| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08553943B2 |
Content-adaptive systems, methods and apparatus for determining optical flow
Embodiments include methods and systems which determine pixel displacement between frames based on a respective weighting-value for each pixel or a group of pixels. The weighting-values provide an indication as to which pixels are more pertinent to optical flow computations. Computational resources and effort can be focused on pixels with higher weights, which are generally more pertinent to optical flow determinations. |
| US08553941B2 |
Methods, circuits, devices, apparatuses and systems for providing image composition rules, analysis and improvement
The present invention includes methods, circuits, devices, apparatuses and systems for analyzing, characterizing and/or rating the composition of images. Further embodiments of the present invention include methods, circuits, devices, apparatuses and systems for providing instructive feedback or automatic corrective actions, relating to the quality of the composition of an image, to a user of an imaging device (e.g. digital camera, camera phone, etc.)—Optionally while the user is preparing to acquire an image, i.e. in real time. Embodiments of the present invention may further include methods, circuits, devices, apparatuses and systems for extracting image composition related rules based on analysis of composition parameters of rated images. |
| US08553933B2 |
Edge diversity object detection
Methods for detecting objects in an image. The method includes a) receiving magnitude and orientation values for each pixel in an image and b) assigning each pixel to one of a predetermined number of orientation bins based on the orientation value of each pixel. The method also includes c) determining, for a first pixel, a maximum of all the pixel magnitude values for each orientation bin in a predetermined region surrounding the first pixel. The method also includes d) summing the maximum pixel magnitude values for each of the orientation bins in the predetermined region surrounding the first pixel, e) assigning the sum to the first pixel and f) repeating steps c), d) and e) for all the pixels in the image. |
| US08553931B2 |
System and method for adaptively defining a region of interest for motion analysis in digital video
A system and method for adaptively defining a region of interest for motion analysis in digital video is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of detecting a gesture is disclosed which comprises receiving a video sequence comprising a plurality of frames, determining a region of interest which excludes a portion of the frame, and detecting the gesture within the region of interest. |
| US08553928B2 |
Image processing method and image inspecting method
The present invention relates to an image processing method and image inspecting method with high versatility which enable efficient and highly accurate proof of authenticity of a digital image. The image processing method subjects at least a part of a digital image which can exist temporarily or continuously in a falsification-vulnerable environment, to a first morphology operation using a predetermined structuring element, to process the digital image. The image inspecting method subjects the digital image thus processed, to a second morphology operation using the same structuring element as in the first morphology operation. The morphology operations have the idempotent and the presence or absence of falsification can be detected by determining identity of images before and after the second morphology operation. |
| US08553923B2 |
Earphone having an articulated acoustic tube
An in-ear earphone has a housing in which a driver is located. An articulated acoustic tube is coupled to the housing at its near end portion. The acoustic tube has an open far end portion that is to be inserted into an ear. A hinge or pivot mechanism is formed in the tube, between the near and far end portions. An acoustic aperture formed within the mechanism acoustically couples sound pressure waves, generated by the driver, to the far end portion of the acoustic tube. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08553922B2 |
Earphone microphone
An earphone microphone is constituted of a main unit and an insert portion which are united in an L-shape. Two receivers are attached to the external surface of the main unit and exposed externally of a user's ear, while one receiver is attached to a distal end of the insert portion that is inserted into a user's external auditory canal and disposed opposite to a user's eardrum. A signal processor produces a difference signal between the output signals of two receivers exposed externally of the user's ear. The difference signal is subjected to high-pass filtering and subsequently added to the output signal of the receiver disposed inside the user's external auditory canal, thus producing a sound signal representing a user's sound. The sound signal includes a sufficient number of frequency components (e.g. frequency components higher than 3 kHz) prerequisite for discriminating the user's sound. |
| US08553919B2 |
Garment with built-in audio source wiring
An audio source system may be built into a garment such as a hooded garment in such a way that safety concerns such as with a hooded garment for children are taken into account so that the audio system wiring cannot be made loose causing a danger of strangulation nor can the hood be cinched. This is done by putting speakers into the hood between a lining and an outer layer and passing the wires into the space between them and then into a tube that is open to the hood inner space and down the tube to a pocket in the body of the garment. Also securing tabs are used to prevent cinching action upon pulling the wire. |
| US08553916B2 |
Method and hearing aid for changing the sequence of program positions
A method, hearing aid, and computer product for changing the sequence of program positions of hearing programs are provided. The program positions of the hearing programs have a predefinable sequence. Time periods, within which hearing programs are selected, are measured. A new sequence of the program positions is calculated taking the measured time periods into account. The sequence of the program positions after a predefinable time span is modified in accordance with the calculated sequence. As a result hearing aids adapt to changed environments and place favorite programs in the front section of the program positions in accordance with the hearing aid wearer's preference. |
| US08553915B2 |
Hearing aid adjustment device, hearing aid adjustment method, and program for hearing aid adjustment
A hearing aid adjustment device (1) has a comparator (22a) and a setting section (22b). The comparator (22a) compares a user evaluation given by a user (T) of a hearing aid (5) in response to sound obtained by hearing aid processing based on fitting theories and hearing level data for the user (T), with a reference evaluation that has been acquired ahead of time and corresponds to each of customers (A to C) and is given by the customers (A to C) in response to sound obtained by hearing aid processing based on fitting theories and hearing level data for the customers (A to C). The setting section (22b) sets the value of a user parameter designating hearing aid processing to be given to a user (T), to a value that is the same as the value of a reference parameter that has been acquired ahead of time and that designates hearing aid processing suited to a customer (A) who gave a reference evaluation similar to the user evaluation, out of the customers (A to C). |
| US08553914B2 |
Apparatus for reproduction of stereo sound
Apparatus for reproducing stereo sound having a housing (1, 25) defining an at least partially enclosed space. A first transducer (7) or pair of transducers (28, 29) is provided and arranged to reproduce one, both or the sum of two audio signals. A pair of transducers (10, 32) is also provided and arranged to reproduce a signal comprising the difference of the two audio signals. As the transducers communicate with the at least partially enclosed space, and the transducers arranged to reproduce the difference between the two audio signals are each arranged to direct their output primarily in a direction generally at right angles to the direction in which the first transducer or pair of transducers primarily direct their output. The apparatus may be arranged to be placed on or adjacent a generally flat surface, and the transducers arranged to reproduce the difference of the two audio signals may be arranged to direct their output towards the flat surface. |
| US08553913B2 |
Condenser microphone and head thereof
A head of a condenser microphone includes: a condenser microphone unit; a housing supporting the condenser microphone unit; a first circuit board arranged adjacent to the condenser microphone unit in the housing; a second circuit board arranged remote from the condenser microphone unit and separated from the first circuit board in the housing; and a magnetic sheet arranged between and separated from the first circuit board and the second circuit board in the housing, the first circuit board including a circuit for processing an audio signal from the condenser microphone unit; the second circuit board including a DC-DC converter circuit unit for generating a polarization voltage to be applied to the condenser microphone unit. |
| US08553912B2 |
Thermoacoustic device
A thermoacoustic device includes a sound wave generator, a signal element and a support element. The sound wave generator includes a carbon nanotube structure. The signal element is configured to transmit a signal. The carbon nanotube structure is configured to receive the signal and generate a sound wave. The support element includes a metal substrate and an insulating layer located on the metal substrate. The insulating layer is sandwiched between the metal substrate and the sound wave generator. The thermoacoustic device further includes two electrodes electrically connected to the carbon nanotube structure. |
| US08553911B2 |
Diaphragm of MEMS electroacoustic transducer
A diaphragm of an MEMS electroacoustic transducer including a first axis-symmetrical pattern layer is provided. Because the layout of the first axis-symmetrical pattern layer can match the pattern of the sound wave, the vibration uniformity of the diaphragm can be improved. |
| US08553907B2 |
Portable computer electrical grounding and audio system architectures
A portable computing device having a substantially non-conducting outer housing and alternative electrical grounding and audio system architectures is disclosed. The device can be a laptop computer having a main logic board, a keyboard assembly, an audio source positioned below the keyboard assembly, and an equalizer electrically coupled to the audio source, with each of these components being electrically coupled to a universal grounding structure. The audio source emits sound waves that are propagated through the keyboard assembly and between gaps between keyboard keys and the outer housing. Settings for the equalizer can be selected to account for sound absorption and amplification characteristics of the sound waves along these sound transmission paths. The universal grounding structure includes a plurality of separate ground components that are electrically intercoupled, each being substantially smaller than the overall portable computing device, and also includes an electromagnetic interference shield around the main logic board. |
| US08553906B2 |
Apparatus for enabling karaoke
There is provided an apparatus for enabling karaoke. The apparatus includes a casing for the apparatus; a microphone array incorporated within the casing, the microphone array being concealed from a user by the casing; a controller coupled to the microphone array to at least process audio signals from the user input at the microphone array; a data storage device coupled to the controller, the data storage device being for storing pre-recorded songs used for karaoke, and for storing songs as sung by the user; and an image capturing device coupled to the controller, the image capturing device being for capturing images of the user while the user is singing, with the captured images of the user being stored on the data storage device. |
| US08553905B2 |
Always on headwear recording system
A system that records audio and stores the recording is provided. The system includes first and second monitoring assemblies mounted in an earpiece that occludes and forms an acoustic seal of an ear canal. The first monitoring assembly includes an ambient sound microphone (ASM) to monitor an ambient acoustic field and produce an ASM signal. The second monitoring assembly includes an ear canal microphone (ECM) to monitor an acoustic field within the ear canal and produce an ECM signal. The system also includes a data storage device configured to act as a circular buffer for continually storing at least one of the ECM signal or the ASM signal, a further data storage device and a record-activation system. The record-activation system activates the further data storage device to record a content of the data storage device. |
| US08553904B2 |
Systems and methods for performing sound source localization
Systems and methods for performing sound source localization are provided. In one aspect, a method for locating a sound source using a computing device subdivides a space into subregions. The method then computes a sound source power for each of subregions and determines which of the sound source energies is the largest. When the volume of the subregion is less than a threshold volume, the method outputs the subregion having the largest sound source power. Otherwise, the stages of partitioning, computing, and determining the subregion having the largest sound source power is repeated. |
| US08553901B2 |
Cancellation of bone-conducted sound in a hearing prosthesis
An hearing prosthesis configured to cancel received bone-conducted sound. The hearing prosthesis comprises: first and second matched microphones configured to be implanted in a recipient in a spaced arrangement such that the first microphone receives air-conducted sound signals and bone-conducted sound signals substantially simultaneously, and wherein the second microphone receives bone-conducted sound signals at substantially the same time as the first microphone and receives the air-conducted sound signals after a time delay. The time delay results in a relative phase difference between the air-conducted sound signals and the bone-conducted sound signals received by the second microphone. The prosthesis also comprises a noise cancellation system configured to cancel, based on the phase difference, the bone-conducted sound signals received by the first and second microphones. |
| US08553899B2 |
Output phase modulation entrainment containment for digital filters
Method and apparatus for entrainment containment in digital filters using output phase modulation. Phase change is gradually introduced into the acoustic feedback canceller loop to avoid entrainment of the feedback canceller filter. Various embodiments employing different output phase modulation approaches are set forth and time and frequency domain examples are provided. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents. |
| US08553898B2 |
Method and system for reducing acoustical reverberations in an at least partially enclosed space
A method of increasing the intelligibility of an audio broadcast in an at least partially enclosed space from at least one amplified audio source. An input microphone receives an incident audio wavefront at a first position in the at least partially enclosed space. An active noise control system is employed to generate a cancelling audio wavefront having a magnitude substantially equal to the magnitude of incident audio wavefront and a phase substantially opposite to the phase of the incident audio wavefront. The cancelling audio wavefront is broadcast at a second position in the at least partially enclosed space adjacent to a reflective surface of the at least partially enclosed space so as to attenuate the incident audio wavefront substantially at or near the reflective surface in order to reduce reverberations of the incident audio wavefront. In this manner, reverberations which could reduce the intelligibility of the audio broadcast to an audience is reduced. |
| US08553895B2 |
Device and method for generating an encoded stereo signal of an audio piece or audio datastream
A device for generating an encoded stereo signal from a multi-channel representation includes a multi-channel decoder generating three of more multi-channels from at least one basic channel and parametric information. The three or more multi-channels are subjected to headphone signal processing to generate an uncoded first stereo channel and an uncoded second stereo channel which are then supplied to a stereo encoder to generate an encoded stereo file on the output side. The encoded stereo file may be supplied to any suitable player in the form of a CD player or a hardware player such that a user of the player does not only get a normal stereo impression but a multi-channel impression. |
| US08553894B2 |
Active and passive directional acoustic radiating
An three-way audio system that uses directional arrays for radiating mid-frequency acoustic energy and passive directional devices to radiate the high frequencies. the system includes a left channel, a right channel, and a center channel. A crossover network separates the left channel and the right channel into low frequency content, midrange frequency content, and high frequency content. An omnidirectional acoustical device radiates acoustic energy corresponding to the low frequency content of the combined left channel, right channel and center channel. A first directional array, comprising signal processing circuitry and more than one acoustic driver, radiates acoustic energy corresponding to the midrange content of one of the left channel and right channel signal so that more acoustic energy corresponding to the midrange content of one of the left channel signal and the right channel signal is radiated laterally than in other directions. A first passive directional device, radiates acoustic energy corresponding to the high frequency content of the one of the left channel and right channel signal so that more acoustic energy corresponding to the high frequency content of the one of the left channel signal and the right channel signal is radiated laterally than in other directions. |
| US08553893B2 |
Sound processing device, speaker apparatus, and sound processing method
A sound processing device includes an inputting section which inputs L-ch audio data and R-ch audio data, a delaying section which applies a delaying process to the L-ch audio data and the R-ch audio data for a delay time that is set in a range from 62.5 microsecond to 125 microsecond, an adding section which adds the delayed L-ch audio data to the inputted L-ch audio data, and which adds the delayed R-ch audio data to the inputted R-ch audio data, a phase adjusting section which adjusts a phase of the added L-ch audio data into a phase that is different from a phase of the input L-ch audio data, and which adjusts a phase of the added R-ch audio data into a phase that is different from a phase of the inputted R-ch audio data, and an outputting section which adds the L-ch audio data whose phase is adjusted by the phase adjusting section to the inputted R-ch audio data and outputs resultant R-ch audio data, and which adds the R-ch audio data whose phase is adjusted by the phase adjusting section to the inputted L-ch audio data and outputs resultant L-ch audio data. |
| US08553891B2 |
Low complexity parametric stereo decoder
A stereo audio decoder generates a set of stereo output channels in response to a parametric audio input including signal parameters and stereo related parameters. A parameter processor generates two different set of parameters based on the input signal parameters thus up-mixing the signal parameters by altering or manipulating the signal parameters corresponding to the stereo related parameters. The two different parameters are synthesized by separate signal synthesizers to form respective stereo output channels. The signal synthesizers may be sinusoidal synthesizers, and the decoder also includes transient and noise synthesizers to generate transient and noise signal portions to be applied to the stereo output channels. Further, different transient and noise signal portions to the output channels may be provided by applying different gains based on the stereo related parameter. The two different parameters may be determined from current and previous signal parameter inputs using an input delay line. |
| US08553890B2 |
Sound reproduction method and sound reproduction system
A sound reproduction system includes low frequency speaker units for reproducing low frequency sounds by receiving audio signals on low frequency channels among a plurality of channels, and a holder for holding the low frequency speaker units so as to be disposed in the vicinity of both ears of a listener without being mounted on baffle boards so that sounds from front and back surfaces of diaphragms of the low frequency speaker units are added. |
| US08553888B2 |
Generation of communication device signatures for use in securing nomadic electronic transactions
A method for execution in a communication device, which comprises accessing an identifier stored in a memory; receiving a first data set and a second data set over a first communication path; generating a first signature from the identifier and the first data set; generating a second signature from the identifier and the second data set; responding to a first request by releasing a first response including the first signature over a local communication path different from the first communication path; and responding to a subsequent request by releasing a second response including the second signature over the local communication path. |
| US08553887B2 |
Method for generating dynamic group key
A method of generating a dynamic group key of a group formed of a plurality of nodes, the method including: unicasting a public key that is based on respective secret keys of each of a plurality of general nodes excluding a master node, which is one of the plurality of nodes, wherein the unicasting is performed by the general nodes; broadcasting to the group an encryption value obtained by exponentially-calculating a secret key of the master node to the plurality of public keys, wherein the broadcasting is performed by the master node upon receiving the plurality of public keys; and obtaining a group key by using an inverse power-calculation of the respective secret keys of each of the general nodes based on the encryption value, wherein the obtaining is performed by the general nodes. |
| US08553886B2 |
Method, system, and computer product for managing radio-tag, managing advertisement, and using radio tag
An advertisement management device generates and manages advertisement information and an advertisement identifier, a tag management unit generates a tag identifier and tag information unique to the tag identifier, and manages the tag identifier, the tag information, and the advertisement identifier generated by the advertisement management device in associated manner. The tag management unit sends the tag identifier and the advertisement identifier to the radio tag. A reader reads the tag identifier and the advertisement identifier from the radio tag, sends the tag identifier to the tag management unit, and sends the advertisement identifier to the advertisement management unit. The tag management unit sends tag information corresponding to the tag identifier received from the reading unit to a display unit, and the advertisement management unit sends advertisement information corresponding to the advertisement identifier received from the reading unit to the display unit. |
| US08553885B2 |
Wireless personal area network having authentication and associated methods
A wireless personal area network (WPAN) system includes a plurality of WPAN devices using encrypted wireless communication therebetween when in an enabled state and not wirelessly communicating when in a disabled state. At least one of the WPAN devices includes a WPAN identity reader for reading at least one identifying parameter of a user, for confirming that the user is an authorized user based upon reading the at least one identifying parameter, and for wirelessly communicating with at least one other WPAN device to switch the at least one other WPAN device from the disabled state to the enabled state based upon confirming the user is an authorized user. |
| US08553880B2 |
Pseudorandom number generating system, encryption system, and decryption system
The pseudorandom number generating system repeatedly performs simple transformation of a non-secure pseudorandom number sequence that may be generated quickly, and thus may quickly generate a highly secure pseudorandom number sequence having a long period. Furthermore, the encryption system and the decryption system do not generate a large encryption function difficult to be deciphered based on a shared key 122, but prepare multiple functions 126, which perform fast, different types of transformation, and select a combination of functions determined based on information of the shared key 122, and make the selected functions transform a text multiple times, thereby encrypt the text. Each of the functions is fast, and thus transformation by the entire combination is also fast. Furthermore, since the combination of functions and repetitive count can be changed, future improvement in specification is easy. Moreover, security is high since which functions are applied in what order is unknown. |
| US08553879B2 |
Content transmission device and content transmission method
Provided is a content transmission device 310 that can reduce failure of content key confirmation processing during special playback such as fast-forwarding and fast-rewinding. A key management unit 312 generates or updates a key parameter, and stores therein the generated or updated key parameter. The key management unit 312 receives a key parameter from the content reception device 340, and calculates a difference between the key parameter stored therein and the received key parameter. By using the calculated difference, a transmission control unit 313 judges whether or not to change a transmission speed at which an encrypted content portion is to be transmitted, and depending on a result of the judgment, selects one of transmission speeds and transmits the encrypted content portion in accordance with the selected transmission speed. When the difference is greater than a first threshold value, the transmission control unit 313 selects one of the transmission speeds that is slower than a current transmission speed. |
| US08553877B2 |
Substitution table masking for cryptographic processes
A computing device-implemented method and system is provided for obtaining an interim masked substitution table value for a given input component in a cryptographic round, such as an AES cryptographic round, using a substitution table and a self-cancelling mask. A mask with a length equal to an entry in the substitution table is provided, wherein the mask comprises a plurality of mask components of equal length such that a bitwise logical inequality operation such as XOR on the mask components equals zero, and the substitution table is masked with this mask. For each of input component, an interim masked substitution table value is obtained from the substitution table thus masked. |
| US08553875B2 |
Phone-independent key expansion module
A button box provides additional keys that can be used in conjunction with a telephone. In one embodiment, a button box is configured by associating it with a telephone and by programming its keys. When a key on the button box is activated, a key press event is sent from the button box to the associated phone. The phone treats the key press event as if a key on the phone itself had been activated and forwards the event to the voice switch appliance associated with the phone. (Alternatively, the key press event is sent from the button box directly to a voice switch appliance.) The button box's user interface is controlled by a voice switch appliance. |
| US08553874B2 |
Display cover and case for a communication device
A cover system for a communication device and a case for the communication device are provided. The system comprises: a first cover and a second cover. The first cover has a shape to fit in a recessed region of a case of a communication device, the recessed region bounding a display opening and a speaker opening in the case; a first region adapted to cover the display opening; a second region to enclose the speaker opening; and at least one hole in the second region to provide a conduit through the first cover to the speaker opening. The second cover covers the second region and is shaped to allow ambient air to pass around the second cover to the at least one hole. |
| US08553871B2 |
Call monitoring system
According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of monitoring consumer calls placed to a business and conducted between a consumer and a business representative can comprise receiving a telephone call placed to a business from a consumer; directing the telephone call to a business representative for the business; recording a telephone conversation between the business representative and the consumer; storing the recorded conversation in a memory device; recording a plurality of conversations between a plurality of consumers and at least the business representative; providing the business representative with access to the plurality of recorded conversations in which the business representative participated so as to be able to play back at least one of the recorded conversations. |
| US08553869B2 |
Method for implementing RBT interworking, media gateway control function device, and application server
A method for implementing Ring Back Tone (RBT) interworking, a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF) device, and an Application Server (AS) are provided. A Multimedia Ring Back Tone (MRBT) service is triggered when a Circuit Switched (CS) user originates a call to an MRBT subscriber in an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The method includes: receiving a message sent by an MRBT AS, where the message carries video RBT information; and notifying a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) to put through a calling terminal if determining that a video RBT needs to be played to the calling terminal according to the message. Therefore, a video RBT can be played when a CS user originates a call to an IMS user in the case of network interworking. An IMS video RBT may be played to the calling party when the CS user originates a call to the IMS user. |
| US08553863B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing dynamic international calling rates
A method and apparatus for enabling VoIP service providers to dynamically adjust international calling rates as a function of adjustments made with partner carrier arrangements that VoIP service providers put in place are disclosed. Thus VoIP service providers can pass on savings, if the new calling rate is lower than the old calling rate, to their subscribers in order to enhance the loyalty of existing subscribers. Instead of having subscribers to call into customer service centers to take advantage of these new lower international calling rates, the new calling rates will be updated dynamically and immediately for subscribers without these subscribers having to call in to request their billing rates to match the new calling rates. |
| US08553861B1 |
Managing vendor credits during load balancing
A computer-implemented method of using vendor credits to achieve load balancing in a communications network is described. Network traffic operating under a first carrier of the communications network is monitored. Initial load balancing triggers are set, by which network traffic of the first carrier is offloaded to a second carrier. It is determined whether the initial load balancing triggers have been met. It is also determined whether a vendor credit of the first carrier is available when the initial load balancing triggers have been met. One or more devices of the first carrier are offloaded to the second carrier when a vendor credit of the first carrier is available. |
| US08553860B1 |
Auto-save, retrieval, and presentation of key press sequences
An embodiment of the invention provides a method for communicating on a telecommunications device, wherein a telephone number is received from a user via an interface of the telecommunications device. At least one character from the user is also received via the interface in response to key press options presented to the user. The telephone number and the character received from the user are automatically saved on a memory device. The character is automatically associated with the telephone number. Contextual information associated with the character is saved, wherein the contextual information indicates the time of day that the character is entered, the date that the character is entered, and/or the type of call where the character is entered. The character is presented to the user in a list of previously entered characters on a display of the telecommunications device during a subsequent telephone call to the saved telephone number. |
| US08553857B2 |
Systems and methods for receiving telephone calls via instant messaging
A system establishes a telephone call between a calling party and a called party. The system receives a telephone call connection request, including identification of the called party, from the calling party and determines, based on the identification information, if the called party is currently connected to a data network. If the called party is currently connected to the data network, the system establishes the telephone call between the calling party and an instant messaging client of the called party. |
| US08553854B1 |
Using voiceprint technology in CALEA surveillance
Methods and systems are provided for using voiceprint technology in CALEA surveillance. A media-analysis platform receives packets from a bearer element, the packets comprising media data representing a copy of at least part of a real-time media session. The bearer element is configured to initially send to the platform a copy of each of a plurality of media sessions that traverse the bearer element, and to stop sending a copy of a particular session in response to receiving an instruction from the platform. Responsive to receiving the packets, the platform compares the media data to at least one media-data profile, where each profile is associated with a target of surveillance. The platform determines whether the data matches any of the profiles. If the data does not match any of the profiles, the platform sends an instruction to the bearer element to stop sending the copy of the session. |
| US08553852B2 |
Method and apparatus for conversation based ringtone
A method for generating a ring tone for a given caller based on a prior conversation with that caller. A portion of a conversation with a given caller is recorded and stored in memory as a ring tone. When a subsequent call is received from the same caller, identified by caller ID, the ring tone is played, alerting the user to the incoming call as well as the context of their prior communication. In alternative embodiments of the invention, a prior textual or video conversation is used as the basis for a ringtone. The invention is capable of implementation in telecommunications systems such as cellular, local exchange, and VOIP. |
| US08553851B2 |
System and method for recording calls in an IP-based communications system
A software solution to recording IP based communications that is highly scalable and reliable. Recordings can be configured to occur automatically or be triggered on-demand by a user that has been given the rights to do so. The user initiating the on-demand recording need not be a participant on the call. The solution is based on two server components: a call manager and a media server. The call manager is responsible for re-routing the IP media stream between two endpoints via the media server. The media server relays the IP media packets while capturing a copy that is stored as the recording. The recordings are stored on a network share and secured using standard network file security mechanisms. Access to playback recordings requires rights that are configured via the administrator. Playback of the recordings can be accomplished via the phone, client application or web service. Each playback interface offers a listing of recordings that the user has rights to access. |
| US08553849B2 |
Personal identification and interactive device for internet-based text and video communication services
The present invention is directed to a method and device for assigning a telephone number to a browsing session and for providing physical location information to a public safety answering point in association with a web-based chat or relay session. |
| US08553843B2 |
Attachment of a high-Z focal track layer to a carbon-carbon composite substrate serving as a rotary anode target
The present invention refers to hybrid anode disk structures for use in X-ray tubes of the rotary anode type and is concerned more particularly with a novel light weight anode disk structure (RA) which comprises an adhesion promoting protective silicon carbide (SiC) interlayer (SCI) deposited onto a rotary X-ray tube's anode target (AT), wherein the latter may e.g. be made of a carbon-carbon composite substrate (SUB′). Moreover, a manufacturing method for robustly attaching a coating layer (CL) consisting of a high-Z material (e.g. a layer made of a tungsten-rhenium alloy) on the surface of said anode target is provided, whereupon according to said method it may be foreseen to apply a refractory metal overcoating layer (RML), such as given e.g. by a tantalum (Ta), hafnium (Hf), vanadium (V) or rhenium (Re) layer, to the silicon carbide interlayer (SCI) prior to the deposition of the tungsten-rhenium alloy. The invention thus leverages the tendency for cracking of the silicon carbide coated carbon composite substrate (SUB′) during thermal cycling and enhances adhesion of the silicon carbide/refractory metal interlayers to the carbon-carbon composite substrate (SUB′) and focal track coating layer (CL) by an interlocking mechanism. Key aspects of the proposed invention are: a) controlled formation of coating cracks (SC) in the silicon carbide layer (SCI) and b) conformal filling of SiC crack openings with a refractory metal. |
| US08553837B2 |
Method and tomosynthesis apparatus to show a predetermined volume segment of an examination subject
A method to show a predetermined volume segment of an examination subject by means of a tomosynthesis apparatus, and a correspondingly designed tomosynthesis apparatus, operate as follows. A radioscopy test is implemented in which x-rays with a defined radiation dose are generated by an x-ray source, the x-rays traversing the predetermined volume segment and strike a detector, and an intensity of the x-rays striking the detector is determined. A first radiation dose of x-rays is calculated to create a two-dimensional exposure depending on the determined radiation dose and the intensity. A second radiation doses of x-rays is calculated to implement a tomosynthesis depending on the determined radiation dose and the intensity. A tomosynthesis of the predetermined volume segment is implemented with x-rays that traverse the predetermined volume segment and strike the detector, the x-rays being generated by an x-ray source with the second radiation doses. |
| US08553834B2 |
Computed tomography detector module
A computed tomography detector module can include a detector element, a frame, and a converter element. The detector element can be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation at a detection plane and output one or more analog detection signals. The frame can connect to the detector element and include a shield portion, parallel to the detection plane, configured to at least partially block X-rays. The converter element can include a substrate having connector and component substrate portions, the connector substrate portion thicker in a direction perpendicular to the detection plane than the component substrate portion and configured to extend through an aperture of the frame, the component substrate portion having at least one substrate surface parallel to the detection plane with one or more electrical components attached thereto. The detector module can optionally include a heat sink, which can have a top surface separated from the component substrate portion and components attached thereto by a separation gap. A computed tomography scanner can include the detector module. |
| US08553827B2 |
ADC-based mixed-mode digital phase-locked loop
A Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) includes a Phase-to-Digital Converter (PDC), a programmable digital loop filter, a Digitally-Controlled Oscillator (DCO), and a loop divider. Within the PDC, phase information is converted into a stream of digital values by a charge pump and an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC). The stream of digital values is supplied to the digital loop filter which in turn supplies digital tuning words to the DCO. A number of types of ADCs can be used for the ADC including a continuous-time delta-sigma oversampling Digital ADC and a Successive Approximation ADC. The voltage signal on the charge pump output is a small amplitude midrange voltage signal. The small voltage amplitude of the signal leads to numerous advantages including improved charge pump linearity, reduced charge pump noise, and lower supply voltage operation of the overall PLL. |
| US08553826B2 |
Method and system for multi-point signal generation with phase synchronized local carriers
A method and system of applying modulated carrier signals to tree networks and processing signals tapped from the tree networks to generate output signals with phase-synchronized carriers are disclosed. |
| US08553825B2 |
Phase synchronization apparatus and digital coherent light receiver
A phase synchronization method uses a removal path for removing an error component contained in an input signal and a delay addition path for adding a delay corresponding to a processing time period taken to remove the error component in the removal path. The removal path includes an averaging section. The averaging section includes a shift register and an obtaining unit. The shift register stores as many data as the maximum number of data to be averaged and successively receives processing data from which the error component has been extracted in the removal path. The obtaining unit obtains, among the successive processing data input to the shift register, as many processing data as the number of data to be averaged from a position near the center toward both ends in the shift register. |
| US08553823B2 |
Method for identifying signals of the same origin
A method for identifying signals of the same origin is described. The signals are identified based upon a method of system analysis, wherein an accumulated value of an attenuation weighted by power of an incoming channel, the so-called correspondence coefficient, is used as the criterion whether two signals are of the same origin. |
| US08553821B1 |
Adaptive non-linear model for highly-spectrally-efficient communications
A receiver may be operable to generate estimates of transmitted symbols using a sequence estimation process that may incorporate a non-linear model. The non-linear model may be adapted by the receiver based on particular communication information that may be indicative of non-linearity experienced by the transmitted symbols. The receiver may generate a reconstructed signal from the estimates of the transmitted symbols. The receiver may adapt the non-linear model based on values of an error signal generated from the reconstructed signal, and the values of the error signal may be generated from a portion of the generated estimates that may correspond to known symbols and/or information symbols. The values of the error signal corresponding to the known symbols may be given more weight in an adaptation algorithm, and the values of the error signal corresponding to the information symbols may be given less weight in the adaptation algorithm. |
| US08553811B2 |
Likelihood value calculation device, likelihood value calculation method, and radio system
A likelihood value calculation device includes: likelihood value calculation unit 201 that takes as input an equalization signal of a modulated signal, and that, in accordance with a first control signal, calculates from the equalization signal a provisional likelihood value for which the bit value of each signal point is “0” for each bit position; arithmetic inversion unit 202 that, in accordance with a second control signal, supplies for each bit position the provisional likelihood value without alteration or subjects the provisional likelihood value to arithmetic inversion and supplies the likelihood value following inversion; and operation control unit 200 that holds, for each combination of a radio mode and a modulation mode, a control pattern used to control the likelihood value calculation unit 201 and arithmetic inversion unit 202 and that generates the first and second control signals in accordance with the control pattern designated from among these control patterns. |
| US08553810B2 |
Frequency offset and channel gain tracking for enhanced transmission efficiency
The present invention relates to an apparatus, method and computer program product for enhanced data reception, wherein a tracking procedure is enhanced to support long payloads by introducing additional channel-gain tracking applied together with frequency-offset tracking to the payload data. Thereby, both residual frequency offset and residual channel gain are reduced. |
| US08553807B2 |
Methods and systems for programmable digital up-conversion
Methods and apparatus are described herein that make use of complex tuning, the inherently repetitive nature of sampled signals, and programmable digital filtering to create a flexible digital up-conversion system that utilizes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) with a fixed effective sample rate while still being adapted for tunability over a wide frequency range. With a knowledge of the fixed effective sample rate of the DAC and a desired frequency of up-conversion and combining complex tuning at baseband and up-sampling by a factor of N with a programmable passband filter configured to select one of a plurality of signal images resulting from the up-sampling, it is possible to translate a baseband input signal to a wide range of frequencies above or below Fs, without changing the sampling rate of the fixed rate DAC used in the up-conversion process. |
| US08553806B2 |
Quadrature modulation without carrier
Transmitters, receivers and associated methods are disclosed for providing phase and amplitude modulation in a carrier-less communication system (e.g., an ultra-wide band communication system). An approximate quadrature signal is provided by delaying the in-phase signal by an amount determined by various criteria, such as the bandwidths of the component signals, minimizing the mean square error between an approximate quadrature signal and the true quadrature signal, and minimizing the auto-correlation function of the in-phase signal. |
| US08553804B2 |
Wireless communication system and method with elliptically polarized radio frequency signals
In one embodiment, a UWB transmission system includes a pair of crossed linearly polarized antennas, one of which is fed with a UWB signal current, while the second is fed with a temporally orthogonal UWB signal such as the time-derivative of the UWB signal current. The resultant elliptically polarized radiated fields are simultaneously orthogonal in space and orthogonal in time. In another transmission system, a loop and a co-located dipole are fed with the same current to generate signal exhibiting elliptical polarization. When the energies of the transmissions from each antenna are equal, the polarization is circular. Thus a UWB transmitting and receiving system is shown that utilizes signals that are simultaneously spatially orthogonal and temporally orthogonal, and the several combinations of those signal and polarization states encode data for transmission. |
| US08553795B2 |
Unified design and centralized scheduling for dynamic SIMO, SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO operation for RL transmissions
Systems and methods facilitate pilot signal design, power control, data rate determination, and channel assignment in the reverse link of a wireless communication system for dynamic scheduling and joint operation in SIMO, SU-MIMO, and MU-MIMO. Pilot signal is based on periodic transmissions of multiple sounding reference sequences for channel estimation. Power control is based on a reference signal at a predetermined power spectral density (PSD) level, and on an offset PSD determined and signaled based on an antenna that transmits the reference signal, other cell interference, and power amplifier headroom. PSD levels for SIMO/MIMO data transmissions are determined based on channel estimates and the predetermined PSD and offset PSD. Such data PSD levels are employed to generate data rates, and to dynamically schedule data streams for communication. Communication resources are conveyed through a channel assignment with an overhead that depends on the maximum multiplexing order of the estimated channel. |
| US08553788B2 |
Techniques for multiple-subcarrier joint precoding
A method (400) for performing a multiple-sub-carrier-joint-modulation (MSJM) precoding. The method includes grouping input information bits into bit blocks (S410); converting the bit blocks into bit vectors (S420); mapping each of the bit vectors into a symbol vector (S430); and modulating symbol vectors into data subcarriers (S440). |
| US08553785B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting and recovering encoded data streams across physical medium attachments
An apparatus and method for transmitting and recovering encoded data streams across Physical Medium Attachments (PMA) are provided. The data stream includes a plurality of data blocks. The method of transmitting includes tagging at least some of the plurality of data blocks in the data stream. The method also includes splitting the data stream into first and second lanes of data blocks. The method further includes transmitting the first lane of data blocks to a first PMA and the second lane of data blocks to a second PMA. |
| US08553780B2 |
Motion vector encoding device and decoding device
A prediction error generating unit generates a predictive vector from the motion vectors of a plurality of adjacent blocks, and obtains a difference from a target vector. A plurality of variable-length coding units respectively encode the output of the prediction error generating unit with different encoding methods. A determining unit estimates the accuracy of the predictive vector generated by the prediction error generating unit based on the degrees of non-uniformity of the motion vectors of the plurality of adjacent blocks. A selecting unit selects one of the encoding results obtained by the plurality of variable-length coding units. |
| US08553778B2 |
Coding scheme for identifying spatial locations of events within video image data
An invention for generating a coding schema for identifying a spatial location of an event within video image data is provided. In one embodiment, there is a spatial representation tool, including a compression component configured to receive trajectory data of an event within video image data, generate a lossless compressed contour-coded blob to encode the trajectory data of the event within video image data, and generate a lossy searchable code to enable searching of a relational database based on the trajectory data of the event within the video image data. |
| US08553773B2 |
Method for predicting an image
In the method for predicting an image, a current image block is predicted using first and second image blocks, temporal information for a current picture and at least one reference picture related to one of the first and second image blocks. |
| US08553771B2 |
Derivation process of boundary filtering strength, and deblocking filtering method and apparatus using the derivation process
Provided are a bS derivation process and a deblocking filtering method and apparatus using illumination compensation and/or chrominance compensation, such as a multi-view video coding, in a picture coding/decoding process in which a prediction coding is performed. If neither of the two blocks are intra-coded, neither of the two blocks do contain a none-zero transformed coefficient, and motion compensation for the two blocks is performed based on the identical reference frame and the absolute difference between the horizontal or vertical components of the two motion vectors of the two blocks is less than 1, the bS of the two blocks is derived by considering whether the two blocks are coded by illumination compensation (IC) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, if both of the two blocks are coded by IC mode or neither of the two blocks are coded by IC mode, bS is set as such a value that filtering is unnecessary. On the other hand, if both of the two blocks are coded by IC mode and the blocks have different illumination change values, or only one of the blocks is coded by IC mode, the bS is derived using difference of illumination change values or the illumination change value. |
| US08553770B2 |
Moving picture prediction method, moving picture coding method and apparatus, and moving picture decoding method and apparatus
An image decoding method is provided for generating a predictive pixel value of a current picture to be decoded, and decoding the current picture using the predictive pixel value. The method includes a first parameter calculation step of calculating a first parameter corresponding to a distance between the current picture and a first reference picture; a second parameter calculation step of calculating a second parameter corresponding to a distance between the first reference picture and a second reference picture; a judgment step of judging whether or not a value of a third parameter calculated using a value obtained by dividing the first parameter by the second parameter is a value which is represented by a plurality of bits; a predictive pixel value generation step of generating a predictive pixel value of the current picture; and a decoding step of decoding the current picture using the predictive pixel value. |
| US08553769B2 |
Method and device for improved multi-layer data compression
An encoder and method for encoding data in a scalable data compression format are described. In particular, process for encoding spatially scalable video are described in which the base layer uses downscaled residuals from a full-resolution encoding of the video in its motion estimation process. The downscaled residuals may also be used in the coding mode selection process at the base layer. |
| US08553767B2 |
Video decoding method and apparatus
A video decoding apparatus includes a decoder to decode video encoded data using a predictive picture signal for a video signal, a compression device compressing the decoded picture signal, a first memory storing the decoded picture signal, a second memory storing the compressed picture signal, a decompression device decompressing the compressed picture signal read from the second memory, a selector selecting one of a decoded picture signal read from the first memory and a compressed/decompressed picture signal from the compression device as a reference picture signal according to at least one of a coding type of the video encoded data in picture unit and a prediction mode in block unit, and a motion compensator performing motion compensation on the reference picture signal to generate a predictive picture signal. |
| US08553762B1 |
Fast inverse integer transform for video decoding
In video decoding using the H.264/AVC standard, the computation of an inverse 4×4 integer transform of a coefficient matrix derived by variable length decoding may be carried out using data reduction techniques to reduce the computation load. If the index value of the highest-indexed nonzero coefficient in the matrix is three or higher, the transform is computed conventionally, using two 1D transform operations separated by a transpose operation, and followed by rounding and shifting. If the index value of the highest-indexed nonzero coefficient in the matrix is zero (including the case where there is no nonzero coefficient), the inverse integer transform operation includes only rounding and shifting of that coefficient. If the index value of the highest-indexed nonzero coefficient in the matrix is one or two, then the inverse integer transform operation can be performed using a single integrated 2D transform followed by rounding and shifting. |
| US08553759B2 |
Bandwidth sensitive data compression and decompression
Data compression and decompression methods for compressing and decompressing data based on an actual or expected throughput (bandwidth) of a system. In one embodiment, a controller tracks and monitors the throughput (data storage and retrieval) of a data compression system and generates control signals to enable/disable different compression algorithms when, e.g., a bottleneck occurs so as to increase the throughput and eliminate the bottleneck. |
| US08553754B2 |
Method and apparatus for using DFE in a system with non-continuous data
A decision feedback equalization (DFE) receiver and method are provided. The DFE receiver is configured to sample data bits from a data bus. The DFE receiver includes a data sampler configured to sample a current data bit from the data bus using one of a first, second and third voltage reference. The DFE receiver also includes multiplexing logic configured to select one of the first, second and third voltage references based on a prior data bus level. The wherein the first voltage reference is selected if the prior data bus level was a logic zero. The second voltage reference is selected if the prior data bus level was a logic one. The third voltage reference is selected if the prior data bus level was tri-state. |
| US08553751B2 |
Radio equipment controller, radio control method, radio station, and radio communication system
A radio equipment controller includes a calculator that calculates a delay amount by subtracting from a given maximum delay amount an internal delay amount of a radio equipment and a delay amount of a cable, the radio equipment modulating and transmitting orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, and the cable connecting the radio equipment and the radio equipment controller that creates the OFDM symbols, a detector that detects a beginning of the OFDM symbols from data that is inputted into a buffer that stores data of the OFDM symbols, and a delay controller that determines a transmission timing of the OFDM symbols so that the transmission timing of the beginning of the OFDM symbols becomes a timing that is delayed by the calculated delay amount after a reference signal with a specific period. |
| US08553749B2 |
Signal encoding for frequency division multiplexing on transmission lines
A method of transmitting on a transmission line a set of carrier signals of which at least one component represents a respective data value and the carrier signals are of different frequencies ranging from a lowest frequency to a highest frequency, in which the respective component of each carrier above the lowest frequency is adjusted on transmission in accordance with a selected relationship between that respective component and the corresponding component of the next lower frequency so as to compensate for the frequency-dependent effect of the transmission line on those components. The components may be amplitudes. The relationship may be a ratio of the respective and corresponding components. Alternatively each respective component may be adjusted in accordance with a scaling factor dependent on the previous data value presented by the corresponding component of next lower carrier frequency, the scaling factor being a ratio between a predetermined value and the said corresponding component, the predetermined value depending on the said previous data value. The components may be phases and the phase of each carrier after the first may be set from the phase of the previous lower frequency carrier augmented by the ratio of the data value in bits and the number of bits that can be carried by the respective component. |
| US08553747B2 |
Method for connecting base station and repeater for spatial division multiple access and repeating method thereof
The present invention relates to a method for connecting a base station and a repeater for a spatial division multiple access, and a repeating method thereof. In order to provide efficient spatial division by using a repeater, data streams are repeated by using a repeating system including at least one repeater for performing wireless communication with a terminal located in a repeating region controlled by using at least one repeating antenna and a base station including a plurality of base station antennas corresponding to the repeating antenna. In this instance, the terminal detects location information on the repeating region to which the terminal belongs by using the pilot signal transmitted by the base station or repeated by the repeater. Location information detected by the terminal is fed back to the base station so that the base station may use it for the spatial division multiple access for simultaneous transmission to many terminals. Therefore, the spatial division multiple access for increasing sector capacity by efficiently combining the base station including multiple antennas and the repeater is available. |
| US08553743B1 |
System, apparatus and method for communicating messages using multiple frequency hopping sequences
Systems, apparatuses and methods for communicating messages via frequency hopping and utilizing multiple different frequency hopping sequences to facilitate the message or other data exchange. A transmitter frequency hopping sequence is provided that is derived from a set of available frequencies. A receiver frequency hopping sequence is also derived from those frequencies. The transmitter frequency hopping sequence differs from the receiver frequency hopping sequence, at least in regards to the order that the frequencies of the respective sequence will be involved in the message communication. The next frequency in the transmitter frequency hopping sequence is identified in which to transmit data. The data is transmitted at the identified communication frequency when that same frequency arises in the receiver frequency hopping sequence. |
| US08553734B2 |
Frequency conversion of laser radiation
A system includes: a first nonlinear crystal arranged to receive to a first laser beam having a first wavelength λ1 and operable to generate, by frequency doubling of the first laser beam, a second laser beam having a second wavelength λ2, in which the second beam propagates collinearly with the first beam; a second nonlinear crystal arranged to receive the first and second laser beams from the first crystal, in which the second crystal is operable to generate, by frequency mixing of the first and second laser beams, a third laser beam having a third wavelength λ3; and one or more lenses between the first and second crystals, in which the one or more lenses are operable to spatially separate the first and second beams. The first and second laser beams propagate at an offset and/or titled with respect to an optical axis in order to cause the spatial separation. |
| US08553728B2 |
Methods and apparatus for robust slotted mode operation in fading wireless environments
Methods, devices and computer program products are disclosed that allow for wireless communication devices to operate more robustly in the slotted mode of operation in the event of network system loss. Specifically, present aspects require the wireless device to move to or remain in the slotted mode of operation as opposed to immediately entering into a system determination/acquisition mode upon failing to acquire an active set pilot during a slotted wake-up. By moving to the slotted mode of operation or providing for additional slotted-wake-ups, a number of attempts at acquiring the active set pilot can be performed before declaring the system as lost, thereby allowing for fading channel conditions to prevail without the need to re-acquire the lost system or otherwise acquire another system. Since the performance of the slotted mode is less power intensive than acquiring or re-acquiring a system, a substantial power savings is realized. |
| US08553724B2 |
Enhanced dynamic compression
The present invention is directed towards compressing and decompressing data transmitted between an end terminal (12) and a network server (20) controlling compression in communication sessions involving the end terminal. States related to the end terminal that are created and used for compressing and decompressing data transmitted between the end terminal and the network server when the end terminal is first registered to the first network server are saved as the end terminal deregisters from the first network server. When the end terminal again registers to the network server these saved states are directly used. In this way it is possible to start compressing data using the saved states immediately after a following registering for providing a more effective dynamic compression. |
| US08553715B2 |
Communication apparatus and automatic gain control
Provided is a communication apparatus including a first communication unit for performing communication using a carrier having a first frequency, a second communication unit having a plurality of antennas, for performing communication using a carrier having a second frequency, a first communication processing unit for processing a signal received by the first communication unit and causing to transmit a signal, and a second communication processing unit for processing a signal received by the second communication unit and causing to transmit a signal. The second communication processing unit includes a synchronization unit for specifying a start position of a second transmission request in which a plurality of transmission beam patterns are set in one packet based on information indicating reception initiation, and an automatic gain control unit for performing automatic gain control based on a first automatic gain control setting value. |
| US08553714B2 |
Unified contention based period
A unified contention based protocol is implemented in which a source station within a basic service set selects the protection methodology for data transmission on the communication medium. Utilizing EDCA as a medium access method and maintaining that each transmission opportunity has multiple slots, the source station is provided with the opportunity to select a protection methodology based on the protection environment, which enables transmission opportunity protection without direct PCP involvement. |
| US08553712B2 |
Carrier management in a wireless communication device assigned a set of two or more carriers by a wireless communication network
Carrier management in a wireless communication device assigned a set of two or more carriers by a wireless communication network is disclosed. In one aspect, a method of carrier management includes transmitting data over the wireless communication network on one or more carriers forming a subset of active carriers from the set of carriers assigned to the wireless communication device. A first performance metric is determined indicative of operating conditions across the set of carriers assigned to the wireless communication device. A desired number of carriers on which to transmit data based on the first performance metric is determined. The desired number of carriers on which to transmit data is compared with the number of carriers in the subset of active carriers. The subset of active carriers is dynamically adjusted based on the comparison and subsequent data is transmitted over the wireless communication network using the adjusted subset of active carriers. |
| US08553706B2 |
Flexible scheduling of resources in a noisy environment
There is provided a powerline network that includes a number of stations including a central coordinator for coordinating transmissions of each of the stations. The central coordinator is configurable to transmit a beacon at an interval based on a phase of a powerline cycle. The interval of the beacon can be substantially equal to two periods of the powerline cycle. The interval of the beacon includes a reserved region including a persistent allocation region and a non-persistent allocation region. The beacon also includes a broadcast message including a persistent schedule and a non-persistent schedule. The persistent schedule is valid for a current beacon period and a number of subsequent beacon periods as indicated by the beacon, while the non-persistent schedule is valid for a single beacon period. The persistent allocation region and the non-persistent allocation region are determined based on the persistent schedule and the non-persistent schedule, respectively. |
| US08553705B2 |
Apparatus and methods for establishing virtual private networks in a broadband network
Service providers can reduce multiple overlay networks by creating multiple logical service networks (LSNs) on the same physical or optical fiber network through use of an embodiment of the invention. The LSNs are established by the service provider and can be characterized by traffic type, bandwidth, delay, hop count, guaranteed information rates, and/or restoration priorities. Once established, the LSNs allow the service provider to deliver a variety of services to customers depending on a variety of factors, for example, a customer's traffic specifications. Different traffic specifications are serviced on different LSNs depending on each LSN's characteristics. Such LSNs, once built within a broadband network, can be customized and have its services sold to multiple customers. |
| US08553702B2 |
Methods and systems for automatic carving and policy enforcement for optical transport network hierarchy
The present disclosure provides methods and systems for automatic carving of Optical channel Data Unit k (ODUk) levels on connection creation as well as the enforcement of an OTN hierarchy policy. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides several methods of automatically carving Optical channel Data Tributary Unit Group (ODTUG) structures down to a desired ODUk layer during end-to-end circuit setup. These methods may include a recursively descending algorithm, an iterative array algorithm, and an ordered linked list algorithm. Additionally, to interoperate with network elements which may have a fixed ODTUG structure within an Optical channel Transport Unit (OTU), a method of policy enforcement describing each ODUk layer mapped into ODTUG structures is used to select a best match of the currently provisioned ODUk layers. |
| US08553700B1 |
Method and system for facilitating packet-based communications
A method, system, and medium are provided for facilitating a communications call. The method comprises receiving a request to connect to a destination described by a first target which includes a user-identification parameter and a domain parameter. Second, using the target, generating a second target associated with the first target. Finally, permitting the request to be fulfilled if the request is associated with the second target. |
| US08553699B2 |
Wavefront detection and disambiguation of acknowledgements
One or more flow control modules, implemented on various types of network topologies, provide a number of functionalities for controlling the flow of IP packets (such as TCP/IP packets) over a network connection. The flow control modules may be implemented within a sender and/or receiver or may be deployed into a network as a separate device without requiring significant additional resources. |
| US08553698B2 |
Data unit sender and data unit relay device
New methods and devices for implementing an ARQ mechanism over a multi-hop connection (sender-relay-receiver) are proposed. A communication protocol is described in accordance with which data units are arranged in a sequence and each sent data unit is identifiable by a sequence position identifier. The sender implements a sending peer, the relay a relay peer and the receiver a receiving peer. Feedback messages are exchanged, which using said sequence position identifiers, carry information on a receipt of sent data units. The communication protocol provides for at least a first type and a second type of receipt information, the first type (RACK) of receipt information being indicative of a correct receipt of a data unit at a relay peer of said communication protocol, and the second type (ACK) of receipt information being indicative of a correct receipt of a data unit at a final destination peer of said communication protocol. |
| US08553697B2 |
Provider backbone bridging—provider backbone transport internetworking
An Ethernet virtual switched sub-network (VSS) is implemented as a virtual hub and spoke architecture overlaid on hub and spoke connectivity built of a combination of Provider Backbone Transport (spokes) and a provider backbone bridged sub-network (hub). Multiple VSS instances are multiplexed over top of the PBT/PBB infrastructure. A loop free resilient Ethernet carrier network is provided by interconnecting Provider Edge nodes through access sub-networks to Provider Tandems to form Provider Backbone Transports spokes with a distributed switch architecture of the Provider Backbone Bridged hub sub-network. Provider Backbone transport protection groups may be formed from the Provider Edge to diversely homed Provider Tandems by defining working and protection trunks through the access sub-network. The Provider Backbone Transport trunks are Media Access Control (MAC) addressable by the associated Provider Edge address or by a unique address associated with the protection group in the Provider Backbone Bridged network domain. |
| US08553693B2 |
Network controller circuitry to issue at least one portion of packet payload to device in manner that by-passes communication protocol stack involvement
An embodiment may include network controller to be comprised in a first node. The node may be communicatively coupled to a network and may include a host processor to execute an operating system environment. The operating system environment may include, at least in part, a communication protocol stack and an application. The circuitry may receive, at least in part, a packet from the network. The packet may include, at least in part, a header and payload. At least one portion of the payload may be associated with the application. The circuitry may issue at least one portion of the header to the stack. The circuitry may issue the at least one portion of the payload to a destination device in a manner that by-passes involvement of the stack. The destination device may be specified, at least in part, by the application. Many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible. |
| US08553690B2 |
Processing multicast messages in a data processing system
Processing multicast messages in a data processing system that includes compute nodes, each of which includes a communications controller, the communications controllers operatively coupled for data communications amongst the compute nodes, each compute node in the data processing system executing at least one logical partition, the data processing system including a hypervisor, where multicast messages are processed by receiving, by more than one of the communications controllers, a multicast message; responsive to receipt of the multicast message, signaling, by one of the communications controllers, an interrupt in the hypervisor without signaling an interrupt by any other communications controller; determining, by the hypervisor, that the message received by the interrupt signaling communications controller is a multicast message; and providing, by the hypervisor, the multicast message to at least one logical partition configured to receive multicast messages. |
| US08553688B2 |
Dynamic allocation of context identifiers for header compression
In one embodiment, routable traffic through one or more border routers between a local computer network and a global computer network is monitored in order to characterize use of one or more global prefixes of the traffic. A particular set of the global prefixes, up to a maximum number, that are most frequently used may be mapped into a set of context identifiers (IDs) having a shorter bit-length than the global prefixes. The context IDs may then be distributed into the local computer network, and the one or more border routers convert between the context IDs and the global prefixes, accordingly. |
| US08553684B2 |
Network switching system having variable headers and addresses
According to an example embodiment, a method may include receiving a message, appending a header set to the message, and transmitting the message from an ingress port to an egress port of the network switching system based on the header set. In an example embodiment, the header set may include a variable number of headers, wherein one or more of the headers in the header set includes a next header field to identify a type of header following a current header in the header set. In an example embodiment, the packet may be segmented and transmitted across the switching system as a plurality of cells, where a cell destination address may be a portion (e.g., subset of bits) of the packet destination address. |
| US08553683B2 |
Three dimensional fat tree networks
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a non-blocking switch fabric is provided comprising: a first set of intra-domain switches; a second set of intra-domain switches; a set of inter-domain switches located centrally between the first set of intra-domain switches and the second set of intra-domain switches, wherein each of the ports of each of the inter-domain switches is connected to an intra-domain switch from the first or second set of intra-domain switches. |
| US08553679B2 |
Enabling multiple service profiles on a single device
The embodiments disclosed include a system and method for enabling multiple service profiles on a single telecommunications device resulting in improved flexibility for a user who wishes to access different services through multiple service profiles. The user can access multiple service profiles with a single device, and therefore switch the set of services offered to the device. In one embodiment, the techniques described below are enabled through a Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”)-based next-generation network (“NGN”), such as the IP Multimedia Subsystem (“IMS”) architecture. |
| US08553676B2 |
Wireless communication system, its base station and mobile station, communication synchronization management method and timer control program therefor
The present invention provides a wireless communication system which can reduce the probability that a latency before data transmission increases when a mobile station that is actually in sync is judged to be out of sync based on a timeout of the timer used for judging whether a mobile station is in a deemed in-sync state or in a deemed out-of-sync state. A base station of a wireless communication system which performs communication between a mobile station and the base station, includes a timer unit which sets a period for judging whether an uplink signal from the mobile station is synchronized; and a timer control unit which is capable of determining the period for each of mobile stations and notifies the period to each of the mobile station upon RRC establishment or RRC re-establishment. |
| US08553662B2 |
System and method for Wi-Fi roaming
Systems and methods for Wi-Fi roaming. A gateway supports both a local access point (AP) and a virtual AP. The local AP is accessible only to an “owner” of the gateway. The virtual AP (VAP) is accessible to devices associated with the owner of the gateway and to roaming Wi-Fi devices. A datastore conveys information about the roaming Wi-Fi devices to the VAP to permit them to access the VAP without the need for manual configuration of the VAP. A roaming Wi-Fi device may communicate with a gateway via a tunnel to maintain session connectivity during roaming. A session may be initiated on one network, such as a Wi-Fi network or a cellular network, handed off to another network, such as a cellular network or a Wi-Fi network, and then returned to network on which the session was initiated. |
| US08553660B2 |
Cooperative relay communication in wireless OFDMA star networks
A wireless star network includes including a master node (master) and a set of N slave nodes (slaves), wherein the network uses orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA). The master partitions the set of slaves in a first subset A(i) and second subset B(j), wherein the first and second subsets are disjoint. Packets are transmitted by the first subset of slaves only while the master and second subset of slaves operate in receive mode, andpackets are transmitted by the second subset of slaves only while the master and first of slaves operate in receive mode. |
| US08553659B2 |
Method and system for optimal beamforming in wireless networks
Aspects of a method and system for optimal beamforming in a wireless network are presented. Aspects of the system may include one or more processors for use in a requesting communication device wherein the one or more processors may be operable to request a transmission time slot allocation. A determination may be made by a coordinating communication device as whether to assign a sector transmission time slot and/or beamforming transmission time slot to the requesting communication device based on the transmission time slot allocation request. The one or more processors may be operable to receive the assigned sector transmission time slot and/or beamforming transmission time slot. |
| US08553658B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting data over wireless LAN mesh network
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting data over a WLAN mesh network. Transmission sections of priority frames and general frames are initially set, and the priority frame transmission section is varied step-by-step within a specific range. Thus, QoS with respect to data requiring the real-time property can be guaranteed and transmission of general frames can be guaranteed to some degree. Accordingly, there is an effect that data transmission efficiency can be improved significantly. |
| US08553656B2 |
Low power digital media broadcast receiver with time division
Systems and methods for providing a low power receiver device using fine grained time division are provided. In one embodiment, the receiver device comprises a tuner, a demodulator configured to demodulate at least one sampled signal, a payload processor configured to process at least one demodulated signal into an output format, and a time division control logic configured to generate a control signal to switch at least one component within the receiver device between modes to conserve power. The at least one component may be switched between an active mode, a standby mode, a power off mode, and a low power mode. In further embodiments, the at least one component may be switched between staggered modes. |
| US08553654B2 |
Method for expression evaluation and network node implementing such a method
Method and network node (2) for a communication network (1) providing a service in the communication network. The network node (2) is arranged to communicate with 5 context sources (12, 15, 16) providing input values for a triggered expression evaluation, and to provide a network service to communication devices (12, 15, 16) based on the result of the triggered expression evaluation. An evaluation result of the triggered expression evaluation is obtained upon a change to an input value, and the triggered expression evaluation comprises the evaluation of nodes in an expression 10 graph. Each internal node is assigned a priority based on the level of the node in the expression graph. Actual reception of a trigger by an internal node is scheduled based on the priority of the internal node, such that the internal node will only receive a trigger after internal nodes with a higher priority have received their associated triggers. |
| US08553653B2 |
Arrangement and method for channel mapping in a wireless communication system
An arrangement and method for channel mapping in a UTRA TDD HSDPA wireless communication system by applying interleaving functions in first (530) and second (540) interleaving means to a bit sequence to produce symbols for mapping to physical channels, the first and second interleaving means being arranged to map symbols from respectively systematic and parity bits in a predetermined scheme, e.g., mapping symbols in a forward direction when a channel has an even index number, and in a reverse direction when a channel has an odd index number. The symbols may comprise bit-pairs, each of a systematic bit and parity bit.Systematic bits are preferably mapped to high reliability bit positions in TDD HSDPA, achieving a performance gain of between 0.2 dB and 0.5 dB. The forwards/reverse mapping allows a degree of interleaving that improves system performance in fading channels or channels disturbed by short time period noise or interference. |
| US08553651B2 |
Wireless terminal and roaming method using the same
A wireless terminal roams from a first access point to a second access point. The wireless terminal can set a predetermined time period to determine whether to roam between different access points. Upon receiving signals from the second access point, the wireless terminal decodes signals received from the first access point and the second access point to get a correct probability of each bit of the signals. The wireless terminal then calculates mean values, a variance value and a difference in the mean values of the first access point and the second access point. If the difference in the mean value exceeds a product of the variance value and a roaming weight, the wireless terminal switches the wireless terminal from the first access point to the second access point to access the network. |
| US08553647B2 |
Optimization of non-optimized handoff from a first access technology to a second access technology
A UE and a method are described herein for optimizing a non-optimized handoff from a first access technology (e.g., E-TRAN, WiMAX, UMTS, WiFi, UMB and E-UTRAN) to a second access technology (e.g. 1×RTT, 1×EVDV, HRPD or eHRPD). In one embodiment, the “optimized” non-optimized handoff effectively decreases the mute time that is experienced by the UE during the handoff from the first access technology to the second access technology from around 628 ms to less than 500 ms which is a marked improvement. |
| US08553637B2 |
Downlink PDSCH transmission mode selection and switching algorithm for LTE
A method, system, and base station for deterministically selecting a downlink transmission mode and rank in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) configured wireless communication system. The Transmission Mode Selection (TMS) utility receives from a wireless device a request for downlink physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) service using a particular transmission mode and specific rank. The TMS utility determines an estimate of the throughput corresponding to the request. In addition, the TMS utility obtains throughput estimates of other distinct pairings of transmission mode and rank to compare with the throughput estimate corresponding to the request. The TMS utility utilizes device feedback information and HARQ error information that are already existing/available in order to determine the best transmission mode and rank pair, according to the best Error-Adjusted-Throughput. |
| US08553636B2 |
Channel selection for carrier aggregation
Channel selection for LTE-Advanced, or other, carrier aggregation can be performed by a method, apparatus, or computer-readable medium. According to certain embodiments, a method can include determining that channel selection and constellation selection are in use or to be used. The method can also include determining that a single mapping table design for channel selection for up to four bits is in use or to be used. The method can further include selecting a communication resource from resource entries corresponding to acknowledgment and negative acknowledgment states based on the determining that channel selection and constellation selection are in use or to be used and the determining that the single mapping table design for channel selection for up to four bits is in use or to be used. |
| US08553633B2 |
Bandwidth request method and bandwidth allocation method in broadband wireless access system
The present invention deals with a method for requesting and allocating an uplink resource efficiently in a broadband wireless access system. The method of the present invention wherein a terminal requests bandwidth in a broadband wireless access system may include a step in which a bandwidth request header (BR header), including a bandwidth request message and a high-speed access message, is transmitted to a base station; a step in which uplink grant (UL grant) information corresponding to the information included in said bandwidth request message and said high-speed access message is received from said base station; and a step in which the uplink resource indicated by said uplink grant information is used to transmit data to said base station. |
| US08553629B2 |
Telephone device and telephone communication system
A telephone device may be configured to be connected with an access point capable of communicating wirelessly with a terminal device by using a specific bandwidth including a first bandwidth. The telephone device may comprise a first communication unit configured to communicate wirelessly with a call device by using the first bandwidth, and a second communication unit configured to communicate with the access point. The second communication unit may be configured to send, in a specific case where a specific wireless communication starts between the call device and the first communication unit, a first instruction to the access point such that the access point uses a bandwidth other than the first bandwidth. |
| US08553628B2 |
Scheduling method and apparatus for spatial reuse
A scheduling method of giving a chance for transmission to a plurality of terminals in the same time period, and a device therefor are provided. The scheduling method includes: transmitting first scheduling information to terminals in a network, the first scheduling information defining transmitting/receiving terminals and a transmission time period; receiving channel measurement information including inter-terminal interference information from the terminals in the network; and generating second scheduling information defining transmission time periods and a plurality of transmitting/receiving terminals that do not interfere with each other by using the channel measurement information. |
| US08553619B2 |
Method and a system for time synchronisation between a control centre and several transmitters
Time synchronization between a control center and transmitters in a single frequency network is provided by generating and receiving a first reference time signal with a high time and frequency accuracy in a short and long time horizon and a second reference time signal supplied to the control center with a low time and frequency accuracy in the short time horizon and a high time and frequency accuracy in the long time horizon. A transport data stream is generated and supplied to the transmitters with a time-variable data rate through the control center corresponding to a frequency of the second reference time signal. Time displacement of the transport data stream received from the control center is performed by a respective transmitter until the data packets of the transport data stream each containing a transmission time are transmitted at a correct transmission time. |
| US08553614B2 |
Method of transmitting channel quality indicator
A method of transmitting channel quality indicator (CQI) includes obtaining CQI of each, of the plurality of sub-bands, selecting a first sub-band having the best CQI of the plurality of sub-bands, transmitting the best CQI of the first sub-band at a first transmission cycle and transmitting a difference value between the best CQI of the first sub-band and a CQI of the first sub-band at a second transmission cycle. Signalling overhead due to CQI transmission can be reduced. |
| US08553611B2 |
Systems and methods for multi-access point transmission of data using a plurality of access points
Methods and systems for multi-access point transmission of data using a plurality of access points are disclosed. Methods include identifying a plurality of access points to be used cooperatively in combination with each other for the transmission of data to a receiver. The transmission of the data to the receiver via the plurality of access points is enabled utilizing at least one multi-access point transmission scheme. |
| US08553605B2 |
Packet identification for power saving in wireless communication networks
A network coordinator can assign an association identifier (AID) and/or a group identifier (GID) to identify a client station to which a packet is to be transmitted and to enable the client station to determine whether to receive an incoming packet. The network coordinator can randomly generate a base AID that is representative of the network coordinator and can assign at least one AID to client stations to minimize the probability of client stations associated with proximate network coordinators being assigned the same AIDs. The network coordinator can also randomly assign at least one GID to a group of client stations to minimize the probability of groups of client stations associated with the proximate network coordinators being assigned the same GID. The client station can analyze indications of a received AID and/or received GID to determine whether to receive the packet or whether to switch to an inactive power state. |
| US08553603B2 |
Client bridge between wired and wireless communication networks
A method and client bridge for bridging clients between a wired and wireless communication network includes a radio transceiver with a register and a controller for indicating to the wireless network that all wired client devices of the wired network are in Power Save Polling (PSP) mode, selecting the next wired client to be indicated as being in Continuously Awake Mode (CAM) mode, storing a Media Access Control (MAC) address of that selected client in the register, indicating to the wireless network that the selected client is in CAM mode, receiving any packets from the wireless network, which are acknowledged using the register, indicating to the wireless network that the selected client is back in PSP mode, and repeating these operations until all wired client communications are serviced. |
| US08553600B2 |
Apparatus and method for establishing contention window in wimedia wireless network
There are provided an apparatus and a method for establishing a contention window in a WiMedia wireless network. The contention window establishing apparatus includes: a parsing unit extracting the number of devices that intend to transmit data from a beacon received during a beacon period and an access category (AC) of each device; a calculation unit calculating a transmission probability of each access category (AC) on the basis of the extracted number of devices; and a contention window establishing unit establishing a contention window for each access category (AC) on the basis of the calculated transmission probability, to reduce contentions among the devices and decrease data transmission latency time, thereby maximizing efficiency in data transmission latency time. |
| US08553599B2 |
Mobile communication system and network device
A mobile communication system in which a home cell limits access from a first mobile station, and when the first mobile station communicating via a macro cell using the same frequency as the home cell enters a predetermined area near the home cell, the first mobile station is caused to perform handover to a different-frequency macro cell selected from among macro cells covering the predetermined area and using frequencies different from that used in the home cell. |
| US08553598B2 |
Network coding mode selector
A method of operating a wireless communication system comprises making a determination which of plural transmission modes is to be a selected transmission mode for transmitting plural entities to a receiving node over a radio interface, and then (at a network coding node (24)) in accordance with the determination implementing the selected transmission mode with respect to the plural input entities. The plural transmission modes include at least two of: (1) an analog network-coded mode wherein plural input signals provided to a network coding node are network-combined by signal interference at a signal level at the network coding node into one analog network-combined output entity; (2) a digital network-coded mode wherein the plural input entities provided to the network coding node are network-combined by operation at a bit level at the network coding node into one or plural digital network-combined output entities; (3) a symbol level network-coded mode wherein the plural input entities are already modulated and network coding is performed on the already modulated plural input entities; and (4) a separate transmission mode wherein the plural input entities provided to the network coding node leave the network coding node as respective plural uncombined output entities. |
| US08553596B1 |
Selection of peer-to-peer providers in a wireless network
A method of selecting a set of download data providers in a wireless network is disclosed. A request to download a data file from a wireless device is received. A set of potential providers that can provide one or more parts of the data file is determined. The set of potential providers is ranked based on a plurality of indicators that correspond to each of the set of potential provider. The plurality of indicators are each based on one or more wireless network operating conditions. The set of download data providers are selected based on the ranking of the set of potential providers. The data file is transferred to the wireless device by transferring one or more parts of the data file from each of the set of download data providers to the wireless device. |
| US08553593B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing communication using frame structure supporting H-FDD operation
A method for performing communication using a frame structure that supports a half-frequency division duplex (H-FDD) operation and a device using the same are disclosed. A base station performs resource allocation scheduling to support H-FDD user equipment operation in a mobile communication system. For example, the base station allocates first, second and last uplink subframes for idle subframes within a specific frame or punctures them, so that the H-FDD user equipment does not use the uplink subframes. The base station transmits the scheduled resource allocation information to the user equipment through a superframe header, a preamble and a MAP. The user equipment which has received the scheduled resource allocation information (subframe index and location that can be used by the user equipment) transmits and receives a signal based on the resource allocation information. |
| US08553592B2 |
Multi-radio communication device and method for enabling coexistence between a bluetooth transceiver and a wimax transceiver operating in FDD mode
Embodiments of a multi-radio communication device and method for enabling coexistence between a Bluetooth transceiver and a broadband wireless access network (BWAN) transceiver are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the BWAN transceiver is configured to transmit a reservation request to a BWAN base station to reserve an amount of time during which no uplink transmissions are scheduled. The reservation request is configured to allow the Bluetooth transceiver to receive packets from a Bluetooth device without interference from transmissions by the BWAN transceiver. |
| US08553591B2 |
Method and equipment for user'S uplink data scheduling
A user uplink data scheduling method and user equipment, which are applied to multiple-periodicity mode semi-persistent scheduling supporting Transmission Timing Interval (TTI) bundling in the second Downlink/Uplink (DL/UL) timing interval proportion configuration mode (Time Division Duplex (TDD) DL/UL subframe configuration 1) in a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) TDD system. The user uplink data scheduling method includes the steps of: acquiring an indication message transmitted from a base station for indicating user uplink data based on the multiple-periodicity mode semi-persistent scheduling; setting a periodicity offset of the multiple-periodicity mode semi-persistent scheduling; determining the periodicities of the multiple-periodicity mode semi-persistent scheduling of per two adjacent TTI bundles according to the set offset; scheduling user uplink new transmission packet data according to the determined periodicities of the multiple-periodicity mode semi-persistent scheduling. The problem that the new-transmission packet and the re-transmission packet of the same user of the multiple-periodicity semi-persistent scheduling conflict is solved, and signal overhead is reduced when TTI bundling supports the VoIP service and so on. |
| US08553589B2 |
Dual mode radio for frequency division duplexing and time division duplexing communication modes
Dual mode radio for frequency division duplexing and time division duplexing communication modes. In some embodiments, dual mode radio for frequency division duplexing and time division duplexing communication modes includes a multi-mode communication unit for wireless communication, in which the multi-mode communication unit allocates access for a time based communication mode and a frequency based communication mode; and a processor configured to implement at least in part the multi-mode communication unit. In some embodiments, the time based communication mode includes a time division duplexing (TDD) communication mode, and the frequency based communication mode includes a frequency division duplexing (FDD) communication mode. |
| US08553588B2 |
System and method for lawful interception in voice call continuity for telecommunication networks
A system and method for providing lawful interception (LI) data in voice call continuity for telecommunication networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, the data associated with a registered telecommunication network user (i.e., target user) coming from a first telecommunication network is intercepted by a VCC gateway. Further, the intercepted data is sent to the LEA in a format desired by the LEA. Furthermore, the VCC gateway is configured based on a successful determination of network properties associated with the second telecommunication network upon the target user moving to the second telecommunication network. The second telecommunication network is based on a technology that is different from the first telecommunication network. In addition, the data associated with the target user coming from the second telecommunication network is continuously intercepted by the VCC gateway and continuously sent to the LEA by the VCC gateway in the format desired by the LEA. |
| US08553586B2 |
Systems and methods for automatically building and repairing a spanning tree flooding backbone in link state routed networks
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for a spanning tree topology used as a spanning tree flooding topology for messages on a link state routed network. Specifically, messages are only broadcast on the links in the spanning tree flooding topology thereby significantly reducing message flooding. The present disclosure also provides systems and methods for automatically, correctly, and efficiently creating, reconfiguring, and fixing the spanning tree topology in the event of any spanning tree link failures. |
| US08553583B2 |
Leaky ethernet trees
A network device may receive an Ethernet frame from a first leaf user-to-network (UNI) interface in a tree. The tree includes the first leaf UNI, a second leaf UNI, and a root UNI. In addition, the network device may look up, in a table, source and destination media access control (MAC) addresses in the Ethernet frame and a field value in a virtual local area network (VLAN) tag in the Ethernet frame. The destination MAC address is associated with the second leaf UNI. In addition, the network device may identify, based on the lookup, an output port via which the Ethernet frame is to be sent from the network device. Furthermore, the network device may send, through the output port, the Ethernet frame toward the second leaf UNI in the tree via a network path that includes the first leaf UNI and the second leaf UNI. The network path does not include the root UNI of the tree. |
| US08553580B2 |
Multi-radio medium-agnostic access architecture
A multi-radio medium-agnostic access architecture is proposed. The multi-radio medium-agnostic architecture features a medium-agnostic MAC that interfaces between the TCP/IP and the physical layers of user equipment, such as a laptop computer or cellular phone having multiple radios, so that the radios in the user equipment may operate simultaneously, seamlessly, and transparently to higher layers. |
| US08553578B2 |
Automated protocol selection for host adapter card
A networking system includes a host adapter card including a card connector having four transceiver pairs and a mechanical connector configuration, and a controller having control logic for detecting whether a single-channel connection or a four-channel connection is made to the card connector. The controller further includes control logic for communicating over a network using a default, four-channel-protocol in response to detecting the four-channel connection or using an alternative, single-channel-protocol in response to detecting the single-channel connection. The system further includes an alternative-network compatibility device including a first connector configured for releasably mating with the card connector and a second connector having a different mechanical connector configuration than the card connector. The alternative-network compatibility device includes a transceiver lane from the first connector end to the second connector end, which transceiver lane is placed in connection with one of the four transceiver pairs when mated with the card connector. |
| US08553569B2 |
Method of connection re-establishment and related communication device
A method of connection re-establishment for a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system includes starting a radio link monitoring timer or a radio link monitoring counter, and stopping the radio link monitoring timer or the radio link monitoring counter if it is still running when a radio resource control (RRC) connection re-establishment procedure is triggered. |
| US08553567B1 |
Packet dropping based on RF conditions
A first indicator of RF conditions that is associated with a first device is received. A second indicator of RF conditions that is associated with a second device is received. An indicator of throughput for one or more network elements is received. A first packet is received from the first device. A second packet is received from the second device. The first packet is sent and the second packet is not sent based on the first indicator of RF conditions, the second indicator of RF conditions, and the indicator of throughput. |
| US08553566B2 |
Method of delivering a PDCP data unit to an upper layer
Disclosed is a radio (wireless) communication system providing a radio communication service and a terminal, and more particularly, to a method of delivering a continuously and/or consecutively received Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) Service Data units (SDUs) to an upper layer immediately if a PDCP entity receives the PDCP SDUs during a process of a RLC re-establishment within an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (E-UMTS) that has evolved from a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) or a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system. |
| US08553562B2 |
Automated traffic engineering for multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) with link utilization as feedback into the tie-breaking mechanism
A method implemented in a node of a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) network for improved load distribution, including determining a first set of one or more shortest paths between each MPLS node pair, selecting at least a first shortest path by applying the common algorithm tie-breaking process, calculating a link utilization value for each link of the MPLS network, determining a second set of one or more shortest paths between each MPLS node pair, generating a path utilization value for each shortest path in the second set of shortest paths based on link utilization values corresponding to each shortest path, and selecting a second shortest path from the second set of shortest paths on the basis of said path utilization value, whereby the selection of the second subsets in light of path utilization minimizes the standard deviation of load distribution across the entire MPLS network. |
| US08553559B2 |
Methods and apparatus to manage bypass paths in an internet protocol (IP) network
Methods and apparatus to manage bypass paths in an Internet protocol (IP) network are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein includes identifying an aggregation router source bandwidth to a first Internet protocol router exceeding a source threshold value, identifying a first value of the aggregation router bandwidth directed to a first destination, identifying a second value of the aggregation router bandwidth directed to a plurality of second destinations, and bypassing the Internet protocol router with a Layer-2 Open systems Interconnection Reference device via a routerless bypass path when the first value of the aggregation router bandwidth exceeds a first threshold value. |
| US08553558B1 |
Uplink sounding transmission with carrier aggregation
A wireless device receives message(s) configuring transmissions of sounding reference signals on a secondary cell in a secondary cell group. The wireless device transmits one or more of the sounding reference signals on the secondary cell after applying a timing advance command to the secondary cell group. The wireless device is configured to not transmit any of the sounding reference signals on the secondary cell during a period between receiving the message(s) and applying the timing advance command to the secondary cell group. |
| US08553552B2 |
Stateless load balancer in a multi-node system for transparent processing with packet preservation
Stateless load balancing of network packets within a system avoids detection by a network client or end user for deep packet inspection or other bump-in-the-wire applications. At least one header field of a received packet is used in generating a hash value. The hash value is used to identify a processing resource within the system for processing the received packet. Before being sent to the identified resource, the received packet is encapsulated with a new header that includes an indication of ingress port. The encapsulation does not modify the original packet. On a return path from the identified processing resource, the ingress port is determined from the encapsulated packet, the encapsulated packet is decapsulated to obtain a recovered packet that is identical to the received packet, and the recovered packet is forwarded to the network through an egress port as determined from the recovered ingress port. |
| US08553551B2 |
Dynamic bandwidth allocation for upstream transmission in passive optical networks
Methods for dynamic bandwidth allocation among optical networks units for upstream transmission, performed by an optical line terminal of a passive optical network, which compensate for unused guaranteed bandwidth, which compensate for inability to use allocated bandwidth due to lack of data frame fragmentation, and which provide fair bandwidth allocation between mixed high transmission rate and low transmission rate optical network units. |
| US08553550B2 |
Wireless transmission device, wireless transmission method, program, and integrated circuit
A wireless transmission device includes a wireless transmitting and receiving unit having an antenna that transmits and receives data wirelessly; a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) buffer in which the data that is to be transmitted and has been received by the wireless transmitting and receiving unit is temporarily stored; and an antenna control unit that controls the wireless transmitting and receiving unit to improve communication quality of the antenna, when it is determined that a data amount stored in the TCP buffer falls below a threshold value. |
| US08553548B2 |
Collision mitigation for multicast transmission in wireless local area networks
A method and apparatus are described including determining if a communications medium is idle; determining a time interval for a reservation of said communications medium; multicasting a message for reserving said communications medium; receiving responses to said message for reserving said communications medium; and determining if a number of said received responses compared to an expected number of responses exceeds a value; performing one of initiating pending frame exchanges and multicasting data or management frames during said time interval for said reservation of said communications medium if said comparison exceeds said value; repeating said first determining act if said comparison does not exceed said value. Also described are a method and apparatus including receiving a message for a reservation of a communications medium; determining if said message specifies a receiver of the message in a list of receivers from which a response is requested; determining if said communications medium is idle; determining a time period in which to transmit said response responsive to an order in said list, wherein said list of receivers is one of a reply list of receiver addresses and a combination of a bitmap control field and a partial virtual bitmap; and transmitting said response to said message responsive to said second determination. |
| US08553547B2 |
Systems and methods for retransmitting packets over a network of communication channels
Systems and methods for transmitting packets over a network of communication channels are provide. A system according to the invention may include first and second nodes in communication with a coax backbone. The first node may further include a retransmission buffer. The system may also include a network access coordinator operative to coordinate access of the nodes to the coax backbone. In a time period at least one first packet is transmitted by the first node to the second node. The first packet may include an indication that retransmission service is applied. The first packet may also include a indication of the length corresponding to the packet. If, during the first time period the packet is not received by the second node, the second node is operative to send a retransmission request to the network access coordinator. |
| US08553546B2 |
Technique for soft bit scaling
A technique for determining in a fading channel environment a scaling factor for soft bit quantization is proposed. In a method realisation, the technique includes repeatedly determining an SNR value for the fading channel, calculating a weighted average based on a plurality of the SNR values, wherein weighting is performed such that contributions of extremal SNR values are attenuated, and determining the scaling factor for soft bit quantization dependent on the weighted average. |
| US08553544B2 |
Reliability metrics in an IP network
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to characterizing reliability associated with a network. To characterize the reliability, an edge-pair reliability metric is determined for service edge point pairs. An end-to-end reliability metric is computed based on a distribution of the edge-pair reliability metric for the service edge point pairs and a threshold value. |
| US08553543B2 |
Traffic shaping method and device
A packet relay device comprises a distribution processing unit classifying traffics into groups and users based on header information of packets received; a calculation unit calculating available frame rate of each user from peak frame rate, minimum frame rate, and weight information set for each user; a scheduling control unit updating a transmission schedule point-in-time calculated based on the available frame rate of each user, and judging which packet should be transmitted in accordance with the transmission schedule point-in-time updated; and a shaping unit updating a transmission schedule point-in-time calculated based on the peak frame rate of each user, and performing a shaping of packets at the peak frame rate on each user basis in accordance with the transmission schedule point-in-time updated; and a priority-control processing unit performing a strict priority control over transmission of packets of each group in correspondence with degree of priority of each group. |
| US08553541B2 |
Network traffic transfer between a radio base station node and a gateway node
A technique for transferring network traffic between a radio base station (RBS) node and a gateway (GW) node of a mobile telecommunications network is described. A method embodiment comprises the steps of providing a first transport link and a second transport link between the RBS node and the GW node. The first transport link is configured to transport network traffic of a higher priority and the second transport link is configured to transport network traffic of a lower priority. The method further comprises distributing network traffic over the transport links depending on an assignment between the transport links and priority settings associated with the network traffic. |
| US08553540B2 |
Congestion control for delay sensitive applications
In various embodiments, methods and systems are disclosed for a hybrid rate plus window based congestion protocol that controls the rate of packet transmission into the network and provides low queuing delay, practically zero packet loss, fair allocation of network resources amongst multiple flows, and full link utilization. In one embodiment, a congestion window may be used to control the maximum number of outstanding bits, a transmission rate may be used to control the rate of packets entering the network (packet pacing), a queuing delay based rate update may be used to control queuing delay within tolerated bounds and minimize packet loss, and aggressive ramp-up/graceful back-off may be used to fully utilize the link capacity and additive-increase, multiplicative-decrease (AIMD) rate control may be used to provide fairness amongst multiple flows. |
| US08553539B2 |
Method and system for packet traffic congestion management
A packet routing system is provided that comprises a processor, a component, a resource map and a resource map manger. The component classifies an incoming packet of a user session. The resource map identifies a plurality of resources used to process the incoming packet. The resource map manager determines an availability of at least some of the resources and based on the availability either promote processing the incoming packet or drop the incoming packet. |
| US08553530B1 |
Operating state control in redundancy protection systems
Operating state control in redundancy protection systems is disclosed. One protecting apparatus of a redundant pair is selected to be in a first operating state in the redundant pair. Protected communication equipment for which the redundant pair provides redundancy protection transmits, to only the selected apparatus, communication traffic that includes content for further transmission from both protecting apparatus in the redundant pair. This causes the selected protecting apparatus to transition to or remain in the first operating state and the other protecting apparatus to transition to or remain in a second operating state. A protecting apparatus determines that it is to be in the first operating state if communication traffic received from the protected equipment includes content for further transmission from the protecting apparatus, and determines that it is to be in the second operating state if the received communication traffic includes no such content. |
| US08553524B2 |
Signal reception apparatus, systems, and methods
An apparatus and a system, as well as a method and article, may operate to separate, in the frequency domain, a combined plurality of asynchronous data streams received at substantially the same time into a separated plurality of data streams, converting to the time domain for detection, synchronizing, and decoding. |
| US08553516B2 |
Reproducing device and optical path length servo control method
A reproducing device includes a homodyne detection part that carries out homodyne detection by using reflected light of first light obtained from a recording layer as signal light and using reflected light of second light by a mirror as reference light, a signal reproducing part that obtains a reproduced signal based on the signal light, based on a result of homodyne detection, and a one-axis actuator that drives the mirror. The reproducing device further includes an optical path length servo control part that carries out driving control of the one-axis actuator in such a manner that the optical path length difference between the signal light and the reference light is kept constant, and an offset giving part that gives an offset that reduces or enlarges the amplitude difference of the reproduced signal of marks that are recorded in the recording layer and have sizes different from each other. |
| US08553515B2 |
System and method for precise servoing
A method for servoing when reading out a recorded holographic disk or recording in a preformatted disk includes detecting a primary signal of a reflected primary beam from a target data track of a target data layer of the disk, wherein the primary beam of radiation has a first wavelength; comparing a power measurement of the primary signal with a threshold value of power; detecting a tracking signal of a reflected tracking beam from a reference layer of the disk in an event that the power measurement of the primary signal is below the threshold value, wherein the tracking beam of radiation has a second wavelength; generating a servo error signal based upon the primary signal or the tracking signal; actuating an optical sub-system based upon either of the primary servo error signal or the tracking servo error signal such that the primary beam focuses on the target data layer. |
| US08553510B1 |
Method and system for radial and tangential tilt calibration of optical storage systems
A system and method for adjusting the radial tilt, tangential tilt, or a combination of radial and tangential tilt of an optical detection unit in an optical disc reading system can include applying different weighting factors to different signal components depending on which detection area detects the component, measuring a value of a signal characteristic, such as signal-to-noise ratio, of two signals with different sets of weighting factors, and determining an adjustment factor to the radial tilt as a function of the of the measured signal characteristic values. |
| US08553508B2 |
Focus servo control device, and information recording/reproducing device using the same
A focus servo control device includes a first detector, first controller, second detector, and second controller. The first detector detects a first focus error signal. The first controller controls the objective lens based on the first focus error signal, so that a focal point of the first laser agrees with the guide layer. The second detector detects a second focus error signal. The second controller changes a relative distance between the focal point of the second laser and the focal point of the first laser, so that the focal point of the second laser agrees with a target recording/reproducing layer. |
| US08553507B1 |
Write track shift control in shingled-microwave-assisted magnetic recording (MAMR-SMR)
In one embodiment, a magnetic data storage system includes a magnetic disk medium, a microwave-assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) head including a main pole adapted for recording data to the magnetic disk medium having a first recording width, a spin torque oscillator (STO) adapted to apply a high-frequency magnetic field to the magnetic disk medium during a recording operation, wherein the STO is operable or inoperable when in an on or off state, respectively, wherein the main pole has a second recording width when the STO is in the on state, and the second recording width is different from the first recording width, a drive mechanism for passing the magnetic disk medium over the MAMR head, a read head including a magnetoresistance sensor, and a controller adapted for adjusting a shift quantity of the magnetic head depending on whether the STO is in the on or off state. |
| US08553506B2 |
Preheat feature for thermally assisted recording
An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a near-field transducer positioned towards an air bearing surface side of the apparatus; and at least one conductor or circuit for causing heating of the near-field transducer. A method according to one embodiment includes heating the near-field transducer by passing a current through the at least one conductor or circuit; and illuminating the near-field transducer during a write operation, wherein the current does not pass through the at least one conductor or circuit for at least a majority of a time of illumination. Additional embodiments are also presented. |
| US08553503B2 |
On-die signal timing measurement
In one embodiment, a timing relationship between two signals on an integrated circuit is measured using a ring oscillator on the die of the integrated circuit. The measured time difference is outputted in a digital form. A delay line coupled to the ring oscillator may be used to reduce uncertainty in measurement which may result from the effects of latch circuit metastability. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08553502B2 |
Electronic device and method providing improved bedtime mode of operation
An improved electronic device and method provide an improved clock feature that includes a BEDTIME mode that is initiated by execution of a BEDTIME mode routine. The BEDTIME mode comprises a number of features that are conducive to sleep by performing operations that minimize distractions to a user, and all such operations are initiated by execution of the BEDTIME mode routine. |
| US08553499B2 |
Migration-based illumination determination for AVA risk assessment
According to a preferred aspect of the instant invention, there is provided herein a system and method for extending zero-offset or stacked wave-equation illumination analysis into the angle-gather domain, where it becomes an appropriate tool for assessing the effects of complex overburden on AVA response. A preferred method for doing this involves first creating an angle gather that has a perfect AVA response (i.e. a constant amplitude as a function of angle). This gather is then preferably used as a reflectivity map that is fed into a demigration process which creates modeled data that by construction carries with it a completely flat reflectivity signature. Remigration of such a data set then results in a gather on which any amplitude variation is more likely to be a measure of illumination effects alone. The resulting AVA signature on the gather can then be used to assess the validity of the AVA response on modeled or actual data, resulting in a useful AVA risk analysis. |
| US08553498B2 |
Q tomography method
Method for reconstructing subsurface Q models (110) from seismic data (10) by performing ray-based (60), centroid frequency shift (50) Q tomography. The seismic source waveform's amplitude spectrum is approximated by a frequency-weighted exponential function of frequency (40), having two parameters to adjust to fit the frequency shift data, thereby providing a better fit to various asymmetric source amplitude spectra. Box constraints may be used in the optimization routine, and a multi-index active-set method used in velocity tomography is a preferred technique for implementing the box constraints (100). |
| US08553495B2 |
Device and method for imaging of non-linear and linear properties of formations surrounding a borehole
In some aspects of the disclosure, a method and an apparatus is disclosed for investigating material surrounding the borehole. The method includes generating within a borehole an intermittent low frequency vibration that propagates as a tube wave longitudinally to the borehole and induces a nonlinear response in one or more features in the material that are substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the borehole; generating within the borehole a sequence of high frequency pulses directed such that they travel longitudinally to the borehole within the surrounding material; and receiving, at one or more receivers positionable in the borehole, a signal that includes components from the low frequency vibration and the sequence of high frequency pulses during intermittent generation of the low frequency vibration, to investigate the material surrounding the borehole. |
| US08553490B2 |
Array grouping of seismic sensors in a marine streamer for optimum noise attenuation
A marine seismic streamer includes at least one particle motion sensor array. The array includes a plurality of particle motion sensors disposed at spaced apart locations along the streamer. Outputs of the particle motion sensors are functionally coupled to form an array. A number of the particle motion sensors and a spacing between adjacent particle motion sensors are selected to attenuate noise in a selected mode of propagation and within a selected wavenumber range. The streamer includes means for weighting a signal output of each particle motion sensor in the at least one array. A signal weight applied to each sensor by the means for weighting is selected to optimize attenuation of the noise. |
| US08553487B2 |
Internal power supply circuit, semiconductor device, and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
To provide an internal power supply circuit that supplies a power supply voltage to an internal circuit of a semiconductor device via an internal power supply wiring, the internal power supply circuit includes a plurality of power supply units connected in common to the internal power supply wiring and an internal-power-supply control circuit that selects either activation or deactivation with regard to at least a part of the power supply units. |
| US08553476B2 |
Three dimensional memory system with page of data across word lines
A three dimensional monolithic memory array of non-volatile storage elements includes a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit lines. The plurality of bit lines are grouped into columns. One page of data is stored across multiple word lines by programming non-volatile storage elements connected to one column of bit lines and multiple word lines while maintaining the selection of the one column of bit lines. In one embodiment, programming non-volatile storage elements includes selectively connecting bit lines to sense amplifiers using selection circuits that include a storage device, a select circuit connected to the storage device and one or more level shifters providing two or more interfaces to the respective selection circuit. |
| US08553459B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and memory system having the same
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a first string including a first number of memory cells connected in series each storing therein information in a nonvolatile manner; and a second string including a second number of memory cells connected in series each storing therein information in a nonvolatile manner, wherein the second number is smaller than the first number. |
| US08553454B2 |
Predictive thermal preconditioning and timing control for non-volatile memory cells
Method and apparatus for using thermal preconditioning to write data to a non-volatile memory cell. In accordance with some embodiments, a semiconductor memory has an array of non-volatile memory cells, and a control circuit which stores a first write command from a host to write data to said array. A write circuit flows a write current through an unconditioned first selected cell having a first block address associated with the first write command to write the first selected cell to a selected data state, and concurrently passes a thermal preconditioning current through a second selected cell having a second block address associated with the first block address. The write circuit further passes a thermal preconditioning current through a third selected cell having a third block address associated with the second block address in response to receipt by the control circuit of a second write command from the host associated with the second block address. |
| US08553451B2 |
Spin-torque transfer memory cell structures with symmetric switching and single direction programming
Techniques are provided for programming a spin torque transfer magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) cell using a unidirectional and/or symmetrical programming current. A unidirectional programming current flows through the free region of the STT-MRAM cell in one direction to switch the magnetization of the free region in at least two different directions. A symmetrical programming current switches the magnetization of the free region to either of the two different directions using a substantially similar current magnitude. In some embodiments, the STT-MRAM cell includes two fixed regions, each having fixed magnetizations in opposite directions and a free region configured to be switched in magnetization to be either parallel with or antiparallel to the magnetization of one of the fixed regions. Switching the free region to different magnetization directions may involve directing the programming current through one of the two oppositely magnetized fixed regions. |
| US08553449B2 |
STT-MRAM cell structures
A magnetic cell structure including a nonmagnetic bridge, and methods of fabricating the structure are provided. The magnetic cell structure includes a free layer, a pinned layer, and a nonmagnetic bridge electrically connecting the free layer and the pinned layer. The shape and/or configuration of the nonmagnetic bridge directs a programming current through the magnetic cell structure such that the cross sectional area of the programming current in the free layer of the structure is less than the cross section of the structure. The decrease in the cross sectional area of the programming current in the free layer enables a lower programming current to reach a critical switching current density in the free layer and switch the magnetization of the free layer, programming the magnetic cell. |
| US08553445B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having stacked structure including resistor-switched based logic circuit and method of manufacturing the same
Semiconductor memory device having a stacking structure including resistor switch based logic circuits. The semiconductor memory device includes a first conductive line that includes a first line portion and a second line portion, wherein the first line portion and the second line portion are electrically separated from each other by an intermediate region disposed between the first and second line portions, a first variable resistance material film that is connected to the first line portion and stores data, and a second variable resistance material film that controls an electrical connection between the first line portion and the second line portion. |
| US08553441B1 |
Ternary content addressable memory cell having two transistor pull-down stack
Ternary CAM cells include a compare circuit including a discharge path having only two pull-down transistors coupled between the match line and ground potential. |
| US08553437B2 |
Method and control device for controlling power flow within a DC power transmission network
A method for controlling power flow within a DC power flow within a DC power transmission network includes two or more interconnected converter stations. The method includes the steps of: establishing a common feedback signal (Ud,common, Ũd,common) to the converter stations, the common feedback signal (Ud,common, Ũd,common) being based on an overall voltage level in the DC transmission, power network; providing, in the converter stations, a control signal (S1, S2, S3, S4) based on the common feedback signal (Ud,common) and a drooped error signal (Pe,droop, Ue,droop); and controlling the power flow within the DC power transmission network towards set operating points (Udref, PCCref) by using the control signal (S1, S2, S3, S4). A control device and computer program product is also described. |
| US08553433B2 |
DC voltage compensation in a multi-terminal HVDC power transmission network
In a multi-terminal HVDC power transmission network comprising at least three HVDC converter stations interconnected by at least two transmission lines, where at least one of the transmission lines is a long line, an active voltage source device is series connected to one of the transmission lines, which maintains the DC voltage of the transmission lines of the network to be within a predefined voltage range by injecting an additional DC voltage in series with the one transmission line. |
| US08553429B2 |
Electrical component mounting assemblies
An electrical component mounting assembly is disclosed for attaching a cylindrical electrical component (C1) such as capacitor, diode, or resistor to a mounting member such as a printed circuit board in a horizontal or vertical orientation. The mounting assembly can have a housing (12) and a sleeve (14) placed around the electrical component which cooperates with the housing to retain the electrical component to the housing. A substantially inner cylindrical wall (32) of the housing can taper inward from an entrance (34) end to a rear wall (18) to form a tapering or narrowing chamber (30). The sleeve can have a slit that runs along the entire length of the sleeve and a tapered outer surface (28) that cooperates with the tapered chamber to clamp or compress against the electrical component as the sleeve is inserted into the housing. The lack of appreciable expansion of the housing creates a tight friction fit to secure the sleeve to the housing. The sleeve can also include a plank that is received in an opening in the housing which can be heat staked to reinforce the friction fit taper lock between the housing and sleeve. The housing can be dimensioned to mount more than one electrical component diameter size by varying the dimensions of the sleeve, and in particular the thickness of sleeve. |
| US08553428B2 |
Component for reducing mechanical stress on a PCB
A component for mounting on a PCB, intended to support an electronics component, with an extension in the longitudinal, lateral and vertical directions. The component has a first and a second main surface, the second main surface being intended for mounting on the PCB. The component is made in a non conducting material, with a first layer of conducting material arranged on its first main surface, the conducting layer being connected to a conducting layer on the second main surface of the component by electrically conducting means. The component's extension in the vertical direction is smaller than its extension in either the longitudinal or lateral direction. |
| US08553427B2 |
Motherboard
A motherboard includes a first circuit board, a second circuit board, and wiring. The first circuit board includes at least a programmable chip, a programming interface, a first data interface, and at least one jumper corresponding to the programmable chip. The second circuit board includes a CPU (central processing unit), a RAM unit, and at least a second data interface corresponding to the programmable chip. The motherboard of the present disclosure concentrates programmable chips on the first circuit board, thereby providing a unified programming interface to enhance the convenience of programming multiple programmable chips. |
| US08553421B2 |
Fire alarm system transmitter
A fire alarm system transmitter includes: a printed circuit board with a substantially rectangular shape, on which a terminal block including a plurality of terminals aligned along one side of the printed circuit board is disposed; a casing with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, in which the printed circuit board is mounted; and an electric-wire insertion portion provided on a side wall of the casing facing the one side, and extended from the side wall by a predetermined distance toward an outside of the casing. The side wall allows a plurality of electric wires connected to the plurality of terminals to be inserted through the side wall. |
| US08553420B2 |
Enhanced stacked microelectronic assemblies with central contacts and improved thermal characteristics
A microelectronic assembly includes a dielectric element having oppositely-facing first and second surfaces and one or more apertures extending between the surfaces, the dielectric element further having conductive elements thereon; a first microelectronic element having a rear surface and a front surface facing the first surface of the dielectric element, the first microelectronic element having a first edge and a plurality of contacts exposed at the front surface thereof; a second microelectronic element including having a rear surface and a front surface facing the rear surface of the first microelectronic element, a projecting portion of the front surface of the second microelectronic element extending beyond the first edge of the first microelectronic element, the projecting portion being spaced from the first surface of the dielectric element, the second microelectronic element having a plurality of contacts exposed at the projecting portion of the front surface; leads extending from contacts of the microelectronic elements through the at least one aperture to at least some of the conductive elements; and a heat spreader thermally coupled to at least one of the first microelectronic element or the second microelectronic element. |
| US08553418B2 |
Mounting apparatus for power supply unit
An assembly includes a power supply unit, a base, and an enclosure. The base includes a bottom plate. The enclosure includes a bottom panel. A flexible piece is connected to the bottom panel. The power supply unit is located on the bottom panel. The bottom panel is located on the bottom plate of the base. The flexible piece is located between the power supply unit and the bottom plate, and is elastically bent. |
| US08553416B1 |
Electronic device cooling system with storage
Cooling systems for providing cooled air to electronic equipment are described. The systems can include large storage tanks or waste treatment systems to improve the efficiency of the plant and reduce impact on the environment. |
| US08553415B2 |
Electronic device with heat dissipation module
An electronic device includes a casing, a fan, and a heat sink. The casing defines a plurality of through holes therein. The fan defines air outlet at one side thereof facing the through holes of the casing. The air outlet includes a first portion and a second portion. Air pressure in the first portion is larger than air pressure of the second portion. The heat sink includes a first fin set arranged on the first portion and a second fin set arranged on the second portion. A first passage is defined between each two neighboring first fins. A second passage is defined between each two neighboring second fins. A width of the second passage is less than that of the first passage. |
| US08553414B2 |
Gas cooled traction drive inverter
The present invention provides a modular circuit card configuration for distributing heat among a plurality of circuit cards. Each circuit card includes a housing adapted to dissipate heat in response to gas flow over the housing. In one aspect, a gas-cooled inverter includes a plurality of inverter circuit cards, and a plurality of circuit card housings, each of which encloses one of the plurality of inverter cards. |
| US08553411B2 |
Computer chassis
A computer chassis is provided. The computer chassis includes a housing having a first closed compartment with a first heat sink having a first heat dissipating surface formed on one side of the first closed compartment; and a second closed compartment having a second heat sink with a second heat dissipating surface formed on one side of the second closed compartment. The first and second compartments are substantially isolated from air flow within the housing. The housing, the first closed compartment and the second closed compartment are configured to define an air passage way between the housing, the first heat dissipating surface and the second heat dissipating surface. This air passage way forms a chimney effect that aids in cooling and promotes natural air convection. |
| US08553410B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes a heat dissipating module mounted at a position interposed between a shield plate and a main circuit board and air sent from a fan through a heat dissipating fin is discharged from an air vent, wherein the heat dissipating module includes the heat dissipating fin in contact with the heat generating electronic component; the fan sending the air; and a base body supporting the fan and the heat dissipating fin at a position closer to a side of the shield plate than a position of the fan, and having a slope between the fan and the heat dissipating fin for guiding the air sent from the fan to the heat dissipating fin, wherein the shield plate includes a cut and raised piece which faces the slope and obliquely guides the air sent from the fan to the heat dissipating fin along the slope. |
| US08553409B2 |
System and method for portable information handling system parallel-wall thermal shield
An information handling system's thermal management is selectively altered by coupling a thermal barrier to the bottom surface of the information handling system chassis so that an air channel insulates against the passage of thermal energy from the bottom surface. A vent opening in a side of the thermal barrier allows airflow through the air channel to a vent opening of the information handling system. The airflow through the air channel cools the base of the thermal barrier so that an end user will experience reduced thermal energy if the information handling system rests on the end user, such as in the end user's lap. |
| US08553408B2 |
Charging docking system
Systems and methods provide power to a device via a dock. A mounting base may include a mounting component, including a receiving area configured to removably receive a mating device at a plurality of orientations within a plane, wherein the mounting component comprises one or more indexing members and the mating device comprises one or more indexing elements, or the mating device comprises one or more indexing members and the mounting component comprises one or more indexing elements, the indexing members and elements configured to engage each other to align the mating device with the mounting component in one or more rotational orientations on said plane. A detector, configured to detect the presence of the mating device, and a driver circuit may be included. A device may be configured to control power sourced to the mating device by the driver circuit after the detector detects the mating device. |
| US08553403B2 |
Foldable electronic device with magnetic latch
An exemplary foldable electronic device includes a processing portion, a keyboard, and a latching member. The processing portion includes a main housing. The keyboard is rotatably connected to the processing portion. The keyboard includes a metal housing. The latching member is arranged in the main housing. The latching member includes a magnet. When the keyboard abuts against the processing portion, the attraction force between the magnet and the metal housing is greater than the force of the gravity acting on the keyboard, the keyboard is attached to the processing portion. |
| US08553401B2 |
Bag computer computing unit panel and display panel
Disclosed is a computing system including bag and computer components which allow the bag wearer to quickly access and use a computer while mobile. System components, which may vary, include: a bag adapted to attach various computer components and with a computer equipment storage area on outside front; a pivoting display panel located near the bag top front and pivoting into the storage area a computing unit panel located on the bag's inside front; a pivoting input device located on the outside bag front; a pivoting cover near the bottom of the storage area to protect the equipment stored there. The components have appropriate physical and electrical connections. The computing unit panel, in particular, may be shaped and positioned on the inside of the bag front to form a front wall support to assist in storing the display panel in the storage area on the outside of the bag front. |
| US08553400B2 |
Electronic displays and metal micropatterned substrates having a graphic
Electronic displays and metal micropatterned substrates are described comprising a graphic defined by a contrasting area adjacent the graphic. In one embodiment, the graphic is visible when the display is viewed with reflected light and the graphic is substantially less visible or invisible when viewed with backlighting transmitted through the metal micropatterned substrate. The graphic and contrasting area have a total metal micropattern density that differs by no greater than about 5% and more preferably by no greater than 2%. |
| US08553398B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus including: a main circuit board through which a through hole is formed perpendicularly between a first face and a second face of the circuit board; a connector mounted on the first face; and a supporter including a supporting portion for supporting the connector on the first face, and a fixing portion having a screw hole overlapping the through hole on the second face. The supporter is fixed to the main circuit board by a screw inserted through the through hole from the first face and into the screw hole, while the connector is supported by the supporter. |
| US08553395B2 |
Motor control center network connectivity method and system
A motor control center comprises a plurality of bays in which switchgear components, circuit protective components, automation components and power electronic components are disposed for driving motors and other loads. Network optical conductors are routed through one or more wireways adjacent to the bays. Distribution nodes are coupled to the conductors and are interconnected with respective network terminals within the bays. Components within individual bays for which EtherNet and/or Internet connectivity is desired are coupled to the network terminals. The conductors may comprise plastic optical fibers and may be designed to operate in the relatively high voltage environment of the motor control center bays. |
| US08553391B2 |
Electronic component
In an electronic component, a laminate includes a plurality of laminated ceramic layers and a mounting surface defined by outer edges of the plurality of laminated ceramic layers, the outer edges being continuously located adjacent to each other. Capacitor conductors are disposed on the ceramic layers and include exposed portions that are exposed at the mounting surface between the ceramic layers. An electroconductive layer defining an external electrode is arranged to directly cover the exposed portions and is formed by plating so as to be made of plated material. Another electroconductive layer covers the above-mentioned electroconductive layer and partially covers surfaces of the laminate, and it is made of a material including metal and one of glass and resin. |
| US08553388B2 |
Electronic device for controlling a current
An electronic device is provided for controlling a current. The electronic device includes a first MOS transistor coupled with a gate to a common gate node, with a source to ground and with a drain to a pin so as to receive from the pin a current to be controlled. There is a second MOS transistor coupled with a gate to the common gate node, with a source to ground and with a drain so as to receive a reference current controlled by a control loop. There is a first resistor coupled between the common gate node and ground. |
| US08553387B2 |
Electronic device
This invention provides an electronic device including a casing and a circuit board. The casing has an opening. The circuit board is located in the casing and at least includes a conductive layer and a surface insulating layer. The conductive layer includes a signal transmission portion and a static induction portion. The static induction portion is electrically disconnected with the signal transmission portion at the conductive layer, and the static induction portion is closer to the opening than the signal transmission portion. The surface insulating layer covers the signal transmission portion on the circuit board and exposes the static induction portion. |
| US08553383B2 |
Under-voltage protection circuit for battery
An under-voltage protection circuit has a power input terminal connected to a battery, a power output terminal connected to an electronic device, a switch circuit for switching the power supply circuit from the power input terminal to the power output terminal, a control circuit for controlling the switch circuit, and a control voltage generating circuit that generates a first control voltage when the switch circuit is cut off. The control circuit controls the switch circuit in accordance with the first control voltage. The control voltage generating circuit further generates a second control voltage when the switch circuit is conductive, and then the control circuit controls the switch circuit in accordance with the second control voltage. |
| US08553382B2 |
Power switching arrangement
A circuit protection system for a power panel is disclosed. The circuit protection system includes a transistor connected in a channel of a power panel, the transistor connected between return connections of a load and a return path, and the power panel including a plurality of channels connected to the load. The circuit protection system also includes control circuitry electrically connected in parallel with the transistor, the control circuitry configured to selectively activate the transistor to allow current to pass through the transistor based on an observed voltage across the transistor. |
| US08553379B2 |
Transformer differential protection
Transformer differential protection is provided by measuring a plurality of currents corresponding to a first set of windings and a second set of windings of a transformer, and compensating the currents based on their respective flows through either the first set of windings or the second set of windings. The compensated currents may be intentionally augmented to compensate for magnetizing inrush and/or stationary overexcitation conditions associated with the transformer. Augmentation based on stationary overexcitation, for example, may be based on either harmonic restraint or an addition of a V/Hz ratio to a restraining signal. A complex current ratio is calculated corresponding to the plurality of compensated currents. The complex current ratio may be based on a two-terminal equivalent power apparatus. Then, an alpha plane analysis is applied to the complex current ratio. Based on the alpha plane analysis, a power apparatus that includes the transformer is selectively tripped. |
| US08553376B2 |
Synchronous rectified PWM regulator with auto fault clearing
A fault tolerant synchronous rectifier PWM regulator system and method are disclosed. In the system and method, a force commutated synchronous rectifier is operable to be coupled to an electrical bus, and a low side switch is operable to be coupled to a common ground. In addition, a first fuse is coupled to the force commutated synchronous rectifier and the low side switch, and is operable to open in response to a first fault. Furthermore, an inductor is coupled to the first fuse, the force commutated synchronous rectifier and the low side switch, and a second fuse is coupled to the inductor and is operable to be coupled to a current source and to open in response to a second fault. |
| US08553375B2 |
Intelligent soft start control to reduce electrostatic discharge clamp current spikes
Systems and methods of regulating a power supply may involve ramping an output voltage of the power supply toward an operating voltage level at a first slew rate in response to detecting a soft start condition of the power supply. A determination can be made as to whether the output voltage has exceeded an intermediate voltage level and, if so, the output voltage may be ramped toward the operating voltage level at a second slew rate. The first slew rate can be substantially less than the second slew rate in order to prevent an electrostatic discharge pump from activating. |
| US08553373B2 |
Solid state power controller for high voltage direct current systems
A solid state power controller system can include a direct current load, a solid state power controller apparatus including an alternating current sensor coupled to the direct current load, a direct current sensor coupled to the direct current load, a voltage sensor coupled to the direct current load, a main switch coupled to the direct current load via the alternating and direct current sensors, an auxiliary switch coupled in parallel to the main switch, a current limiting resistor coupled in series to the auxiliary switch and a solid state power controller coupled to the main switch, the auxiliary switch, the alternating current sensor, the direct current sensor, and the voltage sensor, and a direct current power source coupled to the solid state power controller apparatus. |
| US08553370B2 |
TMR reader structure having shield layer
The present invention generally relates to a TMR reader and a method for its manufacture. The TMR reader discussed herein adds a shield layer to the sensor structure. The shield layer is deposited over the capping layer so that the shield layer and the capping layer collectively protect the free magnetic layer within the sensor structure from damage during further processing. Additionally, the hard bias layer is shaped such that the entire hard bias layer underlies the hard bias capping layer so that a top lead layer is not present. By eliminating the top lead layer and including a shield layer within the sensor structure, the read gap is reduced while still protecting the free magnetic layer during later processing. |
| US08553365B1 |
Apparatuses and methods for loading a head onto a disk medium
Systems and methods for improving loading and unloading of a read or write head onto and off of a disk medium. Particular embodiments may assist in loading a read or write head to, or unloading a read or write head from, a load location over a surface of a disk medium in such a manner that damage to the surface of the disk medium (e.g., load location) is either prevented or minimized. The prevention or reduction of damage may be achieved by ensuring that a read or write head has sufficient clearance over the surface of a disk medium as the read or write head moves over the surface (e.g., as the head moves parallel to the surface) during a head loading or unloading process. |
| US08553364B1 |
Low impedance, high bandwidth disk drive suspension circuit
A low impedance, low crosstalk disk drive suspension circuit has multiple traces carrying a first polarity of a differential signal, interleaved with multiple traces carrying the second polarity of a differential signal. Each pair of conductors consisting of a trace of the first polarity and a trace of the second polarity may cross over each other at multiple crossover points. The crossover connections may utilize a second layer of copper trace conductors over the first and main layer, or alternatively the crossover connections may utilize an isolated portion of the suspension substrate. |
| US08553363B2 |
Air-bearing surface of head for minimizing contact with disk
Approaches for a head slider for use within a hard-disk drive. The head slider comprises an air bearing surface (ABS) and an electromagnetic transducer disposed at an air outflow end of the air bearing surface. The air bearing surface comprises an inner (ID) side rail proximate the inner diameter side and an outer (OD) side rail proximate the outer diameter side. The ID side rail is longer in length than the OD side rail. The physical dimensions of the ID side rail have a geometry that reduces a contact force between the head and the magnetic-recording disk when the head experiences a positive roll static attitude (RSA). The physical dimensions of the OD side rail have a geometry that reduces contact force between the head and the magnetic-recording disk when the head experiences a negative RSA. |
| US08553358B2 |
Magnetic head
According to one embodiment, a magnetic head for reading data from a magnetic recording medium by utilizing a magnetic resonance phenomenon includes an auxiliary magnetic pole, a first oscillator, and a second oscillator. The auxiliary magnetic pole is to apply a magnetic field to the magnetic recording medium. The first oscillator is to oscillate at a first frequency and apply, to the magnetic recording medium, a first high-frequency magnetic field corresponding to the first frequency. The second oscillator to oscillate at a second frequency different from the first frequency and apply, to the magnetic recording medium, a second high-frequency magnetic field corresponding to the second frequency. |
| US08553357B1 |
Cooling of hard disk drives with separate mechanical module and drive control module
A data storage system includes one or more hard disk drive systems and an air moving device. The hard disk drive systems may include one or more drive mechanical modules that store data and a drive control module electrically coupled to the drive mechanical modules. The drive control modules may control mechanical operations in the drive mechanical modules. The drive control module includes a circuit board assembly and heat producing components coupled to the circuit board assembly. Air passages on each side of the printed circuit board assembly allow a stream of air to flow across heat producing components on at least one side of the printed circuit board assembly. |
| US08553356B1 |
Disk limiter for disk drive
A disk drive including a disk having a top surface, a cover positioned over the disk, and a disk limiter protruding from the cover toward the disk. The disk limiter is configured to contact a portion of the top surface of the disk when the disk is deflected toward the cover, and has a middle portion between two end portions. At least one portion of the disk limiter curves or slopes in a direction away from the disk. |
| US08553355B2 |
Spindle motor and storage disk drive
A motor includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary portion includes a shaft portion and an upper thrust portion. The upper thrust portion includes a tubular first outer circumferential surface arranged radially outside the upper thrust portion, and a tubular second outer circumferential surface arranged above the first outer circumferential surface. The rotating portion includes a sleeve portion, a tubular portion, and an annular cover portion. The annular cover portion includes a plate portion and an inner annular projecting portion arranged to project upward or downward. An inner circumferential surface of the inner annular projecting portion is arranged above an inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion. An upper seal portion includes a surface of a lubricating oil located therein. The inner circumferential surface of the inner annular projecting portion and the second outer circumferential surface are arranged opposite to each other with an axially extending gap therebetween. |
| US08553353B2 |
Neutralization of static charge on magnetic tape
Methods and apparatus are provided related to magnetic recording tape. One or more ion emitters are disposed in non-contacting proximity to a passing recording tape. Static electric charges born on the tape are neutralized prior to passing the tape in contact with a read-write head. Migration of chemical constituency from the tape to the head is prevented or significantly reduced with a corresponding elimination or reduction of related problems. |
| US08553351B1 |
Disk drive correcting track ID in response to an estimated radial location and a burst PES
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, the disk comprising a plurality of servo tracks defined by a plurality of servo sectors. An estimated radial location of the head is generated in response to an actuator control signal. A Gray coded track ID is detected from reading a servo sector, and decoded into a detected track ID. A burst position error signal (PES) is generated from reading servo bursts in the servo sector, wherein the burst PES represents a detected fractional servo track offset of the head. When the detected track ID is corrupt, a corrected track ID is generated using the estimated radial location and the burst PES, and the actuator control signal is adjusted in response to the corrected track ID and the burst PES. |
| US08553348B2 |
Disk drive and servo-control method therefor
A disk drive. The disk drive includes a head, an actuator, and a controller. The head accesses a disk. The actuator is configured to support the head and to move the head by action of a voice-coil motor in a substantially radial direction of the disk. The controller is also configured to perform servo control of the actuator by using servo data read out by the head. The controller includes at least one of a plurality of notch filters having a fixed center frequency inserted in a servo-control loop. The controller is configured to increase an attenuation rate by at least one of the plurality of notch filters having the fixed center frequency at a designated frequency, when a target position of the head is at a position selected from the group consisting of a position outside of a specified region and a position within the specified region. |
| US08553347B2 |
Information recording device and information recording method
According to one embodiment, an information recording device includes: a recording controller configured to control recording of information on a magnetic recording medium having tracks by a recording method; a managing module configured to manage two or more counters corresponding to each of plural track groups that are adjacent to each other; an updating module configured to update a count of one of the two or more counters corresponding to a second track group that is adjacent to a first track group of the plural track groups when information has been recorded on the first track group; a determining module configured to determine an attribute of the second track group based on the updated count of the one counter; and a rewriting module configured to rewrite information recorded in the second track group based on the determined attribute. |
| US08553343B2 |
Shielding structure and imaging device support structure
An imaging device support structure includes a master flange having an opening portion through which an optical axis passes, an imaging device which is directly or indirectly attached to the master flange and is positioned in the opening portion as viewed in an optical axis direction, and a shielding member which shields a gap between the master flange and the imaging device in the opening portion. The shielding member includes a slit or a groove and is pressed against an opening edge of the opening portion. |
| US08553342B2 |
Camera module with MEMS actuator and method for driving the same
Disclosed herein is a camera module having a MEMS actuator and a driving method thereof, the camera module with a MEMS actuator, including, a MEMS actuator moving a lens with electrostatic force, for focus adjustment, an electrostatic capacity measurement unit measuring electrostatic capacity produced in the MEMS actuator, a foreign substance determination unit determining if foreign substances exist in the MEMS actuator, and outputting a trigger signal when a foreign substance exists, and a MEMS actuator drive unit driving the MEMS actuator to a reiterated vibration using the trigger signal outputted from the foreign substance determination unit. |
| US08553338B1 |
Non-imaging freeform optical device for use in a high concentration photovoltaic device
A high concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) optics are described. In one example, an HCPV device can include a frame and a solar sensor cell attached to the frame. The solar cell can be configured to receive an optical beam and can further be configured to convert solar energy in the incident optical beam into electrical energy or power. The HCPV device can further include a non-imaging freeform optical device. The optical device can have an asymmetric surface profile with a predefined surface normal arranged to direct incident optical beams toward an entire solar sensor cell surface area. The freeform optical device can have a larger diameter than the solar sensor cell. Also, the freeform optical device can have an asymmetric surface profile shaped to concentrate the incident optical beams onto the solar sensor cell. |
| US08553337B2 |
Multi-path, multi-magnification, non-confocal fluorescence emission endoscopy apparatus and methods
Embodiments of the invention include an optical system and an optical system module, coupled to a distal end of a fluorescence emission endoscope apparatus, an optical waveguide-based fluorescence emission endoscopy system, and a method for remotely-controlled, multi-magnification imaging of a target or fluorescence emission collection from a target with a fluorescence emission endoscope apparatus. An exemplary system includes an objective lens disposed in a distal end of an endoscope apparatus. The lens is adapted to transmit both a visible target illumination and a fluorescence-emission-inducing target illumination as well as fluorescence-emission and visible light from the target. The system can thus simultaneously provide low magnification, large field of view imaging and high magnification, high-resolution multiphoton imaging with a single lens system. |
| US08553329B2 |
Monolithic or hybrid integrated optical information processor employing a plurality of controllable optical transfer functions at fractional fourier planes
A monolithic or hybrid integrated optical information processor employing a plurality of controllable optical transfer functions at fractional Fourier planes between two optical imaging elements is described. The arrangement can be used to realize or closely approximate arbitrary non-positive-definite transfer functions of spatially-varying amplitude and phase. In various implementations, one or both of the optical imaging elements can comprise a lens or graded-index material. In some implementations, at least a portion of the arrangement is implemented in the form of a stack. Graded index material may lie between consecutive light modulating array elements. The controllable plurality of optical transfer functions are employed to create a controllable optical processor which can be used for image filtering and optical computations using complex-valued optical signal arithmetic. An image sensor may be included to transform the processed image into electrical output. Applications include optical computing systems and integrated optics. |
| US08553326B2 |
Add and drop circulator
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an optical signal bidirectional transmission system comprises a bi-directional port configured to receive and output optical beams, an input port configured to receive beams and an output port configured to output beams, and only one birefringent crystal. A first beam manipulation system configured to adjust polarization of the beams, and direct the beams from the bi-directional port to the birefringent crystal. A second beam manipulation system configured to adjust polarization of the beams, and direct the beams from the input port to the birefringent crystal. The birefringent crystal is configured to direct the beams received from the first beam manipulation system such that the beams may exit the second beam manipulation system through the output port and direct the beams received from the second beam manipulation system such that the beams may exit the first beam manipulation system through the bi-directional port. |
| US08553325B2 |
Transmission type screen, image display method for transmission type screen, and projection display apparatus
The transmission type screen includes: a Fresnel lens screen (20); and an image display element (30), in which the Fresnel lens screen includes: a Fresnel optical element (21) including a prism formed on an incident surface side as seen from the emitter; and a first light diffusion unit (22) for diffusing an image light passing through the Fresnel optical element, and the image display element includes: a lens element (40) for spatially dividing the image light from the Fresnel lens screen and changing a direction of the image light; a birefringent layer (90) provided at a subsequent stage of the lens element, for mixing image light obtained by spatial division; and a second light diffusion unit (60) provided at a subsequent stage of the birefringent layer, for diffusing the image light passing through the birefringent layer. |
| US08553321B2 |
Imaging optical system
The disclosure generally relates to imaging optical systems that include a plurality of mirrors, which image an object field lying in an object plane in an image field lying in an image plane, where at least one of the mirrors has a through-hole for imaging light to pass through. The disclosure also generally relates to projection exposure installations that include such imaging optical systems, methods of using such projection exposure installations, and components made by such methods. |
| US08553319B2 |
Controller which controls a variable optical attenuator to control the power level of a wavelength-multiplexed optical signal when the number of channels are varied
An optical amplifying apparatus which includes an optical amplifier, an optical attenuator and a controller. The optical amplifier amplifies a light signal having a variable number of channels. The optical attenuator passes the amplified light signal and has a variable light transmissivity. Prior to varying the number of channels in the light signal, the controller varies the light transmissivity of the optical attenuator so that a power level of the amplified light signal is maintained at an approximately constant level that depends on the number of channels in the light signal prior to the varying the number of channels. While the number of channels in the light signal is being varied, the controller maintains the light transmissivity of the optical attenuator to be constant. Subsequent to varying the number of channels in the light signal, the controller varies the light transmissivity of the optical attenuator so that a power level of the amplified light signal is maintained at an approximately constant level that depends on the number of channels in the light signal subsequent to the varying the number of channels. |
| US08553314B2 |
Multi-colored display device
The invention relates to a display device having at least one electrically controllable display element comprising a first and at least one further liquid, a plurality of fluidically closed volumes and at least one voltage source which is connected to an electrode array, wherein said volumes include flat visible subvolumes which stacked upon another along their shortest dimension, having associated second subvolumes which pass through those flat visible subvolumes which are underlying that flat visible subvolume which is associated with the respective second subvolume. |
| US08553313B2 |
Electrophorises display unit and its production method
An electrophoretic display unit includes a substrate, a first electrode, a first insulation layer, a second electrode and a second insulation layer. The first electrode is disposed on the substrate. The first insulation layer is disposed on the first electrode. The second electrode is disposed on the first insulation layer. The second insulation layer is disposed on the second electrode. Wherein, the second insulation layer has an opening for appearing a part of the second electrode. |
| US08553312B2 |
Electronic device, organic electroluminescence device, and organic thin film semiconductor device
An electronic device includes a substrate, a functional element formed on the substrate, an electrolytic element provided on at least one of a side of the substrate on which the functional element is formed and a side of the substrate opposite to the side on which the functional element is formed, configured including a solid-state electrolyte layer and a pair of electrodes for holding the solid-state electrolyte layer in between, and capable of applying electrolysis to water, and a sealing member for sealing the functional element and the electrolytic element. |
| US08553311B2 |
Method for accomplishing high-speed intensity variation of a polarized output laser beam
A method of accomplishing high-speed intensity variation of a polarized output laser beam includes securing an angle of light incidence sensitive optical element to a galvanometer system that provides high-speed transitioning of the angle of light incidence sensitive optical element between different angular positions. The high-speed transitioning provided by the galvanometer system varies an angle of incidence between an input laser beam and the angle of light incidence sensitive optical element to thereby provide high-speed variation of an intensity of a polarized output laser beam produced by the angle of light incidence sensitive optical element. |
| US08553308B2 |
Method and device for monitoring movement of mirrors in a MEMS device
A method for monitoring movement of at least one moving mirror in a MEMS device comprising one or more moving mirrors, and wherein the monitoring is based upon capacitance changes over time in the MEMS device. The method comprises the steps of: if the at least one moving mirror is an in-plain mirror, then: a. providing DC voltage to the MEMS device in addition to a driving voltage required for the movement of that at least one moving mirror; b. measuring current proportional to capacitance changes associated with the movement of the at least one moving mirror; and c. monitoring the movement of the at least one moving mirror based on the measured current. If the at least one moving mirror is a staggered mirror, then: d. measuring a current associated with the movement of the at least one moving mirror; e. identifying a plurality of ripples associated with capacitance changes in the MEMS device over time, in the measured current; and f. monitoring the movement of the at least one moving mirror based on the identified plurality of ripples. |
| US08553301B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method, and program product to perform color-reduction processing for a block
An image processing apparatus comprises: means for performing color-reduction processing for a block; means for comparing color data of respective pixels in the block, thereby specifying a placement pattern of the color data included in the block; means for extracting, as first color data, color data corresponding to a pixel at a predefined position in the block, and further extracting color data other than the first color data included in the block; means for outputting the placement pattern specified, and the first color data and the color data other than the first color data, which are extracted; and means for controlling to execute color-reduction processing, for second image data formed from the first color data output, upon determining blocks each including a predetermined number of pixels as blocks to be processed, thereby further controlling to re-execute, for the block having undergone the color-reduction processing, processing by each means. |
| US08553300B2 |
Image forming apparatus configured to reduce the number of sheets to be output for gradation correction while maintaining gradation stability
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section; a first density sensor; a second density sensor; and a control section to control the image forming section to form a first gradation pattern image including patches having different densities on the image carrier, to execute gradation correction of the image forming section based on a detection result obtained with the first density sensor, to control the image forming section to print a second gradation pattern image including patches having different densities on the sheet, and to execute the gradation correction based on a detection result obtained with the second density sensor, and wherein the control section adds a gradation correction result by the first density sensor to a gradation correction result by the second density sensor according to a predetermined ratio, and executes the gradation correction based on an addition result. |
| US08553295B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes a conveyance unit configured to convey a sheet, a reading unit configured to read an image on the sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit, a calibration member including a white reference region for acquiring correction data for correcting image information acquired by reading the image on the sheet with the reading unit, and a driving unit configured to move the calibration member so as to locate the white reference region in a position where the reading unit can read the white reference region if the correction data is acquired, and to locate a region other than the white reference region in a position that faces the sheet to be conveyed and is not brought into contact with the sheet if the sheet is conveyed. |
| US08553294B2 |
Outlining method for properly representing curved line and straight line, and image compression method using the same
When generating outline data, the contour pixels of the binarized image data are first extracted. Based on the extracted contour pixels, the contour of the image data is approximated to a straight line. In the straight-line approximation process, the distance between adjacent contour pixels among the extracted contour pixels is calculated. It is determined based on the result of the comparison between the length of the first straight line and the length of the second straight line whether the first straight line is used as a contour of the image data. The first straight line connects the first contour pixel and the second contour pixel adjacent to the first contour pixel. The second straight line connects the second contour pixel and the third contour pixel adjacent to the second contour pixel. |
| US08553293B2 |
Image interpolation apparatus and a computer readable storage medium storing instructions of a computer program
An image interpolation apparatus includes an extracting unit, temporal interpolation calculators, pattern matching units, and an output unit. The extracting unit extracts pixels around the missing pixels in order to form a basic frame and comparative frames. Each temporal interpolation calculator corresponds to each comparative frame, and calculates a temporal interpolated pixel for each comparative frame based on signal levels and variation of the signal levels. Each pattern matching unit corresponds to each comparative frame, inserts the temporal interpolated pixel of each comparative frame to the missing pixel, calculates difference of between each of the pixels in the basic frame and each of the corresponding pixels in the comparative frame, and sums up the differences for all pixels in absolute value to obtain sums for all comparative frames respectively. The output unit outputs the temporal interpolated pixel having a minimum sum among the sums as a final interpolated pixel. |
| US08553290B2 |
Plate-making apparatus and printing plate manufacturing method
The plate-making apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an exposure head which engraves a surface of a plate material by emitting a light beam toward the plate material; a scanning device which performs exposure scanning by relatively moving the plate material and the exposure head; a correction profile generation device which generates a correction profile for correcting an emission amount of the light beam emitted by the exposure head according to a characteristic difference of the plate material; and an exposure control device which, when a correction profile for a plate material to be used is generated by the correction profile generation device, uses the correction profile for the plate material to be used to control the emission amount of the light beam. |
| US08553287B2 |
Pseudo-halftoning device, image forming apparatus, and image forming system
An image forming system includes a pseudo-halftoning device; an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a recording medium; and a reading apparatus that read the toner image on the recording medium, in which the pseudo-halftoning device is such that pseudo-halftoning is performed on a target image by using a threshold matrix set including a plurality of threshold matrices, one threshold matrix for use is selected from the threshold matrix set according to a position of the target image to be used in the pseudo-halftoning performed on the target image, the threshold matrices in the threshold matrix set are identical with one another in periodic structure but different from one another only in a gradation characteristic, and a threshold matrix to be used is determined based on toner-image information data obtained by reading the toner image by the reading apparatus. |
| US08553286B2 |
Halftoning method and apparatus using templates indexed by code
Techniques are provided that use one or more templates to improve the printing of non-saturated colored text and lines. Such templates are predetermined, fixed patterns which can be indexed or looked up via a code word with a fewer number of bits than in the corresponding template. Thus, such templates are used to increase the resolution or effective resolution of a display. In an embodiment, each template location represents a 4×4 region of binary pixels. The number of possibilities of template values is 2^(4*4) or 65,536. However, in accordance with an embodiment, only 256 of these 65,536 templates are available and are indexed by an 8 bit contone video value. |
| US08553275B2 |
Architecture for controlling placement and minimizing distortion of images
What is disclosed is a novel system and method to control an imaging device. One or more image transformations are received to apply to an image. The image transformation including one or more transformations of translation, rotation, scaling, and shear. At least one composite transformation matrix (CTM) is identified to carry the image transformation. The identified CTM is applied in at least one subsystem in an imaging device. |
| US08553271B2 |
Printing device and control method for a printing device for distributing print data
A printing device and a control method for a printing device can freely change the distribution of print data to the front and back sides to achieve the desired duplex printing result when operating in a duplex printing page mode that converts the print data for one page after setting the data conversion area. A conversion step (step S29) sets a break length hy that divides the data conversion area 105c into a first data storage area 105a for converting the first-side print data and a second data storage area 105b for converting the second-side print data in the page mode, and then converts the print data. A print step (step S36) then simultaneously prints the first-side or front print data that is converted into the conversion area before the break, and the second-side or back print data that is converted into the conversion area after the break. |
| US08553265B2 |
Image processing system, image processing apparatus, and recording medium
A disclosed image processing system includes an image forming apparatus and an image processing apparatus connected via a network, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a receiving portion receiving a designation of a workflow produced by arbitrarily assembling a plug-in of an image dividing and converting process for image data and a plug-in of an output process and includes an image dividing and converting process, and a communicating portion transmitting a request for processing the workflow to the image processing apparatus along with the image data, and the image processing apparatus includes a workflow controlling portion carrying out the processes when a request for carrying out these processes is received, and a workflow processing portion carrying out the workflow while dividing the image data by using a length of a longitudinal side of the image data based on a control with the workflow controlling portion. |
| US08553264B2 |
Information processing including specifying a printer to execute a print process of a stored job
An information processing apparatus which stores a job generated by a printer driver in memory unit, and specifies a printer to execute a print process of the stored job in accordance with a request from a client, comprises: determination unit for determining whether a job for which a print instruction is issued by the request is generated by a generic driver; device type specification unit for specifying a device type of a printer capable of printing the job for which the print instruction is issued, based on setting information of the job, when the determination unit determines that the job is generated by the generic driver; and printer specification unit for specifying, as the printer capable of printing the job for which the print instruction is issued, a printer corresponding to the printer information which is managed by a management unit and matches the device type specified. |
| US08553263B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method for information processing apparatus, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus processes a print job which includes electronic document data containing a shared object to be used wholly in the print job, a non-shared object to be used in part of the print job, and position information on each object, and a job ticket indicating print setting information associated with the electronic document data. The apparatus determines a dividing unit for the electronic document data, based on print attribute information contained in the electronic document data and the print setting information in the job ticket associated with the print attribute information, generates, according to the determined dividing unit, multiple electronic document data items each containing the shared object and the non-shared object associated with the dividing unit, but not including non-shared object unassociated with the dividing unit, and sequentially transmits the generated divided multiple electronic document data items to a printer. |
| US08553260B2 |
Preview and modification of printable components of a document at a printing device
An apparatus, method, system and medium are described that support functionality to receive document(s) to be printed at a printing device, and enable editing the document(s) prior to printing. Modifications to the document(s) may be generated based on the user edits, and a print preview of the modified documents may be displayed and may enable further edits. In some embodiments, the print preview may be provided to the user on a display that is part of the printing device. In some embodiments, the print preview may be provided to the user through a UI presented on a client device. Display of the modified document(s) may be a rasterized image of the modified document(s), generated based on capabilities of a selected printing device. In some embodiments, modifications may be made to an intermediate version of the document(s), and that intermediate version may be cached. |
| US08553253B2 |
Printing apparatus and connection information presentation method
A communication apparatus which presents connection information necessary for wireless connection to another communication apparatus determines whether wireless connection to the other communication apparatus is permitted upon receiving a connection request from the other communication apparatus. If it is determined that wireless connection is not permitted, the apparatus presents connection information necessary for wireless connection. |
| US08553249B2 |
Printing apparatus, recording apparatus, information processing apparatus, control method therefor, computer program and storage medium
A printing apparatus connectable to a recording apparatus that records data on a recording medium. An obtaining unit, when the printing apparatus is connected to the recording apparatus, obtains, from the recording apparatus, attribute information regarding data recordable on the recording medium. A printing unit prints in a printable area of the recording medium using the attribute information. An identifier reading unit reads, from the recording medium, an identifier capable of individually identifying the recording medium. A management unit manages the attribute information associated with the identifier. |
| US08553247B2 |
Image processing apparatus, control method, storing medium having computer-readable program therein, and program
In a data processing apparatus, it is an object to realize a mechanism for allowing a setup regarding an image processing apparatus to be made so as to easily execute a job which is requested from said data processing apparatus. Information including an output destination is inputted. Setup information regarding the setup of the own image processing apparatus is stored. The setup information regarding the setup of the own image processing apparatus is transmitted on the basis of the information which is inputted. |
| US08553244B2 |
Notification method, management apparatus and client apparatus
When a change occurs in the status of an image processing apparatus, update information in which the status change is written is generated, and the status change of the image processing apparatus is notified to a client apparatus with a function for delivering the generated update information. A printer driver for the image processing apparatus is distributed from a management apparatus that manages the image processing apparatus to the client apparatus, and the function for delivering the update information is registered with the client apparatus. |
| US08553242B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including a control section which detects an offset of a recording sheet being conveyed, the offset being in a main scanning direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the recording sheet; performs an offset regulation control which adjusts a main scanning direction image area signal in accordance with the offset; and forms a patch at a non-transfer area on an image carrier, wherein the control section performs a first control based on the offset of the recording sheet for the offset regulation control while a sub scanning direction image area signal is active for image forming on the recording sheet, and performs a second control for the offset regulation control while the image area signal in the sub scanning direction is inactive. |
| US08553239B2 |
Image forming apparatus to correct misaligned scanned document and method of controlling the same
A sheet of a document is scanned, character objects are extracted from a scan image, the extracted character objects are divided line by line, and the direction of the document is set on the basis of a blank percentage determined according to start and end positions of lines. If the direction of the document is different from that of a previous document, an image processing unit rotates the scan image. |
| US08553238B2 |
Media separator, fixing device, and image forming apparatus
A media separator includes air nozzles and separation plates to form a row of members, and is configured to separate a sheet conveyed from a fixing nip formed of a fixing member and a pressure member. In such a media separator, the plurality of air nozzles and at least one separation plate are disposed along a longitudinal direction of the fixing device, and the plurality of air nozzles are disposed at both lateral ends of the row of members in the longitudinal direction of the fixing device, whereby waving of the edge of the sheet in the printing of frequently used sheet can be prevented and the occurrence of jam may be prevented, and a stable sheet separation and conveyance can be realized. |
| US08553236B2 |
Optical targets for machine vision vehicle service system
An optical target for temporary application in non-determined placement on a surface of an object such as a vehicle wheel assembly within the field of view of an imaging sensor of a machine vision vehicle service system. The optical target consists of a flexible body which is relatively thin and generally flat, capable of conforming to the contours of a surface onto which it is secured in releasable manner by a means of adhesion. A set of visible optical elements are disposed on a front face of the target body for observation and imaging by the imaging sensors. |
| US08553235B1 |
High resolution and high sensitivity optically activated touch sensing device using multiple color light sources
A cursor maneuvering device comprises a cavity containing a plurality of colored lights and an image sensor and covered with a light mixing plate. The colored lights are located in the cavity in an as largely departed as possible manner and illuminate a pointing device contacting the surface of the light mixing plate. The image sensor detects a hue of light illuminating the pointing device and controls a cursor depending upon the hue. Changes in the hue of a moving pointing device are translated into movement of the cursor on the display of an electronic device. The pointing device may be anything touching the light mixing plate, for instance a finger. |
| US08553233B2 |
Method and apparatus for the remote nondestructive evaluation of an object using shearography image scale calibration
A method and apparatus for the remote nondestructive evaluation of an object such as a wind turbine blade involves applying mechanical and/or thermal stress to the object and then scanning the object using long-range thermographic and/or laser interferometric imaging. The laser interferometric imaging is preferably performed by a long range shearography camera capable of imaging deformation derivatives at long distances coupled with a blade stressing mechanism incorporating either thermal or internal blade pressurization for the purpose of detecting remotely and at high speed, changes in the structural integrity of an installed wind turbine blade. |
| US08553227B2 |
Inspection method and apparatus, lithographic apparatus, lithographic processing cell and device manufacturing method
An apparatus and method to determine a property of a substrate by measuring, in the pupil plane of a high numerical aperture lens, an angle-resolved spectrum as a result of radiation being reflected off the substrate. The property may be angle and wavelength dependent. The radiation that is reflected off the substrate is radially polarized. |
| US08553226B2 |
Optical apparatus
An optical apparatus for illuminating particles and for detecting emissions from illuminated particles in a flow cytometer having an optical configuration aligned with a flow or particles. |
| US08553225B2 |
Bandwidth tunable spectroscopic device
An electromagnetic radiation detection device is described which includes a tunable dispersive optical element configured to receive electromagnetic radiation and to change the dispersion of the received electromagnetic radiation; a sensor configured to detect the dispersed electromagnetic radiation changed by the dispersive optical element; and a controller configured to: (i) selectively tune the dispersive optical element so as to adjust the dispersion of the received electromagnetic radiation; and (ii) change one or more of operating parameters of the sensor in accordance with the adjusted dispersion. In some implementations, the radiation detection device may be configured as a spectrometer to measure one or more properties of electromagnetic radiation. A method for detecting electromagnetic radiation is also disclosed. |
| US08553224B2 |
Fiber bundle for high efficiency, spatially resolved coupling
Optical fibers are utilized to provide high efficiency, spatially resolved coupling of light from collection optics to an imaging spectrometer. In particular, a micro lens array may be utilized to couple light from multiple spatial locations into individual optical fibers. At the opposite end of the fiber bundle, the fibers are packed tightly together to send the light into an imaging spectrograph. The light that enters this spectrograph maintains its spatial separation, for instance, along the array dimension and is spectrally dispersed, for instance, along a dimension orthogonal to the array dimension. This spatially separated, wavelength resolved light can then be recorded on a two dimensional detector such as a CCD camera. |
| US08553220B2 |
Optical device and analyzing apparatus
An optical device includes a projection group in which electrically conductive projections are arranged along a direction parallel to a virtual plane. The arrangement period of the projections in the projection group includes at least a first period and a second period different from the first period. The first period and the second period are shorter than a wavelength of an incident light. |
| US08553216B2 |
Defect inspection device using catadioptric objective lens
A defect inspection device comprises an inspection optical system including a light source, a half mirror for reflecting illumination light emitted from the light source, a catadioptric objective lens for collecting reflected light from the sample by illumination light reflected by the half mirror, an imaging lens for focusing the reflected light transmitted through the catadioptric objective lens, a relay lens having a blocking member provided at a position at which specularly reflected light from the sample is focused by the imaging lens, and a detector for detecting specularly reflected light not blocked by the blocking member; and a computation processing unit for detecting defects of the sample on the basis of the signals detected by the detector. |
| US08553214B2 |
Method and equipment for detecting pattern defect
An inspection apparatus and method includes a light source, an illuminating unit having a polarization controller and an object lens for illuminating a specimen with light emitted from the light source and passed through the polarization controller and the object lens, a detection unit having a sensor for detecting light from the specimen illuminated by the illuminating unit, a processor which processes a signal output from the sensor so as to detect a defect on the specimen, and a display which displays information output from the processor. The processor processes an image formed from the signal output from the sensor in which the image is reduced in speckle pattern. |
| US08553212B2 |
Geodesic measurement system and method for identifying a target unit having a geodesic measurement device
A geodesic measurement system having a geodesic measurement device. A unique identification code is allocated to each of the target objects, such that the target objects can be differentiated from one another based on the identification code. The measurement device has a distance and angle measurement functionality for determining the position of the target objects. The measurement device is designed for emission of the beam such that the identification code of a target object that is searched for from the target object volume can be modulated to the beam as a code to be searched for. The target unit has an evaluation component connected to the detector for inspecting correspondence between the code modulated to the beam and the own identification code of the target unit and a transmission component for transmission of a reactive confirmation signal to the geodesic measurement device that takes place upon correspondence being determined. |
| US08553207B2 |
Optically compensated unidirectional reticle bender
Patterning provided by a lithographic apparatus is optically corrected for focus errors that would result from a topology of a substrate being patterned. Focus control is provided in a cross-scan direction by bending a reticle about a scan axis based on a mapped topology of the substrate. The bending can be updated from field to field as the reticle is scanned. The bending may be unidirectional (e.g., down only), but an optical compensation element (e.g., a lens or mirror polished to a cylindrical shape or a transparent plate or mirror bent by a force actuator to a cylindrical shape) can be included in order to introduce either positive or negative curvature (or no curvature) to the beam wavefront, thereby simplifying the mechatronics of the bender. |
| US08553202B2 |
Projection objective for microlithography
An optical system includes an optical element having adjusting elements. The optical element is connected to a rotatable carrying ring via at least one connecting member arranged on the carrying ring directly or via one or a plurality of intermediate elements to the optical element. The rotatable carrying ring is borne in a manner freely rotatable about an axis relative to a fixed outer mount or the optical element via a rotating device. The outer mount, the rotatable carrying ring and the connecting members are constructed as rotatable kinematics in the form of parallel kinematics. |
| US08553201B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
An immersion lithographic apparatus includes a liquid supply system member configured to contain a liquid in a space between a projection system of the lithographic apparatus and the substrate and a liquid supply system member compensator arranged to compensate an interaction between the liquid supply system member and substrate table. |
| US08553197B2 |
Method and apparatus for spatially modulated electric field generation and electro-optical tuning using liquid crystals
A variable optical device for controlling the propagation of light has a liquid crystal layer (1), electrodes (4) arranged to generate an electric field acting on the liquid crystal layer, and an electric field modulation layer (3,71) arranged between the electrodes and adjacent the liquid crystal layer for spatially modulating said electric field in a manner to control the propagation of light passing through said optical device. The electric field modulation layer has either an optical index of refraction that is essentially spatially uniform, or a polar liquid or gel, or a very high low frequency dielectric constant material having a dielectric constant greater than 20, and preferably greater than 1000. The modulation layer can have a solid body having a first low frequency dielectric constant with a shape selected to impart a desired modulation of the electric field, and a second low frequency dielectric constant material surrounding or adjacent to the solid body such that the solid body and the second material form a layer geometry. |
| US08553195B2 |
Substrate for a display panel, a display panel having the substrate, a method of producing the substrate, and a method of producing the display panel
A substrate for a display panel by which a boundary position of divided exposure regions of elements formed by divisional exposure can be easily identified and process management and evaluation can be easily performed, a display panel having the substrate, a method of producing the substrate, and a method of producing the display panel. A substrate 11 for a display panel includes two or more thin film patterns formed by divisional exposure by which a region to be exposed is divided into a plurality of exposure regions and exposure is made on each of the divided exposure regions, wherein boundary positions of the divided exposure regions of the two or more thin film patterns do not coincide with each other, and a marking 3 indicating the boundary position of the divided exposure regions of at least one of the two or more thin film patterns. |
| US08553190B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device has a wiring electrode and an independent gap electrode without wiring formed on a substrate, and an insulating film formed on the wiring and gap electrodes. A first display electrode, an outer second display electrode, and an inner second display electrode are formed on the insulating film and are electrically connected to the wiring electrode or the gap electrode via respective contact regions provided in the insulating film. The first display electrode overlaps with an edge portion of the gap electrode through intermediation of the insulating film. The outer second display electrode and the inner second display electrode each overlap with another edge portion of the gap electrode through intermediation of the insulating film. By such a construction, the wiring electrode is prevented from being visible or from having portions thereof being half-lit. |
| US08553182B2 |
Liquid crystal display device including a light-blocking member
A liquid crystal display device of the present invention comprises an array substrate 11 equipped with signal lines 33 and scan lines 32 deployed in a matrix arrangement, thin film transistors (TFTs) 34 provided near the intersections of the signal lines 33 and scan lines 32, and pixel electrodes 40 of which one is provided in each of the pixel domains delimited by the signal lines 33 and scan lines 32; a color filter substrate 12 on which are formed color filters 22R to 22B and common electrodes 23; and a liquid crystal layer 13 placed between said two substrates; wherein the pixel electrodes 40 are positioned so as not to overlap the signal lines 33, or not to overlap the scan lines 32, or not to overlap either, when viewed from above, and below the spaces between adjacent pixel electrodes 40, resin black matrices 45 are deployed so as to overlap the pixel electrodes 40 when viewed from above. |
| US08553181B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including pixel electrodes disposed, respectively, in a first color pixel on one end side of an active area and in a second color pixel on the other end side of the active area, a light-shield layer which surrounds the first color pixel and the second color pixel and extends to a peripheral area surrounding the active area, a first color filter disposed in the first color pixel, a second color filter disposed in the second color pixel, a dummy color filter which is stacked on the light-shield layer in the peripheral area, creates a distance between second color filter and the dummy color filter and is continuous with the first color filter. |
| US08553179B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes: a liquid crystal layer which contains a liquid crystal composition; a pair of substrates opposed to each other across the liquid crystal layer; alignment layers placed on liquid crystal layer sides of the pair of substrates, respectively; and polarization plates placed on opposite sides from the liquid crystal layer sides, respectively. The pair of substrates includes a thin-film transistor substrate including a thin-film transistor for controlling molecule alignment of the liquid crystal composition, and a color filter substrate including a color layer containing pixels of different colors. A blue pixel, which is one of the pixels of different colors, is larger in area than any of the pixels of other colors. A loss of light in a short-wavelength range is thus reduced. |
| US08553170B2 |
Liquid crystal display with light emitting diode backlight assembly and liquid crystal display thereof
A light emitting diode (“LED”) backlight assembly. The LED backlight assembly has a bottom container which has a bottom plate and a side edge surrounding the bottom plate, a plurality of light emitting diode printed circuit boards (“LED-PCBs”) on the bottom plate, and a connector which is closely located to edge located LEDs. The connector of the LED-PCB is closely located to an LED driving board, which is disposed at a lateral space of a lateral part of the bottom container to limit a vertical thickness of the backlight light assembly. |
| US08553169B2 |
Display device and method of assembling the same
A display device includes a display panel having an upper surface and being configured to display an image, a mold frame configured to receive the display panel, and a lower receiving member having an inner wall disposed on a peripheral area thereof and being configured to receive mold frame and the display panel. The mold frame includes a peripheral area disposed around an open portion of the mold frame, and a side wall disposed in the peripheral area. The side wall of the mold frame is connected to the inner wall of the lower receiving member, and the panel supporter of the mold frame is disposed on the upper surface of the display panel to support the display panel. |
| US08553168B2 |
Optical film for increasing the viewing angle of liquid crystal display devices
Techniques and devices are disclosed to enhance or increase the viewing angle of liquid crystal display (LCD) device through the use of one or more types of optical films. Such optical films can include arrays of prism structures and/or diffractive elements that redirect light that has passed through an LCD panel. The prism structures and/or diffractive elements can be spaced on an optical film to enable at least a portion of the light travelling through the LCD panel to pass through the optical film without being redirected. Various types of prism structures and/or diffractive elements can be used, and they can be configured on the optical film differently to enable different functionality. |
| US08553165B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel, pixel array substrate and pixel structure thereof for solving greenish problem
A pixel structure includes a plurality of data lines and a common line. The common line overlaps each data line, and is coupled with each data line to respectively form a first coupling capacitor, a second coupling capacitor, a third coupling capacitor, a fourth coupling capacitor, a fifth coupling capacitor, and a sixth coupling capacitor. The third coupling capacitor is smaller than the second coupling capacitor, and the fifth coupling capacitor is smaller than the fourth coupling capacitor. |
| US08553160B1 |
Flat screen TV dust protector device
A flat screen television dust protector device featuring an elongated base configured to surround a top area of a flat screen television; at least one mounting bracket disposed on the top dust panel, the first side panel, or on the second side panel of the base, the mounting bracket functions to mount the base to a wall; and a support bar disposed on the top dust panel, the support bar extends downwardly and generally perpendicular to the top dust panel and generally parallel to the front panel, wherein at least on aperture is disposed in the support bar adapted to receive a screw, bolt, or nail, wherein the support bar functions to provide support for the base when the base is attached to the wall. |
| US08553158B2 |
Broadcast receiving apparatus, method for setting the same, and program for setting the same
A broadcast receiving apparatus includes a channel scanning unit configured to perform a channel scanning process of scanning broadcast channels to be received, determining on each scanned broadcast channel whether the channel is receivable, and registering a broadcast channel determined as receivable, a function setting unit configured to perform settings of various functions, and a control unit configured to control the channel scanning unit and the function setting unit so that the channel scanning process is performed simultaneously with the settings of the various functions. |
| US08553155B2 |
System and method for three dimensional comb filtering
A system and method for improved comb filtering. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise method steps and system components that generate a signal indicative of the quality of a field-combed signal. A first signal indicative of inter-field and inter-line signal difference substantially inside the chroma frequency band may be generated. An indication of field comb quality may be determined based at least in-part on the first signal, and a corresponding signal may be generated. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise method steps and system components that generate a comb-filtered signal. A field comb signal and line comb signal may be generated. A comb-filtered signal may be generated based on the field comb signal, line comb signal, and the signal indicative of the field comb quality. |
| US08553153B2 |
Operation mode adjustment device and method of adjusting an operation mode of an electronic product
An operation mode adjustment device (309) for adjusting an operation mode of an electronic product (300) comprises a detection unit (303) for automatically detecting whether an environment in which an electronic product (300) connectable to the operation mode adjustment device (309) is currently located is a shop environment, and an adjusting unit (304) for automatically adjusting an operation mode of the electronic product (300) based on whether the detected environment in which the electronic product (300) connectable to the operation mode adjustment device is currently located is a shop environment. |
| US08553152B2 |
Multimedia device having operating system capable of processing multiple graphic data and method for controlling the same
A multimedia device provided with an operating system (OS) capable of processing a plurality of graphic data comprises a first client receiving first graphic data of a managed application; a native module pre-processing an application drafted in a native code; a second client receiving second graphic data of the application pre-processed by the native module; a composite module compositing the first graphic data output from the first client and the second graphic data output from the second client; and a display module outputting the composited first and second graphic data, wherein the composite module is accessed to the first client and the second client. |
| US08553151B2 |
Video effect recall technique
A video switcher (10) advantageously affords the capability of executing a video effect following recall that avoids visible artifacts upon transitioning from one effect to another. At the outset, the switcher identifies active elements within the video effect, the comprising those elements that undergo a change during execution of the video effect, as opposed to those that remain inert during effect execution. The switcher then dynamically calculates offset for application to an initial key frame value for the video effect to avoid any change in value to active elements upon initial effect recall. The offset value is applied to each subsequent interpolation of the video effect, thereby creating the desired result of applying only relative changes to the active elements of the video effect. |
| US08553150B2 |
Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of input terminals to which a plurality of image transmitting apparatuses that transmit image data can be connected; a plurality of output terminals to which a plurality of image receiving apparatuses that receive image data can be connected; an image processing section that adjusts image data inputted from any of the plurality of input terminals, to a processing image quality adjustment value and outputs the adjusted image data from any of the plurality of output terminals; an input setting section that sets an input image quality adjustment value for each of the plurality of input terminals, according to a user operation; an output setting section that sets an output image quality adjustment value for each of the plurality of output terminals, according to a user operation; a selecting section that selects one of the input terminals to which image data is to be inputted and one of the output terminals from which the image data is to be outputted; and an image quality adjustment value calculating section that adds together an input image quality adjustment value set for the selected input terminal and an output image quality adjustment value set for the selected output terminal and thereby calculates a processing image quality adjustment value. |
| US08553145B2 |
Method and related apparatus for image de-interlacing
An image de-interlacing method comprises: (a) defining a first threshold value and a second threshold value, wherein the second threshold value is larger than the first threshold value; (b) generating a parameter according to motion level of a interlaced image; and (c) utilizing a first interpolation method and a second interpolation method to jointly process the interlaced image if the parameter is in a range between the first threshold value and the second threshold value. |
| US08553143B2 |
Holographic microscope
A holography attachment device for a digital imaging device. The holography attachment device including a chamber having a proximate end configured to attach to the digital imaging device. A distal end of the chamber includes a wall. Also, the chamber includes a sample holder section located between the proximate end and the distal end. The sample holder section is configured to receive a sample. The chamber is configured to attach to the digital imaging device. |
| US08553138B2 |
Image capture apparatus and method for generating combined-image data
An image capture apparatus includes an image capture unit having a plurality of exposure adjustment functions including an electronic shutter function for changing an exposure time within a frame period and configured to capture an image of a subject to obtain image data, and an image-capture control unit configured to allow the image capture unit to execute an image capture operation of capturing a plurality of frames of image data having continuity in time at a fixed frame rate and configured to perform exposure adjustment control in accordance with a subject brightness level obtained during the execution of the image capture operation, the exposure adjustment control being performed using preferentially an exposure adjustment function other than the electronic shutter function. |
| US08553137B2 |
Image data processing method and apparatus
A method of processing image data generated using an image capture device comprising a lens, the method comprising, generating metric data for a plurality of regions of an image, the data representing a plurality of focus measures for each region generated at a plurality of lens positions, processing the metric data in order to cluster regions into at least one group on the basis of their respective focus measures, and determining a lens position for a group corresponding to a position of true focus for the group. |
| US08553135B2 |
Camera system and camera body
A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. The interchangeable lens has a focal adjuster including a focus lens group, an absolute position detector configured to detect the position of the focus lens group with respect to a movable range, and a relative position detector configured to detect the movement amount of the focus lens group. The camera body has a first focal detector configured to detect the focal state on the basis of a contrast value and a second focal detector configured to detect the focal state by phase difference detection method on the basis of the optical image. When the first focal detector is used for focal adjustment, a detection of the focal state is performed on the basis of only the information obtained by the relative position detector. |
| US08553134B2 |
Imager processing a captured image
An endoscope is provided having an imaging sensor, a focusing lens, and an image processor. The imaging sensor converts an optical image to an output image signal. The focusing lens focuses on an object. The image processor calculates a contrast value based on the image signal while the focusing lens moves to focus on an object, and in the case where the image processor detects a region in which the amount of variation in the contrast value is within a predetermined range, while the focusing lens moves in a close range around a focusing point the image processor processes at least one output image in which either the image has been cropped to exclude the region, an ornament has been added to the region, or the region has been softened. |
| US08553133B2 |
Focusing apparatus
A focusing apparatus includes a setting unit configured to set a focus detection area to be focused among a plurality of focus detection areas, a memory configured to store focus correction information based on a focusing status of a focus lens in each of the focus detection area to be focused and another focus detection area, a focus detection unit configured to detect the focusing status of the focus lens in the other focus detection areas, and a focusing unit configured to move the focus lens for focusing based on the focusing status of the focus lens detected in the other focus detection area. The focusing unit corrects the focusing status of the focus lens detected in the other focus detection area based on the focus correction information stored in the memory and achieves focusing. |
| US08553129B2 |
Handheld electronic device with two lens modules, dual image capturing method applying for the handheld electronic device, and computer program product for load into the handheld electronic device
A handheld electronic device includes a first lens module, a second lens module, an input unit and a control unit. The first lens module and the second lens module are respectively disposed on the handheld electronic device. The first lens module captures scenes in a first image capturing boundary. The second lens module captures scenes in a second image capturing boundary, which is different from the first image capturing boundary. The input unit is used for receiving a user input for capturing images. When the input unit receives the user input, the control unit controls the first lens module and the second lens module to captures a first image and a second image respectively at the same time. |
| US08553127B2 |
Video apparatus and image sensing apparatus
This invention can reduce the circuit scale by synthesizing OSD data to be superposed on a picture of each resolution by using common OSD data. According to this invention, a video resolution converter converts an HD (High Definition) video signal into an SD (Standard Definition) video signal such as an NTSC or PAL video signal. A memory controller receives a sync signal identical to an SD picture obtained by frequency-dividing an HD video signal, and a sync signal based on an SD video signal, and reads out OSD data (4 bits per pixel) from the memory on the basis of these sync signals. The OSD data read out on the basis of the SD video signal is synthesized with the SD video signal by an SD_OSD_MIX unit, and then output. The OSD data read out on the basis of the SD sync signal synchronized with the HD is multiplied by an integer by an OSD resolution converter, synthesized with an HD video signal by an HD_OSD_MIX unit, and then output. |
| US08553126B2 |
Image sensor with charge multiplication
An image sensor includes a horizontal shift register electrically connected to a pixel array for receiving charge packets from the pixel array. A non-destructive sense node is connected to an output of the horizontal shift register. A charge directing switch is electrically connected to the non-destructive sense node. The charge directing switch includes two outputs. A charge multiplying horizontal shift register is electrically connected to one output of the charge directing switch. A bypass horizontal shift register or an amplifier can be connected to the other output of the charge directing switch. |
| US08553125B2 |
Solid-state image sensor and camera having image sensor with planarized insulative film
A solid-state image sensor having a pixel array area where a plurality of pixels are arranged, and a peripheral circuit area, each pixel including a photoelectric converter, and a transfer gate electrode which forms a channel for transferring charges generated by the photoelectric converter to a floating diffusion portion, comprises a first insulating film arranged to cover an upper surface of the photoelectric converter, at least part of an upper surface of the transfer gate electrode, and a side surface of the transfer gate electrode, a second insulating film arranged on a gate electrode of a MOS transistor arranged in the peripheral circuit area, and an interlayer insulating film arranged in contact with the first insulating film and the second insulating film. |
| US08553120B2 |
Solid state image pickup apparatus
There is provided an image pickup apparatus including a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element and an amplification element for amplifying and outputting a signal generated at the photoelectric conversion element, a load transistor for controlling an electric current flowing at the amplification element, and a potential control element for suppressing potential fluctuation in a first main electrode region of the load transistor which is an output side of the amplification element. |
| US08553119B2 |
Amplifying image signal with changing gains
An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging system capable of improving S/N ratio and increasing dynamic range and a method of driving the imaging system suited to the improvement and increase. An imaging system includes: a solid-state imaging device having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, column amplifiers each corresponding to each of columns of the pixels and an output portion for outputting an image signal based on an amplification by the column amplifier; and a signal processing portion receiving the image signal, wherein the column amplifier amplifies a signal output from the pixel by a gain q larger than 1, and the signal processing portion multiplies, by a factor less than 1, the image signal based on the signal amplified by the gain q. |
| US08553114B2 |
Image sensing apparatus and image sensing system
An image sensing apparatus comprises an image sensing element having an image sensing unit configured to include an effective pixel area in which light is incident on arrayed pixels and a shading pixel area in which the arrayed pixels are shaded, analog-to-digital conversion units connected one-to-one to columns of the arrayed pixels, a feedback control unit configured to output, commonly on an input side of each of the analog-to-digital conversion units, an offset compensation signal for compensating for an amount of error between a reference value and an output signal of the shading pixel area output from at least one of the analog-to-digital conversion units, and offset compensation units arranged one-to-one on the input side of each of the analog-to-digital conversion units, and to compensate for offset by subtracting an output signal of the feedback control unit from an output signal of the effective pixel area. |
| US08553110B2 |
Method and camera for providing an estimation of a mean signal to noise ratio value for an image
A method and a camera provide an estimation of a mean signal to noise ratio value for an output image comprising a number of pixels, wherein each pixel of the output image has a pixel value. An image histogram divided into bins, the image histogram having information regarding the distribution of pixel values among the pixels of the output image. Each bin has a set of pixels having pixel values within a predetermined range. For each bin of the image histogram, a signal to noise ratio value of that bin may be attributed and weighted with the number of pixels in the set of pixels of that bin. The weighted signal to noise ratio values of the bins are summed, and the sum may then be divided by the total number of pixels of the output image or the total number of pixels in the bins of the image histogram. |
| US08553108B2 |
Method of compensating for turbulance when recording film sequences
A method of compensating for atmospheric turbulence when recording film sequences. A frame for an image that is being currently recorded is compared at pixel level with a number of frames recorded earlier. Each pixel value in a current frame is compared with pixel values in earlier frames. A matrix is adjusted upward by one unit at positions where a new value is encountered at the positions. Values adjusted upwards in the matrix are retained for a limited number of frame comparisons. A summing window is drawn over the matrix and movement is deemed to have occurred in areas where a sum from the summing window exceeds a limit value. A compensated frame is created. All pixel values in areas where the summing window exceeds the limit value are derived from the current frame. Other values are derived through a temporal median filtering of a number of earlier frames recorded. |
| US08553107B2 |
Imaging apparatus and method of adjusting a noise signal
An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units configured to output an image signal obtained by executing photoelectric conversion and a noise signal; a clipping unit configured to clip the noise signal to a clipping level when the noise signal exceeds a preset clipping level; a control unit configured to calculate the clipping level based on a signal read from the plurality of photoelectric conversion units and set the calculated clipping level to the clipping unit as the preset clipping level; and a differential unit configured to execute differential processing of subtracting a noise signal read from the photoelectric conversion unit and clipped by the clipping unit, from an image signal read from the plurality of the photoelectric conversion units. |
| US08553104B2 |
Image capture device
An image capture device has a first image transfer method for storing a captured digital image on a storage medium and transferring the digital image to a communication device, and a second image transfer method for storing the digital image on the storage medium, reading the digital image from the storage medium and then transferring the digital image to the communication device. The first image transfer method or the second image transfer method is manually or automatically set. |
| US08553099B2 |
Imaging terminal, display terminal, display method, and imaging system
An imaging unit sequentially outputs original image data into which a light flux incident on an imaging area has been photoelectrically converted in a frame. An image processing unit generates image data of a first image size from original image data of a portion corresponding to a first area within the imaging area. A magnification generation unit generates image data of a second image size from original image data of a portion corresponding to a second area as a partial area within the first area. A transmission image generation unit extracts a part from the image data of the first image size and the image data of the second image size in the frame unit. A WLAN interface wirelessly sequentially transmits image data of the first image size and image data of the second image size extracted. |
| US08553098B2 |
Semiconductor device and imaging capturing apparatus
A semiconductor device with an “anti-shake” function includes a logic chip having a digital circuit which obtains a value indicating the amount of vibration of device such as an imaging apparatus based on a vibration detection signal supplied from a vibration detection element to generate a correction signal. The logic chip includes a correction signal processing unit which generates the correction signal, and a control signal output unit which outputs a vibration control signal in accordance with the correction signal to a vibration correction control unit which executes vibration correction control for an optical component. The control signal output unit includes a plurality of types of signal output sections and outputs a vibration control signal corresponding to a driving unit from one signal output section selected from among the plurality of types of signal output sections. |
| US08553097B2 |
Reducing blur based on a kernel estimation of an imaging device
A kernel estimation section (222) of an image processing device of the present invention is configured such that, when performing estimation of a blur kernel based on a contracted degraded image that has a first resolution, the kernel estimation section performs the estimation based on an initial value of a blur kernel that has a resolution corresponding to the first resolution. Thereafter, when performing estimation of a blur kernel based on a contracted degraded image that has a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution, the kernel estimation section performs the estimation based on an initial value of a blur kernel that has a resolution corresponding to the second resolution. The kernel enlargement section (223) extracts interest points of a blur kernel received from the kernel estimation section 222 (S16), performs an enlargement transformation on coordinates of the interest points (S18), and connects new interest points obtained by performing the enlargement transformation on the coordinates of the interest points (S20), thereby generating an initial value of a blur kernel that has an increased resolution (S22). |
| US08553091B2 |
Imaging device and method, and image processing method for imaging device
An image-capturing device of the present invention includes an image-capturing element 10 including a plurality of light-sensing cells arranged on an image-capturing surface; an optical system (14, 20) for forming a first image which is in focus on an image-capturing surface 10a in a first state and forming a second image which is out of focus on the image-capturing surface 10a in a second state; and an image processing section 220 for processing a signal obtained from the image-capturing element 10. The image processing section 220 includes a camera-shake blur removing section for generating a restored image obtained by reducing camera-shake blur from an image obtained by the image-capturing element 10 in the second state. |
| US08553090B2 |
Portable image capture and camera device
A portable image capture and camera device is provided including a device body, and an upper panel displaceably engaged to the body, and having an image capture module disposed thereon. A lower panel is also displaceably engaged to the body, for receiving and supporting a subject when the lower panel is deployed to an open position. The upper panel is translatable to deploy from a stowed position to a first deployed position to image a subject disposed on the lower panel (card reader mode), and to a second deployed position to image objects remote from the device (camera mode). |
| US08553089B2 |
Imaging device and signal processing circuit for the imaging device
The present invention switches to and from generation of a luminance signal based on a visible light pixel signal and generation of a luminance signal based on a near infrared light pixel signal depending on a result of comparison of signal levels of the visible light pixel signal and the near infrared light pixel signal. |
| US08553086B2 |
Spatio-activity based mode matching
Disclosed is a method (101), in relation to a current video frame (300) comprising a visual element (320) associated with a location in a scene captured in the frame (300), said visual element (320) being associated with a plurality of mode models (350), said method matching (140) one of said plurality of mode models (350) to the visual element (320), said method comprising, for each said mode model (350), the steps of determining (420) a visual support value depending upon visual similarity between the visual element (320) and the mode model (350), determining (440) a spatial support value depending upon similarity of temporal characteristics of the mode models (350) associated with the visual element and mode models (385) of one or more other visual elements (331); and identifying (450) a matching one of said plurality of mode models (350) depending upon the visual support value and the spatial support value. |
| US08553084B2 |
Specifying search criteria for searching video data
A method and apparatus is described for specifying regions of interest within a two-dimensional view of visual information that comprises a series of frames. Visual changes that occur in the view are stored. A user enters search criteria that specify at least one first region of interest within the view and a visual change. A visual change may include a change in pixel values or a detection of motion of one or more objects within the view. The first search criteria are compared against the stored visual changes to identify a sequence of frames in which the specified visual change occurred within the first region of interest. The search criteria may specify multiple regions of interest, each with one or more types of visual changes. If a motion is specified, then a direction, speed, and behavior of a moving object may also be specified. |
| US08553080B2 |
Component placement apparatus
To provide a component placement apparatus capable of preventing free operation of a mounting head within the movable region from being restricted as well as improving the mounting takt time.A component placement apparatus 1 comprising a line sensor camera 23 composed of a projector 21 for projecting inspection light in horizontal direction and a line sensor 22 for receiving the inspection light projected by the projector 21, the component placement apparatus 1 designed to move a mounting head 7 to allow a component P sucked to the suction nozzle 9 of the mounting head 7 before being mounted onto a substrate 10 to horizontally cross the optical axis 20 of the inspection light of the line sensor camera 23 to cause the line sensor camera 23 to perform imaging of the component and to determine the propriety of suction attitude of the component P with respect to the suction nozzle 9 based on the image DP of the component P obtained through imaging of the component P by the line sensor camera 23, characterized in that the projector 21 and the line sensor 22 constituting the line sensor camera 23 are arranged outside the movable region R of the mounting head 7 with respect to the base 2. |
| US08553079B2 |
More useful man machine interfaces and applications
A method for determining a gesture illuminated by a light source utilizes the light source to provide illumination through a work volume above the light source. A camera is positioned to observe and determine the gesture performed in the work volume. |
| US08553077B2 |
Endoscope system
An endoscope system includes an endoscope and a control device. The endoscope includes an illumination optical system with a fluorescent body formed in an optical path and an imaging optical system with an imaging element outputting an imaging signal of an optical image. The control device includes a light source unit which supplies an excitation light to the illumination optical system so as to emit light from the fluorescent body and an image processing section which corrects the imaging signal output from the imaging element. The image processing section includes: an illumination light spectrum calculating unit, a chromaticity correction table creating unit and an image correcting unit. |
| US08553076B2 |
Contact measuring endoscope apparatus
A contact measuring endoscope apparatus includes a case located at a front end of the apparatus to define a accommodating space; a contact probe connected to and projected from an end of the case by a fixed distance; a light emitting element for emitting light; an image pickup lens arranged in the accommodating space for gathering light reflected from an external object to be measured, so as to form an optical image; a light sensor arranged in the accommodating space to locate adjacent to one side of the image pickup lens for converting the optical image into a digital image; and a measuring module. When the contact probe is caused to contact the object to be measured, a fixed distance between the image pickup lens and the object can be maintained and therefore the digital image can be in the fixed scale. |
| US08553073B2 |
Processing multiview video
Decoding a multiview video signal comprises: receiving a bitstream comprising encodings of multiple views of the multiview video signal, each view comprising multiple pictures segmented into multiple segments; and obtaining a predictor for illumination compensation of a first segment with respect to a reference picture using an offset value for illumination compensation of at least one neighboring segment adjacent to the first segment according whether the reference picture associated with the first segment is the same as a reference picture associated with the neighboring segment. |
| US08553071B2 |
Methods and systems for presenting adjunct content during a presentation of a media content instance
An exemplary method includes an adjunct content presentation system sequentially presenting a first main content image of a media content instance, a first adjunct content image comprising adjunct content having a pixel value greater than a predetermined neutral pixel value, a second adjunct content image comprising the adjunct content having a pixel value less than the predetermined neutral pixel value, and a second main content image of the media content instance. The pixel values of the adjunct content of the first and second adjunct content images are configured to result in the adjunct content being substantially imperceptible to a viewer not wearing active shutter three-dimensional viewing glasses during the sequential presentation of the first main content image, the first adjunct content image, the second adjunct content image, and the second main content image. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. |
| US08553069B2 |
Method and apparatus for obtaining panoramic and rectilinear images using rotationally symmetric wide-angle lens
The present invention provides mathematically accurate image processing algorithms for extracting natural looking panoramic images and distortion-free rectilinear images from images acquired using a camera equipped with a wide-angle lens which is rotationally symmetric about an optical axis and devices implementing such algorithms. Imaging systems using this method can be used not only in security•surveillance applications for indoor and outdoor environments, but also in diverse areas such as video phone for apartment entrance door, rear view camera for vehicles, visual sensor for unmanned aerial vehicles and robots, camera phone, PC camera, and broadcasting camera. Also, it can be used to obtain panoramic or rectilinear photographs using a digital camera. |
| US08553067B2 |
Capturing and controlling access to muted content from a conference session
Techniques are provided for receiving multimedia from a plurality of endpoints participating in a conference session, including multimedia from an endpoint that was muted during the conference session. A muting state is detected at a particular endpoint during the conference session and the multimedia from the particular endpoint is recorded even though it is not forwarded and rendered to the other endpoints during the conference session. Information associated with the multimedia data for the conference session is stored to indicate the time period during which the muting state was detected at the particular endpoint. Techniques are also provided for granting access at a later time to the stored multimedia data for conference session, including access controls to the muted multimedia. |
| US08553065B2 |
System and method for providing augmented data in a network environment
A method is provided in one example and includes identifying a particular word recited by an active speaker in a conference involving a plurality of endpoints in a network environment; evaluating a profile associated with the active speaker in order to identify contextual information associated with the particular word; and providing augmented data associated with the particular word to at least some of the plurality of endpoints. In more specific examples, the active speaker is identified using a facial detection protocol, or a speech recognition protocol. Data from the active speaker can be converted from speech to text. |
| US08553063B2 |
Apparatus and method for configuring high-definition video telephony between computer devices
An apparatus for configuring a high-definition (HD) call connection between computer devices includes a Short Messaging Service (SMS) transceiving module for receiving a message for requesting home network telephony device list information of a first device, discovering a device in the home network to generate the telephony device list information, transmitting response message comprising the generated telephony device list information to the first device, receiving an SMS call connection request message from the first device, and transmitting an SMS call connection response message to the first device, and a Control Point (CP) for selecting a telephony device for receiving and initiating the call. |
| US08553057B2 |
Fixing mechanism for fixing a thermal print head module in different positions and thermal sublimation printer therewith
A fixing mechanism for fixing a thermal print head module is disclosed. The thermal print head module is pivoted to a casing. The fixing mechanism includes a base, a linkage member and a plurality of positioning structures. The base is disposed on the casing. The linkage member is pivoted to the base and the thermal print head module. The linkage member is driven by the thermal print head module when the thermal print head module is rotated relative to the casing, such that the linkage member is pivoted to different positions relative to the base. The plurality of the positioning structures is disposed on the linkage member for fixing the linkage member, so as to position the thermal print head module in corresponding positions. |
| US08553056B2 |
Image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus includes a recording head connected to a plurality of laser emitters provided in a line; a linear motor displacing the recording head in a secondary scanning direction; and an apparatus controller controlling the emission of laser light from the recording head and displacement of the recording head by the displacer. In response to rotation of a drum, one cycle of scanning by the recording head in a main scanning direction of a plate is completed. For each drum rotation, the apparatus controller displaces the recording head in the secondary scanning direction by displacement amount smaller than the recording width in the secondary scanning direction according to laser light emitted from the plurality of laser emitters. |
| US08553055B1 |
Thermal printer operable to selectively control the delivery of energy to a print head of the printer and method
A thermal printer is operated to adjust the level of energy applied to print elements of a print head of the printer in response to selected changes in signals corresponding to the voltage from a power source used to provide energy to the printing elements. Voltage changes that occur during printing of a print can be ignored. In addition, voltage changes occurring when a printer is not being powered by a battery can also be ignored. Rapid decreases in voltage of the power source can be detected and accounted for. In addition, increasing voltages of the power source can also be determined and accounted for. |
| US08553054B2 |
Thermal-transfer laminate film, thermal-transfer sheet, and image forming apparatus
A thermal-transfer laminate film includes a base film, an untransferring release layer, and an image protection layer. The untransferring release layer is provided on the base film and includes a first thermoplastic resin having a first I/O value. The image protection layer is provided on the untransferring release layer and includes a second thermoplastic resin having a second I/O value, an absolute value of a difference between the first I/O value and the second I/O value being larger than 0.40. |
| US08553053B2 |
Adaptive control of display characteristics of pixels of a LCD based on video content
Determining pixel behavior type of a pixel or a group of pixels of a LCD and triggering adjustment in drive power of the pixel or the group of pixels based on the pixel behavior type. The pixel behavior type indicates relative motion of areas on the LCD in a video. A pixel behavior determination module directs one or more selected pixels of the LCD to be driven relative slower or faster based upon content of video that the selected pixels display. Operations include identifying an active window from a plurality of windows corresponding to a plurality of applications running on the host device and setting the drive power of those pixels that correspond to the active window based on speed of a video displayed on the active window. Operation may also include adapting LCD drive power on a pixel by pixel basis based upon user input and/or remaining battery life. |
| US08553051B2 |
Liquid crystal display and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) includes an LCD panel, a scan driver, a timing controller and a data driver. The LCD panel includes first and second pixel rows. The timing controller determines a correction voltage index according to an absolute difference between an average of original pixel voltages corresponding to original pixel data of all pixels of the first pixel row, and an average of original pixel voltages corresponding to original pixel data of all pixels of the second pixel row, determines a correction voltage according to the correction voltage index, determines an adjusted pixel voltage in a target pixel according to an original pixel voltage of the target pixel in the second pixel row and the correction voltage, and outputs adjusted pixel data corresponding to the adjusted pixel voltage. The data driver outputs the adjusted pixel voltage to the target pixel according to the adjusted pixel data. |
| US08553050B2 |
Video signal processing apparatus, video signal processing method, and imaging device
Disclosed is a video signal processing apparatus applicable to various LCD panels. This video signal processing apparatus includes a format converting unit which converts first-format image data into second-format image data, a point sequential converting unit which converts the second-format image data into point sequenced data, a resizing unit which resizes the point sequenced data, a line memory which stores the resized point sequenced data, and an output control unit which controls to continuously read out the point sequenced data from the line memory. |
| US08553049B2 |
Information-processing apparatus and information-processing method
An information-processing apparatus determines whether a stimulation generation unit and a background virtual object contact each other based on position and orientation information about the stimulation generation unit and position and orientation information about the background virtual object. If it is determined that the stimulation generation unit and the background virtual object contact each other, the information-processing apparatus determines whether the stimulation generation unit is included within an attention range. The information-processing apparatus generates operation setting information for controlling an operation of the stimulation generation unit according to a result of the determination and outputs the generated operation setting information to the stimulation generation unit. |
| US08553047B2 |
Image information processing system, image information processing apparatus, image information outputting method, code information processing apparatus and program thereof
An image information processing system, which processes image information of a customer wearing products, includes: a customer information database, storing customer information in association with customer code information; and a product information database, enabling storage of product information, concerning the products that the customer wears, in association with order code information. Acquisition of the image information of the customer in the state of wearing products is enabled by a digital camera, and by means of a trial fitting catalog preparation process, a trial fitting catalog, in which the image information acquired by the digital camera unit are included with the customer code information of the customer, who wore the products, and the order code information on the products, is prepared and output by a printer. |
| US08553046B2 |
Thin-line detection apparatus and method
An apparatus and method for detecting and handling thin lines in a raster image includes reading depth values for each pixel of an n×m block of pixels surrounding a substantially central pixel. Differences are then calculated for selected depth values of the n×m block of pixels to yield multiple difference values. These difference values may then be compared with multiple pre-computed difference values associated with thin lines pre-determined to pass through the n×m block of pixels. If the difference values of the pixel block substantially match the difference values of one of the pre-determined thin lines, the pixel block may be deemed to describe a thin line. The apparatus and method may preclude application of an anti-aliasing filter to the substantially central pixel of the pixel block in the event it describes a thin line. |
| US08553045B2 |
System and method for image color transfer based on target concepts
A method for color transfer includes retrieving a concept color palette from computer memory corresponding to a concept selected by a user. The concept color palette includes a first set of colors, which may be statistically representative of colors of a set of predefined color palettes which have been associated with the concept. The method further includes computing an image color palette for an input image. The image color palette includes a second set of colors that are representative of pixels of the input image. Colors of the image color palette are mapped to colors of the concept color palette to identify, for colors of the image color palette, a corresponding color in the concept color palette. A transformation is computed based on the mapping. For pixels of the input image, modified color values are computed, based on the computed transformation, to generate a modified image. |
| US08553039B1 |
System and method for computer visualization of project timelines
A computer-implemented method for collecting, animating in chronological sequence, and presenting the progression of events is disclosed. The method includes providing a set of event data to form a database, the data relating to events that constrained, summarized, or led up to some of the events. Then presenting the database graphically to allow user selection and editing of the Event data in the database to create a set of Events to be presented in an animated manner, and then assigning properties to the manner of presentation of the set of Events to be presented in an animated manner to create a movie. The movement of the movie is provided by an engine that moves a cursor along the timeline to represent the forward or backward change of time and displaying a marker representing an Event from Event data contained in the database. |
| US08553038B2 |
Application programming interfaces for synchronization
The application programming interface operates in an environment with user interface software interacting with multiple software applications or processes in order to synchronize animations associated with multiple views or windows of a display of a device. The method for synchronizing the animations includes setting attributes of views independently with each view being associated with a process. The method further includes transferring a synchronization call to synchronize animations for the multiple views of the display. In one embodiment, the synchronization call includes the identification and the number of processes that are requesting animation. The method further includes transferring a synchronization confirmation message when a synchronization flag is enabled. The method further includes updating the attributes of the views from a first state to a second state independently. The method further includes transferring a start animation call to draw the requested animations when both processes have updated attributes. |
| US08553035B2 |
Method and apparatus for electrical power visualization
A method and apparatus for providing a visualization of power for display. The method establishes a power visualization scale based on a color saturation and intensity range for a hue and a range of power to be visualized, and generates a display image for at least one measured value of power as a level of color saturation and intensity for the hue based on the power visualization scale. |
| US08553034B2 |
Dynamic visualization of data streams
One embodiment of the present invention includes a data communication subsystem to receive a data stream, and a data processing subsystem responsive to the data communication subsystem to generate a visualization output based on a group of data vectors corresponding to a first portion of the data stream. The processing subsystem is further responsive to a change in rate of receipt of the data to modify the visualization output with one or more other data vectors corresponding to a second portion of the data stream as a function of eigenspace defined with the group of data vectors. The system further includes a display device responsive to the visualization output to provide a corresponding visualization. |
| US08553030B2 |
Stereo display apparatus and lens array thereof
An exemplary stereo display apparatus includes a pixel array and a lens array. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixel units arrayed in parallel rows and parallel columns. The lens array covers the pixel array, and includes a plurality of lenticular lens units arrayed in said rows and columns. The lenticular lens units are parallel to each other, and the adjacent lenticular lens units arrayed in columns have a stagger arrangement along a first direction along which the pixel units are arrayed in rows, thereby the adjacent lenticular lens units arrayed in columns are arranged in terraced steps. |
| US08553023B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
An electro-optical device is provided that includes a plurality of unit circuits and a scanning line drive circuit. Each of the plurality of unit circuits includes a light emitting element, a drive transistor, a light emitting control transistor, and a switching element. Each of the plurality of scanning lines includes a light emitting control line. The scanning line drive circuit includes a first light emitting control line drive circuit connected to one end of the light emitting control line; and a second light emitting control line drive circuit connected to the other end of the light emitting control line. The first and second light emitting control line drive circuits supply the light emitting control signal to the light emitting control line from both ends thereof at a predetermined timing. |
| US08553020B2 |
Display device, electro-optical element driving method and electronic equipment
The present invention permits a capacitance value of an electro-optical element such as organic EL element to be arbitrarily set without changing the light extraction efficiency of a pixel. That is, the present invention permits a capacitance value Coled of an organic EL element (21) to be arbitrarily set by adjusting the light emission area of the organic EL element (21) without changing the light extraction efficiency of a pixel (20) in an organic EL display device. The organic EL display device has the pixels (20) arranged in a matrix form. A light extraction opening (56) is formed on the surface of the pixel with a light-shielding film (black matrix) (57). The light extraction opening (56) has an opening area smaller than the light emission area of the organic EL element (21). |
| US08553019B2 |
Smart display pixel
Construction of a pixel-based display using a set of pixel assemblies poured or placed into a display area or volume. Each pixel assembly has a means to produce a visible display output at its position and identify its own position within a 2-D or 3-D display space continuously or when needed. One or more image signals are distributed to the pixel assemblies collectively. Each pixel assembly uses its own self-detected position and other criteria to autonomously decide to which part of the signal(s) it will respond and what value to display as an output. Optionally each pixel assembly may also be able to: decode pixel identity encoded in the input signal(s) to implement a stroke/random access display; communicate with adjacent display elements in order to engage in collective action in local regions of the display; detect faults and remove itself from the display; and reprogram itself using an external signal. |
| US08553013B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having touch sensor embedded therein, method for driving the same, and method for fabricating the same
Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device having touch sensors embedded therein. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal layer interposed between upper and lower substrates, pixels, each of which includes pixel and common electrodes applying a horizontal electric field to the liquid crystal layer, a pixel thin film transistor to drive the pixel electrode, and a common thin film transistor to drive the common electrode, touch sensors, each of which forms a sensing capacitor between an object and the common electrode, sensor power lines, readout lines, and sensor gate lines. Each touch sensor includes the common electrode, a first sensor thin film transistor charging the common electrode with the sensing driving voltage in response to control of the previous sensor gate line, and a second sensor thin film transistor outputting the sensing signal to the readout line in response to control of the current sensor gate line. |
| US08553012B2 |
Apparatus for displaying drawings
A first apparatus for displaying drawings comprises a housing having an aperture, a drawing sheet comprising electro-optic material movable through the aperture between closed and open positions, and a writing device for writing on the sheet as it moved between its closed and open positions. A second apparatus comprises a display member having a viewing surface, support means for supporting this display member above a floor, an electro-optic medium disposed on the display member, and a movable writing head for writing on the electro-optic medium. Another display comprises an optic medium with two display states visible through a viewing surface. A touch screen is disposed on the opposed side of the optic medium from the viewing surface, and the optic medium is deformable such that pressure applied to the viewing surface will be transmitted to the touch screen. |
| US08553010B2 |
Display panel and method of manufacturing the same
Provided are a touch screen-embedded liquid crystal display panel and a method of manufacturing the same in accordance with one or more embodiments. The touch screen-embedded liquid crystal display panel may include, for example, a transparent first substrate; a second substrate which faces the first substrate; a conductive spacer and a cell-gap spacer which are formed on the first substrate; and a common electrode which is formed on the second substrate and has an aperture in a region that contacts the cell-gap spacer on the first substrate. |
| US08553006B2 |
Portable electronic device including tactile touch-sensitive input device and method of protecting same
A portable electronic device includes a housing with a base. A touch-sensitive input assembly is spaced from and moveable relative to the base and a stopping arrangement limits movement of the touch-sensitive input assembly in the direction of the base. An actuating arrangement including a piezoelectric actuator for selectively receiving an applied voltage to thereby apply a force to the touch-sensitive input assembly. An accelerometer and functional components are housed within the housing. The functional components include a memory and a processor operably connected to the memory, the touch-sensitive input assembly, the piezoelectric actuator, and the accelerometer to monitor signals from the accelerometer and, if a fall is detected, apply a negative voltage to the piezoelectric actuator causing reverse bending of the piezoelectric actuator to permit the stopping arrangement to limit movement of the touch-sensitive input assembly and thereby limit force exerted on the piezoelectric actuator. |
| US08553005B2 |
User interface system
The user interface system of the preferred embodiment includes: a layer defining a surface, a substrate supporting the layer and at least partially defining a cavity, a displacement device coupled to the cavity and adapted to expand the cavity thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and adapted to sense a user touch proximate the particular region of the surface, and a display coupled to the substrate and adapted to output images to the user. The user interface system of the preferred embodiments has been specifically designed to be incorporated into an electronic device, such as the display of a mobile phone, but may be incorporated in any suitable device that interfaces with a user in both a visual and tactile manner. |
| US08553001B2 |
Methods and apparatus for determining local coordinate frames for a human hand
Methods and apparatus for providing a local coordinate frame are described. A user may place the tips of all five digits on a multitouch user interface with a natural gesture to provide five touch points. A local coordinate frame may be constructed from the touch points. A local coordinate frame may be computed relative to the entire hand and/or relative to each individual digit. The technique may be agnostic in regard to the orientation of the device and to which hand is used. The user may move or rotate their hand, and the local coordinate frame is adjusted to the new positioning relative to the device. The technique may also infer a relative position of the palm from the digit input points, allowing the display of user interface elements where the elements are visible rather than occluded by the hand. |
| US08552999B2 |
Control selection approximation
A method includes displaying a user interface of an application on a device's touch-sensitive display. The user interface includes a plurality of regions, including a respective region at a respective hierarchy level. The respective region has two or more child regions at a hierarchy level below the respective hierarchy level. The method includes detecting a first contact at a location that corresponds to the respective region and that does not correspond to any of the two or more child regions. When the application is configured to process the first contact, not in conjunction with the respective region, but in conjunction with at least one child region of the two or more child regions, the method includes identifying a respective child region in accordance with positions of the child regions relative to the location, and processing the first contact in conjunction with the identified respective child region using the application. |
| US08552994B2 |
Method and apparatus to measure self-capacitance using a single pin
A method for measuring capacitance in a sensor device using an internal reference circuit element(s), and without implementing additional circuitry and devices external to the sensor device, is described. In some embodiments a method uses an output pin of the sensor device and an internal reference capacitor of the sensor device to identify a touch applied to a touch point or electrode coupled to the touch sensor. The method applies reference voltages to charge the reference capacitor and measure a signal received from an electrode, wherein the touch sensor controls switching within the touch sensor to apply the reference voltages to the reference capacitor. |
| US08552992B1 |
Systems and methods for textual input using multi-directional input devices
A method is disclosed for specifying textual input for a computing device using a multi-directional input device. Each character of a textual group is associated with a different angle. Each character of the textual group is displayed on a display screen at the associated angle. A swipe angle of a directional swipe received at a multi-directional pointing device is determined. The associated angle closest to the swipe angle is identified. The character of the textual group corresponding to the identified angle on the display screen is highlighted. |
| US08552989B2 |
Integrated display and touch screen
Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed. |
| US08552985B2 |
Keyboard illumination
Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for illuminating a plurality of keys. The keys are illuminated in accordance with pattern. In various embodiments, the illumination of the keys is in response to a display control signal. |
| US08552983B2 |
Intelligent robotic interface input device
An intelligent object tracking and gestures sensing input device is operative to translate hand gestures of a user into data and commands for operating a computer or various machines. It is provided with video web cameras video vision camera, sensors. A logical vision sensor program in the device measures movements of the user's hand gesture into X, Y and Z dimension definitions. It defines a working space spaced therefrom into virtual space mouse zone, space keyboard zone, and hang sign language zone. It automatically translates the change of coordinates of the user's hand in puzzle cell positions in the virtual working space into the data and commands. Objects having enhance symbols, colors, shape, and illuminated lights are attachable on the user's hand to provide precision input. |
| US08552982B2 |
Position sensing methods for interface devices
Improvements in accurately sensing a user manipulandum of a force feedback device. A force feedback device, coupled to a host computer, includes an actuator for outputting forces on a manipulandum and a sensor for detecting a position of the manipulandum. In one feature, a raw sensor value representing manipulandum position is adjusted based on compliance between sensor and manipulandum, where the adjustment can be based on a compliance constant and an output force. In another feature, a range of motion of the manipulandum is dynamically calibrated from startup. One boundary value of an assigned initial range is set equal to a received sensor value if the sensor value is outside the initial range, and the other boundary value is adjusted to maintain the size of the initial range unless the other boundary value has already been sensed outside the initial range. In another feature, manipulandum position is accurately sensed by filtering raw sensor values for overshoot values occurring at limits to manipulandum motion and using the filtered value in the dynamic calibration. In another feature, sensing inaccuracies caused by compliance in the device are decreased by normalizing a raw sensor value to a normalized range of motion that includes a saturation zone at each end of the range that adjusts sensor values over a saturation level to the saturation level. |
| US08552980B2 |
Computer input devices and associated computing devices, software, and methods
Computer input devices include a detector adapted to detect relative movement of an input member in x-, y-, and z-dimensions relative to a base point in a base plane, and a controller adapted to send a signal to an associated computing device based at least in part on the relative movement of the input member. Associated computing devices, software, and methods are also disclosed. |
| US08552978B2 |
3D pointing device and method for compensating rotations of the 3D pointing device thereof
A 3D pointing device utilizing an orientation sensor, capable of accurately transforming rotations and movements of the 3D pointing device into a movement pattern in the display plane of a display device is provided. The 3D pointing device includes the orientation sensor, a rotation sensor, and a computing processor. The orientation sensor generates an orientation output associated with the orientation of the 3D pointing device associated with three coordinate axes of a global reference frame associated with the Earth. The rotation sensor generates a rotation output associated with the rotation of the 3D pointing device associated with three coordinate axes of a spatial reference frame associated with the 3D pointing device itself The computing processor uses the orientation output and the rotation output to generate a transformed output associated with a fixed reference frame associated with the display device above. The transformed output represents a segment of the movement pattern. |
| US08552977B2 |
Input apparatus, control apparatus, control system, handheld apparatus, and control method
An input apparatus, a control apparatus, and the like with which an image displayed on a screen can be prevented from being moved unintentionally in a case where a user operates an operation section provided to the input apparatus are provided.An MPU stores a displacement corresponding amount (velocity value) in a memory. When a switch of a button is turned on, the switch starts generating an operation signal and outputs the operation signal to the MPU. When the input of the operation signal from the switch is started, the MPU reads out the displacement corresponding amount stored in the memory, calculates a first correction displacement amount, and outputs it. Since the first correction displacement amount can be used to correct coordinate values of a pointer obtained before the switch is turned on after a start of a press of the button by the user, the pointer can be prevented from being moved unintentionally. |
| US08552972B2 |
Backlight apparatus, control method for controlling the same, and image display apparatus
A backlight apparatus comprises a light emission control unit which controls light emission of each of a plurality of light source blocks; a luminance detecting unit which detects a luminance of the light source block; and a correcting unit which successively executes a correcting process for the plurality of light source blocks by allowing one light source block to emit light so that a light emission amount of the concerning light source block is corrected on the basis of a detected luminance value and a target value thereof; wherein a temperature fluctuation suppressing process is executed when the correcting unit executes the correcting process, so that a plurality of the light source blocks, which include the light source block assumed to emit light in the correcting process to be executed next time, are simultaneously allowed to emit light for a predetermined period at a predetermined luminance. |
| US08552971B2 |
Driving circuit for light emitting diode
An LED driving circuit drives multiple channels of light emitting units which provide a function as a backlight for a liquid crystal panel. An interface unit receives a luminance setting signal that specifies the luminance for each channel. The LED driving circuit drives each of the multiple channels of light emitting units with a luminance that corresponds to the luminance setting signal. |
| US08552970B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device is provided. A plurality of light emitting units includes a plurality of light emitting elements which are configured to emit light toward a liquid crystal panel through a light guide plate. The light emitting units are arranged in series at an interval in such a direction that the light emitting elements face a side surface of the light guide plate. A feeding circuit is configured to supply power to the light emitting units. A first switch is connected to both ends of at least one of the light emitting units such that the at least one of the light emitting units connected between the both ends is deactivated when the first switch is turned on. A second switch is connected to both ends of at least one of the light emitting units such that the at least one of the light emitting units connected between the both ends is deactivated when the second switch is turned on. A switching unit is configured to control an on/off state of each of the first and second switches according to a driving timing of the liquid crystal panel to subsequently switch the light emitting units to be deactivated. |
| US08552969B2 |
Backlight adjusting system and method
A backlight adjusting system and method is adapted for adjusting a backlight brightness of a light emitting element for a display panel based on an ambient light around the display panel. The backlight adjusting system includes a first calculator, a processor and a driver. The first calculator calculates a target display brightness value of the display panel based on an actual ambient brightness value of the ambient light, a predetermined optimal ambient brightness value of the ambient light, and a predetermined optimal display brightness value of the display panel determined according to the predetermined optimal ambient brightness value. The processor obtains a target pulse duty value based on the target display brightness value. The driver generates a driving signal based on the target pulse duty value utilizing pulse width modulation techniques for driving the light emitting element so as to adjust the backlight brightness of the light emitting element. |
| US08552961B2 |
Shift register circuit
A shift register circuit includes plural shift register stages for providing plural gate signals. Each shift register stage includes a driving unit, an input unit, a driving adjustment unit and a pull-down unit. The driving unit is utilized for outputting a gate signal according to a system clock and a driving control voltage. The input unit is put in use for outputting the driving control voltage according to an input control signal and a first input signal. The driving adjustment unit is employed for adjusting the driving control voltage according to a second input signal and a third input signal. The pull-down unit is used for pulling down the gate signal and the driving control voltage according to a fourth input signal. |
| US08552960B2 |
Output amplifier circuit and data driver of display device using the circuit
An output amplifier includes a differential stage having a reference voltage supplied to a first input, a first output stage that receives an output of the differential stage, a second output stage whose output is connected to a load, a capacitor element having a first end connected to a second input of the differential stage, and connection control circuits that control switching of first and second connection modes. In the first connection mode, there are provided a non-conductive state between output of the differential stage and input of the second output stage, a non-conductive state between output of the first output stage and output of the second output stage, a conductive state between output of the first output stage and the second input of the differential stage, and voltage of a second end of the capacitor element is an input voltage from the input terminal. In the second connection mode, there are provided a conductive state between output of the differential stage and input of the second output stage, a conductive state between output of the first output stage and output of the second output stage; a non-conductive state between output of the first output stage and the second input of the differential stage, a non-conductive state of the second end of the capacitor element from the input terminal, and a conductive state between the output of the first output stage and the second end of the capacitor element. |
| US08552955B2 |
Receiver for an LCD source driver
A receiver for an LCD source driver of an LCD panel includes a converter, a comparing circuit and a decoding circuit. The converter converts two pairs of differential current signals into two pairs of differential voltage signals. The comparing circuit is coupled to the converter for generating reference signals based on differences between the two pairs of differential voltage signals. The decoding circuit is coupled to the comparing circuit for generating data signals, clock signal, setting signals, and control signals based the reference signals. |
| US08552953B2 |
Display device
To make a conventional area grayscale display technique applicable to a driving method that is designed to write data in a vertical blanking interval. A display panel with multiple pixels and a display controller that receives an input video signal and a sync signal and gets an image presented on the display panel are provided. If one horizontal scanning period and one vertical scanning period of the input video signal are represented by 1H and V-Total, respectively, the display controller is able to form one vertical scanning period V-Total of a first period in which one horizontal scanning period of the display panel is 1Ho, which is as long as 1H, and a second period in which one horizontal scanning period of the display panel is 1Hn, which is not as long as 1H. |
| US08552952B2 |
Display drive control circuit
No flicker is displayed on the display screen during display of moving pictures and power consumption can be reduced by adding a high quality moving picture display function. Moreover, the number of times of transfer of moving pictures by comprising a still-picture•text•system•I/O bus•interface and a moving picture interface (external display interface), providing a display operation change register (DM) and a RAM access change register (RM) which are changed selectively depending on display content (display mode) displayed on a display device and displaying the display data on the display device via a picture memory even in the moving picture display mode. |
| US08552948B2 |
Display device comprising threshold control circuit
The display device includes an output circuit, a threshold control circuit which sequentially selects one of a forward bias voltage and a reverse bias voltage, and a power supply control circuit which applies one of the forward bias voltage and the reverse bias voltage which is selected to a gate of a transistor included in the output circuit. Time in which the reverse bias voltage is applied to the gate of the transistor is determined in accordance with time in which the forward bias voltage is applied to the gate of the transistor. |
| US08552940B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
A display device includes luminescence pixels that each include a driving transistor, a luminescence element, and a switching transistor that switches between conduction and non-conduction between a data line and an anode or a cathode of the luminescence element. A data driving circuit supplies a signal voltage to the data line, and a bias supplying circuit supplies a predetermined bias voltage to the data line. A controller applies the predetermined bias voltage to the anode or the cathode of the luminescence element by causing a non-conduction state between the data line and the data driving circuit, causing a conduction state between the data line and the bias supplying circuit, and switching the switching transistor ON within a period in which a signal current does not flow to the luminescence element. |
| US08552938B2 |
Display device and method of driving the same
A display device and a method of driving the same in which moving image blurring is prevented and a contrast ratio is enhanced by providing a light-emitting element, switching transistors, and a driving transistor with driving signals that include specific voltages at predetermined times, so that the light-emitting element does not emit light for an entire frame and the light output is not influenced by a threshold voltage of the driving transistor. |
| US08552937B2 |
Pixel circuit and display device
A pixel circuit includes: a switching transistor whose conduction is controlled by a drive signal supplied to the control terminal; a drive wiring adapted to propagate the drive signal; and a data wiring adapted to propagate a data signal. The drive wiring is formed on a first wiring layer and connected to the control terminal of the switching transistor. The data wiring is formed on a second wiring layer and connected to a first terminal of the switching transistor. A multi-layered wiring structure is used so that the second wiring layer is formed on a layer different from that on which the first wiring layer is formed. |
| US08552935B2 |
Semiconductor circuit, driving circuit of electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
A semiconductor circuit includes a first circuit block, a second circuit block, and power wiring lines that supply a plurality of reference potentials. The first circuit block and the second circuit block are connected to a common power wiring line that is one of the power wiring lines and supplies a common reference potential. A width of the common power wiring line in the first circuit block is smaller than a width of the common power wiring line in the second circuit block. |
| US08552932B2 |
Filter and plasma display device thereof
A plasma display device is provided. The plasma display device includes a plasma display panel (PDP) which includes an upper substrate on which a plurality of black matrices are formed; and an external light shielding sheet which is disposed at a front of the PDP and includes a base unit and a plurality of pattern units that are formed on the base unit and that have a lower refractive index than the base unit. A distance between a pair of adjacent black matrices is 4-12 times greater than a distance between a pair of adjacent pattern units. Therefore, it is possible for a plasma display device to effectively realize black images and enhance bright room contrast with the aid of an external light shielding sheet which is disposed at a front of a PDP and which absorbs and shields as much external light incident upon the PDP as possible. Also, it is possible to reduce the probability of occurrence of the moire phenomenon and enhance the luminance of images displayed by a PDP by forming a plurality of pattern units on an external light shielding sheet so that the distance between the pair of adjacent pattern units can fall within a predetermined percentage range of the distance between the pair of adjacent black matrices formed on a PDP, or that the width of the pattern units can fall within a predetermined percentage range of the width of black matrices formed on the PDP. |
| US08552930B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus
A liquid crystal display apparatus is able to display high quality motion pictures with less after-image when displaying motion pictures and with less fuzzy images without making the response speed of the liquid crystal too fast. The display data emphasized excessively more than a changed value is written into the pixel having any change detected by comparison with the previous display data and its value is made to change excessively more than the value corresponding to its original display data, and then, according to the optical response of the liquid crystal, the lighting time and the lighting period of the light source are controlled for the individual areas of the illumination unit having plural areas. |
| US08552924B2 |
Stacked LCD unit
A LCD unit includes a plurality of LC panels stacked one on another. If a picture to be displayed on the LCD unit is a still picture, one of the LC panels consecutively scans plurality of rows of pixels in a direction opposite to the scanning direction of the rows of pixels in the rest of LC panels. If the picture is a moving picture, all the LC panels consecutively scans in the same direction. |
| US08552922B2 |
Helix-spiral combination antenna
Compound antennas are disclosed, as are aircraft comprising compound antennas and methods to use compound antennas. In one embodiment, a compound antenna comprises a ground plane, a helix antenna element comprising a first dielectric core having a first end and a second end and coupled to the ground plane at the first end, the helix antenna element exhibiting a normal mode polarization pattern, and a conical spiral antenna element disposed proximate the helix antenna element, the conical spiral antenna element exhibiting an axial mode polarization pattern, wherein both the normal-mode and the axial mode patterns are circular polarization patterns and have the same sense. Other embodiments may be described. |
| US08552920B2 |
Patch antenna synchronously generating linearly polarized wave and circularly polarized wave and generating method thereof
A patch antenna synchronously generating a circularly polarized wave and a linearly polarized wave comprises a first radiator radiating a circularly polarized wave with respect to an antenna signal, a first substrate provided at a part or the whole of the rear surface of the first radiator, a second radiator provided at a part or the whole of the rear surface of the first substrate and radiating a linearly polarized wave with respect to the antenna signal, and a second substrate provided at a part or the whole of the rear surface of the second radiator. |
| US08552912B2 |
Antenna for thin communication apparatus
A PIFA for a thin communication apparatus is provided. The PIFA includes a main body, a ground area and two ground segments, wherein the ground segments are adjacent with each other and extending out from a same side of the ground area. The SAR value and a required height for setting the antenna can be reduced through the design of two grounding paths on the antenna. |
| US08552911B2 |
Automatic electronically tuned electrically small transmitting antenna system
In an automatic tuning system for a loop antenna having a single electronically variable reactance element, the reactive component sense of the antenna impedance is determined over a wide range of frequency. The electronically variable reactance component of the antenna is automatically minimized by a feedback loop driving a voltage variable capacitance until the reactive component of the antenna impedance is virtually zero and the antenna impedance is hence resistive. The adjustment of the electronically variable capacitance is by a variable high voltage power supply controlled by a feedback amplifier or by a high voltage feedback amplifier. |
| US08552909B2 |
Location calculating method and location calculating device
A location calculating method includes acquiring measurement information by receiving satellite signals from positioning satellites and storing the acquired measurement information in a storage unit in association with acquisition time, calculating movement information that includes a movement direction and a movement distance by using a detection result of a sensor unit that at least includes an acceleration sensor and storing the calculated movement information in the storage unit in association with calculation time, and calculating a location at desired time by using at least the measurement information of which the acquisition time satisfies a predetermined proximity time condition and the movement information of which the calculation time is between the acquisition time of the measurement information and the given desired time. |
| US08552905B2 |
Automated layout of beams
The technology described herein includes a system and/or a method of automated layout of beams. The method includes generating a plurality of boundary positions along boundaries of an image frame. The method further includes determining a start location for a first beam within the plurality of boundary positions based on at least one of a mapping priority, direction of movement of a beam platform, and speed of movement of the beam platform. The method further includes modifying the plurality of boundary positions based on the start location. The method further includes determining a second location for a second beam within the modified plurality of boundary positions based on at least one of a mapping priority, direction of movement of a beam platform, and speed of movement of the beam platform. The method further includes modifying the modified plurality of boundary positions based on the second location. |
| US08552903B2 |
Verified distance ranging
Various techniques are described relating to verifying a distance between devices. A distance between two devices may be verified by requiring one of the devices to take one or more actions that generate a result that is only possible if the device is at most a given distance from the other device. In some aspects verified ranging is accomplished through the use of a ranging signal and a responsive signal. In some aspects the ranging signal may comprise a random, pseudorandom, or deterministic sequence. A responding device may operate on a ranging signal in accordance with a known function to generate a responsive signal. A ranging device also may perform operations to determine the likelihood that a responding device properly operated on a ranging signal that the ranging device transmitted to the responding device. |
| US08552901B2 |
Composite analog-to-digital converter
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes a plurality of single slope ADCs, a ramp generator, and digital output circuitry. Each single slope ADC includes an analog input operable to receive an analog input signal, a ramp input operable to receive an analog ramp signal, a comparator operable to compare the analog input signal to the analog ramp signal, and an output operable to produce a digital representation of the analog input signal based upon the comparison, wherein the plurality of single slope ADCs are operable to receive analog ramp signals that are out of phase with each other. The ramp generator that is operable to generate analog ramp signals for each of the plurality of single slope ADCs. The digital output circuitry is operable to receive outputs from each of the plurality of single slope ADCs and to produce a digital representation of the analog input signal based thereupon. |
| US08552891B2 |
Method and apparatus for parallel data interfacing using combined coding and recording medium therefor
A semiconductor device may include a coding lookup table unit including a plurality of coding lookup tables each of which is selected by a respectively selection signal, and a selection unit configured to receive one of N-bit parallel data and extract respective encoded data corresponding to the selection signal and to which the N-bit parallel data is mapped from the coding lookup table unit, and encoded data and extract respective N-bit parallel data corresponding to the selection signal and to which the encoded data is mapped from the coding lookup table unit, wherein N is 2 or an integer greater than 2, and wherein the coding lookup tables respectively store a plurality of coded data patterns that respectively correspond to patterns of the N-bit parallel data and are random temporally and spatially. |
| US08552889B2 |
Aircraft charting system with multi-touch interaction gestures for managing a route of an aircraft
A method and apparatus for managing a route for an aircraft or managing a map of an airport. The map is displayed on a display device. A movement of a number of fingers with respect to a number of aeronautical objects on the map is detected. The route for the aircraft is changed or information generated by an operation based on the number of aeronautical objects on the map is displayed in response to detecting the movement of the number of fingers with respect to the number of aeronautical objects on the map. |
| US08552881B2 |
Electronic device with a situational awareness function
A method (600, 700) for providing situational awareness to a first individual using a first electronic device (102, 106, 108, 112). The method comprises generating a situational awareness display (400, 500) comprising a first image (404a, 404b, 404c, 504a, 504b, . . . , 504e) of a second individual using a second electronic device and information indicating a location of the second individual relative to the first individual. The situational awareness display is then displayed on the display screen of the first electronic device and/or the second electronic device. The situational awareness display can be generated and displayed prior to, concurrent with or subsequent to the start of a call. The image may be highlighted or otherwise marked to show when the second individual is speaking during the call. Additional images of individuals can be displayed within the situational awareness display if the call is a group call. |
| US08552877B2 |
User interface for rechargeable batteries
A rechargeable battery includes a housing having an external surface including a user interface region. A battery cell within the housing is characterized by a charging status, a state of charge, and a state of health. A processor disposed within the housing determines and/or stores the charging status as well as one or more of the state of charge and the state of health of the battery cell. The user interface region provides a plurality of visual components configured to provide a plurality of visual cues relating to the charging status, the state of charge, and the state of health of the battery cell. The plurality of visual components may include a persistent display, an on-demand display, and an input component. The input component may be used to select the manner in which the visual cues are provided. |
| US08552876B2 |
Intelligent wire connectors
An intelligent wire connector carrying a microprocessor for transmitting information and/or sensing conditions proximate the wire connector wherein information from the microprocessor may be transmitted to a remote location in either a wireless mode or indirectly through an electrical wire, which is secured in the wire connector. |
| US08552870B2 |
Wireless IC device
A wireless-IC-device main component is disposed on a surface opposite to a surface for receiving signals from a reader/writer. The wireless-IC-device main component includes an insulating substrate, which is provided with a loop electrode and an electromagnetically coupled module coupled to the loop electrode. A signal from the reader/writer causes an eddy current to flow across a conductor principal plane of a metal article. The eddy current causes a magnetic field to be generated in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the conductor principal plane of the metal article. Then, the loop electrode is coupled to the magnetic field. Thus, the wireless-IC-device main component functions as an RFID tag even for signals from the principal plane opposite to the wireless-IC-device main component. Thus, it is possible to reduce the cost of manufacturing a metal article, and to provide a wireless IC device using the metal article as a radiator. |
| US08552869B2 |
Interrogator and interrogation system employing the same
The present invention is directed to an interrogator, method of discerning metal and radio frequency identification (RFID) objects, and an interrogation system employing the same. In one embodiment, the interrogator includes a metal sensing subsystem configured to provide a first signal having a signature representing a presence of a metal object, and a RFID sensing subsystem configured to provide a second signal having a signature representing a presence of a RFID object. The interrogator also includes a control and processing subsystem configured to discern a presence of at least one of the metal and RFID objects from one of the first and second signals. |
| US08552864B2 |
Intrusion detection system and intrusion detection apparatus
For one setting operator being able to readily adjust a threshold by oneself, by means of reporting units that issue a report to indicate the amount of variation in a received electric wave when an intruding object has intruded between a transmitting leaking transmission path and a receiving leaking transmission path, and a remote controller that generates a signal which changes a threshold in the table through the receiving leaking transmission path, the threshold is adjusted properly for each of the blocks with the remote controller based on the report issued from the reporting unit to indicate the amount of variation in the received electric wave caused by a trial intrusion between the two transmission paths by a threshold setting operator. |
| US08552863B2 |
Integrated mobile identification system with intrusion system that detects intruder
A method and apparatus are provided for identifying wireless devices within a security system. The method includes the steps of providing a security system monitoring a secured area for an intruder, the security system detecting an intrusion of the secured area, the security system detecting a mobile device within the secured area, the security system retrieving an identifier of the intruder from the mobile device and the security device saving the identifier along with a record of the intrusion. |
| US08552856B2 |
Low battery remote display system
A mobile device, e.g. a remote control, that communicates with a remote device. The device is controlled by a battery providing power for electronic circuits and components contained within the hand held remote control device. A battery monitoring device measures the voltage of the battery. A memory device saves the data generated by the battery monitoring device indicating the voltage of the battery. A transmission device transmits a notification to the display device when the voltage of the battery decreases to some predetermined level. The display device may receive the notification of a low battery from the hand held device. An application contained within the display device or the remote control displays a visual indication on the display device to the user indicating that the battery in the hand held device is low and requires recharging. |
| US08552854B2 |
Method for reprogramming bidirectional objects
A method for reprogramming bidirectional objects is disclosed. The objects contain a common key, at least two objects being paired to allow the sending of a command from one object of the pair to the other object of the pair and the execution of the command by the other object. The method includes the steps of 1) providing the objects with a new common key; 2) then when a command is sent from one object to another object with which it is paired, verifying that the two objects contain the new common key, and 3) refusal by the other object to execute the command if the two objects do not contain the new common key. |
| US08552848B2 |
System and method for combined blind spot detection and rear crossing path collision warning
A vehicle is equipped with blind spot detection and rear crossing path collision warning system. Programmable maximum range limit radar sensors mounted on the vehicle are used to provide blind spot object detection warning when the vehicle is traveling in a forward direction and rear crossing path collision warning when the vehicle is traveling in a rearward direction. |
| US08552845B2 |
Vehicle burglar alarm circuit
A vehicle burglar alarm circuit includes a transformer having first to fourth taps, a center tap provided at a center point and output taps, wherein the number of coil turns between the first and second taps is greater than the number of coil turns between the third and fourth taps; and output taps connected with a sounding body. The circuit further includes a first and second power sources connected to the center tap, the second power source outputting a lower output voltage; a sounding body driving unit having first to fourth driving switches respectively connected to the first to fourth taps; and a controller which controls the sounding body driving unit. The first and second driving switches are alternately turned on/off when using the first power source, and the third and fourth driving switches are alternately turned on/off when using the second power source. |
| US08552843B2 |
Universal remote controller having home automation function
A universal remote controller having a radio frequency (RF) control mode for generating RF signals for controlling an RF based home automation system and having an infrared (IR) control mode for controlling an infrared based electronic device using IR control signals. Control information input via a user interface is used to generate the IR control signals in the IR mode of operation and is used to generate the RF signals in the RF mode of operation. A control unit controls overall operation of the universal remote controller including the generation of IR signals to control electronic devices with the IR signals. A home automation module is connected to the control unit via a communication interface to generate RF signals to control the RF based home automation system. A display displays feedback information to the user regarding operations for controlling the home automation system. |
| US08552842B2 |
RF wireless permanently mounted searchlight
The invention provides apparatus for controlling a search lamp using a wireless transmitter and receiver. The transmitter responds to user inputs by providing a wireless digitally encoded modulation signal containing information indicating at least one operation in a set of operations the search lamp is able to perform. The receiver responds to the wireless digitally encoded modulation signal by providing a control signal for controlling the functionality of the search lamp. The functionality may include, for example, moving the search lamp left/right and/or up/down, a sweep on/off @ +/−45 degrees; X/Y/Z movement (Z when motors run simultaneously); Diagonal sweep (motors run simultaneously); Fast/Slow sweep (50%/100%). The transmitter and receiver are programmable to communicate on a unique 16 bit digital code setting that provides about 65K different code settings, which may also include a random code setting. |
| US08552841B2 |
Communication method having selectable response signal strength levels
A communication method in a system having a reader and at least one transceiver, the method including the reader selecting a response signal strength level from a plurality of response signal strength levels; and establishing communication between the reader and the at least one transceiver at the selected response signal strength level. |
| US08552839B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing radio frequency identification (RFID) tags
An approach is provided for managing network addressable radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. A management agent collects data from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that is assigned a network address for visibility within a data network. The agent generates a management message including the data for transmission over the data network to a manager configured to communicate with the agent using a management protocol. |
| US08552829B2 |
Transformer device and method for manufacturing a transformer device
A transformer device includes a glass substrate having a first side and a second side arranged opposite the first side. A first recess is formed at the first side of the glass substrate. A second recess is formed at the second side of the glass substrate. The first and second recesses are arranged opposite to each other. A first coil is arranged in the first recess and a second coil is arranged in the second recess. |
| US08552827B2 |
Coil component
The present invention provides a coil component provided with a magnetic core and a coil wound around the magnetic core. The coil component of the present invention is provided with an eddy-current generation member using any one of or any combination of a tape member using a conductive metallic foil, a thin film using a conductive metal material, a ribbon using a conductive metal material, a coated film using a conductive metal material, and a plate member using a conductive metal material. In a coil antenna adopting the coil component of the present invention, it is enabled to adjust the Q value to a desired value without increasing the direct current resistance value. |
| US08552826B2 |
Laminated ceramic electronic component
A laminated ceramic electronic component having excellent mechanical characteristics and internal electrode corrosion resistance, high degree of freedom in ceramic material design, low cost, and low defective rate includes a laminate having a plurality of laminated ceramic layers and a plurality of Al/Cu alloy-containing internal electrodes at specific interfaces between ceramic layers; where the Al/Cu ratio of the Al/Cu alloy is 80/20 or more. |
| US08552823B2 |
Electromagnetic relay
An electromagnetic relay includes a fixed iron core; a movable iron core disposed opposing to the fixed iron core; a coil for generating a magnetic force when energized to make the movable iron core attracted by the fixed iron core; a movable contact coupled with the movable iron core; a fixed contact disposed opposing to the movable contact; and a reset spring for resetting the movable iron core when the coil is de-energized. The movable iron core includes a base body to which an expanding force of the reset spring is applied and a movable member provided independently from the base body. The movable member is attracted by the fixed iron core when the coil is energized to move integrally with the base body, and is reset by the expanding force of the reset spring when the coil is de-energized to slide independently from the base body. |
| US08552812B2 |
Transformer with bypass capacitor
An electronic device comprises first, second and third inductors connected in series and formed in a metal layer over a semiconductor substrate. The first and second inductors have a mutual inductance with each other. The second and third inductors having a mutual inductance with each other. A first capacitor has a first electrode connected to a first node. The first node is conductively coupled between the first and second inductors. A second capacitor has a second electrode connected to a second node. The second node is conductively coupled between the second and third inductors. |
| US08552811B2 |
Electromagnetic noise suppression circuit
An electromagnetic noise suppression circuit is provided. The suppression circuit comprises a first substrate, a first grounding plane and at least one transmission line. The transmission line is configured on a top surface of the first substrate and the first grounding plane is configured on the bottom surface of the first substrate. The first grounding plane comprises a first distributed coupling structure. The first distributed coupling structure and the transmission line can be equivalent to an inductor-capacitor resonant circuit. The electromagnetic noise within a designated frequency band can be suppressed by the distributed coupling structure of the electromagnetic noise suppression circuit to avoid interfering the signal transmitted by the transmission line and the electromagnetic radiation induced by the electromagnetic noise. |
| US08552807B2 |
Electronic apparatus compensated through monitoring a status of GNSS receiver and related method thereof
In one exemplary implementation, an electronic apparatus includes: a reference clock source, for generating a reference clock; a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver for receiving satellites signals and the reference clock, comprising: a monitoring circuit, for monitoring a status of the GNSS receiver to generate a monitoring result; and a compensating circuit, coupled to the reference clock source and the monitoring circuit, for compensating the reference clock according to the monitoring result. |
| US08552806B2 |
Apparatus for supplying clock and method thereof
An apparatus for providing clock and a method thereof are provided. The provided apparatus includes a frequency generation unit and a control unit. The frequency generation unit decides amplitude of a clock signal to be a first amplitude or a second amplitude in response to a mode signal. The frequency generation unit converts an external oscillation signal into the clock signal. The control unit receives the clock signal, and outputs the mode signal in response to a system status signal. The control unit outputs the clock signal to external when determining that the clock signal has a stable oscillation. When the system status signal is a power on signal, the first amplitude is used as the amplitude of the clock signal, and when the system status signal is a power off signal, the second amplitude smaller than the first amplitude is used as the amplitude of the clock signal. |
| US08552803B2 |
Amplifier with dynamic bias
Techniques are provided for dynamically biasing an amplifier to extend the amplifier's operating range while conserving power. In an embodiment, a detector is provided to measure the amplifier output to determine an operating region of the amplifier. The output of the detector may be input to a bias adjuster, which outputs a dynamic voltage level supplied to at least one bias transistor in the amplifier. Multiple embodiments of the detector and bias adjuster are disclosed. |
| US08552802B2 |
Amplifying circuit and current-voltage conversion circuit
An amplifying circuit comprises: a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor and a fourth transistor provided to an input stage; and a first bias circuit. The input signal is input into a control terminal of the first transistor and a control terminal of the second transistor, a first terminal of the first transistor is connected to a first terminal of the third transistor, a first terminal of the second transistor is connected to a first terminal of the fourth transistor, a second terminal of the first transistor is connected to a first potential, a second terminal of the second transistor is connected to a second potential that is equal to or different from the first potential, a second terminal of the third transistor is connected to a third potential, a second terminal of the fourth transistor is connected to a fourth potential, the first bias circuit is connected between a control terminal of the third transistor and a control terminal of the fourth transistor. |
| US08552793B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a functional circuit part that includes a plurality of field effect transistors, a mode control circuit that receives a first control signal and that generates a second control signal that is used to change a logic state of the functional circuit part, an output control circuit that receives an output signal of the functional circuit part and controls output of the output signal, and a control circuit that receives the second control signal and that generates a third control signal to the output control circuit. During a time period when the functional circuit part changes a logic state according to the second control signal, the output control circuit inverts the output signal of the functional circuit part according to the third control signal. |
| US08552790B2 |
Harmonic rejection of signal converting device and method thereof
A signal converting device includes: a reference signal-mixing circuit arranged to generate a reference mixing output signal according to an input signal, a reference gain, and a reference local oscillating signal; a plurality of auxiliary signal-mixing circuits, each arranged to generate an auxiliary mixing output signal according to the input signal, an auxiliary gain, and an auxiliary local oscillating signal; and a combining circuit arranged to combine the reference mixing output signal and a plurality of the auxiliary mixing output signals to generate an output signal, and at least one of the auxiliary signal-mixing circuits is configured by the corresponding auxiliary gain to compensate phase imbalances between the reference mixing output signal and each of the auxiliary mixing output signals to reduce a power of a harmonic component in the output signal. |
| US08552788B2 |
Apparatus and methods for adaptive common-mode level shifting
Apparatus and methods for adaptive level shifting are provided. In one embodiment, a method of level shifting in an adaptive level shifter (ALS) is provided. The technique includes charging a first capacitor and a second capacitor each to a voltage that is about equal to a difference between a common mode voltage of a differential input voltage signal and a reference voltage. The technique can further include inserting the first capacitor between a first input and a first output of the ALS and the second capacitor between the second input and a second output of the ALS. The technique can further include switching the first capacitor and the second capacitor such that the first capacitor is inserted between the second input and the second output and the second capacitor is inserted between the first input and the first output. |
| US08552787B2 |
Methods and apparatus for a gray-coded phase rotating frequency divider
Methods and apparatus for a gray-coded phase rotating frequency divider. A phase selector is provided that includes two or more selectors, each selector configured to receive multiple clock phases and output a respective clock phase based on one or more selection bits that are part of a selection input, and a gray code generator configured to generate a gray coded output that forms the selection input so that when the gray coded output changes state only selection bits associated with a single selector change. A method includes grouping a plurality of clock phases into two or more groups, for each group, selecting a respective clock phase based on one or more selection bits that are part of a selection input, and generating a gray coded output that forms the selection input so that when the gray coded output changes state only selection bits associated with a single group change. |
| US08552786B1 |
System and method of adjusting current drawn by an integrated circuit based on frequencies of clock signals
A system including a first clock module, a second clock module and an adjustment module. The first clock module is configured to generate a first clock signal having a first frequency. The second clock module is configured to, based on the first clock signal, generate a second clock signal for an integrated circuit. An amount of current drawn by the integrated circuit is based on a second frequency of the second clock signal. An adjustment module is configured to receive an enable signal indicating whether the integrated circuit is being powered ON. In response to the enable signal indicating the integrated circuit is being powered ON, the adjustment module (i) determines a predetermined frequency, and (ii) generate a control signal based on the first clock signal. The control signal adjusts the second frequency of the second clock signal to be between the predetermined frequency and the first frequency. |
| US08552784B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit for generating clock signal(s)
A semiconductor integrated circuit according to an embodiment includes a clock signal generation section, a clock waveform shaping section and a plurality of function blocks. The clock signal generation section generates a clock signal of a predetermined frequency. The clock waveform shaping section generates a plurality of clock signals having the same phase as a phase of the clock signal generated by the clock signal generation section at rising edges and different phases at falling edges. Each of the plurality of function blocks has a plurality of flip flops that operate with any one of the plurality of clock signals generated by the clock waveform shaping section. |
| US08552774B2 |
Fast-switching low-noise charge pump
In one embodiment of the invention, a method for a charge pump is disclosed. The method includes biasing a plurality of transistors; switching a pair of main transistor switches to apply or remove a net charge on an output terminal though the biased transistors; and turning on auxiliary transistor switches when the main transistor switches are turned off. The auxiliary transistor switches when turned on provide an auxiliary equalizing path to nodes between the main transistor switches and the biased transistors. The auxiliary equalizing path equalizes voltages between the intermediate nodes to rapidly turn off the biased transistors and reduce noise on the output terminal of the charge pump. |
| US08552772B2 |
Loop filter buffer with level shifter
A system in accordance with the present invention may include a phase-locked loop circuit, comprising a first input signal oscillating at a reference frequency, a second input signal received from a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) after passing through an N-divider, a phase detector and charge-pump, the phase detector comparing a phase of the first input signal and a phase of the second input signal, a loop filter in series with the phase detector and charge-pump, the loop filter having an integrator, a pole zero, and a post-filter, and a buffer in parallel with the integrator and in series with the post-filter, the buffer receiving an output signal from the integrator and isolating the integrator from an input impedance of the post-filter, and the buffer having a multiplexer for selecting between a plus and minus level shift signal, wherein the VCO is in series with the loop filter and the N-divider, and the VCO is configured to receive a tuning voltage signal from the loop filter. |
| US08552768B2 |
Transistor switch control circuit
A synchronous driving circuit in the arts may cause a short through pheromone when a duty cycle of a duty cycle control signal is too short. The present invention sets a delay time with a suitable period when the duty cycle of the duty cycle control signal is too short to avoid the short through phenomenon. |
| US08552766B2 |
Threshold comparator with hysteresis and method for performing threshold comparison with hysteresis
A threshold comparator with hysteresis includes a comparator circuit, having a first input, for receiving an input voltage, a second input, and an output, which supplies an output voltage having a first value and a second value. A current generator, controlled by the output voltage, supplies a current to the first input in the presence selectively of one between the first value and second value of the output voltage. A selector circuit connects the second input of the comparator circuit to a first reference voltage source, which supplies a first reference voltage, in response to first edges of the output voltage, and to a second reference voltage source, which supplies a second reference voltage, in response to second edges of the output voltage, opposite to the first edges. |
| US08552761B2 |
Flip-flop including keeper circuit
A flip-flop includes a transmission circuit configured to transmit data to a transmission line in response to a clock signal and a complementary clock signal. The flip-flop further includes a keeper circuit configured to latch data of the transmission line in response to the clock signal and the complementary clock signal to maintain the data of the transmission line constant. |
| US08552759B2 |
Programmable logic based on a magnetic diode and applications of same
In one aspect, the invention relates to programmable logic that utilizes one or more of magnetic diodes. By changing magnetic fields generated in the magnetic diodes due to input signals, the programmable logic can be changed from one logic gate to another logic gate. The unique feature leads to field reprogrammable logic devices in which simple instructions can be used to construct a whole new set of logic gates. |
| US08552757B2 |
Method for detecting a fault in an induction machine
The invention concerns a method for detecting a fault in a rotating field machine, in which current components are analysed in a flux-based, particularly rotor-flux-based, coordinate system a flux-forming current component being subjected to a frequency analysis in the flux-based, particularly rotor-flux-based, coordinate system. It is endeavored to provide a simple method for an early detection of faults. For this purpose, a current operating point is detected for at least one predetermined supply frequency (fsp), said operating point being compared to a former operating point. |
| US08552756B2 |
Chip testing apparatus and testing method thereof
A chip testing apparatus and a chip testing method are provided. The chip testing apparatus includes a command generating module, a transceiving module and a control module. When the command generating module generates a first test command, the transceiving module transmits the first test command to a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip and receives a target test result from the RFID chip. The control module determines whether the target test result complies with a reference test result. When the determination result of the control module is no, the control module controls the command generating module to generate a second test command for retesting the RFID chip. |
| US08552755B2 |
High throughput current-voltage combinatorial characterization tool and method for combinatorial solar test substrates
Measuring current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of a solar cell using a lamp that emits light, a substrate that includes a plurality of solar cells, a positive electrode attached to the solar cells, and a negative electrode peripherally deposited around each of the solar cells and connected to a common ground, an articulation platform coupled to the substrate, a multi-probe switching matrix or a Z-stage device, a programmable switch box coupled to the multi-probe switching matrix or Z-stage device and selectively articulating the probes by raising the probes until in contact with at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode and lowering the probes until contact is lost with at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode, a source meter coupled to the programmable switch box and measuring the I-V characteristics of the substrate. |
| US08552741B2 |
Detection of a distance variation with respect to a rotation axis
A method of detection of a distance variation with respect to an axis of at least one point of an object rotating around this axis by a terminal at a fixed position with respect to the axis and capable of emitting a radiofrequency field for at least one resonant circuit attached to the object. The method includes the steps of measuring and recording, on the terminal side, a maximum value of a quantity representative of the coupling between an oscillating circuit of the terminal and the at least one resonant circuit; and detecting a variation of this periodic maximum. |
| US08552738B2 |
Device for checking a safety circuit of an elevator
A testing device for checking a safety circuit of an elevator apparatus includes at least one hardware-monitoring unit for monitoring at least one functionally relevant composite resistor in the safety circuit. |
| US08552734B2 |
Test prepared integrated circuit with an internal power supply domain
The integrated circuit (10) has an internal power supply domain with a power supply voltage adaptation circuit (14) to adapt the power supply voltage in the power supply domain. Typically, a plurality of such domains is provided wherein the power supply voltage can be adapted independently. During testing an internal power supply voltage is supplied to a temporally integrating analog to digital conversion circuit (16) in the integrating circuit (10). A temporally integrated value of the power supply voltage is measured during a measurement period. Preferably, integrating measurements of a plurality of internal supply voltages are performed in parallel during the same measurement time interval. Preferably a further test is performed by changing over between mutually different supply voltages during a further measurement period. In this way the measured integrated supply voltage can be used to check the speed of the change over between the different voltages. |
| US08552732B2 |
Apparatus for measuring conductive pattern on substrate
An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for measuring a conductive pattern on a substrate, which includes a first electro-optical modulator surrounding at least one first detecting roller; transmission rollers for transferring the substrate and allowing direct contact of the substrate and the first electro-optical modulator; a voltage supplier for providing a bias between the first electro-optical modulator and the substrate; and a first image detecting system for receiving a first detecting light reflected from a first surface of the substrate. |
| US08552731B2 |
Dose profile measurement system for clinical proton fields
A beam profile measurement detector is a tool to efficiently verify dose distributions created with active methods of a clinical proton beam delivery. A Multi-Pad Ionization Chamber (MPIC) has 128 ionization chambers arranged in one plane and measure lateral profiles in fields up to 38 cm in diameter. The MPIC pads have a 5 mm pitch for fields up to 20 cm in diameter and a 7 mm pitch for larger fields, providing an accuracy of field size determination of about 0.5 mm. The Multi-Layer Ionization Chamber (MLIC) detector contains 122 small-volume ionization chambers stacked at a 1.82 mm step (water-equivalent) for depth-dose profile measurements. The MLIC detector can measure profiles up to 20 cm in depth, and determine the 80% distal dose fall-off with about 0.1 mm precision. Both detectors can be connected to the same set of electronics modules, which form the detectors' data acquisition system. The detectors operate in proton fields produced with active methods of beam delivery such as uniform scanning and energy stacking. The MPIC and MLIC detectors can be used for dosimetric characterization of clinical proton fields. |
| US08552725B2 |
Systems and methods for obstructing magnetic flux while shielding a protected volume
An aspect of the present invention relates to system and method for substantially obstructing magnetic flux. One aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for substantially obstructing at least one magnetic flux path between an ambient space and a protected volume. The apparatus includes an inner shield, substantially enclosing the protected volume. The inner shield has at least one inner shield aperture extending therethrough to allow external access to the protected volume. An outer shield substantially encloses the inner shield. The outer shield has at least one outer shield aperture extending therethrough to allow internal access from the ambient space. The apparatus is configured to impede magnetic flux between at least one inner shield aperture and at least one outer shield aperture. |
| US08552722B2 |
Detector systems
A detection system comprising a plurality of magnetic field generators and a plurality of magnetic field detectors located adjacent to a detection area, and a control system arranged to generate magnetic field using the generators, and, for each of the generators, to make measurements of the magnetic field generated using each of the detectors, and processing means arranged to process the measurements to generate a data set characterising the detection area. |
| US08552718B2 |
Method for the nondestructive testing of pipes
In a method for the nondestructive testing of pipes made of ferromagnetic steel for flaws by means of stray flux, the pipe is magnetized by a constant field and the discontinuities in the near-surface region of the outer or inner surface of the pipe cause magnetic stray fluxes, which exit the pipe surface and are detected by probes of a test unit, wherein the association of the detected amplitude signals is performed on the basis of the amplitude height and/or the frequency spectrum with respect to an external or internal flaw via defined flaw thresholds respectively. For this, prior to associating the detected amplitude signals to an external or internal flaw, the angular position of the flaw relative to the respective magnetic field direction is determined, and a correction of the signals is carried out via a previously determined correction factor for amplitudes and/or frequencies of a perpendicular angular position. |
| US08552714B2 |
Rotation angle sensor with inclined magnets of uniform plate thickness
A rotation angle sensor includes a rotation shaft, a yoke which is made from a magnetic permeable material and includes a first disk portion, a second disk portion and a connection portion magnetically connecting the first disk portion and the second disk portion, the first disk portion and the second disk portion being provided on the rotation shaft in an axial direction of the rotation shaft separately, a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet, each having a disk shape which has a uniform plate thickness in a circumferential direction thereof, and which are provided on a first face of the first disk portion and a second face of the second disk portion respectively, the first face being opposed to the second face, a magnetic field detection section which is provided between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet, and generates an output signal in response to an intensity of a magnetic field formed by the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet during a rotation of the rotation shaft. The first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet are inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation shaft so that a distance of a line passing through the magnetic field detection section and connecting the first disk portion and the second disc portion in the axis direction of the rotation shaft is gradually changed in accordance to the rotation of the shaft. |
| US08552713B2 |
Linear sensor
The invention relates to a linear sensor, comprising a sleeve, a pin which comprises a permanent magnet and is linearly displaceably supported in the sleeve, and a magnetic field sensor which is fastened to the sleeve and used to detect a displacement of the permanent magnet, characterized in that the pin is guided by way of a substantially cylindrical guide and has a magnet or pin holder. |
| US08552709B2 |
Systems and methods for locating a circuit
Systems and methods presented herein locate and/or identify a circuit within an electrical system. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing signals upon a plurality of circuit lines (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) with each circuit line having a unique signal to identify it from other circuit lines. Each signal may be induced upon an individual circuit line by a inductive coupling clip coupled about the circuit line. The transmitter may be used at a distribution point of the circuit lines, such as circuit breaker box. A receiver can then receive a signal from a distal point on the circuit line to acquire the unique signal induced thereon and identify determine which inductive coupling clip is coupled thereto. For example. the signal may be decoded to display a number of the circuit line being tested. |
| US08552708B2 |
Monolithic DC/DC power management module with surface FET
A monolithic DC to DC converter, provides a semiconductor substrate, a surface FET formed on the semiconductor substrate that modulates currents across a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a toroidal inductor with a magnetic core formed on the substrate around the FET and having a first winding connected to the FET. |
| US08552704B2 |
Current share compensation design
A current share system for providing current to a load includes a first power supply module that controls a first voltage converter to provide a first current to the load, that transmits synchronization information using a first pin, and that transmits at least one second type of information using the first pin. A second power supply module receives the synchronization information at a second pin, receives the at least one second type of information at the second pin, and controls a second voltage converter to provide a second current to the load based on the synchronization information and the at least one second type of information. |
| US08552699B2 |
System and method for active electromagnetic interference reduction for a switching converter
An EMI reduction network for a converter, the converter including upper and lower power switches provided between an input voltage node and a reference node. An inductance is coupled between the input voltage node and the upper switch at a first node, a capacitance and an auxiliary power switch are coupled in series between the first and reference nodes, and a controller is provided to control switching. The controller switches the upper switch based on a PWM signal. The controller keeps the lower switch turned on until the phase node goes positive while the upper switch is on. The controller turns the auxiliary switch on after the lower power switch is turned off and turns the auxiliary switch off after the upper power switch is turned off. The lower and auxiliary switches may be zero voltage switched, and the upper switch may be zero current switched. |
| US08552698B2 |
High voltage shunt-regulator circuit with voltage-dependent resistor
A voltage regulator circuit comprising a first circuit functioning as a voltage dependent resistor, the first circuit having an input coupled to a voltage source and an output and having a resistance dependent on the voltage applied across the circuit by the voltage source such that the resistance increases as the applied voltage increases; and a regulator coupled to the output of the first circuit for providing a regulated output voltage. |
| US08552696B2 |
Self-excited reactive power compensation apparatus
A control device of a self-excited reactive power compensation apparatus controls a reactive current output from a self-excited converter to a power system. The control device includes a first reference generating unit, a second reference generating unit, and a selecting unit. The first reference generating unit generates a first voltage reference of an output voltage output from the self-excited converter, such that the reactive current detected by a reactive current detecting unit follows a current reference. The second reference generating unit generates a second voltage reference of the output voltage output from the self-excited converter, such that a value of the reactive current becomes a predetermined value. The selecting unit selects a maximum value from the first and second voltage references. |
| US08552693B2 |
Low temperature charging of Li-ion cells
A battery cell charging system, including a charger and a controller, for low-temperature (below about zero degrees Celsius) charging a lithium ion battery cell, the battery cell charging system includes: a circuit for charging the battery cell using an adjustable voltage charging-profile to apply a charging voltage and a charging current to the battery cell wherein the adjustable voltage charging-profile having: a non-low-temperature charging stage for charging the battery cell using a charging profile adapted for battery cell temperatures above about zero degrees Celsius; and a low-temperature charging stage with a variable low-temperature stage charging current that decreases responsive to a battery cell temperature falling below zero degrees Celsius. |
| US08552686B2 |
Battery control apparatus and method
A battery control apparatus includes an emergency charging unit including an external charging terminal for applying power to a main battery pack, a first voltage measurement unit for measuring the voltage of the external charging terminal, and an emergency charging switch for switching the connection between the external charging terminal and the main battery pack; an auxiliary battery connection unit including an auxiliary battery connection terminal for applying power to the vehicle through a contactor, a second voltage measurement unit for measuring the voltage of the auxiliary battery connection terminal, and an auxiliary battery switch for switching the connection between the auxiliary battery connection terminal and the contactor; and an emergency control unit for switching to an emergency charging mode or an auxiliary connection mode by turning on the emergency charging switch or the auxiliary battery switch during the voltage measurement of the first or second voltage measurement unit. |
| US08552684B2 |
Non-contact charging module and reception-side and transmission-side non-contact charging apparatuses using the same
It is an object to provide a non-contact charging module that prevents the magnet from negatively influencing particularly the inside portion of a coil and improves power transmission efficiency, even when a magnet is used for alignment. This non-contact charging module is a reception-side non-contact charging module, to which power is transmitted from a transmission-side non-contact charging module which is equipped with magnet, by electromagnetic induction, in which the non-contact charging module includes a planar coil portion around which spiral electric lines are wound, and a magnetic sheet disposed to face the surface of coil of the planar coil portion so that it faces the magnet of the transmission-side contact module, in which the inner diameter of the planar coil portion is larger than the magnet. |
| US08552683B2 |
Charging apparatus
A charging apparatus for electrical connection with a charging supply for charging a battery module, the charging apparatus including a coolant pipe, the coolant pipe providing a passage for a cooling medium and surrounding a space for accommodating the battery module; a charging terminal for electrically connecting with the charging power supply; and a chiller connected with the coolant pipe, the chiller being configured to circulate and cool the cooling medium. |
| US08552680B2 |
Power management circuit and electronic device using the same
An electronic device includes a first rechargeable battery, a solar cell mounted on the electronic device, a second rechargeable battery and a power management circuit. The power management circuit includes a control module, a DC/DC module, a switch and a power supply switching module. The DC/DC module is configured for converting the DC power generated by the solar cell from one voltage level to another, and activating and maintaining the activation of the control module. The switch is turned on by the control module when the control module is activated, causing the DC power from the DC/DC module to charge the second rechargeable battery. The power supply switching module is controlled by the control module to select the second rechargeable battery to power the electronic device if the voltage level of the rechargeable battery is lower than that of the second rechargeable battery. |
| US08552677B2 |
Fan rotary speed controlling device
A fan rotary speed controlling device includes a first signal generating circuit, a second signal generating circuit, a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit and a switching circuit. The first signal generating circuit receives a real frequency signal and a target frequency signal, and generates a first signal according to the real frequency signal and the target frequency signal. The second signal generating circuit generates a second signal according to the first signal. The PWM circuit generates a PWM signal according to the second signal. The switching circuit is electrically connected with the PWM circuit and outputs a control signal to control the rotary speed of the motor. Hence, the fan rotary speed controlling device boosts the accuracy and the stability of the fan rotary speed. |
| US08552674B2 |
Method for control of synchronous electrical motors
Method for control of synchronous electrical motors that enables determining the instantaneous motor load angle and rotor speed without using rotor position sensors. The method is realized with solving the set of differential equations that govern the currents in the stator windings of the motor for the time intervals between each two consecutive crossings of the currents in the windings of their set values and deriving relationships between the induced in the windings back-electromotive force voltages and the parameters of the Pulse Width Modulation. The parameters of the Pulse Width Modulation are measured and stored in a memory and based on the derived relationships the values of the back-electromotive force voltages are calculated continuously in time. From the values of the back-electromotive force voltages the motor load angle and rotor speed are calculated and used as feedback signals for the closed-loop control of the motor. |
| US08552673B2 |
Interior permanent magnet machine systems and methods for controlling interior permanent magnet machines
Example embodiments disclose an Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) machine system including an IPM machine including a nominal operating direct current (dc) bus voltage, and a controller configured to detect an operating dc bus voltage of the IPM machine and to control the IPM machine based on the nominal operating dc bus voltage and the detected operating dc bus voltage. |
| US08552672B2 |
Method and apparatus to drive two-phase motors from a three-phase bridge
A motor drive for driving two-phase motors using a three-phase bridge output stage, and a method of operating the drive. The driven two-phase motor can be a two-phase bipolar motor (such as a hybrid stepping motor). The drive can also be configured so that a single output stage can be used to drive either two-phase or three-phase motors, with or without a feedback sensor. A reference return is provided from one of the three half-bridge output stages with each of the motor phase windings connected between the reference return and one of the other half-bridge outputs. The switches of each half-bridge are modulated so that current can be controlled in each of the two motor phase windings. |
| US08552662B2 |
Driver for providing variable power to a LED array
A driver for providing variable power to a LED array, which can be coupled through a dimmer to an AC power supply, comprises a filtering and rectifying unit, a switching power unit, and a control unit. The filtering and rectifying unit is adapted to attenuate EMI and convert an AC power from the AC power supply into a DC power output. The switching power unit is adapted to receive the DC power output and provide an output current to the LED array. The control unit is adapted to determine the output current in response to a comparison between a dim reference signal representing phase-modulating information of the AC power and a feedback signal representing an average value of the output current. The LED array can thus be controlled by a dimmer at the primary side so as to adjust its light output, and can further be utilized in currently existing lighting infrastructures. |
| US08552657B2 |
Method of driving a gas-discharge lamp
The invention describes a method of driving a gas-discharge lamp (1) wherein, at any one time, the lamp (1) is driven according to one of a plurality of different driving schemes (DS1, DS2) and the lamp power is controlled according to one of a plurality of different power control strategies (PCS, PCf, and wherein the lamp (1) is driven according to a first driving scheme (DS1) prior to a trigger event (tsw) and, upon occurrence of the trigger event (tsw), a driving scheme switchover is effected so that the lamp (1) is subsequently driven according to a second driving scheme (DS2), and wherein, in temporal dependence on the trigger event (tsw), a power controls strategy switch over is effected from a first power control strategy (PCs) to a second power control strategy (PCf) such that the lamp power is subsequently controlled according to the second power control strategy(PCf) for a time interval (tm, tf). |
| US08552655B2 |
Image display apparatus
An image display apparatus according to an implementation of the present invention includes: pixel circuits disposed in rows and columns; first power lines and control lines disposed in respective rows; a third power line; second switching transistors disposed at least one for each of the rows and each having a gate terminal connected to the control line disposed in the corresponding row, one of a source terminal and a drain terminal connected to the first power line disposed in the corresponding row, and the other of the source terminal and the drain terminal connected to the third power line; and a power supply unit which supplies the same voltage to the first power lines and the third power line when the second switching transistors are turned ON. |
| US08552649B2 |
LED lamp head with variable brightness
A lamp head is configured to be electrically coupled solely to a power-supply element and a return element. A power voltage carried by the power-supply element is regulated by a control element. The lamp includes at least one LED configured to emit light, and a first circuit coupled to the at least one LED and configured to adjust the brightness of the light emitted by the at least one LED solely in response to adjustments made to the power voltage by the control element. |
| US08552647B2 |
High-voltage pulse generator and high-pressure discharge lamp having a high-voltage pulse generator
A high-voltage pulse generator based on a spiral pulse generator, wherein the spiral pulse generator is implemented as an LTCC component and is wound from at least two ceramic and at least two metal-containing layers, and the high-voltage pulse generator can be introduced into a cylindrical volume V=d2*π*3*d whose length is three times as long as the diameter of the volume, and the volume of the high-voltage pulse generator is greater than one-third of the cylindrical volume. Also disclosed is a high-pressure discharge lamp having a tubular outer piston, wherein the outer piston of the high-pressure discharge lamp has an aforesaid high-voltage pulse generator. |
| US08552642B2 |
Methods and apparatus for packaging electronic components
Packages for elements, e.g., OLEDs, that are temperature sensitive are provided. The packages have a first glass substrate (12), a second glass substrate (16), and a wall (14) that separates the first and second substrates (12,16) and hermetically seals at least one temperature sensitive element (18,28,36) between the substrates (12,16). The wall (14) comprises a sintered frit and at least a portion of the wall is laser sealed to the second substrate (16) by melting a glass component of the sintered frit. The minimum width (40) of the laser-sealed portion of the wall (14) at any location along the wall (14) is greater than or equal to 2 millimeters so as to provide greater hermeticity and strength to the package. The laser sealing is performed without substantially degrading the temperature sensitive element(s) (18,28,36) housed in the package. |
| US08552634B2 |
Organic light-emitting display apparatus
An organic light-emitting display apparatus for encapsulating an organic light-emitting device and/or improving its electrical properties. The organic light-emitting display apparatus includes: a substrate; a display portion on the substrate and including an organic light-emitting device; a non-display portion on both the substrate and the peripheral region of the display portion; and an encapsulation portion on the display portion and including a first encapsulation layer formed of an inorganic material and a second encapsulation layer formed of an organic material that are alternately stacked on the display portion, wherein an end portion of the first encapsulation layer contacts the substrate. |
| US08552633B2 |
Pixel arrangement structure for organic light emitting diode display
A pixel arrangement structure for an organic light emitting diode display includes a first pixel, a second pixel and a third pixel. The first pixel has a larger area than the second pixel and the third pixel, and the first pixel, the second pixel and the third pixel have different planar shapes relative to each other. |
| US08552631B2 |
Display devices with transparent electrodes containing nanocarbon materials
A transparent electrode for a display device includes a nanocarbon material and a dopant comprising at least one of aluminum, alumina, palladium, and gold. In some embodiments, the transparent electrode has excellent transparency and low resistance. |
| US08552628B2 |
High thread spark plug with undercut insulator
An assembly for a spark plug, the assembly having: an insulator, the insulator having a channel formed in an exterior surface of the insulator; and a jamb nut surrounding the insulator, the jamb nut being aligned with the channel such that a distal end of the jamb nut does not contact the insulator. |
| US08552624B2 |
Impact resistance vibrating reed, vibrator, oscillator, and electronic device
A vibrating reed includes: a base; at least one vibrating arm extending from the base; at least one support arm extending from the base, and at least a part of which extends in parallel to the vibrating arm; and at least one receiving section formed of a part of the support arm, the part extending to have a shape of a projection so that a distance from the vibrating arm is reduced. |
| US08552617B2 |
Energy harvesting device using pyroelectric material
Provided is an energy harvesting device using pyroelectric materials. The energy harvesting device includes a first heat source; a second heat source having a temperature higher than a temperature of the first heat source; and a cantilever which is interposed between the first heat source and the second heat source, the cantilever including a first film formed of a pyroelectric material and a second film, where the first film is disposed on the second film and a thermal expansion coefficient of the second film is different from that of the pyroelectric material of the first film. Electric energy is generated by periodically changing a temperature within the first film. |
| US08552615B2 |
Electric motors having EMI reducing circuits and methods therefor
An electric motor having a circuit for reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI) includes a field stack such as a stator, an armature including a shaft, a commutator mounted on the shaft, and an armature core electrically connected to the commutator, whereby the armature core is rotatably mounted within the field stack. The electric motor includes a brush assembly adapted to deliver electrical power to the commutator. The circuit includes a delta capacitor network and a conductive lead electrically interconnecting the delta capacitor network and the brush assembly. In one embodiment, the circuit includes motor field windings or coils, and a power source electrically interconnectable with the delta capacitor network and the motor field windings. In one embodiment, the motor is a universal motor. |
| US08552613B2 |
Stator arrangement, generator, wind turbine, and method for positioning a stator arrangement
A stator arrangement of an electric machine, particularly a generator in a wind turbine is provided. The stator arrangement is radially surrounded by a rotatably mounted rotor arrangement. During normal operation the stator arrangement is non-rotatably connected to a stationary part of the generator. The stator arrangement may be released from the non-rotatable connection to the stationary part of the generator so as to be revolved relative to the stationary part of the generator. A method for positioning such a stator arrangement is also provided. |
| US08552610B2 |
Alternator and corresponding electric system
An alternator including a rotatably-assembled permanent magnet, the magnetization direction of the magnet being orthogonal to the rotation axis, and a winding with no iron core surrounding the magnet and having each turn in a plane substantially parallel to a plane containing the rotation axis, the winding extending across a dihedral angle from the rotation axis smaller than 75 degrees and, radially, over a distance ranging between one quarter and half of the magnet diameter. |
| US08552605B2 |
Dynamo-electric machine
Engaging protrusions of a lower end housing are axially snap-fitted into through holes, respectively, of a yoke housing to couple therebetween. Each of spacers is circumferentially placed between and is press-fitted between corresponding adjacent two of permanent magnets fixed to an inner peripheral surface of the yoke housing. Each spacer axially contacts a corresponding contact part of the end housing. A lower ball bearing and an upper ball bearing are supported by the lower end housing and an upper end housing, respectively, to rotatably support a shaft. A wave washer is axially positioned between the lower ball bearing and the lower end housing to exert an urging force between the lower end housing and the upper end housing through the shaft. |
| US08552602B2 |
Molded motor
A molded motor including a stator including a housing formed by integrally molding an armature winding and a printed circuit board with resin containing a fibrous reinforcing material and filler; a magnet rotor rotatably disposed to face the stator; and a plurality of lead wires led out to outside. The printed circuit board is provided with a plurality of lands connecting the lead wires by soldering, and a round hole between the plurality of lands filled with the resin, and the reinforcing material is oriented in a board thickness direction of the printed circuit board. |
| US08552595B2 |
System and method for contactless power transfer in portable image detectors
A system and method for contactless power transfer in a portable image detector for charging rechargeable batteries disposed within the portable image detector is provided. The system includes a first coil couplable to a power source, wherein the first coil is configured to produce a magnetic field. The system further includes a second coil coupled to the rechargeable battery disposed within the portable image detector and configured to receive power from the first coil via the magnetic field and to transfer the power to the rechargeable battery. The system also includes a field focusing element disposed between the first coil and the second coil and configured as a self resonant coil having a standing wave current distribution to focus the magnetic field onto the second coil and enhance the coupling between the first coil and the second coil. |
| US08552592B2 |
Wireless energy transfer with feedback control for lighting applications
Described herein are improved configurations for a wireless lighting power transfer method including providing a source having a source resonator that includes a high-Q source magnetic resonator coupled to a power source, providing a device having a device resonator that includes a high-Q device magnetic resonator, distal from the source resonator, the device including a light emitting part electrically coupled to the device resonator, providing a signaling capability between the source and the device, signaling a state of the device to the source using the signaling capability, and energizing the source to generate an oscillating magnetic field according to the state of the device. |
| US08552588B2 |
Battery charging coaction and output system with current limit supply
The present invention relates to a power system utilizing an engine generator or public power with AC source, wherein the power system particularly has the characteristics that the maximum output current thereof is limited by electromagnetic effects, and/or constant current or nearly constant current output thereof is set to be lower than the maximum output current, for powering a load, and charging a battery, or jointly powering a load with a battery; when an engine generator set is utilized to be power supply, during operation, the engine operates with the best brake specific fuel consumption and/or the range of revolutions and torque for better energy saving. |
| US08552584B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for a UPS
According to one aspect of the invention, a UPS includes an input configured to be coupled to an AC power source, a DC power source, an output configured to receive power from at least one of the AC power source and the DC power source, a first switched receptacle outlet coupled to the output and configured to be coupled to a first electrical load and a second receptacle outlet coupled to the output and configured to be coupled to a second electrical load. According to some embodiments, the UPS also includes a control unit configurable to provide a first configuration associated with the first switched receptacle outlet, where the first configuration is employed by the control unit to control a connection of the first switched receptacle outlet to the output independent of the second receptacle outlet. |
| US08552582B2 |
Distributed solar power plant and a method of its connection to the existing power grid
Methods and apparatus are provided for using a renewable source of energy such as solar, wind, or geothermal energy. In some embodiments, the method may include generating electric energy from a renewable form of energy at a plurality of locations at which reside an electric power line associated with an electric power grid. The electric energy generated at each location may be transferred to the electric power line to thereby supply electric energy to the electric power grid. |
| US08552573B2 |
Method and apparatus of converting the impact of hydrometeors into practical energy with a mechanical capacitor, and to electricity via electromagnetic induction
The aim of the present invention is to harvest the improvised impact of the hydrometeors into a practical mechanical energy with the use of mechanical capacitor. Consequently, the mechanical energy is converted into electricity via the principal of electromagnetic induction. |
| US08552569B2 |
Stacked semiconductor device including ESD protection circuits and method of fabricating the stacked semiconductor device
A stacked semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor die that has a front side electrically coupled to a substrate pad, the substrate pad is connected to an exterior, a backside of the first semiconductor die, a first integrated circuit, first ESDs, and TSVs, and the TSVs are coupled to the first integrated circuit and the first ESDs. A second semiconductor die is stacked above the backside of the first semiconductor die, the second semiconductor die includes a second integrated circuit that is electrically connected to the TSVs and second ESDs, and the second ESDs is electrically disconnected from the TSVs. The TSVs penetrate the first semiconductor die and extend to the backside of the first semiconductor die. |
| US08552568B2 |
Methods for forming three-dimensional memory devices, and related structures
Methods of forming semiconductor devices that include one or more arrays of memory devices in a three-dimensional arrangement, such as those that include forming a conductive contact in a dielectric material overlying a memory array, wherein a wafer bonding and cleaving process may be utilized to provide a foundation material for forming another memory array having an active region in electrical contact with the conductive contact. Additionally, the conductive contact may be formed in a donor wafer, which in turn may be bonded to a dielectric material overlying a memory array using another wafer bonding process. Novel semiconductor devices and structures including the same may be formed using such methods. |
| US08552565B2 |
Chip package and method for forming the same
A chip package includes a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of conducting pads located under the lower surface of the substrate, and a dielectric layer located between the conducting pads. A hole is provided in the substrate, which extends from the upper surface towards the lower surface of the substrate. A sidewall or a bottom of the hole exposes a portion of the conducting pads. The upper opening of the hole near the upper surface is smaller than a lower opening of the hole near the lower surface. An upper conducting pad has at least an opening or a trench exposing a lower conducting pad of the conducting pads. A conducting layer is disposed in the hole, which electrically contacting at least one of the conducting pads. |
| US08552559B2 |
Very thick metal interconnection scheme in IC chips
A new interconnection scheme is described, comprising both coarse and fine line interconnection schemes in an IC chip. The coarse metal interconnection, typically formed by selective electroplating technology, is located on top of the fine line interconnection scheme. It is especially useful for long distance lines, clock, power and ground buses, and other applications such as high Q inductors and bypass lines. The fine line interconnections are more appropriate to be used for local interconnections. The combined structure of coarse and fine line interconnections forms a new interconnection scheme that not only enhances IC speed, but also lowers power consumption. |
| US08552555B2 |
Semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same
A technique which improves the reliability in coupling between a bump electrode of a semiconductor chip and wiring of a mounting substrate, more particularly a technique which guarantees the flatness of a bump electrode even when wiring lies in a top wiring layer under the bump electrode, thereby improving the reliability in coupling between the bump electrode and the wiring formed on a glass substrate. Wiring, comprised of a power line or signal line, and a dummy pattern are formed in a top wiring layer beneath a non-overlap region of a bump electrode. The dummy pattern is located to fill the space between wirings to reduce irregularities caused by the wirings and space in the top wiring layer. A surface protection film formed to cover the top wiring layer is flattened by CMP. |
| US08552554B2 |
Heat dissipation structure for electronic device and fabrication method thereof
A heat dissipation structure for an electronic device includes a body having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. A silicon-containing insulating layer is disposed on the first surface of the body. A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond film is disposed on the silicon-containing insulating layer. A first conductive pattern layer is disposed on the silicon-containing insulating layer, wherein the first conductive pattern layer is enclosed by and spaced apart from the CVD diamond film. A method for fabricating a heat dissipation structure for an electronic device and an electronic package having the heat dissipation structure are also disclosed. |
| US08552553B2 |
Semiconductor device
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate and a chip. The chip is electrically connected to the substrate. The chip includes a chip body, at least one chip pad, a first passivation, an under ball metal layer and at least one metal pillar structure. The chip pad is disposed adjacent to an active surface of the chip body. The first passivation is disposed adjacent to the active surface, and exposes part of the chip pad. The under ball metal layer is disposed adjacent to the chip pad. The metal pillar structure contacts the under ball metal layer to form a first contact surface having a first diameter. The metal pillar structure is electrically connected to a substrate pad of the substrate to form a second contact surface having a second diameter. The ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter is between 0.7 and 1.0. As a result, the first contact surface and the second contact surface have an equivalent bonding force, which prevents the metal pillar structure from cracking due to a shear stress. Thus, the structure strength of the semiconductor device is enhanced and the semiconductor device can pass the reliability test. |
| US08552544B2 |
Package structure
A package structure includes first and second substrates, a sealant and a filler. The first substrate has a surface including an active region and a bonding region. The first substrate has a component in the active region and a pad in bonding region. The pad is electrically connected to the component. The sealant is disposed on the surface surrounding the active region. The sealant has a breach at a side of the active region. The second substrate is bonded to the first substrate via the sealant. The second substrate has a first opening corresponding to the pad, and a second opening corresponding to the breach. The filler fills the second opening, covers the breach such that the first substrate, the second substrate, the sealant and the filler together form a sealed space for accommodating the component. |
| US08552540B2 |
Wafer level package with thermal pad for higher power dissipation
Wafer level packaging (WLP) packages semiconductor dies onto a wafer structure. After the wafer level package is complete, individual packages are obtained by singulating the wafer level package. The resulting package has a small form factor suitable for miniaturization. Unfortunately conventional WLP have poor heat dissipation. An interposer with a thermal pad can be attached to the semiconductor die to facilitate improved heat dissipation. In one embodiment, the interposer can also provide a wafer substrate for the wafer level package. Furthermore, the interposer can be constructed using well established and inexpensive processes. The thermal pad attached to the interposer can be coupled to the ground plane of a system where heat drawn from the semiconductor die can be dissipated. |
| US08552537B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device according to an embodiment, includes a dielectric film and an Si semiconductor part. The dielectric film is formed by using one of oxide, nitride and oxynitride. The Si semiconductor part is arranged below the dielectric film, having at least one element of sulfur (S), selenium (Se), and tellurium (Te) present in an interface with the dielectric film, and formed by using silicon (Si). |
| US08552532B2 |
Self aligned structures and design structure thereof
Vertical bipolar junction structures, methods of manufacture and design structures. The method includes forming one or more sacrificial structures for a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) in a first region of a chip. The method includes forming a mask over the one or more sacrificial structures. The method further includes etching an opening in the mask, aligned with the one or more sacrificial structures. The method includes forming a trench through the opening and extending into diffusion regions below the one or more sacrificial structures. The method includes forming a base region of the BJT by depositing an epitaxial material in the trench, in contact with the diffusion regions. The method includes forming an emitter contact by depositing a second epitaxial material on the base region within the trench. The epitaxial material for the emitter region is of an opposite dopant type than the epitaxial material of the base region. |
| US08552531B2 |
Nitride-based compound semiconductor and nitride-based compound semiconductor device
A nitride-based compound semiconductor includes an atom of at least one group-III element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, In, and B, a nitrogen atom, and a metal atom that forms a compound by bonding with an interstitial atom of the at least one group-III element. The metal atom is preferably iron or nickel. A doping concentration of the metal atom is preferably equal to a concentration of the interstitial atom of the at least one group-III element. |
| US08552529B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is disclosed. The device includes a substrate; a first metal layer overlying the substrate; a dielectric layer overlying the first metal layer; and a second metal layer overlying the dielectric layer, wherein the first metal layer comprises: a first body-centered cubic lattice metal layer; a first underlayer, underlying the first body-centered cubic lattice metal layer, wherein the first underlayer is metal of body-centered cubic lattice and includes titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo) or niobium (Nb); and a first interface of body-centered cubic lattice between the first body-centered cubic lattice metal layer and the first underlayer. |
| US08552528B2 |
Diode-less array for one-time programmable memory
A one-time programmable memory array includes a first row conductor extending in a first row direction and disposed at a first elevation, a second row conductor extending in a second row direction and disposed at a second elevation and a column conductor extending in a column direction and disposed adjacent to the first row conductor and adjacent to the second row conductor. The array also includes a dielectric layer covering at least a portion of the column conductor, a fuse link coupled between the dielectric layer on the column conductor and the second row conductor. |
| US08552527B2 |
Applying trenched transient voltage suppressor (TVS) technology for distributed low pass filters
An electronic circuit includes a filtering circuit implemented with a distributed inductor-and-capacitor (LC) network that includes metal oxide effect (MOS) trenches opened in a semiconductor substrate filled with dielectric material for functioning as capacitors for the distributed LC network. The electronic circuit further includes a transient voltage suppressing (TVS) circuit integrated with the filtering circuit that functions as a low pass filter wherein the TVS circuit includes a bipolar transistor triggered by a diode disposed in the semiconductor substrate. The distributed LC network further includes metal coils to function as inductors disposed on a top surface of the semiconductor electrically contacting the MOS trenches. |
| US08552522B2 |
Dishing-free gap-filling with multiple CMPs
A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming patterned features over the semiconductor substrate, wherein gaps are formed between the patterned features; filling the gaps with a first filling material, wherein the first filling material has a first top surface higher than top surfaces of the patterned features; and performing a first planarization to lower the top surface of the first filling material, until the top surfaces of the patterned features are exposed. The method further includes depositing a second filling material, wherein the second filling material has a second top surface higher than the top surfaces of the patterned features; and performing a second planarization to lower the top surface of the second filling material, until the top surfaces of the patterned features are exposed. |
| US08552521B2 |
Semiconductor package to remove power noise using ground impedance
A semiconductor package removes power noise by using a ground impedance. The semiconductor package includes an analog circuit block, a digital circuit block, an analog ground impedance structure, a digital ground impedance structure, and an integrated ground. The integrated ground and the analog circuit block are electrically connected via the analog ground impedance structure, and the integrated ground and the digital circuit block are electrically connected via the digital ground impedance structure, and an inductance of the analog ground impedance structure is greater than an inductance of the digital ground impedance structure. |
| US08552519B2 |
Semiconductor module for power generation or light emission
In order to collect a plurality of semiconductor elements easily from a semiconductor module where a plurality of rod-like semiconductor elements for power generation or light emission are built in and to reuse or repair them, two split modules 61 are arranged in series in a containing case 62 in a semiconductor module 60. In each split module 61, power generating semiconductor elements 1 arranged in a matrix of a plurality of rows and columns, and a conductive connection mechanism for connecting the plurality of semiconductor elements 1 in each row in series and the plurality of semiconductor elements 1 in each column in parallel are molded with transparent synthetic resin, and a connection conductor 67 is allowed to project at the end. A conductive waved spring 70 and an external terminal 76 are provided on the end side of the containing case 62, and series connection of the two split modules 61 is ensured by mechanical pressing force of the conductive waved spring 70. |
| US08552518B2 |
3D integrated microelectronic assembly with stress reducing interconnects
A microelectronic assembly and method of making, which includes a first microelectronic element (including a substrate with first and second opposing surfaces, a semiconductor device, and conductive pads at the first surface which are electrically coupled to the semiconductor device) and a second microelectronic element (including a handier with first and second opposing surfaces, a second semiconductor device, and conductive pads at the handler first surface which are electrically coupled to the second semiconductor device). The first and second microelectronic elements are integrated such that the second surfaces face each other. The first microelectronic element includes conductive elements each extending from one of its conductive pads, through the substrate to the second surface. The second microelectronic element includes conductive elements each extending between the handler first and second surfaces. The conductive elements of the first microelectronics element are electrically coupled to the conductive elements of the second microelectronics element. |
| US08552509B2 |
Integrated circuit including cross-coupled transistors having gate electrodes formed within gate level feature layout channels with other transistors positioned between cross-coupled transistors
A semiconductor device includes conductive features that are each defined within any one gate level channel uniquely associated with and defined along one of a number of parallel gate electrode tracks. The conductive features form gate electrodes of first and second PMOS transistor devices, and first and second NMOS transistor devices. The gate electrodes of the first PMOS and first NMOS transistor devices extend along a first gate electrode track. The gate electrodes of the second PMOS and second NMOS transistor devices extend along second and third gate electrode tracks, respectively. A first set of interconnected conductors electrically connect the gate electrodes of the first PMOS and second NMOS transistor devices. A second set of interconnected conductors electrically connect the gate electrodes of the second PMOS and first NMOS transistor devices. The first and second sets of interconnected conductors traverse across each other within different levels of the semiconductor device. |
| US08552508B2 |
Integrated circuit including cross-coupled transistors having gate electrodes formed within gate level feature layout channels with shared diffusion regions on opposite sides of two-transistor-forming gate level feature and electrical connection of transistor gates through linear interconnect conductors in single interconnect layer
A semiconductor device includes first and second p-type diffusion regions, and first and second n-type diffusion regions that are each electrically connected to a common node. Gate electrodes are formed from conductive features that are each defined within any one gate level channel that is uniquely associated with and defined along one of a number of parallel gate electrode tracks. The gate electrodes include gate electrodes of first and second PMOS transistor devices, and first and second NMOS transistor devices. Widths of the first and second p-type diffusion regions are substantially equal, such that the first and second PMOS transistor devices have substantially equal widths. Widths of the first and second n-type diffusion regions are substantially equal, such that the first and second NMOS transistor devices have substantially equal widths. The first and second PMOS and first and second NMOS transistor devices form a cross-coupled transistor configuration. |
| US08552506B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first and a second isolation insulating film to define a first, a second, a third and a fourth region, forming a first insulating film, implanting a first impurity of a first conductivity type through the first insulating film into the first, the second and the fourth region at a first depth, forming a second insulating film thinner than the first insulating film, implanting a second impurity of a second conductivity type through the second insulating film into the third region at a second depth in the semiconductor substrate, implanting a third impurity of the second conductivity type into the third region at a third depth shallower than the second depth, forming a first transistor of the first conductivity type in the third region, and forming a second transistor of the second conductivity type in the fourth region. |
| US08552502B2 |
Structure and method to make replacement metal gate and contact metal
An electrical device is provided that in one embodiment includes a p-type semiconductor device having a first gate structure that includes a gate dielectric that is present on the semiconductor substrate, a p-type work function metal layer, a metal layer composed of titanium and aluminum, and a metal fill composed of aluminum. An n-type semiconductor device is also present on the semiconductor substrate that includes a second gate structure that includes a gate dielectric, a metal layer composed of titanium and aluminum, and a metal fill composed of aluminum. An interlevel dielectric is present over the semiconductor substrate. The interlevel dielectric includes interconnects to the source and drain regions of the p-type and n-type semiconductor devices. The interconnects are composed of a metal layer composed of titanium and aluminum, and a metal fill composed of aluminum. The present disclosure also provides a method of forming the aforementioned structure. |
| US08552501B2 |
Method of forming an inverted T shaped channel structure for an inverted T channel field effect transistor device
A method of forming an inverted T shaped channel structure having a vertical channel portion and a horizontal channel portion for an Inverted T channel Field Effect Transistor ITFET device comprises semiconductor substrate, a first layer of a first semiconductor material over the semiconductor substrate and a second layer of a second semiconductor material over the first layer. The first and the second semiconductor materials are selected such that the first semiconductor material has a rate of removal which is less than a rate of removal of the second semiconductor material. |
| US08552496B2 |
High-voltage vertical transistor with edge termination structure
A high-voltage transistor includes a drain, a source, and one or more drift regions extending from the drain toward the source. A field plate member laterally surrounds the drift regions and is insulated from the drift regions by a dielectric layer. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US08552494B2 |
Semiconductor devices including elevated source and drain regions
Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices are provided. A substrate having active patterns and isolating layer patterns is prepared. Each of the isolating layer patterns has an upper surface higher than that of each of the active patterns. A spacer layer having a uniform thickness is formed on the substrate. The spacer layer is etched to form a spacer on a sidewall of each of the isolating layer patterns. A gate structure is formed on each of the active patterns. A selective epitaxial growth (SEG) process is performed on the active patterns having the gate structure to form isolated epitaxial layers that have upper surfaces higher than those of the isolating layer patterns, on the active patterns. Related semiconductor devices are also provided. |
| US08552492B2 |
Semiconductor device
A trench gate transistor whose gate changes the depth thereof intermittently in the gate width direction, has a first offset region and a second offset region formed below the source and drain, respectively. The sum of length measurements of the underlying portion of the second offset region measured from the lower corner of the trench in a direction parallel to the substrate and in a direction perpendicular to the substrate is 0.1 μm or greater. |
| US08552482B2 |
Single photon avalanche diodes
A CMOS single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) design uses conventional, or at least known, CMOS processes to produce a device having a breakdown region in which the main p-n junction is formed of a deep n-well layer, and optionally on the other side, a p-add layer. The SPAD may also have a guard ring region which comprises the p-epi layer without any implant. The SPAD may have curved or circular perimeters. A CMOS chip comprises SPADs as described and other NMOS devices all sharing the same deep n-well. |
| US08552479B2 |
Aluminum indium antimonide focal plane array
In one embodiment, a detector includes an AlxIn(1-x)Sb absorber layer, and an AlyIn(1-y)Sb passivation layer disposed above the AlxIn(1-x)Sb absorber layer, wherein x |
| US08552478B2 |
Corner transistor and method of fabricating the same
A method of fabricating a corner transistor is described. An isolation structure is formed in a substrate to define an active region. A treating process is performed to make the substrate in the active region have sharp corners at top edges thereof. The substrate in the active region is covered by a gate dielectric layer. A gate conductor is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A source region and a drain region are formed in the substrate beside the gate conductor. |
| US08552477B2 |
FinFET with improved short channel effect and reduced parasitic capacitance
The present application discloses a semiconductor device formed on a SOI substrate which comprises a buried insulating layer and a semiconductor layer on the buried insulating layer and a method for manufacturing the same, wherein a fin of semiconductive material having two opposing sides perpendicular to a main surface of the SOI substrate is provided in the semiconductor layer, said semiconductor device comprising: a source region and a drain region provided at two ends of the fin respectively; a channel region provided at a central portion of the fin; and a stack of gate dielectric and gate conductor provided at one side of the fin, where the gate conductor is isolated from the channel region by the gate dielectric, wherein the gate conductor extends away from the one side of the fin in a direction parallel to the main surface of the SOI substrate. The semiconductor device has an improved short channel effect and a reduced parasitic capacitance and resistance, which contributes to an improved electrical property and facilitates scaling down of the transistor. |
| US08552475B2 |
Apparatus of memory array using FinFETs
One or more embodiments relate to a memory device, comprising: a memory element; and a FinFET select device including a fin, a gate line supported by the fin, and a contact element coupled between a surface of the fin and the memory element, the contact element being in direct contact with a top surface of the fin. |
| US08552471B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus having reverse blocking characteristics and method of manufacturing the same
There is provided a semiconductor apparatus capable of achieving both a reverse blocking characteristic and a low on-resistance. The semiconductor apparatus includes a first semiconductor layer including a channel layer, a source electrode formed on the first semiconductor layer, a drain electrode formed at a distance from the source electrode on the first semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode formed between the source electrode and the drain electrode on the first semiconductor layer. The drain electrode includes a first drain region where reverse current between the first semiconductor layer and the first drain region is blocked, and a second drain region formed at a greater distance from the gate electrode than the first drain region, where a resistance between the first semiconductor layer and the second drain region is lower than a resistance between the first semiconductor layer and the first drain region. |
| US08552470B2 |
Self-powered integrated circuit with multi-junction photovoltaic cell
A photovoltaic cell is provided as a composite unit together with elements of an integrated circuit on a common substrate. In a described embodiment, connections are established between a multiple photovoltaic cell portion and a circuitry portion of an integrated structure to enable self-powering of the circuitry portion by the multiple photovoltaic cell portion. |
| US08552467B2 |
Four-quadrant triac
A vertical four-quadrant triac wherein the gate region, arranged on the side of a front surface, includes a U-shaped region of a first conductivity type, the base of the U lying against one side of the structure, the main front surface region of the second conductivity type extending in front of the gate region and being surrounded with portions of the main front surface region of the first conductivity type. |
| US08552466B2 |
Low capacitance photodiode element and computed tomography detector
A photodiode element includes a first layer of a first diffusion type and a second layer. The second layer defines a charge-collecting area. The charge-collecting area includes an active region of a second diffusion type and an inactive region. The active region surrounds the inactive region. The photodiode element also includes an intrinsic semiconductor layer between the first layer and the second layer. |
| US08552465B2 |
Method for reducing stress in epitaxial growth
A device and method for making the same are disclosed. The device includes a substrate having a first TEC, a stress relief layer overlying the substrate, and crystalline cap layer. The crystalline cap layer overlies the stress relief layer. The cap layer has a second TEC different from the first TEC. The stress relief layer includes an amorphous material that relieves stress between the crystalline substrate and the cap layer arising from differences in the first and second TECs at a growth temperature at which layers are grown epitaxially on the cap layer. The device can be used to construct various semiconductor devices including GaN LEDs that are fabricated on silicon or SiC wafers. The stress relief layer is generated by converting a layer of precursor material on the substrate after the cap layer has been grown to a stress-relief layer. |
| US08552462B2 |
LED package and method for manufacturing the same
An LED package includes an electrode, an LED chip, and an insulation layer. The electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are separate from each other. The LED chips are connected to the first and second electrodes. The insulation layer covers the first and second electrodes and the LED chip. A cavity is defined in the first electrode for receiving the LED chip therein. A channel is defined between the first electrode and the second electrode. The channel communicates with the cavity and the insulation layer fills in the cavity and the channel. |
| US08552461B2 |
Light emitting diode without leads
An LED (light emitting diode) includes a seat and an LED chip. The seat includes a main body, and a first electrode and a second electrode formed on the main body. The LED chip includes a first semiconductor layer, an annular light-emitting layer encircling the first semiconductor layer, and an annular second semiconductor layer encircling the light-emitting layer. The first electrode electrically connects with the first semiconductor layer, and the second electrode electrically connects with the second semiconductor layer. |
| US08552460B2 |
Package for a light emitting element
A high-brightness LED module includes a substrate with a recess in which a light emitting element is mounted. The recess is defined by a sidewalls and a relatively thin membrane. At least two micro-vias are provided in the membrane and include conductive material that passes through the membrane. A p-contact of the light emitting element is coupled to a first micro-via and an n-contact of the light emitting element is coupled to a second micro-via. |
| US08552442B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting device includes a semiconductor light emitting element, a lead electrically connected to the semiconductor light emitting element, and a resin package covering the semiconductor light emitting element and part of the lead. The resin package includes a lens facing the front of the semiconductor light emitting element. The lead includes an elongated mounting portion projecting from the resin package. The mounting portion includes a pair of first projections spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction and a second projection positioned between the first projections. The first projections and the second projection project in opposite directions from each other in the width direction of the mounting portion. |