| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08484009B2 |
Timing analysis using formal methods
A method and tools for providing precise timing analysis scalable to industrial case studies with large numbers of tasks and messages are provided, including the capability to model and analyze task and message response times; ECU usage; bus usage; end-to-end latency of task/message chains; and timing synchronization problems in task/message graphs. System tasks and messages are modeled in a formalism known as calendar automaton. Models are written in a modeling language such as Promela and instrumented with code specific to the analysis specification. Models and instrumentation are automatically generated from the system description and analysis specification. The system model is subjected to exhaustive state space exploration by a compatible model checker, such as SPIN. During exploration, the instrumented code produces results for different timing analyses. Optimization techniques are provided to generate models which require less memory and time for analysis and make the method scalable to large, industrial case studies. |
| US08484007B2 |
Method and apparatus of handling instruction rejects, partial rejects, stalls and branch wrong in a simulation model
A method and apparatus of handling instruction rejects, partial rejects, stalls and branch wrong in a simulation model provides pipeline states for various unit verification. It defines an instruction train to encounter many events of the hardware verifications. Drivers and monitors at a unit and a core simulation level can hook into the pipeline states and perform the verification easily without having to restructure the instructions in the pipeline due to rejects, partial rejects, stalls, branch wrongs. Different event counters have been placed in the instruction pipe during the events and expand the instruction train such that the instruction train provides an accurate and detailed state of each instruction so the hardware logic signals and data can be tracked and identified from each state. |
| US08484003B2 |
Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to process measurements of wires vibrating in fluids
Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to process measurements of wires vibrating in fluids are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a downhole assembly and a surface assembly. The downhole assembly including a sensor to measure a waveform representative of a motion of a wire vibrating within a fluid at a downhole location in a wellbore, a waveform modeler to compute a model parameter from the measured waveform, and a first telemetry module to transmit the computed model parameter to a surface location. The surface assembly including a second telemetry module to receive the computed model parameter from the downhole assembly, and a viscosity analyzer to estimate a viscosity of the fluid from the computed model parameter. |
| US08483995B2 |
Computerized tool and method for the automated creation of a cutter ramp curve
An automated and computerized technique as disclosed herein can be utilized to generate a modeled cutter ramp curve for a flange component. The technique can be utilized in conjunction with any suitable CAD system to render a cutter ramp curve on the modeled flange component. The system obtains a selected amount of user inputs, verifies that the user inputs are consistent with the geometry of the flange component, and generates the cutter ramp curve in response to the user inputs and the flange geometry. |
| US08483994B2 |
Methods and systems for high confidence utilization of datasets
Methods and systems for high-confidence utilization of datasets are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a metric for determining substantially optimal combination of true positives and false positives in a data set, applying an optimization technique, and obtaining, from the results of the optimization technique, a value for at least one optimization parameter, the value for at least one optimization parameter resulting in substantially optimal combination of true positives and false positives. A number of true positives and a number of false positives are a function of the one or more optimization parameters. |
| US08483990B2 |
System and method for configuring a thermal imaging instrument
A graphical user interface for configuring parameters associated with a portable infrared imager is provided. The interface can be used to manually or automatically set range and span parameters. The interface can also be used to configure one or more alarms to notify a user that a detected temperature is outside a predetermined range. In some embodiments, a non-linear temperature scale can be displayed. |
| US08483986B2 |
Semiconductor device, system with semiconductor device, and calibration method
Variations of the impedance of each output driver of a semiconductor device can be reduced, and high-speed calibration is achieved. A calibration circuit including a replica circuit having the same configuration as each pull-up circuit or pull-down circuit included in an output driver of a semiconductor device is provided within a chip. During a first calibration operation, the replica circuit is provided with voltage conditions that allow the maximum current to flow through the output driver so that an impedance of the replica circuit is equal to a value of an external resistor. During a second calibration operation, table parameters obtained in the first calibration operation are used to adjust the impedance of the output driver without use of the replica circuit. |
| US08483980B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting occlusions in an ambulatory infusion pump
An improved pump, reservoir and reservoir piston are provided for controlled delivery of fluids. A motor is operably coupled to a drive member, such as a drive screw, which is adapted to advance a plunger slide in response to operation of the motor. The plunger slide is removably coupled to the piston. A method, system, and an article of manufacture for automatically detecting an occlusion in a medication infusion pump is provided. The electrical current to an infusion pump is measured. Based on a series of measurements of one or more variables, the infusion pump detects whether there is an occlusion in the system. |
| US08483978B2 |
System and method for measuring damage length
The damage length measurement system has an object being measured that comprises a plurality of members is vibrated by an oscillator, and the vibration that propagates through the object being measured is detected by three sensors. A measurement apparatus analyzes that vibration wave, and measures the arrival time of the maximum peak. Using the fact that the time for a wave to propagate between two vibration detection sensors separated by a set interval is fixed, the measurement apparatus determines whether the difference in arrival time between two sensors is within a set reference range that includes the vibration propagation time between two vibration sensors. When the measurement apparatus determines that the difference is not within the set reference range, uses the fact that that wave is delayed compared to the wave that was to be detected. |
| US08483969B2 |
Variation analysis for multiple templates on a solid support
Disclosed herein are compositions and methods used for detecting different types of molecules associated with a site on a solid support. |
| US08483967B2 |
Method and system for providing real time analyte sensor calibration with retrospective backfill
Provided are methods and apparatus for receiving sensor data from an analyte sensor of a sensor monitoring system, processing the received sensor data with time corresponding calibration data, outputting the processed sensor data, detecting one or more adverse conditions associated with the sensor monitoring system, disabling the output of the sensor data during the adverse condition time period, determining that the one or more detected adverse conditions is no longer present in the sensor monitoring system, retrieving the sensor data during the adverse condition time period, processing the retrieved sensor data during the adverse condition time period, and outputting the processed retrieved sensor data. |
| US08483962B2 |
Method for providing route information and the system thereof
A method for providing route information and the system thereof are provided. The method includes receiving a route acquisition command including a GPS coordinate of a client device, searching for at least one service unit in a predefined range of the GPS coordinate, determining a suitable service unit from the at least one service unit for the client device, and sending matching route information to the client device and the suitable service unit. |
| US08483961B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer program products of flight validation
Systems, methods, and computer program products for flight validation (FV) are provided. Embodiments implement the requirements of FAA Notice 8260.67 as they relate to FV. Embodiments enable FV to be performed in its entirety, including flight and/or ground obstacle assessment, and on-course/on-path flight evaluation. Embodiments enable a post-flight validation phase, which provides post flight analysis and archiving capabilities. Using embodiments, a person of minimal skill and training can perform FV as prescribed by FAA requirements. Accordingly, significant costs associated with hiring professional surveyors and air crews to perform obstacle assessment and flight evaluation can be eliminated. Embodiments can be implemented using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and relatively inexpensive hardware, making them suitable for large-scale FV operations. Embodiments may also be integrated with existing instrument flight procedure design tools, including, for example, the TARGETS (Terminal Area Route Generation Evaluation & Traffic Simulation) tool developed by the MITRE Corporation. |
| US08483960B2 |
Self-calibrated, remote imaging and data processing system
An imaging sensor system comprising: a rigid mount plate affixed to a vehicle; a first rigid mount unit affixed to the mount plate and having at least two imaging sensors disposed within the first mount unit, wherein a first imaging and a second imaging sensor each has a focal axis passing through an aperture in the first mount unit and the mount plate, wherein the first and second imaging sensor each generates a first array of pixels, wherein each array of pixels is at least two dimensional, wherein the first and second imaging sensors are offset to have a first image overlap area in the target area, wherein the first sensors image data bisects the second sensors image data in the first image overlap area. |
| US08483958B2 |
User configurable onboard navigation system crossroad presentation
A computer-implemented method for road identification includes receiving a request at a vehicle computing system for a crossroad identification. The method also includes determining, via the vehicle computing system, a crossroad along a route-being-traveled corresponding to the request. The method further includes outputting, from the vehicle computing system to an output, the determined crossroad responsive to the request. |
| US08483957B2 |
Using route narrative symbols
Techniques are provided for displaying a route symbol with narrative driving directions. A route symbol for a particular maneuver may be used to represent the road to which the maneuver relates. For example, one type of a route symbol that may be used to represent a road may be an interstate route symbol that has substantially the same appearance (e.g., substantially the same or similar shape, and/or substantially the same coloration) as an interstate route sign used to mark the interstate itself. Another example of a type of a route symbol that represents a road is an highway route symbol that looks substantially the same as a highway route sign used to mark a state highway. A route symbol used for the display of a maneuver also may include route symbols that are related to the type of maneuver, such as the type of a turn, described by the maneuver. |
| US08483956B2 |
Portable electronic device with guide function
An exemplary embodiment of portable electronic device with guide function includes a housing, a processing unit, a command unit, and a guiding unit. The processing unit and the guiding unit are positioned inside the housing, and the command unit is positioned at least partially outside of the housing. The processing unit is electrically connected to the command unit and the guiding unit. Operating the command unit, the portable electronic device with guide function is actuated into guiding mode controlled by the processing unit. The guiding unit sends detection signals to detect obstacles, receives feedback signals from the obstacles, the processing unit receives the feedback signal from the guiding unit to generate corresponding obstacle types and distance according to the feedback signal. |
| US08483950B2 |
Route guidance server, navigation apparatus, route guidance system, and route guidance method
A position coordinate based route transmitted from a server is reconstructed as a route of link numbers or node numbers in map data of navigation apparatus without error. A route guidance server searches a route from a start point to end point designated by a navigation apparatus; selects all or a part of nodes included in the searched route as route nodes; sets complementary points to the respective selected route nodes on the route and at a distance longer than a predetermined distance from the respective route nodes; and transmits information including coordinate information on the route nodes and complementary points as route information to the navigation apparatus. Then, based on the coordinate information on the route nodes and complementary points transmitted from the server, the navigation apparatus identifies the route nodes and road links connecting the route nodes by identification numbers in map data the navigation apparatus it self has. |
| US08483947B2 |
Bitmap array for optimally distributing map data content to wireless communications devices
A method of distributing map data from a map server to a wireless communications device entails generating a bitmap array representative of the vector map data for a given zoom level, computing attributes of the bitmap array to determine which map features to retain and which map features to suppress, and then transmitting to the wireless device only the map data for the map features to be retained. By counting the number of bitmap cells representing a polygonal map feature such as a park, lake, or island, the approximate area is quickly estimated. If the area falls below a threshold, the map data for the small polygon is discarded. Similarly, if a polyline map feature overlaps (or is too proximate to) another polyline map feature, one of the polyline map features is discarded. The map data actually transmitted is thus reduced, thereby economizing bandwidth without unduly sacrificing map detail. |
| US08483946B2 |
Information processing system, information processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program
An information processing apparatus includes a reception section that receives marking information from a different information processing apparatus and corresponding to a scene of a broadcast program. The marking information indicates a broadcast station and a broadcast time. The information processing apparatus also includes a processing unit that extracts a Universal Resource Identifier (URI) based on the broadcast station and the broadcast time, and produces navigation information associated with the scene of the broadcast program, based on the URI. |
| US08483945B2 |
Method for reducing the energy absorbed by a vehicle in a collision and a system for implementing the method
A system for a vehicle that executes a method to reduce the energy absorbed by the vehicle due to a collision, the method including actively decelerating the vehicle when it is determined that a collision with an object is possible, terminating active deceleration to allow the vehicle to move forward when it is determined that a collision with the object is inevitable just before the collision, and allowing the vehicle to make contact with the object and move generally in an opposite direction after the vehicle makes contact with the object. |
| US08483943B2 |
Navigation device and method for driving break warning
A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least one embodiment, the method includes determining a route of travel, in a navigation device, based upon at least a received destination location; determining whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed a first threshold; and prompting, upon determining that travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the first threshold, a user of the navigation device to enable output of a warning to break from driving a vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, during travel along the determined route. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a processor to determine a route of travel based upon at least a received destination location and to determine whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed a first threshold; and an output device to prompt, upon the processor determining that travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the first threshold, a user of the navigation device to enable output of a warning to break from driving a vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, during travel along the determined route. |
| US08483941B2 |
Vehicle speed monitor
A vehicle speed monitor for monitoring the speed of a moving vehicle is provided to the vehicle at an entrance to a road. The vehicle speed monitor records instantaneous accelerations of the vehicle along three axes over time. The vehicle speed monitor may be implemented as a contact or contactless integrated circuit (IC) card. The vehicle speed monitor is returned at an exit from the road, and scalar instantaneous speeds of the vehicle are determined from the recorded instantaneous accelerations in the vehicle speed monitor. The scalar instantaneous speeds are compared to one or more speed limits between the entrance and the exit to determine any speed limit violation. The vehicle speed monitor may also function as an electronic toll card where a toll is determined from the entrance and the exit. At the exit, the driver of the vehicle is charged with a fine and a toll, if any. |
| US08483938B2 |
Control device for an engine
In an engine having a variable valve timing mechanism to which an intermittent operation control is applied, appropriate execution of a foreign object removal process for the variable valve timing mechanism is enabled. An engine control device (16) which can execute intermittent operation control for an engine (12) having a variable valve timing mechanism (80) comprises a judging part which judges an abnormality in the variable valve timing mechanism (80) (step S10), a foreign object removal process executing part which causes a foreign object removal process to be executed for the variable valve timing mechanism (80) when the judging part judges that there is an abnormality in the variable valve timing mechanism (80) during an engine operation (step S12), and an intermittent operation control prohibiting part which prohibits the intermittent operation control of the engine (12) during execution of the foreign object removal process of the variable valve timing mechanism (80) (step S16). |
| US08483928B2 |
Follow-up run control device
A follow-up run control device controlling a running state of a vehicle in a state where peripheral vehicles running before or behind the vehicle exist includes: deviation acquiring means for acquiring information regarding a deviation between a relative positional relation and a target relative positional relation of the vehicle and the peripheral vehicles with respect to preceding vehicles running just before; and follow-up control amount calculating means for calculating a follow-up control amount of the vehicle to control the running state of the vehicle on the basis of the information regarding the deviations of a plurality of vehicles acquired by the deviation acquiring means. |
| US08483925B2 |
Device for determining a driving state and method for the driving-state-dependent operation of a combined vehicle brake system
A device for determining a driving state of a two-axle motor vehicle, which driving state is formed from the driving situation of the motor vehicle and the state of the underlying surface, wherein output signals from vehicle on-board sensors are evaluated in order to determine the driving situation and wherein a routine for determining and/or estimating the friction value of the underlying surface is provided in order to determine the state of the underlying surface. Also disclosed is a method for operating a combined vehicle brake system, in particular for motor vehicles, having hydraulically actuable wheel brakes at a front axle and having electromechanically actuable wheel brakes at a rear axle, wherein the vehicle wheels assigned to the rear axle can be driven at least at times by an electric motor which can be operated as a generator for the recuperation of braking energy. |
| US08483923B2 |
Method for reducing the clamping force applied by a parking brake
In a method for reducing the clamping force applied by a parking brake, which may be generated at least partially by an electromechanical brake device having an electric brake motor and supplemented if necessary by a hydraulic brake device, a signal is generated for actuating the hydraulic brake device for the case that it is not possible for the brake motor to be released for reducing the clamping force. |
| US08483920B2 |
Shift control device for automatic transmission
A shift control device for an automatic transmission having a plurality of frictional engaging elements adapted to be selectively engaged to perform shift control. The shift control device includes a computing unit for computing the temperature of at least one of the frictional engaging elements to be engaged in shifting, a comparing unit for comparing the temperature computed by the computing unit with a reference temperature, and an upshift delaying unit for delaying the timing of upshift using the frictional engaging element to be engaged by a predetermined time period when the temperature computed by the computing unit is higher than the reference temperature. |
| US08483916B2 |
Hydraulic control system implementing pump torque limiting
A hydraulic control system is disclosed. The hydraulic control system may have a pump, a plurality of actuators, and a plurality of valve arrangements configured to meter pressurized. The hydraulic control system may also have at least one operator input device configured to generate signals indicative of desired velocities of the plurality of actuators, and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive a pump torque limit, determine a maximum pump flow capacity, and determine desired flow rates for each of the plurality of valve arrangements based on the signals. The controller may also be configured to make a first reduction of the desired flow rates based on the maximum pump flow capacity, to make a second reduction of the desired flow rates based on the pump torque limit, and to command the plurality of valve arrangements to meter the desired flow rates after the second reduction. |
| US08483911B2 |
Method and system for controlling vehicle stability
In a method and a device for controlling the stability of a vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, an anti-tilt control process is carried out in which at least one lateral acceleration signal, one steering wheel angle signal and one vehicle speed signal are sensed and control signals for vehicle interventions are formed therefrom and output, and a yaw control process is carried out during which the steering wheel angle signal, the lateral acceleration signal and the vehicle speed signal are sensed, a yaw rate setpoint value signal and a yaw rate actual value signal are determined and compared with one another and a yaw control process is carried out during which control signals for vehicle interventions are formed and output. |
| US08483910B2 |
Method of controlling a vehicle steering apparatus
A method for controlling a steering apparatus (10) of a vehicle includes providing a steering signal (154) indicative of a steering maneuver to be performed. A desired parameter of the steering apparatus is calculated during the steering maneuver when no external force is applied to a hand wheel (14) of the vehicle. The parameter is measured during the steering maneuver. A mode signal (182) is produced by comprising the desired parameter to the parameter. The vehicle is placed in one of an autonomous driving mode and a manual driving mode based on the mode signal (182). |
| US08483908B2 |
Method of identifying positions of wheel modules
There is provided a method of identifying locations of modules (400) of an apparatus (600, 680, 690, 2200) for monitoring wheels (10) of a vehicle (900). The sensor modules (400) operatively revolving with the wheels (10). The modules (400) communicate with a processing arrangement (710, ECU 950) of the vehicle (900). The modules (400) sense a physical parameter of the wheels (10) and generate corresponding sensor signals for the processing arrangement (950). The processing arrangement (710, ECU 950) processes the sensor signals to compute information indicative of operation of the wheels (10). The apparatus (1) also includes a sensor arrangement (118) for sensing an angular orientation (0) of the wheels (10). The method includes steps of: (b) arranging an elongate feature (1100) in an at least partially transverse direction relative to a direction of travel of the vehicle (900); (c) driving the vehicle (900) over the elongate feature (1100) to cause the wheels (10), together with their associated modules (400), to contact momentarily onto the elongate feature (1100) and communicating signals including signal components stimulated by contact of the wheels (10) onto the elongate feature (1100) to the processing arrangement (950), the signals identifying a time at which their wheels (10) contacted onto the elongate feature (1100) and identification codes (ID) of the modules (400); and (d) from a temporal sequence of the signals received at the processing arrangement (950), identifying whereat modules (400) are located on the wheels (10) of the vehicle (900). |
| US08483907B2 |
Customizable graphical display
Aspects of the disclosed subject matter are directed to customizing the colors of instruments that are used to convey vehicle readings. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that obtains input to perform a color change to one or more instruments presented on a graphical display. For each instrument affected by the color change, a determination is made regarding whether a threshold level of contrast exists between a symbol graphic of the instrument and one or more background colors. If a threshold level of contrast does not exist, the contrast ratio between the symbol graphic and one or more background colors is adjusted to at least the threshold level. Then the method causes the graphical display to render the one or more instruments in accordance with the received color selections. |
| US08483906B2 |
Driver assistance system having a plurality of assistance functions
A driver assistance system for motor vehicles has a sensor device for measuring data about the environment of the vehicle, at least two assistance functions, and a data processing device, which analyzes the measured data and generates at least one specific environmental hypothesis for each assistance function, which provides output data in a form prepared for the corresponding assistance function, at least one environmental hypothesis which has a structure divided into a plurality of partial hypotheses being predefined in the data processing device, and the partial hypotheses having such a logical relationship with one another that output data of one partial hypothesis flow into the generation of the other partial hypothesis, and at least two assistance functions directly or indirectly use a shared partial hypothesis. |
| US08483905B2 |
Energization control apparatus for controlled component for a vehicle
An energization control apparatus (30) includes an FET (32), a thermistor (34) and anomaly detection means (36). The anomaly detection means (36) includes temperature-difference calculation means (45) and sensitivity anomaly determination means (41). The temperature-difference calculation means (45) acquires a first temperature measured by the thermistor (34) before startup of a vehicle or within a fixed period after the startup, acquires a second temperature measured by the thermistor (34) at the time when a predetermined wait time has elapsed from the time of acquisition of the first temperature, and calculates the difference therebetween. The sensitivity anomaly determination means (41) determines, from the difference, an anomaly of the thermistor (34) associated with its sensitivity to a temperature to be measured. |
| US08483898B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling speed of an electric pump in a vehicle
A vehicle includes a clutch set, a tank with fluid, an auxiliary battery, an electric fuel pump, and a controller. The electric fluid pump delivers some of the fluid from the tank to a designated oncoming clutch of the clutch set. The controller calculates a predicted flow value for the oncoming clutch during the shift event, and selectively controls the speed of the pump using the predicted flow value during the shift event. The controller controls the pump using an actual flow value when the vehicle is not executing a shift event, i.e., when holding torque. The speed of the electric fluid pump is increased to a first calculated speed determined using the predicted flow value when the shift event is initiated and before filling of the oncoming clutch commences, and is reduced to a second calculated speed determined using the actual flow value when the shift event is complete. |
| US08483894B2 |
ECP terminal mode operation
The present method operates an electrically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brake system that includes a system controller and a plurality of ECP devices on a train, in a semi-active mode between an active mode and an in active mode. The method includes setting the system controller to the semi-active mode if the ECP brake command is release; and setting the released ECP devices to the inactive state by the system controller when entering the semi-active mode. The ECP devices are set to an active state and to apply the brake by the system controller in response to an ECP brake command of apply. The ECP devices are reset to release and then to the inactive state by the system controller in response to an ECP brake command of release. |
| US08483892B2 |
Method for limiting the angle between the longitudinal axes of car bodies that are connected to each other
A method for limiting the angle between the longitudinal axes of car bodies of a multi-part rail vehicle connected to each other via a joint, wherein each car body is supported on only one bogie. The angle is actively influenced by an electrically controlled activation member connected to the joint, until the angle assumes a setpoint value. The setpoint value is determined from the pivot angles (relative angles) of the bogies relative to the associated car bodies. |
| US08483887B2 |
Remote control system having a touchscreen for controlling a railway vehicle
The present invention is directed to a remote control system for controlling a railway vehicle. The remote control system including a remote control device for transmitting signals to a first controller module. The first controller is mounted to the railway vehicle and controls and monitors the functions of the railway vehicle. The first controller module also relays information to the remote control device. The remote control system can also include a portable safety switch allowing any individual in proximity to the railway vehicle to send a stop signal to the first controller module to stop the railway vehicle if any unsafe conditions exist. |
| US08483886B2 |
Large scale battery systems and method of assembly
The methods in this disclosure allow for the identification, selection, and arrangement of cells, blocks, and modules in large scale battery systems, such as electric vehicle battery systems. An example embodiment of the present invention allows for the identification of the cells, blocks, and modules with a unique identifier or associated parameter (e.g., internal resistance contributions or capacity). Additionally, to form a block, cells may be selected from a group of capacity-range sorting bins. Based on a parameter of the cell, a pseudo-number generator may be also be used to select cells from an available inventory of cells as maintained in a cell database based. Cells may also be placed in a block for uniform effective cell impedance and even cell aging while minimizing overall block capacity degradation caused by cycling. Block capacities may also be computed based on a known average temperature gradient during operation. |
| US08483884B1 |
Model airplane automatic fuel pump controller apparatus
A method and system is described for controlling an electrically driven fuel pump used in the filling of a hobbyist model craft's fuel tank, (airplane, car, boat etc). The system includes a microcontroller to control the direction and run time of a brushed electric motor-driven fuel pump. A calibration feature allows operating parameters for different sized pumps and tanks to be measured and recorded in memory, then later recalled and used in the filling of pre-selected models' tank to a predetermined level simply by pressing a button to initiate the operation. |
| US08483867B2 |
System, method and corresponding apparatus for storing, retrieving and delivering unit dose blisters
A system, method and corresponding apparatus are provided for storing, retrieving and delivering unit dose blisters in their natural, raw state (i.e., without over-wrapping or repackaging). In particular, a plurality of unit dose blister mounts are configured to position a corresponding plurality of different types of unit dose blisters in a predetermined, repeatable orientation, so that they can be retrieved and delivered using, for example, an automated retrieval system. The storage apparatus (or unit dose blister mount) may include a cavity that is configured to receive a unit dose medication or medication cavity of the unit dose blister in such a way that the unit dose blister lies substantially flat in the horizontal plane, enabling any identification information displayed on the underside of the unit dose blister (i.e., the side opposite the unit dose medication, or medication cavity) to be viewed. |
| US08483866B2 |
Automated materials handling system having multiple categories of overhead buffers
An automated materials handling system comprises a plurality of overhead hoist buffers (OHBs) for receiving a plurality of semiconductor wafer carriers. Each OHB is assigned to a respective one of a plurality of categories. Each wafer carrier is associated with one or more of the plurality of categories. Each respective category is associated with at least one of a plurality of event trigger types. An overhead transport (OHT) if provided for transporting each of the plurality of wafer carriers to a respective one of the OHBs in response to a respective trigger event. Each trigger event has one of the plurality of event trigger types. Each wafer carrier is stored in a respective one of the plurality of OHBs assigned to a respective one of the categories associated with the respective event trigger type of the trigger event causing that wafer carrier to be transported and stored. |
| US08483864B2 |
Stage effects console for stage controlling system
A controlling console for moving elements such as trusses and winches. A console body has a display screen, and a processor which is programmed to produce an output screen on the display screen which accepts controls for controlling at least one movable device. The output screen includes a plurality of different logical blocks which are connected together. Values and conditions such as true, false, rising edge or error can be entered. The console arranges this into a flow arrangement. |
| US08483862B2 |
Working system and work-automating method
Provided is a work assembling system (1) comprising a manpower working area (30A) for transferring bodies (10) continuously, a robot working area (40) disposed on the downstream of the manpower working area (30A) for tact-transferring the bodies (10), and a first buffer space (50A) disposed at a boundary portion between the manpower working area (30A) and the robot working area (40). |
| US08483859B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method
An image processing device is provided with a designating operation accepting unit which displays a setting screen on which an image indicating the entire shape of an object appears. The designating operation accepting unit accepts first, second, and third designating operations on the setting screen, and which allows selection of a process item. The first designating operation sets a common process sequence. The second designating operation sets a section-specific process sequence. The third designating operation designates a target section of a section-specific process. The common process sequence includes a process item by which the section-specific process is performed, and through this process item the common process sequence and each section-specific process sequence are associated with each other. Information indicating data in model data, and corresponding to the designated target section is associated with the section-specific process, and is then entered as section specifying information. |
| US08483858B2 |
System and method for optimizing machining simulation
Embodiments of the invention disclose a method for optimizing a simulation of a machining of a workpiece performed by removing a set of swept volumes from a volume of the workpiece, wherein the volume is partitioned into a set of cells, comprising the steps of: associating with each cell a subset of distance fields representing a subset of swept volumes intersecting with the cell, wherein at least part of the subset of swept volumes forms a composite surface of the cell; subjecting the cell with a set of rays incident to the cell from at least one direction; and selecting a distance field of the subset of distance fields into an optimal subset associated with the cell, wherein a boundary of the swept volume represented by the distance field intersects with at least one ray at a point of intersection lying on the composite surface. |
| US08483849B2 |
Method for digital data transmission from a sensor to a control unit
A method for digital data transmission from a sensor to a control unit is described, the sensor values of the sensor being divided for data transmission at different resolutions. The sensor values form a first range of values including successive sensor values. The first range of values for data transmission is divided as a function of a variable relevant for the control unit. |
| US08483848B2 |
Electrical device arrangement, in particular for an item of furniture, with a bus device and bus subscribers, and a method for controlling such electrical device arrangement
An electrical device arrangement, in particular for an item of furniture, includes a bus device and bus subscribers. The bus device has at least two control paths, two power paths and at least one enable path. The additional enable path simplifies the mutual identification of the bus subscribers and also improves the so-called first fail-safety. The signals carried on the enable path furthermore allow a safe shutdown of the system and provide a power-saving sleep mode. A method for controlling such an electrical device arrangement, in particular for an item of furniture, having a bus device and bus subscribers is also disclosed. |
| US08483846B2 |
Multi-electrode assembly for an implantable medical device
A method, system, and apparatus are provided for an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of electrodes for use with an implantable medical device for conducting an electrical signal between the implantable medical device and a target tissue. The electrode assembly includes a helical member and first and second electrodes formed upon the helical member. The first and second electrodes are adapted to deliver the electrical signal. The electrode assembly also includes a first conductive element formed upon the helical member and operatively coupled to the first electrode. The electrode assembly also includes a second conductive element formed upon the helical member and operatively coupled to the second electrode. |
| US08483843B2 |
Sensing vector selection in a cardiac stimulus device with postural assessment
Methods, implantable medical devices and systems configured to perform analysis of captured signals from implanted electrodes to identify cardiac arrhythmias. In an illustrative embodiment, signals captured from two or more sensing vectors are analyzed, where the signals are captured with a patient in at least first and second body positions. Analysis is performed to identify primary or default sensing vectors and/or templates for event detection. |
| US08483839B2 |
Activity sensing for stimulator control
The disclosure describes a system that measures the distance between one or more electrodes and tissue of a patient, and controls one or more parameters of the stimulation delivered to the tissue by the electrodes based on the measured distance. The system controls the measurement of the distance between the electrodes and the tissue as a function of activity of the patient. The system uses, for example, a piezoelectric transducer to sense activity of the patient, and may determine whether or how frequently to measure the distance between electrodes and tissue based on the sensed physical activity. A piezoelectric transducer may be used both to sense activity and to measure the distance between the electrodes and the tissue. |
| US08483838B2 |
Antenna arrangements for implantable therapy device
Embodiments of an implantable medical device includes a loop antenna wound about an inner housing. The loop antenna may form a partial winding, a complete winding, or multiple windings about the inner housing. One or more additional antennae may be capacitively coupled to the loop antenna external to the inner housing to increase efficiency and decrease Return Loss Response of the implantable device. The additional antenna may be balanced or unbalanced antennae. |
| US08483836B2 |
Automated search to identify a location for electrical stimulation to treat a patient
A stimulation system, such as a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, having an automated search to establish a program to treat a patient with electrical stimulation. The stimulation system includes an electrical stimulation generator, a medical lead coupled to the electrical stimulation generator, and a programmer with a communication interface, a display screen, and a user interface. The display screen displays an image of a spinal column and a position of the medical lead relative to the spinal column. The system includes an automated search that stimulates a series of regions and receives patient feedback via the user interface. The system then stimulates a series of subregions within a subset of the regions based on the feedback, receives additional feedback, and identifies a subset of the subregions location for stimulation based on the additional feedback. |
| US08483834B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling neural stimulation during disordered breathing
A neural stimulation system controls the delivery of neural stimulation using a respiratory signal as a therapy feedback input. The respiratory signal is used to increase the effectiveness of the neural stimulation, such as vagal nerve stimulation, while decreasing potentially adverse side effects in respiratory functions. In one embodiment, the neural stimulation system detects apnea and, in response, adjusts the delivery of the neural stimulation pulses and/or delivers a respiratory therapy treating the detected apnea. |
| US08483832B2 |
Systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to tissue
Systems and devices for selectively applying electrical energy to a target region beneath a skin surface of a patient involve applying an electrical impulse to one or more electrodes on a skin surface of the patient to modulate one or more nerves at the target region, where the impulse is substantially blocked at nerves located between the target region and the skin surface such that only the nerves at the target region are modulated by the electrical impulse. |
| US08483831B1 |
System and method for bronchial dilation
An implantable signal generator can be configured to generate a blocking signal to be delivered to at least a portion of a bronchus. The blocking signal can be configured to inhibit nerve traffic both to and from the lungs, to relieve bronchial smooth muscle contraction, and to inhibit cough. The implantable signal generator can be communicatively coupled to a processor configured to control delivery of the blocking signal, using received information about an indication of cough, to inhibit cough. |
| US08483828B2 |
Combined remodeling control therapy and anti-remodeling therapy by implantable cardiac device
A method and device for delivering ventricular resynchronization pacing therapy in conjunction with electrical stimulation of nerves which alter the activity of the autonomic nervous system is disclosed. Such therapies may be delivered by an implantable device and are useful in preventing the deleterious ventricular remodeling which occurs as a result of a heart attack or heart failure. The device may perform an assessment of cardiac function in order to individually modulate the delivery of the two types of therapy. |
| US08483826B2 |
Deactivation of intermittent pacing therapy
This document discusses, among other things, an apparatus comprising an implantable cardiac depolarization sensing circuit, an electrical stimulation circuit, and a pacing mode controller. The pacing mode controller is configured to deliver pacing therapy according to a first pacing mode that is a normal operating mode, and to deliver pacing therapy according to second and third pacing modes. The second and third pacing modes increase mechanical stress on at least a particular portion of the ventricle as compared to the pacing therapy delivered during the first pacing mode. The pacing mode controller alternates between the second and third pacing modes when pacing is changed from the normal operating mode to a stress augmentation mode. The pacing mode controller suspends the change from the normal operating mode to the stress augmentation mode when a condition to prevent the change is detected. |
| US08483817B2 |
Method and implantable medical device for assessing a degree of pulmonary edema of a patient
In a method and an implantable medical device for assessing a degree of pulmonary edema of a patient, at least two specific body patients of the patent are detected and at least one impedance sensing session is initiated to sense trans-thoracic impedance signals from the patient when the patient is in one of the at least two specific positions. Impedance values are obtained from the impedance signals, and a relation between respective impedance values at the at least two positions is determined. This relation is then used as a metric of pulmonary edema to assess the degree of pulmonary edema, and is provided as an output. |
| US08483816B1 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for neuro-robotic tracking point selection
Systems, methods, and apparatus for neuro-robotic tracking point selection are disclosed. A described example method to control a robot arm includes presenting one or more potential trackable features of a target object, emphasizing at least one of the potential trackable features, determining a selection of one of the emphasized features as a tracking point by monitoring a first mental response to emphasizing the feature, and effectuating an end goal via a robot by tracking the selected feature and effectuating a position based on the selected feature. |
| US08483806B2 |
Systems and methods for non-contact biometric sensing
A non-contact biometric sensing device is described. The device includes a processing device, a user interface communicatively coupled to the processing device, a display communicatively coupled to the processing device, a laser doppler vibrometer sensor communicatively coupled to the processing device, and an infrared camera communicatively coupled to the processing device. The processing device is programmed to utilize mechanical motion data received from the laser doppler vibrometer sensor and thermal distributions data from the infrared camera to calculate biometric data, when signals originating from the laser doppler vibrometer sensor and the infrared camera are reflected back towards the device from a target. |
| US08483805B2 |
Vessel pulse wave measurement system conducting vessel pulse wave measurement by obtaining pulsation waveform of blood vessel
A vessel pulse wave measurement system performs vessel pulse wave measurement using an optical probe circuit provided with an optical probe including a light emitting element and a light receiving element, a drive circuit, and a detection circuit. A measurement device directly and synchronously feeds back an electrical signal from the optical probe to the drive circuit as a drive signal to generate a self-oscillation signal from the detection circuit, and measures the self-oscillation signal as a vessel pulse wave signal. A controller controls an operating point of at least one of the detection circuit and the drive circuit such that the self-oscillation signal substantially reaches a maximum level thereof. |
| US08483802B2 |
Method and apparatus for guiding an external needle to an implantable device
A system can include an implantable device, an instrument, a display device and a processor. The implantable device can include a port and a localizer for generating a navigation field. The instrument can include a tracking device for sensing the navigation field. The processor can be operably coupled to the tracking and display devices and operable to determine a real-time location of the instrument relative to the port and a trajectory of the instrument relative to an insertion axis of the port. The processor system can be operable to cause the display device to graphically render the instrument as a plurality of two or three-dimensional rings positioned around an axis coincident with the determined trajectory and in spaced relation to each other along the axis. A first ring of the plurality of rings can be positioned at the determined instrument location relative to a graphical representation of the port location. |
| US08483800B2 |
Surgical navigation enabled imaging table environment
A system for integrating radiolucent tracking sensors in a medical table, table mat, or surgical drape of a surgical navigation system, allowing the surgical navigation system to be less obtrusive in a surgery environment. A plurality of radiolucent magnetoresistance sensors are integrated into a table, table mat, or surgical draping of a surgical navigation system for improving surgical navigation workflow and eliminating image artifacts from intraoperative images. The plurality of radiolucent magnetoresistance sensors may be located within a table or adjacent to a table surface. |
| US08483798B2 |
System and method for metabolic MR imaging of a hyperpolarized agent
A system and method for metabolic MR imaging of a hyperpolarized agent includes exciting a single metabolic species of a hyperpolarized agent injected into a subject of interest. MR signals are acquired from the excited single metabolic species and an image is reconstructed from the acquired MR signals. |
| US08483796B2 |
Arrangement and method for quantitatively determining the blood flow within blood vessels
An arrangement quantitatively determines the blood flow within blood vessels through which blood flows in a volume of a tissue defining a surface. Three-dimensional first image data of a first volume portion of the volume is detected and optical second image data is detected continuously in time of a first surface portion of the surface. A calibrating unit of the arrangement calibrates the relative value of the flow speed and/or the volumetric flow of the blood flowing through the blood vessels disposed directly below the first surface portion based on the absolute values of the flow speed and/or of the volumetric flow of the blood. An output unit outputs the absolute values of the flow speed and/or the volumetric flow of the blood flowing through the blood vessels arranged directly below the first surface portion. |
| US08483794B2 |
Method for implanting an electrode that unfurls in response to a predetermined stimulus
A thin-film microelectrode array tailored for long-term, minimally invasive cortical recording or stimulation and method are provided. The microelectrode array includes a flexible element that is movable between a first contracted configuration and a second expanded configuration. An array of contacts is provided on the flexible element. The contacts are engagable with a cortical surface with the flexible element in the expanded configuration. A link operatively connects the array of contacts to a control module. The link is capable of transmitting at least one of cortical recordings and cortical stimulation signals thereon. |
| US08483791B2 |
Transcutaneous analyte sensor
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host. |
| US08483788B2 |
Motion compensation in a sensor
A system and method for compensating for movement in a sensor. A sensor may include an emitter configured to transmit light, a detector configured to receive the transmitted light via a respective light path, and an accelerometer configured to measure a change in distance between the detector and the emitter. The sensor may transmit the measurements relating to the change in distance between the detector and the emitter to a pulse oximetry monitor. The pulse oximetry monitor may generate an attenuation factor corresponding to the change in the distance between the detector and the emitter that may be used to compensate for movement in a sensor when calculating physiological parameters of a patient. |
| US08483787B2 |
Multiple wavelength sensor drivers
A physiological sensor includes an electrical grid to activate one or more light emitters by addressing at least one row conductor and at least one column conductor. Each light emitter includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The physiological sensor includes a first light emitter and a second light emitter. A first contact is communicatively coupled with the positive terminal of the first light emitter, the negative terminal of the second light emitter, a first row conductor, and a first column conductor. A second contact is communicatively coupled with the negative terminal of the first light emitter, the positive terminal of the second light emitter, a second row conductor, and a second column conductor. The first light emitter is activated by addressing the first row conductor and the second column conductor. The second light emitter is activated by addressing the second row conductor and the first column conductor. |
| US08483785B2 |
Mobile electronic device providing impact resistance to electronic component
An impact resistant mobile electronic device is disclosed. A case comprises a first circuit board and a second circuit board, and is elongated in a first direction. The second circuit board is smaller than the first circuit board and is elongated in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The second circuit board comprises one or more electrical components elongated in a fourth direction. The first circuit board may be elongated in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the second direction. |
| US08483781B2 |
Cover translucent to backlighting and opaque in exterior ambient lighting
A cover for an apparatus including a substrate defining the cover and having an exterior surface; a layer over the exterior surface of the substrate; a first portion of the substrate, underlying the layer, having a first composition and defining a first portion of the cover; a second portion of the substrate, underlying the layer, having a second composition and defining a second portion of the cover; wherein the first portion of the cover and the second portion of the cover are substantially opaque in exterior ambient lighting and the second portion of the cover is translucent to backlighting. |
| US08483779B2 |
Mobile communication terminal
A mobile phone apparatus 10 includes a touch panel controlling IC 30. The touch panel controlling IC 30 controls electric power supplied from the electric power IC 14 on the basis of a received active signal or standby signal to set a touch panel input apparatus 32 to an active state or a standby state on the basis of the received active signal or standby signal. A processor 12 transmits to the touch panel controlling IC 30 the active signal or the standby signal in correspondence with a determined state of the mobile phone apparatus 10. |
| US08483777B2 |
Method and arrangement in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a method and arrangements in a radio base station for turning off the output power for a frequency carrier of a cell. The radio base station is configured to use at least two different modulation schemes. Each of the modulation schemes requires a different output power spectrum density for the frequency carrier. The method in the radio base station comprises reducing (410) the available output power spectrum density for the frequency carrier gradually, and disabling (420) the modulation scheme with the highest required output power spectrum density, before the available output power spectrum density falls below said highest required output power spectrum density. It also comprises turning off (430) the output power for the frequency carrier before the available output power spectrum density falls below the highest required output power spectrum density of the at least one remaining non-disabled modulation scheme. |
| US08483776B2 |
Acoustic path for a wireless communications device
A printed circuit board for a wireless communications device includes an acoustic path, and acoustically couples microphone circuitry mounted to a surface of the printed circuit board to an exterior of the wireless communications device. A portion of the acoustic path is integrally formed with the printed circuit board and extends generally parallel to the surface of the printed circuit board. One end of the acoustic path is disposed proximate the microphone circuitry and an opposing end opens to receive acoustic sound from the exterior of the wireless communications device. Audible sound propagates through the acoustic path to the microphone circuitry. |
| US08483775B2 |
Vehicle communication system
A vehicle communication system detects the presence of a passenger wearable communication device. The system receives audio signals from multiple sources inside or outside of a vehicle. The system processes the signals before routing the signals to multiple destinations. The destinations may include wearable personal communication devices, front and/or rear speakers, and/or a remote mobile device. |
| US08483774B2 |
Cell phone remote ringer
The present invention relates to a device system and method for providing a remote product which notifies a cell phone user that his cell phone is receiving a call in order to answer the cell phone when it is out of hearing range or otherwise turned off or out of cell range. By utilizing a separate call notification device, the device can be positioned to receive a cell call indication in a situation or place where the cell phone might not. |
| US08483772B2 |
Inconspicuous mode for mobile devices
A communication device is configured to switch from a normal mode of operation to an inconspicuous mode of operation in which a reduced set of information is presented on a home screen of a display of the device in comparison to a set of information presented on the home screen in the normal mode of operation. In addition, other display properties such as contrast and brightness may be adjusted to make them less conspicuous. The home screen in the inconspicuous mode of operation is less obtrusive or conspicuous to individuals than in the normal mode of operation. The device may enter the inconspicuous mode upon user request or by detecting at least one environmental condition using a sensor available to the mobile communication device. The environmental condition may be anything that the device can detect or sense in its surrounding environment such as ambient light or sound. The device may return to the normal mode of operation by user request or when the environmental condition is no longer present. |
| US08483771B2 |
Actuator assembly and electronic device including same
An actuator assembly for use in an electronic device is provided. The actuator assembly includes a support tray formed of a conductive metal and defining an aperture extending through the support tray. A seat surrounds the aperture and supports an actuator. The actuator includes a piezoelectric element adhered to a metal substrate larger than the piezoelectric element. The metal substrate bends when the piezoelectric element contracts and expands in response to changes in the charge of the piezoelectric element. An insulator is disposed between the metal substrate and the support tray which electrically insulates the substrate from the metal substrate. |
| US08483767B2 |
Portable information terminal apparatus, mobile wireless terminal apparatus, and sensor control method
A touch sensor detects contact input by a finger or the like, and includes two sensor modules. Each of the sensor modules has many sensors arrayed linearly. The operation state of each sensor module is set under the control of a control unit. When a user touches a sensor of the sensor module, the control unit energizes only the sensor which the user has touched and neighboring sensors to detect an input from the user, and does not energize the remaining sensors on the same sensor module. |
| US08483763B2 |
Feeding apparatus for monopole antenna and related analog broadcast player system and integration system
A feeding apparatus for a monopole antenna having a radiating unit and a grounding unit is for transmitting a multimedia signal to a multimedia player device coupled to the radiating unit. The feeding apparatus includes a first feeding unit coupled to an inner conductor of a coaxial cable for feeding the multimedia signal transmitted by the coaxial cable to the radiating unit, and a second feeding unit coupled to a conducting mesh of the coaxial cable for connecting to the grounding unit. |
| US08483762B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhancing link range in a wireless network using a self-configurable antenna
Embodiments of the invention facilitate providing wireless links with longer link ranges and/or better suppression of interference than can be provided by the integrated antennas of a typical wireless network node. While, in some cases, it is possible to install intermediate wireless network nodes to hop through long expanses between distant wireless network nodes, it is desirable for distantly spaced wireless network nodes to reach one another through a single transit link (i.e. one hop). This approach is preferable because a single transit link is capable of higher data rates and better interference suppression than multi-hop transit links. The present invention provides methods and apparatus for enhancing the link range achievable by typical wireless network nodes so that distantly spaced wireless network nodes are able to communicate with one another using only a single-transit link. |
| US08483761B2 |
Singular value decomposition beamforming for a multiple-input-multiple-output communication system
For one embodiment, a MIMO (Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output) communication system in which a first sequence of beamformed signals is transmitted, a beamformed channel is observed in response to transmission of the first sequence of beamformed signals, a QR decomposition of the observed beamformed channel is performed to provide a unitary matrix, and a second sequence of beamformed signals is transmitted using as a beamformer the unitary matrix. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08483758B2 |
Modular mobile accessory for mobile device
Accessories for mobile devices. Embodiments include an external protective case and/or holster for mobile electronic devices, where the external protective case/holster incorporates a battery pack, a payment processing device, television signal receiver, and/or a modular multi-input/output device. |
| US08483756B2 |
Optical systems and elements with projection stabilization and interactivity
Apparatus and method related to projections and/or computing devices are described. Projections may be made from multiple computing devices to create a presentation. Various other embodiments are described. |
| US08483754B2 |
Image networks for mobile communication
A mobile communication system based on images, enabling communication between a plurality of mobile devices and servers, wherein the images have associated additional properties in the nature of voice, audio, data and other information. The system further enabling the formation of one or more image networks wherein the images are stored, organized, connected and linked to each other by one or more methods inclusive of one to one connection between images, a hierarchical connection between images and or other methods of connection between images to facilitate efficient image based communication between mobile devices, stationary devices and servers based on the mobile device identification, mobile device specific profiles and user specific profiles. The imaged base network system further having the ability to learn and form intelligent association between objects, people and other entities; between images and the associated data relating to both animate and inanimate entities for intelligent image based communication in a network. |
| US08483753B2 |
Multiple frequency band information signal frequency band conversion
A wireless device includes processing circuitry and a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver section. The processing circuitry determines a set of information signals for receipt, the set of information signals carried by a RF Multiple Frequency Bands Multiple Standards (MFBMS) signal having a plurality of information signal frequency bands. The processing circuitry determines a shift frequency based upon the determination. the RF receiver section receives the RF MFBMS signal and down-converts the RF MFBMS signal by the shift frequency to produce a baseband/low Intermediate Frequency (BB/IF) MFBMS signal. The processing circuitry then extracts data from the set of information signals of the BB/IF MFBMS signal. |
| US08483752B2 |
Device network technology selection and display in multi-technology wireless environments
System(s) and method(s) are provided to manage utilization of radio network technology and display thereof when multiple services and radio network technologies are available to a multi-technology mobile device. Management relies at least in part on a subscriber profile that comprises a network selection profile constructed through market policy, subscriber policy, and application policy for radio technology utilization. Network preference(s) profile is generated on per subscriber, or per subscriber type, basis and is conveyed to a subscriber station over the air. Initial subscriber profile can be delivered at a time of provisioning a multi-technology mobile device, and updated based at least upon subscriber demand, a schedule established by a network operator or service provider, or an event related to coverage area relocation or contracted services. Radio technology preferences and display of associated technologies available to a multi-technology mobile device can be dynamically controlled on a per-call and/or per-application basis. |
| US08483749B2 |
Mobile terminal device for receiving dual band signal using multiple resonance antenna
A mobile terminal device for receiving a dual band signal using a multiple resonance antenna in a mobile terminal is provided. The mobile terminal device includes a multiple resonance antenna, a first band filter connecting with the multiple resonance antenna, for filtering a first band signal of a low band received through the multiple resonance antenna, a second band filter connecting with the multiple resonance antenna, for filtering a second band signal of a high band received through the multiple resonance antenna, and a signal processor including a first signal processing unit for converting a frequency of the first band signal to generate a first baseband signal and a second signal processing unit for converting a frequency of the second band signal to generate a second baseband signal, and for activating a corresponding signal processing unit according to selection of a user. |
| US08483743B2 |
Neighboring cell interference management in SC-FDMA
The invention relates to a method for reconfiguring zones of a cell sector in a cellular mobile communication system employing a frequency division multiplex access scheme comprising the steps of separating a cell sector into zones of a predetermined size, allocating radio resources to users located in the zones, and altering the predetermined zone size upon a change of a radio resource management parameter. The invention also relates to a base station of a cellular mobile communication system. |
| US08483740B2 |
Backoff mechanism in random access channel
A method to determine a back-off adjustment and transmission power adjustment in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method including determining a problem in signal reception and adjusting a back-off and a transmission power based on a plurality of measurement results. The measurement results include common pilot channel received signal code power, received signal strength indicator and uplink interference. |
| US08483732B2 |
Method and apparatus for timestamping uplink messages
Methods and devices are provided for disambiguating the timing of uplink transmissions. In one embodiment, the method may involve receiving from a wireless network a global time value having a wraparound time longer than that of a system frame number for the network, the global time value being based at least in part on an overhead message conveying at least one parameter of a first radio access technology (RAT) different from a second RAT used by the network. The method may involve determining a current global time based on the received global time value, and sending an uplink message that includes the current global time as a global timestamp. |
| US08483731B2 |
Systems and methods for base station reference frequency correction and timing correction using transceiver feedback
A wireless communications system includes a radio resource manager, one or more base stations, and one or more wireless transceivers capable of communicating with the base stations. The wireless transceivers are configured to be able to measure the difference in network parameter (e.g. frequency and timing offset) between base stations within their range. These network parameter differences along with other information is communicated to the radio resource manager which is then able to update or correct the signal or signals of one or more base stations using the information from the wireless transceivers. |
| US08483730B2 |
Method and system for managing channel set for dynamic channel allocation
A method for managing a channel set for dynamic channel allocation, and a system for performing the method. The method includes predicting a channel state and a channel quality on a vacant channel based on channel information that is obtained by spectrum sensing and communication protocol. The predicting includes modeling an occupation pattern of the vacant channel to calculate a probability in which an incumbent user (IU) licensed to use the vacant channel appears on the vacant channel. The method also includes evaluating reliability on the prediction result, and giving a priority to the vacant channel based on the evaluated reliability. |
| US08483722B2 |
Method and apparatus for selecting a location platform for a user equipment to roam and method for determining a location of a user equipment using the same
A method and apparatus for calculating a location of a User Equipment (UE) that is roaming, the method comprising establishing a positioning session with a Home Location Platform (HLP) by using a location request message including specific identifier information of an area in which the UE is located, and positioning capability information including a positioning scheme supported by the UE, and exchanging positioning information with the HLP to calculate a position of the UE, wherein the position of the UE is determined by the HLP using the exchanged positioning information and approximate coordinate information transmitted from a Visiting Location Platform (VLP) to the HLP. According to such a method, it is possible to efficiently perform the positioning of the UE, regardless of the location of the UE, thereby improving the quality of the positioning service. |
| US08483716B1 |
Network and location based phone number format identification
Method, system, and computer readable medium for detecting the correct phone number format to use based on the user current country and an original country associated with a number to be dialed. This information can be used to allow a user to keep phone numbers in his/her contact list in any common format on his/her country of origin and still allow numbers to be dialed correctly when the user is travelling anywhere in the world. |
| US08483715B2 |
Computer based location identification using images
In the field of mobile computing, a user of a mobile device takes a picture of a nearby landmark or building or street and transmits that picture via his device's wireless link to a remote server. The server has the capability of identifying the location from the photo by matching it against publicly available online collections of images, such as Flickr. The server executes a location identification algorithm to match the received photo to those in the collection to determine the actual location of the photo. Typically the images in the collections have metadata, such as textual tags. Upon identifying the most likely location of the received photo from the user, the server transmits back to the user's mobile computing device an indication of the location, such as a textual location description from the tag, a map or directions to a particular location. This is especially useful in a city or dense urban environment and where the mobile computing device does not have GPS capability or its GPS is inoperative. |
| US08483708B2 |
Mobile terminal and corresponding method for transmitting new position information to counterpart terminal
A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other counterpart terminal; a camera module configured to capture images; a touchscreen display configured to receive touch inputs and to display information; a position location module configured to provide a location of the terminal; and a controller configured to control the camera module to capture a preview image, to display the captured preview image on the touchscreen, to receive a designation input command indicating a destination object included in the camera preview image displayed on the touchscreen, to calculate position information of the designated destination object based on the location of the terminal provided by the position location module, and to transmit the calculated position information to the counterpart terminal. |
| US08483705B1 |
GPS proxy for location-unaware devices
A communication system, media, and methods that proxy location information to location unaware devices are provided. The communication system includes a wireless device that connects to a cellular network and personal area network. The cellular network includes a Global Positioning System server that provides location information based on the current location of the wireless device. A location-unaware device communicates with the wireless device to receive location information via the wireless device when the wireless device is within a predetermined distance of the location-unaware device. The location unaware device connects to a service database to store the location information and queries the service database to complete communication requests generated by a plain-old-telephone-system device that is connects to the location unaware device. |
| US08483696B2 |
Mobile communications system, mobile station device, base station device and channel allocation method
Each mobile station device (12) includes: a subchannel allocation refusal determining section (50), which determines a subchannel refused to be allocated from a base station device (10), based on a communication quality measured for each subchannel by a communication quality measuring section (44); an RMAP creating section (52), which creates refused channel information (RMAP information) indicating the subchannel determined to be refused to be allocated; and a transmitting section (54) which gives notice of the created RMAP information to the base station device (10). The base station device (10) includes: an RMAP acquiring section (26), which acquires the RMAP information noticed from the each mobile station device (12); and a subchannel allocating section (32), which determines whether to change a subchannel to be allocated to the each mobile station device (12), based on the acquired RMAP information and allocated channel information (MAP information) indicating the subchannel allocated to the each mobile station device (12). |
| US08483692B2 |
Method and systems for allocating transmission of common control information from multiple base stations
A communication system includes at least a large service area (LSA) base station having a LSA geographical service area and a small service area (SSA) base station having a SSA geographical service area that is smaller than the LSA geographical service area and at least partially overlaps the LSA geographical service area in an overlap region. A first logical control channel, assigned to the LSA base station, and a second logical control channel, assigned to the SSA base station, have common control information that is the same. A controller in the system allocates transmission of the common control information from at least one of the base stations over a physical channel having a defined transmission time and transmission frequency. If transmission of the common control information is allocated from both base stations, the common control information is allocated for transmission by both base stations over the physical channel. |
| US08483689B2 |
Method and system for managing a mobile device handoff from a macro base station to a Femto Base Station
A method for managing a mobile device handoff from a macro base station to a Femto Base Station includes receiving periodically a subscriber list from each of neighboring Femto Base Stations by the Macro Base Station. The method also includes storing Femto Base Station information and corresponding subscriber list and establishing connection with the mobile device. Further, the method includes identifying the mobile device to a corresponding Femto Base Station. The method includes transmitting a unicast message to the mobile device. Furthermore, the method includes receiving a scan request by Macro Base Station from the mobile device and sending scan response by the Macro Base Station to the mobile device. Further, the method includes receiving a handoff request from the mobile device and sending a handoff response to the mobile device. The system includes a macro base station for receiving periodically a subscriber list from neighboring Femto Base Stations. |
| US08483687B2 |
Arrangement and method for radio network relocation
An arrangement and method for radio network relocation of a mobile terminal (114) from a first base station controller (122) to a second base station controller (122′) by anchoring at least some SGSN functions with respect to the first base station controller; and relocating at least some RNC functions from the first base station controller to the second base station controller. RNC (124), SGSN (132) and GGSN (134) components may be integrated together, and the RNC (124) may be parented by an SGSN. Alternatively, RANAP SGSN functionality may be split between SGSN and RNC, RANAP and user plane signals may be relayed by the first base station controller to the second base station controller, and the first base station controller may act as an anchor. |
| US08483685B2 |
Providing location based services for mobile devices
Systems and methods are provided that allow the delivery of location based services within a communication network. The location information can be retrieved using information from the mobile node when the mobile node registers in the network. The location information can then be cached or stored in one or more places in the communication network and correlated with the mobile node's addressing information. If a request for location based services is received without location based information, the gateway can use location based information regarding the mobile node to provide location based services. The gateway can enable non IMS mobile nodes to obtain IMS location based services or incompatible mobile nodes to obtain location based services. |
| US08483684B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing changes in a CSG subscription in a wireless communication system
Provided are a method and an apparatus for processing changes in a closed subscriber group (CSG) subscription in a wireless communication system. A non-access stratum (NAS) of a user equipment receives, from a network, an NAS message indicating that the CSG service to a CSG cell has expired. The NAS notifies the expiration of the CSG service to access stratum (AS), and the AS transmits the expiration of the CSG service to the CSG cell. |
| US08483682B1 |
Method and system for acquiring a wireless communication channel in a wireless communication system
In various embodiments, systems and methods are provided for a wireless device to acquire a wireless channel in wireless communication system. In an embodiment, the wireless device obtains a first wireless communication channel to operate on a first wireless network from a first wireless channel table where the first wireless communication channel is associated with a geographic identifier. The wireless device saves the geographic identifier and obtains a second wireless communication channel to operate on a second wireless network from a second wireless channel table using the geographic identifier where the second wireless communication channel is associated with the geographic identifier. |
| US08483679B2 |
Sharing of electromagnetic-signal measurements for providing feedback about transmit-path signal quality
A technique is discloses that enables a first telecommunications terminal, wireless or otherwise, to report to its user whether a second, wireless telecommunications terminal is receiving the first terminal's packet stream transmissions at a satisfactory quality level. The second terminal receives the packet stream that conveys the media waveform transmitted by the first terminal. The media waveform can be that of the speech signal of the first terminal's user. The second terminal measures a trait of the received signal and encodes the measurement data into the packet stream that the second terminal is already transmitting to the first terminal. The first terminal then decodes the measurement data from the received second stream and presents, to its user, a quality indication that is based on the measurement data. In doing so, the first terminal provides its user with a better idea of whether the second terminal has reliably received the user's communication. |
| US08483672B2 |
System and method for selective monitoring of mobile communication terminals based on speech key-phrases
Methods and systems for monitoring mobile communication terminals. A correlation system selects candidate communication terminals to be monitored, and then attempts to identify whether the candidate terminals are indeed operated by target users. Following successful correlation of a candidate terminal with a target user, various surveillance actions can be performed with respect to the terminal. Correlation of candidate communication terminals with target users is based on identification of speech key-phrases. When evaluating a given candidate terminal, the system analyzes speech that is communicated via the candidate terminal and attempts to detect one or more of the speech key-phrases in the analyzed speech. |
| US08483664B2 |
Method for services identification for convergent messaging systems
The invention relates to a method for service identification for convergent messaging systems, in which a convergent message is interchanged between a sender and at least one receiver (13) via a communication network (10). The invention provides for the message structure of the convergent message to have an information element added to it which contains information about the message type or relating to the handling of the message. |
| US08483662B2 |
Mobile communication system, mobile station apparatus, base station apparatus, communication control method, and storage medium storing program
A mobile communication system including a base station apparatus and a mobile station apparatus. The base station includes a holding unit and a base station controller. The mobile station apparatus includes a mobile station controller for transmitting and receiving user information to and from the base station apparatus and managing the user information acquired from the base station apparatus, in which the mobile station apparatus does not hold the user information of the mobile station apparatus in advance, but acquires the user information, after a power supply of the mobile station apparatus is turned on, from the base station apparatus through the mobile station controller and temporarily stores the user information. |
| US08483659B2 |
Methods and systems for recovering lost or stolen mobile devices
To facilitate recovering lost or stolen mobile devices, methods and systems are provided that enable mobile devices to report information that can be used to locate the device and/or identify an unauthorized user. Owners can report the loss or theft of their mobile devices to a server which can transmit an anti-theft activation message. Reception of the anti-theft activation message prompts activation of a anti-theft software module may limit access to programs and data on the mobile device while allowing the normal use of the mobile device through a secondary user interface. Unbeknownst to unauthorized users, data related to the user and the device are collected and transmitted to a server. Collected data may include user biometric data and non-biometric data. User biometric data may be matched against biometric databases to identify the user. Non-biometric data may be used to help locate the mobile devices. |
| US08483658B1 |
Method and arrangement for reporting credit/charging information to a mobile communication station
A method for transmitting prepaid charging/credit information to a mobile station. The available credit information can be sent to the mobile station by detecting a termination of a call chargeable to the subscriber of the mobile station; and in response to the detecting, sending the credit information to the mobile station as a connectionless message, preferably as a short message or a USSD message. Optionally, resources allocated to the call are released with sufficient delay for sending the connectionless message without paging the mobile station separately. |
| US08483654B2 |
System and method for reporting and tracking incidents with a mobile device
A novel system and method for enhancing people's personal safety and incident reporting is presented, wherein mobile devices are used to report and/or record both “911” type situations and non-emergency situations. Users of the invention can record, transmit, stream, upload and/or send information from a threatening situation to a dispatcher at an emergency management office or facility and to the user's safety group. The dispatcher can assess the situation and, if the situation warrants action, then the information can be forwarded to the appropriate first responders. The system geo-locates the user and allows integration of camera feeds in the user's vicinity. The inventive system and method enables a user to contact a dispatcher and also to alert the user's safety group. Four pieces of software facilitate video, audio, images and/or text medium of communication between the user-in-distress and the dispatcher, first responders and the user's safety group. |
| US08483653B2 |
Panic message delivery system and method for mobile devices
A system and method is disclosed for sending a panic message. Specifically, a program that monitors inputs devices runs on a mobile device. A series of inputs from the one or more input devices of a mobile device is received. The series of inputs can be computed to a unique sequence associated with a function. Then, a function is executed if the combination of inputs matches the unique sequence. |
| US08483652B2 |
Campus alerting via wireless geocast
A geocast alerting system employs wireless geocast transmissions to deliver customized alerting messages to particular geographic areas. Geocast alerting regions and sub-regions can be defined within the system. Upon notice of the occurrence of an emergent situation, one or more geographic areas that may potentially be affected by the emergent situation are determined. The potentially effected geographic regions are compared with geocast alerting regions and sub-regions corresponding to particular geographic areas. Target alerting regions that should receive alerting messages are identified based on the comparison. The content of alerting messages can be tailored for each target alerting region. The content of alerting messages can contain distinct portions of content, each portion tailored based upon one or more conditions related to communications devices within the target alerting region. |
| US08483649B2 |
System and method for an energy efficient RF transceiver
An energy efficient radio having a clocking system utilizing two clocks with very different precision and power characteristics. In another aspect, the time that a radio spends on listening/receiving is optimized so that energy is not wasted when there is no need to keep receiving. In another aspect, to further improve the energy efficiency, two receive portions with drastic difference in power consumption, instead of a single receive portion as is used in a typical wireless receiver, and are used to process different parts of a received packet. |
| US08483646B2 |
Second order intermodulation canceller
A technique for cancelling out target IM2 components in a wireless receiver's mixer output is disclosed. A differential RF signal and a differential local oscillator (LO) signal are mixed by a mixer to demodulate the RF signal. A first common node signal is generated between a first resistor and a second resistor coupled across the mixer's differential output terminals. A second common node signal is generated between a third resistor and a fourth resistor coupled across the differential output terminals, where a capacitor is coupled between the second common node and a power supply terminal. The second common node signal provides a stable reference signal for IM2 components above a certain frequency. The two common node signals are subtracted to create a difference signal. The difference signal is scaled by a scaling factor obtained during calibration. The scaled difference signal is coupled to the mixer output to offset IM2 distortion. |
| US08483641B1 |
Validation and stabilization of noise matrices
A method includes receiving a signal via multiple receive antennas. A noise covariance matrix, which indicates noise correlations between pairs of the receive antennas, is estimated. A stability criterion defined over the noise covariance matrix is evaluated, and the noise covariance matrix is modified when the stability criterion is violated. The received signal is processed using the modified noise covariance matrix. |
| US08483638B2 |
Radio communications method, transmitter, and receiver
A transmitter that performs radio communications with a receiver in a plurality of types of communications services, the transmitter includes a controller that controls guard intervals of at least any one of a plurality of codes, which are unique to respective cells and correspond to any one of the plurality of types of communications services, so that lengths of guard intervals of the plurality of codes become same; and a transmitting unit that transmits first codes among the plurality of codes using a first band set in a transmission band, and also transmits second codes among the plurality of codes different from the first codes using a second band set in the transmission band different from the first band set. |
| US08483635B2 |
Broadcast receiving apparatus and radio receiving apparatus
A broadcast receiving apparatus includes a first tuner configured to receive a broadcast wave from a specified broadcasting station, a second tuner configured to perform a frequency search for receivable broadcasting stations, a power supply unit configured to supply power to the first tuner and the second tuner, a traveling state detection unit configured to determine if a vehicle is moving or is stopped, a reception state detection unit configured to detect a reception state of a currently-received broadcast wave, and a control unit configured to control the first tuner, the second tuner, the power supply unit, the traveling state detection unit, and the reception state detection unit. The control unit causes power to be supplied to the second tuner and causes the second tuner to perform a frequency search while the vehicle is traveling, and when it is determined that the vehicle has stopped, the control unit turns the power supplied to the second tuner on and off in accordance with the reception state of the broadcast wave. |
| US08483633B2 |
Method and apparatus for alarming in a power supply modulated system
A communication device is presented that has different processors and a power amplifier. One of the processors receives a signal from a monitor and indicates that an alarm exists to a diagnostics module. The other processor uses the envelope signal of the input signal to be amplified and either the signal from the diagnostics module, the monitor or the power amplifier to adjust modulation of the power supply of the power amplifier dependent on the type of alarm. The power supply voltage or headroom is maximized or frozen at the value of the last detection cycle if a fault or impairment, respectively, of the power amplifier is detected. |
| US08483632B2 |
Radiated power control systems and methods in wireless communication devices
Embodiments include systems and methods for controlling radiation of radio frequency (RF) energy by a wireless communication device that includes a transmitter, an antenna, a vector field sensor, and a processing system. The transmitter produces an analog RF signal, and the antenna radiates the analog RF signal into an environment. The vector field sensor senses an intensity of a vector field resulting from the analog RF signal radiated by at least the antenna (and possibly other portions of the device). The processing system determines whether a value representing the intensity is greater than a first threshold, and when the value is greater than the first threshold, the processing system causes the radiated RF energy produced by the wireless communication device to be decreased. |
| US08483630B2 |
Method and system for generating a pulse signal of the ultra wide band type
System for generating a pulsed signal of the ultra wideband type, comprising a device for direct digital frequency synthesis (DDS) comprising a phase accumulator (ACCP) able to deliver at a first frequency (Fclk) phases coded on i bits and spaced apart by a phase increment (Δp) differing by a power of two and situated in the vicinity of 2i-1, processing means (MT) able to receive said phases and arranged so as to deliver an amplitude-modulated output signal (SG) whose envelope exhibits a succession of regions respectively delimited by zones of zero amplitude (ZA, ZB), each amplitude-modulated signal part situated in one of said regions forming a pulse of the ultra wideband type (IMP) whose central frequency is equal to said first frequency and whose width depends on the value of the phase increment, and control means (MC) able to regulate the operation of the digital synthesis device so as to selectively deliver one or more pulses of the ultra wideband type. |
| US08483629B2 |
Determination of coupling between radio devices
A method includes transmitting, from a radio device of a secondary communication system, a signal into a channel of a primary communication system; monitoring channel signal quality-related feedback of the primary system; determining, based on the monitored channel signal quality-related feedback, an amount of mutual coupling between the transmitted signal and the channel, if any, caused by the transmitted signal; and if the amount of determined mutual coupling is less than a threshold amount, using the channel for communication with another radio device of the secondary communication system. The signal that is transmitted may be a probing signal having at least a predetermined temporally varying transmission pattern, and where determining includes correlating at least the predetermined temporally varying transmission pattern with changes, if any, in the monitored channel signal quality-related feedback. The channel signal quality-related feedback that is monitored may include at least one of ACK/NACK feedback, power control feedback, rate control feedback and channel quality indicator feedback. |
| US08483628B2 |
Multiple-phase frequency translated filter
A frequency translation filter includes a baseband filter circuit, a clock generator, and a switching circuit. The baseband filter circuit is operable to provide a baseband filter response. The clock generator is operable to generate multiple-phase clock signals at a desired frequency. The switching circuit is operable to frequency translate the baseband filter response of the baseband filter circuit to a high frequency filter response in accordance with the multiple-phase clock signals. |
| US08483627B2 |
Circuits, processes, devices and systems for full integration of RF front end module including RF power amplifier
An electronic circuit comprising a transistor-based RF (radio frequency) power amplifier (112) having balanced outputs (172, 176), a transistor-based receiver RF amplifier (116) having balanced inputs (152, 156) ohmically connected to said balanced outputs (172, 176) respectively of said RF power amplifier (112), and a balun (114) having a primary (182, 186) and a secondary (188), said primary (182, 186) having primary connections and a supply connection (185) of said primary (182, 186) intermediate said primary connections and said primary connections ohmically connected both to said balanced outputs (172, 176) of said RF power amplifier (112) respectively and to said balanced inputs (152, 156) of said receiver RF amplifier, thereby to switchlessly couple RF between the balun (114) and the RF power amplifier (112) and switchlessly couple RF between the balun (114) and the receiver RF amplifier (116). Other electronic circuits, processes, devices and systems are disclosed. |
| US08483622B2 |
Power consumption control methods applied to communication systems, and related devices
A power consumption control method applied to a communication system adjusts the power consumption of a portion of circuit in the communication system according to a transmission distance between the communication system and another communication system. Another power consumption control method applied to a communication system adjusts the power consumption of a portion of circuit in the communication system according to a signal index of the communication system. |
| US08483616B1 |
Non-interference technique for spatially aware mobile ad hoc networking
A system and method for reducing interference between wireless terminals communicating in a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET). Interference is reduced by dividing the MANET into a number of geographical areas having a specific size and shape. Each geographical area is assigned a time slot during which wireless terminals located in the respective geographical area may transmit to other wireless terminals. The time slots are assigned such that geographical areas having the same time slot are far enough away from each other that wireless terminals located in such same time slot geographical areas are outside the interference range of each other. |
| US08483614B2 |
HID protocol-based soft keyboard toggle with initialization and synchronization capability for mobile phones and PDAs connected to a peripheral device
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for employing a specialized key on a peripheral device such as a bar code scanner that can enabled the direct manipulation of a soft keyboard function on a smart device such as a iPhone® or iPad® or iPod® touch without either a suspension or disconnection of the connection via Bluetooth® between the bar code scanner and the smart device, and without any data loss being incurred from latency periods in the smart device. |
| US08483608B2 |
Monitoring of network call activity in a satellite-based communication system
A network monitoring system includes data source routers, data servers, and user interface modules for depicting visual data presentations that show call activity within a satellite-based communication network. The data source routers capture signaling data from a terrestrial portion of the network and supply the signaling data to the data servers. The user interface modules request selected data from the data servers based on selected display filtering settings and generate the visual data presentations, including a geo view, a satellite activity grid, and a message view. The geo view shows a time progression of live or recorded call activity data on a map. The satellite activity grid organizes a time-progression of live or recorded call activity on a two-dimensional grid representing each satellite spot beam in the system. The message view shows a detailed listing of individual messages that have occurred within selected call flows in the network. |
| US08483607B2 |
Wireless communication method and relay apparatus
A wireless communication method executed by a wireless communication system including a relay apparatus, a first wireless communication apparatus, and a second wireless communication apparatus includes the following operations. Upon receiving a wireless signal from the first wireless communication apparatus, the relay apparatus adds advice information, which indicates that the wireless signal has been relayed, to the received wireless signal. The relay apparatus transmits the wireless signal added the advice information thereto to the second wireless communication apparatus. The second wireless communication apparatus detects the advice information to determine whether the wireless signal has been relayed. |
| US08483603B2 |
Image heating apparatus and heating belt for use in the image heating apparatus
A cylindrical heat generating belt in an image heating apparatus includes a heat generating layer, in which an electroconductive filler is dispersed in a resin material, for generating heat by being supplied with electric power; and a surface parting layer. The heat generating layer has a sheet resistance, with respect to a generatrix direction of the heat generating belt, which is larger than that with respect to a circumferential direction of the heat generating belt. |
| US08483600B2 |
Development device having developer carrier with stationary disposed magnetic body
Provided is a development device and an image forming apparatus that realize high image quality with improved decrease in density at high speed development and with reduced occurrence of development hysteresis (ghost) in a hybrid developing method having a plurality of toner carriers, by reducing the decrease in the toner supplying ability to a downstream-side toner carrier, which decrease is caused by the supply of toner to an upstream-side toner carrier on an upstream side in a rotating direction of a developer carrier. By providing a magnetic pole between main magnetic poles, of the developer carrier, facing the toner carriers, a magnetically raised bristle of developer is moved by a magnetic force, while the developer in which development hysteresis due to supplying toner to the upstream-side toner carrier occurred is conveyed to supply toner to the downstream-side toner carrier, whereby a developer layer is stirred. |
| US08483597B2 |
Transfer assembly and image forming apparatus using same
A transfer assembly includes a counter member having a contact face, an engagement/disengagement unit to engage and disengage the image carrying face of image carrying member and the contact face of counter member using a cam, a pressure device to apply force to a transfer nip between the image carrying face and contact face, and a recording medium feed device to feed the recording medium to the transfer nip. When the cam is at a first rotation position, the image carrying face and contact face are separated, and when the cam is at a second rotation position, the image carrying face and contact face contact. Before the recording medium enters the transfer nip, the cam rotates from the first rotation position toward the second rotation position. After the recording medium enters the transfer nip, the cam is at the second rotation position to press the image carrying face with the contact face. |
| US08483594B2 |
Image forming apparatus with cartridge supporting member and members for preventing movement of cartridge supporting member
An image forming apparatus is provided for forming an image on a recording material. The apparatus includes a plurality of cartridges, and a cartridge supporting member including a plurality of mounting portions in which the plurality of cartridges is detachably mountable. A plurality of preventing members are each provided movably in an associated cartridge, corresponding to the plurality of mounting portions. Each preventing member is movable between a first position in which each preventing member prevents movement of the cartridge supporting member from an outside position to an inside position by contacting the main assembly, and a second position, retracted from the first position, in which each preventing member permits the movement of the cartridge supporting member. |
| US08483590B2 |
Method and apparatus for external heater roll cleaning
According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided an apparatus and method to maintain a clean and effective external heat roll surface in a printing system. The disclosed embodiment's uses a cleaning roller in contact with the external heat rollers designed to dislodge and displace contamination products that would otherwise accumulate on and in the external heat roller rough surface. The cleaning roller rotates concurrently with the heating roller so that the cleaning media cleans the roller from a picking action as opposed to a wiping motion. This provides maximum cleaning action with the undesirable wear and tear of the bristles that would occur with the conventional method of a wiping motion. |
| US08483588B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming cartridge supporter, and image forming unit
An image forming apparatus has a body frame and a slide frame. The slide frame is configured to be pulled out from the body frame along a sliding direction. A plurality of image forming cartridges is detachably mounted on the slide frame. A plurality of electrode members is mounted on the slide frame and aligned along the sliding direction so as to correspond to the image forming cartridges. A body-side contact portion of each of the electrode members is electrically connected to the body frame. A cartridge-side contact portion of the electrode member is electrically connected to the image forming cartridge. The image forming cartridge is connected to the body via the corresponding electrode member when the slide frame mounting the image forming cartridges is inserted to the body frame. |
| US08483584B2 |
Image forming apparatus including controller for detecting and reducing abnormal discharges
An image forming apparatus includes: a photoconductor; a charging unit that charges the photoconductor; an applying unit that produces a charging voltage; a current detecting unit that detects a charging current; an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium; and a control unit. The control unit receives a current detecting signal; determines whether an abnormal discharge occurs during an image forming operation based on the current detecting signal; controls the applying unit to reduce a value of the charging voltage if the abnormal discharge occurs; determines whether the abnormal discharge stops occurring as a result of reducing the value of the charging voltage; and controls the conveying unit to eject the recording medium during the image forming operation if the abnormal discharge stops occurring. |
| US08483580B2 |
Method and apparatus for adjusting the gain of an amplifier of an optical receiver module based on link bit error rate (BER) measurements
An open loop gain adjustment method and apparatus are provided for adjusting the gain of a TIA of an optical RX module based on measurements of the BER of the optical link in which the optical RX module is employed. The gain of the TIA is adjusted until a determination is made that a satisfactory or optimum link BER has been achieved. |
| US08483578B2 |
Photonic generator of ultra-wide band millimeter wave
A photonic generator is provided. The photonic generator uses ultra-wide band millimeter wave (MMW) for generating a high-power ultra-broad band white noise. Thus, the present disclosure can be used for failure detection of instantaneous all-band device, noise detection of instantaneous all-band amplifier and mixer, wide-band cipher transmission, pseudo-random bit generation, ADC dithering of analog-digital converter, saturation power test of wide-band optical communicator, system noise detection of MMW receiver, and gain and phase detection of MMW interferometer. |
| US08483577B2 |
Programmable signal emphasis for optical transmitters
A method includes delivering an electrical signal over an electrical conductor to a transmitter module, which includes a memory holding compensation values corresponding respectively to different conductor lengths. One or more of the compensation values is retrieved from the memory of the transmitter module, and a waveform of the electrical signal is modified responsively to the retrieved compensation values. The electrical signal having the modified waveform is transmitted using the transmitter module over a communication link. |
| US08483575B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating frequency-locked optical comb sources
Frequency-locked optical comb sources are provided that utilize recirculating frequency shifting based on frequency conversion in a modulator, together with a filter. The filter may be a wavelength notch filter and include a plurality of notches. An example apparatus includes a coupler, an I/Q modulator, and a filter. A first input of the coupler receives a first input optical carrier having a first frequency, and a second input of the coupler re receives a set of frequency-shifted carriers from the filter. The input optical carrier may have a plurality of frequencies. The I/Q modulator shifts the frequency of a first output of the coupler. The filter filters modulated output from the I/Q modulator thereby limiting the frequency-shifted carriers to be within an optical bandwidth. A second output of the coupler provides a plurality of frequency-locked carriers containing the first input optical carrier and the set of frequency-shifted carriers. |
| US08483570B2 |
Method and apparatus for increasing the capacity of a data communication channel
Method for efficiently increasing the capacity of an optical channel which can operate in a given data rate B, by generating N modulated data streams with a bit rate of B/N and a bit-time of N/B at the transmission end, to be simultaneously transmitted from a transmission end to a receiving end of the channel. A shift of 1/B*N between the first modulated data stream and each of its N−1 subsequent modulated data streams is generated using time delay or phase shifting and then the first modulated data stream and its shifted subsequent modulated data streams are combined into a composite multilevel signal with up to N levels and the composite multilevel signal is transmitted to a receiving end of the channel. At the receiving end, the composite multilevel signal is sampled N times during each bit-time, in order to obtain a vector with N elements at each time, such that each element has N+1 possible values and corresponds to the order of a sample. Each of the N modulated data streams are reconstructed by vectorial MLSE, preformed for each element by calculating the joint conditional PDF. |
| US08483569B2 |
Data center with free-space optical communications
A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links. |
| US08483568B2 |
Data center with free-space optical communications
A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links. |
| US08483566B2 |
Sub-octave RF stacking for optical transport and de-stacking for distribution
A system for transporting a plurality of digital signals includes a head-end unit for routing each digital signal to a particular modem, according to address information in the signal. At its respective modem, each digital signal is mixed for further transmission on a unique, modem-specific, radio frequency (fn) that is predisposed for a sub-octave transmission. A first converter then “stacks” a plurality of the different digital signals onto a common wavelength (λ) for transmission as an optical signal over an optical fiber. At the receive end of the optical fiber, a second converter “de-stacks” the plurality of digital signals, and segregates them according to their respective unique radio frequency (fn). A distribution unit then directs each unique radio frequency signal to an addressed node for further transmission over a secondary network. |
| US08483564B2 |
Hybrid optical add-drop multiplexing network and wavelength allocation for the same
An optical add-drop network and wavelength allocation for the same wherein the system bandwidth is separated into a dedicated channel band and re-used channel bands, separated by guard bands, to allocate terminal connections to achieve a minimum number of re-used channel bands for the desired terminal connectivities. |
| US08483558B2 |
Image pickup apparatus capable of efficiently dissipating heat
An image pickup apparatus which is capable of suppressing by efficiently dissipating heat generated by an electronic device through transmission of the heat to a heat dissipating member without adding a new member to the image pickup apparatus. A CPU 2 generates heat during operation. An aluminum electrolytic capacitor 12 stores electric energy. A lens barrel 6, a battery compartment 25, and a tripod mounting screw 20 are thermally coupled to the aluminum electrolytic capacitor 12. A heat conductive member 1 is disposed between the CPU 2 and the aluminum electrolytic capacitor 12, for thermally coupling the CPU 2 and the aluminum electrolytic capacitor 12. |
| US08483556B2 |
Imaging unit
An imaging unit includes an incident-side reflecting surface provided in a casing and reflects object-emanating light, entering the casing in a thickness direction thereof, along a lengthwise direction of the casing; a movable lens group movable along the lengthwise direction of the casing; an exit-side reflecting surface reflecting the light in the thickness direction of the casing; an image sensor provided in the casing and receiving the light from the exit-side reflecting surface; a light shield frame between the movable lens group and the exit-side reflecting surface; and a light-shield-frame position adjustment mechanism provided in the casing, which maintains a constant distance between the movable lens group an the light shield frame when the movable lens group moves in a first moving range, and varies the distance between the movable lens group and the light shield frame when the movable lens group moves in a second moving range. |
| US08483553B2 |
Volatile emitter with reduced surface deposition and improved scent noticeability
A device for emitting volatile compositions comprising a capillary element, a channel in fluid communication with the capillary element, an emitting orifice having a forward tilt from about +5 degrees to less than about +90 degrees, and a decoupled piezoelectric actuator for emitting the volatile composition through the emitting orifice. In some embodiments, the device is a plug-in air freshener and reduces surface deposition and improves scent noticeability through improved containment of perfumes during the rest period. |
| US08483548B2 |
Digital broadcast recording apparatus
The digital broadcast recording apparatus (100) includes a recording unit (160) for recording digital broadcast, a detection unit (170) for detecting a packet containing information regarding a portion permitted to be recorded from a stream of a program prohibited from being recorded in the digital broadcast, and a control unit (140) for controlling, when the recording unit (160) records the program prohibited from being recorded, the recording unit (160) to record the portion permitted to be recorded based on the information contained in the packet detected by the detection unit (170). |
| US08483545B2 |
Method and apparatus for reproducing motion picture files
A reproduction method is disclosed that creates an index file including start point and termination point information connected with user designated specified section of a motion picture file (MPF), and MPF storage location. According to index file selection and related reproduction request, the specified section of the corresponding MPF is reproduced with reference to above information stored in the index file, allowing convenient viewing of the specified section of the MPF. |
| US08483544B2 |
Reproducing apparatus, reproducing method, reproducing program, and recording medium
For a large capacity recording medium, a user interface having high flexibility and enriched representation is accomplished. A flag that represents whether a play item has a multiple angle structure of which the play item is reproduced with a plurality of angles is described. In addition, a flag that represents whether the beginning of each decode unit is an angle switchable point is described. In a seamless multiple angle structure, the current angle can be switched without need to increase the number of interleave units. In a nonseamless multiple angle structure, with the flag, in a predetermined region on the rear end side of each angle, the current angle is prohibited from being switched. Thus, when a play item exits from the multiple angle, discontinuity in the reproduction can be prevented. In addition, with a flag that represents whether a sub play item should be reproduced not in synchronization with a main path, the sub play item of only audio data can be used as a BGM. |
| US08483543B2 |
Recording and reproducing apparatus using random access recording medium
A recording and reproducing apparatus is configured so as to record moving image data in which AV data contents recorded on a disk-shaped recording medium are referred to one by one by first reference type data which can attain time synchronization between the contents, and further to record a play list in which one or the plurality of the first reference type data and one or the plurality of AV data contents are referred to by second reference type data which can attain time synchronization between the contents. |
| US08483542B2 |
Image processing device and method
An image processing device reads a video consisting of a plurality of image frames from a storage device. A stable region along a Y-axis direction in each image frame is determined according to pixel information of an edge row of each image frame. The device then aligns all the image frames according to the stable region along a Y-axis direction in each image frame, and trims all the image frames by cutting additional image regions excepting the stable region along the Y-axis direction in each image frame, to reduce a shaking degree of each image frame along the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, the device reduces a shaking degree of each image frame along an X-axis direction using similar method by reducing the shaking degree along the Y-axis direction. At last, the device displays stable playback of the video consisting of the aligned and trimmed image frames. |
| US08483540B2 |
Method and system for subframe accurate synchronization
A method, apparatus and system for synchronizing between two recording modes includes identifying a common event in the two recording modes. The event in time is recognized for a higher accuracy mode of the two modes. The event is predicted in a lower accuracy mode of the two modes by determining a time when the event occurred between frames in the lower accuracy mode. The event in the higher accuracy mode is synchronized to the lower accuracy mode to provide sub-frame accuracy alignment between the two modes. In one embodiment of the invention, the common event includes the closing of a clap slate, and the two modes include audio and video recording modes. |
| US08483538B2 |
Plug housing and plug apparatus
A plug housing for accommodating a plug for connecting to the adapter, includes a housing body having an inside surface, the inside surface forming a through hole accommodating the main body of the plug, a slope portion formed on the inside surface and configured to cause the main body of the plug to move forward by a reaction force received from a second lever formed on the side surface of the plug when the main body of the plug is accommodated in the through hole and the second lever is pushed down by the slope portion, and a restrict portion formed on the inside surface and configured to restrict the forward movement of the main body of the plug. |
| US08483536B2 |
Front-access locking arrangement for sliding drawer
A cable management panel including a chassis, a drawer, and an open-drawer locking arrangement. The open-drawer locking arrangement preventing inadvertent closing movement of the drawer relative to the chassis. The open-drawer locking arrangement including an activation arm accessible from the front of the drawer and a locking piece located at the rear of the drawer. The activation arm moving in a linear direction to engage the locking piece, causing the locking piece to rotate from a locking position to a non-locking position. |
| US08483530B2 |
Housing for wet-mateable connector and penetrator assembly
Electrical and/or optical connector housing (11) with a wet-mateable connector receiving part (17), adapted to receive a mating electrical and/or optical connector counterpart when surrounded by a hydrostatic pressure, such as the pressure of surrounding water. The connector housing (11) exhibits a compartment (19) that is pressure balanced with respect to said hydrostatic pressure, wherein one or more electrical and/or optical conductors (21) are guided from the receiving part (17) to a penetrator (15), said penetrator (15) constituting a pressure barrier between said compartment (19) and an opposite end of the penetrator (15). The housing (11) comprises at least one wall part (29) adapted to be flexed by an exterior hydrostatic pressure exerting force on the housing (11), thereby changing the volume of said inner compartment (19), whereby said wall part (29) constitutes at least a part of the encapsulation of said compartment (19). |
| US08483528B2 |
Optical mode transformer, in particular for coupling an optical fiber and a high-index contrast waveguide
An optical mode transformer comprises a first waveguide including a first core, a first cladding and an end facet configured to be coupled to an optical fiber. A second waveguide comprises a second core and a second cladding, and is arranged with respect to the first waveguide so as to realize an evanescent optical coupling with the first waveguide. The second core comprises a tapered region, in at least a portion of which the evanescent coupling takes place.The first core and the second core are separated by a gap. A first refractive index contrast of the first waveguide is less than a second refractive index contrast of the second waveguide. |
| US08483523B2 |
Optical waveguide electro-optic device and process of manufacturing optical waveguide electro-optic device
An optical waveguide electro-optic device including: a support substrate; an optical waveguide which has a core layer formed of a ferroelectric material, and is formed on an upper side of the support substrate; a lower electrode layer formed on a lower side of the core layer and which is adhered to the support substrate through an adhesion layer; an upper electrode layer formed on an upper side of the core layer; and an external electrode part, wherein the optical waveguide has an incidence plane from where light enters and an outgoing plane from where the light exits, the core layer has a polarization inversion region and a polarization non-inversion region, the upper electrode layer has a plane in such a shape that a width of the plane expands from a side of the incidence plane toward a side of the outgoing plane, to cover the polarization inversion region of the core layer, and the lower electrode layer is connected electrically to the external electrode part on the side of the incidence plane. |
| US08483522B2 |
Optical modulator, integrated optical circuit, and method for modulating an optical signal
The invention relates to an optical modulator, comprising a first waveguide for a signal to be modulated, a second waveguide for a control signal, and an auxiliary waveguide, wherein the auxiliary waveguide is supported by a carrier which can be deflected to change a distance between the first waveguide and the auxiliary waveguide, wherein the carrier also comprises two layers with different coefficients of thermal expansion and the second waveguide is guided in such a way that a temperature of the carrier at least in a section can be manipulated by light transported by the second waveguide. The invention further relates to an integrated optical circuit comprising such an optical modulator, and to a modulation method which can be performed with such a modulator. |
| US08483519B2 |
Mobile image search and indexing system and method
A computer-implemented system and method are described for image searching and image indexing that may be incorporated in a mobile device that is part of an object identification system. A computer-implemented system and method relating to a MISIS client and MISIS server that may be associated with mobile pointing and identification system for the searching and indexing of objects in in situ images in geographic space taken from the perspective of a system user located near the surface of the Earth including horizontal, oblique, and airborne perspectives. |
| US08483518B2 |
Image-based CAPTCHA exploiting context in object recognition
Techniques for an image-based CAPTCHA for object recognition are described. The disclosure describes adding images to a database by collecting images by querying descriptive keywords to an image search engine or crawling images from the Internet.The disclosure describes generating the image-based CAPTCHA. The image is retrieved from the database, along with objects having significant values. An object is cropped from its image. The portion on the image where the object has been cropped is filled with image inpainting. The process obtains other objects from the database. The object is mixed among the other objects to form a set of candidate objects. A user is asked to select “the object” from the set of candidate objects that fits or matches the image. The image-based CAPTCHA evaluates whether a response, the selection, is from a human or a bot. |
| US08483516B2 |
Super resolution system and method with database-free texture synthesis
A super resolution (SR) method or system with database-free texture synthesis is disclosed. An input image is up-sampled to result in an up-sampled image. It is determined whether the input image possesses a smooth region. Edges of the up-sampled image are enhanced, and the enhancing edges step is bypassed if the smooth region has been detected. The enhanced or unenhanced up-sampled image is texture synthesized by taking the input image as texture example, thereby resulting in a synthesized image. |
| US08483511B1 |
Methods and apparatus for correlating image frame statistics with image frames
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method that comprises receiving an image frame, determining an image frame identification (ID) for the image frame, collecting image frame statistics comprising at least one type of statistic from the image frame, and correlating the image frame statistics with the image frame ID. |
| US08483509B2 |
Image processing method and apparatus, computer program, and computer-readable storage medium
This invention can perform a developing process or editing process, with a high response, for raw image obtained by image sensing by a digital camera or the like. When, therefore, raw image data is input, an extraction area in the raw image data is determined on the basis of the size of an image display area in which a processed image is displayed and a magnification set at this time. A developing process is then performed for partial raw image data in the determined area, and the resultant data is displayed in the image display area. |
| US08483508B2 |
Digital image tone adjustment
Image tone adjustment systems and methods are disclosed. The system of the present invention includes an input to accept an input image. A curve generator is also disclosed that is used to generate a tone reproduction curve including a contrast stretch of the input image, a white stretch of the input image and a black stretch of the input image. Backlit correction is also applied by the tone adjustment corrector to thereby generate a tone adjusted image. |
| US08483505B2 |
Rendering piece-wise smooth image from colour values along paths
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for rendering a piece-wise smooth image are disclosed. The image is specified by image values along opposite sides of paths. The paths are converted to chains of straight line segments, and image values are set for each side of each segment. Coefficients are determined for each line segment. A first coefficient for each segment is based on a difference between specified image values on opposite sides of the segment. A second coefficient for each segment is obtained using an average of image values on opposite sides of the segment and a system of linear equations. Each image value is calculated as the addition of a sum over all segments of the product of first coefficient for a segment with a dipole field value for the segment and a sum over all segments of the product of second coefficient for a segment with a logarithmic field value for the segment. |
| US08483503B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating thumbnail image
A method and apparatus for generating a thumbnail image are provided so that the out-of-focus (OOF) information can be ascertained from looking at the thumbnail. An input image is decoded, and a degree of the amount of OOF of the decoded image is measured (OOF information). There is a determination as to whether or not there is an EXchangeable Image File (EXIF) information about the input image. In the presence of EXIF information, a thumbnail image is extracted from the EXIF information and as much an OOF effect is applied to the thumbnail image in accordance with the degree of OOF. In the absence of the EXIF information, a thumbnail image is generated by scaling down the decoded image at a down scaler and applying as much of an OOF effect is applied to the thumbnail image in accordance with the degree of OOF. |
| US08483500B2 |
Run length coding with context model for image compression using sparse dictionaries
Apparatus and methods for coding images geometric vector quantization (GVQ) having an over-complete dictionary which produces a sparse vector of coefficients as it contains large runs of zeros. The sparse encoding is particularly well suited for use with run-length entropy coding techniques. Image blocks are sparse coded using GVQ, with the vector of coefficients converted to RUN-LENGTH symbols, and binarized into a set of binary symbols. At least a portion of the binary symbols are used as contexts which can be selected when performing binary arithmetic coding of the binary coded RUN and LENGTH data to generate a bit stream containing the encoded image that provides enhanced compression. |
| US08483498B2 |
Methods and systems for defining, identifying and learning geometric features
Methods and systems are provided for defining, identifying and learning geometric features. |
| US08483495B2 |
Image processing device and method
An image formed in units of macroblocks of 16×16 pixels attached with a band area having a width of “a” pixels serving as a margin area is extracted as a motion compensation image from a reference frame and is regarded as an input image of a filtering process. “a” is a value that is determined in accordance with the number of taps of an FIR filter. A filtering process is performed using such a motion compensation image as an input image, and a prediction image of 16×16 pixels is output as an output image of the filtering process. The prediction image is added to an output image of an inverse orthogonal transformation circuit in an adder circuit, and an image as a result of the addition is used as a macroblock constituting a decoded frame. |
| US08483494B2 |
Image encoding device and image encoding method
An image encoding device includes: a first encoding unit for calculating a generated code amount by encoding image data for each GOP (Group of Picture); a code amount control unit for setting quantization information for realizing a target generated code amount based on the generated code amount; a quantization information distinguishing unit for calculating a DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) coefficient, and distinguishing quantization information that minimizes the summation for each picture of remainders when performing division of the DCT coefficient, as quantization information used for performing the last encoding; a picture-type setting unit for setting a picture type to the image data for each GOP, and when this set picture type differs from the picture type of the distinguished quantization information, matching the picture types by controlling the settings of the subsequent picture types; and a second encoding unit for encoding the image data based on the set picture type. |
| US08483492B2 |
Method and apparatus for signal detection, classification and estimation from compressive measurements
The recently introduced theory of Compressive Sensing (CS) enables a new method for signal recovery from incomplete information (a reduced set of “compressive” linear measurements), based on the assumption that the signal is sparse in some dictionary. Such compressive measurement schemes are desirable in practice for reducing the costs of signal acquisition, storage, and processing. However, the current CS framework considers only a certain task (signal recovery) and only in a certain model setting (sparsity).We show that compressive measurements are in fact information scalable, allowing one to answer a broad spectrum of questions about a signal when provided only with a reduced set of compressive measurements. These questions range from complete signal recovery at one extreme down to a simple binary detection decision at the other. (Questions in between include, for example, estimation and classification.) We provide techniques such as a “compressive matched filter” for answering several of these questions given the available measurements, often without needing to first reconstruct the signal. In many cases, these techniques can succeed with far fewer measurements than would be required for full signal recovery, and such techniques can also be computationally more efficient. Based on additional mathematical insight, we discuss information scalable algorithms in several model settings, including sparsity (as in CS), but also in parametric or manifold-based settings and in model-free settings for generic statements of detection, classification, and estimation problems. |
| US08483488B2 |
Method and system for stabilizing a series of intravascular ultrasound images and extracting vessel lumen from the images
A method and system for generating stabilized intravascular ultrasonic images are provided. The system includes a probe instrument, having an ultrasonic signal transmitter and a reflected ultrasonic signal receiver, the reflected signals containing information about a tubular environment, and a processor and post-processor, capable of converting inputted signals into one or more, preferably a series of, images. The method for stabilizing images involves the processor and post-processor input and output. The post-processor determines the environment center at each reflection position, detects the tubular environment edges, and aligns the image center with the environment center thereby limiting image drift and stabilizing the images. The processor may also filter images to improve image stabilization and remove motion interference and/or extract the environment's 3D shape. The method and device are of particular use in a vascular lumen, where image drift may occur due to heart beat or blood flow. |
| US08483487B2 |
Image processing device and method for capturing object outline
The disclosure provides a process whereby an image processing device may isolate an outline of an object from an image, and a method adapted for the image processing device. When the image processing device 1 defines a pixel point as a boundary point of an object, the image processing device 1 continues to search for an adjacent boundary point. When the image processing device 1 defines a pixel point as a non-boundary point of the image, the image processing device 1 continues to search for a boundary point from predetermined pixel points until all boundary points have been found unless it is determined that the image does not include an object. |
| US08483486B1 |
Automatic landolt C gap detection software architecture for image quality analysis
A method, apparatus and program product are presented for determining an orientation of a Landold C in an image containing a plurality of pixels. A center of the Landolt C is determined. A plurality of rays is extended from the center of the Landolt C radially outward. A plurality of distances is determined, where each distance of the plurality of distances represents a distance from the center of the Landolt C to a darkest pixel along each ray of the plurality of rays. A peak in the plurality of distances is identified. And the orientation of the Landolt C is determined based on the peak in the plurality of distances. |
| US08483485B1 |
System and method for hyperspectral image compression
Methods for compressing hyperspectral image data include receiving sets of coefficients associated with each pixel of the hyperspectral image data, a set of basis vectors utilized to generate the dimensionally reduced data from the hyperspectral image, and either a maximum error value or maximum data size. The methods include associating the coefficients with a subset of the basis vectors, and storing the association. Methods of decompressing the compressed hyperspectral image data are also disclosed, utilizing the association. |
| US08483484B2 |
Object information derived from object images
Search terms are derived automatically from images captured by a camera equipped cell phone, PDA, or other image capturing device, submitted to a search engine to obtain information of interest, and at least a portion of the resulting information is transmitted back locally to, or nearby, the device that captured the image. |
| US08483480B2 |
Method and system for factoring an illumination image
In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, generating an illumination image from the image; and factoring the illumination image to generate a diffuse illumination image and a harsh shadow illumination image. |
| US08483475B2 |
Inspection apparatus
An inspection apparatus inspects a package group including a plurality of discrete packages that are successively connected in a chain. The inspection apparatus includes an irradiating component, a light receiving component, a generating component, an identifying component, an estimating component and a weight diagnosing component. The irradiating component is configured and arranged to irradiate inspection waves to the package group with the inspection waves being X-rays or terahertz waves. The identifying component is configured to identify a plurality of discrete package regions corresponding to the discrete packages from an inspection image generated by the generating component. The estimating component is configured to estimate one or more weight values respectively corresponding to one or more of the discrete package regions. The weight diagnosing component is configured to diagnose the package group as being abnormal in weight when any of the weight values falls outside a predetermined range. |
| US08483473B2 |
Systems and methods for obtaining financial offers using mobile image capture
Systems and methods for applying for and creating balance transfers with a mobile device are provided. An image of a customer's financial statement can be taken using a mobile device, after which the image is analyzed to extract information relevant to creating a balance transfer. The extracted information is then communicated to a bank over a network connected with the mobile device, where the bank can process the information and create an offer to the customer for a balance transfer in real-time. An example financial statement is a credit card statement. These systems and methods may comprise capturing an image of a document using a mobile communication device; transmitting the image to a server; detecting relevant information within the image; transmitting the information to a bank; and transmitting a resulting balance transfer offer from the bank to the mobile device. |
| US08483469B2 |
System and method for image segmentation in generating computer models of a joint to undergo arthroplasty
Systems and methods for image segmentation in generating computer models of a joint to undergo arthroplasty are disclosed. Some embodiments may include a method of partitioning an image of a bone into a plurality of regions, where the method may include obtaining a plurality of volumetric image slices of the bone, generating a plurality of spline curves associated with the bone, verifying that at least one of the plurality of spline curves follow a surface of the bone, and creating a 3D mesh representation based upon the at least one of the plurality of spline curve. |
| US08483467B2 |
Medical image diagnosis assisting apparatus and method, and computer readable recording medium on which is recorded program for the same
Extracting a lung field area and a branch structure area from a three-dimensional medical image, dividing a branch structure local area representing a portion of the branch structure area into a plurality of branch structure local sub-areas and estimating a lung field local sub-area in the lung field area functionally associated with each divided branch structure local sub-area based on the branch structure area, obtaining a pulmonary evaluation value in each estimated lung field local sub-area, and displaying, in a morphological image representing morphology of at least a portion of the branch structure local area, the pulmonary evaluation value in each lung field local sub-area functionally associated with each branch structure local sub-area in the morphological image superimposed such that correspondence relationship between the pulmonary evaluation value and the branch structure local sub-area in the morphological image is visually recognizable. |
| US08483466B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and blood vessel image acquiring method
Plural blood vessels different in blood flow velocity are depicted with high image quality in blood vessel imaging using PC-MRA method. For this purpose, the present invention performs a measurement of an echo signal based on application of a positive-polarity flow encode pulse and a measurement of an echo signal based on application of a negative-polarity flow encode pulse on an examinee with each of plural phase encodes while varying the flow encode, and a blood vessel image of the examinee is reconstructed by using the plural echo signals having different flow encode absolute values. |
| US08483462B2 |
Object centric data reformation with application to rib visualization
A computer-implemented method for visualizing components of a 3D medical image includes the steps of performing a segmentation on the 3D medical image to generate a segmented structure, obtaining a surface definition based upon the segmented structure, and generating a series of 2D images using the surface definition and deformations of the surface definition. |
| US08483458B2 |
Method and system for measuring visceral fat mass using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry
Methods and system for measuring visceral fat mass are provided. One method includes acquiring dual-energy two-dimensional (2D) scan information from a dual-energy X-ray scan of a body and generating a dual-energy X-ray image of the body using the 2D scan information. The method further includes identifying a region of interest using the dual-energy X-ray image and determining a subcutaneous fat mass for each of a plurality of sections of the region of interest. The method also includes determining a visceral fat mass for the region of interest based on the determined subcutaneous fat mass for each of the plurality of sections. |
| US08483457B2 |
System and method of image artifact reduction using self-navigated real-time phase correction in echo planar imaging
An apparatus and method include a computer programmed to implement a scan sequence configured to elicit scan data, wherein the scan sequence comprises an echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence configured to elicit the image data and to acquire the scan data. The computer is also programmed to manipulate the scan data to determine a first plurality of phase errors in the image data responsible for a Nyquist ghost, wherein the manipulated scan data is free of navigator echo data, remove the first plurality of phase errors from the image data, and reconstruct an image based on the image data having the first plurality of phase errors removed therefrom. |
| US08483450B1 |
Quality metrics for biometric authentication
This specification describes technologies relating to biometric authentication based on images of the eye. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include obtaining a first image of an eye including a view of the white of the eye. The method may further include determining metrics for the first image, including a first metric for reflecting an extent of one or more connected structures in the first image that represents a morphology of eye vasculature and a second metric for comparing the extent of eye vasculature detected across different color components in the first image. A quality score may be determined based on the metrics for the first image. The first image may be rejected or accepted based on the quality score. |
| US08483449B2 |
Registration device, checking device, program, and data structure
There is proposed a registration apparatus, a verification apparatus, and a program capable of improving authentication accuracy and an identification data structure capable of improving reliability. A blood vessel line included in an image is divided into a plurality of partial lines on the basis of end points and a diverging point of the blood vessel line. Coefficients of terms corresponding to degrees included in a polynomial equation for an n-th order curve representing each of the partial lines are extracted. Data including points at both ends of each of the partial lines and the coefficients is generated. |
| US08483446B2 |
Method and system for estimating antler, horn, and pronghorn size of an animal
The present invention is directed to a method and system utilizing novel computer software for determining the antler, horn, and pronghorn size of an animal by calculating, measuring, analyzing, comparing, scoring, presenting, and comparing the antler and horn sizes of animals such as deer, bovids, and pronghorns from digital data and/or photographs. |
| US08483445B2 |
Imaging methods and systems for downhole fluid analysis
An example system described herein to perform downhole fluid analysis includes an imaging processor to be positioned downhole in a geological formation, the imaging processor including a plurality of photo detectors to sense light that has contacted a formation fluid in the geological formation, each photo detector to determine respective image data for a respective portion of an image region supported by the imaging processor, and a plurality of processing elements, each processing element being associated with a respective photo detector and to process first image data obtained from the respective photo detector and second image data obtained from at least one neighbor photo detector, and a controller to report measurement data via a telemetry communication link to a receiver to be located outside the geological formation, the measurement data being based on processed data obtained from the plurality of processing elements. |
| US08483442B2 |
Measurement apparatus, measurement method, and feature identification apparatus
It is an object to measure a position of a feature around a road. An image memory unit stores images in which neighborhood of the road is captured. Further, a three-dimensional point cloud model memory unit 709 stores a point cloud showing three-dimensional coordinates obtained by laser measurement which is carried out simultaneously to the image-capturing of the images as a road surface shape model. A model projecting unit 172 projects a point cloud on the image, and an image displaying unit 341 displays the point cloud superimposed with the image on the displaying device. Using an image point inputting unit 342, a pixel on a feature of a measurement target is specified by a user as a measurement image point. A neighborhood extracting unit 171 extracts a point which is located adjacent to the measurement image point and superimposed on the feature for the measurement target from the point cloud. A feature position calculating unit 174 outputs three-dimensional coordinates shown by the extracted point as three-dimensional coordinates of the feature for the measurement target. |
| US08483441B2 |
Automatic recognition of scale marks on level ruler
Image recognition and distance calculation methods and devices are provided. First, an image corresponding to a level ruler is obtained, wherein the image includes a first predefined scale and a second predefined scale projected on the level ruler. Then, a baseline height of a baseline mark in the level ruler is determined according to the image. The heights of the first predefined scale and the second predefined scale are calculated according to the baseline height of the baseline mark, the position of the baseline mark in the image, and the positions of the first predefined scale and the second predefined scale in the image. Thereafter, a distance to the level ruler is calculated according to a height difference between the heights of the first predefined scale and the second predefined scale. |
| US08483438B2 |
Digital processing method and system for determination of optical flow
A method and system for determining an optical flow field between a pair of images is disclosed. Each of the pair of images is decomposed into image pyramids using a non-octave pyramid factor. The pair of decomposed images is transformed at a first pyramid scale to second derivative representations under an assumption that a brightness gradient of pixels in the pair of decomposed images is constant. Discrete-time derivatives of the second derivative image representations are estimated. An optical flow estimation process is applied to the discrete-time derivatives to produce a raw optical flow field. The raw optical flow field is scaled by the non-octave pyramid factor. The above-cited steps are repeated for the pair of images at another pyramid scale until all pyramid scales have been visited to produce a final optical flow field, wherein spatiotemporal gradient estimations are warped by a previous raw optical flow estimation. |
| US08483435B2 |
Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and information storage medium
A situation data obtaining unit obtains situation data describing a situation of an image capturing target of which image is captured by an image capturing device for producing an image to be output. Based on the situation data, a simulation process executing unit carries out a simulation process for simulating a behavior of the image capturing target after the situation of the image capturing target, described by the situation data. A combined screen image output unit outputs a result of the simulation process by the simulation process executing unit. The simulation process executing unit changes the behavior of the image capturing target in the simulation process in response to an operation received from a user. |
| US08483425B2 |
Geospatial information creating system and geospatial information creating method
To be precisely extracted a house footprint. There is provided a geospatial information creating system for extracting a footprint of a house from an aerial photograph, comprising a processor for executing a program, a memory for storing data required for executing the program, and a storage unit for storing the aerial photograph. The processor detects edges of an image based on a characteristic quantity of neighboring pixels in the aerial photograph stored in the storage unit; extracts an orientation of the house by analyzing directions of the detected edges; and generates a polygon of an outline of the house by using linear lines of the extracted orientation of the house. |
| US08483421B2 |
Narrow-angle directional microphone
A narrow-angle directional microphone having an acoustic tube, accommodated in a cylindrical microphone case, in a circumferential wall of which an opening is formed to be covered with an acoustic resistor and to a rear end of which a microphone unit is attached, prevents abnormal noise from occurring. The narrow-angle directional microphone includes a first acoustic resisting material provided on an outer circumferential surface of the acoustic tube and covering the opening; and a second acoustic resisting material provided between the first acoustic resisting material and an inner circumferential surface of the microphone case, having a predetermined elastic force in a thickness direction. The second acoustic resisting material covers the first acoustic resisting material, and is fixed to the acoustic tube; and presses the outer circumferential surface of the acoustic tube and the inner circumferential surface of the microphone case by the elastic force. |
| US08483410B2 |
Apparatus and method for inputting a command, method for displaying user interface of media signal, and apparatus for implementing the same, apparatus for processing mix signal and method thereof
An apparatus for inputting commands required for controlling a mix signal and method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes an input unit, a control unit converting an input signal received via the input unit to a per-source menu display command, the control unit controlling a per-source menu display image to be outputted based on a source information corresponding to a mix signal in accordance with the per-source menu display command, and a display for outputting the per-source menu display. Accordingly, a volume level is adjusted per a source signal included in such a mix signal as a video signal, an audio signal, and the like or an ambience (relative position) is adjusted. And, a user is always able to confirm information on a source signal (or object signal) associated with a mix signal (or synthetic object signal). |
| US08483406B2 |
System for detecting and reducing noise via a microphone array
A system for detecting noise in a signal received by a microphone array and a method for detecting noise in a signal received by a microphone array is disclosed. The system also provides for the reduction of noise in a signal received by a microphone array and a method for reducing noise in a signal received by a microphone array. The signal to noise ratio in handsfree systems may be improved, particularly in handsfree systems present in a vehicular environment. |
| US08483405B2 |
System and method for directionally radiating sound
An audio system for a vehicle has at least one source of audio signals. At least one array of speaker elements is located at each seat position that radiates within a range of bass frequencies. For each at least one array, the speaker elements receive a common audio signal, and a respective filter is disposed between the common audio signal and each of the speaker elements. Each respective filter processes magnitude and phase of the common audio signal independently of each other respective filter to thereby define a directional audio radiation from the at least one array. |
| US08483403B2 |
System and method for directionally radiating sound
An audio system for a vehicle has at least one source of audio signals. A respective directional loudspeaker array is mounted at each seat position and coupled to the at least one source. The at least one source includes a microphone that detects speech from an occupant of the first seat position. Processing circuitry receives signals from the microphone that correspond to the detect speech and drives each second respective loudspeaker array at the other seat positions to radiate acoustic energy corresponding to the detected speech. The processing circuitry processes magnitude and phase of the signals from the microphone to each second directional loudspeaker array so that each second directional loudspeaker array directionally radiates first acoustic energy to the seat position at which the second directional loudspeaker array is located and so that second acoustic energy radiated from the second directional array to the first seat position is less than the first acoustic energy according to a predetermined criteria. |
| US08483398B2 |
Methods and systems for reducing acoustic echoes in multichannel communication systems by reducing the dimensionality of the space of impulse responses
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to adaptive methods for reducing acoustic echoes in multichannel audio communication systems. Acoustic echo cancellation methods determine approximate impulse responses characterizing each echo path between loudspeakers and microphones within a room and improve performance based on previously determined impulse responses. In particular, the methods adapt to changes in the room by inferring approximate impulse responses that lie within a model of an impulse response space. Over time the method improves performance by evolving the model into a more accurate space from which to select subsequent approximate impulse responses. |
| US08483394B2 |
Secure multi-party communication with quantum key distribution managed by trusted authority
Techniques and tools for implementing protocols for secure multi-party communication after quantum key distribution (“QKD”) are described herein. In example implementations, a trusted authority facilitates secure communication between multiple user devices. The trusted authority distributes different quantum keys by QKD under trust relationships with different users. The trusted authority determines combination keys using the quantum keys and makes the combination keys available for distribution (e.g., for non-secret distribution over a public channel). The combination keys facilitate secure communication between two user devices even in the absence of QKD between the two user devices. With the protocols, benefits of QKD are extended to multi-party communication scenarios. In addition, the protocols can retain benefit of QKD even when a trusted authority is offline or a large group seeks to establish secure communication within the group. |
| US08483392B2 |
Methods and apparatus for compensation for corrupted user identification data in wireless networks
Methods and apparatus that correct for corrupted user identification or other data based on reciprocal transmission channel characteristic. In one embodiment, a level of tolerance is disclosed which provides a degree of leniency in user identification. In alternate embodiments, a level of tolerance is disclosed which provides a narrow window for “guessing” of user identification. Various methods for quantization and specification of tolerances are also disclosed. Methods and apparatus useful for implementing variation-tolerant encryption schemes are also provided. |
| US08483388B2 |
Digital video protection for authenticity verification
A method for verifying the authenticity and integrity of an ordered sequence of digital video frames, without having access to the original recording, by embedding therein a respective series of digital signatures based on a secret key, or keys, and on the video content of respective frames. Signatures are camouflaged by embedding in transform coefficients of a transformed representation of the video data in parts of the frame corresponding to motion. If there is sufficient motion to contain all of the signature bits, a supplementary technique embeds in high-texture areas of a frame. A final fall-back is to embed in a pre-defined default zone. A method of predicting when supplementary embedding is needed enables the process to be applied in a single pass allowing real-time operation. Verification is done during decoding by comparing, for identity, embedded signatures with signatures calculated anew using the method employed to embed. |
| US08483387B2 |
Method for generating private keys in wireless networks
The first and second nodes in a wireless network estimate first and second channel response. The first node quantizes the first channel response to produce a first bit sequence, and a feed-forward message, which is transmit as a feed-forward message to the second node. The second node quantizes the second channel response using the feed-forward message to produce and an estimate of the first bit sequence, a second bit sequence and a feed-back message, which is transmitted to the first node. Then, the first and second nodes delete bits in the respective bit sequences using the feed-back and feed-forward message to generate first and second private keys with low bit mismatch rate. |
| US08483386B2 |
Share generation apparatus, reconstruction apparatus, verification apparatus, and secret sharing system
A share generation apparatus (100) generates check data corresponding to a secret and random number, shares and encodes the secret and random number in accordance with a predetermined access structure, and stores them in storage devices (300—1 to 300—n). A reconstruction apparatus (200) reads out the shared/encoded secret and random number from the storage devices corresponding to members of the access structure, and reconstructs them. If the check data correspond to the reconstructed secret and random number, it is determined that the reconstructed secret is correct. If not, it is determined that cheating has occurred. Cheating of forging some shares by referring to (n−1) shares can be detected regardless of a distribution used to select a secret. |
| US08483385B2 |
Natural language dependent stream ciphers
A natural language dependent stream cipher is provided to increase complexity of stream cipher encryption. In one aspect, a message is received from a sender as an input in a first natural language and is translated into a selected second natural language. A binary Unicode representation of the input in the second natural language is created. An XOR operation is performed on the binary Unicode representation of the input in the second natural language and a binary key to generate an encrypted output. The encrypted output is sent to a receiver. The encrypted output may be decrypted by the receiver in the reverse of the encryption process. The decryption process yields the original message for viewing by an end-user of the system for a natural language dependent stream cipher. |
| US08483382B2 |
System and method for real-time comparison of news events against directory assistance queries
A system for responding to queries has an interface for receiving request communications from requesters. An agent platform is configured to receive the request communications and to provide replies to the requesters. A tracking module tracks the request communications and the replies and a news module tracks news events. A correlation module correlates increases in request communications relative to a first news event over a set time frame. An analysis module generates a search assistance routine based on the correlated increases in request communications relative to the first news events over a set time frame, where the search assistance routine is activated when a second news event is detected, similar to the first news event. |
| US08483372B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing click-to-call service
A method for providing a click-to-call service includes receiving multimedia content, and acquiring a recipient's phone number from the multimedia content; generating a bridge call request message including the acquired recipient's phone number; and sending the bridge call request message to a telephony server device that forwards the bridge call request message to a bridge call provision device that provides a call connection so that the call connection is performed between a recipient's phone device corresponding to the recipient's phone number and a sender's phone device. |
| US08483371B2 |
Apparatus, systems and methods for managing incoming and outgoing communication
A system and method for managing incoming and outgoing communications may include a definition of if, when, and who may communicate with a recipient. The identification of the communication may be concealed in that no actual addresses, phone numbers, or other addressing identifications are required to be exchanged by the communication initiator and recipient. In an example, if the database contains call management settings for a call recipient, the application logic may evaluate the rules to determine if a particular caller is authorized to connect with the call recipient at the current time and date. The application logic may connect the call utilizing the public telephone switch. The caller and call recipient phone numbers may be stored in a database. |
| US08483365B1 |
Inbound caller authentication for telephony applications
A method of authenticating an inbound caller in telephony applications. The method establishes a predetermined caller identification telephone number associated with a predetermined inbound caller identity from which inbound calls are permitted, retrieves a caller identification telephone number from an inbound caller, and then authenticates the inbound caller responsive to the caller identification telephone number matching the predetermined caller identification telephone number. A corresponding computer system and computer program product are also provided. |
| US08483362B2 |
Collimator module for the modular assembly of a collimator for a radiation detector and radiation detector
A collimator module is disclosed for the modular assembly of a collimator for a radiation detector with a multiplicity of absorber elements, which are arranged one behind the other in a collimation direction and held by a carrier. In at least one embodiment, the carrier has at least one alignment device for aligning the collimator module in the collimation direction, which alignment device(s) interact with positioning device(s) in a detector mechanism of the radiation detector when they are integrated into the radiation detector. This provides the preconditions for integrating the collimator module in a fashion that is decoupled from a radiation convertor, and so this allows easy assembly of a collimator and adjustment to a position assumed between a radiation convertor and the collimator. Moreover, a radiation detector with such a collimator module is disclosed. |
| US08483355B2 |
Radiation inspection apparatus comprising a gas ejecting unit for supporting and conveying a sheet-like sample
A radiation inspection apparatus includes a conveying unit configured to convey a sheet-like sample, a radiation source configured to emit radiation to the sheet-like sample, a line sensor configured to measure a physical property of the sheet-like sample, the liner sensor disposed to be opposed to the radiation source across the sheet-like sample, and a gas ejecting unit configured to eject gas to the sheet-like sample to reduce vertical conveyance swinging produced by a tension of the sheet-like sample, the gas ejecting unit placed in close proximity to at least one side face of the line sensor. |
| US08483353B2 |
Integrated X-ray detector assembly and method of making same
An x-ray detector assembly includes a first curvilinear detector assembly comprising a first plurality of detector modules, a second curvilinear detector assembly comprising a second plurality of detector modules, and a first flat panel digital projection detector arranged between the first and second curvilinear detector assemblies such that a first end of the first flat panel digital projection detector is coupled to an inner end of the first curvilinear detector assembly and a second end of the first flat panel projection detector is coupled to an inner end of the second curvilinear detector assembly. |
| US08483350B2 |
Shift register of LCD devices
A shift register includes a plurality of shift register units coupled in series. Each shift register unit, receiving an input voltage at an input end and an output voltage at an output end, includes a node, a pull-up driving circuit, a pull-up circuit and first through third pull-down circuits. The pull-up driving circuit can transmit the input voltage to the node, and the pull-up circuit can provide the output voltage based on a high-frequency clock signal and the input signal. The first pull-down circuit can provide a bias voltage at the node or at the output end based on a first low-frequency clock signal. The second pull-down circuit can provide a bias voltage at the node or at the output end based on a second low-frequency clock signal. The third pull-down circuit can provide a bias voltage at the node or at the output end based on a feedback voltage. |
| US08483349B2 |
Spacer grid for dual-cooling nuclear fuel rods using intersectional support structures
A spacer grid for dual-cooling nuclear fuel rods arranged at a narrow interval. The spacer grid solves the problem in which, since the dual-cooling nuclear fuel rods are used to improve the cooling performance and stability of nuclear fuel and obtain high burnup and output, the outer diameter of each dual-cooling nuclear fuel rod is increased, and thus the gap between each dual-cooling nuclear fuel rod and the grid strap is decreased. The spacer grid includes first grid straps and second grid straps, which are crossed and arranged in transverse and longitudinal directions at regular intervals and have the shape of a flat strip, and support structures, which are fitted into the first and second grid straps around intersections of the first and second grid straps so as to support the dual-cooling nuclear fuel rods. |
| US08483347B2 |
Upper internals arrangement for a pressurized water reactor
In a pressurized water reactor with all of the in-core instrumentation gaining access to the core through the reactor head, each fuel assembly in which the instrumentation is introduced is aligned with an upper internals instrumentation guide-way. In the elevations above the upper internals upper support assembly, the instrumentation is protected and aligned by upper mounted instrumentation columns that are part of the instrumentation guide-way and extend from the upper support assembly towards the reactor head in hue with a corresponding head penetration. The upper mounted instrumentation columns are supported laterally at one end by an upper guide tube and at the other end by the upper support plate. |
| US08483345B2 |
Circuit and method for receiving serial data and serial data transmission system and method using the same
A receiving circuit which receives serial data, includes: a voltage controlled oscillator which generates a sampling clock signal having a frequency based on an input control voltage; a first frequency divider which divides the frequency of the sampling clock signal at a division rate M; a second frequency divider which divides a frequency of a clock signal based on the received serial data at a division rate N, N being a real number represented by M×q/p; a frequency comparator which generates a phase/frequency difference signal based on a phase difference between an output signal of the first frequency divider and an output signal of the second frequency divider; and a control voltage generating circuit which generates the control voltage to control a frequency of the voltage controlled oscillator based on the phase/frequency difference signal. |
| US08483344B2 |
Fast lock serializer-deserializer (SERDES) architecture
A serializer-deserializer (SERDES) includes a clock-data recovery block, a control block, and a low-pass filter. The control block contains a state machine that includes a fast convergence mode utilizing an unstable operating point and a slow tracking mode utilizing a stable operating point. The control block is configured to start in the fast convergence mode to allow quickly locking the recovered clock to the incoming data stream by replicating movement commands resulting in multiple phase adjustments for each transition. To facilitate proper operation of the SERDES, the fast convergence mode is exited after N-bits and a slow tracking mode is entered to provide stable operation. The control block accepts filtered transition-data and data-transition phase state signals and converges to a phase aligned state in less than 2N-bits where N represents the number of phases in one data bit. |
| US08483341B2 |
Signal generation system
A signal generation system maintains a phase relationship between output signals of first and second signal generators even when the sampling clock frequency is changed. The signal generators are coupled via a communication means including a dedicated cable where the delay amount of the communication means is known and fixed. The first signal generator provides sampling clock, sequence clock and trigger/event signals to the second signal generator and CPUs of the generators share information via the cable. When the frequency of the sampling clock is changed, the CPU of the first or second signal generator calculates the clock number of the frequency changed sampling clock equivalent to the delay amount of the communication means. A delay circuit of the first signal generator 100 delays the waveform data by one sampling clock based on the calculated value for adjusting phase relationship between the waveform data in the signal generators 1. |
| US08483340B2 |
Device and method for receiver-equalizer calibration
The disclosure is a device and a method for receiver-equalizer calibration, in which the device includes an adaptive filter, a Clock Data Recovery (CDR) unit, an adaptive control unit and a run length encoding unit. The adaptive filter receives a channel signal, calibrates the channel signal according to a filter control signal and compensates the channel signal to obtain a compensative signal. The CDR unit receives the compensative signal to generate a sampling clock signal, a data signal and a transition sampling signal. The run length encoding unit receives the data signal and run-length encodes the data signal to generate first code data and second code data. The adaptive control unit receives the first code data, the second code data, the data signal and the transition sampling signal, and performs weight calculation to adjust the filter control signal. |
| US08483335B2 |
Hybrid receiver with algorithmic combining and method
A hybrid receiver apparatus, a method, and a computer readable storage media encoded with a program are provided. The hybrid receiver apparatus a first receiver processor and a second receiver processor and a signal input by the hybrid receiver apparatus is processed by both the first receiver processor and the second receiver processor. The hybrid receiver apparatus includes a combiner unit combining data output from the first receiver processor with data output from the second receiver processor based on a weight values assigned to the data. |
| US08483333B2 |
Methods for adjusting system clock in terms of operational status of non-baseband module, methods for peripheral device control adjustment, and electronic devices using the same
A method for adjusting a system clock in terms of an operational status of at least one non-baseband module includes: getting first information corresponding to the system clock required by at least one baseband module, wherein the first information comprises a frequency characteristic of the system clock; getting second information corresponding to the at least one non-baseband module, wherein the second information comprises a frequency characteristic of a radio frequency (RF) signal to be received by the non-baseband module; and selectively adjusting a frequency of the system clock by referring to the first information and the second information. |
| US08483332B2 |
Oscillating apparatus, receiving apparatus, and oscillation control method
In an oscillating apparatus, a detection unit detects a frequency offset between an input signal and a reference signal. A code generation unit specifies a relationship among a code having a predetermined number of bits, the frequency offset, and a voltage to be applied to a voltage-controlled oscillator by a DAC, in accordance with a frequency offset detection state of the detection unit. The code generation unit also generates a frequency offset correction code having a predetermined number of bits in accordance with the specified relationship. The DAC applies the voltage to the voltage-controlled oscillator, in accordance with the relationship described above and the code generated by the code generation unit. The voltage controlled oscillator outputs an oscillator signal having an oscillation frequency corresponding to the voltage applied by the DAC. |
| US08483331B2 |
Receiving device and radio quality calculation method
A reception device calculates a radio quality in a downlink by using a plurality of pilot symbols transmitted from a base station. The reception device includes a correlation calculation unit and a radio quality calculation unit. The correlation calculation unit calculates a correlation value between a first pilot symbol and a second pilot symbol on a time axis or a correlation value there between on a frequency axis. If the correlation value obtained by the correlation calculation unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the radio quality calculation unit calculates a radio quality in the downlink by using a reception quality of the first pilot symbol and a reception quality of the second pilot symbol. |
| US08483329B2 |
Robust sensing for detecting signals using correlation
To quickly and robustly detect the presence of an incumbent user and rapidly relinquish the spectrum to the incumbent user when necessary, carrier recovery is performed in a receiver of the secondary user's cognitive or software radio prior to performing correlation detection with an upsampled reference signal to correct for large frequency offsets and improve the performance of the correlation detector. To detect a received signal, a pilot value is added to a reference signal. The reference signal is upsampled to a sampling frequency of the received signal. The upsampled reference signal is correlated with a demodulated baseband signal to produce a correlation value. It is then determined whether the received signal is present if the correlation value is greater than a predetermined detection threshold value. |
| US08483323B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for channel estimation of OFDM systems to combat multipath fading
Methods for channel estimation for OFDM schemes are provided to combat multipath fading. Scattered pilot symbols are adaptively tracked by applying a weighted summation function over the received symbols to get a “snapshot” of the pilot symbols. Channel impulse response and frequency response can then be applied to the snapshot for channel estimation. The channel estimation is then used for interpolating one or more data symbols. Furthermore, the path information of the channel impulse response can help to optimize the OFDM window position. |
| US08483321B2 |
Method for spreading the spectrum of a narrowband signal
A method for spreading a spectrum of a narrowband signal, e.g. a monochromatic optical signal or a radiofrequency carrier. The method uses a phase modulation using a modulation signal that includes a plurality of sinusoidal components, the plurality including a component at a fundamental frequency and at least one component at a frequency that is a harmonic of the fundamental frequency, the sinusoidal components being synchronous and affected with phases respectively equal to consecutive multiples of π/2. |
| US08483320B2 |
Data recovery apparatus and method by using over-sampling
A data recovery apparatus and method by using over-sampling are provided. The data recovery apparatus by using over-sampling includes an over-sampling module, a data regeneration unit, a phase alignment unit, a phase decision module, and an output data correction unit. The over-sampling module samples serial data according to a clock signal, so as to output M-bit data, in which each bit in the serial data is sampled N times. The phase alignment unit selects specific M-bit data from a P-bit signal output by the data regeneration unit, and distinguishes the specific M-bit data to X groups of N-bit signals. The phase decision module determines a direction of phase adjustment according to the specific M-bit data. The output data correction unit selects and outputs first or second recovery data constituted by first or second specific bits of each group of N-bit signal according to the direction of phase adjustment. |
| US08483319B2 |
Combined sensing methods for cognitive radio
Embodiments of cognitive radio technology can recover and utilize under-utilized portions of statically-allocated radio-frequency spectrum. A plurality of sensing methods can be employed. Transmission power control can be responsive to adjacent channel measurements. Digital pre-distortion techniques can enhance performance. Embodiments of a high dynamic range transceiver architecture can be employed. |
| US08483318B2 |
Split band signal processing
A split-band system for processing a broadband input signal is disclosed. A signal divider divides the input signal into at least a higher frequency band and a lower frequency band. The lower frequency band is processed in a lower frequency circuit path. The higher frequency band is processed in a higher frequency circuit path. The higher frequency circuit path has a group delay equal to the lower frequency circuit path. A signal combiner combines the processed lower frequency band and the processed higher frequency band into an output signal. |
| US08483310B2 |
Method of and a device for precoding transmit data signals in a wireless MIMO communication system
A method of and a precoding device and a communication device for precoding transmit data signals in a wireless Multiple-Input Multiple-Output, MIMO, channel transmission scheme for maximizing channel capacity of the MIMO system given available amounts of transmit power. The precoding is expressed in a complex precoding matrix (W), which is calculated involving individual transmit power constraints of the multiple outputs (71, . . . , 7t) of the MIMO channel. The individual transmit power constraints are comprised of predetermined individual output transmit power amplifier (PA1, . . . , PAt) limitations. |
| US08483299B2 |
Wireless communication system, wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method
A channel estimation unit 18 estimates characteristics of a channel (channel estimation) based on signals received by a plurality of antennas. An SVD unit 19 performs singular value decomposition on each channel estimation value. An orthogonality determination unit 20 determines (recognizes) whether orthogonality of a plurality of eigenpaths is maintained or collapsed based on information indicating quality of a channel between a transmission apparatus and a reception apparatus. A reception scheme estimation unit 22 estimates a reception scheme to separate eigenpaths of a reception unit 2 based on information indicating quality of a channel in each eigenpath. A transmission adaptive control unit 23 performs predetermined control of a transmission apparatus 1 at transmission based on the reception scheme of the reception apparatus estimated by the reception scheme estimation unit 22 and a result of determination (recognition) by the orthogonality determination unit 20. |
| US08483296B2 |
OFDM peak-to-average power ratio reduction method
The OFDM peak-to-average power ratio reduction apparatus and method provides a compressive sensing algorithm that estimates the sparsity pattern of a sparse vector by a limited number of measurements. When the positions of the clipped peaks are known beforehand by, e.g., a genie-augmented receiver, then the algorithm optimally performs amplitude estimation utilizing a least squares estimation technique. When the cardinality of the peak-reducing signal is known at the receiver at initialization, the receiver optimizes the estimated peak-reducing signal by using least squares. |
| US08483293B2 |
Method and device for signal processing
A device (100, 200) and a method is provided for processing a signal. The device comprises a filter unit 5 (101, 201); an FFI unit (102, 202) operatively connected to the filter unit and being located after the filter unit along a signal path for the signal; and a compensation unit (103, 203) operatively connected to the FFI unit and being located after the FFT unit in the signal path. The compensation unit is adapted to compensate for attenuation of the signal, which has been caused by the filter unit. |
| US08483289B2 |
Method and system for fast channel change
Aspects of fast channel change of programs are presented. Initial pictures of a program may be decoded earlier and displayed longer than what is indicated by corresponding clock references. Additional pictures of the program may be decoded and displayed at time indicated by the clock references. Within the time period of the initial pictures, decoding timing advances of initial pictures may be reduced and corresponding picture displaying rates may converge to an intended constant frame rate used for additional pictures displaying. Pictures may be decoded and displayed when the corresponding data are available in a coded data buffer (CDB) and a decoded picture buffer (DPB), respectively. Depending on the implementation, the respective previous picture may be displayed when a decoded picture is available in the DPB. |
| US08483284B2 |
Method and apparatus for grid-based interactive multimedia
Methods and apparatus for generating an interactive video stream from a plurality of multimedia components based on a state definition is disclosed. A plurality of multimedia components are retrieved in accordance with the state definition. The plurality of multimedia components are decoded. The plurality of multimedia components are retimed to a common frame rate. The multimedia components are then scaled and multiplexed into a multiplexed video stream, in accordance with the state definition. |
| US08483283B2 |
Real-time face detection
An apparatus, a method, and a computer-readable medium having instructions encoded thereon that when executed cause a method to be carried out. The method includes dividing at least a portion of a picture of a video stream into parts of blocks, and processing the parts in parallel by a plurality of interconnected processors. The processing of a respective part by its respective processor includes edge detection and color segmentation to determine block-level edge features including block-level color-segmented edge features. Each processor also performs coding functions on its respective part of the picture. The method also includes block-level processing using the block-level edge features to determine which blocks in the picture are likely to be that of a face, the block-level processing being at the granularity of at least a block. |
| US08483281B2 |
Generation of an order-2N transform from an order-N transform
Apparatus, systems and techniques based on an integer transform for encoding and decoding video or image signals, including transform of encoding and decoding of image and video signals and generation of an order-2N transform W from an order-N transform T in the field of image and video coding. For example, a retrieving unit is configured to retrieve an order-N transform T, where N is an integer; a deriving unit is configured to derive an order-2N transform W from the retrieved order-N transform T, and a transforming unit configured to generate an order-2N data Z using the derived transform W. |
| US08483274B2 |
Automatic selection of encoding parameters to control length of time to encode and send data over network
Data processing including encoding and sending is disclosed, which includes: encoding data using a selected one of a plurality of parameter sets each of which has at least one encoding parameter; calculating a length of an assigned time not exceeding a time limit for an original data set to be sent, per each data sub-set; calculating an estimate of an individual processing time TP to encode and send each data sub-set using a successively-selected one of the plurality of encoding parameter sets, based on the assigned time, an estimate of an encoding time TE to encode each data sub-set using the successively-selected one encoding parameter set, and an estimate of a sending time TT to send the encoded data sub-set; and selecting one of the plurality of encoding parameter sets to allow a total processing time not to exceed the time limit. |
| US08483272B2 |
System and method for frame level bit rate control without pre-analysis
Methods and systems to determine a quantization parameter (QP) that may then be used in a bit rate control process during video compression and decompression. The QP for a frame may be derived by determining an initial QP, adapting this value, and applying a final control calculation. The QP for a frame may be calculated from a variety of variables, that may include the frame type (intracoded (I), predictive (P), or bipredictive (B)), the fullness of a hypothetical reference decoder (HRD) buffer, the instant and target bit rates, a total encode size, a total target size, the number of P frames between I frames in a group of pictures (GOP), the number of B frames between I frames in the GOP, and the size of previous frames. |
| US08483270B2 |
Method and system for adapting use of a radio link between a remotely controlled device and an operator control unit
A method for adapting use of a wireless link, such as a radio link, between a remotely controlled device and an operator control unit, and a remotely controlled device configured to perform the method, the method aimed at providing for more advantageous use of the wireless link in providing video to the operator control unit. In case of a radio link, a video-transmitting radio unit of the remotely controlled device provides a digital video feed over the radio link to a video-receiving radio unit of the operator control unit, and in so doing the remotely controlled device adapts the resolution and/or frames per unit time of the video feed based solely on measurements made by the remotely controlled device, measurements indicative of the quality of the radio link. |
| US08483266B2 |
Methods and apparatus for adaptation of continuous time-decision feedback equalizers with programmable adaptation patterns
Methods and apparatus are provided for adaptation of continuous time-decision feedback equalizers with programmable adaptation patterns. A continuous time-decision feedback equalizer is adapted by obtaining at least one programmable signature pattern that triggers adaptation of one or more of a pole and a gain of the continuous time-decision feedback equalizer; detecting the at least one programmable signature pattern in an incoming signal; and adapting one or more of the pole and the gain of the continuous time-decision feedback equalizer when the at least one programmable signature pattern is detected in the incoming signal. The programmable signature pattern can be selected to ensure an unambiguous direction of change in an error sample when a corresponding one of the pole and the gain are modified. |
| US08483263B2 |
Receiver circuit
A receiver circuit includes an equalizer circuit that adjusts reception intensity of an input signal based on an intensity adjustment value to generate a correction input signal; a first holding unit that holds a plurality of data items sampled based on a sampling clock for sampling values of the data items transmitted by the correction input signal in a receiving order; a second holding unit that holds a plurality of values of the correction input signal sampled based on a complementary sampling clock for sampling a boundary value of the data items in a receiving order; and an equalizer control circuit that judges the strength of reception intensity of the correction input signal based on a plurality of output signals of the first holding unit and a plurality of output signals of the second holding unit to update the intensity adjustment value based on the judgment result. |
| US08483262B2 |
Piezoelectric cable perimeter monitoring system
A system for monitoring and distinguishing occurrences along a perimeter bounded by at least one piezoelectric cable that completely defines the perimeter. The monitoring system utilizes at least one piezoelectric cable that generates electrical signals in response to mechanical stress events. The electrical signals from each piezoelectric cable are analyzed by a processing system to determine event classification and location. The monitoring system alerts users and connects to an existing security system to notify third-parties. The monitoring system includes functionality to communicate with a calibration unit and calibrate itself. The monitoring system also includes functionality to interface with a pet containment system. |
| US08483256B2 |
Laser diode element assembly and method of driving the same
A laser diode element assembly includes: a laser diode element; and a light reflector, in which the laser diode element includes (a) a laminate structure body configured by laminating, in order, a first compound semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type made of a GaN-based compound semiconductor, a third compound semiconductor layer made of a GaN-based compound semiconductor and including a light emission region, and a second compound semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type made of a GaN-based compound semiconductor, the second conductivity type being different from the first conductivity type, (b) a second electrode formed on the second compound semiconductor layer, and (c) a first electrode electrically connected to the first compound semiconductor layer, the laminate structure body includes a ridge stripe structure, and a minimum width Wmin and a maximum width Wmax of the ridge stripe structure satisfy 1 |
| US08483254B2 |
Surface-emitting laser device, surface-emitting laser array, optical scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus
A surface-emitting laser device configured to emit laser light in a direction perpendicular to a substrate includes a p-side electrode surrounding an emitting area on an emitting surface to emit the laser light; and a transparent dielectric film formed on an outside area outside a center part of the emitting area and within the emitting area to lower a reflectance to be less than that of the center part. The outside area within the emitting area has shape anisotropy in two mutually perpendicular directions. |
| US08483249B1 |
Diode-laser bar package
A diode-laser bar package includes a diamond composite heat-sink on which is soft-solder bonded a copper-pad having an area much greater than that of the diode-laser bar. A constraining-block of a metal having a CTE matching that of the diode-laser bar is hard-solder bonded to the conductive pad. The constraining-block is configured such that the conductive pad in the region of the diode-laser bar has a CTE about equal to that of the constraining-block, and, accordingly, the diode-laser bar. |
| US08483247B2 |
Thermally controlled external cavity tuneable laser
An external-cavity tuneable laser includes a gain medium and a tuneable mirror wherein at least the tuneable mirror is in thermal contact with a thermally conductive platform. The tuneable mirror lays substantially horizontally on the thermally conductive platform significantly improving the thermal contact of the tuneable mirror with the platform. A laser beam from the gain medium is directed onto the tuneable mirror, which is mounted substantially horizontally with respect to the thermally conductive platform, by means of a deflector that deflects the beam or a large part of it toward one of the principal surfaces of the tuneable mirror. The resulting laser cavity is a folded cavity. The thermally conductive platform is preferably thermally coupled to a TEC that provides thermal control for the platform. The deflector may be a beam splitter that deflects part of the incoming light and transmits the remaining part. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the portion of light transmitted through the beam splitter forms the output laser beam, i.e., the external-cavity laser outputs a laser beam on the side of the wavelength selective elements (the tuneable mirror and, if any, the channel grid), i.e., on the side of the front facet of the laser diode. |
| US08483245B2 |
Multi-tone detection for in-band data modem link establishment in wireless networks
A method and system for modem signaling over a voice channel of a cellular or other wireless communication system. A plurality of sequential tones are transmitted, each of which corresponds to at least one network type and contains at least one primary frequency selected so as to successfully be passed through its associated network type. This permits the use of modem signaling to establish a data connection regardless of the type of network equipment utilized, so that the method will work with both newer and older generation vocoders and other network equipment. |
| US08483244B2 |
Timing recovery over packet networks
In a method of recovering timing information over packet networks, raw network delays are measured using timing packets sent between a transmitter and receiver. The expected delay is predicted using a minimum statistics adaptive filter to track local minima of measured time delays over a smoothing window. Only those incoming timing packets which meet a particular criterion relative to the expected delay within a smoothing window are selected, and a local clock is adjusted based on the measured timing delays from the selected timing packets. |
| US08483242B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing inter-rat measurement in dual modem device
A method and apparatus for processing inter-RAT measurement in a dual modem device are disclosed. A method for processing inter-RAT measurement in a dual modem device includes receiving, by a first processor communicating with a first communication network, a measurement control signal including a parameter for signal measurement from the first communication network; transmitting, by the first processor, timing information based on a system frame number (SFN) and a global time to a second processor; acquiring time synchronization for the inter-RAT measurement between the first processor and the second processor on the basis of the system frame number (SFN) and the global time; transmitting the parameter from the first processor to the second processor; and measuring, by the second processor, a signal of a second communication network using the parameter. |
| US08483240B2 |
Piggyback networks
Systems and/or methods for relaying messages between nodes in a network (e.g. a wireless network) are provided. In accordance with certain exemplary embodiments, substantially simultaneous communications between nodes may be accomplished. At least one secondary message may be piggybacked onto a primary message. Messages in the network may be queued and sent from a transmitter to at least one receiver based at least in part on the signal-to-noise ratio(s) of the receiver nodes with respect to the transmitter. The queuing of the messages may be performed in dependence on a link set that indicates which messages are capable of piggyback communications. Thus, it may be possible to realize a network that reduces collision problems, reduces delays in communications, and/or increases throughput. |
| US08483238B2 |
Radio link control protocol data unit size selection
An apparatus for selecting a size of a radio link control (RLC) protocol data unit (PDU) is described. The apparatus includes means for receiving a request for an RLC PDU from a medium access control (MAC) layer. The apparatus further includes means for selecting the size of the RLC PDU. The apparatus also includes means for generating the RLC PDU. The apparatus further includes means for sending the RLC PDU to the MAC layer. |
| US08483237B2 |
Communication module and method for connecting an electrical device to a network
A communication module for connecting electrical host devices, each with an individual physical interface, to different external networks, where the communication module is connected to the host device via an interface and provides at least two physical interfaces, and where the communication module has a network connector which is adapted to the respective external network. In order to enable development of communication modules independently of the individual host device and to reuse them for many different host devices, provision is made for the host device to have a processor for identifying the communication module and for selecting the at least one physical interface which is suitable for the host device by means of serial communication. |
| US08483236B2 |
Dynamic bandwidth allocation for multiple virtual MACs
Communication bandwidth on a single physical interface (PHY) in a wireless device is allocated among multiple virtual media access control layers (MACs) based on need. Excess bandwidth may be aggregated in a single virtual. MAC for power savings. |
| US08483235B2 |
Apparatus and method for channel estimation in MIMO systems
Provided are a preamble structure and a channel estimation algorithm thereof. A communication method for a transmitter for channel estimation in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) wireless communication system having N receiving antennas, includes generating a preamble interval having a short training field that includes a predetermined pattern iterated N times on a time domain and is used for compensating for a carrier frequency offset, and transmitting a packet having the preamble interval. |
| US08483234B2 |
Monitoring resource congestion in a network processor
Embodiments of the invention are directed to monitoring resources of a network processor to detect a condition of exhaustion in one or more of the resources over a predetermined time interval and to provide an indication of the condition. Some embodiments periodically sample various resources of a network processor and from the samples calculate utilization of the network processor's memory bus and core processor, and determine if an interworking FIFO packet queue error has occurred. Such information may help network operators and/or support engineers to quickly zero in on the root cause and take corrective actions for network failures which previously could have been attributed to many different causes and that would have required significant time and effort to troubleshoot. |
| US08483227B2 |
Controlling bandwidth reservations method and apparatus
Disclosed is an apparatus which operates to substantially evenly distribute commands and/or data packets issued from a managed program or other entity over a given time period. The even distribution of these commands or data packets minimizes congestion in critical resources such as memory, I/O devices and/or the bus for transferring the data between source and destination. Any unmanaged commands or data packets are treated as in conventional technology. |
| US08483225B2 |
Intelligent policy server system and method for bandwidth control in an ATM network
An intelligent policy server provides multiple service features and controls bandwidth usage in an ATM network. Signaling messages generated at an edge switch prior to establishing an end-to-end switched virtual circuit are intercepted by a signaling intercept processor for effectuating policy features or permissions by executing appropriate service logic at the policy server associated with the edge switch. A return message from the policy server determines whether a call connection can be made through the network. Profile arrays are provided which define feature authorizations and provisioning for subscribers and Customer Logical Ports served by the edge switches. Depending on the triggers associated with a signaling message received in the edge switch, a particular feature is invoked and executed by the policy server, such as source address validation, address screening, burst-size limit, class-of-service provisioning, maximum concurrent call connections in progress, bandwidth control, and call frequency rate limit. |
| US08483223B2 |
Packet transmission via multiple links in a wireless communication system
Techniques for generating and transmitting packets on multiple links in a wireless communication system are described. In one aspect, a transmitter generates new packets for the multiple links based on the likelihood of each link being available. The transmitter determines the likelihood of each carrier being available based on whether or not there is a pending packet on that carrier and, if yes, the number of subpackets sent for the pending packet. The transmitter generates new packets such that packets for links progressively less likely to be available contain data units with progressively higher sequence numbers. The transmitter determines whether each link is available and sends a packet on each link that is available. In another aspect, the transmitter generates and sends new packets in a manner to ensure in-order transmission. In one design, the transmitter generates new packets for each possible combination of links that might be available. |
| US08483220B2 |
Handling of received implicit null packets
A router includes a network ingress processor and a network egress processor. The network ingress processor is configured for modifying a received MPLS packet such that an internal header thereof includes a pre-configured IP flow identifier therein in place of an as-received MPLS flow identifier. Such modifying is performed in response to the network ingress processor parsing a MPLS label stack of the received MPLS packet to determine if an existing MPLS label of the label stack needs to be replaced with an Implicit Null label and in response to determining that there is no other label in the MPLS label stack. The network egress processor includes a flow selector configured for directing packets dependent upon a type of flow identifier included in an internal header thereof, for receiving the modified MPLS packet, and for replacing the internal header with a port-specific header. |
| US08483219B2 |
Control apparatus
An arithmetic operation portion including a swap arithmetic operation portion which performs an arithmetic operation of swap information concerned with a path route of a packet, and a label processing portion which sets adjustment of a first label based on a result of the arithmetic operation executed by the swap arithmetic operation portion is provided in a control apparatus to thereby attain compatibility between dispersion of packet transfer load and reduction of an error rate in each link. |
| US08483217B2 |
Internet protocol broadcasting
Methods, apparatuses, and systems are provided for improving utilization of a communications system through various atom-based techniques for enhancing the viewing experience for Internet protocol content. Some embodiments exploit atom-based processing to determine which content atoms to broadcast (e.g., multicast) over which channels to which subscribers. Other embodiments make atom-based filtering, caching, and/or other determinations at the user terminal. For example, low-level (e.g., physical layer) filtering may be used to limit the amount of user-layer processing needed, and to facilitate delivery of content to those users most likely to desire that content. Still other embodiments allow users to create customized channels of cached content for viewing as a shared channel. Embodiments include techniques for addressing synchronization of channel content and viewing, and social networking, for subscribers to the shared channel. The shared channels may be further used to facilitate social networking among subscribers. |
| US08483216B2 |
Simple fairness protocols for daisy chain interconnects
A method for transmitting packets, including forwarding a first set of upstream packets and a first set of local packets by inserting at least one of the first set of local packets between subsets of the first set of upstream packets according to a first insertion rate; calculating a second insertion rate after forwarding a predetermined number of upstream packets generated by a single upstream source, by dividing a cardinality of the first set of upstream packets by a greatest common divisor of the predetermined number and the cardinality of the first set of upstream packets; and forwarding a second set of upstream packets and a second set of local packets from the local switch to the downstream switch by inserting at least one of the second set of local packets between subsets of the second set of upstream packets according to the second insertion rate. |
| US08483215B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying other user equipment operating in a wireless communication network
The present invention includes a method and apparatus for autonomously determining by a first UE the identities (IDs) of one or more other UEs that are operating in or around the same network area as the first UE. More particularly, the first UE determines with a defined reliability the UE ID of an otherwise unknown UE based on receiving and processing an HS-SCCH transmission targeted to the unknown UE. By learning actual UE IDs for one or more other UEs operating in or around the same area as the first UE, the first UE can then properly decode HS-SCCH transmissions to those other UEs, and thereby gain knowledge of the signal structures used for data (HS-PDCH) transmissions to those other UEs. Advantageously, the first UE applies such knowledge in its desired-signal receiver processing, such as for enhancing channel estimation and/or performing structured-signal interference cancellation. |
| US08483212B2 |
Voice over Internet protocol multi-routing with packet interleaving
A method and system for processing data packets is described within. The method executed by the system includes the steps of receiving a first data packet, determining if the first data packet is a first expected data packet, determining if the first data packet is a next expected date packet, storing the first data patent if the first data packet is the next expected data packet and waiting a period of time for a second data packet. |
| US08483211B2 |
Method and system for global anchor registration
A user equipment (UE) attaches to a first access network, intending to access a packet data network (PDN) via a telecommunications system, and is assigned a PDN System Architecture Evolution (SAE) Gateway (GW). The identity of the PDN SAE GW is registered so that, if the UE attaches to another access network, triggering a new attach procedure, the identity is retrieved. A determination is then made whether the previously-assigned PDN SAE GW may be used for the present communications and, if so, it is reassigned. The identity of the PDN SAE GW is registered in an anchor node, which is in a preferred embodiment a Home Subscriber Server (HSS). If the previously-assigned PDN SAE GW cannot be used, or if the PDN SAE GW must be changed, then the communication is reassigned to a new PDN SAE GW. |
| US08483209B2 |
Communication apparatus and server, and methods and computer programs therefore
A communication apparatus enabled to communicate over at least one communication bearer is disclosed. The communication apparatus comprises a receiver arranged to receive an page message from a public land mobile network node, the page message being present when another party requests communication with the communication apparatus; and a connection controller arranged to establish a connection to the Internet over at least one of the communication bearers for providing an IP connection to the another party, and to send a notification over the established connection to the Internet to a page server managing the paging by the public land mobile network for enabling closing of the paging. Further, a page server connected to the Internet is disclosed. The page server comprises a connection request receiver arranged to receive a request from a first party requesting communication with a second party; an interface for communicating with a public land mobile network, wherein the interface is arranged to provide a page request to the public land mobile network, upon the received request from the first party, on provision of an page message; and a notification receiver arranged to receive a notification, over an established connection between the second party and the Internet, that the page message is received, wherein the interface is further arranged to provide a page release request, upon the reception of the notification, to the public land mobile network for closing of the paging. Methods and computer programs are also disclosed. |
| US08483208B1 |
Method and apparatus for time stretching to hide data packet pre-buffering delays
A special rendering mode for the first few seconds of play out of multimedia data minimizes the delay caused by pre-buffering of data packets in multimedia streaming applications. Instead of pre-buffering all incoming data packets until a certain threshold is reached, the streaming application starts playing out some of the data packets immediately after the arrival of the first data packet. Immediate play out of the first data packet, for example, results in minimum delay between channel selection and perception, thereby allowing a user to quickly scan through all available channels to quickly get a notion of the content. The immediate play out is done at a reduced speed. |
| US08483204B2 |
Apparatus and system for using relay station in a TDD wireless network
A Relay Station (RS) is provided. The RS is adapted to operate in a TDD type of wireless communication network which comprises at least one base station (BS) operative to communicate with the RS and with an IP network, and a plurality of Mobile Subscribers (MSs). The RS comprises: a subscriber terminal operative in conformity with IEEE 802.16e Standard; and a BS operative in conformity with said IEEE 802.16e Standard, and wherein that subscriber terminal and that BS that belong to the RS are connected to each other, and wherein all communications transmitted from the at least one BS to the RS are in conformity with the IEEE 802.16e Standard. |
| US08483200B2 |
Method and apparatus for antenna mapping selection in MIMO-OFDM wireless networks
A method and apparatus for selecting an antenna mapping in multiple-in/multiple-out (MIMO) enabled wireless communication networks. A candidate set of currently available antenna mappings is determined based upon measured long term channel conditions. An antenna mapping is selected from the candidate set, and the mapping is calibrated with a selected antenna mapping of a receiving wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). When the selected mappings are calibrated, packet data transmission begins. In an alternative embodiment, a calibration training frame (CTF) is used to calibrate multiple antenna mappings simultaneously or sequentially. Also disclosed are physical layer and medium access control layer frame formats for implementing antenna mapping selection according to the invention. |
| US08483199B2 |
Method for transmitting and receiving broadcasting channels
A method for transmitting and receiving a broadcast channel is disclosed. A wireless access system, a method for effectively transmitting and receiving a broadcast channel, a variety of superframe structures, and a super frame header structure are disclosed. A method for effectively receiving a broadcast channel includes receiving, by a mobile station (MS), a first broadcast channel including first information about a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) applied to a second broadcast channel, and receiving the second broadcast channel using the first information. The first broadcast channel is transmitted using a fixed modulation and coding scheme (MCS) value, and the second broadcast channel is transmitted using a variable modulation and coding scheme (MCS) value. |
| US08483192B2 |
Six-address scheme for multiple hop forwarding in wireless mesh networks
A six field address scheme identifies both the originating point and the endpoint of a data frame enabling multiple hop forwarding through a plurality of intermediate mesh points in a wireless mesh network. Data frames originating or ending at a point outside of the wireless mesh network access the wireless network at a mesh access point using a legacy address scheme. The legacy address schemes are converted to a six address scheme using a proxy address table at the access point. Each mesh access point includes not only a routing table but a proxy address table as well as enabling the mesh access point, and/or mesh portal points, to convert address schemes having less than six address fields to the six field format. Subsequent to the conversion, mesh points within the wireless mesh network need only the routing table to facilitate the forwarding of the data frame. |
| US08483190B2 |
Wireless local area network (WLAN) time division multiplexed (TDM) interframe space (IFS) time selection protocol
A wireless network device in a wireless network that includes a plurality of wireless network devices comprises n RF transceiver that transmits and receives data packets and that periodically transmits or receives a beacon. A control module communicates with the RF transceiver, determines a group identifier and a station identifier based on the beacon, and selects one of a default IFS time and a second IFS time based on a data packet received. |
| US08483188B2 |
MIMO system with multiple spatial multiplexing modes
A MIMO system supports multiple spatial multiplexing modes for improved performance and greater flexibility. These modes may include (1) a single-user steered mode that transmits multiple data streams on orthogonal spatial channels to a single receiver, (2) a single-user non-steered mode that transmits multiple data streams from multiple antennas to a single receiver without spatial processing at a transmitter, (3) a multi-user steered mode that transmits multiple data streams simultaneously to multiple receivers with spatial processing at a transmitter, and (4) a multi-user non-steered mode that transmits multiple data streams from multiple antennas (co-located or non co-located) without spatial processing at the transmitter(s) to receiver(s) having multiple antennas. For each set of user terminal(s) selected for data transmission on the downlink and/or uplink, a spatial multiplexing mode is selected for the user terminal set from among the multiple spatial multiplexing modes supported by the system. |
| US08483185B2 |
Data transmission method, and system
A data transmission method and system is provided. Symbols to be transmitted are encoded (200) in a first transceiver into at least two data flows using space-time coding. The data flows are transmitted by means of at least three radiation patterns (218 to 224) to a second transceiver (230). The radiation patterns (218 to 224) transmitting the data flows in the first transceiver are varied. |
| US08483177B2 |
Mobile terminal and method of performing handover
Enclosed are a mobile terminal and a method of performing handover. The mobile terminal is connected to a selected network among a plurality of networks sensed in accordance with the movement of the mobile terminal so that handover is performed between different networks and that a service used by the mobile terminal is continuously provided. Therefore, the convenience of a user is improved and network utility is improved. |
| US08483176B2 |
Packet communication method, packet communication system, wireless terminal, and packet communication device
A packet communication system having a wireless terminal, a plurality of wireless access networks, and a packet communication device connected to the respective wireless access networks, that includes a unit controlling handover processing for handover of the wireless terminal to a different wireless access network. Also included is a unit checking whether a handover destination wireless access network supports a header compression or decompression method used in a first packet communication performed through a handover source wireless access network, at a time of the handover. Also included is a unit controlling an execution point for processing corresponding to the header compression or decompression method to be specified at the packet communication device for a second packet communication performed through the handover destination wireless access network, when the above network does not support the method. |
| US08483175B2 |
Method and apparatus for inter-technology handoff of a user equipment
In order to facilitate a handoff of a communication session between a legacy circuit switched network and a packet data network such as a 3GPP LTE, 3GPP2 UMB, or WiMAX network, which communication session is anchored in an IMS Voice Call Continuity Application Server (VCC AS), a Circuit Switched Proxy (CS Proxy) is provided in the packet data network that communicates with a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) of the circuit switched network. The CS Proxy allows the packet data network to communicate with the VCC AS, the MSC to communicate with the packet data network, and the MSC to communicate with the VCC AS via the packet data network, thereby allowing an exchange of handoff-related information between the packet data network and the VCC AS, the packet data network and the circuit switched network, and the circuit switched network and the VCC AS via the packet data network. |
| US08483170B2 |
User equipment terminal, base station, and channel quality information report method
A user equipment terminal for reporting channel quality information to a base station includes a channel quality information measuring unit configured to measure channel quality information; and a channel quality information generating unit configured to generate, as the channel quality information, a difference value between a first absolute value of the measured channel quality information and a second absolute value of previously measured channel quality information. The present invention also relates to a base station and a channel quality information report method. |
| US08483169B2 |
System and method for advertising the same service set identifier for different basic service sets
According to one embodiment of the invention, a method comprises advertising services. The services are provided by different basic service sets, each basic service set having the same service set identifier (SSID). Thereafter, one of the basic service sets is selected. |
| US08483167B2 |
Apparatus and method of dynamic downlink permutation assignment for use in a wireless communication system
A method of assigning parameter values to transceivers in a wireless communication network. Each of the parameter values assigned determines at least in part how a plurality of subcarriers are organized into a plurality of sub-channels. In particular embodiments, the method assigns the parameter values to the transceivers based on correlations between the sub-channels determined by the parameter values, distances between the transceivers, and loads experienced by the transceivers. After the parameter values are assigned to the transceivers, each of the transceivers is configured to transmit on the sub-channels determined at least in part by the parameter value assigned to the transceiver. |
| US08483156B2 |
Feedback for inter-radio access technology carrier aggregation
A method includes simultaneously receiving a first communication using a first radio access technology and a second communication using a second radio access technology, and using only the first radio access technology, transmitting first feedback information for the first communication and second feedback information for the second communication to a network device that performed the first communication. A method includes, using a first radio access technology, receiving first feedback information for a first communication that used the first radio access technology and second feedback information for a second communication that used a second radio access technology. The method also includes, using the first feedback information in association with a subsequent communication using the first radio access technology, and communicating the second feedback information to a network entity that performed the second communication. Program products and apparatus are also disclosed. |
| US08483154B2 |
Subcarrier allocation method and apparatus thereof
A subcarrier allocation apparatus of the present invention includes: memory (12) that stores allocation patterns of links for allocation of subcarriers to the links; selector (11) that selects the subcarriers one by one in order; allocation evaluation value calculators (13) that are arranged in conjunction with cells of base stations and that calculate, for each allocation pattern, allocation evaluation values indicating desirability of allocation in the corresponding cells at the time of the allocation of the subcarrier currently selected by selector (11) to the links in accordance with the allocation pattern; adder (14) that adds, for each allocation pattern, the allocation evaluation values calculated by allocation evaluation value calculators (13); and maximum value detector (15) that detects a maximum value from the addition result of the allocation evaluation values added by adder (14) and that determines the allocation pattern, in which the addition result indicates the maximum value, as an optimal allocation pattern of the subcarrier currently selected by selector (11). |
| US08483152B1 |
Method and apparatus for use of OFDMA in a communication network
A method is disclosed in which a first data transmission is received at a first network node from a second network node in a coordinated network. The first data transmission is received in a first bandwidth of a coordinated network and includes a first plurality of subcarriers. A second data transmission is received at the first network node from a third network node. The second data transmission is received in a second bandwidth of the coordinated network and includes a second plurality of subcarriers. A first transmission schedule is transmitted from the first network node to the second and third network nodes. The first transmission schedule includes modified first and second bandwidths in which the modified first bandwidth includes a subcarrier reallocated from the second bandwidth. The first network node receives data in accordance with the first transmission schedule. |
| US08483141B2 |
Expanded signalling capability for network element, user equipment and system
Several mobile station identifiers are allocated to one mobile station, one for each of a plurality of possible signalling channel structures, parameters, or both. When receiving the signalling channels, the mobile station searches for all identifiers allocated for it in the received signalling channels. When it finds one that matches, it may for instance check a mapping table (agreed at the connection setup between mobile station and the network by RRC signalling) to determine what this identifier means. The signalling channel structure, parameters, or both, used in the transmission may be implicitly or explicitly indicated by the identifier. The mobile station (User Equipment) should monitor the signalling channels in the normal way. Instead of looking for only one identifier, however, the mobile station should monitor several identifiers belonging to it. |
| US08483140B1 |
Intelligent uplink resource release control in a mobile station
A mobile station for transferring delay-sensitive data to a wireless communications network is provided with an uplink resource release controller that selectively inhibits release of an uplink resource in order to meet requirements of a delay-sensitive data application, such as a VoIP or streaming application. In one embodiment, the uplink resource release controller causes dummy blocks to be written to a data buffer to prevent initiation of a countdown process. By intelligently controlling resource release, delay-sensitive data may be transmitted in a more reliable fashion, thereby increasing application performance. |
| US08483139B2 |
Cooperative transceiving between wireless interface devices of a host device with shared modules
A circuit includes a first wireless interface circuit that transceives packetized data between a host module and a first external device in accordance with a first wireless communication protocol, wherein the first wireless protocol carries wireless telephony data for communication with a wireless telephony network. A second wireless interface circuit transceives packetized data between the host module and a second external device in accordance with a second wireless communication protocol. The second wireless interface circuit includes at least one module that is shared with first wireless interface circuit. The first wireless interface circuit and the second wireless interface circuit operate in accordance with a wireless interface schedule that includes a first time interval where the first wireless interface device and the second wireless interface device contemporaneously use the at least one module. |
| US08483137B2 |
Method for transmitting signal using a frame of a predetermined cyclic prefix length in a wireless communication system
A method for transmitting a signal using a frame having a predetermined cyclic prefix (CP) in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method for transmitting a signal using a frame having a predetermined cyclic prefix (CP) length in a wireless communication system that supports a plurality of cells comprises receiving the signal using a first frame from a base station; and transmitting the signal to the base station using the first frame, wherein the first frame is supported by a first cell of the plurality of cells and is different from a second frame supported by a second cell of the plurality of cells, the first frame has a structure where a overlap region between an uplink region of the first frame and a downlink region of the second frame or an overlap region between a downlink region of the first frame and an uplink region of the second frame is punctured, and a CP length of the first frame is different from that of the second frame. |
| US08483130B2 |
Discontinuous transmission in a wireless network
A communication system for use in a wireless network includes: an audio module configured to provide packets indicative of audio for a part of a communication between the communication system and another communication system, the communication spanning packet times, the packets including at least critical packets indicative of critical audio; and a transceiver coupled to the audio module and configured to cause: the critical packets to be conveyed for transmission; and first non-critical packets, indicative of non-critical audio, to be conveyed for transmission such that (1) the first non-critical packets represent less than all of a time between transmission of critical packets and (2) no more than a threshold number of packet times will pass without one of the critical packets or one of the first non-critical packets being conveyed by the transceiver for transmission. |
| US08483126B2 |
Multi-network mobile communications systems and/or methods
A mobile communications handset (12) is capable of connection through two different networks (2, 27). When it is out of contact with its preferred local wireless access system (27), the handset will seek a hand-over to the cellular network (2), and will become registered as a “roaming” handset currently connected to the cellular network (2). The cellular network (2) reports this location information to the call server (28), as it would to the HLR of any normal visiting handset, so that incoming calls to the PSTN (6) destined for the user (12) can be routed by way of the cellular network. Outgoing calls are handled as conventional cellular telephony calls. When contact with a local wireless access system (27) is re-established, the contact information is passed to the call server 28, which reports to the cellular network (2) that a handover has occurred. An interface between the call server (28) and cellular network (2) is configured such that the call server (28) emulates a base site controller of the cellular network (2). The cellular network therefore operates conventionally, with the handset (12) logged as operating through this quasi-base site controller. However, the cellular system would continue to register the presence of the handset as co-operating with the quasi-base station (28), even though it would have no visibility of most calls being made to and from the handset (12). This avoids the cellular system (2) attempting to seize control of the handset through a normal cellular base station (21). |
| US08483123B2 |
QoS request and information distribution for wireless relay networks
Various embodiments are described relating to wireless networks, such as quality of service (QoS) request and information distribution for wireless relay networks. According to an example embodiment, a technique or method may include receiving a QoS-related message at a relay station in a wireless relay network. The QoS-related message may include one or more QoS parameters for a flow. The method or technique may also include retrieving, at the relay station, the QoS parameters from the QoS-related message to use the QoS parameters subsequently for admission control and/or scheduling for the flow. Other example embodiments are described. |
| US08483122B2 |
Downstream time domain based adaptive modulation for DOCSIS based applications
In a DOCSIS based satellite gateway data is transmitted over a single downstream channel, at different throughput rates. Data destined for each subscriber/receiver is assigned a throughput rate depending upon the downstream signal quality of that subscriber/receiver. To accomplish this, the downstream DOCSIS MAC data is parsed to extract DOCSIS packets. The DOCSIS packets are then loaded into packet queues based on an identifier within such packets such as the MAC destination address or SID. Each of the queues represents a bandwidth efficiency or throughput rate that can be currently tolerated by specific subscribers based on the current signal quality being experienced at the subscriber location. A PHY-MAP describing the downstream data structure to be transmitted and inserted into the downstream data. Data is extracted from the packet queues in queue blocks as defined by the PHY-MAP. The queue blocks are modulated with transmission parameters appropriate for each queue block and transmitted to the DOCSIS based satellite modems. The satellite modems extract the PHY-MAP from the downstream data and use the information contained in it to demodulate and decode the queue for which they have sufficient downstream signal quality. Satellite modems measure and transmit downstream signal quality to the satellite gateway to be used to assigned traffic to the appropriate queues. |
| US08483120B2 |
High efficiency sub-orbital high altitude telecommunications system
A wireless telecommunications system comprising a plurality of telecommunications nodes that include receivers and transmitters that are located in a suborbital plane. The telecommunications signals are broadband digital radio signals which are modulated by code division multiple access spread spectrum technology. The receivers include a plurality of antennae that are operative to receive relatively weak telecommunications signals and which use spatial processing to identify their source so that maximum utilization of the spectrum is made available for use by the telecommunications signals without interference. |
| US08483110B2 |
Uplink transmission method, user equipment and system thereof
An uplink transmission method includes acquiring, by a user equipment, a maximum number of hybrid automatic repeat request transmission (M-Tmax). The M-Tmax is an integral multiple of a transmission time interval bundle size. The user equipment performs uplink transmission according to the M-Tmax after a TTI bundle activation time. |
| US08483100B2 |
Communication device supporting both internet and public switched telephone network telephony
A voice communication device, supporting both Internet and public switched telephone network telephony, performs call session hand off between Internet and public switched telephone networks. Hand off, with or without user confirmation, may be half or full duplex, yielding common and differing incoming and outgoing call session pathways. In addition to mid-call hand offs, hand off may also be performed as part of the call session setup. Information regarding the destination network is exchanged on the network from which the hand off will occur. Voice communication devices are each configured with a plurality of communication interfaces including a public switched telephone network interface and an Internet interface. Basic full-duplex operations include immediate and mid-call hand offs between the public switched telephone network and Internet. Mixed pathway communication and handoffs using partly Internet and partly public switched telephone network are also contemplated. |
| US08483097B2 |
Method of generating spanning trees to handle link and node failures in a network
A method for generating spanning trees (ST1,ST2,ST3) in a network (NW2). The network has nodes (A-K) interconnected by links (L2) and the trees are used for handling link and node failures. For handling link failures there is for each link (L2) at least one tree (ST1,ST2) that does not include that link. For node failures there is for each node (A-K) at least one spanning tree (ST1-ST3) to which the particular node is connected by a single link (L2). The first spanning tree (ST1) connects all nodes (A-K) and from each node one link is left unconnected. The second tree (ST2) includes all nodes and all the unconnected links. None of the links is included in both the trees (ST1,ST2). If node B is broken, node A cannot communicate with nodes C and D so the third tree (ST3) is needed. The method has the advantage of giving a low number of trees also for big networks of any topology and can be implemented off-line. |
| US08483096B2 |
Scalable commodity data center network architecture
Systems and methods for routing packets within a network are provided. A packet is received at a switch coupled to a plurality of switches. The switch determines, from a first level table comprising a plurality of prefixes, a prefix matching a first portion of a destination address of the received packet. The switch also determines, from a second level table comprising a plurality of suffixes, a suffix matching a second portion of a destination address of the received packet, when the matching prefix of the first level table is associated with the second level table. The switch forwards, based on the first level table and the second level table, the received packet to an output port of the switch. The switches are configured as a fat-tree network. |
| US08483092B2 |
Autonomous infrastructure wireless networks
A method for deploying a cellular wireless communication network is provided. The method consists of: providing one or more micro base stations; autonomously deploying the micro base stations using a network access point linked to a cellular wireless communication network; and enabling configuration of the micro base stations to execute network operation commands from a network controller associated with the wireless communication network. Another aspect consists of enabling cooperation and network connectivity between micro base stations and other base stations, including micro base stations and large network base stations. Network connectivity to one or more cellular communication terminals associated with individuals or businesses subscribing to the cellular wireless communication network is enabled. A wireless network is also provided which is configurable to link a cellular wireless network through a high data transmission connection so as to define at least one access point between the micro base station and the wireless network. The network includes a wireless interface and receives operation commands from a network controller for configuration of micro base stations, to support the linking of cellular wireless terminals to the wireless network via the wireless interface by operation of the micro base station, as an intermediary. A corresponding system and computer readable medium is also provided. |
| US08483080B2 |
Robust techniques for upstream communication between subscriber stations and a base station
A number of features for enhancing the performance of a communication system, in which data is transmitted between a base station and a plurality of subscriber stations located different distances from the base station, are presented. The power transmission level, slot timing, and equalization of the subscriber stations are set by a ranging process. Data is transmitted by the subscriber stations in fragmented form. Various measures are taken to make transmission from the subscriber stations robust. The uplink data transmission is controlled to permit multiple access from the subscriber stations. |
| US08483077B2 |
QoS in multi-hop wireless networks
A path configuration message is sent to nodes in a multi-hop network along a path between a source node and destination nodes. The path configuration message includes path information and one or more special channel access parameters associated with the path information. The path configuration message temporarily changes the channel access priority for packets matching the path information in the special message. The nodes along the path therefore have higher channel access priority relative to other nearby nodes and other traffic flows. At the end of the a length of a time determined by a time to live parameter in the special message, the nodes resume using default channel access parameters in place of the special channel access parameters for packets matching the path information. |
| US08483076B2 |
A-periodic PUCCH transmission on PUSCH
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate decoding of a sub-frame related to a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) transmission. In particular, a Rank Indicator (RI) can be decoded and identified without error which can result in an error-free decoding and identification of Channel Quality Indicator (CQI), a starting point for a portion of data within the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) transmission, and an acknowledgement (ACK). Additionally, systems and methodologies are described related to packaging information within a sub-frame of a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) transmission such that decoding can be employed without error. |
| US08483075B2 |
Communication method and communication apparatus
A communication method including receiving a common channel signal, transmitting information indicating a reception state based on data included in the received signal, determining whether or not the data included in the received signal is acquirable, measuring fading speed based on the received signal in the case where the data is determined not to be acquirable, estimating whether or not the data is determined to be acquirable by re-determination based on the measurement result, and adding specified signals before and after the information indicating the reception state when the estimating results in a determination that the data is acquirable by re-determination. |
| US08483072B2 |
Data driven connection fault management (DDCFM) in CFM maintenance points
A Connection Fault Management (CFM) maintenance point and method for providing Data Driven Connection Fault Management (DDCFM) in CFM maintenance points in a communication network. A Reflection Responder, an RFM Receiver, and a Decapsulator Responder are implemented in existing CFM maintenance points. The Reflection Responder selects frames to be reflected, mirrors the selected frames if a Continuation option is set, and encapsulates the selected frames with Return Frame Message (RFM) OpCode. The RFM Receiver sends received RFM frames to an analyzer if addressed to the maintenance point and otherwise to a passive multiplexer. The Decapsulator Responder decapsulates Send Frame Message (SFM) frames and sends decapsulated frames toward the destination specified in each frame. |
| US08483070B2 |
Millimeter wave probing of components via a probe device and methods for use therewith
Probe data is directly communicating between a probe device and a component of an external device via a wireless millimeter wave communication path. A probe application is executed in accordance with the probe data, for diagnostics and testing, to update component software, and to upload other files and applications to the component. |
| US08483068B2 |
System and method of performance monitoring of multicast services with mobility support
An approach is disclosed for monitoring performance of a network providing multicast and mobility services. A test profile is generated for determining performance of the multicast network. The test profile is uploaded on a mobile host that is configured to communicate over the multicast network, wherein the mobile host is further configured to participate in a test session according to the test profile. Test session information tracked by the mobile host is collected for evaluation of metrics for the performance of the multicast network. |
| US08483066B2 |
Integrated wireless distribution and mesh backhaul networks
Networks, devices and methods related to wireless networking. A wireless network using nodes that perform both distribution and backhaul functions is provided. These nodes constitute the key elements of a wireless network that would be deployed and controlled by a wireless network operator. Each node contains a distribution wireless module which is wirelessly coupled to the wireless end user device using a point to multipoint scheme. Also integrated into each node is at least one backhaul wireless module with a directional wireless antenna. Each backhaul wireless module communicates by way of a point to point wireless link with the backhaul module of one other node. The nodes in the wireless network are interconnected to form a mesh backhaul network. Because of the nature of a mesh network, data traffic can be routed around obstacles that may prevent line of site links. Furthermore, the mesh network allows dynamic routing of data traffic to avoid congestion points or downed links in the network. |
| US08483054B2 |
Communication path estimation method, non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, and monitoring apparatus
A communication path estimation method for estimating a communication path in a network in which communication is performed by forwarding packets from a plurality of transmission source nodes to a plurality of transmission destination nodes through a plurality of nodes, the method has obtaining, by a computer, path information of a plurality of paths, extracting a path in which a number of lost packets out of packets flowing in the extracted path is a predetermined value or more on the basis of the path information, choosing a pair of adjacent nodes included in the extracted path, and outputting a hypothesis that a static path is set from a first downstream node to a second downstream node when the first downstream node being included in a plurality of paths connected to a plurality of destination nodes and a first upstream node is the same with a second upstream node. |
| US08483053B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, program, and data structure
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and a data structure for processing a stream including a base stream and extension streams at a plurality of levels. A transmitter encodes an audio stream into a base stream BS and first to n-th extension streams Ext1 to ExtN. The transmitter refers to tables 90 and 91, generates TS packets 92 and 93-1 to 93-n having PIDs for the corresponding types of streams and the TS packets 90 and 91 of the tables, and outputs the generated TS packets to a receiver. The receiver refers to the TS packets 90 and 91 of the tables and determines the type(s) of stream(s) that it can process. The receiver selects the TS packets having the PID(s) associated with the stream(s) that it can process and decodes the TS packets. The present invention is applicable to a transmitter and a receiver that perform encoding and decoding. |
| US08483050B2 |
Method and apparatus for ethernet ring protection
An Ethernet Ring Protection (ERP) method and the corresponding apparatus and communication equipment are disclosed. The method includes: when a link on an Ethernet ring network is faulty, judging whether the faulty link is a link where the normally blocked port is located; sending a control message which carries first indication information if the faulty link is the link where the normally blocked port is located; the ring node avoids clearing of a forwarding table after receiving the control message which carries the first indication information; sending the control message which carries second indication information if the faulty link is not the link where the normally blocked port is located; and the ring node clears the forwarding table after receiving the control message which carries the second indication information. Through the method and apparatus according to the present disclosure, the broadcast traffic generated by unnecessary clearing of the forwarding table and self-learning is reduced effectively. |
| US08483049B2 |
System and method for communications system routing component level high availability
A system and method for communications system routing component level high availability are provided. A method for providing routing component level high availability includes synchronizing information from an active information source, detecting a failure in a routing component, replacing the failed routing component with a backup routing component, and completing synchronization of the information. |
| US08483048B2 |
Non-stop forwarding in a multi-chassis router
State information is synchronized between a plurality of routing engines in a multi-chassis router according to a synchronization gradient. An example multi-chassis router is described that includes a primary routing engine and a standby routing engine in each chassis. According to the synchronization gradient, the primary routing engine of a control node updates state information on the standby routing engine of the control node prior to updating the primary routing engines of the other chassis. The primary routing engines of the other chassis update state information in respective standby routing engines prior to updating state information in consumers. If a primary routing engine fails, the corresponding standby routing engine assumes control of the primary routing engine's duties. Upon assuming control, a standby routing engine resumes updating state information without having to resend state information or interrupt packet forwarding. |
| US08483046B2 |
Virtual switch interconnect for hybrid enterprise servers
A system for network configuration that includes a first processor coupled to a second processor via a network. The network includes a plurality of switches and links between the switches to offload processing from the first processor to the second processor. The switches include at least one virtual switch. The first processor is configured to perform a method that includes receiving network configuration data and switch state information for the network. It is detected that a first link and a second link provide two different paths between two of the switches. The first link is selected, at the computer, as a primary link based on contents of the network configuration data. The second link is deactivated in response to the selecting. |
| US08483045B2 |
User activated bypass for IP media
A system and method for falling back to a secondary network when there is insufficient quality on a primary network is disclosed. In one embodiment, a call manager has a media monitoring module, a bypass module, a PSTN control module and a GUI module. Once a call has been established between endpoints using a primary IP network, the media monitoring module monitors for degradation in call quality. If degradation in call quality is detected, the GUI module presents an interface to the user that allows selection of the secondary network or the primary IP network for continuation of the call. If the user selected the secondary network, the bypass module is activated to transfer the data communication to a secondary network such as a PSTN while the call control continues to be over the primary network. |
| US08483044B2 |
Systems, methods, and media for identifying degraded video call links
Systems, methods, and media for identifying degraded video call links are provided. In some embodiments, systems for identifying degraded video call links are provided, the systems comprising: at least one hardware processor that: calculates network metrics and quality metrics of a video call stream received at a device through a first link and then through a second link; determines whether a network problem is present in the video call stream based on the network metrics; determines whether a quality problem is present in the video call stream based on the quality metrics; and determines that the second link is degraded if both a network problem and a quality problem are determined to be present, and determines that the first link is degraded if a quality problem is determined to be present but a network problem is not determined to be present. |
| US08483038B2 |
Radio communication apparatus and radio communication method
The present invention is to provide a communication channel with a low inter-cell interference while suppressing variation in the amount of inter-cell interference. Provided is a base station arranged in a radio communication system configured to implement a frequency division multiple access method by using a frequency division multiplexing method as a modulation method, and configured of cells each divided into an inner region and an outer region. The base station includes an allocation controller configured to perform subchannelization using a perfectly-orthogonal channel in the outer region of the cell, and to perform subchannelization using a quasi-orthogonal channel in the inner region of the cell. |
| US08483036B2 |
Method of searching code sequence in mobile communication system
The present invention relates to a method of searching a code sequence in a cell based mobile communication system, by which a receiving side is able to code sequence detection efficiently. In a code sequence transmitting method for an efficient code sequence search in a mobile communication system, the code sequence transmitting method includes a step of boosting at least one tone for a code sequence and a step of transmitting the code sequence having the boosted at least one tone to a receiving side. |
| US08483035B2 |
Thermally assisted magnetic recording head inspection method and apparatus
In a method and an apparatus for inspecting a thermally assisted magnetic recording head element, a specimen is mounted on a table movable in a plane of a scanning probe microscope device, evanescent light is generated from a portion of light emission of evanescent light of the specimen, scattered light of the evanescent light is detected by moving the table in the plane while a cantilever of the scanning probe microscope having a probe is vertically vibrated in the vicinity of a surface of the specimen, and an intensity distribution of the evanescent light emitted from the portion of light emission of evanescent light or a surface profile of the portion of light emission of evanescent light of the specimen is inspected using position information of generation of the evanescent light based on the detected scattered light. |
| US08483033B2 |
Optical information recording/reproducing apparatus and objective optical system for the same
An objective optical system for an optical information recording/reproducing apparatus, at least one surface of the objective optical system being configured to be a phase shift surface having a phase shift structure, wherein: the phase shift surface has a first area contributing to converging first, second and third light beams onto recording surfaces of first, second and third optical discs, respectively; in the first area, the phase shift surface has at least two types of phase shift structures including a first phase shift structure having first steps and a second phase shift structure having second steps; the phase shift surface has a plurality of combinations of annular zones which satisfy a condition: 0.95 |
| US08483032B2 |
Optical pickup device
An optical pickup device is provided with: a light source; an objective lens focusing light from the light source on an information recording surface of an optical recording medium; a lens holder holding the objective lens; and a collision prevention member provided on the lens holder, and preventing collision between the optical recording medium and the objective lens. The collision prevention member is formed with a sheet member, and is disposed on the lens holder so that a side surface, substantially parallel to a thickness direction, of the sheet member faces the information recording surface. |
| US08483029B2 |
Context-based error indication methods and apparatus
A media player may occasionally be unable to play or continue to play a particular item of media. When that occurs, the media player outputs an error indication that is related to the type of media that the problem media item is representative of. For example, if the problem item is a movie, then the media player may display an error indication having the appearance of broken movie film. If the problem media item is music, then the media player may display an error indication having the appearance of a broken compact disc (“CD”). Thus whatever the type of media that is not playing, the media player outputs an error indication that is appropriate for that type of media. The error indications output by the player are therefore context-based or media-appropriate. |
| US08483020B2 |
Path mechanism and an information processing device having the path mechanism
A path mechanism and an information processing device having the path mechanism can guide disc media to a predetermined position without the data recording area of the disc being affected. The path mechanism has a stacker tray 101 that forms a guide path 130 through which media M having an annular data recording area can move by sliding. The stacker tray 101 has a pair of guide surfaces 125c and 126c that support an outside circumference part of the media M slidably in the direction of media M travel. The guide surfaces 125c and 126c are formed to a width W that is less than the width A of the non-data-recording area Y rendered on the outside circumference side of the annular data recording area on the data recording surface of the media M. |
| US08483018B2 |
Braille watch
A Braille watch is provided that includes a first disk including a first raised surface, a first pin, a second pin, a third pin, and a fourth pin, a top plate, and an actuator to rotate the first disk. The top plate includes a first hole, a second hole, a third hole, and a fourth hole, wherein the first pin is mounted to slide within the first hole, the second pin is mounted to slide within the second hole, the third pin is mounted to slide within the third hole, and the fourth pin is mounted to slide within the fourth hole. The first pin, the second pin, the third pin, and the fourth pin are mounted above the first disk to extend above a top surface of the top plate when the first raised surface is positioned below the respective pin. |
| US08483015B2 |
AM/PM display device for a timepiece
The invention concerns an AM/PM display disc (1), rotating in one day about an axis of rotation (2), including two different juxtaposed surfaces (3, 4).It is characterized in that the surfaces are delimited, between a hub (5) and the periphery (6) of said disc (1) by two boundary curves (7, 8), each tangential to said periphery (6) and having a single concavity from said periphery (6) towards said hub (5), the concavities of said curves (7, 8) having the same direction relative to the direction of rotation (A) of said disc (1), and any radial line originating from said axis (2) intersecting, in succession, one of said two surfaces, then the other, and only passing through one of said curves between said hub (5) and said periphery (6).The invention also concerns an AM/PM display device (100) including an aperture (20) and a disc of this type (1), characterized in that said axis (2) is external to said aperture (20) which is symmetrical relative to an axis of symmetry (22) passing through said axis of rotation (2).The invention also concerns a timepiece incorporating a device (100) of this type. |
| US08483013B2 |
Submarine antenna
The invention relates to a submarine antenna to be attached to the hull of a submarine, said antenna comprising a planar converter arrangement (15) which extends along the hull (11) when attached and which has a reflector (21) and a plurality of electroacoustic converter elements (20). Said converter elements are arranged next to and interspaced from each other and are arranged in front of the reflector (21) in the sound incidence direction. The aim of the invention is to optimize said lateral antenna for attachment to the submarine in terms of its weight and volume and signal-to-disturbance ratio. According to the invention, the reflector (21) is subdivided across the entire length of the converter arrangement (15) into reflector zones (212, 211) that lie one beneath the other and that have a reflection behavior tuned to receive frequency bands of different frequency ranges, the receive frequency band from the highest frequency range being associated with the top reflector zone (212) when attached and the receive frequency band from the lowest frequency range being associated with the bottom reflector zone (211). |
| US08483010B2 |
Providing communications redundancy using one or more loop connections in a subterranean survey system
A subterranean survey system includes a sensor string having a communications link and a plurality of survey sensors connected to the communications link. The sensor string has a loop connection to provide communications redundancy, and the survey sensors are used to detect signals affected by a subterranean structure. A first router is connected to the sensor string, and a transport network is connected to the first router. The first router communicates data from the survey sensors over the transport network. |
| US08483008B2 |
Coil shooting mode
The technique disclosed herein includes a method and apparatus for controlling streamer steering devices to maintain a coil streamer shape that gives coverage for a coil shooting plan. The technique uses solved positions and a target coil streamer shape identified in the shooting plan to determine steering instructions to the streamer steering devices along the streamer. |
| US08483001B2 |
Level detector, internal voltage generator including level detector, and semiconductor memory device including internal voltage generator
A level detector, an internal voltage generator including the level detector, and a semiconductor memory device including the internal voltage generator are provided. The internal voltage generator includes a level detector that compares a threshold voltage that varies with temperature with an internal voltage to output a comparative voltage, and an internal voltage driver that adjusts an external supply voltage in response to the comparative voltage and that outputs an internal voltage. |
| US08482998B2 |
Storage device and method for controlling storage device
A storage device includes: a printed circuit board; a semiconductor memory package mounted on the printed circuit board via solder joints, the semiconductor memory package incorporating semiconductor memories; a sensor configured to measure a physical quantity relating to a state of the storage device; a database including a damage estimation model base to be used for estimating damage of the solder joints from the physical quantity measured by the sensor; a damage estimating module configured to calculate a damage estimation value of the solder joints from the physical quantity using the damage estimation model base; and a controller configured to control writing, reading, and erasure of electronic data to or from the semiconductor memories based on the damage estimation values calculated by the damage estimating module. |
| US08482996B2 |
Nonvolatile memory apparatus with changeable operation speed and related signal control method
Various embodiments of a nonvolatile memory apparatus configured to operate in a first operation mode and a second operation mode are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus may include: a controller configured to enable complementary signal input/output buffers in response to a command for entry into the first operation mode and disable the complementary signal input/output buffers in response to a command for transition to the second operation mode while operating under the first operation mode. |
| US08482995B2 |
Circuit for transmitting and receiving data and control method thereof
A data receiving circuit includes a delay unit for outputting a delayed control signal by delaying a control signal based on a CAS latency, an output driver for time-dividing parallel data based on the control signal and the delayed control signal to generate divided parallel data, and for writing and transmitting the divided parallel data, and a latch for receiving the parallel data from the output driver and sorting, by combining or dividing, the received parallel data in response to the control signal and the delayed control signal. |
| US08482991B2 |
Semiconductor device
A data input buffer is changed from an inactive to an active state after the reception of instruction for a write operation effected on a memory unit. The input buffer is a differential input buffer having interface specs based on SSTL, for example, which is brought to an active state by turning on a power switch to cause a through current to flow and receives a signal therein while immediately following a small change in small-amplitude signal. Since the input buffer is brought to the active state only when the write operation's instruction for the memory unit is provided, it is rendered inactive in advance before the instruction is provided, whereby wasteful power consumption is reduced. In another aspect, power consumption is reduced by changing from the active to the inactive state in a time period from a write command issuing to a next command issuing. |
| US08482987B2 |
Method and apparatus for the erase suspend operation
Various aspects of a nonvolatile memory have an improved erase suspend procedure. A bias arrangement is applied to word lines of an erase sector undergoing an erase procedure interrupted by an erase suspend procedure. As a result, another operation performed during erase suspend, such as a read operation or program operation, has more accurate results due to decreased leakage current from any over-erased nonvolatile memory cells of the erase sector. |
| US08482986B2 |
Word line drivers in non-volatile memory device and method having a shared power bank and processor-based systems using same
A word line driver system that utilizes a voltage selection circuit to supply one of several voltages to an output node coupled to a plurality of word line control circuits. Each word line control circuit is coupled to a respective word line in an array of non-volatile memory cells. The voltage selection circuit may include selectable low pass filters for filtering the supplied voltage supplied to the word lines in the array of memory cells without significantly increasing the overall die-size of the device. |
| US08482985B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor storage device
A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device according to an embodiment includes an erase circuit executing an erase sequence, wherein in the erase sequence, the erase circuit executes: an erase operation to change a selection memory cell group to an erased state, after the erase operation, a soft program operation on the selection memory cell group to solve over-erased state, and after the soft program operation, a first soft program verification operation performed on at least one partial selection memory cell group of a first partial selection memory cell group and a second partial selection memory cell group so as to confirm whether the partial selection memory cell group includes a predetermined number of memory cells or more that have threshold values equal to or more than a predetermined first threshold value, and after the first soft program verification operation. |
| US08482980B2 |
Memory array and method of operating the same
A memory device comprises at least one memory array on a semiconductor substrate. Each said memory array comprises a page control line and a plurality of pages, each said page is arranged in a row comprising a plurality of bytes which couple to a page control transistor with its drain terminal connected to the page control line. Each said byte includes at least one memory cell. Said memory array further comprises a plurality of source control devices which are configured to provide either predetermined biases or floating potentials to source lines, each said source line couples to all the bytes on the same byte segment of the memory array. Read, erase, and program methods are provided to operate said memory devices in byte addressable fashion. |
| US08482971B2 |
Diode assisted switching spin-transfer torque memory unit
A memory array includes a cross-point array of bit and source lines. A memory is disposed at cross-points of the cross-point array. The memory unit includes a magnetic tunnel junction data cell electrically coupled to a bit line and a source line. The magnetic tunnel junction data cell is configured to switch between a high resistance state and a low resistance state by passing a polarized write current through the magnetic tunnel junction data cell. A transistor is electrically between the magnetic tunnel junction data cell and the bit line or source line and a diode is in thermal or electrical contact with the magnetic tunnel junction data cell to assist in resistance state switching. |
| US08482968B2 |
Non-volatile magnetic tunnel junction transistor
An example embodiment is an apparatus for controlling a magnetic direction of a magnetic free layer. The apparatus includes a writer with a first magnetic write layer and a second magnetic write layer. Applying a write voltage across first and second magnetic write layers causes a magnetic anisotropy of one of the magnetic write layers to switch from parallel to the plane of the magnetic write layers to orthogonal to the plane of the magnetic write layers. The magnetic write layer with the magnetic anisotropy parallel to the plane of the magnetic write layers induces the magnetic direction in the magnetic free layer. |
| US08482967B2 |
Magnetic memory element with multi-domain storage layer
An apparatus and method for enhancing data writing and retention to a magnetic memory element, such as in a non-volatile data storage array. In accordance with various embodiments, a programmable memory element has a reference layer and a storage layer. The reference layer is provided with a fixed magnetic orientation. The storage layer is programmed to have a first region with a magnetic orientation antiparallel to said fixed magnetic orientation, and a second region with a magnetic orientation parallel to said fixed magnetic orientation. A thermal assist layer may be incorporated into the memory element to enhance localized heating of the storage layer to aid in the transition of the first region from parallel to antiparallel magnetic orientation during a write operation. |
| US08482963B1 |
Integrated circuits with asymmetric and stacked transistors
Asymmetric transistors may be formed by creating pocket implants on one source-drain terminal of a transistor and not the other. Asymmetric transistors may also be formed using dual-gate structures having first and second gate conductors of different work functions. Stacked transistors may be formed by stacking two transistors of the same channel type in series. One of the source-drain terminals of each of the two transistors is connected to a common node. The gates of the two transistors are also connected together. The two transistors may have different threshold voltages. The threshold voltage of the transistor that is located higher in the stacked transistor may be provided with a lower threshold voltage than the other transistor in the stacked transistor. Stacked transistors may be used to reduce leakage currents in circuits such as memory cells. Asymmetric transistors may also be used in memory cells to reduce leakage. |
| US08482962B2 |
Low noise memory array
A memory array compatible with dynamic random access memories (DRAM) and static random access memories (SRAM) is disclosed. The memory array includes a first sense amplifier (700) having a signal bit line (710) extending in a first direction and having a memory cell (714) suitable for a read operation. A second sense amplifier (704) has a second bit line (706) adjacent and parallel to the signal bit line. The second bit line receives a precharge voltage during the read operation. A third sense amplifier (704) has a third bit line (706) adjacent and parallel to the signal bit line. The third bit line receives the precharge voltage during the read operation. |
| US08482960B2 |
Multi-bit resistance-switching memory cell
A non-volatile storage apparatus comprises a set of Y lines, a set of X lines and a plurality of memory cells in communication with the set of X lines and the set of Y lines. Each memory cell of the plurality of memory cells includes a resistance element in a static resistance condition and two or more reversible resistance-switching elements. The resistance element in the static resistance condition and the two or more reversible resistance-switching elements are connected to different Y lines of the set of Y lines. The resistance element in the low resistance state and the two or more reversible resistance-switching elements are connected to a common X line of the set of X lines. One or multiple bits of data are programmed into a particular memory cell of the plurality of memory cells by causing current flow between Y lines connected to the particular memory cell. |
| US08482954B2 |
Semiconductor memory and method for operating the semiconductor memory
A semiconductor memory includes memory cells; word lines coupled to the memory cells; plate lines coupled to the memory cells; a selector that selects a first address signal in a first period and select a second address signal in a second period; a decode circuit that sequentially decodes the first and the second address signals selected by the selector, sequentially generates decode address signals based on the decoded first and second address signals, and sequentially activates the generated decode address signals; and a driver circuit that drives the word lines in accordance with the decode address signals activated based on the first address signal and drives the plate lines in accordance with the decode address signals activated based on the second address signal. |
| US08482953B2 |
Composite resistance variable element and method for manufacturing the same
A composite resistance variable element includes a first resistance variable element in which a resistance value varies corresponding to a direction of inner magnetization, and a second resistance variable element connected in series to the first resistance variable element. A resistance value of the second resistance variable element varies corresponding to a magnitude of at least one of a voltage applied to the second resistance variable element and a current flowing through the second resistance variable element, irrespective of whether the voltage and the current are positive or negative. |
| US08482952B2 |
One time programming bit cell
A one time programming (OTP) memory cell includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor has a first drain, a first source, a first gate, and a first normal operational voltage value higher that a second normal operational voltage value of the second transistor. The second transistor has a second drain, a second source, and a second gate. The first source is coupled to the second drain. The second source is configured to detect data stored in the OTP memory cell. |
| US08482949B2 |
Method to drive a high-voltage tube grid
A method and device for operating a device for high-voltage switching for driving capacitive loads, having a first and a second input terminal (11, 12) for applying a high voltage supply, such that a higher potential of the high-voltage supply may be applied to the first input terminal (11) and a lower potential may be applied to the second input terminal (12); a first and a second switch (S1, S2), connected in series between the first and the second input terminal (11, 12); a first and a second clamping diode (D3, D4), connected in series and in the same blocking direction between the first input terminal and the second input terminal, such that the first second clamping diode block with respect to the applied high voltage; a storage inductor Ls, which is connected with one of its terminals to a connecting point (13) of the both switches and with another terminal to a connecting point (14) of the both clamping diodes; and an output terminal (15) for connecting a capacitive load Cl, which output terminal is connected with the connecting point (14) of the both clamping diodes (D3, D4). The method comprises starting with both switches (S1, S2) open; closing of the first switch (S1) after a first predetermined time; opening (ST3) of the first switch (S1) after a second predetermined time; closing (ST4) of the second switch (S2), after arriving a zero voltage over the second switch. |
| US08482948B2 |
Interleave control power supply device and control circuit
A two-phase critical interleave PFC boost converter, includes a master-side control circuit configured to critically control a first switching element based on a master signal; and a slave-side control circuit configured to critically control a second switching element based on a slave-signal with a phase difference of 180° from the master signal. In the PFC boost converter, an off period generator of the master-side control circuit feeds an M_ON signal which is the same in waveform as the master signal to an on phase controller of the slave-side control circuit, and the slave-side control circuit determines the rising timing of the slave signal from the rising time of the master signal. |
| US08482946B2 |
System and method providing over current and over power protection for power converter
System and method for protecting a power converter. A system includes a threshold generator configured to generate a threshold signal, and a first comparator configured to receive the threshold signal and a first signal and to generate a comparison signal. The first signal is associated with an input current for a power converter. Additionally, the system includes a pulse-width-modulation generator configured to receive the comparison signal and generate a modulation signal in response to the comparison signal, and a switch configured to receive the modulation signal and adjust the input current for the power converter. The threshold signal is associated with a threshold magnitude as a function of time. The threshold magnitude increases with time at a first slope during a first period, and the threshold magnitude increases with time at a second slope during a second period. The first slope and the second slope are different. |
| US08482945B2 |
Power converter with magnetic recovery switch
A power converter stabilizes a voltage by controlling leading of an AC current and performs maximum charging within contracted power reception amount when connected to a weak power system. The power converter comprises Magnetic Energy Recovery Switch comprising a bridge circuit including at least two reverse conductive type semiconductor switches and a magnetic energy accumulating capacitor with a small capacity connected between DC terminals of the bridge circuit. The power converter uses the Magnetic Energy Recovery Switch to perform power conversion from AC to DC or vise versa. Plurality of secondary battery charging devices each comprising the power converter have a DC part connected to a common DC bus bar, so that power is accommodated among the secondary battery charging devices. |
| US08482944B1 |
Electronic ballast with inrush protection circuit
An inrush protection circuit is provided for an electronic ballast for powering HID lamps. A first resistor is positioned along a low potential side of the circuit and a switching element coupled in parallel with the first resistor. Second and third resistors are coupled in series and effective to receive DC input power from a DC source, with a first node between the second and third resistors further coupled to the gate of the switching element. A capacitor is coupled in parallel with the third resistor to provide a smoothed DC voltage to the gate of the switching element. A discharging circuit includes a diode and a fourth resistor coupled in series between the first node and the high potential side of the circuit, and is arranged to conduct discharging current from the capacitor until the voltage across the capacitor discharges below a predetermined voltage after the DC input power is removed from the circuit. |
| US08482942B2 |
Method and apparatus for bridgeless power factor correction
This document discusses, among other things, an improved bridgeless power factor correction (PFC) circuit. In an example, the PFC circuit can include a first switch and a control circuit, the control circuit configured to provide a switching cycle, to generate a carrier signal corresponding to the switching cycle, and to generate a control signal for the first switch during the switching cycle. In an example, the control circuit can receive a first signal indicative of current through the first switch and generate a duty cycle for the first switch using a comparison of the first signal and the carrier signal. In an example, the control circuit can initiate the carrier signal at the beginning of the switching cycle and provide a carrier signal duration corresponding to a fraction of a duration of the switching cycle of the PFC circuit (e.g., one-half, one-third, etc.). |
| US08482939B2 |
Power supply
A switching “power (100) includes a single, power switching Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) (Q1) that without any additional transistor provides both self-oscillation and over-current protection. A transformer (Tr1) that is included in a positive feedback path of the MOSFET has a tapped (intermediate terminal 103) auto-transformer winding. A source terminal (102) of the MOSFET is coupled via a current limiting resistor (R2) to a junction terminal between first (n1)and second (n2) windings of the tapped auto-transformer (Tr1). The first winding forms the primary winding of the transformer and the second winding is coupled to a gate terminal of the MOSFET to form a regenerative feedback path. The second winding is direct-current (DC) coupled to the gate terminal to avoid the need for any discrete capacitor in the positive feedback path. |
| US08482938B2 |
Method and apparatus providing a multi-function terminal for a power supply controller
A power supply controller circuit is disclosed. An example power supply controller circuit includes a control circuit coupled to generate a switching waveform to be used to regulate an output of a power supply. A current input circuit is coupled to receive a current representative of an input of the power supply. The current input circuit is to generate a sense signal in response to the current representative of the input of the power supply. A first comparator is coupled to the current input circuit to receive the sense signal. The first comparator coupled to generate a first signal in response to the sense signal being above a first threshold. An enable/disable logic circuit is coupled to the first comparator. The enable/disable logic circuit is coupled to deactivate the control circuit in response to the first signal. |
| US08482937B2 |
Switching control circuits with valley lock for power converters
A switching control circuit for a switching power converter is provided. The switching control circuit is coupled to a switching device and an auxiliary winding of a transformer. The switching control circuit includes a valley detecting circuit, a valley lock circuit, and a PWM circuit. The valley detecting circuit is coupled to receive a reflected voltage signal from the auxiliary winding of the transformer for outputting a control signal in response to the reflected voltage signal. The valley lock circuit is coupled to receive the control signal for outputting a judging signal in response to the control signal during a first period and a second period following the first period. The PWM circuit outputs a switching signal in response to the judging signal. |
| US08482935B2 |
Transformer-isolated switching converter
Exemplary systems and methods provide a transformer-isolated current-fed quadratic full-bridge converter topology. The optimal interfacing of a current source, such as a solar panel, can be implemented by using current-fed converters. The current-fed converter can operate within the whole range of a UI curve from short-circuit to open-circuit condition and its input voltage can be readily controlled. The quadratic behaviour between input and output in regard of a duty cycle allows large conversion ratios. |
| US08482931B2 |
Package structure
A package structure includes a first printed wiring board having mounted on a top surface a plurality of electronic components including at least one first electronic component, a second printed wiring board stacked on the top surface side of the first printed wiring board, and a plurality of connecting members for mechanically connecting the first and second printed wiring boards while maintaining a constant gap therebetween, the connecting members including a first cured resin for bonding a top surface of the at least one first electronic component to a bottom surface of the second printed wiring board. |
| US08482928B2 |
Method of connecting printed circuit boards and corresponding arrangement
Connecting a first (12) and a second (14) printed circuit board or PCB carrying a LED lighting source (10) and the associated drive circuitry involves providing board connection pads (12a, 14a) at said first (12) and second (14) PCBs, and arranging a flex PCB (16) in a bridge-like fashion between the first (12) and second (14) PCBs. The flex PCB (16) has connection pads (16a) for bonding with the board connection pads (12a, 14a) of the PCBs (12, 14). The connection pads (16a) in the flex PCB (16) arranged in a bridge-like fashion between the first (12) and second (14) PCBs are bonded with the connection pads (12a, 14a) of the first (12) and second (14) PCBs, so that the first (12) and second (14) PCBs are connected. |
| US08482927B2 |
Backplane electronic circuit board of an electronic apparatus, in particular for an aircraft
A backplane electronic circuit board of an electronic apparatus (10) comprises an interface connector with an external system and two interface boards (22, 23) connected to one another, a first interface board (22) being connected to the said interface connector and a second interface board (23) being intended for the connection of a set of electronic circuit boards of the said electronic apparatus (10).The backplane electronic circuit board (20) comprises reinforcement means (30, 40) installed between the said two interface boards (22, 23).Use in particular in an electronic apparatus on board an aircraft. |
| US08482926B2 |
Optical element wafer module, optical element module, method for manufacturing optical element module, electronic element wafer module, method for manufacturing electronic element module, electronic element module and electronic information device
An optical element module according to the present invention includes a plurality of optical elements laminated therein, each optical element including: an optical surface at a center portion thereof; and a spacer section having a predetermined thickness on an outer circumference side of the optical surface, wherein an adhesive is positioned on a further outer circumference side of the spacer section, and the upper optical element and the lower optical element are adhered to each other such that an inside and an outside of the adhesive are ventable through a ventilating section of the adhesive. |
| US08482922B2 |
Microfins for cooling an ultramobile device
The present invention discloses a method of cooling an ultramobile device with microfins attached to an external wall of an enclosure surrounding the ultramobile device. |
| US08482915B2 |
Temperature control within disk drive testing systems
A disk drive test slot thermal control system includes a test slot. The test slot includes a housing and an air mover (e.g., a blower or a fan). The housing includes an outer surface, and an internal cavity. The internal cavity includes a test compartment for receiving a disk drive for testing. The housing also includes an inlet aperture extending from the outer surface of the housing to the internal cavity. The air mover can be disposed outside of the internal cavity to provide an air flow towards the test compartment through the inlet aperture. |
| US08482914B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device with multi-phase mechanism including a host, a storage device and a carriage is provided in the present invention. The storage device is slidably disposed in the host and adapted to be pulled out from the host. The carriage is slidably disposed in the storage device and adapted to be pulled out from the storage device. Through the storage device slidably disposing in the host and being adapted to be pulled out from the host, it facilitates the user to take or replace a content from the storage device. When the carriage is moved out from the storage device in a first phase and then the storage device is pulled out from the host in a second phase, the content in the storage device is taken out. |
| US08482912B2 |
Fixing apparatus for flat panel display devices
A fixing apparatus for a flat panel display device includes a frame having an open cavity. First and second positioning sidewalls extend from the frame and are located above and parallel with the open cavity. A movable stop block is mounted in the open cavity and below the first positioning sidewall. As such the flat panel device is easily fixed and improved fixing strength is attained. |
| US08482909B2 |
Flexible display band with removable control unit
A display apparatus (10) comprises a display band (14) and a control unit (12). The display band (14) is flexible and is dimension for wrapping round the wrist or other part of the user. In preferred forms, the control unit (12) includes a timing circuit and the display band (14) includes a digital time display, the apparatus thus functioning as a watch. Also preferred is the use of a malleable display band (14) allowing the apparatus to be applied to the wrist or the like without use of a buckle or catch. A variety of display bands (14) may be used interchangeably with a single control unit. |
| US08482906B2 |
Harsh environment liquid crystal display (LCD) enclosure
The present invention is directed to the field of environmentally sealed casings for protection of electronic or other devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to enclosures for protecting LCD panels from the harsh environments in which they are sometimes used. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a harsh environment LCD enclosure comprising: a casing with an interior for protecting an LCD panel; a door for accessing the interior of the casing; a compression gasket assembly for sealing together the door and casing; an actuator for opening and closing the door; and a hinge assembly disposed entirely within the interior of the casing and operably configured to provide for rotational and linear movement of the door relative to the casing. |
| US08482899B2 |
Electronic component including protruding mounting surface regions and method for manufacturing the same
A laminate includes ceramic layers laminated to each other. Internal conductors are embedded in the laminate and include exposed portions that are exposed between the ceramic layers at a lower surface and an upper surface of the laminate. External electrodes are directly plated on the lower surface and the upper surface so as to cover the respective exposed portions. Regions of the lower surface at which the exposed portions are provided are arranged to protrude from the other regions of the lower surface, and regions of the upper surface at which the exposed portions are provided are arranged to protrude from the other regions of the upper surface. |
| US08482898B2 |
Electrode conditioning in an electrohydrodynamic fluid accelerator device
Conditioning an electrode is performed with a cleaning device for removing detrimental material from forming electrode surfaces of an electrohydrodynamic device or other ion flow generating device. A conditioning material is deposited on the electrode to at least partially mitigate erosion, corrosion, oxidations, dendrite formation on the electrode or ozone production. The conditioning material can be deposited by a wearable portion of one or more cleaning blocks or wipers. The cleaning blocks may have a composition selected to be hard enough to remove detrimental material under a selected pressure, while soft enough to be wearable to deposit a conditioning layer on the electrode surface. The conditioning material can be applied as a solid or liquid. The applied conditioning material can include at least one of silver, palladium, platinum, manganese, nickel, zirconium, titanium, tungsten, aluminum, oxides or alloys thereof, carbon, and organometallic materials that decompose under plasma conditions. |
| US08482896B2 |
Overvoltage protection element
An overvoltage protection element with a housing, at least one overvoltage limiting component in the housing, especially a varistor, and two connecting elements for electrically connecting the overvoltage protection element to a current or signal path in a normal state, the connecting elements being in electrically conductive contact with a respective pole of the overvoltage limiting component. In the normal state of the overvoltage protection element, at least one pole is connected to a connecting element via a plug-and-socket connection, and at least one spring is located between the housing and the overvoltage limiting component such that, when the overvoltage limiting component is thermally overloaded, it is turned by the spring separating the at least one pole from the assigned connecting element, and creating a thermally separating connection between the overvoltage limiting component and the housing when the temperature of the overvoltage limiting component exceeds a given boundary temperature. |
| US08482893B2 |
Integrated photovoltaic source circuit combiner and protection subsystem
A combiner circuit and voltage protection circuit is disclosed. A plurality of photovoltaic sources is provided. A set of fuses, each having one side coupled to one of the plurality of photovoltaic sources is provided. A set of contacts, each having one side coupled to the other side of one of the fuses is provided. The other side of the contacts are coupled together to combine the output of the photovoltaic sources to an output interface, the output interface being coupled to the load. A set of diodes are each coupled to each of the set of fuses and form a current path around the set of contacts. A transistor is coupled to each of the diodes and the load interface. The transistor has an on state completing the flow of current through the diodes around the set of contacts to the load interface. |
| US08482888B2 |
ESD block with shared noise optimization and CDM ESD protection for RF circuits
A RF device includes a RF integrated circuit having a RF input and a RF output. The RF integrated circuit has an NMOS transistor having a gate terminal coupled to the RF input, a drain terminal coupled to a first power supply node and a source terminal coupled to a second power supply node. The RF integrated circuit is vulnerable to damage from an ESD event. A primary ESD protection circuit is coupled to the RF input and between the first and second power supply nodes. A secondary ESD protection circuit is coupled between the RF input and the second power supply node. The secondary ESD protection circuit includes a secondary ESD protection diode coupled between the gate and source terminals of the NMOS transistor. |
| US08482882B2 |
Mounting assembly
A tolerance ring is disclosed and can include a strip of material having a length, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of radially extending projections between the first and second ends. The strip of material can be curved into a ring having a gap. The radially extending projections are configured to be compressible between a bore and a shaft. A width and/or a height of a radially extending projection closest to the first end is different from a width and/or a height of a radially extending projection closest to a line extending perpendicular to the length and bisecting the strip of material within a circumferential row of the radially extending projections. |
| US08482881B2 |
Fluid dynamic bearing unit and disk drive device including the same
A first sleeve rotatably extends around a shaft. First and second flanges are fixed to the shaft. A second sleeve extending around the first sleeve is fixed thereto. A first annular member fixed to the second sleeve surrounds the first flange. A second annular member fixed to the second flange surrounds a portion of the second sleeve. A first capillary seal includes a clearance between the first flange and the first annular member. A second capillary seal includes a clearance between the second annular member and the second sleeve. Lubricant is provided in the clearances in the first and second capillary seals. The second annular member and the second sleeve are designed so that the lubricant in the clearance in the second capillary seal can be viewed from a point in a radial position which is outward of the second sleeve as seen in an axial direction. |
| US08482878B2 |
Reducing particles adhering to a hard disk
A spoiler of a hard disk drive including a body portion coupled with a housing of the hard disk drive and adjacent to a hard disk, and an end portion coupled with the body portion, the end portion comprising a fan-shape, the spoiler extending radially with respect to the hard disk and parallel to a surface of the hard disk, wherein the fan-shape expands outward toward the tip end. |
| US08482877B2 |
Magnetic recording media, method for servowriting on same, and hard disk drive
Embodiments of the present invention provide a servo write medium, method and device for writing servo information by self servo write on the servo region formed from a flat section of the discrete track medium. The recording or write device yields the same servo characteristics as magnetic servo writing, is superior to pre-patterned servo, and delivers a greater write storage capacity with an even higher recording density. According to one embodiment, a self servo write method is used to write servo information on a flat section formed on a patterned disk on which discrete tracks are formed. Timing detection patterns (grooves) required for controlling the timing along the periphery during self servo write are formed by pre-patterning on the disk, and RRO error signals used for positioning control along the radius are written in the servo information on a flat section of the disk. |
| US08482872B1 |
Distributed temperature detector architecture for head disk interface systems
Approaches for a distributed temperature detector architecture in a head disk interface system of a hard-disk drive (HDD). A HDD may include a read/write head comprising a read element and a write element and a read/write integrated circuit (IC). The read/write head may comprise (a) a first temperature sensor that is located relatively near an air bearing surface (ABS) of the read/write head and (b) a second temperature sensor that is offset from the ABS. The read/write IC is configured to detect when the read/write head makes physical contact with a disk based on a difference in temperature measured by the first and second temperature sensor. The first and second temperature sensors form a bridge circuit, such as a Wheatstone bridge, with a first IC resistor and a second IC resistor that both reside in the read/write IC, allowing the temperature of the read/write head to be accurately measured. |
| US08482870B2 |
Lens module and wafer level lens module manufacturing apparatus
Example embodiments are directed to a lens module manufactured from a wafer and a wafer level lens module manufacturing apparatus. The wafer level lens module manufacturing apparatus to mold lenses on a wafer provided with lens holes includes a first master substrate and a second master substrate disposed such that the wafer is between the first master substrate and the second master substrate. The wafer level lens module manufacturing apparatus also includes lens molding parts that enter the lens holes and are on at least one of the first master substrate and the second master substrate. The lens is molded to have a thickness less than that of the wafer using the first lens molding parts and second lens molding parts, and both surfaces of the lens are inside the lens hole. Therefore, even if wafers provided with lenses are stacked on each other, the lens does not contact the surfaces of the neighboring wafers or the lenses molded on the neighboring wafers. |
| US08482866B2 |
Lens with layered concentric structures
The lens contains a cup-shaped body with a lens bottom and a lens member extended upward from the lens bottom and forming a 49-degree included angle with the lens bottom. The lens member contains, from bottom to top, a number of layers, each having a number of refraction portions. Each refraction portion contains a number of refraction elements arranged in a concentric manner. According to the inclination angle of the lens member, dimensions of the refraction portions, and the distribution of refraction elements, the lens could be applied to various applications with enhanced coverage range and sensory effect. |
| US08482863B2 |
Imagery optical system
An imagery optical system, sequentially from an object side to an image side on an optical axis comprising: the first lens element with positive refractive power, the second lens element with positive refractive power, the third lens element, the fourth lens element, and the fifth lens element having at least one inflection point. Each of the five lens elements may be made of plastic and comes with bi-aspheric surfaces. The imagery optical system satisfies conditions related to shorten the total length and to reduce the sensitivity for use in compact cameras and mobile phones with a camera function. |
| US08482857B2 |
Method of manufacturing a lens assembly, as well as a camera provided with such an assembly
Method of manufacturing a lens assembly by means of a replication process, wherein the following steps are carried out i) introducing a first, liquid, UV curable composition (2) into a first mould (1) provided with regularly spaced-apart cavities (6), ii) curing said first composition by UV radiation so as to obtain a first lens element comprising lenses arranged beside each other, wherein the surface of the obtained lens element is the negative of that of the cavities, in) applying a second, liquid, UV curable composition (5) to the first composition cured in step ii), iv) placing a second mould (4) on the second composition (5) applied in step iii), which second mould is provided with regularly spaced-apart recesses (7), in such a manner that said recesses will fill with the second composition, v) curing the second composition by UV radiation so as to obtain a second lens element comprising lenses arranged beside each other, wherein the surface of the obtained lens element is the negative of that of the recesses, and vi) possibly removing the first and/or the second mould. |
| US08482856B2 |
Optical element array sheet, display device, and fabrication method for same
An optical element array sheet is provided with: a first area in which an optical element array is arranged that is composed of a plurality of optical elements arranged at a prescribed period, a second area formed at the end of the first area with a surface shape that differs from the first area, and a trough formed at the border of the first area and the second area. The side-wall on the second-area side of the trough is formed inclined with respect to a reference line that extends in the thickness direction of the optical element array with the bottom of the trough as the point of origin. |
| US08482851B2 |
Projection optical system and projection display device using the same
A projection optical system and a projection display device using the same is provided, wherein the projection optical system has a sufficiently small size to be provided in a front-projection-type projector and can effectively correct various aberrations. An original image on an image display surface is enlarged and projected onto a screen by a first optical system that includes a plurality of lenses and a second optical system that includes a reflecting mirror having a concave surface with an aspheric shape. All of the optical surfaces of the first optical system and the second optical system are rotationally symmetric surfaces each having the optical axis common to all of the optical surfaces as its center. A first lens surface, which is a reduction-side surface, and a second lens surface, which is a magnification-side surface, of a lens (fourteenth lens) closest to a magnification side in the first optical system satisfy predetermined conditional expressions. |
| US08482846B2 |
Advanced shifting algorithm for prolonging the life of an optically nonlinear crystal
In a shifting algorithm for an optically nonlinear crystal arranged to frequency-convert beam of radiation, the location of one or more defects in the crystal is recorded as an exclusion zone. The location of the beam is stepped incrementally over a surface around a closed or open loop path in increments less than a beam dimension. The path is arranged such that the beam does not enter the exclusion zone. |
| US08482842B2 |
Method of manufacturing smart panel and smart panel
A method of manufacturing a smart panel and a smart panel. A method of manufacturing a smart panel includes spraying a coating solution including a thermochromic material and a silicon oxide on a surface of a transparent substrate, and drying the coating solution to form a coating film on the surface of the substrate. A smart panel is manufactured in accordance with the above-described method. |
| US08482841B1 |
Magnetic spin based photonic/plasmonic devices
A photonic/plasmonic device is disclosed that uses a ferroelectric material and its magnetization state in order to affect the physical properties of electromagnetic waves. The magnetization state of the ferromagnetic material may either be zero or nonzero. When the magnetization state of the ferromagnetic material is non-zero physical properties of the electromagnetic waves are altered. This effect can be used to make switches and the like. |
| US08482837B2 |
Lamination of electrochromic device to glass substrates
Electrochromic device laminates and their method of manufacture are disclosed. |
| US08482832B2 |
Vibrating mirror element
This vibrating mirror element includes a mirror portion reflecting light, a torsionally deformable beam portion connected to the mirror portion for supporting the mirror portion in a vibratile manner, and a driving portion having a connecting portion connected with the beam portion for driving the mirror portion through the torsionally deformable beam portion. The width of the connecting portion of the driving portion is rendered smaller than the width of a portion of the driving portion other than the connecting portion in plan view. |
| US08482830B2 |
Hybrid reflection hologram
Hybrid white-light viewable holograms and methods for making them. The holograms are hybrid reflection holograms made using the diffractive structures or gratings of a holographic object such as a transmission hologram or holographic optical element (HOE). The wavefronts of the diffractive structures are converted into a reflection hologram by scanning them with a coherent light source having a profiled narrow beam. The hybrid reflection hologram can exhibit display parameters including the multiple colors, solidity, and color stability of white light reflection holograms, the diffractive color shifting of a white light transmission hologram, three dimensional imaging and a wide variety of dynamic changes. Different areas or images with each of these effects can be combined in a single hologram. These hybrid reflection holograms are ideal for security and forgery prevention applications. |
| US08482827B2 |
Annotation on media sheet indicating functionality to be performed in relation to image on media sheet
A media sheet is scanned. The media sheet has an image and an annotation. The annotation indicates a functionality to be performed in relation to the image. The annotation on the media sheet as scanned is detected. The functionality to be performed in relation to the image is determined in correspondence to the annotation detected on the media sheet. The functionality to which the annotation corresponds is performed in relation to the image. |
| US08482826B2 |
Image processing apparatus, printing apparatus and image processing method
A dither pattern is formed in such a manner that threshold values 1 to 16 are dispersed in regard to the order of magnitudes of the threshold values. First, there is made a calculation of multiplying each value of the image data by a ratio of 1/2. Thereby, there is produced the divided 17-valued data where every value of all pixels is “2”. Next, binarization is carried out for the divided data by using the dither pattern. As a result, binary data at the first pass is obtained. Next, there is obtained the data by a product of a ratio (1/2+1/2) obtained by adding 1/2 to the above ratio and each value of the image data. Binarization is carried out for the image data by using the dither pattern. This produces binary data. Finally, dot data for the second pass is obtained by subtracting data from the binary data. |
| US08482820B2 |
Image-capturing system
An image-capturing system includes: a stage that has mounted and fixed thereon a glass slide on which at least one sample is placed and that circulates in an endless-track shape; a line sensor that scans only a part of the sample; an imaging driving mechanism that moves a relative position of the line sensor and the stage in a direction perpendicular to a scanning direction of the line sensor; and an optical system that focuses an image of the sample on the line sensor. |
| US08482819B2 |
Segmented reflective optical system
An optical system, used for scanning, forms an image using reflective optical surfaces. The system may be telecentric, and may form an image that is reduced in size as compared with the scanned original. Several image-forming optical channels may be combined to form a page-wide scanning array. |
| US08482816B2 |
Document acquisition system and document acquisition method
A document acquisition system and a document acquisition method for optically acquiring a document, include at least one luminous device for illuminating the document, at least one optical sensor and an optical imaging unit for imaging the document onto the at least one optical sensor. The at least one illumination device is coupled to an optical lighting unit which allows the document to be illuminated as homogeneously as possible. |
| US08482812B2 |
Image processing apparatus for detecting object from image and method thereof
An image processing apparatus includes a first storage unit configured to store image data in order of the image data scanned in a main scanning direction, in a first storage device, a transmission unit configured to transmit pixel information of a partial region longer in the main scanning direction of the image data, from the first storage device to a second storage device, and an object discrimination unit configured to reference the pixel information stored in the second storage device and discriminate whether the partial region is an object region based on the pixel information. Thus, according to image processing apparatus, an object can be rapidly detected. |
| US08482811B2 |
Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus according to the present invention includes: a recording portion for recording image data on a random-access recording medium; a reproducing portion for reproducing image data recorded on the recording medium and recording stop position information indicating a recording stop position of the image data on the recording medium; and a control portion for controlling the reproducing portion to reproduce the image data from a position a predetermined time before the recording stop position in response to a preview instruction and stop the reproduction at the recording stop position. |
| US08482808B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method for displaying a preview of scanned document data
An image processing system includes a client apparatus and a server apparatus. The server apparatus includes an item extraction unit, an item classification unit, and an image selection processing unit. The item extraction unit extracts a prescribed item from a document. The item classification unit classifies the extracted item into any of a plurality of groups. The image selection processing unit generates a display screen displaying each item included in read data in a manner different for each group. A display of the client apparatus displays the generated display screen. |
| US08482807B2 |
Embedding information using modulated periodic line patterns
A method and system is provided providing a variable data guilloché pattern comprised of variable data differential line pattern fonts comprising decodable template symbols which are capable of being selectively assembled into a predetermined variable data code. The differential line pattern fonts are further spatially modulated for imposition of a second data channel on a printed document. The representation can be decoded with a digital scanner capable of identifying the embedded patterns and spatially modulated transform function and communicate it to a user for verifying a document containing the code. |
| US08482806B2 |
Device for forming a connected document by inserting a head page having embedded certification information, and method of forming a connected document
An object of the present invention is for a user originally having authority to be capable of performing a copy operation without damaging convenience. In order to achieve the above object, a device according to the present invention comprises connecting unit for connecting data of a first document into which first certification information to be inputted for permitting a copy of the document is embedded to data of a second document into which second certification information to be inputted for permitting a copy of the document is embedded. |
| US08482800B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
In image processing it is possible to adequately reduce density unevenness and graininess according to the duty of the image data. More specifically, when dividing multi-valued data and generating 2-pass multi-pass printing data, in addition to the divided multi-valued data for each of the two passes, divided multi-valued data that is common to both of the two passes is also generated. Moreover, the quantized data of that common multi-valued data is reflected on the quantized data of each pass. Furthermore, when generating quantized data, the division ratio when generating common data in the division of multi-valued data is set according to the duty (gradation value) of the multi-valued data. By doing so it becomes possible to adequately reduce the density unevenness and graininess according to the duty of the image data. |
| US08482796B2 |
Color processing apparatus and color processing method
A color processing apparatus according to the present invention is a color processing apparatus that calculates spectral reflectance including a fluorescent component in a sample under a target illuminant. The color processing apparatus includes first means for inputting, for each of a plurality of waveform types, spectral radiance including an excitation wavelength region and the amount of fluorescence in the sample corresponding to the spectral radiance; second means for determining, from spectral radiance of the target illuminant including the excitation wavelength region and the input spectral radiance and amount of fluorescence, the amount of fluorescence in the sample under the target illuminant; third means for inputting spectral reflectance excluding the fluorescent component in the sample; and fourth means for determining, by using the determined amount of fluorescence in the sample under the target illuminant and the input spectral reflectance excluding the fluorescent component in the sample, spectral reflectance including the fluorescent component in the sample under the target illuminant. |
| US08482795B2 |
Image forming apparatus and system for selecting a double-side printing method based on the remaining toner amount
An image forming apparatus includes a determination unit determining whether an amount of colorant remaining in a container is equal to or greater than a threshold value and a control unit causing a print unit selectively to perform plural double-side printing methods in which at least one of the number of one-side printed sheets N and the number of opposite-side printed sheets M is different. When the determination unit makes a negative determination, the control unit performs a negative selection process of selecting a double-side printing method satisfying at least one condition of a condition that the number of one-side printed sheets N is smaller than that when the determination unit makes an affirmative determination and a condition that the number of opposite-side printed sheets M is greater than that when the determination unit makes the affirmative determination. |
| US08482793B2 |
Memory efficient electronic registration method that compensates image content and prevents halftone moiré
Systems and methods are described that facilitate compensating for slow scan direction displacement (e.g., skew and/or bow) defects in a raster line using slow-scan electronic registration. Input image data is buffered at low-resolution (e.g., 600 spi or the like). Displacement compensation is performed as the low-resolution contone image data is converted to high-resolution (e.g., 2400 spi or the like), and a displaced (e.g., staggered) halftoning threshold array is indexed to account for detected displacement. Displacement compensation is again performed during conversion of the high-resolution contone image data to high-resolution binary image data that is used to generate an output image. |
| US08482792B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus having a recording head with a plurality of printing elements comprising: a first quantization unit that performs a first quantization process on input image data to calculate N-level data by using a screen parameter corresponding to a screen condition of a target device; a conversion unit that converts the N-level data to M-level data (M>N); a configuring unit that configures printing density for each of the printing elements for each scan, using the M-level data; a second quantization unit that performs a second quantization process on the printing density for the scan of interest, using constraining information for the scan of interest; and a generating unit that generates the constraining information for the scan of interest, from the printing density configured for the preceding scan and the result of the second quantization process for the preceding scan. |
| US08482789B2 |
Image reading apparatus and image reading control method for performing pre-scanning process before reading process
An image reading apparatus includes a feeder, a first reading unit, a first memory which stores image data of the surface of the document read by the first reading unit, a second reading unit located at an upstream side of the first reading position, a second memory which stores image data of the document read by the second reading unit and a controller configured to control the feeder, the first reading unit and the second reading unit. The controller controls to execute pre-scanning the document by the second reading unit over a predetermined range shorter than a separation distance between the first reading position and the second reading position in a transporting direction from a leading edge of the document when the document reaches the second reading position. The controller further controls to execute storing obtained pre-scanned image data into the second memory and measuring the size of the document based on the pre-scanned image data stored in the second memory. The controller still further controls to execute reading the surface of the document by the first reading unit when the document reaches the first reading position, and storing obtained first image data into the first memory. The controller controls to execute processing the first image data stored in the first memory based on the size of the document obtained in the measuring. |
| US08482783B2 |
Network scanning system
A network scanning system has a control apparatus connected to a connection device via a network and includes a scanning application for remotely controlling a scanner, where the scanning application receives a command from the connection device and automatically transmits to a display unit of the connection device via the network without a user operation of the scanning application, a selection screen information, the connection device displays a selection menu and transmits, to the scanning application in the control apparatus, a selection item information specifying an item selected by a user of the display unit, and the scanning application automatically transmits, to the connection device without a user operation of the scanning application in the control apparatus, a control signal based on the selection item, and the scanning application in the control apparatus automatically controls the scanner remotely in accordance with the control signal via the network. |
| US08482781B2 |
System and method for proximity-based printing
A system and method for proximity-based printing are disclosed. A method may include communicating access point proximity information from an information handling system to a print server, the access point proximity information including information regarding the proximity of the information handling system to one or more network access points. The method may also include receiving printer proximity information from the print server, the printer proximity information based at least on the access point proximity information and including information regarding the proximity of the information handling system to one or more printers. The method may additionally include displaying the printer proximity information to a user interface. The method may further include receiving from the user interface a user selection of a printer and communicating the user selection to the print server. |
| US08482778B2 |
Print intermediary server and print intermediary method
A print intermediary server capable of communicating with a web application server and a printing apparatus via the Internet manages information of one or more printing apparatuses, searches information of a printing apparatus requested by the web application server out of the information of one or more printing apparatuses to generate a response to the web application server, associates information indicating a storage location of print data whose printing has been requested by the web application server and information indicating a printing apparatus which has been requested to perform printing, stores the associated information as a print job, extracts, in response to a print job request from the printing apparatus, a print job associated with the printing apparatus which has made the print job request out of the stored print jobs, and generates a print job response to be transmitted to the printing apparatus. |
| US08482774B2 |
Image forming apparatus displaying function-related information
A CPU of an MFP executes a program including: a step of receiving combination information collecting combinations of functions set by a user from a server computer and storing the information in a function combination management table; a step of reading the function combination management table, when a user logged in to a certain MFP selects a function; a step of reading not-to-be-displayed recommended function for the user from a not-to-be-displayed function management table; a step of displaying a function or functions combined with high frequency with the established function and not set to be not-to-be-displayed, as recommendations on a touch panel display; and a step of storing, when a recommended menu setting button is pressed and a function set as not-to-be-displayed function is established, storing the selected function as the not-to-be-displayed recommended function, in the not-to-be-displayed function management table. |
| US08482771B2 |
Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus includes multiple image printers (700) that respectively print an image on a front surface of a paper, a back surface printer that prints given information on the back surface of a paper printed with an image by the image printer (700), a sorter (104) that sorts papers printed with given information on the back surfaces by the back surface printer, a first conveyance path that conveys a paper printed with an image on the front surface by the image printer (700) to the back surface printer, and a second conveyance path that conveys a paper printed with given information on the back surface by the back surface printer to the sorter (104). The back surface printer, the sorter (104), and the second conveyance path are integrated into an upper casing (101). |
| US08482768B2 |
Print job management using memory boxes
Secrecy of printed matter is raised and charges for a storing area are more accurately charged. According to the invention, a printing apparatus is instructed so as to store print data corresponding to a print request into one of a plurality of storing areas. The print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus. The user is notified of authentication information corresponding to the print data stored in one of the plurality of storing areas. |
| US08482767B2 |
Print job submission with sleep mechanism
A method disclosed. The method includes a print application determining if capacity is available at a print server to receive print jobs in a print job queue, transmitting the print jobs if there is no capacity available at the print server; and entering a sleep mode for a predetermined sleep interval if there is no capacity available at the print server. |
| US08482763B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating a file using address and information tags
An original image file and a shortcut image file corresponding to original image data representing the original image file are provided for file management. An address tag representing a location in which the original image file is stored and an additional information tag such as information on printing of the original image file or information on layout are stored in a particular data region in the shortcut image file. In a case where the additional information represents information on image processing to be performed before printing, when an instruction of printing of the shortcut image file is issued, the image processing is performed on image data of the original image file and a resultant image data is printed. Basic data of a thumbnail image included in the shortcut image file is obtained by performing processing represented by the additional information tag on the thumbnail image data. |
| US08482759B2 |
Printing apparatus, information processing device, and printing method
A CPU of a printing apparatus selects one of a plurality of setting permission information items based on sheet property information in a case in which printing processing is performed employing a specific sheet type. Subsequently, the CPU of the printing apparatus performs a setting regarding each of a plurality of printing setting items so as to obtain a setting permitted in the selected setting permission information item in a case in which printing processing is performed employing a specific sheet type. Thus, a printing apparatus capable of executing the printing settings of a plurality of printing setting items appropriately is provided. |
| US08482754B2 |
Providing a plurality of processing units for an image forming apparatus
An image processing apparatus has a large number of image processing functions, in which resources necessary for code processing units can be suppressed while a large-scale decline in performance is prevented. The apparatus includes code processing units for executing coding and decoding of image data, and request-source task units (print function, scanner function and FAX transceive function), which request any one of the code converters to perform code conversion of image data. The number of request-source task units is greater than the number of code converters and a degree of priority has been set for each one. A determination unit always assigns the code converting units to processing requests from request-source task units having a high priority and, if there is an idle code converting unit, assigns the code converting unit to a processing request from a request-source task unit having a low priority. |
| US08482750B2 |
Processing apparatus and control method for the processing apparatus
A processing apparatus which is capable of releasing priority use of apparatuses that are reserved for priority use but are not actually used, even when a plurality of apparatuses are used by priority during a particular time period. Reservation records about reservations for priority use of apparatuses are stored in a master machine. In the master machine, it is determined whether or not all the apparatuses on a reservation cooperation list are exclusively reserved during the same time period, by referring to the reservation records. When all the apparatuses which are reserved for priority use during the same time period, the master machine sends an exclusive release permission command to each subordinate machine reserved for priority use during the same time period among all the apparatuses. |
| US08482745B2 |
System and method for transferring a portion of a document print sequence output by a print job source to an automated data processing system
A print processor interfaces with a print job source such as an accounting system and a remote automated data processing system. The print processor comprises a print job source interface for receiving a sequence of documents from a print job source. The sequence of documents may comprise a first set of documents and a second set of documents. The first set of documents and the second set of documents may be mutually exclusive subsets of the sequence of documents. Each document of the first set may comprise data content to be directed to the remote automated data processing system. Each document of the second set may be directed to a printer. The print processor may establish a network session to the remote automated data processing system, authenticating to the remote automated data processing system, and transfer each document of the first set to the remote automated data processing system. The print processor may direct transfer of the second set to the printer. |
| US08482742B2 |
Measuring apparatus and measuring method
A measuring apparatus includes a filter that transmits light of a predetermined wavelength; a first light receiving unit receives at least one of a first light that is output from a first light source, reflected by or transmitted through an object to be measured, and transmitted through the filter and a second light that is output from a second light source, reflected by or transmitted through the object to be measured, and transmitted through the filter, and through which a signal according to the received light travels; a second light receiving unit receives light of a different path from that received by the first light receiving unit; a difference extracting unit that obtains a difference signal between the signals traveling through the first and second light receiving units and an information generating unit that generates information of the object to be measured based on the difference signal. |
| US08482740B1 |
Computer generated reference for measurements of aspheric surfaces
A computer generated phase map and corresponding set of interference fringes calculated from a theoretical prescription of a measured aspheric surface comprises a Computer Generated Reference (CGR) that is used in an interferometer equipped with a spherical and/or flat reference element. moiré fringes created between real interference fringes and the CGR describe the difference between the measured object and its prescription. The moiré fringes can be nulled making the measurement of the aspheric surface analogous to the measurements of the regular spherical and/or flat surfaces. |
| US08482736B2 |
Sensor and method of detecting the condition of a turf grass
A method of detecting the condition of a turf grass is described. According to one aspect of the invention, the method comprises steps of attaching an active sensor to a mower; traversing a section of turf grass; and processing the output of the sensor. A device for detecting the condition of turf grass is also disclosed. The device comprises an array of illuminating devices generating a pattern of illuminating light; a detecting device receiving a pattern of reflected light which is coincident with the pattern of illuminating light; a detecting device adapted to detect stray light from the array of illuminating devices; and a feedback loop controlling the array of illuminating devices. A system employing the device is also disclosed. |
| US08482730B2 |
Signal noise reduction for imaging in biological analysis
A system and method for characterizing contributions to signal noise associated with charge-coupled devices adapted for use in biological analysis. Dark current contribution, readout offset contribution, photo response non-uniformity, and spurious charge contribution can be determined by the methods of the present teachings and used for signal correction by systems of the present teachings. |
| US08482727B2 |
Defect inspection method
A method and apparatus of inspecting a defect of a surface of a sample in which a laser beam is irradiated on a sample surface so that at least a part of an illumination field of the laser beam illuminates a first area of the sample surface, a plurality of scattered light rays from the first area caused by the irradiation is detected with a plurality of detectors, detection errors of inclination of an illumination apparatus and a sensor for the plurality of scattered light rays detected by the plurality of detectors are corrected, at least one of adding and averaging the corrected plurality of scattered light rays, and a defect on the sample surface is determined based on the plurality of scattered light rays in accordance with the correction of errors of inclination of the illumination apparatus and the sensor. |
| US08482722B2 |
Delay compensation in modulated optical time-of-flight phase estimation
A distance measurement method includes measuring a plurality of integrated signals at a plurality of modulation phase offsets; estimating at least one integrated signal for at least one of the plurality of modulation phase offsets, respectively, to adjust its reception time relative to an integrated signal for another of the plurality of modulation phase offsets; and determining a distance between the target and receiver in accordance with the estimated at least one signal. |
| US08482720B2 |
Method and optical sensor for the detection of objects
The subject matter disclosed relates to a method for the detection of objects, wherein one transmitted light bundle is transmitted into a detection region, transmitted light reflected back from an object, when present, is detected by a receiver unit having reception elements arranged in an M×N matrix, wherein M>1 and N>1, and the distance of the object is determined by triangulation from the position of the light patch produced by the reflected light at the receiver unit. In addition to the position of the reflected light, the two-dimensional energy distribution of the received light patch within the light incident on the receiver unit is evaluated to determine further information on the object in addition to the distance of the object determined by triangulation, with a light patch quality value being determined which includes information on the homogeneity of the light reflected or remitted at the object. |
| US08482719B2 |
Positioning system, lithographic apparatus and method
A positioning system to position a movable object having a body, the positioning system includes an object position measurement system, an object actuator, and an object controller, wherein the positioning system further includes a stiffener to increase the stiffness and/or to damp relative movements within the body of the object, the stiffener including; one or more sensors, wherein each sensor is arranged to determine a measurement signal representative of an internal strain or relative displacement in the body, one or more actuators, wherein each actuator is arranged to exert an actuation force on a part of the body, and at least one controller, configured to provide on the basis of the measurement signal of at least one of the sensors, an actuation signal to at least one of the actuators to increase the stiffness and/or to damp movements within the body. |
| US08482713B2 |
Laser processing of display components for electronic devices
Electronic devices may be provided with display structures such as glass and polymer layers in a liquid crystal display. The glass layers may serve as substrates for components such as a color filter layer and thin-film transistor layer. The polymer layers may include films such as a polarizer film and other optical films. During fabrication of a display, the polymer layers and glass layers may be laminated to one another. Portions of the polymer layers may extend past the edges of the glass layers. Laser cutting techniques may be used to trim away excess portions of the polymer layer that do not overlap underlying portions of the glass layers. Laser cutting may involve application of an adjustable infrared laser beam. |
| US08482711B2 |
In-plane switching liquid crystal display device having reflective region and transmissive region
A display device includes a pair of substrates, a display medium interposed between the pair of substrates, and a pixel including a reflective region for performing reflective display and a transmissive region for performing transmissive display. A voltage is applied to the display medium through at least a pixel electrode and a common electrode, at least one the pixel electrode and the common electrode being provided with a slit. The pixel electrode can be provided with the slit in at least the reflective region, and the common electrode is provided with the slit in the reflective region and/or the transmissive region. |
| US08482710B2 |
Liquid crystal display and fabrication method thereof
A liquid crystal display and a fabricating method thereof are provided. The liquid crystal display includes a first substrate having a pixel portion and a pad portion; a gate line and a data line crossing each other to define the pixel portion at the pixel portion; a transistor adjacent to a crossing of the gate line and the data line, the transistor including a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode; an insulating layer above the source electrode and the drain electrode, the insulating layer exposing a lateral side of the drain electrode; a pixel electrode in contact with the lateral side of the drain electrode; a second substrate attached to the first substrate; and a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and a second substrate. |
| US08482709B2 |
Liquid crystal display
In a liquid crystal display, a first alignment layer formed on a first substrate includes a first region aligned in a first direction and a second region aligned in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a second alignment layer formed on a second substrate facing the first substrate includes a third region aligned in a third direction different from the first direction and a fourth region aligned in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction. The liquid crystal molecules interposed between the first and second alignment layers are aligned in different directions in different domains defined by the first to fourth regions. A pixel electrode includes an extension part extending in at least one of the first to fourth directions. The aperture ratio and the light transmittance of the liquid crystal display are improved. |
| US08482703B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal display having transparent conductive layer with opening
A transflective liquid crystal display is provided which includes a color-filter substrate, an active matrix substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between them. The active matrix substrate includes a first transparent substrate and includes a plurality of switching devices, a plurality of transparent pixel electrodes and a plurality of reflective pixel electrodes formed on the first transparent substrate. The color-filter substrate includes a second transparent substrate, a first and second transparent conducting layers and a dielectric layer. The first transparent conducting layer is interposed between the second transparent substrate and the second transparent conducting layer, and the dielectric layer is interposed between the first and second transparent conducting layers. The second transparent conducting layer in each pixel area has at least one opening. The openings positionally correspond to the reflective pixel electrodes. |
| US08482698B2 |
High dynamic range display using LED backlighting, stacked optical films, and LCD drive signals based on a low resolution light field simulation
An HDR display is a combination of technologies including, for example, a dual modulation architecture incorporating algorithms for artifact reduction, selection of individual components, and a design process for the display and/or pipeline for preserving the visual dynamic range from capture to display of an image or images. In one embodiment, the dual modulation architecture includes a backlight with an array of RGB LEDs and a combination of a heat sink and thermally conductive vias for maintaining a desired operating temperature. |
| US08482697B2 |
Protecting module and portable electronic device using the same
A protecting module for protecting a liquid crystal display module of a portable electronic device. The protecting module includes an electrical field shielding plate and a rubber gasket. The electrical field shielding plate defines a holding portion to receive the liquid crystal display module. The holding portion includes a bottom wall and a plurality of connected sidewalls extending from the bottom wall. The rubber gasket defines a slot to receive the bottom wall and the plurality of connected sidewalls. The liquid crystal display is received into the holding portion and resists against the rubber gasket. |
| US08482688B2 |
Array substrate having storage voltage lines, liquid crystal display panel having the array substrate and liquid crystal display device having the liquid crystal display panel
An array substrate includes a base substrate, a plurality of storage voltage lines, a plurality of connecting lines, and a common voltage applying section. Pixels are formed in regions defined by a plurality of gate lines extending along a first direction and data lines extending along a second direction. The connecting lines are connected to the storage voltage lines that are formed on adjacent pixels of pixels arranged in the second direction. The common voltage applying section applies a common voltage to the storage voltage lines that are formed in a portion of the pixels arranged in the first direction. Thus, a substantially uniform current may be applied to the display area to decrease the distortion of the common voltage, thereby increasing a liquid crystal display device's display quality. |
| US08482686B2 |
Displays with minimized crosstalk
Display ground plane structures may contain slits. Image pixel electrodes in the display may be arranged in rows and columns. Image pixels in the display may be controlled using gate lines that are associated with the rows and data lines that are associated with the columns. An electric field may be produced by each image pixel electrode that extends through a liquid crystal layer to an associated portion of the ground plane. The slits in the ground plane may have a slit width. Data lines may be located sufficiently below the ground plane and sufficiently out of alignment with the slits to minimize crosstalk from parasitic electric fields. A three-column inversion scheme may be used when driving data line signals into the display, so that pairs of pixels that straddle the slits are each driven with a common polarity. Gate line scanning patterns may be used that enhance display uniformity. |
| US08482683B2 |
Vehicle inside mirror device for displaying image
A vehicle inside mirror device for displaying an image, which can obtain an enhanced mirror function of a prismatic glass caused by a black film provided at a rear side of a prismatic glass and has a relatively simple structure made by forming directly a transflective layer on a rear surface of a prismatic glass without using a substrate. The vehicle inside mirror device comprises a housing mounted in a passenger compartment of a vehicle; a prismatic glass provided on a front side of the housing and having a transparent transflective layer formed on a rear surface thereof; a black film provided at a rear side of the prismatic glass and having an opening formed on one side thereof; a liquid crystal display (LCD) module provided at a rear side of the opening of the black film; and a control circuit unit installed at a rear side of the LCD module. |
| US08482681B2 |
Image displacement module
An image displacement module includes a base, a carrier, an optical element, a freely rotating shaft, a flexible shaft, and at least one actuator. The optical element is disposed on the carrier. The freely rotating shaft and the flexible shaft are in a same axis and located between the base and the carrier. The flexible shaft is capable of acting a force on the carrier along the axis, and the carrier is capable of moving along the freely rotating shaft relative to the base to release the force. The actuator is disposed between the base and the carrier. When the actuator drives the carrier to rotate in the axis relative to the base, the flexible shaft generates an elastic torsion. When the actuator does not drive the carrier to rotate in the axis relative to the base, the flexible shaft drives the carrier to reposition relative to the base. |
| US08482680B2 |
Power board, on-board connector, lighting device, display device and television receiver
In a power board, relay terminals penetrate a circuit board through fitting holes, and are connected to output terminals. The fitting holes are thus formed as through holes on the circuit board, and thereby on-board connectors provided for connection to the relay terminals on a chassis can be arranged on the back surface of the circuit board on the opposite side of the chassis. Electronic components free from restriction of the positional relationship with the chassis can be mounted on the back surface of the circuit board, as are the on-board connectors. |
| US08482679B2 |
Illumination device, display device, and television receiver
A backlight unit (49) for a display device (69) provided with a liquid crystal display panel (59) comprises a chassis (41), a diffusion plate (43) supported by the chassis, and point-like light sources supported by mounting substrates (21) provided on the chassis. The point-like light sources comprise LEDs (22) mounted on the mounting substrates. The mounting substrates are connected to each other by connectors (25) to form rows (26) of the mounting substrates, and the rows (26) are arranged side by side. The rows of the mounting substrates each consist of two, short and long mounting substrates, and the rows are arranged in a mixed state in such a manner that each row consisting of the two, short and long mounting substrates is reversed with respect to each other. As a result, the positions of the connectors are not aligned rectilinearly in the direction in which the rows of the mounting substrate are arranged. |
| US08482678B2 |
Remote control and gesture-based input device
A remote control controls an audiovisual apparatus, such as a TV, using conventional physical inputs, such as buttons, or by controlled movement of the remote control. Circuitry connected to the physical inputs generates command signals for receipt by and operation of the apparatus. The command signals, such as On or Change Channel, correspond to control functions for the apparatus. The remote control also includes a motion sensor and motion circuitry connected to one another and constructed to generate at least some of the command signals when the body has been moved in predetermined manners for receipt by and operation of the apparatus. The remote control can therefore be operated using either the physical inputs or by moving the remote control in at least one of the predetermined manners. In some examples the motion sensor comprises a MEMS sensor. |
| US08482677B2 |
Television with coupled electrical power
A display device includes power management by including a first input suitable to receive electrical power from an outlet for providing power for the operation of the display device. The display device includes a second input, separate from the first input, suitable to receive electrical power from an external battery source for providing power for the operation of the display device. The display device includes an internal battery source enclosed within the display device suitable for providing power for the operation of the display device. A source select is enclosed within the display device that selects power from at least one of the first input, the second input, and the internal battery for providing power for the operation of the display device. A processor receives video content from a video source and selectively modifies a backlight of the display device based upon the power source selected by the source select in such a manner as to reduce the power consumption of the display device. The processor may additionally change the media playback behavior to decode and playback only some of the video frames to reduce the power consumption of decoder and display device. |
| US08482671B1 |
Television and television control method
An exemplary television control method includes receiving a signal. Then, the method determines the one or more of the applications of the television has a state indication function when the received signal is a first signal. The method next obtains the current state of the applications which have a state indication function. The method controls the display unit to display selectable notifications according to the current state of the determined applications. Each of the selectable notifications informs a user of the current state of one application. |
| US08482665B2 |
Camera module
Disclosed herein is a camera module including: an image sensor which converts an image entering through a lens into an electric signal; a rigid-flexible substrate which includes first and second rigid substrates distanced from each other and a flexible substrate to connect the first and the second rigid substrates to each other; a first connection part which is electrically connected to the rigid-flexible substrate; and a second connection part which has one end electrically connected to the first connection part and the other end connected to a cable, and which is disconnectable from the first connection part and the cable. |
| US08482661B2 |
Power transmission mechanism having cam-incorporated gear, and power transmission mechanism of imaging apparatus
A power transmission mechanism includes a rotational drive member which rotates to drive a driven member, a drive switcher for switching between a transmission-ON state in which a driving force of a drive source is transmitted to the rotational drive member to rotate the rotational drive member and a transmission-OFF state in which the transmission of the driving force to the rotational drive member is canceled, and a rotation restrictor which allows the rotational drive member to rotate when the drive switcher is in the transmission-ON state and is engaged with the rotational drive member to restrict rotation of the rotational drive member when the drive switcher is in the transmission-OFF state. |
| US08482660B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting camera sensor intensity saturation
An apparatus for detecting intensity saturation of a light sensor includes a saturation detector for detecting and measuring an intensity saturation condition of at least one pixel of a light sensor, the intensity saturation condition of the pixel being at saturation upon receiving light with an intensity above a predetermined level, the saturation detector emitting a digital signal with a reserved bit combination indicating the intensity saturation condition of the pixel, and a processor receiving and processing the digital signal from the saturation detector and transmitting a control signal in response to the digital signal to compensate for the intensity saturation condition of the pixel. |
| US08482658B2 |
Camera for generating composite image by superimposing partial image and method for manufacturing same
A camera with a focusing function is provided. The camera includes a first imaging unit configured to generate a first image by a photoelectric conversion from an image of a subject obtained via a first lens, a second imaging unit configured to generate a second image by a photoelectric conversion from an image of the subject obtained via a second lens, where the second imaging unit being different from the first imaging unit, an focusing amount acquiring unit configured to acquire amount of focusing, a composite image generating unit configured to set a cutout position on the second image, to cut out an partial image at the cutout position, on the basis of the operation amount and a predetermined cutout rule, and to generate a composite image by superimposing the partial image on the first image, and an image display unit configured to display the composite image. |
| US08482657B2 |
Imaging apparatus and camera
An imaging apparatus having a function of enabling focus detection at high speed while exposing an image sensor to light. Imaging apparatus 1 has: a first photoelectric converting element (image sensor 10) that converts an optical image formed on an imaging plane into an electrical signal for forming an image signal; and a second photoelectric converting element (phase difference detecting sensor 20) that receives light having passed through the first photoelectric converting element and converts light into an electrical signal for distance measurement. |
| US08482646B2 |
Image sensing device and camera
An image sensing device comprises a pixel array, and a peripheral circuit, a column selecting circuit, and a readout, wherein each pixel includes a photodiode, a floating diffusion, a transfer PMOS transistor to the floating diffusion, an amplifier PMOS transistor, and a reset PMOS transistor, the amplifier PMOS transistor has a gate which is formed by an n-type conductive pattern, and is isolated by a first element isolation region and an n-type impurity region which covers at least a lower portion of the first element isolation region, and each PMOS transistor included in the column selecting circuit has a gate which is formed by a p-type conductive pattern and is isolated by a second element isolation region, and an n-type impurity concentration in a region adjacent to a lower portion of the second element isolation region is lower than that in the n-type impurity region. |
| US08482645B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, driving method and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device employing a plurality of unit pixels each having an opto-electric conversion section configured to convert incident light into electric charge and an electric-charge holding section configured to hold a signal voltage representing the electric charge produced by the opto-electric conversion section, the solid-state imaging device further including a read section and a control section. |
| US08482643B2 |
Solid-state imaging device including a plurality of pixels and a plurality of signal lines
A solid-state imaging device is capable of simplifying the pixel structure to reduce the pixel size and capable of suppressing the variation in the characteristics between the pixels when a plurality of output systems is provided. A unit cell (30) includes two pixels (31) and (32). Upper and lower photoelectric converters (33) and (34), transfer transistors (35) and (36) connected to the upper and lower photoelectric converters, respectively, a reset transistor (37), and an amplifying transistor (38) form the two pixels (31) and (32). A full-face signal line 39 is connected to the respective drains of the reset transistor (37) and the amplifying transistor (38). Controlling the full-face signal line (39), along with transfer signal lines (42) and (43) and a reset signal line (41), to read out signals realizes the simplification of the wiring in the pixel, the reduction of the pixel size, and so on. |
| US08482642B2 |
Dual pinned diode pixel with shutter
A pixel having an electronic shutter suitable for use in a pixel array of an imaging device includes a pinned diode and a shutter transistor. The pinned diode is utilized as a storage device while the shutter transistor controls charge transfer from the electronic shutter. The use of a pinned diode as a charge storage device for the electronic shutter permits greater charge transfer efficiency, has lower leakage (or “dark” current), and permits the resulting pixel to have a greater fill factor than pixels utilizing conventional electronic shutter circuits. |
| US08482640B2 |
Solid-state image sensor and drive method for the same
An independent pixel output line (14) is provided for each of two-dimensionally arranged pixels (10) within a pixel area (2a). A plurality of memory sections are connected to each pixel output line (14). In a continuous reading mode, photocharge storage is simultaneously performed at all the pixels, and signals are collectively transferred from the pixels (10) through the pixel output lines (14) to the memory sections, after which the signals held in the memory sections are sequentially read and outputted. In a burst reading mode, the operations of simultaneously storing photocharges at all the pixels and collectively transferring signals from each pixel (10) through the pixel output line (14) to the memory sections are sequentially performed for each of the memory sections to hold signals corresponding to a plurality of frames. When a imaging halt command is given, the holding of new signals is halted, and a plurality of frames of image signals held in the memory sections at that point in time are sequentially read and outputted. Thus, both an ultrahigh-speed imaging operation with a limitation on the number of frames and an imaging mode that is rather slow but has no limitation on the number of frames can be performed. |
| US08482638B2 |
Digital camera generating composite image from main image and sub-image, and method for manufacturing same
A digital camera is provided with a focusing function and a focal length varying function of a main lens. The digital camera includes a main imaging unit configured to generate a main image by performing a photoelectric conversion from a subject obtained via the main lens, a sub-imaging unit configured to generate a sub-image by performing a photoelectric conversion from the subject obtained via a sub-lens, a focal length acquiring unit configured to acquire the focal length of the main lens, a magnification setting unit configured to set a level of magnification on the basis of the focal length, a composite image generating unit configured to generate a composite image by combining the main image and the sub-image, after at least one of the main image and the sub-image is magnified at the level of magnification, and an image display unit configured to display the composite image. |
| US08482637B2 |
Imaging device and imaging method having zoom optical system including a light wavefront modulation element
An imaging device includes a zoom optical system including a light wavefront modulation element which has a light wavefront modulation function and is able to adjust a light wavefront modulation pattern, an imaging element capturing an image of an object passed through the zoom optical system, a modulation pattern control part controlling the light wavefront modulation pattern of the light wavefront modulation element, and an image processing part applying predetermined processing to an image signal of the object from the imaging element. |
| US08482634B2 |
Image display apparatus having image-related information displaying function
In an electronic apparatus having a user identification function or in a user identification method, an electronic apparatus and an electronic instrument having stored therein user personal information communicate in wireless with each other so as to enable the electronic apparatus to automatically identify the electronic apparatus user. If the electronic apparatus identifies a plurality of possible users, the electronic apparatus automatically selects the user by executing specific user identification processing. |
| US08482633B2 |
Apparatus and method for image processing using security function
An image processing apparatus includes: a user input unit that converts input manipulation of a user into an input signal; a security setting unit that sets a security mode and a password based on the input signal; an imaging unit that captures an image and converts the image into image data; an encoding processor that encodes the image data in such a way that the image data is combined with the password and the image corresponding to image data is deformed when the image processing apparatus is set in the security mode by the security setting unit; and a storage unit that stores the image data. |
| US08482632B2 |
Imaging apparatus having temporary recording mode and direct recording mode
An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device acquiring a captured image on a subject; a display section; setting means for setting whether to make effective a temporary recording mode in which the captured image is temporarily recorded in a first storage section; if the temporary recording mode is effective, display control means for playback displaying the captured image recorded in the first storage section from when the temporary recording mode has been effective on the display section in response to an instruction operation of a user; and recording control means for recording an image specified by the user from the playback-displayed captured images in a second storage section as an image to be saved. |
| US08482630B2 |
Apparatus and method for adjusting automatic white balance by detecting effective area
An automatic white balance adjusting apparatus and method based on detection of an effective area. The automatic white balance adjusting apparatus may detect the effective area by using a color temperature, a luminance, and a correlation, and may adjust a white balance with respect to the detected effective area. |
| US08482629B2 |
Processing method for a relative illumination phenomenon on a digital image and associated processing system
A method and an associated system, for digital image-processing, intervening for any relative illumination phenomenon, including that of a colored relative illumination. To this end, it is provided to take account of an illuminant of a photographed scene in order to provide the appropriate modifications to any digital image to be processed. |
| US08482622B2 |
Method, system and computer program product for reducing motion blur
The present invention relates to a method for reducing motion blur. According to the method, at least two image frames are captured. A sequence of values is provided. All captured frames are processed by subsequently associating one sequence value with each captured frame. The processed captured frames are accumulated and a deconvolution is applied to the accumulated frame.The present invention further relates to system for reducing motion blur. |
| US08482621B2 |
Image stabilization control circuit for imaging apparatus
A vibration control equalizer for generating a vibration signal for determining a driving amount for an optical component on the basis of an output signal of a vibration detector for detecting vibration of an imaging apparatus, a position control equalizer for calculating a position signal for determining a driving amount for the optical component on the basis of an output signal of a position detector for detecting position of the optical component, and an internal CPU for controlling the vibration control equalizer and the position control equalizer are provided, and compensation for the output signal of the position detector is performed by the internal CPU. |
| US08482619B2 |
Image processing method, image processing program, image processing device, and imaging device for image stabilization
An image-processing method is an image-processing method for detecting motion between plural images, including a searching operation of searching for a local motion vector from each of blocks in the plural images on the basis of feature quantity of the plural images, and a calculating operation of calculating evaluation values of the local motion vector found, in which one of the evaluation values is accuracy of position adjustment which is obtained when the search source block of said local motion vector is position-adjusted on a trial basis by using the local motion vector in order to provide an image-processing method, an image-processing program, an image-processing apparatus, and an imaging apparatus which can properly evaluate local motion vectors which are found by searching blocks of images upon detecting motion of plural images. |
| US08482618B2 |
Reduction of motion-induced blur in images
A device captures images that are intentionally underexposed to reduce motion-related blur. Image processing is performed on the underexposed images. The processing includes reducing noise and increasing gain in the underexposed images. |
| US08482617B2 |
Digital camera with communication function
In a digital camera having a wireless communicator with a server, a storage controller treats full size image data and display size image data unequally if the full size image data has been already sent to the server. For example, the display size image data is not allowed to be replaced by new digital image data unless the digital camera is not in use over a prescribed time. Own image data and other's image data are treated equally. Image data received from outside and retrieved from inside memory are treated equally. Search key for own image data and related search keys existing in the outside are indicated in a comparable manner. The digital camera receives search key from neighboring advertiser to send it for Internet search of advertisement. Search key received from neighboring notable site is sent for Internet search of photographs of the notable site taken by others. |
| US08482614B2 |
Content presentation optimizer
The present disclosure provides a technique for controlling the presentation of content in a venue to provide an optimal presentation, as well as one or more standard and or user defined presentations. The present disclosure includes optimal setup data along with content to permit devices operating according to the present disclosure to decode the setup data and configure themselves to provide an optimal presentation of the content. A content presentation optimizer according to the present disclosure provides the necessary mechanism for any compliant device to understand a basic set of control commands, so that any one device within a connected network of compliant devices can initiate these control commands toward a destination device. |
| US08482613B2 |
Apparatus and method for photographing birds
A motion detector actuated camera for taking pictures of birds or other small thermally discernable objects utilizes a plurality of filters to detect the speed of certain bird movements within the field of view of the camera to actuate the camera when a bird is in the field of view and capture images while the bird moves about the field of view. |
| US08482611B2 |
Surveillance camera
A surveillance camera includes a slip ring having electrical connections for Ethernet protocol signals and a RF reference plane. A first circuit is located on a rotating portion of the surveillance camera and electrically connected to the camera for compressing signals generated by the camera and for converting the signals generated by the camera to Ethernet protocol signals. The slip ring has a stationary portion and a rotating portion, each with a corresponding plurality of electrical connection. An RF reference plane is located on the stationary portion of the surveillance camera and electrically connected to a first subset of the plurality of electrical connections of the stationary portion of the slip ring. A second subset of the plurality of electrical connections of the stationary portion of the slip ring conducts the Ethernet protocol signals and is arranged in alternation with each electrical connection of said first subset. |
| US08482605B2 |
Image processing device, image display device, and image processing and display method and program
An image processing device includes a stereoscopic image supply unit configured to supply a stereoscopic moving image in which stereoscopic image pairs each including two images of an object viewed from mutually different viewpoints are arranged in a temporal order, a synthetic image generation unit configured to generate a synthetic image in the temporal order by performing a predetermined operation on luminances of the two images, and an output image selection unit configured to sequentially select and output any one of the two images and the synthetic image in the temporal order so that a result of a time integral during a predetermine period of an output thereof offsets any one of the two images. |
| US08482604B2 |
Image display apparatus and image display method
An image display apparatus includes an image forming unit, a projecting unit, first and second correcting units, and a driving unit. The image forming unit forms images for left and right eyes. The projecting unit emits light for the left-eye image via an optical filter for the left eye and emits light for the right-eye image via an optical filter for the right eye having properties different from those of the left-eye optical filter, to display the images in a superimposed manner. The first and second correcting units each correct image signals for the corresponding eye using correction data for use in correcting non-uniformity in the image being displayed by the light emitted via the corresponding optical filter. The driving unit drives the image forming unit on the basis of the corrected image signals to cause the image forming unit to form the left-eye image and the right-eye image. |
| US08482599B2 |
3D modeling apparatus, 3D modeling method, and computer readable medium
A 3D modeling apparatus includes: a generator configured to generate 3D models of a subject based on pairs of images; a selector configured to select a first 3D model and a second 3D model from the 3D models, wherein the second 3D model is to be superimposed on the first 3D model; an extracting unit configured to extract first feature points from the first 3D model and extract second feature points from the second 3D model; an acquiring unit configured to acquire coordinate transformation parameters based on the first and second feature points; a transformation unit configured to transform coordinates of the second 3D model into coordinates in a coordinate system of the first 3D model, based on the coordinate transformation parameters; and a combining unit configured to superimpose the second 3D model having the transformed coordinates on the first 3D model. |
| US08482591B2 |
Image forming apparatus for forming latent image on a photosensitive member
An apparatus includes a plurality of light-emitting sources configured to irradiate a photosensitive member in a sub scanning direction with a plurality of light beams scanned in a main scanning direction of the photosensitive member via an optical system, a conversion unit configured to convert image data into pixel data constituting a pattern that expresses a density with a plurality of pixels, and a drive unit configured to cause the plurality of light-emitting sources to emit light based on the converted pixel data, wherein, where a number of light-emitting sources is B and a number of pixels of the pattern in the sub scanning direction is M, the number B and the number M have a relationship such that the number M is not divisible by the number B or the number B is not divisible by the number N. |
| US08482589B2 |
Light emitting control device and method thereof for light emitting diode print head
A light emitting control device for a light emitting diode print head includes a control unit, a pulse-mask unit, a strobe unit and a data output unit. The pulse-mask unit outputs n clock signals in sequence to a light emitting diode print head. The strobe unit outputs a strobe signal to the light emitting diode print head, so as to switch on the light emitting diode print head. The data output unit outputs a print data signal to the light emitting diode print head. When the pulse-mask unit outputs a k-th clock signal of the n clock signals, the pulse-mask unit delays the k-th clock signal for a predetermined time, and the data output unit pauses outputting the print data signal. After the predetermined time, the pulse-mask unit and the data output unit continue to output the rest of the clock signals and the print data signal. |
| US08482588B2 |
Optical writing device, image forming apparatus, and method and program product for controlling optical writing device
An optical writing device that forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor. The device includes a pixel-information acquiring unit, a line-pixel-information storage unit that stores the acquired pixel information corresponding to a plurality of lines for each main scanning line, a light source device that exposes the photoreceptor with a period corresponding to an N-fold sub-scanning direction resolution of the pixel information, a positional-shift-information storage unit that stores a positional shift information, a sub-line counting unit that counts a sub-line period, a reading-line selecting unit that performs N times of selection that determines which main scanning line is selected as the line from which the pixel information is read out, on the basis of a calculated value from the counted value of the sub-line period and the positional shift information, and a pixel-information reading unit. |
| US08482585B2 |
Printer and medium
According to one embodiment, a printer includes a conveying mechanism, a first image forming unit, and a second image forming unit. The conveying mechanism conveys a medium. The first image forming unit forms an image with a non-temperature-sensitive ink whose color is not changed depending on a temperature, on the medium. The second image forming unit forms an image with a temperature-sensitive ink whose color is changed depending on a temperature, on the medium having the image with the non-temperature-sensitive ink formed thereon. |
| US08482584B2 |
Three dimensional image display apparatus
A 3-D image display including an image forming unit for forming an image by modulating light according to image information is provided. The 3-D image display includes a display device with a plurality of first regions for forming a left eye image and a plurality of second regions for forming a right eye image in a 3-D image mode. The 3-D image display also includes a viewpoint controller with first and second reflection mirror devices for reflecting light of a left eye image and light of a right eye image input from the image forming unit to first and second viewpoints when displaying a 3-D image. The locations of the first and second viewpoints may be changed by controlling an angle of reflection surfaces of the first and second reflection mirror devices. |
| US08482580B2 |
Display control apparatus
A display control apparatus that can display information which is not set to be displayed in a mode after switching, when the mode is switched. A mode of the apparatus is switched between a first mode and a second mode. Information set to be displayed in the first mode and the second mode is selected, respectively, among a plurality of kinds of information, and then the selected information are displayed on the display device, in the first mode and in the second mode. Information except for information which is set to be displayed in the second mode, among the plurality of kinds of information, is displayed in response to switching instruction from the first mode to the second mode. |
| US08482577B2 |
Method for controlling output of display unit and system enabling of the method
Disclosed herein are a method for controlling the output of a display unit to meet various requirements of the user, and an output control apparatus employing the same. |
| US08482571B2 |
Information processing processing apparatus, method for controlling information processing apparatus, and program
There is provided an information processing apparatus, including a first processing unit capable of processing an image, a second processing unit capable of processing the image in parallel for each unit dividing the image, and a controller section configured to perform a control to select one of the first processing unit, the second processing unit, and both of them as a subject or subjects processing the image, to divide, in a case where both the first processing unit and the second processing unit are selected, the image into a first region and a second region, and to assign processing of an image of the first region and processing of an image of the second region, which are obtained by the division, to the first processing unit and the second processing unit, respectively, to cause the first processing unit and the second processing unit to perform the processing. |
| US08482567B1 |
Line rasterization techniques
A line rasterization technique in accordance with one embodiment includes conditioning a line by pulling in the ending vertex of the line or pushing out the starting vertex of the line. Thereafter, if the line exits a diamond test area of each pixel that it touches, the pixel may be lit. |
| US08482562B2 |
Vision-based computer control
Disclosed herein is a method of controlling a computing device having a display. The method comprises identifying a point on the display at which a user's gaze is directed; determining whether an eye of the user has accommodated toward a near-field refractive state; and increasing, based on the determining, the resolution of a region on the display of the computer system, the region being centered on the identified gaze point. |
| US08482555B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display is provided. The OLED display includes a display panel including pixels formed at each of crossings of a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines, a monitoring signal line formed along an outer area of the display panel, a first signal supply unit that supplies a monitoring signal to the monitoring signal line and generates a first power control signal, a power supply unit that supplies a high potential driving voltage and a low potential driving voltage to the pixels, and a second signal supply unit that monitors the monitoring signal and generates a second power control signal. If the monitoring signal is not monitored, the second signal supply unit controls the power supply unit through the second power control signal and allows the power supply unit to stop supplying one of the high and low potential driving voltages to the pixels. |
| US08482554B2 |
Device and method for driving liquid crystal display device
A device for driving a liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel having a plurality pixel regions formed thereon, a data driver to drive data lines on the liquid crystal panel, a gate driver to drive gate lines on the liquid crystal panel, a driving voltage generating unit to generate a common voltage wherein a level of the common voltage swings every frame, and a timing controller to control the driving voltage generating unit and the gate driver to generate a gate driving voltage wherein a level of the gate driving voltage varies in accordance with the common voltage swinging level. |
| US08482548B2 |
Electronic device with infrared touch panel and method for configuring the infrared touch panel
A configuration method includes the following steps: Controlling the display unit to display visual information, determining whether the visual information includes one or more touch icons, and determining if the display areas are displaying the touch icons, if yes, determining which infrared lines correspond to the display areas. Then determining which infrared emitters and which infrared receivers form the infrared lines, and turning on the determined infrared emitters and infrared receivers, finally, turning off the other infrared emitters and infrared receivers. The invention also provides an electronic device with an infrared touch panel. |
| US08482547B2 |
Determining the location of one or more objects on a touch surface
A device operates on output signals from a light sensor arrangement in a touch-sensing apparatus to determine a position of an object on a touch surface. The apparatus includes a light transmissive panel that defines the touch surface and an opposite surface. A light source arrangement provides sheets of light inside the panel, wherein each sheet comprises light that propagates by internal reflection between the touch surface and the opposite surface from one or more incoupling points to a set of outcoupling points. The light sensor arrangement generates the output signals, which represent light reaching the outcoupling points. The apparatus is configured such that an object touching the touch surface locally attenuates at least two sheets of light. To determine the position, the device identifies, in the output signals, a set of signal profiles originating from said object. The device determines at least part of an attenuated light path across the panel based on each signal profile, and identifies the position of the object on the touch surface based on the thus-determined attenuated light paths. In determining the attenuated light path, the device applies a predetermined width function which is representative of a dependence of signal profile width on distance to the incoupling point due to light scattering caused by at least one of the touch surface and the opposite surface. |
| US08482546B2 |
Self shielding capacitance sensing panel
A self-shielding capacitive sensor array may include a first plurality of sensor elements and a second plurality of sensor elements, where each of the second plurality of sensor elements intersects each of the first plurality of sensor elements, such that each of the first plurality of sensor elements may be capacitively coupled with each of the second plurality of sensor elements. The first plurality of sensor elements may be configured to shield each of the second plurality of sensor elements from a noise source. |
| US08482545B2 |
Combination touch and transducer input system and method
A combination touch and transducer input system is provided, which facilitates user input into an electronic system with a finger and/or a transducer (e.g., a stylus). The system includes a transducer configured to generate an electric field, and a sensor including an array of electrodes and a controller. The transducer is configured to transmit digital data, such as pen pressure data and switch status data, to the sensor. For example, the transducer comprises electronic circuitry configured to encode the digital data in a signal for transmission to the sensor. The sensor controller is configured to operate both in a touch sensing mode and in a transducer sensing mode. During the touch sensing mode, the controller determines a position of a proximate object (e.g., a finger) by capacitively sensing the object with the array of electrodes. During the transducer sensing mode, the controller determines a position of the transducer based on a signal received by the array of electrodes from the transducer, and also receives and decodes the digital data encoded in the received signal. Digital data can be encoded in a signal using any suitable digital modulation techniques, such as a Frequency-Shift Keying (FSK) technique. |
| US08482542B2 |
Capacitive touch panel
A transparent capacitive touch panel comprising a transparent substrate, a transparent cover lens and a transparent adhesive layer is provided, wherein a first transparent electrode layer and a second transparent electrode layer are disposed on the transparent cover lens and the transparent substrate respectively. The transparent adhesive layer is used to bind the first transparent electrode layer and second transparent electrode layer in order to combine the transparent cover lens and the transparent substrate disposed in parallel. Thereby, the manufacturing process of the transparent capacitive touch panel is simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the same is lowered. |
| US08482540B1 |
Configuring a user interface for use with an overlay
An overlay secured to a mobile device and positioned over a portion of a touch-activated user interface on the mobile device functions as a guide and includes input areas that indicate locations of input touch regions on the user interface. Based on an identity of the overlay, configuration data is accessed that corresponds to that particular overlay. The configuration data defines locations of the input areas and enables the input touch regions to be mapped for that particular overlay. |
| US08482538B2 |
Information input device, information input method, information input-output device, storage medium, and electronic unit
An information input device includes an input panel and one or more circuits. The one or more circuits are configured to determine first, second and third representations of possible proximity of an object to an input panel from first, second and third input frames, respectively. The second input frame is generated after the first input frame, and the third input frame is generated after the second input frame. The one or more circuits are configured to determine whether proximity of the object to the input panel is detected for the second input frame, based on the third representation, if the first and second representations are not similar. |
| US08482536B1 |
Compensation of signal values for a touch sensor
An apparatus includes a data conditioning module configured to translate each of a plurality of signal strength values to a compensated signal value, where the compensated signal value is a function of its corresponding signal strength value. |
| US08482534B2 |
Programmable tactile touch screen displays and man-machine interfaces for improved vehicle instrumentation and telematics
Disclosed are new methods and apparatus particularly suited for applications in a vehicle, to provide a wide range of information, and the safe input of data to a computer controlling the vehicle subsystems or “Telematic” communication using for example GM's “ONSTAR” or cellular based data sources. Preferred embodiments utilize new programmable forms of tactile touch screens and displays employing tactile physical selection or adjustment means which utilize direct optical data input. A revolutionary form of dashboard or instrument panel results which is stylistically attractive, lower in cost, customizable by the user, programmable in both the tactile and visual sense, and with the potential of enhancing interior safety and vehicle operation. Non-automotive applications of the invention are also disclosed, for example means for general computer input using touch screens and home automation systems. |
| US08482532B2 |
Mobile communication terminal having proximity sensor and display controlling method therein
A mobile communication terminal having a function of detecting a proximity touch and a display controlling method therein are disclosed. The present invention includes a touchscreen configured to display prescribed data, the touchscreen detecting a real touch or a proximity touch to a surface contact point, a proximity sensor outputting a proximity signal corresponding to a proximity position of a proximate object, and a controller controlling an implementation of an operation associated with the prescribed data displayed on the touchscreen according to the proximity signal detected by the proximity sensor. |
| US08482531B2 |
Electronic calculator and method of controlling the calculator
An electronic calculator is very useful for learning manipulation procedure to perform a predetermined process by designating a position on a display screen of the calculator. Manipulation is executed on a touch screen 16a of the display screen with a touch pen. When a function expression is entered to execute a process for displaying a graphic, a position and content of manipulation in each manipulating process are previously recorded in an external recording medium 13 in association with the order of manipulation. Thereafter, the position and content of manipulation are read from the external recording medium 13 every manipulation to display the position of manipulation and a mark indicating the content of the manipulation, thereby instructing manipulation to be executed. When touch manipulation is executed as instructed, a process is performed to enter the function expression and display a graphic, and manipulation to be executed in the following order of manipulation is displayed on the display screen. |
| US08482529B2 |
Computer input system and input method thereof
A computer input system and an input method thereof are disclosed. The computer input system includes a storage unit, a representative number obtaining module and a coding module. The storage unit stores four carry radices, and the four carry radix have one-to-one correspondences to an amount of initial consonants, an amount of head vowels, an amount of vowels and an amount of tones of a phonetic notation symbol, respectively. After the representative number obtaining module obtains four symbol representative numbers according to a Chinese character phonetic notation, the coding module generates a coding number of the Chinese character according to the symbol permutation order, the four carry radices and the four symbol representative numbers. |
| US08482526B2 |
Input system, portable terminal, data processor, and input method
An input system, a portable terminal, a data processor, and an input method are provided that can be used to easily input a character of the type permitted to be input. The input system includes the data processor and the portable terminal. The data processor stores an input permitted character type that is a type of characters permitted to be input to a corresponding one of not less than one input box, in association with the corresponding input box. The data processor transmits to the portable terminal the input permitted character type associated with a character input enabled input box. The portable terminal sets the type of characters to be input, to the input permitted character type as received, and transmits to the data processor an input character that is of the input permitted character type as set. |
| US08482524B2 |
Input device for an electronic device
An input device for an electronic device is disclosed comprising a source of light (2) emitting a light beam in a first direction, a reflecting member (4) for reflecting said light beam, means for allowing tilting of the reflecting member (4) around at least one axis transverse to said first direction, at least one detector (6, 7, 8, 9) detecting the reflected light beam and outputting an electric signal corresponding to light intensity of the detected light beam in a second direction, in which the light beam is reflected, and an electronic circuit deriving a position signal from the at least one electric signal. Said means for allowing tilting of the reflecting member (4) comprise a first bearing (12) having at least one convex surface and at least one concave surface cooperating with each other in a sliding relationship thus enabling said tilting of said reflecting member (4). |
| US08482522B2 |
Method and system for navigating within an image
The present invention relates to at least one image section which is represented according to a zoom factor selected from a number of different zoom factors. Either the represented image section is changed when the zoom factor is lower than a zoom threshold value, or a marker representation superimposing the image section is displaced when the zoom factor is higher than a zoom threshold value, via input elements. |
| US08482521B2 |
Pointer controlling apparatus
The present invention provides an apparatus, a controlling method, and a controlling program for appropriately moving a pointer to a selection position regardless of alignment and size of function selection area, and improving operability and certainty of function selection in a GUI. The apparatus includes (1) means for determining whether or not the pointer has crossed over a boundary of a predetermined area from outside to inside based on position information of the pointer; (2) means for determining a speed of the pointer or whether or not an event has occurred, and setting two types of operating modes; (3) means for moving the pointer to a predetermined position within the area when the pointer has crossed over the boundary from outside to inside; and (4) means for changing a moving distance of the pointer, if the pointer moves at a speed less than a predetermined moving speed or the event has not occurred and when it is determined that the pointer exists within the area, based on the speed determined when the pointer existed outside the area. |