| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08582685B2 |
Apparatus and method for encoding a signal
An apparatus and method for encoding a signal are provided. The apparatus and method of the present disclosure identify the various portions, or bytes, of an incoming packet in a Reed-Solomon (RS) encoded packet as either data bytes, RS parity bytes, or trellis reset synchronization bytes. The data bytes are passed through without change. The trellis reset bytes are provided to a trellis encoder to determine new byte reset values. These new values are then stored and later retrieved when needed and used to modify the appropriate incoming parity bytes. The new incoming parity bytes are computed using the new trellis reset byte values multiplied by, or added to, a weighting value retrieved from a table stored in memory based on a location of the parity byte and a location of the trellis reset byte in the RS encoded packet. |
| US08582679B2 |
Method of transmitting of data and configuring a codebook in multi antenna system
Methods of controlling a transmission power and configuring a codebook in a multi-antenna system to solve a transmission power unbalance between antennas are disclosed. The method of transmitting data in a multi-antenna system includes (A) transmitting one or more pilot signals within a first symbol region through a first antenna unit, and (B) transmitting one or more pilot signals within a second symbol region through a second antenna unit, wherein data within the first symbol region is transmitted through the second antenna unit, and data within the second symbol region is transmitted through the first antenna unit. According to the present invention, since a transmission power unbalance between antennas is solved, a transmission power can be uniformly assigned to each antenna and channel estimation can be easily performed. Moreover, a power amplifier having a uniform amplification range can be used and designed. |
| US08582675B1 |
Pre-channelized spectrum analyzer
A pre-channelized spectrum analyzer utilizes a channelizer as a preprocessor for parallel-configured low-resolution spectrum analyzers so as to perform as a high resolution spectrum analyzer. The pre-channelized spectrum analyzer has a polyphase filter that channelizes a signal input and an IFFT that generates filter bank outputs derived from the channelized signal. Spectrum analyzers are in communications with the filter bank outputs so as to generate a spectral decomposition of a subset of those outputs. The spectrum analyzers each perform a window and an FFT function on a corresponding one of the filter bank subset. |
| US08582674B2 |
Apparatus and method for channel estimation using compressive sensing based on Taylor series expansion
An apparatus and method for channel estimation comprising determining a channel impulse response using a Taylor series expansion with a plurality of Taylor series coefficients; determining a channel frequency response based on the channel impulse response; collecting the channel frequency response over a plurality of symbols to obtain a composite channel frequency response; generating a sensing matrix based on the Taylor series expansion; and determining the plurality of Taylor series coefficients based on the composite channel frequency response and the sensing matrix using compressive sensing channel estimation. |
| US08582673B2 |
Method for mapping physical random access channels
A method for mapping physical random access channel (PRACHs) is provided in the present invention, wherein W PRACHs have the same time domain location and the serial number of each PRACH is w=0, 1, 2, . . . , W−1. The method includes: mapping the PRACHs with the odd w numbers from high frequency to low frequency, or from low frequency to high frequency in a usable frequency band, mapping the PRACHs with the even w numbers from low frequency to high frequency, or from high frequency to low frequency in the usable frequency band. One PRACH occupies 6 continuous resource blocks in the frequency domain, and the frequency bands occupied by the two adjacent PRACHs in the frequency domain do not overlap, furthermore the same mapping process is used for each version number r. The PRACHs which need to be processed by the same station could be distributed evenly in the time domain, and at the same time the inter-cell interference of the second type PRACH could be reduced to the greatest extent through the present invention. |
| US08582669B2 |
Noise reduction circuit in a digital isolator system
The invention is directed to a digital isolation system including an isolation barrier, a transmitter circuit receiving an input signal and transmitting a positive pulse upon detecting a first type of edge in the input signal and transmitting a negative pulse upon receipt of a second type of edge in the input signal and a receiver circuit receiving the transmitted signals, removing noise in the received signal and reconstructing the input signal using a differential comparator. |
| US08582667B2 |
Transmitter for automatically detecting power-down of receiver and system including the same
A transmitter of a transition minimized differential signaling (TMDS) system includes a current source, a pair of switches configured to be connected to the current source and switch a current of the current source, and a monitoring unit configured to monitor a potential of a connection node between the current source and the pair of switches. The pair of switches is connected to a receiver of the TMDS system through a first line and a second line, respectively. The monitoring unit monitors the potential of the connection node based on a power supply voltage applied to the receiver and current switching of the pair of switches. |
| US08582662B2 |
Method of coding a video signal
The invention relates to methods and apparatuses for encoding and decoding of a video sequence. In connection with encoding/decoding a video sequence it is desirable to increase the video quality without having to increase the bit-rate for the encoded video too much, thereby still providing a bit-efficient representation of the video. If multiple descriptions of the video sequence is used the invention improves the video quality without any increase of the bit-rate. According to the invention, this is achieved by using two or more coding units for encoding the same video sequence, wherein the encoding units perform their encoding operations displaced in time in relation to each other. Correspondingly, two or more decoding units are used for decoding the same video sequence, wherein the decoding units perform their decoding operations displaced in time in relation to each other. |
| US08582661B2 |
Bitstream decoding device having reconfigurable functional units and a corresponding decoding method
Disclosed are a bitstream decoding device and a method thereof. The decoding device can include a parser, configured to receive schema information for analyzing a bitstream and convert the bitstream to a meaningful datum to output the datum; and a decoding solution, configured to output a video datum by performing a bitstream decoding by use of the datum. With the present invention, it is possible to decode the bitstream encoded in various ways according to each standard by using the same information recognizing method. |
| US08582656B2 |
Method and system for video encoding and decoding
Methods and systems are provided for encoding and decoding a video stream. Each picture in a video stream can be divided into slices, each of which contains a contiguous row of macroblocks. All the blocks corresponding to a single video component within each slice can then be used as the basis for encoding the picture. By decomposing each picture into slices, the video stream can be efficiently converted for displays of varying size and/or quality. The encoded bitstream can include a slice table to allow direct access to each slice without reading the entire bitstream. Each slice can also be processed independently, allowing for parallelized encoding and/or decoding. |
| US08582655B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and recording medium
An image processing apparatus includes: a modeling unit, in video image data composed of frame images having an X direction and a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction, separating a motion from a standard image, which is one frame before a reference image subjected to a process, until the reference image into motions in the X and Y directions and representing the motions in the X and Y directions respectively as vector fields composed of a translation component composed of identical magnitude and direction regardless of positions in the X and Y directions, an X dependent component primarily changing with the position in the X direction, and a Y dependent component primarily changing with the position in the Y direction; and a calculation unit respectively calculating the translation component and the X and Y dependent components corresponding to the X and Y directions represented by the modeling unit. |
| US08582651B2 |
Method of decoding a current image block
In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining reference picture information, and determining at least one reference picture of the current image block from a plurality of pictures stored in a reference buffer based on the reference picture information. The reference picture information indicates a reference picture type of the reference picture. The reference picture type is based on temporal distance between a current picture including the current image block and the reference picture. At least one motion vector of the current image block is obtained according to the reference picture type. This obtaining step includes obtaining a motion vector of a co-located image block, and generating the motion vector of the current image block based on the motion vector of the co-located image block and the reference picture type. The current image block is decoded by motion-estimating the current image block using the motion vector of current image block. |
| US08582640B2 |
Adaptive joint source channel coding
Adaptive joint source channel coding associates multiple predictors with a reference data unit, such as a macroblock or frame of video data. An encoder determines a sub-codebook in which each of the selected multiple predictors decodes to the reference data unit. An identifier for the sub-codebook is transmitted through a channel to a decoder for subsequent decoding of the reference data unit. The reference data unit itself does not need to be sent. The multiple predictors are contained within a decoding region and the identifier for the sub-codebook specifies the decoding region. The decoder uses the identified sub-codebook and one of the predictors to decode the reference data unit. If none of the original predictors are correctly received, different types of error handling are employed based on the type of channel. |
| US08582639B2 |
Methods and devices for data compression using adaptive reconstruction levels
Encoding and decoding methods that perform quantization using adaptive reconstruction levels are presented. The reconstruction levels for a given partitioning of the data space may be selected based upon the distribution of data points within each sub-part defined by the partitioning. In some cases, the adaptive reconstruction levels may be based upon an average of the data points within each sub-part. In some cases, the adaptive reconstruction levels may be selected using a rate-distortion analysis including the quantization distortion associated with the levels versus the data points and the rate associated with transmitting the encoded adaptive reconstruction levels. The methods relate to data compression in a range of applications including audio, images and video. |
| US08582638B2 |
System and method for channel state feedback in carrier aggregation
A method for communicating channel state information (CSI) to a base station is presented. The method includes identifying a number of allocated resources for CSI within at least one of a Physical Uplink Control CHannel (PUCCH) payload and a Physical Uplink Shared CHannel (PUSCH) payload. The method includes encoding channel state information (CSI) for activated carriers on a user equipment into the allocated resources for CSI. When a number of activated carriers on the user equipment is less than the number of allocated resources for CSI, the method includes using repetition encoding to duplicate the CSI for at least one of the activated carriers on the user equipment into the allocated resources for CSI. |
| US08582635B2 |
Sparse and reconfigurable floating tap feed forward equalization
In described embodiments, a Floating Tap, Feed Forward Equalizer (FT-FFE) achieves performance comparable to a full size, long FFE when equalizing wire line channels in, for example, SerDes receivers. A FT-FFE might be employed as a standalone datapath equalizer, or might be employed in conjunction with other equalization techniques. |
| US08582634B2 |
OFDM signal demodulation method and device thereof
The present invention discloses an OFDM signal demodulation method and device thereof. The method comprises: adding a pre-obtained timing offset estimation value of an OFDM signal demodulation device to the initial position of an OFDM symbol of a received signal to obtain a window deviation value of the OFDM symbol; adding a channel time delay extension to the window deviation value to obtain a combined prefix initial position; calculating the combined OFDM signal value starting from the prefix initial position; processing the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) for the combined OFDM signal value to obtain a frequency domain data subcarrier signal; calculating the frequency domain original channel estimation value processing the channel estimation based on the original channel estimation value phase modification of the OFDM symbol according to the channel estimation compensation indication value; and processing equalization and detection for the frequency domain data subcarrier signal according to the channel estimation result. The present invention uses the cycle prefix of the received signals to promote the demodulation performance of the OFDM signal demodulation device. |
| US08582632B2 |
Decoding a signal
Method, receiver and computer program product for processing a signal transmitted from a plurality of spatially separated transmit antennas using a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output transmission over a wireless network. The signal is received at a plurality of spatially separated receive antennas, the signal comprising a plurality of data streams and the quality/reliability of each of the data streams in the received signal is determined. Based on the determined quality/reliability of the data streams, a decoding technique is selected to be one of (i) a successive decoding technique for successively decoding data streams in which one of the data streams is decoded and a signal corresponding to said one of the data streams is removed from the received signal prior to decoding further data streams in the received signal, and (ii) a non-successive decoding technique in which each data stream is decoded from the received signal by treating the other data streams as noise in the received signal. The received signal is then decoded using the selected decoding technique. |
| US08582631B2 |
Managing communication operations of wireless devices
Management of communication operations of wireless devices is provided. A traffic-control parameter is generated, for example at a base station, indicative of desired aspects of communication operations of the wireless devices. The one or more traffic-control parameters may comprise a delay parameter, such as a maximum value for generating random backoff times, and/or a connection-time parameter, indicative of the maximum length of time a wireless device can hold a connection. A bit sequence indicative of the one or more traffic-control parameters is generated and communicated to the wireless devices. A wireless device determines the traffic-control parameter based on the communicated bit sequence and adapts its operation based thereon. |
| US08582626B2 |
Transmitting spread signal in communication system
A method for receiving Acknowledgement/Negative acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) information in a mobile communication system includes receiving a first signal including first spread ACK/NACK information and second spread ACK/NACK information from a first antenna set of a transmitting end in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol; receiving a second signal including third spread ACK/NACK information and fourth spread ACK/NACK information from a second antenna set of the transmitting end in an OFDM symbol; and de-spreading at least the first and third spread ACK/NACK information or the second and fourth spread ACK/NACK information for identifying the ACK/NACK information. |
| US08582625B2 |
Receiver for producing phase corrected signals
A method for receiving at least one of a plurality of channels in a communication signal includes receiving a spread spectrum communication signal, demodulating the spread spectrum communication signal using a rake receiver and a pseudo-noise pilot signal for a selected channel, despreading the demodulated signal of a selected channel, performing a QPSK hard decision in association with a complex conjugate of the despread signal to produce a correction signal, and mixing the correction signal to a rake receiver output to remove relative phase error without an absolute phase reference, to produce a corrected signal. |
| US08582623B2 |
Multiplexed CDMA and GPS searching
Searcher hardware is multiplexed to perform simultaneous searches in either an IS-95 CDMA mode or a GPS mode. In the IS-95 mode, the search hardware is time-multiplexed into a number of searcher time slices, each of which can generate a PN sequence to despread a data sequence. In the GPS mode, the search hardware is configured as a number of distinct GPS channels, each of which can generate a Gold code sequence for tracking a GPS signal from a particular GPS satellite. This configuration allows the searcher to perform multiple GPS signal searches simultaneously. Signal searching in both IS-95 and GPS modes is performed at significantly higher speeds compared to conventional searcher hardware. Moreover, the search hardware can be dynamically configured to operate in either the IS-95 or the GPS mode, eliminating the need for dedicated circuitry for each mode of operation. |
| US08582622B2 |
Spread-spectrum coding of data bursts
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for generating spread-spectrum coded signals for transmission in a wireless communication system, and particularly for generating spread sequences of data with spreading codes that facilitate computationally efficient frequency-domain processing at a receiver. |
| US08582613B1 |
Laser apparatus using anisotropic crystals
Disclosed is a laser apparatus of amplifying a laser pulse output using an anisotropic laser crystal through chirped pulse amplification. The laser apparatus includes a laser resonator. The laser resonator includes a plurality of anisotropic laser crystals, generates a shorter femtosecond pulse by widening a spectrum bandwidth through a combination of different gain spectrum distributions using the anisotropic laser crystals, and allows a laser beam to travel in axial directions with different thermal characteristics of the anisotropic layer crystals in order to reduce a thermal effect. |
| US08582607B2 |
Geographically-diverse redundant servers over optical connections with managed path differential delay
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for geographically-diverse redundant servers and the like interconnected via wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) systems with managed path differential delay of the WDM systems. The present disclosure provides transport systems and methods incorporating absolute time references, such as global positioning system (GPS) time references and/or the like, and selective buildout delays, such as first-in, first-out (FIFO) buildout delays and/or the like. In one exemplary embodiment, the transport systems and methods of the present invention are used in conjunction with the International Business Machine Corporation (IBM) Geographically-Dispersed Parallel Sysplex (GDPS) integrated, automated application and data availability solution to meet and/or exceed the associated 10 microseconds transmit/receive path differential delay requirement. Other comparable uses are also contemplated herein, as will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art. |
| US08582604B2 |
Uniquely decodable codes and decoder for overloaded synchronous CDMA systems
A recursive method for constructing uniquely decodable codes for overloaded synchronous CDMA systems, where large signature codes with growing overloading factors are reconstructed from the small ones. A class of uniquely decodable signature matrices (or encoders) for overloaded synchronous CDMA are also devised. A decoder for synchronous CDMA systems to extract the user data by a number of comparisons with respect to some predefined thresholds. |
| US08582602B2 |
Communicating a message request transaction to a logical device
A general input/output communication port implements a communication stack that includes a physical layer, a data link layer and a transaction layer. The transaction layer includes assembling a packet header for a message request transaction to one or more logical devices. The packet header includes a format field to indicate the length of the packet header and to further specify whether the packet header includes a data payload, a subset of a type field to indicate the packet header relates to the message request transaction and a message field. The message field includes a message to implement the message request transaction. The message includes at least one message that is selected from a group of messages. The group of messages to include a message to unlock a logical device, a message to reset a logical device, a message to indicate a correctable error condition, a message to indicate an uncorrectable error condition, a message to indicate a fatal error condition, a message to report a bad request packet, a message to indicate power management and a message to emulate an interrupt signal. |
| US08582601B2 |
Terminal access method and terminal
The present invention discloses a terminal access method and a terminal, wherein the method comprises: calculating a length of an access message body of an access message (201); constructing an access time-slot according to a configured length of an access message prefix and the length of the access message body (202); transmitting the access message prefix to a base station when the access time-slot is aligned (203); and transmitting the access message body to the base station (204). The present invention shortens the access time of the terminal, improves the access rate of the terminal and the utilization ratio of the access channel, increases the access capability of the system, and reduces the collision probability of access messages. |
| US08582600B2 |
Method and device for delineating a data stream and communication system comprising said device
A method for delineating a data stream transmitted by a communication system using a protocol stack includes: analyzing the redundancy of sequences, the content of which is set on one or more layers in a protocol stack to delineate packets, errored or not, in a continuous data stream; the method to this end including searching in the receiver for sequences corresponding to a known sequence SP present in the received stream, and doing so by detecting sequences similar to this known sequence, the non-similar sequences not being retained; the method further including, in the presence of similar sequences, storing their position to determine the start of the packets. |
| US08582598B2 |
Local area network for distributing data communication, sensing and control signals
A network for carrying out control, sensing and data communications, composed of a plurality of nodes. Each node may be connected to a payload, which includes sensors, actuators and DTE's. The network is formed using a plurality of independent communication links, each based on electrically-conducting communication media composed of at least two conductors and interconnecting two nodes, in a point-to-point configuration. During network operation, nodes can be dynamically configured as either data-generating nodes, wherein data is generated and transmitted into the network, or as receiver/repeater/router nodes, wherein received data is repeated from a receiver port to all output ports. |
| US08582596B2 |
Coding and modulation for broadcast and multicast services in a wireless communication system
Techniques for transmitting data in a wireless communication system are described. Physical channels to be sent in a super-frame are identified and allocated time slots in the super-frame. The coding and modulation for each physical channel are selected based on its capacity. The data for each physical channel is selectively encoded based on an outer code rate, e.g., for a Reed-Solomon code, and further encoded based on an inner code rate, e.g., for a Turbo code. The encoded data for each physical channel is mapped to modulation symbols based on a selected modulation scheme. The modulation symbols for each physical channel are further processed (e.g., OFDM modulated) and multiplexed onto the time slots allocated to the physical channel. Data to be sent using another radio technology (e.g., W-CDMA) is also processed and multiplexed onto time slots allocated for this radio technology. |
| US08582595B2 |
Activation of code multiplexing
The present invention relates to a system and a method for transmitting data between a first terminal and a communication network access point. The method may comprise the steps of defining a first set of scrambling codes and a second set of scrambling codes different from the first set of scrambling codes. Further, the method may comprise defining a first selection scheme for a first parameter. The method may still further comprise determining a current parameter value for the first parameter and evaluating the current parameter value on the basis of the first selection scheme and selecting a scrambling code from the first set of scrambling codes or the second set of scrambling codes based on the evaluation. Even further, the method may comprise packaging and transmitting data between the first terminal and the communication network access point using the selected scrambling codes. |
| US08582591B2 |
Method and system for establishing a queuing system inside a mesh network
Wireless mobile communication (WMC) devices located in operating proximity of each other may be enabled to form a mesh (ad hoc wireless) network. WMC devices in a mesh network may form a queuing system wherein each WMC device may store data forwarded to and/or from other WMC devices in the mesh network. Each WMC device in the mesh network may have different queuing capability based on a plurality of factors that may comprise internal factors such as processing, storage, power, and/or connectivity. The mesh network may comprise an internal addressing scheme that may enable utilization of the queuing system whether or not WMC devices in the mesh network are communicatively coupled to external networks. |
| US08582589B2 |
Use of wireless circuit-switched connections for transferring information requiring real-time operation of packet-switched multimedia services
A system includes a terminal, a wireless access network, a multimedia core network and a network device, which connects the wireless access network to the multimedia core network, expanded location updating to the registration procedure of the multimedia core network, and performs double registration of the user to the multimedia core network. The terminal performs expanded location updating relaying the registration point identity of the multimedia core network, the user's phone number and the private user identity to the network device in connection with normal location updating signaling. In the double registration performed by the network device, two addresses are registered for the user of the terminal, one of which is associated with the domain name of the terminal in question or a numeric IP address, and the other to a domain name of the network device or a numeric IP address. |
| US08582587B2 |
VPN composing method, interwork router, packet communication method, data communication apparatus, and packet relaying apparatus
A data communication apparatus to be coupled to a first network and a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network, includes a receiving unit which receives a data including header information indicating a destination and first header information used to identify a first Virtual Private Network (VPN) in the first network. The apparatus also includes a transmitter which transmits data having added thereto a MPLS header information used to identify one of the plurality of second VPNs in the MPLS network, the MPLS header information corresponding to both the header information indicating the destination and the first header information used to identify the first VPN in the first network included in the received data. |
| US08582586B2 |
Vehicle onboard gateway apparatus
In an onboard gateway apparatus, when data is received from one network, the received data is stored in the buffer. The buffer includes a first storage area for storing data in the order of priority of an identifier (ID) attached to the data and a second storage area for storing data in the order in which the data is received. A control means stores the received data in one of the first and second storage areas based on the attached identifier, and sends the data to another network in accordance with the priority of the ID of the data. As to data passing through the first storage area, sending in the order of priority is ensured. As to data passing through the second storage area, sending in the order in which the data is received is ensured. |
| US08582581B2 |
Dual-port ethernet traffic management for protocol conversion
At least two communications cards are utilized to communicate with at least two Ethernet ports, each having unique MAC and IP addresses, and at least two different protocols. At least two central processing units (CPUs) are coupled to the at least two communications cards through a manageable Ethernet switch. One of the at least two CPUs is a primary (main) CPU and is capable of communicating using a limited number of native Ethernet protocols. Another one or more of the at least two CPUs is dedicated to performing conversion of additional, more complicated protocols to be sent to the primary CPU in at least one of its native Ethernet protocols. This off-loads the primary CPU from having to handle these additional, complicated protocols, thereby reducing the amount of protocol software/firmware required to be integrated with the primary CPU with a subsequent savings in boot-up time and background software overhead. |
| US08582579B2 |
Priority packet processing
A network node in a vehicular network processes packets based on a prioritization scheme. The prioritization scheme uses packet type, priority, source, destination, or other information to determine a priority of the packets. Packets can be stored in one of multiple queues organized according to packet type, or other criteria. In some cases, only one queue is used. The packets are time stamped when put into a queue, and a time to live is calculated based on the timestamp. The time to live, as well as other factors such as packet type, packet priority, packet source, and packet destination can be used to adjust a packet's priority within the queue. Packets are transmitted from the queues in priority order. In some cases, the network node can identify a top-priority packet, and transmit the top priority packet without first storing the packet in the queue. |
| US08582576B2 |
Method of bus configuration to enable device bridging over dissimilar buses
Several local IEEE1394 buses are bridged together over a second bus type to create a global bus wherein each local bus node is able to address nodes across the global bus without the local nodes being aware of the bridging operation. A bridging device operates by translating local bus node addresses to a global bus for communication over the second bus type. Alternatively, the local bus node identification process is controlled by the bridging device operating as the root node to cause the local nodes to be identified with a node address that is unique for the global network. The second bus type operates as a backbone for the global network and can be any type of communication bus or network with capability to transport the local bus traffic. The bridging devices that interface the local IEEE1394 buses to the backbone contain portals specific to each bus type that can communicate data between the dissimilar buses. |
| US08582575B2 |
Backbone edge switching apparatus and packet processing method of the backbone edge switching apparatus
Provided is a backbone edge switching apparatus and a packet processing method of the backbone edge switching apparatus. The backbone edge switching apparatus may generate and manage an integrated service flow by performing a lookup according to multiple layers with respect to an input packet. Accordingly, it is possible to provide various and effective transmission services. |
| US08582574B2 |
Access device for preventing transmission of copyrighted content to external network and method for the same
An access device and method for preventing transmission of copyrighted contents to an external network and a method for the same. The access device includes a packet-header analyzer analyzing a header of a packet received from a home network device, a copyrighted-content sensor detecting whether the packet includes copyrighted content as a result of the analysis, an address converter for converting a packet source IP address into an IP address supported by the external network if a packet destination address is an external network address as a result of the analysis, a mapping-table generator generating a mapping table for managing a mapping a relationship between the packet source IP address and the converted IP address, and a packet transmitter transmitting the packet to the IP address supported by the external network and discarding the packet to block transmission of the copyrighted content to the external network if the copyrighted-content sensor detects that the packet includes the copyrighted content. |
| US08582571B2 |
Personal area network apparatus
A peripheral device comprises a first entity and a second entity. In operation, the first/second entities are configured to respectively: receive a first/second entity-related message from at least one other device to indicate the availability of the at least one other device for attachment, send, to the at least one other device, a first/second entity-related message indicating the availability for communication with the at least one other device, receive, from the at least one other device, a first/second entity-related signal including a first/second entity-related peripheral device identifier, send a first/second entity-related response to the at least one other device, receive, from the at least one other device, a first/second entity-related device response, and send, to the at least one other device, a first/second entity-related second peripheral response including the first/second entity-related peripheral device identifier. |
| US08582570B2 |
Automatic attachment and detachment for hub and peripheral devices
A network (100) includes a hub device (110) and at least one unattached peripheral device (120). The hub device comprises circuitry and a transceiver in communication with the circuitry. In operation, the hub device is configured to cause the transceiver to i) send a message to indicate the availability of the hub device for attachment to a first peripheral device, ii) receive, from the first peripheral device, a message indicating the availability of the first peripheral device for communication with the hub device, iii) send, to the first peripheral device, a signal including a first peripheral device identifier, iv) receive, from the first peripheral device, a response, v) send a hub response to the first peripheral device, and vi) receive, from the first peripheral device, a second peripheral response including the first peripheral device identifier. |
| US08582567B2 |
System and method for providing network level and nodal level vulnerability protection in VoIP networks
The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for providing network level and nodal level vulnerability protection in VoIP networks by receiving a communication, filtering the received communication using three or more stages selected from the group comprising a media protection and filtering plane, a policy based filtering plane, a signature based filtering plane, a protocol anomaly detection and filtering plane and a behavioral learning based filtering plane, and either allowing or denying the received communication based the filtering step. The stages are applicable to one or more protocols including SIP, IMS, UMA, H.248, H.323, RTP, CSTA/XML or a combination thereof. In addition, the stages can be implemented within a single device or are distributed across a network (e.g., SIP network, a UMA network, an IMS network or a combination thereof). |
| US08582566B2 |
Method and system of forwarding capability information of user equipment in internet protocol multimedia subsystem network
Disclosed is a method and system for mutually exchanging capability information of UEs for communication between a Circuit-Switched (CS) and IMS services (CSI) UE, which can use a CS call for voice communication while using an IMS session for PS service, and an IMS UE which uses an IMS session for both voice communication and PS service. A MGCF performs interworking of capability information between a CS message and an IMS message so that the IMS UE can process UE capability information through an IMS session request/response. When a call request message containing no capability information is created from a UE not supporting capability exchange, a CSI AS transfers the call request message to a peer UE after inserting estimable capability information of the UE into the call request message, and stores capability information of the counterpart UE for the UE. |
| US08582565B1 |
System for streaming audio to a mobile device using voice over internet protocol
This disclosure describes embodiments of systems and methods that use protocols and techniques that can stream audio from a video device to a separate device while reducing or eliminate audio/video synchronization errors. In some embodiments, these systems and methods use Voice over IP (VoIP) technology to stream audio to mobile devices with low latency, resulting in little or no user-perceivable delay between the audio stream and corresponding video presentation. As a result, users can enjoy both the audio and video of any video display in an establishment. In addition, the systems and methods described herein may be implemented in the home or other locations to allow viewers who may be hard of hearing to listen to audio clearly via headphones. |
| US08582561B2 |
Method of handling P-TMSI change in a wireless communication system and related communication device
A method of handling a packet-temporary mobile subscriber identity, hereinafter called P-TMSI, for a network of a wireless communication system includes sending a first message through a first procedure to assign a first P-TMSI to a mobile station using a second P-TMSI, receiving a second message corresponding to a second procedure and the first P-TMSI before the network receives a response message of the first message corresponding to the first procedure, and then accepting the second message. |
| US08582554B2 |
Similarity searching in large disk-based networks
Techniques for determining a shortest path in a disk-based network are provided. The techniques include creating a compressed representation of an underlying disk resident network graph, wherein creating a compressed representation of an underlying disk resident network graph comprises determining one or more dense regions in the disk resident graph and compacting the one or more dense regions into one or more compressed nodes, associating one or more node penalties with the one or more compressed nodes, wherein the one or more node penalties reflect a distance of a sub-path within a compressed node, and performing a query on the underlying disk resident network graph using the compressed representation and one or more node penalties to determine a shortest path in the disk-based network to reduce the number of accesses to a physical disk. |
| US08582551B2 |
Device, system and method of wireless communication over non-contiguous channels
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of wireless communication over non-contiguous channels. For example, a device may include a wireless communication unit capable of transmitting symbols of a wireless communication packet to a wireless communication device over a plurality of non-contiguous wireless communication channels, wherein the wireless communication unit is to transmit, as part of a preamble of the packet, signaling information defining transmission characteristics over the plurality of non-contiguous channels. |
| US08582548B2 |
Frequency division multiple access schemes for wireless communication
Techniques for transmitting data using single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) multiplexing schemes are described. In one aspect, data is sent on sets of adjacent subbands that are offset from one another to achieve frequency diversity. A terminal may be assigned a set of N adjacent subbands that is offset by less than N (e.g., N/2) subbands from another set of N adjacent subbands assigned to another terminal and would then observe interference on only subbands that overlap. In another aspect, a multi-carrier transmission symbol is generated with multi-carrier SC-FDMA. Multiple waveforms carrying modulation symbols in the time domain on multiple sets of subbands are generated. The multiple waveforms are pre-processed (e.g., cyclically delayed by different amounts) to obtain pre-processed waveforms, which are combined (e.g., added) to obtain a composite waveform. A cyclic prefix is appended to the composite waveform to generate the multi-carrier transmission symbol. |
| US08582547B2 |
High frequency circuit, high frequency component and communication device
An inventive high frequency circuit includes a switch circuit (SPDT1), connected to an antenna terminal (Ant1), using a field-effect transistor for switching between a connection with first to third transmitting terminals (Tx1-1, Tx2-1, Tx3-1) and a connection with first to third receiving terminals (Rx1-1, Rx2-1, Rx3-1); a transmitting-side triplexer (Trip1) for branching a transmitting path connected to the switch circuit into transmitting paths of first to third frequency bands; and a receiving-side triplexer (Trip2) for branching a receiving path connected to the switch circuit into receiving paths of the first to third frequency bands. The switch circuit can be formed as an IC to downsize the circuit. For example, in constructing the high frequency circuit with a laminated module using a ceramic laminated substrate or the like, particularly when the number of triplexers occupying a large space is large, the switch circuit is formed as an IC and mounted on the laminated body, whereby the whole structure can be downsized. |
| US08582545B2 |
Method and apparatus preventing plurality of stations in WLAN from colliding with each other when attempting to access medium
A method and apparatus for preventing a plurality of stations in a wireless local area network (WLAN) from colliding with each other when accessing a medium are provided. In the method, an access point (AP) determines the transmission capabilities of a plurality of stations in a basic service set (BSS) of the AP, determines the format of control frames or data frames which have a high throughput (HT) format to be used in the BSS of the AP, and notifies the stations of the result of the determination. Therefore, it is possible to adaptively choose and use an optimum method of preventing a plurality of stations in a WLAN from colliding with each other when accessing a medium according to the circumstances in a WLAN by referencing the transmission capabilities of a plurality of stations in the WLAN. |
| US08582540B2 |
Power management in a wireless ad hoc network
In a wireless ad hoc network (20) of nodes (22), a method (64) of power management entails monitoring (82) a current traffic load of the network (20), and in response to the current traffic load, selecting (106, 132) a subset (102) of epochs (80) within cyclically repeating time windows (78) for network communication. A message (122) is communicated (120) between the nodes (22) in the network (20). The message (122) identifies the subset (102) of epochs (80) for using in communicating network traffic (32). Following receipt of the message, each of the nodes (22) modifies (124) a transmit capability mode by entering a run state (40) during the epochs (80) within the subset (102) to enable communication of network traffic (32) and by entering a low power consumption idle state (42) during the remaining epochs (80) within the time window (78). |
| US08582538B2 |
Scheduling grant information signaling in wireless communication system
A wireless user terminal includes a controller communicably coupled to a transceiver. The controller is configured to determine scheduling grant information and additional scheduling grant information from a channel encoded scheduling grant received at the transceiver, wherein the channel encoded scheduling grant includes encoded parity bits combined with the scheduling grant information and the encoded parity bits include the additional scheduling grant information exclusive OR-ed with parity bits obtained from the scheduling grant information. |
| US08582530B2 |
Expedited reporting of neighbor cell signal strength
A wireless mobile device/station (MS) sends measurement reports of neighbor cells to a serving base transmitter station (BTS). The MS receives information messages transmitted by the BTS at a signaling period, while the MS is in a first cell. The MS is configured to receive a first information message and a subsequent second information message following a handoff. When both information messages are received, the MS transmits a measurement report to the base station, based on contents of the current, received information messages. Responsive to the MS failing to receive/detect the second information message, the MS transmits a measurement report to the BTS based on (a) a current/first information message(s) and (b) a previous information message of the same type as the undetected second information message. The BTS initiates another handoff based on the information in the second type of measurement report. |
| US08582529B2 |
Resource management for mobility between different wireless communications architectures
A method of and apparatus for handover between a 3GPP based network and a non-3GPP network is disclosed where a policy update to a new gateway is requested. A confirmation of the policy update is sent from the policy and charging rules function (PCRF) to the 3GPP packet data network gateway (PDN GW). The new gateway also confirms the policy update to the currently serving gateway. The tunnel endpoints and radio resources are released between the PDN GW and the evolved Packet Data Gateway (ePDG), thereby freeing the resources previously used by the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). A release acknowledgement is sent from the serving gateway to the PCRF confirming the policy update process is complete. The method may be used for handover between 3GPP and non-3GPP networks and vice versa. The method and apparatus may be practiced over the S2b or S2c interfaces. |
| US08582528B2 |
Apparatus for managing media independent handover and method using the same
A method and apparatus for managing a Media Independent Handover (MIH) service is provided. The MIH service management method includes setting state information of a Media Independent Handover Function (MIHF), and managing MIH services based on the set state information of the MIHF. |
| US08582526B2 |
Method and apparatus for the use of multiple-input, multiple output (MIMO) systems for multi-packet reception (MPR)
A method for multipacket communication in an asynchronous wireless system includes the steps of transmitting at least two packets of 2M digital signals from a plurality of transmitters without other transmission taking place within a predetermined number of symbol durations from each side of each packet. Each transmitter generates digital signals denoted as at least two super-symbols according to an Alamouti coding scheme corresponding to M symbols of first set of super-symbols in a first transmission interval and a second set of super-symbols in a second transmission interval. The received packets include inter-symbol interference of the super-symbols when imperfectly synchronized which expands the time interval of the received packets. A symmetric Alamouti structure for the received packets is generated by folding the expanded received signal on itself, multiplying by a factor of −1, and decoding using the Alamouti structure for the received packets at each antenna of the receiver. |
| US08582522B2 |
Handling physical uplink shared channel transmissions
Systems, apparatus and methods can be implemented for handling physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmissions. A user equipment (UE) can decode, on a physical hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) indicator channel (PHICH), a negative acknowledgement (NACK) associated with an HARQ process. The UE can also receive, from a base station, an uplink grant without an associated transport block. The decoded NACK and the received uplink grant can trigger a respective transmission during a PUSCH transmission opportunity. The UE can then perform, during the PUSCH transmission opportunity, one of transmission of a PUSCH transmission associated with the HARQ process, transmission of control information based on the received uplink grant, or disregarding the decoded NACK and the received uplink grant. |
| US08582517B2 |
De-correlation of sub-bands using cyclic shifts
Techniques are provided to de-correlate sub-bands of a packet to be transmitted. At a communication device, a signal (packet or frame) is generated for transmission. The packet or frame comprises a plurality of subcarriers in each of a plurality of sub-bands. Different cyclic delays are applied to the plurality of sub-bands of the signal. The signal is amplified after applying the different cyclic delays for transmission from the communication device. |
| US08582512B2 |
Method of transmitting and receiving downlink data in wireless communication system
A method of transmitting data through a downlink common transport channel in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises receiving measurement information transmitted from a user equipment at an upper network node, forwarding control information of the common transport channel, which is acquired from the measurement information, from the upper network node to a base station, and transmitting downlink data from the base station to the user equipment through the common transport channel in accordance with the control information. |
| US08582509B2 |
Scalable frequency band operation in wireless communication systems
To support mobile stations that are not capable of demodulating the entire bandwidth or that can be made to demodulate less than the entire bandwidth, a system, apparatus and method are provided to schedule users on less than all of the bandwidth. Further, certain users can be scheduled on more of the bandwidth than others. |
| US08582507B1 |
All-in-one wireless network device
A system to wirelessly communicate with a wireless network. The system includes a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store a first queue, a second queue, and a processor queue. The processor is configured to: selectively execute a first virtual machine using the processor queue; while executing the first virtual machine, maintain the first queue as a copy of data in the processor queue; selectively execute a second virtual machine using the processor queue; and while executing the second virtual machine, maintain the second queue as a copy of data in the processor queue. |
| US08582505B2 |
Apparatus and method for physical broadcast channel (PBCH) decoding for multiple cells
A method of wireless communication includes generating a list of cells for physical broadcast channel (PBCH) decoding. The method also includes allocating memory for decoding and cancelling a subset of cells from the generated cell list. The method further includes storing information related to subsets of cells from the generated list in the allocated memory during different time periods. The allocated memory is sufficient for attempting, at each time period, decoding of each subset of cells and cancelling of decoded cells in each subset. The method further includes cycling through the generated cell list by processing each subset of the cell list during the different time periods. |
| US08582502B2 |
Robust multipath routing
Implementations related to robust multipath routing are disclosed. |
| US08582493B2 |
Implicit wireless relay station based upon observed communications between a subscriber station and a base station
Disclosed in some examples is a method performed by a relay station, the method including receiving at a relay station a data packet transmitted from a base station to a subscriber station; receiving a non-acknowledgement (NACK) message transmitted from the subscriber station to the base station in response to the data packet; receiving resource allocation information transmitted from the base station to the subscriber station; and transmitting, in response to the received NACK message at the transmission time, the data packet to the subscriber station in a resource allocation allocated for a retransmission of the data packet from the base station to the subscriber station, wherein the resource allocation is determined from the resource allocation information. |
| US08582492B2 |
Methods and apparatus supporting adaptive decentralized traffic scheduling including a dynamic receiver yielding threshold
Methods and apparatus relating to scheduling of air link resources, e.g., traffic segments, in a wireless communications system are described. Various described methods and apparatus are well suited to wireless peer to peer networks in which traffic scheduling is decentralized, e.g. an ad hoc peer to peer network. An individual wireless terminal corresponding to a peer to peer connection which desires to communicate traffic signals makes a receiver yielding decision. The receiver yielding decision, in some embodiments, includes comparing a link quality estimate corresponding to its own link, to a dynamically generated receiver yielding threshold. The dynamically generated receiver yielding threshold is determined based on at least one of: quality of service information corresponding to its own link and historical link quality information corresponding to its own link. |
| US08582488B2 |
Acquiring method, acquiring apparatus and user equipment for multicast control channels (MCCHs) information
The present disclosure discloses a method for acquiring Multicast Control Channel (MCCH) information, which includes that: in a Multimedia Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area which includes more than two MCCHs, when User Equipment (UE) detects that a interested MBMS service is started, the UE further determines whether a correspondence relationship between the interested MBMS service and the MCCHs exists, and the UE only acquires MCCH information corresponding to the interested MBMS service when the correspondence relationship exists, otherwise the UE acquires all MCCH information in the MBSFN area. The disclosure further discloses an apparatus and UE for acquiring MCCH information. It is ensured that UE in an overlapped MBSFN area receives a presently started MBMS service in time. |
| US08582487B2 |
Method and system for transmitting a multimedia broadcast multicast service control signaling
The present invention discloses a method for transmitting a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) control signaling, comprising: a network side sends the indication information of a radio frame and/or a sub-frame carrying an MBMS control channel to a terminal via a high-level signaling and sends an MBMS control signaling to the terminal via the radio frame and/or the sub-frame carrying an MBMS control channel; and the terminal acquires the radio frame and/or the sub-frame carrying an MBMS control channel through analysis according to the acquired indication information of the radio frame and/or the sub-frame and reads the MBMS control signaling from the radio frame and/or the sub-frame. The present invention further discloses a system for transmitting an MBMS control signaling, which realizes the configuration of an MBMS control channel at a system side, provides a method for the transmission of an MBMS control signaling, and eliminates the randomness in the transmission of an MBMS control signaling at a system side signaling and the reception of an MBMS control signaling at a terminal at a low signaling overhead. |
| US08582485B2 |
Scheduled clear to send (CTS) for multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications
Scheduled clear to send (CTS) for multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Before sending transmissions, a request to send (RTS)/clear to send (CTS) exchange takes place between a transmitting wireless communication device and multiple receiving wireless communication devices may take place therein. The transmitting wireless communication device (e.g., an AP) may generate and transmit a multi-user request to send (mRTS) frame to a number of receiving wireless communication devices (e.g., STAs). The mRTS frame can include information and instructions therein to direct the manner by which all or a subset of the receiving wireless communication devices are to provide CTS responses back to the transmitting wireless communication device. The mRTS frame may be an OFDMA frame, a MU-MIMO frame, or a combination thereof. The CTS responses may be received in accordance with any one or combination of OFDM signaling, OFDMA signaling, and MU-MIMO signaling. |
| US08582479B2 |
Method and system for transmitting and receiving control information in broadcasting communication system
Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for transmitting and receiving control information for receiving a service in a broadcast communication system. The method includes inserting first control information for receiving at least one different service at a next frame in each of multiple service data pieces of a current frame and transmitting a frame including the first control information, making it possible to efficiently transmit and receive a frame, which includes multiple services configured through a combination of one or more radio frequencies, and thereby enabling rapid receiving of a switched service in the case of service switching. |
| US08582466B2 |
Flow statistics aggregation
There are disclosed apparatus and methods for testing a network. An apparatus for testing a network may include first and second memory banks configured to alternate between being active and inactive in a complementary manner. A traffic receiver may receive traffic comprising a plurality of packets from the network, accumulate traffic statistics, store the accumulated traffic statistics in the active memory bank of the first and second memory banks, and copy contents of the first memory bank, when inactive, to a third memory bank, and copy contents of the second memory bank, when inactive, to a fourth memory bank. A port processor may aggregate at least selected traffic statistics stored in the third memory bank and the fourth memory bank. |
| US08582464B2 |
Terminal device, method and apparatus for configuring terminal device
A terminal device, a method and an apparatus for configuring the terminal device are disclosed. The method includes: receiving a message sent by a service provider device, where the message includes configuration information about a terminal device; setting up a wireless connection to the terminal device by using a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) technology; and transmitting the configuration information about a terminal device to the terminal device through the wireless connection. The present invention brings the following benefits: receive a message that includes configuration information about a terminal device, and transmit the configuration information to the terminal device according to the message; therefore, the problem of insecurity and complexity involved in the provisioning for configuring the terminal device is resolved, and the configuration information for the terminal device is provisioned securely and simply. |
| US08582462B2 |
Network communications over shared links in a virtualized environment
A physical host executes a virtual machine monitor (VMM) that instantiates a plurality of virtual machines (VMs). The VMM supports processing of a virtual link manager (VLM) that deploys and configures a plurality of Layer 2 virtual links sharing bandwidth of a Layer 2 physical link between the physical host and an access switch. The VMM communicates parameters of the plurality of virtual links with the access switch. |
| US08582461B2 |
Analytical computation of cubic metric
A method includes determining attributes of multiple Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA) signals, which are to be superimposed to form a composite CDMA signal for transmission by a wireless transmitter. A predefined analytical formula, which computes a Cubic Metric of the composite CDMA signal as a function of the attributes, is evaluated. Transmission of the composite CDMA signal by the wireless transmitter is controlled based on the computed Cubic Metric. |
| US08582452B2 |
Data link configuration by a receiver in the absence of link training data
A receiver is enabled to perform self-configuration of the main data link to receive and display video data. A video data signal is received through a data link having multiple channels or lanes at a specific bit rate. No link configuration data normally associated with the video signal is received. It is then determined which one or more of the channels of the data link are active in transmitting the data signal. A symbol pattern in the data signal is then identified. The symbol rate of the data signal is then synchronized with the local clock frequency. The local clock frequency is set to correspond to the actual bit rate of the data signal, thereby creating a signal-based clock frequency. This local clock frequency is set using only the data signal since no link configuration data associated with the signal is received. In this manner, the receiver configures or trains the link itself using only the video data signal and therefore, the receiver may be described as self-sufficient. |
| US08582450B1 |
Status reporting system
A supervisor entity comprises an entity status module for maintaining status of its subordinate entities and updating the supervisor entity with status updates for itself and the subordinate entities. The entity status module comprises an entity status controller for receiving a status message from a first subordinate entity, a subordinate determination module for determining a second subordinate entity that is subordinate to the first subordinate entity, a status update module for updating the status of the second subordinate entity based on the received status message from the first subordinate entity, a status reporting module for reporting the updated status of the second subordinate entity to a supervisor entity and a status storage for storing the status of the second subordinate entity. |
| US08582448B2 |
Method and apparatus for power throttling of highspeed multi-lane serial links
A method for managing the power consumption of an information handling system including a multi-lane serial link having a lane setting that identifies the number of active lanes in the multi-lane serial link. The method may include determining a number of lanes required for the multi-lane serial link based on one or more I/O devices connected to the information handling system, triggering a reduction of the lane setting of the multi-lane serial link if the lane setting of the multi-lane serial link is greater than the determined number of lanes required, and automatically reducing power to the multi-lane serial link in response to the reduction of the lane setting. |
| US08582447B2 |
Loopback device and mirroring method
A transmission destination of a packet to be transmitted by a web server (11) and an application server (21) incorporated in the same machine (30) is set to a loopback device (50). When a packet is received from one of the servers (11 and 21), the loopback device (50) decides whether or not a combination of a source IP address, a source port number, and a destination port number in the packet is known. If the combination is known, the source IP address and a destination IP address of the received packet are exchanged, and the packet is transmitted to the other server. Further, the packet received from the one of the servers and the packet transmitted to the one of the servers are copied, and the copied packets are transmitted to a communication state visualizing machine (90). |
| US08582440B2 |
Oversubscribed packet stream-based interconnect protocol
A network device includes a receiver component that generates flow control information. The network device also includes a transmitter component that receives a packet for forwarding to the receiver component, receives flow control data for the packet from the receiver component, and provides the packet and the flow control data for the packet to a fabric component. The fabric component performs a congestion management operation for the packet, and forwards the packet to the receiver component based on the flow control data and results of the congestion management operation. |
| US08582439B1 |
Buffer overflow prevention for network devices
A network device including a buffer and a processor. The buffer is configured to store a packet received by the network device. The buffer has a predetermined size. The packet includes a first transmit window size for a first communication session handled by the network device. The processor is configured to modify the first transmit window size based on i) the predetermined size of the buffer, and ii) a second transmit window size for a second communication session handled by the network device. The second communication session is different than the first communication session. |
| US08582434B1 |
Generalized auto media selector
A media selection system includes a plurality of media ports. Each of the plurality of media ports is coupled to a corresponding physical medium, and each of the plurality of media ports is configured to generate an activity signal and a link status signal. A priority storage module is configured to contain priority information, which sets forth a priority for establishing a link through each of the plurality of media ports. A media selector module is configured to select a first media port through which a link will be maintained based on the link status signal generated by each of the plurality of media ports and the priority information. The media selector module is further configured to block all other links through media ports of the plurality of media ports other than the first media port. |
| US08582430B2 |
Method and apparatus for wireless LAN (WLAN) data multiplexing
Embodiments addressing MAC processing for efficient use of high throughput systems are disclosed. Data associated with at least one MAC ID can be aggregated into a single byte stream. The single byte stream can be formatted into MAC PDUs and then muxed. The muxed MAC PDUs can then be transmitted on a single MAC frame. Muxing of the MAC PDUs can be based on the priority of the MAC PDUs or other criteria. A MAC header can comprise information about the muxed PDUs, such as a pointer, that identifies the location of the MAC PDUs within the MAC frame. A MAC frame can contain partial MAC PDUs. The transmitted muxed MAC PDUs can be retransmitted, and an acknowledgment or feedback scheme may be used to help manage the transmission of the protocol data units. |
| US08582429B2 |
Resource allocation and signalings for group scheduling in wireless communications
Method and apparatus for resource allocation formatting, signaling, and procedures in wireless communications, the method reducing signal overhead. Wireless transmit/receive units are divided into one or more semi-static groups. Resource allocation takes place to a group and the resource sets are signaled to an individual unit needing the resources. The method is applied to resource allocation for services, including both real time and non real time services. |
| US08582426B2 |
Reception of redundant and non-redundant frames
The present disclosure relates to highly available communication networks, e.g., for industrial or utility applications such as substation automation. The devices are connected to two redundant lines through two independent transceivers and bus controllers, i.e. the physical layer and the link layer of the corresponding protocol stack is duplicated. For seamless operation, a sender sends frames simultaneously over both lines and a receiver accepts whichever frame of a pair comes first and ignores the late frame. An exemplary method is disclosed for discarding duplicate frames at the link layer without considering the higher protocol layers, based on a counter inserted in the frame and an algorithm for rejection, with a corresponding means to detect which frames operate according to the redundancy protocol. |
| US08582425B1 |
Systems and methods for cancelling crosstalk in satellite access devices
The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for cancelling crosstalk in satellite access devices, such as DSLAMs. In one exemplary embodiment, a satellite DSLAM is configured to employ a vectored DSL modulation format, such as vectored VDSL, on both a customer premises (CP) side of the DSLAM and a network side of the DSLAM. For at least one tone communicated by the DSLAM, the DSLAM is configured to maintain a set of coefficients indicative of crosstalk contributions from interferers on both sides of the DSLAM. Based on such coefficients, the DSLAM is configured to cancel crosstalk that couples from one side of the DSLAM to the other. |
| US08582424B2 |
Ring coupling nodes for high availability networks
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a network coupling device connected over a respective first and second port in a communication network with a ring topology operating with full duplex links. When sending information, the coupling device inserts two duplicate frames in the ring, one over each of its ports. The frames containing information that identifies these two frames as a pair of duplicates of the same frame. Each similar device in the ring includes a Switching Element that receives a frame from one port and forwards the frame to the other port without modification. The Switching Element discards a frame that was originally sent by that same node, discards a frame that it already forwarded in that direction, and/or discards a frame that it cannot recognize as being a member of a pair. A further similar device on the ring is able to receive the two duplicate frames and pass the earlier received frames of a pair to the application, while discarding the later, received frames based on the identification within the frames. |
| US08582422B2 |
Access point configuration propagation
A method of access point configuration propagation includes receiving, at a controller, a connectivity request from a number of access points; with a master controller, creating a configuration for the access points; and sending configuration data based on the created configuration to a number of slave controllers. A master controller for propagating access point configurations within a wireless network system includes a processor that creates a configuration for each of a number of access points requesting connectivity within the wireless network system, and a data storage device that stores configuration data based on the created configuration in an access point configuration table. |
| US08582419B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting signal in wireless communication system
A method of transmitting a signal of a base station in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes transmitting a first signal to the relay station through the transmission period in a subframe including a transmission period and a guard time for transmission/reception switching of a relay station, and transmitting a second signal to a macro user equipment through the guard time. Accordingly, a signal can be effectively transmitted in the wireless communication system employing the relay station. |
| US08582418B2 |
Packet mode auto-detection in multi-mode wireless communication system, signal field transmission for the packet mode auto-detection, and gain control based on the packet mode
A method for automatically detecting a packet mode in a wireless communication system supporting a multiple transmission mode includes: acquiring at least one of data rate information, packet length information and channel bandwidth information from a transmitted frame; and determining the packet mode on the basis of the phase rotation check result of a symbol transmitted after a signal field signal and at least one of the data rate information, the packet length information and the channel bandwidth information acquired from the transmitted frame. |
| US08582417B2 |
Pilot pattern design for a STTD scheme in an OFDM system
A transmitting device for transmitting data and pilot symbols in an OFDM transmission system having transmission antennas. The device includes symbol generating means for generating data and pilot symbols, means for transmitting the data and pilot symbols using subcarriers of the OFDM system. The symbol generating means generates a first and second type pilot symbol, the second having an inverted value of the first so that a first pilot symbol pattern to be transmitted by using one of said plurality of transmission antennas has a different pattern in the frequency and time dimension from a second pilot symbol pattern to be transmitted by using another transmission antenna. First and second pilot symbols are comprised in respective first and second pilot symbol patterns, where at least some of the first and second pilot symbols have the same time allocation and being alternately identical and inverted to each other. |
| US08582416B2 |
Heat-assisted magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording and reading apparatus
The heat-assisted magnetic recording medium of the present invention has a substrate, an under layer formed on the substrate, and a magnetic layer formed on the under layer, in which the magnetic layer includes an alloy having a L10 structure as a principle component, and the under layer is constituted by a first under layer made of an amorphous alloy or an alloy having a microcrystalline structure, a second under layer made of Cr or an alloy which contains Cr as a principle component and has a BCC structure, a third under layer made of a metal or an alloy having a BCC structure with a lattice constant of 2.98 Å or more, and a fourth under layer made of MgO. |
| US08582410B2 |
Master strategy adjustment method and disc manufacturing method
A master strategy adjustment method includes performing first recording on a master with a predetermined strategy, performing first measurement of an evaluation value of the master of the first recording, forming a first optical disc based on the master after the first recording, performing second measurement of an evaluation value of the optical disc formed as the first optical disc, calculating a target value of the evaluation value of the master based on a difference with the first measurement evaluation value and the second measurement evaluation value, and adjusting the strategy so that the evaluation value with regard to the master matches the target value, performing recording on the master with the adjusted writing strategy, performing measurement of the evaluation value of the master, and performing determination of whether the evaluation value is within a predetermined range with the target value as a reference until an affirmative result is obtained. |
| US08582407B2 |
Information recording medium, apparatus for recording and/or reproducing data on and/or from information recording medium, method of recording and/or reproducing data on and/or from information recording medium, and computer-readable recording medium storing program for executing the method
An information recording medium includes a lead-in area, a user data area, and a lead-out area, wherein at least one of the lead-in or lead-out areas includes a compatibility information area in which compatibility information, specifying whether each area on the information recording medium is recordable and/or reproducible. The compatibility information may include state information on whether the user data area is recordable and/or reproducible, state information on whether the lead-in/lead-out area is recordable and/or reproducible, state information on whether the compatibility information area is recordable and/or reproducible, or state information on whether a defect management area (DMA) is recordable and/or reproducible. Accordingly, an existing drive or apparatus for recording and/or reproducing data on and/or from an information recording medium can smoothly record and/or reproduce data on an information recording medium that is of a higher version than the existing drive or apparatus. |
| US08582406B2 |
Information recording device detecting issues in a laser included therein and a method of controlling the same
An information recording device in accordance with the present invention obtains drive information of a semiconductor laser which is included in a magnetic head by means of a drive information obtaining section and successively records the information in a drive information storing section. A magnetic head control section controls the magnetic head in accordance with a condition of the semiconductor laser on the basis of the drive information thus obtained by the drive information obtaining section. |
| US08582405B1 |
Matched pattern signal decoding
An optical tape decoding system includes a decoder that may apply a matched pattern signal representing an address index to a track address signal including a multi-cycle wobble block representing the address index such that a signal is output having a peak corresponding to the multi-cycle wobble block. The decoder may also identify the address index based on an amplitude of the peak. |
| US08582402B2 |
Optical recording medium and recording device
An optical recording medium in which recording is performed by a recording device that is configured such that tracking servo control of recording light is performed by irradiating the recording light and ATS light for an adjacent track servo and by an adjacent track servo based on reflected light of the ATS light, wherein while a recording layer in which a mark is formed according to an irradiation of the recording light is included, a mark row is formed in advance by a pitch that is twice a distance between an irradiation spot of the recording light and an irradiation spot of the ATS light or greater in the recording layer. |
| US08582399B2 |
Information storage medium, recording method, and recording apparatus
According to one embodiment, an information storage medium in which layer 0 and layer 1 are arranged from a read surface, a system lead-in area, data lead-in area, data area, and middle area are arranged from an inner circumference of the layer 0, and a system lead-out area, data lead-out area, data area, and middle area are arranged from an inner circumference of the layer 1. A guard track zone is arranged on a side of the data area in the data lead-out area, and a reference code zone, R physical format information zone, recording management zone, and drive test zone are arranged in the data lead-in area of the layer 0 and padding of the guard track zone of the data lead-out area is performed after padding of the drive test zone of data lead-in area and recording of the recording management zone. |
| US08582395B2 |
Marine vibroseis motion correction
A method for processing seismic data. The method includes receiving the seismic data acquired at one or more receivers due to one or more marine vibroseis sources that emit one or more vibroseis sweeps. The method then applies a receiver motion correction algorithm to the received seismic data to generate receiver motion corrected seismic data. After generating the receiver motion corrected seismic data, the method transforms the receiver motion corrected seismic data into a temporal Fourier domain to generate seismic data as a function of frequency. The method then reconstructs the transformed seismic data as a function of frequency to correct for one or more motions of the one or more marine vibroseis sources. After reconstructing the transformed seismic data, the method transforms the reconstructed seismic data to the time domain. The method then generates a seismic image of a subsurface of the Earth based on the transformed reconstructed seismic data. |
| US08582391B2 |
Adjusting clock error across a circuit interface
A system is provided with clock skew measurement and correction technology. A first circuit or memory controller 4 includes measuring circuits to measure relative timing or phase offsets of multiple clock signals of a second circuit or memory 6. One measuring circuit is configured for incremental changing of the phase of a transmitted test data sequence to measure and correct timing of a memory receiver circuit's quadrature clocks based on results of a data comparison of transmitted and received test data. Another measuring circuit is configured to scan a received test data sequence for data transitions to measure and correct timing of a memory transmitter circuit's quadrature clocks based on spacing or timing between detected transitions. Individual memory clock generators 30 are controlled with adjustable delay circuits 47 for changing phase of different clock signals of the memory to set the clock signals based on the measurements of the controller. |
| US08582386B2 |
Internal voltage generator and semiconductor memory device including the same
A semiconductor device including an internal voltage generator circuit that provides an internal voltage having a different level depending on the operation speed is provided. The semiconductor device includes an internal voltage generator circuit configured to receive operation speed information to generate an internal voltage having a different level depending on the operation speed; and an internal circuit operated using the internal voltage. |
| US08582384B1 |
Process variability tolerant programmable memory controller for a pipelined memory system
In an embodiment of the invention, an integrated circuit includes a pipelined memory array and a memory control circuit. The pipelined memory array contains a plurality of memory banks. Based partially on the read access time information of a memory bank, the memory control circuit is configured to select the number of clock cycles used during read latency. |
| US08582382B2 |
Memory system having a plurality of serially connected devices
A semiconductor memory device and system are disclosed. The memory device includes a memory, a plurality of inputs, and a device identification register for storing register bits that distinguish the memory device from other possible memory devices. Circuitry for comparing identification bits in the information signal with the register bits provides positive or negative indication as to whether the identification bits match the register bits. If the indication is positive, then the memory device is configured to respond as having been selected by a controller. If the indication is negative, then the memory device is configured to respond as having not been selected by the controller. A plurality of outputs release a set of output signals towards a next device. |
| US08582381B2 |
Temperature based compensation during verify operations for non-volatile storage
A non-volatile storage system that performs programming and reading processes. The programming process includes coarse/fine programming and verify operations. Programming is verified by testing for two different threshold voltage levels while applying the same voltage level to the control gate of a memory cell by testing for current levels through the memory cells and adjusting the current levels tested for based on current temperature such that the difference between the two effective tested threshold voltage levels remains constant over temperature variation. |
| US08582380B2 |
Systems, circuits, and methods for charge sharing
Systems, circuits, and methods are disclosed for charge sharing. In one such example system, a first line is configured to be driven to a first voltage representative of data to be placed on the first line and then precharged to a first precharge voltage. A second line is configured to be driven to a second voltage representative of data to be placed on the second line and then precharged to a second precharge voltage. A charge sharing device is coupled between the first line and the second line. The charge sharing device is configured to selectively allow charge from the first line to flow to the second line after the first and second lines are driven to the respective first and second voltages representative of data to be placed on the respective lines. |
| US08582379B2 |
Single ended sensing scheme for memory
A memory having a single-ended sensing scheme includes a bit line, a memory cell coupled to the bit line, and a precharge circuit. The precharge circuit is configured to precharge the bit line to a precharge voltage between a power supply voltage and a ground. |
| US08582378B1 |
Threshold voltage measurement device
A threshold voltage measurement device is disclosed. The device is coupled to a 6T SRAM. The SRAM comprises two inverters each coupled to a FET. Power terminals of one inverter are in a floating state; the drain and source of the FET coupled to the inverter are short-circuited. Two voltage selectors, a resistor, an amplifier and the SRAM are connected in a negative feedback way. Different bias voltages are applied to the SRAM for measuring threshold voltages of two FETs of the other inverter and the FET coupled to the other inverter. The present invention uses a single circuit to measure the threshold voltages of the three FETs without changing the physical structure of the SRAM. Thereby is accelerated the measurement and decreased the cost of the fabrication process and measurement instruments. |
| US08582377B2 |
Redundant memory array for replacing memory sections of main memory
Memories and methods for replacing memory sections of a main memory array by mapping memory addresses for an entire main memory section to at least one memory section of a redundant memory array. One such memory includes a fuse block having programmable elements configured to be programmed to identify main memory sections to be mapped to redundant memory sections of the redundant memory array. The memory further includes a redundant memory logic circuit coupled to the redundant memory array and the fuse block. The redundant memory logic is configured to map the memory for a main memory section identified in the fuse block to at least one of the redundant memory sections of the redundant memory array. |
| US08582369B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
In writing, a first write operation to a first memory cell is executed; and a second write operation for providing a first threshold-voltage distribution to a second memory cell adjacent to the first one, is executed. The first threshold voltage distribution is a lowest threshold-voltage distribution among the positive threshold voltage distributions. It is verified whether a desired threshold voltage distribution has been obtained in the first memory cell or not (first write verify operation), moreover, it is verified whether a first threshold voltage distribution or a threshold voltage distribution having a voltage level larger than the first threshold-voltage distribution has been obtained in the second memory cell or not (second write verify operation). A control circuit outputs results of the first write verify operation and the second write verify operation. |
| US08582366B2 |
Semiconductor device using charge pump circuit
A semiconductor device including a plurality of capacitance units connected in parallel between a first voltage and a second voltage. Each of the plurality of capacitance units includes: a capacitance element connected with the first voltage; and a capacitance disconnecting circuit connected between the second voltage and the capacitance element. The capacitance disconnecting circuit includes a non-volatile memory cell with a threshold voltage changed based on a change of a leakage current which flows from the capacitance element, and blocks off the leakage current based on a rise of the threshold voltage of the non-volatile memory cell when the leakage current exceeds a predetermined value. |
| US08582364B2 |
Fast programming memory device
In an embodiment of a memory device including a matrix of memory cells wherein the memory cells are arranged in a plurality of memory cells strings each one including at least two serially-connected memory cells, groups of at least two memory cells strings being connected to a respective bit line, and wherein said memory cells are adapted to be programmed into at least a first programming state and a second programming state, a method of storing data comprising exploiting a single memory cell for each of the memory cells string for writing the data, wherein said exploiting includes bringing the single memory cell to the second programming state, the remaining memory cells of the string being left in the first programming state. |
| US08582363B2 |
Method and apparatus for management of over-erasure in NAND-based NOR-type flash memory
A method and apparatus for operating an array block of dual charge retaining transistor NOR flash memory cells by erasing the dual charge retaining transistor NOR flash memory cells to set their threshold voltage levels to prevent leakage current from corrupting data during a read operation. Erasure of the array block of NOR flash memory cells begins by selecting one of block section of the array block and strongly and deeply erasing, over-erase verifying, and programming iteratively until the charge retaining transistors have their threshold voltages between the lower voltage limit and the upper voltage limit of the first program state. Other block sections are iteratively selected and erased, over-erase verified, and programmed repeatedly until the charge retaining transistors have their threshold voltages between the lower voltage limit and the upper voltage limit of the first program state until the entire block has been erased and reprogrammed to a positive threshold level. |
| US08582362B2 |
Circuit for precharging bit line and nonvolatile memory device including the same
A nonvolatile memory device includes a memory cell array configured to comprise a number of cell strings, a number of page buffers each coupled to the cell strings of the memory cell array through bit lines, and a bit line precharge circuit configured to precharge a selected bit line up to a voltage of a first level before one of the page buffers precharges the selected bit line. |
| US08582358B2 |
Memory system, controller, and method for controlling memory system
A memory system includes nonvolatile memory having a plurality of memory cells of storage capacity of a specified number of bits equal to or greater than two bits, and a number-of-rewrites management table managing numbers of rewrites of the memory cells. The memory system includes a controller writing to the memory cells in a number of bits in accordance with a write request of a host, dividing the memory cells into groups in dependence on storage capacity after the numbers of rewrites of the memory cells managed by the number-of-rewrites management table exceed a specified number, and writing to the memory cells of the group corresponding to storage capacity of the number of bits in accordance with the write request of the host. |
| US08582355B2 |
Magnetic memory element and nonvolatile memory device
According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory element includes a stacked body including first and second stacked units. The first stacked unit includes first and second ferromagnetic layers and a first nonmagnetic layer. A magnetization of the first ferromagnetic layer is fixed in a direction perpendicular to the first ferromagnetic layer. A magnetization of the second ferromagnetic layer is variable. The first nonmagnetic layer is provided between the first and second ferromagnetic layers. The second stacked unit stacked with the first stacked unit includes third and fourth ferromagnetic layers and a second nonmagnetic layer. A magnetization of the third ferromagnetic layer is variable. The fourth ferromagnetic layer is stacked with the third ferromagnetic layer. A magnetization of the fourth ferromagnetic layer is fixed in a direction perpendicular to the fourth ferromagnetic layer. The second nonmagnetic layer is provided between the third and fourth ferromagnetic layers. |
| US08582354B1 |
Method and apparatus for testing a resistive memory element
Methods and apparatus for testing a resistive memory element are provided. In an example, an initial test resistor in a resistance network coupled to a first input of a sense amplifier is selected, where the resistive memory element is coupled to a second input of the sense amplifier and an output of the sense amplifier is measured. Another test resistor is selected based on the output of the sense amplifier and both the measuring the output step and the selecting another test resistor step are repeated until the output of the sense amplifier changes. A resistance of the resistive memory element is estimated based on the last test resistor selected, where the selected test resistors and the resistive memory element pass respective currents having substantially similar amplitudes and are coupled to respective access transistors having substantially similar properties. |
| US08582351B2 |
Methods and systems for adjusting wordline up-level voltage to improve production yield relative to SRAM-cell stability
Methods of setting wordline up-level voltage in as-fabricated SRAM. In one example, the method includes determining the relative speed, or strength, of 1) the combination of the pass-gate and pull-down devices and 2) the pull-up devices in the bitcells of the SRAM. These relative strengths are then used to adjust the wordline up-level voltage, if needed, to decrease the likelihood of the SRAM experiencing a stability failure. Corresponding systems are provided for determining the relative strengths of the devices of interest, for determining the amount of up-level voltage adjustment needed, and for selecting and setting the up-level voltage. |
| US08582347B2 |
Floating source line architecture for non-volatile memory
A method and apparatus for writing data to a non-volatile memory cell, such as an STRAM memory cell or an RRAM memory cell. In some embodiments, a plurality of N non-volatile memory cells, where N is a greater than two, are connected to a common floating source line. A write circuit is adapted to program a selected memory cell of the plurality to a selected data state by passing a write current of selected magnitude through the selected memory cell and concurrently passing a portion of the write current in parallel through each of the remaining N−1 memory cells of the plurality via the common floating source line. |
| US08582343B2 |
Semiconductor storage device, semiconductor storage device manufacturing method and package resin forming method
A ferroelectric capacitor comprising a transistor layer superimposed on a semiconductor substrate, a ferroelectric capacitor layer provided superior to the transistor layer, a wiring layer provided superior to the ferroelectric capacitor layer, and a passivation film. Further, at least one layer of barrier film capable of inhibiting penetration of moisture and hydrogen into the underlayer is provided between the ferroelectric capacitor layer and the passivation film, and the passivation film is characterized by containing a novolac resin. |
| US08582342B2 |
Non-volatile one-time-programmable and multiple-time programmable memory configuration circuit
A programmable non-volatile configuration circuit uses a pair of non-volatile memory devices arranged in a pull-up and pull-down arrangement. The non-volatile memory devices have floating gates that overlaps a variable portion of a source/drain region. This allows a programming voltage for the device to be imparted to the floating gate through variable capacitive coupling, thus changing the state of the device. The invention can be used in environments to store configuration data for programmable logic devices, field programmable arrays, and many other applications. |
| US08582341B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
According to an embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a memory array provided on a substrate, and a control circuit provided on a surface of the substrate between the substrate and the memory array, includes steps of forming, in an insulating layer covering a p-type semiconductor region and an n-type semiconductor region of the control circuit, a first contact hole communicating with the p-type semiconductor region; forming a contact plug, in contact with the p-type semiconductor region, within the first contact hole; forming, in the insulating layer, a second contact hole communicating with the n-type semiconductor region; and forming an interconnection contacting the contact plug and the n-type semiconductor region exposed within the second contact hole. |
| US08582336B2 |
Power supply circuit capable of handling direct current and alternating current and power supply control method
According to one embodiment, a power supply circuit includes an input terminal, a rectifier circuit, a power factor improvement circuit, a DC/DC converter, and a control module. The DC/DC converter converts the level of a DC voltage output from the power factor improvement circuit. The control module determines on the basis of the output voltage of the rectifier circuit whether an input power supply supplied to the input terminal is AC or DC. The control module generates a DC power supply by use of the power factor improvement circuit and DC/DC converter when the input power supply is AC and generates a DC power supply by controlling the operation of the power factor improvement circuit and DC/DC converter according to the voltage of input DC power supply when the input power supply is DC. |
| US08582335B2 |
Inverter apparatus
An inverter apparatus according to one embodiment includes switching elements and freewheel diodes which are connected to a direct-current power supply, a temperature detector provided near at least one of the switching elements, and a temperature estimation unit. The temperature estimation unit estimates temperatures of switching elements not provided with the temperature detector, based on an estimated-temperature increase value calculated by a loss model of the switching elements and freewheel diode and others, and a temperature of the switching element detected by the temperature detector. |
| US08582331B2 |
Inverter topologies usable with reactive power
The present invention generally relates to power electronic switching circuits and in particular to inverter modules employing two or more controlled switches that can be used with reactive loads. An inverter circuit is provided which includes first and second input terminals for being connected to a DC power source; first and second output terminals for outputting an AC voltage; at least one metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor, MOSFET, having a parasitic body diode. The inverter circuit further includes at least one disabling element for disabling said body diode. This may result in an improved efficiency of the inverter circuit in combination with a reactive power capability. Further, a semiconductor switching device is disclosed, comprising at least one metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor, MOSFET, and at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor, IGBT, wherein said MOSFET and said IGBT are connected in parallel. |
| US08582323B2 |
Control circuit for a primary controlled switched mode power supply with improved accuracy of the voltage control and primary controlled switched mode power supply
The invention under consideration refers to a controller for a primary-side regulated control power supply unit for the regulation of the output of the primary regulated control power supply unit. The invention also concerns a method for the operation of a control power supply unit of the generic type and a pertinent control power supply unit. The controller comprises a control output (B), which can be connected with the control input of a primary-side switch (Q1) of the control power supply unit; a voltage measurement input (U), which can be connected with a primary-side auxiliary winding (L4) of a transformer (200) for the sensing of an auxiliary voltage, which is induced as a function of the secondary-side output voltage; a sample-and-hold element (SuH, SuH1) for the sensing of the auxiliary voltage; and an error amplifier (202) for a comparison of the sensed auxiliary voltage with a reference value (Vref2) and for the amplification of the deviation between the sensed auxiliary voltage and the reference value. The controller (IC2) also has a return branch for the return of the output signal of the error amplifier (202) to the voltage measurement input (U). |
| US08582316B2 |
Electronic device display alignment system
A display alignment system aligns an internal display device with an outer cover glass such that planes defined by both are substantially parallel. A subject electronic device includes an outer housing having a back portion and multiple mounting bosses, a transparent display cover coupled to the outer housing, a display device disposed between the back portion and the display cover, and mounting brackets coupling the display device to the mounting bosses. The exact positions of the mounting brackets are adjusted to compensate for the specific dimensions of the mounting bosses, outer housing and/or display device, which is done using a separate assembly fixture having spring-loaded and locking pins to record individual mounting boss heights. Recorded boss heights are used to position the mounting brackets on sides of the display device so that the combination thereof is customized for the recorded outer housing and mounting bosses. |
| US08582315B2 |
Electronic apparatus and method related thereto
An electronic apparatus includes a first printed circuit board on which a first connector is provided, a first member connected with the first printed circuit board and having a first hole, a second member connected with the first printed circuit board and including a projecting portion extending in a standing direction on the first printed circuit board, and a second printed circuit board that includes a second connector connected to the first connector, a first end portion that penetrates the first hole, and a second end portion having a second hole, where the projecting portion of the second member penetrates the second hole. |
| US08582314B2 |
Interconnection structure, interposer, semiconductor package, and method of manufacturing interconnection structure
There is provided an interconnection structure. An interconnection structure according to an aspect of the invention may include: a plurality of side portions provided on one surface of a substrate part and a plurality of cavities located between the side portions and located further inward than the side portions; and electrode pattern portions provided on surfaces of the side portions and the cavities. |
| US08582307B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus
A wireless communication apparatus in one embodiment includes a bag body and a radio frequency device. The bag body has at least a first slot, which extends to an edge of the bag body. The radio frequency device including a wireless integrated circuit chip is for radio-frequency signal transmission or receiving, and is disposed across a portion of the first slot and coupled to two connection ends of the bag body so that the bag body between the two connection ends serves as an inductance circuit. The inductance circuit of the two connection ends of the bag body is based on metallic material. An impedance of the inductance circuit is for conjugate matching with that of the radio frequency device and is determined according to a plurality of geometric parameters including: a distance from the edge to the wireless integrated circuit chip, and size of the first slot. |
| US08582304B2 |
Fixing apparatus for storage device
A fixing apparatus includes a board presenting a number of engaging portions and a post, and a casing for containing a data storage device. The casing includes a bottom wall defining a number of engaging holes, an end wall perpendicularly connected to the bottom wall, and a fixing member pivotably mounted to the end wall. Each engaging hole may engage and lock an engaging portion. The fixing member forms a sliding portion having a slanted outer surface, and a protrusion connected to the sliding portion and is pivoted to move the casing away from the post, until the second holes engage with the corresponding engaging portions, and the protrusion resists against the post. |
| US08582301B2 |
Mounting bracket
A mounting bracket includes a first side plate, a second side plate, a top plate, a bottom plate, a pair of dividing plates, and a pair of metal plates. The top plate is connecting top edges of the first side plate and the second side plate. The bottom plate connecting bottom edges of the first side plate and the second side plate. The dividing plates are located between the top plate and the bottom plate and parallel to the first side plate and the second side plate. The metal plates are mounted on the first side plate and the second side plate respectively. The mounting bracket further includes a first accommodating space defined between the first side plate and one of the dividing plates, and a second accommodating space defined between the second side plate and the other one of the dividing plates. |
| US08582299B1 |
System with movable computing devices
A system for providing computing resources includes a mounting bar and one or more computing devices supported on the mounting bar. The computing devices are coupled to the mounting bar such that the computing devices can slide along the mounting bar from one position to another while the computing devices remains in service and installed on the mounting bar. |
| US08582298B2 |
Passive cooling enclosure system and method for electronics devices
An apparatus for passively cooling electronics. The apparatus for passively cooling electronics includes at least one heat sink configured to be thermally coupled to at least one cabinet. When the at least one cabinet is thermally coupled to the at least one heat sink, the at least one heat sink draws heat from the at least one cabinet. |
| US08582292B1 |
Integrated ventilation system for electronic equipment
One embodiment of a method of providing ventilation to electronic equipment comprises receiving exhaust air flow from first electronic equipment positioned next to a ventilation structure; directing the exhaust air flow out of exhaust fan assembly of the ventilation structure; receiving cold air from an intake fan assembly of the ventilation structure; and directing the cold air to an intake vent of second electronic equipment positioned next to the ventilation structure. |
| US08582291B2 |
Power conversion apparatus
In a power conversion apparatus, electronic components and a cooler are integrated in a frame as an internal unit. The internal unit is fixed within a case through the frame. The frame has such a shape that the electronic components are surrounded by the frame, and includes a first wall section, and second and third wall sections extending from both sides of the first wall section. The cooler includes a coolant introduction tube and a coolant discharge tube. The coolant introduction tube and the coolant discharge tube project outward from to the frame. The first to third wall sections include a support wall section supporting at least one of the coolant introduction tube and the coolant discharge tube, and a frame wall section not supporting the coolant introduction tube and the coolant discharge tube. The thickness of the support wall section is larger than the thickness of the frame wall section. |
| US08582290B2 |
High density computer equipment storage system
This relates to the manner in which computers are configured in a given area in order to conserve space and to deal with cooling issues associated with the close housing of a large number of computers. Efficient arrangements for efficiently increasing the density of computer configurations are shown, particularly when used in a network server or host environment. |
| US08582289B2 |
Docking station and electronic device
A docking station includes a housing, and a connecting mechanism rotatably received in the housing. The connecting mechanism includes an interface. The connecting mechanism rotates from a first position exposed out of the housing to a second position hidden in the housing. When the connecting mechanism rotates to the first position, the interface is exposed out of the housing. When the connecting mechanism rotates to the second position, the interface is hidden in the housing. |
| US08582287B2 |
Drive carrier with pivoting handle
A drive carrier comprises a base adapted to receive a drive, two opposing sides extending from the base with each side having first and second stand-off receiving apertures that each receives a stand-off from a surface on which the drive carrier is positioned. The carrier comprises a handle coupled to each side via a hinge. The handle has a stand-off receiving notch associated with each side and each stand-off receiving notch receives one of the stand-offs when the drive carrier is locked in place on the surface. Each notch applies insertion and removal forces against the received stand-off during insertion and removal of the carrier. The hinge defines a plane through the hinges and parallel to the base. The handle pivots downward toward the plane and base to lock the drive carrier to the surface. When the drive carrier is in a locked position, the handle rests above the plane. |
| US08582285B2 |
Mounting apparatus for expansion card
A mounting apparatus for an expansion card includes a chassis, a mounting frame, a hull, and a mounting member. The mounting frame is secured to the chassis and is adapted to secure a first end of an expansion card. The hull is secured to the chassis, and is adapted to maintain a second end of the expansion card opposite to the first end. The mounting member is rotatably attached to the hull, and comprises two limiting boards. The mounting member is rotatable between a lock position and an open position. In the lock position, the mounting member abuts the top surface of the expansion card. In the open position, the mounting member disengages from the expansion card. |
| US08582284B2 |
Media display fixture for an electronic kiosk
A media display fixture includes a main body, a bracket and at least one first fastener. The main body includes a first side portion, a second side portion and a central portion coupling the first side portion to the second side portion. The central portion includes a ring binder for receiving media for display. The bracket includes a first side portion, a second side portion and a central portion coupling the first side portion to the second side portion. The at least one first fastener directly couples one of the first and second side portions of the main body to one of the first and second side portions of the bracket. |
| US08582283B2 |
Fixing mechanism for fixing a display device
A fixing mechanism for fixing a display device includes a display casing whereon a hole is formed, a shielding wall connected to a side of the display casing, and a bracket wedged inside the shielding wall in a detachable manner and installed on the side of the display casing. An opening is formed on the bracket. The fixing mechanism further includes a screwing component. An end of the screwing component passes through the hole on the display casing and is screwed inside the opening on the bracket. The other end of the screwing component is installed inside a wall mount. The shielding wall is for shielding the end of the screwing component. |
| US08582277B2 |
Laminated type ceramic electronic parts
A multilayer ceramic electronic component comprising an element body in which a dielectric layer and an internal electrode layer are stacked. The dielectric layer is constituted from a dielectric ceramic composition including; a compound having a perovskite structure expressed by a formula of ABO3 (A is at least one selected from Ba, Ca, and Sr; B is at least one selected from Ti, Zr, and Hf); an oxide of Mg; an oxide of rare earth elements including Sc and Y; and an oxide including Si. The dielectric ceramic composition comprises a plurality of dielectric particles and a grain boundary present in between the dielectric particles. In the grain boundary, when content ratios of Mg and Si are set to D(Mg) and D(Si) respectively, D(Mg) is 0.2 to 1.8 wt % in terms of MgO, and D(Si) is 0.4 to 8.0 wt % in terms of SiO2. |
| US08582271B2 |
Over-voltage protection for power and data applications
A power supply device is described comprising a DC voltage supply, a power section connected to the DC supply for supplying DC power from the DC voltage supply to first and second outlet ports for connection to a remote device via a cable connection, a voltage boosting circuit for generating a voltage above that of the DC supply, an energy absorbing circuit connected between an output of the voltage boosting circuit and a ground potential, and a diode connection means between the first outlet port and the energy absorbing circuit. The major components of the power supply device may be implemented as an integrated circuit. |
| US08582270B2 |
PTC device, protective circuit module including the same, and secondary battery including the protective circuit module
A Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) device, a Protective Circuit Module (PCM) including the PTC device, and a secondary battery including the Protective Circuit Module (PCM) are provided. A support portion is formed at one end of a conductive plate of the PTC device, a conductive layer disposed on the upper portion of the PTC main body is fixed to the Protective Circuit Module (PCM), and the support portion is fixed by a coated adhesive that is melted at a high temperature and then hardens when the high temperature is removed, thereby preventing the PTC device from swaying or twisting. |
| US08582269B2 |
Overcurrent protection apparatus for secondary battery, protection method and battery pack
An overcurrent protection apparatus for a secondary battery includes a main relay, an auxiliary relay connected in parallel with the main relay, a current limiting resistor connected in series with the auxiliary relay and a controller for detecting an overcurrent and protect the battery module. The controller turns on the main relay and turns off the auxiliary relay in a normal state where the battery module is recharged by the generator. When the overcurrent is detected, the controller turns on the auxiliary relay and turn off the main relay so that a limited current flows through the current limiting resistor. |
| US08582266B2 |
Current-monitoring apparatus
A local area networking apparatus comprises a power stage for connecting to a network cable for carrying carry power and data. The power stage comprises a main current flow path which includes a switch comprising at least one transistor positioned in the main current flow path and a current monitoring apparatus for monitoring current flow in the main current flow path, and wherein the current monitoring apparatus comprises a sensor which is not placed in series with the main current flow path. The current monitoring apparatus can comprise a current mirroring stage which is arranged to mirror current flowing in the main current flow path to a monitoring current flow path. The switch can be implemented as a set of switches. |
| US08582264B2 |
Overvoltage protection element
An overvoltage protection element with a housing, with at least one overvoltage limiting component which is located in the housing, with terminal elements for electrical connection of the overvoltage protection element to the current or signal path which is to be protected, and with a state display which has a display element for display of the state of the overvoltage protection element. A conclusion about the state of the overvoltage protection element is easily possible as a result of a thermally activatable, endothermic material being both in thermal contact with the overvoltage limiting component and also in mechanical contact with the display element of the state display. When the overvoltage limiting component is heated above a certain minimum temperature, expansion of the thermally activatable, endothermic material produces a change in position of the display element whose magnitude is a measure of the heating of the overvoltage limiting component. |
| US08582263B2 |
Digitally controlled AC protection and attenuation circuit
A protection and attenuation circuit for sensitive AC loads is described. The circuit provides AC power protection and attenuation utilizing high-efficiency switch-mode techniques to attenuate an AC power signal by incorporating a bidirectional, transistorized switch driven from a pulse width modulation signal, PWM. The circuit monitors characteristics of the AC power signal driving a known load and characteristics of the load or other elements and determines the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated signal, PWM, based upon the duration and amplitude of the over-voltage, over-current, over-limit or other event. |
| US08582261B2 |
Apparatus and method for electronic circuit protection
Apparatus and methods for electronic circuit protection are disclosed. In one embodiment, an actively-controlled protection circuit includes a detector, a timer, a current source and a latch. The detector is configured to generate a detection signal when the detector determines that a transient signal satisfies a first signaling condition. The timer is configured to receive the detection signal, and to generate a current control signal. The current control signal is provided to a current source, which produces a trigger current at least partly in response to the control signal. The trigger current is provided to a node of the latch, thereby enhancing the conductivity modulation of the latch and selectively controlling the activation voltage of the latch. |
| US08582260B2 |
Integrated circuit
According to one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a first external terminal, a second external terminal, a third external terminal grounded, an output transistor connected to the second and third external terminals, an ESD protection circuit connected between the second external terminal and the third external terminal, a diode connected between the first and second external terminals, a power supply circuit connected between the first and third external terminals, an internal circuit connected between the power supply circuit and the third external terminal, a current source circuit, and a drive circuit having a first and second input terminals and an output terminal connected to the control electrode of the output transistor. When a voltage larger than a maximum rating voltage is applied to the second external terminal, the drive circuit turns off the output transistor and the ESD protection circuit operates. |
| US08582259B2 |
Semiconductor device and switching regulator using the device
The semiconductor device according to the present invention has an n-channel output transistor wherein an input voltage is impressed on a drain, and a pulsed switching voltage that corresponds to a switching drive of the transistor is brought out from a source; a bootstrap circuit for generating a boost voltage enhanced by a predetermined electric potential above the switching voltage; an internal circuit for receiving a supply of the boost voltage to generate a switching drive signal, and supplying the signal to a gate of the output transistor; an overvoltage protection circuit for monitoring an electric potential difference between the switching voltage and the boost voltage, and generating an overvoltage detection signal; and a switching element for establishing/blocking electrical conduction between the internal circuit and the end impressed with the boost voltage, in accordance with the overvoltage detection signal. |
| US08582256B2 |
Superconducting resistive fault current limiter
A high-temperature superconductor fault current limiter elements (1) of standardized modular design and a high-temperature superconductor fault current limiter unit to protect an electrical application such as power network from damage in case of fault event. |
| US08582254B2 |
Switching array having circuitry to adjust a temporal distribution of a gating signal applied to the array
A Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) switching array includes circuitry, which may be coupled to a gate line of the array to adjust a temporal distribution of a gating signal applied to a plurality of MEMS switches that make up the switching array. The temporal distribution may be shaped to reduce a voltage surge that can develop in the switches during switching of electrical current. This voltage surge reduction is conducive to improving the durability of the array. |
| US08582252B2 |
Magnetic layer with grain refining agent
A magnetic sensor includes a magnetic layer comprising magnetic material and a grain refining agent. The magnetic layer having a grain-refined magnetic layer surface. A layer adjacent the magnetic layer has a layer surface that conforms to the grain-refined magnetic layer surface. |
| US08582250B2 |
Double biasing for trilayer MR sensors
A trilayer magnetoresistive sensor has at least first and second ferromagnetic layers separated by a nonmagnetic layer. A high coercivity permanent magnet bias element biases the first ferromagnetic layer in a first direction. A high moment permanent magnet bias element biases the second ferromagnetic layer in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. |
| US08582247B2 |
Magnetic element with increased scissoring angle
An apparatus and associated method is presently disclosed for a data sensing element capable of detecting changes in magnetic states. Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a magnetically responsive lamination that has a spacer layer disposed between a first and second ferromagnetic free layer. The lamination having at least one free layer with a shape feature that increases a scissoring angle between the free layers. |
| US08582242B2 |
Magnetic transducer including basecoat and overcoat
A magnetic head that includes: a slider having a leading edge and a trailing edge; and a transducer, the transducer formed on the trailing edge of the slider and the transducer including: a substrate; a basecoat positioned adjacent the substrate, wherein the basecoat includes a material having a Young's modulus that is less than that of alumina and a coefficient of thermal expansion that is less than that of alumina; a reader; a writer; a heater; and an overcoat encasing at least a portion of the transducer, wherein the overcoat includes a material having a Young's modulus that is less than that of alumina and a coefficient of thermal expansion that is less than that of alumina. |
| US08582239B2 |
Microwave assisted magnetic recording head and magnetic recording method therewith
A microwave assisted magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole; a trailing shield, a main coil for causing the main magnetic pole to generate a perpendicular recording field, at least one secondary coil for generating an in-plane alternate-current (AC) magnetic field with a frequency in a microwave band from a magnetic recording gap between the main magnetic pole and the trailing shield, nonmagnetic films formed on magnetic recording gap facing surfaces that are defined by the main magnetic pole and the trailing shield, the main magnetic pole and the trailing shield being configured with first soft magnetic films, and second soft magnetic films formed further on the surfaces of the nonmagnetic films. The second soft magnetic films have larger anisotropy fields than the first soft magnetic films have. |
| US08582234B2 |
Shaped magnetic write pole
A magnetic shield is adjacent a write pole. The write pole has a body portion with a body thickness and an extension portion with parallel first and second sides that each tilt towards the magnetic shield at a predetermined angle proximal to an air bearing surface (ABS). The extension portion may be capable of enhancing a write field gradient of the magnetic shield by reducing magnetic saturation. |
| US08582226B2 |
Write delay stabilization
Apparatus and method for write delay stabilization. A write driver is adapted to output bipolar write currents to write data to a memory. A preconditioning circuit is adapted to output first and second thermal preconditioning currents through the write driver to stabilize a write delay associated with the write driver to a steady-state level prior to the writing of data to the memory. |
| US08582225B2 |
Microwave-assisted magnetic recording head and magnetic read/write apparatus using the same
A microwave-assisted magnetic recording head includes: a main magnetic pole that generates a recording magnetic field to be recorded on a magnetic recording medium; a shield; and an oscillator that is provided between the main magnetic pole and the shield and generates a microwave magnetic field. The microwave-assisted magnetic recording head is provided with a thermal expansion device for adjusting a relative position between the oscillator and the main magnetic pole so as to be able to independently adjust a recording magnetic field from the main magnetic pole and a microwave magnetic field from the oscillator. |
| US08582222B2 |
Autofocus module
The present invention provides an autofocus module including: a supporting base, an electrical focusing element and an conductive element, wherein the supporting base at least accommodates one lens element, the electrical focusing element is disposed at one end of the supporting base so that the electrical focusing element and the lens element are positioned along a common optical lens, and the conductive element is embedded in the supporting base and connected to the electrical focusing element and an external power source respectively. The electrical focusing element obtains power through the conductive element, and by controlling the power magnitude supplied to the electrical focusing element, the focal length thereof can be changed accordingly, thereby carrying out the autofocus operation. |
| US08582217B2 |
Optical system for endoscope
An optical system for an endoscope includes a negative lens-group, an aperture diaphragm and a positive lens-group in this order from an object side, wherein the negative lens-group includes a negative first-lens and a negative second-lens in this order from the object side; and wherein the optical system meets conditional expressions (1) and (2): 0.05 |
| US08582216B2 |
Wide-angle image lens module having long flange back distance
An image lens module includes a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, and an image plane and satisfies: FB/TTL>0.16, G1R1/F1>1.04, and D1/D2<4.47. FB is a distance between an apex of an image-side surface of the third lens and the image plane. TTL is a distance between an object-side surface of the first lens and the image plane. G1R2 is a curvature radius of an image-side surface of the first lens. F1 is focal length of the first lens. D1 is a distance between the end of the effective diameter of an image-side surface of the second lens and an optical axis of the image lens module in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. D2 is a distance between the end of the effective diameter of the image-side surface of the second lens and an apex of the image-side surface of the second lens along the optical axis. |
| US08582212B2 |
Zoom lens, and imaging apparatus incorporating the same
The invention provides a zoom lens, characterized by comprising, in order from an object side thereof, a first lens group of positive refracting power, a second lens group of negative refracting power, a third lens group of positive refracting power, and a fourth lens group of negative refracting power, upon zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end of the zoom lens, a separation between the respective lens group changes, a separation between the first lens group and the second lens group becomes narrow, and a separation between the second lens group and the third lens group grows wide; upon focusing from a focusing-on-infinity state to a close-range focusing state, the fourth lens group moves in an optical axis direction; and Conditions (1) and (2) are satisfied at the wide-angle end. |
| US08582207B2 |
Hard coating film, manufacturing method thereof, antireflective film, polarizing plate and image display unit
A hard coating film is provided and includes a transparent plastic substrate film, and a hard coating layer. The transparent plastic substrate film has mutually independent microscopic pits in at least one surface thereof, the microscopic pits each independently have a depth of 3 μm or below, the microscopic pits have an average length of major diameters of from 0.5 μm to 20 μm, and the number of the microscopic pits is from 25 to 3,000 per mm2. |
| US08582205B2 |
Lens barrel and optical apparatus including the same
The lens barrel has an image blur correction function for correcting an image blur, including: a movable member movable in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis while holding a lens and a driving magnet; and a fixed member for positioning the movable member in an optical axis direction and holding a driving coil and a magnetic member, in which: the driving magnet and the magnetic member constitute a driving portion for moving the movable member in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis; and in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis, a width of the magnetic member in a direction orthogonal to a direction of driving the movable member is larger than a width of the driving magnet in the direction orthogonal to the direction of driving the movable member. |
| US08582203B2 |
Optical arrangement for oblique plane microscopy
An optical arrangement for oblique plane microscopy includes a first optical subassembly having an objective lens that receives light from a sample in use, and configured to produce an intermediate image of the sample, and a second optical subassembly focused on the intermediate image. Optical axes of the first and second subassemblies are at an angle to each other at the point of the intermediate image, such that the second subassembly images an oblique plane in the intermediate image, corresponding to an oblique plane in the sample. An oblique plane microscopy method is performed by directing an incident light beam through the objective lens to illuminate or excite the oblique plane in the sample, and receiving light from the sample through the same objective lens. The incident light beam is incident on the sample at an angle of substantially 90° relative to the light beam received from the sample. |
| US08582196B2 |
Electrophoretic particles and processes for the production thereof
In electrophoretic media, it is advantageous to use pigment particles having a polymer chemically bonded to, or cross-linked around, the pigment particles, the polymer comprising repeating units derived from a fluorinated acrylate or fluorinated methacrylate monomer. The polymer desirably has a branched chain structure with side chains extending from a main chain. Desirably, the fluorinated acrylate or fluorinated methacrylate monomer comprises from 1 to 5 mole percent of the polymer. |
| US08582195B2 |
Systems and methods for relative positioning
Systems and methods for generating a position reference grid and relative positioning of an object are presented. Radiation is emitted towards a digital micro-mirror device including a plurality of micro-mirrors. Additionally, one or more of a plurality of micro-mirrors are modulated such that at least a portion of the radiation reflected from the plurality of micro-mirrors is projected on to a designated location in a designated pattern representative of a position reference grid. The radiation reflected from the plurality of micro-mirrors is detected. Further, the detected radiation is interpreted as location coordinates in the position reference grid. Additionally, the location coordinates are communicated to the object moving in relation to the digital micro-mirror device for positioning the object at a designated position in the position reference grid. |
| US08582194B2 |
Thermally responsive crystalline colloidal arrays
A thermally responsive material comprising an ordered periodic array of particles received in a substantially nonaqueous matrix composition. The material diffracts radiation in a first wavelength band when the material is at a first temperature and the material diffracts radiation in a second wavelength band when the material is at a second temperature. |
| US08582193B2 |
Electrochromic devices
Conventional electrochromic devices frequently suffer from poor reliability and poor performance. Improvements are made using entirely solid and inorganic materials. Electrochromic devices are fabricated by forming an ion conducting electronically insulating interfacial region that serves as an IC layer. In some methods, the interfacial region is formed after formation of an electrochromic and a counter electrode layer. The interfacial region contains an ion conducting electronically insulating material along with components of the electrochromic and/or the counter electrode layer. Materials and microstructure of the electrochromic devices provide improvements in performance and reliability over conventional devices. |
| US08582190B2 |
Two-dimensional scanning device
A two-dimensional scanning device possesses: a light source for emitting light; a mirror for scanning on a test surface in the X direction; a mirror for scanning on the test surface in the Y direction; a lens which has different powers in relation to the X direction and the Y direction; and a lens which has different powers in relation to the X direction and the Y direction. The mirrors are arranged between the light source and a lens group including the lenses. |
| US08582188B2 |
Spot color press emulation color transformation method and system
A spot color rendering system and method that incorporates spot color press emulation color transformation to preserve spot color on a target rendering device. A spot color rendering option implemented in a graphical user interface can be selected in order to render the spot color via an intermediate emulation space. The spot color name calls can be first associated with a color value in an ICC profile connection space (PCS), as CIE L*a*b* or XYZ. A database relation of the spot color name with its associated PCS numerical value enables association of the name with the resultant color transformed output. Thereafter, a color transformation with respect to the spot color value can be performed in order to compute a color on an emulation press and then the color can be preserved to the target rendering device. Such an approach enables a color consistent rendering to the target rendering device similar to that of the emulation press. |
| US08582184B2 |
Image reader and document conveying method
An image reader and document conveying method shorten times necessary for a discharge process that discharges a document in being conveyed and for an idle feeding process of a document that is left on a paper feed tray.If during double-sided reading, a stop key is operated to issue an instruction to cancel reading, a conveyance controller outputs a path specifying signal to select a single-sided path, and thereby a conveyance route is switched from a double-sided path to the single-sided path. For this reason, the discharge process that discharges a document being conveyed at the time of the reading cancellation to a paper discharge tray, and the idle feeding process that discharges a document left on a paper feed tray to the paper discharge tray are performed with use of the single-sided path that is shorter than the double-sided path, and therefore the times necessary for the discharge and idle feeding processes can be shortened. |
| US08582181B2 |
Optical reading device, control method for an optical reading device, and program
Restart shifting in the scanned image data is minimized and the resulting image quality is improved even when scanning pauses and resumes. A dot impact printer 10 issues a command to stop media conveyance when available capacity in the image buffer 41A goes below a stop buffering level, and continues scanning by the scanner 111, 112 until a conveyance stop delay period passes and then stops scanning. When the available capacity exceeds a resume buffering level after the conveyance stop delay period has passed, the dot impact printer 10 applies a command to resume media transportation and scanning, prohibits storing the scanned image data from the scanners 111, 112 until a resume drive delay time passes, and resumes storing data after the resume drive delay time passes. |
| US08582178B2 |
Method for adjusting the amount of marking material in a printed image
A method for reducing an amount of marking material for printing a binary image on a receiving material uses a printing process configured to apply print pixels and to associate each image pixel with at least two print pixels. A print signal is generated indicating for each print pixel whether marking material is to be applied. The print signal is filtered by a predefined mask that defines for which print pixels no marking material will be applied independent of the pixel value of the associated image pixel. The print pixels that are blocked by the mask define a regular pattern to avoid graininess in the printed image. The main effect on print quality is a reduction of the contrast in the image. By choosing one of a set of at least two masks, the user selects the amount of reduction that is realized in the print process. |
| US08582173B2 |
Color processing apparatus and method
A color processing apparatus includes an input range obtaining unit configured to obtain an input range of input color data represented by a first color space that is an extended color space, a setting unit configured to set grid point coordinate values for each of a plurality of color components included in the input color data, and a generating unit configured to generate a look-up table by performing conversion processing on each of look-up-table coordinate values corresponding to grid point coordinate values set for the plurality of color components, and storing a result of the conversion processing in the look-up table. The setting unit sets the grid point coordinate values such that each of the primary colors in a second color space that is a base color space is located at a grid point and the color components have the identical grid point coordinate values among the primary colors. |
| US08582172B2 |
Image scanning apparatus and method to control a light source that an intensity of light irradiated to any one of a plurality of lines of the document from the light source equal to an intensity of light irradiated to another line
The image scanning apparatus includes a light source including at least one light emitting diode (LED) to irradiate light to a document which is a scan target, a light source control unit to control a lighting-up point of time of the light source, an image sensor to transform an image formed by light reflected from the document into an electric signal according to a result of controlling the lighting-up point of time, and an output unit to output image data corresponding to the transformed electric signal. |
| US08582165B2 |
Document processing apparatus
A document processing apparatus includes: a unit configured to detect a leading-edge point of an object in a page; a unit configured to calculate an association of objects to determine whether they should be merged into one based on the area matching rate between the leading-edge points of the objects; a unit configured not only to slide the objects in a normally appropriate direction for merging but also to perform fine-tuning in the vicinity thereof so as to derive a maximum area matching rate and improve the completeness of finished form of merging; a unit configured to merge the mating leading edges of the objects and further merge sets of overlapping objects; a unit configured to calculate the association by comparing attribute values included in the objects instead of using the area matching rate between the mating leading-edge points thereof, depending on a kind of the objects; and a unit configured to reduce the merged objects so that they fit into one page. |
| US08582164B2 |
Generating merged documents
A method and apparatus for generation of electronic documents, such as a merge utility, is disclosed. In an embodiment, the merge utility merges two types of documents at least one of which is first converted from a format that is not supported by an output device to one that is. In an embodiment, one document may contain information related to an overlay and the other may contain information related to a background. In an embodiment, the conversion is performed in a format that is supported by an output device. |
| US08582163B2 |
Systems and methods for improving performance of trigonometric and distance function calculations during printing and display
Consistent with disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for optimizing printing of a print job comprising graphics by a printer are presented. In some embodiments, the method calculating optimal granularity for the print job, based on specified resolution and page size; generating at least one trigonometric table with the calculated granularity; determining if a job command in the print job comprises a trigonometric function; and, if so, obtaining at least one trigonometric value from the at least one trigonometric table based on information in the job command. A similar process may be used to optimize printing by reducing the number of distance calculations performed by using sub tables. |
| US08582162B2 |
Information processing apparatus, output method, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus may include a conversion unit, a transmission unit, and an instruction unit. The conversion unit acquires document data from a document management apparatus in response to a conversion request transmitted from an external device in a case where it is detected that a predetermined document operation is performed on the document data and converts the acquired document data into print data to be used by an image forming apparatus to output the document data. The transmission unit transmits to the image forming apparatus the print data converted from the document data by the conversion unit. The instruction unit instructs the image forming apparatus to output document data transmitted from the transmission unit in response to an output request transmitted from the external device in a case where it is detected that an output operation of outputting the document data is performed. |
| US08582158B2 |
Image input/output apparatus and image input/output method
An image input/output apparatus includes an execution unit configured to execute a job for inputting or outputting image data, a storage unit configured to store the image data or reference information referring to the image data as history information, an output unit configured to output image data identified based on history information, and a control unit configured to perform control not to store the history information in the storage unit if an attribute of the job indicates that the job is a media print job for printing image data stored in an external storage media and perform control to store the history information if the attribute does not indicate that the job is the media print job. |
| US08582157B2 |
Image forming apparatus with a tag reader changing reading position by movement of front cover
An image forming apparatus including a wireless tag reader is described. The wireless tag reader is configured to be located in a first position to read wireless tags associated with consumables when the consumables are inserted into, stationary in, or removed from the image forming apparatus, and in a second position to read wireless tags outside of the image forming apparatus. |
| US08582155B2 |
Wireless location based rendering job delivery system and method
A wireless location based rendering job delivery system and method. An account with respect to a remote recipient can be subscribed to a globally accessible network cloud and GPS location data with respect to the remote recipient can be transmitted to the network cloud via a mobile communication device. A rendering job including job metadata with respect to a submitter can be transmitted to the network cloud and a list of recipients capable of receiving the rendering job in the network cloud can be provided. The rendering job metadata can be matched along with the recipient GPS location data to determine an appropriate print center in order to submit the rendering job. The rendering job can then be delivered to the recipient based on the location data thereby maintaining complete privacy. |
| US08582153B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method
Provided is an image forming apparatus including a plurality of resources (for example, circuits) for implementing a plurality of functions and executing jobs in order of priority by using these resources. A conflict judging section determines whether any one of the resources required for a particular one of pending jobs is the same as any one of the resources required for pending jobs having a priority higher than that of the particular job. When it has been determined by the conflict judging section that any one or more of the resources required for the particular job is not the same as any of the resources required for pending jobs having a priority higher than that of the job, a job managing section provides the particular job a right of execution. |
| US08582152B2 |
Image forming apparatus with multi-view display
An image forming apparatus comprises: an operation part having a display area and operable to receive an input from a user; a first display part operable to display, in a part of the display area, (i) a first image to be visible only from a range of a first viewing angle and (ii) a second image to be visible only from a range of a second viewing angle that does not overlap with the range of the first viewing angle; an audio output part operable to output an audio explaining the first image; and a second display part operable, while the audio explaining the first image is being output, to display, in a remaining part of the display area, a notification indicating that the audio explaining the first image does not correspond to the second image, such that the notification is visible from the range of the second viewing angle. |
| US08582147B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method for image forming apparatus and post-processing apparatus, and computer program
An information processing apparatus configured to control an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus configured to execute post-processing on a product output by the image forming apparatus includes a registration unit configured to register a job ticket, a searching unit configured to search for a job ticket that can be used for issuing an instruction to the post-processing apparatus from among the job tickets registered by the registration unit, and an instruction unit configured to issue an instruction to the post-processing apparatus by utilizing the job ticket extracted as a result of the search by the searching unit. |
| US08582143B2 |
Image reading apparatus and control method
An image reading apparatus comprising a conveying unit configured to convey a document; a reading unit configured to read an image of the document conveyed by the conveying unit; a storage unit configured to store data of the image read by the reading unit; a transfer unit configured to transfer the data stored in the storage unit to an external unit during a reading operation of the reading unit; and a reading control unit configured to control the reading unit to perform or stop the reading operation according to a threshold value related to a free space available for storing the data in the storage unit. |
| US08582137B2 |
Method and system for managing security of a remote device using a multifunction peripheral
A multifunction peripheral that can set appropriate criteria of security levels for another device, and improves usability while lowering a risk of data alteration, information leakage and the like by including a holding part 11 holding therein security criteria set for the image processing functions in one-to-one correspondence; a receiver 12 that receives, from an external terminal, a request for an access that is necessary for executing at least one of the image processing functions; an acquisition part 13 that acquires, from the external terminal, security information that is a security indicator regarding the access from the external terminal; a judgment part 15 that judges whether or not one of the security criteria set for the at least one of the image processing functions is met, based on the acquired security information; an access controller 16 that permits the access if the judgment part 15 judges affirmatively, and prohibits the access or permit the access with a limitation if the judgment part 15 judges negatively; and an execution part 19 that executes the at least one of the image processing functions, if the access controller permits the access. |
| US08582136B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method, and recording medium for ensuring the authenticity of a document
A detector detects a first key information piece embedded on one side of one sheet or more than one respective sheets from which image data is read out by a reader, and a second key information piece embedded on the other side thereof or on another sheet. And a comparator compares to each other, the detected first and second key information pieces and judges whether or not these key information pieces are related to each other. Then, a controller permits an output portion to output image data read out from all judgment target sheets if it is judged about all these respective sheets that the first and second key information pieces are related to each other, meanwhile the controller prohibits the output portion from outputting image data read out from one sheet if it is judged about this sheet that those key information pieces are not related to each other. |
| US08582132B2 |
Print format transform mechanism
A method disclosed. The method includes receiving a Portable Document Format (PDF) print job file, applying a first transform to generate an Advanced Function Presentation (AFP) image print job data stream and applying a second transform to generate an AFP text print job data stream. |
| US08582131B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a document reader, a storage for storing image data, an image output unit and a control unit. The control unit includes a display image generator for generating a display image, a display panel and a control unit-side controller having a function of presenting the display image based on the image data input in a preview representation and an output processing function of implementing an output process. As the output processing function, two schemes are provided: a first output scheme wherein, when image data has been input through the input unit, the images are output after displaying the images to be output in a preview representation on a display panel, and a second output scheme wherein, when image data has been input through the input unit, the image is directly output without displaying the image to be output in a preview representation on the display panel. |
| US08582130B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus includes a microprocessor unit which acquires information about the attribute of a print job from the received print job, determines which method is suitable as a printing method for the print job, performs a first printing method in which a print process is started before a raster image processing (RIP) process on all pages included in the print job is ended or a second printing method in which a print process is started after the RIP process on all pages included in the print job is ended, based on the attribute information, and decides the printing method determined as suitable for the print job as the printing method to be executed on the print job. |
| US08582123B2 |
Apparatus for determining thickness of a banknote
An apparatus (100) for determining thickness of a banknote (1), comprising: a light generator (8) to emit a light beam (12); and a sensor array (10) to detect at least a portion of the emitted light beam (12); wherein the thickness of the banknote (1) is determined by detection of a change from a predetermined position of the emitted light beam (12) by the sensor array (10). |
| US08582115B2 |
Tunable and switchable multilayer optical devices
A multilayer optical device includes an arrangement, on a substrate, of a first layer, a second layer, and a space therebetween. The second layer is a thin-film. The arrangement of the first and second layers and the space therebetween produces transmitted, reflected, or dispersed spectrally modified electromagnetic energy from electromagnetic energy incident upon the arrangement. An optical function of the device is dependent at least in part on interference effects. An optical detector system includes a similar multilayer optical device. The space within the device is in fluid communication with structures for receiving a fluid such that the device operates in a first or second mode depending on absence or presence of the fluid within the space. The system includes a detector for receiving the modified electromagnetic energy, and a controller in fluid communication with the space that establishes the absence or presence of the fluid in the space. |
| US08582114B2 |
Overlay metrology by pupil phase analysis
The present invention may include measuring a first phase distribution across a pupil plane of a portion of illumination reflected from a first overlay target of a semiconductor wafer, wherein the first overlay target is fabricated to have a first intentional overlay, measuring a second phase distribution across the pupil plane of a portion of illumination reflected from a second overlay target, wherein the second overlay target is fabricated to have a second intentional overlay in a direction opposite to and having the same magnitude as the first intentional overlay, determining a first phase tilt associated with a sum of the first and second phase distributions, determining a second phase tilt associated with a difference between the first and second phase distributions, calibrating a set of phase tilt data, and determining a test overlay value associated with the first and second overlay target. |
| US08582113B2 |
Device for determining the position of at least one structure on an object, use of an illumination apparatus with the device and use of protective gas with the device
A device for determining the position of a structure on an object in relation to a coordinate system is disclosed. The object is placed on a measuring table which is movable in one plane, wherein a block defines the plane. At least one optical arrangement is provided for transmitted light illumination and/or reflected light illumination. The optical arrangement comprises an illumination apparatus for reflected light illumination and/or transmitted light illumination and at least one first or second optical element, wherein at least part of the at least one optical element extends into the space between the block and an optical system support. At least one encapsulation is provided, encapsulating at least one optical component of at least one optical arrangement and/or at least one optical element. |
| US08582111B2 |
Optical coherence tomography apparatus and operating method thereof
An optical coherence tomography apparatus includes a light source, a light coupling module, and an optical path difference generating module. The light source emits a coherent light. The light coupling module divides the coherent light into a first incident light and a second incident light. The first incident light is emitted to an item to be inspected and a first reflected light is generated. The second incident light is emitted to the optical path difference generating module, a second reflected light is generated according to the second incident light by the optical path difference generating module through changing the transparent/reflection properties of at least one optical devices of the optical path difference generating module, so that there is a optical path difference between the first reflected light and the second reflected light. |
| US08582108B2 |
Integrated plasmonic sensing device and apparatus
An integrated plasmonic sensing device is monolithically integrated and provides marker-free detection (eliminating the need to use fluorescent or absorbing markers) and in-situ monitoring of conditions at each detection region. The integrated plasmonic sensing device includes a plasmonic backplane disposed on a monolithically integrated image sensor. One or more plasmonic scattering regions and one or more plasmonic via regions laterally offset from the plasmonic scattering regions are provided in the plasmonic sensing device. Guided plasmonic modes mediate power transfer through the plasmonic backplane to one or more underlying image sensor pixels. |
| US08582106B2 |
Automatic optical measurement system and method
An automatic optical measurement system (100) is provided. The measurement system (100) includes a sample vial (10) and an automatic optical measurement apparatus (90) configured to receive the sample vial (10). The automatic optical measurement apparatus (90) is configured to detect a presence of the sample vial (10) in the automatic optical measurement apparatus (90) and measure a light intensity of light substantially passing through the sample vial (10) if the sample vial (10) is present. The measured light intensity is related to sample material properties of a sample material within the sample vial (10). |
| US08582100B1 |
Remote multisensor optical particle monitor for flowing fluid systems
An optical fluid monitoring system for imaging debris and other particles in a flowing fluid. The system can have multiple sensors (camera and viewing port) connected to a single, remotely located, laser and computer. The system can also include multiple lasers, viewing ports and cameras to be located at different locations in a flow, with each sensor being configured to image a different particle size range. The system can simultaneously image fluid flows on different pieces of equipment. |
| US08582099B2 |
Monitoring network based on nano-structured sensing devices
A monitoring network system for inspecting and controlling harmful substances includes probe assemblies that each includes a sensor comprising nano structured surfaces or nano particles in a solution, configured to adsorb molecules of a sample material captured adjacent to the sensor, a laser that can emit a laser beam to illuminate the molecules adsorbed to the nano structured surfaces, a spectrometer that can produce spectral data from light scattered by the molecules adsorbed to the nano structured surfaces, and a ID reader that can retrieve identification information about the sample material. A central office can determine a spectral signature matching spectral signatures stored in a database and to identify a harmful substance in the sample material. An alert and response system can send out an alert signal about the sample material when the harmful substance is identified in the sample material. |
| US08582097B2 |
Phase detection of Raman scattered light
An apparatus for phase detection of Raman scattered light emitted from a sample includes a first polarizer positioned along a first optical path containing a first beam and a second polarizer positioned along a second optical path containing a second beam. The first polarizer and second polarizer polarize the first beam and the second beam in one of mutually perpendicular and mutually parallel first and second directions. The apparatus also includes an optical phase modulator positioned along the second optical path to controllably modulate a phase of the second beam, a beam splitter positioned to join the first beam and the second beam together, and a spectrometer to receive the joined first beam and second beam and to measure a phase shift of the first beam and the second beam. |
| US08582092B1 |
Alignment and focus of mirrored facets of a heliostat
Various technologies pertaining to aligning and focusing mirrored facets of a heliostat are described herein. Updating alignment and/or focus of mirrored facets is undertaken through generation of a theoretical image, wherein the theoretical image is indicative of a reflection of the target via the mirrored facets when the mirrored facets are properly aligned. This theoretical image includes reference points that are overlaid on an image of the target as reflected by the mirrored facets of the heliostat. A technician adjusts alignment/focus of a mirrored facet by causing reflected reference markings to become aligned with the reference points in the theoretical image. |
| US08582090B2 |
Testing hardened fiber optic connector housing
A system includes a first assembly including a fiber optic connector. The system also includes a second assembly to which one end of a rigid arm is rotatingly affixed. Another end of the arm is affixed rigidly to a mass. The system further includes a mechanical device for applying a force to the mass. After the mechanical device applies the force to the mass, the mass swings from and about the second assembly and strikes the fiber optic connector. |
| US08582086B2 |
Range measurement device
A range measurement device is disclosed. The device comprises a flash laser radar configured to produce a first laser pulse at a first time. The device receives, at a second time, reflections of the first laser pulse from at least one object within a 360 degree field of view. The device further comprises a timing electronics module, an image sensor in communication with the timing electronics module, a mirror element coupled between the image sensor and the laser radar, and a lens. The mirror element includes a first reflector configured to disperse the reflections of the first laser pulse within at least a portion of the 360 degree field of view and a second reflector configured to collect returning reflections of the first laser pulse from the at least one object into the image sensor. The lens is configured to focus the returning reflections onto the image sensor. |
| US08582084B2 |
Movable body drive method and movable body drive system, pattern formation method and apparatus, exposure method and apparatus, position control method and position control system, and device manufacturing method
Positional information of a movement plane of a wafer stage is measured using an encoder system such as, for example, an X head and a Y head, and the wafer stage is controlled based on the measurement results. At the same time, positional information of the wafer stage is measured using an interferometer system such as, for example, an X interferometer and a Y interferometer. When abnormality of the encoder system is detected or when the wafer stage moves off from a measurement area of the encoder system, drive control is switched to a drive control based on the measurement results of the interferometer system. Accordingly, drive control of the wafer stage can be performed continuously in the entire stroke area, even at the time when abnormality occurs in the encoder system. |
| US08582080B2 |
Stage assembly with measurement system initialization, vibration compensation, low transmissibility, and lightweight fine stage
A stage assembly (220) that moves a work piece (200) about a first axis and along a first axis includes a first stage (238), a second stage (240) that retains the work piece (200), a second mover assembly (244), a measurement system, and an initialization system (1081A). The second mover assembly (244) moves the second stage (240) relative to the first stage (238) about the first axis. The measurement system (22) monitors the position of the second stage (240) about the first axis when the second stage (240) is positioned within a working range about the first axis. The initialization system (1081A) facilitates movement of the second stage (240) about the first axis when the second stage (240) is rotated about the first axis outside the working range. The second mover assembly (244) can include a mover (255) and a dampener (410) that reduces the transmission of vibration from the first stage (238) to the second stage (240). In addition, the stage assembly (220) can include a control system (24) that directs power to the mover (255) to position the second stage (240) and to compensate for vibration of the first stage (238). |
| US08582076B2 |
Method of manufacturing liquid crystal panel comprising application of seal printing plate including mesh portion
A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal panel including two glass substrates, which face each other and are bonded by a circumference seal of a display area, and which hold a liquid crystal therebetween, comprising the steps of: disposing a seal printing plate comprising a mesh cross-points; and applying the circumference seal on either one of the two glass substrates by using the seal printing plate, wherein the mesh cross-points of the seal printing plate contact with a light shielding region of pixels in the display area. |
| US08582075B2 |
Method for fabricating a liquid crystal display device
A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes preparing a lower substrate and an upper substrate; forming a plurality of seal patterns on any one of the upper and lower substrates, each seal pattern including a main pattern and an injection port pattern, wherein a width of the injection port pattern is smaller than a width of the main pattern; bonding the upper and lower substrates to each other using the plurality of seal patterns; and cutting the bonded upper and lower substrates into a plurality of unit cells. |
| US08582074B2 |
In-line system and a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display
Disclosed is an in-line system and a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display. The system includes a spacer-dispersing unit for dispersing spacers on one of two substrates of a mother glass, the mother glass having at least one liquid crystal cell; a sealant-applying unit for depositing a sealant on one of the two substrates; a liquid crystal depositing unit for depositing liquid crystal material on the substrate on which the sealant is deposited; and a substrate-attaching unit for receiving the two substrates from the sealant-applying unit or the liquid crystal depositing unit, then conjoining the substrates in a vacuum state. The method includes the steps of dispersing spacers on one of two substrates of a mother glass, the mother glass having at least one liquid crystal cell; depositing sealant on one of the two substrates; depositing liquid crystal material on the substrate where the sealant is deposited; and conjoining the substrates in a vacuum state to complete the manufacture of a liquid crystal panel. |
| US08582065B1 |
Liquid crystal display device
It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display device with a good display quality, and a manufacturing method of such a liquid crystal display device.A liquid crystal display device (10) includes a liquid crystal display panel (11) with a display surface (20) defining a recessed curved surface having curvature of 1/500- 1/50 (1/mm), and with a scattering section which is arranged parallel to the display surface (20), which defines a recessed curved surface having curvature of 1/500- 1/50 (1/mm), and in which a plurality of elongated regions (A-C) having different haze values are arranged in parallel with each other from a middle section of the curved surface toward both end sections in the curving direction. The haze values of the plurality of elongated regions (A-C) arranged in parallel with each other vary in a step-wise manner from the middle section of the curved surface toward the both end sections in the curving direction. |
| US08582061B2 |
Optical film assembly and display device having the same
An optical film assembly includes a first polarization plate disposed below a liquid crystal layer and having a first absorption axis, a second polarization plate disposed above the liquid crystal layer and having a second absorption axis, an A-plate disposed between the first polarization plate and the second polarization plate, and a negative C-plate disposed between the first polarization plate and the second polarization plate. A thickness-direction phase retardation value of the negative C-plate is equal to or less than a value acquired by subtracting about 75 nanometers from a thickness-direction phase retardation value of the liquid crystal layer and the thickness-direction phase retardation value of the negative C-plate is equal to or greater than a value acquired by subtracting about 275 nanometers from the thickness-direction phase retardation value of the liquid crystal layer. |
| US08582057B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a liquid crystal display which includes a first display panel including a plurality of pixel electrodes, a second display panel facing the first display panel, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first display panel and the second display panel, and a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel. The second display panel includes a light emitting element displaying a color, an insulating layer disposed on the light emitting element and including a rubbed surface, a polarization layer disposed on the insulating layer and opposite to the light emitting element with respect to the insulating layer, and a common electrode disposed on the polarization layer and facing the pixel electrode. |
| US08582056B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and lightguide having local-area and wide-area line-shaped protrusions on the lightguide emission face
A lightguide to be used in a liquid crystal display device includes a light exit surface, a reflection surface opposed to the light exit surface, and a light entrance surface, which is one side surface. In a region of the light exit surface or the reflection surface, which is on a front side of an intermediate portion between two light sources when viewed from the light entrance surface, a plurality of local-area line-shaped protrusions are arranged, which are extending in a first direction. Each of the local-area line-shaped protrusions reflects the entered light so that a component of the entered light which is orthogonal to the first direction is weakened. A length of a local-area line-shaped protrusion farthest from the two adjacent light sources, is larger than a length of a local-area line-shaped protrusion closest to any one of the two adjacent light sources. |
| US08582053B2 |
Illuminating lens, lighting device, surface light source, and liquid-crystal display apparatus
A light exit surface of an illuminating lens has a first light exit surface and a second light exit surface. The first light exit surface is recessed toward a point on the optical axis, and the second light exit surface extends outwardly from the periphery of the first light exit surface. The first light exit surface has a transmissive region and a total reflection region. When the position of a light source on the optical axis is defined as a starting point, the transmissive region transmits light that has been emitted from the starting point at a relatively small angle with respect to the optical axis, and the total reflection region totally reflects light that has been emitted from the starting point at a relatively large angle with respect to the optical axis. A bottom surface that surrounds a light entrance surface and faces oppositely to the light exit surface is provided with a projecting portion or a recessed portion for reflecting light that has been emitted from the light source, totally reflected repeatedly at the light exit surface, and then reached the bottom surface. |
| US08582051B2 |
Backlight unit and the display device having the same
Provided are a backlight unit and a display device having the same. The backlight unit configured to emit light onto a liquid crystal panel in which one screen is defined into a plurality of display areas includes a bottom frame having a bottom surface and a sidewall, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed on the bottom surface of the bottom frame, the plurality of LEDs defining a plurality of light emitting areas corresponding to the display areas of the liquid crystal panel, at least one module board supporting the plurality of LEDs, an integrated light guide plate covering the plurality of LEDs, the integrated light guide plate being disposed on the plurality of light emitting areas corresponding to one screen, and an alignment unit for aligning the integrated light guide plate with the plurality of LEDs. |
| US08582050B2 |
Backlight module and liquid crystal display
A backlight module comprises a back frame, a light guide plate disposed in the back frame, and elastic corner parts for locating the light guide plate. The elastic corner parts are disposed at diagonal corners of the backlight module and sandwiched between the back frame and the light guide plate. The elastic corner parts can locate the light guide plate in the back frame, and the desirable cushioning performance and appropriate hardness of the elastic corner parts provide a desirable space for thermal expansion and contraction of the light guide plate. Meanwhile, the elastic corner part corresponding to the light incident side is greater than that of the non-light-incident sides for ensuring the light mixing distance between the LEDs and the light incident side of the light guide plate, which can improve the light unitization factor of the LEDs and save both the product cost and the mold cost. |
| US08582043B2 |
2D/3D switchable LC lens unit for use in a display device
The present invention discloses an auto-stereoscopic display and a liquid crystal lens (LC lens) unit. The LC lens unit orderly consists of a concave lens, a birefringence LC convex lens, and a conductive layer from an emitting surface to an incident surface. The birefringence LC convex lens, embedded in the concave lens, has both a ordinary refractive index and a extraordinary refractive index. The conductive layer has a plurality of control electrodes which generate an electric field to adjust an alignment of LC molecules of the birefringence LC convex lens for adjusting the equivalent refractive index of the birefringence LC convex lens to make the equivalent refractive index between the refractive index of the concave lens and the extraordinary refractive index of the birefringence LC convex lens. The aim is to compensate a viewer for a refraction angle of light that the human eye requires when the viewer observes an auto-stereoscopic display with different distances. In addition, the extraordinary refractive index is far larger than ordinary refractive index. Once the LC molecules rotate by a slight angle, the incident polarized light obtains larger refractive index. Thus, a 3D/2D switch is achieved. In other words, a smaller electric field can achieve the target of a 3D/2D switch, which reduces power consumption. |
| US08582037B2 |
System and method for hand gesture recognition for remote control of an internet protocol TV
Gesture recognition system for remote controlling a TV is disclosed. The system comprises: (a) a webcam for capturing a video sequence of a user which is composed of video frames (b) a hand tracker for receiving the video sequence, and when a hand is determined within a frame of the video sequence, the hand tracker calculates the hand centroid; (c) a trajectory buffer for receiving plurality of the hand centroids as determined from plurality of frames respectively; (d) trajectory segmentation module for continuously inspecting the buffer for possible inclusion of relevant trajectories that relate to a hand gesture pattern, and whenever a relevant trajectory is detected, it extracts a respective trajectory segment, and conveys the segment into a gesture classifier; and (e) the gesture classifier for verifying whether the segment relates to a specific gesture command, and when affirmative, the gesture classifier transfers the respective command to the TV. |
| US08582035B2 |
Apparatus, systems and methods utilizing adjacent-channel power dependent automatic gain control for digital television demodulation
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for digital television demodulation, comprising using adjacent-channel power dependent automatic gain control (AGC) for the digital television demodulation, wherein an AGC technique takes into account a total power as well as power of adjacent channels to control gain of a gain control amplifier. |
| US08582034B2 |
Adaptive screen color calibration
Various embodiments for adaptive screen color calibration are presented. An embodiment of a method includes activating a calibration feature on a device, obtaining color data by scanning a pre-set color pattern displayed on a screen via a RGBW color sensor in the device, obtaining a current ambient light condition via an ambient light sensor in the device, obtaining a current temperature condition via a temperature sensor and measuring the color data with the current ambient light condition and current temperature condition, where the measured color data is used to automatically adjust one or more color settings of the screen to match a pre-set color standard. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08582028B2 |
Multi-monitor control
A multi-monitor display is disclosed. A multi-monitor display receives a video data stream configured for a single H×V video display; splits the video data stream into a plurality of video data streams for transmission to a plurality of displays which, together, substantially span the H×V display. |
| US08582027B2 |
Image pick-up apparatus
An image pick-up apparatus includes a lens module, a base plate, and an image sensor. The lens module includes a lens barrel and an optical lens received in the lens barrel. The base plate has two opposite surfaces and a rectangular through hole defined between the two surfaces. The image sensor is fixed to the base plate. The image sensor has a top surface facing the lens module. The top surface includes a rectangular exposed portion in the through hole. The exposed portion includes a rectangular optically effective region configured for capturing images. A distance between neighboring long sides of the optically effective region and the exposed portion being greater than 0.47 times of a length of the through hole, and a distance between the neighboring short sides of the optically effective region and the exposed portion being greater than 0.27 times of the length. |
| US08582017B2 |
Camera system with auto-focus function and control method thereof
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention a camera system comprising a lens module capable of linear movement in a direction of an optical axis; a drive portion generating for driving force to move said the lens module; a position sensor portion outputting a electrical signal to detect a position of the lens module; a image sensor portion outputting a electrical signal to capture image of a subject through the lens module; a control portion controlling the magnitude of driving force as the result that is judged by discriminating correct position to focus position of the lens module compared to real output and standard output of the position sensor corresponding to focus position of the subject to be detected as to output of the image sensor portion, wherein the control portion is composed of one chip. |
| US08582012B2 |
Imaging apparatus and display control method in imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes: a first display panel mounted on an apparatus casing so as to display images or data in a direction towards a user; a second display panel mounted on the apparatus casing so as to display images or data in a direction towards a subject; an imaging processor that performs a photoelectric conversion on incident light from the subject direction to obtain image signals; a person detector that detects whether or not a person is present in the subject direction; and a controller that allows images or data based on the image signals obtained by the imaging processor to be displayed on the first display panel and controls an operation of displaying the images or data based on the image signals obtained by the imaging processor on the second display panel in accordance with at least the detection results of the person detector. |
| US08582011B2 |
Simultaneous global shutter and correlated double sampling read out in multiple photosensor pixels
An apparatus controls operation of an array of color multiple sensor pixel image sensors to provide a global shuttering for one half of the color multiple sensor pixel image sensors and a rolling shuttering for all color multiple sensor pixel image sensors of the array. The apparatus includes a row control circuit and a column clamp, sample, and hold circuit. The row control circuit generates the necessary reset control signals, transfer gating signals, and row selecting signals for providing the global shuttering and the rolling shuttering color multiple sensor pixel image sensors. The column clamp, sample and hold circuit generates an output signal representative of a number of photons impinging upon each color multiple sensor pixel image sensor of the row of selected color multiple sensor pixel image sensors. The control apparatus further includes an analog to digital converter which converts the read out signal to a digital image signal. |
| US08582008B2 |
Fast-settling line driver design for high resolution video IR and visible images
A fast-settling line driver circuit capable of high-speed operation. The line driver is particularly well-suited for operation in a high-resolution imaging system. The line driver circuit comprises a signal amplifier that is configured in a negative feedback loop and connected to a bus line through a switch network. The switch network is disposed inside the feedback loop while the line driver is transmitting a signal onto the bus line. This configuration reduces the settling time of the line driver by substantially eliminating the effect of the switch resistance on the RC time constant. The line driver also comprises offset cancellation and presettle circuits that improve the integrity of the output signal and reduce the power consumption of the system. |
| US08582007B2 |
Image sensor for outputting RGB Bayer signal through internal conversion and image processing apparatus including the same
The image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a non-red-green-blue (RGB) Bayer pattern, an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert an analog pixel signal output from each of the pixels into a digital pixel signal, and an RGB converter configured to convert the digital pixel signal into an RGB Bayer signal. Accordingly, the image sensor is compatible with a universal image signal processor (ISP), which receives and processes RGB Bayer signals, without an additional compatible device or module. |
| US08582004B2 |
Noise-cancelling image sensors
An image sensor that has a plurality of pixels within a pixel array coupled to a control circuit and to one or more subtraction circuits. The control circuit may cause an output transistor coupled to a pixel to provide a first reference output signal, a common reset output signal, and a first sense-node reset output signal, between which a subtraction circuit may form a weighted difference to create a noise signal. The control circuit may cause the output transistor to provide a second sense-node reset output signal, a light response output signal and a second reference output signal, between which a subtraction circuit may form a weighted difference to create a normalized light response signal. The light response output signal corresponds to the image that is to be captured by the sensor. The noise signal may be subtracted from the normalized light response signal to generate a de-noised signal. |
| US08582000B2 |
Composite flash for an electronic device
An apparatus and method for capturing an image on an electronic device having a flash comprising a first light source and a second light source is presented herein. A detection of a color spectrum of ambient light is made using image data sensed by an image sensor of a camera module. Additionally, a determination of an intensity of a first light when combined with an associated intensity of a second light results in a color spectrum that substantially matches the color spectrum of the ambient light. The flash emits a first light from the first light source of the flash and second light from the second light source of the flash. An image from a camera module is recorded during the emission of the first and second light. |
| US08581999B2 |
Method of automatically performing pet eye correction
A method of performing eye correction is performed in an electronic device having an image processor, an image sensor, and a storage device. The image sensor captures image data, detects a pet face in the image data, and locates a plurality of candidate eye regions in the pet face. A classifier of the image processor verifies at least one eye region of the plurality of candidate eye regions, and the image processor recovers an abnormal pupil region of the at least one verified eye region. |
| US08581997B2 |
System for locating nearby picture hotspots
Portable communication devices transmit digital images and their location information to a central server. If a particular location is often photographed it can be designated as a hot spot. Thereafter, if a communication device is currently transmitting from within a vicinity of the hot spot, based on the location data received from the communication device, notification data can be transmitted to the communication device for notifying the user of the hot spot. The notification data can include directional information for the user to access on the communication device for enabling the user to find the hot spot. |
| US08581995B2 |
Method and apparatus for parallax correction in fused array imaging systems
Electronic devices may include camera modules. A camera module may include an array camera having an array of lenses and an array of corresponding image sensors. Parallax correction and depth mapping methods may be provided for array cameras. A parallax correction method may include a global and a local parallax correction. A global parallax correction may be determined based on one-dimensional horizontal and vertical projections of edge images. Local parallax corrections may be determined using a block matching procedure. Further improvements to local parallax corrections may be generated using a relative block color saturation test, a smoothing of parallax correction vectors and, if desired, using a cross-check between parallax correction vectors determined for multiple image sensors. Three dimensional depth maps may be generated based on parallax correction vectors. |
| US08581994B2 |
Photographing apparatus
Controlling a photographing apparatus that can play back an image on an external display device, to achieve energy savings when playing back the image on the external display device is provided. After a photographed image is transmitted to the external display device, if a control signal is sourced by a remote control power to a back-surface LCD 102a and/or the touch panel 102b is turned off. |
| US08581992B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and camera shake correction method, and computer-readable medium
An image capturing apparatus includes: an image capturing unit capturing an image of an object; an image capture controller that causes the image capturing unit to capture first color component images having a first color component by multi-shot exposure, and causes the image capturing unit to capture second and third color component images, a displacement information acquiring unit that acquires displacement information; an image adding unit that aligns and adds the first color component images based on the displacement information to generate an added image; a calculator that calculates a first point spread function based on the displacement information; a first correcting unit that corrects the second and third color component images using the first point spread function; and a combining unit that combines the added image with the corrected second and third color component images. |
| US08581988B2 |
Data transfer apparatus, imaging apparatus, and data transfer system
The data transfer apparatus includes a recording unit which records image files on a first recording medium, a communication unit which communicates with a recording apparatus which records an image file on a second recording medium, and receives medium information associated with the second recording medium from the recording apparatus, a search unit which searches a plurality of image files recorded on the first recording medium for image files which are recordable on the second recording medium, based on the medium information, and a display control unit which displays representative images of the plurality of image files recorded on the first recording medium, and the display control unit displays, together with the representative images, information indicating a range of image files recordable on the second recording medium of the plurality of image files recorded on the first recording medium, based on a search result of the search unit. |
| US08581985B2 |
Merchandise security system including display stand having video camera
A merchandise security system includes a display stand for supporting and displaying an article of merchandise, a video imaging device and an actuator operably coupled to the video imaging device for actuating the video imaging device to collect video data in response to a displacement of the article of merchandise relative to the display stand. In exemplary embodiments, the actuator includes a first activation element disposed on a sensor housing configured for attachment to the article of merchandise and a second activation element disposed on the display stand. The first activation element and the second activation element actuate the video imaging device between the inactive state and the active state to collect the video data when the article of merchandise is displaced relative to the display stand. The video imaging device may be a video camera housed within, positioned adjacent to, or integrated with the display stand. |
| US08581981B2 |
Optical imaging system for unmanned aerial vehicle
An optical imaging system and associated methods for capturing images from an aircraft, such as a UAV. A camera unit on-board the aircraft is remotely controlled from an image control station. The image control station receives image data from the camera unit, and also delivers control signals for determining a viewing mode of the image. |
| US08581972B2 |
Endoscopic apparatus and control method for endoscopic apparatus
According to the invention, a processor CPU includes a scope information extracting section, a light source information extracting section, a main white balance searching section, a sub-white-balance extracting section, a main white balance update section, a sub-white-balance update section, and an image processing control section. |
| US08581969B2 |
Single display system and method for displaying stereoscopic content
A single display system and method are provided for displaying stereoscopic content. In particular, a single display mechanism capable of displaying stereoscopic content for viewing with passive glasses is provided. |
| US08581968B2 |
Notification system, shutter glasses, notification method
In one embodiment, there is provided a notification system. The system includes: a display apparatus; and one or more pairs of shutter glasses. The display apparatus includes: a display module configured to display a 3D picture; and a transmitter configured to transmit a control data to each of the pairs of shutter glasses, wherein the control data contains a shutter control data for controlling shutters of each of the pairs of shutter glasses. Each of the pairs of shutter glasses includes: a receiver configured to receive the control data containing shutter control data; a shutter controller configured to open and close the right eye shutter and the left eye shutter, based on the shutter control data; and a notification module configured to notify a warning when a specific period of time has elapsed after the receiver receives the control data. |
| US08581967B2 |
Three-dimensional (3D) display method and system
A method is provided for a three-dimensional (3D) display system. The method includes obtaining a plurality of original images of a plurality of viewpoints in a 3D image for display, and determining an actual size of a display window on a display device configured to display the 3D image. The method also includes adjusting an average parallax value between at least two of the plurality of original images based on the actual size of the display window. Further, the method includes creating a new 3D image with a desired average parallax based on the adjusted plurality of original images, and sending the new 3D image to the display device for display. |
| US08581960B2 |
Imaging device, imaging method, and imaging system
The present invention is an imaging apparatus including: a receiving unit that receives information representing a first focal length from a terminal which produces an image of a first imaging area by capturing an image of a subject at the first focal length; an imaging unit that produces an image of a second imaging area by capturing an image of the subject at a second focal length; an extraction unit that extracts a characteristic area of the subject from the image of the second imaging area based on information representing the first focal length and information representing the second focal length; and a transmitting unit that transmits information regarding the image of the characteristic area to the terminal. |
| US08581959B2 |
Video conferencing system which allows endpoints to perform continuous presence layout selection
In various embodiments, a Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) or another video conferencing device (e.g., an endpoint) may generate a video frame that includes video images of two or more video conferencing endpoints. The video frame may then be sent to another video conferencing device that may receive the video frame and separate the two or more video images into separate video images. In some embodiments, the video frame may be separated into its separate images using, for example, metadata sent along with the video frame. The metadata may include video image identifiers and location information (e.g., coordinates in the video frame) of the video images. In some embodiments, the separated video images may be provided to a compositor that may composite the separated video images, for example, into a new layout. |
| US08581957B2 |
Video conference using an external video stream
A portable communication device may determine whether a video camera is in a vicinity of the portable communication device. If so, video taken by the video camera may be used in a video conference conducted from the portable communication device. |
| US08581954B2 |
Mobile communication terminal that delivers vibration information, and method thereof
A mobile communication terminal and a method for transferring vibration information are disclosed. The mobile communication terminal detects a movement of the mobile communication terminal caused by a user of the mobile communication terminal during a voice communication between the mobile communication terminal and a call partner terminal, generates vibration information corresponding to the movement of the mobile communication terminal, and transmits the generated vibration information to the call partner terminal, or receives vibration information generated by a call partner terminal during a voice communication between the mobile communication terminal and the call partner terminal and generates vibration corresponding to the movement of the call partner terminal, so as to enable the user of the mobile communication terminal and the call partner in communication with each other to share their emotion and feelings through the vibrations of the mobile communication terminal and the call partner terminal. |
| US08581953B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing animation effect on video telephony call
Provided is a method and apparatus that can obtain face state information of corresponding video data through the face recognition processing for at least one video data among a user video data and another party's video data during a video telephony call, and extract various event data corresponding to a face state information to be output in conjunction with the video data. The face state information is provided using a face recognition process. |
| US08581952B2 |
Light-emitting device, driving method of light-emitting device, light-emitting chip, print head and image forming apparatus
A light-emitting device includes: plural light-emitting chips each having plural light-emitting elements, and each being designated, as a control target for lighting up or not lighting up, by two to Q designation signals (Q is an integer of two or more); and a selection signal generating part that selectively transmits P selection signals (P is an integer of three or more where P>Q) as the designation signals to designate each of the plural light-emitting elements as the control target, the designation signals for each of the plural light-emitting chips including a combination of two to Q selection signals taken from the P selection signals. |
| US08581951B2 |
Light scanning apparatus, image forming apparatus and computer readable recording medium
A light scanning apparatus includes: a light emission unit emitting a first light beam and a second light beam; a motor; a rotary polygon mirror rotated by the motor, forming two scanning lines on a scan object at the same time; an optical sensor detecting the first light beam and the second light beam deflected by the rotary polygon mirror; a deviation measurement unit measuring a deviation amount of starting positions of the two scanning lines on the scan object based on a first detection timing at which the optical sensor detects the first light beam and a second detection timing at which the optical sensor detects the second light beam; and a motor control unit controlling rotation of the motor based on the second detection timing in a measurement non-execution period, and controls rotation of the motor without using the first detection timing in a measurement execution period. |
| US08581947B2 |
Printer, printing system and computer-readable meduim having instructions for printing
A printer having a ribbon heated by energization of a thermal head to transfer color ink and transparent laminate material from the ribbon to a recording medium. The printer includes a first storage section configured to store ink energization data, a second storage section configured to store laminate energization data an energization controlling section, and a correction section that corrects the laminate energization data in response to a residual heat quantity of the thermal head after the ink is thermally transferred in accordance with stored ink energization data and corrects the laminate energization data. |
| US08581940B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display panel having a plurality of pixels, a drive circuit inputting a drive voltage to the plurality of pixels, and a display control device controlling and driving the drive circuit and to which display data is input from an external apparatus, in which a temperature detecting sensor is included. The display control device has a display bit reduction circuit. In a high-temperature operation mode when a temperature equal to or more than a predetermined temperature is detected at the temperature detecting sensor, the display bit reduction circuit ignores bits other than the highest-order bit of the display data input from the external apparatus and sends only the data of the highest-order bit of the display data input from the external apparatus to the drive circuit. |
| US08581931B2 |
Method of remotely controlling a presentation to freeze an image using a portable electronic device
A system and method are set forth for remotely controlling a presentation from a portable electronic device so as to freeze a slide on a remote projector to permit searching for a desired slide on the portable electronic device and then continuing the presentation when searching is complete. In one embodiment, a switch is provided in a communication layer of a presentation application such that when the switch is turned off, communication is suspended between the portable electronic device and the projector, thereby permitting browsing on the portable electronic device without interrupting the presentation. When the switch is turned on the current slide information is transmitted from the portable electronic device to the projector. |
| US08581928B2 |
Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes a display, a retrieving unit, a process display unit, a process receiving unit, a process storing unit, a thumbnail display unit, and a thumbnail designating unit. The retrieving unit retrieves image data. The process display unit displays on the display a plurality of candidate image processes to be performed on the image data. The process receiving unit receives an instruction indicating a selected image process selected from among the plurality of candidate image processes. The process storing unit stores the selected image process. The thumbnail display unit displays a thumbnail image corresponding to the image data on the display. The thumbnail designating unit designates a thumbnail image. The thumbnail display unit displays a processed thumbnail image that represents a result of the selected process performed on the image data corresponding to the designated thumbnail image. |
| US08581926B2 |
Systems for advanced editing and rendering of images
A system of editing and rendering an on-screen image, by:storing 3D data of an object; storing a 2D image of surroundings of the object; and displaying a 2D image of the object concurrently with the 2D image of the surroundings of the object; editing the 3D image of the object; and rendering the edited 3D image of the object.Optionally, editing the image includes: editing the image in a 2D viewer; editing the image by interactive ray tracing when it is not possible to edit the edit the image in a 2D viewer; and editing the image by a hardware accelerated offline render path when it is not desirable to edit the image by interactive ray tracing.Optionally, rendering the edited 3D data of the object includes: rendering the image by an interactive ray tracing; rendering the image by a hardware accelerated render path when it is not desirable to render the image by interactive ray tracing; and rendering the image by an offline software rendering when it is not desirable to render the image by a hardware accelerated render path.In optional aspects, the 3D image data set can be tagged with user-defined properties that may optionally be edited in pop-up or drop-down menus. |
| US08581924B2 |
Method and mobile terminal for enabling animation during screen-switching
A method and mobile terminal for enabling a screen-switching animation The method comprises the following steps of: setting color values for all the pixel points in a first and a second training image, wherein the colors values are different from one another; generating a training sequence with the color values of all the pixel points in the first and the second training image according to the conversion rule of each frame in a screen-switching animation; and playing a screen-switching animation between the current screen and the next screen according to the training sequence. The present invention increases the smoothness of a screen-switching animation and improves user experience. |
| US08581922B2 |
System and method for monochromatic tinting using saturation maps
There are provided systems and methods for tinting an image by monochromatic tinting using saturation maps for use by an application providing a user interface supporting customizable tinted images. By using saturation map and a monochromatic value map derived from the image and configuring the saturation map to specify areas for tinting, a tint color can be applied to the image by a series of quickly processed arithmetic calculations. This provides a lightweight and high quality method for tinting images within an application without wasting unnecessary network bandwidth or processor resources. Furthermore, the method can be adapted to apply multiple tint colors for multiple tints or use an alpha channel to restore color information lost due to the monochromatic value map. The resulting tinted image can also be used as a texture for a three-dimensional rendering engine. |
| US08581921B2 |
Image display device and image adjustment method
An image display device includes: an external light measurement unit measuring the illuminance of an external light a plurality of times, and generating a measurement value indicating the illuminance; a storage unit storing history data which shows the measurement values, and color mode data which shows a correspondence between the illuminance and a color mode; a determination unit, based on the history data, determining whether or not it is a changed condition wherein the illuminance changes upward or downward, or the illuminance fluctuates; and an adjustment unit, in the event that it is not the changed condition, determining the color mode to be applied based on the measurement values and the color mode data, and adjusting the color or brightness of an image in accordance with the color mode, and in the event that it is the changed condition, continuing the adjustment currently being applied as the image adjustment. |
| US08581920B2 |
Utilizing masked data bits during accesses to a memory
Embodiments of an apparatus that uses unused masked data bits during an access to a memory are described. This apparatus includes a selection circuit, which selects data bits to be driven on data lines during the access to the memory. This selection circuit includes a control input that receives a data mask signal, which indicates whether a set of data bits is to be masked during the access to the memory. During the access to the memory, the selection circuit selects either the set of data bits to be driven when the data mask signal is not asserted, or an alternative set of values to be driven when the data mask signal is asserted. |
| US08581913B2 |
Data processing apparatus and image processing apparatus
A data processing apparatus in which pipeline processing is performed comprises a control unit that controls a data processing sequence, a first processing unit that begins first data processing by inputting data on the basis of a start signal, outputs data subjected to the first data processing, and outputs a completion signal to the control unit after completing the first data processing, and a second processing unit that begins second data processing by inputting the data subjected to the first data processing on the basis of a start signal, outputs data subjected to the second data processing, and outputs a completion signal to the control unit after completing the second data processing. The control unit outputs a following start signal to the first processing unit and the second processing unit upon reception of the completion signal of the first data processing and the second data processing respectively. |
| US08581912B2 |
Dynamic subroutine linkage optimizing shader performance
Allocation of memory registers for shaders by a processor is described herein. For each shader, registers are allocated based on the shader's level of complexity. Simpler shader instances are restricted to a smaller number of memory registers. More complex shader instances are allotted more registers. To do so, developers' high level shading level (HLSL) language includes template classes of shaders that can later be replaced by complex or simple versions of the shader. The HLSL is converted to bytecode that can be used to rasterize pixels on a computing device. |
| US08581910B2 |
Input display apparatus, input display method, and recording medium
In an input display apparatus comprising: a display section; a voice accepting section; and a position specification accepting section for accepting position specification on a display screen of the display section, a display attribute for display of a character corresponding to text data of a voice accepted by the voice accepting section is determined based on position specification accepted by the position specification accepting section, and the character is displayed based on the display attribute. |
| US08581909B2 |
Method for determining the characteristic points of a bridge on an airport map
The invention is an automatic method making it possible to determine the characteristic points of a bridge as well as their correct ordering on the basis of an airport database, with a view to allowing the correct graphical representation of the said bridge on a digitized airport map. One of the main advantages of the invention resides in its automatic character. |
| US08581902B2 |
Reducing the size of a model using visibility factors
A computer-implemented method and system reduces size of a data structure of a computer-aided design (CAD) model. Given a CAD model formed of a plurality of modeling elements, the method and system provide one or more geometric entities defining modeling elements of the CAD model. The geometric entities have corresponding graphical entities configured to display the CAD model. For each modeling element, the method and system determine visibility of the modeling element and produce a reduced data structure by storing in the structure graphic data representing the graphical entities and geometric data of only certain ones of the geometric entities determined as a function of visibility of the corresponding modeling elements. |
| US08581897B2 |
DC-DC converter and organic light emitting display using the same
A DC-DC converter and an organic light emitting display using the DC-DC converter are provided. The DC-DC converter can generate a first voltage and a second voltage lower than the first voltage, where the DC-DC converter includes a first voltage generator for generating the first voltage by switching an input voltage and accumulating energy in a first coil, a second voltage generator for generating the second voltage by switching an input voltage and accumulating energy in a second coil, a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller for controlling switching times of the first and second voltage generators in accordance with a control signal, and a voltage adjuster for generating the control signal to vary a voltage level of the second voltage and control a time of change of the second voltage. |
| US08581896B2 |
Power supply for receiving different input voltages and organic light emitting display device using the same
A power supply configured to receive at least one of a first input voltage and a second input voltage and to generate a voltage of a first pixel power and a voltage of a second pixel power, includes: a voltage sensing unit for generating voltage sensing signals corresponding to the first input voltage and the second input voltage; a first power generating unit for receiving the first input voltage and generating the voltage of the first pixel power corresponding to the voltage sensing signals; a second power generating unit for receiving the second input voltage and generating the voltage of the first pixel power corresponding to the voltage sensing signals; and a third power generating unit for receiving the first input voltage and the second input voltage, utilizing the first input voltage or the second input voltage, and generating the voltage of the second pixel power corresponding to the voltage sensing signals. |
| US08581889B2 |
Display unit
A display unit with which diffraction reflection is able to be decreased is provided. The display unit includes a display section having an organic EL device and a pixel circuit for every pixel. The pixel circuit has a first transistor for writing a video signal and a second transistor for driving the organic EL device based on the video signal written by the first transistor. The second transistor has a gate, a source and a drain. The organic EL device has an anode, an organic layer, and a cathode. An upper face of the source or the drain is formed at least in a region opposed to the anode or the cathode. |
| US08581888B2 |
Liquid crystal display and liquid crystal display panel thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) and an LCD panel thereof are provided. The structure of the pixel array of the LCD panel is the structure of the one third source driving (OTSD), and by which skillfully layout the coupled relationship among each pixel, each signal line and each scan line, such that the LCD panel can be driven by a column inversion to achieve the purpose of single-dot inversion displaying, and thus not only reducing the power consumption of the whole LCD, but also promoting the display quality. |
| US08581887B2 |
Color-sequential display method
A display method for driving a color-sequential display of an electronic device is provided. When the electronic device is not at low power mode, a first image is displayed first by using a second color data and a first color data of the first image sequentially to drive the display. Next, a second image is displayed by using a second color data and a third color data of the second image sequentially to drive the display. When the electronic device is at low power mode, the respective luminance of the first and the second images are obtained. Then, the respective luminance of the first image and the second image are sequentially used to drive the display. |
| US08581884B2 |
Touch sensing apparatus and method of operating the same
A touch sensing apparatus is controlled to determine the position of one or more objects (7) that interact with a touch surface (1). The apparatus includes a group of emitters (2) arranged to emit light to illuminate at least part of the touch surface (1), a light detector (4) arranged to receive light from the group of emitters (2), and a processing element (7). Each emitter (2) is controlled to transmit a code by way of the emitted light such that the code identifies the respective emitter (2). The codes may at least partly be transmitted concurrently. The codes may be selected such that a value of an autocorrelation of each code is significantly higher than a value of a cross-correlation between any two codes of different emitters (2). The processing element processes an output signal from the light detector (4) to separate the light received from the individual emitters (2) based on the transmitted codes, and to determine the position of the object/objects (7) based on the light received from the individual emitters (2), e.g. using triangulation or image reconstruction such as an algorithm for transmission tomography. |
| US08581883B2 |
Sensor scan drivers, flat panel displays with built-in touch screen including such a sensor scan driver, and methods of driving such flat panel displays
A sensor scan driver may include a shift register unit for driving photodiodes, a transmission gate unit for changing a voltage range of sensor scan signals generated by the shift register unit, and a buffer unit for supplying the sensor scan signals supplied from the transmission gate unit to the photodiodes, wherein the transmission gate unit includes first and second transmission gates, each including an electrode adapted to receive an output signal of the shift register unit, another electrode adapted to receive the inverted output signal of the shift register unit, an input terminal coupled to first and second power sources, respectively, and an output terminal coupled to an output terminal of the transmission gate unit. |
| US08581882B2 |
Touch panel display device
A touch panel display device includes a liquid crystal panel to display an image by regulating transmittance of light supplied from a back light unit, and a touch sensing part provided on upper edges of the liquid crystal panel in order to detect a position touched by a user or an object. The touch sensing part includes infrared lamps to generate and emit infrared light, infrared light reflecting tubes mounted with the infrared lamps, and image sensors to sense the infrared light output from the light output regions of the infrared light reflecting tubes. Each of the infrared light reflecting tubes has light output regions and non-output regions evenly formed at a surface facing an upper surface of the liquid crystal panel so that the infrared light emitted from the infrared lamps is evenly irradiated on the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel. |
| US08581877B2 |
Mobile terminal and operation control method thereof
A method of controlling a mobile terminal, and which includes entering into a touch-lock mode to lock an entire display area on a touch screen, receiving an unlock signal corresponding to a selection of a touch-lock release button on the terminal, and unlocking an area of the touch screen that includes at least one displayed icon when the unlock signal is received such that a touching of the at least one icon displayed on the touch screen executes a corresponding function of the icon, and maintaining other areas of the touch screen in the touch-lock mode. |
| US08581874B2 |
Touch screen device and methods thereof configured for a plurality of resolutions
Disclosed is a touch screen and a method of touch screen having a first plurality of sensor segments coupled to first scan lines and a second plurality of sensor segments being subsections of one of the first plurality of sensor segments, the second plurality of sensor segments including second scan lines that are bundled by a multiplexer configured to aggregate output of the second plurality of sensor segments into a single transmission channel. The individual output of the multiplexed sensor segments subsections can be either combined into a single signal for processing during a normal scan, or their individual output can be processed individually for higher resolution. Using two scans, the first a normal scan, and the second a higher resolution scan, the disclosed touch screen and methods zoom in on the proximity of the touched area and scans with a higher resolution the proximity only where it is needed. |
| US08581873B2 |
Elastomeric wave tactile interface
A tactile interface includes a plurality of individually controllable drivers positioned about a perimeter of a tensioned elastomeric material. Each driver includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric material. A top surface of the first electrode is coupled to the tensioned elastomeric material. The piezoelectric material is disposed between a top surface of the second electrode and a bottom surface of the first electrode. Driver circuitry can apply control information to each of the plurality of individually controllable drivers to produce a wave pattern in the tensioned elastomeric material. Some example methods of providing a tactile image on a tactile interface include producing a time-varying potential difference across the top electrode and the bottom electrode of the drivers so that a standing wave pattern can be created in the elastomeric material. The tactile image can be formed by modulating a subset of the plurality of drivers. |
| US08581870B2 |
Touch-sensitive button with two levels
A touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds is provided. When the button is depressed to a first depression threshold, the touch sensor can be switched from a low-power, non-sensing state to a sensing state. When the button is depressed to a second depression threshold, the touch sensor can sense the touch context and input can be generated based on the depression and the touch context. In this way, the touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds can facilitate timely switching of the touch sensor to a sensing state. |
| US08581862B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display device in which a front window and a touch panel are bonded together with an adhesive sheet, a logo having plural layers is formed on a back side of the front window. A touch-panel flexible wiring substrate is mounted to the touch panel. A plane distance between an end portion of the plural layers of the logo and an end portion of the touch panel is set to greater than zero. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a peeling stress on the adhesive sheet, even if a thickness of the adhesive sheet is smaller than the sum of a thickness of the touch-panel flexible wiring substrate and a thickness of the logo. |
| US08581860B2 |
Touch panel with PDLC film and touch-sensitive display device using same
A touch panel and a touch-sensitive display device capable of providing three-dimensional contact detection are provided. The touch panel includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and an insulating layer between the first and second conductive layers. The insulating layer includes a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film. |
| US08581856B2 |
Touch sensitive display apparatus using sensor input
Described herein is a system that includes a receiver component that receives gesture data from a sensor unit that is coupled to a body of a gloveless user, wherein the gesture data is indicative of a bodily gesture of the user, wherein the bodily gesture comprises movement pertaining to at least one limb of the gloveless user. The system further includes a location determiner component that determines location of the bodily gesture with respect to a touch-sensitive display apparatus. The system also includes a display component that causes the touch-sensitive display apparatus to display an image based at least in part upon the received gesture data and the determined location of the bodily gesture with respect to the touch-sensitive display apparatus. |
| US08581855B2 |
Jogbox for a coordinate measuring machine
Coordinate measuring machines typically include a jogbox that allows an operator to control movements of a probe with a joystick and dedicated buttons. By facilitating advanced interaction between the jogbox and the dimensional metrology application, the jogbox may be used to control most or all of the functional aspects of the dimensional metrology application, including, in some instances, control of the coordinate measuring machine. The jogbox may include an adaptability of communications protocol such that it may interact with any one of a number of types or brands of coordinate measuring machines. A dynamic and flexible display and/or user input system may be employed to facilitate the use of a single jogbox with different systems. Further, the inherent flexibility of various jogbox embodiments disclosed herein may allow different categories of users to select and/or customize a jogbox interface. |
| US08581846B2 |
Sensing computer mouse having touch-sensitive members disposed on curved bottom surface
A sensing mouse includes a base, an upper cover, a plurality of touch-sensitive members and a controlling unit. The base has a curvy surface. The base is sheltered by the upper cover. The touch-sensitive members are disposed on the curvy surface and in communication with the controlling unit. When one of the touch-sensitive members is contacted with a working surface, a moving direction of the cursor is determined by the controlling unit according to a touching signal from the pressed touch-sensitive member, and a displacement amount of the cursor is determined by the controlling unit according to a contact area between the pressed touch-sensitive member and the working surface. |
| US08581842B2 |
Detection of a rolling motion or sliding motion of a body part on a surface
An optical scanner scans a first portion of a print of a body part such as a finger in a first area of an optical surface. The optical scanner detects a motion of the body part to a second area of the optical surface. This can be done in various ways. One way is for the optical scanner to detect a sliding motion of the body part to determine if most of the first portion of the print is in the second area. Another way is for the optical scanner to determine a rolling motion of the print based on a continuity of the print from the first area to the second area. A similar system and method is disclosed which detects a rolling motion of a body part by using a sleeve with multiple properties. |
| US08581838B2 |
Eye gaze control during avatar-based communication
An avatar image on a device display, such as a cell phone or laptop computer, maintains natural and realistic eye contact with a user (a human being) while the user is communicating with the other human being, whose avatar is displayed on the device. Thus, the user and the avatar have natural eye contact during the communication session (e.g., phone call). Modules within the device ensure that the avatar eyes do not maintain a fixed gaze or stare at the user constantly and that the avatar looks away and changes head and eye angles in a natural manner. An imager in the device captures images of the user and tracks the user's eyes. This data is inputted to an avatar display control module on the device which processes the data, factors in randomness variables, and creates control signals that are sent to the avatar image display component on the device. The control signals instruct how the avatar eyes should be positioned. |
| US08581836B2 |
Processing method for a device having a bi-stable display and apparatus
A processing method for a device having a bi-stable display includes transforming a target page to be turned to; calculating overlap between the transformed target page and a current page; and determining whether the overlap of the transformed page complies with a predetermined criterion. |
| US08581833B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for controlling stereo glasses shutters
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for controlling stereo glasses shutters. In use, a right eye shutter of stereo glasses is controlled to switch between a closed orientation and an open orientation. Further, a left eye shutter of the stereo glasses is controlled to switch between the closed orientation and the open orientation. To this end, the right eye shutter and the left eye shutter of the stereo glasses may be controlled such that the right eye shutter and the left eye shutter simultaneously remain in the closed orientation for a predetermined amount of time. |
| US08581831B2 |
Scanning backlight for flat-panel display
An illuminator for a flat-panel display comprises a tapered slab waveguide 1 co-extensive with the display, a light source 2-4 arranged to inject light into an edge of the waveguide so that it emerges over the face of the waveguide, and means for scanning the light injected into the wedge so that different areas of the panel are illuminated in turn. Preferably the light source is a set of rows of LEDs, each row injecting light at a different range of angles so that it emerges over different areas of the waveguide 1. |
| US08581830B2 |
Light source driver, method of driving the same and devices including the same
A light source driver including an adjusting circuit configured to adjust a voltage applied to each of a plurality of light source channels in response to a plurality of comparison signals and a comparison circuit configured to compare a minimum voltage among output voltages of the respective light source channels with a plurality of reference voltages and output the plurality of comparison signals. |
| US08581825B2 |
Driving circuit including shift register and flat panel display device using the same
A driving circuit for a flat panel display device includes a generation unit for generating n-phase form generation clocks; and a plurality of shift register stages for sequentially generating a plurality gate signals to a plurality of gate lines using the n-phase form generation clocks, one of the shift register stage including first and second output terminals for outputting first and second switching signals, respectively, using an output signal of one of the preceding shift register stages and an output signal of one of the subsequent shift register stages; a first transistor connected to the first output terminal for receiving one of the n-phase form generation clocks; and a second transistor connected to the second output terminal and the first transistor, wherein each gate line is connected to a node between the first and second transistors. |
| US08581817B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method for controlling same
An LCD includes an OSD system and a gamma correction circuit. The OSD system includes an input system for setting gamma values. The gamma correction circuit includes a look-up table. The look-up table includes a plurality of sub-look-up tables, each corresponding to a gamma value. Each sub-look-up table stores a plurality of original gray level values and a plurality of corrected gray level values corresponding to the original gray level values. The gamma correction-circuit receives an original gray level value corresponding to a video signal, and searches a sub-look-up table corresponding to a set gamma value for a corresponding corrected gray level value. A method for controlling the LCD is also provided. |
| US08581800B2 |
Millimeter wave reception device, mounting structure for millimeter wave reception device, and millimeter wave transmission/reception device
A millimeter wave reception device includes a base member, an antenna portion placed on an upper surface of the base member, and a cover arranged above the antenna portion to cover the antenna portion. The antenna portion is arranged within a space formed by the upper surface of the base member and an inner surface of the cover. The cover is formed in a tapered shape, and includes not less than one inclined surface having a constant gradient such that the space becomes narrower at a position closer to an upper portion. An angle formed between the inclined surface of the cover and the upper surface of the base member is not less than 60° and not more than 90°. |
| US08581799B2 |
Ground radiation antenna
A ground radiation antenna is disclosed. Herein, the ground radiation antenna provides a radiator-forming circuit, which is formed to have a simple structure using a capacitive element, as well as a feeding circuit suitable for the provided radiator-forming circuit. Thus, the structure of the antenna becomes simpler and the size of the antenna becomes smaller. Accordingly, the fabrication process of the antenna is simplified, thereby largely reducing the fabrication cost. |
| US08581798B2 |
Radio frequency identification antenna
Disclosed herein is an RFID antenna, including, a dipole antenna pattern, and a matching pattern containing a pair of first pattern parts, each part being discretely and protrusively disposed at one side of the dipole antenna pattern and a second pattern part connecting each distal end of the pair of first pattern parts, wherein a ratio of an inner length of the pair of first pattern parts vs an inner length of the second pattern part is substantially larger than 1:8. |
| US08581796B2 |
Antenna using complex structure having periodic, vertical spacing between dielectric and magnetic substances
The present invention relates to an antenna using a complex structure in which dielectric substances having a low dielectric constant and magnetic substances having a high magnetic permeability are arranged vertically and periodically in order to improve the gain, efficiency, and bandwidth of the antenna while maintaining a small size which is an advantage of a conventional antenna using dielectric substances having a high dielectric constant. The present invention provides the antenna using a complex structure having a vertical and periodic structure of dielectric substances and magnetic substances, comprising a substrate and a radiation patch formed on the substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of layers. Each of the layers has the dielectric substances and the magnetic substances of a bar shape alternately arranged therein and has the dielectric substances and the magnetic substances alternately laminated thereon even in a height direction. |
| US08581793B2 |
RFID antenna with asymmetrical structure and method of making same
An RFID antenna comprised of a first arm, load element, and second arm together providing a complex impedance match to one or more load circuits contained within the load element for operation at one or more frequency bands. The load element is comprised of one or more load circuits. Load circuits are further comprised of one or more RFID transponders, energy scavengers, microcontrollers, and associated sensor circuits. The first and second arms are different in length and shape resulting in an asymmetrical antenna structure along the major axis. The first arm, the load element, and the second arm all comprise radiative electromagnetic structures for ultra high frequency and higher bands of operation. Embodiments provide an antenna with Faraday coils located within the arms operating in one or more of low frequency and, high frequency bands. |
| US08581792B2 |
Receiver apparatus, junction cable, and power supply apparatus
A receiver apparatus includes: a main unit device; and a junction cable transmitting one or both of signal and electric power between the main unit device and an external device. The junction cable is a multicore coaxial cable having a plurality of core wire cables and a covered wire covering the plurality of core wire cables, and only the covered wire is cut locally so that the covered wire is divided into a main unit device-side covered wire and an external device-side covered wire. The main unit device transmits one or both of the signal and electric power by the core wire cable, and the main unit device-side covered wire or the core wire cable is connected to an antenna input port of a built-in tuner, and the main unit device receives a desired broadcast wave with the tuner using a high-frequency signal induced in the main unit device-side covered wire or the external device-side covered wire. |
| US08581791B2 |
Communication device and control method
A first adjustment circuit adjusts an impedance of a first antenna, and a second adjustment circuit adjusts an impedance of a second antenna. A coupling reduction circuit reduces an amount of coupling of the first and second antennas. A first reception power measurement unit measures first reception power received from the first antenna, and a second reception power measurement unit measures second reception power received from the second antenna. A selection unit selects a circuit from among the first adjustment circuit, the second adjustment circuit, and the coupling reduction circuit. A circuit control unit controls the impedance of the selected circuit so that the value of the evaluation function proportional to the product of the first reception power and the second reception power becomes larger. |
| US08581790B2 |
Tuned directional antennas
A technique for improving radio coverage involves using interdependently tuned directional antennas. An example according to the technique is a substrate including two antennas, a transceiver, and a connector. Another example system according to the technique is a wireless access point (AP) including a processor, memory, a communication port, and a PCB comprising a plurality of directional antennas and a radio. An example method according to the technique involves determining a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) and interdependently tuning a first and second directional antenna to reach an expected radiation pattern. |
| US08581787B2 |
Portable electronic device with antenna module
A portable electronic device includes a main body, and an antenna module. The main body includes an upper surface and a lower surface. A recessed portion is formed in the upper surface and a receiving portion is formed in the lower surface. The antenna module includes an antenna and a holder. The antenna is attached to the holder. The holder includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion and the second end portion are respectively engaged in the recessed portion and the receiving portion. A connector electronically connects the antenna. |
| US08581785B2 |
Multilevel and space-filling ground-planes for miniature and multiband antennas
An antenna system includes one or more conductive elements acting as radiating elements, and a multilevel or space-filling ground-plane, wherein said ground-plane has a particular geometry which affects the operating characteristics of the antenna. The return loss, bandwidth, gain, radiation efficiency, and frequency performance can be controlled through multilevel and space-filling ground-plane design. Also, said ground-plane can be reduced compared to those of antennas with solid ground-planes. |
| US08581784B2 |
THz antenna array, system and method for producing a THz antenna array
A THz antenna array has a plurality of THz antennae, a THz antenna having a photoconductive region and a first electrode and a second electrode which are arranged interspaced from each other via a spacer region that extends laterally across at least a part of the photoconductive region. In order to simplify the structure and facilitate its production, a lateral region between adjacent THz antennae of the array is not photoconductive. It is especially free from photoconductive material. |
| US08581783B2 |
Metamaterial-based direction-finding antenna systems
Method embodiments are disclosed to determine arrival directions of electromagnetic signals that have a known signal frequency and a known guided signal wavelength. These methods are realized with an antenna configured to define, at the signal frequency, at least one metamaterial cell between first and second signal ports. They then include the step of rotating the antenna until the differential power from the first and second signal ports is substantially zero and then determining the arrival direction as a normal to the metamaterial cell. In other method embodiments, the antenna is stationary and a differential power is determined wherein the differential power is defined as the difference between received powers from the first and second ports. The arrival direction of electromagnetic signals are then determined from the differential power. |
| US08581782B2 |
Simultaneous radio detection and bearing system
Provided is a non-transitory machine readable medium on which is stored a computer program including instructions to adapt a computer system having at least one processor as a simultaneous radio detection and bearing system, including: an RF conditioning subsystem for connection to a plurality of arrays of Frequency Range signal receiving channels, the RF conditioning subsystem operable to combine the signals from the arrays as a first internal data stream; and a coherent multi-channel digitizer subsystem coupled to the RF conditioning system, the coherent multi-channel digitizer subsystem operable to generate a time domain snapshot of the first internal data stream. The computer instructions further adapting the processor to transform the time domain snapshot to a frequency spectrum and identify at least one signal above a threshold at a determined frequency, determine the bearing of the signal, and provide the determined frequency of a selected identified signal to an audio recording subsystem, the audio subsystem contemporaneously recording the selected signal upon the determined frequency. |
| US08581777B2 |
Electronic scanning radar apparatus, received wave direction estimating method, and received wave direction estimation program
In an electronic scanning radar apparatus, a receiving unit includes a plurality of antennas receiving a reflected wave arriving from a target having reflected a transmitted wave as a received wave. A beat signal generating unit generates beat signals from the transmitted wave and the received wave. A frequency resolving unit resolves the beat signals in beat frequencies having a predetermined frequency bandwidth and calculates complex data based on the resolved beat signals for each beat frequency. An azimuth calculating unit estimates an order of a normal equation used to calculate a DOA of the received wave on the basis of eigenvalues of a primary order matrix having complex data calculated from the beat signals as elements, creates a secondary order normal equation based on the estimated order, and calculates the DOA of the received wave based on the created secondary order normal equation. |
| US08581775B2 |
Subwavelength aperture monopulse conformal antenna
A method for determining a target angle. Optical frequency or radio frequency energy is received through a pair of fixed, foreshortened, and opposing subwavelength apertures in a lensing system. A lens of the lensing system positions at least one of the pair of fixed, foreshortened, and opposing subwavelength apertures and includes a dielectric medium, and a substrate encased in the dielectric medium and defining at least one of the pair of fixed, foreshortened, and opposing subwavelength apertures. A target angle is determined from a steep change of amplitude versus angle presented by the pair of fixed, foreshortened, and opposing subwavelength aperture's beamwidth from the received optical frequency or radio frequency energy. |
| US08581774B2 |
Method for detecting precipitation using a radar locating device for motor vehicles
A method for detecting precipitation using a radar locating device for motor vehicles, that is designed to locate objects in the surroundings of the vehicle, in which method a locating signal (42), which is an index for the received power density as a function of the distance (R), is integrated over a first distance range (INT1), which is below a limit distance (Rlim) for the detection of precipitation, wherein the locating signal (42) is additionally integrated over a second distance range (INT2), which is above limit distance (Rlim), and for the detection of precipitation, the integrals over the first and second distance range are compared with each other. |
| US08581772B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system to remotely acquire information from volumes in a snowpack
A method, apparatus, and system to remotely acquire information from volumes in a snowpack and to analyze the information are disclosed. Electromagnetic energy is transmitted remotely to a region of interest in a snowpack and data about reflections are processed to determine reflection values for different volumes within the snowpack. The frequency of the transmit signal is modulated and the positions from which energy is transmitted and received are changed to create a two-dimensional synthetic aperture that allows reflections from three-dimensional volumes to be discriminated and resolved. The electromagnetic energy is transmitted to ensure that it arrives at the snowpack at shallow grazing angles to maximize returns from volumes in the snow and to minimize boundary reflections from the ground. |
| US08581766B1 |
DAC with novel switch regulation
A system includes an NL bit digital to analog converter (DAC) ladder module having NL ladder resistors connected in parallel, NL series resistors connected in series between the NL ladder resistors, and a plurality of switches. NL is an integer greater than one. Adjacent pairs of the plurality of switches are connected in series with respective ones of the ladder resistors. On resistances of each of the plurality of switches are approximately equal. A switch control module provides a plurality of switch control signals to respective ones of the plurality of switches. |
| US08581765B2 |
Low-memory-usage arbitrary waveform representation or generation
This disclosure describes techniques and apparatuses for low-memory-usage arbitrary waveform representation or generation. These techniques and/or apparatuses enable representation and/or generation of arbitrary waveforms using less memory than many current techniques, thereby reducing costs or memory size. Further, in some embodiments the techniques and apparatuses generate arbitrary waveforms without using processor resources. |
| US08581764B2 |
Delta-sigma modulator and signal processing system
A delta-sigma modulator is disclosed herein. By way of example, the delta-sigma modulator includes a plurality of integrators configured to be connected in cascade to the input of an analog signal, a quantifier configured to quantify an output signal from the final-stage integrator among the plurality of integrators so as to output a digital signal, a zero-order feedback path configured to compensate for an internal loop delay in the output of the quantifier, and a voltage output type digital-analog converter configured to be located on the zero-order feedback path and to convert the output digital signal from the quantifier into an analog signal, wherein the voltage output type digital-analog converter is connected to the final-stage integrator via a capacitor, and the voltage output type digital-analog converter switches an output amplitude in accordance with a calibration code that is supplied. |
| US08581763B2 |
Delta-sigma modulator and signal processing system
A ΔΣ modulator includes: a plurality of integrators cascaded to an input of an analog signal; a quantizer for quantizing an output signal of the integrator at a last stage and outputting a resultant digital signal; a DA converter for feedback for converting the digital signal obtained by the quantizer into an analog signal and supplying the analog signal to an input side of at least the integrator at a first stage; and an adder, arranged at an input stage side of the integrator at the last stage, for adding an output of the integrator at a preceding stage of the integrator at the last stage to at least one path signal supplied from at least another path via a first resistor having at least a first coefficient. The integrator at the last stage includes an operational amplifier, an integration capacitor, and a second resistor having a second coefficient. |
| US08581761B1 |
Methods and apparatus for performing code correction for hybrid analog-to-digital converters in imaging devices
Electronic devices may include image sensors having image sensor pixels. The pixels may be coupled to analog to digital converter (ADC) circuitry. The ADC may include a hybrid successive approximation register (SAR) ADC and ramp-compare ADC. The ramp-compare ADC may be controlled by count bits. The hybrid ADC may be subject to non-idealities at the transition between data conversion using the SAR ADC and the ramp-compare ADC. A voltage offset may be injected to the ramp-compare ADC to compensate for voltage glitches. The ramp-compare ADC may have an output range that is insufficiently matched to a least significant bit of the SAR ADC. An error correction bit may be added to the count bits to increase the output range of the ramp-compare ADC to match the SAR least significant bit. The ramp-compare ADC may include gain control circuitry to further match the output range to the SAR least significant bit. |
| US08581760B2 |
Digital to analog converter
A digital-to-analog converter is disclosed. The converter includes a gradient correction module that generates a correction term based on a model of gradient error. The correction term is then applied to the signal path in the digital domain or applied to the output of the digital-to-analog converter in the analog domain. The model used to generate the correction term is based on a vertical gradient error in the array of current source elements, which may be modelled and calibrated using a second-order polynomial. Further, a digital-to-analog converter having a Nyquist DAC and an oversampled DAC is disclosed. When the oversampled DAC is enabled, the resolution of the Nyquist DAC may be increased while slowing the conversion rate. |
| US08581756B1 |
Signal-characteristic determined digital-to-analog converter (DAC) filter stage configuration
A digital signal processing circuit, such as a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) having multiple cascaded processing stages, some of which are selectably placed in a low-power non-operating state according to a lower-power operating mode of the digital signal processing circuit and are placed in an operating state according to another higher-performance operating mode of the circuit. The output sample rates of the stages differ, so that the sample rate through the cascade changes. A signal characteristic determination block generates an indication of one or both of an amplitude and/or frequency of the input signal, so that the operating mode of the digital signal processing circuit is selected in conformity with the indication of amplitude and/or frequency of the input signal. |
| US08581753B2 |
Lossless coding technique for CABAC in HEVC
A system utilizing a lossless coding technique for CABAC in HEVC is described. The system includes a first and second electronic device. The first electronic device encodes according to a lossless coding technique for CABAC in HEVC. The second electronic device decodes according to a lossless coding technique for CABAC in HEVC. |
| US08581751B2 |
Multi-cell voltage secure data encoding in hybrid vehicles
Methods and systems are provided for encoding vehicle data comprising a first voltage pertaining to a first battery cell and a second voltage pertaining to a second battery cell is provided. A determination is made as to whether the first voltage is valid. In addition, a determination is made as to whether the second voltage is valid. One of a plurality of values is assigned to a validity measure based at least in part on whether the first voltage or the second voltage, or both, are valid. The plurality of values, in binary form, are at least two bit errors removed from one another. |
| US08581749B2 |
Method and system for predictive human interface
A method and system for providing a predictive human interface for a plurality of user electronic devices, which includes storing, in an electronic database, user preferences regarding how certain specified communications related to the user electronic devices are to be processed. The method and system also includes monitoring and storing, by a network server, specific characteristics associated with communications originating from the user electronic devices, generating a similar predictive human interface for each of the user electronic devices, based upon the stored user preferences and the stored specific characteristics for the user electronic devices, and providing the predictive human interface to each of the user electronic devices for use during communications originating from one of the user electronic devices. |
| US08581746B2 |
Drive assist device and method
A drive assist device and method capable of preventing the confusion of a driver at a traffic signal with an arrow lamp are provided. An ECU has a section for determining whether or not it is possible to pass a signal, which determines whether or not a vehicle can pass a signal, and a signal waiting time notification control section, which determines a signal waiting time of the vehicle and displays it on a display unit when the section for determining whether or not it is possible to pass a signal determines that the vehicle cannot pass a signal. The section for determining whether or not it is possible to pass a signal determines not only a lighting time of only a red signal but also a lighting time of a red signal and an arrow lamp and a lighting time of a yellow signal subsequent thereto are determined as a no-pass time. |
| US08581741B2 |
Communication system for a hydrocarbon extraction plant
A method of enabling communication between components of a hydrocarbon extraction plant, the plant having an underwater hydrocarbon extraction installation including at least one hydrocarbon extraction well with an associated tree, comprises providing a plurality of RF communication means at respective components of the installation. |
| US08581739B2 |
Portable electronic device having holster and including a plurality of position sensors
A portable electronic device includes a lower housing slidably coupled to an upper housing, the lower and upper housings being movable between a closed position and an open position, and a holster sized and shaped for holding the device in a holster position. The device also includes a first position sensor to detect proximity of at least one positioning object and output a first sensor output signal indicative of the proximity of the at least one positioning object to the first position sensor, a second position sensor to detect proximity of the at least one positioning object and output a second sensor output signal indicative of the proximity of the at least one positioning object to the second position sensor. The first and second sensor output signals cooperate to indicate whether the portable electronic device is in one of the open position, the closed position and the holster position. |
| US08581734B2 |
Management system for managing bulk material inside a silo using a set of load cells and an accelerometer
Management System for managing bulk material inside a silo, that includes: load cells bolted to brackets that are welded to the legs of the silo; an electronic device that measures the weight from the load cells and transmits that information via radio to a gateway that connects to the Internet, a photovoltaic panel to obtain power from solar energy; a set of Supercaps to operate at night-time, a thermistor to compensate for temperature, a XYZ accelerometer to detect movement of the silo and its inclination, a real time clock and a radio communications channel. |
| US08581731B2 |
Circuits, systems, and methods for monitoring and reporting foot impact, foot placement, shoe life, and other running/walking characteristics
Various embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic virtual running/walking coach that notifies a person as to how hard the person's feet have been impacting a surface, notifies the person as to whether the person's feet are impacting a surface at a proper relative distance from the body and/or at a proper side-to-side angle, and/or notifies the person as to how much cushioning life remains in a pair of shoes. When the notifications are provided to the person during the running/walking activity, the person can respond by taking immediate actions to adjust the foot placement relative to the body and/or adjust the level of foot impact to an acceptable level by varying the speed, step distance, and/or posture while running/walking and/or by selecting among different available surfaces on which to run/walk. A person may also more accurately determine when a particular pair of shoes should be replaced because they no longer provide a sufficient level of cushioning to compensate for the levels of foot impact that are occurring. |
| US08581728B2 |
Inventory devices and methods
In one implementation, a method includes determining first component data by a first aggregation device at a first time, the first aggregation device being associated with a first one of a plurality of device components of a device, the first component data comprising identification data regarding at least a second one of the plurality of device components of the device. The first component data may be stored. A component request may be received storing the first component data; receiving a component request; and providing the first component data via the wireless interface in response to the component request; wherein the determining, storing, receiving, and providing steps are performed when the device is powered off. |
| US08581715B2 |
Emergency reporting apparatus
An emergency reporting apparatus including an emergency signal outputting part that outputs an emergency signal when a vehicle is in an emergency status and a logic circuit part that stores an emergency signal output by the emergency signal outputting part with a logic circuit. Furthermore, an emergency reporting apparatus conducts an emergency report with respect to the outside based on the emergency signal output from the emergency signal outputting part. |
| US08581713B1 |
Automated geo-fence boundary configuration and activation
A geo-fence is defined and established automatically based on a current location of an asset along with some range or distance, avoiding the need for a user to manually specify a location by drawing a perimeter, specifying a point location, or by any other means. Once established, the geo-fence can be activated so as to notify the owner of the asset and/or some other entity of movement of the asset beyond the boundary specified by the geo-fence. In one embodiment, the geo-fence can be automatically activated upon certain conditions, or can be manually activated, or any combination thereof. |
| US08581710B2 |
Systems and methods for haptic confirmation of commands
Systems and methods for haptic confirmation of commands are disclosed. For example, one system includes a microphone; a housing configured to be contacted by a user, and an actuator in communication with the housing, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the housing. The system also includes a processor in communication with the microphone and the actuator, the processor configured to receive speech information from the microphone; recognize the speech information and determine a command associated with the speech information. If the speech information is recognized and the command is determined, the processor is configured to generate an actuator signal configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect, and transmit the actuator signal to the actuator. Otherwise, the processor is configured generate a second actuator signal configured to cause the actuator to output a second haptic effect; and transmit the second actuator signal to the actuator. |
| US08581702B2 |
Information management using a custom identifier stored on an identification tag
A solution for managing information using an identification tag is provided. For example, information relating to an item and/or one or more transfers of the item can be managed using an identification tag associated with the item. The identification tag can store and transmit an item identifier, such as an electronic product code (EPC), corresponding to the item, which can be obtained and stored in a data store. Access information for retrieving the item identifier and identification information for a party to the transfer can be used to generate a custom identifier that can be provided for storage on the identification tag in place of the item identifier. The custom identifier can subsequently be used to acquire information on the item and/or the transfer event. |
| US08581701B2 |
RFID-based data collection, correlation and transmission system, and method for collecting data and correlating same to system participant identities and actions thereof
An RFID-based data collection, correlation and transmission system and method carried out thereby is provided. The system, which comprises one or more RFID-readers, a radio frequency identification (RFID) recognition and control component. a storage device interface, a portable and/or internal data storage device in communication with the storage device interface, one or more antennas, and a configuration and command component, is operable to collect data of interest from detected RFID tags, and detect and identify system participants and data related thereto. In addition, the system is operable to correlate potential data of interest, such as product advertising information, to the detected system participants, and transmit the data of interest to the system participants via numerous methods of communication. Thus, the system provides a means of highly targeted information distribution, as well as providing user reports valuable in future planning. |
| US08581699B2 |
Portable equipment detecting system
A portable equipment detecting system includes an antenna having a first element of which a longitudinal direction is defined as a running direction of the vehicle, a second element of which longitudinal direction is defined as a direction perpendicular to the running direction of the vehicle and the vertical direction of the vehicle, and a bypass wiring of which one end is connected to a connection point between the first and second elements; and detecting circuit adapted to switch between three power-supplied states of the antenna including a first supplied state, a second supplied state and a third supplied state, and to detect a location of the portable equipment based on an acknowledge signal from the portable equipment when the power-supplied state is switched. |
| US08581698B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program product for facilitating location discovery
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to permit location discovery, including location discovery in indoor settings. The method may identify a wireless signature present at a geographical location and determine whether the wireless signature corresponds to a previously observed wireless signature associated with the predefined geographical location. In instances in which the wireless signature fails to correspond to a previously observed wireless signature, the method may also receive an identification of a geographical location and associate, such as by means of a processor, the wireless signature with the identification of the geographical location. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also provided. |
| US08581696B2 |
Universal garage door opener and appliance control system
Universal garage door opener and appliance control system operable to facilitate garage door opener and appliance control with a fob or other wireless device operable to wirelessly communicate corresponding instructions to a vehicle other device for subsequent relay to the garage door opener or controlled appliance. |
| US08581695B2 |
Channel-switching remote controlled barrier opening system
An improved barrier door one way wireless communication system for operating a barrier, such as a garage door, includes the transmission and reception of multibit code hopping data packets in combination with automatic RF channel switching. Packet data is transmitted automatically on more than one RF channels in a switching style while sending two or more redundant multibit code hopping data packets on each of the RF channels. The system also provides for the learning of a transmitter to a receiver where two or more code hopping data packets must be received and decoded by the receiver on all RF channels before a transmitter can be learned to a receiver. Once the transmitter is learned, actuation of the transmitter during a learn mode can open a window for learning of a single channel transmitter. |
| US08581694B2 |
RFID interrogator configured for protection against electromagnetic interference of a remote device having an RFID tag
An RFID tag interrogator is described. The interrogator comprises a time-out circuit and an actuatable RF signal generator for transmitting an electromagnetic signal. Upon first actuation, the RF signal generator transmits a first electromagnetic signal having a first limited total continuous transmit time that is no longer than a predetermined transmit-time. That transmission is followed by an interim period of a defined length where the time-out circuit renders the interrogator incapable of transmitting the electromagnetic signal. The interim period is followed by the RF signal generator transmitting a second electromagnetic signal having a second limited total continuous transmit time that is no longer than the predetermined transmit time. The time-out circuit prevents the first, second and subsequent transmissions of the electromagnetic signal that are each no longer than the predetermined transmit time after a prior electromagnetic signal has been transmitted until the interim period has expired. |
| US08581693B2 |
Passenger flow monitoring method and system
A method for passenger flow is described. A boarding pass identifier of a boarding pass is electronically identified at a workstation of one or more first workstations at a first level. Boarding pass information associated with the identified boarding pass identifier is electronically retrieved at the workstation. It is determined, via one or more computers, whether the boarding pass is valid based on the retrieved boarding pass information. If the boarding pass is determined valid, a holder of the boarding pass is directed, via one or more computers, to a queue for one workstation of a plurality of second workstations at a second level based on the retrieved boarding pass information. Each workstation of the second workstations has a different queue arranged before the workstation. If the boarding pass is determined not valid, the boarding pass holder is directed away from entering the queues. A system is also described. |
| US08581691B2 |
Computer program controlled security mechanism
An apparatus is provided in one example embodiment and includes a locking member configured to be coupled to a case that contacts an electronic component, the locking member being part of a security protocol having a secure mode and a disabled mode. The secure mode restricts access to the electronic component and the disabled mode provides access to the electronic component. A signal receiver is configured to be coupled to the locking member to electronically control the locking member in order to switch between the modes. In more specific embodiments, the signal receiver receives instructions for switching the modes from a remote device configured to be coupled to a network. The remote device receives a password from an end user seeking to switch to one of the modes and the remote device switches between the modes if the password is authenticated. |
| US08581689B2 |
Method and apparatus for synchronization in vehicle network
For synchronization between the wireless communication device of a vehicle and a synchronization device installed on a road in a vehicle network, when the passage of a vehicle is detected, the synchronization device generates and transmits a beacon signal for synchronization. That is, a synchronization signal is transmitted to the wireless communication device of the vehicle only when the vehicle is detected by the synchronization device installed at predetermined intervals on the road. |
| US08581684B2 |
Multiple-level inductance
An inductive element formed of planar windings in different conductive levels, the windings being formed in a number of levels smaller by one unit than the number of windings, two of the windings being interdigited in a same level. |
| US08581679B2 |
Switch with increased magnetic sensitivity
Switches that are actuated through exposure to a magnetic field are described. A mobile element of a switch includes one or more anchoring members that are in electrical contact with one of the conductive portions. The mobile element also has a beam that is attached to the one or more anchoring members. The beam can be attached to the one or more anchoring members by flexures. The beam has an end portion that is configured to move toward the other conductive portion when exposed to an external force, such as a magnetic field. Various configurations of anchoring members may significantly decrease initial upward beam deformation upon manufacture of the mobile element, resulting in an increased sensitivity upon exposure to a magnetic field. Methods for manufacturing switches that exhibit increased sensitivity to magnetic fields are also disclosed. |
| US08581678B2 |
Method and apparatus for electromagnetic actuation
Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for electromagnetic actuation. Embodiments of an electromagnet actuator in accordance with the subject invention can include a fixed main body and a deformable membrane or displaceable piston-like member. In the case of piston motion, in specific embodiments, the piston can be supported by a corrugated diaphragm or bellows. In various embodiments, all or portions of the electromagnet actuator can be produced using microfabrication techniques. Specific embodiment of the subject invention can incorporate a plurality of magnets providing magnetic flux to a plurality of coil conductor elements so as to provide a plurality of locations that a force is applied to the moveable body portion of the electromagnetic actuator. Specific embodiments can incorporate an array of magnets interdigitated with an array of coil conductor elements, where the arrays can include 2, 5, 10, 20, or more each. Further specific embodiments allow the relative position of the magnetic flux and coil conductor elements to remain substantially the same during the movement of the moveable body by positioning the magnets and coil conductor elements on the moveable body so that the relative position of the magnets and the coil conductor elements on the moveable body do not change with the movement of the moveable body. |
| US08581671B2 |
Oscillation device
An oscillation device capable of highly accurate temperature compensation of an output frequency is provided. The oscillation device includes: first and second oscillator circuits oscillating first and second quartz-crystal resonators with overtones respectively; a frequency difference detecting part finding a value corresponding to a difference value between values corresponding to differences between f1 and f1r and between f2 and f2r, where f1 and f2 are oscillation frequencies of the first and second oscillator circuits, and f1r and f2r are oscillation frequencies of the first and second oscillator circuits at a reference temperature; and a correction value obtaining part which, based on the value corresponding to the difference value and a relation between the value corresponding to the difference value and a frequency correction value of the oscillation frequency f1, obtains the frequency correction value of f1, wherein the output frequency is corrected based on the found frequency correction value. |
| US08581668B2 |
Oscillator regeneration device
A negative resistance device for a multiphase oscillator is disclosed. The negative resistance device is coupled to taps of the multiphase oscillator so that it injects no energy into the oscillator when the oscillator is most sensitive to noise, thereby decreasing the phase noise of the oscillator. The negative resistance device also guarantees the direction of movement of a traveling wave past the taps of the multiphase oscillator. |
| US08581667B2 |
Tuning voltage range extension circuit and method
A circuit includes a first path including a first transistor and a first current source. The first transistor is responsive to a tuning voltage. The circuit also includes a tuning voltage range extension circuit responsive to the tuning voltage. The tuning voltage range extension circuit is configured to selectively change current supplied by the first path as the tuning voltage exceeds a capacity threshold of the first transistor. |
| US08581666B2 |
Integrated circuit
According to one embodiment, provided are an amplifier transistor configured to amplify an input signal; a biasing circuit configured to set a bias voltage in such a manner as to allow the amplifier transistor to perform amplification; an electrostatic protective circuit configured to set the bias voltage for the amplifier transistor in such a manner as to make the amplifier transistor to turn off based on voltage to be applied to the amplifier transistor; and a switching circuit configured to switch the bias voltage for the amplifier transistor based on a power supply condition. |
| US08581663B2 |
Multi-port amplification device that self-compensates in the presence of traffic
A system for multi-distributed amplification of a communication signal including at least one plurality N of input pathways connected to an input Butler matrix which delivers as output N distributed signals, a plurality N of tube amplifiers which receive as input said distributed signals and produce as output N amplified and phase-shifted signals each of a complex gain Gi and an output Butler matrix which receives as input said amplified signals and produces as output N output signals, wherein the phase error and amplitude error are self-compensated in the presence of traffic. |
| US08581662B2 |
Amplifying system
A system for amplifying an input signal can comprise a main amplifier to amplify a delayed version of the input signal. The system can also comprise a peak amplifier to amplify the input signal upon the input signal reaching a threshold level and disable amplification upon the input signal falling below the threshold level. The system can further comprise a voltage combiner to electromagnetically couple the output of the main amplifier and the peak amplifier, such that an output impedance at an output node of the voltage combiner is a high impedance if the input signal is below the threshold level. |
| US08581660B1 |
Power transistor partial current sensing for high precision applications
A power transistor module including a power transistor with a first common power node, and a split control node. A first clip is connected to a portion of a second power node so that current through a first control segment of the control node is directed through a first transistor portion and through the first clip. A second clip is connected to another portion of the second power node so that current through a second control segment is directed through a second transistor portion and through the second clip. A ratio of an area of the first transistor portion to a combined area of the first and second portions is 5 percent to 75 percent. A shunt is coupled in series to the first clip. The shunt may be directly electrically connected to the first portion of the power transistor. |
| US08581659B2 |
Current controlled current source, and methods of controlling a current source and/or regulating a circuit
Current sources, systems including the current source, and methods for regulating and/or controlling a circuit using the current source. The current source is generally configured to (i) receive a reference current, a bias voltage and a feedback/input current and (ii) provide an output current. The systems generally include the current source, a circuit directly or indirectly receiving the output current, a bias source/generator configured to provide the bias voltage, and a current reference configured to sink or source a predetermined amount of current from or to the output current. The method generally includes (a) applying a bias voltage to the current source, the current source receiving an input current and providing an output current; (b) sinking or sourcing a reference current from or to the output current; (c) applying the output of the current source directly or indirectly to a regulated circuit; and (d) providing the input current from the regulated circuit. |
| US08581657B2 |
Voltage divider, constant voltage circuit using same, and trimming method in the voltage divider circuit
A voltage divider circuit generating a divided voltage by dividing an input voltage with a predetermined voltage division ratio, and outputting the divided voltage is disclosed. The voltage divider circuit includes a first resistor circuit including multiple resistors connected in series, the resistors being connected in parallel to corresponding fuses; and a second resistor circuit including multiple resistors connected in series, the resistors being connected in parallel to corresponding fuses, the second resistor circuit being connected in series to the first resistor circuit. The divided voltage is output from the connection of the first resistor circuit and the second resistor circuit, and the fuses of the first resistor circuit and the second resistor circuit are subjected to trimming so that the combined resistance of the first resistor circuit and the second resistor circuit is constant. |
| US08581653B1 |
Techniques for providing clock signals in clock networks
An integrated circuit includes a local clock network that is operable to provide a first clock signal and an interface circuit that is coupled to receive the first clock signal from the local clock network. The interface circuit is operable to generate a second clock signal based on the first clock signal. A clock line is coupled to the interface circuit. The clock line has a fixed length. The second clock signal is provided to a multiplexer circuit through the clock line. The multiplexer circuit provides a third clock signal based on the second clock signal. Another clock network is coupled to receive the third clock signal from the multiplexer circuit. |
| US08581649B2 |
Semiconductor device and information processing system
The semiconductor device includes an output driver and a characteristic switching circuit that switches characteristics of the output driver. The characteristic switching circuit mutually matches a rising time and a falling time of an output signal output from the output driver, when a power voltage supplied to a power line is a first voltage, with a rising time and a falling time of the output signal output from the output driver, when the power voltage supplied to the power line is a second voltage. As a result, an increase in an influence of a harmonic component or a crosstalk when the power voltage is reduced does not occur. Moreover, because a receiving condition on a receiver side does not change even when the power voltage is reduced, signal transmission and reception can be performed correctly irrespective of the power voltage. |
| US08581648B2 |
High frequency quadrature PLL circuit and method
A method includes phase-shifting an output signal of a phase lock loop (PLL) circuit by applying an injection current to an output of a charge pump of a the PLL circuit. A circuit includes: a first phase lock loop (PLL) circuit and a second PLL circuit referenced to a same clock; a phase detector circuit that detects a phase difference between an output signal of the first PLL circuit and an output signal of the second PLL circuit; and an adjustable current source that applies an injection current to at least one of the first PLL circuit and the second PLL circuit based on an output of the phase detector circuit. |
| US08581642B2 |
Data transfer circuit
A data transfer circuit includes primary data holding circuits that hold input data according to a first clock pulse signal and output data being held; and secondary data holding circuits that hold the output data of the primary data holding circuits according to a second clock pulse asynchronous to the first clock pulse and output data being held. Pulse signal generator generates a pulse signal synchronous with the second clock pulse signal when a pulse edge of the first clock pulse signal and a pulse edge of the second clock pulse signal occur at different timings and generates a pulse signal having the pulse edge the second clock pulse signal removed therefrom when the pulse edge of the the first clock pulse signal and the pulse edge of the the second clock pulse signal occur at the same timing. The secondary data holding circuits hold the output data of the primary data holding circuits synchronously with the pulse signal generated by the pulse signal generator. |
| US08581640B2 |
Clock divider with a zero-count counter
A clock divider circuit. The clock divider receives m input clock signals each of the same frequency. Each input clock signal after the first has a phase offset of 2π/m from the previous input clock signal. The clock divider divides the frequency of the input clock signals by an integer of division K. The clock divider includes a counter that receives the first input clock signal and provides one or more count signals. The clock divider also includes m flip-flops, of which a first flip-flop receives the first input clock signal at its clock input and provides a first clock output signal. Each flip-flop after the first receives an input clock signal at its clock input and provides a clock output signal, each clock output signal after the first having a 2πK/m phase offset from the previous clock output signal. |
| US08581636B2 |
Sample-and-hold circuit arrangement
Sample-and-hold circuits typically operate at maximum speed when the sampling phase is much shorter than the holding phase. Thus, a device driving the sampling capacitor is disconnected most of the time. Methods and apparatus use the holding phase to store the full charge required by the sampling capacitor to track the amplifier output in at least two “boost” capacitors configured such that when the sampling capacitor is switched to the driver, the boost capacitors are also switched to the driver. Thus, the sampling capacitor is almost instantly charged to the required voltage, and the driver needs to supply only any remaining “error” charge, avoiding delays due to driver output slewing. |
| US08581635B1 |
Method and apparatus for sampling
Aspects of the disclosure provide a sampling circuit having reduced sampling distortions. The sampling circuit can include a switch having a control terminal, a first channel terminal and a second channel terminal. The first channel terminal can be configured to receive an input signal, and the control terminal can be configured to have a control voltage that varies with regard to the input signal, such that a conducting channel can be formed between the first channel terminal and the second channel terminal to enable an output voltage on the second channel terminal to track the input signal. Further, the sampling circuit can include a bootstrap module coupled to the control terminal of the switch. The bootstrap module can be configured to change the control voltage by a substantially constant value to turn off the conducting channel between the first channel terminal and the second channel terminal in order to hold the output voltage as a sample of the input signal. In addition, the bootstrap module can be configured to couple a voltage increase to the control terminal of the switch to increase a turn-on speed of the switch. |
| US08581634B2 |
Source follower input buffer
Traditionally, input source follower buffers for analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) lacked sufficiently high linearity. This was due in part to source follower buffers having to drive external capacitive loads by generally providing a signal current to the capacitive load. Here, a buffer is provided that includes a source follower buffer and other biasing circuitry (which provided the signal current). Thus, the overall linearity of the input circuitry (namely, the input buffer) is improved. |
| US08581633B2 |
Analog peak hold circuits
A peak hold circuit includes an input node configured to receive an input waveform, a peak hold component coupled to the input node and configured to sample and hold a peak value of the input waveform at a peak value node, a reset node configured to receive a reset signal, a reset circuit coupled to the peak hold component and the reset node, the reset circuit configured to reset the peak hold value, and a voltage clamp coupled to the input node, the reset circuit, and the reset node, the voltage clamp configured to clamp the input node in response to the reset signal. |
| US08581632B2 |
Comparator with transition threshold tracking capability
A comparator is provided. The comparator includes a voltage generator, a buffer unit and a threshold control loop. The voltage generator has an output terminal for providing a reference voltage according to a constant current. The buffer unit provides an output signal according to a first input signal and a bias signal. The threshold control loop provides the bias signal to the buffer unit according to a second input signal, so as to regulate a transition threshold of the buffer unit to close to the second input signal. The output signal represents a compare result of the first and second input signals. The buffer unit and the threshold control loop are powered by the reference voltage. |
| US08581631B2 |
Sense amplifier and electronic apparatus using the same
A sense amplifier according to the present invention for detecting a potential difference of signals input to a first input terminal and a second input terminal, includes a first means for applying voltages corresponding to threshold voltages of first and second transistors to gate-source voltages of the first and second transistors, and a second means for transferring signals input to the first and second input terminals to gates of the first and second transistors. In this case, a threshold variation of the first and second transistors is corrected. |
| US08581628B2 |
Low voltage transmitter with high output voltage
A transmitter comprises a protection circuit; a first termination resistor having a first end coupled to a first voltage source, and a second end coupled to the protection circuit; a second termination resistor having a first end coupled to the first voltage source, and a second end coupled to the protection circuit, wherein the second end of the first termination resistor and the second end of the second termination resistor form a differential output pair; a current switch coupled to the protection circuit; a current source coupled to the current switch; and a pre-driver circuit coupled to the current switch, for controlling the current switch, making the differential output pair generate an output current. Wherein, the pre-driver circuit receives a second voltage source, and the first voltage source is higher than the second voltage source. |
| US08581627B2 |
High-speed level shifter between low-side logic and high-side logic
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a level shifter circuit having switchable current mirrors that can be selectively activated and deactivated in a complementary manner to translate differential input signals between logic sides (e.g., to translate a differential input signal received at a low-side to a high-side). A latch is connected to outputs of the switchable current mirrors. The latch is configured to receive a translated output signal from an activated current mirror and drive the other output signal to a complementary value. The latch is also configured to provide the translated output signal to a switching element that deactivates (e.g., turns off) the activated switchable current mirror. Storage of the output signals allows for the current mirrors to remain deactivated until a new input signal is provided to the level shifter circuit, thereby allowing for a reduction in the static power consumption of the level shifter. |
| US08581626B2 |
Control system, logic module substrate, and logic FPGA
According to an embodiment, a control system has: a logic module substrate that has a logic FPGA on which logic is mounted, a transmission module that transmits an output logic state signal, which is logic state signal representing an interim logic state of a process by the logic FPGA of deriving a logic output signal from the logic input signals, and a logic monitoring device that displays to monitor the logic state signal transmitted from the transmission module. The logic module substrate includes an event detection unit that detects a change in the logic state signal. Only when a change in the logic state signals is detected by the event detection unit, the logic output state signal being transmitted to the transmission module. |
| US08581625B2 |
Programmable logic device
An object is to provide a programmable logic device having logic blocks connected to each other by a programmable switch, where the programmable switch is characterized by an oxide semiconductor transistor incorporated therein. The extremely low off-state current of the oxide semiconductor transistor provides a function as a non-volatile memory due to its high ability to hold a potential of a gate electrode of a transistor which is connected to the oxide semiconductor transistor. The ability of the oxide semiconductor transistor to function as a non-volatile memory allows the configuration data for controlling the connection of the logic blocks to be maintained even in the absence of a power supply potential. Hence, the rewriting process of the configuration data at starting of the device can be omitted, which contributes to the reduction in power consumption of the device. |
| US08581619B2 |
Impedance calibration circuit and method
An embodiment includes an impedance calibration circuit having a calibrator configured to compare voltage levels at an external node and an internal node of the impedance calibration circuit and to generate an output based on the comparison. The calibrator further includes respective filters coupled between the external node and a first input of the comparator, and between the internal node and a second input of the comparator. The filters are configured for symmetric noise injection into the comparator from a chip ground line to which a programmable resistor at the internal node is coupled. |
| US08581617B2 |
Systems and methods for providing user-initiated latch up to destroy SRAM data
Systems and methods are provided for destroying or erasing circuitry elements, data, or both, such as transistors, volatile keys, or fuse blocks, located in an integrated circuit device. An initiation signal may be provided to induce latch-up in a circuitry element in response to a user command, a tampering event, or both. As a result of the latch-up effect, the circuitry element, data, or both may be destroyed or erased. |
| US08581616B2 |
Electronic device
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a circuit board, an electronic component, a first pad formed on the circuit board, a second pad formed on the electronic component, a junction which connects the first pad and the second pad, and a detecting unit. The detecting unit detects an electric characteristic of a connection path that includes the junction and at least one of the first pad and the second pad. An insulator is formed in part of a contact area of at least one of the first pad and the second pad that is in contact with the junction. |
| US08581613B2 |
Transmission-modulated photoconductive decay measurement system
A system and method for measuring recombination lifetime of a photoconductor or semiconductor material in real time and without physically contacting the material involving positioning the sample material between a transmitter and a receiver so that electromagnetic signals, preferably radio frequency signals, traveling from the transmitter to the receiver pass through the sample material. The electromagnetic signals are modulated as they pass through the sample material depending on the carrier density and conductivity of the sample material. The modulated electromagnetic signals received by the receiver are then analyzed to determine the carrier recombination lifetime of the sample material. |
| US08581608B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting abnormality in solar cell power generation system
The present invention provides an apparatus for easily detecting an abnormal status of power generation of a solar cell panel in a solar cell power generation system having the power generation of 1 MW or higher.The present invention provides an abnormality detecting apparatus for a solar cell power generation system including a plurality of solar cell strings each having a plurality of solar cell modules connected to each other in series and a backflow preventing diode connected to a power output terminal of each of the solar cell strings, characterized in that the abnormality detecting apparatus further includes measuring means for measuring a current flowing in the backflow preventing diode; and that the measuring means is supplied with electric power from both terminals of the backflow preventing diode. |
| US08581607B2 |
Testing device and method for determining a common mode signal of an electrical telecommunication
A testing device including: a first terminal configured to be connected to an equipment under test; a common-mode detector configured to detect a common-mode part of a signal emitted from the equipment under test; and a first impedance unit connected in series between the first terminal and the common-mode detector. The first impedance unit is configured to adjust a longitudinal conversion loss of the testing device to a predetermined value. A corresponding method determines a common mode signal of an electrical telecommunication. |
| US08581605B2 |
Nanopore platforms for ion channel recordings and single molecule detection and analysis
A nanopore device includes a membrane having a nanopore extending there through forming a channel from a first side of the membrane to a second side of the membrane. The surface of the channel and first side of the membrane are modified with a hydrophobic coating. A first lipid monolayer is deposited on the first side of the membrane, and a second lipid monolayer is deposited on the second side of the membrane, wherein the hydrophobic coating causes spontaneous generation of a lipid bilayer across the nanopore orifice. Sensing entities, such as a protein ion channel, can be inserted and removed from the bilayer by adjusting transmembrane pressure, and adapter molecules can be electrostatically trapped in the ion channel by applying high transmembrane voltages, while resistance or current flow through the sensing entity can be measured electrically. |
| US08581604B2 |
Method and device for determining impedance of depression
A method and the device for position detection are disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of strips intersecting each other to form a plurality of intersecting regions. A pair of depressed strips intersecting on an intersecting region contact to each other on a contact point to form a depressed intersecting region, wherein the contact impedance of the contact point is determined according to the position of the depressed intersecting region and the voltages on the contact point of one and the other of the pair depressed strips. |
| US08581599B2 |
Inspection pin protection structure of conduction check apparatus
A conduction check apparatus including an inspection part (4) having a main body (22) having a surface (23a), inspection pins (21) protruded from the surface (23a), a guide pin (8) provided on the surface (23a); and a protection board 6 sliding along the guide pin (8) from a first position to a second position and having a plurality of holes (28). At the first position, the protection board (6) covers a tip of each of the inspection pins (21) and, at the second position, each of the inspection pins (21) jut out from the respective one of the holes (28). The conduction check apparatus includes a connector setting part (3) relatively moving toward the inspection part (4). The protection board (6) moves between the first and the second position during the relative movement. |
| US08581598B2 |
Method for inspecting electrostatic chuck, and electrostatic chuck apparatus
Provided are a method and an apparatus capable of determining which attracting electrode in an electrostatic chuck of bipolar type has a capacitance abnormality occurring in its vicinity. In this inspection method, a positive auxiliary electrode (12) and a negative auxiliary electrode (14) are provided in a dielectric body (6) of an electrostatic chuck (4), and are connected to a ground potential portion. Then, transient currents (I1 to I4) flowing through the attracting electrodes (8 and 10) and the auxiliary electrodes (12 and 14) are measured when direct current voltages (+V and −V) are applied or cease to be applied from a chuck power supply (26) to the electrostatic chuck (4) under a state in which an object (2) to be attracted is not mounted, and a transient current (I5) (=I1−I2 or I3−I4) is calculated. The obtained transient currents are compared to respective predetermined reference values, to thereby determine a capacitance abnormality in the electrostatic chuck (4). |
| US08581597B2 |
Application of wideband sampling for arc detection with a probabilistic model for quantitatively measuring arc events
An arc detection system for a plasma generation system includes a radio frequency (RF) sensor that generates first and second signals based on a respective electrical properties of (RF) power that is in communication with a plasma chamber. A correlation module generates an arc detect signal based on the first and second signals. The arc detect signal indicates whether an arc is occurring in the plasma chamber and is employed to vary an aspect of the RF power to extinguish the arc. |
| US08581596B2 |
Current leakage detector of construction machine
An inverter is forcibly operated to supply electric power to a motor, thereby performing detection of a current leakage, on condition that a power-on operation is performed, that the motor is stopped, and that determination as to occurrence or non-occurrence of the current leakage has not yet been made even once after the power-on. |
| US08581595B2 |
Method of measuring flash memory cell current
In the present method of measuring the current of a first current source, the current thereof may be combined with either the current of a second current source, or the current of a third current source. Based on a combination of the current of the first current source and either (a) the current of the second current source or (b) the current of the third current source, a digital output is provided. If this digital output is of a first value, the state of combining the current of the first current source with the current of the second current source becomes in effect. If this digital output is of a second value, the state of combining the current of the first current source with the current of the second current source becomes in effect. |
| US08581594B2 |
Microresistivity anisotropy logging tool employing a monopole current injection electrode
A microresistivity logging tool includes a monopole current injection electrode and at least first and second pairs of potential electrodes. The tool may further include a controller configured for making microresistivity anisotropy measurements using a single firing of the monopole current injection electrode. The controller may be configured to compute a two-dimensional tensor of the local formation resistivity from a single firing of the monopole current injection electrode. The use of a single firing tends to decrease measurement time, which in turn tends to improved azimuthal sensitivity in microresistivity anisotropy imaging while drilling applications. |
| US08581593B2 |
Underground electromagnetic exploration method
An underground electromagnetic exploration method using an induced current generating transmitter that cyclically generates an induced current includes repeating magnetic field observations at multiple measurement points on earth's surface, the magnetic field observations including observing a magnetic field including a magnetic field signal based on output from the induced current generating transmitter using a magnetic field sensor device including a sensor and a rod-shaped core; wherein the sensor includes a magneto-impedance device having a magnetic amorphous structure; and wherein the rod-shaped core guides a magnetic field to the magnetic amorphous structure and is disposed longitudinally along the magnetic amorphous structure, and storing magnetic field observational data including a magnetic field signal based on output from the induced current generating transmitter, and calculating an underground specific resistivity distribution based on the observational data corresponding to each measurement point. |
| US08581588B2 |
Stripline antenna and antenna array for a magnetic resonance device
An antenna (100) for a magnetic resonance device has a predetermined sensitivity and is designed to excite and/or detect a magnetic resonance in an object under test. The antenna (100) includes a stripline resonator (10) that is equipped with at least one stripline (11), and a conductor loop arrangement (20) that adjoins the stripline resonator (10) and forms at least one conductor loop (21, 22, 28) which is interrupted by at least one capacitor (23). The sensitivity of the antenna (100) is formed by overlapping sensitivity profiles of the stripline resonator (10) and the conductor loop arrangement (20). Also described are an antenna array (200) including a plurality of antennas (100), a magnetic resonance device (300) including at least one antenna (100) or antenna array (200), and methods for magnetic resonance imaging or magnetic resonance spectroscopy. |
| US08581587B2 |
SNMR pulse sequence phase cycling
Technologies applicable to SNMR pulse sequence phase cycling are disclosed, including SNMR acquisition apparatus and methods, SNMR processing apparatus and methods, and combinations thereof. SNMR acquisition may include transmitting two or more SNMR pulse sequences and applying a phase shift to a pulse in at least one of the pulse sequences, according to any of a variety of phase cycling techniques. SNMR processing may include combining SNMR from a plurality of pulse sequences comprising pulses of different phases, so that desired signals are preserved and undesired signals are canceled. |
| US08581584B2 |
Membrane proteins, mechanisms of action and uses thereof
The invention relates to the atomistic functional understanding of the M2 protein from the influenza A virus. This acid-activated selective proton channel has been the subject of numerous conductance, structural, and computational studies. Previously, little was known at the atomic level about the heart of the functional mechanism of this tetrameric protein, a tetrad of HxxxW residues. The structure of the M2 conductance domain in a lipid bilayer is disclosed and displays the defining features of the native protein that have not been attainable from structures solubilized by detergents. A detailed mechanism for acid activation and proton conductance, involving a strong hydrogen bond between two adjacent histidines and specific interactions with the tryptophan gate, is provided and elucidates many observations on the M2 proton conductance. |
| US08581578B2 |
Magnetic pattern detection device
A magnetic pattern detection device for use with a medium having at least one magnetic pattern of a plurality of types of magnetic patterns whose residual magnetic flux density and permeability are different on a basis of both of a level of residual magnetic flux density and a level of permeability may include a common sensor part structured to detect presence/absence of each of the plurality of types of magnetic patterns, and a signal processing section structured to extract a first signal corresponding to the level of the residual magnetic flux density and a second signal corresponding to the level of the permeability from a signal outputted from the sensor part. |
| US08581575B2 |
Conductivity sensor with switching between transmitting and receiving coil
An inductively working sensor for determining the conductivity of a liquid medium. The sensor includes: at least one transmitting circuit, which is designed to deliver an input signal for a transmitting coil, in order to produce in the transmitting coil an alternating electromagnetic field, which causes a ring-shaped electrical current in the liquid medium; at least one receiving circuit, which is designed to evaluate a received signal produced by the ring-shaped electrical current in a receiving coil; a first coil; a second coil, which is arranged at a distance from the first coil; a switching means for switching between a first switch state and a second switch state, wherein, in the first switch state, the first coil, serving as transmitting coil, is coupled with one of the transmitting circuits; and the second coil, serving as receiving coil, is coupled with one of the receiving circuits, and wherein, in the second switch state, the second coil, serving as transmitting coil, is coupled with one of the transmitting circuits, and the first coil, serving as receiving coil, is coupled with one of the receiving circuits. |
| US08581568B2 |
Low power consumption start-up circuit with dynamic switching
A start-up circuit in a switch-mode power converter that employs a Zener diode to provide a reference voltage to reduce the power consumption and the size of the start-up circuit. The start-up circuit also includes a coarse current source and a coarse reference voltage signal generator for producing current and reference voltage for initial startup operation of a bandgap circuit. The reference signal and current from coarse current source and the reference voltage signal generator are subject to large process, voltage and temperature (PVT) variations or susceptible to noise from the power supply, and hence, these signals are used temporarily during start-up and replaced with signals from higher performance components. After bandgap circuit becomes operational, the start-up receives voltage reference signal from the bandgap circuit to more accurately detect undervoltage lockout conditions. |
| US08581563B2 |
Power supply device
A power supply device includes a power supply unit and a feedback control unit. The power supply unit is configured for generating an electric potential to be provided to a load. The feedback control unit detects the electric potential and adjusts relevant parameters of the electrical potential to achieve predetermined values. The feedback control unit includes a first feedback circuit and a second feedback circuit electrically connected in series. |
| US08581562B2 |
SIDO power converter and driving method thereof
The present invention relates to a Single Inductor Double Output (SIDO) power converter, which includes a power-stage circuit, a current detector, a slope compensation device, at least two error amplifiers, a comparing unit, a mode exchange circuit, a logical device and a driver. The SIDO current converter achieves an optimal SIDO power converting efficiency by controlling a full-current mode. Furthermore, different power transferring modes, under a variety of loadings, are used to address the issue of cross regulation and at meanwhile solving output voltage ripples and transient response to ensure the SIDO power converter a more flexible usage environment and better output performance. |
| US08581557B2 |
Direct-current power source apparatus
A direct-current power source apparatus in which a lithium-ion capacitor unit is used as an electric storage system and which can fully utilize the lithium-ion capacitor unit and maintain the supply of electricity to a load is provided. An electric storage system includes a lithium-ion capacitor unit and a lead-acid battery connected in parallel with a load, and a voltage detecting section that detects the voltage of the lithium-ion capacitor unit. When the voltage detecting section detects that the voltage of the lithium-ion capacitor unit has reached a unit lower-limit voltage, a control circuit outputs a conduction signal for causing a switching circuit to get into a conductive state. When the switching circuit gets into a conductive state, the secondary battery supplies an electric power to a motor. At this time, the secondary battery charges the lithium-ion capacitor unit. |
| US08581549B2 |
System and method for balancing a state of charge of series connected cells
A method of balancing a state of charge (SOC) of a plurality of cells connected in series, including identifying an undercharged cell from the plurality of cells to charge, electrically connecting a positive side of the undercharged cell to a positive bus, electrically connecting a negative side of the undercharged cell to a negative bus, electrically connecting an inductor to a voltage source during a first time period; electrically disconnecting the inductor from the voltage source in response to an elapse of the first time period, and maintaining the disconnection of the inductor from the plurality of cells for a second time period corresponding generally to the time for the inductor to discharge energy to the undercharged cell. |
| US08581548B2 |
Integrated cell balancing system, method, and computer program for multi-cell batteries
A cell balancing software program that executes on a computer system embedded inside a multi-cell battery and includes a means to control an external charging system. When a charge imbalance is detected between the cells, a cell balancing algorithm is selected from a plurality of cell-balancing algorithms and is executed. The executed algorithm causes a charge request, which specifies desired charging parameter(s), to be generated, and the charge request is transmitted to the external charging system. After the external charging system charges the battery according to the charge request, the effectiveness of the cell-balancing algorithm can be evaluated and stored in a history. The history can be used to select cell balancing algorithm(s) for future cell balancing. |
| US08581547B2 |
Method for detecting cell state-of-charge and state-of-discharge divergence of a series string of batteries or capacitors
A system for charging a battery includes a battery pack having at least two lithium ion cells. A controller detects a rate of change of voltage with respect to a state of charge (dV/dSOC) of the battery pack based on a calculated dV/dSOC that represents the battery pack as a whole, without calculating dV/dSOC individually on a cell-by-cell basis. Charging is terminated when dV/dSOC reaches a predetermined value. |
| US08581544B2 |
Charging apparatus for vehicle and controlling method thereof
An apparatus for charging a portable device battery with a vehicle battery is provided. The apparatus includes a storage, a voltage monitor for monitoring voltage of the vehicle battery, a portable device connector, and a charging controller. The storage stores a charging table in which charging quantity ratios of the portable device battery to voltage bandwidths of the vehicle battery are written. The charging controller controls the connector so that the portable battery is charged to a desired value of voltage that corresponds to the monitored voltage in the charging table. With this apparatus, it is possible to charge conveniently, among others. |
| US08581543B2 |
Method and system for determining a state of charge of a battery
Methods and systems are provided for determining a state of charge of a battery. The battery is subjected to a predetermined magnetic field such that the battery and the predetermined magnetic field jointly create a resultant magnetic field. The resultant magnetic field is sensed. The state of charge of the battery is determined based on the resultant magnetic field. |
| US08581541B2 |
Motor drive with configurable signal conditioning apparatus and method
Motor drives, signal conditioning systems and configurable circuit boards are presented in which diode blocking circuits are provided for contemporaneous opening of programming fuses in multiple programmable impedance circuits using a single configuration input signal during manufacturing and for mitigating interference between impedance circuits during system operation. |
| US08581536B2 |
Method for controlling three single-phase motors and moving a platform in a direction of the normal
In a method for controlling three single-phase motors and moving a platform in a direction of the normal, the motors are controlled by one three-phase converter, so that a first motor is operated between a first phase and a second phase of the converter, and a series connection or parallel connection of a second and third motor is operated between a second phase and a third phase of the converter. A platform is adapted to perform this method. |
| US08581535B2 |
Drive unit
A drive unit has a control power supply, a power source (1) producing direct current to one or more inverters (2), an energy storage (C) arranged at the power source (1) output, and a discharge circuit (8,10) for discharging the energy stored in the energy storage (C) and including a power resistor (8). Switches (5, 6) are arranged between the power source (1) and energy storage (C) and in default position when there is no control power in the drive unit. The power source (1) is disconnected and the energy storage (C) discharged through the power resistor (8) when the switches (5, 6) are in default position. |
| US08581528B2 |
Arrangement and method for controlling frequency converter modules
An arrangement for controlling frequency converter modules of an electric drive. In the arrangement, the frequency converter modules are arranged to control alternatively a first motor or several motors having less power than the first motor. |
| US08581526B1 |
Unbalanced field RF electron gun
A design for an RF electron gun having a gun cavity utilizing an unbalanced electric field arrangement. Essentially, the electric field in the first (partial) cell has higher field strength than the electric field in the second (full) cell of the electron gun. The accompanying method discloses the use of the unbalanced field arrangement in the operation of an RF electron gun in order to accelerate an electron beam. |
| US08581525B2 |
Compensated precessional beam extraction for cyclotrons
A plurality of magnetic extraction bumps are incorporated into a cyclotron that further includes (a) a pair of magnetic coils encircling a central axis and positioned on opposite sides of a median acceleration plane and (b) a magnetic yoke encircling the central axis and including a return yoke that crosses the median acceleration plane and a first and second pole on opposite sides of the median acceleration plane. The magnetic extraction bumps extend in series radially from the central axis on opposite sides of the median acceleration plane and can be used to extract an orbiting accelerated ion from the cyclotron. |
| US08581523B2 |
Interrupted particle source
A synchrocyclotron includes magnetic structures to provide a magnetic field to a cavity, a particle source to provide a plasma column to the cavity, where the particle source has a housing to hold the plasma column, and where the housing is interrupted at an acceleration region to expose the plasma column, and a voltage source to provide a radio frequency (RF) voltage to the cavity to accelerate particles from the plasma column at the acceleration region. |
| US08581520B1 |
Lighting system having a dimming color simulating an incandescent light
A lighting system has a lighting fixture with a white light source and a color light source, a control circuit pulses the white and color light sources and changes relative duty cycles of the light sources to alter a color output of the lighting fixture, in response to a change in a control signal from a controller. A comparator compares a reference voltage relating to an aggregate current driving the light sources to a signal voltage relating to the periodic signal from a signal generator. The comparator controls a switch that controls one of the light sources. A duty cycle of the color light source can be vary inversely to a duty cycle of the white light source. |
| US08581517B2 |
Systems and methods for driving a light source
A circuit for driving a light source includes a voltage converter, a switch and a controller. The voltage converter converts an AC input voltage signal to a first rectified AC voltage signal. The voltage converter further generates an average signal proportional to an average voltage level of the first rectified AC voltage signal. The switch is coupled to the light source in series. The controller coupled to the voltage converter and the switch compares the first rectified AC voltage signal with the average signal to generate a pulse signal. The controller further generates a dimming control signal based on the pulse signal to control the switch thereby controlling dimming of the light source. |
| US08581516B2 |
Power processing apparatus and method of releasing the residual power thereof
A power processing apparatus includes an input port, an output port, a power transforming module, and a power releasing module. The power transforming module is between the input port and the output port to transform power into predetermined voltage or current. The power transforming module has a capacitor unit connected to LEDs in parallel. The power releasing module has a switch unit to disconnect the resistor unit and the capacitor unit when the power transforming module receives the power, and to connect the resistor unit to the capacitor unit when the power transforming module does not receive the power. Therefore, it may release the residual power to make the LED off in a short time when one turns off the power. |
| US08581515B2 |
Light emitting diode driver
The present invention relates to a light emitting diode driver that integrates a light emitting diode control function and a power switching control function at a secondary side insulated from a primary side in a power supply circuit, without using a photo coupler to control power switching at the primary side. |
| US08581513B1 |
Battery powered wireless DMX led lighting system
A DMX based wireless, light emitting device and system including wireless modules that are battery powered and wirelessly receive and transmit DMX to other modules or a controller device. The modules can optionally be hard wired to both a DMX signal and external power supply. An integrated processor can independently control a pre-selected lighting effects, channels, addresses, programs and other light effect features. |
| US08581511B2 |
Circuit and method for generating PWM signal for DC-DC converter using dimming signal and LED driving circuit for backlight having the same
A pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generating circuit that generates a PWM signal for a DC-DC converter using a dimming signal is provided. The PWM signal generating circuit includes a normal PWM signal generator configured to generate a normal PWM signal based on a clock signal provided to the DC-DC converter, and a compensation PWM signal generator configured to generate a compensation PWM signal based on the clock signal and the dimming signal. |
| US08581509B2 |
Driving circuit having a power factor correction (PFC) function
A driving circuit having a power factor correction (PFC) function includes a power converter, a harmonic wave generator, a voltage divider, and a modify element. The power converter receives AC power to convert to DC power. The harmonic wave generator generates a harmonic wave from the DC power. The voltage level of the harmonic wave is decreased by the voltage divider to generate a comparing signal. The modify element compares the comparing signal and a feedback current signal of the LED to regulate the DC power accordingly for power-supplying the LED stably. Therefore the power factor (PF) of the driving circuit is enhanced. |
| US08581506B2 |
Discharge lamp driving device and method, light source device, and image displaying apparatus
In at least one embodiment of the disclosure, a discharge lamp driving device includes a discharge lamp lighting unit configured to supply power to a discharge lamp while alternately switching a polarity of a voltage applied across two electrodes of the discharge lamp. A controller performs a modulation control of the power in accordance with a power ratio characterized by the power supplied in a polarity switching period. The controller starts the modulation control at a predetermined time after the power supplied to the discharge lamp reaches a predetermined power value. |
| US08581505B2 |
Primary-side based control of secondary-side current for a transformer
A power control system includes a transformer and a controller regulates a current on a secondary-side of the transformer based on a primary-side signal value. In at least one embodiment, the secondary-side current is a current out of a filter coupled to a rectifier and the secondary-side of the transformer and into a load. In at least one embodiment, the primary-side signal value is a sample of a current in the primary-side windings of the transformer. In at least one embodiment, the primary-side signal value represents a sample value of a primary-side transformer current. Proper timing of sampling the primary-side signal value substantially eliminates contributions of a transformer magnetizing current from the primary-side transformer current sample. Sampling the primary-side signal value when contributions of the transformer magnetizing current are substantially eliminated allows at least an average of the secondary-side current to be determined from the primary-side signal value. |
| US08581504B2 |
Switching power converter control with triac-based leading edge dimmer compatibility
In at least one embodiment, a controller allows triac-based dimmer to properly function and dim a load whose voltage is regulated by a switching power converter. In at least one embodiment, the switching power converter includes a switch to control voltage conversion of an input voltage to the switching power converter, wherein phase delays are introduced in the input voltage by a triac-based dimmer during a dimming period. In at least one embodiment, the controller is configured to control the switch of the switching power converter to establish an input resistance of the switching power converter during a dimming portion of the input voltage, wherein the input resistance allows the triac-based dimmer to phase modulate a supply voltage to the dimmer so that an output voltage of the dimmer has a substantially uninterrupted phase delay during each half-cycle of the supply voltage during the dimming period. |
| US08581496B2 |
Self-igniting long arc plasma torch
A plasma torch is formed from a hollow electrode forming a first gap to an isolated plasma tube, the isolated plasma tube forming a second gap with a plasma outlet tube having electrically common plasma tubes which terminate into a plasma outlet. The first gap and second gap of the isolated plasma tubes are fed by a source of plasma gas such that when a voltage is applied across the electrodes, plasmas initially form across the first plasma gap and second plasma gap. The formed plasmas spread laterally until the plasmas are formed entirely from electrode to electrode and self-sustaining. Plasma gasses which are fed to the plasma torch can be metered on both sides of the electrodes to steer the plasma arc attachment axially over the extent of the hollow electrodes, thereby reducing surface wear and increasing electrode life. |
| US08581493B2 |
Ceramic electrode for a high-pressure discharge lamp
An electrode for a high-pressure discharge lamp may include a shaft and a head mounted thereon, wherein at least a section of the head includes ceramic material, wherein the ceramic material is a boride or carbide. |
| US08581491B2 |
Method of manufacturing display device
To provide a method of manufacturing a display device having an excellent impact resistance property with high yield, in particular, a method of manufacturing a display device having an optical film that is formed using a plastic substrate. The method of manufacturing a display device includes the steps of: laminating a metal film, an oxide film, and an optical filter on a first substrate; separating the optical filter from the first substrate; attaching the optical filter to a second substrate; forming a layer including a pixel on a third substrate; and attaching the layer including the pixel to the optical filter. |
| US08581486B2 |
Field emission device and field emission display
The present disclosure provides a field emission device. The field emission device includes an insulating substrate having a first surface, a first electrode, a second electrode, at least one cathode emitter and a secondary electron emitter. The first electrode and the second electrode are spaced from each other and are located on the first surface of the insulating substrate. The cathode emitter is electrically connected to the first electrode and spaced from the second electrode. A secondary electron emitter is spaced from the cathode emitter. The secondary electron emitter has an electron emitting surface exposed to the cathode emitter. A secondary electron emitter is spaced from the cathode emitter. The cathode emitter is oriented toward the secondary electron emitter. |
| US08581485B2 |
Image display apparatus
According to one embodiment, an image display apparatus includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel has a light emitting device; a drive transistor electrically connected to the light emitting device; and a capacitor electrically connected to the drive transistor. A ratio of an area occupied by the drive transistor per one pixel to an area of the one pixel is equal to or more than 0.05. |
| US08581483B2 |
Device for conducting away lost heat, as well as ion accelerator arrangement having such a device
The invention relates to an ion accelerator arrangement comprising an ionization chamber which is surrounded by a chamber wall and a magnetic arrangement that is disposed outside the chamber wall. Steps are taken to dissipate lost heat occurring on the chamber wall, and advantageous solutions are provided to protect permanent-magnet elements of the magnetic arrangement. |
| US08581468B2 |
Stator for electric rotating machine
A stator includes an annular stator core that is comprised of a plurality of stator core segments, an outer ring that is fitted on the radially outer surfaces of the stator core segments so as to fasten them together, and a stator coil mounted on the stator core. Each of the stator core segments is formed of a plurality of stator core sheets that are laminated in the axial direction of the stator core. Each of the stator core sheets has a reinforcement portion that includes a recess formed in one of the major surfaces of the stator core sheet and a protrusion formed on the other major surface. The stator core sheets are laminated so that for each adjoining pair of the stator core sheets, the protrusion of one of the stator core sheets is fitted in the recess of the other stator core sheet. |
| US08581466B2 |
Knurled multiple conductor windings
An example electric machine includes a stator disposed about an axis having a plurality of slots. The electric machine also includes a plurality of windings each having a first portion and a second portion. At least two of the plurality of windings are at least partially disposed within each of the plurality of slots. At least one of the first portion or second portion of at least one of the plurality of windings of each slot includes a first exposed end with a surface having a plurality of grooves, the surface in contact with a second exposed end of at least one other winding of the same slot. The first exposed end and second exposed end form a joint between the plurality of windings. A braze material is dispersed in a plurality of grooves disposed between the first exposed end and the second exposed end. |
| US08581463B2 |
Magnetic bearing element with adjustable stiffness
A compact magnetic bearing element is provided which is made of permanent magnet discs configured to be capable of the adjustment of the bearing stiffness and levitation force over a wide range. |
| US08581462B2 |
Bearingless electric rotary drive
An electric rotary drive is proposed, designed as a bearingless external rotor motor, having a magnetically supported, substantially ring-shaped rotor (3) which is arranged around an inwardly disposed stator (2), wherein an air gap (4) is provided between the rotor (3) and the stator (2), wherein the stator (2) is designed as a bearing and drive stator with which the rotation of the rotor (3) can be driven about an axis of rotation (A) and with which the rotor (3) can be magnetically supported, wherein the rotor (3) is radially supported in an actively magnetic manner in the plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (A) and is supported axially in the direction of the axis of rotation (A) and against tilting in a passively magnetic manner. The stator (2) has, at least in its marginal region (26), a magnetic height (H1) which is smaller than the magnetic rotor height (H2) of the rotor (3) in its radially inwardly disposed region (36). |
| US08581458B2 |
Electrical actuating drive
The present invention relates to an electrical actuating drive (1) for devices to be adjusted mechanically, having an electrical drive motor (2) and an output-drive shaft (4) which can be adjusted over a rotation actuating range of more than 360°, comprising an integrated contactless sensor angle measurement system (6) for determining and feeding back the respective rotation position of the output-drive shaft (4). The sensor angle measurement system (6) produces an output signal which largely simulates the characteristics of a conventional multiple potentiometer system. |
| US08581456B2 |
Cooling system for an electrical machine
A cooling system for an electrical machine includes a substantially closed housing, a first heat exchanger arranged inside of the housing, a second heat exchanger arranged outside of the housing, a conduit assembly for transferring a heat exchange medium in a closed circuit between the first and the second heat exchangers, a first air circulating means configured to circulate air inside of the housing over the first heat exchanger, and a second air circulating means configured to circulate air outside of the housing over the second heat exchanger, wherein the conduit assembly includes a pump for actively circulating the heat exchange medium between the first and the second heat exchangers. |
| US08581442B2 |
Inductively coupled power transfer system
An inductively coupled power transfer system has a power pick-up that uses an asymmetrical magnetically permeable core (103, 105, 106, 107). Such cores have been found to provide a significant increase in the output power for given losses and given core volume when transferring power from a primary conductive path (101) to a secondary coil (104) provided on the core. |
| US08581441B2 |
Distributed inverter and intelligent gateway
A system and apparatus for generating power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a power module for coupling to a DC power source via a DC bus, wherein the power module (i) converts a first power from the DC power source to a second power, and (ii) comprises a maximum power point tracking module unit for dynamically adjusting a load voltage of the DC power source; an AC bus; and a controller, physically separate from the power module and coupled to the power module via the AC bus, for operatively controlling the power module. |
| US08581433B2 |
Wave power plant and transmission
A wave power plant includes a buoy and a power train. In the power train a driveshaft is arranged, which is driven to rotate either when the buoy rises or sinks, but always in the same direction. The driveshaft is mechanically coupled to one of the rotating parts of an electric generator and drives it for generating electric current. Furthermore, an energy accumulation device is provided which is also coupled to the driveshaft to accumulate energy when the buoy is rising or sinking and the driveshaft is rotating for driving the generator during the other of the rising and sinking movements. The coupling between the energy accumulation device and the driveshaft can extend via the other rotatable part of the generator, the air gap between the parts of the generator and the first part of the generator. The coupling over the air gap gives a torque, which drives the second part to rotate in one direction and which also counteracts the rotation of the driveshaft. The second part of the generator is driven by the energy accumulation device to rotate in the same direction, when the torque from the driveshaft does not exceed the counteracting torque. |
| US08581431B2 |
Completely submerged wave energy converter
A wave energy converter apparatus comprising at least two members joined by a connector movable so as to allow displacement of the members relative to one another in response to waves in water where the apparatus is located. The apparatus also includes an energy converter for converting motion of the connector to electrical energy, and a device for storing and/or transporting elsewhere the energy produced. The members, when in use and located in a body of water, are non-floating and completely submerged, the apparatus, as a whole, being neutrally buoyant. A member is additionally provided for maintaining each of the submerged members substantially at rest relative to the surrounding water with which they are in contact, such that the submerged members move under wave-induced action substantially in the same manner as a water particle would move under wave-induced action if located in the same region as the respective submerged member. |
| US08581429B2 |
Turbine-generator systems and methods
A turbine-generator system includes a power source powered by renewable energy. The power source drives a compressor, which outputs compressed air to pressurized tanks. A turbine is connected to the tanks via one or more nozzles. The turbine includes turbine blade assemblies and a turbine flywheel, each rotatably mounted to a shaft. The nozzles deliver compressed air to the turbine blades. The turbine includes a magnet motor for selectably applying torque to the turbine flywheel. The turbine is coupled to a generator via a magnetic clutch. An external control computer controls the rotational speed of the magnet motor and the amount and timing of the compressed air injected onto the turbine blades. A load sensor is coupled to an output of the generator and is in communication with the external control computer. |
| US08581427B2 |
Retractable power turbine and method thereof
A downhole electrical generating apparatus providing power to downhole electronics. The apparatus includes a tubular having a wall forming a tubular space which receives a flow in a flow direction. A retractable electrical generating apparatus positionable in a first condition facing the flow and in a second condition substantially opening the tubular space. Also included is a method of providing power to downhole electronics. |
| US08581426B2 |
Conversion of bio-energy into electrical energy
Devices and methods for converting movement into electrical energy. The electrical energy produced by the device can, for example, be stored in a storage device and used to power an electrical appliance. By using the devices, it is possible to provide a portable electrical device with a stable power supply that does not need to be recharged. |
| US08581424B2 |
Information recording/reproducing device
According to one embodiment, an information recording/reproducing device including a semiconductor substrate, a first interconnect layer on the semiconductor substrate, a first memory cell array layer on the first interconnect layer, and a second interconnect layer on the first memory cell array layer. The first memory cell array layer comprises an insulating layer having an alignment mark, and a stacked layer structure on the insulating layer and including a storage layer and an electrode layer. All of the layers in the stacked layer structure comprises a material with a permeability of visible light of 1% or more. |
| US08581423B2 |
Double solid metal pad with reduced area
An integrated circuit structure includes a bond pad; an Mtop pad located directly underlying the bond pad; an Mtop-1 pad having at least a portion directly underlying the Mtop pad, wherein at least one of the Mtop pad and the Mtop-1 pad has a horizontal dimension smaller than a horizontal dimension of the bond pad; a plurality of vias interconnecting the Mtop pad and the Mtop-1 pad; and a bond ball on the bond pad. Each of the Mtop pad and the Mtop-1 pad has positive enclosures to the bond ball in all horizontal directions. |
| US08581419B2 |
Multi-chip stack structure
A multi-chip stack structure including a first chip, a second chip, a shielding layer, and a plurality of conductive bumps is provided. The second chip is stacked on the first chip. The second chip has a plurality of through silicon via (TSV) structures to conduct a reference voltage. The shielding layer and the plurality of conductive bumps are disposed between the first chip and the second chip, and are electrically connected to the plurality of TSV structures. The shielding layer can isolate noises and improve signal coupling between two adjacent chips. |
| US08581418B2 |
Multi-die stacking using bumps with different sizes
A device includes a first die having a first side and a second side opposite to first side, the first side includes a first region and a second region, and a first metal bump of a first horizontal size formed on the first region of the first side of the first die. A second die is bonded to the first side of the first die through the first metal bump. A dielectric layer is formed over the first side of the first die and includes a first portion directly over the second die, a second portion encircling the second die, and an opening exposing the second region of the first side of the first die. A second metal bump of a second horizontal size is formed on the second region of the first side of the first die and extending into the opening of the dielectric layer. The second horizontal size is greater than the first horizontal size. An electrical component is bonded to the first side of the first die through the second metal bump. |
| US08581416B2 |
Method of forming a semiconductor device and leadframe therefor
In one embodiment, a leadframe for a semiconductor package includes a source connection area for one transistor and a drain connection point for a second transistor, and a common connection for using a connection clip to couple a drain of the first transistor to a source of the second transistor and to the common connection. |
| US08581413B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A method for easily manufacturing a semiconductor device in which variation in thickness or disconnection of a source electrode or a drain electrode is prevented is proposed. A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer formed over an insulating substrate; a first insulating layer formed over the semiconductor layer; a gate electrode formed over the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer formed over the gate electrode; an opening which reaches the semiconductor layer and is formed at least in the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer; and a step portion formed at a side surface of the second insulating layer in the opening. |
| US08581411B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device comprises a GaAs substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite to each other; a first metal layer composed of at least one of Pd, Ta, and Mo on the first major surface of the GaAs substrate; and a second metal layer composed of a Ni alloy or Ni on the first metal layer. |
| US08581407B2 |
Electronic system modules and method of fabrication
This specification describes techniques for manufacturing an electronic system module. The module includes flexible multi-layer interconnection circuits with trace widths of 5 microns or less. A glass panel manufacturing facility, similar to those employed for making liquid crystal display, LCD, panels is used to fabricate the interconnection circuits. A polymer base layer is formed on a glass carrier with an intermediate release layer. Alternate layers of metal and dielectric are formed on the base layer, and patterned to create an array of multi-layer interconnection circuits on the glass panel. A thick layer of polymer is deposited on the interconnection circuit, and openings formed at input/output (I/O) pad locations. Solder paste is deposited in the openings to form wells filled with solder. After dicing the glass carrier to form separated interconnection circuits, IC chips are stud bumped and assembled using flip chip bonding, wherein the stud bumps on the components are inserted into corresponding wells on the interconnection circuits. The IC chips are tested and reworked to form tested circuit assemblies. Methods for connecting to testers and to other modules and electronic systems are described. Module packaging layers are provided for hermetic sealing and for electromagnetic shielding. A blade server embodiment is also described. |
| US08581398B2 |
Trap rich layer with through-silicon-vias in semiconductor devices
An integrated circuit chip is formed with a circuit layer, a trap rich layer and through-semiconductor-vias. The trap rich layer is formed above the circuit layer. The through-semiconductor-vias are also formed above the circuit layer. In some embodiments, the circuit layer is included in a wafer, and the trap rich layer and through-semiconductor-vias are included in another wafer. The two wafers are bonded together after formation of the trap rich layer and through-semiconductor-vias. Additionally, in some embodiments, yet another wafer may also be bonded to the wafer that includes the trap rich layer and through-semiconductor-vias. Furthermore, in some embodiments, another circuit layer may be formed in the wafer that includes the trap rich layer and through-semiconductor-vias. |
| US08581393B2 |
Thermally conductive LED assembly
A thermally conductive LED assembly is disclosed. The thermally conductive LED assembly includes an elongate conductor cable having a first conductor and a second conductor extending along a length of the elongate conductor cable and a thermally conducting and electrically insulating polymer layer disposed between first conductor and second conductor and a second electrically insulating polymer layer is disposed on the first conductor or second conductor. The electrically insulating polymer layer having a thermal impedance value in a range from 2.5 to 15 C.°-cm2/W and a plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed along the length of the elongate conductor cable. Each light emitting diode is in electrical communication with the first conductor and the second conductor. |
| US08581390B2 |
Semiconductor device with heat dissipation
A semiconductor assembly includes a semiconductor device and a connecting structure. The semiconductor device includes an interconnect region over a semiconductor substrate and a pillar layer having a plurality of pillar contacts on the interconnect region. The pillar layer also includes a plurality of radial heat conductors that have at least a portion overlying a heat source that is within and overlies the semiconductor substrate. Each radial heat conductor extends a length radially from the heat source that is at least twice as great as the diameter of the pillars. The connecting structure includes a connecting substrate that supports a first corresponding pillar contact that is in contact with a first pillar contact of the plurality of pillar contacts. The first connecting structure further includes a heat conductor, supported by the substrate, in contact with a first radial heat conductor of the plurality of radial heat conductors. |
| US08581386B2 |
Chip package
An embodiment of the invention provides a chip package, which includes: a semiconductor substrate having a device region and a non-device region neighboring the device region; a package layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate; a spacing layer disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the package layer and surrounding the device region and the non-device region; a ring structure disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the package layer, and between the spacing layer and the device region, and surrounding a portion of the non-device region; and an auxiliary pattern including a hollow pattern formed in the spacing layer or the ring structure, a material pattern located between the spacing layer and the device region, or combinations thereof. |
| US08581383B2 |
3-D semiconductor die structure with containing feature and method
A die-on-die assembly has a first die (10) and a second die (50). The first die (10) has a first contact extension (28,42) and a peg (32,44,45) extending a first height above the first die. The second die (50) has a second contact extension (68) connected to the first contact extension and has a containing feature (62) extending a second height above the second die surrounding the peg. The peg extends past the containing feature. Because the peg extends past the containing feature, lateral movement between the first and second die can cause the peg to come in contact with and be constrained by the containing feature. The peg and containing feature are thus useful in constraining movement between the first and second die. |
| US08581373B2 |
Tape package
A tape package providing a plurality of input and output portions each having a minimum pitch. The tape package includes a tape wiring substrate including first and second wirings, and a semiconductor chip mounted on the tape wiring substrate, and including a first edge, a first pad disposed adjacent to the first edge, and a second pad disposed to be farther spaced apart from the first edge than the first pad, where the first wiring is connected to a portion of the first pad that is spaced from the first edge by a first distance, and where the second wiring is connected to a portion of the second pad that is spaced from the first edge by a second distance that is greater than the first distance. |
| US08581372B2 |
Semiconductor storage device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor storage device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor storage device includes a plate and an external connection terminal. The plate is molded in a resin mold section. A semiconductor memory chip is placed on the plate. The external connection terminal is exposed to the outer circumferential surface of the semiconductor storage device. The plate includes a plurality of exposed portions exposed to the outer circumferential surface of the resin mold section. The plurality of exposed portions is electrically insulated from each other inside the resin mold section. |
| US08581361B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus
A power supply wiring and a pad are arranged on a first wiring layer. Then, the power supply wiring and the pad are arranged so as not to be mutually overlapped. Signal wirings are arranged on a second wiring layer. Another signal wiring is arranged on a layer different from the second wiring layer. The other signal wiring is arranged below the pad so as to be overlapped with the pad. The signal wirings and the other signal wiring are mutually connected by a plug. A buffer is arranged between the pad and the other signal wiring. |
| US08581360B2 |
Trench schottky diode and manufacturing method thereof
A trench Schottky diode and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A plurality of trenches are formed in A semiconductor substrate. A plurality of doped regions are formed in the semiconductor substrate and under some of the trenches. A gate oxide layer is formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate and the surfaces of the trenches. A polysilicon structure is formed on the gate oxide layer. Then, the polysilicon structure is etched, so that the gate oxide layer within the trenches is covered by the polysilicon structure. Then, a mask layer is formed to cover the polysilicon structure within a part of the trenches and a part of the gate oxide layer, and the semiconductor substrate uncovered by the mask layer is exposed. Afterwards, a metal sputtering layer is formed to cover a part of the surface of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08581351B2 |
Replacement gate with reduced gate leakage current
Replacement gate work function material stacks are provided, which provides a work function about the energy level of the conduction band of silicon. After removal of a disposable gate stack, a gate dielectric layer is formed in a gate cavity. A metallic compound layer including a metal and a non-metal element is deposited directly on the gate dielectric layer. At least one barrier layer and a conductive material layer is deposited and planarized to fill the gate cavity. The metallic compound layer includes a material having a work function about 4.4 eV or less, and can include a material selected from tantalum carbide and a hafnium-silicon alloy. Thus, the metallic compound layer can provide a work function that enhances the performance of an n-type field effect transistor employing a silicon channel. |
| US08581348B2 |
Semiconductor device with transistor local interconnects
A semiconductor device is provided for implementing at least one logic element. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate with a first transistor and a second transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate. Each of the transistors includes a source, a drain, and a gate. A CA layer is electrically connected to at least one of the source or the drain of the first transistor. A CB layer is electrically connected to at least one of the gates of the transistors and the CA layer. |
| US08581347B2 |
Forming bipolar transistor through fast EPI-growth on polysilicon
Provided is a semiconductor device that includes a first transistor and a second transistor that are formed on the same substrate. The first transistor includes a first collector, a first base, and a first emitter. The first collector includes a first doped well disposed in the substrate. The first base includes a first doped layer disposed above the substrate and over the first doped well. The first emitter includes a doped element disposed over a portion of the first doped layer. The second transistor includes a second collector, a second base, and a second emitter. The second collector includes a doped portion of the substrate. The second base includes a second doped well disposed in the substrate and over the doped portion of the substrate. The second emitter includes a second doped layer disposed above the substrate and over the second doped well. |
| US08581346B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a first conductive line, a second conductive line crossing over the first conductive line, a resistance variation part disposed at a position in which the second conductive line intersects with the first conductive line and electrically connected to the first conductive line and the second conductive line and a mechanical switch disposed between the resistance variation part and the second conductive line. The mechanical switch includes a nanotube. |
| US08581344B2 |
Laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor transistors
A laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor transistor. The laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor transistor includes a substrate, a drain formed thereon, a source formed on the substrate, comprising a plurality of individual sub-sources respectively corresponding to various sides of the drain, a plurality of channels formed in the substrate between the sub-sources and the drain, a gate overlying a portion of the sub-sources and the channels, and a drift layer formed in the substrate underneath the drain. |
| US08581343B1 |
Electrical connectivity for circuit applications
According to example configurations herein, a leadframe includes a first conductive strip, a second conductive strip, and a third conductive strip disposed substantially adjacent and substantially parallel to each other. A semiconductor chip substrate includes a first array of switch circuits disposed adjacent and parallel to a second array of switch circuits. Source nodes in switch circuits of the first array are disposed substantially adjacent and substantially parallel to source nodes in switch circuits of the second array. When the semiconductor chip and the leadframe device are combined to form a circuit package, a connectivity interface between the semiconductor chip and conductive strips in the circuit package couples each of the source nodes in switch circuits of the first array and each of the multiple source nodes in switch circuits of the second array to a common conductive strip in the leadframe device. |
| US08581341B2 |
Power MOSFET with embedded recessed field plate and methods of fabrication
Semiconductor power devices, and related methods, wherein a recessed contact makes lateral ohmic contact to the source diffusion, but is insulated from the underlying recessed field plate (RFP). Such an insulated RFP is here referred to as an embedded recessed field plate (ERFP). |
| US08581340B2 |
Semiconductor device of which breakdown voltage is improved
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode formed on the semiconductor substrate through a gate insulating film; a source diffusion layer and a drain diffusion layer formed on both sides of the gate electrode, respectively, in the semiconductor substrate; and a field drain section formed below the gate electrode in the semiconductor substrate so as to be positioned between the gate electrode and the drain diffusion region and include an insulator. The field drain section includes: a first insulating film configured to be contact with the semiconductor substrate, and a second insulating film configured to be formed on the first insulating film and has a dielectric constant higher than a dielectric constant of the first insulating film. |
| US08581337B2 |
Semiconductor device for increasing bit line contact area, and module and system including the same
A semiconductor device including a buried gate is disclosed. In the semiconductor device, a bit line contact contacts a top surface and lateral surfaces of an active region, such that a contact area between a bit line contact and the active region is increased and a high-resistivity failure is prevented from occurring in a bit line contact. |
| US08581332B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
The invention provides a semiconductor device and its manufacturing method in which a memory transistor and a plurality of thin film transistors that have gate insulating films with different thicknesses are fabricated over a substrate. The invention is characterized by the structural difference between the memory transistor and the plurality of thin film transistors. Specifically, the memory transistor and some of the plurality of thin film transistors are provided to have a bottom gate structure while the other thin film transistors are provided to have a top gate structure, which enables the reduction of characteristic defects of the transistor and simplification of its manufacturing process. |
| US08581328B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
In a semiconductor memory device having split-gate MONOS memory cells, disturb resistance during writing by a SSI method is improved. In addition, with an improvement in the disturb resistance of a non-selected memory cell, a reduction in the area occupied by a memory module can be achieved. Over a side surface of a memory gate electrode, a first insulating film is formed between a charge storage film and a second insulating film so that the total thickness of the first and second insulating films over the side surface of the memory gate electrode is larger than the thickness of the second insulating film under the memory gate electrode. |
| US08581327B2 |
Memory and manufacturing method thereof
A memory having isolated dual memory cells is provided. A first isolation wall and a second isolation wall are separately disposed between a source and a drain on a substrate. An isolation bottom layer and a polysilicon layer are orderly disposed on the substrate between the first and the second isolation walls. A first charge storage structure and a first gate are orderly disposed on the substrate between the first isolation wall and the source. A second charge storage structure and a second gate are orderly disposed on the substrate between the second isolation wall and the drain. A word line disposed on the polysilicon layer, the first gate, the second gate, the first isolation wall and the second isolation wall is electrically connected to the first gate, the second gate and the polysilicon layer. |
| US08581321B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and method of forming the same
A nonvolatile memory device and a method of forming the same, the device including a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of gate patterns stacked on the semiconductor substrate; inter-gate dielectric patterns between the gate patterns; active pillars sequentially penetrating the gate patterns and the inter-gate dielectric patterns to contact the semiconductor substrate; and a gate insulating layer between the active pillars and the gate patterns, wherein corners of the gate patterns adjacent to the active pillars are rounded. |
| US08581316B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a semiconductor device including, on the same semiconductor substrate, a transistor element, a capacitor, and a resistor. The capacitor is formed on an active region, and the resistor is formed on an element isolation region, both formed of the same polysilicon film. By CMP or etch-back, the surface is ground down while planarizing the surface until a resistor has a desired thickness. Owing to a difference in height between the active region and the element isolation region, a thin resistor and a thick upper electrode of the capacitor are formed to prevent passing through of a contact. |
| US08581307B1 |
Large CMOS image sensor pixel with improved performance
An image sensor pixel includes a photosensitive element having a first doping type disposed in semiconductor material. A deep extension having the first doping type is disposed beneath and overlapping the photosensitive element in the semiconductor material. A floating diffusion is disposed in the semiconductor material. A transfer gate is disposed over a gate oxide that is disposed over the semiconductor material. The transfer gate is disposed between the photosensitive element and the floating diffusion. The photosensitive element and the deep extension are stacked in the semiconductor material in a “U” shape extending from under the transfer gate. |
| US08581306B2 |
Coupled electron shuttle providing electrical rectification
A nanoscale electron shuttle with two elastically mounted conductors positioned within a gap between conductors produces asymmetrical electron conduction between the conductors when the conductors receive an AC signal to provide for rectification, detection and/or power harvesting. |
| US08581293B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting device includes: a first conductive semiconductor layer including first and second areas; an active layer disposed on the second area; a second conductive semiconductor layer disposed on the active layer; first and second electrode branches disposed on the first and second conductive semiconductor layers, respectively; a first electrode pad electrically connected to the first electrode branch and disposed on the first electrode branch; and a second electrode pad electrically connected to the second electrode branch and disposed on the second electrode branch. |
| US08581292B2 |
Light emitting diode device
The invention relates to a light emitting diode device comprising a light emitting diode arrangement comprising a flexible substrate (103) having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a light emitting diode (101) arranged on the inner surface of the flexible substrate (103) and a shape element (105, 107) at least partly covering the outer surface of the flexible substrate (103) and a surface of the light emitting diode (101) so as to at least partly sandwich the light emitting diode arrangement, the shape element (105, 107) being formed to determine a shape of the light emitting diode arrangement. |
| US08581291B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
Provided is an optical semiconductor device includes: a light-emitting layer having a first main surface, a second main surface opposed to the first main surface, a first electrode and a second electrode which are formed on the second main surface; a fluorescent layer provided on the first main surface; a light-transmissive layer provided on the fluorescent layer and made of a light-transmissive inorganic material; a first metal post provided on the first electrode; a second metal post provided on the second electrode; a sealing layer provided on the second main surface so as to seal in the first and second metal posts with one ends of the respective first and second metal posts exposed; a first metal layer provided on the exposed end of the first metal post; and a second metal layer provided on the exposed end of the second metal post. |
| US08581287B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device having a reflective material, wavelength converting layer and optical plate with rough and plane surface regions, and method of manufacturing
A semiconductor light-emitting device and a method for manufacturing the same can include a wavelength converting layer in order to emit various colored lights including white light. The device can include a board, a frame located on the board, at least one light-emitting chip mounted on the board, the wavelength converting layer located between an optical plate and an outside surface of the chips so that a density of a peripheral region is lower than that of a middle region, and a reflective material layer disposed at least between the frame and a side surface of the wavelength-converting layer. The device can have the reflective material layer form each reflector and can use a wavelength converting layer having different densities, and therefore can emit a wavelength-converted light having a high light-emitting efficiency and a uniform color tone from various small light-emitting surfaces. |
| US08581283B2 |
Photoelectric device having group III nitride semiconductor
A photoelectric device having Group III nitride semiconductor includes a conductive layer, a metallic mirror layer located on the conductive layer, and a Group III nitride semiconductor layer located on the metallic mirror layer. The Group III nitride semiconductor layer defines a number of microstructures thereon. Each microstructure includes at least one angled face, and the angled face of each microstructure is a crystal face of the Group III nitride semiconductor layer. |
| US08581282B2 |
Lighting emitting diode device with directivity and coherency and manufacturing method for providing light with directivity and coherency
The present invention discloses a lighting emitting diode device with directivity and coherency and a manufacturing method for providing a light with directivity and coherency. The light emitting diode device comprises a substrate, a light emitting diode module and a masking layer. The light emitting diode module is disposed on the substrate, and is provided for emitting a light, and the masking layer is disposed on the light emitting diode module. The masking layer has an opening, and an aperture of the opening is matching with the wavelength of the light. The light with directivity and coherency is generated by the diffraction effect when the light passes through the opening. |
| US08581281B2 |
Organic light emitting display device and method for fabricating the same
A method of fabricating an organic light emitting display device includes forming a first electrode in both a luminescent region and a part of a non-luminescent region, forming a buffer layer in the non-luminescent region, forming an insulation pattern on the buffer layer in the non-luminescent region, forming an auxiliary electrode on the insulation pattern in the non-luminescent region, forming an organic emission layer in both the luminescent region and the non-luminescent region, forming a second electrode in both the luminescent region and the non-luminescent region, and applying over-voltage to the auxiliary electrode, the organic emission layer on the auxiliary electrode and the second electrode. |
| US08581280B2 |
Optoelectronic semiconductor chip
An optoelectronic semiconductor chip (1) having a semiconductor layer sequence (2), which comprises an active region (3) suitable for generating radiation and has a lateral main extension direction. The semiconductor layer sequence is arranged by a substrate (4) having a side surface (17), the side surface has a side surface region (18) that is beveled with respect to the main extension direction, and/or a cutout (21), and the semiconductor chip has a radiation-transmissive and electrically conductive contact layer (5). |
| US08581278B2 |
Light-emitting diode packaging structure
A light-emitting diode packaging structure includes a thermally conductive substrate; a circuit layer provided on one surface of the substrate and having an electric connection element; at least one chip mounted on the circuit layer to electrically connect to the electric connection element; a light-reflective case enclosing at least part of the substrate and being formed of a window, via which light emitted by the chip is projected outward; and a light-pervious colloidal seal fitted in the window of the case to form a protection around the chip. With the above structure, heat produced by the chip during operation thereof may be effectively radiated and dissipated via the thermally conductive substrate. |
| US08581273B2 |
Organic EL device
An organic EL device includes: a bank provided to surround a first anode (second anode) on a substrate; a red emission layer (green emission layer) provided at an opening portion of the bank; a third anode having the same polarity as that of the first anode provided on the bank; a blue emission layer provided at an entire portion of the substrate including the third anode; and a cathode having a different polarity from those of the first anode and the third anode provided to cover the blue emission layer. |
| US08581271B2 |
Display apparatus using separate organic electroluminescent elements in a single pixel
At least one of the pixels has a first region and a second region that are the same in color but different in viewing angle characteristic, and includes a switching circuit configured to independently turn on or off each of the organic EL elements provided in the respective first and second regions. |
| US08581268B2 |
Light emitting diode with a current concentrating structure
A light emitting diode (LED) includes a transparent insulating layer; and at least one transparent conductive oxide layer substantially enclosing the transparent insulating layer, wherein the transparent insulating layer and the at least one transparent conductive oxide layer are configured to distribute a current through the LED toward a peripheral region of the LED. |
| US08581263B2 |
Laser-induced flaw formation in nitride semiconductors
An embodiment is a method and apparatus to induce flaw formation in nitride semiconductors. Regions of a thin film structure are selectively decomposed within a thin film layer at an interface with a substrate to form flaws in a pre-determined pattern within the thin film structure. The flaws locally concentrate stress in the pre-determined pattern during a stress-inducing operation. The stress-inducing operation is performed. The stress-inducing operation causes the thin film layer to fracture at the pre-determined pattern. |
| US08581260B2 |
Semiconductor device including a memory
Plural kinds of thin film transistors having different film thicknesses of semiconductor layers are provided over a substrate having an insulating surface. A channel formation region of semiconductor layer in a thin film transistor for which high speed operation is required is made thinner than a channel formation region of a semiconductor layer of a thin film transistor for which high withstand voltage is required. A gate insulating layer of the thin film transistor for which high speed operation is required may be thinner than a gate insulating layer of the thin film transistor for which high withstand voltage is required. |
| US08581253B2 |
Display substrate and method of manufacturing the same
A display substrate includes a first light blocking pattern formed on a base substrate, a first switching element, a second light blocking pattern formed on the base substrate, and a first sensing element. The first light blocking pattern is configured to block visible light and transmit infrared light. The first switching element includes a first semiconductor pattern, a first source electrode, a first drain electrode, and a first gate electrode. The second light blocking pattern is configured to block the visible light and transmit the infrared light. The first sensing element is configured to detect the infrared light, and includes a second semiconductor pattern, a second source electrode, a second drain electrode, and a second gate electrode. |
| US08581249B2 |
Film thickness monitoring structure for semiconductor substrate
A semiconductor substrate includes a wafer, a first stepped structure formed of plural stepped parts formed on a surface of the wafer with a first area occupation ratio, a second stepped structure formed of plural stepped parts formed on the surface of the wafer with a second, different area occupation ratio, and an interlayer insulation film formed on the surface so as to cover the first and second stepped structures, the interlayer insulation film having a planarized top surface, wherein there are provided at least first and second film-thickness monitoring patterns for monitoring film thickness on the surface in a manner covered by the interlayer insulation film, a first pattern group is formed on the surface such that the first pattern group comprises plural patterns disposed so as to surround the first film-thickness monitoring pattern, a second pattern group is formed on the surface such that the second pattern group comprises plural patterns disposed so as to surround the second film-thickness monitoring pattern, the first film-thickness monitoring pattern and the first pattern group having a third area occupation ratio on the surface, while the second film-thickness monitoring pattern and the second pattern group having a fourth area occupation ratio on the surface, wherein the third area occupation ratio is different from the fourth area occupation ratio. |
| US08581247B2 |
Flexible semiconductor device having gate electrode disposed within an opening of a resin film
There is provided a flexible semiconductor device. The flexible semiconductor device of the present invention comprising a support layer, a semiconductor structure portion formed on the support layer, and a resin film formed on the semiconductor structure portion. The resin film comprises an opening formed by a laser irradiation therein, and also an electroconductive member which is in contact with the surface of the semiconductor structure portion is disposed within the opening of the resin film. |
| US08581245B2 |
Thin film transistor, method of manufacturing thin film transistor, display unit, and electronic device
There is provided a thin film transistor including: a gate electrode; a pair of source/drain electrodes; a first oxide semiconductor layer provided between the gate electrode, and the pair of source/drain electrodes, and forming a channel; and a second oxide semiconductor layer provided on the pair of source/drain electrodes side of the first oxide semiconductor layer, and having a polarity different from that of the first oxide semiconductor layer. |
| US08581244B2 |
Oxide thin film transistors and methods of manufacturing the same
Example embodiments are directed to oxide thin film transistors and methods of manufacturing the oxide thin film transistors. The oxide thin film transistor includes an active region in a gate insulation layer and under a source and a drain in a bottom gate structure, thus improving electrical characteristics of the oxide thin film transistor. |
| US08581240B2 |
Alignment tolerant patterning on flexible substrates
A method is provided for fabricating a multilayer electronic device on a flexible substrate including at least a first and a second patterned layer, wherein the first patterned layer is defined with a linewidth that is smaller than the linewidth of the second patterned layer, and the second patterned layer is defined by a patterning technique which is capable of correcting for local distortions of the pattern of said first layer on top of the flexible substrate and wherein the first patterned layer is laid-out in such a way that the geometric overlap between a portion of the second layer and a portion of the first layer is insensitive against small variations of the position of the second patterned layer. |
| US08581237B2 |
Light-emitting element
The light-emitting element comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light-emitting layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, in which a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer are stacked from the first electrode side, the first layer contains a first light-emitting substance and a first organic compound, the second layer contains a second light-emitting substance and a second organic compound, the third layer contains the first light-emitting substance and a third organic compound, the amount of the first light-emitting substance is larger than the amount of the first organic compound, the amount of the second organic compound is larger than the amount of the second light-emitting substance, and the amount of the third organic compound is larger than the amount of the first light-emitting substance. A light-emitting element with such a structure can have high emission efficiency. |
| US08581234B2 |
Deposition method and manufacturing method of light-emitting device
Part of a material layer is deposited on a deposition target surface of a second substrate by steps of providing a first substrate having a light absorption layer and a material layer in contact with the light absorption layer over one of surfaces; making a surface of the first substrate over which the material layer is formed and a deposition target surface of a second substrate face to each other; depositing part of the material layer on the deposition target surface of the second substrate in such a manner that irradiation with laser light of which repetition rate is greater than or equal to 10 MHz and pulse width is greater than or equal to 100 fs and less than or equal to 10 ns is performed from the other surface side of the first substrate to selectively heat part of the material layer overlapping with the light absorption layer. |
| US08581229B2 |
III-V light emitting device with thin n-type region
A device includes a semiconductor structure comprising a III-nitride light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. A transparent, conductive non-III-nitride material is disposed in direct contact with the n-type region. A total thickness of semiconductor material between the light emitting layer and the transparent, conductive non-III-nitride material is less than one micron. |
| US08581223B2 |
Memory device and method of making same
A radial memory device includes a phase-change material, a first electrode in electrical communication with the phase-change material, the first electrode having a substantially planar first area of electrical communication with the phase-change material. The radial memory device also includes a second electrode in electrical communication with the phase-change material, the second electrode having a second area of electrical communication with the phase-change material, the second area being laterally spacedly disposed from the first area and substantially circumscribing the first area.Further, a method of making a memory device is disclosed. The steps include depositing a first electrode, depositing a first insulator, configuring the first insulator to define a first opening. The first opening provides for a generally planar first contact of the first electrode. The method further including the steps of depositing a phase-change material, depositing a second insulator, configuring the second insulator, depositing a second electrode having a second contact laterally displaced from said first contact, and configuring said second electrode. |
| US08581222B2 |
Phase change memory device comprising bismuth-tellurium nanowires
The present invention relates to a phase change memory device comprising bismuth-tellurium nanowires. More specifically, the bismuth-tellurium nanowires having PRAM characteristics may be prepared by using a porous nano template without any high temperature process and said nanowires may be used in the phase change memory device by using their phase change characteristics to identify memory characteristics. |
| US08581220B2 |
Target supply apparatus, control system, control apparatus and control circuit thereof
A target supply apparatus includes a tank for storing a liquid target material, a nozzle for outputting the liquid target material in the tank, and a gas supply source for supplying gas into the tank, and controls a gas pressure inside the tank with a pressure of the gas supplied from the gas supply source which is provided with a pressure regulator. The target supply apparatus also includes a pressure-decrease gas passage of which one end is connected to the tank and the other end forms an exhaust port, a pressure-decrease valve provided on the pressure-decrease gas passage, and a controller for controlling open/close of the pressure-decrease valve. The controller, when the target material is caused not to output from the nozzle, opens the pressure-decrease valve and decreases the pressure inside the tank. |
| US08581218B2 |
Treatment planning system, device for calculating a scanning path and particle therapy system
In a particle therapy treatment planning system for creating treatment plan data, the movement of a target (patient's affected area) is extracted from plural tomography images of the target, and the direction of scanning is determined by projecting the extracted movement on a scanning plane scanned by scanning magnets. Irradiation positions are arranged on straight lines parallel with the scanning direction making it possible to calculate a scanning path for causing scanning to be made mainly along the direction of movement of the target. The treatment planning system can thereby realize dose distribution with improved uniformity. |
| US08581216B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device, method for controlling ion beam, and ion implantation apparatus
The ion implantation apparatus includes a source head, an extraction electrode having a slit trough which a part of an ion beam outputted from the source head passes, a magnet for curving a trajectory of the ion beam passed through the slit, a target to be irradiated with the ion beam outputted from the magnet, an electric current measuring device facing an ion exit port of the source head through the slit of the extraction electrode, and a control portion for controlling a position of the extraction electrode based on a measured result of the current measuring device in a state that production of a magnetic field from the magnet is stopped. |
| US08581215B2 |
Charged particle cancer therapy patient positioning method and apparatus
The invention comprises a patient positioning method and apparatus used in conjunction with multi-axis charged particle or proton beam radiation therapy of cancerous tumors. The patient positioning system is used to translate the patient and/or rotate the patient into a zone where the proton beam can scan the tumor using a targeting system. The patient positioning system is optionally used in conjunction with systems used to constrain movement of the patient, such as semi-vertical, sitting, or laying positioning systems. |
| US08581213B2 |
Biological molecule detecting apparatus and biological molecule detecting method
A configuration was adopted, in which the orientations of free molecules and binding molecules within a solution are switched by switching the vibration direction of orientation controlling light, thereby switching the amount of light emitted by each free molecule and each binding molecule. There is a difference in the amounts of time required for the orientations of the free molecules and the binding molecules to switch accompanying the switch in the emission direction of the orientation controlling light. Therefore, the timings at which the amounts of light emitted by each type of molecule increase differ. Accordingly, the fluorescence contributed by fluorescent molecules associated with free molecules and the fluorescent molecules associated with binding molecules can be respectively calculated, even if all of the fluorescent molecules within the solution emit fluorescence. Thereby, the concentration of a detection target substance can be accurately measured with a simple structure. |
| US08581207B2 |
Specimen holder with 3-axis movement for TEM 3D analysis
Provided is a holder capable of a precise observation from 3 or more directions to analyze complicated internal structures of a specimen thereof, and more particularly, a specimen holder capable of a 3-axis movement for transmission electron microscope (TEM) 3D analysis that rotates cradles for supporting the specimen and moves the cradles back and forth and left and right, and freely changes directions of the specimen, thereby making it possible to more accurately analyze the specimen in three dimensions. |
| US08581206B2 |
Focused ion beam system and sample processing method using the same
A focused ion beam system includes a sample holder having a fixing plane for fixing a sample, a sample base on which the sample holder is provided, a focused ion beam irradiating mechanism that irradiates a focused ion beam to the sample, microtweezers that hold the sample and have the axial direction at a predetermined angle to a surface of the sample base, an opening/closing mechanism that opens and closes the microtweezers, a rotating mechanism that rotates the microtweezers about the axial direction, and a moving mechanism that moves the position of the microtweezers. |
| US08581204B2 |
Apparatus for monitoring ion implantation
An apparatus for monitoring an ion distribution of a wafer comprises a first sensor and a sensor. The first sensor, the second sensor and the wafer are placed in an effective range of a uniform ion implantation current profile. A controller determines the ion dose of each region of the wafer based upon the detected signal from the first sensor and the second sensor. In addition, the controller adjusts the scanning frequency of an ion beam or the movement speed of the wafer to achieve a uniform ion distribution on the wafer. |
| US08581203B2 |
Radiation detecting device and method of operating
A method of operating a radiation-detecting device includes charging a first charge storage region of a charge storage structure to place a first charge value at the first charge storage region, and charging a second charge storage region of the charge storage structure to place a second charge value at the second charge storage region. The method further includes conducting a first read operation to determine a change in the first charge value at the first charge storage region at a first time after charging the first charge storage region, and determining a first radiation flux value for an environment containing the charge storage structure based on the change in the first charge value at the first time. |
| US08581202B2 |
Radiation detection apparatus
According to one embodiment, a radiation detection apparatus includes a radiation detection panel, a support member, a circuit board, a flexible circuit board, a housing, a connecting member, a thermally radiative member, and a thermally conductive member. The support member supports the radiation detection panel on one surface thereof. The circuit board is supported by other surface of the support member, and drives the radiation detection panel. The flexible circuit board electrically connects the radiation detection panel with the circuit board, and on which an integrated circuit is mounted. The housing has thermal insulation, and a part of which is provided with an opening. The connecting member is connected to the support member and the housing. The thermally radiative member is located outside the housing and extends through the opening. The thermally radiative member is opposed to the integrated circuit, and shields an electromagnetic field that leaks from the opening. |
| US08581201B2 |
Power supply apparatus for a detector, and a light or radiation detection system having the same
A power supply apparatus for a detector of this invention provides a plurality of power supplies for the detector for detecting light or radiation, and includes a power output device capable of individually outputting the plurality of power supplies to be provided for the detector, a detection device for detecting a power supply state of a utility power source, a control device for carrying out an abnormal stopping process to stop the power supplies at the power output device in a predetermined order upon determination based on a result of detection by the detection device that an abnormality has occurred, and an electric storage device for supplying electric power to the control device, when the control device determines that an abnormality has occurred, to permit the control device to carry out the abnormal stopping process. Thus, without having a large-scale uninterruptible power supply system, the detector can be protected even when the electric power supply state from the utility power source becomes abnormal. |
| US08581199B2 |
Solid state imaging device
According to one embodiment, a solid state imaging device includes an infrared detection pixel configured to change an output potential by receiving infrared light, a non-sensitive pixel, a row select line, and a differential amplifier. An amount of change in an output potential when the non-sensitive pixel receives infrared light is smaller than an amount of change in an output potential when the infrared detection pixel receives the infrared light. The row select line is configured to apply a drive potential to both the infrared detection pixel and the non-sensitive pixel. The differential amplifier includes one input terminal to which an output potential of the infrared detection pixel is inputted and another input terminal to which an output potential of the non-sensitive pixel is inputted. |
| US08581196B2 |
Detector-shift type combined radiation therapy/PET apparatus
In beam monitoring for detecting annihilation radiations produced by radiation irradiation in radiation therapy for cancer which is performed by irradiating the affected area by X-rays, gamma rays, or particle beams, a detector-shift type combined radiation therapy/PET apparatus is provided with an open PET device that includes a plurality of shiftable multi-ring detector rings; and a radiation irradiation device that is capable of irradiation with a radiation beam through between the detector rings. The apparatus changes the positions of the detector rings, performs irradiation with the radiation beam through between the detector rings, and then performs radiation measurement. |