and the semiconductor device includes a potential conversion circuit which functions to output a potential lower than a reference potential for reading data from the memory cell. With the use of a widegap semiconductor, a semiconductor device capable of sufficiently reducing the off-state current of a transistor included in a memory cell and capable of holding data for a long time can be provided. |
| US08441837B2 |
Variable resistance nonvolatile memory device
A nonvolatile resistance variable memory device (100) includes memory cells (M11, M12, . . . ) in each of which a variable resistance element (R11, R12, . . . ) including a variable resistance layer placed between and in contact with a first electrode and a second electrode, and a current steering element (D11, D12, . . . ) including a current steering layer placed between and in contact with a third electrode and a fourth electrode, are connected in series, and the device is driven by a first LR drive circuit (105a1) via a current limit circuit (105b) to decrease resistance of the variable resistance element while the device is driven by a second HR drive circuit (105a2) to increase resistance of the variable resistance element, thus using the current limit circuit (105b) to make a current for decreasing resistance of the variable resistance element lower than a current for increasing resistance of the variable resistance element. |
| US08441836B2 |
Sector array addressing for ECC management
An addressing scheme for non-volatile memory arrays having short circuit defects that manages the demand for error correction. The scheme generally avoids simultaneous active driving of the row line and column line of the selected cell during write. Instead, only a single row or column line is actively driven at any one time and all other array lines are left floating. In addition, the number of memory cells accessed from a given row or column during a fetch may be limited. The benefits of the scheme include preventing short circuits from drawing excess currents through the array and limiting the frequency of read or write failures caused by short circuits to a manageable number. In one embodiment, the scheme maintains the demand for error correction to within the error correction capability of a flash controller. Exemplary embodiments include phase-change memory arrays. |
| US08441828B2 |
Content addressable memory
The present invention provides a content addressable memory capable of higher frequency operation than conventional. When a search enable signal supplied from a search control circuit is asserted, each of search line drivers transfers search data to each CAM cell of a CAM memory array via a search line pair. The search line enable signal is transmitted to the search line drivers via a single control signal line coupled to the search control circuit. The control signal line is coupled to the search line drivers in such a manner that the search line enable signal passes through coupling nodes between the search line drivers and the control signal line in an arrangement order of the search line drivers from the side far away as viewed from match amplifiers. |
| US08441827B2 |
Power converter assembly having a housing
A power converter assembly includes a housing and at least one transistor module. The housing has a liquid cooled heat transfer surface. The at least one transistor module is mounted directly to the liquid cooled heat transfer surface and positioned at least partially within the housing. |
| US08441824B2 |
Method and apparatus for regulating AC-DC adaptor for low current drain
A method and apparatus for controlling the feed rate of a rectified AC pulses via a gated rectifier in a low DC voltage and current power supply is disclosed. The gated rectifier outputs gated AC pulses to an input capacitor via a current control diode and/or a zener diode and/or a resistor for charging the input capacitor to a voltage level and a charge capacity commensurate with the low voltage regulator and the low DC current drain. A gate capacitor for accumulating incremental charges of rectified AC pulses fed via a divider network is pre-configured to trigger the gated rectifier, timed by discharging the aggregated charge of a predetermined number of charges to the gate. The input capacitor charged by the gated AC pulses at a rate of one per said determined number to the input capacitor feeds the voltage regulator for powering a low DC current consuming device. |
| US08441817B2 |
HVDC system including switching arrangements to switch current flow direction
An HVDC network including a first station including a first converter, a second station including a second converter, each converter including non-extinguishable semiconducting elements. A first transmission conductor and a second transmission conductor. The first station includes a first switching arrangement. |
| US08441812B2 |
Series resonant converter having a circuit configuration that prevents leading current
A series resonant converter of the present invention includes an inverter circuit having at least a pair of a first and second switching device connected between two input terminals, a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding connected to the inverter circuit, a first and second resonant capacitor connected to a secondary side of the transformer and connected in series to each other between two output terminals, a first and second unidirectional device connected in series to each other, and a resonant induction device that is operated along with the first and second resonant capacitor and resonates in series. The first and second unidirectional device are configured such that current does not flow from the first and second resonant capacitor to the input terminal by preventing electric charge of the first and second resonant capacitor from being discharged to a primary side of the transformer. |
| US08441810B2 |
Cascade power system architecture
A cascade power system comprises a non-isolated converter in a cascade configuration with an isolated converter and a controller that is coupled with the output of the isolated converter and the switching element of the non-isolated converter. The non-isolated converter steps-down the input voltage to a lower regulated voltage. The isolated converter converts the regulated voltage to a square wave signal that is output to a transformer and the controller. Thus, a the resulting feedback loop comprising the isolated converter, controller and non-isolated converter is completely independent from the output of the system. As a result, a feedback relation can be derived in the form of a feedback algorithm that can effectively regulate/adjust the output of the non-isolated converter and therefore the isolated converter output as well. Further, because the non-isolated converter steps down the voltage and the isolated converter operates on this low stepped down voltage, the system is able to be highly efficient. |
| US08441808B2 |
Interposer with microspring contacts
An interposer including stress-engineered nonplanar microsprings may provide interconnection of bonding pads of electronic structures disposed above and below the interposer. The lateral offset between an anchor portion of a microspring disposed for contact at a bottom surface of the interposer and the tip of the microspring located in a free portion of the microspring for contact and deflection over a top surface of the interposer permits the interconnection of devices having different bonding pad pitches. Microspring contacts at the free portion permit temporary interconnection of devices, while solder applied over the free portion permit permanent connection of devices to the interposer. |
| US08441806B2 |
Circuit board and semiconductor module
A circuit board comprises a first conductive post for electrically connecting to the first electrode of the semiconductor device, a first metal plate connecting to the first conductive post, a second conductive post for electrically connecting to the second electrode of the semiconductor device, a second metal plate connecting to the second conductive post, a third conductive post for electrically connecting to the third electrode of the semiconductor device, and a third metal plate connecting to the third conductive post. |
| US08441802B2 |
Base for an electronic card and associated extraction device
A base for an electronic card includes at least one slot adapted for accommodating an electronic card with an extraction lever installed rotatably in relation thereto and adapted for pivoting between a first position and a second position. The lever has a support end adapted for coming to rest on a support element of the base in order to extract the electronic card from the base when the lever changes from the first to the second position. The support element has a first state in which the extraction lever does not bear on the support element when changing from the first position to the second position, and a second state, in which the lever bears on the support element when changing from the first to the second position. This creates a movement for extraction of the card through the support end along a support direction. |
| US08441801B2 |
Flexible mount system
A user panel assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a panel element, a flexible connector and a mounting element. The flexible connector is configured to enable electrical communication between the panel element and the PCB. The mounting element includes a plurality of slots on which the panel element can be mounted. An overlay is configured to conceal a subset of the plurality of slots. |
| US08441800B2 |
Vehicle-mounted electronic device
Disclosed is a vehicle-mounted electronic device wherein heat generated from a heat-generating electronic device can be efficiently released without redesigning various kinds of components even if an input/output signal array for a terminal of a connector is changed. The vehicle-mounted electronic device is comprised of a lower housing (2b) having a bottom surface, a part of which is opened; a connector (3) which is projected from an opening (2c) of the lower housing (2b), and which can be connected to an outside device which inputs/outputs electric signals and an outside power source which supplies electric power; a circuit board (5) which is provided within the lower housing (2b), and is electrically connected to the connector (3) to process signals using electric signals and electric power; a metal wiring plate (7) composed of a plurality of metal wires, which is provided within the lower housing (2b) on the side adjacent to the bottom surface of the lower housing (2b), and has an end portion projected from the lower housing (2b) to electrically connect to the circuit board; and heat-generating electronic components (6), the bottom surfaces of which are coupled to a part of the metal wires in the metal wiring plate (7). The thickness of the metal wires coupled to the bottom surfaces of the heat-generating electronic components (6) in the metal wiring plate (7) is larger than the thickness of the terminal of the connector (3). |
| US08441795B2 |
High power band pass RF filter having a gas tube for surge suppression
A high power band pass RF filtering device having a housing defining an interior chamber and having one or more walls for substantially dividing the interior chamber into one or more sections. A circuit with filtering components for achieving strong attenuation of out-of-band signals is disposed within the interior chamber, certain components of the circuit being separated from one another by the walls. Ports on the housing electrically connect to a respective input node and output node of the circuit and also connect to surge protection elements for dissipating surge conditions present at the ports. A non-surge signal can travel between the ports and through the filtering components. An oil or other fluid is disposed and completely contained within the housing and contacts the circuit components for cooling the circuit components. |
| US08441794B2 |
Liquid cooler and method of its manufacture
A liquid cooler including a heat sink. A hollow body is produced by extrusion having at least one flat outer surface between a first and a second end. At least one elongated cavity passes through the body from the first to the second end. The hollow body includes a plurality of parallel fins directed into and along the at least one cavity. An insert housed in the at least one cavity connects the tops of the fins in a fluid-tight manner thereby forming liquid channels for a coolant liquid between the insert and the hollow body. A lid is attached at both ends of the hollow body for forming a liquid cooling system. |
| US08441792B2 |
Universal conduction cooling platform
Disclosed is an embodiment of a module for insertion between a first shelf and a second shelf of a rack based processing system. The module includes a first thermal plate substantially parallel to a second thermal plate. An inner surface of the first thermal plate faces an inner surface of the second plate and an outer surface of each of the first and second thermal plates faces opposite to the respective inner surfaces. Each thermal plate is configured to thermally couple to one or more component units locatable between the inner surfaces of the first and second thermal plates. |
| US08441788B2 |
Server
A server including a rack, chassis, a power module, first copper columns, and second copper columns is provided. The rack has a front end and an opposite back end. The chassis are disposed in the rack and suitable for being pulled out from the front end. Each chassis contains a motherboard module. The power module is disposed in the rack. The first copper columns are fixed on the rack, electrically connected to the power module, and are suitable for electrically connecting an external power supply. The second copper columns are fixed on the rack and electrically connected to the power module and the motherboard modules. A high voltage from the external power supply is transmitted to the power module via the first copper columns. The power module converts the high voltage into a low voltage and transmits the low voltage to the motherboard modules via the second copper columns. |
| US08441787B2 |
EZconnect tablet/stylus PC portable docking accessory with I/O ports
A portable docking accessory that contains an attachably detachable mechanically rigid means for providing a Tablet Pc user a host of I/O interconnect solutions that allows continuous mobile use in an ergonomic and aesthetically appropriate form factor. |
| US08441786B2 |
Electronic connectors and form factor adapters for electronic components
A system and method for installing a peripheral device on a printed circuit board (PCB) is provided. In the system and method, the PCB has a board connector portion and the peripheral device has a device connector portion. The method includes providing a connector adapter housing enclosing a first mating portion configured for mating with the board connector portion and a second mating portion configured for mating with the device connector portion. The method also includes engaging the second mating portion with the device connector portion to position the first mating portion to extend substantially perpendicular to the surface of the PCB. The method further includes depositing the peripheral on the PCB using a motion substantially perpendicular to the surface of the PCB, the motion engaging the board connector portion and the first mating portion. |
| US08441785B2 |
Electronic apparatus and personal computer
An electronic apparatus includes: a housing that is provided with an opening at a bottom face thereof; a printed circuit board accommodated in the housing; a first lid member that is detachably arranged so as to cover the opening; a disk drive that is mounted in a lower position than the printed circuit board inside the opening in a state where the first lid member is removed from the opening; and a second lid member that is detachably arranged so as to cover the opening in a state where the disk drive is mounted inside the opening, wherein the second lid member has a storage section, and the disk drive is stored in the storage section. |
| US08441783B2 |
Information-processing equipment
There is provided a laptop personal computer comprising: a first chassis 11 accommodating a display section and having a basic shape of substantially rectangle in a planar view; a second chassis 31 accommodating an operation control section and having a basic shape of substantially rectangle in a planar view; and a hinge mechanism 20 for coupling one side 31r of the second chassis and one side 11r of the first chassis and supporting both chassis in a relatively openable and closable manner, wherein the first chassis is provided with a projection part 19 at an edge portion of an other side 11f opposing to the one side 11r, the projection part is formed along the other side and projects to the second chassis side in a state where the first chassis is closed together with the second chassis. |
| US08441781B2 |
Vibration dampening structure for electronic device
An electronic device includes a casing, a fan bracket and a fan module. The casing includes a top plate and a bottom plate spaced from and facing the top plate. The fan bracket is mounted on the bottom plate. The fan module includes a fan, a fan holder enclosing the fan therein, and two vibration dampening structures mounted on opposite top and bottom sides of the fan holder. The fan holder is engaged in the fan bracket. The vibration structures protrude beyond the top and bottom sides of the fan holder and abut the top plate and the bottom plate of the casing, respectively. |
| US08441776B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor comprising two protective polymer films
An aspect of the invention provides a solid electrolyte capacitor that comprises: an anode body; a dielectric layer formed on the surface of the anode body; a first polymer film formed on the dielectric layer and containing a first polymer; a second polymer film formed on the first polymer film and containing a second polymer that is different from the first polymer; a conducting polymer layer formed on the second polymer film and containing a conducting polymer that is different from the second polymer; and a cathode layer formed on the conducting polymer layer, wherein the first polymer film has a larger work function than that of the conducting polymer layer. |
| US08441774B2 |
Capacitance element, printed circuit board, semiconductor package, and semiconductor circuit
A capacitive element that can efficiently reduce high-frequency noise generated in a circuit is provided. A capacitive element 1 includes a capacitive formation portion 100, which is formed in the shape of a loop to separate the inside from the outside. The capacitive formation portion 100 includes an electrode 110, an opposite electrode 111, and a dielectric layer 120. One or more outgoing terminals (one or more outer circumference outgoing terminals 140, and one or more internal circumference outgoing terminals 130) are provided at the outer and inner circumferences of the electrode 110, respectively. A printed wiring board is made by mounting the capacitive element inside the board or on the surface of the board. A semiconductor package is made by putting the capacitive element 1 on a target semiconductor circuit portion. Moreover, a semiconductor circuit is made by placing the capacitive element on a target functional circuit portion 301. |
| US08441770B2 |
Voltage spikes control for power converters
A novel inductive overvoltage suppression circuit for power converters is presented. High amplitude voltage spikes are generally occurring in high frequency power converters in presence of small parasitic inductances coupled to the power distribution rails, in correspondence of the switching transitions, particularly when high load currents are required. The presented invention proposes active clamps to limit the amplitude of the overvoltage. Furthermore the excess energy in the parasitic inductances is utilized to provide energy and/or a signal to determine when to turn on the next phase power device with the fastest transition possible without incurring in cross-conduction currents in the power stage of the converter, thus improving its overall performance, and circuit reliability in addition to achieving high conversion efficiency. |
| US08441768B2 |
Systems and methods for independent self-monitoring
An Intelligent Electronic Device (IED), such as a protective relay, may monitor and/or protect an electrical power system by detecting fault conditions using stimulus inputs from the electrical power system. The IED may operate (take protective actions) when fault conditions are detected. A monitoring device may supervise the IED. The monitoring device may detect power system disturbances independently of the IED, using the same stimulus inputs (or a subset thereof) used by the IED to implement its protection function(s). The monitoring device may supervise the IED using hard-coded supervision, soft-coded supervision, and/or user-configurable supervision. The IED may be prevented from operating outside of an operating window defined by the monitoring device. Components of the monitoring device may be separated and/or isolated from the IED, such that a failure in certain IED components may not cause a simultaneous failure or malfunction of the monitoring device. |
| US08441766B2 |
Apparatus for fault tolerant digital outputs
An output termination board for a safety system is disclosed herein. The termination board provides simplified wiring between the output modules and the remote devices operated by the controller in the system. Redundant output signals are generated within each pair of output modules and combined such that one control signal is sent to each remote device. In addition, a program executing on the controller of the safety system performs a test to determine if each output module is operating normally. If the program detects a fault in either output module, the safety system may alternately shut down according to a fail-safe procedure or continue operating under a fault-tolerant mode of operation. |
| US08441762B2 |
Magnetic head suspension having a supporting part with connecting beams
In a magnetic head suspension according to the present invention, each of paired right and left connecting beams that are positioned on both sides of an open section, with which paired piezoelectric elements are at least partially overlapped in a plan view, in a suspension width direction and connect a proximal end section that is directly or indirectly connected to a main actuator and a distal end section to which the load bending part is connected includes proximal-side and distal-side beams. The distal-side beam is inclined with respect to the proximal-side beam in a plan view such that a connection point between the proximal-side and distal-side beams is located closer to a suspension longitudinal center line relative to a virtual line connecting the proximal end of the proximal-side beam and the distal end of the distal-side beam. |
| US08441761B1 |
Hard disk drive suspension with reduced PSA change due to humidity and temperature variations
In a disk drive suspension circuit, in order to improve stability of the stable pitch static attitude (PSA) over changes in humidity, the suspended portion of the flexible circuit and/or the gimbal support arm are modified to change their response(s) to humidity. In one embodiment, hygroscopic material such as the material of the insulating layer are added to the stainless steel gimbal support arm, so that in response to humidity it bends in the opposite direction as the suspended portion of the circuit. In another embodiment, additional hygroscopic material is added to the circuit, and/or the polyimide insulating layer or the coverlayer are selectively removed, so that the net bend in the suspended portion of the circuit over humidity is reduced, ideally to a condition of zero or close to zero net bending. |
| US08441758B2 |
Self-assembly structures used for fabricating patterned magnetic media
Methods of defining servo patterns and data patterns for forming patterned magnetic media are described. For one method, a lithographic process is performed to define a servo pattern in servo regions on a substrate. The lithographic process also defines a first data pattern in data regions of the substrate. The first data pattern is then transferred to (i.e., etched into) the data regions. Self-assembly structures are then formed on the data pattern in the data regions to define a second data pattern. The servo pattern is then transferred to the servo regions and the second data pattern is transferred to the data regions. Thus, the servo pattern is defined through lithographic processes while the data pattern is defined by a combination of lithographic processes and self-assembly. |
| US08441757B2 |
Perpendicular magnetic write head with wrap-around shield, slanted pole and slanted pole bump fabricated by damascene process
A magnetic write head having a write pole with a tapered trailing edge. The write head has a non-magnetic step layer and a non-magnetic bump formed on the front edge of the magnetic step layer. A non-magnetic trailing gap layer is formed over the tapered trailing edge of the write pole and over the non-magnetic bump and over the non-magnetic step layer. A magnetic trailing shield is formed over at least a portion of the non-magnetic gap layer. |
| US08441752B1 |
Dibit pulse extraction methods and systems
A receiving device may be configured to derive an oversampled dibit pulse response estimate using symbols sampled at substantially the read channel symbol rate of the receiving device. The receiving device may include a data acquisition circuit configured to digitize data derived from a memory medium, as well as a dibit pulse estimation circuit configured to estimate the oversampled dibit pulse response using symbols sampled at the read channel rate of the receiving device. |
| US08441751B1 |
Dibit pulse extraction methods and systems
A receiving device may be configured to derive an oversampled dibit pulse response estimate using symbols sampled at substantially the read channel symbol rate of the receiving device. The receiving device may include a data acquisition circuit configured to digitize data derived from a memory medium, a symbol timing loop and read circuit, as well as a dibit pulse estimation circuit configured to estimate the oversampled dibit pulse response using symbols sampled at the read channel rate of the receiving device without disturbing the symbol timing loop and read circuit. |
| US08441748B2 |
Adjustable optical mount with locking devices and methods
An adjustable optical mount embodiment includes a first plate configured to mount an optical element and a second plate disposed adjacent the first plate with a pivot point between the plates. At least one adjustable threaded member has a contact end in contact with a rear surface of the first plate and a threaded outer surface in threaded engagement with a threaded bore of the second plate. A lock collar having a threaded bore in threaded engagement with a threaded outer surface of the adjustable threaded member which extends from a rear surface of the second plate has a torqueable surface disposed at an adjustment end which is configured to be engaged for the application of torque from a rearward position relative to the adjustable optical mount. |
| US08441747B2 |
Optical module with minimized overrun of the optical element
There is provided an optical module for microlithography. The optical module includes an optical element and a retaining device for holding the optical element. The optical element has (a) a main extension plane, in which it defines a radial direction R and a circumferential direction U, and (b) a free optical diameter and an overrun in the region of its outer periphery. The retaining device contacts the optical element in the region of the overrun, and is formed and/or contacts the optical element in such a manner that the overrun ratio, calculated from the overrun related to a minimum overrun necessary for the production of the optical element, is at most 1.5. |
| US08441744B2 |
Optical image system
An optical image system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element with positive refractive power and having a convex object-side surface, a second lens element with positive refractive power, a third lens element with negative refractive power and having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, and a fourth lens element with refractive power and having a concave image-side surface. By such an arrangement, the total track length and photosensitivity of the image capturing lens assembly can be effectively reduced while retaining a high image quality. |
| US08441743B2 |
Image pickup optical system and image pickup apparatus using the same
An image pickup optical system made of five lenses, includes in order from an object side, an aperture stop, a first lens L1 having a positive refracting power, a second lens L2 having a negative refracting power, a third lens L3 having a positive refracting power, a fourth lens L4 having a positive refracting power, and a fifth lens L5 having a negative refracting power. Moreover, an image pickup apparatus includes this image pickup optical system. |
| US08441737B2 |
Variable focus lens and spectacles
The invention provides a variable focus lens formed from a ring with a front surface and a rear surface, a flexible membrane is attached to a radially inner part of the front surface, and a front cover is attached to a radially outer part of the front surface, a rear cover is provided on the rear surface of the ring, preferably integral with the ring, so that a variable volume cavity is defined between the flexible membrane, the ring and the rear cover, second flexible membrane can be provided between the ring and the rear cover, where the invention also provides a method of filling a variable focus lens, and an adjustment mechanism for varying the focus of the lens. |
| US08441735B2 |
Optical element having internal inclusions configured for maximum conversion efficiency
An optical element comprises a body having opposed planar major surfaces with a plurality of open-mouthed inclusions (grooves) formed on its light output surface. Each groove has a closed apex with an included apex angle. The body is formed from a material having an index of refraction of at least 1.3 and an induced absorbance rate ΔAbs/Dose less than or equal to about 0.4. The apex angle is selected such that light incident upon the body is conveyed the light output surface by the mechanism of total internal reflection from the boundary walls of the grooves and/or without retro-reflection toward the incident surface. |
| US08441724B2 |
IR filters with high VLT and neutral color
An optical filter composite is provided having effective filtering of infrared emissions, such as solar or laser emissions, while providing very high visible light transmission, preserving the ability to differentiate and recognize colors and providing a pleasing overall color as compared to the prior art. The present invention provides for filters that are formed by lamination, infusion and/or coating processes using filtering assemblies having a neutral color with high visible light transmission while also producing high levels of filtration in the infrared and near infrared range to provide effective protection against harmful emissions in these ranges while also producing a filter that has a color that is more pleasing and desirable to the wearer. |
| US08441723B2 |
Scalable semiconductor waveguide amplifier
One embodiment of the present method and apparatus encompasses an apparatus that may have: a predetermined length, the self-imaging semiconductor waveguide having first and second opposed sides; quantum wells disposed within the self-imaging semiconductor waveguide along the length of the self-imaging semiconductor waveguide, the quantum wells being formed of a quantum well gain material; microchannel cooler that extends substantially the width of the self-imaging semiconductor waveguide, the microchannel cooler located adjacent the first side of the self-imaging semiconductor waveguide; and a plurality of pump arrays arranged along the microchannel cooler opposed from the first side of the self-imaging semiconductor waveguide; wherein the quantum well gain material is photopumped through the microchannel cooler. |
| US08441722B2 |
Amplifier optical fiber comprising nanoparticles and production method
An amplifier optical fiber comprising a central core of a dielectric matrix doped with at least one element ensuring the amplification of an optical signal transmitted in the fiber and a cladding surrounding the central core and suitable for confining the optical signal transmitted in the core. The fiber also comprises metallic nanostructures suitable for generating an electronic surface resonance in the dielectric matrix of central core, the wavelength of said electronic surface resonance corresponding to an excitation level of the element ensuring the amplification. |
| US08441713B2 |
Electrophoretic liquid and display device using electrophoretic liquid
An electrophoretic liquid is disclosed that includes first particles that have the property of scattering light over an entire visible range and are positively or negatively charged; second particles that have the property of absorbing light of a specific wavelength range in the visible range and scattering light of ranges other than the specific wavelength range and are charged to a polarity opposite to that of the first particles; and a dispersion medium that has the property of allowing the light of the specific wavelength range absorbed by the second particles to pass through and absorbing the light of the ranges other than the specific wavelength range. In the electrophoretic liquid, the first particles and the second particles are dispersed in the dispersion medium. |
| US08441712B2 |
Switchable display system
A display system for a portable device is switchable by electrical addressing. The display system can absorb ambient light and reflect at least a portion of the absorbed light to render an image on a surface of the display. The display includes a plurality of pixel electrodes. Each of the plurality of pixel electrodes includes linkers with acceptor molecules and donor molecules that form groups having respective color properties. In an off-state, a respective pixel is configured to reflect white light. In an on-state, a respective pixel is configured to reflect light according to the molecular grouping of the acceptor-donor group. |
| US08441709B2 |
Light control device and light control method
A light control device 1 includes a light source 10, a prism 20, a spatial light modulator 30, a drive unit 31, a control unit 32, a lens 41, an aperture 42, and a lens 43. The spatial light modulator 30 is a phase modulating spatial light modulator, includes a plurality of two-dimensionally arrayed pixels, is capable of phase modulation in each of these pixels in a range of 4π or more, and presents a phase pattern to modulate the phase of light in each of the pixels. This phase pattern is produced by superimposing a blazed grating pattern for light diffraction and a phase pattern having a predetermined phase modulation distribution, and with a phase modulation range of 2π or more. |
| US08441707B2 |
Variable transmittance optical filter and uses thereof
Variable transmittance optical filters capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to UV radiation and from a dark state to a light state with application of an electric voltage are provided. The optical filters comprise a switching material that comprises one or more chromophores that have electrochromic and photochromic properties. |
| US08441706B2 |
Optical module, optical control method by optical module, optical switch, and optical switching method
An optical module includes a mirror which reflects input light and which outputs output light; and a mirror control section which is opposite to the mirror and which controls, at the time of the input light being reflected from a reflecting surface of the mirror, the reflecting surface by distorting the reflecting surface according to voltage applied to the mirror so as to output the output light an optical coupling characteristic of which changes. By using this optical module, the optical coupling characteristic of the output light changes. |
| US08441705B2 |
Rotary construction laser with stepper motor
A rotary construction laser is disclosed. The rotary construction laser having a deflection device rotatably mounted around an axis of rotation for emitting laser light as well as a stepper motor for rotating the deflection device around the axis of rotation. |
| US08441704B2 |
Multibeam scanning device
A multibeam scanning device, comprising: a plurality of first optical systems, each of the plurality of optical systems including a light source unit configured to emit a non-collimated light beam, and an optical element having a predetermined power and having an optical effect on the laser beam; a second optical system arranged on a downstream side of the plurality of first optical systems, including a first deflector on which light beams emitted by the plurality of first optical systems are incident, the first deflector being to deflect the laser beams, and a common optical system configured to change degree of divergence of each of the plurality of light beams; and an optical path shifting system configured to translate an incident optical path of the light beam which is emitted by the light source and incident on the optical element is provided. |
| US08441703B2 |
Method and device for holographically reconstructing a scene
A holographic reconstruction device is designed such that visible resolution of the reconstruction of a scene is matched to the resolution capability of the human eye, to the imaging properties of the reconstruction means used or to the resolution capability of the light modulation means used. A grid scale for the object points is generated by system control means in each case in a plane of intersection, which grid scale cannot be used to separately resolve adjacent object points in the plane of intersection, and the compilation of object points of the respective plane of intersection to form an object point group with adjacent object points which can be separately resolved is carried out. In holographic displays, the invention is used to reduce speckle patterns and reduce the number of the holograms of object points of the scene, which are to be calculated and coded, and the calculation complexity. |
| US08441701B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, image processing program, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit, a determination unit, a setting unit, and a processing unit to perform an image edge intensifying processing. The obtaining unit obtains image data by reading a document. The determination unit determines an image edge direction. The setting unit sets an edge intensifying processing intensity based on the image data and a processing intensity determined corresponding to a difference between resolution in a main scanning direction and resolution in a sub-scanning direction. The processing unit performs the image edge intensifying processing according to the set intensity. In response to the resolution of the image data being higher in the sub-scanning direction than in the main scanning direction, the setting unit sets a higher intensity of the edge intensifying processing in response to the edge direction being along the sub-scanning direction than in response to the edge direction being along the main scanning direction. |
| US08441700B2 |
Image processing of a portion of multiple patches of a colorbar
An image processing apparatus for use with a printed substrate is disclosed. The image processing apparatus comprises an imaging device configured to receive light reflected from a portion of multiple patches of a colorbar on the printed substrate and configured to process color data from the light reflected from the portion of multiple patches of the colorbar. |
| US08441695B2 |
Handheld scanner with high image quality
A computer peripheral that may operate as a scanner. The scanner captures image frames as it is moved across an object. The image frames are formed into a composite image based on computations in two processes. In a first process, fast track processing determines a coarse position of each of the image frames based on a relative position between each successive image frame and a respective preceding image determine by matching overlapping portions of the image frames. In a second process, fine position adjustments are computed to reduce inconsistencies from determining positions of image frames based on relative positions to multiple prior image frames. When the determined position of multiple image frames overlap, pixels in the composite image may be formed by combing values of pixels in the image frames, which improves image quality of the composite image. |
| US08441693B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method, and program for selecting dynamic information with high priority for latent image printing
An information processing apparatus that generates print data sent to a printing device acquires variable information from a plurality of devices, the variable information being finalized when the printing device carries out printing. The apparatus selects variable information from the plural pieces of variable information acquired from the plurality of devices in accordance with its own operation environment and operating location. The apparatus then adds the selected variable information to the print data and outputs the resultant. |
| US08441691B2 |
Reducing the size of a high resolution profile lookup table
What is disclosed is a system and method for generating a destination profile LUT. In a manner more fully described herein, a high resolution LUT (e.g., 100-cube LUT) is received. Regions of high curvature of the gamut of an image output device are identified. A non-parametric dynamic optimization node selection method is utilized to select a subset of nodes from the high resolution profile LUT which captures these nonlinearities. Down-sampling the high resolution LUT produces a low resolution LUT. The low resolution LUT is up-sampled to a size of the high resolution LUT to obtain a reconstructed LUT. An error is then calculated between the reconstructed LUT and high resolution LUT. The process of node selection is iteratively repeated until all the subsets of nodes are considered. A destination profile LUT is then generated from the subset of nodes with the least error. |
| US08441689B2 |
Image data creation device, image data creation method and ink-jet system
A host PC that creates image data used in an ink-jet printer capable of landing ink with a multi-pass method includes an image data creation means that creates the image data so that the ink-jet printer forms an image with a halftone dot which is configured so that a relationship between a pass number and a dot pitch in a vertical scanning direction of an ink-jet head does not become an integral multiple relationship when the pass number is odd number, and a dot pitch does not become even number when the pass number is even number. |
| US08441687B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus which may include a grayscale modulator forming a ΔΣ modulator. The modulator may include an adder that adds the pixel value of an image and an output of a feedback arithmetic unit, a quantizing unit that quantizes an output of the adder and outputs a quantized value including a quantization error as the result of ΔΣ modulation, a subtractor that calculates the quantization error, and the feedback arithmetic unit that filters the quantization error and outputs the filtering result to the adder. The filter coefficient of filtering by the feedback arithmetic unit may be determined such that the amplitude characteristics of noise shaping by the ΔΣ modulator in a frequency band that is equal to or more than an intermediate frequency band are the inverse characteristics of the spatial frequency characteristics of the human eye. |
| US08441686B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a scanning unit which scans a light beam on a photosensitive member in accordance with image data, and a smoothing unit which performs a smoothing for a jaggy of a scan line of a light beam scanned on the photosensitive member by the scanning unit. The smoothing unit does not perform the smoothing when the scanning unit scans a light beam in accordance with image data representing a halftone image. |
| US08441685B2 |
Optimal spot color recipes using variable GCR profiles
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for obtaining optimum CMYK values for spot colors, with significantly lower computational effort, by using a set of printer profiles with different pre-computed GCR strategies. Various versions are discussed on how to utilize and/or choose among these profiles for each spot color. The present invention is applicable to spot color emulation for CMYK as well as N-color printing, and can be used to optimize one or more image quality attributes, including graininess, mottle, color stability, ink cost, etc. Various embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08441683B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and recording medium for correcting the density at an edge of an image to be printed
An image processing apparatus and image processing method perform adaptive correction at edges of an image to be printed in accordance with the conditions of output equipment outputting an image to be printed. The image processing apparatus includes: a printed sample generating component for generating a printed sample having a plurality of gray scale regions for correcting gray scale at edges of the image to be printed; a gray scale region selecting component for selecting from the printed sample generated by the printed sample generating component a gray scale region for realizing visually uniform gray scale at the edges; and an edge image correcting component for correcting edge regions of the image to be printed in accordance with a gray level of the gray scale region selected by the gray scale region selecting component. |
| US08441681B2 |
Printing apparatus for printing composite image, print data generating apparatus for generating print data of composite image, and print data generating program for generating print data of composite image
A printing apparatus, which prints a composite image formed of an enlargement portion and a non-enlargement portion of an original image on a printing medium, includes: an enlargement portion determining section which determines the enlargement portion, of the original image, which is to be enlarged in the composite image; an enlargement rate determining section which determines an enlargement rate of the enlargement portion with respect to the original image; a print data generating section which generates print data for printing the composite image based on image data of the original image, the enlargement portion determined by the enlargement portion determining section, and the enlargement rate determined by the enlargement rate determining section; and a printing mechanism which prints the composite image on the printing medium based on the print data generated by the print data generating section. |
| US08441680B2 |
Black point compensation in a TIPP architecture
A method for calibrating an image printing system that includes a plurality of parallel printers, where each of the printers has a minimum luminance value. The method includes determining a minimum luminance value profile for the plurality of printers in the image printing system based on the minimum luminance values of each of the printers in the image printing system, determining a black point compensation function based on the determined minimum luminance value profile, adjusting luminance values for input image data using the determined black point compensation function, and rendering, with the parallel printers, images on substrates based on the input image data with adjusted luminance levels. |
| US08441676B2 |
Information processing apparatus for removing blank portions from a document and taking print setting into consideration
In a case where both a first group and a second group obtainable by dividing a head rendering object of a second page can be disposed on a same surface of a same paper, the head rendering object of the second page is divided into the first group and the second group and the first group is located on the first page. |
| US08441675B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method and image forming apparatus thereof
An image processing apparatus includes an image processor which generates printing data of a document displayed as a preview image and a controller which controls the image processor to generate the printing data from which a hidden region is excluded, the hidden region not being displayed when the document is previewed. |
| US08441672B2 |
Image forming apparatus and scanned data process method
An information processing system including an information processing apparatus that selects between transferring data and obtaining data, and controls transferring data or obtaining data based on the selection. The system also includes a server that stores data transferred from the information processing apparatus, and controls transferring data to the information processing apparatus based on a request for transferring data received from the information processing apparatus. |
| US08441670B2 |
In-line system for the validation of a page description language within a print data stream
The present specification discloses a printer in which the printer performs a first analysis of a print job data to identify a page description language and if no page description language is identified by the first analysis, performs additional processing activities, including but not limited to spooling and parsing, concurrent to a second analysis of the entire print job data to identify a page description language. |
| US08441668B2 |
Permanence estimation and policy enforcement for transient printing
A computer-implemented method can include receiving a transient printing policy and enforcing the transient printing policy. Enforcement of the transient printing policy can include receiving a request to print a document and, based on the transient printing policy, providing a printing recommendation for the document. |
| US08441665B2 |
Print system including image-forming apparatus for providing workflow
An image-forming apparatus is capable of communicating with a server apparatus for performing a workflow. The image-forming apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive definition information of a flow defined in a workflow from the server apparatus and a control unit configured to control display of a screen of the image-forming apparatus based on the flow definition information received by the receiving unit. The image-forming apparatus further includes a notification unit configured to notify the server apparatus of a completion of the flow by the image-forming apparatus. |
| US08441662B2 |
Print driver for printing policy-enabled electronic documents using locked printing
An approach is provided for printing policy-enabled electronic documents using locked printing. A client device includes a user interface, an application program and a print driver. The application program allows a user to generate an electronic document. The print driver corresponds to a particular printing device and is configured to cause a graphical user interface to be displayed on the user interface. The graphical user interface allows a user to specify one or more access policies to be applied to the electronic document. The print driver is configured to generate print data that includes a plurality of print commands which, when processed by the particular printing device, cause a printed version of the electronic document to be generated at the printing device. The print data includes data that indicates the one or more attributes of the one or more access policies that are to be applied to the electronic document. |
| US08441660B2 |
Apparatus and method for print job redirection
An apparatus and method for print job redirection is disclosed. The method can include providing print job forwarding preference options. The print job forwarding preference options can include options for print job preferences based on printing device capabilities. The method can include receiving print job forwarding preferences at a printing device. The print job forwarding preferences can include at least one mandatory print job preference that specifies a mandatory printing device capability for a specific print job and at least one desirable print job preference that specifies a desirable printing device capability for the specific print job. The method can include determining whether the specific print job requires forwarding from the printing device to another printing device. The method can include forwarding the specific print job for printing if the specific print job requires forwarding. |
| US08441659B2 |
Execution of function-restricted process flow
An image processing apparatus that enables a user who is restricted in use of a function to use the restricted function easily and exactly only for a specific process flow. A function restriction unit restricts execution of a function of the image processing apparatus based on restriction information set for every user. A process-flow generation unit generates a process that is achieved by combining a plurality of functions as a process flow according to an instruction from a user. An authentication unit authenticates the user according to his user account. A storage unit stores a process flow that is generated by the process-flow generation unit according to an instruction from an authenticated first user as a process flow on which a second user who is restricted in use of at least one of functions included in the process flow can issue an execution instruction to an execution unit. |
| US08441658B2 |
Printing device
A printing device for printing on an image-receiving sheet includes an output unit for outputting printed image-receiving sheets to a finishing device. An interface is configured to connect to the finishing device. The interface is arranged for receiving an error signal from the finishing device. A communication unit outputs an error message to a user of the printing device. A control unit controls, when an error signal is received from the finishing device via the interface, a finisher error recovery procedure, wherein an error message is output to the user of the printing device by the communication unit. The error message contains the information that a number N of image-receiving sheets shall be removed from the finishing device, and the number N of the last printed image-receiving sheets are printed again. The number N is pre-configured in the control unit independently of the error signal received from the finishing device. |
| US08441655B2 |
Job-ticket optimized rendering
A print controller in a printing system includes a reprogrammable page description language (PDL) processor that defines a page-break function. The print controller also includes a job ticket interpreter. The print controller receives a printable file in the page description language that contains logical pages indicated by page-break indicators. The job ticket interpreter receives a job ticket associated with the printable file and containing layout parameters for the logical pages. The job ticket interpreter re-defines the page-break function in the PDL processor so that the print controller prints a plurality of the logical pages without referencing the job ticket for each page. In some embodiments, the PDL processor is a PostScript processor and the job ticket interpreter is a JDF interpreter encoded as a PostScript program interpreted by the PostScript interpreter. |
| US08441651B2 |
Defect inspection apparatus and defect inspection method
Disclosed herein is a defect inspection apparatus including: a light source for emitting laser light; a mirror group for splitting the wave surface of incident laser light emitted by the light source into a plurality of component wave surfaces, arranging the component wave surfaces to form an array oriented in one direction and aligning the component wave surfaces to form a single wave surface after propagating the laser light through a moving object of measurement; an interferometer for splitting the single wave surface into two partial wave surfaces to create an interference stripe; an imaging section for taking an image of the interference stripe created by the interferometer; and an analysis section for detecting a defect existing on the surface of the moving object of measurement on the basis of changes of the image, which has been taken as the image of the interference stripe, with the lapse of time. |
| US08441648B2 |
Calibration jig for optical tomographic imaging apparatus and method for generating a calibration conversion table
A calibration jig allowing simple and repeatable calibration of a probe optical tomographic apparatus is disclosed. The jig includes a holding member removably attachable to an attachment section of the apparatus and a reflective surface held by the holding member. The reflective surface reflects measurement light emitted from an emitting section of the attachment section and directs reflected light back to the emitting section. If a probe of the apparatus is covered with a sheath, the jig may include a light transmitting member, which generates the same dispersion as dispersion at the sheath, between the emitting section and the reflective surface. The reflective surface may be a single reflective surface disposed within an area corresponding to twice a coherence length of the laser light with a zero path position of the reflective surface being the center of the area. |
| US08441643B2 |
Manufacturing and testing techniques for electronic displays
A method for testing photosensitivity of an electronic display module, such as a liquid crystal display module, is provided. In one embodiment, a method includes exposing a display module to light at a first intensity and measuring an amount of light transmitted through the display module. The method may also include exposing the display module to light at a second intensity and measuring an amount of that light transmitted through the display module. The measured amounts may then be compared to determine an optical property, such as photosensitivity, of the display panel. Various other methods, systems, and manufactures are also disclosed. |
| US08441642B2 |
Color measuring device
A color measuring device includes a lighting arrangement for a measurement field of a measurement object to be measured, a pick-up arrangement for detecting the measurement light reflected back from the measurement field and for converting it into corresponding electric signals, an electronic circuit for controlling operation of the color measuring device and for processing and evaluating the electric signals, and a display for displaying measurement results. The lighting arrangement has a lamp ring with three identical lamp groups for illuminating the measurement field from a predefined range of angles of incidence. The pick-up arrangement has a digital camera which creates an image of the measured measurement field. The electronic circuit is designed to switch the light sources of the lamp groups on sequentially, and the camera creates a separate image of the measurement field for every switched-on light source. |
| US08441638B2 |
Apparatus to measure particle mobility in solution with scattered and unscattered light
A method and apparatus are disclosed for measurement of the electrophoretic mobility of particles in solution. A sample is placed in a cell containing two electrodes that apply an alternating electric field. A monochromatic light beam passes through the sample. Light scattered by the particles, along with the unscattered beam, is collected and collimated as it exits the cell. This beam is combined in free space with a phase modulated reference beam. The interference forms a frequency modulated speckle pattern, which is detected by a photodetector array. Each array element collects a narrow range of well-defined scattering angles. The signal from each is demodulated to provide a measurement of the electrophoretic mobility of the scattering particles. Each detector element provides a simultaneous independent measurement, increasing the amount of information which results in increased sensitivity, extending mobility measurements to particles below one nanometer while reducing the required concentration and electric field. |
| US08441636B2 |
Nanoparticle detector
The present technology provides a nanoparticle detector that includes a nanoparticle collector that is configured to collect a volume of air that includes nanoparticles and a light source that is configured to transmit light through the volume of air. The nanoparticle detector further includes a first light-receiving element that is configured to receive at least a portion of the transmitted light and to detect characteristics of the nanoparticles within the volume of air based on scattering properties of the transmitted light. |
| US08441633B2 |
Multiple-photon excitation light sheet illumination microscope
An apparatus for and method of performing multi-photon light sheet microscopy (MP-LISH), combining multi-photon excited fluorescence with the orthogonal illumination of light sheet microscopy are provided. With live imaging of whole Drosophila and zebrafish embryos, the high performance of MP-LISH compared to current state-of-the-art imaging techniques in maintaining good signal and high spatial resolution deep inside biological tissues (two times deeper than one-photon light sheet microscopy), in acquisition speed (more than one order of magnitude faster than conventional two-photon laser scanning microscopy), and in low phototoxicity are demonstrated. The inherent multi-modality of this new imaging technique is also demonstrated second harmonic generation light sheet microscopy to detect collagen in mouse tail tissue. Together, these properties create the potential for a wide range of applications for MP-LISH in 4D imaging of live biological systems. |
| US08441632B2 |
Biological and chemical microscopic targeting
Biological and chemical materials often contain many molecular bonds that connect carbon (C) hydrogen (H) atoms. These bonds covalently share electrons that can be optically activated by light. The incident light interaction with the C—H molecular bond spectrally shifts of the incident light proportional to the vibrational, or more precisely polarizability, constant of the electrons that bind the C—H atoms. This process is called Raman scattering. For C—H, C—H2 and C—H3 bonding schemes, the spectral shift is approximately 3000 cm−1 lower in energy from the incident light energy. Using this fundamental spectral shift coupled with optical microscopy, the ability to detect materials that possess C—Hx (where x=1, 2 or 3) is possible. |
| US08441628B2 |
Apparatus for inspecting an illumination device
The present invention provides an apparatus for inspecting an illumination device where the illumination device allows light from one or more light sources to be emitted to the outside through a number of optical sheets layered on top of each other. The apparatus is provided with: a work stage on which an illumination device is placed; a work frame for fixing the position of the illumination device placed on the work stage; and a pressure reducing apparatus for making the pressure in the space inside the illumination device lower than the pressure in the space outside the apparatus for inspecting an illumination device when turned on during the inspection, wherein the work frame has an opening through which light from the illumination device is emitted and makes contact with the outer periphery of the illumination device and the work stage, respectively, through annular form during the inspection. |
| US08441620B2 |
Determining distance between nodes
A first node in a wireless network transmits a periodic pilot signal to a second node. The second node receives the periodic pilot signal and retransmits the signal back to the first node. The retransmitted pilot signal includes a phase adjustment in view of an internal processing delay at the second node. The phase adjustment involves matching a phase of the retransmitted pilot signal to a phase of the received pilot signal. The first node measures a roundtrip delay of the pilot signal and the distance between the nodes is computed based at least on the measured roundtrip delay. |
| US08441619B2 |
Photodetector and spatial information detecting device using the same
A photodetector capable of improving dynamic range for input signals is provided. This photodetector includes a photoelectric converting portion, a charge separating portion, a charge accumulating portion, a barrier electrode formed the charge separating portion and the charge accumulating portion, and a barrier-height adjusting portion electrically connected to the barrier electrode. Undesired electric charges such as generated when environment light is incident on the photoelectric converting portion are removed by the charge separating portion. A potential barrier with an appropriate height is formed under the barrier electrode by applying a voltage to the barrier electrode according to an electric charge amount supplied from the charge separating portion to the barrier-height adjusting portion. Electric charges flowing from the charge separating portion into the charge accumulating portion over the potential barrier are provided as an output of the photodetector. |
| US08441617B2 |
Substrate placement in immersion lithography
A method for determining an offset between a center of a substrate and a center of a depression in a chuck includes providing a test substrate to the depression, the test substrate having a dimension smaller than a dimension of the depression, measuring a position of an alignment mark of the test substrate while in the depression, and determining the offset between the center of the substrate and the center of the depression from the position of the alignment mark. |
| US08441613B2 |
Projection objective and projection exposure apparatus for microlithography
Projection objectives, projection exposure apparatuses and related systems and components are disclosed. |
| US08441611B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and method
A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that is configured to project a patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of a substrate, the lithographic apparatus including an illumination system configured to condition a beam of radiation, the illumination system having a uniformity correction system located in a plane which, in use, is illuminated with a substantially constant pupil by the illumination system. |
| US08441606B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
An electro-optical device comprises: a first data line extending in a first direction; a second data line extending in the first direction and arranged so as to be at least partially overlapped with the first data line; a first scanning line and a second scanning line extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a first transistor electrically connected to the first data line and electrically connected to the first scanning line; a first pixel electrode electrically connected to the first transistor; a second transistor electrically connected to the second data line and electrically connected to the second scanning line; and a second pixel electrode electrically connected to the second transistor. |
| US08441605B2 |
Polarizing plate, display, and electronic apparatus
The present invention provides a polarizing plate including: a layer of polarizer for polarizing incident light and emitting the polarized light; and a coating type optically anisotropic layer disposed on the side to which the polarized light is emitted from the polarizer layer. |
| US08441601B2 |
Display apparatus having improved brightness and color reproducibility
A display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and pixels disposed between the first and second substrates to display an image. Each pixel includes a red sub-pixel for displaying a red color, a green sub-pixel for displaying a green color, a blue sub-pixel for displaying a blue color, a yellow sub-pixel for displaying a yellow color, and a white sub-pixel for displaying a white color. The blue sub-pixel has an area substantially equal to or larger than an area of each of the red, green, yellow, and white sub-pixels. |
| US08441600B2 |
Display and pixel circuit thereof
A display panel is disclosed. The display panel includes a data line, a scan line, a first switch connected to a first voltage, a second switch connected to a second voltage, and a pixel. The pixel is further comprised of a data transistor having a first source/drain electrode connected to the data line, a gate electrode connected to the scan line and a second source/drain electrode, a driving transistor having a first source/drain electrode connected via a first switch to the first voltage, a gate electrode connected via the second switch to the second voltage and a second source/drain electrode, a storage capacitor having a first electrode connected to the gate electrode of the driving transistor and a second electrode connected to the first source/drain electrode of the driving transistor and to the second source/drain electrode of the data transistor, and a lighting device having an anode electrode connected to the second source/drain electrode of the driving transistor and a cathode electrode connected to a third voltage. |
| US08441598B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device equipped with a balance insulating member having a bottom frame and lamp sockets integrally formed on the bottom frame, including: a lower cover; a plurality of lamps disposed on the lower cover with a certain interval therebetween; a balance insulating member disposed at both sides of the lower cover, and having a bottom frame and lamp sockets integrally formed on the bottom frame so as to be coupled to the lamps; and a liquid crystal panel disposed above the lamps and receiving light, wherein the balance insulating member includes conductive electrodes formed at the lamp sockets, ballast capacitors each connected to the conductive electrodes and disposed on an upper side of the bottom frame, and conductive wirings formed inside the bottom frame and connected to the ballast capacitors. |
| US08441597B2 |
Liquid crystal display device for preventing light leakage
In the present invention, a diffusing sheet for diffusing light outputted from a light guide plate is extended to a stepped upper surface of an LED substrate and disposed at a lateral surface of the light guide plate so that the diffusing sheet can completely cover the light guide plate, thereby preventing undiffused light from being supplied to an liquid crystal display device. |
| US08441596B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having backlight with reflective member
This invention provides a liquid crystal display device where the brightness of the backlight can be prevented from lowering when the liquid crystal display device and its frame are thin. The liquid crystal display device has a liquid crystal display panel and a backlight for radiating light on the rear of the liquid crystal display panel, and is characterized in that the backlight has light emitting diodes LED that are secured on one surface of a flexible printed circuit FPC and a light guide plate for guiding light emitted from the light emitting diodes, the flexible printed circuit has openings in a portion between the light emitting diodes and the light guide plate, which extends partly over the light emitting areas (EA) of the light emitting diodes, and a reflective member is provided on the other surface of the flexible printed circuit so as to cover the openings. |
| US08441590B2 |
Active matrix substrate, liquid crystal panel, liquid crystal display unit, liquid crystal display device, and television receiver
Disclosed is an active matrix including: a second capacitor electrode (37) electrically connected to a first pixel electrode (17a); and a first capacitor electrode (77) electrically connected to a second pixel electrode (17b), which second capacitor electrode (37) is provided in a layer sandwiched between the first capacitor electrode (77) and the second pixel electrode (17b). A coupling capacitor is formed between the first capacitor electrode (77) and the second capacitor electrode (37) by having the second capacitor electrode (37) overlap the first capacitor electrode (77) in such a manner that a gate insulating film is sandwiched between the second capacitor electrode (37) and the first capacitor electrode (77), and another coupling capacitor is formed between the second capacitor electrode (37) and the second pixel electrode (17b) by having the second pixel electrode (17b) overlap the second capacitor electrode (37) in such a manner that an interlayer insulating film is sandwiched between the second capacitor electrode (37) and the second pixel electrode (17b). With the foregoing configuration, it is possible in an active matrix substrate of a capacitively coupled pixel division mode to increase its aperture ratio. |
| US08441589B2 |
Pixel array structure
A pixel structure electrically connected to a data line and a scan line, and including a first and a second active device, a first and a second pixel electrode, and a first and a second capacitance electrode is provided. The first pixel electrode electrically connected to the first active device includes a first and a second electrode block electrically connected to each other. The second pixel electrode electrically connected to the second active device is electrically insulated from the first pixel electrode and separates the first and the second electrode block. The first pixel electrode respectively forms a first and a second capacitor with the first and the second capacitance electrode. The second pixel electrode respectively forms a third and a fourth capacitor with the first and the second capacitance electrode. The first and the second capacitor have different capacitances. The third and the fourth capacitor have different capacitances. |
| US08441586B2 |
Liquid crystal optical device configured to reduce polarization dependent loss and polarization mode dispersion
An LC-based optical device compensates for differences in optical path lengths of polarization components of input beam. As a result, PDL and PMD of the optical device are reduced. The compensation mechanism may be a glass plate that is disposed in an optical path of a polarization component so that the optical path length of that polarization component can be made substantially equal to the optical path length of the other polarization component that traverses through a half-wave plate. Another compensation mechanism is a birefringent displacer that has two sections sandwiching a half-wave plate, wherein the two sections are of different widths and the planar front surface of the birefringent displacer can be positioned to be non-orthogonal with respect to the incident input light beam. |
| US08441585B2 |
Stereoscopic image display device
A stereoscopic image display device comprises: a liquid crystal panel for time-divisionally displaying left-eye image frame data and right-eye image frame data; a backlight unit being divided into a plurality of blocks, and sequentially scanned for each block to provide light to the liquid crystal panel; and shutter glasses comprising a left-eye filter transmitting only the light of the left-eye image and a right-eye filter transmitting only the light of the right-eye image, wherein the time period of sequentially lighting the first to the last blocks of the backlight unit is shorter than the period of addressing the left-eye image frame data or the right-eye image frame data from the first line to the last line of the liquid crystal panel. |
| US08441581B2 |
Slot-interleaved decoding of concatenated convolutional coding in mobile/hand-held digital television receivers
At least two turbo decoding apparatuses are used in a receiver for concatenated convolutional coding transmissions imbedded in 8-VSB digital television signals. This permits turbo decoding procedures for the M/H Groups in any Parade consisting of eight or fewer M/H Groups to be interleaved so at least one M/H Slot interval after each of those M/H Groups has been received is available for decoding that M/H Group. |
| US08441576B2 |
Receiving device, delay-information transmitting method in receiving device, audio output device, and delay-control method in audio output device
A television receiver computes a delay time of an image displayed on the television receiver with respect to an audio signal transmitted from the television receiver to an audio amplifier, based on video delay information as EDID data, delay information transported from a disc recorder and information of a time required until audio data received from the disc recorder is transmitted to an audio amplifier. The audio amplifier controls a delay time lasting until the audio responsive to the received audio data is outputted so that the delay time matches the aforementioned delay time. Thereby, the displayed image in the television receiver and the audio output in the audio amplifier are synchronized. |
| US08441573B2 |
System and method of transmission and reception of progressive content with isolated fields for conversion to interlaced display
Systems and methods of coding progressive content with isolated fields for conversion to interlaced display are provided. Some systems and methods may find use in, for example, digital video compression systems and methods. Film material may be encoded as video material with an intended field polarity and an explicit 3:2 pull-down operation for interlaced display (e.g., a 30-frames-per-second display). |
| US08441570B2 |
Image-pickup apparatus and lens apparatus
An image pickup apparatus and a lens apparatus capable of photographing high-grade still images even where an interlace type image pickup element is used are to be provided. When an instruction to photograph a still image is entered, a camera microcomputer generates a timing to intercept light coming incident on a lens according to the aperture value of an iris, and transmits this timing to a lens microcomputer. The lens microcomputer supplies a control signal to an aperture control circuit according to the received timing, and a mechanical shutter is caused to operate as the aperture control circuit closes the iris at high speed. |
| US08441561B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and control method that correct image data taken by image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus that make it possible to perform image processing under appropriate conditions and secure appropriate image qualities of taken images. The image pickup device has a photoelectric conversion element portion that generates signal electric charge according to the amount of received light, a first optical black unit having a light-shielded photoelectric conversion element structure and having first output characteristics, and a second optical black unit having a light-shielded photoelectric conversion element structure and having second output characteristics different from the first output characteristics. A dark current value is measured based on an output from the first optical black unit and an output from the second optical black unit. Whether or not to perform image processing is determined according to the measured dark current value. |
| US08441560B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and control method therefor
An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor including a first reference pixel for black level, a second reference pixel for black level, and an effective pixel, and a processing unit which applies first processing to an output signal from the effective pixel based on an output signal from the first reference pixel for black level, and applies second processing to an output signal from the effective pixel based on an output signal from the second reference pixel for black level. The first reference pixel for black level and the second reference pixel for black level each include a charge-voltage converter which converts electric charge into a voltage and a pixel amplifier which amplifies the voltage of the charge-voltage converter. The pixel amplifiers of the first reference pixel for black level and the second reference pixel for black level differ in arrangement. |
| US08441559B2 |
Imaging apparatus and correction method of image data
An imaging apparatus is provided for reducing noise which is derived from random noise contained in a correction signal used for correcting an image data and is newly generated on correction of the image data. The imaging apparatus drives vertical transfer registers with no signal charge from photoelectric transducers read out to the vertical transfer registers to obtain and store a correction signal into a field memory. The apparatus subtracts the correction signal from the image data by a subtractor. |
| US08441557B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging device
A zoom lens includes a first lens group with positive refracting power and normally located at a fixed position, a second lens group with negative refracting power and movable in an optical axis direction for zooming, a third lens group with positive refracting power and normally located at a fixed position, a fourth lens group with positive refracting power and movable in the optical axis direction for correction of a focal position for zooming and focusing, and a fifth lens group. These lens groups are arranged in order from an object side to an image side. The zoom lens satisfies the conditional equations (1) 1.00 |
| US08441551B2 |
Flicker detection circuit for imaging sensors that employ rolling shutters
Circuitry, apparatus and methods provide flicker detection and improved image generation for digital cameras that employ image sensors. In one example, circuitry and methods are operative to compare a first captured frame with a second captured frame that may be, for example, sequential and consecutive or non-consecutive if desired, to determine misalignment of scene content between the frames. A realigned second frame is produced by realigning the second frame with the first frame if the frames are determined to be misaligned. Luminance data from the realigned second frame and luminance data from the pixels of the first frame are used to determine if an undesired flicker condition exists. If an undesired flicker condition is detected, exposure time control information is generated for output to the imaging sensor that captured the frame, to reduce flicker. This operation may be done, for example, during a preview mode for a digital camera, or may be performed at any other suitable time. |
| US08441547B2 |
Digital still camera
In a digital still camera, when the reproducing mode is selected, an indication to the effect that the operation is in standby for reproduction is displayed on an indicating device, and if the command dial is not operated until 16 seconds elapses after the indication has been started, the supply of source voltage to the various parts of the camera is stopped, to achieve a reduction in power consumption. If the command dial is operated within 16 seconds, image signals are output to an external monitor and also an indication to the effect that reproduction is in progress is displayed on the indicating device. If the command dial has been operated within three minutes after reproduction of a given photographic frame has been started, reproduction of the following frame is performed, but if the command dial has not been operated until the three minutes have elapsed, the indication to the effect that the operation is in standby for reproduction is displayed again. If the sensitivity changeover switch and the command dial are operated together during reproduction or standby for reproduction, the photographic frame to be reproduced is determined in correspondence to the quantity and direction of the rotation of the command dial and the frame number of the frame thus determined is displayed on the indicating device. |
| US08441546B2 |
Image processing device and image processing program
A device includes a first isolated-point candidate detection section calculates a parameter value used for detecting an isolated-point candidate from a near-field region of a target pixel of a color image signal, a color-space conversion section combines a plurality of signals constituting the color image signal together, and converts the combined signals into a plurality of color signals on defined color space, a second isolated-point candidate detection section calculates a parameter value used for detecting an isolated-point candidate from a near-field region of a target pixel of the converted color signal, and an isolated-point degree determination section determines an isolated-point degree on the basis of parameter values calculated by the isolated-point candidate detection sections. |
| US08441543B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program
An image processing apparatus includes: a conversion unit converting a first color image signal including a predetermined color space into a second color image signal including a color space having a luminance signal and a color difference signal; a color determination section determining a color of each pixel of the first color image signal or the second color image signal; and a noise removal unit performing a noise removal process by changing a noise removal strength with respect to the color difference signal in accordance with the color determined by the color determination section. |
| US08441539B2 |
Imaging apparatus
Provided is an imaging apparatus that can achieve a clear image in which motion blur is reduced even when a moving subject is photographed in a dark environment. The imaging apparatus (1) is equipped with multiple photoelectric conversion element groups, whereby a pickup image is generated based on intermediate image data read from each of the photoelectric conversion element groups. The apparatus (1) is equipped with an exposure time setting portion (12b) that sets the exposure time for each element group during imaging, and an exposure time for carrying out multiple exposures during one imaging cycle is set for at least one element group. In addition, the apparatus (1) is equipped with a motion detecting portion (12c) that detects motion information for images from multiple intermediate image data read corresponding to the multiple exposures by said element group, and a motion blur compensating portion (12d) that corrects the intermediate image data read from the other element groups using said motion information, and a pickup image is generated based on the multiple intermediate image data and the corrected intermediate image data. |
| US08441538B2 |
Image generation apparatus and image generation method
To provide an image generation apparatus that generates a visually-favorable target video sequence in color using input video sequences of color components and that is least likely to have an insufficient transfer rate when obtaining the input video sequences. The image generation apparatus includes: an image receiving unit (101) that receives, as the plurality of input video sequences, a plurality of video sequences that are obtained by shooting the same subject with a phase difference being set between frame exposure periods of the different color components; and a color image integration unit (103) that generates the target video sequence whose frame cycle is shorter than each of the frame exposure periods of the input video sequences, by reducing a difference between a frame image of the input video sequence of each color component and a sum of a plurality of frame images of the target video sequence which are included in a period that corresponds to the frame image of the input video sequence. |
| US08441537B2 |
Portable terminal apparatus for capturing only one image, and captured image processing system for obtaining high resolution image data based on the captured only one image and outputting high resolution image
An image output apparatus receives a single piece of captured image data from a portable terminal apparatus, and carries out, in accordance with the single piece of captured image data received, a high resolution correction for creating high resolution image data which has a higher resolution than the single piece of captured image data. Then, the image output apparatus carries out an output process in which the high resolution image data created is outputted. This provides a captured image processing system which allows an image output apparatus to output an image captured by a portable terminal apparatus while the image is improving in resolution such as text readability. |
| US08441534B2 |
Electronic article surveillance system
An electronic article surveillance system (1) comprises a read/write station (2; 217, 218, 220-224) that is designed to communicate an electronic article surveillance status test-request command comprising zone information that indicates an electronic article surveillance zone for which an electronic article surveillance status that is assigned to said zone is to be tested, and further comprises a data carrier (3; 31-35) having a circuit (11) that is designed to store status data (SD) for indicating whether an electronic article surveillance status is active and to store zone data (ZD) for specifying at least one electronic article surveillance zone to which the electronic article status is assigned, the data carrier (3; 31-35) being further designed to test whether said stored status is active for the electronic article surveillance zone to which it is assigned in the case that this zone is indicated by the zone information provided by the read/write station (2; 217, 218, 220-224). |
| US08441530B2 |
Cascade analysis for intestinal contraction detection
A method and system for detection of intestinal contraction may include detecting an obstructed portion of an image frame captured in-vivo. The obstructed portion of the image frame may include an area within an image frame that is obstructed by turbid intestinal content. The method and system may set a threshold for the area of the obstructed portion in the image frame, to determine an invalid frame and may remove the invalid frame from an image stream. |
| US08441529B2 |
Endoscope objective lens unit and endoscope
An endoscope objective lens unit includes a front lens group and a rear lens group with a diaphragm interposed therebetween. The front lens group includes a first lens and a second lens, and the rear lens group includes a third lens, a fourth lens and a fifth lens. The endoscope objective lens unit satisfies following expressions (1A) to (4): (1A) −3 |
| US08441527B2 |
Three-dimensional image processing apparatus and method of controlling the same
A 3D image processing apparatus includes: a main screen image processing unit which generates a main screen processed image by performing a format conversion process on a main screen image; a sub screen image processing unit which generates a sub screen processed image by performing a format conversion process on a sub screen image; and a synthesizing unit which generates a synthesized image by synthesizing the main screen processed image and the sub screen processed image. Furthermore, the main screen image processing unit generates a left screen output image by performing the format conversion process on a left screen input image that is a left half of a 3D image, and the sub screen image processing unit generates a right screen output image by performing the format conversion process on a right screen input image that is a right half of a 3D image. |
| US08441526B2 |
Structure of stereoscopic image data, stereoscopic image data recording method, reproducing method, recording program, and reproducing program
It is made possible to record stereoscopic image data of parallel-ray one-dimensional IP type in a format at a high compression rate with little image quality degradation. This stereoscopic image data can be efficiently decompressed and reproduced. A stereoscopic image data structure includes: a parallax component image data representing n or more parallax component images, each having accumulated pixels that cause the pixels to generate the parallel light rays in the same parallax direction in the viewing zone, and having different numbers of horizontal pixels. N combined images with the same numbers of vertical and horizontal pixels are a unit to be converted into a parallax interleaved image, the n combined images being formed by combining two or more parallax component images with parallax directions different from each other by n. |
| US08441524B2 |
Three-dimensional display device and digital zoom correction method
A digital zoom rate of two-dimensional images zoomed by a digital zoom unit is obtained. When the obtained digital zoom rate is larger than 100%, at least one of the digitally zoomed two-dimensional images is modified based on an enlarged amount of parallax to provide an amount of parallax between the digitally zoomed two-dimensional images equal to the enlarged amount of parallax. The enlarged amount of parallax is obtained by enlarging, at a moderated digital zoom rate, an amount of parallax between the two-dimensional images before being digitally zoomed, and the moderated digital zoom rate is obtained by moderating the digital zoom rate at a moderation rate, where the moderation rate increases as the zoom rate increases. Then, a display unit is caused to carry out three-dimensional display based on the modified two-dimensional images. |
| US08441523B2 |
Apparatus and method for drawing a stereoscopic image
Coordinate values of an object located in a coordinate space are stored in a memory. The coordinate space is represented by a first direction, a second direction and a third direction each different. The coordinate values include first coordinate values along the first direction, second coordinate values along the second direction and third coordinate values along the third direction. A stereoscopic image of the object having a parallax along one of the first direction and the second direction is displayed. A direction of the parallax is detected. When the direction of the parallax is the first direction, the first coordinate values are subjected to a parallel projection. When the direction of the parallax is the second direction, the second coordinate values are subjected to the parallel projection. |
| US08441522B2 |
Method and device for the autostereoscopic representation of image information
A method for the autostereoscopic representation of image information on a matrix screen on which image points are formed through a subpixel group, each with a plurality of subpixels, wherein two stereoscopic fields are imaged on one of two subgroups of the image points, and wherein light emanating from the two subgroups of image points is guided through a barrier raster into two adjacent viewing zones, and wherein a change of the viewer's head position is further detected, and activation of the subpixels is adapted to the change of the head position by shifting intensity centroids, in particular, within the image points upon a change in the viewing distance between the head position and matrix screen by adapting of weightings of intensities within the image points such that a lateral distance between the centroid of the intensity distributions in a left viewing zone and the centroid of the intensity distributions in a right viewing zone in a viewing plane remains constant. A respective device for the autostereoscopic representation of image information is described. |
| US08441518B2 |
Imaging apparatus, imaging control method, and recording medium
An imaging apparatus includes: a first imaging controller configured to control imaging by an imaging unit; a movement distance acquirer configured to acquire movement distance of the imaging unit required to generate a three-dimensional image of the imaged subject after imaging by the first imaging controller; a first determining unit configured to determine whether or not the imaging unit has moved the movement distance acquired by the movement distance acquirer; a second imaging controller configured to control imaging with respect to the imaging unit in the case where it is determined by the first determining unit that the imaging unit has moved the movement distance; and a three-dimensional image generator configured to generate a three-dimensional image from the image acquired by the first imaging controller and the image acquired by the second imaging controller. |
| US08441517B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method, and network system
In a network system for sending data to a plurality of terminals, a data processing apparatus has a plurality of coding units that code outgoing data including at least video or voice data for transmission to terminals over a network. The data processing apparatus obtains information about the terminals, groups the terminals according to the information, and transmits the coded outgoing data obtained from each coding unit to a different group of terminals. Appropriate grouping of the terminals conserves both network and coding resources and enables the quality of the data transmitted to the terminals to be improved at a low cost. |
| US08441510B2 |
Tape printing apparatus
A printing apparatus that receives a supply of an image receiving medium and includes a platen arranged to feed the image receiving medium selectively in one of a forward and reverse direction. A print head arranged to print an image on the image receiving medium while the medium is fed in the forward direction and an arcuate guide portion partially encasing the platen and movable relative to the surface of the platen. The guide portion having an inoperative position in which it is spaced from the print head to permit a supply of image receiving medium to be received and an operative position wherein the guide portion is moved to be proximate to the print head whereby the guide portion in the operative position restricts movement of the image receiving medium in a direction perpendicular to the forward and reverse direction. |
| US08441501B1 |
Adaptive access in virtual settings based on established virtual profile
A method and system for adapting a virtual setting to a participant includes launching a simulation program on a computing device, evaluating a virtual profile of the participant and presenting scenarios within the virtual setting appropriate for said participant based on said evaluation, wherein at least a predetermined aspect of the virtual setting is available to the participant regardless of a result of said evaluation and the virtual setting corresponds to the simulation program. |
| US08441498B2 |
Device and method for processing color image data
The present invention relates to a video processing device comprising a luminance and saturation detector (LSHD) for detecting the luminance values (lum) and the saturation values (sat) of pixels of an input video signal (IN); and a white-point, saturation and hue modulator (WSH) for transforming luminance and saturation properties (lum, sat) of the pixels of the input video signal (IN) into white-point, saturation and hue correction factors (W, Wc; S, Sc; H, Hc). The video device also comprises a color gamut matrix generating unit (CGMG) for generating a color gamut matrix in the perception domain based on the white-point, saturation and hue correction factors (Wc, Sc, Hc) of the white-point, saturation and hue modulator (WSH); a color gamut mapping unit (20) for multiplying the pixels of the input video signal (IN) with a color gamut matrix generated by the color gamut matrix generating unit (CGMG); and a clipping unit (31) for clipping the results of the a color gamut mapping unit (20) which are out of a predefined range. |
| US08441496B1 |
Method and system for modifying and rendering scenes via display lists
Various embodiments of a method and system for modifying and rendering scenes via display lists are described. Various embodiments may include a graphical application for generating a display list including display list nodes each corresponding to a respective scene element. To generate a given display list node, the graphical application may determine a scene graph node of a scene graph, allocate a portion of memory dedicated to the display list node, and store in that portion of memory, at least one of the attributes of the respective scene element determined from the particular scene graph node. The graphical application may modify a particular display list node corresponding to the particular scene element by modifying a respective attribute stored in the portion of memory allocated to the particular display list node, and render an image of a scene that includes the particular scene element modified according to the notification. |
| US08441490B1 |
System and method for managing graphics applications
A system and method for managing graphics applications include the capability to receive graphics data from an unaware graphics application and convey the graphics data to at least one of a plurality of graphics pipes having different display directions. The system and method further include the capability to modify the graphics data to account for non-planar display of the graphics data. |
| US08441487B1 |
Bandwidth compression for shader engine store operations
Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems and methods for compressing thread group data written to frame buffer memory to increase overall memory performance. A compression/decompression engine within the frame buffer memory interface includes logic configured to identify situations where the threads of a thread group are writing similar scalar values to memory. Upon recognizing such a situation, the engine is configured to compress the scalar data into a form that allows all of the scalar data to be written to or read from the frame buffer memory in fewer clock cycles than would be required to transmit the data in uncompressed form to or from memory. Consequently, the disclosed systems and methods are able to effectively increase memory performance when executing thread group STORE and LOAD operations. |
| US08441482B2 |
Systems and methods for self-intersection avoidance in ray tracing
Aspects include systems, methods, and media for implementing methods relating to detection of invalid intersections during ray tracing. Invalid intersections can arise from imprecision in computer-based number representation, causing ray origins to be located inappropriately. In some aspects, a ray can be associated with information relating to an expected angle between the ray's direction and a normal for a to-be-identified primitive intersected by that ray. If the angle between the ray's direction and the normal of an intersected primitive is within expectations, then that information can be used in predicting whether the intersection is valid. Such expectation information can be presented as a single bit determined by a shader performing a dot product of the ray and a normal of a primitive intersected by a parent ray, or can be obtained as a by-product of ray/primitive intersection testing. Such information also can be based on whether the shader is emitting to have reflection or refraction type ray behavior. |
| US08441480B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing system, and computer readable medium
An information processing apparatus includes: an acquisition portion that acquires position/direction information indicative of a position and a direction of a projection device; a selection portion that selects at least one piece of drawing data from a plurality of pieces of drawing data relating to parts provided in an object; a generation portion that generates a projection drawing from the drawing data selected by the selection portion; a conversion portion that calculates a distance between the object and the projection device, and a direction of the projection device from the position/direction information, and converts the projection drawing into a perspective drawing by using the calculated distance and the calculated direction; and a control portion that controls the projection device so as to project the perspective drawing onto the object. |
| US08441469B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device capable of reducing the number of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and the number of signal transmitters, and thus reducing manufacturing costs, is disclosed. The LCD device includes a liquid crystal panel having a display to display an image, a plurality of data drive integrated circuits (ICs) connected between one-side portion of the liquid crystal panel and a source PCB, to drive data lines arranged on the display of the liquid crystal panel, a light source unit to provide light to the liquid crystal panel, and a unified board formed with a light source driver to drive the light source unit, and a drive circuit to drive the data drive ICs. |
| US08441468B2 |
Image display apparatus
The present invention provides an image display apparatus capable of reducing a hold blur in accordance with circumstances. A black inserting process for inserting a black display area into a display screen in a liquid crystal display panel 2 according to at least one of substance of a video signal in an original frame and brightness of viewing environment for user is performed. Concretely, for example, when a video signal in the original frame is a cinema signal (film signal), the black inserting process of inserting a black display area into the display screen in the liquid crystal display panel 2 is performed. More concretely, for example, a backlight driving unit 71 performs switching drive between turn-on and turn-off of a backlight 72 so that the black inserting process is performed on the display screen in the liquid crystal display panel 2. |
| US08441467B2 |
Multi-touch sensing display through frustrated total internal reflection
High-resolution, scalable multi-touch sensing display systems and processes based on frustrated total internal reflection employ an optical waveguide that receives light, such as infrared light, that undergoes total internal reflection and an imaging sensor that detects light that escapes the optical waveguide caused by frustration of the total internal reflection due to contact by a user. The optical waveguide may be fitted with a compliant surface overlay to greatly improve sensing performance, minimize the affect of contaminants on and damage to the contact surface, to generally extend system life and to provide other benefits. The systems and processes provide true multi-touch (multi-input) and high-spatial and temporal resolution capability due to the continuous imaging of the frustrated total internal reflection that escapes the entire optical waveguide. Among other features and benefits, the systems and processes are scalable to large installations and are well suited for use with rear-projection and other display devices. |
| US08441464B1 |
Capacitive touch panel
A capacitive touch panel is disclosed. The capacitive touch panel includes a substrate having a plurality of sensing units, a frame having a hollow opening for accommodating the substrate, and an optical composite layer disposed on the frame. Two adjacent sensing units comprise a distance therebetween. the frame and the substrate form a composite structure. The optical composite layer includes a shielding layer and an ink layer, and the thickness of the shielding layer is adjusted with respect to the distance such that the sensing units are invisible from outside. |
| US08441458B2 |
Multi-touch and single touch detection
An input device includes a touch sensitive sensor operative to detect finger touch, a controller for controlling the touch sensitive sensor, the controller operative to set at least one area of the touch sensitive sensor for sampling output with a single touch sampling method and to set at least one other area of the touch sensitive sensor for sampling output with a multi-touch sampling method, wherein the multi-touch sampling method is other than a single touch sampling method, and a detection unit of the touch sensitive sensor controllable to apply the single touch sampling method over the at least one area of the touch sensitive sensor and to apply the multi-touch sampling method over the at least one other area of same touch sensitive sensor. |
| US08441454B2 |
Virtual keyboard system with automatic correction
An enhanced text entry system uses word-level analysis to correct inaccuracies automatically in user keystroke entries on reduced-size or virtual keyboards. One or more alternate textual interpretations each sequence of inputs detected within a designated auto-correcting region. Actual interaction locations for keystrokes may occur outside the boundaries of specific keyboard key regions associated with actual characters of the word interpretations proposed or offered for selection, where the distance from each interaction location to each corresponding intended character may increase with the expected frequency of the intended the language or in a particular context. In a virtual keyboard system, keys actuated may differ from keys actually associated with letters of the word interpretations. Each such sequence corresponds to a complete word, and the user can select the intended word from among generated interpretations. |
| US08441451B2 |
Terminal, controlling method thereof and recordable medium for the same
A mobile terminal is provided including a touchscreen and a controller. The controller is configured to display, on the touchscreen, a moving picture and a subset of a plurality of key frame pictures for the moving picture. |
| US08441448B2 |
Word completion in a handheld electronic device
A method for enabling generation of text on a handheld electronic device which has a plurality of input members, at least some of which have a number of linguistic elements assigned thereto, and a memory having language objects stored therein. The method comprises enabling detection of a number of input member actuations corresponding with an ambiguous input, making at least one of a determination that the number of actuations exceeds a first threshold and a determination that a quantity of predicted language objects corresponding with the ambiguous input is less than a second threshold, generating prefix objects corresponding with the ambiguous input and predicted language objects corresponding with the ambiguous input, each predicted language object comprising a prefix object portion and a completion portion, and providing at a text input location an output comprising a prefix object and a completion portion of a first predicted language object. |
| US08441443B2 |
Remote touchpad device for vehicle and control method thereof
The present invention features a remote touchpad device for a vehicle, which preferably comprises a circuit board having luminous elements installed at predetermined intervals along the circumference of a circle to irradiate light and at least one light-receiving element to receive the light the luminous elements, a pad provided on an upper part of the circuit board to make the light from the luminous elements reflected by an approaching or contact object and incident to the light-receiving element, a controller controlling a user interface by calculating the position of the object with 3D coordinates based on the amount of light incident to the light-receiving element, and a housing forming the exterior of the circuit board, the pad, and the controller. The invention also features a method of controlling the remote touchpad device. |
| US08441441B2 |
User interface for mobile devices
A mobile user interface suitable for mobile computing devices uses device position/orientation in real space to select a portion of content that is displayed. Content (e.g., documents, files or a desktop) is presumed fixed in virtual space with the mobile user interface displaying a portion of the content as if viewed through a camera or magnifying glass. Data from motion, distance or position sensors are used to determine the relative position/orientation of the device with respect to the content to select the portion for display. Content elements can be selected by centering the display on the desired portion, obviating the need for cursors and pointing devices (e.g., mouse or touchscreen). Magnification can be manipulated by moving the device away from or towards the user. 3-D content viewing may be enabled by sensing the device orientation and displaying content that is above or below the display in 3-D virtual space. |
| US08441437B2 |
Haptic feedback sensations based on audio output from computer devices
Triggering haptic sensations based on sound output from a computer device. A portion of sound data is stored that is output to a user as audio from an application program running on a computer. The portion of sound data is analyzed using intelligent heuristics to extract at least one sound feature from the sound data. The execution of at least one haptic effect is triggered based on the sound feature, where the haptic effect is commanded to the haptic feedback device approximately correlated to the output of the portion of sound to the user as audio. The haptic effect causes a haptic sensation to be output to the user. Different haptic effects can be associated with different sound features, frequency ranges, amplitudes, etc. |
| US08441436B2 |
Input apparatus, control apparatus, control system, control method, and handheld apparatus
To provide an input apparatus, a control apparatus, a control system, a control method, and a handheld apparatus with which a movement of a pointer on a screen can be stopped, for example, with a simple operation or without a user being aware of the operation. An MPU judges whether absolute values of acceleration values are both equal to or smaller than a threshold value (hereinafter, referred to as threshold value for convenience). When both of the absolute values for the acceleration values are not equal to or smaller than the threshold value, the MPU transmits velocity values to a control apparatus. Otherwise, the MPU stops outputting (transmitting) the velocity values. Typically, a time when a position of a casing of an input apparatus falls within an angle range an angle ±α from a line that is perpendicular to a ground (horizontal plane) is a time when the absolute values become equal to or smaller than the threshold value. |
| US08441435B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, program, and recording medium
An image processing apparatus includes an input unit to which an image of an object picked up by an image pickup device is input, a display device on which the image is presented, an image presenting unit configured to present the image on the display device; a viewpoint detecting unit configured to detect a viewpoint position of a user, and a control unit configured to supply, to the image presenting unit, the image in an area extracted corresponding to an image frame of a display surface of the display device when the image is viewed through the display surface from the viewpoint position of the user detected by the viewpoint detecting unit. |
| US08441433B2 |
Systems and methods for providing friction in a haptic feedback device
Systems and methods for providing controlled friction in a haptic feedback device are described. One described device comprises a magnetic target, a magnetic core configured to be in communication with the magnetic target to provide a haptic effect, and a partition. The partition may be configured to maintain a magnetic circuit air gap between the magnetic target and the magnetic core, and to provide friction between the magnetic target and the magnetic core. Such a device may include a processor in communication with the magnetic core for providing a haptic effect. |
| US08441427B2 |
Gate driver having an output enable control circuit
A gate driver includes a shift register, a logic control circuit, and an output enable control circuit. The shift register generates a plurality of scan signals according to a vertical synchronous signal and a vertical clock signal. The output enable control circuit generates a second output enable signal according to the vertical synchronous signal, the vertical clock signal, and an output enable signal. After the vertical synchronous signal and the vertical clock signal are both triggered together for two times, the second output enable converts from a high level to a low level. The logic control circuit outputs the plurality of scan signals when the second output enable signal is at the low level. |
| US08441425B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
To provide a liquid crystal display device suitable for a thin film transistor which uses an oxide semiconductor. In a liquid crystal display device which includes a thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer, a film having a function of attenuating the intensity of transmitting visible light is used as an interlayer film which covers at least the oxide semiconductor layer. As the film having a function of attenuating the intensity of transmitting visible light, a coloring layer can be used and a light-transmitting chromatic color resin layer is preferably used. An interlayer film which includes a light-transmitting chromatic color resin layer and a light-blocking layer may be formed in order that the light-blocking layer is used as a film having a function of attenuating the intensity of transmitting visible light. |
| US08441423B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device in which problems such as an increase of power consumption and increase of a load of when light is emitted are reduced by using a method for realizing pseudo impulsive driving by inserting an dark image, and a driving method thereof. A display device which displays a gray scale by dividing one frame period into a plurality of subframe periods, where one frame period is divided into at least a first subframe period and a second subframe period; and when luminance in the first subframe period to display the maximum gray scale is Lmax1 and luminance in the second subframe period to display the maximum gray scale is Lmax2, (1/2) Lmax2 |
| US08441421B2 |
Pixel and organic light emitting display device using the same
A pixel includes an OLED coupled to a second power supply, a first transistor coupled to a first power supply for controlling current through the OLED, a second transistor coupled between a data line and the first transistor, third transistors coupled between a gate electrode and a second electrode of the first transistor, the second and third transistors configured to be turned on when the scanning signal is supplied to the i-th scanning line, fourth transistors coupled between an initial power supply and the first transistor, and configured to be turned on when the scanning signal is supplied to an i−1-th scanning line, a first capacitor coupled between the first power supply and the first transistor, and a second capacitor with a first terminal coupled to nodes between two of the third transistors and two of the fourth transistors, and a second terminal coupled to the first power supply. |
| US08441415B2 |
Method and device for reducing line load effect
The present invention relates to a method for processing data of a picture to be displayed on a display panel with persistent luminous elements in order to reduce load effect in said display means. The method comprises the following steps: computing, for each subfield, the amount of activated luminous elements in each line of luminous elements of the display panel, called line load, calculating, for each subfield, the maximal difference of line loads of two consecutive lines of the display panel, and selecting, for each subfield, a sustain frequency in accordance with its maximal load difference in order to reduce line load effect. |
| US08441413B2 |
Apparatus and system for viewing 3D image
An apparatus and a system for viewing a 3D image including a synchronization signal receiver for receiving 3D image synchronization signal; a 3D control signal generator for generating left-eye glass control signal and a right-eye glass control signal in accordance with the synchronization signal received; a left-eye glass that opens or intercepts light transmitted to the left-eye glass; a right-eye glass that opens or intercepts light transmitted to the right-eye glass; a central processor that controls operation of the 3D control signal generator and transmits the synchronization signal to the 3D control signal generator; and a power controller that connects or intercepts power supplied to the synchronization signal receiver and the central processor. The power consumption of the apparatus is minimized by supplying power to the synchronization signal receiver and the central processor at a time when the synchronization signal is received and power is intercepted during the rest period. |
| US08441409B2 |
Broadband convex ground planes for multipath rejection
A ground plane for reducing multipath reception comprises a convex conducting surface and an array of conducting elements disposed on at least a portion of the convex conducting surface. Embodiments of the convex conducting surface include a portion of a sphere and a sphere. Each conducting element comprises an elongated body structure having a transverse dimension and a length, wherein the transverse dimension is substantially less than the length. The cross-section of the elongated body structure can have various user-specified shapes. Each conducting element can further comprise a tip structure. The azimuth spacings, lengths, and surface densities of the conducting elements can be functions of meridian angle. An antenna can be mounted directly on the conducting convex surface or on a conducting or dielectric support structure mounted on the conducting convex surface. System components, such as a navigation receiver, can be mounted inside the conducting convex surface. |
| US08441408B2 |
Miniaturized multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna
A miniaturized multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna includes a first antenna element disposed in a first side of a substrate in a round form; a second antenna element in a round form symmetrically with the first antenna element and disposed in the first side of the substrate; and a ground disposed in a second side of the substrate. The first antenna element and the second antenna element are disposed such that electro magnetic waves resonating in the first antenna element and the second antenna element are orthogonally polarized. Accordingly, the antenna size can be reduced. The miniaturized antenna facilitates the component design in the small terminal. |
| US08441406B2 |
Cross-dipole antenna configurations
An apparatus has an improved antenna pattern for a cross dipole antenna. Such antennas desirably have an omnidirectional antenna pattern. Conventional cross dipole antennas exhibit nulls in their antenna patterns, which can cause antennas to deviate from a standard or specification. Applicant recognized and confirmed that the connection of a coaxial cable to the antenna arms is a cause of the nulls in the antenna pattern, and has devised techniques disclosed herein to compensate or cancel the effects of the connection. In one embodiment, the arms of the cross dipole antenna that are coupled to a center conductor of the coaxial cable remain of conventional length, but the arms of the cross dipole antenna that are coupled to a shield of the coaxial cable are lengthened by a fraction of the radius of the outer diameter of the coaxial cable. |
| US08441399B2 |
Three-dimensional slot antenna
A three-dimensional slot antenna includes a loop conductor, a first conductor arm, a second conductor arm, and a third conductor arm. The first radiator section, the second radiator section and the third radiator section are disposed on a same plane. The second radiator section cooperates with the first and third radiator sections to form a first slot segment. The first radiator section further cooperates with the third radiator section to form a second slot segment. The first and second slot segments form a substantially T-shaped slot. |
| US08441398B2 |
Receivers, circuits, and methods to improve GNSS time-to-fix and other performances
An electronic circuit for a satellite receiver. The electronic circuit includes a correlator circuit operable to supply a data signal including ephemeris data and a subsequent satellite time datum, and a data processor operable to infer satellite time TS from as few as one of the ephemeris data prior to the satellite time datum. Other circuits, devices, receivers, systems, processes of operation and processes of manufacture are also disclosed. |
| US08441396B2 |
Systems and methods of providing error tolerant robust simplex wireless data for systems employing time correlated data transfer
Systems and methods of providing error tolerant robust simplex wireless data for systems employing time correlated data transfer are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises: sensors that produce samples of time correlated data; and a node coupled to the sensors by a wireless link. The link comprises a primary stream for simplex transmission of data packets, and a secondary stream for simplex transmission of delayed data packets, the delayed data packets a delayed retransmission of the time correlated data. When the node receives a first data packet from a first sensor via the primary stream, the data receiving node check validity. When the first data packet is corrupted, the node validity checks a second data packet received via the secondary stream. When both packets contain corrupted data, the node builds a reconstructed plurality of sequential time correlated data samples based on non-corrupted data samples from within the data packets. |
| US08441394B2 |
System and method for detecting obstructions and misalignment of ground vehicle radar systems
A system, controller, antenna, and method for detecting obstruction and misalignment of a ground vehicle radar having an antenna configured to detect objects in a first direction characterized as being substantially parallel to a horizontal plane about the ground vehicle, and detect objects in a second direction characterized as being toward a roadway surface proximate to the ground vehicle. The second direction radar return from the roadway is expected to have certain characteristics. If the characteristics are outside of a predetermined window, then obstruction and/or misalignment of the first direction and the second direction is likely, and so the radar may not reliably detect an object in the first direction, such as a vehicle in an adjacent lane. |
| US08441390B2 |
Event detecting apparatus
An event detecting apparatus capable of high-precision detection of an event even by use of a narrow-band signal comprises: a plurality of antennas 21 that receive radio waves transmitted from a transmitter, a correlation matrix operation unit 22 that expresses signals received by the plurality of antennas 21 as received vectors, to operate a correlation matrix on the basis of the received vectors, an eigenvector operation unit 23 that performs eigenvalue expansion of the correlation matrix operated by the correlation matrix operation unit 22, to operate eigenvectors covering a signal subspace, and an event detecting unit 24 that detects a temporal change in the eigenvectors operated by the eigenvector operation unit 23, to detect an event. |
| US08441388B2 |
Remote control devices and methods
A remote control device comprising a motion detector consisting of a single accelerometer, means for receiving data from the motion detector and mapping the received motion detector data to at least one user instruction, and means for transmitting a signal indicative of the at least one user instruction. |
| US08441380B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing data conversion with non-uniform quantization
A method for converting a sampled analog signal into digital is provided. An input signal is sampled at a sampling instant to generate a sample voltage. A first current is then applied to a node to change a voltage on the node, and a first interval to change the voltage on the node to a reference voltage from the sample voltage using the first current is determined. A second current is then applied to the node to change a voltage on the node prior to a subsequent sampling instant, and a determination of a second interval to change the voltage on the node to the reference voltage from the sample voltage using the second current is made. |
| US08441379B2 |
Device and method for digitizing a signal
A device (10) for generating a digital output signal by digitizing an analog input signal is disclosed. The device (10) comprises a first signal path comprising a first ADC (20a) arranged to convert a first component of the analog input signal, residing in a first frequency band (40), to a first digital signal, and a second signal path comprising a second ADC (20b) arranged to convert a second component of the analog input signal, residing in a second frequency band (50), to a second digital signal. The first and the second frequency band (40, 50) overlap, such that there is a common frequency sub band (60), which is comprised in both the first and the second frequency band (40, 50). The device (10) comprises a combination unit (30). The combination unit (10) is adapted to determine, based on signal content of the first and second digital signal in the common frequency sub band (60), at least one parameter indicating a mismatch between the first and the second signal path in the common frequency sub band (60). Furthermore, the combination unit (10) is adapted to generate a first compensated digital signal and a second compensated digital for compensating the mismatch between the first and the second signal path in the common frequency sub band (60). Moreover, the combination unit (10) is adapted to combine the first compensated digital signal and the second compensated digital signal for generating the digital output signal. Corresponding methods are also disclosed. |
| US08441378B2 |
Capacitor mismatch error correction in pipeline analog-to-digital converters
Various embodiments of methods and devices for reducing capacitor mismatch errors in a pipeline analog-to-digital converter (ADC) are disclosed. A plurality of pipeline element circuits are provided, where each pipeline element circuit corresponds to a given bit of the pipeline ADC. A first pipeline element circuit is configured to digitize analog A and B capacitor mismatch error calibration voltages generated by all the pipeline element circuits of the ADC when the pipeline ADC is operating in a capacitor mismatch calibration phase. According to one embodiment, digital representations corresponding to A and B capacitor mismatch error calibration voltages for each of the pipeline element circuits are provided to an output shift register and summing circuit, which generates capacitor mismatch error correction codes corresponding to each bit and pipeline element circuit. The capacitor mismatch error correction codes are applied to each bit weight of the pipeline ADC after conversion of analog signals input to the pipeline ADC has been completed. |
| US08441375B2 |
Aircraft power failure simulation apparatus and method
A flight management verification apparatus adapted to verify at least one flight management, wherein the flight management in use outputs a warning, disables an aircraft and/or inhibits the activation thereof in response to a power fail condition. The flight management verification apparatus comprises a first connection means adapted to be disposed in a first power indicator line to a first flight management, wherein the first power indicator line provides a signal representative of a condition of a first power supply, and further comprises a first switch connected in use such that the signal of the power indicator line for the first flight management means is switched. Actuating the switch causes the signal on the power indicator line to change indicating a distortion or failure of the power supply of the aircraft and/or a part thereof. The response of the flight management can be verified by the signal output by the flight management, e.g. on a display, or in that the aircraft is deactivated and/or cannot be activated. |
| US08441374B2 |
Traveling support device and traveling support method
A traveling support device includes: a road-vehicle communication portion that receives first current-signal information relating to a signal displayed by a traffic signal at a first clock time, from a road side transmitter installed on a road; an inter-vehicle communication portion that receives second current-signal information relating to a signal displayed by the traffic signal at a second clock time, from another vehicle that receives the second current-signal information from the road side transmitter; and a signal cycle estimating portion that estimates signal cycle information relating to transition of the signal on the traffic signal on the basis of the first current-signal information received by the road-vehicle communication portion and the second current-signal information received by the inter-vehicle communication portion. |
| US08441359B2 |
Fire distinguishing device
A fire distinguishing device includes: a detection device which detects an outbreak of a fire; a fire presence/absence distinguishing device which distinguishes the presence or absence of the fire; and a cumulative time determining device which determines the cumulative time required for distinguishing the presence or absence of the fire, in the fire presence/absence distinguishing device. The cumulative time determining device distinguishes an environment type of an environment where the detection device is installed, or a phenomenon type of a phenomenon being detected by the detection device, and further determines the cumulative time according to the distinguished environment type or phenomenon type. |
| US08441358B2 |
Temperature monitoring system for power transformers submerged in oil
Temperature monitoring system for power transformers submerged in oil applied preferentially in transformers submerged in oil and it presents several facilities in the sense of becoming temperature monitoring more reliable and safe, with highlight for the redundant measurement of temperature of the top of the oil; self-calibration of the temperature measurement entrances by means of internal references and specific electronic circuits; timing between successive activation of the groups of forced cooling when the deactivation of monitoring system on screen; internal watches with auxiliary alimentation without battery; safety reinforced in the alarms signaling for elevated temperature and finally automatic adjustment of the alarm values of the temperature differential of the commuter of derivations in load. |
| US08441356B1 |
Methods for remote assistance of disabled persons
A mobile terminal is used to assist individuals with disabilities. A mobile terminal such as a “smartphone” or other commercially available wireless handheld device may be loaded with software. The software may be configured to: (i) store criteria for managing communications between a disabled user of the mobile terminal and a remote caregiver, (ii) determine whether a criterion is satisfied, and if so (iii) initiate a communication from the mobile terminal to the remote caregiver, and (iv) receive a response from the remote caregiver. Thus, through this software, the mobile terminal may dynamically facilitate communications with specific remote caregivers based on specific situations that may confront disabled individuals. |
| US08441350B2 |
Apparatus and method for operation of a display device to provide a home security alarm
An apparatus and method are provided for operation of a display device to provide a home security alarm. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a user alarm activation command by the display device; initiating a detection mode, by the display device, based on the user command; and detecting, by a sensor of the display device, at least one of a presence and motion within a target area of the display device. The process may also include outputting an alarm signal, by the display device, based on detecting the at least one of a presence and motion in the target area. |
| US08441349B1 |
Change detection in a monitored environment
Systems and methods for detecting one or more changes in a monitored environment are provided. A method includes transmitting interrogation signals to sensors distributed in a monitored environment at a substantially constant power. A first set of the interrogation signals is transmitted to a first sensor. The method also includes receiving first response signals from the first sensor in response to the first set of interrogation signals transmitted to the first sensor. The method also includes determining an average parameter of the first response signals from the first sensor. The method also includes comparing the average parameter of the first response signals to an average parameter of baseline signals corresponding to the first sensor. The method also includes determining a statistical significance of the average parameter of the first response signals based on the comparison, and generating a change detection indicator based on the statistical significance. |
| US08441348B2 |
Multiple device loss status retrieval without ID provision
A system is disclosed that enables multiple electronic devices to be tracked in the case of theft or loss without the need for monitoring or tracking the devices prior to the loss or theft. The system operates by sending bulk status information regarding the lost/stolen statuses of multiple devices to one of these devices. The receiving device then decodes the bulk status information to determine its own lost/stolen status. If the status reveals that the device is currently reported as lost or stolen, the device initiates an appropriate security action, such as the transmission of its location to a monitoring center. |
| US08441346B2 |
Vehicle gate ajar notification method
A vehicle user is notified of a rear gate ajar condition so that the user can take corrective action by opening and then re-closing the rear gate. The method includes the steps of determining that the rear gate latch has engaged a latch striker but has not reached a fully latched position; operating a vehicle mounted signaling device that is cognizable by a user while still standing at the rear gate so that the user will receive immediate notification that the rear gate latch has not reached the fully latched position, thereby enabling the user to take immediate corrective action by opening and then re-closing the gate to attempt a fully latched position of the rear gate latch; and then, if the vehicle is started without the lift gate operator having taken corrective action to obtain full latching of the rear gate latch, energizing a lift gate ajar light on the instrument panel so that the vehicle driver is notified to take corrective action before driving away. |
| US08441343B1 |
Handheld mobile device viewing angle indicator
A pitch recognition and optimization angle detector is integrated into a portable handheld electronic device, such as a text messaging device, to alert the user of an incorrect pitch to avoid excessive neck strain and potential injury. The pitch detector determines the angle in which the messaging device is currently oriented and compares the angle to an acceptable angle range. The detection system communicates information pertaining to the pitch to the user via either a pitch level indicator or an alert when the device is held outside of the acceptable angle range. The alert can be an icon, a color-coded display, a tactile alert, and an audible alert. The user can select the alert type or types. The acceptable angle range can be a default or user programmable. |
| US08441342B2 |
Pseudo-random authentification code altering scheme for a transponder and a base station
An electric circuit for a transponder (110) for communication with a base station (120), the electric circuit comprising a memory unit (111) adapted for storing communication related information, and a processor unit (112) adapted for altering an authentification code necessary for the base station (120) to get access to the memory (111) in accordance with a pseudo-random authentification code altering scheme. |
| US08441340B2 |
Tag communication devices
A contactless tag reader device comprises upper and lower electrodes which together define a tag location zone between them in which multiple tags can be placed. The lower electrode and the upper electrode are offset from each other such that they substantially do not overlap. This structure is used to sandwich tags vertically between two horizontally (laterally) offset reader electrodes. This enables power coupling and data transfer using capacitive coupling. |
| US08441334B2 |
Electronic circuit and electronic device
An electronic circuit includes a first inductor, a second inductor that is magnetically coupled with the first inductor, induced current flowing through the second inductor by a magnetic field generated by the first inductor, and a current changing part that is connected to the second inductor and is configured to change the induced current that flows through the second inductor. |
| US08441331B2 |
Planar magnetic structure
A planar magnetic structure has an electrically insulating carrier made up of a base portion and opposed upstanding sidewalls. A plurality of planar primary windings and planar secondary windings are interstitially disposed within the carrier with planar dielectric spacers located between each adjacent pair of windings. A ferrite core envelopes the assembly to magnetically couple the windings. The carrier and windings form at least two spaces-apart sets of cooperating registration features which maintain the windings in fixed alignment with the carrier. |
| US08441329B2 |
Input/output system and devices for use with superconducting devices
An I/O system and device for use with superconducting device provides multi-stage filtering using superconducting electrical pathways, while providing good thermal conductivity to maintain low temperature of the various components and allowing the easy mounting and dismounting of a device sample from a refrigerated environment. Filtering may include a lumped element filter assembly including multiple plates each carrying a number of lumped element filters. Filtering may include a metal powder filter assembly including multiple metal power filters formed in passages of a substantially non-magnetic portions. A device sample holder assembly secures a device sample, for example a superconducting quantum processor, and provides signals, ground and good thermal conduction. |
| US08441322B1 |
Broadband linearization by elimination of harmonics and intermodulation in amplifiers
An amplifier device includes an initial amplifier stage configured to receive a differential input signal at a first leg and a second leg; a final amplifier stage coupled to outputs of the initial amplifier stage, the final amplifier stage including a primary signal amplifier and an error amplifier in each of the first and second legs; and wherein an output of the error amplifier of the first leg is combined with an output of the primary signal amplifier in the second leg, and an output of the error amplifier of the second leg is combined with an output of the primary signal amplifier in the first leg. |
| US08441319B2 |
Method and apparatus for biasing rail to rail DMOS amplifier output stage
An amplifier comprises: an input stage for receiving incoming signals; a high gain stage coupled to the input stage and providing driving signals in response to the incoming signals to an output driver stage; and an output terminal coupled to the output driver stage. The output driver stage comprises a high side driver circuit having a first terminal receiving a first driving signal pdrive from the high gain stage, a second terminal coupled VDD through a first voltage drop, and a third terminal coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier. |
| US08441317B1 |
Tapered-impedance distributed switching power amplifier
A distributed power amplifier may include a plurality of switching power amplifier sub-circuits, and a plurality of connection network sub-circuits, each of the plurality connection network sub-circuits having a characteristic impedance, wherein each of the plurality of connection network sub-circuits combines two or more of the plurality of switching power amplifier sub-circuits into a parallel or series configuration, wherein the plurality of switching power amplifier sub-circuits, the plurality of connection network sub-circuits and the characteristic impedance of each of the plurality of connection network sub-circuits are configured to present each of the plurality of switching power amplifier sub-circuits with a substantially equivalent load impedance. |
| US08441314B1 |
Configurable clock network for programmable logic device
In a programmable logic device having high-speed serial interface channels, a clock distribution network for providing one or more high-speed clocks to dynamic phase alignment circuitry of those high-speed serial interfaces includes at least one bus that is segmentable (e.g. using tristatable buffers). This allows the bus to be divided into different portions that can be connected to different clock sources when the high-speed serial interfaces are running at different speeds. In one embodiment, the segmenting elements (e.g., the aforementioned buffers) are located between selected channels (e.g., every fourth channel), limiting the size of the different segments. In another embodiment, segmenting elements are located between each channel, allowing complete user freedom in selecting the sizes of the segments. Thus, instead of providing a bus for every clock source, multiple clocks can be made available to different channels by segmenting a single bus. |
| US08441310B2 |
Power control based on dual loop with multiple process detection circuits
According to an example embodiment, an apparatus for controlling a power supply voltage for an integrated circuit may be provided, which may include a plurality of different types of process region detection circuits, each process region detection circuit configured to identify a respective process region of a plurality of process regions. The apparatus may also include a voltage selection circuit configured to determine a highest voltage among the voltages associated with the identified process regions and to select a power supply voltage for the integrated circuit that is equal to the highest voltage, one or more functional test circuits configured to perform a functional test using the selected power supply voltage, and a voltage adjuster circuit configured to increase the selected power supply voltage if the functional test fails. |
| US08441308B2 |
Bias current generator
An electronic device generates a current with a predetermined temperature coefficient. The circuit comprises a temperature coefficient (TC) component receiving a bias current, a differential amplifier providing a buffered output voltage based on the voltage across the TC component and a resistor receiving an TC current based on the differential amplifier output voltage. The differential amplifier has a predetermined input related offset which decreases the voltage drop across the resistor. The temperature coefficient component could have either a negative temperature component (NTC) or a positive temperature component (PTC). |
| US08441307B2 |
Methods and circuits for a low input voltage charge pump
A charge pump circuit comprises a plurality of subcircuits, where the subcircuits are connected to each other in a single or a dual array having a repeating pattern. Each of the subcircuits comprises one or more of the following: an X-channel device having an X-gate terminal, an X-source terminal and an X-drain terminal, a Y-channel device having a Y-gate terminal, a Y-source terminal and a Y-drain terminal, and a capacitor; wherein a first end of the capacitor, the X-drain terminal, and the Y-drain terminal are connected with each other to form the common drain terminal; and wherein a second end of the capacitor is the clock terminal. |
| US08441306B2 |
Poly fuse burning system
This invention provides a poly fuse burning system comprising a poly fuse, a controllable power source supplying power for burning the poly fuse, and a monitor circuit monitoring the burning state of the poly fuse, wherein when a targeted burning state is reached, a control signal is output to shut down the controllable power source to stop the burning. |
| US08441300B2 |
Interface circuit, LSI, server device, and method of training the interface circuit
Power consumption is increased in an interface circuit having a signal processing function for waveform shaping due to influence of a circuit added for waveform shaping. Also, since a plurality of boards are connected to a backplane in a system, they are not exchanged in accordance with distances while there are boards being far or near are mixed, but a common board is used. Thus, it is necessary to prepare a configuration of an interface circuit meeting the longest transfer distance. An interface circuit disabling a part of or all of operations of a waveform shaping circuit is provided. Accordingly, in accordance with transfer distances, switching of operation ranges of waveform shaping circuit inside the interface circuit is possible, and operation ranges of the waveform shaping circuit can be limited, and power consumption of the interface circuit, an LSI including the interface circuit, and a server device can be reduced. |
| US08441299B2 |
Dual path level shifter
Dual path level shifter methods and devices are described. The described level shifter devices can comprise voltage-to-current and current-to-voltage converters. |
| US08441298B1 |
Analog bus sharing using transmission gates
In one example, a chip includes an integrated analog component configured to communicate over an internal analog bus of the chip. A plurality of I/O pads located on the chip is configured to provide a connected device access to the integrated analog component. A plurality of transmission gates configured to selectively connect the I/O pads to a bus line of the analog bus. |
| US08441295B2 |
Delay generator
A delay generator comprises: a current source for supplying a current; a first delay portion, connected to the current source, comprising at least a plurality of inverters and a first capacitor having a first capacitance; and a second delay portion, connected to the current source, comprising at least a plurality of inverters and a second capacitor having a second capacitance, wherein the first capacitance is the same as the second capacitance, wherein the first delay portion generates a first delay by discharging of the first capacitor, wherein the second delay portion generates a second delay by charging of the second capacitor, and wherein the total delay generated by the delay generator is obtained by summation of the first delay and the second delay. |
| US08441294B2 |
Data holding circuit
A data holding circuit including a first input terminal through which data is inputted; at least one delay element for delaying the data inputted through the first input terminal; and a first element for holding data, wherein, when the data inputted through the first input terminal and the data delayed by the delay element are equal to each other, the first element holds data corresponding to the data inputted through the first input terminal and wherein, when the data inputted through the first input terminal and the data delayed by the delay element are different from each other, the first element continues to hold the data presently held by the first element. |
| US08441293B2 |
Method and apparatus for pulse width modulation
An integrated control circuit according to aspects of the present invention includes an oscillator, a capacitor, and a logic gate. The oscillator generates a periodic timing signal that cycles between a first logic state for a first time duration and a second logic state for a second time duration. The capacitor receives a charge current in response to the periodic timing signal transitioning to the first logic state, where a voltage on the capacitor increases for the first time duration to an initial value. The logic gate generates a periodic output signal having a duty ratio that is responsive to a time that it takes the capacitor to discharge from the initial value to a reference voltage. A period of the periodic output signal is the period of the periodic timing signal. |
| US08441292B1 |
Delaying data signals
In one embodiment, multiple (serializer/deserializer) SERDES channels are aligned by selectively slipping one or more of the incoming serial data streams one bit at a time prior to deserialization. Within each SERDES channel, a slip circuit slips the corresponding serial data stream by one bit (i.e., one unit interval (UI)) by extending the high portion of the duty cycle of a corresponding clock signal. The high portion of the clock signal is extended using a 3-to-1 mux that selects a fixed high signal, such as the high power supply rail, as an intermediate mux output signal whenever transitioning between two different applied clock signals that are offset from one another by one UI. In this way, the slip circuit avoids glitches that might otherwise result from switching directly between the two clock signals. |
| US08441291B2 |
PLL using interpolative divider as digitally controlled oscillator
One or more PLLs are formed on an integrated circuit. Each PLL includes an interpolative divider configured as a digitally controlled oscillator, which receives a reference clock signal and supplies an output signal divided according to a divide ratio. A feedback divider is coupled to the output signal of the interpolative divider and supplies a divided output signal as a feedback signal. A phase detector receives the feedback signal and a clock signal to which the PLL locks. The phase detector supplies a phase error corresponding to a difference between the clock signal and the feedback signal and the divide ratio is adjusted according to the phase error. |
| US08441290B2 |
Method and apparatus for simplifying the control of a switch
A half bridge converter includes a transformer with a high side switch coupled between a first input terminal and a primary winding of the transformer. A low side switch is coupled between a second input terminal and the primary winding. A first control circuit is coupled to the first input terminal and the primary winding to control the high side switch in response to a rate of voltage change with respect to time across the high side switch while the high side switch is off. A second control circuit coupled to the primary winding and the second input terminal to control the low side switch in response to a rate of voltage change with respect to time across the low side switch while the low side switch is off. |
| US08441284B1 |
Flexible updating of multi-bit registers
Various techniques are provided to flexibly update data fields stored in multi-bit registers. In one example, a method of updating a control register within an integrated circuit includes storing a plurality of initial bit values in the control register within the integrated circuit. The method also includes receiving a data set comprising one or more corrective bit values and one or more non-corrective bit values. The method also includes performing a logic operation on the received data set and the initial bit values to provide updated bit values. The method also includes replacing the initial bit values with the updated bit values in the control register. |
| US08441281B2 |
Current-mode logic buffer with enhanced output swing
A differential buffer circuit having increased output voltage swing includes a differential input stage including at least first and second transistors, the first and second transistors being operative to receive first and second signals, respectively. The buffer circuit further includes a bias stage connected between the differential input stage and a first voltage source. The bias stage is operative to generate a quiescent current as a function of a third signal supplied to the bias stage. A load circuit is connected between a second voltage source and the differential input stage, first and second differential outputs of the buffer circuit being generated at a junction between the load circuit and the differential input stage. The load circuit includes first and second switching elements coupled with the first and second transistors, respectively. The first switching element is operative to electrically connect the first differential output to the second voltage source when the first transistor is turned off. The second switching element is operative to electrically connect the second differential output to the second voltage source when the second transistor is turned off. |
| US08441280B1 |
Safety component in a programmable components chain
An electronic circuit includes a plurality of programmable components connected in an electronic chain. An interface is adapted to connect the programmable components to an external controller wherein the controller is adapted to program the programmable components. A component isolation element is connected to the interface at an input end and to the electronic chain of the programmable components at an output end wherein the isolation element is adapted to isolate one component of the programmable components from the electronic chain and wherein the one component is a safety component. |
| US08441278B2 |
Stacked semiconductor device and method of connection test in the same
A stacked semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor device equipped with a first semiconductor chip 14 having a transistor circuit and protection diodes, and a second semiconductor device equipped with a second semiconductor chip 24 having a transistor circuit and protection diodes, and stacked on the first semiconductor device via a connection portion, wherein a power supply line connected to the first and second semiconductor chips is used in common, and a forward ON voltage of the protection diodes of the first semiconductor chip is set higher than a forward ON voltage of the protection diodes of the second semiconductor chip 24. When a connection test is executed, the forward ON voltage of the protection diodes of the first semiconductor chip or the second semiconductor chip is detected and then normal/open is judged. |
| US08441277B2 |
Semiconductor testing device, semiconductor device, and testing method
A semiconductor test apparatus, semiconductor device, and test method are provided that enable the realization of a high-speed delay test. Semiconductor test apparatuses (1a-1c) include: flip-flops (11) each provided with first input terminal SI, second input terminal D, mode terminal SE that accepts a mode signal indicating either a first mode or a second mode, clock terminal CK that accepts a clock signal, and output terminal Q, the flip-flops (11) selecting first input terminal SI when the mode signal indicates the first mode, selecting second input terminal D when the mode signal indicates the second mode, and holding information being received by the input terminal that was selected based on the mode signal in synchronization with the clock signal and supplying as output from output terminal Q; and hold unit 12 that holds a set value and that provides the set value to first input terminal SI. |
| US08441275B1 |
Electronic device test fixture
An electronic device test fixture deploys a plurality of contact elements in a dielectric housing. The plumb arrangement of contact elements each include an armature or transversal configured to first depress and then slide laterally when urged downward by the external contacts of a device under test. The rotary movement of the transversal is optimized via the configuration of a surrounding forked regulator such that surface oxide deposition on the external device under test terminal is disrupted to reliably minimize contact resistance without damaging or unduly stressing the electrical junction of the device under test. |
| US08441270B2 |
AC detection circuit for power supply
There is provided an alternating current (AC) detection circuit for power supply, the AC circuit including: a rectifying part rectifying an AC voltage; a voltage division part dividing the voltage rectified by the rectifying part according to a preset division ratio; a voltage stabilization circuit part stabilizing the voltage divided by the voltage division part; and a first square wave generating part comparing the voltage stabilized by the voltage stabilization circuit part with an internal reference voltage, and generating a first square wave signal having a duty ratio according to comparison results between the stabilized voltage and the internal reference. |
| US08441268B2 |
Non-contact detection of surface fluid droplets
A system for detecting fluid on a substrate is provided. The system includes, but is not limited to, a sensor board, a first capacitive sensor, and a platform upon which the substrate is to be placed. The first capacitive sensor is mounted on the sensor board. The first capacitive sensor has a transmit sensor pad for transmitting a signal, a receive sensor pad for receiving the signal, and an analog-to-digital convertor connected with the receive sensor pad for analyzing the received signal. The platform is a first distance from the transmit and receive sensor pads. |
| US08441259B2 |
Transmit/receive coil for ultra-high field MRI
A magnetic resonance coil comprises a first set of coil elements (54, 56, 80) operatively connectable with a transmit channel (66, 74) to couple with a transmit region of sensitivity for a selected load at a magnetic field strength greater than 3 Tesla, and a second set of coil elements (52, 54, 82) operatively connectable with a receive channel (66, 74) to couple with a receive region of sensitivity for the selected load at the magnetic field strength greater than 3 Tesla. The first set of coil elements is arranged proximate to but not surrounding the transmit region of sensitivity, and the second set of coil elements is arranged proximate to but not surrounding the receive region of sensitivity. The first set of coil elements and the second set of coil elements having at least one coil element (52, 56) not in common. The first and second sets of coil elements define transmit and receive regions of sensitivity for the selected load at the magnetic field strength greater than 3 Tesla that are substantially similar. |
| US08441258B2 |
Quadrature and linear RF coil array for MRI of human spine and torso
A radio frequency (RF) coil array includes a plurality of RF coil sections arranged in a superior-inferior direction. Each RF coil section includes a first linear coil element, a loop-saddle coil quadrature pair and a second linear coil element configured in an overlapping arrangement in a left-right direction. The position of the first linear coil element and the second linear coil element on the left and right may be shifted in the superior-inferior direction with respect to the center loop-saddle coil quadrature pair. |
| US08441255B1 |
Thermocooling of GMR sensors
A thermoelectrically cooled GMR sensor having a first thermoelectric layer with an array of nanowires, wherein the nanowires include a diameter of about 1 nanometer to about 1000 nanometers. A plurality of alternating layers of magnetic and nonmagnetic material are positioned over and extend the nanowires to form a GMR assembly. A second thermoelectric layer is positioned over the GMR assembly and extends the nanowires, such that the nanowires have a length of between about 100 nanometers and about 500 microns. Conductors are placed in contact with the first and second thermoelectric layers for connecting the thermoelectric layers to a voltage source. |
| US08441254B2 |
Encoder using magnet drop out feature for theft detection
An encoder to be mounted to a shaft extending from a piston meter configured to compute a volume of distributed fluid includes a magnet affixed to the shaft via a floating magnet holder, a magnetic sensor configured to sense the flux density and direction of a magnetic field created by the magnet and to output a signal indicating the flux density and direction of the magnetic field to a printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board configured to output a signal indicating the volume of distributed fluid if the encoder has not been tampered with and configured to output an error signal if the encoder has been tampered with. |
| US08441249B2 |
High voltage measurement device using poled fibers
Two transversely poled fibers are disclosed which can be wound around a holder with their poling directions being anti-parallel. A coupling exchanges the polarization directions of the modes of the fibers. Thermally and mechanically caused birefringence changes can thereby be substantially cancelled, while electrical field induced birefringence changes can be added, to provide a more robust high voltage measuring device. |
| US08441238B2 |
Zero current detecting circuit and related synchronous switching power converter
A zero current detecting circuit is disclosed. The zero current detecting circuit includes a first zero current comparator for determining current variation on an inductor of a synchronous switching power converter so as to accordingly turn off a down-bridge transistor of the synchronous power converter; a second zero current comparator for determining whether the first zero current comparator turns off the down-bridge transistor too early or too late and outputting a comparison result, and a counter coupled to the second zero current comparator for ascending or descending a control bit according to the comparison result. |
| US08441234B2 |
Detecting module for a battery equalizer and method for detecting a battery equalizer
A detecting module is for detecting a battery equalizer of a power supply device. The detecting module includes a current detecting unit, a drive circuit, and a control circuit. The current detecting unit is to be coupled to the battery equalizer and a battery set of the power supply device, and generates an output based on detected current flow through the battery equalizer. The drive circuit is to be coupled to the battery equalizer for driving operation of the battery equalizer. The control circuit is coupled to the drive circuit and the current detecting unit, controls the drive circuit to drive operation of the battery equalizer and determines, according to the output of the current detecting circuit, whether the battery equalizer is in a normal operating state. |
| US08441233B2 |
Protocols for reporting power status over multiple buses
An automated power reporting system is provided in one aspect. The system includes one or more devices that can report or transmit power status information over a bus or network. A protocol component utilizes a generalized protocol to process or convert the power status information over the network in order to facilitate power management operations for a plurality of devices. In this manner, devices that send power information can interact and exploit personal computing resources in order to better help users manage limited power resources for their respective devices. |
| US08441232B2 |
Electronic apparatus and display method of remaining battery level
The electronic apparatus allows a user to arbitrarily set a display of a remaining battery level. The apparatus includes a detector which detects a remaining battery level of a battery, and a threshold-value-setting part which is operated by a user to set a threshold value for performing a display relating to the remaining battery level. The apparatus further includes a controller which displays in a display device an image representing the remaining battery level in accordance with the result of a comparison between the remaining battery level detected by the detector and the threshold value set with the threshold-value-setting part. |
| US08441230B2 |
Battery charger
An energy-efficient and compact battery charger. The battery charger includes, among other things, a charging port, a power supply module, a battery charger control module or controller, a power control safety module, a battery charger switch, and an indicator. The controller, the power control safety module, and the battery charger switch work in conjunction with each other to control the operation of the battery charger. The controller is configured to execute a charging control process which detects the insertion of a battery pack into the charging port, controls the charging of the battery pack, and controls the illumination or display of the indicator. The power control safety module includes a power control safety circuit that is configured to prevent the charging current and/or the charging voltage from damaging the battery charger or battery pack during a malfunction. |
| US08441222B2 |
System and method for determining pump pressure based on motor current
A system for measuring current in an H-Bridge motor drive circuit and using that current to determine the output of a device powered by the motor. A particular embodiment is disclosed for a motor-driven fluid pump. Motor current is measured at predetermined pump pressures and flow rates to create calibration tables relating motor current to pump pressure. Once calibrated, the system determines pump pressure based on motor current by referring to the calibration tables. In an embodiment, the pump is driven to achieve a predetermined fluid dispense profile. The system monitors pump pressure by measuring motor current and determines if the dispense profile is being achieved and sets alarms if predetermined thresholds are not maintained. The system also detects pump wear based on the current measurements and issues warnings to the user in such conditions. |
| US08441221B2 |
Windshield wiper control system
The present invention relates to a low-cost windshield wiper control system which can be readily incorporated into existing vehicle systems, particularly into an operator-accessible windshield wiper control unit assembly (100). The windshield wiper control assembly (100) is selectively operable as an intermittent wiper control system, or as a rain sensing windshield wiper control system without the need for microprocessors or multiplex circuitry. |
| US08441213B2 |
Bidirectional phase cut modulation over AC power conductors
A system includes a controller and line units. The controller receives AC power from a power source and supplies an AC power signal via two conductors to the units. In one example, the controller is a dimmer switch and the units are intelligent LED lamps. The controller uses phase cut modulation to communicate information (for example, lighting control commands) to the units. The units receive the AC power signal, demodulate and recover the phase cut modulated information, and optionally communicate information back to the controller using load modulation. An addressed unit changes loading on the two conductors from phase cut time to phase cut time, thereby modulating information onto the AC power signal. The controller monitors the AC power signal, and demodulates and recovers the information. The overall bidirectional communication is referred to as bidirectional phase cut modulation over AC power conductors. Units can be controlled individually or in groups. |
| US08441210B2 |
Adaptive current regulation for solid state lighting
Exemplary embodiments provide an apparatus, system and method for power conversion to provide power to solid state lighting, and which may be coupled to a first switch, such as a dimmer switch. An exemplary system for power conversion comprises: a switching power supply comprising a second, power switch; solid state lighting coupled to the switching power supply; a voltage sensor; a current sensor; a memory; a first adaptive interface circuit to provide a resistive impedance to the first switch and conduct current from the first switch in a default mode; a second adaptive interface circuit to create a resonant process when the first switch turns on; and a controller to modulate the second adaptive interface circuit when the first switch turns on to provide a current path during the resonant process of the switching power supply. |
| US08441209B2 |
Lighting device having variable current source
To provide a lighting device in which the luminance of an EL element is maintained even when the EL element deteriorates so that degradation of the lighting device is reduced, the lighting device includes a surface light source portion including an organic EL element, and a control circuit portion provided in a base portion. The control circuit portion counts a lighting time of the organic EL element and controls the luminance of the organic EL element in accordance with the lighting time. Accordingly, the lighting device in which the luminance of an EL element is maintained regardless of degradation of the EL element so that degradation of the lighting device is reduced can be provided. |
| US08441204B2 |
Power supply device and lighting equipment provided with power supply device
A power supply device according to one embodiment is configured to control a lighting of semiconductor light-emitting elements, wherein a dimming signal is canceled during a predetermined time period (T) from a timing immediately after power-ON, so as to light on light-emitting diodes to have a predetermined light amount, for example, a minimum light amount. After an elapse of the predetermined time period (T), cancellation of the dimming signal is released to light on the light-emitting diodes to have a light amount instructed by the dimming signal. |
| US08441200B2 |
Electronic ballast and method for operating at least one first and second discharge lamp
An electronic ballast for operating at least two discharge lamps is provided, which may include a starting detection apparatus for detecting whether one of the discharge lamps has been started; wherein a drive circuit includes an input, which is coupled to a starting detection apparatus, wherein a threshold value entry apparatus is designed to enter a second threshold value for a setpoint value of a total current through at least two inductances, wherein the second threshold value has a smaller magnitude than a first threshold value; and wherein the drive circuit is designed to drive a first electronic switch and a second electronic switch taking into consideration the first threshold value as setpoint value prior to detection of the starting of a discharge lamp by the starting detection apparatus, and taking into consideration the second threshold value as setpoint value. |
| US08441199B2 |
Method and apparatus for an intelligent light emitting diode driver having power factor correction capability
The present invention relates to circuits and methods for controlling one or more LED strings. The circuit comprises a programmable controller coupled to one or more detectors, wherein the one or more detectors are configured to detect one or more measurable parameters of one or more LEDs or LED drivers. The controller is configured to receive information from the one or more detectors related to the one or more measurable parameters and use that information to determine the desired drive voltage for the LED strings. The controller is associated with a power supply having power factor correction (PFC) capability. The controller provides the power supply with a control signal indicative of the desired drive voltage for one or more LED strings. The power supply also receives ac voltage and current waveforms as inputs and performs power factor correction and rectified waveforms related to the ac waveforms. The power supply generates the desired drive voltage based on the control signal. |
| US08441178B2 |
Display substrate, organic light emitting diode display device, and manufacturing method thereof
A display substrate, an organic light emitting diode display device having the same, and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The display substrate includes a first pixel separating portion and a second pixel separating portion extending from the pixel separating portion and disposed around a pixel portion. Therefore, the number of processes for forming the organic light emitting diode display device can be reduced, and corrosion of a first electrode of the organic light emitting diode display device can be prevented. |
| US08441177B2 |
Plasma jet ignition plug
A plasma jet ignition plug including an insulating body having an axial hole therethrough. A center electrode is inserted into the axial hole. A cavity portion is defined by the insulating body and center electrode, with the leading end of the axial hole as an opening end. A decreasing diameter portion decreasing in diameter toward a leading end side is formed on the axial hole, the leading end of the decreasing diameter portion is positioned closer to the leading end side than the leading end face of the center electrode. The inside diameter of the leading end of the decreasing diameter portion is made smaller than the outside diameter of the leading end face of the center electrode. |
| US08441176B1 |
Methods and apparatus for mechanical resonating structures
Mechanical resonating structures and related methods are described. The mechanical resonating structures may provide improved efficiency over conventional resonating structures. Some of the structures have lengths and widths and are designed to vibrate in a direction approximately parallel to either the length or width. They may have boundaries bounding the length and width dimensions, which may substantially align with nodes or anti-nodes of vibration. |
| US08441166B2 |
Device for connecting together end winding parts of stator
A device (10) for connecting together end winding parts (1) of stator bars (2) of an electric generator includes a first and a second element (11, 12) having sloped facing surfaces (13) defining two trapezoidal seats each housing a trapezoidal cursor (14), and one or two screws (15), axially fixed and rotatably movable with respect to the first and second element (11, 12) and having a threaded portion inserted in a threaded through hole (17) of the cursor (14). |
| US08441162B2 |
Multi-phase stator device
Disclosed is a stator device adapted to be arranged in an electrical machine, where the electrical machine further comprises a moving device, where the stator device is a multi-phase stator device, where the phases are arranged side-by-side in a direction perpendicular to direction of motion of the moving device, and where each phase comprises a first stator core section having a set of teeth, a second stator core section having a set of teeth, and a coil, and where the teeth are arranged to protrude towards the moving device; and wherein at least two neighboring phases share a stator core section, so that the first stator core section of a first phase and a second stator core section of a second phase is formed as a single unit. |
| US08441158B2 |
Linear motor with reduced force ripple
To further reduce force ripple of a linear motor, a primary part has a plurality of windings sequentially arranged in an axial direction and subdivided in the axial direction into groups having an identical number of windings. The sequence of the association of the windings with the phases of a multi-phase system is not repeated at least in a group of windings within the primary part as long as the winding sense of the corresponding windings in the group is maintained. |
| US08441156B2 |
Electrically conductive module
An electrically conductive module is provided. The module includes a panel configured to engage with one or more conductive structural elements. The module further includes conductive layers formed on or in the panel. Each conductive layer has a terminal configured to be in electrical communication with at least one of the conductive structural elements. In one embodiment of the present invention, a first terminal is configured to be in electrical communication with a first conductive structural element and a second terminal is configured to be in electrical communication with a second conductive structural element. In another embodiment of the present invention, both a first terminal and a second terminal are configured to be in electrical communication with a first conductive structural element. In this embodiment, the first and second terminals are respectively configured to be in electrical communication with first and second conductive portions of the first conductive structural element. |
| US08441155B2 |
Electric timer for controlling power to a fan
A fan controller that is capable of switching power to a fan between an “on” state and an “off” state in accordance with one or more programmable schedule. In some cases, fan controller may be programmed to display one or more screens for setting one or more parameters of the fan controller by interacting with a first button and/or a second button. In some cases, when the controller is in an operating mode, depressing a first button, second button, and/or a third button may temporarily override the programmable schedule and, in some cases, override the programmable schedule for a programmable period of time. |
| US08441154B2 |
Multi-resonator wireless energy transfer for exterior lighting
A mobile wireless receiver for use with a first electromagnetic resonator coupled to a power supply and a second electromagnetic resonator coupled to at least one of a power supply and the first electromagnetic resonator. The mobile wireless receiver includes a load associated with an outdoor lighting unit that draws energy from the load to power a light source associated with the outdoor lighting unit, and a third electromagnetic resonator configured to be coupled to the load and movable relative to at least one of the first electromagnetic resonator and the second electromagnetic resonator, wherein the third resonator is configured to be wirelessly coupled to at least one of the first electromagnetic resonator and the second electromagnetic resonator to provide resonant, non-radiative wireless power to the third electromagnetic resonator from at least one of the first electromagnetic resonator and the second electromagnetic resonator. |
| US08441145B2 |
Modular power distribution system to drive DC and AC electrical loads, in particular for vehicle or domotics application
A modular power distribution system configured to drive DC and AC electrical loads comprises logical units in different locations receiving DC and AC power lines for distribution to respectively DC and AC electrical loads in all of these locations. In each of the logical units, the system comprises one or more physical units, and in each of the physical units one or more power modules for the distribution of DC or AC power to one of the DC or AC electrical loads. Finally, the system comprises at least one master control unit for each of the logical units placed in one of physical units to control the functions of the pertaining logical unit. |
| US08441144B1 |
System for regulating current flow to a plurality of electrical devices
A system for selectively regulating current flow to a plurality of electrical devices, being at least partially operative by wireless remote control and including a control assembly connected to at least a first power input and a second power input. The control assembly includes a plurality of outlet sections, each including at least one outlet structured to electrically connect an electrical device to either the first or second power inputs. A timing assembly is operatively structured for time based regulation of current flow from one of the power inputs to one of the outlet sections, wherein another outlet section includes switching capabilities structured to selectively establish a current flow connection with either the first or second power input. A receiver assembly is operatively connected to at least the timing assembly and structured for wireless, operative activation with a remote transmitting unit. |
| US08441142B2 |
Bearing device for a wind turbine nacelle
The present invention relates to a wind turbine nacelle. This nacelle comprises a body, and a head. The body comprises a base which is designed to be fastened to the upper end of a wind turbine tower, and a tubular chamber which upwardly extends said base along a vertical axis. The head comprises a cavity which is designed for rotationally mounting blades and for accommodating a generator, and by a shroud which is secured to the cavity and arranged along a vertical axis so as to be pivotally mounted on the tubular chamber. Furthermore, the nacelle comprises pivot connection means which are arranged between the shroud and the tubular chamber and allow the head to be pivotally mounted on the body. Another aspect of the present invention concerns a wind turbine equipped with such a wind turbine nacelle. |
| US08441139B2 |
Apparatus for converting wave, solar and wind energy
The various embodiments herein provide an apparatus for harnessing a wave energy, solar energy and wind energy. The apparatus comprises a floating frame, a base portion connected to the floating frame and at least two linkage units. The two linkage units are a basic linkage unit and a medium linkage unit. The apparatus includes a plurality of floating flaps and at least one power extraction means. A connecting pivot is provided in the linkage units and the base portion. The floating flaps are pivoted vertically on the basic linkage unit and the base portion. The flaps associated with the floating flaps are placed under water against prevailing waves and floats associated with the floating flaps are placed on surface of the water, for absorbing the wave energy from projected portions present at edges and middle portion of the flaps. |
| US08441138B2 |
Wind turbine
For optimising annual energy production in a wind turbine, the invention provides a method by which operation of the turbine in accordance with different pre-specified modes depending on the wind direction towards the turbine is enabled. The modes may include pitch and/or power control strategies. The invention further provides a control system for a wind turbine adapted to operate in accordance with the method, and a wind turbine with such a control system. |
| US08441136B2 |
Protection layer for adhesive material at wafer edge
This description relates to a semiconductor device including a wafer having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface and a carrier attached to the first surface of the wafer by an adhesive layer, a portion of the adhesive layer adjacent to an edge of the wafer is exposed. The semiconductor device further includes a protection layer to cover the exposed portion of the adhesive layer. The semiconductor device further includes a plurality of dies attached to the second surface and a molding compound encapsulating the plurality of dies. |
| US08441135B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor chip that includes a driver circuit, a second semiconductor chip that includes a receiver circuit and an external terminal, and a plurality of through silicon vias that connect the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip. The first semiconductor chip further includes an output switching circuit that selectively connects the driver circuit to any one of the through silicon vias, the second semiconductor chip further includes an input switching circuit that selectively connects the receiver circuit to any one of the through silicon vias and the external terminal, the input switching circuit includes tri-state inverters each inserted between the receiver circuit and an associated one of the through silicon vias and the external terminal, and the input switching circuit activates any one of the tri-state inverters. |
| US08441133B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device including a first substrate having first and second surfaces, multiple first mounting pads formed on the first surface of the first substrate and for mounting a first semiconductor element on the first surface of the first substrate, multiple first connection pads formed on the first surface of the first substrate and positioned on the periphery of the multiple first mounting pads, a second substrate formed on the first substrate and having first and second surfaces, the second substrate having a second penetrating electrode which penetrates through the first and second surfaces of the second substrate, multiple second mounting pads formed on the first surface of the second substrate and for mounting a second semiconductor element, and a conductive member formed on one of the first connection pads and electrically connecting an end portion of the second penetrating electrode and the one of the first connection pads. |
| US08441130B2 |
Power supply interconnect structure of semiconductor integrated circuit
A power supply interconnect structure of a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a single borderless stack via electrically connecting power supply interconnects of two different interconnect layers to form a connecting portion of the interconnects, and a multi-stack via functioning as another connecting portion of the interconnects, which electrically connect the power supply interconnects, and having a wide pad portion. The single borderless stack via is located in an interconnect region with high signal interconnect density. The multi-stack via is located in an interconnect region with low signal interconnect density. This increases interconnection efficiency in the region with the high signal interconnect density to improve interconnection characteristics. This enables reduction in an area of a chip and increases compatibility to an EDA tool, thereby improving IR-DROP characteristics. |
| US08441124B2 |
Cu pillar bump with non-metal sidewall protection structure
A sidewall protection structure is provided for covering at least a portion of a sidewall surface of a bump structure, in which a protection structure on the sidewalls of a Cu pillar and a surface region of an under-bump-metallurgy (UBM) layer is formed of at least one non-metal material layers, for example a dielectric material layer, a polymer material layer, or combinations thereof. |
| US08441121B2 |
Package carrier and manufacturing method thereof
A manufacturing method of a package carrier is provided. A first opening communicating an upper surface and a lower surface of a substrate is formed. A heat-conducting element having a top surface and a bottom surface is configured in the first opening and fixed into the first opening via an insulation material. A first insulation layer and a first metal layer are laminated onto the upper surface. A second insulation layer and a second metal layer are laminated onto the lower surface. A second opening and a third opening respectively exposing portions of the top and the bottom surfaces are formed. At least one through via passing through the first metal layer, the first insulation layer, the substrate, the second insulation layer and the second metal layer is formed. A third metal layer covering the first and second metal layers and an inner wall of the through via is formed. |
| US08441120B1 |
Heat spreader package
A heat spreader package includes a substrate having a first surface, first traces on the first surface of the substrate, and an electronic component having an inactive surface mounted to the first surface of the substrate. The electronic component further includes an active surface having bond pads. Bond wires electrically connect the bond pads to the first traces. An inverted pyramid heat spreader includes a first heatsink, a first heatsink adhesive directly connecting the first heatsink to the active surface of the electronic component inward of the bond pads, a second heatsink having an absence of active circuitry, and a second heatsink adhesive directly connecting a first surface of the second heatsink to the first heatsink. The second heatsink adhesive is a dielectric directly between the bond wires and the second heatsink that prevents inadvertent shorting between the bond wires and the second heatsink. |
| US08441118B2 |
Electromigration-resistant and compliant wire interconnects, nano-sized solder compositions, systems made thereof, and methods of assembling soldered packages
A nano-sized metal particle composite includes a first metal that has a particle size of about 50 nanometer or smaller. A wire interconnect is in contact with a reflowed nanosolder and has the same metal or alloy composition as the reflowed nanosolder. A microelectronic package is also disclosed that uses the reflowed nanosolder composition. A method of assembling a microelectronic package includes preparing a wire interconnect template. A computing system includes a nanosolder composition coupled to a wire interconnect. |
| US08441116B2 |
Semiconductor package having substrate for high speed semiconductor package
The substrate for a semiconductor package includes a substrate body having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. Connection pads are formed near an edge of the first surface. Signal lines having conductive vias and first, second, and third line parts are formed. The first line parts are formed on the first surface and are connected to the connection pads and the conductive vias, which pass through the substrate body. The second line parts are formed on the first surface and connect to the conductive vias. The third line parts are formed on the second surface and connect to the conductive vias. The second and third line parts are formed to have substantially the same length. The semiconductor package utilizes the above substrate for processing data at a high speed. |
| US08441115B2 |
Semiconductor device with exposed thermal conductivity part
A semiconductor package includes a print circuit part, a lower chip, an upper chip, a thermal conductivity part, and an encapsulation resin. The lower chip and the upper chip are mounted on the print circuit part through wire bonding connection. The thermal conductivity part efficiently dissipates heat from the chips to the outside of the package. The encapsulation resin entirely seals the package while exposing the thermal conductivity part. A adhesive sheet is hardened to form a bonding layer between the thermal conductivity part and the upper chip, a bonding layer between the semiconductor chips, and a bonding layer between the semiconductor chip and the wired component. The configuration contributes to miniaturization, high integration, and heat resistance reduction of a semiconductor package using high-heat-generating ICs. |
| US08441114B2 |
Electronic circuit composed of sub-circuits and method for producing
To improve manufacture of an electronic circuit, the electronic circuit is composed of modules of sub-circuits arranged on a common substrate, such as a cooling body, and that are electrically interconnected by a planar electrical contact element. |
| US08441112B2 |
Method of manufacturing layered chip package
A layered chip package includes a main body, and wiring that includes a plurality of wires disposed on a side surface of the main body. The main body includes: a main part including first and second layer portions; and a plurality of first and second terminals that are disposed on the top and bottom surfaces of the main part, respectively, and are electrically connected to the plurality of wires. The first and second terminals are formed by using electrodes of the first and second layer portions. The layered chip package is manufactured by fabricating a layered substructure by stacking two substructures each of which includes an array of a plurality of preliminary layer portions, and then cutting the layered substructure. The layered substructure includes a plurality of preliminary wires that are disposed between two adjacent pre-separation main bodies and are to become the plurality of wires. |
| US08441110B1 |
Side leaded, bottom exposed pad and bottom exposed lead fusion quad flat semiconductor package
A semiconductor package which includes a generally planar die paddle defining multiple peripheral edge segments and a plurality of leads which are segregated into at least two concentric rows. Connected to the top surface of the die paddle is at least one semiconductor die which is electrically connected to at least some of the leads of each row. At least portions of the die paddle, the leads, and the semiconductor die are encapsulated by a package body, the bottom surfaces of the die paddle and the leads of at least one row thereof being exposed in a common exterior surface of the package body. |
| US08441109B2 |
Structure and method for self protection of power device with expanded voltage ranges
A vertical semiconductor power device includes a top surface and a bottom surface of a semiconductor substrate constituting a vertical current path for conducting a current there through. The semiconductor power device further includes an over current protection layer composed of a material having a resistance with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) and the over current protection layer constituting as a part of the vertical current path connected to a source electrode and providing a feedback voltage a gate electrode of the vertical semiconductor power device for limiting a current passing there through for protecting the semiconductor power device at any voltage. |
| US08441108B2 |
Nitride semiconductor element having electrode on m-plane and method for producing the same
A nitride-based semiconductor light-emitting device 100 includes: a GaN substrate 10 with an m-plane surface 12; a semiconductor multilayer structure 20 provided on the m-plane surface 12 of the GaN substrate 10; and an electrode 30 provided on the semiconductor multilayer structure 20. The electrode 30 includes a Zn layer 32 and a metal layer 34 provided on the Zn layer 32. The Zn layer 32 is in contact with a surface of a p-type semiconductor region of the semiconductor multilayer structure 20. |
| US08441103B2 |
Embedded series deep trench capacitors and methods of manufacture
Trench capacitors and methods of manufacturing the trench capacitors are provided. The trench capacitors are very dense series capacitor structures with independent electrode contacts. In the method, a series of capacitors are formed by forming a plurality of insulator layers and a plurality of electrodes in a trench structure, where each electrode is formed in an alternating manner with each insulator layer. The method further includes planarizing the electrodes to form contact regions for a plurality of capacitors. |
| US08441101B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
Ferroelectric capacitors (42) are formed over a semiconductor substrate (10), then, a barrier film (46) directly covering the ferroelectric capacitors (42) is formed. Thereafter, wirings (56a etc.) connected to the ferroelectric capacitors (42) are formed. Further, a barrier film (58) is formed at a position higher than the wirings (56a etc.). In forming the barrier film (46), a film stack is formed, the film stack including at least two kinds of diffusion preventive films (46a and 46b) having different components and preventing diffusion of hydrogen or water. |
| US08441099B2 |
Wireless chip
An ID tag capable of communicating data wirelessly, the size of which is reduced, and where the size of an IC chip is reduced, a limited area of the chip is effectively used, current consumption is reduced, and communication distance is prevented from decreasing. The ID tag of the invention includes an IC chip having an integrated circuit, a resonance capacitor portion and a storage capacitor portion, and an antenna formed over the IC chip so as to overlap at least partially with an insulating film interposed therebetween. The antenna, the insulating film and wirings or semiconductor films forming the integrated circuit are stacked, and one or both of capacitors in the resonance capacitor portion and the storage capacitor portion are formed by this stacked structure. |
| US08441097B2 |
Methods to form memory devices having a capacitor with a recessed electrode
Methods to form memory devices having a MIM capacitor with a recessed electrode are described. In one embodiment, a method of forming a MIM capacitor with a recessed electrode includes forming an excavated feature defined by a lower portion that forms a bottom and an upper portion that forms sidewalls of the excavated feature. The method includes depositing a lower electrode layer in the feature, depositing an electrically insulating layer on the lower electrode layer, and depositing an upper electrode layer on the electrically insulating layer to form the MIM capacitor. The method includes removing an upper portion of the MIM capacitor to expose an upper surface of the electrode layers and then selectively etching one of the electrode layers to recess one of the electrode layers. This recess isolates the electrodes from each other and reduces the likelihood of a current leakage path between the electrodes. |
| US08441096B2 |
Fuse of semiconductor device and method for forming the same
A fuse of a semiconductor device comprises: a fuse pattern formed on a semiconductor substrate; an insulating film covering one side of the fuse pattern and including a trench; a conductive line disposed on the insulating film including the trench. The fuse of the semiconductor device prevents generation of cracks in a fuse box by thermal and physical stress, thereby improving reliability of the semiconductor device. |
| US08441091B2 |
Photosensor assembly and method for providing a photosensor assembly
A photodiode assembly includes a semiconductor substrate, a photodiode cell, a ground diffusion region, and a guard band. The photodiode cell includes a first volume of the substrate doped with a first type of dopant. The diffusion region includes a second volume of the substrate that is doped with a second, opposite type of dopant. The guard band is disposed in the substrate and at least partially extends around an outer periphery of the photodiode cell. The guard band includes a third volume of the substrate that is doped with the first type of dopant. At least one of the ground diffusion region or the guard band is conductively coupled with a ground reference to conduct one or more of electrons or holes that drift from the photodiode cell through the substrate. The guard band is disposed closer to the photodiode cell than the ground diffusion region. |
| US08441090B2 |
Materials, systems and methods for optoelectronic devices
A photodetector is described along with corresponding materials, systems, and methods. The photodetector comprises an integrated circuit and at least two optically sensitive layers. A first optically sensitive layer is over at least a portion of the integrated circuit, and a second optically sensitive layer is over the first optically sensitive layer. Each optically sensitive layer is interposed between two electrodes. The two electrodes include a respective first electrode and a respective second electrode. The integrated circuit selectively applies a bias to the electrodes and reads signals from the optically sensitive layers. The signal is related to the number of photons received by the respective optically sensitive layer. |
| US08441081B2 |
Electro-mechanical switches and methods of use thereof
One aspect of the invention relates to an ultrathin micro-electromechanical chemical sensing device which uses swelling or straining of a reactive organic material for sensing. In certain embodiments, the device comprises a contact on-off switch chemical sensor. For example, the device can comprises a small gap separating two electrodes, wherein the gap can be closed as a result of the swelling or stressing of an organic polymer coating on one or both sides of the gap. In certain embodiments, the swelling or stressing is due to the organic polymer reacting with a target analyte. |
| US08441079B2 |
Semiconductor device with gate stack structure
A semiconductor device includes a first conductive layer, a first intermediate structure over the first conductive layer, a second intermediate structure over the first intermediate structure, and a second conductive layer over the second intermediate structure. The first intermediate structure includes a metal silicide layer and a nitrogen containing metal layer. The second intermediate structure includes at least a nitrogen containing metal silicide layer. |
| US08441077B2 |
Method for forming a ruthenium metal layer and a structure comprising the ruthenium metal layer
A method for forming a ruthenium metal layer comprises combining a ruthenium precursor with a measured amount of oxygen to form a ruthenium oxide layer. The ruthenium oxide is annealed in the presence of a hydrogen-rich gas to react the oxygen in the ruthenium oxide with hydrogen, which results in a ruthenium metal layer. By varying the oxygen flow rate during the formation of ruthenium oxide, a ruthenium metal layer having various degrees of smooth and rough textures can be formed. |
| US08441076B2 |
SRAM
An exemplary aspect of the present invention is an SRAM including: a first gate electrode that constitutes a first load transistor; a second gate electrode that extends in a longitudinal direction of the first gate electrode so as to be spaced apart from the first gate electrode, and constitutes a first drive transistor; a third gate electrode that extends in parallel to the first gate electrode, and constitutes a second load transistor; a first p-type diffusion region that is formed so as to intersect with the third gate electrode, and constitutes the second load transistor; and a first shared contact formed over the first and second gate electrodes and the first p-type diffusion region. The first p-type diffusion region extends to the vicinity of a first gap region between the first and second gate electrodes, and is not formed in the first gap region. |
| US08441074B2 |
Substrate fins with different heights
A device includes a number of fins. Some of the fins have greater heights than other fins. This allows the selection of different drive currents and/or transistor areas. |
| US08441073B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method for the same
In a semiconductor substrate on which are formed an N-type MOS transistor and a P-type MOS transistor, the gate electrode of the N-type MOS transistor comprises a tungsten film, which makes contact with a gate insulation film, and the gate electrode of the P-type MOS transistor comprises a tungsten film, which makes contact with a gate insulation film, and the concentration of carbon contained in the former tungsten film is less than the concentration of carbon contained in the latter tungsten film. |
| US08441069B2 |
Structure and method for forming trench-gate field effect transistor with source plug
A field effect transistor includes a gate trench extending into a semiconductor region. The gate trench has a recessed gate electrode disposed therein. A source region in the semiconductor region flanks each side of the gate trench. A conductive material fills an upper portion of the gate trench so as to make electrical contact with the source regions along upper sidewalls of the gate trench. The conductive material is insulated from the recessed gate electrode. |
| US08441068B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for forming the same
A semiconductor device and a method for forming the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes an active region formed to be sloped or tilted by α° (where 0°<α°<90°) from the bottom of a semiconductor substrate, at least one gate that is formed over the sloped active region and has a surface parallel to the bottom of the semiconductor substrate, and a landing plug that is coupled to the active region and is located between the gates. As a result, the area of the active region is increased thus increasing a channel width, so that the operation of the semiconductor device can be improved as the integration degree of the semiconductor device is rapidly increased. |
| US08441066B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device according to the present invention comprises a first transistor and a second transistor, and functions as an inverter. The first transistor includes an island semiconductor layer, a first gate insulating film surrounding the periphery of the island semiconductor layer, a gate electrode surrounding the periphery of the first gate insulating film, p+-type semiconductor layers formed in the upper and lower part of the island semiconductor layer, respectively. The second transistor includes the gate electrode, a second gate insulating film surrounding a part of the periphery of the gate electrode, an arcuate semiconductor layer contacting a part of the periphery of the second gate insulating film, n+-type semiconductor layers formed in the upper and lower part of the arcuate semiconductor layer, respectively. A first contact electrically connects the p+-type semiconductor layer in the first transistor and the n+-type semiconductor layer in the second transistor. |
| US08441064B2 |
Scalable interpoly dielectric stacks with improved immunity to program saturation
A method for manufacturing a non-volatile memory device is described. The method comprises growing a layer in a siliconoxide consuming material, e.g. DyScO, on top of the upper layer of the layer where charge is stored. A non-volatile memory device is also described. In the non-volatile memory device, the interpoly/blocking dielectric comprises a layer in a siliconoxide consuming material, e.g. DyScO, on top of the upper layer of the layer where charge is stored, the siliconoxide consuming material having consumed at least part of the upper layer. |
| US08441061B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device with different doping concentration word lines
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a stacked structural body, a semiconductor pillar, and a memory unit. The stacked structural body is provided on a major surface of the substrate. The stacked structural body includes electrode films alternately stacked with inter-electrode insulating films in a direction perpendicular to the major surface. The pillar pierces the body in the direction. The memory unit is provided at an intersection between the pillar and the electrode films. The electrode films include at least one of amorphous silicon and polysilicon. The stacked structural body includes first and second regions. A distance from the second region to the substrate is greater than a distance from the first region to the substrate. A concentration of an additive included in the electrode film in the first region is different from that included in the electrode film in the second region. |
| US08441060B2 |
Nonvolatile memory element and nonvolatile memory device incorporating nonvolatile memory element
A nonvolatile memory element includes a first electrode (103) formed on a substrate (101), a resistance variable layer (108) and a second electrode (107), wherein the resistance variable layer has a multi-layer structure including at least three layers which are a first transition metal oxide layer (104), a second transition metal oxide layer (106) which is higher in oxygen concentration than the first transition metal oxide layer (104), and a transition metal oxynitride layer (105). The second transition metal oxide layer (106) is in contact with either one of the first electrode (103) and the second electrode (107). The transition metal oxynitride layer (105) is provided between the first transition metal oxide layer (104) and the second transition metal oxide layer (106). |
| US08441052B2 |
Color-optimized image sensor
An image sensor pixel array includes a photoelectric conversion unit that has a second region in a substrate and vertically below a gate electrode of a transistor. A first region under a top surface of the substrate and above the second region supports a channel of the transistor. A color filter transmits a light via a light guide, the gate electrode and the first region to generate carriers collected by the second region. The gate electrode may be made thinner by a wet etch. An etchant for thinning the gate electrode may be introduced through an opening in an insulating film on the substrate. The light guide may be formed in the opening after the thinning. An anti-reflection stack may be formed at a bottom of the opening prior to forming the light guide. |
| US08441050B2 |
Fin transistor structure and method of fabricating the same
A fin transistor structure and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. In one aspect the method comprises providing a bulk semiconductor substrate, patterning the semiconductor substrate to form a fin with it body directly tied to the semiconductor substrate, patterning the fin so that gaps are formed on the bottom of the fin at source/drain regions of the transistor structure to be formed. This is performed wherein a portion of the fin corresponding to the channel region of the transistor structure to be formed is directly tied to the semiconductor substrate, while other portions of the fin at the source/drain regions are separated from the surface of the semiconductor substrate by the gaps. Also, filling an insulation material into the gaps, and fabricating the transistor structure based on the semiconductor substrate with the fin formed thereon are disclosed. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the leakage current while maintaining the advantages of body-tied structures. |
| US08441049B2 |
Flat panel display device comprising polysilicon thin film transistor and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to a flat panel display device comprising a polysilicon thin film transistor and a method of manufacturing the same. Grain sizes of polysilicon grains formed in active channel regions of thin film transistors of a driving circuit portion and a pixel portion of the flat panel display device are different from each other. Further, the flat panel display device comprising P-type and N-type thin film transistors having different particle shapes from each other. |
| US08441045B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
The present application discloses a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. Wherein, the semiconductor device comprises: a semiconductor substrate; a stressor embedded in the semiconductor substrate; a channel region disposed on the stressor; a gate stack disposed on the channel region; a source/drain region disposed on two sides of the channel region and embedded in the semiconductor substrate; wherein, surfaces of the stressor comprise a top wall, a bottom wall, and side walls, the side walls comprising a first side wall and a second side wall, the first side wall connecting the top wall and the second side wall, the second side wall connecting the first side wall and the bottom wall, the angle between the first side wall and the second side wall being less than 180°, and the first sidewall and the second side wall being roughly symmetrical with respect to a plane parallel to the semiconductor substrate. Embodiments of the present invention are applicable to the stress engineering technology in the semiconductor device manufacturing. |
| US08441042B2 |
BEOL compatible FET structure
This invention provides structures and a fabrication process for incorporating thin film transistors in back end of the line (BEOL) interconnect structures. The structures and fabrication processes described are compatible with processing requirements for the BEOL interconnect structures. The structures and fabrication processes utilize existing processing steps and materials already incorporated in interconnect wiring levels in order to reduce added cost associated with incorporating thin film transistors in the these levels. The structures enable vertical (3D) integration of multiple levels with improved manufacturability and reliability as compared to prior art methods of 3D integration. |
| US08441034B2 |
Gallium nitride semiconductor substrate with semiconductor film formed therein
A method of fabricating a single crystal gallium nitride substrate the step of cutting an ingot of single crystal gallium nitride along predetermined planes to make one or more single crystal gallium nitride substrates. The ingot of single crystal gallium nitride is grown by vapor phase epitaxy in a direction of a predetermined axis. Each predetermined plane is inclined to the predetermined axis. Each substrate has a mirror polished primary surface. The primary surface has a first area and a second area. The first area is between an edge of the substrate and a line 3 millimeter away from the edge. The first area surrounds the second area. An axis perpendicular to the primary surface forms an off-angle with c-axis of the substrate. The off-angle takes a minimum value at a first position in the first area of the primary surface. |
| US08441032B2 |
Low-level signal detection by semiconductor avalanche amplification
A system and method providing for the detection of an input signal, either optical or electrical, by using a single independent discrete amplifier or by distributing the input signal into independent signal components that are independently amplified. The input signal can either be the result of photoabsorption process in the wavelengths greater than 950 nm or a low-level electrical signal. The discrete amplifier is an avalanche amplifier operable in a non-gated mode while biased in or above the breakdown region, and includes a composite dielectric feedback layer monolithically integrated with input signal detection and amplification semiconductor layers. |
| US08441031B2 |
ESD protection device
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection is provided for discharging current between input and output nodes. In accordance with various embodiments, an ESD protection device includes an open-base transistor having an emitter connected to the input node and a collector connected to pass current to the output node via a resistor in response to a voltage at the input node exceeding a threshold that causes the transistor to break down. The resistor is coupled across emitter and collector regions of a second open-base transistor that is configured to turn on for passing current in response to the current across the resistor exceeding a threshold that applies a threshold breakdown voltage across the second transistor. In some implementations, an emitter and/or base of the second transistor are connected to, or are respectively the same region as, a base and a collector of the first transistor. |
| US08441030B2 |
III-nitride multi-channel heterojunction interdigitated rectifier
A III-nitride power semiconductor device that includes a plurality of III-nitride heterojunctions. |
| US08441027B2 |
Light emitting device and light emitting device package
Disclosed are a light emitting device and a light emitting device package. The light emitting device includes a substrate including a plurality of patterns, each pattern including three protrusion parts, a plurality of spaces formed between the patterns, and a light emitting device structure over the patterns and the spaces. Each space includes a medium having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the light emitting device structure. |
| US08441024B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor light emitting device includes an active layer; a first nitride semiconductor layer on the active layer; a first delta-doped layer on the first nitride semiconductor layer; a second nitride semiconductor layer on the first delta-doped layer; a second delta-doped layer on the second nitride semiconductor layer; a third nitride semiconductor layer on the second delta-doped layer. The first delta-doped layer, the second nitride semiconductor layer, the second delta-doped layer, and the third nitride semiconductor layer are doped with an n-type dopant. |
| US08441023B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device
According to one embodiment, in a light emitting device, a substrate is transparent to a wavelength of emitted light. A first dielectric layer is formed in a first region on the substrate, and has a refractive index smaller than a refractive index of the substrate. A second dielectric layer is formed in a second region on the substrate surrounding the first region, and has a refractive index larger than the refractive index of the substrate. A first semiconductor layer is formed on the first dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer and the substrate. A second semiconductor layer is formed on the first semiconductor layer, and includes an active layer having a PN junction. |
| US08441017B2 |
Schottky barrier diode and method for making the same
A schottky diode includes a SiC substrate which has a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface, a semiconductor layer which is formed on the first surface of the SiC substrate, a schottky electrode which is in contact with the semiconductor layer, and an ohmic electrode which is in contact with the second surface of the SiC substrate. The first surface of the SiC substrate is a (000-1) C surface, upon which the semiconductor layer is formed. |
| US08441012B2 |
Array substrate, method for manufacturing array substrate, and display device
The present invention provides an array substrate, a method for manufacturing an array substrate, and a display device which are such that reflow failure of a resist mask does not occur readily at the time of manufacture of the array substrate, so the array substrate can be manufactured reliably. At the time of forming a TFT, third wiring 37 between source wiring 13 and the source electrode 22 of the TFT is provided with a narrow portion 38 that is formed with a narrow width by narrowing a midpoint at a portion of the wiring in planar shape, and the resist film on the source electrode 22 and a drain electrode 23 is reflowed so as to cover the surface of a channel region Q, thus forming a reflowed resist film 42. A semiconductor film 20 is etched using this as the etching mask in a state in which the area between the source and the drain is protected, thus making the semiconductor film 20 into an island shape. |
| US08441007B2 |
Display device and manufacturing method thereof
A display device includes a first wiring functioning as a gate electrode formed over a substrate, a gate insulating film formed over the first wiring, a second wiring and an electrode layer provided over the gate insulating film, and a high-resistance oxide semiconductor layer formed between the second wiring and the electrode layer are included. In the structure, the second wiring is formed using a stack of a low-resistance oxide semiconductor layer and a conductive layer over the low-resistance oxide semiconductor layer, and the electrode layer is formed using a stack of the low-resistance oxide semiconductor layer and the conductive layer which is stacked so that a region functioning as a pixel electrode of the low-resistance oxide semiconductor layer is exposed. |
| US08441006B2 |
Cyclic carbosilane dielectric films
Embodiments of the invention provide dielectric films and low-k dielectric films and methods for making dielectric and low-k dielectric films. Dielectric films are made from carbosilane-containing precursors. In embodiments of the invention, dielectric film precursors comprise attached porogen molecules. In further embodiments, dielectric films have nanometer-dimensioned pores. |
| US08441004B2 |
Radiation emitting device and method for the production thereof
A radiation-emitting device with a first electrode, a first emission layer, a second emission layer and a second electrode. The invention additionally relates to a method of producing a radiation-emitting device. |
| US08441001B2 |
Photodetector, flat X-ray detector and method for producing the same
A flat organic photodetector has a structured first electrode that forms several sub-electrodes, a second electrode, at least one first organic layer, and a second organic layer. The organic layers are situated between the two electrodes and are structured in conformity with the structuring of the first electrode, so that the two organic layers are subdivided into multiple active regions respectively corresponding to the sub-electrodes of the first electrode. An x-ray detector has such a flat organic photodetector and an x-ray absorbing layer applied thereon. |
| US08440996B2 |
Nitride semiconductor light emitting device and fabrication method thereof
The present invention relates to a GaN based nitride based light emitting device improved in Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) tolerance (withstanding property) and a method for fabricating the same including a substrate and a V-shaped distortion structure made of an n-type nitride semiconductor layer, an active layer and a p-type nitride semiconductor layer on the substrate and formed with reference to the n-type nitride semiconductor layer. |
| US08440995B2 |
Light emitting device, method of manufacturing the same, light emitting device package and lighting system
A light emitting device is provided that includes a light emitting structure including a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer on the first conductive semiconductor layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer on the active layer, a superlattice structure layer on the second conductive semiconductor layer, and a third conductive semiconductor layer on the superlattice structure layer; a light transmission electrode layer on the light emitting structure; a first electrode connected to the first conductive semiconductor layer; a second electrode electrically connected to the light transmission electrode layer on the light emitting structure; and an insulating layer that extends from a lower portion of the second electrode to an upper portion of the second conductive semiconductor layer. |