| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08488633B2 |
Dynamic time-spectrum block allocation for cognitive radio networks
Dynamic time-spectrum block allocation for cognitive radio networks is described. In one implementation, without need for a central controller, peer wireless nodes collaboratively sense local utilization of a communication spectrum and collaboratively share white spaces for communication links between the nodes. Sharing local views of the spectrum utilization with each other allows the nodes to dynamically allocate non-overlapping time-frequency blocks to the communication links between the nodes for efficiently utilizing the white spaces. The blocks are sized to optimally pack the available white spaces. The nodes regularly readjust the bandwidth and other parameters of all reserved blocks in response to demand, so that packing of the blocks in available white spaces maintains a fair distribution of the overall bandwidth of the white spaces among active communication links, minimizes finishing time of all communications, reduces contention overhead among the nodes contending for the white spaces, and maintains non-overlapping blocks. |
| US08488629B2 |
Specialized data transfer in a wireless communication system
A wireless communication system and method is provided for the transfer and processing of data in accordance with specialized data transfer protocols while utilizing conventional base station equipment. For example, the wireless communication system may include a subscriber station that provides for the modification of data packets in accordance with a proprietary protocol and the addressing of the modified data packets to a server. The server is adapted to reconstruct the data packets for transmission to other local subscriber stations or to a packet-switched network. In additional embodiments, the base station itself rather than a server operates to reconstruct the data packets. |
| US08488628B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for selecting and negotiating frame size of communication data communicated in a radio communication system
Apparatus, and an associated method, for negotiating an LLC frame size for a UMA/GAN network. A calculator, embodied at a mobile station, calculates an optimal frame size, i.e., an N201-U value. A negotiation initiator initiates a frame size negotiation with a network entity. The frame size negotiation utilizes the calculated optimal frame size. And, a frame size is allocated responsive to the negotiation. The allocated frame size is used in the formation of user data packets that are constrained to be of sizes that are close to the allocated N201-U value, defined at the LLC layer. |
| US08488615B2 |
Contention groups for hidden nodes
Communicating among stations in a network includes, from each of multiple stations in the network, transmitting information indicating which other stations from which that station is able to reliably receive transmissions. A schedule for communicating among the stations is determined based on the information from the stations and transmitting the schedule over the network. The schedule includes a plurality of time slots during which respective sets of stations are assigned to communicate using a contention-based protocol. |
| US08488610B2 |
System and method for communicating packet in a wireless multicast and broadcast communication network
A method and system for communicating packets in a Wireless Multicast and Broadcast communication network is provided. The method includes selecting a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) for transmission of a packet. The packet is then transmitted using the selected MCS on at least one of a subset of available time slots, a subset of available frequency sub-carriers and a subset of available antennas. Thereafter, it is autonomously decided whether the plurality of transmitters are to retransmit the packet. Then, the packet is retransmitted on at least one of a different subset of time slots, a different subset of frequency sub-carriers and a different subset of antennas. |
| US08488609B2 |
Routing table lookoup algorithm employing search key having destination address and interface component
A routing table lookup algorithm is described that, for a first outbound packet, performs a first route lookup into the routing table with a first search key that includes the first packet's destination address and a first network interface identifier, and, for a second outbound packet, performs a second route lookup into the routing table with a second search key that includes the second outbound packet's destination address but does not include any network interface identifier. |
| US08488606B2 |
System controller, semiconductor device, and method of testing interface
A semiconductor device capable of connecting plurality of external devices. When an interface with a first external device that can be connected to the semiconductor device is tested, a packet to be transferred from the first external device to another second external device is artificially generated. The generated packet is transferred to the second external device, and a response is monitored. Thus, the interface for connection to the first external device is tested while avoiding an actual packet transfer between the semiconductor device and the first external device. |
| US08488604B2 |
Method, device and system for forwarding multicast packets
In the field of switching networks, a method, a device and a system for forwarding multicast packets are disclosed, which significantly reduce the requirement on the storage capacity of the switching network, thus implementing forwarding of a large number of multicast packets. The method includes: receiving a multicast packet, and a first forwarding identifier and a second forwarding identifier of the multicast packet; obtaining a destination line card corresponding to the multicast packet according to the first forwarding identifier; and forwarding the multicast packet and the second forwarding identifier to the destination line card. The method, device and system for forwarding multicast packets are applicable to situations where it is required to forward multicast packets in a single-level switching network or a multi-level switching network. |
| US08488603B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for implementing multicast services
A method, device and system for implementing the multicast service are provided, and the method comprises: at the ingress node and exit node of the multicast path, establishing the mapping relationship information between the original multicast address identifier of the multicast service data and the multicast address identifier inside the bearer network; when the multicast source sends the multicast service data, the ingress node maps the original multicast address identifier of the multicast service data to the multicast address identifier inside the bearer network according to the mapping relationship information, and sends the multicast service data to the exit node along the multicast path; and the exit node maps the multicast identifier of the multicast service data inside the bearer network to the original multicast address identifier according to the mapping relationship information, and sends it to the receiving side of the multicast service data. |
| US08488601B1 |
Method and system for link aggregation
Method and system for a first network device and a second network device is provided. The first network device and the second network device communicate with each other via a first network link and a second network link. A traffic type between the first network device and the second network device is excluded from link aggregation. When a packet is received from the first network device; and if the packet is excluded from link aggregation, then the first network link or the second link is selected to transmit the packet based on a physical port identifier identifying a port of the first network device. |
| US08488600B2 |
Method and system for routing calls from a standard telephone device to a voice over internet protocol network
The invention enables accessing and using a Voice over Internet Protocol network, and can use a standard telephone to automatically access a VoIP network. A first aspect of the invention uses an auto dialer to transmit digits, such as a network access number, an account number and a PIN, which remain unchanged from call to call made through a given network service provider. A second aspect of the invention provides a speed dial feature for placing VoIP telephone calls. Speed dial numbers are recorded in a VoIP service provider's database on a server, which is accessible through the Internet from a personal computer (PC) or a conventional telephone. A third aspect of the invention enables callers to complete calls from conventional telephones to personal computers connected to the Internet. The VoIP network detects a flag such as leading “0,” determines that the call recipient station is a personal computer, looks up the IP address of the PC and routes the call to the PC. |
| US08488592B2 |
Unified session detail records
A unified session detail records of a multi-hop session is provided. The multi-hop session may be established through multiple nodes in a VoIP network. Each node may generate session detail records for the legs of the multi-hop session that are connected to the node. The nodes on the path of the multi-hop call may send the record to a single node to consolidate the session detail records of the legs of the multi-hop call in the single node so that the single node can provide unified session detail records of the multi-hop session. By providing unified session detail records, the user does not need to track down the nodes that are on the path of the multi-hop call to obtain the session detail records of the multi-hop session. |
| US08488585B2 |
Mobile station and method of reconnection process
There is provided a mobile station that minimizes a pause or a silent period during communication at the time of a reconnection process of communication, thereby to improve the user's convenience and achieve the reduction in the load applied onto the communication network or the mobile station. When an out of synchronization detection unit 4 of a mobile station 2 detects out of synchronization, an individual timer value determination unit 53 selects two or more timer value change triggers from timer value change triggers stored in a timer value change trigger memory 51, and then determines the timer values respectively for the timer value change triggers that have been selected, based upon the determination rules stored in an individual timer value determination rule memory 52. A reconnection timer value calculation unit 54 calculates an appropriate reconnection timer value based upon the two or more individual timer values that have been determined by the individual timer value determination unit 53. A timer switching control unit 5 sets the reconnection timer value, and a timer management unit 6 activates a timer. When the timer expires, a radio communication unit 3 transmits a reconnection request. |
| US08488584B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient data broadcast within beaconing network
A wireless communication apparatus, system, method and computer readable medium therefor for transmission between a parent node and a child node are provided. The child node transmits a first packet to the parent node via point-to-point transmission. When the parent node tries to transmit a second packet to the child node, a synchronization signal is transmitted first and then the second packet is transmitted to the child node via broadcast transmission after a certain period. If the child node fails to receive the second packet during the certain period, the child node sends a signal to the parent node. The parent node re-transmits the second packet to the child node via point-to-point transmission. |
| US08488581B2 |
Methods and apparatus for conducting financial transactions
A method of establishing wireless communications between an interrogator and individual ones of multiple wireless identification devices, the method comprising combining tree search and Aloha methods to establish communications between the interrogator and individual ones of the multiple wireless identification devices without collision. A system comprising an interrogator, and a plurality of wireless identification devices configured to communicate with the interrogator. In a wireless fashion, the respective wireless identification devices having a unique identification number, the interrogator being configured to employ tree search and Aloha techniques to determine the unique identification numbers of the different wireless identification devices so as to be able to establish communications between the interrogator identification and individual devices without ones of the multiple wireless collision by multiple wireless identification devices attempting to respond to the interrogator at the same time. |
| US08488580B2 |
Closed loop precoding over a set of parallel channels
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for applying successive multi-rank beamforming strategies (e.g., successive precoding strategies) for the design of precoders over a set of parallel channels. Successive beamforming is applied to a narrow band channel model and is also applied for finer quantization of a single beamforming vector (e.g., recursive beamforming). A first embodiment provides the optimal approach with high complexity. An alternative embodiment provides successive beamforming for near optimal precoding selection with medium complexity. A low complexity method for precoder selection is also provided wherein a channel representative matrix for the set of parallel channels is determined and successive beamforming on the calculated channel representative is applied. |
| US08488579B2 |
Wireless communication system with selectively sized data transport blocks
A wireless transmit receive unit and methods for code division multiple access telecommunications are disclosed that process data in a physical layer and a medium access control (MAC) layer. The physical and MAC layers communicate data between each other via transport channels. The transport channels are associated with logical channels. Logical-channel data for the transport channels is provided in data units having a bit size evenly divisible by an integer N. The respective logical channels associated with a transport channel utilize MAC headers that have a selected modulo N bit size such that there is bit alignment of the MAC headers of all the logical channels associated with a particular transport channel. |
| US08488571B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing an IP address space of an address server in a mobility network
The invention manages an IP address space in a mobility network, including partitioning of the IP address space, assignment of IP addresses from the IP address space, and/or use of hysteresis to control reassignment of IP addresses from the IP address space. The IP address assignment is performed using one or more residual time statistics from a residual time profile maintained for the mobile node requesting assignment of an IP address. A residual time profile of a mobile node includes one or more residual time statistics associated with the mobile node. The residual time statistics for a mobile node are determined using a residual time associated with each IP address assigned to the mobile node. The IP address space partitioning is performed using residual time statistics maintained for mobile nodes of the network. The reassignment of IP addresses from the IP address space is controlled using hysteresis. |
| US08488568B2 |
Method and system of interferer signal detection
A method for detecting an interferer signal in a duplex communication channel. The method comprises establishing a duplex communication channel for transmitting and receiving a signal having a plurality of frames each comprising an uplink (UL) and a downlink (DL) sub frames, allocating a plurality of silent slots in at least on of the UL and DL sub frames of at least some of the plurality of frames, intercepting at least one transmission signal during the plurality of silent slots, and detecting at least one interferer signal according to the at least one transmission signal. |
| US08488567B2 |
Repeating transmissions of signals in communication systems
Methods and apparatuses for a User Equipment (UE) to transmit an acknowledgement signal over multiple Transmission Time Intervals (TTIs). The acknowledgement signal is in response to a data packet reception and is transmitted in a different resource in each of the multiple TTIs, if the data packet reception is through a scheduling assignment, or is transmitted in the same resource in each of the multiple TTIs, if the data packet reception is periodic. The UE transmitting an acknowledgement signal over multiple TTIs should not transmit additional acknowledgement signals in subsequent TTIs before the initial acknowledgement signal transmission is completed. The UE should also not transmit data signals or other control signals in the same or subsequent TTIs before completing transmission of an acknowledgement signal over multiple TTIs. |
| US08488562B2 |
Transmission power control in multi-hop networks
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate providing power control for intermediary access points in wireless networks, such as relay nodes. Parameters related to intermediary access point communications can be provided to a serving access point, and the serving access point can generate power adjustment values and related commands based at least in part on the parameters. The parameters can include load on the intermediary access point, signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) and/or similar parameters related to communications between the intermediary access points and/or one or more UEs, etc. In addition, end-to-end power control can be provided where intermediary access points report SINR to serving access points allowing serving access points to adjust downlink transmission power. |
| US08488559B2 |
Method and an apparatus for providing route optimisation
A mechanism for initiating route optimization in an administrative domain. The mechanism is actualized when traffic is exchanged between at least a first mobile node and a second mobile node, said traffic taking place over at least one Local Mobility Anchor (LMA) within said administrative domain. The traffic exchange between said first and second mobile nodes within the administrative domain is detected followed by a decision to initiate route optimisation for the traffic. Thereafter an optimized route for the traffic, in which the traffic is routed directly between a first and a second mobile access gateway (MAG) serving the first and the second mobile nodes, respectively, is created. A route optimisation update is then sent directly or indirectly, to any uninformed mobile access gateway (MAG), after which the traffic is routed directly between the first and the second MAG. This method for route optimization may be applied in a Proxy Mobile IP (PMIP) context. |
| US08488555B2 |
Packet priority control method and base station
A handover-source base station transfers a data packet destined to a mobile device received from a base station control device to a handover-destination base station as an inter-base-station transfer packet during a stopping period for which the handover-source base station stops a wireless transmission of a data packet to the mobile device. The handover-destination base station calculates a wireless transmission priority for the inter-base-station transfer packet based on a station retention time in the handover-destination base station and an estimated value of a retention time in the handover-source base station. |
| US08488554B2 |
Method and system for handover between different types of access systems
A method for handover between different types of access systems in some embodiments consistent with the present invention includes: when the UE hands over between different types of access systems, the UE accesses the IASA connected with the UE in the source access system through the destination access system. Furthermore, the present invention discloses a handover system, and a UE that includes an IASA address storing module and an IASA address sending module. The handover system includes: a destination access system, and a source IASA. |
| US08488551B2 |
Method and arrangement in a telecommunication system
A method for sending buffer status information includes checking if a quality of service (QoS) parameter is defined for a first logical channel and at least one condition of the set of predetermined conditions associated with a logical channel group is fulfilled. If the QoS parameter is defined and at least one condition of the set is fulfilled, the method includes setting a number of bits in a media access control header according to a first semantic. The bits carry buffer status information, and the first semantic—is based on the QoS parameter of the first logical channel. Otherwise, the method includes setting the number of bits carrying the buffer status information according to a second semantic that is based on an amount of data available for transmission across the logical channel group. |
| US08488549B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting control information
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting uplink control information when TDD and a plurality of cells are configured, and comprises the following steps: receiving one or more of at least one PDCCH signal and at least one PDSCH signal; generating for each of the cells reception reply information on one or more of the at least one PDCCH signal and the at least one PDSCH signal; and transmitting the reception reply information for each of the plurality of cells which are connected. |
| US08488547B2 |
Asynchronous hybrid ARQ process indication in a MIMO wireless communication system
Methods and apparatus for transmitting Asynchronous Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) process identities in a wireless communication system. A linking scheme is established between at least two sets of process identities of two respective corresponding codewords. When a first process identity is selected from among a first set of process identities of a first codeword, a second process identity may be derived in dependence upon the first process identity and the established linking scheme. Finally, a first packet from the first codeword is transmitted using a first transmission channel indicated by the first process identity, and a second packet is transmitted from the second codeword using a second transmission channel indicated by the second process identity. In addition, a control message including only the first process identity is transmitted. |
| US08488544B2 |
Communication system using carrier aggregation, and base station and terminal included in the communication system
A type 1 system and a type 2 system are classified according to whether carrier aggregation is used. A shared component carrier is used for both a type 1 terminal and a type 2 terminal, whereas a dedicated component carrier is used only for the type 2 terminal. Also, a type 2 base station transmits broadcast information by using a shared component carrier. In this instance, the broadcast information includes the shared broadcast information used for both the type 1 terminal and the type 2 terminal and the dedicated broadcast information only for the type 2 terminal. Also, the type 2 base station indicates component carriers that are used by the type 2 terminal, by using a semi-static component carrier indicator or a dynamic component carrier indicator. |
| US08488542B2 |
Data transmission method, network system and corresponding device
A data transmission method in an enhanced CELL_FACH state, a network system, and a corresponding device are provided. The method includes the following steps. A radio transceiver receives information indicating a capability category of a UE. The radio transceiver acquires the capability category of the UE according to the information indicating the capability category of the UE. The radio transceiver performs data transmission to or from the UE according to the capability category of the UE. Since the information indicating the capability category of the UE is sent to the radio transceiver during the enhanced CELL_FACH data transmission, the radio transceiver performs the data transmission based on the capability category of a target UE, instead of the lowest capability category of the UE, thereby increasing the data transmission rate in the enhanced CELL_FACH state. |
| US08488539B2 |
Method of generating preamble sequence
A method of generating preamble sequence is disclosed. A channel used by a wireless device may be divided into four sub-channels, and the method includes forming a preamble sequence of a first sub-channel, making three replicas of the preamble sequence of the first sub-channel, each replica with a phase rotation of a first angle, a second angle, and a third angle respectively, for forming each preamble sequence of a second sub-channel, a third sub-channel, and a fourth sub-channel, and arranging the preamble sequences of the first, the second, the third, and the fourth sub-channels to form a preamble sequence of the channel. |
| US08488532B2 |
Base station device, mobile station device, mobile station identifier allocation method, program, and recording medium
To effectively control information on allocation of a radio resource for each mobile station, improve the frequency use efficiency of the entire communication system, and effectively execute base station/mobile station control, a mobile station holds a Chunk Table (TB) in advance and successively receives the SCSCH (Shared Control Signaling Channel) of each predetermined available Chunk from the head of a radio frame. If the SCSCH has a mobile station identifier of the mobile station assigned, the mobile station receives an SDCH (Shared Data Channel) of the corresponding RB (Resource Block) and acquires a CID (Chunk ID). Here, user data may be simultaneously contained in the SDCH. The mobile station registers the acquired CID in the Chunk Table. Moreover, the base station side also has the Chunk Table corresponding to each mobile station and manages whether a CID has been allocated for each mobile station. |
| US08488531B2 |
Method and system for allocating communication resources
The present invention relates to a method for allocating communication resources in a multi-user cellular communication system, wherein communication resources are divided in time periods and frequency sub-bands, wherein part of the communication resources are used for frequency-localized communication channels, and part of the communication resources are used for frequency distributed channels. The method further comprises the steps of classifying part of the frequency sub-bands as frequency sub-bands carrying frequency-distributed channels, classifying the remaining part of the frequency sub-bands as frequency sub-bands carrying frequency-localized channels. The present invention also relates to a system, a transmitter and a communication system. |
| US08488528B2 |
User equipment and cell search method
User equipment for performing cell search using a synchronization channel including a primary synchronization channel and a secondary synchronization channel includes a reception unit configured to receive a signal including the synchronization channel, a symbol timing candidate detection unit configured to detect multiple synchronization signal symbol timing candidates from the synchronization channel based on a correlation value in a time domain between the signal received at the reception unit and a replica signal of the primary synchronization channel, a secondary synchronization channel correlation detection unit configured to perform correlation detection for the secondary synchronization channel based on the multiple synchronization signal symbol timing candidates detected in the symbol timing candidate detection unit and a secondary synchronization channel detection unit configured to detect the secondary synchronization channel based on a result of the correlation detection by the secondary synchronization channel correlation detection unit. |
| US08488526B2 |
Network communication method and network device using preamble
Provided are a network communication method and a network device using a preamble. According to the network communication method and the network device, network coexistence is easily achieved by using network identification transmitted in the preamble, and an unknown terminal, which has a low reception signal to noise ratio (SNR) and has not yet been connected to an existing network, is easily connected to the existing network. |
| US08488525B2 |
Mobile radio communication system including radio resource sharing function
A mobile radio communication method in which a radio resource is shared with a first communication between one of first mobile terminal devices and a radio base station, which is performed by using an infrastructure mode for performing communication controlled based on scheduling by the radio base station, and a second communication between a plurality of second mobile terminal devices, which is performed by using an ad hoc mode for performing communication by autonomous distributed control, the mobile radio communication method including advertising, by the one of the first mobile terminal devices in an area in which the radio base station exists, at a timing specified by the radio base station, a radio resource which is usable for the second communication in the ad hoc mode and is not used for the first communication in the infrastructure mode, to one of the second mobile terminal devices that is present in a range which a radio wave reaches from the one of the first mobile terminal devices and performs the second communication in the ad hoc mode, to thereby control the one of the second mobile terminal devices so as not to use a radio resource for the first communication. |
| US08488520B2 |
Adaptive modulation and coding
A base station, for use in a wireless communication system, includes a report receiving unit operable to receive from a user equipment of the system a report of a downlink received signal quality produced by the user equipment. The report receiving unit includes a unit operable to receive a report of a measuring received signal quality or a report of a selected modulation and coding scheme to the transmitter. |
| US08488516B2 |
Method for improving quality of communication in a communication network
A communication network comprises a plurality of access points, a plurality of stations wirelessly communicating with the plurality of access points and at least one sensor located at a different location from each of the plurality of access points for improving communication quality in the communication network. The sensor in the communication network senses a communication message transmitted from a source station and destined for a destination access point on a wireless communication channel in the communication network. The sensor further determines a number of retransmissions of the communication message from the source station. The sensor, upon determining that the determined number of retransmissions of the communication message is at least equal to a predetermined threshold, forwards the communication message to the destination access point through the wired medium. |
| US08488515B2 |
Data transmission method in communication system and relay apparatus performing the same
Provided are a data transmission method in a communication system and a relay performing the same. The data transmission method in a communication system includes receiving, at a relay, an uplink buffer status report (BSR) of a terminal from the terminal, including the uplink BSR of the terminal received by the relay in an uplink BSR to be transmitted from the relay to a base station to generate a combined uplink BSR, and transmitting the combined uplink BSR to the base station even before the relay receives data stored in an uplink buffer of the terminal from the terminal. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the transmission delay of the communication system including a relay. |
| US08488513B2 |
Methods and apparatus for operating a wireless communications system
A method of operating a wireless communications system comprising at least a base station, a first relay station, a second relay station and one or more subscriber stations; using at least a first wireless protocol with the first relay station, and using at least a second wireless protocol with the second relay station. Operation of the method comprises using a subframe which comprises: a first-protocol access period; a firstprotocol relay period; a second-protocol access period; and a second-protocol relay period. The subframe further comprises an idle period to avoid communications using the first wireless protocol interfering with communications using the second wireless protocol and the overall frame structure is arranged to position the idle period for the first relay station between the first-protocol access period and the first-protocol relay period, to accommodate switching of the first relay station between transmit and receive modes. |
| US08488508B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing reliable multicast in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus is described which provides reliable multicasting in a WLAN. The use of at least two distinct MAC multicast addresses are used to separate the first multicast frame transmissions from subsequent multicast frame re-transmissions. Thereby enabling legacy devices to ignore duplicate retransmitted multicast frames, because the duplicate frames are sent using a multicast address they do not listen to. Thus, the legacy devices are not confused with duplicated frames. In addition, new devices benefit from the retransmissions sent on the second multicast address and can re-order the frames before delivering to the applications or upper layers; thereby improving the QoS for the multicast. |
| US08488500B2 |
Power management of networked devices
A network-centric, power management system and method is disclosed for monitoring and controlling device nodes attached to a network. The monitoring and controlling includes collecting and processing information available on the network about the device nodes and using the collected information to manage power on the device nodes. |
| US08488499B2 |
System and method of enhanced quality of service of wireless communication based on redundant signal reception on two or more antenna diversity inputs
The present application includes a system and method that provisions at least two (2) receivers in a topology that allows each receiver to acquire wireless communication signals through different diverse antenna fields. Each receiver acquires the signal, and demodulates, decodes and sends data to the data terminal component. The data terminal component resolves packet alignment issues and selects the best data. This improves system reliability and reduces the system susceptibility to data corruption or loss of data due to signal fading that might occur on a single antenna field. Provisioning a wireless system in this manner reduces the likelihood that the same fading phenomena, resulting from either multipath and/or shadowing affects, impair signal reception causing data dropout or loss of data. |
| US08488498B2 |
Retransmission protocol and coding scheme for multicast broadcast service
A method for the retransmission and coding of multicast broadcast services. |
| US08488486B2 |
Multi-interface communication device, terminal, and path switching method
A router, if judging that a routing function is impossible to execute, sends out a connection instruction message including the address of a terminal on a local network terminating the relaying flow, to another router to solicit switching. The router having received the connection instruction message starts a process for connecting with an external network while executing a process for link connection with a terminal, and then sends out a connection completion notice message when the connection with both the external network and the terminal is established. This process enables the router to switch a path rapidly. |
| US08488485B2 |
Packet latency estimation
An intermediary node is adapted for receiving a sequence of packets from a server, wherein the intermediary node comprises a time estimator adapted for performing the following steps—resolving the sequence number (k) and time of arrival to the intermediary node for at least a plurality (q) of incoming packets; establishing the frame period of the incoming packets (T); establishing a sequence of normalized packet arrival times (ek) as corresponding to the established frame period (T); calculating the relative arrival time (rtrec, k) of the plurality (q) of incoming packets in relation to the normalized packet arrival times; creating a cumulative density function (CDF) for a given sequence of packets; and establishing the threshold value for the relative arrival time (rtPL) yielding the predefined packet loss (PL) based on the cumulative density function (CDF). |
| US08488484B2 |
Power saving system, method and apparatus for a wireless device
A power saving method, system and apparatus may include detecting a traffic mode based on statistics of packet network traffic. A packet-free time may be predicted based on a quality of service metric associated with the traffic mode. A low power state may be entered based on the predicted packet-free time, the quality of service metric and the traffic mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08488480B2 |
Apparatus and method for inter-cell interference cancellation in MIMO wireless communication system
A method for operating a Mobile Station (MS) in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) wireless communication system is provided. The method includes measuring channel quality for a serving Base Station (BS), if the channel quality is less than a threshold, measuring interference power from one or more neighbor BSs, determining a Precoding Matrix Index (PMI) and a priority metric for each neighbor BS, and feeding back at least one of the PMI, a PMI type indicator, the priority metric, and the channel quality to the serving BS. |
| US08488475B2 |
Fault processing method, system and exchanging device based on industry ethernet network
A fault processing method based on industry Ethernet network, wherein exchanging devices in the network are connected by mutual redundant double links, wherein work link is in working state, the spare link is in spare state, and the method includes: detecting connection states of the double links between the exchanging devices in the network (201); switching the spare link to the work link when the work link is in fault state and the spare state is in connecting state (202). A fault processing system and exchanging device based on industry Ethernet network are further provided, which applies the ring structure of mutual redundant double links according to the invention, the network availability is ensured by switching to the spare link when multipoint faults appear in the network; and the time of fault recovery processing is reduced by switching between mutual redundant links. |
| US08488471B2 |
Intelligent network planning and provisioning tool
An intelligent network planning and provisioning tool is provided. The intelligent network planning and provisioning tool includes a forecaster coupled to a network control plane. The forecaster receives an estimate of initial network resources from a user and generates a set of link costs and constraints for use by the network control plane in making routing decisions for a network. The network control plane transmits provisioning experience information, representing network traffic demands received by, and provisioning decisions made by, the network control plane, back to the forecaster. When the forecaster receives the provisioning experience from the network control plane, the forecaster generates a new set of link costs that are transmitted to the network control plane for use in making further provisioning decisions. The forecaster may optionally generate link costs, termed “smart costs”, that may be used to route traffic through the network using preferred links. |
| US08488469B2 |
Transmission rate control method, and mobile station
A transmission rate control method for controlling a transmission rate of uplink user data, based on a received relative transmission rate of the uplink user data which is transmitted via an E-RGCH, includes: transmitting, at a radio base station, any one of Up command which instructs to increase the transmission rate of the uplink user data, Down command which instructs to decrease the transmission rate of the uplink user data, or Don't care command which instructs to maintain the transmission rate of the uplink user data, to the mobile station via the E-RGCH, as the relative transmission rate; and maintaining, at the mobile station, the transmission rate of the uplink user data, when the mobile station receives the Down command or the Don't care command, and when the uplink user data to be transmitted become empty in a transmission buffer of the mobile station. |
| US08488462B2 |
Handling traffic flows in a mobile communications network
A method and system of handling traffic flows across a network is disclosed. The method includes issuing a request for establishing a first communication pathway end to end over the network, the communications pathway including the radio communication channel and the packet communication channel, the request identifying multiple traffic flows with their associated attributes. The method further includes identifying any of the traffic flows which require a different flow treatment across the network, and establishing the first communication pathway, and at least one second communication pathway end to end over the network, the second communication pathway providing a different flow treatment. |
| US08488457B2 |
Wireless communication method and apparatus for transferring buffered enhanced uplink data from a mobile station to a node-B
A wireless communication method and apparatus for transferring buffered enhanced uplink (EU) data from a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), i.e., a mobile station, to a Node-B. The EU data is generated and stored in a buffer of the WTRU. The WTRU transmits a message to the Node-B including a request for a desired transport format combination (TFC) or data traffic indicator. The Node-B schedules one or more allowed EU data transmissions between the WTRU and the Node-B by transmitting an EU data scheduling message to the WTRU. The WTRU transmits all of the EU data stored in the buffer to the Node-B if the allowed EU data transmissions are sufficient to support transmission of all of the EU data stored in the buffer. Otherwise, the WTRU transmits a portion of the EU data along with the desired TFC or detailed traffic volume measurement (TVM) information to the Node-B. |
| US08488454B2 |
Method for adjusting signal speed, media gateway, and media gateway controller
The present invention relates to the communication filed and discloses a method for adjusting the signal speed, a media gateway (MG), and a media gateway controller (MGC). The method includes: receiving a command request that includes signal speed adjustment information from the MGC, and adjusting the signal speed according to the signal speed adjustment information. The MG includes a receiving module, an adjusting module, and a sending module. The MGC includes a sending module. In the present invention, the media gateway control protocol is extended to enable the MGC to adjust the speed of any signal. |
| US08488453B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhanced uplink data transmission
A method and apparatus used for enhanced uplink data transmission include monitoring the communication status of a plurality of UEs (user equipment) which conduct uplink data transmission in the RAN; receiving the data transmitted on at least one dedicated uplink channel from at least one of the plurality of UEs; and according to the communication status of the plurality of UEs, dynamically allocating the number of dedicated uplink channels for at least one UE of the plurality of UEs. |
| US08488448B2 |
System and method for message sequencing in a broadband gateway
A system and method for message sequencing in a broadband gateway comprising a receiver to receive two or more messages, a data storage system to store the two or more messages, an identifier to identify a processing sequence for the two or more messages, and a retriever to retrieve the two or more messages for processing based on the identified processing sequence for providing broadband DSL service to a customer. |
| US08488445B2 |
Gateway device, optical network terminal, and passive optical network system
In a broadband access network, calls can be kept active even when a telephone network fails. A voice gateway function captures callee telephone number information sent from a caller subscriber telephone to the telephone network and, when the telephone network fails, keeps the call active by retaining the connection between the caller and the callee. Furthermore, when the telephone network fails, the operation mode of the voice gateway and all ONTs is switched from an H.248 gateway mode to an SIP softswitch mode, allowing the voice gateway function to relay communication packets between ONTs and new call connections to be made in the broadband access network. |
| US08488444B2 |
Fast remote failure notification
A method and system for failure notification at a remote node in communication with a local node are disclosed. The local node is configured for faster failure detection than the remote node. In one embodiment, the method includes establishing a failure monitoring session between the local node and the remote node, receiving at the remote node, a failure notification from the local node, the failure notification sent using a protocol of the failure monitoring session, and rerouting traffic at the remote node in response to the failure notification. |
| US08488441B2 |
Coordinated linear beamforming in downlink multi-cell wireless networks
System and methods are disclosed for optimizing wireless communication for a plurality of mobile wireless devices. The system uses beamforming vectors or precoders having a structure optimal with respect to the weighted sum rate in a multi-cell orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) downlink. A plurality of base stations communicate with the mobile devices and all base stations perform a distributed non-convex optimization exploiting the determined structure. |
| US08488420B2 |
Information storage medium, apparatus for reproducing recordings, and method for reproducing recordings
An information storage medium having a plurality of recording layers is provided. The information storage medium including a physical ADIP address (PAA) which corresponds to an address recorded on the information storage medium. In the case in which an address of a layer i to which a pickup will move corresponds to PAAi, an address of a layer j in which the pickup is currently located corresponds to PAAj, and n corresponds to the number of the recording layers, the PAAi and the PAAj satisfy the equation PAAi= PAAj+(7−(i+j))*40 00 00h+00 00 01h(i+j=odd and i,j=0,1,2, . . . ,n−1) in response to the pickup moving from an even layer to an odd layer or from an odd layer to an even layer, and satisfy the equation PAAi=PAAj+(i−j)*40 00 00h(i+j=even and i,j=0,1,2, . . . ,n−1) in response to the pickup moving from an even layer to another even layer or from an odd layer to another odd layer. |
| US08488418B2 |
Timepiece with special aesthetic effects
A timepiece which, in addition to a crystal, includes the following external elements: a back cover, a middle part, a dial, a bezel, and two wristband strands. At least one of these external elements is at least partially transparent or translucent. The back cover, the middle part, and the bezel define an internal volume of the watch case that houses a timepiece movement. At least one light source is housed within the internal volume and produces a light that passes through the transparent or translucent part of the external element. |
| US08488415B2 |
Submersible electro-dynamic acoustic projector
An electro-dynamic acoustic projector provides a rigid enclosure having an open end. A pressure compensated chamber extends into the rigid enclosure from the open end. A vibratile piston is located in the open end of the rigid enclosure and closed the pressure compensated chamber. The vibratile piston has an axis of oscillation perpendicular to the plane of the open end and an anterior major surface exposed from the open end for generating sound waves in water. A magnet assembly is attached to the vibratile piston which interacts with a stator coil positioned with respect the rigid enclosure and vibratile piston. The magnet assembly is affixed to a posterior surface of the vibratile piston. The magnet assembly comprises first and second permanent magnets located with respect to one another to bring like poles into facing opposition. The facing like poles are separated from one another by a ferromagnetic focus element. |
| US08488414B1 |
Acoustic line source
An active sonar system for detecting objects in water includes: a transmitter capable of generating and transmitting an acoustic signal having acoustic pressure pulses; a cable extending from the transmitter into the water, the cable including a hose filled with hydraulic fluid receiving the acoustic pressure pulses from the transmitter, a water blocking layer and cable wire; and a winch assembly including a winch drum for deploying and retrieving the cable into and out of water. A flattened hydraulic chamber section of the hose is secured within the winch drum with acoustic transducers mounted on either side of the flattened chamber section, so that the acoustic transducers act as pistons to generate acoustic pressure onto the hydraulic fluid for generation along a length of the cable. |
| US08488411B2 |
Microphone proximity detection
A mobile communications device contains at least two microphones. One microphone is located away from the handset receiver and serves to pick up voice of a near end user of the device for transmission to the other party during a call. Another microphone is located near the handset receiver and serves to pick up acoustic output of the handset receiver (a far end signal). A signal processor measures the frequency response of the receiver. The signal processor performs spectral analysis of the receiver frequency response to determine whether or not the device is being held at the ear of the user. On that basis, the device automatically changes its operating mode, e.g., turns on or off a touch sensitive display screen during the call. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08488407B2 |
Nonvolatile memory apparatus and method for processing configuration information thereof
A nonvolatile memory apparatus includes a memory device including a configuration information storage block for storing configuration data groups. A configuration information processing circuit is configured to determine majorities of configuration data groups, which are outputted from the memory device during a first period as an initial stage of a power-up operation, under the control of a first control clock signal. The configuration information processing circuit is also configured to determine majorities of configuration data groups, which are outputted from the memory device during a second period after the first period, under the control of a second control clock signal having a cycle shorter than the first control clock signal. |
| US08488402B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and method of reading the same using different precharge voltages
A nonvolatile memory device includes a substrate, multiple doping regions, multiple cell strings and multiple page buffers. The doping regions extend in a first direction along the substrate and are spaced apart from one another in a second direction. The cell strings are provided according to a specific pattern between adjacent first and second doping regions among the multiple regions, each of the cell strings including multiple cell transistors stacked in a third direction perpendicular to the substrate. The page buffers are connected to the cell strings through bit lines, the page buffers being configured to provide precharge voltages to the bit lines during a read operation. Levels of the precharge voltages provided to the bit lines vary depending on distances between the cell strings and at least one of the first and second doping regions, respectively. |
| US08488398B2 |
Threshold voltage digitizer for array of programmable threshold transistors
A method and system for determining a respective threshold voltage of each of a plurality of transistors in a memory array. The method includes: applying a ramp voltage to gates of the plurality of transistors, wherein the ramp voltage is configured to increase based on an incrementing digital code; as the ramp voltage is being applied, generating a respective control signal in response to sensing a predetermined threshold current along a respective bitline in the memory array, wherein each transistor in the memory array is in communication with a respective bitline in the memory array; and for each transistor in the memory array, latching a current value of the incrementing digital code in response to the respective control signal corresponding to the transistor being generated. The current value of the incrementing digital code latched by each register corresponds to the threshold voltage of the corresponding transistor. |
| US08488395B2 |
Keepers, integrated circuits, and systems thereof
A keeper of an integrated circuit includes a first transistor having a first gate being coupled with an output end of an inverter. A second transistor is coupled with the first transistor in series. The second transistor has a second gate being coupled with an input end of the inverter. |
| US08488393B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and test method thereof
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of first pads and a plurality of memory unit blocks. The plurality of first pads are configured to input/output data in a test mode. The plurality of memory unit blocks each include a plurality of second pads configured to input/output data in a normal mode, and a plurality of data path selection units configured to connect internal circuits of the corresponding memory unit block to the plurality of first pads or the plurality of second pads in response to a unit block selection flag signal, a write enable signal, a read enable signal, and a mode control signal. |
| US08488391B2 |
Memory chip with buffer controlled based upon the last address cycle
A memory chip includes: a memory region; a chip determining unit configured to perform a chip determination, in writing operation, to determine whether or not the memory region is a writing target on the basis of an inputted address of writing destination, and to output a determination result of the chip determination; an address-cycle identifying unit configured to detect a final cycle of the address of writing destination, and to output a detection result at a timing before the output of the determination result; and a buffer controller configured to switch an input buffer from one state to another on the basis of the determination result, wherein the buffer controller keeps the input buffer in an active state irrespective of the determination result of the chip determination while the address-cycle identifying unit is outputting the detection result. |
| US08488388B2 |
Method of programming a split gate non-volatile floating gate memory cell having a separate erase gate
A non-volatile memory cell includes first and second regions and a channel region therebetween, a word line gate over a first portion of the channel region, a floating gate over another portion of the channel region and adjacent to the word line gate, a coupling gate over the floating gate, and an erase gate adjacent to the floating gate on an opposite side to the word line gate and over the second region. Programming the memory cell includes applying a first positive voltage to the word line gate, applying a voltage differential between the first and second regions, applying a second positive voltage to the coupling gate (where the voltages and the voltage differential are applied substantially at the same time), and applying a third positive voltage to the erase gate after a period of delay from the application of the first and second positive voltages and the voltage differential. |
| US08488386B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device for reducing interference between word lines and operation method thereof
Provided are a nonvolatile memory device and a method of operating the same. The nonvolatile memory device in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concept may include a string select line; a ground select line; a dummy word line adjacent to the ground select line; a first word line adjacent to the dummy word line; and a second word line disposed between the string select line and the first word line. The nonvolatile memory device is configured to apply a voltage to the dummy word line. When programming a memory cell connected to the first word line, a first dummy word line voltage lower than a voltage applied to the second word line is applied to the dummy word line. When programming a memory cell connected to the second word line, a second dummy word line voltage between a voltage applied to the first word line and the first dummy word line voltage is applied to the dummy word line. Accordingly, when a program operation is performed, a charge loss of a memory cell connected to a word line adjacent to a dummy word line can be reduced by changing a voltage applied to the dummy word line according to a select word line. |
| US08488383B2 |
Nonvolatile memory apparatus
A nonvolatile memory device includes: a data transmission line configured to transmit internal configuration data; a data path control unit configured to control a data transmission path direction of the data transmission line according to control of a test signal; and a configuration data latch unit configured to latch a signal transmitted through the data transmission line or drive a latched signal to the data transmission line, according to control of the test signal. |
| US08488379B2 |
5T high density nvDRAM cell
A memory circuit includes a high voltage region providing storage of a nonvolatile bit, and a low voltage region providing at least partial storage of a volatile bit. The high and low voltage regions are isolated from one another and formed by a plurality of transistors in series between a current source and a bit line. |
| US08488377B2 |
Mass storage device with solid-state memory components capable of increased endurance
A mass storage device that utilizes one or more solid-state memory components to store data for a host system, and a method for increasing the write endurance of the memory components. The memory components are periodically heated above an intrinsic operating temperature thereof to a preselected temperature that is sufficient to thermally recondition the memory component in a manner that increases the write endurance of the memory component. |
| US08488375B2 |
Magnetic recording element and nonvolatile memory device
According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording element includes a stacked body including a first stacked unit and a second stacked unit. The first stacked unit includes a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer and a first nonmagnetic layer. Magnetization of the first ferromagnetic layer is substantially fixed in a first direction being perpendicular to a first ferromagnetic layer surface. The second stacked unit includes a third ferromagnetic layer, a fourth ferromagnetic layer and a second nonmagnetic layer. Magnetization of the fourth ferromagnetic layer is substantially fixed in a second direction being perpendicular to a fourth ferromagnetic layer surface. The first direction is opposite to the second direction. |
| US08488368B2 |
Method for selectable guaranteed write-through with early read suppression
A static random access memory with write-through capability includes a memory cell configured to store a bit of data. A write enable signal is configured to enable writing a write value from a write line input into the static random access memory cell and to enable reading a read value from the memory cell onto a DOT line. A local evaluation circuit is configured to place the write value from the write line onto the DOT line during a single clock cycle in which the value is being written into the memory cell. An early read suppression circuit is configured to electrically isolate the DOT line from a data out line thereby preventing a leakage current loss from the local evaluation circuit and is also configured to make the value placed on the DOT line to be read from the data out line during the single clock cycle. |
| US08488351B2 |
Non-isolated DC-DC converter for solar power plant
An exemplary non-isolated DC-DC converter for a solar power plant, can be adapted to connect to a full-bridge inverter. The converter includes positive and negative input terminals, and positive and negative output terminals. A plurality of switches, diodes, inductors and capacitors are connected in a circuit configuration to the input and output terminals. A control means is connected to the circuit for controlling the switching of a first, second, and third switch between an open and closed state. |
| US08488349B2 |
Method and apparatus for tracking power supplies
A method for tracking power supplies includes the following steps: receiving, by a controller, a signal to be tracked and outputting, according to the signal to be tracked, a control signal. The control signal controls at least two sets of voltage level selection circuits in selecting at least one tracking voltage level from at least two groups of isolation voltage levels and controls each set of the voltage level selection circuits selecting at most one tracking voltage level from a group of isolation voltage levels. An isolation power supply provides the at least two groups of isolation voltage levels according to the voltage level interval of the signal to be tracked. Each group of isolation voltage levels includes at least two tracking voltage levels. The voltage level selection circuits provide the selected tracking voltage level to supply power to a load circuit. An apparatus for tracking power supplies is also provided. The present disclosure is applicable to the power supply tracking on a reference signal. |
| US08488346B2 |
Power conversion apparatus and method
According to one embodiment, a power conversion apparatus determines a peak value of circuit current in each pulse cycle, from a corrected output voltage value by subtracting a predetermined reference voltage from an output voltage detected by the output voltage detector, and an input voltage detected by the input voltage detector. The pulse signal output unit outputs a pulse signal to the first switch when the polarity of input voltage is positive, and outputs a pulse signal to the second switch when the polarity of input voltage is negative. A pulse signal turns on in synchronization with a clock signal input from the oscillator, and is kept on until the circuit current detected by the circuit current detector reaches the peak value. A pulse signal turns off when the circuit current reaches the peak value, and turns on again in synchronization with the next clock signal. |
| US08488345B2 |
Pulse width modulation control method and system for mitigating reflected wave effects in over-modulation region
Power conversion systems and methods are provided for operating a multi-phase inverter to drive a load while mitigating reflected waves, in which one or more PWM modulating signals are selectively adjusted if at least one of the phase signals or values is transitioning into or out of an over-modulation range outside a pulse width modulation carrier waveform range. |
| US08488344B2 |
Electrical power conversion apparatus including a control microprocessor for eliminating or curbing a beat phenomenon
In a conventional electrical power conversion apparatus, a control microprocessor performs a control for eliminating or curbing a beat phenomenon, so that a control delay occurs because computing time is required in the control microprocessor. Because of the control delay, it is not possible to obtain an effect of sufficiently reducing a current ripple and torque pulsation. In addition, in an electric train in which a frequency of an AC power source is changed over while the train is running, it is required for a method of detecting a ripple component by a band-pass filter that a plurality of band-pass filters are provided and then the changeover is performed depending on the power source frequency, resulting in difficulties to take countermeasures. An electrical power conversion apparatus according to the present invention stores DC voltage values at predetermined sampling time-points going back from the latest, and predicts a DC voltage estimate value for a predetermined elapse time from the latest sampling time-point using the stored DC voltage values, whereby using the predicted DC voltage estimate value, an amplitude and/or a frequency of AC power that an inverter outputs is controlled so as to curb variation of the AC power that the inverter outputs, due to a ripple caused on the DC side of the inverter. |
| US08488338B2 |
Controller with valley switching and limited maximum frequency for quasi-resonant power converters
A controller for a power converter is provided. The controller includes a PWM circuit, a detection circuit, a signal generation circuit and an oscillation circuit. The PWM circuit generates a switching signal coupled to switch a transformer of the power converter. A feedback signal is coupled to the PWM circuit to disable the switching signal. The detection circuit is coupled to the transformer via a resistor for generating a valley signal in response to a signal waveform of the transformer. The signal generation circuit is coupled to receive the feedback signal and the valley signal for generating an enabling signal. The oscillation circuit generates a maximum frequency signal. The maximum frequency signal associates with the enabling signal to generate a pulse signal. The feedback signal is correlated to an output load of the power converter. The maximum frequency of the pulse signal is limited. |
| US08488334B2 |
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) absorbing assembly and method for use in an optical transceiver module
An optical transceiver module is provided that has an EMI absorbing assembly that comprises an EMI absorbing device that is electrically grounded rather than standing in free space in the transceiver module so that the assembly absorbs both the magnetic and electrical components of the EMI. In accordance with an embodiment, the EMI absorbing assembly includes a leadframe about which an EMI absorbing material is cast. The leadframe preferably is shaped in a way that prevents or lessens the occurrence of resonant EMI modes in the transceiver module housing. |
| US08488331B2 |
Electrical connection interfaces and methods for adjacently positioned circuit components
Electrical components, such as packaged integrated circuit devices that are mountable on a substrate surface, are provided with at least one exposed electrical contact on a side surface of the component that will be substantially perpendicular to the substrate surface when the component is mounted. Two such components can be mounted side-by-side on the substrate surface with the above-mentioned contacts close to one another between the above-mentioned side surfaces. An electrical connection between the contacts can be made (or perfected) by depositing an electrically conductive connector material in contact with both of the contacts between the above-mentioned side surfaces. |
| US08488326B2 |
Memory support structure
A memory support structure includes a base for physically and electrically connecting to a substrate. When so connected, the memory support structure extends orthogonal to the substrate to a height of at least 2.5 cm. The memory support structure provides at least three sockets for receiving and engaging memory modules so that they extend parallel to the substrate. The memory support structure also includes electrical pathways for electrically connecting the sockets and the base so that a memory module inserted into one of said sockets is electrically connected to the substrate. |
| US08488325B1 |
Memory module having thermal conduits
A memory module is provided having a plurality of integrated circuit packages. The memory module includes a first thermal conduit in thermal communication with a first set of integrated circuit packages on the first side, and substantially thermally isolated from a second set of one or more integrated circuit packages on the first side. The memory module further includes a second thermal conduit in thermal communication with the set of one or more integrated circuit packages. |
| US08488320B2 |
Semiconductor package having a cooling fan and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor package includes: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, the first surface having a fan placement zone, a hole and a ventilation hole penetrating the substrate formed at the fan placement zone of the substrate; an electronic component disposed on the first surface surrounding the fan placement zone, the electronic component electrically connected to the substrate; an encapsulant formed on the electronic component and the first surface of the substrate, the encapsulant having an encapsulant opening exposing the fan placement zone; and a fan unit disposed in the encapsulant opening and electrically connected to the substrate. Since the electronic component is disposed on the substrate outside the fan placement zone, heat generated by the electronic component can efficiently dissipate while damage problems of over heat will not occur, and the overall height of the fan unit can thus be decreased. |
| US08488315B2 |
Power module assemblies with staggered coolant channels
A manifold is provided for supporting a power module assembly with a plurality of power modules. The manifold includes a first manifold section. The first face of the first manifold section is configured to receive the first power module, and the second face of the first manifold section defines a first cavity with a first baseplate thermally coupled to the first power module. The first face of the second manifold section is configured to receive the second power module, and the second face of the second manifold section defines a second cavity with a second baseplate thermally coupled to the second power module. The second face of the first manifold section and the second face of the second manifold section are coupled together such that the first cavity and the second cavity form a coolant channel. The first cavity is at least partially staggered with respect to second cavity. |
| US08488307B2 |
Point-of-sale system bracket and a point-of-sale system
A Point-Of-Sale (POS) system bracket includes a bracket housing and two mounts. The bracket housing includes two opposite sidewalls having inner surfaces, outer surfaces each having a substantially convex shape, and a plurality of positioning holes formed at different heights in the sidewalls. The mounts have outer sides for fixing respectively of two displays, and inner sides to be attached to the outer surfaces of the respective sidewalls. A plurality of locking elements extend respectively through a selected group of the positioning holes from the inner surfaces of the sidewalls to fasten the mounts to the respective sidewalls. The locking elements can be changed in position from one group to the other group of the positioning holes, so that the mounts can be positioned at different heights on the respective sidewalls, and the displays can be disposed at different inclination angles. |
| US08488303B2 |
Electrical distribution center
An electrical distribution center includes a housing composed of a first material having a first melting point, an electrical bus disposed in the housing, a removable electrical/electronic component electrically connected to the electrical bus and which produces a predetermined temperature in operation higher than the first melting point, an opening formed in the housing, and a socket mounted within the housing opening and physically supporting the electrical/electronic component. The socket is composed of a second, differing material having a second melting point higher than the predetermined temperature produced by the electrical/electronic component in operation, whereby the housing is effectively isolated and protected by the socket as the electrical/electronic component operates. |
| US08488299B2 |
Capacitor structure
The disclosure provides a capacitor structure. A first dielectric layer is disposed over the first electrode layer. A second electrode layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer. At least one of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer has a peak-valley like structure to create at least two different gap distances therebetween, thereby providing parallel combinations of at least two different capacitances. |
| US08488298B2 |
Dielectric ceramic and laminated ceramic capacitor
A dielectric ceramic capacitor that has excellent reliability and particularly excellent life characteristics in a load test even when the thickness of a dielectric ceramic layer is reduced uses a dielectric ceramic as a dielectric ceramic layer in a laminated ceramic capacitor which is a substance containing, as the main component, (Ba, R)(Ti, V)O3 or (Ba, Ca, R)(Ti, V)O3 in which R is at least one selected from La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and Y, and in which both V and R are present uniformly in the main component particles. |
| US08488297B2 |
Multilayer ceramic electronic component
There is provided a multilayer ceramic electronic component including: a ceramic body including a dielectric layer; and first and second inner electrode layers formed within the ceramic body, wherein, when a thickness of the dielectric layer is defined as td and a maximum thickness and a minimum thickness of the first or second inner electrode layer are defined as tmax and tmin, respectively, td≦0.6 μm and (tmax−tmin)/td<0.30 are satisfied. According to the present invention, a large-capacity multilayer ceramic electronic component capable of improving withstand voltage characteristics and having excellent reliability can be realized by improving uniformity in the thickness of the inner electrode layers. |
| US08488294B2 |
Ionic fluid flow accelerator
An electrohydrodynamic fluid accelerator apparatus includes a corona electrode having an axial shape and configured to receive a first voltage. The electrohydrodynamic fluid accelerator apparatus includes a collector electrode disposed coaxially around the at least one corona electrode and configured to receive a second voltage. Application of the first and second voltages on the corona electrode and the collector electrode, respectively, causes fluid proximate to the corona electrode to ionize and travel in a first direction between the corona electrode and the collector electrode, thereby causing other fluid molecules to travel in a second direction to generate a fluid stream. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the ionized fluid proximate to the emitter electrode travels in a radial direction from the corona electrode to the collector electrode, causing the other fluid molecules to travel in an axial direction to thereby generate the fluid stream. |
| US08488288B2 |
Input protection method with variable tripping threshold and low parasitic elements
Various embodiments of an input protection circuitry may be configured with a variable tripping threshold and low parasitic elements, which may prevent a signal from propagating into the protected equipment/device if the voltage of the input signal exceeds a certain limit. The input protection circuit may operate to protect a measurement instrument, which may be an oscilloscope, early in the signal path leading into to the instrument, to avoid exposing sensitive circuitry to damaging voltage levels, and without introducing significant parasitic elements that would degrade the performance of the instrument. The protection circuit may be configured to include clamping to provide protection during the circuit response delay time. The input protection threshold of the protection circuit may be adaptive to a selected voltage range on the instrument without trading-off instrument performance and features. |
| US08488286B2 |
Apparatus for electric power tool and recording medium
An apparatus for an electric power tool includes a detection unit, a determination unit, a protection unit, a calculation unit, and a notification unit. The calculation unit calculates a time-equivalent value representing a remaining time until a load condition of a battery reaches an overload state, in which the protection unit interrupts a discharge path, based on the result of the detection by the detection unit. The notification unit notifies a user of the electric power tool of a remaining time until the protection unit interrupts the discharge path based on the time-equivalent value calculated by the calculation unit. |
| US08488285B2 |
Active current surge limiters with watchdog circuit
Active current surge limiters and methods of use are disclosed. One exemplary system, among others, comprises a current limiter, including an interface configured to be connected between a power supply and a load; a disturbance sensor, configured to monitor the power supply for a disturbance during operation of the load; and an activator, configured to receive a control signal from the disturbance sensor and to activate the current limiter based on the control signal. |
| US08488284B2 |
Transformer failure analysis system
A transformer failure analysis system using a programmable chip in conjunction with a shock response spectrum analysis method to distinguish inrush current and fault current of a transformer and to monitor the phase of an AC power source inputting to the transformer by a phase detector. When an inrush current occurs, the programmable chip provides a control signal to delay the phase of the AC power source being inputted into the transformer, thereby suppressing the occurrence of the inrush current. When a fault current occurs, the control signal cuts off the AC power source from the transformer until the operator has tested the whole circuit architecture to debug and correct circuit application and eliminated the internal fault. |
| US08488281B1 |
Disk drive suspension assembly having a flexure bond pad shelf separate from a tongue
A disk drive includes a suspension assembly that includes a load beam and a laminated flexure. The laminated flexure includes a structural layer, a dielectric layer, and an electrically conductive layer. The electrically conductive layer includes a plurality of flexure bond pads. The structural layer includes a tongue and a flexure bond pad shelf. The flexure bond pad shelf underlies each of the plurality of flexure bond pads. The flexure bond pad shelf is separate from the tongue in the structural layer so that the structural layer nowhere connects the flexure bond pad shelf to the tongue. A fine actuator may be disposed on and bonded to the tongue to produce relative motion between the head and the tongue. With the flexure bond pads bonded to the plurality of head bond pads, the fine actuator may also produce relative motion between the flexure bond pad shelf and the tongue. |
| US08488280B1 |
Disk drive actuator latch including an integrally formed engagement portion that engages and limits rotation of a disk drive actuator
Described herein is an actuator latch, for limiting rotational movement of a disk drive actuator. The latch preferably includes a coupling portion that has an elongate member received by a bore in a disk drive base. The coupling portion is configured to be rotatable about an axis defined by the elongate member. The latch also includes an engagement portion, integrally formed with the elongate member, that extends in a direction transverse to the axis and engages and limits rotation of a disk drive actuator. |
| US08488279B1 |
Disk drive suspension assembly with flexure having stacked interleaved traces
A disk drive suspension assembly has a laminated flexure that includes a structural layer, first and second conductive layers, a first dielectric layer disposed between the structural layer and the first conductive layer, and a second dielectric layer disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The first conductive layer includes at least a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace, and the second conductive layer includes at least a third conductive trace and a fourth conductive trace. The first conductive trace is electrically connected to the fourth conductive trace by a first conductive via through the second dielectric layer, and the second conductive trace is electrically connected to the third conductive trace through a second conductive via through the second dielectric layer. The third conductive trace overlies the first conductive trace, and the fourth conductive trace overlies the second conductive trace. |
| US08488278B2 |
Slider with improved robustness to particle contact
In a disc drive, a slider having electronic communication with the surface of a data disc, the slider having a first up-track mill transition that has a transition mill to remove oblique mill transitions so that the transition has a substantially perpendicular portion that impacts contaminant particles on or near the disc surface. In other embodiments, other edges of the slider have transition mills to remove oblique transition mills from possible impact with such particles. |
| US08488277B2 |
Magnetic recording medium and magnetic recorder
A magnetic recording medium for a hard disk drive, including a thermal conduction layer made of materials having different thermal conductivities formed on a recording layer having data recording regions and including magnetic particles that are heated and cooled for magnetic recording, is provided based on a thermally assisted magnetic recording technique. First thin films made of a material high in thermal conductivity are formed on portions of the thermal conduction layer, said portions located in association with portions of the data recording regions. Second thin films made of a material lower in thermal conductivity than the first thin films are formed between respective pairs of the first thin films within the thermal conduction layer. The magnetic recording medium ensures the thermal stability of the magnetic particles heated for the magnetic recording, and the thermal stability of magnetic particles located near the heated magnetic particles, thereby suppressing disappearance of data. |
| US08488276B1 |
Perpendicular magnetic recording medium with grain isolation magnetic anistropy layer
A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) media including a non-magnetic or superparamagnetic grain isolation magnetic anisotropy layer (GIMAL) to provide a template for initially well-isolated small grain microstructure as well as improvement of Ku in core grains of a magnetic recording layer. The GIMAL composition may be adjusted to have lattice parameters similar to a bottom magnetic recording layer and to provide a buffer for reducing interface strains caused by lattice mismatch between the bottom magnetic recording layer and an underlying layer. |
| US08488274B2 |
Sliding member for recording media
A sliding member comprising a slidable substrate and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer provided on one side thereof, wherein the slidable substrate is a porous form comprising a plastic, and a barrier layer is provided between the slidable substrate and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The sliding member has good sliding property and even when a load is applied thereto over a long period of time, can suppress exudation of the pressure-sensitive adhesive. |
| US08488267B2 |
Sensor position adjustment with media velocity relative sample timing
A system and method for positioning a sensor relative to a storage medium. A system includes a first sensor and a second sensor arranged so that a point of a storage medium traverses each sensor at a different time. A processor is coupled to the sensors. The processor varies the timing of a sample representing a noise signal received from the sensors in accordance with medium velocity. The processor adjusts the position of the sensors based on the sample. |
| US08488266B2 |
Adjustment of tape reel height
One embodiment is tape drive that includes a take-tip reel onto which tape is wound. A height adjustment assembly adjusts a height of the take-up reel while the tape is being unwound from the take-up reel. |
| US08488264B2 |
Magnetic disk device, signal processing circuit, and signal processing method
According to one embodiment, a signal processing circuit processes a signal read from a magnetic disk including a servo region and a user data region, the servo region including a servo address mark, the user data region including a data sector, and includes a counter and a gate controller. The counter is configured to count a first clock when having detected the servo address mark based on the signal read from the magnetic disk. The gate controller is configured to generate a pulse for locating the data sector in synchronization with a second clock when the counter counts a first value. |
| US08488263B2 |
Soft mirror structure
The soft mirror structure comprises a reflective material layer and a soft transparent material, wherein the reflective material layer is a coating material able to be plated and reflect light and the soft transparent material is disposed on the surface of the reflective material layer, the soft transparent material has the feature of bending to make the soft mirror structure be bendable, so that the soft mirror structure is convenient to be rolled up and cut. Further, a user is able to see reflected outside images through to the soft transparent material, therefore the soft mirror structure has the function of mirror. The soft mirror structure can be cut to different demand dimensions and rolled up for easily taking along. Hence, the soft mirror structure is then convenient to be used and processed. |
| US08488262B2 |
Lens driving device
In a lens driving device, magnetic attraction plates that are magnetic bodies are disposed on a fixed frame at both ends of a movement region of a movable unit. Therefore, when the movable unit moves in the fixed frame to one side or to the other side in the fixed frame and reaches a position at either end of the fixed frame, magnets on the movable unit are magnetically attracted to the magnetic attraction plates on the fixed frame continuously. As a result, the movable unit can be retained at the position even when the coil becomes de-energized. |
| US08488260B2 |
Planar flexure system with high pitch stiffness
A flexure system for miniature camera and the like is disclosed. The flexure system can include a frame and a stage that is configured to move with respect to the frame. One or more flexures can interconnect the frame and the stage. Each flexure can have one or more film hinges formed thereon. The film hinges can be widely spaced and/or extended in length so as to substantially mitigate undesirable pitching of the stage. |
| US08488259B2 |
Optical image capturing lens system
This invention provides an optical image capturing lens system comprising: a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a second lens element; a third lens element; a fourth lens element; and a fifth lens element with negative refractive power, at least one of the object-side and image-side surfaces thereof being aspheric, and at least one inflection point is formed on at least one of the object-side and image-side surfaces thereof; wherein the system at least has one front stop and one rear stop; which are positioned between an imaged object and the third lens element as well as between the third lens element and the fifth lens element, respectively. By such arrangement, photosensitivity and total track length of the system can be reduced, and the aberration and astigmatism of the system can be effectively corrected. Moreover, the focusing performance thereof can be improved. |
| US08488257B2 |
Two Pi solid angle high resolution optical system
This invention is a wide field surveillance, monocentric, refractive optical system with inherent features being, non-mechanical, compact, high resolution, a field of view up to two Pi steradians solid angle. The optics design uses a single optical system and multiple flat image collection devices. Multiple fiber plates translate and map the image off of the curved image surface to the flat image collection devices. The fiber plates also act to translate the image into a larger volume as compared to the curved image surface, allowing required volume for the multiple image collection devices. This invention uses a single refractive optical system with multiple CCD or CMOS detectors. Advantages over prior art are simple optical system, rugged optics, high resolution and single optics which is easily manufactured. |
| US08488254B2 |
Zoom lens optical system and image pickup apparatus having the same
A zoom lens optical system includes a first lens unit having a positive refractive index, a second lens unit which is arranged behind the first lens unit and has a negative refractive index, a third lens unit which is arranged behind the second lens unit and has a positive refractive index, and a fourth lens unit which is arranged behind the third lens unit and has a positive refractive index. An aperture is arranged within the third lens unit to prevent reduction of shutter speed due to large diameter of the zoom lens optical system. |
| US08488252B2 |
Zoom lens system, imaging device and camera
A high-performance zoom lens system which is compact and has a wide view angle at a wide-angle limit and a high zooming ratio in a balanced manner, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising a first lens unit having positive optical power, a second lens unit having negative optical power, a third lens unit having positive optical power, and a fourth lens unit having positive optical power, wherein the first lens unit is composed of at most two lens elements, the second lens unit is composed of two lens elements, the third lens unit is composed of three lens elements, in order from the object side to the image side, including an object side lens element having positive optical power, a lens element having negative optical power, and an image side lens element having positive optical power, and the conditions: ωW≧36 and fT/fW>4.5 (ωW: a half view angle at a wide-angle limit, fT: a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, fW: a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit) are satisfied; an imaging device; and a camera are provided. |
| US08488246B2 |
See-through near-eye display glasses including a curved polarizing film in the image source, a partially reflective, partially transmitting optical element and an optically flat film
This disclosure concerns an interactive head-mounted eyepiece with an integrated processor for handling content for display and an integrated image source for introducing the content to an optical assembly through which the user views a surrounding environment and the displayed content and a light source that directs light to a curved polarizing film of the optical assembly that reflects a portion of the light to illuminate a reflective image display. The optical assembly comprises an optically flat film that reflects the image light from the reflective image display to a curved partially reflecting mirror that reflects a portion of the image light and transmits a portion of the scene light from a see-through view of the surrounding environment, so that a combined image comprised of portions of the reflected image light and the transmitted scene light is transmitted through the optically flat film and provided to the user's eye. |
| US08488241B2 |
Optical film and method for manufacturing the same, antiglare polarizer, and display apparatus
An optical film includes a base member having convex structures that are two-dimensionally and orderly arranged on a surface thereof and a hard-coating layer provided on the surface of the base member, the surface having the arranged structures thereon. A continuous wave surface is provided on a surface of the hard-coating layer so as to approximately conform to the shape of the structures of the surface of the base member, a maximum amplitude A and a minimum wavelength λ of the continuous wave surface are each substantially uniform, and a ratio (A/λ) of the maximum amplitude A to the minimum wavelength λ is more than 0.002 and 0.011 or less. |
| US08488239B2 |
Medical stand device, medical microscope, and external illuminating device
An optical filter 11 is fixed in an optical path in a light generation unit 6 to cut out light in an infrared region. The optical filter 11 do not deviate from the optical path, and infallibly eliminate light in the infrared region which becomes heat radiation. The optical filter 11 cuts out light whose wavelength is longer than a threshold wavelength that is longer than 805 nm and shorter than 815 nm, and eliminates heat radiation in the infrared region, which includes a wavelength (approximately 825 nm) which is substantially a first peak P of the radiant intensity of the xenon lamp 10. |
| US08488238B2 |
Microscope cube
A microscope cube includes a housing including a first opening on a first wall of the housing and a second opening on a second wall of the housing, the first wall adjacent to the second wall; an excitation filter disposed within the first opening; an emission filter disposed within the second opening; and a dichroic mirror positioned within the housing. In one aspect, the dichroic mirror has a thickness greater than or equal to 1.5 mm. In another aspect, the excitation filter is positioned at an angle relative to the first wall of the housing. |
| US08488236B2 |
Optical system for thermal image microscope
Provided is an optical system for a thermal image microscope. The optical system includes an image forming unit and a relay unit. The image forming unit forms a focus. The relay unit elongates an optical path. Here, the image forming unit includes six lenses. The relay unit includes two lenses. Aspherical surfaces of the lenses are all convex surfaces. |
| US08488234B2 |
Adiabatic bend transitions for multimode fibers
Guided adiabatic bend transitions for multimode fibers are presented to preserve the power of guided light in the fundamental mode while guiding from one level of curvature to another for improved operation of mode filters and fiber amplifiers. A method is provided to find the guidance path. Implementations of these transducers include modal power back converters, and guidance paths into and out of higher order mode filtering devices which work on bending. A spiral structure is shown to incorporate adiabatic bends for a forward-pumped fiber amplifier. |
| US08488225B2 |
Optical scanning apparatus
An optical scanning apparatus includes a laser source configured to irradiate a laser beam, a prism configured to reflect the laser beam irradiated from the laser source, a mirror configured to move the laser beam reflected from the prism by oscillating with respect to a predetermined axis and reflecting the laser beam reflected from the prism, the laser beam reflected from the prism being substantially perpendicular to a plane of the mirror in a case where the mirror is in a non-oscillating state, a waveplate positioned between the prism and the mirror and configured to polarize the laser beam reflected from the prism and the laser beam reflected from the mirror. The waveplate includes an end plane inclined with respect to the laser beam reflected from the prism to the mirror. |
| US08488221B2 |
Printing device for printing images with ink and printing method for the same
Display image data for displaying images on a screen, and when display image data that has undergone specified gradation conversion is received, the characteristics of the output brightness displayed on the screen is checked. In the area for which the output brightness of the display image data is convex at the bottom in relation to the image data gradation values, the display image data gradation values are corrected so as to have a roughly linear relationship between the gradation values and the output brightness. Printing image data is generated based on the post-correction image data and an image is printed. In the area for which the output brightness bottom is convex, by performing this kind of correction, it is possible to print an image with an impression closer to the display on the screen. As a result, it is possible to print images on the monitor screen easily and without losing the impression received from the image displayed on the monitor screen. |
| US08488219B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes: a light source to illuminate an original; a color sensor and a monochrome sensor to receive light reflected from the original illuminated by the light source to output an image signal; an amplifier to amplify the image signal from the color and monochrome sensors; a reflective reference member; and a control circuit to adjust a gain of the amplifier amplifying the image signal from the color sensor that receives light reflected from the reflective member illuminated by the light source, and holds the adjusted gain as a gain setting value for the color sensor, and the control circuit obtains a gain setting value for the monochrome sensor by calculation based on the gain setting value for the color sensor. |
| US08488218B2 |
Document reading apparatus
A document reading apparatus includes an irradiation unit configured to irradiate a document reading position with visible light and infrared light, a reading unit configured to read an image of visible light and an image of infrared light reflected from the document on the document reading position, and an extraction unit configured to extract a transparent toner image on a document based on the visible light image and the infrared light image read by the reading unit. |
| US08488216B2 |
LED light source and image reading apparatus
An LED light source device installed in an image reading apparatus, includes an LED that is a light-emitting source; and a light guide for reflecting light of the LED by an inner surface thereof to diffuse along a main scanning line direction and irradiating the light reflected by the light guide to a surface of a sheet. The light guide has a plurality of reflecting surface bodies spaced at predetermined pitches in the main scanning line direction inside an inner surface reflection optical path to reflect the light from the LED toward an outside along the main scanning line direction. The plurality of reflecting surface bodies includes a first reflecting surface body and a second reflecting surface body, and a length in a perpendicular direction to the main scanning line direction of the second reflecting surface body is different from that of the first reflecting surface body. |
| US08488215B2 |
Driving unit and image forming apparatus using the same
A driving unit (1) includes holders (5) rotatably supporting a shaft (2) and rotatably holding first and second helical gears (3, 4). Each holder 5 includes first and second receiving portions (9, 10). The first receiving portions (9) receive forces in a direction to push the first helical gears (3) toward backs of accommodating portions (7) by contacting parts of the first helical gears (3) when the shaft (2) and the first helical gears (3) are rotated in a certain rotational direction. The second receiving portions (10) receive forces in a direction to push the first helical gears (3) from interiors of the accommodating portions (7) to openings (8) by contacting parts of the shaft (2) when the shaft (2) and the first helical gears (3) are rotated in an opposite direction. Thus, the driving unit is assembled easily and the helical gears are held stably in both rotational directions. |
| US08488208B2 |
Optical module, an image reader and an assembling method of an optical module
An optical module 100 includes an optical path unit 101 including a plurality of reflectors 104 for securing an optical path of reflected light from a manuscript, an image processing unit 102 including a reading device 105 which reads image information on the manuscript based on the reflected light from the manuscript entered via the optical path, and a connecting component 103 which connects the optical path unit 101 and the image processing unit 102 so that their positional relation will become a prescribed state. |
| US08488207B2 |
Facsimile to E-mail communication system with local interface
A fax to E-mail system and related method are shown, whereby a hardcopy document is sent via a fax device to its recipient via electronic mail through a data network, and is delivered in such a manner that it can be retrieved by the recipient at an E-mail device and displayed on the screen of the E-mail device. The document begins as a hardcopy, as an electronic file retrieved through E-mail recipient's terminal and displayed on the computer screen of the E-mail recipient's terminal. The system and method also provides for an interface device which connects to a conventional fax device for communicating E-mail addresses and routing hardcopy documents to the E-mail network, and provides a means for embedding the functions of the interface device into conventional fax devices. The system can also be used in cooperation with Internet Web service for reporting, accounting, information services, and user interaction. |
| US08488203B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and computer program product that performs skew correction
An image forming apparatus includes a skew correcting unit that performs skew correction by dividing an input image that has undergone a halftone process into image data in a predetermined skew correction area in a main scanning direction and by shifting the image data in the skew correction area in a sub-scanning direction; an edge detecting unit that detects whether a pixel at a division position is an edge pixel based on concentrations of a set of pixels including the pixel at the division position; a correction area determining unit that, if detected that the pixel at the division position is the edge pixel, determines a correction area that is an area of pixels including the edge pixel to be subjected to concentration correction within the skew correction area; and an edge correcting unit that corrects concentrations of the pixels within the correction area. |
| US08488196B2 |
Method and system for color correction using both spatial correction and printer calibration techniques
A system using a spatial correction to improve the result of a printer calibration and correction is described. More particularly, in one form, a spatial correction may be used to pre-condition a printer for an improved color calibration. In another form, spatial correction and color calibration are addressed in the same process for color correction. |
| US08488192B2 |
Method for mapping an out-of-gamut color using a reference gamut mapping
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for retrieving a gamut mapping strategy from a seed profile of a seed device. In a manner more fully described herein, the present method provides an embodiment which accounts for the pathological case of a false gamut mapping ray being produced in those instances where the shapes of the gamuts of the host and seed devices are substantially different. In these instances, the rays miss the boundary surface of the host gamut and intersect the boundary of the L*a*b* cube. Another embodiment is provided which accounts for those cases wherein the ray intersects the host gamut at a substantially oblique angle such that mapped color is sufficiently different to generate contours in the output print. |
| US08488191B2 |
Color mapping determination for an N-color marking device based upon image spatial noise defects
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for determining color profiles based upon optimizing output image spatial noise. For each of a number of selected output colors, spatial noise values for a set of device-dependent color specifications that produce the selected output color are iteratively determined. The set of device-dependent color specifications is generated by varying a subset of colorants in the device-dependent color specifications while changing the remaining colorants to maintain the selected output color. The iterative process improves the spatial noise value, as determined by a spatial noise model, of the device-dependent color specifications that correspond to the selected output color. When an optimum spatial noise value is found, the device-dependent color specification having that spatial noise value is selected as the mapping for the selected device-independent color specification. Various embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08488189B2 |
Method for the creation of a template
In a method or system to generate a template, the template is defined by content and layout information. Job chaperone data are associated with the template to control subsequent document processing processes. |
| US08488186B2 |
Gradual charge pump technique for optimizing phase locked loop (PLL) function in sub-pixel generation for high speed laser printers switching between different speeds
Methods and apparatus for optimizing the phase lock loop circuitry of sub-pixel clock generators for situations where frequent switching between different system printing speeds, and hence clock frequencies are required. A timing control logic circuitry is associated with the sub-pixel clock generator for a graduated change in charge pump current. The timing control logic circuitry comprises a plurality of current generators serially connected with the charge pump current via associated switches for the selective adjustment of charge pump current in a graduated manner. |
| US08488184B2 |
Image forming apparatus having a plurality of individually controlled recording heads
According to the present invention, there is disclosed an image forming apparatus comprising a constitution driven/controlled independently for each recording head. The apparatus rewrites image data or parameters or changes a driving voltage at a desired timing, and realizes a uniform or appropriate density of an image formed by control of an ink spout amount based on a temperature detection signal of the recording head detected by a temperature detection unit disposed in each recording head. The apparatus is capable of remarkably narrowing a mutual conveying interval among a plurality of conveyed recording mediums. |
| US08488180B2 |
Printer and printing method that prevents intermixing of different image data on recording medium
A mixture of image data in a plurality of categories is prevented from being present on one sheet of recording paper and the handling of printed recording paper is facilitated. Inputted captured image data is saved in order in an image memory. Kinds of the inputted captured image data are determined by the determination section. When the captured image data inputted to the determination section is determined to be of a different kind from the previously inputted image data, the determination section prints through a print head the captured image data previous to the captured image data determined to be of a different kind by the determination section. |
| US08488175B2 |
Method for transforming and transporting printer data over the internet in a secure and reliable manner
A method for managing a plurality of printers connected to a network, the method comprising the following steps: scanning the network to obtain printer usage data from the plurality of printers wherein scanning is performed by at least one scan module wherein the at least one scan module gathers printer usage data from a plurality of printers and transmits the gathered printer usage data to a patrol application; receiving the scanned data at the patrol application and compiling the scanned data into a single form; dispatching the single form from the patrol application to a server; and removing the single form from the patrol application if the single form was successfully dispatched to the server. |
| US08488173B2 |
Distributed computer architecture and process for document management
A system and/or method enables a typical PC user to add electronic paper processing to their existing business process. The system and/or method extends the notion of copying from a process that involves paper going through a conventional copier device, to a process that involves paper being scanned from a device at one location and copied to a device at another location. Optionally, the system and/or method can copy paper from a device at one location directly into a business application residing on a network or on the Internet, or visa versa. The system and/or method is software that manages paper so that it can be electronically and seamlessly copied in and out of devices and business applications with an optional single-step operation. The system and/or method can reside on a PC, LAN/WAN server, digital device, or on a web server to be accessed over the Internet. |
| US08488172B2 |
Collapsible breadcrumbs for maximizing space in a user interface
Apparatus and method for maximizing space in a user interface that is displayed to a user. A breadcrumb view area having a breadcrumb view pathway with active links is concealed from view and presented based on input provided in the user interface. |
| US08488169B2 |
Information equipment and image forming apparatus effectively displaying specific information and method of display
In an image forming apparatus, in order to appropriately notify a user of useful information when a screen saver is cancelled by an operation by the user, a CPU of the image forming apparatus executes a program including the step of: displaying, if the user does not make any operation in a time period of a predetermined length, a screen saver using read display information; displaying, if a user makes any operation while the screen saver is displayed, read end information; and displaying, if the user makes any operation before the time is up while the end information is displayed or if the time is up without user operation, an initial image of the image forming apparatus. |
| US08488167B2 |
Computerized chart recorder
A computerized chart recorder is revealed, comprises a signal conversion unit, an operation control unit, a printing control unit, and a database. A signal conversion unit receives measurement signals of a measurement instrument, and converts the measurement signals to signal conversion data. A operation control unit receives the signal conversion data required for printing, produces corresponding chart data, and prints the curve of signal variations, which can be also displayed on a human-machine interface unit. Whether to store the data or to print can be determined. Besides, the data can be also transmitted to a printing control unit. When the printing control unit is activated, it can receive the chart data and the quality assurance data, and control a printing unit to emulate the chart recorder for executing chart recording. In addition, the quality assurance data can be printed as well for complying with the requirements of the quality-assurance operations. |
| US08488164B2 |
Mobile Printing solution
A computer-implemented method and system for printing electronic documents. The method includes receiving a printing request from an application executed on the mobile device, via a socket connection conforming to a standard network communications protocol, the printing request generated from a print preview by the application. The method includes retrieving application data from the printing request. The method includes populating a print template with the retrieved application data, the print template including application data placeholders and print commands, the print commands being in a language of a printer device connected to the mobile device, wherein the retrieved application data replaces the application data placeholders. The method includes forwarding the populated print template to the printer device, the print commands instructing the printer device to print a document where the application data is presented according to the print template. |
| US08488163B2 |
Printing variable data on a variety of different pre-printed stocks
A printing apparatus for variable pre-printed stock comprises storage for customer data, a variety of different pre-printed stocks, printer trays for holding the pre-printed stocks, a scanner for scanning the printed area of each of the pre-printed stocks and for producing tray stock information identifying each of the pre-printed stocks, storage for electronic customer orders, each electronic customer order including one or more of the customer data and selection data for one or more of the pre-printed stocks, a controller for receiving the tray stock information and the electronic customer orders, for matching the tray stock information to the electronic customer orders to produce a match between each pre-printed stock and corresponding tray stock information and for producing print instructions for the match, and a printer for receiving the print instructions and for printing the customer data corresponding to the match onto the matched pre-printed stock. |
| US08488162B2 |
Communication apparatus using reconnection request, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
A communication apparatus which prevents one host computer from occupying the apparatus and enables a user of the host computer having sent a processing request thereto to quickly know a processing result. A connection request is accepted from one of a plurality of host computers. In response to the accepted connection request, the host computer having sent the connection request is connected, and a process requested by the connected host computer is executed. Information indicative of the connected host computer is stored. Control is performed such that a reconnection request from the host computer indicated by the stored information is accepted with priority over connection requests from other host computers. |
| US08488161B2 |
Management apparatus and method for setting a schedule for transmitting department counter information from image forming apparatuses
A management apparatus capable of setting a suitable schedule for transmitting operation information to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, in which a management load and an operation status of a user are fully considered, identifies a plurality of image forming apparatuses which include overlapping department ID and manages the plurality of identified image forming apparatuses in a group when the plurality of identified image forming apparatuses is less than a predetermined maximum value. The management apparatus determines a transmission schedule for each of a plurality of the managed groups so that department counter information is transmitted from the image forming apparatuses belonging to each group at intervals of at least a first time period. |
| US08488157B2 |
Printing system, method, and program for searching, identifying, and displaying information related to non-retrieved print jobs
A printing system that enables to recover documents of a recovery target print job easily without forcing a user to do complicated operations. An information processing apparatus transmits a print job. An image forming apparatus prints out the received print job. A management information storage unit stores management information of a print job to be recovered. A management information transmission unit transmits the management information corresponding to user information. An identifying information input unit receives an input of identifying information for identifying a user. A user information transmission unit transmits the user information determined by authenticating the identifying information. A management information receiving unit receives the management information corresponding to the transmitted user information. A display control unit controls a display unit so as to display a no-outputted print job when an output operation is received, and display a no-recovered print job when a recovery operation is received. |
| US08488154B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image processing controller suspends an operation of hardware when receiving instructions of an interrupt of an event that should be executed with higher priority than rendering, such as a copy job, during execution of rendering by the hardware. Then, an information processing controller executes the rendering, which was being executed by the hardware, by software. Accordingly, even if an interrupt to suspend the operation of the hardware occurs during rendering by the hardware, the rendering can be completed as quickly as possible without waiting for restart of the operation of the hardware. |
| US08488151B2 |
Image input-output apparatus and method, and job event-recording system
An image input-output apparatus capable of recording information enabling events of image data items output by output jobs to be tracked, while suppressing load on a network and a server. If an executed job is an output job, a job event of the output job is recorded in association with a job event of an input job in which image data used in the output job is input. If the job event is of an output job, the job event of the input job associated with the job event of the output job is transmitted to a server together with the job event of the output job, whereas if the job event is of an input job, and image data input by the input job is not used in any other job, the job event of the input job is not transmitted to the server. |
| US08488146B2 |
Image forming system, groupware server, image forming apparatus and computer-readable storage medium
An image forming system has an image forming apparatus configured to function as a groupware terminal, and a groupware server of a groupware having a document database configured to store document data and attribute information corresponding to the document data, and an attribute database configured to store the attribute information. The image forming apparatus has a scan part configured to scan a paper document and to obtain document data, a setting part configured to set a certain attribute information of the document data obtained by the scan part, by referring to the attribute information stored in the attribute database, and a sending part configured to send to the groupware server the document data having the set attribute information. The groupware server stores the document data having the set attribute information, received from the sending part, in the document database. |
| US08488142B2 |
Document management support system including information medium controllers that communicate with an information management server
According to one embodiment, an information management server apparatus transmits processing result information that includes management register information including a child management ID when traceable duplication request information received from an information medium controller satisfy an access control policy and a permission policy. On the basis of the processing result information, the information medium controller outputs document print data that includes the child management ID tag and an electronic data body, and management register data including the management register information. When a paper document printed by the document print data is collected after being distributed, the information medium controller transmits a collection completion update request including the child management ID read from the paper document by an exclusive reader. On the basis of the child management ID in the collection completion update request, the information management server apparatus updates the status information to “collected”. |
| US08488140B2 |
Image forming apparatus and processing method for the same
When an instruction to shut down an image forming apparatus is provided, a list of tasks is generated and displayed based on the characteristics and operation state of each task. If an instruction to cancel a displayed running task is provided, processing of the task is canceled and shutdown processing is performed. Thus, user convenience can be improved by displaying whether or not the running tasks are cancelable when an instruction to shut down the image forming apparatus is provided. |
| US08488133B2 |
System and method for marking print media
Systems and methods for marking media are provided. The method may include preparing an image for printing on print media, the image including an indication of a first and a second event. The method may further include printing a first portion of the image on the print media, evaluating data and electing to print a second portion of the image wherein the second portion includes the indication of either of the first or second event. |
| US08488125B2 |
Optical tomography apparatus with timing detection element including optical resonator having variable resonator length
An optical tomography imaging a tomogram by using a coherent light by a backscattering light of a measured object and a reflected light of a reference mirror, which has supercontinuum light sources, an optical system having group velocity dispersion connected to the supercontinuum light source, an optical detection element detecting a coherent light by a backscattering light of the measured object and a reflected light of the reference mirror, a timing detection element detecting a timing of each wavelength component in an output light from the optical system having the group velocity dispersion, and a unit sampling a signal from the optical detector by using a timing signal from the timing detection element with a signal from the supercontinuum light source as a trigger, and detecting an optical tomogram signal imaging a tomogram, thereby acquiring an optical tomogram at a higher speed than a conventional SS-OCT. |
| US08488123B1 |
Remote passive sensing of a vibration signature using modulated light
An optical detector senses the intensity of scattered light reflected by a surface coupled to a vibration source. If the vibration source is operating, the coupled surface vibrates at the same frequency. Incident light reflected by the surface is modulated by the vibration at a hypertemporal frequency. The detector produces a direct electrical current as a temporal function of the detected modulated light intensity. A transimpedance amplifier converts the current into a voltage. A voltage amplifier amplifies the voltage. An analog-to-digital converter converts the amplified voltage into digital signal. A digital signal processor converts the digital signal into a function of power spectral density and frequency using Fourier transform and principle component analyses. The vibration signature of the vibration source, if present, is discerned from a graphical display of the foregoing function. |
| US08488121B2 |
Device for quantitative analysis of micro-volume solution
Provided herein is a device for quantitative analysis of a micro-volume solution. The device comprises a base portion provided with a light-emitting fiber, a movable arm provided with a light-receiving fiber, and at least one positioning block disposed between the movable arm and the base portion so that an optical path with a constant length is formed between the light-emitting fiber and the light-receiving fiber when the positioning block is clamped by the movable arm and the base portion. The solution concentration related to the absorbance with respect to the standard optical path length may be evaluated based on the built-in database and the optical intensity of light having passed through the solution as detected by a light sensor. |
| US08488116B2 |
Surface defect inspection method and apparatus
The present invention provides an apparatus and method which enable detecting a microscopic defect sensitively by efficiently collecting and detecting scattering light from a defect in a wider region without enlarging the apparatus. In the apparatus for inspecting a defect on a surface of a sample, including illumination means which irradiates a surface of a sample with laser, reflected light detection means which detects reflected light from the sample, and signal processing means which processes a detected signal and detecting a defect on the sample, the reflected light detection means is configured to include a scattering light detection unit which collects scattering light components of the reflected light from the sample by excluding specularly reflected light components by using an aspheric flannel lens and detecting the scattering light components. |
| US08488111B2 |
Measuring volume and constituents of cells
A method for determining a mean cell volume for a blood sample includes: illuminating the sample with incident light at a plurality of illumination wavelengths and obtaining a two-dimensional image of the sample at each of the plurality of illumination wavelengths; identifying a plurality of cells that appear in each of the images; for each one of the plurality of cells, determining an integrated optical density corresponding to each of the plurality of illumination wavelengths; for each one of the plurality of cells, determining a cell volume based on the integrated optical densities corresponding to each of the plurality of illumination wavelengths; and determining the mean cell volume for the blood sample from the cell volumes for each one of the plurality of cells. |
| US08488108B2 |
Exposure method, exposure apparatus, and method for producing device
A method for forming a liquid immersion area with a liquid on an object, includes determining a condition for forming the liquid immersion area based on affinity between the liquid and a liquid contact surface of the object, and forming the liquid immersion area under the determined condition. |
| US08488106B2 |
Movable body drive method, movable body apparatus, exposure method, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
A stage is driven (position control) using a hybrid signal which is obtained by synthesizing an output signal of an interferometer (an interferometer system) and an output signal of an encoder (an encoder system) that are made to pass through a high pass filter and a low pass filter, respectively. A cutoff frequency is set to a frequency corresponding to a speed slightly smaller than the speed of the stage at the time of scanning exposure. This allows the stage to be driven using an interferometer whose linear measurement is high at the time of scanning exposure, and using an encoder whose measurement reproducibility is high at the time of stepping. |
| US08488105B2 |
Multi-table lithographic systems, lithography processing tools and methods for processing workpieces
A lithographic workpiece processing tool includes a loading area for loading a workpiece; and a processing area for processing a workpiece. The workpiece processing tool further includes a multi-table system arranged between the loading area and the processing area. The multi-table system includes at least two tables configured to pass each other while moving between the loading area and the processing area. Each of the at least two tables is configured to hold a workpiece. |
| US08488102B2 |
Immersion fluid for immersion lithography, and method of performing immersion lithography
An immersion lithographic system 10 comprises an optical surface 51, an immersion fluid 60 with a pH less than 7 contacting at least a portion of the optical surface, and a semiconductor structure 80 having a topmost photoresist layer 70 wherein a portion of the photoresist is in contact with the immersion fluid. Further, a method for illuminating a semiconductor structure 80 having a topmost photoresist layer 70 comprising the steps of: introducing an immersion fluid 60 into a space between an optical surface 51 and the photoresist layer wherein the immersion fluid has a pH of less than 7, and directing light preferably with a wavelength of less than 450 nm through the immersion fluid and onto the photoresist. |
| US08488100B2 |
Apparatus and method for maintaining immersion fluid in the gap under the projection lens during wafer exchange in an immersion lithography machine
An immersion exposure apparatus exposes a substrate with a light beam. The apparatus includes an optical member through which the light beam is irradiated onto the substrate, a substrate table which holds the substrate and is movable relative to the optical member, and a pad member which is movable relative to the substrate table and is positionable opposite to the optical member in place of the substrate table to substantially maintain an immersion liquid in a space under the optical member when the substrate table is moved away from under the optical member. The substrate table and the pad member are relatively tilted and/or moved in a vertical direction before the substrate table is moved away from under the optical member. |
| US08488098B2 |
Phase-type diffraction device, manufacturing method thereof and image pick-up apparatus
A phase-type diffraction device includes a substrate having a front surface and a solidified liquid crystal layer formed on the front surface of the substrate and constituted by a continuous film containing at least a liquid crystal compound. The solidified liquid crystal layer is constituted by first, second and third regions arranged periodically, the third region being interposed between the first region and the second region. The first region is optically anisotropic and the second region is optically isotropic, the third region is not optically isotropic, a degree of orientation of mesogens of the liquid crystal compound being lower than that of the first region. An in-plane average refractive index ni of the second region is different from an in-plane average refractive index na of the first region and an in-plane average refractive index nm of the third region is between ni and na. |
| US08488095B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel
The present invention discloses a liquid crystal display panel, including an array substrate; a color filter substrate; and primary post spacers and secondary post spacers disposed between the array substrate and the color filter substrate, wherein the color filter substrate is divided into a side portion and a central portion inside the side portion, and the density of the secondary post spacers in the central portion is less than that in the side portion. |
| US08488092B2 |
Array substrate and liquid crystal display device using the same
An array substrate including: a pixel defined by both a scanning line and a signal line intersecting with the scanning line, wherein a display area on a substrate includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix shape, wherein the pixel includes: a switching device; a lower electrode that is connected to the switching device; an insulating film that is formed on the lower electrode; and an upper electrode that is formed on the insulating film to generate a fringe electric field between the lower electrode and the upper electrode, and wherein, in an area where the upper electrode is not formed and light is not transmitted, a contact hole is provided on a conducting pattern having the same potential as the lower electrode, by removing the insulating film. |
| US08488090B2 |
Backlight unit and display apparatus employing the same
A backlight unit including a light source; and a liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel includes a first substrate which guides light incident from the light source disposed at at least one side of the first substrate; a transparent electrode disposed on a surface of the first substrate; a second substrate; a reflective electrode disposed on a surface of the second substrate facing the transparent electrode; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the transparent electrode and the reflective electrodes; and a transparent film disposed between the transparent electrode and the reflective electrodes, the transparent film including a surface contacting the liquid crystal layer and patterned with grooves or ribs , and having a refractive index corresponding to at least one of an ordinary refractive index and an extraordinary refractive index of liquid crystals of the liquid crystal layer. |
| US08488089B2 |
Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display device
Provided is a liquid crystal display device, in which a pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystal layer (21) is smaller than 2° and a first optically anisotropic layer (10) is formed between a first polarizing plate (12) and the first substrate (31). When a polar angle of the first optically anisotropic layer with respect to an in-plane vertical direction is denoted by φ, the first optically anisotropic layer compensates for a polarized state of light having a wavelength of 550 nm that enters the first optically anisotropic layer, the first optically anisotropic layer has a dichroic maximum value in a range of 430 nm or larger and 470 nm or smaller and has a dichroic maximum value in a range of 600 nm or larger and 650 nm or smaller when φ≠0 is satisfied. |
| US08488087B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
To suppress light leakage at the time of dark state, and to provide a liquid crystal display device whose electrodes in the reflection areas can be formed with high precision. The liquid crystal display device has a reflection area within a pixel unit by corresponding at least to a reflection plate forming part, and the reflection area is driven with a lateral electric field mode and normally-white. A driving electrode for forming an electric field to a liquid crystal layer of the reflection area is formed on the reflection plate via an insulating film by using a non-transparent electric conductor. |
| US08488086B2 |
Light reflecting structure in a liquid crystal display panel
A method for producing a light reflecting structure in a transflective or reflective liquid crystal display uses one or two masks for masking a photoresist layer in a back-side exposing process. The pattern on the masks is designed to produce rod-like structures or crevices and holes on exposed and developed photoresist layer. After the exposed photoresist is developed, a heat treatment process or a UV curing process is used to soften the photoresist layer so that the reshaped surface is more or less contiguous but uneven. A reflective coating is then deposited on the uneven surface. One or more intermediate layers can be made between the masks, between the lower mask and the substrate, and between the upper masks and the photoresist layers. The masks and the intermediate layers can be made in conjunction with the fabrication of the liquid crystal display panel. |
| US08488083B2 |
Image display device with light shielding wirings and color filter having resistivity ratio
An image display device, particularly an IPS mode LCD, includes a light source, an array substrate including a display region and a peripheral region around the display region, a color filter substrate including a plurality of color filters having different transmissivities, a liquid crystal layer including a plurality of liquid crystal molecules, and an alignment film for aligning the liquid crystal molecules. Characteristically, a light transmittance per unit area in the peripheral region is equivalent to or less than a light transmittance per unit area in the display region. |
| US08488082B2 |
Polarizing film and method for producing the same
There is provided a polarizing film exhibiting a stable and high dichroic ratio by forming a film using a water solution in which a metal capture agent has been added, even if multivalent metal cations are included. |
| US08488076B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display device includes a gate line and a gate electrode connected to the gate line, on a substrate; a gate insulating layer on the gate electrode and the gate line; an active layer on the gate insulating layer over the gate electrode; an ohmic contact layer on the active layer; first source and drain electrodes on the ohmic contact layer; second source and drain electrodes connected to the first source and drain electrodes, respectively; a data line extending from the source electrode and crossing the gate line to define a pixel region; and a pixel electrode in the pixel region and extending from the second drain electrode. |
| US08488073B2 |
Autostereoscopic image display apparatus
An autostereoscopic image display apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a plane display device including pixels arranged in a matrix form; and an optical plate provided in front of the plane display device to control light rays illuminated from the pixels. The optical plate includes: first and second substrates, each being transparent to light; liquid crystal sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate; first electrodes arranged periodically on a first plane of the first substrate opposed to the second substrate; second electrodes disposed on the first plane of the first substrate and between the first electrodes adjacent to each other; a third electrode provided on a second plane of the second substrate opposed to the first substrate; and at least one spacer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate to hold a space between the first substrate and the second substrate. The spacer is disposed on the first electrode. |
| US08488065B2 |
Wireless transmission display system and wireless transmission displaying method
An exemplary wireless transmission display system includes a signal generating apparatus and at least one display apparatus. The signal generating apparatus receives a display data represented in a first data format and converts the display data to be represented in a second data format. Then, the display data represented in the second data format is transmitted to the display apparatus in wireless manner. The display apparatus receives the display data represented in the second data format and performs a display directly according to the display data represented in the second data format without converting the second data format into any other data format. Moreover, a wireless transmission displaying method is also provided. |
| US08488064B2 |
DTV receiver and method of processing a broadcast signal in DTV receiver
A DTV receiver includes a tuner, an information detector, a demodulator, and a channel equalizer. The tuner receives a broadcast signal including valid data in which a known data sequence is periodically repeated. The information detector detects location information of the known data sequence and a coarse frequency offset value of the broadcast signal. The demodulator demodulates the broadcast signal by estimating a fine frequency offset value using the detected location information and by compensating a frequency offset of the broadcast signal using the course and fine frequency offset values. Finally, the channel equalizer compensates channel distortion of the demodulated signal using the detected location information. |
| US08488057B2 |
Method and apparatus for dejuddering image data
A method and apparatus of dejuddering image data includes receiving a video data signal that includes a plurality of successive source frames. A first source frame of the plurality of successive source frames is displayed a predetermined number of times. A first black frame is displayed, and successive source frames are displayed. |
| US08488055B2 |
Flash synchronization using image sensor interface timing signal
Certain aspects of this disclosure relate to an image signal processing system that includes a flash controller that is configured to activate a flash device prior to the start of a target image frame by using a sensor timing signal. In one embodiment, the flash controller receives a delayed sensor timing signal and determines a flash activation start time by using the delayed sensor timing signal to identify a time corresponding to the end of the previous frame, increasing that time by a vertical blanking time, and then subtracting a first offset to compensate for delay between the sensor timing signal and the delayed sensor timing signal. Then, the flash controller subtracts a second offset to determine the flash activation time, thus ensuring that the flash is activated prior to receiving the first pixel of the target frame. |
| US08488053B2 |
Imaging device for use with detachable lens and corresponding shutter brake system
Disclosed herein is an imaging device including: a lens mount section with a removable lens section; an imaging element adapted to generate a video signal by converting image light of the subject entering through the lens section attached to the lens mount section into an electric signal; a disk-shaped shutter having a light shielding section and a transmission section, the light shielding section adapted to shield the imaging element from incident light, and the transmission section adapted to transmit incident light onto the imaging element; a shutter drive motor adapted to drive the disk-shaped shutter; a detection section adapted to detect whether the lens section is attached or detached; and a shutter control section adapted to supply a control signal to the shutter drive motor to stop the shutter if the detection section has detected that the lens section is detached. |
| US08488052B2 |
Imaging system and method for detecting target object
An imaging system includes an imaging device, a recognition device, a focus detector, a correcting device, and a selecting device. The imaging device is configured to capture an image formed by an imaging optics. The recognition device is configured to recognize a target object candidate in the image captured by the imaging device. The focus detector is configured to detect a focus adjustment state of the imaging optics. The correcting device is configured to obtain a magnification of an image of the target object candidate and configured to correct the magnification based on the focus adjustment state with respect to the target object candidate detected by the focus detector. The selecting device is configured to select a target object from the target object candidate based on the corrected magnification corrected by the correcting device. |
| US08488050B2 |
Camera body, and camera system
An interchangeable lens includes a drive unit that drives a focus lens back and forth along an optical axis, a storage unit that stores driving method information indicating a driving method for autofocus control which is supported by the interchangeable lens, a sending unit that sends the driving method information to the camera body, and a lens controller that controls an operation of the interchangeable lens. A camera body determines control on the interchangeable lens by referring to the driving method information obtained from the interchangeable lens to generate a control signal. The lens controller of the interchangeable lens controls the drive unit according to the driving method instructed by the control signal received from the camera body, when autofocus control is performed. |
| US08488049B2 |
Image pickup apparatus, control method thereof, and program
An image pickup apparatus sets focusing time for changing an in-focus state onto each in-focus point by the optical system in accordance with a plurality of in-focus points set by a setting unit and controls the change of the in-focus state by the optical system on the basis of the set focusing time and evaluation by a focus estimation unit in response to a recording instruction given to a recording unit, so that the plurality of set in-focus points are made intop the in-focus state in turn. |
| US08488043B2 |
Imaging apparatus, recording medium for recording a computer program, and imaging control method
An image apparatus records images of a subject corresponding to a photo opportunity without intensifying complex operations after the imaging. When a SLOW button is depressed, a process is started in which frame image data that is obtained at an imaging frame rate is stored sequentially in a buffer memory. The frame image data is read out from the buffer memory at a display frame rate that is set in advance, and images are displayed on a display device based on this frame image data. When a shutter key is depressed, the frame image data read out from the buffer memory is recorded to storage memory. |
| US08488041B2 |
Image pickup device having abnormality warning function based on brightness dispersions of two picked-up images, and warning method and recording medium for the same
An image pickup control unit displays either one of a picked-up image by a first image pickup unit and a picked-up image by a second image pickup unit on a display unit as a finder image. A feature detecting unit calculates a distribution of brightness values or brightness dispersion for each of the picked-up images by the first and second image pickup units, thereby detecting features of the two picked-up images. A sameness determining unit determines the sameness between both picked-up images based on the detected features, and determines that an abnormality like the unexpected appearance of an obstacle is present when the feature largely differs. When it is determined that an abnormality is present, a warning processing unit simultaneously displays both picked-up images on the display unit, or displays the picked-up image including the abnormality on the display unit as a finder image. |
| US08488040B2 |
Mobile and server-side computational photography
Automated photographic capture assistance and analysis is effectuated to assist users in capturing sufficient and optimal images of a desired image scene for use in a photographic end product. Photographic capture assistance is implemented on the device that includes a user's camera. Photographic capture assistance can include audio and/or graphic information generated in real time locally on the device that includes the user's camera and informs the user where additional images of the image scene ought to be captured and/or whether or not sufficient captured images currently exist for the image scene. |
| US08488039B2 |
Digital image processing apparatus capable of displaying color distribution chart and method of operating the same
A digital image processing apparatus capable of displaying a color distribution chart and a method of operating the same is provided. The digital image processing apparatus includes a digital signal processing unit which detects digital color signals from an image input via an image photographing unit and calculates a color distribution chart that indicates a proportion of the detected color signals in the image. The apparatus and method can calculate and display a color distribution chart of a displayed image and change colors of the image into optimized colors. |
| US08488035B2 |
Camera system for suppressing spurious signal
A camera system at least including: a MOS imaging device at least having a pixel section having a plurality of pixels two-dimensionally arrayed in row and column directions, each having a photoelectric conversion section for generating electrical signal corresponding to a quantity of incident light, an accumulation section for accumulating signal generated at the photoelectric conversion section, a transfer switch means for controlling transfer of signal from the photoelectric conversion section to the accumulation section, a reset switch means for resetting signal of the photoelectric conversion section, an amplification section for outputting a voltage value corresponding to signal of the accumulation section, and a select switch for selecting output of the amplification section, wherein an exposure period is determined by simultaneously resetting signals of the photoelectric conversion section for all pixels and effecting signal transfer from the photoelectric conversion section to the accumulation section after a predetermined time, and readout of signal from the pixels is sequentially effected at later time; and an incident light quantity suppressing means for suppressing the quantity of light incident to the MOS imaging device during read operation of signal from each pixel of the MOS imaging device. |
| US08488030B2 |
Information acquiring method, information acquiring apparatus, semiconductor device comprising array of plurality of unit components for detecting physical quantity distribution, and semiconductor manufacturing method
To enable an imaging apparatus to achieve high resolution and sufficient color reproducibility.A diffraction grating 1 is provided on the incident light side of a spectral image sensor 10, the diffraction grating 1 including scatterers such as scatterers 3, slits 5, and scatterers 7 which are disposed in that order. An electromagnetic wave is scattered by the scatterers to produce diffracted waves, and by using the fact that interference patterns between the diffracted waves change with wavelengths, signals are detected for respective wavelengths by photoelectric conversion elements 12B, 12G, and 12R in each photodiode group 12. |
| US08488025B2 |
Sub-frame tapered reset
Systems and methods are provided that facilitate employing a plurality of independent reset buses for a column of pixels in a pixel array of a CMOS sensor imager. Utilization of the plurality of independent reset buses for the column of pixels can enable independent reset to be effectuated when employing sub-frame integration. For example, rows to be read and reset during a given readout time interval can be selected based upon one or more criteria. Further, each of the rows selected during the given readout time interval can be associated with a respective distinct reset bus. By leveraging the plurality of independent reset buses, uniformity in pixel operation can be maintained whether operating in full frame integration mode or sub-frame integration mode. Thus, noise resultant from changing between integration modes can be mitigated by using the plurality of independent reset buses. |
| US08488018B2 |
Image blur correction unit, lens barrel device, and camera apparatus
An image blur correcting unit allows the optical axis of a lens system to coincide with the center of an imager, thus correcting an image blur. The unit includes a stationary member and a holder member. The holder member holds either one of the elements of the lens system or the imager and moves relative to the stationary member in a first direction and a second direction, the first and second directions being orthogonal to each other in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis. The unit further includes a first guide section and a second guide section for guiding the holder member in the first and second directions during movement, and a driving section moving the holder member in the first and second directions. The one of the elements of the lens system or the imager is disposed outside an area surrounded by the first and second guide sections. |
| US08488010B2 |
Generating a stabilized video sequence based on motion sensor data
A machine-implemented method of generating a stabilized video sequence includes receiving an input video sequence captured by an image capture device. The input video sequence includes a plurality of pairs of successive frames. Motion sensor data indicative of motion of the image capture device while the input video sequence was being captured is received. A set of matching features for each pair of successive frames is identified. Global motion features are identified in each set of matching features and qualified based on the motion sensor data. The global motion features are indicative of movement of the image capture device. A stabilized video sequence is generated based on the input video sequence and the identified global motion features. |
| US08488005B2 |
Optical image stabilizer for camera module
Disclosed is an optical image stabilizer for a camera module using polymer elements which can be moved in a first direction and a second direction in the vicinity of the camera module. The optical image stabilizer includes an upper housing and a lower housing; a printed circuit board having an image sensor; a lens frame having a camera lens retained within the lower housing; first and second drivers disposed in the vicinity of the lens frame for moving the lens frame in first and second directions, respectively; and a movement sensing controller provided within the lower housing for sensing the amount of movement of the lens frame on the basis of the magnitude of a shaking of the camera module, so as to control the lens frame. |
| US08488004B2 |
System and method for identifying discrepancy of image of object
In a method for identifying discrepancy of a captured digital image of an object, a standard image of the object is obtained. A first difference value between an IAED value of the digital image and an IAED value of the standard image is calculated. Both the two images are divided into N pixel blocks. A second difference value between an IAED value of each pixel block of the digital image and an IAED value of each pixel block of the standard image is calculated. A coefficient T is generated for comparing the digital image and the standard image, and each block of the digital image is compared with each pixel block of the standard image. The same pixel blocks between the digital image and the standard image are eliminated from the digital image, and a discrepant image is generated according to remaining pixel blocks of the digital image. |
| US08488003B1 |
Device, network, server, and methods for providing digital images and associated processing information
A network includes a server that is operable to login a user of a wireless digital image capturing device. The server receives image information from the wireless digital image capturing device and formats the image information based on a template associated with a destination. |
| US08487995B2 |
Method of and system for mobile surveillance and event recording
A data-encoding system includes a source of unencoded data, and a first encoder interoperably coupled to the source, wherein the first encoder is adapted to receive the unencoded data, encode the unencoded data, and output encoded data at a first data rate. The data encoding system further includes a second encoder interoperably coupled to the source, wherein the second encoder is adapted to receive the unencoded data, encode the unencoded data, and output encoded data at a second data rate in which the second data rate exceeds the first data rate. This Abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an Abstract that allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain subject matter of the technical disclosure. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US08487992B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method
The invention provides an image processing device and an image processing method which can efficiently make use of memory resources, and can also edit and simulate a registered image or the like so as to reflect the registered image or the like after editing in a normal operation without stopping the normal operation, and further to enhance production efficiency. When data for image processing edited in a second processing section is to be reflected in image processing (normal operation) that is continuously executed in a first processing section, the edited data for image processing is transmitted from a third data storage area to a second data storage area, and the edited data for image processing is read from the second data storage area when image processing is executed by use of the edited data for image processing in the first processing section. |
| US08487989B2 |
Image stabilization and capture device for an image capture system of a surgical microscope
The present invention relates to an image stabilization device which is particularly space-efficient and has a quick response time, and which is integrated into an image capture device for an image capture system of a surgical microscope, including a carrier substrate (101, 102) defining a sensor plane, a plurality of optoelectronic image capturing cells (110) arranged, in particular, in a matrix array; and at least one moving means (120) for moving the optoelectronic image capturing cells (110) relative to the carrier substrate (101, 102). |
| US08487985B2 |
Imaging apparatus and in-vivo image obtaining apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes a noise reduction circuit which eliminates a random noise generated in an analogue signal processing by equalizing, via an averaging processing, image data of correlated multiple images within one frame period which is captured by an image sensor and to which the analogue signal processing is performed in an AFE block, and the imaging apparatus in itself deals with the image data of the correlated multiple images within the one frame period and outputs the data to a wireless module after eliminating the random noise generated in the analogue signal processing. |
| US08487983B2 |
Viewing area adjusting device, video processing device, and viewing area adjusting method based on number of viewers
A viewing area adjusting device has an image pickup unit capable of shooting a forward direction of a stereoscopic video display device capable of displaying a stereoscopic video, a viewer information detector configured to detect the number of viewers and positions of the viewers by a video shot by the image pickup unit, a viewing area adjustment policy determining unit configured to select any one of a plurality of viewing area adjustment policies based on the number of viewers detected by the viewer information detector, a viewing area information computing unit configured to compute an adjustment amount for the viewing area, and a viewing area adjusting unit configured to adjust the viewing area. |
| US08487982B2 |
Stereoplexing for film and video applications
A method for multiplexing a stream of stereoscopic image source data into a series of left images and a series of right images combinable to form a series of stereoscopic images, both the stereoscopic image source data and series of left images and series of right images conceptually defined to be within frames. The method includes compressing stereoscopic image source data at varying levels across the frame, thereby forming left images and right images, and providing a series of single frames divided into portions, each single frame containing one right image in a first portion and one left image in a second portion. Alternately, single frames may contain two right images in a first two portions of each single frame and two left images in a second two portions of each single frame, wherein each set of right and left images may be processed differently. Multiplexing processes such as staggering, alternating, filtering, variable scaling, and sharpening from original, uncompressed right and left images may be employed. |
| US08487981B2 |
Method and system for processing 2D/3D video
A video processor decompresses stereoscopic left and right reference frames of compressed 3D video. New left and right frames are interpolated. The frames may be stored and/or communicated for display. The left and right frames are combined into a single frame of a single stream or may be sequenced in separate left and right streams. The left and right frames are interpolated based on the combined single stream and/or based on the separate left and right streams. Motion vectors are determined for one of the separate left or right streams. The frames are interpolated utilizing motion compensation. Areas of occlusion are determined in the separate left and right streams. Pixels are interpolated for occluded areas of left or right frames of separate streams from uncovered areas in corresponding opposite side frames. The left and right interpolated and/or reference frames are displayed as 3D and/or 2D video. |
| US08487980B2 |
Holographic display with communications
Holographic display with which voice and holographic image over internet protocol (VHIOIP) services or communications are provided. |
| US08487977B2 |
Method and apparatus to virtualize people with 3D effect into a remote room on a telepresence call for true in person experience
A video conference system provides “in the room” telepresence to near end participants. The video conference system includes a frameless or bezelless display device placed in front of a front wall for displaying edge-to-edge 3D images of far end participants. Color of the near end front wall is configured to be the same as the color of the far end rear wall. As a result, images displayed on the display device can merge or blend into the near end front wall, giving the near end participants the perception that the far end participants are actually in the near end conference room. Brightness of the faces/bodies of the near end participants can also be adjusted to match the brightness of the face/bodies of the images of the far end participants as they appear on the display device—therefore enhancing the in the room perception of the far end participants. |
| US08487967B2 |
Active matrix display devices and electronic devices having the same
An active matrix display device is provided and includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and a backlight source disposed at the backside of the matrix which emits light to the matrix. Each pixel includes a liquid crystal (LC) element, a driving controlling switch, and a storage capacitor. The driving controlling switch controls the driving of the LC element. The storage capacitor stores image data provided to the LC element through the driving controlling switch. The display device further includes a luminance detector and a voltage supplier. The luminance detector detects luminance of the backlight source. According to the detected luminance, the voltage supplier, in a sustain period of the image data, provides a predetermined voltage to a node of the storage capacitor which is opposite to a node of the storage capacitor coupled to the LC element. |
| US08487966B2 |
Support method
The display apparatus includes a dot matrix type display device including a display material; a driver circuit that passively drives a plurality of pixels in the display device; and a control circuit that controls the driver circuit. The control circuit applies a voltage pulse to initialize a plurality of pixels to be rewritten and applies a voltage pulse to change a tone state of the plurality of pixels and display the tone. The voltage pulse to be applied for the tone display includes an all-selected voltage pulse to be applied to a plurality of pixels the tone state of which are changed, and a half-selected voltage pulse and a non-selected voltage pulse to be applied to a plurality of pixels the tone state of which are not changed, and a ratio of the all-selected voltage to the half-selected voltage is larger than 21/2 and smaller than 2. |
| US08487956B2 |
Communication terminal, system and display method to adaptively update a displayed image
A communication terminal and a communication system able to adaptively update sizes and positions of screens in accordance with the situation without operation by a user, and a display method of the communication terminal, which perform processing of individual packets in a linked manner under the control of a display image control portion 306 based on an address of a transmitting side. Based on a sound pressure (volume) of audio information (VoIP) from the same transmitting side address, the terminal etc. calculate the screen sizes for mapping of packets of the video information from the same transmitting side address and corrects the top/bottom of the same screen or displays an instructed animated character based on top/bottom information, instruction information, etc. described in the packets of the control information from the same transmitting side address. |
| US08487947B2 |
Video processing architecture having reduced memory requirement
In a system comprising a plurality of processors and a memory shared by at least a subset of the processors, a method for processing video data includes the steps of: (a) a first one of the processors receiving a first video frame and storing the first video frame in the memory; (b) the first one of the processors receiving at least a second video frame, receipt of the second video frame initiating a release of the first video frame from the memory; (c) the first one of the processors sending the first and second video frames to a second one of the processors together for processing by the second one of the processors; (d) the second one of the processors generating an output video frame based at least on the first and second video frames; (e) storing the output video frame in the memory by overwriting an available memory location therein, the output video frame becoming a new first video frame; and (f) repeating steps (b) through (e) until all video frames to be processed have been received. |
| US08487945B2 |
Methods for setting a pixel clock frequency
A method of setting a pixel clock frequency for a display of an information handling system (IHS) is disclosed whereby the method includes detecting an identifier associated with a wireless card operable for use with the IHS. The method also includes selecting a timing descriptor, the timing descriptor associated with a display setting and wherein the timing descriptor corresponds to the identifier. The method further includes setting the pixel clock frequency based on the timing descriptor selected. |
| US08487943B2 |
Driver architecture for computing device having multiple graphics subsystems, reduced power consumption modes, software and methods
Many computing device may now include two or more graphics subsystems. The multiple graphics subsystems may have different abilities, and may, for example, consume differing amount of electrical power, with one subsystem consuming more average power than the others. The higher power consuming graphics subsystem may be coupled to the device and used instead of, or in addition to, the lower power consuming graphics subsystem, resulting in higher performance or additional capabilities, but increased overall power consumption. By transitioning from the use of the higher power consuming graphics subsystem to the lower power consuming graphics subsystem, while placing the higher power consuming graphics subsystem in a lower power consumption mode, overall power consumption is reduced. A processor executes application software and driver software. The driver software includes first and second driver components for respectively controlling operation of the first and second graphics subsystems. A further proxy driver component routes calls (e.g. API/DDI calls) to one of said first and second driver components, in dependence on which of the first and second graphics system is in use. |
| US08487942B2 |
Media action script acceleration system
Exemplary apparatus, method, and system embodiments provide for accelerated hardware processing of an action script for a graphical image for visual display. An exemplary system comprises: a network I/O interface; a frame buffer; a first memory; and a plurality of processors to separate the action script from other data, to convert a plurality of descriptive elements of the action script into a plurality of hardware-level operational or control codes, and to perform one or more operations corresponding to an operational code to generate pixel data for the graphical image. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one processor further is to parse the action script into the plurality of descriptive elements and the corresponding data, and to extract data from the action script and to store the extracted data in the first memory as a plurality of control words having the corresponding data in predetermined fields. |
| US08487937B2 |
Representing animation as a static image on a graphical user interface
A computer system and for displaying a static animation image in response to an action related to a displayed object that occurs on the computer system is presented. An initial state of the displayed object is determined with regard to the action. A final state of the displayed object with regard to the action is also determined. Transition aspects between the initial state and the final state are then determined. A static animation image is generated according to the initial state, the transition aspects, and the final state. The static animation image represents, in static form, an animation indicative of the action from the initial state to the final state of the displayed object. The static animation image is displayed on the graphical user interface in lieu of animation. |
| US08487936B2 |
Portable electronic device and character display method for the same
A portable electronic device including a display unit uses a still character font and a scroll character font. The display unit can scroll through one or more images on a screen. The still character font is used for characters on a still screen. The scroll character font is used for characters on a scroll screen, and has the same characters as those of the still character font, the characters of the scroll character font having at least one different visual characteristic when compared to corresponding characters of the still character font. |
| US08487933B2 |
System and method for multi-segment center point trajectory mapping
A computer implemented method of mapping of multiple regional center point trajectory movements of cavity walls is provided in which images are acquired and a region-of-interest is identified in each of the images. The region-of-interest is divided into a plurality of distinct regions and a regional center point for each of the regions is located in the images. For each regional center point, a center point trajectory is determined based on variances in position of the center points from each other in the images. The center point trajectory of each regional center point is decomposed into radial and circumferential components so as to isolate radial component of the center point trajectory for each regional center point in each of the images and radial motion versus time curves are displayed for each regional center point based on the determined radial component for each regional center point in each of the images. |
| US08487930B2 |
Process monitoring using multivariate data
In an embodiment, a system and method are described that enable a display of a parallel coordinate plot. Such a parallel coordinate plot includes a plurality of parallel axes, and each of the parallel axes represents a variable. The display further includes one or more polygonal lines connecting values of the variables of the parallel axes. The system and method further enable a display of information about an additional variable on the parallel coordinate plot by varying the property of the one or more polygonal lines. |
| US08487927B2 |
Validating user generated three-dimensional models
Three-dimensional model validation. As a part of the model validation, one or more three-dimensional models of a structure and at least one real world image of the structure is accessed. Features of the one or more three-dimensional models of the structure are combined with features of the at least one real world image of the structure to create a composite model of the structure. The composite model is projected into an imaging plane. The composite model of the structure is compared with at least one of the at least one real world images. Based on the results of the comparing, the accuracy of the one or more three-dimensional models of the structure is determined. |
| US08487924B2 |
Apparatus for driving of display panel
Provided is an apparatus for driving a display panel. A short circuit can be detected by detecting a current (due to the short circuit) applied to a display panel through a low-dropout (LDO) regulator during a black data period. In addition, power applied to the display panel from a DC-DC converter can be turned off according to the short-circuit detection result. |
| US08487922B2 |
Capacitive load drive circuit and display device including the same
A buffer circuit drives a capacitive load based on a voltage Vin. In a setup period, switches are in an ON state, and in a drive period, a switch is in an ON state. A voltage comparison unit compares the voltage Vin in the setup period and a voltage Vout in a drive period to output a comparison result voltage. A push-pull output unit includes a TFT for charge and a TFT for discharge. A drive control unit controls the TFTs to be in an OFF state in the setup period, and in the drive period, selectively controls the TFTs to be in an ON state in accordance with the comparison result voltage. If Vout |
| US08487919B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
In an image display apparatus which displays a picture by inverting the drive polarity for each sub-frame, when the pictures of adjacent sub-frames are different from each other, image data is generated to prevent accumulation of electrical charges in each display element. For this purpose, the first and second sub-frames are generated from a frame of interest of a moving picture. The difference between the pictures of the first and the second sub-frames is detected. A correction value is calculated by subtracting from the difference a cumulative value multiplied by a predetermined coefficient. A value obtained by subtracting the correction value from the difference is accumulated as the cumulative value. The pictures of the first and second sub-frames are corrected by the correction value. |
| US08487913B2 |
Area sensor, liquid crystal display unit, and position detection method
A liquid crystal display unit of the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel in which an optical sensor for detecting the intensity of light entered from a front side thereof is incorporated, a backlight that emits light onto the liquid crystal panel from a rear side, and a polarizing reflection plate that is disposed between the liquid crystal panel and a front side polarizing plate so as to transmit a component of light emitted from the backlight and transmitted through the liquid crystal panel that oscillates in a direction parallel to the transmission axis of the front side polarizing plate, and to reflect a component of the light that oscillates in a direction perpendicular to the transmission axis. |
| US08487910B2 |
Large scale touch system and methods for interacting with same
A touch system comprises a large scale touch surface on which an image is presented and at least two imaging devices looking across the touch surface and having overlapping fields of view. Processing structure communicates with the imaging devices and processes image data acquired by the imaging devices to determine pointer contacts on the touch surface using triangulation. The processing structure further executes at least one application to facilitate user interaction with the touch surface. Methods of interacting with the touch surface are also disclosed. |
| US08487905B2 |
Electrode arrangement for display device
The invention provides an electrode arrangement for a capacitive sensor device and for a capacitive sensor, respectively, for detecting a position and/or an approach of an object, which comprises a sensor electrode and a first shield electrode, wherein the sensor electrode is arranged on a first side of a substantially flat substrate with a first side and a second side, and wherein the first shield electrode is arranged on the second side of the substrate and serves for shielding the alternating electric field emitted by the sensor electrode from ground. There is also provided a foil with an electrode arrangement according to the invention as well as a method for the production of a display arrangement with an electrode arrangement according to the invention. |
| US08487903B2 |
Display device
A display device incorporating a touch panel that can be made thinner than a conventional one and requires no countermeasure against misalignment in overlapping is provided by incorporating a touch panel. The display device incorporating a touch panel includes a display panel having a first substrate and a second substrate. The second substrate has a conductive light shielding film formed in a grid pattern on a surface on the opposite side from an observer. The conductive light shielding film is used as a touch panel electrode of electrostatic capacitive coupling system. The conductive light shielding film has a shape with four corners. The corners of the conductive light shielding film are connected to a touch position detection circuit. The display panel has four conductive members. The first substrate has four connecting portions each connected to each of the corners of the conductive light shielding film via each of the conductive members, four terminals connected to the touch position detection circuit, and wires each connecting each of the connecting portions with each of the terminals. The conductive member is a conductive bead. |
| US08487901B2 |
Display device
The display device is provided with X electrodes XP and Y electrodes YP which cross with a first insulating layer in between and a number of Z electrodes which are electrically floating from each other with a second insulating layer in between. The Z electrodes are arranged so that each Z electrode overlaps both an adjacent X electrode and Y electrode. The pad portion of a first X electrode has such a form that the area is maximum in the vicinity of the fine wire portion of the first X electrode and the area is minimum in the vicinity of the fine wire portion of an adjacent second X electrode, and the area of the pad portion is smaller towards the direction in which the distance increases away from the vicinity of the fine wire portion of the first X electrode. A pulse signal is sequentially applied to one set of X electrodes or Y electrodes. |
| US08487896B1 |
Systems and methods for improving image tracking based on touch events
Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems and methods for improving image tracking based on touch events. A method is provided for outputting an image for presentation using an electronic device, the electronic device having a display refresh rate. The method includes detecting one or more touch events received via a touch sensitive surface screen associated with the electronic device, each touch event having a touch event position. The method also includes generating, by the electronic device, a synthetic touch event position based on the one or more touch event positions, the synthetic touch event position calculated to coincide in time with a predicted time, the predicted time being within an offset relative to a display refresh time corresponding to the display refresh rate. The method also includes outputting data based at least in part one or more of the synthetic touch event position. |
| US08487893B2 |
Automatic gain control for capacitive touch panel sensing system
Disclosed are capacitive touchscreen or touch panel systems, devices and methods which increase the dynamic range of touches that may be detected on a capacitive touch screen or touch panel. Increased dynamic range is provided by employing automatic gain control methodologies and circuitry to process signals corresponding to individual mutual capacitance cells in a touch screen or touch panel. |
| US08487891B2 |
Pointer detection apparatus and pointer detection method
Disclosed herein is a pointer detection apparatus, including: a conductor pattern including a plurality of first conductors disposed in a first direction and a plurality of second conductors disposed in a second direction; a multi-frequency signal production circuit configured to produce a plurality of signals of different frequencies; a first conductor selection circuit configured to selectively supply the signals of different frequencies to those first conductors, between which N ones of the first conductors are interposed, N being a predetermined integer equal to or greater than 0; a second conductor selection circuit configured to selectively receive detection signals from the second conductors; and a signal detection circuit configured to obtain signals of individual frequencies, corresponding to the signals of different frequencies produced by the multi-frequency signal production circuit, which are representative of coupling states at cross points between the first conductors and the second conductors and are received from said second conductor selection circuit. |
| US08487884B2 |
Touch screen detection and diagnostics
A method includes driving a current through a touch screen that is based on contact of the touch screen, generating a proportional second current, and detecting contact of the touch screen from the second current. Another method includes providing a touch screen with parallel plates, disabling contact detection when a plate voltage is lower than a threshold voltage, and enabling contact detection when the plate voltage is at least equal to the threshold voltage. A device includes a first node and a second node coupled to a touch screen, a third node, a first current mirror coupled to the second node and the third node configured to generate a current at the third node that is proportional to a second current at the second node, and a detection circuit that provides a signal based on the first current that indicates contact of the touch screen. |
| US08487881B2 |
Interactive input system, controller therefor and method of controlling an appliance
An interactive input system comprises a consumer electronic device and a controller for the consumer electronic device. The controller is operable in one of a touch input mode and a gesture input mode and controls the consumer electronic device in response to one of the detected user touch input and user gesture input depending on the operating mode of the controller. |
| US08487877B2 |
Character specification system and method that uses a limited number of selection keys
A method and apparatus of identifying and selecting characters from among a plurality of characters. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a computer processor electronically enables identification of each of a plurality of characters arranged in a one-dimensional array. Each character is identified by an integer value that corresponds to the number of positions the character is offset from a reference position of the one-dimensional array. The computer processor electronically enables selection of any of the characters by receiving input resulting from activation of selection keys that specify the integer value of a character desired for selection. In one further embodiment, each selection key has an assigned integer value, and the integer value that identifies the selected character is calculated by summing the assigned integer values of each selection key activated for each instance that each selection key is activated within a selectable-length time period. |
| US08487873B2 |
Haptic feedback device
A force feedback interface and method including an actuator in a non-primary axis or degree of freedom. The force feedback interface device is connected to a host computer that implements a host application program or graphical environment. The interface device includes a user manipulatable object, a sensor for detecting movement of the user object, and an actuator to apply output forces to the user object. The actuator outputs a force sensation on the user object in non-primary axis or degree of freedom. Force sensations such as a jolt, vibration, a constant force, and a texture force can be output on the user object with the actuator. The force sensations can be output in a direction perpendicular to a planar degree of freedom, radial to spherical degree of freedom, and/or along a lengthwise axis of the user object. The system may be utilized where multiple users are able to manipulate respective user manipulatable objects to interact with one another over a network environment and experience the non-primary degree of freedom/axis force sensation. |
| US08487872B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating data signals
A handheld device having a main body and at least one button integral with the main body for causing generation of electrical signals. A pair of thumb controllers may be integral with the main body and positioned so that a user holding the device may tactilely engage each of the thumb controllers. A pair of sensing means may be operatively connected with the thumb controllers to generate an electrical signal in response to the user's tactile engagement with the thumb controllers. The signals may be resolved by a processor to determine an alphanumeric character to be generated. The signals may also be resolved with a signal generate by movement of the button to determine a state change to be generated in a video game so a user may interact with the video game. An electrical signal indicative of the video game state change may be generated and transmitted to a processing device executing the video game. |
| US08487870B1 |
Portable device and control method thereof
A display device and method for receiving a user input of the display device, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method can include displaying a displayable content which includes at least one input box; receiving a control signal corresponding to a navigating input from a portable device, wherein the portable device is connected with the display device and the navigating input is for navigating the displayable content; transmitting the input box to the portable device, wherein the input box is displayed in the portable device when a user input for mode switching is detected by the portable device and the input box is extracted from the displayable content; and receiving a user input from the portable device wherein the user input is inputted in the transmitted input box. |
| US08487866B2 |
Method and system for managing an interactive video display system
A method for managing an interactive video display system. A plurality of video spots are displayed on the interactive video display system. Data based on interaction with the interactive video display system corresponding to video spots of the plurality of video spots is gathered. The data is stored, wherein the data is for use in managing presentation of the video spots. By analyzing data relating to different video spots, popularity and other metrics may be determined for the video spots, providing useful information for managing the presentation of the video spots. |
| US08487862B2 |
Shift register and driving circuit for liquid crystal display
A shift register includes first and second shift register units. Two adjacent first shift register units respectively receive a first and second clock signal. Two adjacent second shift register units respectively receive a third and a fourth clock signal. Each first and second shift register unit includes a cascade data input terminal, a cascade data output terminal, an output terminal used to output a shift signal, a feedback terminal, and a reset terminal. The shift signals of the Mth second and Nth first shift register unit are respectively fed back to the feedback terminal of the (N+1)th first and Mth second shift register unit. The reset terminal and the cascade data output terminal of the Nth first and Mth second shift register unit are respectively connected to the output terminal and the cascade data input terminal of (N+1)th first and (M+1)th second shift register unit. |
| US08487860B2 |
Circuit and method for driving, electro-optic device, and electronic apparatus
There is provided a driving circuit that drives an electro-optic device by outputting data signals that are subjected to serial-to-parallel conversion into m channels through m (m is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) image signal lines to a plurality of data lines. The driving circuit includes an adjusting section that adjusts the m-channel data signals so that, when a reference signal whose signal level is a reference level is input, the m-channel data signals at least partly reach signal levels different from the reference level for each channel, the number of continuous channels of signals at the same signal level is smaller than a predetermined number, and the differences between the signal levels and the reference level fall within a predetermined range. |
| US08487858B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a plurality of pixels each of which has a liquid crystal layer and a plurality of electrodes for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer and which are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns. Each of the plurality of pixels has a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel which can apply mutually different voltages to the liquid crystal layer, where the first sub-pixel has a higher brightness than the second sub-pixel in certain gradations. |
| US08487857B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and driving method thereof with polarity inversion and dummy pixels
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes a data drive circuit that inverts polarities of data every 2k horizontal periods (k is an integer not less than 2); and an LCD panel including a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines crossing each other to define a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a switching device, wherein source electrodes of the switching devices in the pixels arranged in a vertical direction are connected to two different data lines. |
| US08487851B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display device is configured to improve display quality by minimizing flickers and residual images through inversion. The inversion may include changing the polarity of the data voltages. A first liquid crystal cell may be charged with a potential difference between a first data voltage supplied to a first pixel electrode and a second data voltage supplied to an adjacent second pixel. |
| US08487848B2 |
Driving circuit and gray insertion method of liquid crystal display
A driving circuit and a gray insertion method of a liquid crystal display (LCD) are provided. The gray insertion method includes analyzing whether a current frame belongs to a dynamic frame or a static frame. When the current frame belongs to a dynamic frame, charging time of a gray insertion image is extended. When the current frame belongs to a static frame, the charging time of a gray insertion image is shortened. As a result, motion blur on the LCD can be reduced and image quality can be increased. |
| US08487844B2 |
EL display device and electronic device including the same
An object is to suppress luminance variation due to change in the amount of current flowing through a light-emitting element, caused by change in environmental temperature. A monitor circuit for compensating the cathode potential of the light-emitting element in accordance with environmental temperature is provided in the vicinity of a pixel portion in order to compensate a change in properties, due to environmental temperature, of a transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer and the light-emitting element. The monitor circuit includes a monitor power supply line, a monitor transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer, a monitor light-emitting element, a current source circuit, and an amplification circuit that compensates the cathode potential of the light-emitting element. The potential of the monitor power supply line is lower than the potential of a power supply line in the pixel. |
| US08487837B2 |
Optical six-degree of freedom tracking apparatus and method
An optical tracking system, and method therefor, tracks the movement of an object, such as a pilot's helmet, within an enclosed area, such as a cockpit. The system/method comprises a plurality of light sources fixedly mounted in predefined locations within the enclosed area and a light sensor mounted on the object. Each light source is modulated using a different frequency from the other light sources to make that light source uniquely identifiable. Modulated light from the various light sources is converted by the sensor into an electrical signal. This composite signal is subsequently separated into individual signals based on their unique modulations, and the light source for each signal is identified. The signals are thereafter processed to determine an azimuth and an elevation for the line-of-sight to each light source. The azimuth and elevation information may then be used to determine the position and orientation of the object. |
| US08487835B2 |
Display device
A display device is provided. A display device includes a first display panel and a second display panel disposed on the first display. One of the first display panel and the second display panel is monochrome and the other of the first display panel and the second display panel is color. |
| US08487829B2 |
Antenna unit including a shield cover having a ceiling portion with a mounter vacuumed portion
A shield cover is disposed so as to be opposed to a bottom plate and electromagnetic-shields a signal processing circuit mounted on a rear surface of a circuit board. The shied cover has a ceiling portion which includes a mounter vacuumed portion disposed in a center portion of the ceiling portion and vacuumed by a vacuum nozzle of a mounter, a ring-shaped outer edge disposed from an end of the side wall portion inwardly, and a plurality of beam portions joining the mounter vacuumed portion to the outer edge. An electromagnetic shielding of the signal processing unit is carried out using both of the shield cover and the bottom plate. |
| US08487828B2 |
Shielded contactless electronic document
A document with a cover having a first cover part, a second cover part, at least one internal page located between the two cover parts when the document is closed, a radiofrequency microcontroller, an antenna electrically connected to the radiofrequency microcontroller, and an electromagnetic shield capable of disrupting, at least partially, the wireless communication with the radiofrequency microcontroller when the document is closed and not disrupting the wireless communication when the document is opened. The electromagnetic shield is a wire grid. The wire mesh distance between each two adjacent wires of the wire grid is smaller than a radio-frequency wavelength used for communicating with the radiofrequency microcontroller, and is at least 0.1 millimeters and at most 40 millimeters. |
| US08487825B2 |
Communication device and system including the same
A communication device is disclosed that includes an antenna apparatus including a feeding portion, a looped antenna element connected to the feeding portion, and a resistor inserted into the looped antenna element, and a communication circuit configured to process data that is transmitted and received via the antenna apparatus. |
| US08487820B2 |
Emblem
An emblem includes a first thickness portion having a first thickness and a second thickness portion having a second thickness thinner than the first thickness. The first thickness is equal to an integral multiple of a half of an in-medium wavelength of the radar wave inside the first thickness portion. The second thickness is a thickness equal to an integral multiple of a half of the in-medium wavelength of the radar wave inside the second thickness portion. A difference between the first thickness and the second thickness is set to an integral multiple of a free-space wavelength of the radar wave. |
| US08487817B2 |
RF antenna end panel
The present invention is an endplate formed as part of a device used for transmitting or receiving a signal. The endplate has an inner plate, an outer plate operable for being connected to the inner plate, and an antenna mounted to the inner plate. The antenna is operable for connection with a device, such as a protocol adapter, which transmits and receives a signal. The endplate is operable for providing a ground plane relationship between the endplate and the antenna. The ground plane relationship between the endplate and the antenna is accomplished through the use of one of either the inner plate our outer plate being made of metal. |
| US08487812B1 |
Method for self-aligning a beamforming sensor to simplify vehicle installation
The present invention is a method for aligning a beamforming system relative to a platform, said beamforming system being positioned on-board the platform. The method described in the present disclosure extends beyond currently available techniques by providing an adaptive beamsteering function which is available during installation of the beamforming system. This adaptive beamsteering function may determine the orientation error of the beamforming system by adaptively searching for correlated behavior of multiple satellite signals, seeking an orientation where a Correlated Power Function (CPF) is maximized. This orientation, relative to the input aiding system (ex. —INS) may provide a set of correction factors which enable the sensor (ex. —beamforming system) to utilize the input aiding system in an arbitrary orientation (ex. —as long as that arbitrary orientation is suitable for GPS reception). |
| US08487809B2 |
System for response to a signal transmitted by a radar and use of this system notably for testing radars, in particular of the MTI type
A system for response to a signal transmitted by a radar includes: a passive antenna capable of receiving and then backscattering a signal transmitted by said radar; a microwave switch connected to said antenna; at least two microwave lines each having a distinct impedance and being connected to the microwave switch; and a generator capable of generating a parametrizable control signal and sending it to the microwave switch so that it switches onto one or other of the microwave lines, so as to modulate the signal backscattered by said antenna. |
| US08487807B2 |
Synthetic aperture imaging interferometer
There is described a method for generating a synthetic aperture image of a target area, comprising: receiving, from a synthetic aperture imaging system, first raw data representative of electromagnetic signals reflected by the target area and detected by the synthetic aperture imaging system according to a first angle of view; digitally combining the first raw data with second raw data, thereby obtaining combined data, the second raw data being representative of the electromagnetic signals reflected by the target area and detected by the synthetic aperture imaging system according to a second angle of view different from the first angle of view; and generating an interference pattern of the target data using the combined data. |
| US08487800B2 |
Resistive digital-to-analog conversion
Examples of resistive digital-to-analog converter (RDAC) circuits are provided herein. RDAC circuits may provide an analog output signal derived from an n-bit digital input signal. In one example, an RDAC circuit may include a plurality of resistive circuit branches. Each resistive circuit branch may be arranged in a pull up/pull down network configuration. For example, an RDAC circuit may include a plurality of resistive circuit branches positioned in parallel. In an example, each of the plurality of resistive circuit branches may include a first inverter circuit, a second inverter circuit, and a resistive component. The RDAC circuit may include an output node for providing the analog output signal. Additionally, methods are provided for converting an analog output signal derived from an n-bit digital input signal. |
| US08487797B2 |
Audio clocking in video applications
A method of operating an electronic video device such as a DVD player, wherein video clock signals and audio clock signals are derived from a system clock signal using two phase-lock loops, and these video and audio clock signals are used to process encoded video data and encoded audio data, but digital-to-analog conversion of the audio data stream is controlled by the system clock signal rather than the audio clock signals. By using the system clock signal to control the audio digital-to-analog converter (DAC), the DAC avoids the poor performance issues that can arise from jitter introduced into the audio clock signals by the PLL. The system clock signal may be divided by an integer to generate the sampling clock for the audio DAC. In the illustrative embodiment, the system clock signal has a rate which is not an integer multiple of the sample rate of the audio data stream. |
| US08487794B2 |
Successive approximation register ADC and method of linearity calibration therein
A successive approximation register analog to digital converter (SAR ADC) and a method of linearity calibration therein are provided. Each composed element Ei in a part of the composed elements includes a main constructed element Ei0 and wi sub constructed element Ei1, Ei2, . . . , Eiwi. The SAR ADC selects a part of the sub constructed elements Ei1, Ei2, . . . , Eiwi and make them non-functional when a missing decision level is caused by the composed element Ei. An overlap cancellation to the obtained missing code numbers is performed, compensation coefficients are updated according to the missing code numbers after the overlap cancellation, and a compensation to the corresponding digital value is performed according to the compensation coefficients. The present disclosure prevents the necessity of matching each composed element of the DAC in the SAR ADC. |
| US08487793B2 |
Device and method for processing an analogue signal
Device for processing an analogue signal, comprising an analogue-digital converter with a pipelined architecture having an offset, and compensation means configured to compensate for the said offset, the said compensation means comprising digital correction means configured to correct the integer portion of the offset based on the digital signal delivered by the analogue-digital converter, and analogue correction means included in the last stage of the analogue-digital converter and configured to correct the decimal portion of the offset. |
| US08487791B2 |
Parallel entropy coding and decoding methods and devices
A method for entropy coding data using parallel entropy coders to encode an input sequence as a plurality of encoded subsequences, which are then combined to form an output bitstream. The input sequence is separated into subsequences on the basis of a context model. A method for entropy decoding a bitstream of encoded data by extracting a plurality of encoded subsequences from the bitstream and entropy decoding the encoded subsequences in parallel to generate a plurality of decoded subsequences, which are then interleaved based on a context model to produce a reconstructed sequence. |
| US08487783B2 |
Parking support device
To provide a parking support device for easily and quickly moving or rotating a target parking frame to an appropriate position. The parking support device includes a target parking position setting unit configured to set a target parking position at which a vehicle is to be parked with a target parking frame superimposed on an actual image displaying an area surrounding the vehicle. The parking support device guides the vehicle to the target parking position set by the target parking position setting unit. The target parking position setting unit moves the target parking frame initially displayed on a touch display to a position indicated by a coordinate point determined by a touch operation. |
| US08487770B2 |
Programmable presence proxy for determining a presence status of a user
A method and apparatus are provided that evaluate a number of different sources of presence information to determine a presence status of a user. The presence status of a user is determined by obtaining presence information from a plurality of presence data stores; translating the obtained presence information from at least one of the presence data stores into a standard format; and determining the presence status of the user based on the obtained presence information. Presence information can also be based on user-specified rules. Presence information is obtained from a number of presence data stores and the presence status of a user is determined based on one or more rules that are applied to the obtained presence information. The rules may include, for example, aggregation rules that determines the presence status based on one or more of the obtained presence information or filter rules that determine who may receive the presence status. |
| US08487769B2 |
Reversibly deactivating a radio frequency identification data tag
Reversibly activating or deactivating a radio frequency identification (RFID) data tag comprising a circuit responsive to an environmental factor. An RFID tag includes an RFID chip for storing an RFID code, an antenna for communicating a radio frequency (RF) signal, and an environmentally sensitive switch. |
| US08487763B2 |
Breach detection system for containers
A breach detection system for a container includes at least two panels having a first electrical circuit mounted thereto. The panels are configured for attachment to a container. The first electrical circuit is configured to detect an intrusion through any portion of the panel and generate an intrusion signal when the intrusion occurs. A connector electrically connects the first electrical circuits of two panels of the container. |
| US08487759B2 |
Self adapting haptic device
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that allow an electronic device to autonomously adapt one or more user alerts of the electronic device. For example, some embodiments may include a method for operating a haptic device including driving a haptic device using a control signal, measuring a frequency related to the operation of the haptic device and comparing the measured frequency with a target frequency. A control signal is adjusted based on the comparison to drive the haptic device to the target frequency. |
| US08487755B2 |
Method for identifying and locating wireless devices associated with a security event including an explosion or gunshot
Wireless devices are often associated with security events. The security events may be investigated by identifying and locating the associated wireless devices by: 1) determining a time and a location of a security event; 2) accessing a first wireless network and determining at least one of an ID and a location for at least a first wireless device within a predetermined proximity of the security event; and 3) determining at least one of an ID and a location for a second wireless device that was in communication with the first wireless device within at least one of: a predetermined span of time prior to or concurrent with the time of the security event, and a predetermined proximity to the security event. |
| US08487753B1 |
Anti-theft system for vehicles
An anti-theft system for a vehicle featuring a first keypad device for controlling an ignition system, and a second keypad device for controlling a door lock system, the keypad devices each comprise a pre-programmed personal identification number (PIN), wherein the first keypad device functions to operatively connect the ignition system to the power system when the correct first PIN is entered and the second keypad device functions to operatively connect the door lock system to the power system when the correct second PIN is entered. |
| US08487749B2 |
Tactile virtual world
A system for providing a tactile virtual world or environment wherein, in particular, a virtual reality environment provides an interactive 3-D interface for synthesizing the feeling of experiencing a 3-D environment. The invention also provides a method for implementing actual physical applications that can simulate real 3-D environments; for example, such as a physical training exercise or artificial 3-D environments, or simulating the interacting with molecules or complex data sets. |
| US08487748B2 |
System for the remote control of at least one electrical household appliance
System for the remote control of at least one electrical household appliance with a first transmitter/receiver and an auxiliary receiver incorporated into the electrical household appliance, and a second transmitter/receiver and an auxiliary transmitter incorporated into a remote control device that includes a screen for displaying information received by and/or transmitted from the remote control device. The system of remote control may use a primary system of short-range communication between the auxiliary transmitter and the auxiliary receiver and a secondary system of long-range communication between the first transmitter/receiver and the second transmitter/receiver, enabling a critical-parameter control command to be sent from the remote control device to the electrical household appliance via the secondary system only once the secondary system is activated, the secondary system then being bidirectional. |
| US08487747B2 |
Method and system for controlling the traffic flow through an RFID directional portal
A system having a first motion sensor configured to sense movement of an object on a first side of a portal, the object including an RFID tag, a first RFID reader being activated by the first motion sensor when the first motion sensor senses movement of the object, the first RFID reader reading the RFID tag, a second motion sensor configured to sense movement of the object on a second side of the portal and a second RFID reader being activated by the second motion sensor when the second motion sensor senses movement of the object, the second RFID reader reading the RFID tag, wherein, when one of the first and second motion sensors sense movement of the object, the other one of the first and second motion sensors is deactivated for a predetermined period of time. |
| US08487746B2 |
Jump rope training apparatus, method, and system
An apparatus, method, and system for jump rope training is disclosed, comprising at least one jump rope, at least one RFID device associated with the at least one jump rope, at least one RFID reader antenna, at least one RFID reader, and at least one coaching device. |
| US08487745B2 |
Semiconductor device
Communication performance of the wireless tag is improved by providing an SRAM provided with an RF battery in the wireless tag provided with a CPU to speed up the CPU system. Moreover, rewriting of data in a memory of a wireless tag provided with a CPU is enabled. An RF battery includes an antenna circuit, a power supply portion, and a power storage device. A function as a non-volatile memory is provided to an SRAM by combining the SRAM and an RF battery. |
| US08487740B2 |
Vehicle function restriction system
A vehicle function restriction system for installation in a vehicle. The vehicle includes a master key allowed to activate any function of the vehicle. The system includes a valet key mounted in the vehicle and configured to dismountable from the vehicle to be lent to a person to whom the vehicle is lent. A restriction setting unit sets the vehicle in a restriction state when the valet key is dismounted from the vehicle. The restriction setting unit sets at least one restricted vehicle functions which is not activated by the valet key, in accordance with the person to whom the vehicle is lent. |
| US08487729B2 |
Magnetic solenoid for generating a substantially uniform magnetic field
One embodiment of the invention includes a magnetic solenoid. The magnetic solenoid includes an elongated sidewall that extends along and surrounds a central axis between spaced apart ends. The central axis can include a center point that is approximately equidistant from the spaced apart ends. The magnetic solenoid also includes a conductive coil that extends along and conforms to the elongated sidewall and comprises a plurality of consecutive loops centered on the central axis. The plurality of consecutive loops can have a consecutive loop-spacing that is non-uniform along the central axis and having a substantial maximum spacing value at approximately the center point. |
| US08487727B2 |
Magnet assemblies and methods for making the same
A superconducting magnet assembly is provided. The superconducting magnet assembly includes a superconducting magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field, an iron shield configured to shield the superconducting magnet, and a magnetic gradient coil assembly configured to generate a gradient magnetic field. The superconducting magnet assembly further includes one or more magnetic lamination elements disposed on the iron shield to reduce eddy current induced by the gradient magnetic field in the iron shield. A method is also presented. |
| US08487724B2 |
Fully enclosed electronic trip unit for a molded case circuit breaker
A molded case circuit breaker having a trip unit with one or more integrally formed dielectric protrusions that are configured to slidably interconnect with corresponding dielectric members of the base when the trip unit is secured to the base. The dielectric protrusions extend from dielectric walls located between adjacent enclosure chambers that house the current transformers and are configured to remain in contact with the dielectric members of the base as the trip unit is being moved with respect with the base. By remaining in contact to one another while the trip unit is moved with respect to the base, the dielectric protrusions, along with the dielectric members, maintain a strong dielectric barrier within the exterior spaces between the CT enclosure chambers, thereby preventing debris from traveling between and accumulating on the trip unit and the base. |
| US08487722B2 |
Thermally managed electromagnetic switching device
A thermally managed electromagnetic switching device (2) is provided that includes a current carrying component set (4) switchable between a closed, current carrying state and an open, current interrupting state. A thermally dissipating component set (6) functionally supports and electrically isolates the current carrying component set (4) in the open state. The thermally dissipating component set (6) includes at least in part a thermally conductive polymer and is cooperatively configured to transfer heat away from the current carrying component set (4) in the closed state to dissipate thermal energy. |
| US08487721B2 |
Circuit interruption device and method of assembly
A circuit interruption device includes a conductive element configured to be coupled to a circuit, a contact arm configured to move with respect to the conductive element between a first position and a second position, and a biasing element configured to apply a biasing force on the contact arm to maintain contact between the contact arm and the conductive element when the contact arm is in the first position, wherein the contact arm is configured such that a current flow through the contact arm causes an electromagnetic repulsive force to act on the contact arm in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. |
| US08487716B1 |
Single-ended phase-shift network
A phase-shift network may include a lattice network including a first capacitor coupling a first circuit node to a second circuit node, a second capacitor coupling a third circuit node to a fourth circuit node, and a first inductor coupling the first circuit node to the fourth circuit node. A first coupled section may couple a single-ended input node to the lattice network. A second coupled section may couple the lattice network to a single-ended output node. Each coupled section may include a plurality of conductors that may form a transmission line, such as a coaxial transmission line or a stripline. A high-pass circuit may couple the input node to the first coupled section. A phase difference network may include a signal divider producing two intermediate signals coupled to respective phase-shift networks producing output signals having substantially constant phase difference over a frequency range. |
| US08487713B2 |
Multiband matching circuit and multiband power amplifier
A multiband matching circuit includes a first matching unit for converting an impedance in a signal path to Z0 in a first frequency band, and a second matching unit formed of a series matching section connected at one end in series with the first matching unit in the signal path, which is a transmission line whose characteristic impedance is equal to the matching impedance Z0 or a circuit equivalent to the transmission line at least in the first frequency band, and a parallel matching section connected at one end to the signal path at the other end of the series matching section and grounded at the other end. The parallel matching section is configured to open in impedance the connection point to the signal path in the first frequency band. The series matching section and the parallel matching section are designed to match an impedance in a second frequency band with Z0. |
| US08487710B2 |
RTWO-based pulse width modulator
A pulse width modulator based on a pair of rotary traveling wave oscillators. The first oscillator operates freely or as part of a phase-locked loop. The second oscillator operates at the same frequency as the first oscillator, but with a controllable phase offset from the first oscillator. The phase offset is set by an input voltage. A block takes the outputs of the first and second oscillators and combines them so that the output is a pulse whose width is the overlap of the oscillation signals from the first and second oscillators. The output pulse width is thus a function of the input voltage. When the pulse width modulator receives the input voltage from the output of a switching power supply, it can use the modulated pulse width to control the switching transistor of the power supply to maintain the output at a regulated voltage. |
| US08487709B2 |
Oscillator circuit
An oscillator circuit comprises a piezoelectric vibrator, an amplifier device including inverters provided in a plurality of stages, and an inverter control device. The inverters provided in the plurality of stages includes a performance-variable inverter configured which is operational in both of an initial phase of oscillation startup and a post-startup phase where the oscillation is stabilized and capable of a variable performance depending on whether the initial phase of oscillation startup or the post-startup phase where the oscillation is stabilized, and an ON/OFF inverter which is operational in the initial phase of oscillation startup and disconnected in the post-startup phase where the oscillation is stabilized. The inverter control device have the performance-variable inverter and the ON/OFF inverter both operational and lowers the performance of the performance-variable inverter in the initial phase of oscillation startup, and the inverter control device disconnects the ON/OFF inverter and increases the performance of the performance-variable inverter in the post-startup phase where the oscillation is stabilized. |
| US08487704B2 |
Reference voltage generator for biasing an amplifier
A method generates a reference voltage by steps including: generating a reference signal from a voltage source; generating a comparison signal of the reference signal with a voltage reference; sampling the comparison signal; adjusting a numerical value as a function of the result of the comparison and of the numerical value; and converting the current numerical value into a voltage corresponding to the reference voltage. |
| US08487699B2 |
Inductive-element feedback-loop compensator
Described is an inductive compensating network coupled between the differential inputs of an operational amplifier circuit. The inductive compensating network includes at least one inductive element having an inductance value selected so as to provide proper compensation of the operational amplifier circuit. Also described is a feedback compensation scheme which adjusts loop characteristics by introducing zeros into a system with the addition of inductive or capacitive elements in a feedback path. |
| US08487696B2 |
Modularized three-dimensional capacitor array
A modularized capacitor array includes a plurality of capacitor modules. Each capacitor module includes a capacitor and a switching device that is configured to electrically disconnect the capacitor. The switching device includes a sensing unit configured to detect the level of leakage of the capacitor so that the switching device disconnects the capacitor electrically if the leakage current exceeds a predetermined level. Each capacitor module can include a single capacitor plate, two capacitor plates, or more than two capacitor plates. The leakage sensors and switching devices are employed to electrically disconnect any capacitor module of the capacitor array that becomes leaky, thereby protecting the capacitor array from excessive electrical leakage. |
| US08487692B1 |
Voltage generator with adjustable slope
A charging circuit includes a first current mirror for receiving an input voltage, a second current mirror including a first branch circuit and a second branch circuit for receiving the input voltage, a switch transistor coupled to the first current mirror and the first branch circuit for determining a conduction condition of the switch transistor according to a switch signal, a first resistor including a first resistance and one end coupled to the switch transistor, and a second resistor including a second resistance and one end coupled the second branch circuit of the second current mirror, wherein the first current mirror and the second current mirror perform a charging operation of a loading circuit according to the first resistance and the second resistance. |
| US08487688B2 |
Semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an interface, a power supply, a driver, and a switch section. The interface includes a first MOSFET and converts a terminal switch signal of input serial data into parallel data. The first MOSFET is provided on the SOI substrate and has a back gate in a floating state. The power supply includes a second MOSFET and generates an ON potential higher than a potential of a power supply to be supplied to the interface. The second MOSFET is provided on the SOI substrate and has a back gate connected to a source. The driver includes a third MOSFET and outputs a control signal for controlling the ON potential to be in a high level according to the parallel data. The third MOSFET is provided on the SOI substrate and has a back gate connected to a source. |
| US08487683B1 |
Circuit for generating multi-phase non-overlapping clock signals
A circuit for generating multi-phase, non-overlapping clock signals includes a shift register that generates first and second clock signals from an input clock signal. First and second circuit modules generate corresponding first and second interim signals using the first and second clock signals and first and second feedback signals, respectively. The first and second interim signals are non-overlapping by at least a predetermined minimum time difference. The first and second interim signals are multiplexed to generate an output signal. The output signal is delayed by a first predetermined time to generate a first delay signal. The first delay signal is delayed by a second predetermined time to generate a second delay signal. The second delay signal is de-multiplexed to generate the first and the second feedback signals, and the first delay signal is de-multiplexed to generate the set of multi-phase, non-overlapping clock signals. |
| US08487682B2 |
Multi-phase clock generator
A clock generator includes a first latch configured to output a first intermediate clock phase signal based on a first clock signal and a second intermediate clock phase signal. A first phase interpolation circuit has a first input coupled to a first input of the first latch and a second input coupled to a first output of the first latch. The first phase interpolation circuit is configured to output a first clock phase signal based on the first and second intermediate clock phase signals. |
| US08487678B2 |
Half cycle delay locked loop
An integrated circuit for a half cycle delay locked loop is disclosed. The integrated circuit includes an input node coupled to an oscillator having a clock cycle of M. The integrated circuit also includes N delay elements outputting N different phase-shifted signals, where a total delay introduced by the N delay elements is M/2. The integrated circuit also includes a plurality of inverters, each coupled to an output of one of the N delay elements, where the plurality is less than N. The integrated circuit also includes a phase detector coupled to the input node and an inverted Nth phase-shifted signal. The integrated circuit also includes a charge pump coupled to the phase detector and the delay elements. |
| US08487677B1 |
Phase locked loop with adaptive biasing
A phase locked loop including first and second charge pumps, a voltage buffer and a bias generator for adaptive biasing for improved performance. A voltage controlled oscillator, feedback circuit and phase detector portions may be provided to operate similar to conventional configurations. The first charge pump receives an adjust signal, such as from the phase detector, and selectively charges an intermediate node. The second charge pump receives the adjust signal and selectively charges a control node developing the control voltage for the VCO. A loop filter capacitor is referenced to the intermediate node. The voltage buffer, replacing the loop filter resistor, buffers the intermediate node and drives the control node. The bias generator converts the control voltage to a converter bias current based on the control voltage and adjusts the charge pump currents and a bias current of the voltage buffer. |
| US08487672B2 |
Clock supply apparatus
A clock supply apparatus for supplying clock signals to a plurality of circuit blocks includes a supply unit configured to supply, to reset the plurality of circuit blocks, a clock signal rising at timing different from one circuit block to another to each of the plurality of circuit blocks. |
| US08487671B2 |
Internal-clock adjusting circuit
A delay circuit generates an internal clock signal or a second clock signal by delaying an external clock signal. A detection-potential generation circuit included in a phase-difference determination circuit generates a detection potential corresponding to a difference between a timing of an active edge of an internal clock signal or a third clock signal and a timing of the target external clock signal in a first node. A reference-potential generation circuit included in the phase-difference determination circuit generates a reference potential in a second node. A phase control circuit delays the second clock signal according to the detection potential. At this time, when the detection potential is higher than the reference potential, an adjustment amount of the second clock signal per adjustment changes. |
| US08487669B2 |
High speed RF divider
High-speed RF differential, Quadrature, divide-by-2 clock divider designs are based on inverters and clocking circuits connected in a serial ring formation. In one embodiment, only NMOS transistors are used in the inverters, and only PMOS transistors are used in the clocking circuits. This structure uses only 12 transistors, The input can be coupled directly to a VCO output, and provides minimum loading, as each VCO output is connected to only two transistors. Another embodiment comprises clocked inverter stages connected in a serial ring configuration with inverters between stages. The RF clock (or VCO signal) is used at the outer side of the inverters for speed improvement. In both circuits, positive and negative clock inputs are connected alternately at each stage of the ring. |
| US08487663B2 |
Driver circuit with EMI immunity
A driver circuit suitable for outputting a signal onto an output line affected by conducted EMI, has a slope control circuit and an output circuit, (op-amp, Mo, M13 to M21). It can be used for driving a LIN network. The slope control circuit outputs a slope controlled version of the input signal to the output circuit, which (M6,M7) is arranged to reduce an amount of conducted EMI induced DC shift in the output circuit. This can involve clipping a feedback signal, and regulating an output stage of the op-amp to prevent the DC shift. Having a separate output circuit can help shield the slope control circuit from the EMI on the output line. |
| US08487659B2 |
Comparator with adaptive timing
An adaptive delay device that provides a delay to a signal based on circuit conditions such as temperature, supply voltage values and/or fabrication processes. The adaptive delay device may respond to circuit conditions by charging a capacitive device to a threshold voltage. A comparator may incorporate the adaptive delay device to provide adaptive timing for the comparator functions thereby attaining improved noise performance and/or reduce power consumption. |
| US08487656B1 |
Dynamic logic circuit
A dynamic logic circuit includes an N channel transistor stack between a dynamic node and a first power terminal for receiving a plurality of logic signals. A first clock transistor is coupled between a second power terminal and the dynamic node for receiving a clock signal. A second clock transistor is in series with the N channel stack, between the dynamic node and a second power terminal, and for receiving the clock signal. An inverter circuit has an input coupled to the dynamic node and an output. A keeper transistor has a control electrode coupled to the output of the inverter circuit, a first current electrode coupled to the dynamic node, and a second current electrode. A plurality of P channel transistors, which are coupled in parallel, are coupled between the keeper transistor and the second power terminal and are for receiving the plurality of logic signals. |
| US08487652B2 |
Adjustable interface buffer circuit between a programmable logic device and a dedicated device
An integrated circuit includes a programmable logic device, a dedicated device, and an interface circuit between the two. The interface circuit can be easily modified to accommodate the different interface I/O demands of various dedicated devices that may be embedded into the integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the interface circuit may be implemented using a plurality of mask programmable uni-directional interface buffer circuits. The direction of any desired number of the interface buffer circuits can be reversed based on the needs of a desired dedicated device by re-routing the conductors in the interface buffer circuits in a single metal layer of the integrated circuit. In another embodiment, the interface circuit may be implemented using a hardware configurable bi-directional interface buffer circuit. |
| US08487651B2 |
Multiple data rate memory interface architecture
The present invention provides a DQS bus for implementing high speed multiple-data-rate interface architectures in programmable logic devices. The DQS bus has a balanced tree structure between at least one data strobe circuit and a plurality of I/O register blocks. |
| US08487647B2 |
Circuit and method for deglitching an input signal
System and method for deglitching an input signal. An output signal may be delayed to generate a delayed signal, the delayed signal determining a guard time interval following a desired transition in the input signal, and a logic circuit is used to keep the output signal unchanged during the guard time interval, and to allow the output signal to equal the input signal outside the guard time interval, based on a value of the delayed signal. |
| US08487646B2 |
Method and apparatus for reading a programmable anti-fuse element in a high-voltage integrated circuit
In a method for reading a programmable anti-fuse block of a high-voltage integrated circuit a first voltage is applied to a first pin of the HVIC, the first voltage being lowered to a second voltage at a first node. Current is shunted from the first node, thereby lowering the second voltage to a third voltage. An isolation circuit block is then activated to couple the third voltage to a common node of the programmable anti-fuse block, the common node being coupled to a plurality of anti-fuses, each anti-fuse having a programmed state. A read signal is generated that causes a voltage potential representative of the programmed state of each anti-fuse to be latched into a corresponding latch element. |
| US08487645B2 |
Through silicon via testing structure
A through-silicon via (TSV) testing structure is disclosed herein and includes a plurality of controllers, a plurality of transmitters and a plurality of receivers. The controllers are configured to output a first controlling signal and a second controlling signal. The transmitters are respectively connected to the output end of the through-silicon via and one of the controllers, and output a testing output signal in accordance with the first controlling signal and the second controlling signal. The receivers are respectively connected to the input end of the through-silicon via and another one of the controllers, and input a testing input signal in accordance with the first controlling signal and the second controlling signal. |
| US08487639B1 |
Receive demodulator for capacitive sensing
A charge storage circuit stores charge from a current induced across a capacitive sensing device. The current across the capacitive sensing device is supplied to the charge storage circuit by a current conveying device to generate an output voltage signal. The presence of a conductive object proximate to the capacitive sensing device is detected based on the output voltage signal. |
| US08487632B2 |
Electrostatic sensor and occupant detecting device having the same
An electrostatic sensor for a vehicle includes a loop-shaped electrode arranged in a seat bottom of the vehicle, and a sensor portion to detect a weak electric field generated between the electrode and a chassis of the vehicle when a predetermined voltage is applied to the electrode. The electrode has an imaginary center line linearly extending in a front-and-rear direction of the vehicle. The electrode defines a resistance distribution approximately symmetrical in a left-and-right direction of the vehicle relative to the imaginary center line. |
| US08487628B2 |
System for smart management of an electrochemical battery
The present invention relates to a system for smart management of an electrochemical battery using a method of estimating the internal state of the battery, by use of mathematical models for management of an electrochemical battery during operation thereof, and notably for estimating the characteristics of the battery that are not directly measurable. For applications relative to hybrid and electric vehicles, the most interesting internal characteristics are the state of charge (SoC), the state of health (SoH) and the thermal state. Reconstruction of the internal characteristics is done using mathematical models of the batter. |
| US08487624B2 |
Surface sensor
The invention relates to a sensor for measuring structures in a surface, e.g. a fingerprint sensor comprising a chosen number of sensor elements at chosen positions for coupling to a finger surface having a size less or comparable to the size of the structures in the finger surface, and a processing unit including interrogation electrodes coupled to said sensor elements for providing impedance measurements at said finger surface, the processing unit being mounted on one side of a substrate and the sensor elements being positioned on the opposite side of said substrate, the substrate including through going first conducting leads between said sensor elements and said interrogation electrodes. The substrate is made from a semiconductor material such as silicon and said first conducting leads are constituted by through going substrate sections of a chosen size surrounded by an insulating dielectric separating them from the substrate. |
| US08487622B2 |
MR signal transmission in a local coil arrangement
In a magnetic resonance tomography local coil arrangement and a method for processing signals received thereby, at least one local coil is fashioned to receive at least one reception signal and at least one amplifier is provided that amplifies the at least one reception signal. A frequency converter generates at least one intermediate frequency signal from the at least one reception signal the intermediate frequency of the intermediate frequency signal differing from the reception signal frequency of each reception signal. An analog-digital converter converts the analog intermediate frequency signal into a digitized signal. A shielding device shields against at least radio-frequency signals, the shielding device surrounding at least the analog-digital converter. At least one frequency filter is arranged between the at least one local coil and the analog-digital converter, the frequency filter exhibiting a transmission range for signals with the intermediate frequency of an intermediate frequency signal. The digitized signal is transmitted from the local coil arrangement. |
| US08487620B2 |
Modular apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging
The present invention discloses a modular MRI imaging system. The imaging system includes MRI radio-frequency antenna arrays separate from the patient support structure. The antenna arrays are affixed to a thin, flexible film such that they may be located next to the anatomical region of interest. In addition, multiple antenna arrays may be configured in various planar or three-dimensional arrangements to optimize the FOV and SNR. Separate patient support structures are provided that enhance ergonomics and patient stabilization. By removing the antenna from the housing, the support structures may be designed without the constraints of supporting the antenna or the associated electronics. The MRI imaging system further employs a preamplifier module. The preamplifier module houses the preamplifier and much of the other associated circuitry for each of the antennae. The preamplifier module operates to combine the signals from the antenna arrays and pass the signals to the MRI system. |
| US08487614B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus/method counter-actively suppressing remnant eddy current magnetic fields generated from gradients applied before controlling contrast pre-pulses and MRI image data acquisition
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit and a compensation unit. The imaging unit acquires image data by imaging that applies a pre-pulse for controlling contrast. The compensation unit suppresses a remnant magnetic field having an intensity according to slice position. The remnant magnetic field is at an application timing of the pre-pulse and due to an eddy current generated by at least one gradient magnetic field applied before applying the pre-pulse. |
| US08487612B2 |
Current sensor
A current sensor including a magnetic detecting bridge circuit which is constituted of four magneto-resistance effect elements with a resistance value varied by application of an induced magnetic field from a current to be measured, and which has an output between two magneto-resistance effect elements. The four magneto-resistance effect elements have the same resistance change rate, and include a self-pinned type ferromagnetic fixed layer which is formed by anti-ferromagnetically coupling a first ferromagnetic film and a second ferromagnetic film via an antiparallel coupling film therebetween, a nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and a soft magnetic free layer. Magnetization directions of the ferromagnetic fixed layers of the two magneto-resistance effect elements providing the output are different from each other by 180°. The magnetic detecting bridge circuit has wiring symmetrical to a power supply point. |
| US08487605B1 |
Global severe lightning storm locator
A real time Schumann frequency (approximately 6-10 Hz) band-based, lightning strike detector system is described, comprising: first and second sensor systems, each sensor system comprising: first and second magnetic field sensors, each sensor having a preferential directional sensitivity, wherein the sensors are arranged with their preferential directional sensitivity substantially orthogonal to each other; signal lines coupled to the sensors; an amplifier to coupled to the signal lines; an output of the amplifier coupled to a processor; and power source coupled to the amplifier and processor, wherein the first and second sensor systems are separated from each other by at least 400 miles, and wherein each sensor system upon detection of a Schumann frequency from a lightning strike provides a respective orientation angle, wherein an intersection of the angles of orientation following a great circle path indicates a location of the lightning strike. |
| US08487603B2 |
Reference voltage generating circuit of semiconductor memory apparatus
A voltage generating circuit of semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a voltage controller that detects the level of an external supply voltage and outputs a voltage control signal; a voltage supplier that outputs the external supply voltage or a first internal voltage in response to the voltage control signal; and a first reference voltage generator that is supplied with an output voltage of the voltage supplier and generates a first reference voltage. |
| US08487598B2 |
DC-DC converter with unity-gain feedback amplifier driving bias transistor
An output stage of a switching DC-DC converter includes a pair of transistors and a bias transistor connected between the transistors. A voltage regulator generates a bias voltage to bias a control terminal of the bias transistor with a fixed bias voltage. The voltage regulator is operable in a full-power mode and a low-power mode. The voltage regulator consumes larger current in the full-power mode than in the low-power mode. At low load currents, the voltage regulator is operated in the low-power mode when both the transistors in the pair of transistors are off, and in the full-power mode otherwise. |
| US08487597B2 |
Controlled power supply and method for pulse load
A method for supplying bursts of substantially constant voltage to a switched load via a voltage reservoir. Based on a predetermined current that is to be sourced by the load during an active portion of a switching cycle, computing an average current that should be fed to the voltage reservoir during an inactive portion of the switching cycle to ensure that sufficient energy will stored in the voltage reservoir to supply the load without completely draining the voltage reservoir. Supplying continuous energy to the voltage reservoir at a substantially constant current equal in magnitude to said average current. |
| US08487594B2 |
Accurate current sensing circuit with ultra low voltage supply
An integrated circuit includes a DC-DC converter, which includes an inductor; a first transistor coupled to the inductor and configured to pass an inductor current to the inductor; and a second transistor forming a current mirror with the first transistor. The integrated circuit further includes an operational amplifier. The operational amplifier includes a first input node and a second input node. The first input node is configured to couple to a drain of the first transistor when the first transistor is turned on, and decoupled from the drain of the first transistor when the first transistor is turned off. The second input node is coupled to a drain of the second transistor. |
| US08487590B2 |
Cell controller having a unit cell voltage detecting section
A cell controller capable of ensuring high safety even when a short occurs among voltage detecting lines without causing increased costs is provided. The cell controller 10 includes a unit cell voltage detecting section 7 to detect a voltage of each unit cell 1 constituting a battery group through each voltage detecting line and a SOC adjusting circuit for adjusting a SOC of each unit cell 1 having resistors 2 for SOC adjustment, switching elements 6, and a bypass control section 8 to exercise on/off control on the switching elements 6. Each resistor 2 is connected in series to each voltage detecting line and the unit cell voltage detecting section 7 to detect a voltage of each unit cell 1 through each of the resistors 2. The bypass control section 8 lets the switching elements 6 corresponding to the unit cells 1 to be SOC-adjusted enter an ON state at a time of adjusting a SOC, and control is exercised so that each resistor 2 for SOC adjustment is connected in series to each voltage detecting line led from each positive and negative electrode of each unit cell 1 to be adjusted and each of the serially connected resistors 2 is connected in parallel to each unit cell 1 to be adjusted. |
| US08487584B2 |
Electric vehicle charging station
The present application relates to a charging station operable in a charging cycle for charging an electric vehicle. The charging station has a key-activated controller for controlling the charging cycle. The application also relates to a key for operating the charging station. Furthermore, the application relates to a charging station having an interface for connecting the charging station to a data network. The application also relates to a charging station having a socket for receiving a plug and a key-operated locking mechanism for locking a plug in said socket. A frangible panel movable between an open position and a closed position may be provided. A processor may be provided for generating data to impose a financial charge on an individual for using the charging station. The application also relates to methods of operating a charging station including the steps of obtaining user identification data; supplying electricity to a charging socket; and generating data for levying a financial charge on the user. |
| US08487579B2 |
Determination of the position of a component
A method for determining the position of a component, that is able to be moved into at least two end positions with the aid of a drive, especially of a flap for controlling fluid flows in an internal combustion engine, includes the following steps: providing an electric signal that indicates the speed of motion of an element of the drive, determining a change in position of the component by the integration of the electric signal, and determining the absolute position of the component from the change in position. |
| US08487578B2 |
Position sensing device and method for implementing failsafe control on position sensing system including the same
A movement detection unit detects a movement of a detected object and outputs a voltage signal to an electronic control unit. A buffer unit implements buffer amplification on the outputted voltage signal. A pull-up resistor element or a pull-down resistor element is connected with the buffer unit via a wiring portion. A current detection unit detects a direction of an electric current flowing through the wiring portion to output a safe specific voltage signal to the electronic control unit on disconnection of the wiring portion. A power-supply-voltage detection unit detects decrease in a power supply voltage applied to the movement detection unit. A voltage switching unit sets the voltage signal, which is outputted to the electronic control unit through the wiring portion, on a high-voltage side or a low-voltage side according to the detected direction of the electric current, on detection of decrease in the power supply voltage. |
| US08487573B2 |
Starter controller
A relay is provided in a power supply line from a battery to a motor of a starter in a vehicle. The relay is selectively switched between a contact side state where contacts short-circuit and a resistor side state where the contacts open and a resistor is inserted into the power supply line in series. When an engine is started, an ECU controlling the starter energizes the motor by driving the relay to the resistor side only for a first predetermined time in order to suppress inrush current and voltage fall due to the inrush current. The ECU detects a contact side state fixation abnormality of the relay based on a battery voltage at the time when the motor is energized by driving the relay to the resistor side. |
| US08487570B2 |
Method and device for operating an electric drive with the aid of a phase angle control
The invention relates to a method for operating an electric motor (2) having a phase angle control with the following steps: Applying an AC voltage to a series connection of the electric motor (2) and a switching element (4), particularly a triac, wherein the switching element (4) connects through by applying an ignition signal and suppresses the flow of a current if the amount of current falls below a holding current; determining the time of a zero crossing of a virtual motor current that would flow if the switching element (4) were connected through; and turning on the switching element (4) at an activation time that is dependant on the time of the zero crossing of the virtual motor current. |
| US08487567B2 |
Two-phase BLDC motor
A two-phase BLDC motor comprises a stator and a rotor. The stator has a stator core and a two-phase winding wound on the stator core. The stator core comprises a plurality of teeth with slots formed between adjacent teeth. The rotor rotor has a plurality of magnetic poles formed by at least one permanent magnet. The windings are received in corresponding slots in such a way that each winding spans multiple teeth and the direction of current flowing through the windings in any one slot at any one time is the same. |
| US08487566B2 |
Electronic commutator circuits
The present invention provides an electronic commutator circuit for use with a stator winding of an electrical machine. The stator winding of the electrical machine includes a number of coils linked by the same number of points of common coupling. The electronic commutator circuit comprising the same number of switching stages, each switching stage being connected between a respective one of the points of common coupling and first and second dc terminals. Each switching stage further includes a first reverse blocking semiconductor power device (such as a Reverse Blocking Gate Turn Off Thyristor (RB-GTO 1) capable of being turned on and off by gate control having its anode connected to the first dc terminal, and a second reverse blocking semiconductor power device (RB-GTO 2) capable of being turned on and off by gate control having its cathode connected to the second dc terminal. |
| US08487565B2 |
Control of an electrical machine
A method of controlling an electrical machine that includes commutating a phase winding of the electrical machine at a time T_COM(1) after a first edge and at a time T_COM(2) after a second edge of a rotor-position signal. T_COM(2) is defined by the equation: T_COM(2)=T_COM(1)+T_AVE−T_PD, where T_AVE is an average period between edges of the rotor-position signal, and T_PD is the period between the first and second edges. Additionally, a controller and control system that implement the method. |
| US08487564B2 |
Brushless motor controller and method for controlling brushless motor
A brushless motor controller is disclosed. The brushless motor controller includes a control unit and a drive timing generation unit. The control unit detects a load state of the motor. The drive timing generation unit generates a normal energizing timing determined by the rotational position of the rotor. Also, the drive timing generation unit generates an advancing angle energizing timing determined by the rotational position of the rotor and advanced by a predetermined amount from the normal energizing timing, generates a delay amount that changes in correspondence with the detected load state of the motor and the rotational speed of the rotor, and generates a final advancing angle energizing timing delayed by the delay amount from the advancing angle energizing timing. |
| US08487563B2 |
Drive motor control apparatus for vehicle, motor control system, method for correcting rotation angle of motor, program for performing the same, rotation detecting apparatus
A drive motor control apparatus for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a motor and rotation detecting unit. In the apparatus, the first difference computing unit computes one of multiple first differences every time an actual detected angle of rotation of the motor becomes a corresponding representative angle during the one cycle. The first difference indicates an advancing amount of an estimated angle relative to the actual detected angle. The second difference computing unit computes multiple second differences based on the first differences of the one cycle. The second differences are adjusted in accordance with a degree of acceleration and deceleration of the motor. The adjusted second differences are used for correcting the actual detected angle of rotation of the motor. |
| US08487562B2 |
Methods and systems for automatic rotation direction determination of electronically commutated motor
A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower. |
| US08487560B2 |
Electric brake system with magnetic loss
An electric brake system for an electromechanical machine connected to output terminals of an inverter, input terminals of which are supplied by a DC voltage source. The system includes an electrical circuit connected between the input terminals of the inverter and including, connected in series: a mechanism dissipating electrical energy returned by the electromechanical machine to the input terminals of the inverter during a braking phase of the electromechanical machine, including an inductor wound around a magnetic circuit; and a switching mechanism to close the electrical circuit during a braking phase of the electromechanical machine and to open the electrical circuit in absence of a braking phase of the electromechanical machine. |
| US08487559B2 |
Diesel-electric drive system
A diesel-electric drive system includes a generator having two multi-phase winding systems, a diesel engine, and a DC-link converter. Two self-commuted pulse power converters on the generator side are linked to the windings systems and to each other by a brake resistor on the alternating voltage side. The brake resistor is split into two series-connected resistors, each having half the resistance value of the brake resistor. An input of a bipolar switching device is connected to a connecting point of two series-connected resistors. The capacity of the diesel motor can then be checked in a self-load test with a controllable load torque of the diesel-electric drive system, while eliminating overloads of the power semiconductors of the self-commuted pulse power converters on the generator side. |
| US08487558B2 |
Electric vehicle
An electric vehicle may include a main battery, a charging system electronic device, an electrically powered system-based electronic device, a first high-voltage electric wire; and a second high-voltage electric wire. The electrically powered system-based electronic device and the charging system electronic device may be sequentially disposed in parallel. The electric vehicle may further include a first junction relay capable of isolating the first high-voltage electric wire; and a second junction relay capable of isolating the second high-voltage electric wire. The first junction relay is disposed between the main battery and the charging system electronic device, and a first pre-charge relay which bypasses the first junction relay is disposed in parallel with the first junction relay, and the second junction relay is disposed between the charging system electronic device and the electrically powered system-based electronic device. |
| US08487556B2 |
Ultra-high vacuum photoelectron linear accelerator
An rf linear accelerator for producing an electron beam. The outer wall of the rf cavity of said linear accelerator being perforated to allow gas inside said rf cavity to flow to a pressure chamber surrounding said rf cavity and having means of ultra high vacuum pumping of the cathode of said rf linear accelerator. Said rf linear accelerator is used to accelerate polarized or unpolarized electrons produced by a photocathode, or to accelerate thermally heated electrons produced by a thermionic cathode, or to accelerate rf heated field emission electrons produced by a field emission cathode. |
| US08487553B2 |
Lighting device, lighting control device, illumination device, and projector
A lighting device which lights the discharge lamp, includes: a converting circuit which converts the direct current into an alternating current; a pulse generating circuit which generates a high voltage pulse; and a trigger circuit which causes the pulse generating circuit to generate the high voltage pulse, wherein the pulse generating circuit includes a primary winding and a secondary winding and generates the high voltage pulse by increasing a current input to the secondary winding based on a current input to the primary winding, and the trigger circuit includes a high pass filter; a first capacitor which stores and discharges charges input via the high pass filter; and a third switching element which outputs an output current from a second capacitor connected in parallel to the converting circuit to the primary winding if an output voltage from the first capacitor exceeds a threshold. |
| US08487551B1 |
Ultra-high efficiency ballast with end of lamp life protection
In one embodiment, a self-oscillating electronic ballast for discharge tube type lamps which increases efficiency and has IEC-standard end of lamp life protection. Efficiency is enhanced by placing primary resonant capacitor (351a) in parallel with cathode conduction loop (270) while retaining a minimal secondary resonant capacitor (351b) within the cathode conduction loop (270). IEC-standard end of lamp life protection is achieved by placing the primary winding (323) of the base drive transformer (357) within the cathode conduction loop (270) of the ballast circuit, and employing a dampening capacitor (307) to suppress the erroneous base drive signals generated by coupling in the secondary windings (325, 327) as a lamp nears end of lamp life. Other embodiments are described and shown. |
| US08487549B2 |
Light-emitting diode control circuit
A light-emitting diode (LED) control circuit includes a switch, a control signal generating circuit, a voltage conversion device, and N switching circuits. The voltage conversion device converts a first direct current (DC) power supply to a second DC power supply for supplying power to the control signal generating circuit. The control signal generating circuit outputs different control signals according to the switch to turn on or off the N switching circuits, thus power is supplied to corresponding groups of LEDs. |
| US08487546B2 |
LED lighting system with accurate current control
A light emitting diode (LED) lighting system and method are disclosed. The LED lighting system and method include an LED controller to accurately control a current in an LED system. The LED controller includes components to calculate, based on the current and an active time period of an LED current time period, an actual charge amount delivered to the LED system wherein the LED current time period is duty cycle, modulated at a rate of greater than fifty (50) Hz and to utilize the actual charge amount to modify and provide a desired target charge amount to be delivered during a future active time period of the LED current time period. The LED system and method further involve components to compare the actual charge amount to a desired charge amount for the active time period and compensate for a difference between the actual charge amount and the desired charge amount during the future active time period. |
| US08487545B2 |
Apparatus for the control of lighting and associated methods
A lighting controller arranged to drive one or more light emitting semiconductors, the controller comprising a current source and/or a voltage source and a current and/or voltage sensor wherein the controller is arranged to drive the or each light emitting semiconductor using a substantially constant current or voltage and further arranged to either monitor the actual current passing through the light emitting semiconductor and the controller being arranged to monitor the voltage such that the disconnection or occurrence of faults within the or each light emitting semiconductor can be detected; or monitor the actual voltage across the light emitting semiconductor and the controller being arranged to monitor the current such that the disconnection or occurrence of faults within the or each light emitting semiconductor can be detected. |
| US08487540B2 |
Variable light-level production using different dimming modes for different light-output ranges
A wake-up lighting device is described, comprising a gas discharge lamp (10) and a lamp driver (1; 2) comprising a power source (100) capable of generating spaced-apart current bursts (51) of alternating lamp current (I). The wake-up lighting device is capable of operating in an off-mode in which no lamp current is generated, and is adapted to switch from its off-mode to a wake-up mode in which the power source (100) operates to:—initially generate an alternating lamp current (I) with a minimum duty cycle value (ΔT) and a reduced current amplitude (IR) close to zero;—subsequently gradually increase the current amplitude while keeping the duty cycle (Δ) constant at the minimum duty cycle value (ΔT), until the current amplitude reaches a nominal current amplitude (IM);—subsequently gradually increase the duty cycle (Δ) while keeping the current amplitude constant at the nominal current amplitude (IM). |
| US08487533B2 |
Display apparatus having a rigid encapsulation unit
A display apparatus including: a display unit disposed on a substrate; an encapsulation unit facing the display unit, the encapsulation unit including: a metal layer; a complex member; and a reinforcement member formed on an upper surface of the complex member; and a sealing unit disposed between the substrate and the encapsulation unit and apart from the display unit to bond the substrate and the encapsulation unit to the sealing unit. |
| US08487528B2 |
Organic light emitting diode device having an ytterbium alloy electrode
An organic light emitting diode device including a first electrode; a second electrode facing the first electrode; and an emitting layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first electrode includes an ytterbium (Yb) alloy represented by the following Chemical Formula 1: Yb-M (1), and in Chemical Formula 1, M is a metal including at least one of silver (Ag), calcium (Ca), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), ruthenium (Ru), indium (In), and tungsten (W). |
| US08487526B2 |
Light emitting apparatus, surface light source apparatus and display apparatus
A light emitting apparatus has a light emitting element arranged on a substrate and a light flux controlling member. The light flux controlling member has: a light control/emission surface that controls a traveling direction of light; a concavity that allows a main beam to be incident inside; and a back surface that extends in a radial direction from an opening rim part of the concavity and that allows sub-beams to be incident inside. One of a grid convex part which arranges a plurality of strips of convex parts in a grid pattern and a grid concave part which arranges a plurality of strips of concave parts in a grid pattern is formed in the back surface of the light flux controlling member. The substrate and the back surface of the light flux controlling member are placed opposite to one another without intervention of a reflective sheet therebetween. |
| US08487514B2 |
Apparatus and method for harvesting energy
An apparatus for generating electrical energy from mechanical vibrations of an object is provided. The apparatus comprises a case for housing the object. The case comprises: a first case member comprising a first and a second opposing surfaces, said first case member comprising an internal space between the first and the second opposing surfaces; multiple piezoelectric elements for generating electrical energy from the mechanical vibrations, each piezoelectric element comprises a first and a second end, wherein each piezoelectric element being arranged over the first and the second opposing surfaces at the first end; a second case member movably suspended on the first case member, said second case member interfaces with the second end of piezoelectric elements arranged over the first opposing surface; and a third case member movably suspended on the first case member, said third case member interfaces with the second end of piezoelectric element arranged over the second opposing surface. |
| US08487508B2 |
Method and system for monitoring environmental conditions while ignoring irrelevant ranges
A sensing system, sensing method, and method of producing a sensing system capable of providing a cumulative measurement capability, such as in the form of a RFID tag capable of measuring cumulative heat and humidity for continuous monitoring of storage and shipping conditions of various goods. The system includes integrated circuitry and a plurality of sensing elements, preferably having cantilevered bimorph beams. Each sensing element is responsive to an environmental condition so as to deflect toward and away from open contacts in response to changes in the environmental condition. Each sensing element produces a digital output when it contacts and closes its open contacts. The integrated circuitry interfaces with the sensing elements so that the digital outputs of the sensing elements are processed to generate a system output of the sensing system. |
| US08487506B2 |
Energy generator systems with a voltage-controlled switch
A first energy generating system comprises a ferromagnetic generator coupled to a voltage controlled switch. The ferromagnetic generator includes a ferromagnetic element generating a magnetic field and positioned within a pulse generating coil and near an explosive charge. Detonation of the explosive charge decreases the magnetic field and induces a pulse of electric energy in the pulse generating coil. When the magnitude of the electric energy reaches a certain level, the voltage controlled switch closes. A second energy generating system comprises a flux compression generator coupled to a voltage controlled switch. The flux compression generator includes a inductance coil generating a magnetic field within a metallic armature that includes an explosive charge. Detonation of the explosive charge changes the magnetic field and induces a pulse of electric energy in the inductance coil. When the magnitude of the electric energy reaches a certain level, the voltage controlled switch closes. |
| US08487504B2 |
Dynamically induced and reactive magnetic hysteresis applications and methods
A dynamically induced magnetic hysteresis apparatus is described which allows for levitation and adjustable power coupling without direct mechanical attachment or linking. Adjustment of spatial and penetration gaps are adjusted to vary the ratio of rotation. |
| US08487502B2 |
Segmented stator core
A stator core includes a first lamination and a second lamination. The first lamination is formed from a plurality of first segments and has a plurality of first mounting ears. The second lamination is formed from a plurality of second segments and has a plurality of second mounting ears. The first lamination and the second lamination are aligned with a common axis and are rotated about the common axis such that the first lamination is not aligned with the second lamination. |
| US08487501B2 |
Armature of electric motor
An object of the invention is to provide an armature of an electric motor that provides a maximum of space for winding without causing an increase of the magnetic resistance and reduction of the coil space factor. The armature of the electric motor includes a stator yoke 5 of a stator core 1 wherein a plurality of the stator cores 1 forms a substantially annular shape; and a film insulator 4 formed corresponding to a tooth 6 and a stator yoke 5 of the tooth 6, shoes 2b and 3b being provided at locations corresponding to both side ends of a front portion of a protrusion 6a of the tooth 6, the film insulator 4 being fittingly fixed to grooves 2c and 3c by its being sandwiched between a connection-side insulator 2 and an opposite-side-of-connection insulator 3, the insulators 2 and 3 having grooves 2c and 3c at roots of the shoes 2b and 3b, respectively, along both side ends 6b of the front portion of the tooth 6. |
| US08487495B2 |
Rotor for motor
A rotor includes a hub, a rotor core, holes and permanent magnets. Salient poles are each formed between neighboring openings on a circumference of the rotor core and, when viewed from a front along a line of axis of the rotor, a recessed portion that is formed by causing one portion of an inner circumferential surface of the rotor core to bulge radially outward of another portion is provided in a region enclosed by a first virtual line connecting a center of the hub and a circumferential middle position on the circumference of a magnetic pole of the rotor core having permanent magnets provided therein and a second virtual line connecting the center of the hub and a circumferential middle position on the circumference of the salient pole adjacent to the magnetic pole at a leading side in a rotational direction of the rotor. |
| US08487492B2 |
Motor assembly with a bearing in a sleeve to support the shaft
A motor assembly comprises a gearbox (1), a motor (2) and a bushing assembly. The motor has a motor shaft (22), a worm is fixed to or formed on a worm portion of the motor shaft, which is located in the gearbox. The worm potion of a motor shaft is supported by a bushing assembly. The bushing assembly comprises a sleeve (4) and a bushing (3) fixed inside the sleeve. The bushing comprises a plurality of axial ribs (31) arranged around its outer surface. The sleeve comprises a plurality of grooves (41) in its inner surface which engage the ribs on the bushing. The sleeve also comprises a plurality of ribs around its outer peripheral surface which engage with the gearbox. The motor shaft is strengthened by the bushing assembly, and a self-locking ability of motor assembly is improved. |
| US08487490B2 |
Electric rotating machine
An electric rotating machine including a rotor rotating relative to a stator, the rotor rotating a first fan placed at a first end of the stator, and a second fan placed at a second end of the stator opposite to the first end, the first and second fans being configured to generate an air flow from the first fan to the second fan through the rotor and the stator, the first fan comprising an external ring connecting the radial ends of blades together. |
| US08487487B2 |
Magnetostrictive actuator of a medical ultrasound transducer assembly, and a medical ultrasound handpiece and a medical ultrasound system having such actuator
Apparatus includes a magnetostrictive actuator of a medical ultrasound transducer assembly. The actuator comprises a magnetostrictive alloy chosen from a list. A medical ultrasound handpiece includes an ultrasound transducer assembly adapted to attachingly receive an end effector. The transducer assembly includes a magnetostrictive actuator having a magnetostrictive alloy, and includes a first coil surrounding the actuator and adapted to excite the actuator to substantially a desired medical resonant frequency and substantially a desired medical amplitude. A medical ultrasound system includes a handpiece housing, a first medical ultrasound transducer assembly, and a first medical end effector attachable to the first transducer assembly. The first transducer assembly includes a magnetostrictive first actuator having a first magnetostrictive alloy. At least a portion of the first transducer assembly is attachingly insertable in the handpiece housing without the use of tools, without damaging the handpiece housing, and without damaging the first transducer assembly. |
| US08487486B1 |
Folded electromagnetic coil
In accordance with the embodiment a folded electromagnetic coil comprises an electrically conducting wire looped and folded many times such that two or more semicircular sections are formed with approximately the same centerline and the same coil opening such that a supported-magnet can pass unobstructed though the coil center. |
| US08487482B2 |
Circuit for controlling power supply to a consumer and method for operating a circuit
A circuit for operating a consumer comprises a current source, a first switch connected in parallel with the consumer and actuated potentially separate, whereby opening and closing the first switch transmits power to the consumer in the form of square wave current pulses. The negative branch includes a potentially separately actuated second switch connected in parallel with the first switch and in series with the consumer, as well as a first load connected in parallel with the first switch and in series with the consumer. The positive branch includes a potentially separately actuated third switch connected in parallel with the first switch and in series with the consumer and second switch, as well as a second load connected in parallel with the first switch and in series with the consumer and the second switch. The second and third switches are opened and closed in anti-phase manner to the fist switch. |
| US08487480B1 |
Wireless energy transfer resonator kit
Described herein are improved capabilities for a source resonator having a Q-factor Q1>100 and a characteristic size x1 coupled to an energy source, and a second resonator having a Q-factor Q2>100 and a characteristic size x2 coupled to an energy drain located a distance D from the source resonator, where the source resonator and the second resonator are coupled to exchange energy wirelessly among the source resonator and the second resonator. |
| US08487477B2 |
Method to properly ramp current sharing
A distributed power management system may include a communication bus and a plurality of POL (point-of-load) regulators coupled to the communication bus, and configured in a current sharing arrangement in which each POL regulator of the plurality of POL regulators has a respective output stage coupled to a common load and configured to generate a respective output current. Each POL regulator may have a respective phase in the current sharing configuration, and may transmit and receive information over the bus according to a bus communication protocol corresponding to the bus. The plurality of POL regulators may autonomously synchronize, to each other, a start time of their respective output voltage signal ramps by transmitting monitoring information to each other over the communication bus, while each of the POL regulators is ramping a duty cycle of a gate signal controlling a low-side field effect transistor of the output stage of the POL regulator according to a duty cycle of a gate signal controlling a high-side FET of the output stage of the POL regulator. |
| US08487474B2 |
Method and apparatus for electrical load control network
The methods and apparatus described enable automatic configuration, or commissioning, of controller devices and load control devices through a low voltage communication network controlled by one or more controller devices. These methods and apparatus further enable expansion of the load control system by connection of additional loads and or load control devices and or controller devices which will reinitialize the low voltage communication network and automatically reconfigure the controller devices and load control devices connected to the network. |
| US08487472B2 |
Grip actuated vehicle control system
Grip actuated control system to provide operational control of vehicle functions at a gripping surface of handlebar equipped vehicles. The system can be provided as original equipment and as an aftermarket addition or replacement for existent vehicle controls. The system includes one or more grip controls positioned adjacent a user's fingertips in a grip or glove assembly which are in communication with a control module. The control module is connected to existent or provided vehicle wiring and thus to respective operational equipment such that user actuation of a grip control induces the control module to provide a corresponding output to activate/deactivate or regulate the operation of the respective vehicle equipment. Communication between the grip controls and control module can be wireless for increased flexibility in installation and placement of the module on the vehicle. Combinations, sequences, and relative timing of the grip controls can provide numerous distinct control functions. |
| US08487470B2 |
Vertical axis wind turbine and generator therefore
A vertical wind turbine is provided that includes a support base defined about an axis, a bearing assembly, a drive shaft having a proximal end and an opposing distal end, and a multistage axial flux generator. The bearing assembly includes a fixed ring and a rotating ring, wherein the fixed ring is coupled to the support base. The drive shaft is coupled to the rotating ring of the bearing assembly, and a plurality of sails are coupled to the drive shaft. The multistage axial flux generator includes a rotor assembly coupled to the drive shaft and a stator assembly coupled to the support base. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of permanent magnets, and the stator assembly includes a plurality of coils defining at least two voltage output stages. The permanent magnets on the rotor assembly are close-coupled to the coils on the stator assembly. |
| US08487464B2 |
Blade pitch control in a wind turbine installation
The present invention relates to a blade pitch controller for a floating wind turbine structure, wherein the floating wind turbine structure may include a support structure supporting a rotor having a number of blades. The controller may include standard blade pitch control means and active damping means. The standard blade pitch control means is arranged to control a blade pitch using a transfer function between a rotor speed error and the blade pitch. The active damping means is arranged to further control the blade pitch on the basis of a speed of a point on the wind turbine structure by converting the speed of a point on the wind turbine structure into a rotor speed error and using the same transfer function that is used in the standard blade pitch control means to convert the rotor speed error into a correction to the blade pitch. |
| US08487461B2 |
Method for operating a wind energy installation
The invention relates to a method for operating a wind energy plant having a double-fed asynchronous machine, at least one inverter and at least one control device, wherein electrical energy is at least partly supplied into a grid via the inverter, the inverter comprises per phase at least one power semi-conductor module with at least two transistor circuits and at least two free-wheeling diodes and the inverter by using the control device is actuated at least at times via a pulse width modulation (PWM). The object, namely of providing a generic method for operating a wind energy plant in which an improved power output is effected even in the low-noise rotational speed range of the rotors, is achieved in that, at frequencies of the current to be impressed by the inverter on the machine side of less than 10 Hz, preferably less than 6 Hz, the switching-on duration and/or the switching frequency of the transistor circuits and/or of the free-wheeling diodes of the inverter are altered via the control device by taking their thermal heating into account. |
| US08487459B2 |
Wave energy converter and power take off system
A wave energy converter (WEC) includes a float tending to move in phase with the waves, a spar tending to move out of phase with the float and power take off device (PTO) coupled between the float and spar for converting their relative motion into useful energy. The PTO includes a rack and pinion mechanism which drives a high-torque, multi-pole, permanent magnet generator (PMG) to produce electrical signals of relatively high frequency relative to the frequency of the waves and the basic motion of the rack and pinion mechanism. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the rack and pinion mechanism may be located within the spar which may be hermetically sealed by a sealing mechanism which allows a thrust rod coupled between the float and spar to move up and down with little friction to ensure efficient operation. In addition, a braking arrangement is provided for inhibiting relative motion between the float and spar during extreme severe wave conditions. In this way, the pinion gears and generators need only be sized for the operational wave conditions. |
| US08487458B2 |
Two speed control for mobile refrigeration generators
A current sensor is installed in a generator set to measure the current being delivered from the generator set to a refrigeration unit. A control is responsive to the current transformer to reduce the speed of the drive engine to a lower speed when the current being delivered to the refrigeration unit is determined to be below a predetermined higher level. Provision is made to override the system when the sensed current is determined to be transient caused or in the event that ambient temperature is determined to be above a predetermined temperature threshold. |
| US08487456B2 |
Methods and apparatus for harvesting biomechanical energy
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged. |
| US08487455B2 |
Welding power generator having vertical shaft arrangement
A welding generator system, in certain embodiments, has a generally vertical arrangement of a drive and a generator. The welding generator system may include a motor and a generator coupled to the motor, wherein the generator includes a rotor having an axis oriented in a generally upright direction relative to a base portion of the welding generator system. The welding generator system also may include a thrust bearing configured to support an axial load of the rotor, and a welding power system coupled to the generator. |
| US08487450B2 |
Semiconductor constructions comprising vertically-stacked memory units that include diodes utilizing at least two different dielectric materials, and electronic systems
Some embodiments include vertical stacks of memory units, with individual memory units each having a memory element, a wordline, a bitline and at least one diode. The memory units may correspond to cross-point memory, and the diodes may correspond to band-gap engineered diodes containing two or more dielectric layers sandwiched between metal layers. Tunneling properties of the dielectric materials and carrier injection properties of the metals may be tailored to engineer desired properties into the diodes. The diodes may be placed between the bitlines and the memory elements, or may be placed between the wordlines and memory elements. Some embodiments include methods of forming cross-point memory arrays. The memory arrays may contain vertical stacks of memory unit cells, with individual unit cells containing cross-point memory and at least one diode. |
| US08487449B2 |
Carbon nanotube interconnection and manufacturing method thereof
According to one embodiment, a carbon nanotube interconnection includes a first conductive layer, an insulating film, a catalyst underlying film, a catalyst deactivation film, a catalyst film, and carbon nanotubes. An insulating film is formed on the first conductive layer and including a hole. An catalyst underlying film is formed on the first conductive layer on a bottom surface in the hole and on the insulating film on a side surface in the hole. A catalyst deactivation film is formed on the catalyst underlying film on the side surface in the hole. A catalyst film is formed on the catalyst underlying film on the bottom surface in the hole and the catalyst deactivation film on the side surface in the hole. Carbon nanotubes are formed in the hole, the carbon nanotubes including one end in contact with the catalyst film on the bottom surface in the hole. |
| US08487447B2 |
Semiconductor structure having offset passivation to reduce electromigration
A semiconductor structure which includes a plurality of stacked semiconductor chips in a three dimensional configuration. There is a first semiconductor chip in contact with a second semiconductor chip. The first semiconductor chip includes a through silicon via (TSV) extending through the first semiconductor chip; an electrically conducting pad at a surface of the first semiconductor chip, the TSV terminating in contact at a first side of the electrically conducting pad; a passivation layer covering the electrically conducting pad, the passivation layer having a plurality of openings; and a plurality of electrically conducting structures formed in the plurality of openings and in contact with a second side of the electrically conducting pad, the contact of the plurality of electrically conducting structures with the electrically conducting pad being offset with respect to the contact of the TSV with the electrically conducting pad. |
| US08487445B1 |
Semiconductor device having through electrodes protruding from dielectric layer
A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. In one embodiment of the manufacturing method of the semiconductor device, a through electrode is formed on a semiconductor die, and a dielectric layer such as a photopolymer is coated on the through electrode to cover the through electrode. Under exposure is performed on the dielectric layer, thereby partially removing the dielectric layer by development. As a result, a top end of the through electrode is exposed to the outside or protrudes through the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer remaining on the top end of the through electrode may be removed by performing a plasma descum process, if needed. |
| US08487444B2 |
Three-dimensional system-in-package architecture
A system and method for making semiconductor die connections with through-silicon vias (TSVs) are disclosed. A semiconductor die is manufactured with both via-first TSVs as well as via-last TSVs in order to establish low resistance paths for die connections between adjacent dies as well as for providing a low resistance path for feedthrough channels between multiple dies. |
| US08487442B2 |
Semiconductor device having dual damascene structure
A semiconductor device, includes a semiconductor substrate, a first wiring layer formed on the semiconductor substrate, the first wiring layer containing a first via having a first aspect ratio and a first wire having a second aspect ratio, the first aspect ratio being equal to or larger than the second aspect ratio, and a second wiring layer overlying the first wiring layer, the second wiring layer containing a second via having a third aspect ratio and a second wire having a fourth aspect ratio, the third aspect ratio being smaller than the fourth aspect ratio. |
| US08487440B2 |
Backside processing of semiconductor devices
A semiconductor device includes a workpiece having a bottom surface opposite the top surface. Metallization layers are disposed over the top surface and a protective layer is disposed over the metallization layers. The semiconductor device further includes a metal silicide layer disposed on the bottom surface. The metal silicide layer is less than about five atomic layers in thickness. A first metal layer is disposed over the metal silicide layer such that a metal of the first metal layer is the same as a metal of the metal silicide layer. |
| US08487437B2 |
Electronic device package and method for fabricating the same
An electronic device package includes a substrate assembly, an electronic device disposed to face the substrate assembly, and a sealing ring or rings including a sealing layer and a bonding layer that is disposed between the substrate assembly and the electronic device, wherein the sealing ring(s) has a closed loop shape surrounding a sealing region of the electronic device, and the bonding layer is formed through a reaction of the sealing layer and sealing layer pad with a low-melting-point material layer whose melting point is lower than that of the sealing layer and sealing ring pad. The bonding layer is formed of an intermetallic compound of the sealing layer, sealing ring pad and low-melting-point material that melts at a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the low-melting-point material. The device package also includes electrical connections in the form of joints between the substrate assembly and electronic device. |
| US08487435B2 |
Sheet-molded chip-scale package
Embodiments include but are not limited to apparatuses and systems including a microelectronic device including a die having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a conductive pillar formed on the first surface of the die, and an encapsulant material encasing the die, including covering the first surface, the second surface, and at least a portion of a side surface of the conductive pillar. Methods for making the same also are described. |
| US08487429B2 |
Assembly of multi-chip modules using sacrificial features
A multi-chip module (MCM) is described. This MCM includes two substrates, having facing surfaces, which are mechanically coupled. Disposed on a surface of a first of these substrates, there is a negative feature, which is recessed below this surface. A positive feature in the MCM, which includes an assembly material other than a bulk material in the substrates, at least in part mates with the negative feature. For example, the positive feature may be disposed on the surface of the other substrate. Alternatively, prior to assembly of the MCM, the positive feature may be a separate component from the substrates (such as a micro-sphere). Note that the assembly material has a bulk modulus that is less than a bulk modulus of the material in the substrates. Furthermore, at least a portion of the positive feature may have been sacrificed when the mechanical coupling was established. |
| US08487428B2 |
Method and system for providing a reliable semiconductor assembly
A semiconductor assembly is provided that includes a substrate. A first set of non-conductive hedges is disposed on and protrudes from a first surface of the substrate. A chip is coupled to and spaced apart from the substrate. The chip has a second surface facing the first surface of the substrate. A second set of non-conductive hedges is disposed on and protrudes from the second surface of the chip. The first set of hedges is configured and positioned to engage the second set of hedges to restrict movement of the substrate with respect to the chip. The second set of hedges is configured and positioned to engage the first set of hedges to restrict movement of the chip with respect to the substrate. |
| US08487423B2 |
Interconnect structure of semiconductor integrated circuit and semiconductor device including the same
In a semiconductor integrated circuit chip including an interconnect layer in which there is a limitation on the lengths of interconnects or areas occupied by the interconnects, empty spaces between power supply interconnect segments having the same potential located in parallel to a priority interconnect direction, are shifted relative to each other within the limits of the lengths and areas of power supply interconnects. As a result, a local increase in resistance is dispersed, whereby an influence on a voltage drop is reduced. |
| US08487419B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor apparatus, the semiconductor apparatus, and ignitor using the semiconductor apparatus
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor apparatus according to aspects of the invention can include the steps of coating solder on an predetermined area in the upper surface of a lead frame, mounting a chip on solder and melting solder with a hot plate for bonding the chip to the lead frame. The method can also include wiring with bonding wires, turning lead frame upside down, placing lead frame turned upside down on heating cradle, coating solder, the melting point of which is lower than the solder melting point and mounting electronic part on solder; and melting solder with heating cradle for bonding electronic part to lead frame. The bonding with solder can be conducted at a high ambient temperature. Aspects of the semiconductor apparatus can facilitate mounting semiconductor devices and electronic parts on both surfaces of a lead frame divided to form wiring circuits without through complicated manufacturing steps. |
| US08487416B2 |
Coaxial power module
A power module includes at least one semiconductor die holding structure. Each die holding structure has a substantially cylindrical outer profile and a central axis. Each die holding structure is disposed within a common cylindrical EMI shield. A plurality of semiconductor devices are mounted to each die holding structure to form a substantially symmetric die mounting pattern respect to the central axis of the die holding structure. |
| US08487413B2 |
Passivation film for electronic device and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed are a passivation film for an electronic device having a nitride film formed on a substrate by a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method using a silicon-containing gas and a nitrogen-containing gas and a plasma-processed film formed by plasma processing a surface of the nitride film by a PECVD method using an NH3 gas, an N2 gas, and a H2 gas, and a method of manufacturing the passivation film. |
| US08487409B2 |
Indium phosphide substrate manufacturing method, epitaxial wafer manufacturing method indium phosphide substrate, and epitaxial wafer
Affords methods of manufacturing InP substrates, methods of manufacturing epitaxial wafers, InP substrates, and eptiaxial wafers whereby deterioration of the electrical characteristics can be kept under control, and at the same time, deterioration of the PL characteristics can be kept under control. An InP substrate manufacturing method of the present invention is provided with the following steps. An InP substrate is prepared (Steps S1 through S3). The InP substrate is washed with sulfuric acid/hydrogen peroxide (Step S5). After the step of washing with sulfuric acid/hydrogen peroxide (Step S5), the InP substrate is washed with phosphoric acid (Step S6). |
| US08487399B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
In a semiconductor device and related method of fabricating the same, a hard mask layer is formed over a substrate, portions of the hard mask layer and the substrate are etched to form trenches having protruding portions at sidewalls, and an insulation layer buried in the trenches is formed to form device isolation regions having protruding portions at sidewalls, wherein the device isolation regions decrease a portion of a width of active regions. |
| US08487398B2 |
Capacitor device using an isolated well and method therefor
A semiconductor device includes an isolated p-type well, wherein the isolated p-type well is a first electrode of a capacitor device; a capacitor dielectric on the isolated p-type well; a p-type polysilicon electrode over the capacitor dielectric, wherein the p-type polysilicon electrode is a second electrode of the capacitor device; a first p-type contact region in the isolated p-type well, laterally extending from a first sidewall of the p-type polysilicon electrode; a second p-type contact region in the isolated p-type well, laterally extending from a second sidewall of the p-type polysilicon electrode, opposite the first sidewall of the p-type polysilicon electrode, wherein a portion of the isolated p-type well between the first and second p-type contact regions is under the p-type polysilicon electrode and the capacitor dielectric; and an n-type isolation region surrounding the isolated p-type well. This device may be conveniently coupled to a fringe capacitor. |
| US08487392B2 |
High power density betavoltaic battery
To increase total power in a betavoltaic device, it is desirable to have greater radioisotope material and/or semiconductor surface area, rather than greater radioisotope material volume. An example of this invention is a high power density betavoltaic battery. In one example of this invention, tritium is used as a fuel source. In other examples, radioisotopes, such as Nickel-63, Phosphorus-33 or promethium, may be used. The semiconductor used in this invention may include, but is not limited to, Si, GaAs, GaP, GaN, diamond, and SiC. For example (for purposes of illustration/example, only), tritium will be referenced as an exemplary fuel source, and SiC will be referenced as an exemplary semiconductor material. Other variations and examples are also discussed and given. |
| US08487389B2 |
Uniaxial acceleration sensor
One-dimensional acceleration sensor includes: a semiconductor substrate having a constant thickness; parallel second through trenches through the substrate defining a flexible beam therebetween, having width significantly smaller than thickness; four piezo resistors formed at four corner regions of the flexible beam; first through trench through the substrate, continuous with ends of the first through trenches to define a weight continuous with one end of the flexible beam, including a pair of symmetrical first portions sandwiching the flexible beam and a second portion coupling the first portions and one end of the flexible beam, and having a center of gravity at an intermediate position on a longitudinal center line of the flexible beam; and one-layer wirings formed above the flexible beam, serially connecting piezo resistors at a same edge, and leading interconnection points generally along a longitudinal direction of the flexible beam. |
| US08487387B2 |
MEMS sensor device with multi-stimulus sensing
A device (20, 90) includes sensors (28, 30) that sense different physical stimuli. A pressure sensor (28) includes a reference element (44) and a sense element (52), and an inertial sensor (30) includes a movable element (54). Fabrication (110) entails forming (112) a first substrate structure (22, 92) having a cavity (36, 100), forming a second substrate structure (24) to include the sensors (28, 30), and coupling (128) the substrate structures so that the first sensor (28) is aligned with the cavity (36, 100) and the second sensor (30) is laterally spaced apart from the first sensor (28). Forming the second structure (24) includes forming (118) the sense element (52) from a material layer (124) of the second structure (24) and following coupling (128) of the substrate structures, concurrently forming (132) the reference element (44) and the movable element (54) in a wafer substrate (122) of the second structure (24). |
| US08487385B2 |
Uncooled IR detector arrays based on nanoelectromechanical systems
We describe the use of a high-quality-factor torsional resonator of microscale dimensions. The resonator has a paddle that is supported by two nanoscale torsion rods made of a very low thermal conductivity material, such as amorphous (“a-”) silicon. The body of the torsion paddle is coated with an infrared-absorbing material that is thin and light weight, but provides sufficient IR absorption for the applications. It may be placed above a reflecting material of similar dimensions to form a quarter wave cavity. Sensing of the response of the paddle to applied electromagnetic radiation provides a measure of the intensity of the radiation as detected by absorption, and the resulting temperature change, in the paddle. |
| US08487382B2 |
Device scheme of HKMG gate-last process
The present disclosure provides a method for making metal gate stacks of a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a high k dielectric material layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming a conductive material layer on the high k dielectric material layer; forming a dummy gate in a n-type field-effect transistor (nFET) region and a second dummy gate in a pFET region employing polysilicon; forming an inter-level dielectric (ILD) material on the semiconductor substrate; applying a first chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process to the semiconductor substrate; removing the polysilicon from the first dummy gate, resulting in a first gate trench; forming a n-type metal to the first gate trench; applying a second CMP process to the semiconductor substrate; removing the polysilicon from the second dummy gate, resulting in a second gate trench; forming a p-type metal to the second gate trench; and applying a third CMP process to the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08487381B2 |
Protection element and semiconductor device having the protection element
Disclosed herein is a protection element for protecting a circuit element. The protection element includes source and drain areas created in a semiconductor layer, a gate created on the semiconductor layer, sandwiching a gate insulation film between the gate and the semiconductor layer, a source electrode connected to the surface of the source area and electrically connected to the ground, a drain electrode connected to the surface of the drain area and used for receiving a surge input, and a diode connected between the source electrode and the gate. |
| US08487373B2 |
SONOS memory cells having non-uniform tunnel oxide and methods for fabricating same
Methods for forming a memory cell are disclosed. A method includes forming a source-drain structure in a semiconductor substrate where the source-drain structure includes a rounded top surface and sidewall surfaces. An oxide layer is formed on the top and sidewall surfaces of the source-drain structure. The thickness of the portion of the oxide layer that is formed on the top surface of the source-drain structure is greater than the thickness of the portion of the oxide layer that is formed on the sidewall surfaces of the source-drain structure. |
| US08487370B2 |
Trench semiconductor device and method of manufacturing
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body including a trench with first and second opposing sidewalls. A first electrode is arranged in a lower portion of the trench and a second electrode in an upper portion of the trench. A dielectric structure is arranged in the trench, including a first portion between the electrodes. The first portion includes, in sequence along a lateral direction from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, a first part including a first dielectric material, a second part including a second dielectric material selectively etchable to the first dielectric material, a third part including the first dielectric material, the first dielectric material of the third part being continuously arranged along a vertical direction from a top side of the first electrode to a bottom side of the second electrode, a fourth part including the second dielectric material and a fifth part including the first dielectric material. |
| US08487369B2 |
Semiconductor device with buried gates and buried bit lines and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes: a plurality of first trenches formed inside a plurality of active regions; a plurality of buried gates configured to partially fill insides of the plurality of the first trenches; a plurality of second trenches formed to be extended in a direction crossing the plurality of the buried gates; and a plurality of buried bit lines configured to fill the plurality of the second trenches. |
| US08487366B2 |
TFT MONOS or SONOS memory cell structures
A device having thin-film transistor (TFT) metal-oxide-nitride-oxide-semiconductor (MONOS) or semiconductor-oxide-nitride-oxide-semiconductor (SONOS) memory cell structures includes a substrate, a dielectric layer on the substrate, and one or more source or drain regions being embedded in the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is associated with a first surface. Each of the one or more source or drain regions includes an N+ polysilicon layer on a diffusion barrier layer which is on a conductive layer. The N+ polysilicon layer has a second surface substantially co-planar with the first surface. Additionally, the device includes a P− polysilicon layer overlying the co-planar surface, an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) layer overlying the P− polysilicon layer; and at least one control gate overlying the ONO layer. The control gate may be made of a metal layer or a P+ polysilicon layer. |
| US08487364B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing same
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to embodiment includes: a semiconductor substrate having an upper portion being partitioned into a plurality of semiconductor portions extending in a first direction; a charge storage film provided on the semiconductor portion; a word-line electrode provided on the semiconductor substrate and extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction; and a pair of selection gate electrodes provided on both sides of the word-line electrode in the first direction on the semiconductor substrate and extending in the second direction, a shortest distance between a corner portion of each of the semiconductor portions and each of the selection gate electrodes being longer than a shortest distance between the corner portion of the semiconductor portion and the word-line electrode in a cross section parallel to the second direction. |
| US08487361B2 |
Devices and methods for preventing capacitor leakage
Devices and methods for preventing capacitor leakage caused by sharp tip. The formation of sharp tip is avoided by a thicker bottom electrode which fully fills a micro-trench that induces formation of the sharp tip. Alternatively, formation of the sharp tip can be avoided by recessing the contact plug to substantially eliminate the micro-trench. |
| US08487355B2 |
Structure and method for compact long-channel FETs
A compact semiconductor structure including at least one FET located upon and within a surface of a semiconductor substrate in which the at least one FET includes a long channel length and/or a wide channel width and a method of fabricating the same are provided. In some embodiments, the ordered, nanosized pattern is oriented in a direction that is perpendicular to the current flow. In such an embodiment, the FET has a long channel length. In other embodiments, the ordered, nanosized pattern is oriented in a direction that is parallel to that of the current flow. In such an embodiment, the FET has a wide channel width. In yet another embodiment, one ordered, nanosized pattern is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the current flow, while another ordered, nanosized pattern is oriented in a direction parallel to the current flow. In such an embodiment, a FET having a long channel length and wide channel width is provided. |
| US08487353B2 |
Electronic component
An electronic component includes at least one electrode and at least one gas-sensitive region on a substrate. The gas-sensitive region is coated by at least one electrically conductive, gas-sensitive layer, and the electrode contacts the gas-sensitive layer. At least a part of the at least one electrode covers a part of the gas-sensitive region. |
| US08487350B2 |
Entrenched transfer gate
An image sensor pixel includes a semiconductor layer, a photosensitive region to accumulate photo-generated charge, a floating node, a trench, and an entrenched transfer gate. The photosensitive region and the trench are disposed within the semiconductor layer. The trench extends into the semiconductor layer between the photosensitive region and the floating node and the entrenched transfer gate is disposed within the trench to control transfer of the photo-generated charge from the photosensitive region to the floating node. |
| US08487337B2 |
Side view surface mount LED
A light emitting diode is disclosed. The diode includes a package support and a semiconductor chip on the package support, with the chip including an active region that emits light in the visible portion of the spectrum. Metal contacts are in electrical communication with the chip on the package. A substantially transparent encapsulant covers the chip in the package. A phosphor in the encapsulant emits a frequency in the visible spectrum different from the frequency emitted by the chip and in response to the wavelength emitted by the chip. A display element is also disclosed that combines the light emitting diode and a planar display element. The combination includes a substantially planar display element with the light emitting diode positioned on the perimeter of the display element and with the package support directing the output of the diode substantially parallel to the plane of the display element. |
| US08487336B2 |
Light emitting device package
A light emitting device package is provided. The light emitting device package includes a substrate including a first cavity having a first depth and a lateral surface inclined with respect to a bottom surface and a second cavity having a second depth recessed from the bottom surface of the first cavity and a lateral surface perpendicular to the bottom surface of the first cavity, a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer on the substrate, and a light emitting diode within the second cavity, the light emitting diode being electrically connected to the first and second electrode layers. |
| US08487334B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting diode chip and light emitting device using the same
A semiconductor light emitting device includes: a light emitting diode unit including a light-transmissive substrate having a face sloped upwardly at a lower edge thereof. A rear reflective lamination body is formed on the lower face and the surrounding sloped face of the light-transmissive substrate. The rear reflective lamination body includes an optical auxiliary layer and a metal reflective film formed on a lower face of the optical auxiliary layer. A junction lamination body is provided to a lower face of the rear reflective lamination body. The junction lamination body including a junction metal layer made of a eutectic metal material and a diffusion barrier film. |
| US08487333B2 |
LED package and method for manufacturing the same
An LED package includes a substrate, an LED chip, and an encapsulation. The substrate includes a first surface. The LED chip is mounted on the first surface of the substrate. The encapsulation covers the LED chip. The encapsulation includes a transparent main body and a number of carbon nanotubes distributed in the transparent main body; the carbon nanotubes are arranged substantially extending along a same direction whereby light generated by the LED chip is polarized prior to radiation out of the encapsulation. |
| US08487328B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes a semiconductor package, and a mounting board having first and second wiring components respectively connected to first and second conduction members of the semiconductor package. The semiconductor package includes: a light emitting element; a first conduction member, on one side of which the light emitting element is placed; and a second conduction member whose surface area is smaller than that of the first conduction member, the other side of the first and second conduction members forms the lower face of the semiconductor package. The mounting board includes: a narrow part and a wide part wider than the narrow part, which are formed on the first and second wiring components. At least the narrow part is joined to the first and second conduction members, and the first wiring component has a recess in its interior. |
| US08487326B2 |
LED device having a tilted peak emission and an LED display including such devices
An LED package and a lead frame include a reflector cup having a bottom surface with an LED asymmetrically positioned on the bottom surface and a wall surface inclined relative to the bottom surface and defining an opening at an upper end thereof. The bottom surface of the reflector cup has a first axial dimension along a first axis and a second axial dimension along a second axis, orthogonal to the first axis. A display having an asymmetrical FFP and asymmetrical screen curve includes an array of the LED modules including a plurality of LED packages. At least some of the LED packages include a dome-shaped lens asymmetrically positioned with respect to a geometric center of the bottom surface of the reflector cup. |
| US08487325B2 |
Light emitting diode with large viewing angle and fabricating method thereof
A light emitting diode includes a substrate, a plurality of pillar structures, a filler structure, a transparent conductive layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. These pillar structures are formed on the substrate. Each of the pillar structures includes a first type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second type semiconductor layer. The first type semiconductor layers are formed on the substrate. The pillar structures are electrically connected with each other through the first type semiconductor layers. The filler structure is formed between the pillar structures. The filler structure and the second type semiconductor layers of the pillar structures are covered with the transparent conductive layer. The first electrode is in contact with the transparent conductive layer. The second electrode is in contact with the first type semiconductor layer. |
| US08487322B2 |
Luminous body with LED dies and production thereof
A luminous body comprises a transparent plastic moulding with indentations, and LED DIEs disposed within the indentations. One side of each LED DIE lies approximately flush with an upper side of the moulding, and each LED DIE is connected to an electricity supply via electrical conductors disposed on the moulding. A method for producing such a luminous body is also disclosed. |
| US08487320B2 |
Light emitting diode
A light emitting diode includes a substrate, a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, a second semiconductor layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first semiconductor layer, the active layer, and the second semiconductor layer are orderly stacked on the substrate. The first electrode is electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer. The second electrode is electrically connected to the second semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer has a plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures. Each of the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures has a stepped structure. |
| US08487317B2 |
GaN semiconductor device
This invention discloses a GaN semiconductor device comprising a substrate; a metal-rich nitride compound thin film on the substrate; a buffer layer formed on the metal-rich nitride compound thin film, and a semiconductor stack layer on the buffer layer wherein the metal-dominated nitride compound thin film covers a partial upper surface of the substrate. Because metal-rich nitride compound is amorphous, the epitaxial growth direction of the buffer layer grows upwards in the beginning and then turns laterally, and the epitaxy defects of the buffer layer also bend with the epitaxial growth direction of the buffer layer. Therefore, the probability of the epitaxial defects extending to the semiconductor stack layer is reduced and the reliability of the GaN semiconductor device is improved. |
| US08487316B2 |
Method of manufacturing an integrated semiconductor substrate structure with device areas for definition of GaN-based devices and CMOS devices
An integrated semiconductor substrate structure is disclosed. In one aspect, the structure includes a substrate, a GaN-heterostructure and a semiconductor substrate layer. The GaN heterostructure is present in a first device area for definition of GaN-based devices, and is covered at least partially with a protection layer. The semiconductor substrate layer is present in a second device area for definition of CMOS devices. At least one of the GaN heterostructure and the semiconductor substrate layer is provided in at least one trench in the substrate, so that the GaN heterostructure and the semiconductor substrate layer are laterally juxtaposed. |
| US08487313B2 |
Emissive device and electronic apparatus
An emissive device includes a substrate; a switching element disposed on a surface of the substrate; an insulating layer covering the switching element; a contact hole disposed in the insulating layer; a first electrode disposed on a surface of the insulating layer and electrically connected to the switching element via the contact hole in the insulating layer; a second electrode disposed at a side opposite the substrate with respect to the first electrode; a luminescent layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a light shield disposed at a side from which light from the luminescent layer emerges and having a portion covering the contact hole when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. |
| US08487309B2 |
Thin film transistor with a semiconductor layer that includes a microcrystalline semiconductor layer and display device
An exemplary aspect of the present invention is a thin film transistor including: a gate electrode formed on a substrate; a gate insulating film that includes a nitride film and covers the gate electrode; and a semiconductor layer that is disposed to be opposed to the gate electrode with the gate insulating film interposed therebetween, and has a microcrystalline semiconductor layer formed in at least an interface in contact with the nitride film, in which the microcrystalline semiconductor layer contains oxygen at a concentration higher than that of contained nitrogen in at least the vicinity of the interface with the nitride film, the nitrogen being diffused from the nitride film. |
| US08487307B2 |
Semiconductor component including a lateral transistor component
A semiconductor arrangement is disclosed. One embodiment includes a first semiconductor layer including a first and second component zone that form a pn-junction or a Schottky-junction. A second semiconductor layer includes a drift control zone adjacent to the second component zone. A dielectric layer separates the first semiconductor layer from the second semiconductor layer. A rectifying element is coupled between the drift control zone and the second component zone. |
| US08487305B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, and an insulating layer that is provided on the semiconductor substrate, wherein, in an internal circuit formation region of the insulating layer, a via hole and an interconnect trench, that is formed on the via hole and communicates with the via hole, are provided, in the via hole and the interconnect trench, a conductor is provided so as to integrally fill the via hole and said interconnect trench, in a dicing region of the insulating layer, a groove portion and an opening, that communicates with the groove portion and is formed to cover the groove portion when the semiconductor substrate is seen in plane view, are formed, and in the groove portion and the opening, a conductor is provided so as to integrally fill the groove portion and the opening. |
| US08487298B2 |
Organic semiconductor transistor
An organic semiconductor transistor has plural electrodes and an organic semiconductor layer including at least one compound represented by the following Formula (I). In Formula (I), each R is independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; and n and m are each independently an integer of from 1 to 3. |
| US08487293B2 |
Bipolar switching memory cell with built-in “on ”state rectifying current-voltage characteristics
A memory array is disclosed having bipolar current-voltage (IV) resistive random access memory cells with built-in “on” state rectifying IV characteristics. In one embodiment, a bipolar switching resistive random access memory cell may have a metal/solid electrolyte/semiconductor stack that forms a Schottky diode when switched to the “on” state. In another embodiment, a bipolar switching resistive random access memory cell may have a metal/solid electrolyte/tunnel barrier/electrode stack that forms a metal-insulator-metal device when switched to the “on” state. Methods of operating the memory array are also disclosed. |
| US08487291B2 |
Programmable metallization memory cell with layered solid electrolyte structure
Programmable metallization memory cells having an active electrode, an opposing inert electrode and a variable resistive element separating the active electrode from the inert electrode. The variable resistive element includes a plurality of alternating solid electrolyte layers and electrically conductive layers. The electrically conductive layers electrically couple the active electrode to the inert electrode in a programmable metallization memory cell. Methods to form the same are also disclosed. |
| US08487289B2 |
Electrically actuated device
An electrically actuated device includes a reactive metal layer, a first electrode established in contact with the reactive metal layer, an insulating material layer established in contact with the first electrode or the reactive metal layer, an active region established on the insulating material layer, and a second electrode established on the active region. A conductive nano-channel is formed through a thickness of the insulating material layer. |
| US08487285B2 |
Deep-ultraviolet light source capable of stopping leakage of harmful X-rays
In a deep-ultraviolet tight source includes sapphire substrate, a wide band gap semiconductor layer having a wavelength smaller than 300 nm, formed on the sapphire substrate, and en electron beam source for irradiating the wide band gap semiconductor layer with an electron beam. The wide band gap semiconductor layer is configured to be irradiated with the electron beam to emit deep-ultraviolet light through the sapphire substrate. A thickness t1 of the sapphire substrate satisfies: t1≧α·E3 is an energy of the electron beam (keV); and α is 1 μm/(keV)3. |
| US08487283B1 |
Multi-channel polarized thermal emitter
A multi-channel polarized thermal emitter (PTE) is presented. The multi-channel PTE can emit polarized thermal radiation without using a polarizer at normal emergence. The multi-channel PTE consists of two layers of metallic gratings on a monolithic and homogeneous metallic plate. It can be fabricated by a low-cost soft lithography technique called two-polymer microtransfer molding. The spectral positions of the mid-infrared (MIR) radiation peaks can be tuned by changing the periodicity of the gratings and the spectral separation between peaks are tuned by changing the mutual angle between the orientations of the two gratings. |
| US08487277B2 |
Laminated glass panel for a heads-up display system
The present invention relates to a laminated glazing for information display, of the automobile windshield or architectural glazing type, including an assembly of at least two transparent sheets of inorganic glass or of a strong organic material, joined together by an interlayer of a thermoformable material or by multilayer foils incorporating such an interlayer, the glazing being characterized in that a luminophore material of the hydroxyterephthalate type is integrated into the interlayer, allowing the display. The invention also relates to a device for displaying an image on transparent glazing, including laminated glazing of the above type and a source generating concentrated UV radiation of the laser type, the radiation of which is between 350 and 410 nm, the UV radiation being directed onto the area or areas of the glazing that includes the terephthalate-type luminophore layer. |
| US08487271B2 |
Optical microscope configured to simultaneously irradiate the erase light and the stimulation light
The present invention provides an optical microscope capable of suppressing unnecessary response light as a background and detecting desired response light in nonlinear optical response process with a good S/N ratio. The optical microscope for collecting, on a sample 8, stimulation light emitted from a stimulation light source 1 and having a single wavelength or a plurality of different wavelengths, and detecting response light emitted from the sample 8 in nonlinear optical response process, comprises: an erase light source 2 for emitting erase light having a wavelength different from that of the stimulation light and inducing an effect of suppressing secondary response light which appears due to irradiation of the stimulation light on the sample 8, wherein the erase light and the stimulation light are simultaneously irradiated on the sample 8 such that the erase light does not suppress response light emitted from a light-collecting area of the stimulation light but suppresses the secondary response light other than the response light emitted from a light-collecting area of the stimulation light. |
| US08487266B2 |
X-ray detector and method for manufacturing the same
An X-ray detector includes an X-ray photoelectric conversion layer configured to produce electric charges in proportion to X-ray irradiation incident on the layer, a collecting electrode configured to collect the electric charges produced by the X-ray photoelectric conversion layer, a common electrode disposed on a surface of the X-ray photoelectric conversion layer opposite to the collecting electrode, a storage capacitor configured to store the electric charges collected by the collecting electrode, and a readout unit configured to read out the electric charges stored in the storage capacitor. A voltage is to be applied between the collecting electrode and the common electrode. The X-ray photoelectric conversion layer is formed of a polycrystalline oxide. |
| US08487263B2 |
Apparatus for detecting radioactivity of internal parts and external parts of whole body
A method and apparatus for detecting radioactivity of a whole body is disclosed. The apparatus for detecting radioactivity of a whole body is divided into upper and lower parts, the upper and lower parts are divided into front, rear, left and right portions, respectively, a radioactivity detection unit is installed at each of the front, rear, left and right portions, radioactivity values detected by each of the radioactivity detection units are compared and analyzed such that radioactivity values detected by the radioactivity detection units positioned at upper front and rear parts are compared, radioactivity values detected by the radioactivity detection units positioned at upper left and right parts are compared, and also radioactivity values detected by the lower radioactivity detection units are compared in the same manner, thus determining whether or not the internal parts or external parts of the body of a detection target have been contaminated by radioactivity. |
| US08487259B2 |
Infrared image sensor
An image sensor comprises a photoelectric conversion element receiving light to accumulate photocharges, and a wavelength conversion layer formed above the photoelectric conversion element to convert light within a first wavelength band into light within a second wavelength band shorter than the first wavelength band and supply the converted light to the photoelectric conversion element. |
| US08487258B2 |
Pyroelectric infrared detection element and infrared sensor using the same
The pyroelectric infrared detection element has a pyroelectric element including opposite first and second electrodes and an infrared absorption part. The first and second electrodes are formed on first and second thickness-direction surfaces of a pyroelectric substrate respectively. The detection element includes an output terminal unit including first and second output terminals on the substrate, and first and second wiring parts connecting the first and second output terminals to the first and second electrodes respectively. The first wiring part includes a connecting line being a conductive layer on the first surface to connect the first output terminal to the first electrode, and a canceling line for canceling charges generated at the connecting line in response to a change in temperature of the substrate. The canceling line is a conductive layer on the second surface to be insulated from the second electrode and to be connected to the connecting line. |
| US08487255B2 |
Passive radiometric imaging device and method
The present invention relates to a passive radiometric imaging device and a corresponding method for scanning a scene and reconstructing an image of said scene. To provide an improved image quality, the proposed device comprises a radiometer configured to detect radiation emitted in a predetermined spectral range from a plurality of spots of said scene to obtain a data set of radiation samples including at least one radiation sample per spot, and a processor configured to subsequently determine pixel values of pixels of the image to be reconstructed, said processor being configured to determine a pixel value of one of said pixels from a data sub-set of radiation samples from said data set, said data sub-set including the radiation samples detected at the spot corresponding to or being closest to the pixel, whose pixel value is to be determined, and/or radiation samples detected at neighboring spots. |
| US08487253B2 |
Scanning electron microscope
An object of the present invention is to provide a scanning electron microscope suitable for monitoring apparatus conditions of the microscope itself, irrespective of the presence of charge-up, specimen inclination, and the like. In order to achieve the object, proposed is a scanning electron microscope including a function to monitor the apparatus conditions on the basis of information obtained with an electron beam reflected before reaching a specimen. Specifically, for example, while applying a negative voltage to the specimen to reflect the electron beam before the electron beam reaches the specimen, and simultaneously supplying a predetermined signal to a deflector for alignment, the scanning electron microscope monitors changes of the detected positions of the reflected electrons of the electron beam. If the above-mentioned predetermined signal is under the condition where an alignment is properly performed, the changes of the detected positions of the electrons reflect deviation of an axis. |
| US08487250B2 |
Method for detecting information of an electronic potential on a sample and charged particle beam apparatus
An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for measuring a potential on a surface of a sample using a charged particle beam while restraining a change in the potential on the sample induced by the charged particle beam application, or detecting a compensation value for a change in a condition for the apparatus caused by the sample being electrically charged. In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for applying a voltage to a sample so that a charged particle beam does not reach the sample (hereinafter, this may be referred to as “mirror state”) in a state in which the charged particle beam is applied toward the sample, and detecting information relating to a potential on the sample using signals obtained by that voltage application. |
| US08487246B2 |
Three-dimensional molecular imaging by infrared laser ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
The field of the invention is atmospheric pressure mass spectrometry (MS), and more specifically a process and apparatus which combine infrared laser ablation with electrospray ionization (ESI). |
| US08487244B2 |
Laser ablation electrospray ionization (LAESI) for atmospheric pressure, in vivo, and imaging mass spectrometry
The field of the invention is atmospheric pressure mass spectrometry (MS), and more specifically a process and apparatus which combine infrared laser ablation with electrospray ionization (ESI). |
| US08487240B2 |
Sensor
A method and sensor for monitoring chemical species in a gas flow are described. An ionized sample of gas is passed through a flow channel, with a DC electric field applied transverse to the longitudinal axis of the channel. Any electric current produced by the ion flow is measured, with variations in the current being indicative of a change in composition of the gas flow. In certain embodiments, the DC field may be varied over time, to sweep the field voltage. The detected current against field voltage graph may be taken as a profile of a particular gas composition. Variations in the profile again are indicative of a change in gas composition. |
| US08487237B2 |
Rotary encoder and method of assembling the same
Provided is a rotary encoder, including: a rotary scale, which has a predetermined pattern including continuous patterns and a rotational angle original point formed thereon with reference to a pattern center, has a polygonal outer shape, and has the rotational angle original point defined with reference to at least one side of sides of the polygonal outer shape; a hub, which includes projections for abutting the sides of the polygonal outer shape of the rotary scale and positioning the rotary scale; a rotating shaft, which is press-fitted into the hub and rotates coaxially with the pattern center of the rotary scale; and detecting units for irradiating the rotary scale with light and detecting the light reflected by the rotary scale. |
| US08487233B2 |
Vision equipment comprising an optical strip with a controlled coefficient of light transmission
The invention relates to vision equipment including a translucent optical strip covering all or some of the visual field of the user of the said equipment and a device for projecting images onto the said strip in at least one zone of the visual field of the user, called the image-projection zone. The optical strip includes a plurality of zones covered by a layer of material with a controlled coefficient of light transmission, a zone at least covering the image-projection zone and in that the vision equipment also comprises a means for controlling the coefficient of light transmission capable of receiving status information and of controlling the coefficient of light transmission of each of the zones and independently of one another as a function of the said status information. The invention preferably applies to helmet visor equipment or head-up displays for an aircraft cockpit and to vision equipment in the motor vehicle field. |
| US08487232B2 |
Solid state image sensor adapted to remove noise
A solid state image sensor and an image sensing apparatus incorporated with the solid state image sensor include: pixel arrays each provided with pixels, and an accumulating section e.g. a capacitor CX which sums up and accumulates signal charges obtained by exposure of an object with respect to a corresponding color at different timings when the signal charges are obtained by the pixels of each of the pixel arrays. A reset noise of a converting floating diffusion is outputted after the converting floating diffusion is reset. Thereafter, a summation of the reset noise, and the signal charges accumulated in the accumulating section is outputted. |
| US08487228B2 |
System for adjusting focus of a liquid lens in a machine vision system
A method and apparatus for recalibrating a liquid lens. In one embodiment, a lens holder is provided to adjust the focal length of the lens as a function of temperature. In another embodiment, a recalibration circuit including a second lens of similar characteristics to the imaging lens is used to determine an appropriate focus. In other embodiments, an open loop calibration process is used. |
| US08487226B2 |
Deconfliction of guided airborne weapons fired in a salvo
Guided airborne weapons fired in a salvo against multiple targets are deconflicted by performing a scene correlation of multiple cued targets to TLOs acquired by the seeker's imaging sensor to track a target package. If the weapon is provided with a multimode seeker, target cues for a common designated target and a common SAL code are provided to each weapon. Each weapon uses its SAL sensor to detect and process a SAL return to verify the common SAL code and augment their scene correlations by fixing the TLO track file of the common designated target to the cued track file associated with the designated target. At terminal, each weapon commits to a particular target by referencing its assigned target to the tracked target package. Correlation to multiple targets in the target package makes the acquisition and tracking process more robust and reduces targeting ambiguity. Furthermore, a single SAL designation can improve the tracking of all the weapons to their respective targets. |
| US08487224B2 |
Microwave oven
A microwave oven is provided. A reinforcing part is provided to a multi-hole part for transferring the heat of a heater to a cooking chamber. This prevents deformation of the multi-hole part due to the heat of the heater. |
| US08487220B2 |
Vacuum oven
A vacuum oven or vacuum furnace is disclosed having a heat distribution sleeve that conforms to the shape of an interior heating chamber. The heat distribution sleeve may be of generally annular shape, like a ring, and located in a substantially regularly spaced and offset relationship from a heating element located within walls adjacent the interior heating chamber. The heat distribution sleeve includes a thermal conductive material which absorbs and re-radiates heat emitted from the heating element, thereby providing more consistent and regular radiation fields for heating treating a work piece that is loaded on a work holding tray and, upon the vacuum oven being in an operational position, the work piece is located within the furnace chamber. |
| US08487219B2 |
Ink drying apparatus, methods to control ink drying apparatus, and power control apparatus to control ink drying elements
Ink drying apparatus and method for controlling ink drying apparatus are described herein. An example ink drying apparatus includes first and second heating elements positioned adjacent a drying area in a printer, and a controller to determine a temperature of the heating area and to selectively operate, based on the temperature determination, the first heating element in a burst mode and the second heating element in an on/off mode. |
| US08487218B2 |
Support matrix arrangement
In a number of practical situations it is desirable to provide consistency with regard to a metering material presentation. For example, with regard to welding and shape metal deposition it is desirable to provide a homogenous vortex free cloud of gas shielding about a work piece prior to and subsequent to processing. Unfortunately, metering meshes are subject to distortion through thermal gradients. By providing a support matrix arrangement comprising a first planar member and a second planar member incorporating ribbon elements and deflector portions bilateral deflection in the plane of the metering mesh can be accommodated whilst outward buckling is avoided. In such circumstances there is consistency with regard to metering mesh presentation and therefore gas flow through shielding. |
| US08487213B2 |
Arc welding robot control system and method thereof
An arc welding robot control system of the present invention includes memory devices, controlling devices, a welding condition changing position calculating device, a weaving operation controlling device that outputs a signal of completion of one weaving cycle every time when a welding torch completes to perform one weaving cycle of a predetermined movement pattern, a welding condition calculating device for calculating to-be-changed welding conditions, and a welding condition changing device that changes welding conditions of an arc welding robot, based on to-be-changed welding conditions, every time when a signal of completion of one weaving cycle is input. With this configuration, it enables a continuous change of welding conditions and a copying arc welding with high accuracy even in the case in which the arc welding robot performs a weaving operation. |
| US08487212B2 |
Method of marking or inscribing a workpiece
The present invention provides a method of and apparatus for marking or inscribing a workpiece (3) with high-energy radiation, more particularly with a laser beam (1), the workpiece (3) having a light-scattering surface (9) and the material of the workpiece (3) being transparent for the radiation wavelength, and a polymer matrix (7) being disposed on the workpiece (3) in such a way that the radiation passes through the workpiece (3) and its light-scattering surface (9) before impinging on the polymer matrix (7), characterized in that the light-scattering surface (9) of the workpiece (3) is wetted with a liquid or viscoelastic medium (11). |
| US08487210B2 |
Joined dissimilar materials and method
A wire includes a first wire section is of a first material and a second wire section is of a second material different from the first material. A joining section is adjacent both the first and second wire sections, the joining section comprising a first end and a second end. The first end of the joining section is of a material that is compatible with the first material of the first wire section and the second end of the joining section is of a material that is compatible with the second material of the second wire section. |
| US08487205B2 |
Welding head rail squaring process
An improved method for executing a flash butt weld to join first and second rail segments includes applying a voltage to the first rail segment and the second rail segment to establish a voltage difference between the first and second rail segments. The rail end faces are brought into contact, resulting in an electrical current between the first rail end face and the second rail end face, resistively heating material at the interface. As material burns off at the interface, the power consumed at the rail end interface as a function of rail displacement is periodically sampled. If the comparison indicates that the power per unit of rail displacement is not increasing from sample to sample, the burn-off process is terminated. In a further aspect, if the power per unit of rail displacement exceeds a predetermined threshold, the burn-off process is terminated. |
| US08487202B2 |
Mechanical latching unit for a main drive unit
A mechanical latching unit for a main drive unit includes a rolling mechanical switch within a housing, with a main roller, a counter roller, a carriage and a carriage trip/locking lever, with a first joint created between the main roller and the first end of the carriage, where by the load of the traction link of the main drive unit carried out to the main roller distributes a primary force component carried out to the counter roller and a secondary force component carried out in a direction to a second end of the carriage, where by the mechanical latching unit includes a force reduction mechanism having at least two force reduction stages, a carrier reset spring fastened to the housing which resets the carriage back to a neutral respectively blocking position, and a lever reset spring which resets the carriage trip/locking lever back to a neutral respectively blocking position. |
| US08487196B1 |
Box connector for electrical cable
A box connector for cable comprises an annular connector in which one or more inwardly extending arms are formed. The inwardly extending arms are formed such that cable may be inserted in one direction, but cannot be pulled out in the other direction until the inwardly extending arms are released. In use, the box connector is inserted into an electrical box prior to inserting cable. Thereafter, cable is threaded into the electrical box. Once the cable is threaded into the electrical box, the cable is fixedly held via the inwardly extending arms. |
| US08487192B2 |
Printed wiring board and method for manufacturing the same
A printed wiring board including an insulation layer made of a resin material and having first and second surfaces, the insulation layer having an opening portion opened on the second surface, a conductive circuit having first and second surfaces, the conductive circuit being embedded in the insulation layer such that the first surface of the conductive circuit is formed flush with the first surface of the insulation layer and that the second surface of the conductive circuit is exposed through the opening portion of the insulation layer, a first surface-treatment film formed on the conductive circuit and facing the first surface of the conductive circuit, and a second surface-treatment film formed on the conductive circuit and facing the second surface of the conductive circuit and in the opening portion of the insulation layer. |
| US08487186B2 |
Flat power cable
A flat power cable includes at least two cores of which at least two cores include a power transmissive insulated element and a protective sheath disposed in a radially external position with respect to the power transmissive insulated element. The cores are disposed on a common transversal axis and an outer armour contains the cores. Inside the armour, adjacent cores and an internal surface of the armour delimit empty interstitial spaces. The flat cable includes swellable fillers disposed in the empty interstitial spaces. In a transversal section of the cable, each of the swellable fillers, in an unswelled configuration, presents a cross section area smaller than a cross section area of the respective empty interstitial space. The swellable fillers swell by absorbing fluid the flat power cable is submerged in and enlarge, filling all the interstices, pushing against the cores and the armour and constraining the cable in its flat configuration. |
| US08487185B2 |
Cable layer of modified soft polypropylene
Cable layer including a propylene polymer composition including (a) a propylene polymer (b) an elastomeric copolymer of propylene and at least one comonomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, C4 α-olefin, C5 α-olefin, C6 α-olefin, C7 α-olefin, C8 α-olefin, C9 α-olefin and C10 α-olefin, and (c) units derived from at least bifunctionally unsaturated monomer(s) and/or at least multifunctionally unsaturated low molecular weight polymer(s), the units being linked to the propylene polymer and/or the elastometric copolymer wherein the gel content of the propylene polymer composition determined as the amount of polymer insoluble in boiling xylene is not more than 1 wt %. |
| US08487182B2 |
Wiring harness subunit, wiring harness unit and method for assembling wiring harness unit
A wiring harness subunit is routed on an interior panel to be attached to a ceiling wall inside a vehicle. The wiring harness subunit includes: a wiring harness having a tip end part extended through the outer edge of the interior panel, and a base end part continued to the tip end part and attached to the interior panel; a first attaching member for fixing an end of the base end part to the interior panel so as to allow the tip end part to be moved to absorb a slack; and a second attaching member for fixing the other end of the base end part to the interior panel. An extra length part having a predetermined length is interposed between the first attaching member and the second attaching member of the base end part. |
| US08487172B1 |
Piano action flange with open-slotted rail attachment feature
A piano action flange with an open-slotted rail attachment feature that is a slot-shaped void completely through the piano action flange, running in the longitudinal direction of the piano action flange, with width slightly larger than the outer diameter of the thread end the flange screw but smaller that the head diameter of the flange screw, where the slot-shaped void is open on one end, breaking through the end of said piano action flange, to leave the slot-shaped void open and accessible from the end of the piano action flange. |
| US08487167B2 |
Non-transgenic soft textured tetraploid wheat plants having grain with soft textured endosperm, endosperm therefrom and uses thereof
The present invention relates to non-transgenic tetraploid wheat plants having soft textured endosperm, methods for constructing said non-transgenic plants using cytogenetics and classical breeding techniques, endosperm therefrom and uses thereof. |
| US08487166B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X03B501
A novel maize variety designated X03B501 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X03B501 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X03B501 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X03B501, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X03B501. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X03B501. |
| US08487164B1 |
Maize variety inbred PHP5E
A novel maize variety designated PHP5E and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHP5E with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHP5E through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHP5E or a locus conversion of PHP5E with another maize variety. |
| US08487161B2 |
Wild rocket cultivar 40-0801188-B
A wild rocket cultivar, designated 40-0801188-B, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of wild rocket cultivar 40-0801188-B, to the plants of wild rocket cultivar 40-0801188-B and to methods for producing a wild rocket plant by crossing the cultivar 40-0801188-B with itself or another wild rocket cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a wild rocket plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic wild rocket plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to wild rocket cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from wild rocket cultivar 40-0801188-B, to methods for producing other wild rocket cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from wild rocket cultivar 40-0801188-B and to the wild rocket plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid wild rocket seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 40-0801188-B with another wild rocket cultivar. |
| US08487158B2 |
B. braunii, race B gene for a triterpene methyltransferase enzyme and uses thereof
Provided is an isolated polypeptide having triterpene methyltransferase activity. Also provided is an isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes the triterpene methyltransferase polypeptides; a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecules that encode the triterpene methyltransferase polypeptides; and a host cell(s) transfected with the aforementioned nucleic acid molecule or vector. In another aspect, a method of producing a methylated triterpene is provided. The method comprises providing a metabolizable carbon source to a host cell transfected with a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a triterpene methyltransferase under conditions sufficient for production of a methylated triterpene. The method optionally further comprises isolating the methylated triterpene produced by the host cell. |
| US08487157B2 |
Transgenic rodents having NGF beta gene mutants and its preparation methods, the preparation methods of the corresponding mutant proteins and the resulting mutant proteins
Transgenic rodents having NGF beta gene mutants in their genomes express NGF beta mutant proteins. The preparation methods of the transgenic rodents, the methods of utilizing the transgenic animals to prepare NGF beta mutant proteins and the resulting NGF beta mutant proteins are provided. The transgenic rodents are useful in preparing human NGF and in the study of the functions of NGF beta mutants and their receptors in the whole animal level, and also useful for screening and purifying NGF beta mutants which have high activity and high security. |
| US08487149B2 |
Renewable compositions
The present invention is directed to renewable compositions derived from fermentation of biomass, and integrated methods of preparing such compositions. |
| US08487144B2 |
Process for producing fluorinated propene
There is provided according to the present invention a process for producing 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene or 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, including: reacting 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane with hydrogen chloride in a gas phase in the presence of a solid catalyst. By the use of a specific solid catalyst such as a catalyst in which chromium is supported on alumina or activated carbon or an alumina catalyst, the 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene or 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene can be obtained with high yield from the 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, which can be commercially available or prepared on an industrial scale. |
| US08487143B2 |
Ethanol production from acetic acid utilizing a cobalt catalyst
A process for the selective production of ethanol by vapor phase reaction of acetic acid over a hydrogenating catalyst composition to form ethanol is disclosed and claimed. In an embodiment of this invention reaction of acetic acid and hydrogen over either cobalt and palladium supported on graphite or cobalt and platinum supported on silica selectively produces ethanol in a vapor phase at a temperature of about 250° C. |
| US08487141B2 |
Method for producing a perfluoro compound having hydroxyl groups
To provide a method for producing a perfluoro compound having hydroxyl groups, whereby agglomeration of a reduction reaction intermediate tends not to occur during a reduction reaction, and a perfluoro compound having —C(═O)OH can be used as a starting material.Reducing (A-C(═O)=Q=)nRfn in the presence of a metal hydride and an inorganic salt of lithium in an alcohol solvent to obtain (B—CH(OH)-Q-)n-m(A-C(═O)-Q-)mRfn, wherein A is a hydroxyl group, a C1-5 alkoxy group, a hydrogen atom, a C1-5 alkyl group or the like, Q is a perfluoroalkylene group or the like, n is an integer of at least 1, m is an integer at least 0 and less than n, Rfn is an n valent perfluoro saturated hydrocarbon group or the like, and B is a group depending on A wherein when A is a hydroxyl group, a C1-5 alkoxy group or the like, B is a hydrogen atom, and when A is a hydrogen atom, a C1-5 alkyl group or the like, B is the same group as A. |
| US08487135B2 |
Catalyst and process for preparing an amine
A process for preparing an amine by reacting a primary or secondary alcohol, aldehyde and/or ketone with hydrogen and a nitrogen compound selected from the group of ammonia and primary and secondary amines, in the presence of a supported copper-, nickel- and cobalt-containing catalyst, wherein the catalytically active material of the catalyst, before the reduction thereof with hydrogen, comprises oxygen compounds of aluminum, of copper, of nickel and of cobalt, and in the range from 0.2 to 5.0% by weight of oxygen compounds of tin, calculated as SnO, and catalysts as defined above. |
| US08487134B2 |
Process for the synthesis of amphetamine derivatives
The invention relates to processes for preparing acylated amphetamine, methamphetamine and dexamphetamine derivatives by reacting the parent amine with the to be-coupled acid or a salt of the to-be coupled acid which acid is optionally protected, in the presence of an alkylphosphonic acid anhydride as coupling agent and, if the acid was protected then cleaving the protecting group(s), in a one-pot reaction or in two or more separate steps. |
| US08487130B2 |
Menthylcarboxamides and their use as cooling agents
Described is a new cooling agent represented by Structure I and compositions with known coolers having cooling properties and the application of Structure I in foodstuffs and chewing gum: |
| US08487129B2 |
Heterodimers of glutamic acid
Compounds of Formula (Ia) wherein R is a C6-C12 substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a C6-C12 substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a C1-C6 substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or —NR′R′, Q is C(O), O, NR′, S, S(O)2, C(O)2 (CH2)p Y is C(O), O, NR′, S, S(O)2, C(O)2 (CH2)p Z is H or C1-C4 alkyl, R′ is H, C(O), S(O)2, C(O)2, a C6-C12 substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a C6-C12 substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl or a C1-C6 substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, when substituted, aryl, heteroaryl and alkyl are substituted with halogen, C6-C12 heteroaryl, —NR′R′ or COOZ, which have diagnostic and therapeutic properties, such as the treatment and management of prostate cancer and other diseases related to NAALADase inhibition. Radiolabels can be incorporated into the structure through a variety of prosthetic groups attached at the X amino acid side chain via a carbon or hetero atom linkage. |
| US08487122B2 |
Process for the preparation of nebivolol
The present invention relates to a novel process for the synthesis of Nebivolol product represented in Scheme (1), comprised of a reduced number of high-yield steps, and characterized by the kinetic resolution of the two epoxide pairs diastereoisomeric therebetween (mixture 1), allowing to avoid complex chromatographic separations. |
| US08487121B2 |
Chromane derivatives as TRPV3 modulators
The present invention provides transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) modulators. In particular, compounds described herein are useful for treating or preventing diseases, conditions and/or disorders modulated by TRPV3. Also provided herein are processes for preparing compounds described herein, intermediates used in their synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for treating or preventing diseases, conditions and/or disorders modulated by TRPV3. |
| US08487120B2 |
Processes for producing 3-(methylthio) thiophene
Processes are provided for producing 3-(methylthio)thiophene by (i) combining at least an alkyl lithium, one or more alkanes and an ether to form a first combination, (ii) at a temperature of about −30° C. to about −25° C. and over a time period of at least about 30 minutes, adding 3-bromothiophene diluted in an ether to the first combination to form a second combination, (iii) at a temperature of about −25° C. to about −20° C. combining at least the second combination and dimethyl disulfide, and (iv) yielding at least the 3-(methylthio)thiophene. |
| US08487119B2 |
Organic sensitizers
The present invention relates to new organic sensitizer compounds and to photoelectric conversion devices, in particular dye-sensitised solar cells comprising the new sensitizers. The present invention also relates to flexible photoelectric conversion devices, which are based on ionic liquid electrolytes or organic charge transporting materials. |
| US08487118B2 |
Cyclic diones and their use as insecticides, acaricides and/or fungicides
The present invention relates to the use of compounds of Formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, X, n and G have the meanings given above as insecticides and/or acaricides and/or fungicides. |
| US08487116B2 |
Fused compounds that inhibit vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1) receptor
The present invention discloses novel compounds of general formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof (in which X1-X5, R5-R8b, Z1-Z2 and Ar1 are defined herein), a method for inhibiting the VR1 receptor in mammals using these compounds, a method for controlling pain in mammals, and pharmaceutical compositions including those compounds and a process for making those compounds. |
| US08487115B2 |
Hydantoin derivatives of cyano-substituted chrysanthemic acid esters and their use in pest control
An ester compound represented by formula (1): wherein R3 represents hydrogen or methyl, R4 represents hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl, and R5 represents hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; has an excellent pest control effect and is therefore useful as an active ingredient of a pest control agent. |
| US08487112B2 |
Method for producing 4-aminobut-2-enolides
The present invention relates to a process for preparing 4-aminobut-2-enolides and also corresponding intermediates and starting compounds which are passed through or used in the process according to the invention. |
| US08487110B2 |
Method for preparing isofagomine and its derivatives
A method for preparing isofagomine, its derivatives, intermediates and salts thereof using novel processes to make isofagomine from D-(−)-arabinose and L-(−)-xylose. |
| US08487109B2 |
Process for the palladium-catalyzed coupling of terminal alkynes with aryl tosylates
The present invention relates to a process for the regioselective synthesis of compounds of the formula (I), wherein R1; R2; R3; R4; R5; J and W have the meanings indicated in the claims. The present invention provides an efficient and general palladium-catalyzed coupling process for aryl tosylates with terminal alkynes to a wide variety of substituted, multifunctional aryl-1-alkynes of the formula I. |
| US08487108B2 |
Piperidinyl carbamate intermediates for the synthesis of aspartic protease inhibitors
The present invention is directed to aspartic protease inhibitors. Certain aspartic protease inhibitors of the invention can be represented by the following structural formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the disclosed aspartic protease inhibitors. The present invention is further directed to methods of antagonizing one or more aspartic proteases in a subject in need thereof, and methods for treating an aspartic protease mediated disorder in a subject using the disclosed aspartic protease inhibitors. |
| US08487107B2 |
Biphenyl compounds useful as muscarinic receptor antagonists
The invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein a, b, c, m, n, q, r, W, Z1, Ar1, Z2, Y, R1, R2, and R3 are as defined in the specification. The compounds of formula I are muscarinic receptor antagonists. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat pulmonary disorders. |
| US08487106B2 |
Process for preparation of 2-methyl-2′-phenylpropionic acid derivatives and novel intermediate compounds
The present invention relates to a process for preparing 2-methyl-2′-phenylpropionic acid derivatives showing antihistamine activity in more simplified way, intermediate compounds and their preparation processes used therefore. According to the present invention, pharmaceutically useful 2-methyl-2′-phenylpropionic acid derivatives can be prepared with high yield and purity on industrial scale. |
| US08487100B2 |
Compounds for binding to ER alpha/beta and GPR30, methods of treating disease states and conditions mediated through these receptors and identification thereof
The current invention is in the field of molecular biology/pharmacology and provides compounds which modulate the effects of GPR30 as well as the classical estrogen receptors alpha and beta (ERα and ERβ). These compounds may function as agonists and/or antagonists of one or more of the disclosed estrogen receptors. Diseases which are mediated through one or more of these receptors include cancer (particularly breast, reproductive and other hormone-dependent cancers, leukemia, colon cancer, prostate cancer), reproductive (genito-urological) including endometreitis, prostatitis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, bladder control, hormone-related disorders, hearing disorders, cardiovascular conditions including hot flashes and profuse sweating, hypertension, stroke, obesity, osteoporosis, hematologic diseases, vascular diseases or conditions such as venous thrombosis, atherosclerosis, among numerous others and disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system, including depression, insomnia, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, neurodegenerative disoders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, as well as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, coeliac (celiac) disease and related disorders of the intestine. A contraceptive indication to prevent or reduce the likelihood of pregnancy after intercourse is a further aspect of the present invention. |
| US08487099B2 |
Gamma secretase modulators
This invention provides novel compounds that are modulators of gamma secretase. The compounds have the formula (I). Also disclosed are methods of modulating gamma secretase activity and methods of treating Alzheimer's Disease using the compounds of formula (I). |
| US08487098B2 |
Synergistic combination of flumetsulam or diclosulam with isothiazolones
A synergistic antimicrobial composition containing flumetsulam and an isothiazolone biocide chosen from among 4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and N-n-butyl-1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one. A synergistic antimicrobial composition containing diclosulam and an isothiazolone biocide chosen from 4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one. |
| US08487095B2 |
Acid addition salts, hydrates and polymorphs of 5-(2,4-dihydroxy-5-iso-propyl-phenyl)-4-(4-morpholin-4-ylmethyl-phenyl)-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethylamide and formulations comprising these forms
The present invention relates to new salt forms of 5-(2,4-dihydroxy-5-isopropyl-phenyl)-4-(4-morpholin-4-ylmethyl-phenyl)-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethylamide, in particular the mesylate, hydrochloride, tartrate, phosphate and hemi fumarate salt thereof; to crystalline forms of such salts; to polymorphs of 5-(2,4-dihydroxy-5-isopropyl-phenyl)-4-(4-morpholin-4-ylmethyl-phenyl)-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethylamide; to hydrates and polymorphs of the new salt forms mentioned above; to the use of the new salt forms mentioned above for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disorder mediated by Hsp90; to a method for treating a disorder mediated by Hsp90 using the new salt forms; to formulations comprising such salt forms, in particular aqueous solutions suitable for intravenous administration; and to amber glass containers being filled with such formulations. |
| US08487093B2 |
β-lactamase inhibitors
Substituted bicyclic beta-lactams of Formula I: (I), are β-lactamase inhibitors, wherein a, X, R1 and R2 are defined herein. The compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are useful in the treatment of bacterial infections in combination with β-lactam antibiotics. In particular, the compounds can be employed with a β-lactam antibiotics (e.g., imipenem, piperacillin, or ceftazidime) against microorganisms resistant to β-lactam antibiotics due to the presence of the β-lactamases. |
| US08487091B2 |
Substituted cyclopentanes having prostaglandin activity
Disclosed herein are compounds represented by the formula: Therapeutic methods, compositions, and medicaments related thereto are also disclosed. |
| US08487088B2 |
RNA interference suppression of neurodegenerative diseases and methods of use thereof
The present invention is directed to RNA interference (RNAi) molecules targeted against a nucleic acid sequence that encodes poly-glutamine repeat diseases, and methods of using these RNAi molecules. |
| US08487078B2 |
Kinase and phosphatase assays
Compositions, methods, and kits for detecting and monitoring kinase, phosphatase and protein post-translational modification activity are described. The compositions typically include a peptide, a detectable moiety, and a protease cleavage site. Modification of a peptide by a kinase, phosphatase or other protein post-translational modification alters the proteolytic sensitivity of the peptide, resulting in a change of a detectable property of the composition. Panel assays for determining substrates or modulators of kinase, phosphatase or other protein post-translational modification activity are also described. |
| US08487075B2 |
Alpha-conotoxin peptides
The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed α-conotoxins herein), about 10-30 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds. |
| US08487072B2 |
Compounds for stimulating P-glycoprotein function and uses thereof
The present invention is directed to polypeptides (e.g., fragments) derived from P-glycoprotein and caveolin-1 which are capable of inhibiting the interaction between these two proteins. Inhibition of this interaction leads to increase of efflux of compounds that are transported by P-gp. The invention further includes methods of treating patients having diseases that benefit from increased P-gp-mediated efflux. Such diseases include neoplasms such as cancer and neurological diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases. |
| US08487069B2 |
Liquid crystal photo-alignment agent, liquid crystal photo-alignment layer manufactured using the same, and liquid crystal display device including the liquid crystal photo-alignment layer
Disclosed is a liquid crystal photo-alignment agent including polyamic acid or a polyimide including a first structural unit derived from a photo-diamine represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, a second structural unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 2 or a polymer compound combination thereof, and a solvent. In Chemical Formulae 1 and 2, each substituent is the same as defined in the detailed description. |
| US08487068B2 |
Method of manufacturing polybenzoxazole precursor
The present invention provides a method for producing a polybenzoxazole precursor having reduced contents of residual aprotic polar solvent and residual halogen without discharging a large amount of waste water during purification. The present invention specifically relates to a method for producing a polybenzoxazole precursor, which comprises synthesizing a polybenzoxazole precursor in an aprotic polar solvent, adding and mixing water and a water-insoluble solvent with the resulting polybenzoxazole precursor solution to still stand the solution, and then separating a water layer from the solution to reduce a content of impurities remaining in the polybenzoxazole precursor. |
| US08487066B2 |
Polycarbonate nanocomposites
Nanocomposites comprising a sulfonated telechelic polycarbonate and an organically modified clay are disclosed. The polycarbonate nanocomposites have improved physical and mechanical properties. |
| US08487063B2 |
Methods for making polyurea polymer and products prepared therefrom
Methods for making polyurea polymer compositions are provided. The methods involve preparing an amine-terminated first prepolymer by reacting isocyanate compound A with a stoichiometric excess of polyamine. The first prepolymer is reacted with a stoichiometric excess of isocyanate compound B to form an isocyanate-terminated second prepolymer. The second prepolymer is reacted with a chain extender. The polymer compositions can be used in different products and are particularly suitable for making golf balls. For example, the polymer compositions can be used to make golf ball covers. |
| US08487060B2 |
Method for producing polychloroprene latex, polychloroprene latex, and adhesive using the same
Provided is a polychloroprene latex extremely favorable in adhesive properties.The present invention relates to a method of producing a polychloroprene latex, comprising polymerizing chloroprene or a mixture of chloroprene and a monomer copolymerizable with chloroprene in an aqueous medium containing a surfactant at a concentration of lower than its critical micelle concentration (CMC) and a polymer dispersant of a metal salt of aromatic sulfonic acid formalin condensate added thereto. The polymer dispersant for use is preferably a metal salt of aromatic sulfonic acid formalin condensate. The polychloroprene latex obtained can be used as an adhesive. |
| US08487057B2 |
Maleimide-alpha-alkylstyrene-based tetrapolymer with low molten viscosity and continuous bulk process for producing it
Disclosed are a maleimide-a-alkylstyrene-based, heat-resistant bulk tetrapolymer and a preparation process thereof. More specifically, disclosed are a bulk tetrapolymer, comprising 5-60 wt % of an N-substituted maleimide monomer, 10-70 wt % of an a-alkylstyrene monomer, 5-50 wt % of an unsaturated nitrile monomer and 3-50 wt % of an aromatic vinyl monomer, as well as a continuous bulk polymerization process for preparing the same. The disclosed bulk tetrapolymer has a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 70,000-300,000 and a glass transition temperature of 150-200 DEG C., shows excellent high-temperature thermal stability and heat resistance and a remarkably low melt viscosity, and thus is excellent not only in processability, but also in productivity, processability, moldability and blendability, when it is blended with other resins. Also, the continuous bulk polymerization process is equipped with a devolatilizer and enables the bulk tetrapolymer to be produced at low cost and high efficiency. |
| US08487053B2 |
Methods for removing polymer skins from reactor walls
Methods for removing polymer skins or build-up from reactor walls in polymerization reactor systems containing a loop slurry reactor are disclosed. Such methods can employ removing some or all of the comonomer from the reactor system in combination with increasing the polymerization temperature of the loop slurry reactor. |
| US08487052B2 |
Resin composition for fiber-reinforced composite material, cured product thereof, fiber-reinforced composite material, molding of fiber-reinforced resin, and process for production thereof
The present invention provides a resin composition for a fiber-reinforced composite material, which has excellent fluidity and impregnation into a fiber base material and which produces a cured product having excellent heat resistance. A resin composition for a fiber-reinforced composite material contains, as essential components, a poly(glycidyloxyaryl) compound (A), a polymerizable monomer (B) which is an unsaturated carboxylic acid or an anhydride thereof and has a molecular weight of 160 or less, an aromatic vinyl compound or a (meth)acrylate (C), and a radical polymerization initiator (D), wherein an equivalent ratio [glycidyloxy group/acid group] of a glycidyloxy group in the component (A) to an acid group in the component (B) is 1/1 to 1/0.48, and a molar ratio [(B)/(C)] of the component (B) to the component (C) is in the range of 1/0.55 to 1/2. |
| US08487049B2 |
Recycling superabsorbent polymer fines
A process is described for recycling superabsorbent polymer fines into a process that includes treating the superabsorbent polymer fines with caustic and a polymerization step for making the superabsorbent polymer gel. The process requires treating the superabsorbent polymer fines with a caustic, followed by mixture with polymerizable monomer solution, and polymerizing the mixture of the superabsorbent polymer fines and monomer to form the aqueous fluid absorbent polymer. In the process, the fines are incorporated into the new polymer gel and become indistinguishable there from. The gel may then be comminuted into a particulate dried and then separated into a portion having a desired minimum particle size in a fines portion having less than the desired size. The particulate may then be coated with a surface crosslinking agent and surface additives and heated for surface conversion. |
| US08487046B2 |
Polycycloolefin (PCO) thermoset assembly and process for its preparation
The present invention relates to a polycycloolefin (PCO) thermoset network assembly and a process for its preparation obtainable by polymerising a first reactive composition comprising a norbornene-type cycloolefin monomer in the presence of a Mo- or W-catalyst to obtain a PCO-Mo/W-network and polymerising a second reactive composition comprising a nor-bornene-type cycloolefin monomer in the presence of a Ru-catalyst on said PCO-Mo/W-network to obtain a PCO thermoset network assembly. |
| US08487042B2 |
Polyarylene sulfide resin composition and a molded article formed therefrom
A resin composition including the following components (A) to (C): (A) polyarylene sulfide resin: 20 wt % |
| US08487039B2 |
Salt resistant polyamide compositions
Disclosed is a polyamide composition including at least one semi-aromatic copolyamide, said semi-aromatic copolyamide consisting essentially of 40 to 60 mole percent repeat units of the formula —C(O)(CH2)4C(O)NHCH2ArCH2NH— (I) and 40 to 60 mole percent repeat units of the formula —C(O)(CH2)4C(O)NH(CH2)6NH— (II) wherein Ar is a meta-substituted benzene ring. Also disclosed are molded articles including the polyamide composition. |
| US08487037B2 |
Preparation of organosiloxane polymers
A method of making a polysiloxane containing polymer is described. The method comprises the steps of: i) Preparing a polysiloxane containing polymer by the polycondensation of siloxane containing monomers and/or oligomers which comprise at least 2 condensable groups per molecule, in the presence of (a) one or more condensation catalysts and optionally one or both of (b) a diluent (a plasticizer and/or extender) and/or an end-blocking agent; and ii) Where required quenching the polymerization process. The diluent, when present, is substantially retained within the resulting diluted polysiloxane containing polymer and the process takes place at a pressure of at least 75×105 Pa (0.75 MPa). |
| US08487035B2 |
Resin composition and molded product thereof
An object of the present invention is to provide a resin composition in which a surface resistivity and a volume resistivity actually measured in an antistatic region and an electrostatic diffusion region are equivalent to each other, and a remolded product produced by reutilizing a molded product which can hold the above properties. Specifically, disclosed is a resin composition comprising: 100 parts by weight of (a) a thermoplastic resin; 20 to 80 parts by weight of (b) a nonconductive fibrous inorganic filler having an average fiber diameter of not more than 15 μm; and 10 to 70 parts by weight of the total of (c1) a graphite and (c2) a graphite in which (c) graphite having an average particle diameter of 1 μm to 50 μm wherein each kind thereof has a different particle diameter; and at least one of differences in average particle diameter between two kinds thereof is not less than 5 μm. |
| US08487034B2 |
Melt molding polymer composite and method of making and using the same
The invention relates to a hot melt dispensable polymeric composite and process for making and using the composite. Particulates of adequate particle size are mixed with a polymer that exhibits low viscosities at temperatures typically provided by hot-melt glue guns to form rods that vary significantly in density from the base polymer. Novel articles can be manufactured by dispensing the composite from a glue gun into molds or by placement of the melt molding compound into preformed cavities within an end article. |
| US08487032B2 |
Rubber composition and tire using same
Provided is a rubber composition that comprises a rubber component of at least one of natural rubber and synthetic rubber and a resin composition containing a novolak-type resorcin resin and a resol-type phenolic resin in which the content of the dimethylene ether group is within a specific range. Not using hexamethylenetetramine or hexamethoxymethylmelamine as a curing agent, the curability and the thermal stability of the resin composition have been enhanced; and the rubber composition has characteristics of high elasticity, large elongation at breakage and low heat generation. Also provided is a tire which comprises the rubber composition in the tire bead part thereof and, therefore, has improved durability in use thereof while concerning for the environmental safety. |
| US08487030B2 |
Organic-inorganic hybrid composition and image sensor
Disclosed are an organic-inorganic hybrid composition including a fluorene-based monomer, an inorganic particle, an initiator, and a solvent, and an image sensor made using the same. The organic-inorganic hybrid composition can have a high refractive index and excellent transmittance to minimize light loss, and the image sensor produced using the same may transport a greater amount of light to a photodiode. Accordingly, it is possible to accomplish a high resolution image sensor having improved sensitivity. |
| US08487029B2 |
Thermosetting polymer-based composite materials
A lead-free, non-toxic composite material including a thermosetting polymer and at least one of a heavy particulate filler, a light particulate filler or a combination thereof. The composite material may be utilized in manufacturing articles used in radiation shielding applications. |
| US08487028B2 |
Polymer-assisted deposition of films and preparation of carbon nanotube arrays using the films
Carbon nanotubes were prepared by coating a substrate with a coating solution including a suitable solvent, a soluble polymer, a metal precursor having a first metal selected from iron, nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum, and optionally a second metal selected from aluminum and magnesium, and also a binding agent that forms a complex with the first metal and a complex with the second metal. The coated substrate was exposed to a reducing atmosphere at elevated temperature, and then to a hydrocarbon in the reducing atmosphere. The result was decomposition of the polymer and formation of carbon nanotubes on the substrate. The carbon nanotubes were often in the form of an array on the substrate. |