| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08509346B2 |
Transmitter with reduced power consumption and increased linearity and dynamic range
This application relates to an apparatus comprising a signal generator configured to generate a signal. The apparatus encompasses a predistortion unit configured to pre-distort the generated signal. The apparatus includes a pulse width modulating unit configured to modulate the pre-distorted signal into at least two signals. The apparatus comprises at least two amplifying units each configured to amplify one of the two modulated signals. |
| US08509338B2 |
Method and precoder information feedback in multi-antenna wireless communication systems
A method for two component feedback in wireless communication systems is disclosed, with a wireless communication device sending a first representation of a first matrix chosen from a first codebook, wherein the first matrix has at least two columns, the wireless communication device sending a second representation of a second matrix chosen from a second codebook, and the base station obtaining a precoder from the first representation and the second representation. |
| US08509337B2 |
Method for transmitting synchronization channel using multi-antenna
The present invention relates to a method for transmitting a synchronization channel for using a synchronization channel as a phase reference when decoding a broadcast channel, the method includes using a pre-decided shift value for each antenna, where the shift value is pre-decided with a user equipment, so as to apply circular shifts to sequences of the synchronization channel, and transmitting the sequences having the circular shifts applied thereto from a base station to the user equipment. In performing time/frequency domain synchronization in the synchronization channel, regardless of the number of transmission antennae used by the base station when transmitting signals, the synchronization process may be performed. |
| US08509336B2 |
Transmitting/receiving method for multi-user multiple-input multiple-output system
Disclosed is a transmitting/receiving method in a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) channel. The transmitting method includes: performing QR decomposition on a Hermitian transpose matrix of a channel matrix to obtain a first matrix and a second matrix as a triangular matrix; obtaining a preprocessing matrix by using the first matrix; and forming an effective channel based on the preprocessing matrix by a block triangulation technique. |
| US08509335B2 |
Array antenna apparatus and micro wave transceiver module
In a transceiver module, a micro wave analog signal interface is provided between the transceiver module and an antenna element, and all the signal interfaces except a power supply are digital signal interfaces, and the interfaces are configured as one chip on a semiconductor. An internal reference signal generates a local signal serving as a reference by multiplying a high frequency digital clock signal supplied from the outside, and simultaneously generates a reference signal capable of synchronous operation by a lower frequency digital clock signal supplied from the outside, in the clock generator. The frequency of the generated reference local signal can be varied by controlling the inner multiplication number or the frequency of the higher frequency digital clock signal supplied from the outside. In addition, both transmission and reception can be executed with an arbitrary frequency by varying the frequency of the transmission waveform generator. |
| US08509328B2 |
Reception apparatus, reception method, program, and reception system
Disclosed herein is a reception apparatus including: an acquisition section configured to acquire an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing signal composed resultingly of signals transmitted by the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing method from a plurality of transmission apparatuses; a correction value calculation block configured to calculate a correction value for correcting a drift amount of the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing signal using the phase of either a first pilot signal or a second pilot signal extracted from the acquired orthogonal frequency division multiplexing signal, the first pilot signal being obtained from pilot signals which are in phase with one another coming from the plurality of transmission apparatuses, the second pilot signal being acquired from pilot signals which are out of phase with one another coming from the plurality of transmission apparatuses; and a correction block configured to correct the drift amount of the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing signal in accordance with the calculated correction value. |
| US08509323B2 |
Resource allocation including a DC sub-carrier in a wireless communication system
A method in a wireless communication terminal includes receiving a radio resource allocation having a plurality of sub-carriers that are a subset of available sub-carriers. The available sub-carriers include a DC sub-carrier wherein the DC sub-carrier and all but one edge-most sub-carrier of the plurality of sub-carriers are designated for transmission if the DC sub-carrier is between any two sub-carriers of the allocation, and all of the sub-carriers except the DC sub-carrier are designated for transmission if the DC sub-carrier is not between any two sub-carriers of the allocation. |
| US08509321B2 |
Simultaneous bi-directional link
A memory system with a simultaneous bi-directional link includes a controller, a memory device and a set of signal lines coupled to the controller and the memory device. Simultaneous communication between the controller and the memory device on the set of signal lines uses a first band of frequencies, and between the memory device and the controller on the set of signal lines uses a second band of frequencies. The controller is configured to dynamically adjust the first band of frequencies based on a predetermined data rate between the controller and the memory device and to dynamically adjust the second band of frequencies based on a predetermined data rate between the memory device and the controller. |
| US08509315B1 |
Maintaining synchronization of compressed data and associated metadata
Synchronization of data streams is enabled. Synchronized data streams may include compressed data streams. Conventional data compression components may be utilized to generate the compressed data streams. As an example, compressed digitized video and associated metadata may be synchronized in this way. Synchronization may be enabled based on causing data compression components to generate detectable data units. For example, patterns of data units having well characterized entropies may be passed through data compression components to generate detectable patterns of compressed data units. |
| US08509312B2 |
Coding device and method, decoding device and method, recording medium, and program
An encoding apparatus and an encoding method, a decoding apparatus and a decoding method, a recording medium, and a program suitable for encoding image signals with a higher compression ratio for transmission or accumulation. In an arithmetic coding section, from among the syntax elements of input image compression information, the frame/field flag is first encoded by a frame/field flag context model. When the macroblock to be processed is subjected to frame-based encoding, a frame-based context model, specified in the current H.26L standard, is applied. On the other hand, when the macroblock to be processed is subjected to field-based encoding, a field-based context model is applied for the syntax elements described below. The present invention is applied to an encoder for encoding image information and a decoder for decoding image information. |
| US08509311B2 |
Coding device and method, decoding device and method, recording medium, and program
An encoding apparatus and an encoding method, a decoding apparatus and a decoding method, a recording medium, and a program suitable for encoding image signals with a higher compression ratio for transmission or accumulation. In an arithmetic coding section, from among the syntax elements of input image compression information, the frame/field flag is first encoded by a frame/field flag context model. When the macroblock to be processed is subjected to frame-based encoding, a frame-based context model, specified in the current H.26L standard, is applied. On the other hand, when the macroblock to be processed is subjected to field-based encoding, a field-based context model is applied for the syntax elements described below. The present invention is applied to an encoder for encoding image information and a decoder for decoding image information. |
| US08509308B2 |
Wavelet transform apparatus and method, scalable video coding apparatus and method employing the same, and scalable video decoding apparatus and method thereof
Provided are a lift-based wavelet transform apparatus and method, a scalable video coding apparatus and method using the same, and a scalable video decoding apparatus and method. The lifting-based wavelet transform apparatus includes: a prediction unit which performs bi-directional motion compensation on odd-indexed frames based on even-indexed frames and generates high-frequency frames using differential frames from which most of energy is removed; an update determination unit which, in the even-indexed frame, determines whether to update each target block at which a reference block indicated by a motion vector is placed; and an update unit which updates a target block of the even-indexed frame which is determined to be updated by adding the differential frame to each target sub-block included in the target block and generates low-frequency frames. |
| US08509306B2 |
Video frame encoding and decoding
A video frame arithmetical context adaptive encoding and decoding scheme is presented which is based on the finding, that, for sake of a better definition of neighborhood between blocks of picture samples, i.e. the neighboring block which the syntax element to be coded or decoded relates to and the current block based on the attribute of which the assignment of a context model is conducted, and when the neighboring block lies beyond the borders or circumference of the current macroblock containing the current block, it is important to make the determination of the macroblock containing the neighboring block dependent upon as to whether the current macroblock pair region containing the current block is of a first or a second distribution type, i.e., frame or field coded. |
| US08509305B2 |
Motion estimation for video processing using 2-D (spatial) convolution
A device including a two-dimensional convolution unit to perform spatial image filtering. A reference frame mirroring unit is connected to the two-dimensional convolution unit. A mean square error (MSE) decision unit is connected to the two-dimensional convolution unit to perform motion estimation by selecting the displacement that minimizes MSE. |
| US08509304B2 |
Video encoding method and apparatus, and video decoding method and apparatus
A video encoding method and apparatus, and a video decoding method and apparatus, which are capable of improving efficiency of encoding a luminance component video signal by predicting information on various encoding modes of the luminance component video signal by using a result obtained by encoding a chrominance component video signal, are provided. Accordingly, a block mode and an intra-prediction mode of the luminance component video signal are predicted from a previously encoded and recovered chrominance component video signal, and the predicted block mode and the predicted intra-prediction mode are used to encode the luminance component video signal. |
| US08509300B2 |
Transmitter with reduced power consumption and increased linearity
The application refers to an apparatus comprising, a signal generator (102, 102a) configured to generate a signal, a first pulse width modulating unit (106) configured to modulate the signal, an amplifier unit (110) configured to amplify the modulated signal, a feedback loop path (108a) configured to correct the modulated signal using an error signal, wherein the apparatus comprises a second pulse width modulating (108) unit configured to modulate the error signal onto the modulated signal. |
| US08509298B2 |
Apparatus and method for adaptive I/Q imbalance compensation
An I/Q imbalance compensation block of a RF receiver for compensating an imbalance between an in-phase component and a quadrature component of an RF signal is disclosed. The compensation block includes a conjugation block; an adaptive finite impulse response (FIR) filter; and an adder. The filter use filter coefficients iteratively updated at least partly in response to a compensated digital signal. The filter can have a complex number for at least one, but not all of filter taps, and real numbers for other filter taps. The filter can be provided with adaptation step sizes different from filter tap to filter tap. The filter can also be provided with an adaptation step size(s) varying over time. The filter can also be provided with an adaptation step size(s) divided by the square norm of the compensated signal. |
| US08509296B2 |
Spectrum analyzer and spectrum analysis method
There is provided a spectrum analyzer and a spectrum analysis method capable of promptly performing measurement while preventing the spectrum waveform caused by the fractional spurious components from being displayed.When the width of a designated span (analysis target frequency range) is larger than a boundary value, a reference signal frequency is set to a predetermined reference value, and a loop filter band narrower than a RBW (resolution bandwidth) is selected to thereby make the fractional spurious components be within the RBW and prevent it from being displayed as a spectrum waveform. Further, when the width of the designated span is smaller than a boundary value, the reference signal frequency is shifted from the reference value by a predetermined value so as to increase the frequency differences between the fractional spurious components and the main signal component of a VCO output signal by an amount equal to the product between the shift amount and the integer part of the frequency division ratio, and the band of the loop filter is set in accordance with the region including the RBW in a range narrower than the increased frequency difference so as to suppress the levels of the fractional spurious components. |
| US08509294B2 |
Signal generator, signal generating system, and signal generating method
To provide a signal generator, a signal generating system, and a signal generating method capable of repeatedly generating an arbitrary waveform and making the phases of the head and tail of the generated waveform continuous with each other, without changing the frequency of the waveform.A signal generator (10, 11, 12) includes phase shift means (30) that receives waveform data which is repeatedly output n times, shifts the phase of each sample data item in an n-th waveform data item by a phase shift amount φn corresponding to the number of times n the waveform data is repeatedly output, and outputs the waveform data to D/A conversion means. |
| US08509293B2 |
Semi-coherent timing propagation for GERAN multislot configurations
A method for estimating timing in a wireless communication comprises the steps of receiving a plurality of symbol bursts corresponding to a plurality of time slots and selecting a subset of symbols from a first symbol burst of the plurality of symbol bursts. The subset comprises a first midamble symbol. The method further comprises the steps of calculating, for each symbol in the subset, a corresponding midamble estimation error, and determining the lowest calculated midamble estimation error to determine a timing for the first symbol burst. The method further comprises the steps of processing the first symbol burst utilizing the timing determined for the first symbol burst, and processing a second symbol burst of the plurality of symbol bursts utilizing the timing determined for the first symbol burst. |
| US08509291B2 |
Open-loop transmit diversity schemes with four transmit antennas
In a wireless communication system, SFBC-based (Space-Frequency Block-Code) transmission diversity schemes provide enhancement for multiple antennas, such as the illustrative four, in order to achieve better performance than SFBC-FSTD (SFBC-Frequency Switching Transmit Diversity) alone. SFBC-PFSTD (Precoded Frequency Switching Transmit), which is multiplying a precoding matrix to the SFBC-FSTD signals, opens up the possibility of utilizing the pilot tones in synchronization channels (SSC and/or PSC) to enhance the channel estimation performance for antenna 2 and 3 that have only the half as many pilot tones as antenna 0 and 1. Further improvements are disclosed for use of Frequency Time Switching Transmit Diversity (FTSTD) and Precoding Vector Switch. |
| US08509289B2 |
Relay device and wireless relay method
A relay device for relaying wireless communication between a transmission device and a reception device includes a buffer configured to temporarily store first data that is a relay object so that the first data is retransmitted to the reception device, a buffer control unit configured to restrict the first data from being stored in the buffer when, based on information acquired using a signal fed back from the reception device, it is determined that a chance of retransmitting the first data is low, and a retransmission request unit configured to request the transmission device to retransmit the first data when the first data is not stored in the buffer and the first data is to be retransmitted to the reception device. |
| US08509288B2 |
Spatial multiplexing gain for a distributed cooperative communications system using randomized coding
Multiple cooperative relays operate in a highly mobile environment and form a virtual antenna array. Multiple independent streams of data can be simultaneously, transmitted in parallel to the destination receiver. Thus a higher spatial multiplexing gain can be obtained. Each relay device that receives the information without errors splits it into multiple streams. For example, if the relay devices receive B symbols and the number of streams is K, each stream contains B/K symbols. Each relay device then generates a random linear combination of all the streams and transmits this output simultaneously with the other relay devices. |
| US08509286B2 |
Receiver of multiplexed binary offset carrier (MBOC) modulated signals
A receiver for receiving a navigation signal comprising a carrier modulated by a code modulation function of a given code rate and further modulated by a composite sub-carrier modulation function having first and second components with two different rates both of which arc different to the code rate, the receiver comprising processing means arranged to: generate a first estimate of delay based on the code modulation only; generate a second estimate of delay based on the first component of the sub-carrier modulation only; and generate a third estimate of delay based on the second component of the sub-carrier modulation only; and determine a further delay estimate from the first second and third delay estimates. |
| US08509284B2 |
Symbol duration dithering for secured chaotic communications
A system for communicating a sequence of information symbols using a chaotic sequence spread spectrum signal. The system includes a transmitter (402) for transmitting a signal including the information symbols, the information symbols encoded into the signal using a first chaotic sequence of chips generated at the transmitter. The system also includes a receiver (404) configure to receive the signal and extract the information symbols from the signal, the information symbols extracted using a second chaotic sequence of chips generated at the receiver. In the system, the first and the second chaotic sequences are identical and synchronized in time and frequency, each of the sequence of symbols is associated with a randomly generated threshold symbol energy value, and the portion of chips in the first and the second chaotic sequences associated with each of the plurality of information symbols is selected based on the associated threshold symbol energy value. |
| US08509282B2 |
Melting furnace with an inductor device with a single loop consisting of a plurality of conductors
An improved melting furnace including a crucible and a plurality of parallel conductors of identical height surrounding the crucible having at least one descending portion (9) and one ascending portion (10). The benefit from this arrangement is that the conductors all have a portion located at each heating height which guarantees density uniformity of the currents flowing in the conductors even if the load of the crucible has superimposed regions for which the electrical resistivity is different. |
| US08509281B2 |
Disk laser
The different advantageous embodiments provide an apparatus and method comprising a substrate configured to increase an intensity of light at a desired wavelength. The substrate has a front side, a back side, and an outer edge. The substrate is configured to reflect the light received on the front side of the substrate. The substrate comprises ceramic. The substrate comprises a plurality of sections. The method and apparatus also comprise a material configured to attenuate the light passing between the plurality of sections. The material surrounds an edge of each section of the plurality of sections. The apparatus and method also comprise a cooling system configured to allow liquid nitrogen to be transmitted through the cooling system and receive heat generated in the substrate from the back side of the substrate. |
| US08509280B2 |
Gas laser oscillator apparatus and gas laser machining apparatus
The gas laser oscillator apparatus of the present invention has a temperature-detecting mechanism disposed at the bearings of the bellows section. The temperature-detecting mechanism detects temperature rise in the bearings and calculates a maintenance cycle with reference to the predetermined data on relationship between temperature and the lifetime of the bearings. Disposed at the bearings, the temperature-detecting mechanism outputs a signal that indicates a replacement cycle according to the temperature of the bearings. More preferable, the temperature-detecting mechanism has a sensor at a tip end of a spring having a pressure force smaller than a load applied to the bearings in advance. To enhance accuracy of temperature detection, the spring is wrapped around with heat insulating material so as not to be exposed to outside temperature. |
| US08509279B2 |
Solid dye resonator, and solid dye laser handpiece comprising same
The present invention relates to a solid dye resonator, and to a solid dye laser hand piece comprising same. The solid dye resonator comprises: solid dye; a high-reflection mirror; an output coupler; a first mounting plate on which the high-reflection mirror is mounted; a second mounting plate which is spaced apart from the first mounting plate and which has a surface on which the output coupler is mounted; a driving motor mounted on the first mounting plate, such that a motor shaft is directed toward the second mounting plate; and a rotary shaft interposed between the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate, and connected to the motor shaft of the driving motor such that the rotary shaft interlockingly rotates with the rotation of the driving motor. |
| US08509278B2 |
Light emitting device and optical apparatus using the same
A light emitting device includes: a support base; a first light emitting element which is provided at one surface side of the support base and has a first substrate; and a second light emitting element which is provided between the first light emitting element and the support base and has a second substrate, which has a light emitting section as a semiconductor layer and a peripheral section other than the light emitting section at the first light emitting element side of the second substrate, and which has an embedded layer formed of a material with higher heat conductivity than the semiconductor layer in the peripheral section. |
| US08509276B2 |
Plasmon lasers at deep subwavelength scale
Hybrid plasmonic waveguides are described that employ a high-gain semiconductor nanostructure functioning as a gain medium that is separated from a metal substrate surface by a nanoscale thickness thick low-index gap. The waveguides are capable of efficient generation of sub-wavelength high intensity light and have the potential for large modulation bandwidth >1 THz. |
| US08509274B2 |
Light emitting and lasing semiconductor methods and devices
A method for producing light emission from a two terminal semiconductor device with improved efficiency, includes the following steps: providing a layered semiconductor structure including a semiconductor drain region comprising at least one drain layer, a semiconductor base region disposed on the drain region and including at least one base layer, and a semiconductor emitter region disposed on a portion of the base region and comprising an emitter mesa that includes at least one emitter layer; providing, in the base region, at least one region exhibiting quantum size effects; providing a base/drain electrode having a first portion on an exposed surface of the base region and a further portion coupled with the drain region, and providing an emitter electrode on the surface of the emitter region; applying signals with respect to the base/drain and emitter electrodes to obtain light emission from the base region; and configuring the base/drain and emitter electrodes for substantial uniformity of voltage distribution in the region therebetween. |
| US08509272B2 |
Laser beam combining and power scaling device
A laser beam combining and power scaling device and method. A first highly reflective mirror residing perpendicular to the first optical axis reflecting radiation emitted from the first laser head. A first Q-switch in alignment with the first optical axis interposed between the first highly reflective mirror and the first laser head. A second highly reflective mirror residing perpendicular to the second optical axis reflecting radiation emitted from the second laser head. The second Q-switch in alignment with the second optical axis is interposed between the second highly reflective mirror and the first laser head. A third optical axis is coincident with the first optical axis. A third highly reflective mirror residing perpendicular to the third optical axis in alignment therewith. The third optical axis may include a third diode pumped laser head and Q-switch. A beam splitter resides at the intersection of the axes. |
| US08509271B2 |
Method for manufacturing optical fiber grating, optical fiber grating, and fiber laser
A method for manufacturing an optical fiber grating that includes first and second gratings that configure an optical resonator, the method including: forming the first grating by radiating ultraviolet light to an optical fiber so that a irradiation intensity Z satisfies the following Equation 1: Z≦(ΔλS/x+0.04556Y2+1.2225Y)/(0.05625Y2+1.6125Y) . . . Equation 1, where, Z represents an irradiation intensity (mJ/mm2) of the ultraviolet light, ΔλS represents the maximum shift amount of a reflection center wavelength of the first grating that is allowed as long as reflection wavelengths of the first grating and second grating overlap each other, x represents a shift amount of the reflection center wavelength per temperature change of 1° C. (nm/° C.) in the first grating, and Y represents an intensity (W) of the wave-guided light. |
| US08509270B2 |
Yb: and Nd: mode-locked oscillators and fiber systems incorporated in solid-state short pulse laser systems
The invention describes classes of robust fiber laser systems usable as pulse sources for Nd: or Yb: based regenerative amplifiers intended for industrial settings. The invention modifies adapts and incorporates several recent advances in FCPA systems to use as the input source for this new class of regenerative amplifier. |
| US08509265B2 |
Stack signaling to application with lack of requested bandwidth
A system for signaling an application when a requested data rate and Quality of Service cannot be achieved using OFDM wireless data transmission, and the application proceeds by either renegotiating QoS and data rate, or waiting until they requested rate and QoS are met. |
| US08509261B2 |
Wall-mountable media converter
In one embodiment, a media converter comprises a power interface that extracts power from a communication medium coupled to the media converter for powering the media converter. In another embodiment, a connector comprises a first media attachment interface to physically attach a first communication medium to the connector and a second media attachment interface to physically attach a second communication medium to the connector. The connector further comprises a mounting interface to physically attach the connector to a structure. The connector communicatively couples the first communication medium and the second communication medium. The connector processes management data communicated over at least one of the first communication medium and the second communication medium. |
| US08509259B2 |
Method and system for reducing transceiver power via a variable signal constellation
Aspects of a method and system for reducing transceiver power via a variable signal constellation are provided. In this regard, an Ethernet PHY device may receive one or more signals indicative of a current state of an Ethernet link to which the PHY device is coupled and/or indicative of resources, such as power, available to the PHY device. Accordingly, a number of points comprising a signal constellation utilized to communicate data via the Ethernet link may vary based on the one or more signals. A current state of the link may comprise a bit error rate, a packet error rate, and/or utilization, in terms of bandwidth for example, of the link. Aspects of the invention may enable controlling, at least in part, power consumption of the PHY device may altering the number of points comprising the signal constellation. |
| US08509256B1 |
Power saving for internet-telephony broadband devices
Systems and methods can be used to reduce power consumption on a device. In some implementations, power consumption can be reduced by powering down modules. In other implementations, power consumption can be reduced by communicating configuration status messages to the terminating system to reduce communications. Power saving can extend backup battery power duration thereby affording users to access telephone services during a power outage. |
| US08509255B2 |
Hardware packet pacing using a DMA in a parallel computer
Method and system for hardware packet pacing using a direct memory access controller in a parallel computer which, in one aspect, keeps track of a total number of bytes put on the network as a result of a remote get operation, using a hardware token counter. |
| US08509253B2 |
IMS service proxy in HiGA
The present invention relates to a communication system (SYS), a gateway apparatus (HiGA) and a method for allowing services of a first type provided by a communication server (IMS-S) to be provided to terminal devices (T1, T2, . . . Tn . . . TN) of a home network (CPN) independent of whether the terminal devices are of a first type or a second type (IMS-based or non-IMS-based). The gateway apparatus (HiGA) comprises one or more service-specific mapping applications (AS) for adapting the control plane (SIP) used between the second type terminal devices (T2) to the control plane (HTTP) used between the gateway apparatus (HiGA) and the communication server (IMS-S). |
| US08509249B2 |
Process and system for an integrated carrier ethernet exchange
An Ethernet exchanger is coupled to two or more Ethernet networks to exchange information among the two or more Ethernet networks using virtual circuits. A first Ethernet network is associated with a first carrier and a first port of the Ethernet exchanger. A second Ethernet network is associated with a second carrier and a second port of the Ethernet exchanger. Network information of the first Ethernet network and network information of the second Ethernet network are provided by the respective first carrier and the second carrier and stored in a database. A virtual circuit is provisioned to interconnect the first Ethernet network and the second Ethernet network based on a partnership between the first carrier and the second carrier and based on the stored information about the first network and the second network. The virtual circuit is associated with the first port and the second port. The stored information about the first network or the second network is reusable for subsequent provisioning of other virtual circuits associated with the first carrier or the second carrier. |
| US08509243B2 |
Method and device for sending a packet based on tunneling protocol used in layer 2
A method and a device for sending a packet based on Tunneling Protocol used in Layer 2 are provided. Specifically, when a traffic flow needs to be sent from a network side to a client via QinQ termination equipment in which the tunneling protocol used in Layer 2 is used, forwarding address information corresponding to the client is obtained by searching a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) snooping binding table according to Internet Protocol (IP) address information of the client in a packet of the traffic flow. The packet of the traffic flow can be sent to the client according to the obtained forwarding address information. |
| US08509242B2 |
Method and device for controlling data flows at communication terminals
The present invention involves traffic management in a communication system (1) comprising multiple communication terminal (10, 200) that each has data flows presented in transmit buffers (14, 220). The terminals (10, 200) utilize a default priority scheme for selecting data from the buffers (14, 220) to transmit at transmission occasions determined by a schedule scheme. A switching event is detected based on information of an estimate distribution of data flows in a first portion (2) of the system (1). A priority scheme update message is generated based on this event detection. The update message comprises information of a temporary priority scheme that is to be used by terminals (10, 200) in a second portion (2; 5) of the system (1). By using this temporary scheme that assigns new temporary priorities to the data flows, a local shaping of the transmission pattern and data flow distribution in the second system portion (2; 5) is possible. |
| US08509239B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for processing packets
A method, an apparatus, and a system for processing packets are disclosed. The method is applied to a distributed architecture of multiple service boards; the distributed architecture includes a main control board, at least one service board, and at least one interface board. The method includes: determining a specified CPU corresponding to a received packet; and, by the service board corresponding to the CPU, processing the received packet. Through the embodiments of the present invention, the received packets are processed in the service board corresponding to the specified CPU. Therefore, the packets are evenly distributed to all service boards for being processed, the workload of the main control board is relieved, the service throughput is increased significantly, and the packet processing efficiency of the whole architecture is improved. |
| US08509234B2 |
System and method for implementing a RTP-signaled terminal hand over
An improved system and method for implementing communications hand over in a simple manner. RTP is used to signal to other terminals that an IP address has been changed for a particular. The receiving communications application notices from the RTP data flow that the other party in a communications session has changed its IP address. Based on this information, the communications application adjusts the communications session without having to perform any session signaling. |
| US08509232B2 |
Method and apparatus for fault-resilient multicast and unicast in transport networks
A capability is provided for supporting fault-resilient propagation of traffic in networks using redundant multicast trees (RMTs). Fault-resilient propagation of traffic from a first node to a second node is supported using one or both of a pair of RMTs rooted at the first node and a pair of RMTs rooted at the second node. The pair of RMTs rooted at the first node includes a pair of node-disjoint paths from the first node to the second node. The pair of RMTs rooted at the second node includes a pair of node-disjoint paths from the second node to the first node. The first node propagates multicast traffic toward the second node using at least one of the RMTs in the pair of RMTs rooted at the first node. The first node propagates unicast traffic toward the second node using at least one of: at least one of the RMTs in the pair of RMTs rooted at the first node, or at least one of the RMTs in the pair of RMTs rooted at the second node. |
| US08509225B2 |
IP-based enhanced emergency services using intelligent client devices
Providing enhanced emergency services (E-911) to an IP Telephony-based PBX or similar system, by utilizing aspects of the intelligence of end-user SIP client devices to address challenges and difficulties associated with E-911-like services in LAN-based telephony environments. |
| US08509221B2 |
Apparatus and method for enabling optimized gateway selection for inter-working between circuit-switched and internet telephony
An optimized gateway selection process of the present invention is based on a universal mobility manager (UMM), a component for inter-technology location management. The UMM is capable of holding location information for diverse cellular networks, as well as for Internet telephony systems. For cellular networks, UMM acts as a traditional HLR; for an Internet telephony network, it acts as the entities that are responsible for user/terminal registration (registrar in SIP, gatekeeper in H.323) and address resolution (proxy server in SIP, gatekeeper in H.323). An optimal gateway selection is possible based on location related information provided by the UMM which had not previously been available. Utilizing the newly available information enables a gateway to be selected which may, for example, enable the circuit switched portion of a call to now be minimized. |
| US08509217B2 |
Method and device for establishing a route of a connection
The present invention provides a method for establishing a route of a connection, which comprises: a route relation group is configured on a service node responsible for route calculation; the route relation group comprises a connection in which the service node is contained and other connections having route relation with the connection; when a route of a connection is requested to be established, the service node responsible for route calculation confirms the route of the connection according to the route relation group configured on the service node, and then establishes the route of the connection. A device for establishing a route of a connection is also provided in the present invention. With the present invention, the problem of high probability of route conflict in the existing connection route establishment process can be solved. |
| US08509207B2 |
Defining adaptive detection thresholds
A wireless device (24) receives a reference signal over a radio channel (21). The reference signal may be Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) and/or Common Referencing Signals (CRS), and may be transmitted from a transmitter (22). The wireless device (24) comprises a correlator (100); a reference signal detector (102); a threshold selector (106); and a reference signal analyzer (108). The correlator (100) use a signal received from the radio channel (21) and a replica of the reference signal to provide a correlator output value. The reference signal detector (102) compares the correlator output value with a threshold value to detect presence of a reference signal, and to estimate an arrival time of the reference signal. The threshold selector (106) adapts the threshold value to at least an estimate of a relative amount of noise and interference power in the received signal. |
| US08509202B2 |
Method for communicating in a network, a system and a primary station therefor
The present invention relates to a system comprising at least one primary station and at least one secondary station, wherein the primary station comprises communication means for communicating with the secondary station in accordance with a first protocol, wherein the communication means are arranged for communicating with a plurality of further stations in accordance with a further protocol, and wherein the primary station comprises control means for generating a message to be broadcast to the secondary station, said message comprising purposely erroneous information causing the at least one secondary station to remain silent for a predetermined duration. |
| US08509201B2 |
Wireless networking system and method
In a system comprising a first access point serving a first wireless network; and a neighboring access point serving a neighboring wireless network having coverage overlapping with the first wireless network, where the first access point and the neighboring access point transmit beacon messages at beacon times that are temporally separated by predetermined beacon periods, a method of operating the system is disclosed, the method comprising: the first access point sending a first offer to the neighboring access point, the first offer offering a period of silent time to the neighboring access point during which period of silent time the first access point silences the first wireless network, the period of silent time being independent of the beacon times and the beacon periods. |
| US08509198B2 |
System and method for uplink data transfer in dynamic timeslot reduction
A method for communicating with a network is presented. The method includes receiving an assignment of first timeslots for uplink communications, and receiving an instruction to reduce monitoring to a set of timeslots. The set of timeslots has a number of timeslots less than a number of timeslots to be monitored in accordance with the assignment. The method includes receiving a negative acknowledgement of a data block previously transmitted to the network, and, after receiving the instruction to reduce monitoring and the negative acknowledgement, transmitting a new data block to the network before retransmitting the data block previously transmitted to the network. |
| US08509197B2 |
Media access control method of determining data transmission order in wireless network
A media access control method in a wireless network is provided. Each of devices in the wireless network determines one of a plurality of beacon slots within a beacon period as a beacon slot of the device. The devices in the wireless network determine a data transmission order in accordance with the slot numbers of the beacon slots of the devices in a reserved period of a data transmission period. Data is transmitted in the unreserved period in accordance with the determined data transmission order. |
| US08509195B2 |
TDMA/CDMA user equipment
A wireless hybrid time division multiple access/code division multiple access (TDMA/CDMA) user equipment (UE) includes a signaling receiver and a data detection device in communication with the signaling receiver. The signaling receiver is configured to receive and recover signaled information of code and timeslot assignments of the UE to support an RF communication. The data detection device is configured to recover from the signaling information an identifier of a plurality of assigned timeslots and an indication of a first and last code of a set of consecutive codes. The last code is identified by an identifier associated with the last code. |
| US08509194B2 |
Dirty paper coding and reference signal design
A method of wireless communication includes receiving a signal comprising an encoded downlink reference signal (DL-RS) modified by an effective channel. The encoded DL-RS is encoded based on crosstalk interference. The method further includes estimating the effective channel. |
| US08509190B2 |
Handheld computing unit with power management
A handheld computing unit includes a plurality of PHY units, a local wireless interface (LWI), and a processing module. When the unit is in a femtocell AP mode, the processing module performs one or more femtocell AP functions to facilitate conversion of a LWI downstream data into one or more downstream PHY signals and conversion of one or more upstream PHY signals into the LWI upstream data; determines energy demand of the handheld computing unit; determines whether the energy demand compares unfavorably to energy performance criteria; and, when the energy demand compares unfavorably to the energy performance criteria, executes an energy adjustment algorithm. |
| US08509189B2 |
System for managing services of WiMAX base stations
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a base station having a wireless transceiver operable in compliance with a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access protocol, and a controller to manage the wireless transceiver. The controller can be operable to receive a request from a communication device to access the base station, and to direct the communication device to a second base station upon determining that granting wireless access to the communication device reduces an operating performance of the base station below an operating threshold of the base station. Additional embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08509180B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient handover in LTE
An efficient use of downlink (DL) air-interface bandwidth during handoff of user equipment from a source cell to a target is provided. In conjunction with a handoff message to ensure receipt, expedited status exchanges are provided so that initial communications do not require a subsequent retransmission of duplicate data. A method for transmitting a dedicated Random Access Channel (RACH) preamble and cell information, receiving a RACH from the user equipment to start communication, and transmitting a handover message and a radio link control (RLC) status message or an UL grant in response to receiving the RACH is provided. Also, a method for receiving a handover message and target cell information from a source cell to start handover negotiations, initiating communication with target cell using the target cell information, receiving a handover message and (RLC) status message, and using the received information to approximate status reporting is provided. |
| US08509179B1 |
Method and system for power control in a wireless LAN
A mobile device for wireless communication with a wireless local area network (WLAN) includes a transceiver that is able to selectively transmit at a plurality of transmit power levels. When the mobile device associates with a wireless access point in the WLAN, the wireless access point transmits a control signal that controls the power level at which the mobile device transmits wireless signals to that wireless access point. |
| US08509178B2 |
Method of transmitting scheduling request in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for requesting uplink resources in a wireless communication system is provided. A user equipment determines whether a scheduling request for requesting uplink resources is triggered. If the scheduling request is triggered, the user equipment transmits a first set of frequency domain sequences and a second set of frequency domain sequences in a subframe. |
| US08509177B2 |
Method for transmitting communications in a wireless network using different re-use schemes
A method is provided for transmitting combined frequency reuse communications in a wireless network. The communications are transmitted along sub-channels associated with given frequency channel partitions. At least one of the combined frequency reuse frames comprises at least one sub-channel operative according to a first reuse scheme and at least one other sub-channel operative according to another reuse scheme. Preferably, the transmission power level for conveying communications along at least one sub-channel assigned in each of the sectors according to the first reuse scheme, is substantially equal to that used in all other sectors, the transmission power level of another sub-channel operative according to another reuse scheme is higher than a first threshold in at least one of the sectors and the transmission power level in at least one other of the sectors is lower than the first threshold but higher than a second threshold. |
| US08509170B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting preamble in broadband wireless communication system
Preamble transmission in a broadband wireless communication system is provided. A method for transmitting a preamble includes determining a sequence as the preamble according to a transmit bandwidth, allocating sub-blocks of the sequence to a plurality of transmit antennas used to transmit the preamble, the number of the sub-blocks allocated to each antenna falling within two consecutive integers, and transmitting the preamble through the plurality of the transmit antennas according to the allocation result of the sub-blocks. |
| US08509169B2 |
Methods and apparatus to configure virtual private mobile networks
Methods and apparatus to configure virtual private mobile networks are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a request at a wireless network provider from a client, the request instructing the wireless network provider to create the virtual private mobile network for the client, identifying available network elements within a wireless network of the wireless network provider based on the request from the client, configuring a portion of a control plane and a portion of a data plane of the identified network elements for the virtual private mobile network, and enabling user equipment associated with the client to wirelessly communicatively couple to the virtual private mobile network. |
| US08509168B2 |
Method for transmitting CQI in wireless communication system
A method of transmitting a channel quality indicator (CQI) in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes receiving an uplink grant on a downlink channel, the uplink grant comprising a CQI report indicator, a transport format field and a resource assignment field, the CQI report indicator indicating whether a CQI is reported, the transport format filed indicating a transport format of the CQI, the resource assignment field indicating the number of resource blocks used for reporting the CQI and transmitting the CQI on an uplink channel by using the uplink grant. |
| US08509160B2 |
Method for efficient CQI feedback
In a closed-loop wireless communication system (300), channel-side information—such as CQI information, rank adaptation information or MIMO codebook selection information—is fed back to the transmitter (310) in response to a start message (301) using a configurable or default time period or window by having the receiver (320) automatically terminate feedback upon expiration of the time period/window. The receiver (330) may continue or interrupt the feedback upon receipt of appropriate messaging (e.g., 306) from the transmitter (310). |
| US08509158B2 |
Reconfigurable notched spectrum for wireless data transmission
Systems and methods for communication are disclosed. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises a communications system, comprising at least one transmitter station and at least one receiver station, the transmitter station and receiver station communicating using an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) schema, wherein OFDM signals are transmitted in a notched frequency band arrangement such that at least one other transmission within a notch of the notched frequency band is used outside of the communications system. |
| US08509155B2 |
Method and system for multiplexing acknowledgement signals and sounding reference signals
A base station includes a transmit path circuitry that determines a PUCCH format 3 index and transmits an uplink grant to a subscriber station, the uplink grant including an indication of the PUCCH format 3 index. The base station also includes a receive path circuitry that receives a PUCCH format 3 signal in a subframe from the subscriber station. The receive path circuitry also receives a first demodulation reference signal for the PUCCH format signal in the first slot of the subframe, where the first demodulation reference signal is determined based at least partly upon a first demodulation reference signal cyclic shift number. The receive path circuitry also receives a second demodulation reference signal for the PUCCH format 3 signal in the second slot of the subframe, where the second demodulation reference signal is determined based at least partly upon a second demodulation reference signal cyclic shift number. |
| US08509154B2 |
Communication switching system and method thereof
A communication switching method is provided. The method is implemented by a communication switching system. The system includes mobile phones, landline phones, and a RFID server. Each mobile phone includes a RFID tag. Each landline phone includes a RFID reader. The RFID server includes a database. The method includes: putting the call on hold through the IP-PBX; transmitting the mobile phone number of a called mobile phone to the RFID server; searching the database to determine whether the mobile phone number is registered; transmitting the landline phone number corresponding to the mobile phone number to the RFID reader when the mobile phone number is registered; determining whether the landline phone corresponding to the landline phone number is busy; and switching the call to the landline phone corresponding to the landline phone number through the IP-PBX when the landline phone corresponding to the landline phone number is idle. |
| US08509151B2 |
Mobile communication method, mobile communication system, and information transfer device
A mobile communication method according to the present invention includes step of notifying an information transfer device 501 of identification information on a radio base station 201 by a network device 100, the information transfer device 501 corresponding to an inputted installation location of the radio base station 201, step of managing, by the information transfer device 501, the notified identification information on the radio base station 201, step of transmitting, when the radio base station 201 is installed or moved, an installation signal from the radio base station 201 to an information transfer device 501 to which the radio base station is connected, step of transferring the installation signal to the network device 100 by the information transfer device 501 to which the radio base station 201 is connected, if the information transfer device 501 manages the identification information on the radio base station 201 included in the received installation signal. |
| US08509144B2 |
Bent pipe beam switching for virtual utility gateways
A method for communicating includes utilizing a satellite comprising receivers, transmitters, transmit switches, and a gateway switch structure. Prior to a time T, each of at least P receivers are used to receive one of at least P signals from P gateway terminals. During one frame, the gateway switch structure is used to switch the at least P signals to the plurality of transmit switches. Each of the at least P signals are switched into fixed location beams. After time T and before a time T2, each of at least Q receivers are used to receive a different one of at least Q signals from Q gateway terminals. During one frame, the gateway switch structure is used to switch the at least Q signals to the plurality of transmit switches. Each of the at least Q signals are switched into fixed location beams. Q and P are non-zero positive integers and Q |
| US08509139B2 |
Method of data transmission in a data communication network
A method for transmitting data over a network is disclosed along with destination and source terminals in a data communication network. The method comprises receiving a connection request at a destination terminal; determining, at the destination terminal, a field length for the recording of an element in a data packet to be transmitted to the destination terminal; and sending a connection reply indicating the field length. The destination terminal comprises a processor for determining a field length upon receipt of a connection request from a source terminal, where the field length is used by the source terminal for recording a element in a data packet to be transmitted to the destination terminal. The source terminal comprises a processor for recording an element in a field of a data packet having a field length determined by a destination terminal. The elements in a field of a data packet include, without limitation, a sequence number in a sequence number field, a source identifier in a source identifier field, and a first packet offset in a first packet offset field. |
| US08509138B2 |
Method of designing a multiplexing structure for resource allocation to support legacy system
New multiplexing UL structures for supporting legacy system are provided. A 16m system of diversity mode can be multiplexed with 16e system in PUSC mode in FDM manner with the same tiles/permutation rules. A 16m system can be multiplexed with 16e system in AMC mode in FDM and/or TDM manner. The time length of multiplexed 16e PUSC packets and/or 16m packets can be extended to more than two sub-frames for UL coverage. A PRU for 16m system may consists of 16 sub-carriers by 6 OFDM symbols, 18 sub-carriers by 6 OFDM symbols, or 20 sub-carriers by 6 OFDM symbols. |
| US08509136B2 |
Network coding method and network coding apparatus
A base station BS transmits downlink data to a relay station RS. A mobile station MS transmits uplink data to the relay station RS. The relay station RS determines a first modulation scheme for transmitting the uplink data to the base station BS, and determines a second modulation scheme for transmitting the downlink data to the mobile station MS. The relay station RS multiplies a symbol sequence obtained by the first modulation scheme by a symbol sequence obtained by the second modulation scheme for each symbol, and multicasts the multiplication result to the base station BS and the mobile station MS. |
| US08509128B2 |
High level instruction convergence function
A convergence engine may provide a high level message for a high level engine representative of multiple messages received by a network interface or other physical layer transmission device. The high level engine may access one or more high level messages via functions describing the state of a non-network-portal station. |
| US08509125B1 |
Method and apparatus for reducing nonlinear echo distortion in a communication device
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with echo cancellation are described. According to one embodiment, a method uses two signals from a transmitter as input to a look-up table to generate a non-linear echo cancellation signal. The non-linear echo cancellation signal is applied to a receiving path to reduce non-linear echo distortion on the receiving path based at least in part on the current signal and the previous signal. |
| US08509121B2 |
System and method using local wireless network for group communications
A system and method using a local wireless network for group communications are provided. The method includes establishing one of a plurality of mobile communication units as a master communication unit and establishing as slave communication units each of the plurality of mobile communication units that are not established as the master communication unit. The method further includes communicating group call information only to the master communication unit with the master communication unit redistributing the group call information to the slave communication units using a local wireless communication network. |
| US08509118B2 |
Methods and systems for provisioning logical circuits for intermittent use in a data network
A customer order is received for routing data for a time period, and provisioning a logical circuit for routing the data during the time period. The logical circuit is provisioned through a first LATA, an IEC, and a second LATA. The logical circuit includes first variable communication paths that automatically reroute from a first set of switches to a second set of switches of the first LATA while maintaining the logical circuit, second variable communication paths to route the data through the second LATA, and fixed communication paths to route the data between the first LATA, the second LATA, and the IEC. The second set of switches form a route associated with the first variable communication paths that is not predefined and that is dynamically defined at a time of automatic rerouting. The logical circuit is added to a deletion batch, and disconnected at the end of the time period. |
| US08509116B2 |
Shrink wrap technique for enclosing multiple polygons
A computer-implemented method receives a list of polygonal vertices associated with multiple polygons located in proximity to one another in a two-dimensional region and analyzes the polygonal vertices. The method automatically generates, based on the analysis, a polygonal hull that encloses the multiple polygons such that a line segment connecting any two polygonal vertices of the multiple polygons falls completely inside the generated polygonal hull. The multiple polygons may correspond to a two-dimensional geographic region. The computer-implemented method may be used for geographic regional segmentation. |
| US08509115B2 |
Multicast control method in Ethernet Passive Optical Network
A multicast control method in an Ethernet passive optical network, the method includes steps: (A) configuring different id for user-end devices and their user ports; labeling users on office-end devices by using id for user-end devices and their user ports; setting up user's multicast authorization table; (B) based on the multicast authorization table, office-end devices control user's multicast authority; based on the controlled result, setting up multicast filtration tables and user filtration tables for user-end devices; based on the multicast filtration tables and user filtration tables, user-end devices filter multicast data, and forward them to users having multicast authority. The method controls multicast for different user ports on the same user-end device so as to raise security of multicast. |
| US08509107B2 |
Close proximity communication device and methods
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for receiving an encoded data packet, one or more activation commands, and a communication identifier, decoding the received data packet, validating the decoded received data packet, and executing one or more routines associated with the respective one or more activation commands. |
| US08509104B2 |
Identifying a sequence of received signals
A sequence of received signals is identified, by a receiver of signals transmitted via a channel of a wireless communications system, as one of a number of known orthogonal sequences. The sequence of received signals is received; a modified sequence is calculated by replacing some of the received signals by their complex conjugate values; the modified sequence is correlated with each one of the number of known orthogonal sequences to obtain a correlation result for each of the known sequences; and the sequence of received signals is identified as the known sequence having the largest correlation result. When some signals in the received sequence are complex conjugated before being correlated with the known sequences, the correlation sum will increase so that even in case of a considerable frequency error the correlation sum for the correct sequence will be sufficiently large to be distinguished from noise. |
| US08509102B2 |
Threshold determination in TDOA-based positioning system
A method in a wireless communication terminal including receiving a signal comprising at least a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) transmission from a serving cell and a PRS transmission from a neighbor cell, estimating a signal quality metric (SQM) based on the PRS transmission from the neighbor cell, estimating a time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement for the neighbor cell based on the PRS transmissions, determining if the estimated SQM satisfies a criterion, and sending a report to the serving cell that includes at least the estimated TDOA if the criterion is satisfied. |
| US08509101B2 |
Systems and methods for a configurable communication device
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for configuring a communication device based, at least in part, on a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver. An SFP transceiver may be utilized in connection with a communication device that transmits data according to a variety of communication protocols. In various embodiments, the configuration may be based upon an SFP configuration value stored in a machine-readable storage medium in the SFP transceiver. In certain embodiments, the SFP configuration value may be an input, together with other values associated with the SFP transceiver and a secret key, to an algorithm for generating a license entitlement key. Certain embodiments may allow for the configuration of a communication device and/or distribution of license entitlement keys in the field. |
| US08509099B2 |
Load aware resource allocation in wireless networks
A technique for resource allocation in a wireless network (for example, an access point type wireless network), which supports concurrent communication on a band of channels, is provided. The technique includes accepting connectivity information for the network that supports concurrent communication on the band of channels. A conflict graph is generated from the connectivity information. The generated conflict graph models concurrent communication on the band of channels. A linear programming approach, which incorporates information form the conflict graph and rate requirements for nodes of the network, can be utilized to maximize throughput of the network. |
| US08509096B2 |
Method and apparatus for activating a wireless communication device
A method and apparatus to activate over the air a wireless communication device by using a client-initiated bootstrap server and without the use of a provisioning server, a provisioning session and a provisioning protocol implementation at one or more servers of the wireless network. The client-initiated bootstrap server sends a bootstrap script and/or document to the wireless communication device to set an activation flag with commands included in the bootstrap scrip. |
| US08509093B2 |
Outage analysis system
A device may receiving alarms identifying failures of network elements, create a site table that includes a list of sites at which the alarms are generated and a number of alarms for each of the sites, determine whether an outage has occurred based on the alarms, analyze whether the outage is a false outage based on a failure of a probe that generates the alarms, and provide a notification that includes the site table, an indication of whether the outage has occurred, or an indication whether the outage is a false outage. |
| US08509092B2 |
System, apparatus, method, and program for signal analysis control and signal control
Disclosed is a signal control method that is characterized by receiving a first signal, a second signal comprising multiple components, component information indicating the relationship between the components, and analysis control information comprising information indicating the relationship between the components and the second signal. The signal control method is further characterized by controlling the first signal or the second signal on the basis of the components and the analysis control information. |
| US08509085B2 |
Edge node for a network domain
An egress node is proposed for a network domain that comprises at least one ingress node for receiving and routing data units belonging to a plurality of flows into said network domain, a plurality of interior routers for routing said data units through said network domain, and said egress node(s). One or more of the interior routers is arranged to detect whether it is subject to a congestion condition and to congestion mark routed data units if it is subject to said congestion condition. The egress node comprises a control element arranged for performing a congestion handling function that comprises a part for detecting the presence of congestion marked data units arriving at said edge node, and a part for reacting to the detection of the presence of congestion marked data units by invoking a congestion control process. The congestion control comprises sending to said ingress node an instruction for terminating one or more flows to thereby reduce a traffic load, waiting a predetermined period of time and then determining whether congestion marked data units are still arriving at said edge node, and if congestion marked data units are still arriving, repeating the sending and waiting steps. |
| US08509083B2 |
Band management apparatus and band management method
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a band management apparatus that manages a communication band of a transmission path between data relay devices in a ring network comprises a hypothetical network management information storage unit that stores information on the communication band set for the transmission path for each hypothetical network set in such a way as to include the data relay devices, a communication band calculator that calculates the communication band for each transmission path between neighboring data relay devices contiguously connected without sandwiching another data relay device, based on the information stored by the hypothetical network management information storage unit and a communication band setting unit that individually sets each communication band calculated by the communication band calculator as the communication band of the transmission path between the neighboring data relay devices. |
| US08509077B2 |
Method for congestion management of a network, a switch, and a network
A switch for connection in a network of other like switches and includes memory for storing data packets, a control system arranged to control the switch to, upon receipt at one of the ingress or egress ports of notification of congestion at a downstream congested port, either store at said ingress port or egress port data packets received for said congested port or to communicate with an upstream port for storage at said upstream port of data packets destined for the congested port, and in dependence on the current of stored data, to send a message to a further upstream port informing the further upstream port of the congestion downstream. The memory is provided substantially only at the ingress ports or the egress ports of the switch. |
| US08509076B2 |
Method and apparatus for sending feedback for a downlink shared service transmitted to a plurality of wireless transmit/receive units
A wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) receives a downlink transmission from a Node-B and decodes the downlink transmission. If the decoding is not successful, the WTRU sends a pre-defined burst signifying a negative acknowledgement (NACK) to the Node-B via a contention-based shared feedback channel. The pre-defined burst may be sent only once without requiring an acknowledgement. The Node-B calibrates a downlink transmit power so that the downlink transmission is transmitted to the WTRUs with a high likelihood. The Node-B may send a downlink transmission including multiple data streams processed using different modulation and coding schemes so that a WTRU having a high signal quality decodes all data streams while a WTRU having a low signal quality decodes less than all data streams. The Node-B sends a channel quality indicator (CQI) threshold so that each WTRU determines a data stream to report feedback based on the CQI threshold and a measured CQI. |
| US08509071B1 |
Multi-dimensional traffic management
The subject matter of this document can be implemented in, among other things, a method that includes receiving network traffic associated with a computing device, the network traffic including packet flows communicated between the computing device and a network. The method also includes monitoring the network traffic over time, and identifying a plurality of network usage characteristics associated with the network traffic. The network usage characteristics include a usage time that corresponds to an amount of time the computing device has been consuming network resources and a network application identifier that corresponds to a network application being used by the computing device. The method also includes determining whether the network traffic violates a network usage policy based on two or more of the network usage characteristics, and decreasing, over a period of time, throughput of the network traffic that is determined to be violative of the network usage policy. |
| US08509068B2 |
Method and devices for routing messages
A system for sending a data packet from a messaging device to a receiving device in a signalling network (210) is described. The system comprises a distributed service center (255) a message receiving service center (290), a plurality of signalling units (260, 270) for passing the data packet to the receiving device, a central routing logic (280) for routing the data packets and a closed network connecting at least the central routing logic (280) and the plurality of signalling units (260, 270). Also disclosed is a corresponding method for sending a data packet from a messaging device to a receiving device. |
| US08509065B2 |
Flow control buffering
A method and system for improved buffering during a flow control event, the system comprising: a mobile station having a mobile timer; a radio network communicating wirelessly with the mobile station and including: a base station; and a packet control function (PCF) capable of interrupting the flow of data to the wireless device during the flow control event; a packet data serving node (PDSN) communicating with the PCF and having a buffer to store data received for the mobile station during the flow control event, the buffer having a buffer timer; and a push function communicating with the PDSN and having a retry timer to indicate when to resend an unacknowledged packet; wherein the system coordinates the buffer timer with either the mobile timer or the retry timer to eliminate redundant messages. |
| US08509064B2 |
Wireless mesh network system, virtual node generating method, thereof, unicast packet routing method, and scheduling method thereof
A wireless mesh network system generates at least one virtual node within a transmission area of a specific mesh node when no mesh nodes exist in two or three continuous quadrants within the transmission area with reference to the specific mesh node. Also, the system performs routing by combining uplink and downlink routing methods so as to support unicast between the mesh nodes in a domain. Further, a channel access order of the mesh nodes is determined based on the potential values allocated to the mesh nodes forming the wireless mesh network according to the field theory. In this instance, the channel access order can be established by a central control method by a central processor for controlling the wireless mesh network or a distributed control method using contention per mesh node. |
| US08509063B1 |
Deactivating a packet tunnel based on at least one performance characteristic
Network operating methods provide a first packet switch coupled to a second packet switch via a primary packet tunnel having an active status and one or more inactive backup packet tunnels having an inactive status. The methods access data describing at least one performance characteristic of the primary packet tunnel and, based at least on the data, deactivate the primary packet tunnel while still operational and activate one of the backup packet tunnels. Network operating methods provide a first device coupled to a second device via an active primary packet tunnel and one or more inactive backup packet tunnels, access data describing performance characteristics of the one or more backup packet tunnels, and, based at least on the data, deactivate the primary packet tunnel and activate one of the backup packet tunnels. |
| US08509062B2 |
Smart ethernet edge networking system
A telecommunications system includes a network for transporting packets on a path between selected subscriber end points. The network has multiple nodes connected by links, with each node (a) pairing the forward and backward paths of a connection and (b) allowing for the injection of messages in the backward direction of a connection from any node in the path without needing to consult a higher OSI layer. A system is also provided for protecting connection paths for transporting data packets through an Ethernet telecommunications network having a multiplicity of nodes interconnected by a multiplicity of links. Primary and backup paths are provided through the network for each of multiple connections, with each path including multiple links. Data packets arriving at a first node common to the primary and backup paths are duplicated, and one of the duplicate packets is transported over the primary path, the other duplicate packet is transported over the backup path, and the duplicate packets are recombined at a second node common to the primary and backup paths. |
| US08509061B2 |
Systems and methods for scaling performance of Ethernet ring protection protocol
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for scaling performance of Ethernet Ring Protection Protocol. Specifically, the systems and methods may apply to G.8032 and may provide protection switching control plane performance scaling benefits. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention summarizes the per “virtual” ring control plane protocol into a single logical ring control plane protocol. Advantageously, the present invention transforms the G.8032 protocol from a per-virtual ring protocol to a per-logical ring control protocol. The mechanism/methodology that is used is to include minimal per-virtual ring instance information in to the Ring Automated Protection Switching (R-APS) (control) frames. Additionally, the present invention cleanly decouples the placement of the R-APS (control) channel block location on the ring from that of the virtual channel data blocks. Current G.8032 specifications tightly couple the location of each R-APS (control) channel block and the virtual channel block that it is managing. |
| US08509055B2 |
Systems and methods for absolute route diversity for mesh restorable connections
The present disclosure provides absolute route diversity (ARD) for mesh restorable sub-network connection protection (MR-SNCP) services. ARD addresses concerns in MR-SNCP by providing absolute path diversity between both paths (e.g., peer Sub Network Connections (SNCs)) of an MR-SNCP connection. If an ARD condition is not met, the peer SNC is not mesh restored and the MR-SNCP works with just one single SNC. The advantage of this approach is to reuse the bandwidth saved from ARD for other MR-SNCP, i.e. more efficient bandwidth utilization due to ARD for other MR-SNCPs, and better service quality guarantee (protection) in terms of planning and managing the network bandwidth. |
| US08509053B2 |
Method of multiplexing multiple access region
A method for multiplexing one or more multiple access regions is disclosed. The method for multiplexing one or more multiple access regions in a wireless access system comprises multiplexing the one or more multiple access regions so that a first base station and a second base station among a plurality of base stations which use one or more multiple access schemes together under a multi-cell environment use a single multiple access scheme in a predetermined resource region allocated to each of the first base station and the second base station; and transmitting multiplexing information obtained from the multiplexing the one or more multiple access regions to a mobile station included in a cell region of the plurality of base stations. As a user uses SC-FDMA scheme and OFDMA scheme together, it is possible to obtain a single carrier effect of the SC-FDMA system and flexibility of the OFDMA system on a time axis and a frequency axis. |
| US08509050B2 |
Cancellation of crosstalk energy in communication loops
Systems and methods for reducing crosstalk are provided. In one implementation, a method is provided. The method includes applying a pilot signal to a disturber twisted pair and measuring near end crosstalk of a victim twisted pair. The coupling characteristics between the disturber and the victim twisted pair are determined. A far end crosstalk function is derived for estimating the far end crosstalk in the victim twisted pair using the determined coupling characteristics. A crosstalk reduction signal is determined using the estimated far end cross talk. The crosstalk reduction signal is injected into the victim twisted pair to reduce crosstalk in the victim twisted pair. |
| US08509049B2 |
Optical recording medium having intermediate layer of prescribed thickness and thickness range for use with 405nm laser
According to one embodiment, an optical recording medium is provided in which interlayer crosstalk is low and in which stable and high-quality recording characteristics can be obtained. To this end, in this optical recording medium, an intermediate layer whose thickness variation is managed to be equal to or less than a predetermined value is provided between a first recording part and a second recording part. |
| US08509044B2 |
Recording medium and recording or reproducing apparatus therefor for recording or reproducing control information
A recording medium and apparatus enable the number of data units of recording pulse information to be reduced. The recording medium includes an information area for recording set values of a recording pulse for forming recording marks. The set values include preceding space-based set values having a first reference value as a set value of a recording pulse corresponding to a predetermined preceding space and a first difference set value of a recording pulse corresponding to a space other than the predetermined preceding space; and trailing space-based set values having a second reference value as a set value of a recording pulse corresponding to a predetermined trailing space and a second difference set value of a recording pulse corresponding to a space other than the predetermined trailing space and which is expressed as a difference from the second reference value. |
| US08509041B2 |
Recording apparatus and recording method
Provided is a recording apparatus including a light irradiation and receiving unit configured to irradiate recording light for performing mark recording to a recording layer and an adjacent servo light for an adjacent track servo onto an optical disc recording medium having the recording layer through a common objective lens, and to receive reflected light from the recording layer of the adjacent servo light, a tracking mechanism configured to drive the objective lens in a tracking direction which is the disc radial direction, a tracking servo signal generation unit configured to obtain a corrected servo error signal as a servo error signal based on a light receiving signal for the adjacent servo light, and to generate a tracking servo signal using the corrected servo error signal, and a tracking driving unit configured to drive the tracking mechanism based on the tracking servo signal. |
| US08509034B2 |
Hydrophone and hydrophone assembly for performing stereophonic underwater sound recordings
A hydrophone for recording underwater sound includes a housing having an outer surface designed to serve as a boundary surface for an incident sound wave and at least one vibration sensor having a sensor surface for recording sound waves and for preparing a sensor signal. The sensor surface of the vibration sensor is in an opening of the housing. A hydrophone assembly includes a plurality of the hydrophones. |
| US08509031B2 |
H-bridge pulse generator
Circuitry for high-power, high-frequency excitation of electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMAT) without the use of a matching transformer is described. This circuit contains at least 4 switching devices, arranged in an H-Bridge configuration to drive EMATs over a range of frequencies. The switching devices can be connected in parallel with respect to the H-Bridge and switched in sequence for greater power output and variety of wave forms including, Churp, Hemming window tone burst, rectangular tone burst and Barker Code wave forms. A circuit for driving sensor coils of an EMAT to correct the disadvantages of conventional pulsers. A plurality of switching devices are connected in parallel and augmented with support circuitry to provide increased power output, stability, reduced noise and complex output wave forms. This design provides for the application of modulated pulses such as multi-pulse, multi-frequency bursts with peak power outputs over 20,000 watts and frequencies over 10,000 Hertz. |
| US08509030B2 |
Underwater acoustic positioning system
A positioning system has at least one underwater apparatus, which includes an acoustic receiver and a computer. The system includes a base station placed in the sea environment, the base station transmitting an acoustic signal received by the acoustic receiver, wherein the acoustic receiver includes a hydrophone, the base station includes at least two acoustic transmitters forming an antenna, the distances between the acoustic transmitters of the antenna being known and the transmitters being synchronized therebetween. According to the invention, the computer includes an element for calculating differences in arrival time and differences in phases of acoustic signals coming from the base station transmitters, and an element for calculating the possible geometric loci of the position of the apparatus relative to the base station and to the orientation thereof, and the position of the underwater apparatus is predetermined from these possible geometric loci. |
| US08509028B2 |
Separation and noise removal for multiple vibratory source seismic data
The invention discloses a way to recover separated seismograms with reduced interference noise by processing vibroseis data recorded (or computer simulated) with multiple vibrators shaking simultaneously or nearly simultaneously (200). A preliminary estimate of the separated seismograms is used to obtain improved seismograms (201). The preliminary estimate is convolved with the vibrator signature and then used to update the seismogram. Primary criteria for performing the update include fitting the field data and satisfying typical criteria of noise-free seismograms (202). Alternative ways to update are disclosed, including signal extraction, modeled noise extraction, constrained optimization based separation, and penalized least-squares based separation. The method is particularly suited for removing noise caused by separating the combined record into separate records for each vibrator, and is advantageous where the number of sweeps is fewer than the number of vibrators (200). |
| US08509025B2 |
Memory array circuit incorporating multiple array block selection and related method
Circuits and methods are described for decoding exemplary memory arrays of programmable and, in some embodiments, re-writable passive element memory cells, which are particularly useful for extremely dense three-dimensional memory arrays having more than one memory plane. In addition, circuits and methods are described for selecting one or more array blocks of such a memory array, for selecting one or more word lines and bit lines within selected array blocks, for conveying data information to and from selected memory cells within selected array blocks, and for conveying unselected bias conditions to unselected array blocks. |
| US08509020B2 |
Data processing system
A data processing system includes a first semiconductor device that has a plurality of blocks each including plural data, and a second semiconductor device that has a first control circuit controlling the first semiconductor device, and the first control circuit issues a plurality of commands to communicate with the first semiconductor device in units of access units including a plurality of first definitions that define a plurality of burst lengths indicating numbers of different data, respectively, and a plurality of second definitions that define correspondences between certain elements of data among the plural data included in the blocks, respectively, and arrangement orders in the numbers of different data that constitute the burst lengths, respectively, and communicates with the first semiconductor device through the plural data in the numbers of different data according to the first and second definitions. |
| US08509017B2 |
Memory device and related operating methods
A memory device is provided that includes a memory cell, a voltage input, a plurality of bit lines, an amplifier connected to only a particular one of the bit lines, and a switch that is coupled to the amplifier and the voltage input. The switch is configured to prevent the voltage input from being electrically coupled to the amplifier when the plurality of bit lines are electrically floating. |
| US08509014B2 |
Mechanisms for built-in self repair of memory devices using failed bit maps and obvious repairs
Failure bit map (FBM) data and a built-in-self-test-repair (BISTR) module enable collecting and analyzing FBM data of an entire memory to identify the best repairing method (or mechanism) to make repairs. By performing obvious repair during collection of the FBM data, testing and date storage resources can be saved. As a result, the repair method is better and more efficient than algorithms (or methods) known to the inventors, which only utilize partial (or incomplete) failure data. The compressed data structures used for the FBMs keep the resources used to capture the FBM data and to repair the failed cells relatively limited. |
| US08509013B1 |
Partitioned bitline for memory
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to accessing memory, and more particularly to operation of a partitioned bitline. |
| US08509009B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus
A device includes a first internal voltage generation circuit generating a first internal voltage in response to an external power supply voltage, a second internal voltage generation circuit generating a second internal voltage in response to the external power supply voltage, the second internal voltage being different in voltage level from the first internal voltage, and a preset signal generation circuit responding to a power-on of the external power supply voltage to the device and generating, independently of the first internal voltage, first and second preset signals that bring the first and the second internal voltage generation circuits into respective initial states, the preset signal generating circuit stopping generation of the first preset signal when the external power supply voltage reaches a first voltage level and stopping generation of the second preset signal when the external power supply voltage reaches a second voltage level different from the first voltage level. |
| US08509007B2 |
Hybrid read scheme for multi-level data
Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a read circuit that uses a hybrid read scheme as set forth herein. In this hybrid read scheme, a state machine, at a first time in the read operation, sets a reference signal SRef to a first reference value to induce determination of a first comparison result. At a second subsequent time in the read operation, the state machine sets the reference signal SRef to a second reference value, which is based on the first comparison result. Setting the reference signal to the second reference value induces determination of a second comparison result. The first and second comparison results are then used to determine the digital value read from the memory cell. |
| US08508999B2 |
Vertical NAND memory
A vertical NAND structure includes one or more mid-string devices having at least two functional modes. In the first mode, the one or more mid-string devices couple the bodies of stacks of NAND memory cells to the substrate for erase operations. In the second mode, the one or more mid-string devices couple the body of a first stack of NAND memory cells to a body of a second stack of memory NAND memory cells, allowing the two stacks operate as a single NAND string for read and programming operations. |
| US08508998B2 |
Multiple plane, non-volatile memory with synchronized control
This disclosure provides a multiple-plane flash memory device where high voltage programming (setting) or erasing (resetting) pulses are timed to occur simultaneously. By regulating when each memory plane (e.g., each logical or physical partition of memory having its own dedicated array control and page buffer) applies high voltage pulses, the overhead circuitry needed to control multiple concurrent operations may be reduced, thereby conserving valuable die space. Both the “program phase” and the “verify phase” of each state change operation cycle may be orchestrated across all planes at once, with shared timing and high voltage distribution. |
| US08508997B2 |
Multi-cell vertical memory nodes
Embodiments of the invention pertain to vertical memory structures. Embodiments of the invention describe memory nodes comprising two memory cells on opposing sides of a vertical channel separating a source region and a drain region. Embodiments of the invention may utilize floating gate NAND memory cells, polysilicon diodes, MiM diodes, or MiiM diodes. Embodiments of the invention may be used to form flash memory, RRAM, Memristor RAM, Oxide Ram or OTPROM. |
| US08508995B2 |
System and method for adjusting read voltage thresholds in memories
A system and method for adjusting read threshold voltage values, for example, in a read circuit internal to a memory device. The quality of an associated read result may be estimated for each read threshold voltage value used to read memory cells. Only read results estimated to have sufficient quality may be allowed to pass to storage. The read threshold voltage value may be adjusted for subsequent read operations, for example, if the associated read result is estimated to have insufficient quality. The read threshold voltage value may be iteratively adjusted, for example, until a read result is estimated to have sufficient quality. |
| US08508994B2 |
Semiconductor device with floating gate and electrically floating body
Techniques for providing floating body memory devices are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a semiconductor device comprising a floating gate, a control gate disposed over the floating gate, a body region that is electrically floating, wherein the body region is configured so that material forming the body region is contained under at least one lateral boundary of the floating gate, and a source region and a drain region adjacent the body region. |
| US08508988B2 |
Magnetic tunnel junction with compensation element
A magnetic tunnel junction having a compsensation element is disclosed. The magnetic tunnel junction includes a reference element, and a compensation element having an opposite magnetization moment to a magnetization moment of the reference element. A free magnetic layer is between the reference element and the compensation element, and an electrically insulating and non-magnetic tunneling barrier layer separates the free magnetic layer from the reference element. The free magnetic layer includes Co100-X-YFeXBY wherein X is a value being greater than 30 and Y is a value being greater than 15. |
| US08508984B2 |
Low resistance high-TMR magnetic tunnel junction and process for fabrication thereof
A non-volatile magnetic memory element includes a fixed layer, a barrier layer formed on top of the fixed layer, and a free layer formed on top of the barrier layer, wherein the electrical resistivity of the barrier layer is reduced by placing said barrier layer under compressive stress. Compressive stress is induced by either using a compressive stress inducing layer, or by using inert gases at low pressure during the sputtering process as the barrier layer is deposited, or by introducing compressive stress inducing molecules into the molecular lattice of the barrier layer. |
| US08508983B2 |
Nonvolatile static random access memory cell and memory circuit
A non-volatile static random access memory (NVSRAM) cell including a static random access circuit, first storage device, a second storage device, and a switch unit is provided. The static random access circuit has a first terminal and a second terminal respectively having a first voltage and a second voltage. Stored data in the first storage device and the second storage device are determined by the first voltage and the second voltage. The first storage device and the second storage device respectively have a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal. The switch unit is respectively coupled to the second connection terminals of the first storage device and the second storage device, and is controlled by a switching signal of a switch line to conduct the first storage device and the second storage device to a same bit line or a same complementary bit line. |
| US08508982B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first memory cell, a first line, a second line and a first capacitor. The first line is coupled to the first memory cell. The first line supplies a first voltage to the first memory cell. The second line is supplied with a fixed voltage. The first capacitor is coupled between the first and second lines. |
| US08508981B2 |
Apparatus for variable resistive memory punchthrough access method
Variable resistive punchthrough access methods are described. The methods include switching a variable resistive data cell from a high resistance state to a low resistance state by passing a write current through the magnetic tunnel junction data cell in a first direction. The write current is provided by a transistor being electrically coupled to the variable resistive data cell and a source line. The write current passes through the transistor in punchthrough mode. |
| US08508980B2 |
Polarity dependent switch for resistive sense memory
A memory unit includes a resistive sense memory cell configured to switch between a high resistance state and a low resistance state upon passing a current through the resistive sense memory cell and a semiconductor transistor in electrical connection with the resistive sense memory cell. The semiconductor transistor includes a gate element formed on a substrate. The semiconductor transistor includes a source contact and a bit contact. The gate element electrically connects the source contact and the bit contact. The resistive sense memory cell electrically is connected to the bit contact. The source contact is more heavily implanted with dopant material then the bit contact. |
| US08508979B2 |
Magnetic recording element and nonvolatile memory device
According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording element includes a stacked body. The stacked body includes a first and a second stacked unit. The first stacked unit includes first and second ferromagnetic layers and a first nonmagnetic layer. The first nonmagnetic layer is provided between the first and second ferromagnetic layers. The second stacked unit is stacked with the first stacked unit and includes third and fourth ferromagnetic layers and a second nonmagnetic layer. The fourth ferromagnetic layer is stacked with the third ferromagnetic layer. The second nonmagnetic layer is provided between the third and fourth ferromagnetic layers. An outer edge of the fourth ferromagnetic layer includes a portion outside an outer edge of the first stacked unit in a plane. A magnetization direction of the second ferromagnetic layer is determined by causing a spin-polarized electron and a rotating magnetic field to act on the second ferromagnetic layer. |
| US08508978B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array in which a plurality of memory cells is aligned in a matrix shape, each memory cell including a two-terminal memory element and a transistor for selection connected in series; a first voltage applying circuit that applies a writing voltage pulse to first bit lines; and a second voltage applying circuit that applies a pre-charge voltage to the first bit lines and second bit lines, wherein in a writing of a memory cell, after the second voltage applying circuit has pre-charged both ends of the memory cell to a same voltage, the first voltage applying circuit applies the writing voltage pulse via the first bit line that is directly connected to the transistor for selection, and the second voltage applying circuit applies the pre-charge voltage to the second bit line directly connected to the memory element. |
| US08508974B2 |
Ferroelectric memory with shunt device
A ferroelectric memory device includes a shunt switch configured to short both sides of the ferroelectric capacitor of the ferroelectric memory device. The shunt switch is configured therefore to remove excess charge from around the ferroelectric capacitor prior to or after reading data from the ferroelectric capacitor. By one approach, the shunt switch is connected to operate in reaction to signals from the same line that controls accessing the ferroelectric capacitor. So configured, the high performance cycle time of the ferroelectric memory device is reduced by eliminating delays used to otherwise drain excess charge from around the ferroelectric capacitor, for example by applying a precharge voltage. The shunt switch also improves reliability of the ferroelectric memory device by ensuring that excess charge does not affect the reading of the ferroelectric capacitor during a read cycle. |
| US08508972B2 |
Built-in self test for one-time-programmable memory
An apparatus and method of testing one-time-programmable memory provides one-time-programmable memory having one or more memory locations for storing data and corresponding programming circuitry for each memory location. In addition, each programming circuitry has a circuit element configured to permanently change state to store the data in the memory. The method also reads each memory location to verify that the memory location is unprogrammed and activates the programming circuitry for each memory location, which applies a test current to the programming circuitry. The test current is less than a threshold current needed to permanently change the state of the circuit element. The method then determines whether the programming circuitry is functioning properly. |
| US08508971B2 |
Semiconductor device with one-time programmable memory cell including anti-fuse with metal/polycide gate
A one-time programmable (OTP) memory cell includes two transistors including a dual gate transistor. The dual gate transistor is formed using the same processing operations used to form floating gate transistors in other areas of the semiconductor device. The dual gate transistor includes an upper gate isolated from a floating gate by a floating gate oxide, the combination of which produces an anti-fuse. The nonvolatile memory device may include a plurality of such OTP memory cells and one or more OTP memory cells are selected and programmed by applying a voltage sufficient to blow the anti-fuse by causing the floating gate oxide layer to break down and the upper gate to become shorted to the floating gate. |
| US08508970B2 |
Techniques for providing a direct injection semiconductor memory device
Techniques for providing a direct injection semiconductor memory device are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for biasing a direct injection semiconductor memory device. The method may comprise applying a first voltage potential to a first N-doped region via a bit line and applying a second voltage potential to a second N-doped region via a source line. The method may also comprise applying a third voltage potential to a word line, wherein the word line is spaced apart from and capacitively coupled to a body region that is electrically floating and disposed between the first N-doped region and the second N-doped region. The method may further comprise applying a fourth voltage potential to a P-type substrate via a carrier injection line. |
| US08508969B2 |
Semiconductor device having hierarchically structured bit lines and system including the same
A device includes a first sense amplifier array including a plurality of first sense amplifiers arranged in a first direction, each of the first sense amplifiers including first and second nodes, a plurality of first global bit lines extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, the first global bit lines being arranged in the first direction on a left side of the first sense amplifier array so that the first global bit lines being operatively connected to the first node of an associated one of the first sense amplifiers, and a plurality of second global bit lines extending in the second direction, the second global bit lines being arranged in the first direction on a right side of the first sense amplifier array so that the second global bit lines being operatively connected to the second node of the associated one of the first sense amplifiers. |
| US08508965B2 |
Inverter and method for operating the inverter
An inverter for converting a DC input voltage to an AC output voltage with an H-bridge is provided. A storage choke circuit is provided between the H-bridge and output-side AC voltage terminals. The storage choke circuit includes a freewheeling path with a freewheeling diode for commutating the current after a turn-off process of a semiconductor switch of the H-bridge. In this arrangement, each switching semiconductor switch is coupled to a resonant circuit which contains capacitive resonant elements and inductive resonant elements. The freewheeling path includes first and second freewheeling diodes connected in parallel, wherein the parallel circuit is connected in series with the inductive resonant elements and the second freewheeling diode is connected in series with capacitive freewheeling elements which are charged to a corresponding voltage at the start of a freewheeling phase as elements of the resonant circuit for zero voltage switching of the second freewheeling diode. |
| US08508958B2 |
LLC controller with programmable fractional burst frequency
A controller for use in an LLC resonant converter is disclosed. An example controller is controlled by detecting a maximum frequency signal to set a maximum switching frequency of the LLC resonant converter. A burst stop frequency and a burst start frequency are programmed in response to the maximum switching frequency. The burst stop frequency and the burst start frequency are fractions of the maximum switching frequency. The LLC resonant converter is switched in response to a feedback signal to regulate an output of the LLC resonant converter. The steps of switching the LLC resonant converter in a burst mode in response to the feedback signal reaching a value corresponding to the programmed burst start frequency and of stopping the switching of the LLC resonant converter in the burst mode in response to the feedback signal reaching a value corresponding to the programmed burst stop frequency are repeated. |
| US08508955B2 |
Electronic apparatus
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a casing, a module unit, an installation portion, and a holding portion. The module unit includes an elastic cover member including a projection, and a module fitted in the cover member. The installation portion is provided inside the casing and configured to receive the module unit. The holding portion is projected from the installation portion and configured to surround and hold the module unit. The holding portion includes a fitting portion which is located at a peripheral region thereof and in which the projection is fitted, and a pair of edge portions configured to define the fitting portion and being more away from each other at positions closer to a peripheral region of the holding portion. The projection is in contact with the edge portions and is exposed in the fitting portion to an outside region of the holding portion. |
| US08508954B2 |
Systems employing a stacked semiconductor package
An apparatus includes a first substrate having a first land and a second substrate having a second land. A first molding compound is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A first semiconductor chip is disposed on the first substrate and in contact with the first molding portion. A first connector contacts the first land and a second connector contacts the second land. The second connector is disposed on the first connector. A volume of the second connector is greater than a volume of the first connector. A surface of the first semiconductor chip is exposed. The first molding compound is in contact with the second connector, and at least a portion of the second connector is surrounded by the first molding compound. |
| US08508953B2 |
Driver device for computer motherboard
A driver device includes a circuit board, a number of sockets, a number of driver chips, a control switch, and a signal output element. The sockets are positioned on the circuit board. Each driver chip is received in and electrically connected to a corresponding socket. The control switch includes a number of switches. An input of each switch is electrically connected to a corresponding socket. An output of each switch is electrically connected to the computer motherboard through the signal output element. |
| US08508950B2 |
Substrates, systems, and devices including structures for suppressing power and ground plane noise, and methods for suppressing power and ground plane noise
Substrates having power and ground planes, such as, for example, printed circuit boards, include at least one noise suppression structure configured to suppress electrical waves propagating through at least one of a power plane and a ground plane. The at least one noise suppression structure may include a power plane extension that extends from the power plane generally toward the ground plane, and a ground plane extension that extends from the ground plane generally toward the power plane. The ground plane extension may be separated from the power plane extension by a distance that is less than the distance separating the power and ground planes. Electronic device assemblies and systems include such substrates. Methods for suppressing noise in at least one of a power plane and a ground plane include providing such noise suppression structures between power and ground planes. |
| US08508949B2 |
Multiple micro HF-contact arrangement
The invention relates to a multiple micro HF-contact arrangement with HF-connections for passing through or contacting in a housing opening or in a duct, in particular at the transition from coaxial line or microstrip line to a coplanar line. The HF-connection thus comprises at least two circuit boards arranged in a plane which may be connected to each other by means of a planar contact pin on one circuit board and at least one planar socket on the other circuit board. |
| US08508946B2 |
Circuit board assembly with color-changing layer
A circuit board assembly includes a circuit board, a fixing device, and a color-changing layer. The fixing device is capable of holding and securing the circuit board and includes a main body and a cover. The cover is rotatably hinged to the main body. The color-changing layer is located on either or both of the circuit board and cover. When the circuit board is assembled at a predetermined position of the fixing device and is secured on the main body by the cover, the cover exerts a pressure to form protruding points on the color-changing layer at the positions corresponding to the elastic contacts, the color-changing generates an electric field and changes color, which is easily and quickly verifiable by a worker. |
| US08508945B1 |
Card installation device
A card installation device includes a casing and a pushing member. The casing has an accommodating recess for accommodating a card. A pushing end of the pushing member is movably disposed in the casing. When the card is accommodated in the accommodating recess, the pushing end is used for pushing the card into a card slot of an electronic device. Accordingly, the invention can assist a user in aligning the card with the card slot well during insertion so as to prevent the card and/or the card slot from being damaged. |
| US08508944B2 |
Power supply device and power supply module
A power supply device including a casing and a power supply module is provided. The casing has an opening. The power supply module includes a frame, a pin base, a plurality of pins and a printed circuit board. The frame is detachably disposed in the casing. The pin base is fixed at the frame and is exposed by the opening. The pins are fixed at the pin base, and first ends of the pins are exposed in the opening. The printed circuit board is disposed in the casing and is electrically connected to second ends of the pins. |
| US08508940B2 |
Rack housing for accommodating a plurality of fanless, plug-in components
A rack housing that accommodates a plurality of fanless, plug-in components includes a plurality of plug-in positions that accommodate the plurality of fanless, plug-in components in a first region of the rack housing bordering a first housing side, at least one installation chamber that accommodates at least one add-on component with at least one fan, and at least one low-pressure chamber in a second region of the rack housing bordering the first region, wherein 1) first openings are provided between the low-pressure chamber and the plug-in positions, which openings allow a discharge of air heated by the plug-in components into the low-pressure chamber, 2) the at least one installation chamber and the at least one low-pressure chamber are essentially decoupled from each other with respect to cooling air, and 3) the installation chamber is connected to the low-pressure chamber via at least one connector for forced ventilation. |
| US08508937B2 |
Stylus receiving mechanism and portable computer therewith
A stylus receiving mechanism includes a handle whereon a first opening and a second opening are formed on two ends. A chamber is formed inside the handle for receiving a stylus. The stylus receiving mechanism further includes a fastening part installed on an inner wall of the handle and disposed on a side of the chamber for pressing the stylus in a third direction perpendicular to a first direction for fastening the stylus inside the chamber after the stylus passes through the first opening in the first direction or passes through the second opening in the second direction opposite to the first direction to be received inside the chamber. |
| US08508936B2 |
Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device includes a main body, a door and a latch. The main body includes a positioning concave area on a bottom surface thereof. The positioning concave area has a cutout at a first edge, and an inclined surface and a guide edge at an opposite edge. The door is detachably connected with the bottom surface of the main body. The latch is slidably connected with a through hole of the door. The latch has an engaging portion and a guiding portion at two opposite ends. When the door is assembled to the bottom surface of the main body, the engaging portion inserts into the cutout. When the door is taken apart from the bottom surface, the engaging portion is removed from the cutout, and the guiding portion slides along the guide edge to move the door along a direction perpendicular to a long axis of the latch. |
| US08508933B2 |
Docking station and portable computer having the same and a method of connecting the docking station and portable computer
A docking station which is electrically connected to a computer main body unit of a portable computer, the docking station includes a docking main body which supports a rear area of the computer main body unit against an installation surface and is electrically connected with the computer main body unit, and an angle adjusting unit which is rotatably coupled to the docking main body to adjust an installation angle of the docking main body with respect to the installation surface. |
| US08508932B2 |
Docking station
Disclosed is a docking station mountable in an environment such as a vehicle. The docking station is configured to accept a computerized tablet and to provide to such tablet a power source for operation and recharging of the tablet. Also disclosed is a docking station configured for communicating with the tablet for disseminating the data, video and/or audio content of the tablet to other receivers, such as headphones or vehicle audio system. Similarly, other appliances, such as a channel controller, gaming controller, mouse of a keyboard, may be configured to control the tablet while it is docked. The docking station is configured to allow the user to position the tablet for optimal viewing. |
| US08508930B2 |
Hard disk carrying apparatus
The invention discloses a hard disk carrying apparatus comprising a main body, a plurality of slide racks, and a plurality of valves. In the main body, an accommodating space is concavely disposed at a front side of the main body; a plurality of primary slide rails that are adjacent and parallel to each other are disposed on a bottom wall in the accommodating space; a plurality of secondary slide rails is disposed on a top wall in the accommodating space. Each of the plurality of slide racks is a long rack. Each of the plurality of valves is a long door plate member. An end of each valve is a pivot end that is pivotally installed at a bottom edge of the front side of the main body; the other end of the valve is a latch end that includes a locking element disposed thereon. |
| US08508929B2 |
Implementing enhanced cover-mounted, auto-docking for multiple DASD configurations
An enclosure assembly and system are provided for implementing cover-mounted, auto-docking for multiple DASD configurations in information technology equipment. A user selected direct access storage device (DASD) configuration is mechanically attached to an enclosure cover. A cover interposer card is mechanically attached to the enclosure cover and electrically connected to each DASD in the user selected DASD configuration. An electrical connector mates with the cover interposer card as the cover is installed through a sliding motion with a chassis and base planar of the enclosure assembly. A flexible cable interconnect attached to the mating electrical connector is connected to the base planar. The enclosure assembly enables high density, high performance modular server architectures without compromising processor performance or planar electrical architecture. |
| US08508928B2 |
Incorporation of multiple, 2.5-inch or smaller hard disk drives into a single drive carrier with a single midplane or baseboard connector
Carrier for the rack mounting of two or more data storage devices into a chassis. The carrier includes support members along the length of the carrier, to receive and retain the two or more data storage devices. The carrier further includes a single electrical communication connector to provide an electrical communication interface for all of the data storage devices in the carrier, to and from a mating connector on a board of the chassis. The carrier further includes an interposer to adapt electrical signals from the single electrical communication connector into a form that is usable by the data storage devices. |
| US08508923B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes an enclosure. The enclosure includes a main base and a cover rotatably secured to the main base. The main base includes a bottom plate. The cover includes a first section and a second section rotatably connected to the first section. The second section is rotatable relative to the first section between a first position, where the second section is at an acute angle to the first section; and a second position, where the second section is substantially parallel to the bottom plate, and the first section and the second section are located on a same plane and covers the main base. |
| US08508919B2 |
Separation of electrical and optical components
Embodiments related to establishing and maintaining precision alignment in an optical system are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides an optical device comprising an outer casing and a rigid optical support disposed within an interior of the outer casing and to which a plurality of optical components are mounted. The embodiment further comprises a printed circuit board spatially separated from the optical support and the plurality of optical components, wherein one or more electrical components are mounted to the printed circuit board. The embodiment also comprises one or more electrical conductors electrically connecting the one or more electrical components to the one or more optical components. |
| US08508917B2 |
Sealed circuit breaker
A sealed electrical enclosure for use in hazardous locations for enclosing circuit breakers having a bottom housing and a top housing with a labyrinth joint, a serrated joint, or combination of both being formed therebetween, a first aperture extending through a first end wall of the bottom housing and positioned adjacent a first contact terminal of a first circuit breaker, the first aperture further including a first metal bus extending therethrough and in electrical contact with the first contact terminal, and a second aperture extending through a second end wall of the bottom housing and positioned adjacent a second contact terminal of the first circuit breaker, the second aperture further including a second metal bus extending therethrough and in electrical contact with the second contact terminal, and a first actuating mechanism positioned on the top housing adapted for manipulating a switch of the first circuit breaker. |
| US08508910B2 |
MEMS device
A MEMS device includes a substrate, a fixed electrode that is provided on the substrate and allows a signal to pass therethrough, a movable electrode that is provided above the substrate in a manner to face the fixed electrode and allows a signal to pass therethrough, a driving line that is provided inside the substrate and used to apply a driving voltage to displace the movable electrode, and a resistance that is provided in a first via hole formed inside the substrate and used to cutoff a signal. The fixed electrode or the movable electrode is connected to the driving line through the first resistance. |
| US08508909B2 |
Duct frame and ion generating device
A duct frame includes: a first airflow path configured to include a first outlet; a second airflow path configured to include a second outlet disposed close to the first outlet; an ion generator configured to be provided in the second airflow path and to divide the second airflow path into a first divided flow path and a second divided flow path; and a minute flow path configured to provide under the ion generator and to have a flow path resistance higher than the flow path resistance of the first divided flow path of the second airflow path. |
| US08508903B2 |
Network communication device
A network communication device for generating dying gasp signals includes a voltage detection circuit, a charging and discharging circuit, a power supply circuit, a central processing unit (CPU), a load circuit, an over-heating detection circuit, and an over-heating protection circuit. The CPU includes a dying gasp detection pin connected to the voltage detection circuit to retrieve a detected voltage of an external power supply, and determines whether the external power supply is off according to the detected voltage, and generates dying gasp signals upon the condition that the external power supply is off. The over-heating protection circuit changes voltage of the dying gasp detection pin of the CPU to make the CPU to generate the dying gasp signals and to turn off the load circuit and the power supply circuit upon the condition that the over-heating detection circuit determines that the network communication device overheats. |
| US08508898B2 |
Diagnosable reverse-voltage protection for high power loads
Systems and methods of diagnosing a condition of a reverse-voltage protection switch in an electric system. The electric system includes a power source, an electric load, and a reverse-voltage protection switch in a series-type configuration. The electric system further includes a ground switch configured to selectively connect the source terminal of the reverse-voltage protection circuit to ground. The terminals of the reverse-voltage protection circuit are disconnected from the power source. The ground switch is closed to connect one terminal of the reverse-voltage protection switch to ground. A bias voltage is applied to the other terminal of the reverse-voltage protection switch and the reverse-voltage protection switch is opened. An improper short-circuit condition across the reverse-voltage protection switch is detected when the voltage at the biased terminal of the reverse-voltage protection switch is less than a threshold when the reverse-voltage protection switch is opened. |
| US08508894B2 |
Sustained-arc control system on solar battery array
A sustained-arc control system is constituted with a capacitance which is placed between a gap on a solar battery array, working to control or inhibit the sustained arc. A solar battery array has a plurality of solar cells to provide a power source onboard an artificial satellite. A plurality of series circuits each of which composed of the solar cells connected in series is connected in parallel. The sustained-arc control system on the solar battery array is constituted with a capacitance lying between a positive line and a negative line to be charged with a voltage oscillation arising from the sustained arc. Electrostatic capacity of the capacitance is in a range of from at least 33 nF to 10 μF. |
| US08508886B2 |
Use of magnetic material for RIE stop layer during damascene main pole formation
A write head for use in a magnetic disk drive and methods of manufacturing the same. When a non-magnetic reactive ion etching (RIE) stop layer is used in a damascene main pole fabrication process, the leading edge shield and the side shield have a magnetic separation. By replacing a non-magnetic RIE stop layer with a magnetic RIE stop layer, no removal of the RIE stop layer around the main pole is necessary. Additionally, the leading edge shield and the side shield will magnetically join together without extra processing as there will be no magnetic separation between the leading edge shield and the side shield. |
| US08508884B2 |
Spindle motor including magnetic member and disk drive apparatus including same
A spindle motor includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The rotating portion includes a magnet arranged around a central axis extending in a vertical direction. The stationary portion includes a base member and a magnetic member arranged below the magnet and fixed to the base member. The base member includes an upper surface extending out perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the central axis, and a wall surface extending in an axial direction. The magnetic member includes an annular plate portion arranged on the base member and a projecting portion arranged to extend downward from the plate portion. At least a portion of the projecting portion is arranged to be in contact with the wall surface. An adhesive is arranged between the plate portion and the upper surface of the base member and between the projecting portion and the wall surface. |
| US08508881B1 |
Disk drive employing system inversion for tuning seek to settle servo loop
A method is disclosed of operating a disk drive, the disk drive comprising a disk having a plurality of tracks, a head, and a closed loop servo system comprising a seek servo loop and a settle servo loop for actuating the head over the disk. The seek servo loop is used to seek the head toward a target track. When the head approaches the target track, the settle servo loop is used to settle the head on the target track in response to a reference signal generated in response to a system inversion of the settle servo loop. |
| US08508879B1 |
Write clock rephase for magnetic recording device
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to control of magnetic recording devices, such as disk drives. A described technique includes producing signals that include a write clock signal and a servo clock signal, processing a waveform produced by a read head operated with respect to a recording medium, which includes magnetic bit cells arranged on tracks, and the servo clock signal. The technique includes producing, based on the waveform, a servo detect pulse that indicates a detection of servo data, measuring a timing difference that is based on the servo detect pulse and a write pulse of the write clock signal, and controlling an adjustment of a phase of the write clock signal based on the timing difference to align the write clock signal with at least a portion of the bit cells. |
| US08508878B1 |
Write clock phase tracking for magnetic recording device
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to control of magnetic recording devices, such as disk drives. A described technique includes receiving a waveform produced by a read head operated with respect to a recording medium and a servo clock signal. A medium can include magnetic data bit cells, a first servo wedge, a second servo wedge, and phase tracking fields, where at least a portion of the phase tracking fields are arranged between the first servo wedge and the second servo wedge. The servo wedges can include respective servo sync marks. The technique includes producing, based on the waveform, a servo detect pulse that indicates a detection of a servo sync mark. The technique includes controlling a first adjustment of a phase of a write clock signal, the first adjustment being responsive to the servo detect pulse. The technique includes producing, based on the write clock signal, samples of the waveform that correspond to phase tracking fields. The technique includes controlling second adjustments of the phase based on the samples to align the write clock signal with at least a portion of the bit cells, the second adjustments being responsive to the phase tracking fields, respectively. |
| US08508877B2 |
Disk drive with multi-protocol channel to controller interface and method
An apparatus includes a disk arrangement, a first signal processing path configured to output data from the disk arrangement according to a first protocol, a second signal processing path configured to output data from the disk arrangement according to a second protocol, and an interface including a set of electrical conductors and a mode control unit. The mode control unit is configured to output data from the first signal processing path on the set of electrical conductors according to the first protocol and to output data from the second signal processing path on the set of electrical conductors according to the second protocol according to a control signal received by the mode control unit. The second protocol is different from the first protocol. |
| US08508876B2 |
Proximity sensing system
A data storage system for detecting a location of a head relative to a magnetic media is described. This system comprises arms, a preamplifier circuit coupled to the arms for controlling the arms, a proximity sensing system positioned within the preamplifier circuit, the proximity sensing system comprising: an input stage for transmitting an input sense signal; a programmable gain stage coupled to receive the input sense signal and operative for transmitting a gain signal in response to receiving the input sense signal; a multiplexer coupled to receive the gain signal and at least one control signal, the multiplexer operative for transmitting a multiplexed signal; a detector coupled to receive the multiplexed signal and a second control signal, the detector operative for transmitting an output signal; wherein an amplitude associated with the output signal enables detecting the location of the head. |
| US08508875B2 |
Magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus and method for determining magnetic recording condition
A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus 100 includes: a magnetic head 1; a magnetic recording medium 2; a spindle 3 and a spindle motor 4; a suspension arm 5; a voice coil motor 6; and a control unit 7. The control unit 7 has: a motor driver 8; a head amplifier 9; a read/write channel 10; a laser driver 11; and a controller 12. The controller 12 has: a preliminary recording unit 13; a judgment unit 14; an extraction unit 15; a drive condition determining unit 16; and a preliminary recording terminating unit 17. Based on a reproduction signal evaluation value obtained using these units and a predetermined reference value, a drive condition is determined which is suitable for recording onto the magnetic recording medium 2. |
| US08508869B2 |
Lens module with electrostrictive member for driving lenes
An exemplary lens module includes a first lens array, a second lens array, an electrostrictive member and a power supply. The first lens array includes first lenses, and the second lens array includes second lenses, an optical axis of each second lens being aligned with that of the corresponding first lens. The electrostrictive member is made from an artificial muscle material spacing the first lens array and the second lens array. A thickness direction of the electrostrictive member is parallel to optical axes of the first lenses and second lenses, and the electrostrictive member is deformable along the thickness direction thereof when an electric current is applied thereon, thereby driving the first and second lens arrays to move toward or away from each other. The power supply is electrically connected to the electrostrictive member to provide the electric current to the electrostrictive member. |
| US08508866B2 |
Imaging lens
An imaging lens includes, from an object-side to an image-side: a first lens of positive refractive power with a convex surface on the object-side, an aperture stop, a second lens of negative refractive power with a convex surface on the image-side and a meniscus shape, a third lens of positive refractive power with a convex surface on the object-side and a meniscus shape. Specified conditions are satisfied in order to enhance a high brightness and reduce aberrations. |
| US08508864B2 |
Objective lens system
A high performance fixed focal length optical imaging system for example for a cine camera is operable to receive radiation from an object space and deliver the received radiation through the optical system so as to form an image at an image surface in an image space. The imaging system has the advantage of providing high relative illumination and high contrast at elevated spatial frequencies even when using a fast aperture. |
| US08508862B2 |
Image pickup lens and image pickup apparatus
An image pickup lens having a four lens configuration in which a bi-concave first lens, a bi-convex second lens, a bi-concave third lens, and a positive fourth lens are disposed in this order from an object side. Here, at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth lenses has an aspherical surface on each side. The image pickup lens satisfies Conditional Expression (1) given below when a refractive index of the second lens with respect to d-line is taken as Nd2. 1.6 |
| US08508860B2 |
Optical lens system
The present invention provides an optical lens system comprising, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a second lens element with negative refractive power; a third lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a convex image-side surface; a fourth lens element; and a fifth lens element having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, the object-side and image-side surfaces thereof being aspheric and at least one inflection point being formed on the image-side surface. Such arrangement of optical elements can effectively minimize the size of the optical lens system, lower the sensitivity of the optical system, and obtain higher image resolution. |
| US08508859B2 |
Image pickup optical lens assembly
An image pick-up optical lens assembly, sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side along an optical axis, comprises: a first lens element with a positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, a second lens element with a negative refractive power, a third lens element with a positive refractive power, a meniscus fourth lens element with a positive refractive power having at least one aspherical optical surface, and a fifth lens element with a positive refractive power having at least one inflection point on the optical image-side surface. Additionally, the image pick-up optical lens assembly satisfies several particular conditions. The invention possesses features such as good aberration compensation, well-performed modulation transfer function and short total length of lens assembly applicable for compact cameras and mobile phones. |
| US08508853B2 |
Projection lens and projection-type display apparatus
A projection lens consists of first and second les groups and a stop. The first lens group is formed of a negative lens. The second lens group is formed of three positive lenses and a negative lens. The stop is disposed between the first and second lens groups or in the second lens group. The first and second lens groups are arranged in order from a magnification side. The projection lens is telecentric on a reduction side. The projection lens is configured to satisfy the following conditional expressions (1) and (2): 1.0≦f2h/f≦5.0 (1) −2.5≦f1/f≦−0.8 (2) where f2h is a focal length of an aspheric lens of at least one of the first and second positive lenses of the second lens group, f is a focal length of the whole system, and f1 is a focal length of the first lens group. |
| US08508848B2 |
Exit pupil expanders with wide field-of-view
The specification and drawings present a new apparatus and method for providing a wide field-of-view as well as illumination uniformity in exit pupil expanders (EPE) using stacked EPE substrates (or plates) with non-symmetric exit pupil expansion that use a plurality of diffractive elements for expanding the exit pupil of a display for viewing. |
| US08508845B2 |
Method and apparatus for scaled up reproduction of detailed features
Producing a scaled multiple parallax compound lens is accomplished by providing an insect eye having multiple ommatidia and creating a polymer mold of the insect eye. A casting is then created from the polymer mold with an expandable polymer which is then linearly expanded to provide a form for creating a second polymer mold. A second casting is then created from the second polymer mold. Duplication of the process can be accomplished for further scaling up of the compound lens with the final casting created using a durable polymer having appropriate optical properties for the lens. |
| US08508839B2 |
System and method for controlling optical output of a frequency conversion device
A system and method for improving conversion efficiency of a difference frequency generator (DFG) and/or for outputting a desired shape of the output signal, where the method includes providing a pump source, modifying the pump pulse temporal shape for optimal DFG conversion efficiency, and providing the modified pump pulse to the DFG. The pump source may be, for example, a MOPA laser or a diode or any other suitable source. In one embodiment, the pump pulse shape is modified such that an initial gain within the DFG is high, followed by a lower level signal for efficient conversion within the DFG. An example of such a shape is a double square pulse. Other configurations are possible as well such as a single rectangular pulse shape. |
| US08508835B2 |
Display comprising an increased inter-pixel gap
A display structure is described comprising a displaying medium, a backplane provided with an active matrix and a pixel pad comprising a plurality of pixels having an inter-pixel spacing, said pixel pad superposing the active matrix, wherein the inter-pixel spacing is in the range of 2.5-40 micrometers, preferably in the range of 8-20 micrometers. |
| US08508826B2 |
Meandering oscillator, optical reflecting element using meandering oscillator, and image projection device using meandering oscillator
A meandering oscillator includes a plurality of oscillating plates bent and coupled in predetermined directions and piezoelectric actuators each including a lower electrode, a piezoelectric body, and an upper electrode stacked on the oscillating plate in this order, and wherein the piezoelectric actuators are alternately arranged on the oscillating plates. Thus, even when an element is made smaller, electrodes can be easily arranged. As a result, the productivity can be improved. |
| US08508819B2 |
Image recording device
An image reading device includes a tray unit, a recording unit disposed above the tray unit, an outer guide defining a curved path extending from the tray unit to the recording unit, a sheet feeder configured to feed a sheet from the tray unit to the curved path, and a return guide disposed between the recording unit and the tray unit. The return guide pivots about a shaft and guides the sheet having an image recorded thereon back to the curved path. The tray unit includes at least one supporting portion. The return guide includes at least one supported portion. The at least one supporting portion of the tray unit engages the at least one supported portion of the return guide such that the return guide takes a guiding position in which the return guide defines a return path extending to the curved path. |
| US08508816B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes: a conveying roller that comes in contact with a sheet medium and causes a conveying force to convey the sheet medium in a conveying direction to act on the sheet medium contacting the conveying roller; an imaging unit that captures an image of the sheet medium that has been conveyed; a guide plate that is provided upstream of the imaging unit in the conveying direction, forms a part of a conveying path through which the sheet medium is conveyed, and includes a plurality of slits along a main-scanning direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; and a charging member that is chargeable, provided upstream of the imaging unit in the conveying direction, arranged separate, via the plurality of slits, from the sheet medium that is being conveyed, and charged at least when the sheet medium is being conveyed by the conveying roller. |
| US08508815B2 |
Scanner
A scanner with a first driving motor and a second driving motor has an improved driving structure as transmission of a driving force from one of the first and the second driving motors to the other driving motor is inhibited, thereby preventing loss of power and increased noise and vibration. The scanner may include a first driving motor, a second driving motor, an operating unit operable to move the scanning unit and configured to operate by a driving force generated from one of the first and the second driving motors and a power transmitting unit configured to transmit the driving force generated from one of the first and the second driving motors to the operating unit while disallowing transmission of the driving force between the first and the second driving motors. |
| US08508808B2 |
Optical scanning and image forming apparatus with a free-sliding unit for thermal expansion
An optical scanning apparatus has: a deflection unit that scans beams emitted from a plurality of laser light sources; an imaging unit having one or more optical elements for imaging beams scanned by the deflection unit; and a supporting unit having a higher rigidity than a rigidity of the imaging unit. The supporting unit has a pair of receiving members that support the imaging unit, in a sub-scanning direction, near both ends, as seen in a main scanning direction, of the imaging unit. The optical scanning apparatus also has; a bend-adjustment unit that corrects bend. The bend-adjustment unit is disposed on the supporting unit at a plurality of positions along the main scanning direction. The optical scanning apparatus further has a free-sliding unit for securing free expansion of the imaging unit due to temperature changes thereof. |
| US08508807B2 |
Image reading apparatus, black correction executing method, and a computer-readable medium storing black correction executing program
The present invention provides an image reading apparatus that includes: a photoelectric sensor including plural reading pixels aligned in one direction and output an electric signal depending on the amount of light from an image on the document; a read control section that reads a document image with the photoelectric sensor in accordance with a read instruction, and obtains image data; a black correction section that performs a black correction to adjust an output under dark condition of each reading pixel to a value within a predetermined range, the output under dark condition being an electric signal output when the amount of light input is zero; and a black correction execution determining section that determines whether to perform the black correction, when the read interval between each two document sheets of the multi-page document is equal to or shorter than a predetermined period of time. |
| US08508802B2 |
Printing control apparatus and printing control method
According to this invention, a printing control program which is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and generates default print setting information when a computer prints includes a code for a management table creation step of creating a setting management table in which at least one threshold is set for a restricted item in a print process and the setting value of at least one item belonging to the print setting information is related to the range of the value of the restricted item defined by the threshold, a code for a read step of acquiring the current value of the restricted item, and reading, from the management table, the setting value of at least one item that belongs to the print setting information and is related to the range of the value to which the value belongs, and a code for a creation step of creating and saving print setting information containing the setting value read in the read step as the setting of the item. |
| US08508799B2 |
Printing apparatus and printing method for forming image using a first print material and a second print material
A printing apparatus comprising a first engine for performing a print using a first print material connectable to a feed unit of a second engine for performing a print using a second print material is provided. The printing apparatus comprise a first controller configured to control the first engine and a second controller configured to control the second engine. Power control unit of the second controller configured to restrict consumption power of the image processing unit of the second controller in a case that transmitted information for the second engine from the first controller does not include the data to be processed by the second engine. |
| US08508798B2 |
Recording medium, color conversion table creating apparatus and color conversion table creating method
Disclosed is a recording medium recording a program for a computer to perform the following functions of: creating first corresponding information to show color value corresponding to a combination of values of black and three basic colors when a plurality of color patches are each output; creating second corresponding information to correspond the combination of values of black and three basic colors to a virtual basic color axis coordinate; creating third corresponding information to show color value corresponding to the virtual basic color axis coordinate; and obtaining virtual basic color axis coordinate corresponding to the color value, obtaining a combination of values of black and three basic colors corresponding to the obtained virtual basic color axis coordinate, and storing the obtained combination of values of black and three basic colors as a combination of values of black and three basic colors corresponding to the color value. |
| US08508797B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method
When recording is performed in a pixel region by M (M is an integer equal to or larger than 2) passes with N (N is an integer equal to or larger than 2) recording element groups, density variation due to a deviation between recording positions of dots that are recorded by different passes is suppressed while a load of data processing is decreased.First, multivalued image data (24-1 to 24-2) corresponding to the M passes is generated from input image data, and the multivalued image data corresponding to the M passes is quantized to generate quantized data (26-1 to 26-2) corresponding to the M passes. Then, the quantized data corresponding to the M passes is divided into quantized data being complements of each other and corresponding to the N recording element groups. Accordingly, the quantized data (28-1 to 28-4) corresponding to the M passes for the N recording element groups is obtained. With this configuration, the density variation due to the deviation between the recording positions by the M passes can be suppressed. Also, since the number of pieces of data subjected to the quantization is small, the load of the quantization can be decreased. |
| US08508796B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method and program for selectively printing with transparent and non-transparent printing agents
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus and method of controlling same for forming an image on a print medium using a non-transparent recording agent and a transparent recording agent. If the gloss level of an image to be formed is designated, the image is formed upon deciding whether or not image formation using the transparent recording agent is to be carried out, this decision being made based upon the designated gloss level and stored type information of the print medium used in image formation. |
| US08508791B1 |
Image feedforward laser power control for a multi-mirror based high power imager
A power saving apparatus and method for imaging modules in a variable data lithography system is provided. The imaging modules are arranged adjacent to each other to project a scan line of imaging data on a rotating imaging member in a variable data lithography system. The imaging module includes a look ahead buffer which stores imaging data and from which the stored data is read out for projection on the imaging member. The power saving apparatus uses an image look ahead concept to save part of the power consumed in the imaging modules in the projection mode of operation by selectively powering each laser source based on the imaging data in the look ahead buffer. |
| US08508785B2 |
Computer implemented method for generating an image enhanced product by selectable printing and framing
Methods and a system for providing an image enhanced product are provided. One method includes identifying a framing system having a holding area with positioning features that hold a masking surface that generally blocks the passage of light through the masking surface except in a plurality of window areas; determining an arrangement of a plurality of overlapping receiver mediums to provide a plurality of image receiving areas in correspondence with one of the of the window areas when a reference edge of each of the receiver mediums is located using an associated one of the positioning features; and printing images in the image receiving areas of the plurality of receiver medium sheets according to the determined arrangement; wherein said determining is performed in a manner that causes any overlapping edge between two receiver mediums to be positioned outside any of the window areas, and causes at least portions of selected images to be positioned within the window areas. |
| US08508784B2 |
Recording medium size compensation for image forming systems
An image forming system may be configured to compensate for and register various sizes of recording media on which image formation data may be recorded. For example, the image formation data may be edited with application software for various sizes of recording media. Accordingly, the image forming system may include a size detecting unit configured to detect size information of the recording medium and/or a registration unit configured to register the size information detected by the size detecting unit as setting information. The image forming system may further include a reflecting unit configured to reflect a selected setting information within the application software (e.g., an editing function thereof) with which the information terminal device can edit the image formation data so as to conform to the size information. |
| US08508776B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image forming system and non-transitory computer readable medium that changes assignment process based on whether a DRP of a final stage in the DRPs is disconnected
An image processing apparatus including: an assignment portion that, when a plurality of dynamic reconfigurable processors (DRPs) execute image processes by a pipeline process mode based on a print job, assigns identification numbers identifying the DRPs to the DRPs based on the number of DRPs; a first change portion that changes an assignment process by the assignment portion, based on whether a DRP of a final stage in the DRPs is connected to an outputting portion, the outputting portion outputting the results of the image processes to an outside; and a second change portion that, when the DRP of the final stage in the DRPs is disconnected from the outputting portion, further changes the assignment process by the assignment portion based on whether the DRPs are placed on only a single substrate. |
| US08508770B2 |
Image forming apparatus to control a power supply, and method thereof
An image forming apparatus for controlling power supply is provided. An image forming apparatus includes at least one cover unit to be mounted in the image forming apparatus, at least one replaceable unit to participate in an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus, a sensing unit to sense whether the at least one cover unit is opened or closed, and a main board unit to cut off the power supply to the at least one replaceable unit for a predetermined period of time when the at least one cover unit is opened or closed. Accordingly, stable operation is enabled. |
| US08508769B2 |
System and method for saving and restoring a setting from an interrupted process
In one version of a system according to the present invention, an MFP device and a storage server are connected to each other via a network. A user authentication is performed to acquire user information. Job information associated with the user information is acquired from the storage server. When scanning or printing is interrupted, scan or print setting information set before the interruption, and optionally the image data scanned before the interruption, are acquired. The MFP device performs the scanning or printing based on the setting information acquired from the storage server at the time of restart. |
| US08508767B2 |
Processing of electronic documents to achieve manufacturing efficiency
A method can be used for processing electronic documents, each of which are assigned a plurality of attributes. The documents are sorted into one or more groups based on the attributes, such that the electronic documents of each group share at least one of the attributes. The attributes of the documents in each group are analyzed to determine an appropriate processing site for each group, and then the groups are each routed to their respective processing sites determined to be appropriate therefor. |
| US08508758B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer readable medium storing program
An image processing apparatus includes a reconfigurable processing unit that performs first image processing on first image data and that performs second image processing on second image data after completing the first image processing on the first image data, and a controller that controls the reconfigurable processing unit. The controller controls the reconfigurable processing unit so that preprocessing for performing the second image processing is performed in parallel with a processing operation on the first image data, the processing operation including the first image processing. |
| US08508755B2 |
Print server
Techniques are provided for servicing client requests to print data. A client sends print requests to a print server. The print server acts as an intermediary between clients and multiple printing devices. The print server includes drivers for the printing devices that are connected to the same network. The print server retrieves and store capabilities of each printing device. A print request from a client includes multiple parameters. If the capabilities of one or more printing devices satisfy the multiple parameters, then the one or more printing devices are identified as candidates to service the print request. The print server determines which of the candidates is the best match. The print server sends the print request to the determined best match. |
| US08508753B2 |
Optical reading device, control method for an optical reading device, and program
The length of the process from capturing an image by an optical reading unit to discharging the medium is shortened, and throughput improved. A media transportation mechanism conveys a medium to be scanned. An optical reader disposed to the medium transportation path optically reads the conveyed medium. A storage unit stores the captured image. A transmission unit reads and transmits the captured image stored in the storage unit to another device. A discharge control unit discharges the medium while the captured image is being transmitted to the other device after the optical reader finishes scanning the medium. |
| US08508752B2 |
Image data producing apparatus, image forming apparatus and computer readable medium
An image data producing apparatus includes: a page dividing portion that divides data described in a page description language into a page unit; a plurality of image processors that form raster data from divided data; and a controlling portion that allocates pages on which the raster data is formed to each of the plurality of the image processors, and causes each of the plurality of the image processors to execute registration of a printing resource on respective pages with at least a change of the printing resource by controlling each of the plurality of the image processors irrespective of a page allocation. |
| US08508751B1 |
Capturing real-time video with zooming capability and scanning high resolution still images of documents using the same apparatus
Disclosed is a method of acquiring an image of a target to provide an output video image that has a plurality of frame images. The method includes the steps of receiving a series of frame images from a video camera, using a processor to manipulate the series of frame images, which includes determining a reference resolution for providing output frame images, and displaying and/or storing the manipulated series of frame images as the output video image without changing a resolution of the output frame images. Also disclosed is a document imaging apparatus that includes a digital imaging unit. The document imaging apparatus also includes a processor that is coupled to the digital imaging unit and that is configured to cause the digital imaging unit to zoom in or zoom out in real-time while maintaining a resolution value of stored images constant. |
| US08508746B2 |
Interferometric systems having reflective chambers and related methods
Disclosed herein are interferometric systems having reflective chambers and related methods. According to an aspect, an interferometric system may include a light source for generating an illumination beam that propagates towards a sample. A sample holder may hold the sample and include a partially reflective cover for allowing a first portion of the illumination beam to pass therethrough to interact with the sample to produce a sample beam that propagates substantially along an optical axis. The cover may be oriented at an angle for reflecting a second portion of the illumination beam to produce a reference beam that propagates at a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis. An imaging module may redirect the reference beam towards the optical axis at a detection plane. A detector may intercept the sample and reference beams and may generate a holographic representation of the sample based on the beams. |
| US08508740B2 |
Optical multi-pass cell
An optical multi-pass cell (100) including a sample cavity (109) is provided. The cell (100) also includes first and second end mirrors (103, 104) positioned within the housing (101). The mirrors (103, 104) are configured to reflect a beam of light directed at one of the first or second end mirrors (103, 104) off-axis from the optical axis (113) one or more times between the end mirrors (103, 104) through the sample cavity (109) at a first distance from the optical axis (113) to create a first beam pattern (330). The cell (100) also includes one or more relay minors (220) positioned to intercept reflect the beam of light such that at least a second beam pattern (331) is created between the end mirrors (103, 104) at a distance from the optical axis (113) different from the first distance of the first beam pattern (330). |
| US08508733B2 |
Method for estimating light scattering
The invention relates to a method for estimating the quantity of light scattered by a heterogeneous participating media. In order to optimise the display while minimising the required calculation time, the method comprises steps for selecting at least one level of spatial subdivision of said media from among a plurality of hierarchic levels of spatial subdivision according to at least one item of error information representative of an attenuation difference in said media according to at least one direction between two consecutive hierarchic levels, and estimating the quantity of light scattered by sampling of said media along at least one scattering direction, the sampling being a function of at least one selected spatial subdivision level. |
| US08508732B2 |
Inhaler adaptor for a laser diffraction apparatus and method for measuring particle size distribution
The present disclosure relates to an improved device and methods for adapting to a laser diffraction apparatus used for measuring particle size distribution and density of the plume of a powder composition emitted from a dry powder inhaler. |
| US08508726B2 |
Rotary position detector and associated methods
A rotary position detector includes a housing having an inner space having a reflective element. A light source emits light rays upwardly. A base supports a light detector assembly having a first number of toroidal-sector-shaped light sensors disposed in pairs about a motor shaft axis, one “A” detector element and one “B” detector element alternately disposed. A light blocker positioned between the light source and the light sensors rotates with the shaft. The light blocker includes a second number of opaque, equal-surface-area elements arrayed about the axis, the second number equal to one-half the first number. A circuit measures a signal from the “A” and “B” detectors relating to an amount of light falling thereon, a difference related to an angular position of the motor shaft. |
| US08508720B2 |
Distance measuring system and distance measuring method
A distance measuring system and a distance measuring method which use a time-of-flight (TOF) method. The distance measuring system obtains a reference light quantity of reflected light which is a cumulative light quantity of the reflected light during a reference period, obtains a measured light quantity of the reflected light which is a cumulative light quantity of the reflected light during a measurement period, and calculates, on the basis of a ratio of the measured light quantity of the reflected light to the reference light quantity of the reflected light and a ratio of the reflected light incident period to the reference period, a reflected light incident period that is a period which is included in the measurement period and during which the reflected light is incident upon photoelectric conversion elements of a light-receiving device. Then, the distance measuring system calculates the distance between the distance measuring system and an object on the basis of the reflected light incident period. |
| US08508713B2 |
Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and method for producing device
A lithographic projection apparatus is arranged to project a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate through a liquid confined to a space adjacent to the substrate. The apparatus includes a liquid diverter in the space to promote liquid flow across the space. |
| US08508712B2 |
Fluid handling structure, lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A fluid handling structure and lithographic apparatus is disclosed in which measures are taken, in particular to the dimensions and spacing of an array of openings in a bottom surface of the fluid handling structure, to deal with and/or prevent formation of bubbles in immersion liquid. |
| US08508708B2 |
Liquid crystal display element with structures defining nonlinearly arranged openings linking contiguous pixels
A liquid crystal layer sandwiched by a lower substrate 1 and an upper substrate comprises cross-shaped supports, a wall surface structure, and a seal member. The supports 15 are provided at the four sides of each pixel. Contiguous pixels are linked via openings between supports. The wall surface structure is provided in the periphery of the supports arranged in the form of a grid. The supports and the wall surface structure are a same member having adhesiveness. A portion of the wall surface structure is an inlet of liquid crystal. A seal member is provided at the perimeter of the wall surface structure 17. The liquid crystal poured from the inlet is poured into all of pixels via openings. A black matrix in the form of a grid, which covers the top side of all of the supports, is provided on the upper substrate. |
| US08508700B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display device which has a wide viewing angle and less color-shift depending on an angle at which a display screen is seen and can display an image favorably recognized both outdoors in sunlight and dark indoors (or outdoors at night). The liquid crystal display device includes a first portion where display is performed by transmission of light and a second portion where display is performed by reflection of light. Further, a liquid crystal layer includes a liquid crystal molecule which rotates parallel to an electrode plane when a potential difference is generated between two electrodes of a liquid crystal element provided below the liquid crystal layer. |
| US08508697B2 |
Method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display including a liquid crystal display panel turning operation
A system and a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display element through a reduced number of steps are provided, in which a liquid crystal panel is turned over, by means of a panel turning mechanism, about an axis not parallel to any of the long and short sides of the liquid crystal panel so that the positional relationship between the long and short sides of the liquid crystal panel can be reversed, after one of sheet pieces of optical functional films is bonded to the liquid crystal panel and before another of the sheet pieces is bonded thereto, which can achieve the same effect by a single operation as in the case where turning over the liquid crystal panel and rotating it are performed independently. |
| US08508696B2 |
Polarizing plate and display apparatus having the same
A display apparatus comprises a display panel, a first polarizing plate and a second polarizing plate. The display panel comprises a first substrate including a pixel electrode, a second substrate opposite to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between a first surface of the first substrate and a first surface of the second substrate. The first polarizing plate comprises a first polarizer having a first polarizing axis, and a first λ/4 phase difference plate having a refractive index between about 1.35 and about 2.05 in a thickness direction. The second polarizing plate comprises a second polarizer having a second polarizing axis crossing the first polarizing axis, and a second λ/4 phase difference plate having a refractive index between about 1.35 and about 2.05 in a thickness direction. Accordingly, light leakage in a side view may be reduced and viewing angle may be improved. |
| US08508694B2 |
Display with dual-edge light-emitting-diode backlight
An electronic device may have a liquid crystal display with backlight structures. The backlight structures may produce backlight that passes through display layers in the display. The display layers may include color filter elements, a liquid crystal layer, and a thin-film transistor layer. The backlight structures may have a light guide plate with opposing first and second edges. The light guide plate and other display layers may be assembled within support structures such as a metal chassis and a plastic chassis. A first strip of light-emitting diodes may be attached to the first edge of the light guide plate in a position that is floating with respect to the metal chassis. A second strip of light-emitting diodes may be attached to the second edge of the light guide plate in a position that is fixed with respect to the metal chassis. |
| US08508693B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device having the same
Disclosed is a backlight unit provided with an improved external appearance and uniform brightness is disclosed. The backlight unit includes a light source, and a light guide plate configured to primarily and secondarily reflect light from the light source and to convert the reflected light into two dimensional light. One side portion of the light guide plate is formed to provide an undercut space enough to accommodate the light source. |
| US08508690B2 |
Optical element and backlight unit and liquid crystal display having the same
An optical element capable of increasing an angular field while improving luminance by condensing light, and a backlight unit and a liquid crystal display including the same. The optical element includes a light-transmitting base film; a plurality of diffusing cavities or convex diffusing structures formed in one surface of the base film to diffuse light entering the base film; and a light-condensing pattern formed in the surface of the base film where the diffusing cavities or convex diffusing structures are formed so as to condense incident light. |
| US08508681B2 |
Variable transmission window
The various embodiments include variable optical transmission devices with uniform or patterned polarizers or wave retarders configured to provide continuous or nearly continuous variations in light transmission based on linear translation. For example, embodiments include a variable transmission window including a first uniform polarizer with a first polarization axis, a second uniform polarizer with a second polarization axis, a first patterned wave retarder positioned between the first and second polarizers and including a first plurality of domains configured to vary in at least one of optic axis, thickness, or birefringence, and a second patterned wave retarder positioned between the first and second polarizers and including a second plurality of domains configured to vary in at least one of optic axis, thickness, or birefringence. The first or second wave retarder is configured to be linearly translatable relative to the other wave retarder. |
| US08508680B2 |
Touch screen sensor with low visibility conductors
A touch screen sensor with a conductive micropattern includes one or more features to obscure or reduce the visibility of the conductive micropattern. |
| US08508678B2 |
Liquid crystal display device, touch panel, and display device including the same
A liquid crystal display device includes an active matrix substrate (20a) including a plurality of first touch panel interconnects (19b) extending in parallel with each other, a counter substrate (30a) facing the active matrix substrate (20a) and including a plurality of second touch panel interconnects (25a) extending in parallel with each other in a direction intersecting the first touch panel interconnects (19b), a liquid crystal layer (40) provided between the active matrix substrate (20a) and the counter substrate (30a) with an alignment film (9a, 9b) being interposed between the liquid crystal layer (40) and each of the active matrix substrate (20a) and the counter substrate (30a), and a plurality of columnar touch pins (P) connected to the first or second touch panel interconnects (19b, 25a). Repellency to the alignment films (9a, 9b) is imparted to at least a portion of a top portion of each of the touch pins (P). |
| US08508677B2 |
Reflective liquid crystal projector
A PBS sheet is curved into a partially cylindrical shape so as to be concave or convex toward a panel surface along a central axis which is perpendicular to both an incident light axis of illumination light and a reflection light axis perpendicular to the incident light axis. The illumination light from a light source is converted into s-polarized light by a polarization converting system, and energy distribution thereof is made uniform by a rod integrator. Then, the illumination light is sequentially split into three color lights, R, G, and B, by a color wheel. The illumination light is approximately totally reflected on the PBS sheet, and applied toward a liquid crystal display panel. The illumination light having been reflected on the PBS sheet illuminates the panel surface with neither too large nor too small illumination range. The R, G, and B component images having been reflected on the panel surface are sequentially projected on a screen so as to be observed as a full color image. |
| US08508671B2 |
Projection systems and methods
Projection systems and methods may provide improved remote capabilities and interaction with client devices. Further, systems and methods may provide for calibration of a projection system, in particular using an auxiliary device. Further, methods may provide control of audio associated with presentation data, in particular at client devices. |
| US08508670B2 |
Electronic device and method of channel management
An electronic device and a channel management method provide a predetermined channel information table to control channels in a television. Favorite channels are stored in the predetermined channel information table of the electronic device. In a predetermined channel mode, if an input channel code is not stored in the predetermined channel information table, the electronic device automatically adds the input channel code to the predetermined channel information table. If the input channel code is stored in the predetermined channel information table, the electronic device transfers the input channel code to the television and the television changes an active channel accordingly. |
| US08508669B2 |
Video signal processing apparatus and video signal processing method
A video signal processing apparatus includes: a plurality of input sections to each of which a video signal from an imaging apparatus whose operation is controllable or is not controllable; an input selector selecting a video signal inputted through the input sections; a screen producer producing a plurality of areas by dividing a screen into portions in which the video signals selected by the input selector are displayed, the screen producer producing a first color frame for the area for the video signal representing a primary output, a second color frame for the area for the video signal representing a standby output, and a third color identifier for the area for the video signal from the controllable imaging apparatus; and an output section outputting the video signals and the frames or the identifier to a display device that displays the screen formed of the plurality of areas. |
| US08508668B2 |
Method and system for utilizing non-local means (NLM) for separation of luma (Y) and chroma (CbCr) components
One or more processors and/or circuits receive a composite video signal and determine a current pixel and a plurality of reference pixels. A plurality of weighting factors corresponding to the reference pixels are determined utilizing non-local means. Chroma components and/or luma components for the current pixel are determined based on weighted least squares utilizing the reference pixels, the weighting factors and information known about the composite signal, for example, sub carrier information. The composite video signal may comprise baseband Y and modulated Cb and/or Cr components. Weighting factors are determined by comparing a block of pixels about the current pixel with a block of pixels about the corresponding reference pixels in a current, previous or future frame. A set of equations comprising reference pixel data, a set of weighting factors and/or the known information may be solved to the determine signal components. |
| US08508659B2 |
System and method for frame rate conversion using multi-resolution temporal interpolation
A system and method for frame rate conversion using multi-resolution temporal interpolation utilizes motion estimation on input images to produce at least one motion vector and temporal interpolation on the input images in at least one spatial resolution that is determined by a characteristic of the at least one motion vector. |
| US08508658B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes an operation member which can be rotated and operated in two directions from a neutral position, a holding member configured to rotatably hold the operation member, a rotation limiting member configured to limit a rotational range of the operation member by abutting the operation member, an elastic member having a first portion which is fixed to the holding member and a second portion which engages with a part of the operation member and configured to elastically deform by rotating the operation member from the neutral position, and an abutment member configured to abut the second portion of the elastic member before the rotation limiting member limits the rotational range of the operation member. |
| US08508657B2 |
Method for examining shooting direction of camera apparatus, device thereof and structure for installing sensor
In a test method in which an image photographed by a camera apparatus 1 attached to a body of a vehicle is displayed on a display device 17 and an examiner examines compliance or non-compliance of the shooting direction of the camera apparatus 1 by comparing the position of a reference pattern and the position of a judgment pattern on the displayed photographed image, the photographed image is obtained at first by photographing with the camera apparatus 1 a test chart which is placed at a predefined position ahead of the vehicle with the reference pattern drawn on the test chart. Next, the judgment pattern is set at a specific position on the photographed image. Then, the photographed image on which the judgment pattern has been set is displayed on the display device 17. |
| US08508655B2 |
Lens apparatus, image capture apparatus, and method for correcting image quality
An image capture apparatus on which a lens apparatus is detachably mounted, may include an image capture device, an image-signal processor, a communication unit, and a control unit. The image capture device may generate an image signal obtained by photoelectric conversion of subject light forming an image through a lens of the image capture apparatus. The image-signal processor may carry out image processing on the image signal photo-electrically converted by the image capture device. The communication unit may communicate with the lens apparatus. The control unit may carry out control to receive the correction information for lateral chromatic aberration and/or the correction information for light falloff at edges through the communication unit. The image-signal processor may correct image degradation caused by the aberration of the lens using the correction information for lateral chromatic aberration and/or the correction information for light falloff at edges, which are received through the communication unit. |
| US08508652B2 |
Autofocus method
An autofocus method includes acquiring multiple images each having a camera lens focused at a different focus distance. A sharpest image is determined among the multiple images. Horizontal, vertical and/or diagonal integral projection (IP) vectors are computed for each of the multiple images. One or more IP vectors of the sharpest image is/are convoluted with multiple filters of different lengths to generate one or more filtered IP vectors for the sharpest image. Differences are computed between the one or more filtered IP vectors of the sharpest image and one or more IP vectors of at least one of the other images of the multiple images. At least one blur width is estimated between the sharpest image and the at least one of the other images of the multiple images as a minimum value among the computed differences over a selected range. The steps are repeated one or more times to obtain a sequence of estimated blur width values. A focus position is adjusted based on the sequence of estimated blur width values. |
| US08508649B2 |
Compact distorted zoom lens for small angle of view
Providing for optical imaging lenses employing non-linear distortion for image magnification is described herein. By way of example, a five-lens system can perform magnification functions by producing distortion that expands the image in the center of the field of view and compresses the image in the periphery of the field of view. This distortion can be corrected through image processing to yield a rectified image. Further, the five-lens system can be implemented as part of a fixed-focus imaging system, or in conjunction with a variable focus optical magnification imaging system. |
| US08508648B2 |
Imaging lens
An imaging lens includes an aperture stop ST, a first lens L1 that is shaped to form a meniscus lens that directs a convex surface to the object side near an optical axis and has positive refractive power, a second lens L2 that is shaped to form a meniscus lens that directs a convex surface to the object side near the optical axis and has negative refractive power, a third lens L3 that is shaped to form a meniscus lens that directs a concave surface to the object side near the optical axis and has positive refractive power, and a fourth lens L4 that is shaped to form a meniscus lens that directs a convex surface to the object side near the optical axis, arranged in this order from an object side to an image side. When the first lens L1 has a focal length f1 and the second lens L2 has a focal length f2, the imaging lens is configured such that a relationship 0.3<|f1/f2|<0.7 is satisfied. |
| US08508645B1 |
Reproducing apparatus, image data reproducing method, program, and storage medium
A reproducing apparatus, an image data reproducing method, a program, and a storage medium each detects an attitude state of the reproducing apparatus, extracts a part of an area of image data obtained by an image pickup device, and reproduces the part of the area of the extracted image data. According to the detection result, the part of the area of the image data is changed to another part of the area and rotation processing of another part of the area is performed, thereby reproducing the another part of the area which was subjected to the rotation processing. |
| US08508639B2 |
Semiconductor module, MOS type solid-state image pickup device, camera and manufacturing method of camera
A back-illuminated type MOS (metal-oxide semiconductor) solid-state image pickup device 32 in which micro pads 34, 37 are formed on the wiring layer side and a signal processing chip 33 having micro pads 35, 38 formed on the wiring layer at the positions corresponding to the micro pads 34, 37 of the MOS solid-state image pickup device 32 are connected by micro bumps 36, 39. In a semiconductor module including the MOS type solid-state image pickup device, at the same time an image processing speed can be increased, simultaneity within the picture can be realized and image quality can be improved, a manufacturing process can be facilitated, and a yield can be improved. Also, it becomes possible to decrease a power consumption required when all pixels or a large number of pixels is driven at the same time. |
| US08508638B2 |
3T pixel for CMOS image sensors with low reset noise and low dark current generation utilizing parametric reset
The present invention describes in detail the solid-state image sensor, specifically the image sensors pixel that has three transistors, high sensitivity, low reset noise, and low dark current. Low reset noise is achieved by parametrically changing the voltage dependent capacitance of the charge detection node in such a manner that during reset the charge detection node capacitance is low while during sensing and integration cycles the charge detection node capacitance is high. This feature thus results in high dynamic range, which is important for sensors using very small pixels. The low dark current generation is achieved by quenching the interface states by placing a p+ implant near the silicon-silicon dioxide interface. |
| US08508637B2 |
Image sensor and image processing method to acquire a high-sensitivity image
Disclosed are an image sensor and a local binning method in which binning is applied selectively. For example, binning is applied to pixels having low illumination and binning is not applied to non-low illumination pixels. Information on pixels having low illumination for a first image frame may be stored and used to perform binning with respect to areas of a second image frame corresponding to low illumination pixel areas determined with respect to the first image frame. |
| US08508636B2 |
Image sensing apparatus
An image sensing apparatus includes an image sensor having a plurality of pixels and a control unit configured to control the image sensor. Each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert light into an electric charge, an amplifier configured to amplify accumulated electric charge, a transfer switch configured to input a signal of the photoelectric conversion element to the amplifier when being turned on, a reset switch configured to reset the input to the amplifier when being turned on, and a selection switch configured to output an output from the amplifier to a signal output line when being turned on. |
| US08508629B2 |
Analog row black level calibration for CMOS image sensor
A CMOS image sensor includes an image pixel array, a dark pixel array, data bit liens, reference bit lines, a driver, comparators, and analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”) circuits. The image pixel array generates analog image signals in response to incident light. The dark pixel array generates analog black reference signals for analog black level calibration of the analog image signals. In one embodiment, the data bit lines each coupled to a different column of image pixels of the image pixel array and the reference bit lines each coupled to a different column of black reference pixels within the dark pixel array. The driver is coupled to the reference bit lines to drive an analog black reference signal. The comparators each couple to one of the data bit lines and each coupled to an output of the driver and offset the analog image signals with the analog black reference signals in an analog domain. The ADC circuits each coupled to an output of a comparator. |
| US08508615B2 |
View projection matrix based high performance low latency display pipeline
A projection system uses a transformation matrix to transform a projection image p in such a manner so as to compensate for surface irregularities on a projection surface. The transformation matrix makes use of properties of light transport relating a projector to a camera. A display pipeline of user-supplied image modification processing modules are reduced by first representing the processing modules as multiple, individual matrix operations. All the matrix operations are then combined with, i.e., multiplied to, the transformation matrix to create a modified transformation matrix. The created transformation matrix is then used in place of the original transformation matrix to simultaneously achieve both image transformation and any pre and post image processing defined by the image modification processing modules. |
| US08508612B2 |
Image signal processor line buffer configuration for processing ram image data
The present disclosure provides techniques relates to the implementation of a raw pixel processing unit using a set of line buffers. In one embodiment, the set of line buffers may include a first subset and second subset. Various logical units of the raw pixel processing unit may be implemented using the first and second subsets of line buffers in a shared manner. For instance, in one embodiment, defective pixel correction and detection logic may be implemented using the first subset of line buffers. The second subset of line buffers may be used to implement lens shading correction logic, gain, offset, and clamping logic, and demosaicing logic. Further, noise reduction may also be implemented using at least a portion of each of the first and second subsets of line buffers. |
| US08508609B2 |
Image pickup apparatus, imaging method and method for correcting infrared light
An image pickup device comprising visible color optimization under received near-infrared and infrared light conditions is disclosed. Color signals corresponding to light received through each of a plurality of color filters are processed to determine a near-infrared and infrared light energy contribution. The color signals are processed to optimize color of received images. |
| US08508607B2 |
Method and system for a programmable camera for configurable security and surveillance systems
A method and system for a programmable camera for a configurable security and surveillance system are provided. A programmable sensor agent for video surveillance may comprise a network interface, a processor, an image processor, and an image sensor. The image processor may comprise at least one configurable device. A device programming file may be received by the network interface from a system manager and may be programmed into at least one configurable device in the image processor via a JTAG interface in the processor. The processor may also verify that the programming has been completed successfully. The programmable sensor agent may also comprise a display interface. The device programming file may be selected via the system manager and/or via the display interface in the programmable sensor agent. The programmable sensor agent may also comprise a battery for backup power, a wireless processor, and/or a global positioning system (GPS) processor. |
| US08508603B2 |
Object detection device, object detection system, integrated circuit for object detection, and object detection method
An object detection device that shares a bus with an external memory and another device includes a data acquisition unit that acquires original image data from the external memory via the bus, a reduction processing unit that generates pieces of reduced image data from the original image data at differing reduction rates after the data acquisition unit acquires the original image data once, and an object detection unit that detects a position at which an object appears in the pieces of reduced image data by performing matching processing on the pieces of reduced image data using a template for the object. |
| US08508601B2 |
Optical apparatus, image sensing device, and control methods thereof
An image sensing device includes two, left- and right-eye image sensors, and detects the rotation amount around the optical axis of the image sensing device, and the displacement amounts of the two image sensors in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The image sensing device performs control such that two pixels on the two image sensors having output the centers of the images to be cropped from the sensed images exist in the same position in the vertical direction in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The image sensing device also performs control such that the horizontal distance, in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis, between the two pixels of the two image sensors having output the centers of the images to be cropped from the sensed images is equal to the spacing between the two image sensors. |
| US08508600B2 |
Imaging apparatus for stabilizing an image
An imaging apparatus with an image sensor and a correction optical system movable in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis includes a vibration detection unit configured to detect a vibration applied to the imaging apparatus, a vibration correction unit configured to drive the correction optical system to correct an image vibration according to an output from the vibration detection unit, a motion vector detection unit configured to detect a motion vector based on an image signal output from the image sensor, an amplifier unit configured to amplify the output from the vibration detection unit, a gain setting unit configured to set a gain of the amplifier unit based on the motion vector; and a gain control unit configured to allow or inhibit the setting of the gain of the amplifier unit set based on the motion vector, according to a change of an imaging condition of the imaging apparatus, wherein the vibration correction unit performs a vibration correction based on the output from the vibration detection unit and the gain of the amplifier unit when the setting of the gain of the amplifier unit is allowed by the gain control unit. |
| US08508599B2 |
Motion vector detection apparatus, motion vector detection method, and image capturing apparatus
A frame is divided into blocks each having a predetermined size, and motion vectors are calculated for respective blocks. The blocks are classified into an object group including an object image and a background group as a background image based on the calculated motion vectors, and representative motion vectors of the respective groups are calculated. The number of blocks included in the object group is compared with a threshold. When the number of blocks is larger than the threshold, the representative motion vector of the object group is selected as a motion vector for the entire frame. On the other hand, when the number of blocks included in the object group is smaller than the threshold, the representative motion vector of the background group is selected as the motion vector for the entire frame. |
| US08508597B2 |
Method and system for video quality assessment
A method and system for automated video quality assessment which reduces the adverse effects of sub-field/frame misalignments between the reference and test sequences. More particularly, the invention provides for misalignments down to a sub-field/frame level to be handled by individually matching sub-field/frame elements of a test video field/frame with sub-field/frame elements from a reference video field/frame. The use of a matching element size that is significantly smaller than the video field/frame size enables transient sub-field/frame misalignments to be effectively tracked. |
| US08508594B2 |
Surface camera system
A surface camera system includes a support housing configured to be embedded in the surface of a track and a camera housing couplable to the support housing. A camera is coupled to the camera housing and may be embodied as a high definition camera or a standard definition camera. The camera housing includes a top surface shaped and sized so as not to interfere with traffic on the track. |
| US08508593B1 |
Vehicle accessory system
An accessory system for a vehicle includes a mounting element attached at a vehicle windshield, a module mounted at a side of the mounting element that opposes the side that attaches at the windshield, and a camera disposed in the module. The module includes attaching structure that cooperates with attaching structure of the mounting element in order to detachably mount the module at the mounting element. The camera, with the module mounted at the mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, may view forwardly through the vehicle windshield via a generally wedge-shaped structure. The camera captures image data for a driver assistance system of the vehicle. Electrical circuitry is disposed in the module and, with the module mounted at the mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, the electrical circuitry communicates over a vehicle communication bus with at least one system of the vehicle. |
| US08508592B2 |
Spatially-selective reflector structures, reflector disks, and systems and methods for use thereof
The invention provides a spatially-selective reflective structure for the detection of submillimeter electromagnetic waves and systems and methods incorporating spatially-selective reflective structures. One aspect of the invention provides a spatially-selective reflective structure including a partially-conducting slab and a modulating reflector disk adjacent to the partially-conducting slab. The modulating reflector disk includes a plurality of modulations. Another aspect of the invention provides a submillimeter imaging device including submillimeter wave optics, a spatially-selective reflective structure located in the focal plane of the submillimeter wave optics, a submillimeter wave receiver positioned to capture waves reflected from the spatially-selective reflective structure, and a motor configured to rotate the spatially-selective reflective structure. The spatially-selective reflective structure includes a partially-conducting slab and a modulating reflector disk adjacent to the partially-conducting slab. The modulating reflector plate includes one or more modulations. |
| US08508587B2 |
Imaging device
The present invention provides an imaging device capable of displaying the whole of a display mosaic image in a screen even when the image size of the mosaic image is largely changed, the imaging device including: a mosaic image generation unit which assembles a plurality of still images, and generates the mosaic image; a relative position determination unit which determines a relative position between a frame image and the mosaic image; a display reduction unit which reduces the frame image and the mosaic image respectively based on the image size of the mosaic image, and generates a display frame image and a display mosaic image; and a live image display unit which updates a display position of the frame image with respect to the mosaic image based on a determination result of the relative position. |
| US08508586B2 |
Spectacles for three-dimensional viewing of digital video content from a projector
Liquid crystal spectacles are provided for three-dimensional viewing of digital video content from a projector. The viewing spectacles include a first rectilinear polariser and a second rectilinear polariser respectively having polarisation axes P1 and P2, the polarisation axes P1 and P2 being parallel or perpendicular relative to each other. Furthermore, the liquid crystal has an adapted intrinsic tilt angle and is used in a half-wave blade configuration. The liquid crystal further includes first and second separate areas, each respectively located opposite a vision axis. The first area includes a first director and the second area includes a second director. The first and second directors are oriented so as to define an adapted angle between them. This enables a “non-one-eyed” vision while waiting for the projection of the film to start, and to obtain the best possible contrast between the two eyes of the user when viewing the digital video content. |
| US08508578B2 |
Image processor, image processing method, recording medium, computer program and semiconductor device
To provide an image processing technique for easy initial settings when a video image feature is used as an input interface. This is an image processor having an image combining section for combining a mirrored video image feature that includes an image of an operator as a portion thereof and an object image of an object that is associated with a predetermined event, to generate a combined image, and being adapted to provide production of the combined image on a display device. This image processor has a detection section for detecting the position of an image of an operator included in the mirrored video image feature. The image combining section is adapted to combine the object image and the mirrored video image feature in such a manner that the object image is displayed in a range that an image of a hand of the operator can reach, depending on the position of the image of the operator detected by the detection section. |
| US08508572B2 |
Live broadcast interview conducted between studio booth and interviewer at remove location
A method for providing a portal for an individual to access a web site for establishing personal relationships. The method includes the step of providing a portal booth to photograph the individual while the individual is in said booth to produce a photographic record of the individual, correlate selected demographic data about the individual with said photographic record, and transmit the photographic record and demographic data to the web site. The method also includes the step of correlating the photographic record and demographic data with an account for the individual at the web site such that other individuals can access the web site and the account to view at least said photographic record of said individual. |
| US08508571B2 |
Teleconference system
A teleconference system for connecting a plurality of conference bases via a network, each of the conference bases having: a display device for displaying an image on a screen; a video camera that is capable of measuring a depth; a person identifying section for identifying a participant who has made a specified gesture as a speaker, from a video picture taken by the video camera; an image input/display control section that usually keeps the display device displaying predetermined conference material on the screen and that turns the screen blank triggered by the person identifying section's identifying a speaker; a motion identifying section for identifying and digitalizing a motion of the speaker's hand to make motion data; and an image generating section for making a line drawing in accordance with the motion data made by the motion identifying section; wherein the image input/display control section controls the display device to display the line drawing made by the image generating section on the screen. |
| US08508569B2 |
Video communication method and system
A method of communication with a remote user provided with a videocommunication terminal includes: establishing a communication session with the user's videocommunication terminal; loading a web page associated with the communication session, the loaded web page including at least one portion defining a respective association between at least one browsing action to be performed on the loaded web page and at least one predefined user interaction with the videocommunication terminal; rendering the loaded web page and forming an image corresponding to the rendered loaded web page; video-encoding the formed image so as to create an encoded video, and transmitting the encoded video to the user's videocommunication terminal; concurrently with the transmitting of the encoded video, receiving information related to a predefined user interaction with the videocommunication terminal; retrieving from the loaded web page the browsing action associated with the predefined user interaction with the videocommunication terminal; and executing the retrieved browsing action. |
| US08508567B2 |
Surface-emission laser array, optical scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus
A surface-emission laser array comprises a plurality of surface-emission laser diode elements arranged in the form of a two-dimensional array including a plurality of columns of the surface-emission laser diode elements, each column including therein at least two surface-emission laser diode elements in a first direction. The surface-emission laser diode elements in a column are disposed with an equal interval in the first direction. The plural columns arc disposed in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. An interval between two adjacent columns is larger in a central part than in a peripheral part of the two-dimensional array of the surface-emission laser diode elements in the second direction. |
| US08508560B2 |
Liquid crystal displaying device and method
A disclosed liquid crystal displaying device having a liquid crystal displaying unit and a backlight unit includes a signal processing unit dividing an input signal into plural blocks in conformity with a predetermined number of dividing a screen of the backlight unit, a high frequency component acquiring unit acquiring high frequency components for the blocks; a signal component analyzing unit analyzing signal components of the input signal for the blocks, a low frequency component acquiring unit acquiring low frequency components for the blocks, a backlight driving signal generating unit generating a backlight driving signal based on signals acquired by the signal component analyzing unit and the low frequency component acquiring unit, an inverter inverting the backlight driving signal, and a synthesizing unit acquiring a synthesized signal displayed by the liquid crystal displaying unit based on the input signal, the high frequency components, and the inverted driving signal. |
| US08508557B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and method of driving the same
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display and a method of driving the same. The OLED display includes a driving circuit for generating a plurality of data signals and a plurality of scan signals based on image information stored in a memory. The driving circuit receives an inactive state signal generated when the image information is a still image, generates only a plurality of scan signals and a plurality of data signals corresponding to a light emitting region in which the still image is displayed, and transfers the generated scan and data signals to a plurality of corresponding data lines and a plurality of corresponding scan lines, respectively. |
| US08508556B2 |
Image display method
An image display method including following steps is provided. A backlight of a display panel is adaptively adjusted according to a backlight adjustment factor related to the intensity value of an external light and the brightness of an original image. Brightness factors of the original image are corrected according to the adjustment of the backlight, and the original image is reset by using the corrected brightness factors and original color factors. Thereby, the problem of image distortion caused by backlight adjustment can be reduced. |
| US08508554B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
A display device and a driving method thereof are provided. The display device includes an image signal processor that is supplied with original image signals for various frames and generates interpolation signals used to display images corresponding to interpolation frames, and a display panel that displays images corresponding to the respective various frames and images corresponding to the respective interpolation frames, wherein the images displayed in the respective frames are images corresponding to a first gamma curve corrected based on an original gamma curve, the images displayed in the respective interpolation frames are images corresponding to a second gamma curve corrected based on the original gamma curve, and the first gamma curve is different from the second gamma curve. |
| US08508549B2 |
User-interface design
Graphical user interface objects are specified by a collection of attribute-value pairs, the collection of which comprise a complete description of the object and may be used by a rendering element to create a visual representation of the object. In practice, each of a first portion of attributes may be associated with two or more values—each value (for a given attribute) specifying that attribute's value for a unique resolution. A second portion of attributes are associated with a single value and are, therefore, display resolution independent. Accordingly, the target object may be displayed at any of the specified design display resolutions or accurately displayed at any resolution between the specified design display resolutions. |
| US08508546B2 |
Image mask generation
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products feature identifying a first plurality of pixels in a raster image as foreground pixels and a distinct second plurality of pixels in the raster image as background pixels. Each of the foreground and background pixels have a respective color value. The color values of the foreground pixels and the color values of the background pixels are used to solve for a color model of opacity. The color model of opacity is used to determine an opacity value for a pixel in the raster image. |
| US08508544B1 |
Small primitive detection to optimize compression and decompression in a graphics processor
A method and system for selective enablement of tile compression. The method includes receiving a graphics primitive for processing in a set-up unit of a graphics processor and determining a primitive characteristic that indicates a probability of whether a final compression of a tile related to the primitive will be retained. Compression for the tile related to the primitive is allowed when the characteristic indicates the final compression will be retained. Compression for the tile related to the primitive is disallowed in the characteristic indicates the final compression will not be retained. |
| US08508543B2 |
Layered texture compression architecture
Various technologies for a layered texture compression architecture. In one implementation, the layered texture compression architecture may include a texture consumption pipeline. The texture compression pipeline may include a processor, memory devices, and textures compressed at varying ratios of compression. The textures within the pipeline may be compressed at ratios in accordance with characteristics of the devices in the pipeline that contains and processes the textures. |
| US08508542B2 |
Systems and methods for operating a display
Embodiments of the electronic device include a display driver with the ability to receive image data in a streaming display mode or a frame-buffered display mode. In some embodiments, the electronic device may switch seamlessly between the two display modes based on which display mode will provide reduced power usage given the type and/or variability of the image data being received. |
| US08508541B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, and recording medium
An information processing device includes: a display control unit that causes a display unit to display either a first screen for receiving an instruction for selecting image data to be sent or a second screen for receiving an instruction to obtain image data using an image reading unit; a first screen switching unit that, if an instruction for selecting image data to be sent is received while the first screen is displayed on the display unit, switches the first screen to the second screen in response to the instruction; and an image data obtaining control unit that, if the first screen is switched to the second screen by the first screen switching unit, and an instruction to obtain image data using the image reading unit is received while the second screen is displayed on the display unit, causes the image reading unit to obtain the image data. |
| US08508540B2 |
Resonant induction to power a graphics processing unit
A method, system and an apparatus of resonant induction to power a graphics processing unit (GPU) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a resonant induction system is described. The resonant induction system includes a transmitter circuit tuned to a resonant frequency. The transmitter circuit generates a non-radiative magnetic field when a control current is passed through the transmitter circuit. The resonant induction system also includes a receiver circuit, resonantly coupled to the non-radiative magnetic field generated by the transmitter circuit, and tuned to the resonant frequency of the transmitter circuit. The receiver circuit is located in a GPU. The transmitter circuit and the receiver circuit are resonantly coupled to each other at the resonant frequency. A control current source supplies the control current to the transmitter circuit. A feedback module may be communicatively coupled to the GPU to determine a power requirement of a particular computer graphics application. |
| US08508539B2 |
Method and system for real-time volume rendering on thin clients via render server
A method of server site rendering 3D images on a server computer coupled to a client computer wherein the client computer instructs a server computer to load data for 3D rendering and sends a stream of rendering parameter sets to the server computer, each set of rendering parameters corresponding with an image to be rendered; next the render computer renders a stream of images corresponding to the stream of parameter sets and the stream of images is compressed with a video compression scheme and sent from the server computer to the client computer where the client computer decompresses the received compressed video stream and displays the result in a viewing port. The rendering and communication chain is subdivided in successive pipeline stages that work in parallel on successive rendered image information. |
| US08508536B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An information processing apparatus, comprising: a storage unit that records predetermined information about a first user and a second user registered by the first user; a data control unit that generates a video signal that displays objects corresponding to the first user and the second user in a two-dimensional display screen at a distance calculated based on the predetermined information; and a display control unit that displays the video signal in the two-dimensional display screen. |
| US08508535B1 |
Systems and methods for locking inverse kinematic (IK) objects to a surface object
Systems and methods for positioning a component of an inverse kinematics (IK) controlled animated object relative to a surface object. To help users deal with foot-ground (or other object-object) interactions efficiently, a foot-ground locking system is provided as a preprocessor to an inverse kinematics (IK) controller to automatically pose the foot on the ground. The foot is first rotated to reach the maximal contact area with the ground, then translated to touch the ground, and finally deformed to conform more tightly to the ground. The system works properly with other foot shape deformations, such as toe, heel, and ball rotations. The foot-ground locking can be used either as an interactive tool to help animators identify where the ground is or as a batch postprocessing tool to clean up foot-ground contacts whenever the animation or ground environment is changed. |
| US08508533B2 |
Simplifying a polygon
Processes, machines, and computer-readable media are provided for expanding and simplifying a polygon or reducing and simplifying a polygon. Polygon expanding or reducing logic receives information that represents a polygon having a set of vertices. The polygon expanding or reducing logic determines another polygon having another set of vertices, such that the other polygon encompasses or is encompassed by the polygon, by determining, for each vertex of the set of vertices, a new set of vertices that are derived from the vertex and are at least a particular distance outside or inside the polygon. The vertex reducing logic determines whether an intermediate vertex is within the particular distance of a proposed segment between two other vertices of the other set of vertices, even though the intermediate vertex is not on the proposed segment, and, if so, removing the intermediate vertex from the other set of vertices. |
| US08508530B2 |
Electrocardiogram chart device and method thereof
An electrocardiogram (ECG) chart device and method capable of easily assisting with the diagnosis of heart disease. Hexagonal radar charts displayed on a screen act as indicators of feature values corresponding to data obtained from each of 12 electrode leads and correlated with the related portions of the heart. For example, a (V1, V2) lead is an indicator of a right ventricle. Each of the radar charts is schematically arranged to correspond with the related portion of the heart. Each vertex of the hexagonal radar charts acts as an indicator of the recognized value. More specifically, each vertex of the radar chart is based on a value obtained by extracting a waveform critical point, a waveform start point, a waveform end point, or the like, of constituent elements of the ECG waveform as the P wave, the Q wave, the R wave, the S wave, the ST segment, the T wave, or the like. Therefore, a user of the ECG radar chart device can intuitively and easily carry out interpretation of ECG data. |
| US08508529B2 |
Methods and systems of generating a three dimensional model based on a plurality of images
A method of creating a three dimensional (3D ) model which demonstrates two or three images. The method comprises rendering first and second (and optionally third) images, adjust the plurality of primitives along a first axis of the 3D space according to the first image and along a second axis of the 3D space according to the second image (and optionally, and along a third axis of the 3D space according to the third image), and creating a 3D model which demonstrates the first and second (and optionally third) images according to the plurality of adjusted primitives in the 3D space. The first and second (and optionally third) axes are independent view directions. |
| US08508523B2 |
Information display device, information displaying method, and computer program product
A display control unit performs a control of displaying first image information on a display unit. An electric-power supply unit converts thermal energy generated from a body temperature of a user into electric power upon the user contacting the electric-power supply unit, and supplies the electric power to the display control unit. A determination unit determines whether the user is in contact with the electric-power supply unit. When it is determined that the user is not in contact with the electric-power supply unit, the display control unit performs a control of rewriting the first image information displayed on the display unit with second image information. |
| US08508522B2 |
Derivative sampled, fast settling time current driver
Methods for producing a remote current for driving a load, include one of sourcing and sinking a local current, Iref, through a distributed impedance line, at a first node thereof; the other of sourcing and sinking a remote current, Iref, through the distributed impedance line in response to the local current Iref; determining a rate change of voltage of the first node; and sourcing or sinking additional current, into or out of the first node, in response to the rate of change of voltage of the first node in order to settle the voltage on the distributed impedance line, and apparatus for providing such are disclosed. |
| US08508520B2 |
Luminous power control of a light source of a multimedia processing system
A method, apparatus, and system of luminous power control of a light source of a multimedia processing system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is described. The method includes capturing a digital image of a face of a user. The method also includes applying, with a processor, an algorithm capable of detecting a digital facial feature of the face of the user based on one or more markers of the digital image. In addition, the method includes determining whether the digital image includes the digital facial feature according to the marker. The method further includes causing a light source to illuminate an electronic display at an active-mode luminous power level that includes a luminous power level different than a power-saving mode luminous power level of the light source when the digital image includes the digital facial feature. |
| US08508511B2 |
Inputting device
An inputting device includes an actuator that can move and rotate, a rotation sensor for detecting a rotation of the actuator, a movement sensor for detecting that the actuator moves to a predetermined position, and a rotation suppressor for preventing the actuator from rotating when the actuator moves to the predetermined position and for allowing the actuator to rotate when the actuator is not positioned at the predetermined position. This input device prevents erroneous operation and performs various operations. |
| US08508508B2 |
Touch screen signal processing with single-point calibration
A coordinate detection system can comprise a display screen, a touch surface corresponding the top of the display screen or a material positioned above the screen and defining a touch area, at least one camera outside the touch area and configured to capture an image of space above the touch surface, and a processor executing program code to identify whether an object interferes with the light from the light source projected through the touch surface based on the image captured by the at least one camera. The processor can be configured to carry out a calibration routine utilizing a single touch point in order to determine a plane corresponding to the touch surface by using mirror images of the features adjacent the touch surface, images of the features, and/or based on the touch point and a normal to the reflective plane defined by an image of the object and its mirror image. |
| US08508505B2 |
Virtual optical input device for providing various types of interfaces and method of controlling the same
Provided are a virtual optical input device and a method of controlling the same. In the method, a portion of an input means such as a finger, and a portion of a shadow of the input means generated by a light source are detected through image processing. Physical variations formed between them are used to detect the touch contact of the input means, calculate the position of the input means, and input the corresponding command. Accordingly, it is possible to provide various input patterns. |
| US08508502B2 |
Capacitive touchscreen system with touch position encoding during analog-to-digital conversion
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of circuits and methods in a capacitive touchscreen system that eliminate the need to digitize an entire array of pixel signals obtained from a touchscreen. Instead, regions of interest, or projections of object or touch signal clusters, from touchscreen 90 are employed to encode the coordinates or positions of objects or touches in an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). Encoding of object positions occurs during digitization of the analog signal clusters, which eliminates the need to separately digitize individual touchscreen signals. The disclosed circuits and methods reduce the number of signal processor channels that might otherwise be required, and lead to power consumption reduction in the capacitive touchscreen system, as well as in reducing the area required to implement the circuit architecture in an integrated circuit. |
| US08508497B2 |
Inductive touch screen with antenna mode for use in a communication device and methods for use therewith
A touch screen can be used in a communication device having a transceiver that communicates radio frequency (RF) signals. The touch screen includes a display layer for displaying information. An inductor grid includes a plurality of inductive elements. A switch matrix selects one of the inductive elements in response to a selection signal in a first mode of operation, and couples together a group of inductive elements to form an antenna in a second mode of operation. A dual mode driver generates the selection signal and, in the first mode of operation, drives the selected inductive element to detect a touch object in proximity to the selected inductive element and generates touch screen data in response thereto. In a second mode of operation, the dual mode driver couples the antenna formed by the group of inductive elements to the transceiver to send and receive the RF signals. |
| US08508490B2 |
Method of detecting a touch event for a touch panel and related device
A method of detecting a touch event for a touch panel which comprises a plurality of intersecting traces. The method includes outputting a charge control signal to a trace of the plurality of traces, and keeping other traces except for the trace floating and determining whether the touch event happens according to a voltage signal on the trace. |
| US08508485B2 |
Apparatus and method for inputting character using touch screen in portable terminal
An apparatus and method for inputting a character using a keyboard displayed on a touch screen in a portable terminal. The apparatus and method determines if a touch signal is generated, with the keyboard displayed. Upon generation of the touch signal, a touched character is recognized by analyzing the touch signal. The character is displayed enlarged in a predetermined screen area. It is then determined if the touch has been completed, while the character is displayed enlarged. Upon sensing the touch completion, the character is displayed in a main screen area. |
| US08508482B2 |
Programmable remote control
Methods for operation and a remote control are provided. In one embodiment, a method for operation includes detecting an activity mode for the remote control, wherein the activity mode is based on user programming of the remote control to operate one or more devices for at least one type of communication provided by a communication interface of the remote control. The process may further include detecting a user selection of a user interface of the remote control, wherein the user selection is associated with a command for the one or more devices, and determining a communication setting based on the user selection and the activity mode. The command may be transmitted by the communication interface of the remote control to the one or more of the devices based on the communication setting, wherein transmission of the command is based on one or more communication types of the communication interface. |
| US08508481B1 |
Adaptive touch keyboard
A method, system, and medium are provided for improving the accuracy of keystroke detection by determining what finger position a person is using to type. The finger, or fingers, used to contact the keys may define a finger position. Once the finger position is detected, hot spots for individual keys may be positioned according to a profile associated with the finger position. The hot spot is the portion of the touch screen that needs to be contacted in order to register a keystroke for the associated key. Each key has its own hot spot. The hot spot for a key may change without the display of the key on the touch-screen keyboard changing. |
| US08508479B2 |
Computer mouse
A computer mouse includes an upper shell, and a first button pivotably mounted to a side of the upper shell. The first button is operable of pivoting inwards relative to the shell to activate the function of a first key of a keyboard. |
| US08508474B2 |
Position detecting device
An object of the present invention is to provide a position detecting device that allows simultaneous use by a plurality of users by recognizing positional information about a plurality of pointers and associating the pointers and the users. A position detecting device of the invention includes a rear projector that projects an image, a projection screen that displays the image projected from the rear projector, imaging means that is located near the rear projector and that takes an image of light rays emitted from pointers, from the rear of the projection screen, and coordinate calculating means that analyzes the image taken by the imaging means to detect the two-dimensional positions in the detection areas where the light rays from the pointers are detected. |
| US08508466B2 |
Driving method for electrophoretic display
A driving method for an electrophoretic display having a plurality of first electrodes, a second electrode, and electrophoretic particles positioned in a plurality of pixel areas between the first electrodes and the second electrode, comprises applying an initial driving voltage to the electrophoretic particles in the pixel areas for a predetermined time, applying a first image-displaying voltage having a opposite polarity to that of the initial driving voltage to the electrophoretic particles in a portion of the pixel areas for a predetermined time after applying the initial driving voltage, and applying a first constant gray-displaying voltage having the opposite polarity to that of the initial driving voltage to the electrophoretic particles positioned in a portion of the pixel areas for a predetermined time after applying the first image-displaying voltage.According to the driving method for the electrophoretic display according to an embodiment of the present invention, the images displayed in pixel areas are gradually changed to display smoothly such that display performance of the electrophoretic display may be improved and an incidental image may be prevented. |
| US08508465B2 |
Multiple orientation mobile electronic handheld device and method of ambient light sensing and backlight adjustment implemented therein
A method is set forth for automatically adjusting display brightness on a mobile electronic device having a light sensor, display screen and orientation sensor, for legibility under varying lighting conditions and orientations of the device. The method includes obtaining light level samples from the light sensor, and orientation from the orientation sensor, and adjusting backlight intensity of the display responsive to the light level samples and orientation of the device. Preferably, backlight adjustments are made from dim to bright notwithstanding orientation of the device whereas adjustments from bright to dim are made only for orientations of the device where the light sensor is unlikely to be covered. |
| US08508463B2 |
Backlight control circuit
The present invention discloses a backlight control circuit, comprising: a voltage supply circuit, under control by a control signal, for receiving an input voltage and generating an output voltage; a plurality of nodes for respectively indicating the current status of corresponding light emission device paths; and a high-low voltage comparison and amplifier circuit for generating the control signal according to a voltage difference between at least two nodes. |
| US08508461B2 |
Electro-optical device, electronic apparatus, and method of driving electro-optical device with variable subfield driving for temperature compensation
An electro-optical device includes pixels that is driven in response to an ON voltage or an OFF voltage supplied to the signal lines at a time when each of scanning lines is selected, a scanning line driving circuit that sequentially selects the scanning lines in each of a plurality of subfields within a field, a signal line driving circuit that outputs the ON voltage to the signal lines in at least one temperature compensation subfield and outputs either the ON voltage or the OFF voltage to each of the signal lines in accordance with a designated gray scale of each of the pixels in each of a plurality of gray scale control subfields, which is different from the temperature compensation subfield, and a control unit that sets a time length of the temperature compensation subfield to be changed in accordance with the temperature detected by a temperature detecting unit. |
| US08508456B2 |
LCD controller and LCD control method
A liquid crystal display (LCD) controller includes a plurality of segment/key source control circuits connected with an LCD panel and a key matrix through a plurality of segment/key source terminals, to periodically output a signal for one frame which contains a display output period and a key source output period. The plurality of segment/key source control circuits output segment signals having display drive voltages indicating a maximum value, a minimum value, and intermediate values between the maximum value and the minimum value. The plurality of segment/key source control circuits output first key scan pulse signals varying between maximum and minimum values to the plurality of segment/key source terminals during the key source output period in a key scan state when the key matrix has been operated, and then, second key scan pulse signals obtained by inverting the first key scan pulse signals to the corresponding segment/key source terminal. |
| US08508455B2 |
Video processing circuit, video processing method, liquid crystal display apparatus, and electronic apparatus
Provided is a video processing circuit which designates an applied voltage, which is to be applied to a liquid crystal element of each pixel, based on a video signal, including: a first boundary detection portion which analyzes a video signal of a current frame and detects a boundary between a pixel, to which an applied voltage near a maximum grayscale is applied, and a pixel, to which an applied voltage near a minimum grayscale is applied, based on the video signal; a second boundary detection portion which analyzes a video signal of a frame preceding the current frame and detects a boundary between the pixel, to which the applied voltage near the maximum grayscale is applied, and the pixel, to which the applied voltage near the minimum grayscale is applied, based on the video signal; and a correction portion which corrects the applied voltage to a voltage which provides an initial tilt angle to a liquid crystal molecule in a case where the applied voltage designated with the video signal of a pixel adjacent to a portion changed from the boundary detected by the second boundary detection portion among the boundaries detected by the first boundary detection portion is lower than the voltage which provides the initial tilt angle to the liquid crystal molecule. |
| US08508447B2 |
Display device and pixel therefor
A pixel includes a primary element and a secondary element. At least a portion of the primary element is deformable between two positions. In one position, the light source is reflected such that the observer observes a dark pixel. In the other position, the light is reflected such that the observer observes a bright pixel. Gray levels of light are viewable by varying between the two positions. |
| US08508446B2 |
Electronic circuit and method for dynamic piloting of light sources in variable message information panels
The invention concerns an electronic circuit for dynamic command of light sources in variable message information panels. It includes a number of elementary circuits consecutively connected between them, each having at least one LED connected through respective switchable branches, to a feed voltage, to a LED short-circuiting line, to a contiguous elementary circuit and to a component or a control circuit output. Thus, by commanding the switching elements through the control circuit several elementary circuits can be selectively configured as closed circuits, each of which having a chain of LEDs activated in dynamically variable numbers wherein the feed voltage is applied to the feed branch of the first active LED of the chain and the control circuit output is closed on the last active LED of the activated LEDs chain. |
| US08508445B2 |
Display device and display drive method
A display device includes: a pixel array including pixel circuits arranged in a matrix state, in which each pixel circuit has a light emitting element, a drive transistor, and a storage capacitor storing a threshold voltage of the drive transistor and an inputted signal value; a threshold correction operation means for performing a threshold correction operation plural times, which allows the storage capacitor to store the threshold voltage of the drive transistor before giving the signal value to the storage capacitor; and a cut-off control means for allowing the drive transistor to be cut off in at least one after-correction period and for allowing the drive transistor not to be cut off in at least one after-correction period in plural after-correction periods which are periods after the plural threshold correction operation periods. |
| US08508442B2 |
Organic light emitting display device and driving method thereof
An organic light emitting display and a method of driving the display are disclosed. The display uses an automatic current limit driving method. The method includes comparing current and previous frames of data to select a peak brightness ratio for displaying the current frame. If the difference between the frames is greater than a threshold, the peak brightness ratio of the previous frame is used for the current frame. |
| US08508441B2 |
Self-luminescent display device having a temperature and light sensor for correcting image data and electronic apparatus thereof
A self-luminescent display device includes a pixel unit in which a plurality of pixels including a self-luminescent pixel is arranged, an external light sensor which measures an external light intensity, a temperature sensor which measures an environmental temperature, an image correcting unit which corrects image data input to the image correcting unit on the basis of statistical data of the image data, a light adjusting unit which produces a light adjusting signal on the basis of a measurement signal of the external light sensor, a temperature control unit which produces a temperature correcting signal on the basis of a measurement signal of the temperature sensor, and a display control unit which produces a brightness correcting signal for correcting light emitting brightness of the pixels in the pixel unit on the basis of the light adjusting signal and the temperature correcting signal. The light emitting brightness of the pixels in the pixel unit is adjusted on the basis of the image data corrected by the image correcting unit and the brightness correcting signal. |
| US08508439B2 |
Method of driving display device
An active matrix type EL display device is provided, which is capable of suppressing the unevenness of luminance display due to the unevenness of the characteristics of TFTs which constitute pixels, or due to variations in the environmental temperature at which the display device is used. The active matrix type EL display is driven by a time gray scale method, and is capable of keeping the drain current of each of its EL driving TFTs constant by operating each of the EL driving TFTs in a saturation region in an ON state. Accordingly, constant current can be made to flow in each of the EL elements, whereby it is possible to provide an active matrix type EL display device with accurate gray scale display and high image quality. |
| US08508438B2 |
Organic light emitting display with reduced dead space
An organic light emitting display with a reduced dead space. The organic light emitting display includes a scan driver for supplying scan signals to a plurality of scan lines; a data driver for supplying data signals to a plurality of data lines; and a pixel region including a plurality of pixels at crossing regions of the scan lines with the data lines. The pixels include organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and pixel circuits for controlling currents flowing to the OLEDs. The scan lines are arranged to extend along a vertical direction of a screen realized in the pixel region. The data lines are arranged to extend along a horizontal direction of the screen. The pixels are configured to horizontally display an image on the screen. |
| US08508437B2 |
Plasma display device having a protective layer including a base protective layer and a particle layer
A plasma display device has a crystal particle made of MgO single crystal where the cathode luminescence emission spectrum exhibits a desired characteristic, and displays an image by a driving method in the initializing period. The initializing period has the first half for applying the voltage, which gradually increases from a first voltage and to a second voltage, to a second electrode, and the latter half for applying the voltage, which gradually decreases from a third voltage and to a fourth voltage. |
| US08508435B2 |
Situational awareness components of an enhanced vision system
A virtual sphere provided by an enhanced vision system includes synthetic imagery filling said virtual sphere and a common view window mapped to a dedicated position within the synthetic imagery. Imagery of the line of sight of a user is displayed in the common view window. By providing the common view window, visual communication between all users may be possible. By connecting a virtual user to the enhanced vision system and by displaying the imagery for the line of sight of the virtual user in the common view window, the workload of a human operator may be reduced and the time line of actions may be shortened. The enhanced vision system of the present invention may be used, but is not limited to, in a military aircraft to enhance the situational awareness of the flight crew. |
| US08508434B2 |
Superimposed displays
Various embodiments of methods and systems for constructing, configuring, and utilizing displays constructed from superimposed display subunits are disclosed. In one aspect, a display includes a first display subunit including a first plurality of light modulating elements, a second display subunit including a second plurality of light modulating elements, an optical system configured to optically superimpose each light modulating element of the first plurality with a corresponding light modulating element of the second plurality, and electronic circuitry configured to control operation of light modulating elements in the first display subunit to compensate for defective light modulating elements in the second display subunit. Light modulating elements may modulate light in a respective characteristic patterns. Display subunits containing light modulating or light emitting elements may be superimposed physically or optically to form superimposed display elements. Superimposed display subunits may be configured to compensate for ‘bad’, non-functioning, or malfunctioning display elements. Electrical and optical components may be used to configure superimposed display elements. |
| US08508428B2 |
Antenna arrangement
An antenna arrangement including a partitioned ground plane including at least a first part and a second part that are interconnected by a component having a predetermined impedance; and an inductive coupling element positioned adjacent the component. |
| US08508427B2 |
Tri-column adjustable azimuth beam width antenna for wireless network
A tri-column antenna array architecture, containing a plurality of active radiating elements that are spatially arranged on a modified reflector structure is disclosed. Radiating elements disposed along (P1 and P2) outlying center lines are movable and provided with compensating radio frequency feed line phase shifters so as to provide broad range of beam width angle variation of the antenna array's azimuth radiation pattern. |
| US08508425B2 |
Patch antenna, antenna unit and antenna apparatus
Provided is a patch antenna, an antenna unit and an antenna apparatus that can increase the directional gain of a patch antenna at a high angle of elevation and that can make the directional gain of a patch antenna at a given angle of elevation uniform at all azimuth angles. Patch antenna 11 has patch antenna main body 40 having antenna electrode 43 on its top surface, and a waveguide 60 mounted on the top surface of patch antenna main body 40. Waveguide 60 has top plate 62 having a larger flat surface than patch antenna main body 40 and having L-shaped slot 621 on the flat surface, and spacer 61 provided between the top surface of patch antenna main body 40 and top plate 62 and separating antenna electrode 43 and top plate 62 a predetermined distance apart. |
| US08508423B2 |
Antenna device
The present invention provides a small antenna device realizing both miniaturization including lower profile and a broader band in a frequency band of hundreds MHz to 5 GHz and which can be mounted on a small device such as a cellular phone. An antenna device includes: a finite ground plane; a rectangular conductor plate provided above the finite ground plane, whose one side is connected to the finite ground plane, and having a bent portion substantially parallel with the one side; an antenna disposed substantially parallel with the finite ground plane above the finite ground plane, extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the one side, and having a feeding point positioned near the other side facing the one side of the rectangular conductor plate; and a magnetic material provided in at least a part of space between the finite ground plane and the antenna. |
| US08508418B2 |
Antennas for electronic devices with conductive housing
An electronic device may be provided with a conductive housing. The conductive housing may be formed from a metal. Slots may be formed in the housing. The slots may serve as an antenna and may be fed using an antenna feed structure within the electronic device housing. The electronic device may have a frame to which housing structures are attached and may have a stand or other support structure. The frame may be used to mount a display, to support housing walls, to support clutch barrel structures, etc. The slots may be formed in the frame or in a space between the frame and the housing walls. The slots or other antenna structures may also be formed in the stand. Multiple slots may be used together to support operations in two or more communications bands. There may be multiple dual slot antennas in the electronic device. |
| US08508416B2 |
Cap assembly
A cap assembly attachable to a main housing of a handheld device. The cap assembly includes a cap body at least partially defining one or more cavities therein, and one or more WAN antennas receivable in the cavity. In addition, the cap assembly includes an electromagnetic shield receivable in the cavity for providing each WAN antenna with a predetermined electromagnetic environment in which the impedances of the WAN antenna and the electromagnetic shield are substantially matched. |
| US08508415B2 |
Antenna and electric device having the same
An antenna for transmitting and receiving an electric wave in plural frequency bands has a conductor, two slots formed in the conductor to be facing to each other, opened ends of the two slots being formed on opposite sides, respectively, and a feeding point formed only in either one of the two slots. |
| US08508405B2 |
Method for protecting a radio navigation receiver user against aberrant pseudo-range measurements
The present invention relates to a method for protecting a radionavigation receiver user in relation to aberrant pseudo-range measurements. In the method, a measurement error is detected by a statistical estimation scheme based on calculating the residuals of the measurements. |
| US08508404B1 |
Fuze system that utilizes a reflected GPS signal
The present invention is directed to fuze system for munition that produces a height-of-burst (HOB) signal using two Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, the first signal being from a particular GPS satellite (the direct GPS signal) and the second signal being the GPS signal from the same GPS satellite after the signal has been reflected from the surface adjacent to the target. In one embodiment, the HOB signal is generated when there is a substantial correlation between the reflected GPS signal and direct GPS delayed by an amount of time that is indicative of the desired HOB. |
| US08508403B2 |
Spatially adaptive migration tomography for multistatic GPR imaging
A method and system for detecting the presence of subsurface objects within a medium is provided. In some embodiments, the imaging and detection system operates in a multistatic mode to collect radar return signals generated by an array of transceiver antenna pairs that is positioned across the surface and that travels down the surface. The imaging and detection system pre-processes the return signal to suppress certain undesirable effects. The imaging and detection system then generates synthetic aperture radar images from real aperture radar images generated from the pre-processed return signal. The imaging and detection system then post-processes the synthetic aperture radar images to improve detection of subsurface objects. The imaging and detection system identifies peaks in the energy levels of the post-processed image frame, which indicates the presence of a subsurface object. |
| US08508392B2 |
Pipelined analog digital converter
Disclosed is a pipelined analog-to-digital converter which includes a digital correction circuit configured to measure and correct a pipelined conversion stage gain error and an offset error due to a finite voltage gain operational amplifier and capacitor mismatch. The pipelined analog-to-digital converter includes a pipelined conversion stage error measuring and correcting circuit measuring and correcting an error generated from an conversion stage, so that an error of a conversion stage is minimized and a chip realization area and power consumption are reduced. |
| US08508381B2 |
Verbal warning systems and other audible warning systems for use with various types of devices, containers, products and other things
Verbal warning labels and other audible warning systems for use with different devices, containers, products and other things in various environments are disclosed herein. An audible warning system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a device having a standardized textual warning associated therewith, and a sound playback system operably coupled to the device. The sound playback device can be configured to audibly output a verbal warning corresponding to the textual warning. The verbal warning can be provided by at least one of a manufacturer, supplier, distributor or retail vendor of the device, and the verbal warning can supplement or replace the standardized textual warning. |
| US08508374B1 |
Motor power module
A motor power module is provided that includes a control board mounted to the terminals of a relay. The control board includes a control circuit with a processor. The processor is operative to monitor a level of current supplied by the control circuit to at least one windings terminal connected to a single phase AC motor. The processor is responsive to monitored level of current corresponding to a predetermined level to cause the control circuit to remove a supply of electrical power from a start capacitor of the start windings of the motor while the control circuit continues to supply electrical power to the run windings of the motor. |
| US08508371B2 |
Multi-secured RFID electronic seal
A multi-secured RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) electronic seal includes a bolt, a bolt pedestal and a RFID system. The bolt has a male bolt portion with an electrical connecting point. The bolt pedestal has a female pedestal portion with several nodes to electrically connect with the electrical connecting point to provide plural selections of connecting and disconnecting. The RFID system includes a RFID chip and a transmission conductor embedded in the bolt, and an antenna installed on the bolt pedestal. When the bolt and the bolt pedestal is securely locked together, whether the RFID chip is electrically connects to the antenna depends on if the electrical connecting point connects a preset node, so that a RFID signal may be selectively transmitted by the RFID chip through the antenna. |
| US08508367B2 |
Configurable monitoring device
Provided are embodiments of configurable monitoring devices, methods, systems, computer readable storage media and other means for dynamically transitioning the functionality, roles and/or modes of operation of networked devices. In some examples, the dynamic configuration of the configurable monitoring device may be accomplished wirelessly and used to monitor and track the location of retail products as well as thwart theft of the retail products. |
| US08508360B2 |
Wireless sensor device
A wireless sensor device capable of constant operation without replacement of batteries. The wireless sensor device is equipped with a rechargeable battery and the battery is recharged wirelessly. Radio waves received at an antenna circuit are converted into electrical energy and stored in the battery. A sensor circuit operates with the electrical energy stored in the battery, and acquires information. Then, a signal containing the information acquired is converted into radio waves at the antenna circuit, whereby the information can be read out wirelessly. |
| US08508358B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling alarm in a portable terminal
A portable terminal includes an alarm control. A method for controlling an alarm includes determining whether an input fact to analyze an exceptional situation of an alarm operation is generated; analyzing the exceptional situation by rule using at least one fact; and when there is an alarm which is placed in the exceptional situation, cancelling the alarm. |
| US08508356B2 |
Sound or radiation triggered locating device with activity sensor
A portable device is equipped with a signaling circuit that responds to a searching signal (e.g., hand clap, light flash, RF signal, infrared light) generated to locate the portable device when it is misplaced or lost. The device generates a location signal to enable the user to find the device. The location signal may be an audible, light, vibration, or other signal that calls attention to the device to enable the user to find it. The device may also sense events which cause it to disable the sensor, render it less sensitive, or suppress the generation of the location signal. The sensed event is any event, e.g., heat, motion, which indicates that the device is not, in fact, lost. |
| US08508354B2 |
Fuel-saving driving diagnostic device, fuel-saving driving diagnostic system, control device of prime mover, fuel-saving driving rating device, and fuel-saving driving diagnostic method
An accelerator-off, fuel-cut traveling determining unit determines whether the number of engine revolutions of a vehicle is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, whether an accelerator opening rate is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, and whether a traveling state is an accelerator-off, fuel-cut traveling state where a quantity of fuel injection to an engine is 0. When it is determined that the traveling state is the accelerator-off, fuel-cut traveling state, the traveling distance adding-up unit adds up accelerator-off, fuel-cut traveling distances. A fuel-saving driving rating unit rates driving by a driver based on each of the added-up values which were added up by the traveling distance adding-up unit. A fuel-saving driving advice generating unit notifies the driver of a fuel-saving driving advice together with a rating result in accordance with the rating result. Therefore, it is possible to encourage the driver to perform early engine operation by an engine braking, and to enhance the driver's awareness of fuel saving driving. |
| US08508352B2 |
Hardware continuity loop for preventing vehicle misappropriation
The specification and drawing figures describe and show a hardware continuity loop that is installable in a vehicle for preventing vehicle misappropriation. In one embodiment, the hardware continuity loop includes a plurality of cables that is operatively connected across selected components of a mobile computing platform, and a relay for controlling vehicle response to an attempted vehicle misappropriation. In another embodiment, the hardware continuity loop includes as detection circuit located in the mobile application server adapted to process a signal on sensing vehicle misappropriation, a plurality of programmable general purpose modules, and one or more low side drivers, for causing a vehicle response to attempted vehicle misappropriation. |
| US08508350B2 |
System for providing and displaying video information using a plurality of video sources
In one aspect, a system for providing and displaying video information in a vehicle is provided. The system includes a display device having a video input, a first camera mountable at the rear of the vehicle, the first camera having a first video output, a second camera mountable at the passenger side of the vehicle, the second camera having a second video output, wherein the first video output and the second video output are connected in parallel to the video input of the display device, and a camera control device configured to keep no more than one camera activated at a time. |
| US08508348B2 |
Vehicle capable of indicating a position of an electric power-receiving unit
A communication unit (32) periodically transmits a request signal toward a prescribed range. When a transmitter (30) exists in the range where the request signal can be received, it sends identification information in a responsive manner. A comparison ECU (48) compares the identification information provided from the communication unit (32) with a predetermined value, and if both of them match with each other, notifies a matching notification to a power source management ECU (44). On receipt of the matching notification from the comparison ECU (48), the power source management ECU (44) notifies a lighting-up request for providing an instruction for lighting-up of a light-emitting unit (202) to a body ECU (46). Upon receipt of the lighting-up request, the body ECU (46) activates a lighting-up command LON. As a result, the light-emitting unit (202) is lit up and notifies a user of the position of a charging port. |
| US08508346B2 |
System and method for automating and verifying medication compliance
A computer-based system for monitoring medication compliance. The system can include one or more processors configured to process and manage data. Additionally, the system can also include one or more medication packagings comprising a machine-readable medium. Notably, the machine-readable medium can comprise medication information among other types of information. The one or more processors can be configured to receive the medication information of the machine-readable medium. The machine-readable medium and corresponding medication information can be adjustable based on a dispensing of a medication from the one or more medication packagings. |
| US08508341B2 |
Adaptive communication in an electronic toll collection system
An adaptive communication system and method for use in an electronic toll collection system utilizing transponders located in vehicles travelling on a toll roadway. A transponder memory stores configuration type data that identifies the type of the vehicle carrying the transponder, the transponder or the transponder's mounting. The transponder transmits the configuration type data to the communication system. The communication system includes a memory which contains a database of predetermined communication parameters for various types of configuration types. The communication system looks up the predetermined communication parameters for the configuration type and adjusts variable communication parameters accordingly. Predetermined communication variables may include the transmit power of an antenna, or the receive sensitivity of the antenna or the position of the vehicle in order to maximize the likelihood of a successful communication. |
| US08508336B2 |
Proximity-based healthcare management system with automatic access to private information
A healthcare management system and method provide efficient and secure access to private information. A portable physical device, referred to herein as a Personal Digital Key or “PDK”, stores one or more profiles in memory. The biometric profile is acquired in a secure trusted process and is uniquely associated with an individual that is authorized to use and is associated with the PDK. The PDK can wirelessly transmit the identification information including a unique PDK identification number and the biometric profile over a secure wireless channel for use in an authentication process. The PDK is configured to wirelessly communicate with a reader. A provider interface coupled to the reader, and the reader is further configured to receive profile information from the PDK. The healthcare management system also includes an auto login server configured to communicate with the provider interface to allow access to information in a patient database. |
| US08508333B2 |
Automatic parking station system for cycles and bicycles
The invention refers to automatic parking station for cycles or bicycles, comprising at least one interactive workstation (2) and a plurality of parking posts (3). Each parking post includes a first lock portion (4) aimed at securing a cycle or bicycle thereto through a removable second lock portion (7) of the cycle or bicycle (6). The parking posts (3) are connected to the interactive workstation (2) through a local communication network (5) to allow exchange of commands between the interactive workstation (2) and the parking posts (3). Each parking post (3) comprises code reading means for reading a cycle/bicycle code univocally identifying a cycle or bicycle and stored in a memory medium, so that the cycle/bicycle can be identified by the interactive workstation (2). |
| US08508329B2 |
Mobile robotic device having a collision sensor
A mobile robotic device comprising at least one displaceable sensor member (8,9) for sensing a collision between the mobile device and a stationary object. First detection means (12,13) are present for detection a predetermined first displacement of the sensor member (8,9) and second detection means (14,15) are present for detecting a predetermined larger displacement of the sensor member (8,9). |
| US08508328B1 |
Insertable polymer PTC over-current protection device
An insertable PPTC over-current protection device includes: first and second electrodes; a solder material; conductive lead pins bonded to the first and second electrodes, respectively, each of the lead pins having a connecting segment extending along and bonded to an outer surface of the respective one of the first and second electrodes through the solder material, and a free segment extending outwardly from the connecting segment beyond a peripheral edge of the respective one of the first and second electrodes; and a PTC polymer matrix laminated between the first and second electrodes. The PTC polymer matrix is formed with at least one hole that has an effective volume to accommodate thermal expansion of the PTC polymer matrix. |
| US08508327B2 |
PTC material composition for making a PTC circuit protection device
A PTC material composition for making a PTC circuit protection device comprises a PTC polymer unit and a conductive filler containing a plurality of titanium carbide particles. The titanium carbide particles have a residual oxygen content greater than 0.3 wt % based on the weight of the titanium carbide particles. |
| US08508324B2 |
Radiating structure of induction device
A magnetic core includes a first core and a second core made of a material whose magnetic permeability is smaller than that of the first core and having an end. The end of the second core is in contact with the first core so that the first core and the second core cooperate to form a closed magnetic circuit. The area of contact between the end of the second core and the first core is larger than the area of the cross-section of the end as taken perpendicularly to the extending direction of the end of the second core. |
| US08508322B2 |
Magnetic element
Disclosed is a magnetic element that makes it possible to prevent a coil terminal from being positioned on a ring mount. The magnetic element comprises a first core member, coils, which are disposed in a second core member and a bobbin, and a first mount, on which the first core member is mounted, and possesses a second mount, which is disposed rising up from, and positioned between both edges of, the first mount, and on which the second core member is mounted, and is further equipped with a base, with multiple terminals disposed protruding from the sides thereof. Furthermore, a protrusion is disposed at the edge of the second mount, extending in the direction moving away from said second mount, and this protrusion is smaller than the thickness dimension of the base, and a terminal is positioned on the back surface of the protrusion on the opposite side from the side on which the second core member is mounted, and then bound to the terminals. |
| US08508321B2 |
Relay with multiple coils
A relay with multiple coils includes a base which has two fixed contacts, a coil assembly which has a U-shaped armature, a U-shaped iron core, two tubular bobbins received between the U-shaped armature and the U-shaped iron core, two coils respectively wound around the tubular bobbins. A spring member is movable above the coil assembly. The spring member has two moving contacts corresponding to the fixed contacts. A coil spring is disposed between the spring member and the coil assembly. When each coil induces a magnetic field by supplying electric current, the coil spring is compressed such that the moving contacts connect with the fixed contacts; when no electric current is supplied, the coil spring provides the restoring force to draw the spring member backward. Therefore, the relay acts as a switch for adapting to open/close a circuit connected to the relay. |
| US08508320B2 |
Antenna mounting to a rotor antenna having radial and axial air bearings
Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing a translating telemetry stationary antenna. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for automatically aligning a stationary antenna with a corresponding rotor antenna. The method provides for mounting a stationary antenna with respect to a rotor antenna associated with a rotor. The method includes mounting a stationary antenna to an inner circumference of a support frame, mounting a plurality of radial air bearings to the support frame for maintaining radial alignment of the stationary antenna with respect to the rotor antenna, and mounting a plurality of axial air bearings to the support frame for maintaining axial alignment of the stationary antenna with respect to the rotor antenna. |
| US08508316B2 |
Bulk acoustic wave filter of ladder-type structure
A bulk acoustic wave filter of a ladder-type structure includes a series arm and at least a series arm resonator which is disposed in the series arm, such that the series arm is distributed in series arm sections between an input terminal and an output terminal. The bulk acoustic wave filter further includes a first parallel arm that includes a parallel arm resonator and an inductivity connected in series between the series arm and a reference terminal, and at least a second parallel arm that includes a parallel arm resonator. The first parallel arm and the at least one second parallel arm are connected in parallel between a common one of the series arm sections and the reference terminal. |
| US08508314B2 |
On-chip variable delay transmission line with fixed characteristic impedance
A design structure, structure, and method for providing an on-chip variable delay transmission line with a fixed characteristic impedance. A method of manufacturing a transmission line structure includes forming a signal line of the transmission line structure, forming a first ground return structure that causes a first delay and a first characteristic impedance in the transmission line structure, and forming a second ground return structure that causes a second delay and a second characteristic impedance in the transmission line structure. The first delay is different from the second delay, and the first characteristic impedance is substantially the same as the second characteristic impedance. |
| US08508313B1 |
Multiconductor transmission line power combiner/divider
Devices are described that combine or divide electromagnetic signal power using short-circuited parallel-coupled multiconductor transmission lines. Such devices include single-stage, multi-stage ‘traveling wave’, and multi-stage broadband filter structures. Electrically shorting each coupled conductor simultaneously provides thermal cooling from heat generated by RF dissipative loss. These features may provide a compact, thermally robust power combiner/divider covering 3:1 bandwidth or greater. The devices may be applicable to radar, electronic countermeasures (ECM), and communications transmitters. |
| US08508311B2 |
Transmission line and electrical apparatus using the same
A transmission line with a structure which is capable of forming a passive equalizer and an electrical apparatus using the same are illustrated. The transmission line has a substrate, a ground plane, a defect ground structure, a pair of transmission conducting lines, and at least one stub. The substrate has a plurality of surfaces. The ground plane is located on at least one of the surfaces. The defect ground structure is formed on the ground plane. The pair of transmission conducting lines is located on one of the surfaces, and stretching over the defect ground structure. The at least one stub is located above a plane of the defect ground structure, extending along with at least one side of two sides of the pair of the transmission conducting lines, and electrically coupled to the pair of the transmission conducting lines and the ground plane. |
| US08508305B2 |
Oscillation circuit
An oscillation circuit includes a resonance circuit and an amplifier circuit. The resonance circuit includes an inner capacitor to be disposed inside a semiconductor integrated circuit, and an outer capacitor and an outer inductor to be disposed outside the semiconductor integrated circuit. The amplifier circuit includes an input terminal and an output terminal both connected to the resonance circuit. Further, the resonance circuit includes a first closed circuit portion including the inner capacitor, the outer inductor, and a first wiring portion for connecting the inner capacitor and the outer inductor. The resonance circuit further includes a second closed circuit portion including the outer capacitor, the outer inductor, and a second wiring portion for connecting the outer capacitor and the outer inductor. The second closed circuit portion has a wiring resistance smaller than that of the first closed circuit portion. |
| US08508304B2 |
Serdes VCO with phased outputs driving frequency to voltage converter
Reducing a gain of a VCO, which may be used in a serdes system, includes using an oscillator replicating the VCO. The oscillator frequency varies according to PVT conditions of circuit elements of the oscillator, which affect a speed of the circuit elements. A first circuit receives an output of the oscillator to produce a current that varies inversely proportionally to the oscillator frequency. A second circuit injects the current into a power supply line of the VCO. Thus, high VCO frequencies can be attained. By reducing the gain of the VCO, thermal noise contribution of the loop resistor and the loop capacitor required for desired loop bandwidth are reduced. During fast corner conditions, minimal current is injected into the VCO. During slow corner conditions, high current is injected into the VCO. These help keep VCTRL of the PLL loop close to a mid-rail operating region. |
| US08508301B2 |
Three dimensional inductor, transformer and radio frequency amplifier
A three dimensional on-chip radio frequency amplifier is disclosed that includes first and second transformers and a first transistor. The first transformer includes first and second inductively coupled inductors. The second transformer includes third and fourth inductively coupled inductors. Each inductor includes multiple first segments in a first metal layer; multiple second segments in a second metal layer; first and second inputs, and multiple through vias coupling the first and second segments to form a continuous path between the first and second inputs. The first input of the first inductor is coupled to an amplifier input; the first input of the second inductor is coupled to the first transistor gate; the first input of the third inductor is coupled to the first transistor drain, the first input of the fourth inductor is coupled to an amplifier output. The second inductor inputs and the first transistor source are coupled to ground. |
| US08508299B2 |
High-frequency power amplifier
There is a need to provide a high-frequency power amplifier capable of reducing a talk current and reducing a phase deviation in output. The high-frequency power amplifier includes differently sized first through fifth power amplification transistors and impedance matching circuits for example. The high-frequency power amplifier changes a signal path to be used in accordance with a power specification signal. The high-frequency power amplifier uses a signal path from the first transistor to the second transistor in high power mode. The high-frequency power amplifier uses a signal path from the first transistor to the third transistor in medium power mode. The high-frequency power amplifier uses a signal path from the fourth transistor to the fifth transistor in low power mode. The high-frequency power amplifier is configured so that each of the signal paths includes the same number of stages of power amplification transistors and impedance matching circuits. |
| US08508296B1 |
Tunable directional power combiner
A quadrature amplifier comprises first and second amplifiers, each having an input and an output, a signal splitter connected to the inputs of the two amplifiers, a signal combiner connected to the outputs of the two amplifiers, and an impedance transformer connected to the output of the signal combiner. The signal splitter is a −3 dB hybrid that splits an input signal into two output signals of equal amplitude that are in phase quadrature. The signal combiner is a −3 dB hybrid that combines the output signals at the outputs of the two amplifiers. Since the output signals are in phase quadrature, the signals are combined to produce an inphase signal. The impedance transformer matches the output signal to an impedance of approximately 50 Ohms. Capacitive and resistive tuning networks connected to the ports of the signal combiner allow for adjustment of the center frequency and impedance of the signal combiner. |
| US08508291B1 |
Digitally programmable active-RC filter
The digitally programmable active-RC filter provides an active-RC filter having programmable time constants. An inherently linear current division network (CDN) provides the programmable time constants while preserving a high linearity property of the active-RC filter. Using this approach, wide tuning characteristics are achieved. The programmable active-RC filter uses two op-amps per integrator. Cross-coupling two of the units configured with I and Q inputs provides the reconfigurable filter with a complex bandpass and normal lowpass response. One embodiment is formed as a fourth-order filter fabricated in a standard 0.18 μm CMOS process. The complex and lowpass filters achieve in-band spurious-free dynamic ranges (SFDRs) of about 70 dB and 71 dB for bandwidths of 1 MHz and 5.5 MHz, respectively. |
| US08508287B2 |
Charge pumps with improved latchup characteristics
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to regulators for charge pumps. Such regulators selectively activate a charge pump based not only on the voltage output of the charge pump, but also on an series of wake-up pulses that are delivered at predetermined time intervals and which are delivered independently of the voltage output of the charge pump. Hence, these wake-up pulses prevent extended periods of time in which the charge pump is inactive, thereby helping to prevent latch-up in some situations. |
| US08508286B2 |
Apparatus and method for electrical biasing
As provided herein, in some embodiments, power consumption and/or chip area is reduced by bias circuits configured to provide bias conditions for more than one active circuit, thereby reducing the number of bias circuits in a design. Shared bias circuits may reduce the aggregate amount of on-chip area utilized by bias circuitry and may also reduce the total power consumption of a chip. Additionally and/or alternatively, bias circuits disclosed herein are configured to provide outputs that are less susceptible to changes in the voltage supply level. In particular, in some embodiments, bias circuits are configured to provide relatively constant bias conditions despite changes in the voltage supply level. In some embodiments, bias circuits are configured to provide bias conditions that compensate for perturbations caused by changes other inputs, in order to stabilize a particular operating point. |
| US08508284B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit having fuse circuit and driving method of fuse circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a fuse connected between a first node and a second node, a first driver configured to pull down a voltage of the first node in an initialization period in response to a fuse sensing signal, a second driver configured to pull up a voltage of the second node in an initial period of a fuse sensing period in response to the fuse sensing signal, a sensor configured to determine whether the fuse is blown or not in response to a voltage of the first node, and a third driver configured to drive the second node to a voltage level lower than a pull-up voltage level of the second driver after the initial period of the fuse sensing period in response to an output signal of the sensor and the fuse sensing signal. |
| US08508277B2 |
Phase interpolator, reception circuit and information processing apparatus
A third periodic signal is synthesized using a first output signal having a phase corresponding to a first periodic signal and a second output signal having a phase corresponding to the second periodic signal. A value of the third periodic signal is detected at a timing of the phase of the delayed first periodic signal. The value of the third periodic signal detected with the delayed first periodic signal is compared with the value of the third periodic signal detected by the first periodic signal delayed by the different delay amount. The delay amount is obtained for the detected third periodic signal being a maximum or a minimum. In a state of the optimum delay amount, an amplitude of the third periodic signal is adjusted so that the detected value of the third periodic signal falls within a predetermined range. |
| US08508274B2 |
Duty correction circuit
A duty correction circuit includes a clock buffer configured to buffer an input clock and generate a buffer clock, a swing level conversion block configured to generate an internal clock, which transitions to levels of a sync voltage and a power supply voltage, in response to a voltage level of the buffer clock, a duty control block configured to generate duty information and frequency information by using a high pulse width and a low pulse width of the internal clock, and a current control block configured to control a time point, at which a logic value of the buffer clock transitions, in response to the duty information and the frequency information. The current control block includes a plurality of first current paths coupled in parallel to one another in order to control the time point at which the logic value of the buffer clock transitions. |
| US08508271B1 |
Phase locked loop
A phase locked loop that includes a signal generator arranged to output a feedback signal, a first phase detector arranged to detect a phase difference between the feedback signal and a reference signal and to output a first phase detect signal in dependence on that detection, a second phase detector arranged to detect a phase difference between the feedback signal and a delayed version of the reference signal or between the reference signal and a delayed version of the feedback signal and to output a second phase detect signal in dependence on that detection, and an adjustor. The adjustor is arranged to determine which of the first and second phase detect signals commutes first and to alter the frequency of the feedback signal in dependence on the result of the determination. |
| US08508270B2 |
System and method for adjusting a characteristic of a periodic signal with use of a filtered bias voltage
Circuits and methods for controlling a VCO output signal. A filtered version of an integral path input signal controls current flow through a proportional path. An exemplary embodiment generates an integral path input signal from a digital to analog converter. First integral path circuitry includes a first transistor device and a low pass filter which provides a filtered version of the integral path input signal to a first transistor device to control conduction through the device, providing a first VCO input signal for frequency adjustment of the output signal. Proportional path switching circuitry between a supply terminal and VCO input terminal includes a second transistor device which receives the first VCO input signals to control conduction between the supply terminal and the first VCO input terminal to provide a second signal for adjustment of the phase of the VCO output signal relative to the reference signal. |
| US08508265B2 |
Differential controlled phase locked loop circuit
Provided is a PLL circuit driven with a differential controlled voltage. The PLL circuit includes a VCO. The VCO outputs an oscillation signal in response to a difference between first and second control voltages. The PLL circuit includes a first loop for generating the first control voltage, and a second loop for generating the second control voltage having a phase opposite to the first control voltage. Intermediate generated signals of the first loop and intermediate generated signals of the second loop which respectively correspond to the intermediate generated signals of the first loop have opposed phases. |
| US08508263B2 |
Semiconductor device, method for operating the same, and memory system including the same
A semiconductor device includes a clock supply circuit configured to generate an internal clock by using an external clock, an internal circuit configured to operate in synchronization with the internal clock and enter a power-down mode in response to a power-down signal, and a controller configured to control an entry of the clock supply circuit into the power-down mode in response to a locking signal, which represents that the clock supply circuit has been locked, and the power-down signal. |
| US08508261B2 |
Current mode line driver
The present invention discloses a line driver for a communication system with a variable loading. The line driver includes a positive output terminal, a negative output terminal, a plurality of current cells, for generating a plurality of output currents, and a plurality of switches, for controlling a number of connections between the plurality of current cells and the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal according to impedance of the variable loading, to generate a total output current such that a output voltage swing stays within a specific range. |
| US08508256B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
A novel logic circuit which retains data even when power supply is stopped is provided. Further, a novel logic circuit with low power consumption is provided. In the logic circuit, a comparator comparing two output nodes, a charge retaining portion, and an output-node-potential determining portion are electrically connected to each other. Thus, the logic circuit can retain data even when power supply is stopped. In addition, the total number of transistors included in the logic circuit can be reduced. Further, a transistor including an oxide semiconductor and a transistor including silicon are stacked, whereby the area of the logic circuit can be reduced. |
| US08508246B2 |
Substrate surface inspecting apparatus and substrate surface inspecting method
A substrate surface inspection apparatus and method enabling judgment and analysis of the state of even portions of a substrate supported by supports using a captured image are provided. A support mechanism 20 is used where positions of arrangement of substrate support positions along the direction perpendicular to a scan direction by a plurality of first supports 23a to 23d are set outside the image capturing ranges of the substrate 10 by the imaging units 30a, 30b at the first relative position and inside the common image capturing range and where positions of arrangement of substrate support positions along the direction perpendicular to the scan direction by the plurality of second supports 24a to 24d are set outside the image capturing ranges of the substrate by the imaging units at the second relative position and inside the common image capturing range. The surface of the substrate 10 supported by the plurality of first supports is scanned and captured by the imaging units at the first relative position, the imaging units are moved to the second relative position, then the surface of the substrate 10 supported by the plurality of second supports is scanned and captured by the imaging units at the second relative position. |
| US08508244B2 |
Method for improving scan time and sensitivity in touch sensitive user interface device
System and method for optimizing the consumption of power while maintaining performance in capacitive sensor arrays. A limited sensing area is used to improve the update rate and sensitivity of a row/column array of capacitive sensors. According to one embodiment, a method is provided for scanning a plurality of capacitive sensors by: detecting a stimulus in the field of capacitive sensors, scanning the field of capacitive sensors to determine the position of the stimulus. Once the position of the stimulus is determined, a subsection of the field comprising window corresponding to the position of the stimulus remains activated while the remaining sensors in the field are deactivated. |
| US08508239B2 |
Non-destructive signal propagation system and method to determine substrate integrity
In various exemplary embodiments described herein, a system and associated method relate to non-destructive signal propagation to detect one or more defects in a substrate. The system can be built into a semiconductor process tool such as a substrate handling mechanism. The system comprises a transducer configured to convert one or more frequencies from an electrical signal into at least one mechanical pulse. The mechanical pulse is coupled to the substrate through the substrate handling mechanism. A plurality of sensors is positioned distal to the transducer and configured to be coupled, acoustically or mechanically, to the substrate. The plurality of distal sensors is further configured to detect both the mechanical pulse and any distortions to the pulse. A signal analyzer is coupled to the plurality of distal sensors to compare the detected pulse and any distortions to the pulse with a baseline response. |
| US08508238B2 |
System and method for performing electrical impedance tomography
An electrode array, a system and a method for reconstructing the distribution of electrical properties within a multi-material object. One embodiment includes electrodes arranged along a three-dimensional helical path to provide one or more helical arrays and circuitry to measure signals for calculating a conductivity or admittivity distribution representative of the interior of the structure. Image data may be obtained which is representative of the multi-material region. |
| US08508237B2 |
Network analyzer calibrator having electrical and electrooptical components
A calibration kit (100) for calibrating a connectable network analyzer (102), including a converter (104, 106) adapted for performing a conversion between an electrical signal and an optical signal, a calibration standard (108, 110) for calibrating the network analyzer (102), and a switch array (112) adapted for switching the converter (104, 106) and the calibration standard (108, 110) in a manner to enable an electrical calibration of the network analyzer (102) and a calibration of the converter (104, 106) coupled to the network analyzer (102). |
| US08508236B2 |
Electronic device and method for testing a circuit board
An electronic device, and associated method, provided with a circuit board (10), with a set of input contacts (IN/COM), a set of output contacts (OUT/COM) and an electrical circuit (18) connected between the input contacts (IN/COM) and the output contacts (OUT/COM) and a controller. The controller carries out a real-time test of the circuit board using a test signal introduced into the electrical circuit, the electrical circuit (18) being designed as a passive network having a characteristic transfer function and provided with at least two separate partial circuits (18′, 18″) wherein the separate partial circuits are electrically connected in the assembled state by cooperation with at least one of: at least one device components and/or assembly components (181). |
| US08508234B2 |
Method and device for detecting failures in inductive conductivity measurements of a fluid medium
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and devices for detecting open-circuit and short-circuit failure in an electromagnetic (inductive) measurement of the conductivity of liquids and on the sensor and cable wiring. An electromagnetic measurement of the conductivity of a liquid is performed by immersing a sensor into the liquid, wherein the sensor includes at least 2 toroidal cores, one of them carrying an excitation coil and the other carrying an induction coil. When an AC excitation voltage is applied to the excitation coil, an induced current or voltage can be measured in the induction coil which is proportional to the conductivity of the measured liquid. |
| US08508233B2 |
Arc detector and associated method for detecting undesired arcs
An arc detector for detecting undesired arcs. The arc detector includes: an antenna for receiving an electromagnetic signal representing an arc; and a discriminator for analyzing a signal from the antenna, the discriminator including a spectrum analyzer arranged to detect whether the signal represents a normal arc or an undesired arc. The discriminator is arranged to detect whether the signal represents a normal arc or an undesired arc by comparing signal levels at frequencies of a spectrum of the signal corresponding to at least one partial reference spectrum, and determining the arc to be a normal arc if a deviation from the reference spectrum is less than a threshold deviation. A corresponding method is also presented. |
| US08508230B2 |
Microscope apparatus and microscopy method
The present invention relates to a microscope apparatus (100) comprising an operating microscope (20), a magnetic resonance or MR apparatus (30), a stand (10) that carries the operating microscope (20) and the MR apparatus (30), at least one detector (14) for determining the spatial position of the MR apparatus (30) relative to the operating microscope (20), a reflecting device (23) for reflecting an image obtained using the MR apparatus (30) into at least one observation beam path of the operating microscope (20), a computer unit (40) which is connected to the at least one detector (14) and is arranged so as to determine the spatial position of the MR apparatus (20) relative to the operating microscope (30), the computer unit (40) being connected to the reflecting device (23) and to the MR apparatus (30) and being arranged so as to provide the image that is to be reflected in for the reflecting device (23) on the basis of the spatial position determined for the MR apparatus (30) relative to the operating microscope (20). |
| US08508226B2 |
Method and magnetic resonance system to reduce distortions in diffusion imaging
In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus to reduce distortions in magnetic resonance diffusion imaging, a magnetic resonance data acquisition system is operated to acquire magnetic resonance data in a first measurement with a first diffusion weighting, and to acquire magnetic resonance data in a second measurement with a second, different diffusion weighting. A non-linear, system-specific distortion-correcting function is determined on the basis of system-specific information that is specific to said magnetic resonance data acquisition system. Correction parameters are calculated to correct distortions in subsequently-acquired diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images, based on the data acquired in the first and second measurements with the system-specific distortion-correcting function applied thereto. The subsequently-acquired diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images are corrected using the correction parameters to at least reduce distortions therein. |
| US08508224B2 |
Method for obtaining amplitude and phase dependencies of RF pulses for spatially selective excitation
A method for obtaining amplitude and phase dependencies of radio frequency pulses, which are irradiated within the scope of a main magnetic resonance experiment for generating a predetermined n-dimensional spatial distribution (n>=1) of transverse magnetization in an object by means of at least one radio frequency transmitting antenna of a magnetic resonance measuring system in combination with spatially and temporally varying additional magnetic fields which are superimposed on the static and homogeneous base field of the magnetic resonance measuring system and change the transverse magnetization phase in the object in dependence on location and time is characterized in that, prior to performance of the main experiment, a preparational measurement is performed in which the change with time of the transverse magnetization phase in the object under the action of the additional magnetic fields is measured in a position-resolved fashion and the amplitude and phase dependencies of the radio frequency pulses for the main experiment are calculated on the basis of this change with time of the transverse magnetization phase, which is measured in a position-resolved fashion. In this fashion, experimental imperfections in the form of unintentional additional magnetic fields can be measured, taken into consideration and compensated for. |
| US08508221B2 |
Two-axis magnetic field sensor having reduced compensation angle for zero offset
A sensor and fabrication process are provided for forming reference layers with substantially orthogonal magnetization directions having zero offset with a small compensation angle. An exemplary embodiment includes a sensor layer stack of a magnetoresistive thin-film based magnetic field sensor, the sensor layer stack comprising a pinning layer; a pinned layer including a layer of amorphous material over the pinning layer, and a first layer of crystalline material over the layer of amorphous material; a nonmagnetic coupling layer over the pinned layer; a fixed layer over the nonmagnetic coupling layer; a tunnel barrier over the fixed layer; and a sense layer over the nonmagnetic intermediate layer. Another embodiment includes a sensor layer stack where a pinned layer including two crystalline layers separated by a amorphous layer. |
| US08508209B2 |
Switching regulator and control circuit thereof and input voltage detection method therefor
The present invention discloses a switching regulator including: a power stage having an upper gate device and a lower gate device coupled with each other, for converting an input voltage to an output voltage and generating a phase voltage at a node between the upper gate device and the lower gate device; and a control circuit including: a switch operation circuit controlling the power stage, the switch operation circuit generating a test signal turning on the upper gate device for a period of time and then turning it off; and a comparator for generating a ready signal indicating that the input voltage is ready according to comparison between the phase voltage and a reference voltage after the upper gate device is turned off. |
| US08508207B2 |
Controlling a skew time of switches of a switching regulator
Embodiments for methods and apparatuses for controlling a skew time of switches of a switching voltage regulator are disclosed. One method includes generating a switching voltage through closing and opening of a series switch and a shunt switch as controlled by a series switch control signal and a shunt switch control signal. An error signal is generated that is proportional to a relative displacement of an on-interval of the series switch and an off-interval of the shunt switch. A relative delay of the series switch control signal and the shunt switch control signal is adjusted based on the error signal, and a regulated output voltage is generated based upon the switching voltage. |
| US08508204B2 |
Controller and method of operating a controller
A controller for controlling a power generator circuit, and a method for operation such a controller, is disclosed. The invention is particularly suited to LED current generators. The current generator may be switched off to conserve power when not required for any LED circuits. The method relates to determining the time at which the controller is required to provide power, current or voltage, and to adjust the timing of switching-on of the controller, in order to ensure that power, current or voltage is available for the load when required. |
| US08508203B2 |
Control circuit of switching regulator and control method thereof and transistor device therefor
The present invention discloses a control circuit of a switching regulator wherein a confirmation signal is generated to confirm that an upper gate switch has been turned off, to avoid shoot-through. The confirmation signal is generated by obtaining an upper gate sampling signal from a transistor in a level shift circuit which receives a resetting signal for turning off the upper gate switch. |
| US08508202B2 |
Maximum power point tracking converter
A maximum power point tracking (MPPT) converter of a renewable energy storage system for tracking and extracting a maximum power from a renewable energy source to provide the maximum power to a DC link. The MPPT converter includes an MPPT controller changing a controlled variable for maximum power point extraction in proportion to a current slope of the renewable energy source, and an MPPT extractor extracting a maximum power from the renewable energy source and converting the extracted maximum power in response to a control of the MPPT controller. The controlled variable variation is set to a large value if the current slope is out of a predetermined current slope range, and the controlled variable variation is set to a small value if the current slope is within the predetermined current slope range. |
| US08508196B2 |
Switching regulator
Provided is a switching regulator capable of performing stable start-up with a soft-start operation without causing excessive extension of a soft-start time period. In a start-up period, a voltage approximating a feedback voltage (FB) is provided as an initial value of a soft-start reference voltage. The feedback voltage (FB) and the soft-start reference voltage become substantially equal to each other at a moment when the start-up is completed, to thereby realize a smooth transition of an operating state from the start-up to normal control. |
| US08508195B2 |
PFC converter using a predetermined value that varies in synchronization with a phase of the input voltage
A PFC converter that prevents and reduces switching losses by controlling ripple of inductor current and enables application for high power usage, includes a switching device that is turned off when an inductor current flowing through an inductor reaches a first threshold value, and turned on when the inductor current reaches a second threshold value. A switching control circuit sets a reference value of the inductor current using results from an input voltage detection circuit and an output voltage detection circuit. The first threshold value is produced by adding a predetermined value to the reference value, and the second threshold value is produced by subtracting the predetermined value from the reference value. |
| US08508193B2 |
Environmentally-powered wireless sensor module
A system that powers a wireless sensor mechanism from ambient sources without the need to replace a battery is disclosed. The present invention uses an energy harvesting mechanism built onto, for example, a substrate to recharge a rechargeable energy storage mechanism that is built on the same substrate. The energy storage mechanism provides power to a transmission/receiving mechanism and microprocessor that may also be arranged on said substrate. The energy-harvesting mechanism may be combined with a power management unit to enable efficient use and regulation of the harvested energy. |
| US08508192B2 |
Battery pack capable of calculating relative remaining capacity
A remaining capacity calculating section is provided that acquires a discharged capacity of a rechargeable battery based on a discharging current and a discharging time of the rechargeable battery, and calculates a relative remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery based on the discharged capacity and the fully-charged capacity of the rechargeable battery. The remaining capacity calculating section employs the rating capacity of the rechargeable battery or a learned fully-charged capacity as the fully-charged capacity when a high capacity mode is selected, and employs a capacity obtained by multiplying the rating capacity or learned fully-charged capacity by a predetermined factor not more than 1 as the fully-charged capacity when a long life mode is selected. |
| US08508191B2 |
System for scheduling battery charge and discharge in a reconfigurable battery
Effective scheduling of battery charge and discharge activities, by making the most of battery characteristics, can extend the battery pack's operation-time and lifetime. A system and method for scheduling battery activities is disclosed. This framework dynamically adapts battery activities to load demands and to the condition of individual battery cells, thereby extending the battery pack's operation-time and making them robust to anomalous voltage imbalances. The scheduling framework includes two components. An adaptive filter estimates the upcoming load demand. Based on the estimated load demand, a scheduler can determine the number of parallel-connected battery cells to be discharged. The scheduler also effectively partitions the battery cells in a pack, allowing the battery cells to be simultaneously charged and discharged in coordination with a reconfigurable battery circuit. |
| US08508189B2 |
Suspension device for charging and storing batteries
A handheld power tool charger, having at least one battery contact device is proposed, which is provided for charging at least one nondiscretely positioned handheld power tool battery. According to the invention, the battery contact device has at least one contact region which is embodied as elongated. |
| US08508188B2 |
Universal charge module
A universal charge module for recharging rechargeable batteries includes a housing, a connector block formed on the housing for receiving a rechargeable battery, the connector block including an attachment mechanism for releasably attaching the rechargeable battery to the housing, and a power control circuit functionally integrated with the housing, the power control circuit being capable of determining operating and charging parameters of the rechargeable battery, wherein the power control circuit controls the recharging of the rechargeable battery in dependence upon the determined operating and charging parameters. |
| US08508187B2 |
Interactive charging management system and method thereof
An interactive charging management system and a method thereof are provided. The method is applicable to a plurality of electric vehicles, and which includes dynamically adjusting usable power information respectively provided by a plurality of charging posts respectively corresponding to and coupled to the electric vehicles according to demand power information of the respective electric vehicles; and making the charging posts non-uniformly provide a plurality of charging powers to the respective electric vehicles according to the adjusted usable power information. |
| US08508184B2 |
Coil unit, non-contact power transmission device, non-contact power reception device, non-contact power supply system, and vehicle
A coil unit performs at least one of transmission and reception of electric power using electromagnetic resonance between the coil unit and a primary resonance coil disposed to face the coil unit. The coil unit includes a secondary resonance coil that includes a plurality of coils, and that electromagnetically resonates with the primary resonance coil. A first coil among the plurality of coils is disposed in a manner such that a magnetic field generated by the first coil has a phase opposite to a phase of a magnetic field generated by at least one coil other than the first coil among the plurality of coils, with respect to a plane that faces the primary resonance coil. |
| US08508180B2 |
Motor drive apparatus
A motor drive apparatus receiving power from a power source and driving a motor with independent polyphase systems of excitation coils, comprises: a control circuit and power converters each corresponding to one system, each including an inverter circuit, an interrupter circuit, and a temperature detector, the inverter circuits being connected in series to the power source and, while not short-circuited, supplying power to the excitation coil, wherein the control circuit detects an operating state of the motor, short-circuits the inverter circuits and interrupts the interrupter circuits for a subset of power converters defined according to the operating state, such that a source voltage is supplied to non-short-circuited inverter circuits, and, when a power converter exceeds a predetermined temperature, the control circuit short-circuits the inverter circuit and interrupts the interrupter circuit thereof, and, in another power converter not exceeding the predetermined temperature, operates the inverter circuit and connects the interrupter circuit. |
| US08508179B2 |
Separately excited electrical synchronous machine, and method for operating a synchronous machine
In a separately excited electrical synchronous machine, and a method for operating a synchronous machine, coil windings, in particular in the form of excitation coils, are disposed on the rotor, the electrical supply of the coil windings being achieved with the aid of an inductive rotation transmitter, whose secondary winding is connected to the rotor and whose primary winding, which is inductively coupled to the secondary winding, is stationary, especially connected to the stator of the synchronous machine. |
| US08508178B2 |
Torque based electronic pulse width modulation control system for a switched reluctance motor
Methods and systems of accelerating a brushless, DC electric motor based on torque may include determining a slope based on a maximum torque of the BLDC motor at a lower operating load and a maximum torque of the motor at a higher operating load, determining a period of the rotor based on sensor signals, and determining and applying a phase advance to a PWM pulse for a subsequent revolution of the rotor based on the period and the slope. In some embodiments, the amount of the phase advance is further based on maximum load optimum advance and/or maximum load speed. In some embodiments, a phase dwell is determined based on a positive torque zone and applied to the PWM pulse. In some embodiments, when the motor is operating below a given threshold, fixed-width PWM pulses are applied to subsequent revolutions of the rotor instead of phase-advanced PWM pulses. |
| US08508169B2 |
Method of automatically controlling a motorized window treatment while minimizing occupant distractions
A load control system provides for automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a façade of the building in order to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space and minimize occupant distractions. The load control system automatically generates a timeclock schedule having a number of timeclock events for controlling the position of the motorized window treatment during the present day. A user is able to select a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for the space and a minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events. In addition, a maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule may also be entered. The load control system uses these inputs to determine event times and corresponding positions of the motorized window treatment for each timeclock event. |
| US08508168B2 |
Linear actuator
Linear actuator device, comprising a housing (102,202), a piston rod (109,209), an electrical motor (116,216) and a transmission means (105,106,305,307) adapted to transfer the rotation of the electrical motor to a linear movement of the piston rod, where the linear actuator device comprises an integrated electrical interface having two signal inputs adapted to extend and retract the piston rod and two signal outputs adapted to indicate a retracted end position (122) and an extended end position (121) of the piston rod. |
| US08508166B2 |
Power factor correction with variable bus voltage
A controller includes a voltage determination module, a bus voltage command module, and a power factor correction (PFC) control module. The voltage determination module determines a desired direct current (DC) bus voltage for a DC bus electrically connected between a PFC module and an inverter power module that drives a compressor motor. The voltage determination module determines the desired DC bus voltage based on at least one of torque of the compressor motor, speed of the compressor motor, output power of the inverter power module, and drive input power. The bus voltage command module determines a commanded bus voltage based on the desired DC bus voltage. The PFC control module controls the PFC module to create a voltage on the DC bus that is based on the commanded bus voltage. |
| US08508160B2 |
Servo motor position control device
Provided is a technique to suppress hunting in a range of a minimum resolution of a pulse encoder when a servo motor has reached a target position and stopped, thereby maintaining a stable stop state. A servo motor position control device uses a cascade configuration having a position control loop as a main loop and a velocity and current control loop as a minor loop. A proportion control is performed for a position control while a proportion integration control is performed for a velocity control and a current control. When the servo motor position has reached the target position and stopped (S201), a current instruction value for the current control is maintained at a value upon stop (S202) and the current control is switched to the proportion control (S204). |
| US08508159B2 |
Device and method for controlling the movement of a both motorically and manually movable vehicle part
A device for controlling the movement of a both motorically and manually movable vehicle part includes a drive unit controllable in its rotational speed for motorically moving the vehicle part, a coupling device for coupling the drive unit with the vehicle part, and a control unit which controls the drive unit and the coupling device such that during manually moving the vehicle part the coupling device couples the drive unit with the vehicle part if the vehicle part has reached a pre-defined position. The control unit controls the rotational speed of the drive unit depending on the moving speed of the vehicle part. In this way, a device and a method are provided which in an easy and low-wear manner allow for a control of the movement of a both motorically and manually movable vehicle part. |
| US08508149B2 |
Intelligent light retrofit
An apparatus and method of retrofitting a light fixture are disclosed. One method includes interfacing a retrofit controller with a dimming ballast of the light fixture, connecting the retrofit controller to at least one sensor, and connecting the retrofit controller to a power supply and a network. Another embodiment includes a light fixture retrofit controller and a separate sensor unit. The combination of the retrofit controller and a separate sensor unit are operative to provide power and dimming control of a dimming ballast of an existing light fixture. The dimming control is base on at least one of a signal sensed by the separate sensor unit and control information received from a network. |
| US08508148B1 |
System for light and appliance remote control
A system for remote control of lights and small appliances utilizing miniature remote control units, and a method for easily and simply setting which remote controls control which item(s). Unlike conventional remote controls which are moved from place to place, these miniature remote controls are so small they may be removably mounted at each location needed, unobtrusively or even hidden. Receivers for the remote signal are described manufactured within a lamp socket assembly, a very short light bulb socket adapter, the light bulb itself, a wallswitch dimmer and an outlet adapter. One remote control can control multiple receivers, or vice versa, or any other combination, without conflict and with the combination set up or changed more intuitively than in completing systems. Appliances may be turned on or off and lights may be dimmed precisely or set flashing in unison to summon help. |
| US08508143B2 |
Light emitting diode driving circuit
In a driving circuit for controlling a brightness of a light emitting diode based on a duty ratio of a pulse-width modulation signal, an integration circuit is disposed on a connecting line between a gate of a first transistor coupled with a constant current source and a gate of a second transistor coupled in series with a light emitting diode. The integration circuit smoothes a change in a gate voltage of the first transistor and transmit a smoothed change in the gate voltage to the gate of the second transistor. A third transistor is coupled between a ground and a portion of the connecting line located between the gate of the first transistor and the integration circuit. The third transistor is activated and deactivated based on the duty ratio, thereby changing the gate voltages of the first transistor and the second transistor. |
| US08508137B2 |
Apparatus and method of energy efficient illumination
An illumination system correlates solar time to a clock and controls lighting or illumination based on time. The illumination system may turn ON light source(s) at a first level at a turn ON time, correlated to be around or at dusk, and turn OFF light source(s) at a turn OFF time, correlated to be around or at dawn. The illumination system may reduce a level of light output, and hence power consumption, at a time after turning ON a light source, and increases the level of light output at a time prior to turning OFF the light source. Turn ON, turn OFF, decrease and increase times may be determined based on recent levels of light or illumination in the environment, for example via average or median levels over a number of previous daily cycles. Filtering may eliminate aberrant events. |
| US08508136B2 |
OLED lighting device with tag element
The invention relates to an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device (200) comprising a tag element (201) that encodes operating information about the device, for example its maximal driving current, such that this information can be read out wirelessly and/or electrically by wire but approximately without Ohmic losses. The invention further comprises a socket (600) with a read-out unit (601) for reading out the operating information from such a tag element (201). The tag element may for instance comprise a tag electrode (201) that can capacitively couple to a counter-electrode (601) in the socket. |
| US08508135B2 |
User interface for an indoor light switch
A user interface for an indoor light switch coupled to control an outdoor light having a sensor for controlling an on/off state of the outdoor light is disclosed. The user interface comprises a mode actuator moveable between an off position and a sensor position; and a control actuator enabling an adjustment of a setting of the sensor from the user interface, wherein the setting of the control actuator will affect the on/off state of the outdoor light when the mode actuator is in the sensor position. |
| US08508128B2 |
System for providing thermal energy radiation detectable by a thermal imaging unit
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a thermal radiation marker (10) adapted to emit radiation within the thermal portion of the infrared spectrum. According to some embodiments of the invention, the thermal radiation marker may include an incandescent filament (16) and a glass or quartz enclosure (12). The incandescent filament may be adapted to produce radiation at least within the thermal portion of the infrared spectrum. The glass or quartz enclosure may include at least a portion that is substantially thin, and may enclose pressurized inert (14) gas and the incandescent filament surrounded by the inert gas. At least a portion of the glass or quartz enclosure may be sufficiently thin so as to enable good transmittance therethrough for tli3rmal radiation approximately in the 3-5&mgr,-m wavelength band. The pressurized inert gas enclosed within the glass or quartz enclosure and surrounding the incandescent filament may enable a regenerative cycle to take place within the enclosure. |
| US08508127B2 |
High CRI lighting device with added long-wavelength blue color
Solid state lighting devices include least one solid state emitter and multiple lumiphors, arranged to output aggregated emissions that include at least one short wavelength blue peak, at least one long wavelength blue (LWB) peak, at least one yellow and/or green peak, and at least one red and/or orange peak. Presence of long wavelength blue enhances color rendering. At least one solid state emitter may include a short wavelength blue LED, LWB LED, and/or UV LED. Multiple emitters may be provided. Resulting devices may provide CRI greater than 85, efficiency of greater than 50 lm/watt, and color stability in a range of Δu′v′≦0.008 over a temperature change of 75° C. |
| US08508125B2 |
Organic light emitting display apparatus
Provided is an organic light emitting display apparatus including a substrate, a thin film transistor disposed on the substrate and including an active layer, a gate electrode, a gate insulator, a source electrode and a drain electrode, a first electrode electrically connected to the source electrode or the drain electrode, a second electrode disposed to face the first electrode, and an intermediate layer including an organic emitting layer and disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The gate insulator is disposed to insulate the gate electrode and the active layer and includes a plurality of patterns spaced apart from each other. |
| US08508117B2 |
High CRI lighting device with added long-wavelength blue color
Solid state lighting devices include least one solid state emitter and multiple lumiphors, arranged to output aggregated emissions comprising at least one short wavelength blue peak, at least one long wavelength blue (LWB) peak, at least one yellow and/or green peak, and at least one red and/or orange peak. Presence of long wavelength blue enhances color rendering. At least one solid state emitter may include a short wavelength blue LED, LWB LED, and/or UV LED. Multiple emitters may be provided. Resulting devices may provide CRI greater than 85, efficiency of greater than 50 lm/watt, and color stability in a range of Δu′v′≦0.008 over a temperature change of 75° C. |
| US08508112B2 |
Discharge lamp with self-supporting electrode structures
A discharge lamp comprises an electrode assembly structured to induce tension in certain of the component electrodes and compression in others of the component electrodes. The balancing tensile and compressive forces cause the electrode assembly to be a unitary, self-supporting structure, which can be inserted into a prefabricated envelope and in which the forces are induced independently of interaction with the envelope. The electrodes in tension may be relatively thin wires and the electrodes in compression may be relatively thicker rods. The electrode assembly may include concentric arrangements of electrodes, with a plurality of rod counter-electrodes spaced circumferentially around a thin wire electrode, or a plurality of thin wire electrodes spaced circumferentially around a central rod counter-electrode. In other embodiments, a counter-electrode may have a flat, polished surface facing one or more electrodes overlying the surface. Dummy electrodes may equalize bending loads on the counter-electrode. |
| US08508111B1 |
Display panel and method for inspecting thereof
A display panel and a method for inspecting thereof are provided. The display panel includes a first signal circuit, a second signal circuit and a plurality of first resistor. The first signal circuit includes a plurality of first signal lines which disposes in parallel along a first direction and electrically connects to one another. The second signal circuit includes a plurality of second signal lines disposing in parallel along the first direction, and the second signal lines and the first signal lines are alternately disposed in parallel. Each of second signal lines is connected to at least a first resistor. The interval between the first signal line and the second signal line is smaller than 60 μm and the difference between the resistances of the first signal line and the second signal line is ranged form 300 ohm to 30000 ohm. |
| US08508110B2 |
Micro channel plate
An MCP has a rectangular plate shape and has a porous part, to which a plurality of pores (channels) penetrating in the thickness direction are disposed, and a poreless part including a solid glass or the like to which the channels are not provided on the both sides of the porous part. Then, on both surfaces of the MCP, an input side electrode and an output side electrode are respectively formed so as to cover the poreless parts on the both surfaces while sandwiching the porous part. |
| US08508109B2 |
Electroactive polymer manufacturing
Described herein are transducers and their fabrication. The transducers convert between mechanical and electrical energy. Some transducers of the present invention include a pre-strained polymer. The pre-strain improves the conversion between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention provides methods for fabricating electromechanical devices including one or more electroactive polymers. |
| US08508097B2 |
Stator of electric rotating machine
A marking (7) that indicates inherent information about a stator (2), is formed of recesses inscribed at a predetermined position on the outer circumferential surface of a laminated iron core (21) of the stator (2), by melting a magnetic thin plate with a laser beam. The marking (7) is formed of recesses in the outer circumferential surface of the laminated iron core (21), i.e., in the outer circumferential surface, at the laminated side of the magnetic thin plate, of the laminated iron core (21). Accordingly, friction or the like does not peel off the marking. |
| US08508092B2 |
Permanent magnet rotors and methods of manufacturing the same
A rotor for an electrical motor includes a spindle, a plurality of sintered permanent magnets arranged around the spindle, a compacted powdered soft magnetic material at least partially surrounding the plurality of sintered permanent magnets, and a plurality of discrete regions of compacted powdered non-magnetic material at least partially surrounding the plurality of sintered permanent magnets. The discrete regions of non-magnetic material are at least partially embedded in the soft magnetic material and the soft magnetic material and the non-magnetic material couple the plurality of sintered permanent magnets with the spindle. |
| US08508091B2 |
End cover and motor rotor having the end cover
An end cover adapted to engage with an end surface of a spindle of a motor rotor is proposed for securely coupling to the spindle with a plurality of permanent magnets disposed around the peripheral wall of the spindle. The end cover has a first surface facing an end surface of the spindle and an second surface opposing to the first surface, which is formed with a plurality of inserting slots indentedly disposed around the rim thereof and corresponding to the permanent magnets for coupling the ends of the permanent magnets, thereby securely fastening each of the permanent magnets to the spindle of the motor rotor. Further, the present invention further provides a motor rotor having the end covers described above. |
| US08508090B2 |
Lubrication structure of power transmission apparatus
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: A lubrication structure of a power transmission apparatus is provided with a lubricating liquid transport pipe for cooling a rotating electrical machine used to allow a lubricated member positioned axially outwardly of the rotating electrical machine to be lubricated in the axial direction.SOLUTION: A lubrication structure comprises an oil pipe 44 having discharge nozzles 44a, 44c positioned vertically above coil ends 20a, 20b and discharge nozzles 44d, 44e axially outwardly of the discharge nozzle 44c in juxtaposed relationship with each other at the other axial end portion of the oil pipe 44, and a guide member 22 radially extending between the discharge nozzles 44d, 44e in the axial direction of a motor M and having a radially inner peripheral portion covering bearings 24, 42. The guide member 22 has a guide rib extending axially outwardly of a flange portion 22a to guide the oil discharged from the discharge nozzle 44e in the axial direction. A cover 13 has a cylindrical portion 13a covering the upper surface of a bearing 43. The cylindrical portion 13a is formed with an oil passage 13b for guiding the oil guided by the guide rib 22d to one axial end portion B of the bearing 43. |
| US08508089B2 |
Magnetic drive motor assembly and associated methods
A permanent magnet is rotated about an axis extending between opposing north and south poles. The magnetic field of the rotated permanent magnet interacts with magnetic fields of permanent magnets carried by a shuttle for repelling and attracting the fixed permanent magnets, and providing a linear reciprocating movement of the shuttle responsive to the rotary motion of the rotated permanent magnet. |
| US08508087B2 |
Mounting device for disk in spindle motor
A spindle motor including a base, a bearing housing supported on the base, a bearing provided within the bearing housing, a rotating shaft rotatably supported by the bearing, a stator including a core fixed to the bearing housing and coils wound around the core, a rotor including a rotor yoke fixed to the rotating shaft, and a first magnet installed on the rotor yoke facing the stator, a turntable positioned on the rotor yoke, rotating together with the rotating shaft, a center guide member coupled to the rotating shaft at an upper side of the turntable, an elastic member disposed between the turntable and the center guide member for elastically supporting the center guide member. |
| US08508086B2 |
Cooling structure of rotating electrical machine
A cooling structure includes a rotating electrical machine (1) that has a stator (3), the stator including plural split cores (4) annularly combined, and a shrink-fitted ring (5) mounted to the outer periphery of the plural split cores (4) for integrating the plural split cores (4), and a case (10) that accommodates the rotating electrical machine (1) therein, the shrink-fitted ring (5) includes a cylindrical portion (6), and a flange portion (7) that is provided at one end of the cylindrical portion (6), the case (10) includes an accommodating portion (11) which has an inner peripheral wall (11a) whose inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion (6) and smaller than the outer diameter of the flange portion (7), and in which accommodates the stator (3), a first wall face (12) extending outward in the radial direction from the end of the inner peripheral wall (11a) where the flange portion (7) is arranged, the flange portion (7) being mounted to the first wall face (12), and a second wall face (13) extending inward in the radial direction from the end of the inner peripheral wall (11a). |
| US08508085B2 |
Internal cooling of stator assembly in an electric machine
Embodiments of the invention provide an electric machine module including an electric machine with a stator assembly. The stator assembly includes a plurality of stator laminations coupled together and a plurality of conductors positioned through axial slots of the plurality of stator laminations. The electric machine module also includes a coolant channel at least partially defined within the axial slots and a housing. The housing at least partially circumscribes the electric machine and at least partially defines a machine cavity which is in fluid communication with the coolant channel. |
| US08508082B2 |
Solar energy collection systems and methods
A solar electricity system, comprising a solar collection surface adapted to convert light into DC electricity; a power inverter to convert the DC electricity into AC electricity; and a power cable connected to the power inverter, the power cable comprising a male plug on its distal end adapted to mate with a female power receptacle on a building structure. |
| US08508080B2 |
Automatic power control module for battery powered devices
A power control module which can be used to automatically open a power circuit for electrically operated devices, particularly battery operated devices, during predetermined periods of non-use. A timer is reset by a motion detector indicating continuing use. The timer controls a transistor switch which closes and opens the power circuit as required. The timing interval can be user-selected e.g., by programming a microprocessor controller. The transition time between conductive and non-conductive states of the transistor can also be controlled to prolong the life of incandescent bulbs or other sensitive load devices. |
| US08508079B1 |
Energy conserving charger controller, circuitry and method
An energy-conserving charger controller system, including charge sensing circuitry and operational algorithm, reduces parasitic lost energy by automatically “learning” the unique charging signature of a consumer electronic device (CED) battery to determine and sense when a it is being charged or not, and implementing conversion (from mains AC to DC) to occur only when a device needs charge. The inventive system employs a current measurement circuit, a microprocessor controller including a timing circuit and control algorithm code structure, a TRIAC current switch and an on-board battery. The inventive system and method is universal, being independent of the charger design, and may be an independent device upstream of the charger (between it and the mains power supply), integrated with an AC adapter charger unit, integrated into a CED, or part of a power strip for individually and independently controlling each AC adapter plugged into the strip. |
| US08508078B2 |
Power switch with reverse current blocking capability
A switching circuit controls the flow of current between its input and output in accordance with the state of a control signal applied to the circuit. When the control signal is in a first state and the voltage applied to the input is higher than the voltage at the output, the circuit provides a low resistance path between its input and output terminals thereby enabling current to flow from the input to the output. When the control signal is in the first state and the voltage at the output is higher than the voltage at the input, the circuit inhibits current flow from the output to the input. When the control signal is in a second state, the circuit is turned off thus inhibiting current flow between the input and the output. |
| US08508069B2 |
Vehicular electrical systems
Vehicular electrical systems are provided. The vehicular electrical systems include a first direct current (DC) voltage supply, a second DC voltage supply coupled to the first DC voltage supply, a first direct current-to-direct current (DC/DC) power converter coupled to the first and second DC voltage supplies, a second DC/DC power converter coupled to first and second DC voltage supplies and the first DC/DC power converter, and a power receptacle electrically connected to the second DC/DC power converter. The second DC/DC power converter is configured to regulate power flow between the first and second voltage supplies and the power receptacle. |
| US08508068B2 |
Power supply apparatus for sliding door
The power supply apparatus for sliding door 100 includes the vehicle body side fixing member 110 provided in the guide rail receiving portion 143, the bracket side fixing member 120 provided in the bracket 151, the wiring body 130 for supplying power from the vehicle body 140 side to the sliding door 150 side and the running member for bracket 160 for running and holding the wiring body 130 on the back surface of the bracket 151. The wiring body 130 is held with the vehicle body side fixing member 110 and the bracket side fixing member 120, and is arranged to run on the back surface of the bracket 151 with the running member for bracket 160. |
| US08508066B2 |
Emergency control apparatus and method for use
The present invention provides an emergency control apparatus, and method which maintains the power flow between a battery and an inverter and the operation state of an electric vehicle in the event of failure of a bidirectional DC-DC converter connected between the battery as a power source and the inverter for operating a drive motor. |
| US08508065B1 |
Windmill generator system
A windmill generator system featuring a base with a generator, a shaft extending upwardly from the base, and a rotor housing rotatably attached atop the shaft. The shaft is operatively connected to the generator via a clutch system. The rotor housing is adapted to spin in a first direction and a second direction about the shaft, wherein rotation of the rotor housing generates energy for the generator. At least two flanges extend outwardly from the rotor housing. A wing is disposed on each flange. The wings extend outwardly a distance away from the rotor housing to harness wind. Each wing comprises a series of adjustable louvers. |
| US08508058B2 |
Energy systems, energy devices, energy utilization methods, and energy transfer methods
Energy systems, energy devices, energy utilization methods, and energy transfer methods are described. In one arrangement, energy utilization methods include providing first energy from a power grid to an induction generator at a first moment in time; using the induction generator and the first energy from the power grid, charging an energy storage device; using second energy from the energy storage device, powering a motor causing the induction generator to generate third energy during a second moment in time; and providing the third energy to the power grid. Other arrangements are described. |
| US08508057B2 |
Power generator
The present invention provides a power generator for generating electricity comprising a high pressure core having an interior chamber. The interior chamber is filled with a volume of one or more pressurized inert gases. A microwave frequency generator is provided for resonating the gas at a high radio frequency typically 2.4 GHz or higher, and means for securing and emitting the frequency generator into the core are provided. In addition, electrical conductors are positioned in the core to effectuate the production of electricity through lightening, arc, flame, and high heat. The conductors extend through the core to conduct the flow of electricity away from the core. A coolant such as water may be circulated around the outside surface of the core to dissipate heat from the core, the coolant can then be converted to steam to power a turbine to provide a second method through which the invention generates electricity. |
| US08508055B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a bonding pad, and an area designation marking, wherein the bonding pad includes a first region, a second region, and a third region placed between the first region and the second region, wherein the area designation marking includes a first area designation mark configured to designate a first boundary between the first region and the third region and a second area designation mark configured to designate a second boundary between the second region and the third region, wherein the first region and the second region are configured to be contacted with a test probe. The first area designation mark includes a first notch or a first protrusion. The second area designation mark includes a second notch or a second protrusion. The first area designation mark includes a first pair of notches that is linearly spaced apart from each other to designate the first boundary line. |
| US08508053B2 |
Chip package including multiple sections for reducing chip package interaction
Thermally induced stress in a semiconductor die, i.e., in a complex metallization system thereof, may be reduced by “dividing” a package substrate into two or more substrate sections, which may have formed therebetween an appropriate stress buffer region, for instance a region of superior resiliency. In this case, the total deformation of the package substrate may be reduced, thereby also reducing the thermally induced stress forces in the complex metallization system of the semiconductor die. Hence, for a given size and complexity of a metallization system, an increased production yield and superior reliability may be achieved. |
| US08508051B2 |
Protection film having a plurality of openings above an electrode pad
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate 1, an interlayer insulating film 2, 3 formed on the semiconductor substrate 1, an electrode pad 4 formed on the interlayer insulating film 2, 3, a protective film 6 which is formed on the interlayer insulating film 2, 3 to cover a peripheral portion of the electrode pad 4, and has a first opening 5 which exposes a center portion of the electrode pad 4, a divider 7 which is formed on the electrode pad 4 exposed from the first opening 5, and divides the first opening 5 into a plurality of second openings 5d, and a barrier metal 8 formed on the protective film 6 to fill the second openings 5d. The divider 7 is interposed between the electrode pad 4 and the barrier metal 8. |
| US08508048B2 |
Semiconductor device utilizing a package on package structure and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device which includes a substrate, a semiconductor chip which is mounted on the substrate, a package in which an upper surface of the substrate and the semiconductor chip are sealed using an insulating material, and a molding material which is exposed to the upper surface of the package. In addition, the device includes a lead of which one end is connected to the mold material and the other end is electrically connected to the substrate, which is integrally formed of the same material as from a connection portion with the mold material to a connection portion with the substrate, and of which the connection portion with the mold material is exposed to the upper surface of the package. |
| US08508047B2 |
Buried word line memory integrated circuit system
An integrated circuit system includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming buried word lines in the semiconductor substrate with the buried word lines including vertical charge-trapping dielectric layers. The system further includes forming bit lines further comprising forming in-substrate portions in the semiconductor substrate, and forming above-substrate portions over the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08508045B2 |
Package 3D interconnection and method of making same
An integrated circuit (IC) package has a package member having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A first plurality of contact members is physically and electrically fixed to the second surface. An interposer substrate having a second plurality of contact members on one surface thereof which make physical and electrical contact with respective ones of the first plurality of contact members. The interposer substrate is configured to have at least one circuit member mounted to a second surface thereof opposite the one surface thereof. |
| US08508040B2 |
In-situ foam materials as integrated heat spreader (IHS) sealant
An integrated heat spreader (IHS) lid over a semiconductor die connected to a substrate forms a cavity. A bead of foaming material may be placed within the IHS cavity. During an IHS cure and reflow process the foaming material will expand and fill the IHS cavity and the foam's shape conforms to the various surface features present, encapsulating a thermal interface material (TIM) material, and increasing contact area of the foam sealant. |
| US08508035B2 |
Circuit connector apparatus and method therefor
Aspects of the present invention are directed to circuits, circuit packages and related methods. In accordance with various example embodiments, respective electrodes are implemented to facilitate contact to a semiconductor device via different surfaces and/or sidewalls, as may be useful in connecting the device to an external package having a plurality of semiconductor devices in which same-surface connections to the devices are spatially restricted. The semiconductor device has opposing surfaces and sidewalls connecting the surfaces, and contacts to respective different regions in the device. Respective electrodes are coupled to the respective contacts and extend along/around the device to provide access to the contacts via different surfaces. |
| US08508030B2 |
LED module
An exemplary LED module includes a ceramic substrate, a heat spreader, a heat sink, an LED die, and a packaging layer. The substrate defines a hole extending therethrough from a top side to a bottom side thereof. The heat spreader is disposed in the hole with a top side thereof substantially coplanar with the top side of the substrate. An outer circumferential surface of the heat spreader contacts an inner circumferential surface of the substrate around the hole. The heat sink is attached to the top sides of the substrate and the heat spreader. The LED die is attached to a bottom side of the heat spreader, and the packaging layer encapsulates the LED die. |
| US08508026B2 |
Integrated circuit packaging system with connection supports and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a connection structure having a component pad, an outer pad, and an inner pad, the inner pad between the component pad and the outer pad; forming a support structure between the inner pad and the outer pad; mounting an integrated circuit device over the component pad; attaching an interconnect to the integrated circuit device and the outer pad, the interconnect above the inner pad and supported by the support structure; and applying an encapsulation over the connection structure, the interconnect, and the integrated circuit device. |
| US08508024B2 |
Chip package structure and package substrate
A chip package structure for being disposed on a carrier includes a package substrate and a chip. The package substrate includes a laminated layer, a patterned conductive layer, a solder-mask layer, at least one outer pad and a padding pattern. The patterned conductive layer is disposed on a first surface of the laminated layer and has at least one inner pad. The solder resist layer is disposed on the first surface and has at least one opening exposed the inner pad. The outer pad is disposed on the solder resist layer, located within the opening, and is connected with the inner pad. The padding pattern is disposed on the solder resist layer. A height of the padding pattern relative to the first surface is greater than that of the outer pad. The chip is located on a second surface of the laminated layer and electrically connected to the package substrate. |
| US08508018B2 |
Barrier layers
Methods for fabricating integrated circuit electrical interconnects and electrical interconnects are provided. Methods include providing a substrate having a surface, the surface having a feature formed therein wherein the feature is a trench or via, depositing a metal layer, the metal of the metal layer being selected from the group consisting of Ru, Co, Pt, Ir, Pd, Re, and Rh, onto surfaces of the feature, depositing a copper seed layer wherein the copper seed layer comprises a dopant and the dopant is selected from the group consisting of Mn, Mg, MgB2. P, B, Al, Co and combinations thereof, onto the metal layer, and depositing copper into the feature. Devices comprising copper interconnects having metal liner layers are provided. Devices having liner layers comprising ruthenium are provided. |
| US08508015B2 |
Schottky-like contact and method of fabrication
The present invention provides Schottky-like and ohmic contacts comprising metal oxides on zinc oxide substrates and a method of forming such contacts. The metal oxide Schottky-like and ohmic contacts may be formed on zinc oxide substrates using various deposition and lift-off photolithographic techniques. The barrier heights of the metal oxide Schottky-like contacts are significantly higher than those for plain metals and their ideality factors are very close to the image force controlled limit. The contacts may have application in diodes, power electronics, FET transistors and related structures, and in various optoelectronic devices, such as UV photodetectors. |
| US08508013B2 |
Backside illuminated active pixel sensor array and backside illuminated image sensor including the same
A backside-illuminated active pixel sensor array in which crosstalk between adjacent pixels is prevented, a method of manufacturing the backside-illuminated active pixel sensor array, and a backside-illuminated image sensor including the backside-illuminated active pixel sensor array are provided. The backside-illuminated active pixel sensor array includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductive type that comprises a front surface and a rear surface, light-receiving devices for generating charges in response to light incident via the rear surface, and one or more pixel isolating layers for forming boundaries between pixels by being disposed between the adjacent light-receiving devices, a wiring layer disposed on the front surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a light filter layer disposed on the rear surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein a thickness of the one or more pixel isolating layers decreases from a point in the semiconductor substrate toward the rear surface. |
| US08508012B2 |
Pixel having two semiconductor layers, image sensor including the pixel, and image processing system including the image sensor
An image sensor having pixels that include two patterned semiconductor layers. The top patterned semiconductor layer contains the photoelectric elements of pixels having substantially 100% fill-factor. The bottom patterned semiconductor layer contains transistors for detecting, resetting, amplifying and transmitting signals charges received from the photoelectric elements. The top and bottom patterned semiconductor layers may be separated from each other by an interlayer insulating layer that may include metal interconnections for conducting signals between devices formed in the patterned semiconductor layers and from external devices. |
| US08508010B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, method of manufacturing the same, and camera and electronic apparatus using the same
A method of manufacturing a solid-state imaging device is provided. The method includes: forming an insulating layer extending over an effective pixel region where a plurality of pixels each having a photoelectric conversion element is arranged and a peripheral area adjacent to the effective pixel region; forming an opening in the insulating layer located immediately above the photoelectric conversion element on the effective pixel region; forming a dummy opening in the insulating layer on the peripheral region; and forming a buried layer on the insulating layer to fill the opening and the dummy opening formed in the insulating layer. |
| US08508009B2 |
Microlens and an image sensor including a microlens
A microlens, an image sensor including the microlens, a method of forming the microlens and a method of manufacturing the image sensor are provided. The microlens includes a polysilicon pattern, having a cylindrical shape, formed on a substrate, and a round-type shell portion enclosing the polysilicon pattern. The microlens may further include a filler material filling an interior of the shell portion, or a second shell portion covering the first shell portion. The method of forming a microlens includes forming a silicon pattern on a semiconductor substrate having a lower structure, forming a capping film on the semiconductor substrate over the silicon pattern, annealing the silicon pattern and the capping film altering the silicon pattern to a polysilicon pattern having a cylindrical shape and the capping film to a shell portion for a round-type microlens, and filling an interior of the shell portion with a lens material through an opening between the semiconductor substrate and an edge of the shell portion. The image sensor includes a microlens formed by a similar method and a photodiode having a cylindrical shape. |
| US08508007B2 |
Solid-state image sensing device
The solid-state image sensing device is provided with an interconnect substrate, a solid-state image sensing chip and an under-filling resin. The solid-state image sensing chip is flip-chip mounted on the interconnect substrate. The solid-state image sensing chip takes a picture of an object to be imaged by photoelectrically conversion converting light incident on the back surface of the solid-state image sensing chip. An under-filling resin is used to fill the gap between the interconnect substrate and the solid-state image sensing chip. The under-filling resin serves to block light which is used to take an image by the solid-state image sensing chip. |
| US08508006B2 |
Co/Ni multilayers with improved out-of-plane anisotropy for magnetic device applications
A MTJ for a spintronic device is disclosed and includes a thin seed layer that enhances perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in an overlying laminated layer with a (Co/X)n or (CoX)n composition where n is from 2 to 30, X is one of V, Rh, Ir, Os, Ru, Au, Cr, Mo, Cu, Ti, Re, Mg, or Si, and CoX is a disordered alloy. A CoFeB layer may be formed between the laminated layer and a tunnel barrier layer to serve as a transitional layer between a (111) laminate and (100) MgO tunnel barrier. The laminated layer may be used as a reference layer, dipole layer, or free layer in a MTJ. Annealing between 300° C. and 400° C. may be used to further enhance PMA in the laminated layer. |
| US08508004B2 |
Magnetic element having reduced current density
A memory device includes a fixed magnetic layer, a tunnel barrier layer over the fixed magnetic layer, and a free magnetic structure formed over the tunnel barrier layer, wherein the free magnetic structure has layers or sub-layers that are weakly magnetically coupled. Thus, a low programming voltage can be used to avoid tunnel barrier breakdown, and a small pass transistor can be used to save die real estate. |
| US08508003B2 |
MEMS element and method for manufacturing same
An acceleration sensor is formed using an etched layer sandwiched between first and second substrates. In this case, a structure including a movable portion which is displaceable in the thickness direction of the substrates, and a support frame are formed in the etched layer. In addition, first and second fixed electrodes are formed on the first and second substrates, respectively, at a position facing the movable portion. Further, a remaining sacrificial layer is provided on the substrate by leaving a portion of a second sacrificial layer when a first sacrificial layer is entirely etched away. Therefore, when the first sacrificial layer is etched away, corrosion of the structure and the support beams is prevented because the second sacrificial layer is preferentially corroded as compared to the structure. |
| US08508002B2 |
Semiconductor device
A seal ring structure is formed through a multilayer structure of a plurality of dielectric films in a peripheral part of a chip region to surround the chip region. A dual damascene interconnect in which an interconnect and a plug connected to the interconnect are integrated is formed in at least one of the dielectric films in the chip region. Part of the seal ring structure formed in the dielectric film in which the dual damascene interconnect is formed is continuous. A protection film formed on the multilayer structure has an opening on the seal ring. A cap layer connected to the seal ring is formed in the opening. |
| US08507999B2 |
Semiconductor device, method of fabricating the same, and semiconductor module and electronic system including the semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a cell area and a peripheral area, the cell area having an active region defined by an isolation region, a cell gate structure below an upper surface of the substrate in the cell area, the cell gate crossing the active region, a bit line structure above an upper surface of the substrate in the cell area, the bit line structure including bit line offset spacers on at least two side surfaces thereof, and a peripheral gate structure above an upper surface of the substrate in the peripheral area, the peripheral gate structure including peripheral gate offset spacers and peripheral gate spacers on at least two side surfaces thereof. |
| US08507995B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
In a static memory cell configured using four MOS transistors and two load resistance elements, the MOS transistors are formed on diffusion layers formed on a substrate. The diffusion layers serve as memory nodes. The drain, gate and source of the MOS transistors are arranged in the direction orthogonal to the substrate, and the gate surrounds a columnar semiconductor layer. In addition, the load resistance elements are formed by contact plugs. In this way, it is possible to form a SRAM cell with a small area. |
| US08507994B2 |
Semiconductor device
In a memory cell including CMOS inverters, an increase in an area of the memory cell caused by restrictions on a gate wiring due to a leakage current and restrictions due to design rules is suppressed. A first wiring and a second wiring are laid out as a first metal layer in the memory cell that includes a first inverter and a second inverter. The first wiring is connected with two drains in the first inverter and a second gate wiring in the second inverter. The second wiring is connected with two drains in the second inverter and a first gate wiring in the first inverter. The first wiring is laid out to overlap with the second gate wiring, and the second wiring is laid out to overlap with the first gate wiring. A second metal layer is laid out above the first metal layer, and a third metal layer is laid out above the second metal layer. |
| US08507990B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same
A disclosed semiconductor device includes multiple gate electrodes disposed on a semiconductor substrate; and multiple sidewall spacers disposed on sidewalls of the gate electrodes. The thickness of the sidewall spacers is larger on the sidewalls along longer sides of the gate electrodes than on the sidewalls along shorter sides of the gate electrodes. |
| US08507984B2 |
Semiconductor device limiting electrical discharge of charge
A semiconductor device includes a source region embedded in the surface of the second semiconductor region, a drain region embedded in the surface of the first semiconductor region separated from the second semiconductor region, a gate electrode located on the second semiconductor region, an insulation film located on the first semiconductor region between the second semiconductor region and the drain region, a voltage dividing element dividing the voltage between the gate electrode and the drain region, and a charge transfer limiting element limiting transfer of charge from the voltage dividing element to the drain region. |
| US08507982B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a drift diffusion region of a first conductivity type, a body diffusion region of a second conductivity type, a source diffusion region of the first conductivity type, an insulating film buried in a trench formed in an upper portion of the drift diffusion region and spaced apart from the body diffusion region, a drain diffusion region of the first conductivity type formed in an upper portion of the drift diffusion region and adjacent to the insulating film on the opposite side of the insulating film from the source diffusion region, and a gate electrode formed on a portion of the body diffusion region, the drift diffusion region, and a portion of the insulating film. The drift diffusion region includes a substrate inner region, and a surface region containing an impurity of the first conductivity type at a higher concentration than that of the substrate inner region. |
| US08507980B2 |
Semiconductor devices having bit line interconnections with increased width and reduced distance from corresponding bit line contacts and methods of fabricating such devices
A semiconductor device has a bit line interconnection with a greater width and a reduced level on a bit line contact is provided, as are methods of fabricating such devices. These method includes forming a buried gate electrode to intersect an active region of a substrate. Source and drain regions are formed in the active region. A first conductive pattern is formed on the substrate. The first conductive pattern has a first conductive layer hole configured to expose the drain region. A second conductive pattern is formed in the first conductive layer hole to contact the drain region. A top surface of the second conductive pattern is at a lower level than a top surface of the first conductive pattern. A third conductive layer and a bit line capping layer are formed on the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern and patterned to form a third conductive pattern and a bit line capping pattern. The second conductive pattern, the third conductive pattern, and the bit line capping pattern, which are sequentially stacked on the drain region, constitute first bit line structures, and the first conductive pattern, the third conductive pattern, and the bit line capping pattern, which are sequentially stacked on the isolation region, constitute second bit line structures. |
| US08507978B2 |
Split-gate structure in trench-based silicon carbide power device
An integrated structure includes a plurality of split-gate trench MOSFETs. A plurality of trenches is formed within the silicon carbide substrate composition, each trench is lined with a passivation layer, each trench being substantially filled with a first conductive region a second conductive region and an insulating material having a dielectric constant similar to a dielectric constant of the silicon carbide substrate composition. The first conductive region is separated from the passivation layer by the insulating material. The first and second conductive regions form gate regions for each trench MOSFET. The first conductive region is separated from the second conductive region by the passivation layer. A doped body region of a first conductivity type formed at an upper portion of the substrate composition and a doped source region of a second conductivity type formed inside the doped body region. |
| US08507976B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and method for fabricating the same
A nonvolatile memory device includes a gate structure in which a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a plurality of gate electrodes are alternately stacked; a pass gate electrode lying under the gate structure; a sub channel hole defined in the pass gate electrode; a pair of main channel holes defined through the gate structure and communicating with the sub channel hole; a channel layer formed on inner walls of the pair of main channel holes and the sub channel hole; and a metallic substance layer contacting the channel layer in the sub channel hole. |
| US08507974B2 |
Fin-like field effect transistor (FinFET) non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) device with bottom erase gate
A FinFET device and method for fabricating a FinFET device is disclosed. An exemplary FinFET device includes a semiconductor substrate; an insulator layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate; a fin structure disposed over the insulator layer, the fin structure having a source region, a drain region, and a channel region disposed between the source region and the drain region; a gate structure disposed adjacent to the channel region of the fin structure; and a doped region disposed in the semiconductor substrate below the channel region of the fin structure. The gate structure includes a first gate dielectric layer disposed adjacent to the fin structure, a second gate dielectric layer, a charge storing layer disposed between the first gate dielectric layer and the second gate dielectric layer, and a gate electrode layer disposed adjacent to the second gate dielectric layer. |
| US08507972B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a stacked structural unit, a semiconductor pillar, a memory layer, an inner insulating film, an outer insulating film and a cap insulating film. The unit includes a plurality of electrode films stacked alternately in a first direction with a plurality of inter-electrode insulating films. The pillar pierces the stacked structural unit in the first direction. The memory layer is provided between the electrode films and the semiconductor pillar. The inner insulating film is provided between the memory layer and the semiconductor pillar. The outer insulating film is provided between the memory layer and the electrode films. The cap insulating film is provided between the outer insulating film and the electrode films, and the cap insulating film has a higher relative dielectric constant than the outer insulating film. |
| US08507969B2 |
Method and system for providing contact to a first polysilicon layer in a flash memory device
A method and system for providing at least one contact in a flash memory device is disclosed. The flash memory device includes a plurality of gate stacks and at lease one component including a polysilicon layer as a top surface. The method and system further include forming a silicide on the top surface of the polysilicon layer and providing an insulating layer covering the plurality of gate stacks, the at least one component and the silicide. The method and system also include etching the insulating layer to provide at least one contact hole. The insulating layer etching step uses the silicide as an etch stop layer to ensure that the insulating etching step does not etch through the polysilicon layer. The method and system also include filling the at least one contact hole with a conductor. |
| US08507967B2 |
Method of fabricating semiconductor device having storage capacitor and higher voltage resistance capacitor and semiconductor device fabricated using the same
Provided are a method of fabricating a semiconductor device having different kinds of capacitors, and a semiconductor device formed using the same. In a fabrication process, after preparing a substrate including a storage capacitor region and a higher voltage resistance capacitor region, a lower electrode layer may be formed on the storage capacitor region and the higher voltage resistance capacitor region. A first dielectric film may be formed on the lower electrode layer, and the first dielectric film of the storage capacitor region may be selectively removed to expose the lower electrode layer of the storage capacitor region. After forming a second dielectric film on the first dielectric film and the exposed lower electrode layer of the storage capacitor region, an upper electrode layer may be formed on the second dielectric film. |
| US08507961B2 |
Solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device has improved operating characteristics including a greater withstand voltage and a decrease in the operational noise for the transistors of the device. The solid-state imaging device includes at least a photoelectric converting portion and a plurality of field effect transistors, preferably a thickness of a gate insulating film for the readout and amplifier transistors are different than gate thicknesses of other transistors. |
| US08507960B2 |
Solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device that includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion section, and a conversion section that converts an electric charge generated by photoelectric conversion into a pixel signal. In the solid-state imaging device, substantially only a gate insulation film is formed on a substrate corresponding to an area under a gate electrode of at least one transistor in the pixel. |
| US08507953B2 |
Body controlled double channel transistor and circuits comprising the same
By providing a body controlled double channel transistor, increased functionality in combination with enhanced stability may be accomplished. For instance, flip flop circuits usable for static RAM cells may be formed on the basis of the body controlled double channel transistor, thereby reducing the number of transistors required per cell, which may result in increased information density. |
| US08507952B2 |
Semiconductor wafer, semiconductor device, and method for producing semiconductor wafer
To improve the flatness of the surface and improve the reliability of a semiconductor device when expitaxially growing semiconductor crystal layers of different types on a single silicon wafer, provided is a semiconductor wafer which includes: a base wafer having a silicon crystal in the surface thereof, the silicon crystal having a first dent and a second dent; a first Group IVB semiconductor crystal located in the first dent and exposed; a second Group IVB semiconductor crystal located in the second dent; and a Group III-V compound semiconductor crystal located above the second Group IVB semiconductor crystal in the second dent and exposed. |
| US08507951B2 |
High performance CMOS device design
A semiconductor device includes a gate, which comprises a gate electrode and a gate dielectric underlying the gate electrode, a spacer formed on a sidewall of the gate electrode and the gate dielectric, a buffer layer having a first portion underlying the gate dielectric and the spacer and a second portion adjacent the spacer wherein the top surface of the second portion of the buffer layer is recessed below the top surface of the first portion of the buffer layer, and a source/drain region substantially aligned with the spacer. The buffer layer preferably has a greater lattice constant than an underlying semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device may further include a semiconductor-capping layer between the buffer layer and the gate dielectric, wherein the semiconductor-capping layer has a smaller lattice constant than the buffer layer. |
| US08507950B2 |
Method of producing semiconductor wafer and semiconductor wafer
A method of producing a semiconductor wafer includes placing a base wafer within a reaction chamber, and epitaxially growing a p-type Group 3-5 compound semiconductor on the base wafer by supplying, into the reaction chamber, a Group 3 source gas consisting of an organometallic compound of a Group 3 element, a Group 5 source gas consisting of a compound of a Group 5 element, and an impurity gas including an impurity that is to be incorporated as a dopant into a semiconductor to serve as a donor. Here, during the epitaxial growth of the p-type Group 3-5 compound semiconductor, the flow rate of the impurity gas and the flow rate ratio of the Group 5 source gas to the Group 3 source gas are set so that the product N×d (cm−2) of the residual carrier concentration N (cm−3) and the thickness d (cm) of the p-type Group 3-5 compound semiconductor may be 8.0×1011 or less. |
| US08507949B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a carrier transit layer disposed above the substrate, a compound semiconductor layer disposed on the carrier transit layer, a source electrode disposed on the compound semiconductor layer, a first groove disposed from the back of the substrate up to the inside of the carrier transit layer while penetrating the substrate, a drain electrode disposed in the inside of the first groove, a gate electrode located between the source electrode and the first groove and disposed on the compound semiconductor layer, and a second groove located diagonally under the source electrode and between the source electrode and the first groove and disposed from the back of the substrate up to the inside of the carrier transit layer while penetrating the substrate. |
| US08507947B2 |
High quality GaN high-voltage HFETS on silicon
Substrates of GaN over silicon suitable for forming electronics devices such as heterostructure field effect transistors (HFETs), and methods of making the substrates, are disclosed. Voids in a crystalline Al2O3 film on a top surface of a silicon wafer are formed. The top surface of the silicon wafer is along the <111> silicon crystal orientation. A plurality of laminate layers is deposited over the voids and the Al2O3 film. Each laminate layer includes an AlN film and a GaN film. A transistor or other device may be formed in the top GaN film. |
| US08507942B2 |
Light emitting device, light emitting device package and lighting system
Provided are a light emitting device, a method of manufacturing the light emitting device, a light emitting device package, and a lighting system. The light emitting device includes a substrate, a light emitting structure including a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer on the substrate, the light emitting structure exposing a portion of the first conductive type semiconductor layer upward, a light transmissive electrode having a stepped portion on the second conductive type semiconductor layer, a second electrode on the light transmissive electrode, and a first electrode on the exposed first conductive type semiconductor layer. |
| US08507940B2 |
Heat dissipation by through silicon plugs
The package substrates with through silicon plugs (or vias) described above provide lateral and vertical heat dissipation pathways for semiconductor chips that require thermal management. Designs of through silicon plugs (TSPs) with high duty ratios can most effectively provide heat dissipation. TSP designs with patterns of double-sided combs can provide high duty ratios, such as equal to or greater than 50%. Package substrates with high duty ratios are useful for semiconductor chips that generate large amount of heat. An example of such semiconductor chip is a light-emitting diode (LED) chip. |
| US08507938B2 |
Light-emitting diode structure and method for manufacturing the same
A light-emitting diode (LED) structure and a method for manufacturing the same are described. The light-emitting diode structure includes a p-type electrode, a bonding substrate, a p-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, an epitaxial growth substrate and an n-type electrode. The bonding substrate is disposed on the p-type electrode. The p-type semiconductor layer is disposed on the bonding substrate. The active layer is disposed on the p-type semiconductor layer. The n-type semiconductor layer is disposed on the active layer. The epitaxial growth substrate is disposed on the n-type semiconductor layer, wherein the epitaxial growth substrate includes an opening penetrating the epitaxial growth substrate. The n-type electrode is disposed in the opening and is electrically connected to the n-type semiconductor layer. |
| US08507933B2 |
LED lighting device
A LED lighting device includes a substrate defining a groove formed by a sidewall and a bottom, a LED chip received in the groove, a reflector attached to the side wall, a circuit protection module electrically connected with the LED chip, and a notch defined on the bottom for receiving the circuit protection module. |
| US08507925B2 |
Optoelectronic device and method for manufacturing the same
An optoelectronic device, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of the first semiconductor rods formed on the substrate, contacted with the substrate, and exposed partial of the first surface of the substrate; a first protection layer formed on the sidewall of the plurality of the first semiconductor rods and the exposed partial of the first surface of the substrate; a first buffer layer formed on the plurality of the first semiconductor rods wherein the first buffer layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the plurality of the first semiconductor rods directly contacted with the first surface; and at least one first hollow component formed among the first semiconductor rods, the first surface of the substrate, and the first surface of the first buffer layer and the ratio of the height and the width of the first hollow component is 1/5-3. |
| US08507924B2 |
Light emitting diode with high aspect ratio submicron roughness for light extraction and methods of forming
The surface morphology of an LED light emitting surface is changed by applying a reactive ion etch (RIE) process to the light emitting surface. High aspect ratio, submicron roughness is formed on the light emitting surface by transferring a thin film metal hard-mask having submicron patterns to the surface prior to applying a reactive ion etch process. The submicron patterns in the metal hard-mask can be formed using a low cost, commercially available nano-patterned template which is transferred to the surface with the mask. After subsequently binding the mask to the surface, the template is removed and the RIE process is applied for time duration sufficient to change the morphology of the surface. The modified surface contains non-symmetric, submicron structures having high aspect ratio which increase the efficiency of the device. |
| US08507923B2 |
Light emitting diode package
A light emitting diode (LED) package includes a first serial array of light emitting cells formed on a first substrate to emit light of a relatively short wavelength, and a second serial array of light emitting cells formed on a second substrate to emit light of a relatively long wavelength. The first and second serial arrays are connected to in reverse parallel. The LED package is capable of being operated under AC power and emitting white light with excellent color reproduction characteristics and luminous efficiency. |
| US08507917B2 |
Thin film transistor, method for manufacturing the same, and display device using the same
A thin film transistor includes a substrate, a semiconductor layer provided on the substrate and crystallized by using a metal catalyst, a gate electrode insulated from and disposed on the semiconductor layer, and a getter layer disposed between the semiconductor layer and the gate electrode and formed with a metal oxide having a diffusion coefficient that is less than that of the metal catalyst in the semiconductor layer. |
| US08507913B2 |
Method of bonding wafers
A method of bonding wafers with an aluminum-germanium bond includes forming an aluminum layer on a first wafer, and a germanium layer on a second wafer, and implanting the germanium layer with non-germanium atoms prior to forming a eutectic bond at the aluminum-germanium interface. The wafers are aligned to a desired orientation and the two layers are held in contact with one another. The aluminum-germanium interface is heated to a temperature that allows the interface of the layers to melt, thus forming a bond. A portions of the germanium layer may be removed from the second wafer to allow infrared radiation to pass through the second wafer to facilitate wafer alignment. |
| US08507907B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
It is to provide a semiconductor memory device in which high voltage is not needed in writing, a defect is less likely to occur, the writing time is short, and data cannot be rewritten without an increase in cost. The semiconductor memory device includes a memory element which includes a diode-connected first transistor, a second transistor whose gate is connected to one terminal of a source electrode and a drain electrode of the diode-connected first transistor, and a capacitor connected to the one terminal of the source electrode and the drain electrode of the diode-connected first transistor and the gate of the second transistor. |
| US08507901B2 |
Organic material and electrophotographic device
The invention relates to an electronic device, particularly photoreceptor or electrophotographic device, comprising an organic function material, which comprises an electron transport component and a hole trap component, to an organic material, which is a mixture or a copolymer comprising an electron transport component and a hole trap component, its use as charge transport material in a photoreceptor or electrophotographic device, especially of the positive charging type, and to electronic devices comprising such a material. |
| US08507900B2 |
Benzofluoranthene derivative and organic electroluminescence element comprising same
A benzofluoranthene derivative represented by the following formula (1): wherein at least one pair of “R1 and R2” and “R3 and R4” is bonded together to form a ring represented by the following formula (2): |
| US08507898B2 |
Organic thin film transistor, method for manufacturing the same, display member using the organic thin film transistor, and display
An object of the present invention is to provide an organic thin film transistor a gate insulating film of which can be formed at a low temperature. The organic thin film transistor of the present invention includes a source electrode, a drain electrode, an organic semiconductor layer which becomes a current path between the source electrode and the drain electrode, a gate electrode which controls an electric current passing through the current path, and an insulating layer which insulates the organic semiconductor layer from the gate electrode, wherein the insulating layer is formed of a cured substance of a composition containing a first compound having, in the molecule, two or more groups that produce a functional group which reacts with an active hydrogen group by electromagnetic radiations or heat, and a second compound having two or more active hydrogen groups in the molecule, where at least one of the first compound and the second compound is a polymer compound. |
| US08507897B2 |
Organic EL element having a partition with a step, method for manufacturing organic EL element, organic EL device, and electronic apparatus
An organic EL element includes a functional layer disposed between an anode and a cathode on a substrate and including laminated different organic thin films including a light-emitting layer, and a partition wall which defines the functional layer. Each of the organic thin films is formed by applying a liquid containing a functional layer-forming material on a film-forming region defined by the partition wall and then drying the liquid. The partition wall has at least one step portion provided in the side wall thereof in the thickness direction, and liquid repellency is imparted to the uppermost surface of the partition wall and the upper surface of the step portion. The surface of the side wall excluding the step portion has lyophilicity in comparison with the upper surface of the step portion. |
| US08507896B2 |
Compounds having electroluminescent or electron transport properties
A compound of the formula R1(CR3═CR4)nAr(CR4═CR3)nR2 wherein: n is 0 or 1; Ar represents aryl or heteroaryl having 1-5 aromatic rings which may be chain or fused or a combination of chain and fused, which may be substituted with alkoxy, fluoro, fluoroalkyl or cyano and which in the case of a 5-membered ring nitrogen heteroatom may be N-substituted with aryl or substituted aryl optionally further substituted with alkoxy, fluoro, fluoroalkyl or cyano; R1 and R2 independently represent aryl or nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur-containing heteroaryl having two to four fused aromatic rings one of which may be 5-membered and optionally substituted by aryl or heteroaryl having 1-5 chain or fused aromatic rings which may be further substituted with alkoxy, fluoro, fluoroalkyl or cyano; and R3 and R4 independently represent hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or benzyl. |
| US08507892B2 |
Omega shaped nanowire tunnel field effect transistors
A method for forming a nanowire tunnel field effect transistor device includes forming a nanowire connected to a first pad region and a second pad region, the nanowire including a core portion and a dielectric layer, forming a gate structure on the dielectric layer of the nanowire, forming a first protective spacer on portions of the nanowire, implanting ions in a first portion of the exposed nanowire and the first pad region, implanting in the dielectric layer of a second portion of the exposed nanowire and the second pad region, removing the dielectric layer from the second pad region and the second portion, removing the core portion of the second portion of the exposed nanowire to form a cavity, and epitaxially growing a doped semiconductor material in the cavity to connect the exposed cross sections of the nanowire to the second pad region. |
| US08507887B2 |
Resistance change memory and method of manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a resistance change memory includes a first interconnect line extending in a first direction, a second interconnect line extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, a cell unit which is provided at the intersection of the first interconnect line and the second interconnect line and which includes a memory element and a non-ohmic element that are connected in series. The non-ohmic element has a first semiconductor layer which includes at least one diffusion buffering region and a conductive layer adjacent to the first semiconductor layer. The diffusion buffering region is different in crystal structure from a semiconductor region except for the diffusion buffering region in the first semiconductor layer. |
| US08507883B2 |
Extreme ultraviolet light source apparatus
An extreme ultraviolet light source apparatus provided with a magnetic field forming unit having sufficient capability of protection against ions radiated from plasma while using a relatively small magnetic source. The apparatus includes: a target nozzle for injecting a target material; a driver laser for applying a laser beam to the target material to generate plasma; a collector mirror for collecting extreme ultraviolet light radiated from the plasma; and a magnetic field forming unit including at least one magnetic source and at least one magnetic material having two leading end parts projecting from the at least one magnetic source to face each other with a plasma emission point in between, and forming a magnetic field between a trajectory of the target material and the collector mirror. |
| US08507877B2 |
Non-linear optical system and techniques
Methods and systems are described using a non-linear optical system comprising a laser and a light delivery system comprising a single mode fiber, a mode converter, and a high order mode fiber, wherein the light delivery system that receives light from the source and provides a structured free-space beam having an embedded Gaussian beam. The light delivery system functions to illuminate a region of a sample and generate a non-linear response in a spatial region smaller than that associated with a Gaussian beam having a width comparable to the width of the embedded Gaussian beam. In another aspect, the light delivery system illuminates a region of a sample and generates a non-linear emission of radiation, is depicted. A further aspect of this embodiment includes an imaging assembly for detecting the non-linear emission and using a signal derived from the detected emission to generate a microscopic image of the sample. |
| US08507873B2 |
Drift measuring method, charged particle beam writing method, and charged particle beam writing apparatus
A detector 32 measures the value of the current formed by reflected electrons generated as a result of irradiation of a reference mark on a substrate with an electron beam 54, where the reference mark is made of a material having a different reflectance than the substrate. The signal from the detector 32 is amplified by a detecting unit 33 and converted to a digital signal by an A/D conversion unit 34. A control computer 19 then performs averaging processing on the digital signal which is then used for drift compensation by a writing data correcting unit 31. |
| US08507869B2 |
Methods and systems for adaptive tomographic imaging
Nuclear imaging systems, non-transitory computer readable media and methods for adaptive imaging are presented. Particularly, the present method includes acquiring preliminary projection data by scanning each of one or more views of a subject for a determined preliminary scan interval. Further, a region of interest of the subject is identified. The preliminary projection data is then used to perform a constrained optimization of a rapidly computable image quality metric for determining an acquisition protocol that improves the image quality metric at the identified region of interest. Particularly, the determined acquisition protocol is used to acquire target projection data corresponding to at least the identified region of interest. Further, an image of at least the identified region of interest is reconstructed using the target projection data, the preliminary projection data, or a combination thereof. |
| US08507866B2 |
Cold-shielded infrared dispersive spectrometer with all ambient optics
A dispersive infrared spectrometer in which only a minimum number of optical components, for example, the detector sub-system only, are housed within a cold/cryogenic dewar and the remaining optical components are at ambient temperature during operation of the spectrometer. In one example, the spectrometer includes a slit substrate with a highly reflective surface, and the optical components of the spectrometer are configured and arranged such that for all in-band wavelengths, substantially all off-slit optical paths in the detector field of view are retro-reflected off the reflective surface of the slit substrate into the cryogenic dewar. |
| US08507857B2 |
Charged particle beam inspection apparatus and inspection method using charged particle beam
A charged particle beam inspection apparatus includes: an electron gun emitting an electron beam; first and second condenser lenses used to focus the electron beam; a beam control panel disposed between the first and second condenser lenses; and a control unit performing stabilizing processing in which excitation currents respectively supplied to the first condenser lens and the second condenser lens are set to have predetermined values, thereby the current amount of the electron beam passing through an opening of the beam control panel is regulated so that the electron beam to be emitted onto the sample has a larger current amount than that at a measurement, and then the electron beam is emitted onto the sample for a predetermined time period. After the stabilizing processing, the control unit sets the values of the excitation currents back to values for the measurement in order to measure dimensions of the sample, the excitation currents respectively supplied to the first and second condenser lenses. |
| US08507856B2 |
Pattern measuring method and pattern measuring device
A pattern measuring method and device are provided which set a reference position for a measuring point to be measured by a scanning electron microscope and the like, based on position information of a reference pattern on an image acquired from the scanning electron microscope and based on a positional relation, detected by using design data, between the measuring point and the reference pattern formed at a position isolated from the measuring point. |
| US08507855B2 |
Inductive modulation of focusing voltage in charged beam system
A modulator of a charged particle beam system is arranged to generate a modulation signal that is provided to an inductor, which receives the modulation signal and modulates, by inductance, a supply voltage signal for the charged particle beam system. Modulation of the supply voltage signal changes a focal length of a charged particle beam produced by the charged particle beam system. |
| US08507851B2 |
Nano-electrospray ionization technique and device
Nano-electrospray ionization techniques include the introduction of a separation solvent containing a sample to a column-integrated needle having a column filled with a resin for liquid chromatography. The separated sample components are sprayed from the tip of the column-integrated needle toward a sample introduction orifice of a mass spectrometer. An organic solvent is simultaneously introduced to a solvent-supplying needle. The organic solvent is supplied from the tip of the solvent-supplying needle to the tip of the column-integrated needle. |
| US08507845B2 |
Membrane detector for time-of-flight mass spectrometry
The invention provides methods, and related devices and device components, for detecting, sensing and analyzing analytes in samples. In some aspects, the invention provides methods, and related devices and device components, useful in combination with a mass analyzer for the mass spectrometric analysis of analytes derived from biomolecules in biological samples including biological fluids cell extracts, and cell lysates. Methods of some aspects of the invention utilize a thin membrane-based detector as a transducer for converting the kinetic energies of analytes into a field emission signal via excitation of mechanical vibrations in an electromechanically biased membrane by generation of a thermal gradient. |
| US08507842B2 |
Method for identifying 3-D location of gamma interaction and flat panel gamma imaging head apparatus using the same
The present invention provides a method for identifying a 3-D event location of a gamma interaction for enhancing the precision of event location determination and improving the practicability of an edge-on ends-read imaging detector. The method establishes two expected photopeak relations and a mapping table for every unit in the sensor array before imaging. In real practice, two sensing values with respect to the energy of scintillation photons generated during the detection on an event are obtained by the edge-on ends-read imaging detector. Furthermore, two energy windows corresponding to each sensing value are determined according to the corresponding expected photopeak relations. If both the two sensing values fall within the corresponding energy windows respectively, the event location along the long axis of sensor array is determined according to the sensor values with respect to the mapping table mentioned above. |
| US08507840B2 |
Vertically structured passive pixel arrays and methods for fabricating the same
An image sensor and methods of use the image sensor, methods of manufacturing the image sensor, and apparatuses comprising the image sensor are disclosed. The image sensor has pixels includes at least one nanopillar with a gate electrode surrounding the at least one nanopillar, wherein the at least one nanopillar is adapted to convert light impinging thereon to electrical signals and the gate electrode is operable to pinch off or allow current flow through the at least one nanopillar. The image sensor can have a plurality of pixels arranged in an individually addressable fashion. The at least one nanopillar has a cladding. A refractive index of the cladding being smaller than a refractive index of the nanopillar. |
| US08507839B2 |
Image intensifier tube with a mounting surface
An optical system includes an optical bench defining a mounting surface, an objective lens mounted to the optical bench, and an image intensifier tube. The image intensifier tube includes: (i) a housing defining an interior region and a mounting surface, and (ii) a photocathode bonded to a glass faceplate defining a faceplate surface, wherein the photocathode is positioned within the interior region of the housing, and wherein the mounting surface of the housing resides on the same plane as the faceplate surface. The mounting surface of the optical bench is mounted onto the mounting surface of the image intensifier tube housing such that the mounting surface of the optical bench resides on the same plane as the faceplate surface and the faceplate surface of the faceplate is the surface of the faceplate that is positioned closest to the objective lens. |
| US08507835B2 |
Auto-focusing method which uses a different focus determining method according to a type of corresponding focus graph, recording medium recording the method, and auto-focusing apparatus performing the method
An auto-focusing method of creating a focus value when a point light source image and an image having a low contrast are focused, a recording medium recording the method, and an auto-focusing apparatus for performing the method are provided. In an embodiment, point light source reference graphs and non-point light source graphs are previously stored in a database, a reference graph having the most similar pattern to a focus graph is created by comparing the focus graph of input images to the point light source and non-point light source reference graphs, and a focus value is created when an image is focused using a different method according to the type of corresponding reference graph. |
| US08507834B2 |
System and method for autofocusing an optical system through image spectral analysis
A system and method of autofocusing an optical system uses transforms of images or portions of images formed by the optical system. A detector is used to capture images at different positions relative to the optical system. Transforms and blur spread parameters are calculated for the images for use in determining a position to which the detector should be moved to autofocus the system. |