| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08599806B2 |
Systems and methods for providing connection status and location information in a wireless networking environment
A system may provide a client device with a persistent wireless network browser toolbar for use in, for example, a network browser. The persistent wireless network browser toolbar is provided with a login status indicator, a logout option, and a wireless network signal strength indicator. |
| US08599802B2 |
Method and apparatus to deliver public warning messages
A method and apparatus for a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) to receive an emergency situation notification. The method and apparatus include the WTRU receiving a paging message with an emergency situation notification, and the WTRU receiving scheduling information in a system information block. |
| US08599801B2 |
Collecting implicit information for determining context of event actions
A device, system, and method are directed towards determining a start and/or an end time for a spontaneous event. A mobile device user creates a group for the spontaneous event, and sends the members an invite. During the event, members share media content and/or text messages with other members. Based, in part, on a flow of media content and/or text messages between the members, a determination of a start time and/or end time of the spontaneous event is automatically performed. The start time may be based on when the group is created and/or revised when a flow rate of the media content and/or messages exceed a threshold. The end time may be based on the flow rate being less than another threshold. The location of the spontaneous event may also be determined based on a location of the member's mobile devices during the event. |
| US08599798B2 |
Radio base station apparatus, radio network controller apparatus, communication terminal apparatus, transmission signal generation method, and radio communication system
A control information channel signal formation unit has a channel encoding section and a spreading section. The channel encoding section multiplexes a plurality of types of control information for a single communication terminal for use in uplink packet transmission, using different symbol patterns between a plurality of types of control information. The spreading section spreads symbols obtained by the channel encoding section using one spreading code. |
| US08599797B2 |
Apparatus and method for transferring PDP context information for a terminal in the case of intersystem handover
A method of handing over of a mobile terminal from a first network to a second network. The method includes initiating a handover decision in a base station, sending a handover request to a MME, mapping, in the MME, between active SAE Bearers and required PDP contexts, and sending a handover preparation request including target network specific QoS information from the MME to the second network. The method further includes sending a handover confirmation message that includes RAB success and failure information from the second network to the MME, and sending a handover command from the MME to the mobile terminal, wherein the handover command includes a 3G/2G RAB, a channel, an SEC, and PDP context information. |
| US08599795B2 |
Apparatus and method for local mobility anchor initiated flow binding for proxy mobile internet protocol version six (IPv6)
An apparatus comprising at least one processor configured to receive a first message from a local mobility anchor (LMA), wherein the first message initiates a flow binding operation that does not require mobility management by a mobile node (MN), perform the flow binding operation, and transmit a second message from a media access gateway (MAG) to the LMA acknowledging that the flow binding operation was successfully performed, wherein the flow binding operation comprises adding the flow binding to a MAG, deleting the flow binding from the MAG, modifying the flow binding in the MAG, refreshing the flow binding in the MAG, moving the flow binding from the MAG to a second MAG, switching the flow binding from the LMA to a second LMA, or combinations thereof. |
| US08599793B2 |
Troubleshooting client roaming
In an example embodiment, a service that analyzes location information of a client as the client roams. For example, whenever a trigger event occurs, such as a change in the association state, a change in Internet Protocol (IP) address, etc., a determination is made whether the event was expected. If the event was not expected, the location of where the trigger event occurred can be determined enabling a network administrator to investigate roaming problems at a particular location. |
| US08599785B1 |
Transmission power in a multicarrier wireless device
A wireless device receives a command for transmission of a random access preamble on a first cell. The wireless device transmits the random access preamble in parallel with a first packet and/or at least one second packet. If a total calculated transmission power exceeds a predefined value, the wireless device adjusts transmission power of one or more of the at least one parallel uplink transmission considering a higher priority for the transmission power of the random access preamble. |
| US08599784B2 |
Femto base station and method for allocating radio resource thereof
A method for allocating radio resource to one or more first UEs by a femto BS, includes: acquiring information about one or more second UEs which are located within a cell coverage of the femto BS but served by the macro BS; receiving a control channel from the macro BS; acquiring radio resource information allocated to the second UEs by the macro BS from the control channel; and allocating radio resource to the first UEs such that the allocated radio resource does not overlap with radio resource information allocated to the second UEs. |
| US08599783B2 |
Method and system for transmitting relay link control channel
A method and system for transmitting a relay link control channel are disclosed for realizing the mapping and transmission of a control channel on a link from an eNode-B to a relay node. In the present invention, in a frequency division multiplex mode, control information is carried by one or more resource blocks in the frequency direction and the universal set of OFDM symbols available to a relay link in a subframe in the time direction; in a time division and frequency division multiplex mode, control information is carried by one or more resource blocks in the frequency direction and a subset of OFDM symbols available to a relay link in a subframe in the time direction; in a time division multiplex mode, control information is carried by all the resource blocks in the frequency direction and a subset of OFDM symbols available to a relay link in a subframe in the time direction; and the mapping of the control channel includes mapping in the time direction and/or the frequency direction. The present invention has backward compatibility and can obtain frequency diversity again. The time division multiplex mode can save power consumption, and the frequency division multiplex mode and the time division and frequency division multiplex mode have the advantages of flexible service scheduling. |
| US08599780B2 |
Access point range extension
A technique for expanding the range of coverage for a wireless local area network (WLAN) involves locating a wireless access point (WAP) away from an interworking unit (IWU) at the edges of the WLAN and a (typically) wired network. The WAP, when located away from the IWU, can be referred to as an untethered access point (UAP) because it communicates with the IWU on a wireless channel. Stations on the WLAN will be capable of communicating with the WAP, whether or not it is a UAP, via a known or convenient wireless protocol, such as Wi-Fi, and may or may not be capable of communicating with one another via a direct station-to-station protocol. |
| US08599777B2 |
Channel quality indicator design for multiple-user multiple-input and multiple-output in high-speed packet access systems
A method for providing multiple-user multiple-input and multiple-output in a high-speed packet access system is described. A channel quality indicator is received from a dual-stream-capable wireless communication device requesting a single-stream transmission at a first data rate. The first data rate is adjusted by an adaptive outer loop margin to obtain a second data rate. A data stream is transmitted to the wireless communication device using the second data rate. A positive-acknowledgement/negative-acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) is received from the wireless communication device. The adaptive outer loop margin is adjusted according to the received ACK/NACK. |
| US08599773B2 |
Method and system for selective scalable channel-based station enablement and de-enablement in television band white spaces
A method and system for wireless communication in a TV band white space spectrum is provided. A wireless master device keeps track of available wireless communication channels in a white space spectrum. The master device performs an enablement process for enabling a corresponding client device to transmit on a wireless channel. During the enablement process, the master device allows the client device to select a wireless channel for communication from among: a specific operating wireless channel, a subset of the available wireless channels, and all available wireless channels. |
| US08599772B2 |
Multicarrier radio receiver and method for receiving multiple carriers
A radio receiver uses a first receiver type for receiving data and/or control information on one or more secondary carrier channel(s) if one or more common channels(s) are transmitted on the corresponding secondary carrier. Otherwise, the radio receiver uses a second receiver type for receiving data and/or control information on one or more secondary carrier channel(s). |
| US08599770B2 |
Scheduling information sharing protocol of communication system
Described herein is a method of sharing a frequency resource between a plurality of transmission/reception pairs in a communication system. Also described is an inner-cell coordinator included in the communication system that may be used to carry out the method of sharing a frequency resource between a plurality of transmission/reception pairs. |
| US08599764B2 |
Transmission of overhead information for reception of multiple data streams
Techniques for transmitting overhead information to facilitate efficient reception of individual data streams are described. A base station may transmit multiple data streams on multiple data channels (or MLCs). The MLCs may be transmitted at different times and on different frequency subbands. The time-frequency location of each MLC may change over time. The overhead information indicates the time-frequency location of each MLC and may be sent as “composite” and “embedded” overhead information. The composite overhead information indicates the time-frequency locations of all MLCs and is sent periodically in each super-frame. A wireless device receives the composite overhead information, determines the time-frequency location of each MLC of interest, and receives each MLC at the indicated time-frequency location. The embedded overhead information for each MLC indicates the time-frequency location of that MLC in the next super-frame and is transmitted along with the payload of the MLC in the current super-frame. |
| US08599761B2 |
Systems and methods for PUCCH feedback in 3GPP wireless networks
A mobile station for use in a wireless network. The mobile station transmits feedback values in a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) to a base station of the wireless network. The mobile station is operable to transmit to the base station a subband second precoder matrix index (PMI) associated with a particular subband and a subband channel quality indicator (CQI) value associated with the particular subband together in a subframe of the PUCCH. |
| US08599756B2 |
Communication relay device, communication relay method, and storage medium having communication relay program stored therein
A relay device performing wireless communication with a wireless communication device to relay communication between the wireless communication device and another communication device. First and second relay modes of the relay device each include a set of communication parameters for relaying communication via respective first and second communication paths. The relay device includes a communication failure determination section for determining, whether there is a communication failure in the first communication path, and a relay mode controlling section for enabling the first relay mode and disenabling the second relay mode when there is no communication failure in the first communication path, and disenabling the first relay mode and enabling the second relay mode when there is a communication failure in the first communication path. A communication control section controls communication based on either the first relay mode or the second relay mode that is enabled by the relay mode controlling section. |
| US08599755B2 |
Method and apparatus for wide bandwidth mixed-mode wireless communications
A network device for implementing high-rate greenfield transmission in a mixed mode frame structure. The network device is configured to transmit a mixed mode frame on two adjacent channels. The mixed mode frame comprises at least two backward compatible portions of a first frequency and a greenfield portion of a second frequency. |
| US08599753B2 |
Apparatus and method for receiving/transmitting data in wireless communication system
A data receiving apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive a beacon packet from at least one base station, a searching unit configured to search an index of a subchannel including an optimal channel state among subchannels allocated to a sector divided through spatial multiplexing based on the base station using the beacon packet, a calculating unit configured to calculate a final back off time by adding a slot time of the subchannel index and a random time, and a transmitting unit configured to include the searched subchannel index in a beacon response packet and transmit the beacon response packet after the calculated final back off time. |
| US08599752B2 |
Providing a data function in an access gateway node
An access gateway node couples a control node to an external data network, where the control node and access gateway node are for use in a wireless communications network. The access gateway node comprises a data function to route packets containing traffic data between the control node and the external data network. An interface to the control node enables exchange of control messages between the data function and a control function in the control node. |
| US08599747B1 |
Lawful interception of real time packet data
A method of conducting a lawful intercept of real time media packet traffic involves redirecting real time media packet streams between a caller and callee through a media server; replicating the media packet streams within the media server; modifying packet headers of the replicated packet streams; and directing the modified packet streams to at least one monitoring port. |
| US08599743B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for reducing power consumption in a mesh network
In a network of wireless communications apparatuses connected by a plurality of routes, a wireless communications apparatus includes a packet generating unit that generates a packet for each of the plurality of routes in the network; an operating unit that generates power consumption information for each of the routes, the power consumption information indicating power consumption for transmitting the packets; an attaching unit that attaches the power consumption information to the packets; and a transmit unit that transmits the packets to which the power consumption information is attached via the corresponding routes. |
| US08599741B2 |
Protocol data units and header in multihop relay network
The invention provides a data structure embodied in a computer readable media. The data structure is a protocol data packet (PDU) communicated in a mobile multihop network between stations. The data structure includes a relay media access header, a payload and an optional cyclical redundancy checksum for the protocol data unit, and an indication whether the PDU is a relay media access protocol data unit or not. |
| US08599738B2 |
Transmission method for wireless relay system and relay station using the same
A transmission method for a wireless relay system and a relay station using the same are provided. The wireless relay system includes at least a base station (eNB), at least a relay node (RN) and at least a user equipment (UE). The eNB is facilitated by the RN to provide a data transmission service to the UE. Besides, there are pre-configured timing relationships between at least a grant signalling transmission process, at least a data transmission process and at least a feedback signal transmission process of HARQ processes between the eNB, the RN and the UE. |
| US08599737B2 |
Methods for coordinating transmission and reception operations of radio modules in a communications apparatus and communication apparatuses utilizing the same
A communication apparatus is provided. A first radio module communicates with a first communications device in compliance with a first protocol to provide a first wireless communications service. A second radio module communicates with a second communications device in compliance with a second protocol to provide a second wireless communications service. The first radio module further estimates time remaining for the second radio module before a next operation of the first radio module and transmits information regarding the estimated remaining time to the second radio module. The second radio module further schedules operations of the second radio module according to the information regarding the estimated remaining time received from the first radio module. |
| US08599729B2 |
Adaptive power control in a wireless device
Embodiments of power control in a wireless device include adjusting a snooze interval as a function of communication traffic characteristics. In some embodiments, the power control considers data rate, jitter, and throughput. |
| US08599728B2 |
Recovery schemes for group switching procedures for multi-group frequency division duplex wireless networks
Various example embodiments are disclosed herein. According to an example embodiment, a method may include receiving at a mobile station from a base station in a wireless network, a message including a group switch instruction instructing the mobile station to switch from a current group to a new group, attempting, by the mobile station, to switch to the new group in response to receiving the group switch instruction, and sending, from the mobile station, an acknowledgement message that acknowledges either the success or failure of the attempting to switch to the new group. |
| US08599726B2 |
Front end module with a tunable balancing network
A radio front module includes a power amplifier, a duplexer, and a tunable balancing network. The power amplifier is operably coupled to amplify an up-converted signal into an outbound wireless signal. The duplexer is operably coupled to an antenna and operable to provide electrical isolation between the outbound wireless signal and an inbound wireless signal. The tunable balancing network is operable to establish an impedance that substantially matches an impedance of the antenna. The tunable balancing network includes a plurality of capacitive elements, a plurality of resistive elements, and a plurality of low-voltage switching elements operable to, and in accordance with a tuning signal, couple one or more of the plurality of capacitive elements and one or more of the plurality of resistive elements to the duplexer as an impedance balancing load. |
| US08599723B1 |
Managed conference calling
The subject matter of this disclosure can be implemented in, among other things, a method. In these examples, the method includes receiving a request to join a conference call from a user, and determining whether the user is allowed to join the conference call based on an access policy configurable by a moderator of the conference call. The method may also include upon determining that the user is allowed to join the conference call, connecting the user to the conference all, determining a set of permissions granted to the user for participating on the conference call based on the access policy, and outputting a user interface to the user or sending a message to another computing device to cause the other computing device to output the user interface to the user, wherein the user interface includes a set of conference call management options based upon the set of permissions granted to the user. |
| US08599721B2 |
Composite next hops for forwarding data in a network switching device
A network device includes a memory, a routing engine and a forwarding engine. The memory stores a forwarding table and the routing engine constructs a first composite next hop that includes multiple next hops, where each of the multiple next hops represents an action to be taken on a data unit as it transits the network device or represents another composite next hop, and where the first composite next hop specifies a function to be performed on the plurality of next hops. The routing engine further stores the composite next hop in an entry of the forwarding table. The forwarding engine retrieves the composite next hop from the forwarding table, and forwards a data unit towards one or more network destinations based on the composite next hop. |
| US08599719B1 |
Discovery of neighbors during wireless network joining
A system for discovering neighbors during wireless network joining comprises a first wireless network node and a second wireless network node. The first wireless network node listens for a message from a third wireless network node based at least in part on information received in a communication form the second wireless network node. |
| US08599718B2 |
Methods and apparatus to provide enhanced 911 (E911) services for nomadic users
Methods and apparatus provide enhanced 911 (E911) services for nomadic users are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving an Internet protocol (IP) address associated with a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) device and a media access control (MAC) address associated with the VoIP device, detecting when the VoIP device is outside an access network based on the MAC address and the IP address, prompting a user of the VoIP device to provide geographic location information for the VoIP device when the VoIP device is outside the access network, and updating enhanced 911 (E911) information for the VoIP device based on the geographic location information. |
| US08599717B2 |
Method for stopping a tracing flow
The present invention discloses a method for stopping a tracing flow, wherein, a mobility management entity sends a tracing de-activating message to an evolved node B, wherein, the tracing de-activating message carries tracing reference information; responding to the tracing de-activating message, the evolved node B stops related tracing flow according to the tracing reference information. And the tracing de-activating message carries stopping description information. The related tracing flow may be stopped by the tracing de-activating message by means of the present invention so as to achieve flexibility of tracing function and improve network performance. |
| US08599712B2 |
Method and apparatus for setting reverse link CQI reporting modes in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for setting Reverse Link CQI Reporting Modes in an access terminal is provided, comprising determining a value for CQIReportingMode received as a parameter in a transmitted message and setting the reverse link CQI reporting mode of the access terminal based on CQIReportingMode value. The CQIReportingMode value is indicative of a reporting mode selected from a plurality of reporting modes. |
| US08599705B2 |
Interference management based on enhanced pilot measurement reports
Techniques for managing interference in a wireless network are described. A base station may receive enhanced pilot measurement reports from user equipments (UEs) and may make an interference management decision based on the received reports. The base station may select a serving base station for a UE based on an enhanced pilot measurement report received from the UE. The base station may determine resources with a low target interference level at a neighbor base station and may avoid scheduling a UE for uplink transmission on the resources. The base station may also determine whether to reserve resources for a neighbor base station based on data performance of the neighbor base station, whether the neighbor base station observes high interference from UEs served by the base station, or whether UEs served by the neighbor base station observe high interference from the base station, which may be determined based on the enhanced pilot measurement reports. |
| US08599704B2 |
Assessing gateway quality using audio systems
Described is automatically testing the quality of an audio channel between a caller and a callee that includes a device under test, such as a VoIP or other gateway. An analyzer receives timestamps from a caller and callee during a calling session, including timestamps for when the callee initially provides audio (e.g., speech) to the caller, when the caller initially detects sound, when the caller initially provides audio to the callee, and when the callee initially detects sound. The analyzer uses the relative timing of the timestamps and the speech recognizer's outcome to determine whether the audio channel is experiencing interference or echo. When the audio includes speech, a confidence level corresponding to accuracy of speech recognition also may establish the audio channel's quality. Random selection and timing of output may be employed, such as to vary the testing patterns during repetitive tests. |
| US08599702B2 |
Data transmission method in wireless communication system based on TDD
A method of transmitting data in time division duplex (TDD) system is provided. The method includes configuring a radio frame, the radio frame comprising downlink subframes and an uplink subframe, wherein the downlink subframes are assigned for downlink transmission and the uplink subframe is assigned for uplink transmission, transmitting downlink data on the downlink subframes, and receiving in the uplink subframe acknowledgement (ACK)/negative-acknowledgement (NACK) signals corresponding to the downlink subframes, wherein at least one of the downlink subframes includes an indicator, the indicator indicating transmission of other downlink subframes than the at least one of the downlink suframes. A basic rule about allocation of uplink subframes and downlink subframes can be provided. |
| US08599701B2 |
Systems, methods and devices to enable management of wireless network resources
The present disclosure provides systems, methods and devices for selectively adjusting a quality of service QoS of communication between a wireless access point and a UE based on both a value indicative of system resources and closed subscriber group (CSG) subscription data, such that a member has priority access to system resources over a non-member. The systems, methods and devices described herein allow an access point operating in a hybrid mode to discriminate between CSG members and non-members, without having to terminate communication links in order to provide CSG members with particular QoS levels. In some embodiments, non-members can maintain or establish new communication links with lower QoS levels in order to utilize unused and available capacity, thereby increasing the utilization of system resources available through femto nodes operating in a hybrid mode. |
| US08599700B2 |
System and method for using ad hoc networks in cooperation with service provider networks
Systems and methods for using ad hoc networks in cooperation with service provider networks. Multi-network devices communicate with each other as peers in an ad hoc network while each accessing a service provider network. The multi-network devices may each receive the same real-time multimedia stream, be it broadcast or unicast, while sharing stream parity information. The peers may take corrective action to maintain uninterrupted playback of the real-time multimedia stream with no or minimal loss in perceived quality. The peers may further cooperate to facilitate bandwidth and power optimization, fast channel switching, and real-time mobile traffic and network analysis, displays and alerts. |
| US08599698B2 |
Network routing method and apparatus
The present invention discloses a network routing method and apparatus. In the network routing method, for multiple selectable paths corresponding to current service, an average utilization rate of links of a whole network is calculated according to a bandwidth utilization rate of each link before bearing the current service and the number of the links in the whole network, wherein each of the selectable paths includes at least one link; for each link in each of the selectable paths, a bandwidth utilization rate of each link after bearing the current service is calculated; for each link in each of the selectable paths, a link balanced weight for each link is set according to the bandwidth utilization rate of said link after bearing the current service and the average utilization rate of the links of the whole network; and the link balanced weight of each link included in each of the selectable paths is accumulated respectively to obtain accumulated loads, and a path with the minimum accumulated load is selected as a bearing path for bearing the current service. The technical solution according to the present invention can improve the efficiency and realize the balanced load among the links of the whole network. |
| US08599692B2 |
System, apparatus and method for removing unwanted information from captured data packets
Data packets received at network traffic distribution device are analyzed to determine whether they include unwanted information, and, if so, the network traffic distribution device removes the unwanted information and then transmits the data packets, absent the unwanted information, to an assigned egress port (e.g., a monitor port communicatively coupled to a monitoring device). The flow of data packets may be received at the network traffic distribution device from a mirror port resident on a source of the captured data packets and/or a traffic capture point located along a communication link between two communicating devices within a network. In addition to analyzing the data packets and removing unwanted information therefrom, the network traffic distribution device may perform additional operations on the data packets as well. |
| US08599691B2 |
Manageability tools for lossless networks
Manageability tools are provided for allowing an administrator to have better control over switches in a lossless network of switches. These tools provide the ability to detect slow drain and congestion bottlenecks, detect stuck virtual channels and loss of credits, while hold times on edge ASICs to be different from hold times on core ASICs, and mitigate severe latency bottlenecks. |
| US08599690B2 |
Method and apparatus for fairly allocating resource to network users
A method and an apparatus for fairly allocating resources to network users are provided. The method for fair resource allocation to network users allows the resource allocation apparatus to collect flow information between a user terminal and a service server and aggregates the flow information based on at least one of a user terminal address, a service server address, a user terminal, a service server address, and a service. The allocation resource of the user is controlled to the predetermined recommended bandwidth by using the ratio of the aggregated flow information. |
| US08599689B2 |
Network quality of service update control
A method for communicating in a network is provided. The method comprises identifying a QoS threshold, and determining a difference between a first quality of service (QoS) parameter and a second QoS parameter. The method also comprises comparing the QoS threshold to the difference between the first and second QoS parameters. The method further comprises determining whether to use the second QoS parameter based on the comparison. |
| US08599687B1 |
Scalable architecture for deep-packet processing
A system as described herein offers flexible and high-performance packet processing, and a unique scaling technology that matches the resource requirements with the demands of the individual application and operating environment. According to one aspect, the architecture enables wire-speed execution of any Packet Handling application, at any packet size. According to another aspect, the invention provides a general-purpose computing platform that enables Packet Handling applications to be dynamically developed and put into service, for a configurable set of traffic and with configurable amounts of processing power. According to a further aspect, the dynamically scalable architecture of the invention enables the processing power of the appliance to be freely adjusted to the performance requirements of a given application, without requiring any special configuration changes. According to another aspect, the present invention provides an internal traffic management scheme that ensures fair allocation of system resources from network traffic loads and guarantees proper load distribution among the various application processors. According to another aspect, arbitrary numbers of network interfaces and network processors to scale the amount network processing throughput in accordance with the needs of the device and/or managed network(s). |
| US08599686B2 |
User equipment and base station in carrier aggregation system, and call admission control method for use with the user equipment and base station
User equipment and a base station in a carrier aggregation system, and a call admission method thereof are discussed. The user equipment includes multiple physical layers, and the base station provides multiple component carriers. When messages for connection setup are transmitted and received between the user equipment and base station, the messages may include information about what component carriers are selected for the physical layers, information about what component carriers are selectable for the physical layers, information about calculations for uplink timing alignment. Call admission control and load balancing may be performed based on the information included in the messages. Accordingly, a carrier aggregation system providing call admission and load balancing is achieved. |
| US08599684B1 |
Congestion estimation
An apparatus comprising a plurality of flow model circuits, a categorizer circuit, and a plurality of link model circuits. Each of the flow model circuits may be configured to generate a respective flow measurement signal in response to data packets received from a plurality of links on a network. The categorizer circuit may be configured to present a plurality of link measurement signals, each in response to one or more of the plurality of flow measurement signals. Each of the link model circuits may be configured to generate a respective congestion estimation signal in response to (i) a respective one of a plurality of model parameter signals, (ii) a respective one of the plurality of link measurement signals, and (iii) a respective one of a plurality of score signals. Each of the congestion estimation signals may represent a congestion level of a respective one of the links. |
| US08599680B2 |
Virtual circuit configuration method
A method and apparatus are provided for configuring a virtual circuit set up between a first and a second terminal installation. The virtual circuit is carried by an underlying path including a first link set up between the first terminal installation and an intermediate installation, and a second link set up between the intermediate installation and the second terminal installation. A third link of the underlying path is set up between the intermediate installation and a third terminal installation. The method includes a step of configuring the third terminal installation, on completion of which the latter is able to process in reception a data stream transmitted through the virtual circuit. |
| US08599670B2 |
Viterbi detector and information reproducing apparatus
A Viterbi detector includes an ACS circuit that performs addition of a path metric and branch metrics, comparison of the path metric values and path selection based on the result of comparison. The ACS circuit performs a path decision based on the path metric values and the reproduced signal supplied to the Viterbi detector at the time instant that is a specified number of channel clocks earlier during the path selection. The ACS circuit selects a mark-continuing path if the reproduced signal at the time instant that is the specified number of channel clocks earlier has an amplitude corresponding to any mark, and performs path decision based on the path metric values if the reproduced signal does not have the amplitude corresponding to any mark. |
| US08599669B2 |
Reproduced signal quality judging method
Recording mark forming method utilizing a device including a laser and a laser drive carried by a pickup having a movement drive wherein a control controls the drives to irradiate a recording medium with laser pulse sequences to form recording marks having recording mark lengths between a predetermined and maximum lengths, a top section, a last section including a cooling period, and an intermediate period. Heat of mark front edges is controlled by top section recording parameters classified according to recording mark lengths and recording parameters of first through maximum recording mark lengths are classified into a same group. Heat of mark rear edges is controlled by cooling start positions for cooling periods classified according to recording mark lengths. Cooling start positions for a second predetermined mark length through the maximum mark length are classified into a same group. The second mark length is longer than the first mark length. |
| US08599663B1 |
High speed forward sense sampling in optical drives using placed data patterns
An approach is described that allows an optical disc drive to accurately verify the power level of irradiation beam power levels associated a write strategy used in high speed, high density optical disc media formats using a front monitor diode with a relatively slow rise time and/or relative slow fall time compared to the clock cycle speed of the write strategy signal. A portion of encoded data to be written to an optical disc media may be overwritten to include a predetermined data pattern. During write strategy processing of the data, the predetermined data pattern is replaced with a constant write strategy power level. The constant write strategy output placed within the write strategy signal may control the optical disc drive laser to emit a constant irradiation beam for a duration sufficiently long to allow the front monitor diode to obtain an accurate measure of the irradiation beam power level. |
| US08599661B2 |
Optical disk device, optical pickup, and optical recording medium
The present invention can properly correct spherical aberration.An optical disk device (10) displaces an objective lens (18) so that the objective lens is displaced to a reference lens position as a reference. The optical disk device (10) controls an information light condensing point changing mechanism (55) so as to adjust the focus (FM) of an information light beam (LM) to a recording depth (X) at which the information light beam (LM) is to be applied in a state of the objective lens (18) being placed at a reference lens position (SL). The optical disk device (10) controls a servo light condensing point changing mechanism (35) so as to adjust the focus (FS) of a servo light beam (LS) to a servo layer (104) in the state of the objective lens (18) being placed at the reference lens position (SL). |
| US08599658B2 |
Method for writing and reading data by fluorescence on a light-sensitive substrate, and related substrate and devices
A method for 3D recording of data on a medium formed from a transparent photosensitive material including at least one dopant. The method includes a first step of calibrating and checking a pulsed light source including calibrating the number of pulses, the level of fluence of each pulse emitted and the rate of the pulses and a step of inscribing an area of the material. The fluence of each pulse emitted, the number of pulses and the rate of the pulses are suitable for irradiating the material in the area so as to form fluorescent clusters stabilized from the dopant while minimizing the modification of the refractive index and the absorption coefficient of the medium in a wavelength range from visible to near infrared. |
| US08599652B2 |
Thermally-assisted magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording/reproducing device using the same
A thermally-assisted magnetic recording (TAMR) medium of the present invention includes: a magnetization direction arrangement layer on a substrate; and a magnetic recording layer on the magnetization direction arrangement layer, wherein the magnetization direction arrangement layer is made of at least one selected from a group consisting of Co, Zr, CoZr, CoTaZr, CoFeTaZrCr, CoNbZr, CoNiZr, FeCoZrBCu, NiFe, FeCo, FeAlN, (FeCo)N, FeAlSi, and FeTaC so that a spreading of the heating spot applied from the magnetic head for thermally-assisted recording to the film surface of the magnetic recording medium is suppressed, and that an SN is improved by arranging the magnetization direction of the perpendicularly written recording magnetization to become identical to a perpendicular direction, and realizing the higher recording density. |
| US08599645B2 |
Sonar scanner
Detecting an object using sound waves includes outputting a sound wave from a transducer, receiving an echo after outputting the sound wave, obtaining a threshold value based on the echo and plural other echoes that are within a predetermined range of the echo, and determining if the echo is a result of the sound wave based on the threshold value. |
| US08599642B2 |
Port enable signal generation for gating a memory array device output
A method of generating a dynamic port enable signal for gating memory array data to an output node includes generating a programmable leading edge clock signal derivation of an input dynamic clock signal; generating a programmable trailing edge clock signal derivation of the input dynamic clock signal, wherein the leading edge clock signal derivation and the trailing edge clock signal derivation are independently programmable with respect to one another; and gating the generated programmable leading and trailing edge clock signal derivations with a static input enable signal so as to generate the port enable signal such that, when inactive, the port enable signal prevents early memory array data from being coupled to the output node. |
| US08599637B2 |
Advanced detection of memory device removal, and methods, devices and connectors
Memory devices, connectors and methods for terminating an operation are provided, including a memory device configured to terminate an internal operation such as a programming or erase operation responsive to receiving a signal during removal of the memory device from a connector, such as a socket. The memory device may be configured to generate the removal signal, such as by including a dedicated removal terminal. The memory card may respond to the signal by terminating a programming or erase operation before power is lost. The removal terminal may have a dimension that is different from a dimension of a power terminal. Alternatively, the connector may be configured to generate a signal that causes a host to terminate programming or erase operations prior to memory card removal, such as by including a switch that is actuated when the memory device moves to a pre-power loss position. |
| US08599629B2 |
Method and apparatus for synchronizing data from memory arrays
According to one embodiment, a device for synchronizing data output from two or more memory arrays that includes a plurality of sense circuits configured to be responsive to a clock signal. The device further includes a plurality of latches and a tracking circuit. The tracking circuit may be configured to produce a control signal responsive to the clock signal. The control signal may be operable to enable the plurality of latches. The tracking has an associated delay that is substantially the same as a delay associated with at least one of the plurality of sense circuits. |
| US08599626B2 |
Memory device and a method of operating such a memory device in a speculative read mode
A memory includes an array of memory cells with each memory cell coupled to an associated pair of bit lines. Read control circuitry is configured to activate a number of addressed memory cells in order to couple each addressed memory cell to its associated pair of bit lines. Sense amplifier circuitry is then coupled to the bit lines to determine the data value stored in each addressed memory. In a speculative read mode of operation, the sense amplifier circuitry evaluates the differential signals. Error detection circuitry is then used to capture the differential signals on the associated pair of bit lines for each addressed memory cell, and to apply an error detection operation to determine if the differential signals as evaluated by the sense amplifier circuitry had not developed to the necessary degree and, in that event, an error signal is asserted. |
| US08599624B2 |
Semiconductor memory device, method of controlling read preamble signal thereof, and data transmission system
A semiconductor memory device, includes a data terminal provided to transfer a data therethrough, a strobe terminal provided to be related in the data terminal and to transfer a strobe signal therethrough a command terminal provided to receive a command that communicates the data with an outside thereof, and a preamble resister configured to be capable of specifying a length of a preamble of the strobe signal prior to the communicating. |
| US08599618B2 |
High voltage tolerant row driver
A circuit is configured to supply a first gate voltage (PG1) at a first voltage bias (VP1) to a source of a first transistor providing an output (WLS), providing the first voltage bias (VP1) to a second transistor and supplying a second voltage bias (VN1) and a second gate voltage (NG1) to a third transistor, the second transistor coupled in series to the third transistor and in parallel with the first transistor, to supply a third voltage bias (VP2) and a third gate voltage (PG2) to a fourth transistor, and a fourth voltage bias (VN2) and a fourth gate voltage (NG2) to a fifth transistor, the fourth transistor coupled in series to the fifth transistor, and the fourth and fifth transistors coupled to a gate of the second transistor, and to provide a fifth voltage bias (VN3) to a line connecting the third transistor to the fifth transistor. |
| US08599616B2 |
Three-dimensional NAND memory with stacked mono-crystalline channels
A three-dimensional (3D) non-volatile memory (NVM) array including spaced-apart horizontally-disposed bitline structures arranged in vertical stacks, each bitline structures including a mono-crystalline silicon beam and a charge storage layer entirely surrounding the beam. Vertically-oriented wordline structures are disposed next to the stacks such that each wordline structure contacts corresponding portions of the charge storage layers. NVM memory cells are formed at each bitline/wordline intersection, with corresponding portions of each bitline structure forming each cell's channel region. The bitline structures are separated by air gaps, and each charge storage layer includes a high-quality thermal oxide layer that entirely covers (i.e., is formed on the upper, lower and opposing side surfaces of) each of the mono-crystalline silicon beams. The 3D NVM array effectively includes multiple NVM NAND string structures, where each NAND string structure is formed by multiple series-connected NVM memory cells disposed along an associated bitline structure. |
| US08599613B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes a memory cell array including memory cells of a first unit in which read and write are parallelly performed, n (n is a natural number of not less than 2) sense amplifiers, n detection circuits corresponding to the n sense amplifiers, an accumulator configured to divide the first unit data read from the memory cell array into z (z is a natural number) second unit data and accumulate a fail bit for which the write is incomplete for the second unit data, and a control circuit configured to control an operation of detecting the fail bit after the write. |
| US08599611B2 |
Distortion estimation and cancellation in memory devices
A method for operating a memory (28) includes storing data in a group of analog memory cells (32) of the memory as respective first voltage levels. After storing the data, second voltage levels are read from the respective analog memory cells. The second voltage levels are affected by cross-coupling interference causing the second voltage levels to differ from the respective first voltage levels. Cross-coupling coefficients, which quantify the cross-coupling interference among the analog memory cells, are estimated by processing the second voltage levels. The data stored in the group of analog memory cells is reconstructed from the read second voltage levels using the estimated cross-coupling coefficients. |
| US08599606B2 |
Memory bit repair scheme
A memory device for providing memory bit repair. The memory device may include memory cells. Each of the memory cells may include a measurable characteristic that identifies a stored data value. At least one of the memory cells may have a measurable characteristic set to a defective bit state. A defective bit state may refer to a measurable characteristic set to be outside of a working measureable characteristic range. The defective bit state may enable memory bit repair by identifying the at least one memory cell as being defective. |
| US08599604B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and driving method thereof
In a memory cell, a transistor with extremely high off-resistance is used as a write transistor; a drain and a source of the write transistor are connected to a write bit line and an input of an inverter, respectively; and a drain and a source of a read transistor are connected to a read bit line and an output of the inverter, respectively. Capacitors may be intentionally disposed to the source of the write transistor. Alternatively, parasitic capacitance may be used. Since the data retention is performed using charge stored on these capacitors, a potential difference between power sources for the inverter can be 0. This eliminates leakage current between the positive and negative electrodes of the inverter, thereby reducing power consumption. |
| US08599603B2 |
Resistive-switching nonvolatile memory elements
Nonvolatile memory elements are provided that have resistive switching metal oxides. The nonvolatile memory elements may be formed in one or more layers on an integrated circuit. Each memory element may have a first conductive layer, a metal oxide layer, and a second conductive layer. Electrical devices such as diodes may be coupled in series with the memory elements. The first conductive layer may be formed from a metal nitride. The metal oxide layer may contain the same metal as the first conductive layer. The metal oxide may form an ohmic contact or a Schottky contact with the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer may form an ohmic contact or Schottky contact with the metal oxide layer. The first conductive layer, the metal oxide layer, and the second conductive layer may include sublayers. The second conductive layer may include an adhesion or barrier layer and a workfunction control layer. |
| US08599602B2 |
Method of programming variable resistance element, method of initializing variable resistance element, and nonvolatile storage device
Programming a variable resistance element includes: a writing step of applying a writing voltage pulse to transition metal oxide comprising two stacked metal oxide layers to decrease resistance of the metal oxide, each metal oxide layer having different oxygen deficiency; and an erasing step of applying an erasing voltage pulse, of different polarity than the writing pulse, to the metal oxide to increase resistance of the metal oxide. |Vw1|>|Vw2|. Vw1 represents writing voltage for first to N-th steps. Vw2 represents writing voltage for (N+1)-th and subsequent steps, where N≧1, |Ve1|>|Ve2|. Ve1 represents erasing voltage for first to M-th steps. Ve2 represents erasing voltage for M+1-th and subsequent steps. tw1 |
| US08599601B2 |
Interface control for improved switching in RRAM
A memory device has a crossbar array including a first array of first electrodes extending along a first direction. A second array of second electrodes extends along a second direction. A non-crystalline silicon structure provided between the first electrode and the second electrode at an intersection defined by the first array and the second array. The non-crystalline silicon structure has a first layer having a first defect density and a second layer having a second defect density different from the first defect density. Each intersection of the first array and the second array defines a two-terminal memory cell. |
| US08599594B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and operation method thereof
A nonvolatile memory device includes at least a memory cell block including memory cells that are coupled to a plurality of word lines, respectively, and store data; a content addressable memory (CAM) block including CAM cells that are coupled to the word lines, respectively, and store chip information for operations of the nonvolatile memory device; and a block switching circuit configured to couple the word lines with global word lines; and a voltage supply circuit coupled to the global word lines, for supplying a first read voltage to a selected global word line while supplying a first pass voltage to unselected global word lines in reading the memory cell block, and supplying a second read voltage to a selected global word line while supplying a second pass voltage to unselected global word lines in reading the CAM block, wherein the second pass voltage is lower than the first pass voltage. |
| US08599592B2 |
Read threshold setting based on temperature integral
A method for data storage in a memory that includes multiple analog memory cells fabricated using respective physical media, includes identifying a group of the memory cells whose physical media have deteriorated over time below a given storage quality level. A rejuvenation process, which causes the physical media of the memory cells in the group to meet the given storage quality level, is applied to the identified group. Data is stored in the rejuvenated group of the memory cells. |
| US08599590B2 |
Detecting device for the midpoint voltage of a transistor half bridge circuit
A detecting device detects the midpoint voltage of a half bridge circuit of transistors. The circuit comprises a bootstrap capacitor having one terminal connected to the midpoint node of the half bridge circuit and another terminal connected to a supply circuit. The device comprises a further capacitor connected between a second terminal of the bootstrap capacitor and circuit means adapted to form a low impedance node for a current signal circulating in said further capacitor during the transitions from the low value to the high value and from the high value to the low value of the midpoint voltage. The device comprises a detector to detect said current signal circulating in said further capacitor and to output at least a first signal indicating the transitions from the low value to the high value or from the high value to the low value according to said current signal. |
| US08599589B2 |
Methods and systems for reducing power consumption
Methods and systems for managing power are described. In one embodiment of a method, a DC input voltage from an AC mains to DC converter, inputted to a DC to DC converter, is adjusted lower while maintaining substantially constant DC output voltage from the DC to DC converter in order to improve power efficiency. |
| US08599585B2 |
Power conversion device
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a first terminal, a second terminal, a first plurality of switching elements and anti-parallel diodes coupled between the positive electrode and the first terminal and the second terminal, a second plurality of switching elements and anti-parallel diodes coupled between the negative electrode and the first terminal and the second terminal and a PiN diode coupled between the positive electrode and the negative electrode with reverse polarity. |
| US08599584B2 |
Device for feeding back power
The present invention relates to a power feedback device, including: an AC input power source, which is three-phase or multi-phase AC, or three-phase or multi-phase AC in which the output terminal is connected in series with an inductor, for generating power; a plurality of power converting units, the input terminals of which are respectively connected with two phases of the AC input power source, for power converting the two phases of AC generated by the AC input power source respectively; an isolating transformer, the primary side of which is a three-phase winding and connected with a power network, the secondary side of which is multi-path of three-phase windings and connected with the output terminals of the plurality of power converting units, for feeding the AC converted by the plurality of power converting units back to the power network. The power feedback device according to the present invention can improve the waveform coefficients of the current of the power generation device, and increase the power factors and the utilization rate of the device, and also, the device matches power networks of different voltage levels, thereby improving the waveform coefficients of the current fed back to the power networks and lowering harmonic component. |
| US08599583B2 |
AC power supply circuit with filter capacitor between output terminals thereof
A power supply circuit includes, an input part, which has a first input terminal and a second input terminal, and which is configured to connect to an alternating current power supply; a line capacitor that is connected to the first input terminal and the second input terminal; a rectification circuit, which is connected to the first input terminal and the second input terminal, which rectifies and outputs to a load circuit from a high voltage side output terminal and a low voltage side output terminal; a smoothing capacitor, which is connected between the high voltage side output terminal and the low voltage side output terminal, and a remaining charge discharge unit that, when the alternating current flowing is interrupted, detects the interruption and discharges electrical charges remaining in the line capacitor, based on electrical charges of the high voltage side output terminal or charges of the smoothing capacitor. |
| US08599580B2 |
Buck converter
A buck converter includes a first electrical switch and a second electrical switch connected in series, a PWM module coupled to the gate of the first electrical switch through a first adjustable resistance module and coupled to the gate of the second electrical switch through a second adjustable resistance module, a filter circuit coupled between the connecting node of the two different electrical switches and an output node, and a control module for adjusting values of the first adjustable resistance module and the second adjustable resistance module and acquiring a voltage value from the connecting node. |
| US08599578B2 |
Multi-resonance power supply with an integral quality factor
Subject of the invention is a multi-resonance power supply with integral quality factor limiter, designated for transformation of direct voltages, characterised by high immunity to overload and rapid load changes. The power supply has the (TS) isolating transformer, with its primary winding connected to the main (OR) resonant circuit having at least one node connected with the set of (K1), (K2) current switches, via the serial resonant circuit, whereby at least one component of the serial resonant circuit is connected to the (DON) diode voltage limiter. |
| US08599574B2 |
Display unit having anti-EMI capability
An exemplary display unit includes a rear cover, a bracket disposed on the rear cover, a display mounted on the bracket, and a front cover secured to the rear cover to sandwich the display and the bracket between the front cover and the rear cover. The bracket includes a plate supporting the display, a pair of bulges protruding upwardly from two opposite sides of the plate and a pair of tabs extending upwardly from the bulges, respectively. The pair of tabs press against two opposite lateral faces of the display to dissipate static electricity on the display to ground. |
| US08599572B2 |
Printed circuit board with integrated thin film battery
The present invention relates to, for example, printed circuit boards having a thin film battery or other electrochemical cell between or within its layer or layers. The present invention also relates to, for example, electrochemical cells within a layer stack of a printed circuit board. |
| US08599569B2 |
Circuit board assembly structure thereof
A circuit board assembly structure includes at least a stable fixture, the stable fixture consists a first top clip plate and a first bottom clip plate which can clamp each other and connect to circuit boards in between, then combine the stable fixture to the object to simplify assembly of circuit boards. An extension fixture connects plural extension circuit boards in abutting joint, such that helps modular production. |
| US08599566B2 |
Printed circuit board
The invention relates to a printed circuit board having an insulating support layer and a layer of conductive material applied thereto. In order to increase the flexibility of the printed circuit board, it is proposed that material from the support layer have been removed at at least one point on the printed circuit board on a side of the support layer which is opposite the layer of conductive material in order to form a straight groove which extends from one side of the printed circuit board to another side of the printed circuit board, so that the printed circuit board can be bent along the groove, wherein the material of the support layer which has remained in the region of the groove and/or the layer of conductive material in the region of the groove form(s) a bending edge. |
| US08599562B2 |
Foldable fixing apparatus for hard disk drive
A foldable fixing apparatus for fixing a hard disk drive includes a handle and two telescopic arms. The handle includes a sidewall. Each telescopic arm includes a fixing arm and a slide arm. The fixing arms are respectively and rotatably connected to opposite ends of the sidewall. The slide arms are respectively and slidably connected to the fixing arms. When the slide arms are slid towards the handle and telescoped to the corresponding fixing arms, the fixing arms are capable of being rotated to be folded to the handle. When the fixing arms are rotated to be perpendicular to the sidewall of the handle, and the slide arms are slid away from the handle to be extended from the corresponding fixing arms, the hard disk drive is capable of being mounted between the telescopic arms. |
| US08599561B2 |
Mounting apparatus for PCI cards
A mounting apparatus includes a plate and a pressing member rotatably coupled to the plate. The plate includes a frame formed with a plurality of slit ports for respectively exposing PCI cards and a supporting portion for supporting bent portions of the PCI cards. The pressing member is configured for pressing the bent portions of the PCI cards, thereby sandwiching the bent portions of the PCI cards between the pressing member and the supporting portion. A handling member is actuated to drive the pressing member to enable positioning of the pressing member relative to the supporting portion. The handling member includes a main body and two arms extending from the main body. The two arms are inserted through two slots of the plate respectively and connected to two ends of the pressing member respectively. |
| US08599559B1 |
Cage with a heat sink mounted on its mounting side and an EMI gasket with its fingers electrically connected to the mounting side
A cage assembly is provided for receiving a pluggable module. The cage assembly includes a cage having a front end, a mounting side, and an internal compartment. The front end is open to the internal compartment of the cage. The internal compartment is configured to receive the pluggable module therein through the front end. A heat sink is mounted to the mounting side of the cage. The heat sink has a module side that is configured to thermally communicate with the pluggable module. An electromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket extends along at least a portion of an interface between the mounting side of the cage and the module side of the heat sink. The EMI gasket includes electrically conductive spring fingers that are engaged with and electrically connected to the mounting side of the cage. |
| US08599553B2 |
Handheld electronic device
A handheld electronic device including a first body, a second body, a third body, a gear set and a pivot member pivoted on the first body is provided. The second body having a first rack is slidably coupled with the first body. The third body having a second rack is slidably coupled with the pivot member. The gear set is disposed on the first body and coupled with the first rack and the second rack. When the third body shifts a first distance relative to the first body along a first operating direction and drives the gear set, the second body is driven to shift with respect to the first body along a second operating direction opposite to the first operating direction and exposed by the third body. After the second body is exposed by the third body, the third body is tilted with respect to the first body. |
| US08599546B2 |
Electronic apparatus and hinge
A hinge includes: a first link rotatably attached to a first housing at one end thereof; a second link attached to a second housing with a pin at one end thereof; a first arm rotatably attached to the second housing at one end thereof and rotatably attached to the first link at another end thereof; and a second arm rotatably attached to the first housing at one end thereof and rotatably attached to the second link at another end thereof. |
| US08599545B2 |
Portable folding electronic device
A portable folding electronic device has a base with a longer length dimension and a shorter width dimension and a user interface on one surface. The user interface may be oriented for use when the base has a portrait orientation. The device also has a screen unit with a longer length dimension and a shorter width dimension and a screen on one surface. A linkage connects the base to the screen unit. The linkage provides at least two degrees of freedom between the base and the screen unit such that the screen unit may be moved to a first position folded onto the base, with the length dimension of said screen unit aligned with the length dimension of the base, and to a second position tilted with respect to the base, with the length dimension of the screen unit aligned with the width dimension of the base. |
| US08599540B2 |
Modular system and framework for supporting an enclosure
A structure for storing and cooling electronics comprising a frame support, an internal equipment chamber mounted to the frame support, wherein the internal equipment chamber comprises a tubelike structure defining openings in a front and a back of the internal equipment chamber, and wherein the internal equipment chamber is configured to support electronic equipment such that the weight of the electronic equipment is born by the frame support and not the internal equipment chamber, and a plurality of removable panels disposed around the frame such that a gap is formed between the exterior of the internal equipment chamber and the plurality of removable panels, wherein air may circulate in the gap between the internal equipment chamber and the plurality of removable panels to help regulate a temperature within the internal equipment chamber. |
| US08599532B2 |
Monolithic ceramic electronic component
In a monolithic ceramic electronic component, where a distance in the height direction between one of outer-layer dummy conductors in an outer layer portion, which is arranged closest to an inner layer portion, and one of inner electrodes in the inner layer portion, which is arranged closest to the outer layer portion, is b, and an opposing distance between an adjacent pair of first inner electrodes and second inner electrodes in the height direction is t, 2t≦b is satisfied, such that the outer-layer dummy conductors can be spaced a sufficient distance away from the inner electrodes, and such that the distance between the inner electrodes can be prevented from being reduced when the inner electrodes arranged in overlapping relation to the outer-layer dummy conductors are pressed in a pressing step before firing, and a reduction of BDV can be prevented. |
| US08599530B2 |
Electromagnetic valve driving circuit
Disclosed is an electromagnetic valve driving circuit capable of reducing a load of a booster circuit. A boost driving FET 202 is connected to a route formed between the booster circuit 100 and a first terminal of an injector 3. A battery-side driving FET 212 and a battery protection diode Db are connected to a route formed between a positive-polarity side of a power supply and the first terminal of the injector 3. A freewheeling diode Df is connected at a first terminal thereof to a portion between the first terminal of the injector 3 and the battery protection diode Db, and at a second terminal thereof to a grounding side of the power supply. An injector downstream-side driving FET 220 is connected to a route formed between the second terminal of the injector 3 and the grounding side of the power supply. In addition to operating the FETs 202, 212, and 220 according to a level of a current which flows through the injector 3, a control circuit 240 activates the battery-side driving FET 212 during a period in which the boost driving FET 202 repeatedly turns on and off a plurality of times. |
| US08599529B2 |
Active lightning protection
An improved device for over-voltage protection is disclosed. A triggerable three electrode GDT (Gas Discharge Tube) is in the device used for discharging voltage. The GDT is connected between an input of the device and ground, and has its trigger electrode connected to a secondary side of a transformer. The transformer is arranged for producing a trigger signal in response to a voltage on the input for triggering said GDT into a conducting state. According to the present invention, a primary side of the transformer is connected to the input via a capacitor and a resistance, wherein a current flowing from the input through said resistance charges said capacitor when the voltage on the input increases. A thyristor is connected to ground, from a point between the resistance and the capacitor. The thyristor is arranged to start conducting when the input voltage reaches a predetermined level, thereby discharging the capacitor through the thyristor to ground and creating a pulse on the primary side of the transformer. This pulse is then transformed into the trigger signal by the transformer. |
| US08599526B2 |
Protection lockout in substation automation
Exemplary embodiments are directed to engineering of protection lockout functionality in a Substation Automation (SA) system. The system includes a breaker IED having protection-zone related intelligence in a lockout function block lockout function instances are assigned to respective protection zones, and are specified for each protection function which protection-zone(s) it shall trip and reset after lockout. Hence for switch yard configurations and power networks where a protection function trips multiple breakers by using several bay control or protection devices a more efficient implementation of lockout functionality is possible. |
| US08599521B2 |
Switching regulator and operation control method
In a switching regulator, a low voltage malfunction prevention circuit controls operations of a PWM comparator and a output buffer circuit, such that when a power source voltage is lower than a predetermined value, a switching transistor is forcibly turned off, and when the power source voltage is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the switching transistor is turned on/off in accordance with pulse signals from the PWM comparator. Furthermore, the low voltage malfunction prevention circuit generates a second reference voltage that is lower than a first reference voltage and that rises quickly in accordance with the rise of the power source voltage. The state of the power source voltage inside an IC is detected by comparing the first reference voltage with the second reference voltage. |
| US08599517B1 |
Spindle motor and disk drive apparatus
A spindle motor of a disk drive apparatus includes a base unit, a stator, a covered cylindrical rotor hub, a rotor magnet, and a bearing mechanism. The rotor magnet is an Nd—Fe—B bond magnet. The thickness of the rotor magnet in the radial direction is about 0.7 mm or more and about 1.0 mm or less. The distance between the rotor magnet and the stator core in the radial direction is about 0.15 mm or more and about 0.20 mm or less. A torque constant Kt of torque generated between the stator and the rotor magnet is about 4 mN·m/A or more and about 6 mN·m/A or less. A motor constant Km is about 2 mN·m/(A·√Ω) or more and about 4 mN·m/(A·√Ω) or less. |
| US08599516B2 |
Disk drive device in which reduction in unbalanced amount can be adjusted
A disk drive device includes: a hub on which a recording disk is to be mounted; a base member; a bearing unit configured to support the hub in a manner in which the hub can be relatively rotated with respect to the base member; an extended annular groove portion provided in part of the hub around the rotational axis of the hub; and a weight member that is installed in the extended annular groove portion to adjust a rotational balance when the recording disk is being rotated with the hub. The weight member has a fixing mechanism that is slidable, when installed, in the direction of the extended annular groove portion and that can substantially maintain a stopped state at a fixing position. |
| US08599509B2 |
Magnetic recording medium having non-magnetic separating regions and methods of manufacturing the same
In one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium includes a patterned magnetic recording layer above a substrate, the patterned magnetic recording layer including recording regions and separating regions for separating the recording regions and a non-magnetic alloy layer positioned in the separating regions, wherein the non-magnetic alloy layer includes Ti. In another embodiment, a method for producing a magnetic recording medium includes forming separating regions in a magnetic recording layer by removing portions of the magnetic layer, wherein the separating regions separate recording regions in the magnetic layer, and depositing a non-magnetic alloy layer in the separating regions. Other media and methods are described according to more embodiments. |
| US08599505B2 |
Optical filter switching apparatus of surveillance device
An optical filter switching apparatus of a surveillance device includes a housing, a driving apparatus, a optical filter holding bracket, and at least two optical filters. The housing includes a top housing and a bottom housing. A guiding mechanism is placed in the bottom housing, and the optical filter holding bracket is engaged with the guiding mechanism. The driving apparatus is placed beside the guiding mechanism and configured for the optical filter holding bracket. The optical filters are positioned on the optical filter holding bracket. The driving apparatus controls the guiding mechanism to switch the position of the optical filters in a smooth and a steady manner. |
| US08599503B2 |
Barrel unit and image pickup apparatus
A barrel unit includes a barrel, a holding member configured to hold an optical element, a cylindrical member configured to support the barrel and the holding member, and a driving unit configured to generate a thrust by electrifying in a magnetic field formed by a magnet and a yoke a coil fixed onto the cylindrical member and to drive the holding member in an optical axis direction of the optical element by using the thrust. The yoke, the magnet, and the coil are located outside of a part of the cylindrical member which supports the barrel. |
| US08599502B2 |
Optical element unit
An optical element unit is provided comprising an optical element group for projecting light along an optical axis of the optical element group and a housing having an inner housing part partly defining a first space and a light passageway between the inner housing part and a second space. The inner housing part receives the optical element group. The optical element group comprises an ultimate optical element located in the region of the light passageway. A load-relieving device is provided adjacent to the ultimate optical element, the load relieving device partly defining the first space and the second space and at least partly relieving the ultimate optical element from loads resulting from pressure differences between the first space. |
| US08599498B2 |
Optical lens assembly for image taking
An optical lens assembly for image taking, sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side, comprising: the first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; the second lens element with negative refractive power having a convex object-side surfaces and a concave image-side surface; the third lens element with positive refractive power having a convex image-side surface; the fourth lens element with refractive power having two aspheric optical surfaces; the fifth lens element with refractive power having a concave object-side surface and both aspheric optical surfaces; an image sensor disposed on an image plane and a stop provided for imaging a photographed object; specific relations being satisfied. Thereby, the optical lens assembly for image taking has good aberration correction, and can shorten the total length for use in compact cameras and mobile phones requiring high resolution. |
| US08599497B2 |
Wide angle thin-profile zoom
Some embodiments pertain to an optical zoom system. The optical zoom system includes a first inward-facing surface that is at least partly reflective and a second inward-facing surface that is at least partly reflective. The optical zoom system further includes a first aperture that includes a plurality of sub-apertures which are positioned around at least a portion of an outer periphery of one of the first and second inward facing surfaces. Each sub-aperture includes an optically powered element. The optical zoom system further includes a second aperture that exists proximate a central region of the optical zoom system. Light is reflected on the first and second inward facing surfaces as the light travels between the first aperture and the second aperture such that the light is optically combined into a single image before exiting the second aperture. |
| US08599494B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus having the same
A zoom lens includes a first lens unit with positive refraction that is stationary for zooming, a second unit with negative refraction that moves during zooming, a third unit that moves on the optical axis along with movement of the second unit, and a fourth unit with positive refraction that is stationary during zooming, arranged in order from the object to image planes. The first unit includes a negative meniscus element G1 convex towards the object plane, a positive element G2, a positive element G3, and a positive meniscus element G5 convex towards the object plane, arranged in order from the object to image planes. The respective curvature radii G1R1, G1R2, G5R1, and G5R2 of surfaces of the elements G1 and G5 and the respective focal lengths fG1, fG2, and f1 of the elements G1 and G5 and the first unit are set appropriately. |
| US08599493B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
A zoom lens includes a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power and configured to move during a zooming operation, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power and configured to move during a zooming operation. The first lens unit has a negative lens closest to an object side, and includes at least five lenses. |
| US08599488B2 |
Optical arrangement of autofocus elements for use with immersion lithography
A lithographic projection apparatus includes a projection system having a spherical lens element from which an exposure light is projected through liquid in a space under the spherical lens element, a member disposed adjacent to a surface of the spherical lens element through which the exposure light does not pass, and a gap formed between the member and the surface of the spherical lens element. The gap communicates with the space and includes lower and upper portions. A wafer is moved below and relative to the spherical lens element and the member, and the liquid is retained between the spherical lens element and the member on one side and an upper surface of the wafer on the other side. The liquid locally covers a portion of the upper surface of the wafer to expose the wafer by projecting the exposure light onto the wafer through the liquid in the space. |
| US08599486B2 |
Three dimensional sub-wavelength structure with surface plasmon energy matching properties
An apparatus including a three dimensional sub-wavelength structure for electromagnetic applications including a surface layer formed of a metal or semiconductor film, one or more additional layers stacked to the surface layer, one or more sub-wavelength apertures in the surface layer, and one or more cavities nearby the one or more sub-wavelength apertures. The size of each aperture is smaller than the wavelength of the electromagnetic field incident upon the three dimensional sub-wavelength structure. The one or more cavities provide accessibility for a dielectric material within and below each aperture. Each cavity may also contain at least one metal or semiconductor sub-wavelength particle. A method of fabricating a three dimensional sub-wavelength structure is also provided. |
| US08599485B1 |
Single-emitter etendue aspect ratio scaler
An apparatus emits a laser light beam with a first aspect ratio of etendue R1, wherein the optical invariant with respect to a first direction is less than half the optical invariant with respect to a second orthogonal direction. A first cylindrical lens collimates the beam in the first direction. A second cylindrical lens collimates the light beam in the second direction. A bisecting reflective surface has an edge that splits the collimated beam into undeviated and first deviated beam paths. A folding reflective surface redirects the first deviated beam path back toward the bisecting reflective surface, optically parallel with and displaced from the undeviated beam path with respect to the first direction. At least a portion of the redirected first deviated beam path passes the edge and combines with the undeviated path to form an output beam having a second aspect ratio of etendue R2 not equal to R1. |
| US08599477B2 |
Homogenizer including a phase plate
A system for homogenizing a laser pulse emitted by a laser source in order to illuminate a target homogeneously, the system having, between the laser source and the target: a phase plate constituted by a plurality of subpupils capable of generating a plurality of delayed laser beams towards the target, the path difference Δd between two adjacent delayed laser beams being greater than or equal to the length of the temporal coherence Tc of the laser pulse, and focusing device; wherein the subpupils and the focusing device are adjusted so that the delayed laser beams are superimposed on the target in a homogeneous spot. |
| US08599475B1 |
Alignment and optimization of a synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator for nonlinear optical generation
A synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator (OPO) comprises a nonlinear optical medium positioned in an optical resonator (e.g., a ring resonator) and is pumped by a pump laser source. A first arrangement includes a positioning mechanism for translating the nonlinear optical medium so OPO resonant modes propagate through one of multiple longitudinal regions arranged for differing odd orders of quasi-phase-matching. A second arrangement includes a pump fiber laser oscillator stretched to adjust its repetition rate to match that of the OPO. A third arrangement includes a time-domain-multiplexer (TDM) fiber loop between a pump fiber laser oscillator and fiber laser amplification stage(s). The TDM loop increases the pump repetition rate to enable increased average pump power without increased peak power. |
| US08599472B1 |
Quasicrystalline structures and uses thereof
This invention relates generally to the field of quasicrystalline structures. In preferred embodiments, the stopgap structure is more spherically symmetric than periodic structures facilitating the formation of stopgaps in nearly all directions because of higher rotational symmetries. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of quasicrystalline structures for optical, mechanical, electrical and magnetic purposes. In some embodiments, the invention relates to manipulating, controlling, modulating and directing waves including electromagnetic, sound, spin, and surface waves, for pre-selected range of wavelengths propagating in multiple directions. |
| US08599470B2 |
Suspended particle device and method for driving same
A suspended particle device is realized which enables control of the amount of light transmitted through a prescribed area, without any complicated switching circuit on a substrate. A suspension, containing charged particles and a disperse medium, is filled between an A-substrate and a B-substrate, and first and second electrodes are formed on the A-substrate. A DC voltage is applied across the first and second electrodes, to localize the charged particles on the second electrode side. Subsequently, an AC voltage is applied across the first and second electrodes to orient, while maintaining the localized state of the charged particles, the charged particles along a direction of an electric field. Light transmittance is lower in an area where the charged particles are present than in an area without charged particles, whereas, in the area where the charged particles are present, the light transmittance can be controlled by adjusting the AC voltage. |
| US08599469B2 |
Display device and method of fabricating the same
A constitution of the display device of the invention is shown in the following. The display device includes a pixel unit including TFTs of which the active layer contains an organic semiconductor material for forming channel portions in the opening portions in an insulating layer arranged to meet the gate electrodes. The pixel unit further includes a contrast media formed on the electrodes connected to the TFTs for changing the reflectivity upon the application of an electric field, or microcapsules containing electrically charged particles that change the reflectivity upon the application of an electric field. The pixel unit is sandwiched by plastic substrates, and barrier layers including an inorganic insulating material are provided between the plastic substrates and the pixel unit. The purpose of the present invention is to supply display devices which are excellent in productivity, light in weight and flexible. |
| US08599466B2 |
Electrochromic mirrors and other electrooptic devices
This invention discloses a process for assembling an electrooptic (including electrochromic) devices, wherein the device comprises a step of forming solid electrolyte layer by in-situ polymerization of a liquid composition wherein the said liquid composition comprises at least one ionic liquid. The polymerization process may lead to formation of a crosslinked polymer, and such a process may be initiated by UV radiation. The electrochromic devices of this invention may be used as a display, window or a variable reflectivity automotive mirror. |
| US08599465B2 |
Method for making an electrowetting device
A method for making an electrowetting device includes: (a) forming a surrounding wall on an upper surface of a substrate to surround a microchamber, the surrounding wall having an inner surface surrounding the microchamber and a top surface above the inner surface, the upper surface of the substrate being non-hydrophobic; (b) coating the surrounding wall and the upper surface of the substrate with a hydrophobic coating material; (c) removing a portion of the hydrophobic coating material formed on the top surface of the surrounding wall, thereby exposing the top surface of the surrounding wall; and (d) disposing a liquid into the microchamber. |
| US08599463B2 |
MEMS anchors
The invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for the design and manufacture of MEMS anchoring structures for light modulators in order to address the stresses of beams mounted on them. |
| US08599461B2 |
Layered dimmer system
A dimmer wheel which is formed to absorb large amounts of light and to disperse the light that is absorbed. The dimmer wheel has a bottom surface that is irregular, and a reflective material in that bottom surface to scatter the light. A light absorbing material also receives some of the light. |
| US08599460B2 |
Micromirror device and micromirror array
A movable beam (182a) and a movable beam (182b) each having one end fixed to a frame portion (181) of a mirror substrate (108) are provided inside the frame portion (181). The movable beam (182a) and the movable beam (182b) each having one end fixed to a corresponding to one of two opposite inner sides of the frame portion (181) are aligned at a predetermined distance on the same line in the direction in which the two sides face each other. Each of the movable beam (182a) and the movable beam (182b) has the other end displaceable in the normal line direction of the mirror substrate (108) and therefore has a cantilever structure. A mirror (183) is arranged between the movable beam (182a) and the movable beam (182b) and connected to them via a pair of connectors (109a, 109b). |
| US08599454B2 |
Image reading apparatus and ground color correction method
An image reading apparatus includes: a reading device; and a control unit, wherein the control unit configured to perform: an image reading process of controlling the reading device; a line ground-color-density detection process of detecting a ground-color-density of respective lines; a line count process of counting the number of adjacent lines, which is the number of lines that are adjacent to each other and a difference of the ground-color-densities of the lines falls within a reference range; a document ground-color-density extraction process of extracting a ground-color-density of a line in an area having the largest number of adjacent lines from a read image of the document image; and a density determination process of determining whether the ground-color-density of the document image is a reference density or lower, and a ground color correction process of performing. |
| US08599452B2 |
Image reading apparatus and method of controlling the same
An image reading apparatus includes an automatic document feeder, a first reading unit to read a first side of a document fed by the automatic document feeder and to function as a main reading unit, a second reading unit to read a second side of the document fed by the automatic document feeder; and a control unit to operate the first and second reading units in order to perform an ADF two-sided reading mode. The control unit determines a point in time when the main reading unit is changed, based on a frequency in use of the ADF two-sided reading mode, and changes the main reading unit to the second reading unit at the determined point in time. |
| US08599451B2 |
Sheet conveyance device, image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus using sheet conveyance device
A sheet conveyance device that is capable of correcting skew of a sheet like an index sheet without complicating a use setting and without increasing a cost significantly. A plurality of conveyance units are arranged in a direction intersecting a sheet conveyance direction to convey a sheet. At least three detection sensors are arranged in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction at an upstream side from the conveyance units to detect the sheet. A skew amount computation unit measures a time difference between detection timings of a front end of the sheet by two of the at least three detection sensors except the detection sensor that detects first, and computes a front-end skew amount according to the time difference. A speed change unit makes the conveyance speeds of the conveyance units be different according to the front-end skew amount so as to correct the skew of the sheet. |
| US08599448B2 |
Full spectrum recognition image sensor
The present invention discloses an image sensor, specifically a full spectrum recognition image sensor capable of reading and recognition image information for all of ultraviolet light, visible light and infrared light, which comprises a sensor substrate, photosensitive parts set on the sensor substrate and arranged in a straight line, a lens set on an upper portion of the sensor substrate, a light source set beside the lens, and a framework capable of accommodating said sensor substrate, said lens and said light source. A light-transmitting plate for carrying an original is set on an upper portion of the framework, the light source is a full spectrum light source capable of emitting light including ultraviolet light, visible light and infrared light, and the photosensitive parts on the sensor substrate consist of two parts, one part of which is a reflected light photosensitive part for receiving reflected light information generated by irradiating an original with the light source and another part of which is an exciting light photosensitive part for receiving exciting light information generated by irradiating an original with the light source. The image sensor of the present invention not only can recognize general color images, but also can recognize forgery-prevention images for various special purposes, and thus greatly improve the functions and the application field of the image sensor. |
| US08599447B2 |
Illuminating apparatus, image reading apparatus, and image forming apparatus
In a light source unit (210) serving as an embodiment of an illuminating apparatus, when P is a light-emitting element pitch [mm], and H is an optical axis distance [mm] between light-emitting elements (212) and an original (G), and when, in an illuminance cycle (T) representing repetition of bright and dark areas in a main scanning direction (X) on a light-irradiated face (Gs) of the original (G) caused by the light-emitting elements (212), the light-emitting element pitch (P) and the optical axis distance (H) are set such that unevenness [%] (M) (=(L1−L2)/L3 [%]) obtained by dividing a value obtained by subtracting a minimum illuminance value (L2) from a maximum illuminance value (L1) by an average illuminance value (L3) and an inter-unevenness distance [mm] (N) which is a half cycle of the illuminance cycle (T) satisfy the relation M≦N/2−5.5, and more preferably, M≦N/2−7.5. |
| US08599446B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image reading apparatus
An image processing apparatus including, a light source for reading for applying light onto an original to read, a light source for erasing for applying light of specific wavelength onto the original to decolorize image area, having been printed with color-changing agent having characteristic to become colorless by the light, a reading section for receiving reflected light from the original, an output section for outputting image data of the original, and a control section configured to compare first image data obtained by applying light from the light source for reading to the original, and second image data obtained by applying light from the light source for reading again to the original after applying light from the light source for erasing to the original, to determine whether the agent has been used in the image, and control at least either the reading operation or the output operation based on that determination. |
| US08599445B2 |
Image sensor unit and image reading apparatus using the same
An image sensor unit includes: a light source including a light emitting element on a light emitting surface; a light guide that causes light from the light source to be incident on a light incident surface facing to the light emitting surface, ejects the light from a light ejecting surface and illuminates a document; a rod lens array that images reflected light from the document; a sensor substrate on which a photoelectric conversion element is mounted, the photoelectric conversion element converting the reflected light imaged by the rod lens array into an electric signal; and a frame that supports the light source, the light guide, the rod lens array and the sensor substrate, wherein positioning sections are provided on an opposite side of the light emitting surface of the light source and at a part of the frame which is disposed at the opposite side of the light emitting surface. |
| US08599444B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method for controlling the same
An image processing apparatus includes a plurality of circuit configuration units, each of which can be reconfigured into one of a plurality of types of circuit configurations, and reduces the overhead incurred in the switching time period by fixing a circuit configuration of an optimal type in accordance with the frequency of appearance of pixel data having a certain attribute in a plurality of pixel data and the number of times of switching of the attribute of the pixel data from one to another. |
| US08599443B2 |
Image forming apparatus with N-in-one printing
An image forming apparatus capable of forming multiple copies of images on a medium having more than one divided area (N) by arranging the images in the divided areas, respectively. The image forming apparatus includes an input image data acquisition unit that acquires an input image data for one copy, an output image data generation unit that generates output image data in which the images are consecutively arranged on the divided areas without a blank divided area being provided between any of the copies by repeatedly using the input image data for one copy acquired by the input image data acquisition unit a number of times equal to the number of divided areas, and an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium based on the output image data. |
| US08599437B2 |
Printing control device, printer driver, conversion device, printer, printing system, control method for a printing control device, and control method for a printer
Printout that enables the user to easily know printed information is produced. A print data acquisition unit 11 acquires, as part of the print data, code information that is information for printing a code image 30 and contains at least one attribute data set including an identifier and a parameter. A storage unit 15 associates and stores the identifier to style information and a condition for determining whether to apply the style. An attribute data set extraction unit 12 extracts from the code information the attribute data set containing an identifier stored in the storage unit 15. A condition evaluation unit 13 determines if the parameter contained in the extracted attribute data set satisfies the condition associated in the storage unit 15 to the identifier contained in the attribute data set. When the parameter is determined to satisfy the condition, a print command unit 19 applies a print command to the printer based on the style information associated to the identifier. |
| US08599435B2 |
Photoreceptor motion quality estimation using multiple sampling intervals
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for determining printer component velocity variations by analyzing multiple page test patterns. A test pattern, such as ladder chart targets, is produced that extends across multiple pages. Corresponding page sync signals are recorded and used to maintain phase coherence when analyzing scanned images associated with the multiple pages. An algorithm determines the ladder rung positions and the average photoreceptor velocity between each ladder rung on each scanned image for each page. Interpolation is used for proper phase alignment of the velocity data that spans multiple pages. The long assembly of phase coherent velocity data is then analyzed in one embodiment to determine its frequency content and to estimate the photoreceptor motion quality error sources. Based upon these estimated error sources, a trouble condition or pending maintenance problem with the printer is able to be indentified. |
| US08599430B2 |
Image processing device producing reduced image
An image processing device creates reduced image data based on original image data indicative of an original image. The original image is divided into original grids each corresponding to a set of original pixel data. The reduced image is divided into reduced grids each corresponding to a set of reduced pixel data. The image processing device acquires, for each set of reduced pixel data, original pixel data corresponding to the original grid whose part is superposed on the reduced grid corresponding to the each set of reduced pixel data when the reduced image is partially superposed on the original image such that the reduced image is shifted. The reduced pixel data is produced by calculating a weighted average of the original pixel data based on size ratio of the part of original grid superposed on the reduced grid to a size of the reduced grid. |
| US08599429B2 |
Control program and image forming apparatus
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, which makes it possible to establish the register mark printing function easily and securely to print the register mark under the condition in conformity with the page arranging mode. The apparatus includes: a display section that displays a page-arranging function setting screen from which a page arranging mode is settable, and a register-mark printing function setting screen from which a kind and a printing condition of the register mark are settable; a storage section that stores a table in which the page arranging mode and the printing condition are correlated with each other; and a setting control section that specifies the printing condition of the register mark, corresponding to the current page arranging mode, while referring to the table stored in the storage section, to display the printing condition above-specified onto the register-mark printing function setting screen as a default printing condition. |
| US08599427B2 |
Label design producing apparatus
A label design producing apparatus of the present invention comprises a first memory unit in which a plurality of designs are stored, a second memory unit in which label combination information expressing each design by combination of a plurality of rectangular labels is stored, a selecting unit for selecting a design to be employed from designs stored in the first memory unit, a reading-out unit for reading out the label combination information corresponding to the design selected by the selecting unit from the second memory unit, and an output unit for outputting labels constituting the design according to the label combination information read out by the reading-out unit. |
| US08599420B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method and remote-scan image processing system using the same
In the image processing device, method and system of the present invention, a destination identifier of an image file is stored, the destination identifier indicating one of a plurality of external stations as a destination station which receives the image file from the image processing device through a network. At least one of a sender identifier of the image file, a subject identifier of the image file and a scan condition of the image file is stored. The image file is transmitted, together with at least one of the sender identifier, the subject identifier and the scan condition, through the network to one of the external stations indicated by the stored destination identifier. |
| US08599419B2 |
Systems and methods for routing facsimiles based on content
A method for routing a facsimile according to one embodiment includes receiving or generating text of a facsimile in a computer-readable format; routing the facsimile or text thereof to an intended recipient identified by recognizing at least one of a name, an email address and contact information of the intended recipient in the facsimile; analyzing the text of the facsimile for at least one of a meaning and a context of the text; and routing the facsimile or text thereof to one or more other destinations based on the analysis. A method according to another embodiment includes analyzing a pattern of light and dark areas of a facsimile in a computer-readable format; correlating the pattern to one or more forms; and routing the facsimile to one or more destinations based on the correlation, with the proviso that the analyzing, correlating and routing are performed without optical character recognition. |
| US08599416B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method and computer readable information recording medium
An image forming apparatus transfers image data stored in a first storing part of a side of a first control part to a side of a writing engine. A second storing part temporarily stores the image data from said first storing part. When data stored in the second storing part reaches a data amount to be previously stored in order that continuous transfer of the image data to the side of the writing engine from the second storing part is available at a predetermined transfer rate, even when a predetermined delay occurs in a transfer operation of the image data from the first storing part to the second storing part, reading of the image data from the second storing part is started for starting image forming operation. |
| US08599412B2 |
Printing system and method of controlling printer device
A printing system has a printer device including a communication control portion and a print engine carrying out a print processing, and an information processing device connected to the printer device as external equipment via a USB interface, the printer device being connected to external equipment by the communication function of the communication control portion via a USB interface, and inputting the electric power of the print engine by a print request from the external equipment to perform the print processing in a printer standby state in which the electric power of the print engine is reduced while maintaining the communication function of the communication control portion. |
| US08599408B2 |
Publishing content to social network sites from applications
A device driver such as a print driver may be configured to a web site. A user may select a driver for sending and publishing data to a selected web site. The driver may automatically transform the content data, authenticates the user to the selected web site and send the data for publishing. |
| US08599407B2 |
Operation apparatus, processing system, and computer readable medium
An operation apparatus includes: an execution request unit that requests a processing apparatus, which executes a predetermined processing, to execute the predetermined processing; a first receiving unit that receives a notification, from the processing apparatus to which the execution of the predetermined processing is requested, that the execution of the predetermined processing can not be requested due to generation of an error; and a register unit that registers, in a case where the notification is received by the first receiving unit, information that the processing apparatus can not be used, in association with the processing apparatus. |
| US08599406B2 |
Image forming apparatus, printing method and printing program for receiving an image from a server via a network and printing the image corresponding to area displayed on display unit to correspond to a user's designated sheet size
An image formation apparatus includes an acquisition unit for acquiring image data from a server, a display unit for displaying first image data of a first image size based on the image data acquired by the acquisition unit, a printer for printing the image data on a recording medium, a setter for setting a size of the image data printed on the recording medium, and a specification unit for specifying second image data of a second image size corresponding to the first image data so that the printer prints the second image data of the size of the image data set by the setter. The acquisition unit acquires the second image data of the second image size specified by the specification unit. The printer prints the second image data of the size set by the setter. |
| US08599403B2 |
Full depth map acquisition
The invention relates to a method for acquiring a substantially complete depth map from a 3-D scene. Both depth values and derivates of depth values may be used to calculate a pixel dense depth map with the steps of acquiring partial depth map from said 3-D scene, acquiring derivates of depth information from said scene, and extending said partial depth map by adding non-relevant information to said partial depth map, creating a pixel dense full depth map being spatially consistent with both said partial depth map and said derivates of depth information. |
| US08599402B2 |
Secure cloud based printing
A printing apparatus includes a first memory, a second memory, a first obtaining section, a second obtaining section, and a retrieving section. The first memory stores information concerning a registrant who has registered the printing apparatus as a print destination with a holding apparatus. The second memory stores information concerning an instructor who provides an instruction instructing the holding apparatus to hold print data that is to be used in printing performed by the printing apparatus. The first obtaining section obtains obtainment information. The second obtaining section obtains print-data identification information. The retrieving section retrieves, from the obtainment information, obtainment information which includes the print-data identification information and which is to be used to obtain print data that is held by the holding apparatus in accordance with the instruction and that is to be used in printing performed by the printing apparatus. |
| US08599400B2 |
Image forming device, control method, and program for image forming device
When a control code detection unit detects a control code, an image storage unit stores the image data of pages that are entered after the page with the control code added thereto. A control code decision unit decides the content of control for the output processing of the image data based on all the control codes detected by the control code detection unit. Then, based on the content of control decided by the control code decision unit, a control unit controls the output processing of the image data stored in the image storage unit. |
| US08599399B2 |
Image forming apparatus, control method thereof and computer-readable storage medium
This invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of reliably printing security information even when image data of an original document that is obtained by a reading unit contains security information and an area where the security information is not contained is set as a print area, and a control method thereof. To accomplish this, when image data of an original document contains security information, the image forming apparatus extracts image the security information from data, and sets a print target area from an area indicated by the image data of the original document. When an area corresponding to, from which the security information is extracted, is not contained in the set print target area, the image forming apparatus executes printing using the extracted image data corresponding to the security information, and the image data corresponding to the print target area. |
| US08599387B2 |
Surface position detecting apparatus, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
A surface position detecting apparatus disclosed herein has a light-sending optical system SL to guide light to a detection target surface, a light-receiving optical system to guide the light to a light-receiving surface, a detector arranged on the light-receiving surface, a splitter to split the light guided to the detection target surface W, into measurement light and reference light on a field basis, and a combiner to combine the measurement light traveling via the detection target surface W toward the light-receiving optical system, with the reference light traveling toward the light-receiving optical system without passing via the detection target surface W, on a field basis; and the detector independently detects the reference light and the measurement light on the light-receiving surface. |
| US08599383B2 |
Optical cytometry
The present invention provides optical systems and methods for determining a characteristic of a cell, such as cell type, cellular response to a biochemical event, biological state and the like. The methods typically involve using interferometry to observe membrane properties in a cell and then use this information to determine one or more characteristics of a cell. The methods of the invention are useful for applications such as drug screening as well as diagnostic techniques. |
| US08599380B2 |
Method of constructing light-measuring look-up table, light-measuring method, and light-measuring system
The invention discloses a method of constructing light-measuring look-up table, a light-measuring method, and a light-measuring system. The method of constructing light-measuring look-up table is to construct a look-up table by according to spectrum parameters relative to a light spectrum model, three actual color-matching functions relative to the light-measuring system and three standard color-matching functions, calculating both a look-up color coordinate and a reference color coordinate corresponding to each of the spectrum parameters. The light-measuring method includes: first, measuring a to-be-measured light by the light-measuring system to obtain actual stimulus values and calculating an actual color coordinate; then, comparing the actual color coordinate with the look-up color coordinates to determine both a to-be-measured light spectrum parameter and an estimated color coordinate relative to the to-be-measured light; furthermore, according to the to-be-measured light spectrum parameter, one of the standard color-matching functions and one of the actual stimulus values, calculating an estimated luminance. |
| US08599372B2 |
Linear chromatic confocal microscopic system
The present invention provides a chromatic confocal microscopic system in which two conjugate fiber modules are spatially configured and employed to conduct a detecting light from a light source and an object light reflected from an object, respectively. By means of the two spatially corresponding fiber modules, the detecting light is projected on the object and the reflected light from the object is entered into the other fiber module. Since each fiber of the fiber module is capable of filtering out the unfocused light and stray lights and allowing the focused light pass therethrough a line slit, thereby minimizing potential interference from light cross talk caused by the overlapped light spots, not only can the present invention obtain the information of surface profile of the object with high vertical measurement resolution, but also achieve high lateral resolution during confocal measurement. |
| US08599371B2 |
Method of and apparatus for obtaining high dynamic range spectrally, spatially and angularly resolved radiation data
A method of obtaining high dynamic range, spectrally, spatially and angularly resolved radiance of a sample surface of a sample by an electromagnetic irradiator irradiating electromagnetic radiation of controlled spectral distribution onto the sample surface and, using an electromagnetic sensitive sensor to register the reflected spectral distribution. The spectral distribution of the intensity of the electromagnetic field is modeled to have been reflected by a plurality of spatially well defined part-surfaces of the sample surface. The electromagnetic sensitive sensor being well-defined in terms of the functional dependency between input radiation and output signal and the registering exposure time-period being selected individually for each individual sensor element, such as to compile an information volume that represents the registered high dynamic range spectrally resolved electromagnetic radiance as a function of the position of the part-surfaces within the sample surface and of the respective angle enforced on the sample while measuring. |
| US08599367B2 |
Apparatus and methods for obtaining multi-dimensional spatial and spectral data with LIDAR detection
A Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) apparatus comprises a laser generator configured to generate an output laser signal toward a target area, at least one detector configured as an array of light sensitive elements, the array including a plurality of rows and columns of the light sensitive elements, and at least one wavelength dispersion element positioned in a return path of a returning laser signal returning from the target area. The at least one wavelength dispersion element is configured to separate wavelengths of the returning laser signal onto the plurality of rows and columns of the array, wherein the plurality of columns of the array are associated with the separated wavelengths that correspond with a position along a row of the array, the position along the row of the array corresponding with a spatial position of the target area along a first axis. Methods for scanning a target area and obtaining spectral and spatial data are disclosed herein. |
| US08599364B2 |
Range sensor and range image sensor
The range image sensor is a range image sensor which is provided on a semiconductor substrate with an imaging region composed of a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged units (pixel P), thereby obtaining a range image on the basis of charge quantities QL, QR output from the units. One of the units is provided with a charge generating region (region outside a transfer electrode 5) where charges are generated in response to incident light, at least two semiconductor regions 3 which are arranged spatially apart to collect charges from the charge generating region, and a transfer electrode 5 which is installed at each periphery of the semiconductor region 3, given a charge transfer signal different in phase, and surrounding the semiconductor region 3. |
| US08599361B2 |
Nanometer-precision six-degree-of-freedom magnetic suspension micro-motion table and application thereof
A nanometer precision six-DOF magnetic suspension micro-stage and the application thereof are provided which are mainly used in semiconductor photolithography devices. The micro-stage includes a cross support and four two-DOF actuators. Each 2-DOF actuator comprises a vertically polarized permanent magnet, a horizontal force coil and a vertical force coil; the permanent magnet being mounted on an end of the cross support, the horizontal force coil and the vertical force coil being arranged on a side of and below the permanent magnet respectively and being spaced apart from the permanent magnet; the cross support and four vertically polarized permanent magnets constitute a mover of the micro-stage; the horizontal force coil and the vertical force coil being fixed by a coil framework respectively and constituting a stator of the micro-stage; and the stator being mounted on a base of the micro-stage. A dual-wafer table positioning system of a photolithography machine may be constructed by two said micro-stages in combination with a two-DOF large stroke linear motor. The present invention features simple structure, large driving force, small mass and absence of cable disturbance, and is possible to realize high precision, high acceleration six-DOF micro-motion. |
| US08599354B2 |
Liquid crystal display including a variable width spacer element
A liquid crystal display with two insulating substrates. A first insulating substrate has crossing signal lines, a pixel electrode, and a drain electrode electrically connected to the pixel electrode through a contact hole. A spacer is formed on the first signal line of the first insulating substrate, and is wider at a first portion close to the first insulating substrate than at a second portion close to the second insulating substrate. |
| US08599353B2 |
Display comprising a plurality of substrates and a plurality of display materials disposed between the plurality of substrates that are connected to a plurality of non-overlapping integral conductive tabs
The present disclosure generally relates to multilayer display connections, display devices using the display connections, and tiled displays, in particular tiled reflective cholesteric liquid crystal displays. The displays include substrates that have integral tabs for bringing the electrical connections from one major surface of the display to the opposite major surface of the display. The inactive region of a tiled display is thereby minimized by making the electrical connections to display drivers on the major surface opposite the viewing area. |
| US08599348B2 |
High light transmittance in-plane switching liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same
The present disclosure relates to a horizontal electric field type liquid crystal display device having the horizontal electric fields over the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes which are disposed on the same level plane, and a method for manufacturing the same. The horizontal electric field type liquid crystal display device comprising: a substrate; a gate line and a data line crossing each other with a gate insulating layer therebetween, and defining a pixel area on the substrate; a thin film transistor formed where the gate line and the data line is crossing; a pixel electrode contacting the thin film transistor on the gate insulating layer; a common electrode disposed in parallel with the pixel electrode having a predetermined distance; and a passivation layer covering whole surface of the substrate including the pixel electrode and the common electrode. According to the present disclosure, as all liquid crystal molecules including molecules disposed right over the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes are driven by the horizontal electric field, the light transmittance and the aperture ratio are enhanced. |
| US08599346B2 |
Image display device and manufacturing method thereof
Provided is an image display device including: a resin member; a TFT circuit layer formed above the resin member; and an inorganic film formed on a surface of the resin member to be formed between the resin member and the TFT circuit layer, in which the inorganic film has a stress acting thereon, the stress being, at a glass transition point (Tg) of the resin member, in the range of equal to or higher than −300 MPa to equal to or lower than 200 MPa, while, at a room temperature, in the range of equal to or higher than −400 MPa to equal to or lower than 50 MPa. |
| US08599345B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
VA-mode liquid crystal display device having a high display quality is provided. A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes a vertical alignment type liquid crystal layer; a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween; a first electrode provided in the first substrate on the liquid crystal layer side and a second electrode provided in the second substrate on the liquid crystal layer side; and a first alignment film provided between the first electrode and the liquid crystal layer and a second alignment film provided between the second electrode and the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of pixel areas located in a matrix. Each of the plurality of pixel areas includes a first liquid crystal domain in which a tilt direction of liquid crystal molecules at the center and in the vicinity thereof in a layer plane and in a thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer when a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode is a predetermined first direction, a second liquid crystal domain in which such a tilt direction is a predetermined second direction, a third liquid crystal domain in which such a tilt direction is a predetermined third direction and a fourth liquid crystal domain in which such a tilt direction is a predetermined fourth direction; and a difference between any two among the first direction, the second direction, the third direction and the fourth direction is approximately equal to an integral multiple of 90°. |
| US08599342B2 |
Method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device comprising a light-transmitting reinforcing plate arranged on a front surface side of a liquid crystal display panel wherein a photocuring resin is irradiated from only a side surface of the photocuring resin
A liquid crystal display panel including liquid crystal sandwiched between a pair of substrates is prepared. A light-transmitting reinforcing plate is prepared. A photocuring resin is provided between the liquid crystal display panel and the reinforcing plate. Light is irradiated to a side surface of a laminated body constituted of the liquid crystal display panel, the reinforcing plate and the photocuring resin. The photocuring resin is arranged to face the liquid crystal in an opposed manner. The light is allowed to advance to the inside of the photocuring resin from an edge portion of the photocuring resin. The light is allowed to advance to the inside of the reinforcing plate from an edge portion of the reinforcing plate, is propagated in the inside of the reinforcing plate, and is irradiated to the photocuring resin from the reinforcing plate at a position away from the edge portion of the reinforcing plate. |
| US08599341B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and electronic equipment
Disclosed herein is a liquid crystal display device including: a first substrate having a pixel area in which pixels are arranged in a matrix form; a second substrate disposed to be opposed to the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrates; a conductive section disposed at least on the first of the first and second substrates to apply a voltage to the liquid crystal; an organic film disposed at least over one of the first and second substrates; a sealing area adapted to hold the two substrates of the liquid crystal display device together at the peripheral portions of the first and second substrates; and an organic film-free area which is free from the organic film and extends from the inward side of the outermost end of the sealing area to the outward side of the outer periphery of the pixel area. |
| US08599339B2 |
Compensation film, manufacturing method thereof and liquid crystal display using the same
Disclosed is a compensation film, a manufacturing method thereof and a liquid crystal display, which can obtain a wider viewing angle. The liquid crystal display can secure a wider viewing angle by providing the compensation film formed of multi-layered cholesteric liquid crystal layers. |
| US08599333B2 |
Circuit and method for driving LED string for backlight, and backlight and display device using the circuit
An LED driving circuit drives a display backlight LED string including multiple LEDs connected in series. A power supply supplies a driving voltage from an output terminal thereof to a first end of the LED string. A detection resistor is arranged between a second end of the LED string and a fixed voltage terminal. The LED driving circuit receives a pulse modulation signal having a duty ratio that corresponds to the luminance. In the on period, in which the PDIM signal is the first level, the LED driving circuit controls the power supply such that the voltage drop across the detection resistor approaches a predetermined target value. In the off period, in which the PDIM signal is the second level, the LED driving circuit stops the control operation for the power supply. |
| US08599331B2 |
Liquid crystal display with connecting assembly
A liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a bracket, an LCD panel received in the bracket, and a number of connecting members resiliently sandwiched between the LCD panel and the bracket. |
| US08599330B2 |
Display apparatus
A display device includes a display panel, a backlight unit positioned in the rear of the display panel, a plurality of brackets attached to a non-display area of a back surface of the display panel using an adhesive, a back cover positioned in the rear of the display panel, and a side cover including a first portion parallel to a width direction of the display panel and a second portion which is connected to the first portion and is positioned parallel to a longitudinal direction of the display panel. An end of the back cover is positioned in the second portion of the side cover. An edge of at least one side of a front surface of the display panel is exposed. |
| US08599329B2 |
Liquid crystal display module and liquid crystal display device having the same
A liquid crystal display device has a liquid crystal display module, including: a bottom chassis having a bottom side on which an open hole is formed, a printed circuit board adjacent to the open hole and supported at an inner face of the bottom side on which a plurality of light emitting diodes are is mounted, and a coupling part which extends from the printed circuit board, passes through the open hole and contacts an outer face of the bottom side of the bottom chassis, so as to maintain coupling between the bottom chassis and the printed circuit board. |
| US08599328B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel displaying images, a plurality of gate circuit chips-on-film connected to the liquid crystal panel and supplying gate driving signals to the liquid crystal panel, a plurality of data circuit chips-on-film connected to the liquid crystal panel and supplying data driving signals to the liquid crystal panel, a gate printed circuit board (PCB) connected to the gate circuit chips-on-film, a data printed circuit board (PCB) connected to the data circuit chips-on-film, a backlight assembly supplying light to the liquid crystal panel, and a top chassis fixing the liquid crystal panel and the backlight assembly, and including an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the data printed circuit board (PCB) is disposed corresponding to the lower surface of the top chassis, and a plurality of drain holes are disposed in the lower surface of the top chassis. |
| US08599327B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus and method for dust prevention of liquid crystal display apparatus
Disclosed is a liquid crystal display apparatus including a liquid crystal panel, and a backlight unit which is disposed on a back side of the liquid crystal panel, wherein the liquid crystal display apparatus further includes a dust preventing tape which is stuck to a region including at least a peripheral portion of a display surface of the liquid crystal panel and a side surface of the backlight unit in order to cover the region. A dust preventing method for a liquid crystal display apparatus is also disclosed. |
| US08599326B2 |
Method of manufacturing a display device with greyscale capability
A method of manufacturing a cell wall assembly for an electro-optic display device with greyscale capability comprises: forming on a substantially planar surface of a transfer carrier, at least one dielectric structure; forming on said at least one dielectric structure at least one electrode structure; wherein said dielectric structure extends in a direction perpendicular to said surface by a distance which varies substantially within the area of the or each electrode structure; adhering said at least one electrode structure to a major surface of a substrate of glass or a plastics material; and removing the transfer carrier. Other aspects of the invention include the cell wall assembly, a device with greyscale capability, a method of manufacturing the device, and the transfer carrier. |
| US08599325B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate with gate lines and drain lines, and pixel electrodes each formed in a region surrounded by the gate lines and drain lines. Protrusions are formed below the gate lines, each of the protrusions having an upper surface and at least one inclined side surface. A gate insulating film is formed over the gate lines, a semiconductor layer formed on the gate insulating film, and drain electrodes formed and source electrodes formed over the semiconductor layer. Channel portions are defined by the space between the drain electrodes and the source electrodes, each of the channel portions being formed covering the upper surface and at least one of the at least one inclined side surface of one of the protrusions, the pixel and source electrode being in contact with each other on at least one inclined side surface of the protrusion. |
| US08599322B2 |
2-dimensional and 3-dimensional image display device and method of manufacturing the same
Provided are a 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional image display device and a method of manufacturing the same. The display device includes: an image display panel including first and second substrates with a first liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween; a switching panel including third and fourth substrates with a second liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween; and a backlight unit for supplying light to the image display panel and the switching panel. |
| US08599321B2 |
Touch-sensing display device and touch-sensing module thereof
A touch-sensing display device, specifically to a borderless touch-sensing display device, is disclosed. The touch-sensing display device includes a display module and a touch-sensing module. The touch-sensing module includes a first sensing sheet and a second sensing sheet, wherein a space exists between the first sensing sheet and the second sensing sheet. The first sensing sheet includes a lens layer, a plurality of first conductive portions, and a conductive film, wherein the conductive film is disposed on the lens layer while the first conductive portions are distributed on two opposite sides of the lens layer. The second sensing sheet includes a substrate, a plurality of second conductive portions, and a plurality of conductive strips, wherein the second conductive portions are selectively distributed on one of two sides of the substrate while the conductive strips are respectively connected to the second conductive portions and have different voltages. |
| US08599319B2 |
Combined telephone/TV remote control
When a person arrives home with his mobile phone, the phone sends a presence signal via Bluetooth to the TV system in the home, which enables a telephone feature in which phone calls to the phone are relayed to the TV system. The remote control associated with the TV has a microphone and speaker so that a person can use the RC not only to control the TV but also to respond to phone calls, with the TV system relaying voice signals from the RC back to the phone. |
| US08599313B2 |
Adaptive content rendering based on additional frames of content
A device and method for rendering content that includes analyzing previous and/or subsequent temporal portions of a content signal to determine elements that are positionally related to elements of a current portion of the content signal. The current portion of the content signal is rendered on a primary rendering device, such as a television, while the elements that are positionally related to elements of a current portion of the content signal are concurrently rendered on a secondary rendering device. In one embodiment, the elements that are rendered on the secondary rendering device may be rendered at a lower resolution and/or lower frame rate than the rendered current portion of the content signal. In one embodiment, at least one of previous and subsequent temporal portions of a content signal may be analyzed at a lower resolution than the content signal. |
| US08599309B2 |
Method and system for identifying addressing data within a television presentation
Characters represented within a frame of a television presentation are identified. A pattern formed by a subset of the characters is identified if the pattern is indicative of an addressing datum. A provision is made for a selection of characters that form the pattern indicative of the addressing datum. In one embodiment, a web page is displayed upon a selection of characters that form a pattern indicative of a uniform resource locator for the web page. |
| US08599308B2 |
Photographing apparatus having simple structure whereby dust is removed from an entire area of a vibration plate corresponding to an imaging device
A photographing apparatus includes an imaging device that converts an optical image of an object into an electrical signal; a vibration plate disposed at a front direction of the imaging device; a vibration generator which is mounted on the vibration plate and vibrates the vibration plate; a support frame which is located between the imaging device and the vibration plate, and supports edges of the vibration plate; and a vibration plate pressing unit which is connected in the support frame and includes a part which presses at least an area of the vibration plate. |
| US08599305B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and image capture apparatus with anti-blooming pre-shutter operation
A solid-state imaging device having a pixel array section in which pixels including photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a matrix form, and sweeping out unnecessary charges by setting a predetermined number, two or more, of adjacent rows or a predetermined number, two or more, of adjacent columns, in the pixel array section, to a single group, and by applying a shutter pulse in units of groups before storing signal charges, and sequentially reading the signal charges in the units of groups. In the solid-state imaging device, a pre-shutter pulse is applied to pixels belonging to at least a single row or a single column within a succeeding group and adjacent to a preceding group, prior to the shutter pulse, before a reading timing for the preceding group, to sweep out unnecessary charges stored in the pixels. |
| US08599301B2 |
Arrayed imaging systems having improved alignment and associated methods
Arrayed imaging systems include an array of detectors formed with a common base and a first array of layered optical elements, each one of the layered optical elements being optically connected with a detector in the array of detectors. |
| US08599295B2 |
Imaging element and imaging device with constant current source gate-to-source potential difference
Disclosed herein is an imaging element including a pixel array section, a first current source, a first ground line, a first switch, a first capacitive element, a second switch, and a current control circuit. |
| US08599290B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for artifact evaluation of digital images
Descriptions are provided of various implementations of an automated tuning process configured to optimize a procedure for post-processing images captured by a camera sensor. |
| US08599289B2 |
Method and device for image noise compensation with image enhancement
A system (12) for providing an adjusted image (228) of a scene (10) from a noisy captured image (14) includes a control system (26) that provides the adjusted image (228). The control system (26) can create a de-noised image (238) from the captured image (14), determine a details layer (236) from the captured image (14), and combine information from the details layer (236) with the de-noised image (238) to provide the adjusted image (228). |
| US08599288B2 |
Noise reduction apparatus, method and computer-readable recording medium
A noise-reduction apparatus includes an image-noise-reduction means having an operation means and a judgment means. The operation means shifts the level of the signal-value of a target-pixel so that an average of the signal-values of the target-pixel and pixels in a predetermined area in the vicinity of the target-pixel becomes a value at the origin of a color-space of each of a plurality of color-components, performs an operation for noise-reduction processing on the target-pixel and restores the level of the signal-value thereof based on the shifted level. The judgment means estimates a noise-amount of the target-pixel, calculates a statistic representing the noise of the target-pixel based on the signal-values of the target-pixel and the pixels in the predetermined area, compares the estimated noise-amount and the statistic, and determines, based on the result of comparison, which of the estimated noise-amount and the statistic to use for the operation of noise-reduction processing. |
| US08599284B2 |
High dynamic range sub-sampling architecture
A method of implementing high dynamic range bin algorithm in an image sensor including a pixel array with a first super row having a first integration time and a second super row having a second integration time is described. The method starts by reading out image data from the first super row into a counter. Image data from the first super row is multiplied by a factor to obtain multiplied data. The factor is a ratio between the first and the second integration times. The multiplied data is then compared with a predetermined data. The image data from the second super row is readout into the counter. If the multiplied data is larger than the predetermined data, the multiplied data from the first super row is stored in the counter. If not, the image data from the second super row is stored. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08599281B2 |
Apparatus for anti color rolling
The subject matter discloses a color rolling reduction apparatus, comprising: an antenna (99) for receiving signals; a detector (330) linked to the antenna, for detecting low signals from the signals received by the antenna, the low signals are associated with a power supply connected to a light source; and an amplifier for amplifying the low signals; wherein the low signals that are amplified are for synchronizing of a functionality of a camera. |
| US08599278B2 |
Method for estimating a plane in a range image and range image camera
3D data of pixels arranged in a square lattice is converted to a houndstooth arrangement, a largest value among respective magnitudes of cross products of all pairings of the normal vector of a small triangle of interest and the normal vectors of three adjacent small triangles is derived, and a large triangle composed of the small triangle of interest and the adjacent small triangles is determined to be a plane candidate if the largest value is less than or equal to a first threshold, after which similar processing is repeated with this large triangle taken as a small triangle, and this repetition is recursively performed while enlarging the small triangle of interest, and when the area of a new large triangle is greater than or equal to a predetermined area, the region thereof is determined to be a plane and separated from a range image. |
| US08599277B2 |
Streaming non-continuous video data
A method and apparatus for providing a plurality of sequential image data samples for display, is disclosed. A first one of the image data samples is accessed and then a second one of the image data samples is accessed. The first and second image data samples may then be provided for display, where one or more further data samples are provided in the event that the first and second image data samples are not contiguous. These further data samples indicate that image data samples are not available between the first and second image data samples. |
| US08599275B2 |
Image editing apparatus, image pickup apparatus, image editing method, and program
First image data captured by a first image pickup apparatus and second image data captured by a second image pickup apparatus are stored in storing means. Thus, it is possible to correlate images with each other by using identification information of a user or the image pickup apparatus and identification information of an image capturing time, an image capturing position, or an image pickup target (event). Further, the correlated image data is edited on the basis of editing structure data, thereby generating album image data. |
| US08599272B2 |
Imaging apparatus with roll angle correction and method of angle correction of object
An information device includes: an angle detector which outputs data for obtaining a roll angle and a pitch angle of an object; and a corrector which corrects the roll angle based on the pitch angle obtained from the data outputted by the angle detector. |
| US08599270B2 |
Computing device, storage medium and method for identifying differences between two images
In a method for identifying differences between two images using a computing device, a digital image of the object is captured using an image capturing device, and a standard image of the object is obtained from a storage system of the computing device. A threshold value is generated according to pixel values of the digital image and the standard image. The method extracts first feature points from the digital image and second feature points from the second gray picture according to the threshold value. The method further determines a first feature area of the first gray picture according to the first feature points, determines a second feature area of the second gray picture according to the second feature points, and compares the first feature area with the second feature area to identify a difference between the digital image and the standard image. |
| US08599269B1 |
Digital camera testing for dark signal non-uniformity
The embodiments of the invention here are automated systems and processes for testing a camera device. The processes can detect dark signal non-uniformity (DSNU) within a digital image that has been captured by a solid-state imaging sensor of the camera device under test. Techniques that may be able to detecting localized and global color drifts of various shapes have been described and claimed. |
| US08599265B2 |
Power control method of device controllable by user's gesture
Provided is a method which minimizes power consumption by controlling power of a camera that is used for recognizing a user's gesture, in a video processing apparatus, which recognizes the user's gesture and is controlled according to the recognized gesture, such as a TV or a monitor. In the present invention, a camera is driven in a low power mode or a high power mode, and when a user's specific gesture is detected in the lower power mode, the camera is switched to the high power mode for recognizing a detailed gesture. |
| US08599263B2 |
Camera module and method of manufacturing the same
A camera module includes: a lens unit including a casing portion and a lens; and a substrate portion on which an image pick-up element is mounted. The camera module is assembled in combination of the lens unit and the substrate portion in an arrangement in which the lens and the image pick-up element are opposed to each other. The substrate portion includes: a first substrate including one of surfaces on which the image pick-up element is mounted; an infrared filter supported on a light receiving face of the image pick-up element; and a second substrate supported on a surface of the infrared filter which is opposed to the lens. The second substrate includes an opening portion disposed in alignment with the infrared filter so as not to intercept an incident light. A circuit component is mounted on the second substrate. |
| US08599262B2 |
IR camera with improved parameter interpretation and image control
Embodiments of the invention relate to an IR camera for capturing thermal images of an imaged view, the IR camera comprising an IR camera display configured to display the captured thermal images to a user of the IR camera; a display control unit configured to control the IR camera display to further display a current temperature range of the IR camera. The IR camera is characterized in that the display control unit is configured to determine an indication scale comprising the entire current temperature range of the IR camera wherein equally sized temperature intervals have different geometric size in the indication scale based on upon the actual image content of the captured thermal image, and control the IR camera display to display the indication scale to a user of the IR camera. Embodiments of the invention further relate to a method for use in displaying captured thermal images of an IR camera and a computer-readable medium encoded with executable instructions for the same. |
| US08599261B1 |
Vision-based car counting for multi-story carparks
Method and apparatus for counting vehicles at entrances, exits and transition zones of multi-story carparks, including particularly where the ceiling heights can be just marginally higher than the tallest expected vehicle, with a view to determine the carpark occupancy at different carpark levels by counting passing vehicles using a vision-based car counting system without relying on viewing test patterns or employing a blocking beam scheme and yet tolerating vehicles transgressing partially or fully into the wrong lane of a two-lane two-way road while ignoring vehicles moving opposite to the expected direction. Without imposing additional constraints to ambient carpark illumination, the methodology copes with highly specular vehicle surfaces, ignores non-vehicular objects and detects moving cast shadow or highlight, and adapts to daily and seasonal scene changes, and yet estimates vehicle speed. |
| US08599260B1 |
School bus traffic arm camera system
A system for capturing images of a vehicle violating an extended stop arm of a school bus. The system includes a housing, a base plate for the housing, a system actuation device, and a mounting plate. The system comprises the following components disposed between the base plate and the housing: (i) at least a first camera for capturing an image of a license plate of a vehicle passing the school bus; (ii) a storage device for recording images from the first camera; and (iii) a power source for operating the camera and storage device. The mounting plate is attached to the school bus, and the base plate and housing are removably attached to the mounting plate without the need for permanently attaching the system to the school bus. |
| US08599259B2 |
Exterior mirror for vehicle
To facilitate discrimination of a curb, a gutter or the like by using an infrared illuminating device and an infrared-sensitive image pickup device mounted on an exterior mirror of a vehicle when the vehicle is pulled over to a shoulder at night. Two illuminating devices having optical axes oriented downward are mounted on a housing of a side mirror at a distance from each other in the lateral direction of a vehicle. The illuminating devices alternately emit infrared light downwardly. An image pickup device sensitive to infrared light having an optical axis oriented downward is mounted on the housing at a middle position between the left and right illuminating devices. An image taken by the image pickup device is displayed on an image monitor disposed at a position where the monitor can be viewed from the driver seat. |
| US08599257B2 |
Vehicle detection device, vehicle detection method, and vehicle detection program
Attention is paid on the phenomenon that substantially no direct sun light or no reflected light from surrounding objects is applied, to a vehicle bottom side and tire travel surfaces and the vehicle bottom side and the tire travel surfaces have lower luminance values than all the other portions including the shades of trees or buildings along the road in an on-vehicle camera image. Luminance threshold specifying unit (13) analyzes an image luminance histogram and specifies the upper limit of the pixel luminance which can be assumed as a region of the vehicle bottom side. Vehicle assumed region extracting unit (15) assumes that the pixel position having a luminance value not greater than the upper limit is the region of the vehicle bottom side and sets a vehicle assumed region, thereby verifying presence/absence of a vehicle in the vicinity. |
| US08599256B2 |
Method and apparatus for making a virtual movie for use in exploring a site
Methods, systems, and computer storage mediums are disclosed for producing an interactive virtual movie which simulates the walking of a user within a real site and exploring the same. An example method includes defining minimal conditions for the capturing a new photograph. A photograph is captured each time the apparatus exceeds one of the predefined minimal conditions, wherein the measurements of the variables is reset after each capturing. The method also includes forming open chains of photographs captured during a common route photographing session, and closed chains of photographs captured during a common junction photographing. For each photograph in a closed chain that relates to a junction, a corresponding similar photograph form an open chain is found and a link is formed between them. |
| US08599252B2 |
Moving object detection apparatus and moving object detection method
A moving object detection apparatus includes: a stationary measure calculation unit calculating, for each of trajectories, a stationary measure representing likelihood that the trajectory belongs to a stationary object; a distance calculation unit calculating a distance representing similarity between trajectories; and a region detection unit (i) performing a transformation based on the stationary measures and the distances between the trajectories, so that a ratio of a distance between a trajectory on stationary object and a trajectory on moving object, to a distance between trajectories both belonging to stationary object becomes greater than a ratio obtained before the transformation and (ii) detecting the moving object region by separating the trajectory on the moving object from the trajectory on the stationary object, based on a geodesic distance between the trajectories. |
| US08599248B2 |
Method for displaying a stereoscopic image and stereoscopic image display device for performing the method
A stereoscopic image display device includes a display panel, a temporal division plate and a lenticular lens. The display panel includes a gate line, a data line, and a unit pixel of a horizontal pixel structure in which a long side is parallel with the first direction and a short side is parallel with the second direction. The display panel displays a 2D image based on an image control signal. The temporal division plate includes a plurality of shutters disposed on the display panel extending in the second direction. The temporal division plate opens and closes m shutters corresponding to each unit pixel, in a sequence, ‘m’ being a natural number no less than 2). The lenticular lens is disposed on the temporal division plate to convert the 2D image passing the temporal division plate into a 3D image. |
| US08599246B2 |
Storage medium storing display controlling program, display controlling apparatus, display controlling method and display controlling system
A game apparatus displays a virtual space on a stereoscopic LCD (hereinafter referred to as 3D display) allowing for an autostereoscopic display, and images a stereoscopic image for displaying an object in a three-dimensional manner and a planar image for displaying the object in a two-dimensional manner (hereinafter referred to as 2D display) in the virtual space with virtual cameras. A computer performs a 3D display on the stereoscopic LCD by utilizing the imaged stereoscopic image and a 2D display on the stereoscopic LCD by utilizing the imaged planar image. Furthermore, the computer accepts an input from a button, a microphone, etc. to control the object. Then, in a case that a non-input state continues past a predetermined time period during the 3D display, the 3D display is switched to the 2D display. |
| US08599245B2 |
Image processing apparatus, camera, and image processing method
When multiple face frames are displayed along with multiple faces, disturbance of stereoscopic effect of an observer having stereoscopic vision is prevented and in addition, visual weariness is suppressed. A stereoscopic photographed image composed of multiple photographed images respectively captured with multiple image pickup devices is input. Positions of faces in each of the photographed images are identified. Focusing states in the positions of faces based on in-focus positions and distance information on the positions of faces. Face frames indicating the positions of faces are blurred according to the focusing states in the positions of faces. A stereoscopic display image is generated from the generated face frames and the stereoscopic photographed image. |
| US08599244B2 |
Imaging apparatus capable of switching display methods
An imaging apparatus comprises an image pickup unit, a cutout image generation unit for cutting out a specified area in a pickup image taken by the image pickup unit to generate a cutout image enlarged at a specified magnification, an image display unit for displaying one or both of the pickup image taken by the image pickup unit and the cutout image generated by the cutout image generation unit, a display image control unit for controlling a method of displaying an image the image display unit displays, a manual focus operation unit for the user to control through manual operation the focus position of the image pickup unit, and a manual zoom operation unit for the user to control the zoom magnification of the image pickup unit. |
| US08599243B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes: an imaging unit configured to generate an imaged image by imaging a subject; a depth information generating unit configured to generate depth information relating to the imaged image; an image processing unit configured to extract, from the imaged image, an image of an object region including a particular subject out of subjects included in the imaged image and a surrounding region of the subject, based on the depth information, and generate a difference image to display a stereoscopic image in which the subjects included in the imaged image are viewed stereoscopically based on the extracted image; and a recording control unit configured to generate a data stream in which data corresponding to the imaged image and data corresponding to the difference image are correlated, and record the data stream as a moving image file. |
| US08599241B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and recording medium
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and a recording medium that allow a reproducing apparatus to determine which one of a base stream and an enhancement stream obtained by encoding video data obtained from a plurality of viewpoints using a predetermined encoding method is a stream of a left image and which one is a stream of a right image. 3D_PL_type indicates the type of a PlayList. The value of the 3D_PL_type equal to “01” indicates a PLayList for B-D1 reproduction of 3D reproduction. The value of the 3D_PL_type equal to “10” indicates a PLayList for B-D2 reproduction of 3D reproduction. view_type indicates whether the Base view video stream whose reproduction is managed using the PlayList is a stream of an L image (L view) or a stream of an R image (R view). The present invention is applicable to reproducing apparatuses that comply with the BD-ROM standard. |
| US08599238B2 |
Facial pose improvement with perspective distortion correction
Methods, systems, and apparatus are presented for reducing distortion in an image, such as a video image. A video image can be captured by an image capture device, e.g. during a video conferencing session. Distortion correction processing, such as the application of one or more warping techniques, can be applied to the captured image to produce a distortion corrected image, which can be transmitted to one or more participants. The warping techniques can be performed in accordance with one or more warp parameters specifying a transformation of the captured image. Further, the warp parameters can be generated in accordance with an orientation of the image capture device, which can be determined based on sensor data or can be a fixed value. Additionally or alternatively, the warp parameters can be determined in accordance with a reference image or model to which the captured image should be warped. |
| US08599237B2 |
Multiple video stream capability negotiation
Video send and receive capabilities of participants are determined by the respective machines determining available combinations, as well as preferences for the receivers. Receiver capabilities are forwarded to the source for computation of negotiated video capabilities through a logic intersection of the determined capabilities based on desired number of streams and resolutions. If a resolution of a send capability exists within the receive capability, the highest frame and/or bit rate may be selected for transmission. |
| US08599226B2 |
Device and method of data conversion for wide gamut displays
A method and system for converting color image data (data outputting from element 202) from a, for example, three-dimensional color space format to a format usable by an n-primary display (206), wherein n is greater than or equal to 3. The system (converter 204) may define a two-dimensional sub-space having a plurality of two-dimensional positions, each position representing a set of n primary color values and a third, scaleable coordinate value for generating an n-primary display input signal (signal inputting toi display 206). Furthermore, the system may receive a three-dimensional color space input signal including out-of range pixel data not reproducible by a three-primary additive display, and may convert the data to side gamut color image pixel data suitable for driving the wide gamut color display. |
| US08599224B2 |
Organic light emitting display and driving method thereof
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display comprises: an OLED; a driving transistor for supplying driving current to the OLED; a data line for transmitting a corresponding data signal to the driving transistor; a first transistor having a first electrode connected to one electrode of the OLED and a second electrode connected to the data line; and a second transistor having a first electrode connected to the data line and a second electrode connected a gate electrode of the driving transistor, wherein the first transistor, the second transistor, and the driving transistor are turned on, a first current and a second current are respectively sunk in a path of driving current from the driving transistor to the OLED through the data line, and a threshold voltage and mobility of the driving transistor are calculated by receiving a first voltage and a second voltage applied to the gate electrode of the driving transistor corresponding to sinking of the first current and the second current through the second transistor and the data line, and the data signal transmitted to the data line is compensated. |
| US08599223B2 |
Display device, method for correcting luminance degradation, and electronic apparatus
A display device includes a first reference pixel section configured to be driven to emit light at a predetermined luminance, a second reference pixel section configured to be driven to emit light when an amount of luminance degradation is to be detected, and a correcting unit configured to correct luminance degradation of effective pixels that contribute to display on the basis of a detection result of luminances of the first reference pixel section and the second reference pixel section. |
| US08599221B2 |
Image display devices
An image processing device includes a first display section configured to display an image, an input receiving device configured to receive an input associated with the image, and a computer processing unit (CPU). The CPU is configured to determine a selected portion of the image based on the input, to reduce a scaling factor associated with the selected portion of the image as an amount of time that the input device continuously receives the input increases, and to apply the scaling factor to the selected portion of the image to generate a scaled image. The device also includes a second display section configured to display the scaled portion of the image. |
| US08599218B1 |
Methods and apparatus for unification of space mechanisms in toolkits using a generic space component
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for generating displays based on a layout with space components. A layout is received that specifies a set of rectangular components, each rectangular component having at least one size. The set of rectangular components includes a non-visible space component configured not to react to user-interface events. A plurality of grid lines is determined from the layout. Each rectangular component is associated with at least two grid lines that are based on the at least one size of the rectangular component. A system of constraints is generated, where each constraint is related to at least two grid lines of the plurality of grid lines. The system of constraints is solved to determine a location for each grid line in the plurality of grid lines. A display of the rectangular components is generated based on the locations of the grid lines. |
| US08599213B2 |
System and method for simulating paint brush strokes using configurable wetness, drying, and mixing parameters
Systems, methods, and apparatus for simulating natural media painting in a digital painting application (or painting simulation module) may more accurately simulate real world painting techniques than conventional painting simulation applications. The digital painting application (or simulation module) may provide a small set of physically meaningful parameters (e.g., canvas wetness, drying rate, and pickup mix ratio). By setting the values of these parameters (or overriding default values for a selected paint type), the user may better control the appearance of brush strokes made by a virtual paint brush on a digital canvas. For example, the length of a brush stroke, the amount of streaking caused by paint picked up during the brush stroke, and/or the mix of paint deposited from a pickup buffer and a reservoir buffer of a brush model may be affected by changing the values of these parameters, thus allowing users to create different realistic painting effects. |
| US08599211B2 |
RGBW display system and method for displaying images thereof
When a signal receiving unit receives red, green, and blue sub-pixels of an RGB pixel, a chromaticity weight generation unit generates a chromaticity weight according to the lowest gray level and the highest gray level of the red, green, and blue sub-pixels of the RGB pixel. Then, a gray level generation unit generates gray levels of red, green, blue, and white sub-pixels of an RGBW pixel according to the chromaticity weight, gray levels of the red, green, and blue sub-pixels of the RGB pixel, three chromaticity correction values and the lowest gray level. A RGBW display displays the RGBW pixel according to the gray levels of the red, green, blue, and white sub-pixels of the RGBW pixel. |
| US08599209B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer readable medium
An image processing apparatus includes: an image obtaining section obtaining an input image; a first image processing section generating a predetermined quality image resulting from rendering the input image in high image quality using a predetermined image processing parameter; a display section displaying the predetermined quality image; a characteristic region identifying section identifying a plurality of characteristic regions in the input image; a parameter determining section determining, respectively for the plurality of characteristic regions, image processing parameters for rendering images of the plurality of characteristic regions, in higher image quality; a second image processing section generating a plurality of high quality characteristic-region images respectively of the plurality of characteristic regions, using the image processing parameters determined by the parameter determining section; and a display control section replacing the plurality of characteristic regions in the predetermined quality image under display, with the plurality of high quality characteristic-region images. |
| US08599206B2 |
Systems and methods for animating non-humanoid characters with human motion data
Systems, methods and products for animating non-humanoid characters with human motion are described. One aspect includes selecting key poses included in initial motion data at a computing system; obtaining non-humanoid character key poses which provide a one to one correspondence to selected key poses in said initial motion data; and statically mapping poses of said initial motion data to non-humanoid character poses using a model built based on said one to one correspondence from said key poses of said initial motion data to said non-humanoid character key poses. Other embodiments are described. |
| US08599203B2 |
Systems and methods for presenting visualizations of media access patterns
Disclosed are systems and methods for presenting media access patterns to a user. Requests are received for a media item from consumers located in a first geographic area, or media access information is otherwise collected. A first plurality of media accesses are recorded in a logging database associated with consumers who requested the media item and who are located in the first geographic area. Requests are received for the media item from consumers located in a second geographic area. A second plurality of media accesses associated with consumers who requested the media item and who are located in the second geographic area are recorded in the logging database. A first graphical representation of the first plurality of media accesses is displayed on a map. A second graphical representation of the second plurality of media accesses is also displayed on the map. |
| US08599202B1 |
Computing tessellation coordinates using dedicated hardware
A system and method for performing tessellation of three-dimensional surface patches performs some tessellation operations using programmable processing units and other tessellation operations using fixed function units with limited precision. (u,v) parameter coordinates for each vertex are computed using fixed function units to offload programmable processing engines. The (u,v) computation is a symmetric operation and is based on integer coordinates of the vertex, tessellation level of detail values, and a spacing mode. |
| US08599201B1 |
System and method for a stencil-based overdraw visualizer
Systems and methods for a stencil-based overdraw visualizer are described. Mobile device that includes, for example, one or more memories and one or more processors operatively coupled to the one or more memories. The one or more memories include a stencil buffer. The one or more processors are configured to render graphics on a display based on an application that is running on the one or more processors; count overdraws in the stencil buffer on a pixel-by-pixel basis; associate respective colors with corresponding overdraw values stored in the stencil buffer; and combine rendered graphics on the display based on the application with the colors indicated in the stencil buffer on a pixel-by-pixel basis. |
| US08599199B2 |
Stereoscopic image generation method of background terrain scenes, system using the same, and recording medium for the same
Disclosed herein are a stereoscopic image generation method of background terrain scenes, a system using the same, and a recording medium for the same. The stereoscopic image generation method of background terrain scenes includes an initial mesh creation step of creating an initial mesh using terrain geometry based on image sequences, a geometry error correction step of generating a projection map, detecting error regions of the initial mesh using the generated projection map, generating a vector map of the detected error regions, and generating a corrected mesh, error of which is corrected, and a stereo conversion step of generating a stereoscopic image using the corrected mesh. Since the stereoscopic image is generated based on the mesh, the mesh fits the terrain shape even though the geometry is complex. Further, time coherence can be enforced, the mesh can be edited easily, and new elements can be unseamingly composed into the terrain. Thus, it is possible to prevent a viewer who views the stereoscopic image from becoming tired. |
| US08599195B2 |
Apparatus and method for modeling all matter by modeling, truncating, and creating N-dimensional polyhedra including those having holes, concave attributes, and no symmetry
An apparatus and method for modeling all matter by modeling, truncating, and creating general polyhedra without requiring advanced computer processors and computer memory according to one embodiment includes at least one processor, means for inputting vertex data to the processor, a display in data communication with the processor, and computer memory coupled to the processor. The computer memory has recorded within it machine readable instructions for storing vertex data previously input to the processor, truncating a polyhedron created using the vertex data, and actuating the display. The instructions for creating and truncating a polyhedron utilize length data and angle data for triangles formed from the vertex data. |
| US08599194B2 |
System and method for the interactive display of data in a motion capture environment
A system includes an analysis system for performing an analysis and a motion capture environment interfaced with the analysis system. The motion capture system includes at least one sensor-tracker for tracking a location of a tracked object within the motion capture environment and one or more computers collectively operable to generate a virtual reality environment corresponding to the analysis. |
| US08599192B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of driving the same based on recognized motion
A LCD includes: a display panel and a signal controller. The display panel includes n pixels arranged in a matrix, wherein n is a natural number. The signal controller sequentially receives first through 2n-th pixel image signals, sequentially calculates a difference between a k-th pixel image signal and a (n+k)-th pixel image signal, recognizes the (n+k)-th pixel image signal as a motion signal when the difference is greater than a first reference value and recognizes the (n+k)-th pixel image signal as a non-motion signal when the difference is equal to or less than the first reference value, and determines whether the (n+k)-th pixel image signal is a moving-image signal based on numbers of motion signals and non-motion signals recognized. An image signal of a previous frame includes the first through n-th pixel image signals and an image signal of a current frame includes the (n+1)-th through 2n-th pixel image signals. |
| US08599186B2 |
Pixel driving device, light emitting device, driving/controlling method thereof, and electronic device
In a pixel driving device that drives a plurality of pixels, each pixel includes a light emitting element and a pixel driving circuit comprising a driving device having one end of a current path connected to one end of the light emitting element and having another end of the current path to which a power-source voltage is applied. Provided in a controller is a correction-data obtaining function circuit which obtains a first characteristic parameter relating to a threshold voltage of the driving device of each pixel based on a voltage value of each data line after a first detection voltage is applied to each data line connected to each pixel, and a current is caused to flow through the current path of the driving device through the each data line with a voltage of another end of the light emitting element being set to be a first setting voltage. |
| US08599185B2 |
Driving apparatus of display with precharge mechanism
A driving apparatus of a display is disclosed. The driving apparatus mentioned above includes a digital-to-analog converter circuit and an output buffer circuit. The digital-to-analog converting circuit receives a display data with a digital format for generating a gray-level voltage. The output buffer circuit has an output terminal to output an output signal. The output buffer circuit receives the gray-level voltage, a pre-charge enable signal and the output signal and provides a pre-charge output signal to the output terminal of the output buffering circuit according to the pre-charge enable signal and a comparison result of the gray-level voltage and the output signal. |
| US08599182B2 |
Power sequence control circuit, and gate driver and LCD panel having the same
A power sequence control circuit receives an input positive voltage and an input negative voltage. The control circuit includes a pull-up stage, having a first terminal receiving the input positive voltage, a second terminal coupled to a node, and a control terminal receiving feedback of an output positive voltage. A pull-down stage has a first terminal coupled to the node and a second terminal coupled to an output negative voltage. A current-limit switching unit has a first terminal receiving the input positive voltage, a second terminal outputting the output positive voltage, and a control terminal coupled to the node. When the output negative voltage decreases, and if the pull-down stage decreases a control voltage at the node and the control voltage is less than a threshold value, the current-limit switching unit is conducted to transmit the input positive voltage as the output positive voltage. |
| US08599181B2 |
Display panel
A photo detector is disclosed. The photo detector includes a substrate, a first patterned semiconductor layer, a dielectric layer, a patterned conductive layer, an inter-layer dielectric, a second patterned semiconductor layer, two first electrodes disposed on the inter-layer dielectric and two second electrodes disposed on portions of the second semiconductor layer. The first patterned semiconductor layer having a first doping region and a second doping region is disposed on a transistor region. The dielectric layer is disposed to cover the substrate and the first semiconductor layer, the patterned conductive layer is disposed on the dielectric layer, and the inter-layer dielectric having at least two openings adapted to expose the first doping region and the second doping region is disposed to cover the dielectric layer. The second patterned semiconductor layer is disposed on a photosensitive region and the first electrodes are electrically connected to the first patterned semiconductor layer. |
| US08599180B2 |
Driving circuit and liquid crystal display using the same
A driving circuit for driving an LCD includes a common electrode, a number of pixel electrodes, a peripheral circuit, and a processing unit including a first input/output (I/O) port, a second I/O port; and a number of third I/O ports. The first I/O port and the second I/O ports are connected to the common electrode via the peripheral circuit, and each third I/O port is connected to a different pixel electrode. The processing unit controls the first I/O port, the second I/O port, and the third I/O ports to output a first or second voltage according to a display signal, thus the pixel electrodes are at the first or the second voltage accordingly, the common electrode is at a voltage in a range between the second voltage and the first voltage in receiving the voltage output by the peripheral circuit, thus driving the LCD to display an image. |
| US08599178B2 |
Display device and electronic apparatus
A transistor connected to a power source for driving a light-emitting element driving transistor and a transistor setting to a predetermined voltage a source voltage of the light-emitting element driving transistor are commonly controlled by a control signal that takes one of three levels. |
| US08599176B2 |
Image display device, electronic apparatus, portable apparatus, and image displaying method
The present invention is applied to e.g. a liquid crystal display apparatus based on a multi-bit memory system. In the invention, input image data (SIG) is recorded in a memory part 62 in each pixel, and the grayscale is represented by time-division driving in accordance with the input image data (SIG) recorded in this memory part 62. |
| US08599175B2 |
Input detection circuit, input detection method, input detection apparatus, and computer readable medium
An input detection circuit including: an acquisition portion that acquires at least one potential of a first conductive membrane formed on a first surface of a first substrate, and a second conductive membrane formed on a second surface of a second substrate provided at a position away from the first substrate, the second surface being opposed to the first conductive membrane; a first control portion that controls switches connected to the first conductive membrane or the second conductive membrane to intermittently apply a voltage to the first conductive membrane; and a first detection portion that detects an input operation by detecting the generation of a current that flows from the first conductive membrane to which the voltage is applied by the first control portion, to the second conductive membrane based on the potential acquired by the acquisition portion. |
| US08599169B2 |
Touch sense interface circuit
A touch sensing interface (101) includes a noise touch sensing circuit (110) that utilizes electromagnetic (EM) noise in a touch panel (102) to determine whether a pad of the touch panel is touched, such as by a finger of a user. The noise touch sensing circuit detects noise in a first pad (104) and in a second pad (105) of the touch panel, compares power of the noise in the first pad to power of noise in the second pad, and outputs a signal (132) indicative of the first pad being touched when power of noise in the first pad exceeds power of noise in the second pad by a pre-selected amount. The touch sensing interface may include a capacitive touch sensing circuit (120) and a controller (130) that selectively actuates the noise touch sensing circuit and the capacitive touch sensing circuit. |
| US08599168B2 |
Touch detection method and circuit for capacitive touch panels
A touch detection method for capacitive touch panels includes the steps of scanning the rows and columns of the capacitive matrix of a touch panel respectively; obtaining the capacitance differential value; processing the obtained capacitance differential value; and determining whether there is a touch on the touch panel in response to the processed capacitance differential value. The capacitance differential value is obtained by one of the steps of synchronously scanning two rows at the same time; synchronously scanning two columns at the same time; scanning one row to obtain the capacitance differential value between the row and a reference capacitance; and scanning one column to obtain the capacitance differential value between the column and a reference capacitance. The present invention creates conditions for the elimination of common code interferences and greatly improves the interference resistance of a capacitive touch panel. |
| US08599164B2 |
Method for filtering signals of touch sensitive device
A method for filtering signals of a touch sensitive device is used to judge whether or not a touch signal output from a touch sensitive device is noise by utilize the arrangement pattern of sensing areas. If the sensing areas corresponding to the touch signal are arranged partially conforming to a noise arrangement pattern the touch signal will be discarded. The present invention uses a scheme of comparing the arrangement diagram of a touch signal with a plurality of noise arrangement patterns to decide whether or not to discard the touch signal so as to increase the accuracy and the stability of a capacitive touch sensitive device. |
| US08599157B2 |
Techniques for recognizing a series of touches with varying intensity or angle of descending on a touch panel interface
Briefly, a method and apparatus for recognizing a series of touches with varying intensity or angle of descending on a touch panel interface is disclosed. The method comprises receiving user input with a touch panel interface, recognizing a series of touches with varying intensity or angle of descending on the touch panel interface, and performing an action associated with the series of touches with varying intensity or angle of descending on the touch panel interface. |
| US08599155B2 |
Touch sense using time domain reflectometry
A touch panel or screen has a serpentine transmission line fabricated on a substrate, e.g., printed circuit board, LCD, plasma or LED screen, etc., and has a constant impedance. A touch to the touch panel will cause a change of impedance of the transmission line at the location of the touch. Time domain reflectometry (TDR) is used for determining the location of the change of impedance of the transmission line by accurately measuring the return pulse time at the source of the initial pulse, and then converting the return pulse time to X-Y coordinates of the touch panel or screen. |
| US08599154B2 |
Method of image touch panel
The present invention relates to a method of image touch panel, which comprises the steps of first extracting a background image, comparing the background and a touch image for producing a positioning image, positioning a location of the touch image according to the positioning image for giving the location touched by a user, and hence executing the corresponding function. Thereby, the function of a touch panel can be achieved. By adopting the method of image touch panel according to the present invention, it is not necessary to purchase a physical touch panel to own the functions the touch panel has for executing the functions provided by an electronic product with ease. In addition, the present uses mid- to low-end cameras, and hence reducing the costs. |
| US08599151B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An information processing apparatus is provided which includes a first display unit for displaying book data per page, a second display unit provided so as to be adjacent to the first display unit for displaying the book data per page, an axial part provided between the first and second display units, a first detecting unit for detecting rotational angular displacement of the first display unit around the axial part, a second detecting unit for detecting rotational angular displacement of the second display unit around the axial part, and a display page controller for displaying a page N displayed on the first display unit on the second display unit, or displaying the page N displayed on the second display unit on the first display unit, based on the rotational angular displacement of the first display unit and the rotational angular displacement of the second display unit. |
| US08599148B2 |
Mobile terminal and screen control method thereof
A mobile terminal is provided. The mobile terminal includes a display for sensing at least one of a touch or an approach of a pointing means and a controller for controlling brightness of a sensed area according to the sensed touch or the approach of the pointing means. |
| US08599145B2 |
Operation system with right seat or left seat operator determination
A manually operated operation apparatus that is combined with a display apparatus for showing a different image for respectively different occupants includes a driver sensor at a position being touched by a driver who operates an operation unit, a passenger sensor at another position being touched by a passenger who operates the operation unit. Based on a detection result of these sensors, the operator of the operation unit is determined. In this manner, the operation apparatus distinguishes the operator of the operation unit for removing a limitation on an operation icon being displayed on the display apparatus without imposing a special operation on a user, thereby enabling an improvement of the usability of the operation apparatus. |
| US08599140B2 |
Providing a frustrated total internal reflection touch interface
A method for providing a touch interface on a display is described. The method includes providing an emitter on a first side of the display and providing a detector on a second side of the display. The emitter provides an electromagnetic signal to the display. The electromagnetic signal has a path from the emitter to the detector through the display in the absence of a user's touch such that the electromagnetic signal is detected by the detector in the absence of the user's touch. The path includes at least one total internal reflection in the display. The emitter and the detector are configured such that the user's touch at any of the at least one total internal reflection alters the path such that a portion of the electromagnetic signal does not reach the detector. |
| US08599139B2 |
Electronic device system utilizing a character input method
A character input method is implemented in a device with a plurality of keys. If a key is activated by a first operation matching a first input pattern, a first route is selected to traverse a plurality of characters corresponded by the key during presentation of the plurality of characters. If the first key is activated by a second operation matching a second input pattern, the plurality of characters corresponded by the first key are orderly retrieved and presented according to a second route in response to operations on the first key. The order for presenting two characters corresponded by the first key in the first route is reversed in the second route. |
| US08599135B1 |
Controller device, information processing system, and communication method
A controller device transmits operation data to an information processing device. The controller device wirelessly communicates with the information processing device. The controller device includes an operation unit, a generating unit, and a communication unit. The operation unit includes at least a gyrosensor, an acceleration sensor, a direction input unit, and a touch panel. The generating unit generates operation data based on data obtained from the operation unit. The communication unit wirelessly transmits the operation data to the information processing device for each iteration of a predetermined cycle. The operation data transmitted in a single transmission includes: data representing a value obtained by adding together nine pieces of angular velocity detected by the gyrosensor; data representing one piece of acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor; data representing one piece of direction detected by the direction input unit; and data representing ten pieces of position detected by the touch panel. |
| US08599133B2 |
Private screens self distributing along the shop window
An interactive method and system include at least one detector (210) configured to detect the position of at least one user (240) in proximity of a panel (205), such as a transparent panel of a shop window (205). A processor (120) is provided which may be configured to activate a portion of the panel to display information. This portion, referred to as a private screen (230), may be substantially near the user's position. The processor (120) may be further be configured to move the private screen (230) so that it follows movement of the user (120). When a second user (245) is detected, then a second private screen (235) is activated substantially near the second user (245). The location of the second private screen (235) relative the location of the first screen (230) is such that interference is reduced between the two users or screens. |
| US08599131B2 |
Information display apparatus, mobile information unit, display control method, and display control program
An information display apparatus including a contact detecting panel unit that detects at least contact with the approximately transparent panel surface thereof made by an external object; a display panel unit installed on the panel back surface of the contact detecting panel unit; an analyzing unit that analyzes a contact position of the panel surface with which the external object makes contact and a direction indicated by a specific portion of the external object on the basis of output values from the contact detecting panel unit; and a pointer control unit that controls a display position and a pointing direction of a predefined pointer image displayed on the display panel unit on the basis of the contact position and the direction indicated by the specific portion, in which both the contact position and the direction are obtained from the analyzing unit. |
| US08599126B2 |
Method of local dimming of light source, light source apparatus for performing the method and display apparatus having the light source apparatus
In a method of local dimming of a light source including a plurality of light-emitting blocks, a dimming level of each light-emitting block of the plurality of light-emitting blocks is determined. A compensation dimming level of a predetermined light-emitting block is calculated based on dimming levels of peripheral light-emitting blocks disposed around a periphery of the predetermined light-emitting block. The predetermined light-emitting block is driven based on the compensation dimming level. |
| US08599124B2 |
Display device and electronic device
It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device in which images can be seen under a dark place to intense external light. In the display device, display is performed by changing the gray scale number depending on external light intensity, and display modes can be switched depending on contents displayed on the screen. An analog mode and a digital mode are switched depending on external light intensity. In an analog digital switching circuit, when a video signal is an analog value, a signal is outputted to a pixel array without any change and, when the video signal is a digital value, the signal is outputted to a circuit that performs a digital operation such as a latch circuit. Consequently, display gray scales of a pixel are changed appropriately. Accordingly, a clear image can be displayed. For example, it is possible to ensure visibility in a wide range of a dark place or under indoor florescent light to outdoor sun light. |
| US08599122B2 |
Display device to compensate a kickback voltage and method of driving the same
A display device includes a gate driving part, a data driving part, a display panel and a kickback voltage compensating part. The gate driving part outputs a gate signal, and the data driving part outputs a data signal. The display panel displays an image in response to the gate signal and the data signal. A pixel voltage of the display panel is reduced by a kickback voltage varied based on a gray scale and induced when the gate signal falls. The kickback voltage compensating part compensates an image control signal externally provided to the kickback voltage compensating part for the kickback voltage to output a data control signal to the data driving part. |
| US08599121B2 |
Active matrix substrate and drive circuit thereof
An active matrix substrate used in a display device or the like capable of making substantially uniform the level shift generated in the pixel potential caused by the distribution of resistance and capacity in each signal line is disclosed. On the TFT substrate which is an active matrix substrate including a common electrode line formed parallel to the scan signal line, in order to eliminate non-uniformity of the level shift of the pixel potential generated at the scan signal fall, each pixel circuit is formed so that the capacity between the scan signal line and the pixel electrode becomes greater as electrically going farther from the scan signal line drive circuit and going farther from the common electrode line drive circuit. Embodiments can be applied especially to an active matrix substrate used in a liquid crystal display device, an EL display device, and the like. |
| US08599119B2 |
Backlight device and display device
A resistive element is connected in series to a cathode terminal of an LED light source at a last stage (or an anode terminal of an LED light source at a first stage) of an LED chain, and a resistance value of the resistive element is configured to be variable in resistance value in accordance with a variation of voltage drops of the LEDs connected in series so that a resistance value of a resistive element connected to an LED chain having a large voltage drop has a smaller resistance value then a resistance value of a resistive element connected to an LED chain having a small voltage drop. With this configuration, the power, which has been wasted otherwise as heat in the backlight driver IC, may be dispersed to the resistive elements. |
| US08599116B2 |
Light-emitting device, method for driving the same, and electronic apparatus
A light-emitting device includes a plurality of pixels, a temperature-detection pixel, a temperature detector, an applied-current calculator, and a current applying unit disposed on a substrate. The pixels include display light-emitting elements for displaying information. The temperature-detection pixel is provided within a display area where the pixels are disposed and includes a temperature-detection light-emitting element for temperature detection, which is shielded by a light shielding layer and includes the same organic layer as that included in each display light-emitting element. The temperature detector detects a current value of the temperature-detection light-emitting element so as to detect the temperature thereof. The applied-current calculator calculates an electric current to be applied to the display light-emitting elements in accordance with the detected temperature so that the display light-emitting elements emit light with a predetermined luminance. The current applying unit applies the electric current to the display light-emitting elements. |
| US08599111B2 |
Driving circuit of display element and image display apparatus
A driving circuit of a display element includes a current source circuit having a first transistor and a holding circuit for holding a gate voltage of the first transistor during a first period at an electric potential corresponding to a constant current to be supplied to the display element, and a control circuit including a second transistor connected in series to the current source circuit and connected in parallel to the display element and the capacitor element whose one terminal is connected to a gate of the second transistor and the other terminal is connected to a line, and controlling the light emission time of the display element by controlling the second transistor during a third period. A constant voltage is applied from the line during the first period. The gray-scale voltage is applied from the line during a second period, and the gate of the second transistor and the one terminal are short-circuited. In addition, an electric charge based on the difference between the gray-scale voltage and the gate voltage of the second transistor is accumulated in the capacitor element, and a sweep voltage is applied during the third period, so that the ON time of the second transistor is controlled. |
| US08599108B2 |
Large scale LED display
A large scale LED display has a cable and rigid link support structure for a number of LED modules. The cable and rigid link support structure is flexible but has sufficient structural integrity to prevent misalignment of the pixel modules. The LED modules are removable from the support structure individually and as a group so as to facilitate repair of the display. The LED modules are rugged so as to withstand harsh outdoor conditions and they provide sufficient luminescence for use in sunlight. |
| US08599107B2 |
Image system, display device and eyeglasses device used in the same
An image system includes: a display device configured to display an image; and an eyeglasses device for viewing the image displayed by the display device, wherein the display device includes: a display portion configured to display in time series the image to be viewed through the eyeglasses device; a signal generation portion configured to generate a synchronization signal for synchronizing timing of switching of frames of the image; and a transmission portion configured to transmit the synchronization signal, the eyeglasses device includes: an optical filter portion configured to adjust an amount of light of the image; a reception portion configured to receive the synchronization signal transmitted from the transmission portion; and a control portion configured to control action of the optical filter portion corresponding to the switching of the frames of the image, based on the synchronization signal, the signal generation portion further generates a parameter signal including action information for defining an action of the optical filter portion, the transmission portion transmits the parameter signal to the reception portion, and the control portion controls the action of the optical filter portion according to the action information of the parameter signal for defining the action of the optical filter portion. |
| US08599105B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing a multiple display mode
Various methods for implementing a multiple display mode are provided. One example method includes receiving an indication of a transition to a multiple display mode, and in response to at least receiving the indication of the transition to the multiple display mode, causing a home screen with home screen content to be displayed by a first display of a device. The example method may further include, in response to at least receiving the indication of the transition to the multiple display mode, causing application content provided by an application being implemented to be displayed by a second display of the device while the home screen with the home screen content is being displayed by the first display. Similar and related example methods and example apparatuses are also provided. |
| US08599103B2 |
Terminal arrangement structure and card-shaped device using the same
The disclosure provides a terminal structure that includes an upper board and a lower board, which are adjacently provided and with respect to one another with a gap interposed therebetween. A conductor is formed on a rear surface side of upper board. A hole or a notch having an attached terminal is formed in lower board while penetrating through the lower board, and the terminal is electrically connected to the conductor on the upper board. The terminal includes a spring plate and a support section supporting the spring plate. The support section includes a fixing section that is fixed to lower board and a bottom plate that is positioned at a bottom surface side of lower board on a lower end side of the hole or notch. The spring plate of the terminal is formed to be connected to bottom plate and rise from bottom plate. The spring plate is extended upward from the lower end side of the hole or notch and comes into contact with conductor of upper board at an extended top position. Also provided is a card-shaped device including such a terminal structure. |
| US08599102B2 |
Wireless communication module
A card type wireless communication module, includes a board; a plurality of terminals formed on the board, the terminals including an external antenna terminal, the terminals having a plating process applied thereto; and a ground pattern formed on the board; wherein a feeding wiring pattern arrangement area is formed between forming positions of the terminals on the board and a forming position of the ground pattern, the feeding wiring pattern arrangement area has a feeding wiring pattern formed thereon, the feeding wiring pattern feeds power to the terminals at the time of an electrolytic plating process, and the feeding wiring pattern is removed after the electrolytic plating process is completed. |
| US08599101B2 |
Dielectrically loaded antenna and radio communication apparatus
A radio communication apparatus including: (a) a backfire dielectrically loaded antenna for operation at a frequency in excess of 200 MHz comprising: an electrically insulative dielectric core of a solid material having a relative dielectric constant greater than 5 and having an outer surface including oppositely directed distal and proximal surface portions extending transversely of an axis of the antenna and a side surface portion extending between the transversely extending surface portions, the core outer surface defining an interior volume the major part of which is occupied by the solid material of the core; a three-dimensional antenna element structure including at least one pair of elongate conductive antenna elements disposed on or adjacent the side surface portion of the core and extending from the distal core surface portion towards the proximal core surface portion; a feed structure in the form of an axially extending elongate laminate board comprising at least a transmission line section acting as a feed line which extends through a passage in the core from the distal core surface portion to the proximal core surface portion, the antenna having exposed contact areas on or adjacent the core proximal surface portion; and (b) radio communication circuit means having an equipment laminate circuit board with at least one conductive layer, the conductive layer or layers having a plurality of contact terminal support areas to each of which is conductively bonded a respective spring contact positioned so as to bear resiliently against respective ones of the exposed contact areas of the antenna. |
| US08599099B2 |
Antenna system
An antenna system is provided. The antenna system includes an antenna connected to a signal transmitting/receiving circuit to transmit and receive a radio signal, an antenna pole coupled to the antenna, a central weight unit coupled to the antenna pole to keep a beam pattern of the antenna in a certain direction with respect to a gravity direction and formed in a curved figure, and an antenna coupling unit formed in a recess to support the central weight unit. |
| US08599095B2 |
Broadband ballistic resistant radome
According to one embodiment of the invention, a radome cover for an RF sensor has been provided. The radome cover comprises a first and a second ballistic layer, each ballistic layer having a ceramic layer. The two ballistic layers are sandwiched between at least two matching layers, and the matching layers are impedance matched to the ceramic layers. The radome cover provides ballistic protection for the RF sensor. |
| US08599094B2 |
Loop antenna
A loop antenna is provided. The loop antenna includes: a substrate; an outer pattern including at least one loop on a surface of the substrate; and an inner pattern in an inner region of the at least one loop of the outer pattern, an end of the inner pattern being connected to an end of the outer pattern, wherein the inner pattern is configured so that an electric current flows in the inner pattern in a direction opposite to a direction in which the electric current flows in the outer pattern. Accordingly, an H-Field characteristic of the loop antenna can be enhanced, thereby allowing the loop antenna to have a decreased size and an improved performance. |
| US08599093B2 |
Wideband antenna for printed circuit boards
A planar antenna, such as included as a portion of a wireless communication assembly, can include a dielectric portion, a first conductive portion, extending along a surface of the dielectric portion, and a second conductive portion, parallel to the first conductive portion, extending along the surface of the dielectric portion, the second conductive portion laterally offset from the first portion to provide a specified lateral separation between the first and second conductive portions. The first and second conductive portions can be configured to provide respective resonant operating frequencies ranges offset from each other, and the first and second conductive portions can be configured to follow a commonly-shared path, including at least one bend, along the surface of the dielectric portion. |
| US08599087B2 |
Antennas with periodic shunt inductors
An antenna may be formed from conductive regions that define a gap that is bridged by shunt inductors. The inductors may have equal inductances and may be located equidistant from each other to form a scatter-type antenna structure. The inductors may also have unequal inductances and may be located along the length of the gap with unequal inductor-to-inductor spacings, thereby creating a decreasing shunt inductance at increasing distances from a feed for the antenna. This type of antenna structure functions as a horn-type antenna. One or more scatter-type antenna structures may be cascaded to form a multiband antenna. Antenna gaps may be formed in conductive device housings. |
| US08599086B2 |
Monopole slot antenna
A monopole slot antenna applicable to a mobile communication device includes a dielectric substrate, a first ground plane, a second ground plane, a monopole slot, and a microstrip feedline. The first ground plane is disposed on the dielectric substrate. The second ground plane is in the vicinity of the first ground plane and electrically connected to the first ground plane via a metal wire. A section of the metal wire is disposed on one surface of the dielectric substrate. The monopole slot is disposed on the first ground plane and has an open end disposed near the metal wire that connects the first and the second ground planes. The microstrip feedline is disposed on a surface of the dielectric substrate opposite to the first ground plane with one end of the microstrip feedline extended across the monopole slot and the other end connected to a signal source. |
| US08599085B2 |
Electromechanical polarization switch
In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and system for electro-mechanical polarization switching in an antenna system is presented. The antenna system may comprise an integrated waveguide in a transceiver housing, where the waveguide has at least four channels. In an exemplary embodiment, a sliding switch is incorporated into the waveguide. The sliding switch is configured to switch the polarization of the antenna system by physically realigning the waveguide channels. The sliding switch may be electro-magnetically controlled. Furthermore, the polarization switching may be performed to assist in load balancing for a particular frequency and/or polarization combination. |
| US08599083B2 |
Antenna for reception of circularly polarized satellite radio signals
An antenna for receiving circularly polarized satellite radio signals has a conductive base surface and at least one a conductor loop oriented horizontally above the base surface by a height h. The conductor loop is configured as a polygonal or circular closed ring line radiator The ring line radiator forms a resonant structure that is electrically excited so that the current distribution of a running line wave in a single rotation direction occurs on the ring line, wherein the phase difference of which, over one revolution, amounts to essentially 2π. A vertical radiator extends between the conductive base surface and the circumference of the ring line radiator. The height h is smaller than ⅕ of the free-space wavelength λ. |
| US08599082B2 |
Bracket assembly for a wireless telemetry component
A bracket assembly is used to mount a wireless telemetry component proximate a rotating component of a combustion turbine engine (10), wherein the wireless telemetry component includes an RF transparent ceramic cover (128). The bracket assembly comprises a first mounting bracket (125) on a surface proximate the rotating component that includes a first (138) and second (139) bracket member spaced apart from one another. The first (138) and second (139) bracket members are disposed generally perpendicular to a direction of centrifugal forces generated by the rotating component. At least one of the first (138) or second bracket (139) members is inclined toward the other bracket member and disposed at an acute angle relative to the surface (141) proximate the rotating component. |
| US08599079B2 |
Wideband antenna
Disclosed is an antenna capable of receiving a very wide band of frequencies. The antenna includes a pair of antenna elements and a pair of feeding legs, which are arranged symmetrically with respect to a line L, with a narrow space G in between. |
| US08599076B2 |
Radio wave receiver and method for producing radio wave receiver
The radio wave receiver includes the antenna. The device body and the closing member are coupled to each other by making the screw portion of the fixation screw being inserted through the through-hole of the metallic closing member engage with the screw portion of the device body. The coupling resin member having electrically insulating property is coupled to the irregularities of a nanometer size formed on a metal surface of the closing member, a through-hole is formed in the coupling resin member, and thereby electrical insulation between the metallic device body and the metallic closing member which are screwed together with the fixation screw is ensured so as to improve receiving sensitivity of the antenna. |
| US08599074B2 |
Mobile communication device and antenna thereof
A mobile communication device has a ground plane and an antenna. The antenna is disposed on a dielectric substrate and includes a radiating metal portion, a coupling metal portion, and a shorting metal portion. One edge of the radiating metal portion faces the ground plane and has a distance between the edge and the ground plane. The coupling metal portion is electrically connected to a source via a connecting metal strip. One end of the shorting metal portion is electrically connected to the radiating metal portion, and the other end of the shorting metal portion is electrically connected to the ground plane. |
| US08599073B2 |
Mobile terminal device
An antenna shaft of an antenna is first inserted through a shaft through-hole created on a lateral plate casing of a stationary-side front case. Then, a flange on the antenna shaft is screw-fixed in a screw hole created at a predetermined position on the lateral plate casing of the stationary-side front case. When the antenna shaft of the antenna is inserted through the shaft through-hole created on the lateral plate casing, an inserted tip of the antenna shaft abuts against a substantially V-shaped connection receiving unit, which is fixed on a circuit board in the stationary-side front case. As a result, an electric connection is established between the antenna and the circuit board. |
| US08599072B2 |
Antennas
A broadband antenna structure has an electrically conductive enclosure with a closed end, over which a non-electrically conductive cover is placed. A radiating portion of an antenna feed layer comprising a conductive patch antenna element is placed in between the enclosure and the cover. The patch antenna element design is inherently broader band than that of conventional cavity-backed slot-radiating antennas, which are constrained in bandwidth by the need to keep the cavity formed in the enclosure small. The dielectric constant of the dielectric material of the cover reduces the required size of the conductive antenna element. The broadband antenna structure may be connected with an electronic device to form an antenna arrangement in which a portion of the antenna feed layer extends through an opening in a surface of an antenna housing, the portion being within an electronic device enclosure of the electronic device. |
| US08599067B2 |
Mitigating multipath using state transition detection and measurement
A global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver that includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver receiving a first GPS signal from a GPS satellite and a processor. The processor is configured to correlate the first GPS signal with a plurality of reference signals to produce a plurality of correlations, detect a transition between receiving the first GPS signal and receiving a second GPS signal from the GPS satellite based on a phase shift in the correlations, and if the transition is detected, compensate for the phase shift when computing a range to the GPS satellite. |
| US08599061B2 |
Cavity detection
An apparatus for detecting a cavity comprising a signal receiver, a signal analyzer and a threshold excedent determination processor. The signal receiver receives a reflected signal resulting from an interaction of multi-frequency irradiating signal(s) with at least one cavity. The irradiating signal may include an electromagnetic or acoustic signal above a cavity dependent cutoff frequency with a randomized spectral component. The signal analyzer computes cavity detecting statistic(s) of the reflected signal. The cavity detecting statistic(s) may include an autocorrelation function. The autocorrelation function may be a Fourier transform of the power spectral density of the reflected signal. The threshold excedent determination processor generates a notification when cavity detecting statistic(s) exceed a threshold. The threshold may include a multi-variable function. The cavity may be the bore of a weapon. The apparatus may be configured to determine the bearing from the cavity to the apparatus. |
| US08599059B1 |
Successive approximation register analog-digital converter and method for operating the same
A SAR ADC converting an analog signal into a digital signal having N bits counting from a most significant bit to a least significant bit includes a comparator comparing a positive component with a negative component of the analog signal, two CDACs and a logic circuit. For at least one i-th bit cycle of N bit cycle except a least significant bit cycle, one of a pair of capacitors relating to (i+1)-th bit respectively arranged in the two CDACs is switched according to a first comparing result of the comparator. After one of the pair of capacitors is switched, the comparator compares the positive component with the negative component of the analog signal again and generates a second comparing result. Then whether each one of capacitors relating to i-th bit in the two CDAC is to be switched is determined according to the first and the second comparing result. |
| US08599057B2 |
Digital-to-analog converter
A system and method for converting a digital signal to an analog signal is provided. The present disclosure provides a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that can convert a large bit value digital signal to a corresponding analog signal. In accordance with an embodiment, a method comprises receiving portions of a digital signal by a plurality of sub-DACs; converting the portions of the digital signal to a corresponding analog signal by the plurality of sub-DACs; biasing one or more of the plurality of sub-DACs; and calibrating the portions of a digital signal by one or more calibration elements. |
| US08599055B1 |
Digital-to-analog converter
A digital-to-analog converter (10) is described which comprises at least one cell (301). The cell (301) has a first coupling capacitor (415) with a second terminal connected to an output and a first inverter (405, 410) connected between a bias voltage and ground. The gates of the field effect transistors (405, 410) forming the first inverter are connected to a data input (305) and a first common point between the field effect transistors (405, 410) is connected to a first terminal of the first coupling capacitor (415). |
| US08599052B2 |
Digital-to-analog converter to produce paired control signals in a power supply controller
An controller for use in a power supply includes a variable oscillator and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The variable oscillator generates a switching signal having an on-time and a switching period to control a first switch to regulate an output of the power supply. The DAC provides the variable oscillator with a first analog signal and a second analog signal, where the on-time of the switching signal is responsive to the first analog signal and where the switching period is responsive to the second analog signal. The DAC includes a current source and a second switch that is configured to couple the current source to provide current to the first analog signal in response to a binary digit received by the DAC, and to couple the current source to provide current to the second analog signal in response to a complement of the binary digit. |
| US08599051B2 |
Time-interleaved A/D converter apparatus including correction signal part outputting a dispersion compensation control signal
A time-interleaved A/D converter apparatus has a primary signal A/D converter circuit group that is time-interleaved with a combination of N A/D converter circuits, a correction signal generation part operable to receive the input analog signal and a 1/m-sampling signal having a speed that is 1/m of a rate of the sampling signal inputted to the primary signal A/D converter circuit group, to extract a dispersion of a transmission line that is immanent in the input analog signal, and to output the dispersion as a dispersion compensation control signal used for digital signal compensation, and a signal processing part operable to convert the N digital signals into one digital signal based upon the dispersion compensation control signal and to compensate a dispersion included in the converted digital signal. |
| US08599046B2 |
Systems and methods for informing a pilot of an aircraft about a topographical condition
Systems and methods for informing a pilot of an aircraft about a topographical condition of a runway are disclosed herein. The system includes, but is not limited to, an electronic data storage unit configured to store location information and topographical condition information for a plurality of runways, a position determining unit that is configured to determine a geographical location of the aircraft, a display unit that is configured to display a graphical image, and a processor that is operatively coupled with each of the other components. The processor is configured to obtain the geographical location of the aircraft, identify a runway that the aircraft is approaching, obtain a subset of the topographical condition information relating to the runway, and command the display unit to display a vertical profile of the runway including a graphic depiction of the subset of the topographical condition information. |
| US08599045B2 |
Systems and methods for enhanced awareness of clearance from conflict for surface traffic operations
Systems and methods for improving pilot situational awareness in the airport vicinity. An example method determines if at least one of an aircraft or vehicle in a predefined vicinity of the airport is a conflict based on information about an installation aircraft, information received from the at least one aircraft or vehicle, and a predefined conflict envelope, when the installation aircraft is performing one of an approach to landing, a takeoff operation or a taxi operation at an airport. The method generates and outputs a conflict alert if the installation aircraft determines that the at least one aircraft or vehicle is a conflict. The method generates a clear-of-conflict advisory if the at least one aircraft or vehicle previously determined to be conflicting is determined to no longer be conflicting based on updated information received from the at least one aircraft or vehicle. |
| US08599043B2 |
Parking assist apparatus
A parking assist apparatus includes a parking target position setting section for setting a parking target position when a vehicle is to be parked by reversing, a parking pathway determining section for determining possibility/impossibility of direct parking for parking the vehicle to the parking target position without turnaround, and a report outputting section for effecting reporting to allow a driver engaged in parking to recognize the possibility/impossibility of the direct parking based on the result of determination by the parking pathway determining section. |
| US08599042B2 |
Signal information transmitting devices and signal information transmitting methods
Provided are a signal information transmitting device and a signal information transmitting method. The method includes detecting sections for which current flows through signal lines of a target device and generating detect signals according to the current flow detection result; detecting sections for which switches are turned on and generating switch signals according to the switch detection result; mapping the detect signals with the switch signals according to overlapping sections between active sections of the detect signals and active sections of the switch signals; and transmitting information on the detect signals according to the mapping result. |
| US08599034B2 |
Switch having a flat display
A switch, particularly a switching device or operating device, includes a flat display, wherein the flat display is provided for the visual display of at least one item of information related to a current or future condition of the switch or a system or machine associated with the switch. A more effective spatial arrangement of the switch components, and reduced energy consumption, is accomplished by a flat display of the switch of at least one embodiment, at least partially including an electrochromic material and electrodes. The electrodes are provided to supply particular regions of the electrochromic material with an electrical voltage, in order to thus activate a color change, and to provide one or more items of information to the use by means of an intelligent control. |
| US08599032B2 |
System and method for detection of oversize particles in the underflow of a vibratory separator
System and method for detection of oversize particles in the underflow of a vibratory separator and method for measuring the operability of a vibratory separator. The system comprises a sampling line connected to the underflow discharge line of the vibratory separator for sampling a portion of material, a centrifugal sensing pump powered by an electric motor with a power supply measuring device, a sampling screen, and a return line. A reduction in power supplied to the electric motor indicates a reduction in flow of material through the sampling screen as a result of oversize particles in the underflow of the vibratory separator. A baseline amount of power supplied to the electric motor may be measured and recorded. The subsequent amount of power supplied to the electric motor may then be compared to the recorded baseline amount to measure the operability of the vibratory separator. |
| US08599029B2 |
Electrical circuit identification means
An electrical circuit identification means is revealed. The electrical circuit identification device includes a signal generator connected directly to an AC power socket and a signal receiver set in a power control panel. The signal generator blocks a half cycle of sine waves and produces a short off-and-off signal at an interval. The signal receiver includes a signal sensor receiving signals from the signal generator and connected to both a control voltage divider and a signal strength switch for modulating and amplifying signals received by the control voltage divider, and a signal integration module that is connected to the signal strength switch and a microcontroller for outputting digital signals with different waveform. An identification system in the microcontroller cross checks the digital signals and the identification accuracy is determined according to the position of a light lit up in an indicator light module. |
| US08599028B2 |
Method, apparatus, and systems for remotely monitoring the location and usage history of radioactive materials stored with a shielded container or overpack
A radioactive source information tracking and reporting system and method is disclosed. The system and method include a device operable to detect a presence of a radioactive source contained within a shielded container. The device is further operable to detect a location of the shielded container. A message is generated and transmitted to a central facility. The message includes a shielded container identifier, a location of the shielded container, and an indication of the presence of the radioactive source. |
| US08599027B2 |
Apparatus and method for alerting machine operator responsive to the gaze zone
The different illustrative embodiments provide a method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating alerts. Responsive to an occurrence of an event, a current gaze zone in a plurality of gaze zones associated with a current view of an operator is identified. A desired gaze zone in the plurality of gaze zones is identified for the event. The desired gaze zone contains a source location for the event. A determination is made whether the current gaze zone is inside the desired gaze zone. Responsive to a determination that the current gaze zone is outside the desired gaze zone, an alert is generated. |
| US08599025B2 |
System and method to determine an infant weight while minimizing disturbance to the infant
A method and system for determining the weight of an infant when the infant is either placed upon a support platform or removed from the support platform, where the support platform may be configured as a bed. A sensor is positioned beneath the support platform that provides a weight measurement to a control unit. The control unit determines a baseline weight for the bed and any object placed on the bed. The control unit calculate a recent weight estimate and determines whether the recent weight estimate is different from the baseline weight by more than a weight threshold. If the difference is greater than the weight threshold, the system generates a weight estimate to a user. Once the weight estimate has been generated, the system adjusts the weight threshold such that the adjusted weight threshold is used in additional processing and calculations of the infant weight. |
| US08599023B2 |
Identifying and visualizing attributes of items based on attribute-based RFID tag proximity
A portable device receives a particular RFID signal identifying that a particular attribute is associated with a particular item placed proximate to the RFID tag emitting the particular RFID signal, wherein the particular RFID signal is identified from among a plurality of RFID signals, wherein a selection of the plurality of RFID signals are each associated with a separate attribute from among a plurality of attributes. The portable device displays a visual representation depicting that the particular item is associated with the particular attribute. |
| US08599022B2 |
Cable wrap security device
A security device includes a locking member, a ratchet mechanism, and a plurality of cables. The cables are wrapped around all six sides of a box-like article. An attachment clip is releasably snap-fitted into the body of the security device and locked therein by a magnetically attractable member. The ratchet mechanism includes a spool and a locking pawl or lever. A top wall of the housing or locking clip has a key receiving recess for positioning the key for unlocking the clip from the housing and releasing the spool from the ratchet mechanism. The housing has a rotatable handle for manually rotating the internal spool to further tighten the cable about the article after the cable slack is taken up by an internal spring. An alarm system is contained in the housing and actuates an audible alarm upon certain unauthorized actions occurring. The spool is biased by the internal spring to automatically wind the cable onto the spool after the clip has been unlocked from the housing. Insertion of the clip into the housing automatically actuates the ratchet mechanism preventing movement of the cable in the unwind direction and activates the alarm system. |
| US08599020B2 |
Automated transaction apparatus
An embodiment of the invention provides an automated transaction apparatus including: an operation unit; a peep preventing cover that is provided in the operation unit; a sensor that detects removal of the peep preventing cover; and a control unit that performs control such that a transaction of the automated transaction apparatus is paused in accordance with a detection result of the sensor. |
| US08599017B2 |
Method and device for monitoring the presence of a rail
A method and a device for monitoring the presence of at least one guide rail for a guided vehicle, include a first detector located downstream of a wheel. The detector is capable of detecting the presence of the rail and of transmitting a first signal relating to the presence of the rail to a monitoring member. A second detector located upstream of the wheel can be connected in parallel to the first detector and is capable of detecting the presence of the rail. The second detector can communicate a second signal, relating to the presence of the rail, to the monitoring member. |
| US08599016B2 |
Graphical user interface for emergency apparatus and method for operating same
A communications system for emergency services personnel can include portable devices to be carried by emergency services personnel while at an emergency site. The portable devices each may have at least a first transceiver configured to communicate over a first network and the portable devices are configured to communicate with one another. The system may also include a portable gateway apparatus. The portable gateway apparatus may have a portable computer having a graphical user interface (GUI) and a PCMCIA or smaller card that itself includes at least a first radio. The first radio is configured to communicate over the first network to obtain status information from the portable devices carried by the emergency services personnel. The GUI is configured to communicate with the PCMCIA card to display a node map indicating communication links between the portable devices carried by the emergency services personnel. |
| US08599014B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing notifications
An approach is provided for managing and rendering notifications (i.e., notifications from one or more sources). A notification manager receives one or more requests for rendering one or more notifications at a device. In response to the one or more requests, the notification manager determines one or more notification policies at a device. Further, the notification manager determines one or more schedules for rendering the one or more notifications and causes, at least in part, rendering of the one or more notifications. |
| US08599013B1 |
System and method for providing environmental information to a wireless transmitter coverage area
The present system and methods provides for distribution of weather and other environmental information to remote users within a wireless transmitter coverage area. The system and method assigns meteorological data to a plurality of cells, each corresponding to a communication range of a wireless transmitter. The data is then distributed by the appropriate wireless transmitter to all users within its coverage area. The system and method does not distribute information to a particular user based upon a known communication address, user profile, or identification, but rather is directed to any user falling within the communications range of the wireless transmitter. By indiscriminate distribution of reportable events, the system provides timely, site-specific information without requiring the location of the remote units. |
| US08599011B2 |
Firefighter location and rescue equipment employing path comparison of mobile tags
The present application describes firefighter location and rescue equipment (FLARE) comprising: a plurality of tag transmitters, a first tag transmitter of said plurality of tag transmitters emitting a first signal, a plurality of locator-receivers receiving said first signal, each of said plurality of locator receivers determining a first set of signal characteristic data for said first signal, a computer compiling said first set of signal characteristic data in a reference database along with an associated path variable, a second tag transmitter of said plurality of tag transmitters emitting a second signal, a plurality of locator-receivers receiving said second signal, each of said plurality of locator receivers determining a second set of signal characteristic data for said second signal, said computer comparing said second set of signal characteristic data to the reference database, said computer displaying said comparison for evaluating the location of said second tag transmitter relative to a path taken by said first tag transmitter. |
| US08599008B2 |
Appliance monitoring system and method
A method and system for monitoring an appliance is disclosed. The method includes establishing a wireless communication connection between a communication module in an appliance and a communication network, transmitting operational data in real-time from the appliance to an external monitoring system over the communication network, determining a status of a component of the appliance from the real-time operational data, and if a failure mode of the component is detected, initiating a service protocol corresponding to the component. |
| US08599004B2 |
Occupant detection system
An occupant detection system including an electrostatic sensor, a determination section and a heater is disclosed. The electrostatic sensor includes an electrode arranged inside a seat of a vehicle and configured to generate a weak electric field. The electrostatic sensor outputs an output value associated with the weak electric field. The determination section supplies voltage to the electrode, and performs an occupant determination to determine an occupant on the seat based on the output value of the electrostatic sensor. The heater is inside the seat, and is arranged in parallel with or on a lower side of the electrode. Before performing the occupant determination, the determinations section determines whether or not the heater has a disconnection fault based on the output value of the electrostatic sensor. |
| US08599002B2 |
Rear mounted speedometer with panic deceleration and stopped vehicle warning device
A speedometer gauge mounted on the rear of a vehicle or trailer that continuously and accurately displays a vehicle's speed in real time by utilizing a pattern of lights that illuminate sequentially in such a fashion as to exhibit to the traffic following, the speed of the vehicle, rate of deceleration or acceleration, and to indicate that the vehicle is stopped, in a panic stop, parked, standing, “riding the brake” or “riding the turn indicator” mode. A video game comprising the use of a speedlight. |
| US08599001B2 |
Vehicular vision system
A vehicular vision system includes a control and an imager having a lens and a CMOS photosensor array. The imager is disposed at an interior portion of a vehicle and views exterior of the vehicle through a windshield of the vehicle and forward of the vehicle. The control includes an image processor for processing image data captured by the photosensor array. The image processor processes captured image data to detect an object viewed by said imager. The photosensor array may be operable at a plurality of exposure periods that include a first exposure period and a second exposure period, with the time period of exposure of the first exposure period being longer than the time period of exposure of the second exposure period. The imager may be disposed in a module attached at the windshield of the vehicle. |
| US08598993B2 |
Method for wiring devices in a structure using a wireless network
The present invention provides a method for controlling lighting fixtures over a wireless network that includes connecting a junction box to a power source, connecting a lighting fixture to the junction box, establishing a connection over a wireless network between the junction box and a controller, and controlling a function of the lighting fixture by transmitting a signal from the controller to the junction box over the wireless network. |
| US08598991B2 |
Electrical control system
An electrical control system includes one or more master nodes that are adapted to control and monitor the operation of one or more slave nodes. The master nodes and the slave nodes are operably coupled by one or more communication interfaces, such as radio frequency, Internet Protocol, power line, or other conventional communication interfaces. A hand-held radio frequency controller includes a controller that is operably coupled to an radio frequency transceiver. The controller includes an operating system and application programs, including a device engine, a scenes engine, an events engine, a system engine, and an away engine. The device engine, scenes engine, events engine, system engine and away engine permit a user of the hand-held radio frequency controller to customize the operation of at least some of the aspects of the master and slave nodes. |
| US08598988B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling serially connected transmitters in RFID tag tracking
Systems and methods are provided for monitoring a plurality of RFID tags. A receiver selection signal is sent along a receive path that includes a plurality of serially connected receivers. A receiver relays the receiver selection signal, listens for an RFID response signal, or operates in a standby mode based on the receiver selection signal. A transmitter selection signal is sent along a transmit path that includes a plurality of serially connected transmitters. A transmitter relays the transmitter selection signal, transmits an identification impulses, or operates in a standby mode based on the transmitter selection signal. The identification impulse is transmitted from the selected transmitter and an RFID response signal is received at the selected receiver. |
| US08598987B2 |
RFID communication method and system
In a method of communicating in a radio frequency identification (RFID) system including a RFID reader and a plurality of RFID tags, a plurality of spread spectrum data are stored in the plurality of RFID tags. The plurality of spread spectrum data are transmitted from the plurality of RFID tags to the RFID reader. A plurality of original data respectively corresponding to the plurality of RFID tags are simultaneously extracted from the plurality of spread spectrum data at the RFID reader. |
| US08598986B2 |
Remote monitoring and control of LED based street lights
The present invention is directed to a method for remotely monitoring and controlling a light emitting diode. In one embodiment, the method includes establishing a two-way communication path via a communication module to a central office, wherein said communication module is coupled to said LED based street light and sending information related to the LED based street light to the central office via the two-way communication path. |
| US08598985B2 |
Communications system and communications apparatus
A communications system configured to execute data transmission between a transponder having no radio wave generating source thereof and a reader/writer is provided. The communications system includes, a service permission level notifier configured to tell a service permission level for associated with a received signal level for permitting service acceptance from the reader/writer to the transponder, and an access controller configured to determine in the transponder whether the received signal level from the reader/writer is at the notified service permission level to determine accessibility to the transponder from the reader/writer. |
| US08598984B2 |
Systems and methods for providing location-aware Wi-Fi access for a portable device
Methods and systems for providing location-aware WiFi access for a portable device include determining an initial location of the portable device and transmitting the initial location to a WiFi location provider, wherein the WiFi location provider comprises locations and WiFi parameters for a plurality of WiFi access points, wherein each WiFi access point has a corresponding wireless range. The locations and the WiFi parameters for a set of WiFi access points are then received from the WiFi location provider, wherein the set of WiFi access points are within a radius of the initial location of the portable device. At least one WiFi access point in the set of WiFi access points is scanned for that contains the portable device within its wireless range. The portable device then connects to the at least one WiFi access point, thereby forming a WiFi connection. |
| US08598982B2 |
Systems and methods for commissioning access control devices
Described herein are systems and methods for commissioning access control devices. In overview, a carrier substrate such as a smartcard is used to commission a plurality of access control devices. Measures are implemented such that the individual access control devices are uniquely commissioned. That is, no two devices apply identical commissioning data, hi some embodiments this is achieved by, as part of the commissioning process at a given access control device, modifying one or more aspects of the data carried by the carrier substrate. |
| US08598980B2 |
Biometrics with mental/physical state determination methods and systems
Methods and systems for determining whether a particular individual is to be granted, among other things, access to information, access to a particular room or other space, or permission to perform a given act or transaction are disclosed. For example, disclosed is an exemplary method that includes performing multiple biometrics tests on the individual to retrieve multiple biometrics test results, performing at least a first data fusion operation on the multiple biometrics test results to determine an identity result, performing at least one biological state test to determine one or more biological state test results of the individual, and conditionally granting authority to the individual based on the identity result and the one or more biological state results. |
| US08598972B2 |
Electromagnetic multi-axis actuator
An electromagnetic multi-axis actuator, which can realize small size, light weight and low power consumption while being capable of performing multi-axis motion by overcoming limitations in a driving range, compared to a typical electrostatic actuation scheme or a typical electric motor actuating scheme. The electromagnetic multi-axis actuator includes an actuating unit (1) capable of being driven in a multi-axis manner, one or more elastic parts (2) connected to the actuating unit and made of a conductive material, and one or more coil substrates (3) disposed either above or below or both above and below the elastic parts and provided with conductive coils formed thereon to form magnetic fields around the elastic parts. The multi-axis actuator having the above construction can realize high response speed while having a driving range of high power caused by low power consumption, a large displacement, and multiple axes. |
| US08598968B2 |
Elastic wave element and electronic device using the same
An elastic wave device has a convex portion on the top face of a first dielectric layer over an IDT electrode when the elastic wave device has a structure of a boundary wave device in which a film thickness of a second dielectric layer is not less than 1.6 times as much as a pitch width of the IDT electrode. This convex portion increases an electromechanical coupling coefficient of SH wave that is the major wave. Accordingly, good filter characteristics can be easily achieved. |
| US08598967B2 |
Tunable waveguide delay line having a movable ridge for providing continuous delay
A tunable delay line for radiofrequency or microwave frequency applications consists of at least one ridge waveguide in which the ridge is movable in the waveguide body so as to vary the width of an air gap defined between the longitudinal end surface of the ridge and a confronting member of the waveguide. The ridge is moved by an actuator external to the waveguide body. |
| US08598964B2 |
Balun with intermediate non-terminated conductor
A balun comprising first and second transmission lines having a shared intermediate conductor. The first transmission line may include first and second conductors. The first conductor may have a first end for conducting an unbalanced signal relative to a circuit ground and a second end for conducting a balanced signal. The second conductor may have first and second ends proximate the respective first and second ends of the first conductor. The first and second ends of the second conductor may be open-circuited. The second transmission line may include the second conductor and a third conductor having a first end connected to circuit ground and a second end for conducting the balanced signal. The second conductor may surround the first and third conductors, and one or more ferrite sleeves may surround the second conductor. |
| US08598962B2 |
Compact RF isolation network for multi-pin packaged integrated circuits
Pins on an RFIC package carry RF signals between the package and a PCB. A first capacitor is coupled between a selected pin of the RFIC package near the pins carrying the RF signals and a radio-frequency ground on the PCB. A coupling between the RFIC package and the PCB is modeled, and includes modeling of the pins of interest and at least one parasitic element of the coupling. A capacitance of the first capacitor is selected based on the modeling to obtain desired performance at selected operational frequencies. A second capacitor may be coupled between the selected pin a radio frequency ground of the RFIC package. An inductor may be coupled in parallel across the first capacitor. |
| US08598959B2 |
Modulation apparatus, phase setting method and test apparatus
A modulation apparatus comprising a first modulating section that outputs a first modulated signal having a fixed amplitude and a set phase; a second modulating section that outputs a second modulated signal having the fixed amplitude and a set phase; an adding section that outputs the output signal as the sum of the first and second modulated signals; a calculating section that calculates two phases to be set respectively in the first and second modulating sections, based on designated amplitude and phase; an allocating section that allocates, for the first and second modulated signals, the two phases calculated by the calculating section such that the first and second modulated signals are each connected more smoothly; and a setting section that sets the phase allocated for the first modulated signal in the first modulating section and sets the phase allocated for the second modulated signal in the second modulating section. |
| US08598958B1 |
Temperature and/or voltage independent voltage controlled oscillator with programmable gain and/or output frequency range
An apparatus comprising a transconductance control circuit, a boost control circuit, a current computation circuit and an oscillator circuit. The transconductance control circuit may be configured to generate a current control signal in response to (i) a voltage control signal and (ii) a plurality of range control signals. The boost control circuit may be configured to generate a current boost signal in response to a reference current signal and an enable signal. The current computation circuit may be configured to generate a first control signal and a second control signal in response to the current boost signal and the current control signal. The oscillator circuit may be configured to generate an output signal oscillating at a particular frequency in response to the first control signal and the second control signal. |
| US08598957B2 |
Oscillators and methods of manufacturing and operating the same
Oscillators and methods of manufacturing and operating an oscillator are provided, the oscillators include a base free layer having a variable magnetization direction, and at least one oscillation unit on the base free layer. The oscillation unit may include a free layer element contacting the base free layer and having a width less than a width of the base free layer, a pinned layer element separated from the free layer element, and a separation layer element between the free layer element and the pinned layer element. A plurality of oscillation units may be arranged on the base free layer. |
| US08598955B2 |
Phase locked loop with adaptive loop filter
A PLL including an adaptive loop filter. The PLL includes a feedback circuit which provides a feedback signal based on an output signal and a phase detector generating an adjust signal based on a frequency of the feedback signal compared with a reference frequency. A charge pump receives the adjust signal and provides a control voltage. The adaptive loop filter includes a capacitor and an adaptive resistance with a current control input. A VCO has an output providing the output signal based on a voltage level of the control voltage. A bias generator converts the control voltage to a loop bias current, and has a bias output based on the loop bias current coupled to the current control input of the adaptive resistance. The bias output of the bias generator may also be used to control the charge current and the VCO using currents proportional to the loop bias current. |
| US08598950B2 |
Apparatus and methods for capacitive load reduction
Apparatus and methods for capacitive load reduction are disclosed. In one embodiment, a power amplifier system includes a plurality of power amplifiers and an envelope tracking module for generating a supply voltage for the power amplifiers. The power amplifier system further includes a switch and a decoupling capacitor operatively associated with a first power amplifier of the system. The switch is configured to electrically float an end of the decoupling capacitor when the first power amplifier is disabled so as to reduce capacitive loading of the envelope tracker and to operate as a dampening resistor when the power amplifier is enabled so as to improve the stability of the system. |
| US08598945B2 |
High voltage charge-pump with a feedback control loop
A high voltage charge-pump includes a plurality of voltage boosting stages, a low voltage input, and at least one clock input. A sensing charge-pump having a voltage detector output has at least one voltage sensing stage that is communicably coupled to at least one of the plurality of voltage boosting stages. A loop filter in a feedback control loop includes a voltage detector input coupled to the voltage detector output, a voltage reference input, and a voltage error output. A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) with a variable frequency output has a voltage error input coupled to the voltage error output. The feedback control loop also includes at least one driver having a variable frequency input coupled to the variable frequency output and at least one clock output coupled to the at least one clock input. |
| US08598943B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit with stable rupture voltage fuse
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a fuse set; a terminal assigned to be applied with a first external signal in a normal operation; and a control unit configured to receive a second external signal through the terminal and apply the received second external signal to the fuse set in a fuse control operation. |
| US08598938B2 |
Power switch
A power switch includes first and second MOS transistors in series between first and second nodes. Both the first and second transistors have a gate coupled to its substrate. First and second resistive elements are coupled between the gate of the first transistor and the first node, and between the gate of the second transistor and the second node, respectively. A triac is coupled between the first and second nodes. The gate of the triac is coupled to a third node common to the first and second transistors. A third MOS transistor has a first conduction electrode coupled to the gate of the first transistor and a second conduction electrode coupled to the gate of the second transistor. |
| US08598937B2 |
High power semiconductor electronic components with increased reliability
An electronic component includes a depletion-mode transistor, an enhancement-mode transistor, and a resistor. The depletion-mode transistor has a higher breakdown voltage than the enhancement-mode transistor. A first terminal of the resistor is electrically connected to a source of the enhancement-mode transistor, and a second terminal of the resistor and a source of the depletion-mode transistor are each electrically connected to a drain of the enhancement-mode transistor. A gate of the depletion-mode transistor can be electrically connected to a source of the enhancement-mode transistor. |
| US08598936B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a bypass circuit that forms a bypass path under a low voltage condition, and the bypass circuit includes first and second bypass MOS transistors respectively placed between drains of first and second PMOS transistors and a ground voltage terminal, each transistor having a gate to which a second power supply voltage is applied, and third and fourth bypass MOS transistors respectively placed between the first and second bypass MOS transistors and the ground voltage terminal, each transistor controlled to be ON and OFF in accordance with an input signal and a voltage condition. |
| US08598933B2 |
Input current shaping for transition and discontinuous mode power converter
A power converter operable to draw an input current that is in phase with an input voltage of the power converter and proportional to a voltage of the input voltage of the power converter includes a drive switch, a waveform generator, and a current shaping circuit. The drive switch is connected between an input inductor and ground and draws current through the input inductor when turned on. The current shaping circuit provides an on-time of the drive switch for a next cycle of the drive switch as a function of an input current decay time, a switching period of the waveform generator, and an output voltage of the power converter. The waveform generator is responsive to the on-time provided by the current shaping circuit for selectively turning the drive switch on and off to cycle the drive switch as a function of the received on-time. |
| US08598929B1 |
Bitwidth reduction in loop filters used for digital PLLS
The disclosed invention relates to a digital phase locked loop having a switchable digital loop filter configured to selectively operate at different levels of resolution. The digital phase locked loop has a phase frequency detector that determines a phase difference between a reference signal and a feedback signal and to convert the phase difference to a digital word. A digital loop filter filters the digital word to generate a control word. A bit shift network modifies the digital word in a manner that switches the resolution of the digital loop filter between two or more distinct resolution states that comprise a bit sequence located at different positions in the digital word. The two or more distinct resolution states allow the digital loop filter to provide a low resolution (high amplitude) for a settling state of operation and a high resolution (low amplitude) for a locked state of operation. |
| US08598928B1 |
Delay-locked loop
A semiconductor apparatus includes a DLL clock generation unit configured to compare phases of a clock and a feedback clock, determine a delay time of a delay line, delay the clock by the delay time through the delay line, and generate a DLL clock; a delay detection unit configured to detect the delay time of the delay line and enable a delay detection signal when the delay time is greater than or equal to a predetermined time; and a power-down control unit configured to prevent the DLL clock generation unit from being reset when the delay detection signal is enabled and reset the DLL clock generation unit when the delay detection signal is disabled, in a self-refresh operation under a power-down mode. |
| US08598927B2 |
Internal clock generator and operating method thereof
An internal clock signal generation circuit includes a variable delay line unit including an initial variable delayer having an initial delay amount controlled based on condition information and configured to delay an input clock signal by a time corresponding to a delay control signal to output a delay locked loop (DLL) clock signal, a delay replica modeling unit configured to delay the DLL clock signal by a time obtained by modeling a clock delay component and output a feedback clock signal, and a phase comparison unit configured to compare a phase of the input clock signal with a phase of the feedback clock signal and generate the delay control signal. |
| US08598925B1 |
Frequency determination circuit and method
Circuits and methods for identifying or verifying frequencies are disclosed herein. A frequency verification circuit comprises: an input port for receiving an input signal; a phase frequency difference detector for determining a difference in phase and frequency between the input signal and a feedback signal and for providing a control signal based on the detected difference; a voltage controlled crystal oscillator for producing an output signal based on the control signal; and a feedback loop including a feedback divider for frequency dividing the output signal by a factor R to produce the feedback signal, the feedback divider being programmable to a plurality of values of the factor R to correspond to a plurality of different test frequencies. |
| US08598924B2 |
Frequency-locked synthesizer with low power consumption and related system and method
An apparatus includes a first oscillator configured to generate a reference signal and a second oscillator configured to generate an output signal having a controllable frequency. The apparatus also includes a frequency difference detector configured to generate a difference signal having a frequency based on a frequency difference between the reference signal and the output signal. The apparatus further includes a discriminator configured to modify the frequency of the output signal based on the difference signal. The frequency difference detector can be configured to generate the difference signal having multiple pulses. The discriminator can be configured to count a number of pulses in the difference signal during a specified time period and to modify the frequency of the output signal based on the counted number of pulses. The specified time period can be adjustable. |
| US08598922B2 |
Semiconductor device and operation mode switch method
A semiconductor device includes a first internal terminal, a first transistor, a second transistor, an oscillator including an output terminal to output a clock signal, and a comparator coupled to a first internal terminal, and that compares a potential of the first internal terminal when the first internal terminal is coupled to the first reference potential with a potential of the first internal terminal when the first internal terminal is coupled to a second reference potential, an external terminal being connectable to the first internal terminal, and a second internal terminal being coupled to the external terminal, and that receives an input signal through the external terminal. Each of the first control terminal and the second control terminal is coupled to the output terminal to commonly receive the clock signal. The first transistor and the second transistor exclusively operate according to the clock signal. |
| US08598919B2 |
Signal output circuit
A MOSFET at an input side controls the operation of a current mirror circuit in accordance with a level change of a PWM signal applied to its gate. When the current mirror circuit operates, a current generated by a current source flows as a mirror current so that a current flows to discharge electricity charged in a capacitance between a gate and a source through a gate of a MOSFET at an output side. When the current mirror circuit stops its operation, a current flowing from the current mirror circuit through the current source is supplied to the gate of the MOSFET at the output side. |
| US08598916B2 |
Circuit having gate drivers having a level shifter
A circuit comprises a first level shifting circuit. The level shifting circuit comprises a first and second latching differential pairs. The first latching differential pair has first and second inputs for receiving first and second input signals, first and second outputs, and first and second power supply voltage terminals for receiving a first power supply voltage. The second latching differential pair has first and second inputs coupled to the first and second outputs of the first latching differential pair, an output, and first and second power supply voltage terminals for receiving a second power supply voltage, the second power supply voltage being different from the first power supply voltage. In one embodiment, the level shifting circuit protects transistor gates of the circuit from an overvoltage. |
| US08598914B2 |
Comparator circuit with current mirror
A comparator circuit can achieve a reduction in current consumption with a simple configuration, and can suppress an increase in current consumption accompanying a rise in power source voltage. A current mirror circuit is connected to a power source, and gates of MOSFETs of the circuit are interconnected. An input signal is applied to a gate of an NMOSFET of the circuit. By determining the value of the signal with a constant voltage device, the voltage across a tail resistor is constant, even in the event that the power source voltage and the input signal change. |
| US08598911B2 |
Pulse width filter
The present invention relates a pulse width filter generating a modulation signal that is increased in synchronization with one of an increasing edge and a decreasing edge of the input signal and is decreased in synchronization with the other of the increasing edge and the decreasing edge, and transmitting the input signal of the modulation signal. The input signal passed through the filter unit is inverted thereby being an output signal. The pulse width filter controls the increasing and the decreasing of the modulation signal according to the output signal and the input signal passed through the filter unit, and the modulation signal is a signal to determined whether the pulse width of the input signal is more than the predetermined cut-off pulse width. |
| US08598905B2 |
System and package including plural chips and controller
A system includes an input/output channel and a plurality of chips coupled to the input/output channel, wherein only one chip of the plurality of chips performs a termination operation for impedance matching of the input/output channel. |
| US08598904B2 |
Electrical networks and methods of forming the same
Electrical networks are formed to produce an approximation of at least one desired performance characteristic, based on the recognition that fabrication variations introduce slight differences in electronic sub-networks which were intended to be identical. These fabrication differences are turned to an advantage by providing a pool of sub-networks, and then selectively connecting particular combinations of these sub-networks to implement networks that approximate the desired performance characteristics. The sub-networks are of like kind (e.g., resistors) and have a like measure. |
| US08598903B1 |
Testing method and testing device for photoelectric conversion die
A testing device includes a laser source, a current testing device, and a processor. The processor includes a user interface, a control unit, a calculation unit, and a data generation unit. The user interface receives user inputs to determine control parameters. The control unit controls the laser source to emit a laser beam on a photoelectric conversion die according to the control parameters. The laser beam has an optical output power value P. The control unit also controls the current testing device to measure a current value I output by the photoelectric conversion die after the laser beam irradiating on the photoelectric conversion die. The calculation unit calculates a photoelectric conversion efficiency F according to the formula: F=P/I. The data generation unit processes the photoelectric conversion efficiency F which indicates the electro-optical property of the photoelectric conversion die. |
| US08598900B2 |
System and method for testing electronic device
A system for testing electronic device includes an electronic device, a temperature detecting module, a testing instrument and a testing computer. The testing electronic includes a main board and a power supply. The main board includes a slot and a card inserted in the slot. A plurality of dummy loads is located on the card. The slot includes at least one voltage interface. The power supply includes at least one power wire electrically connected to the at least one voltage interface. The temperature detecting module detects temperature signals of the plurality of dummy loads. The testing instrument is electrically connected to the at least one power wire to test current signals or power signals of the at least one power wire. The testing computer receives and displays the temperature signals, the current signals and the power signals. |
| US08598899B2 |
Built-in test for an overvoltage protection circuit
An overvoltage protection circuit connected to protect electrical components from overvoltage conditions includes a blocking diode connected in series with a transient voltage suppression device (TVS) via a first node and includes a reference voltage for biasing the first node at a voltage sufficient to reverse bias the blocking diode during normal operations. A built-in test circuit associated with the overvoltage protection circuit includes a resistor connected to the first node and a switch connected in series with the resistor that is selectively turned On and Off. The built-in test circuit monitors voltage on a control line associated with the electrical components and at the first node while the switch is Off and while the switch is On, and detects fault conditions based on the monitored voltages. |
| US08598898B2 |
Testing of high-speed input-output devices
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to testing of high-speed input-output devices. An embodiment of a high-speed input-output apparatus includes a transmitter and a receiver, and a loop-back connection from an output of the transmitter to an input of the receiver, the loop-back connection including a first connector and a second connector for transmission of differential signals. The apparatus further includes a first inductor having a first terminal and a second terminal and second inductor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal of the first inductor being connected to the first connector and the first terminal of the second inductor being connected to the second connector, the second terminal of the first inductor and the second terminal of the second inductor providing a test access port for direct current testing of the apparatus. |
| US08598892B2 |
Method for detecting detachment of a reinforcing component
A method for detecting detachment of a reinforcing component that is attached to a body skin component of a vehicle body of a vehicle, the body skin component and the reinforcing component forming an electric capacitor together with an intermediate adhesive layer, said capacitor having a capacitance that changes if there is at least partial detachment of the body skin component from the reinforcing component, the capacitance of the capacitor or a change in the capacitance of the capacitor being measured in order to detect detachment of the reinforcing component. |
| US08598890B2 |
Method and system for protecting products and technology from integrated circuits which have been subject to tampering, stressing and replacement as well as detecting integrated circuits that have been subject to tampering
A system employs physical unclonable functions of an integrated circuit for detecting integrated circuits and protecting products and technology from integrated circuits which have been subject to tampering, stressing and replacement, and counterfeit components. The system includes a sensor detecting a characteristic impedance generated as a result of controlled access to a memory device of the integrated circuit. The characteristic impedance is applied in the creation of a discrimination matrix of values based on electrical interface signals for the integrated circuit. The sensor includes a ring oscillator and associated monitoring components. The ring oscillator is composed of the memory device of the integrated circuit and a sensory circuitry, wherein changes in a frequency generated by the ring oscillator is indicative of changes in circuitry. |
| US08598887B2 |
Fault wave arrival determination
A method and apparatus for determining the time of arrival of a fault wave at a measurement point of a power transmission system includes a measurement unit measuring a power quantity of the system at the measurement point (P1) for obtaining a measurement quantity being a potential fault wave, a time keeping unit, a storage unit storing the measurement quantity, a comparing unit comparing the measurement quantity with a threshold (T1) for detecting the presence of a fault wave (W1) and an analyzing unit. The analyzing unit analyzes measurements made before the fault wave presence was detected, determines the starting point (SP) of the fault wave based on the analysis and sets the time of the starting point to be the fault wave arrival time (T1). |
| US08598882B2 |
Method of monitoring a hydrocarbon reservoir
A method of monitoring an extent of a hydrocarbon reservoir (2) below the earth's surface (4), includes the steps of applying a current between a bottom current electrode (6) and a top current electrode (8) that is part of a plurality of electrodes that are spaced apart from one another along a part of the earth's surface located above and optionally over the hydrocarbon reservoir. The bottom current electrode is positioned below the hydrocarbon reservoir. The method includes the step of measuring an electrical potential, which is caused by the current, by means of a measurement electrode (10A) that is also part of the plurality of electrodes. The method includes the step of inferring from the measured electrical potential the extent of the hydrocarbon reservoir, in a direction that is oriented substantially parallel with the earth's surface. |
| US08598878B2 |
Inductor assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging system
An inductor assembly includes an electrical conductor having a first end and an opposite second end, and a plurality of turns, each turn having a first lobe and a second lobe, the electrical conductor being formed into a lemniscate shape. A Radio Frequency (RF) coil including the lemniscate shaped inductor and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system including the lemniscate shaped inductor are also described herein. |
| US08598877B2 |
System and method for coil disabling in magnetic resonance imaging
A system and method for coil disabling in magnetic resonance imaging are provided. One magnetic resonance coil includes a radio-frequency (RF) coil having end rings with a plurality of conductors connected therebetween and at least one loop coil positioned at one of the end rings. The one loop coil is configured to operate at a resonant frequency of the RF coil. |
| US08598875B2 |
MRI apparatus with offset imaging volume
An MRI apparatus having a magnet structure which delimits a cavity for receiving a body under examination or a part thereof, which includes a mechanism for generating a magnetic field in the cavity, as well as a mechanism for causing the body under examination or the part thereof to emit nuclear magnetic resonance signals, a region defined in the cavity, known as an imaging volume, and a mechanism for receiving the nuclear magnetic resonance signals. The geometric center of the geometric shape of the cavity delimited by the magnet structure is offset in relation to the geometric center of the imaging volume. |
| US08598872B2 |
End flange for a magnetic resonance imaging system and method of manufacturing
An end flange for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and method for manufacturing an end flange are provided. One end flange is for a vacuum vessel of the MRI system. The vacuum vessel includes a housing configured to receive therein a magnet assembly and an end flange forming an end of the housing. The flange includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and a core coupled between the outer and inner surfaces, wherein the core has a greater stiffness than the outer surface and the inner surface. |
| US08598870B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an electrocardio information acquisition unit which acquires a magnetic resonance signal (e.g., showing a cardiac beat) for estimating an electrocardiogram signal of an object in sync with a biomedical signal other than an electrocardiogram signal. A time difference is determined between the electrocardiogram signal and a synchronous position of the biomedical signal as estimated from the acquired magnetic resonance signal. An image data generation unit acquires a magnetic resonance signal for imaging corresponding to a specific time phase of the cardiac cycle in sync with the biomedical signal based on the time difference, to generate an image data corresponding to the specific time phase of the cardiac cycle. |
| US08598869B2 |
Magnetic field compensation
A device for compensating magnetic fields, comprising a single magneto resistive sensor to which at least two parallel measuring amplifier loops are connected in series, one being an analogue broadband controller loop and the other being a digital broadband controller loop. |
| US08598867B2 |
Circuits and methods for generating a threshold signal used in a motion detector
A circuit to detect a movement of an object provides a threshold selection module that uses one or more threshold signals identified prior to a present cycle of magnetic field signal in order to establish a threshold signal used for a present cycle of the magnetic field signal. A method associated with the circuit is also described. |
| US08598866B2 |
Zero bias power detector
A zero bias power detector comprising a zero bias diode and an output boost circuit is provided. The output boost circuit comprises a zero bias transistor. The zero bias diode is not biased but outputs a rectifying signal according to a wireless signal. The zero bias transistor, not biased but coupled to the zero bias diode, is used for enhancing the rectifying signal. |
| US08598863B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting motion characteristics of particles in flow channel
The present invention is an apparatus and method for detecting the motion characteristics of particles in a flow channel. The apparatus includes first and second electrode groups, each having a pair of electrodes, which are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a flow channel. The pair of electrodes function as both a drive electrode and a sensing electrode for directly applying voltage and measuring impedance between the electrodes. An operation control unit measures variation in electrical pulses generated in the first and second electrode groups, thus detecting motion characteristics of the particles. The present invention is advantageous in that it does not require complicated optical measuring instruments or analyzing instruments, and in that it can be used to easily detect the motion characteristics of particles in a flow channel merely by analyzing variation in electrical pulses without requiring preliminary information. |
| US08598856B1 |
Power supply switching and discontinuous power supply mode
According to example configurations herein, while operating a power supply in a discontinuous power supply mode, a controller initiates activation of a first switch of the power supply to increase a magnitude of current flowing through an inductor. The flow of current through the inductor produces an output voltage for powering a load. The controller estimates a time duration in which to activate a second switch of the power supply to reduce the current flowing through the inductor. The controller uses the estimated time duration as a parameter for controlling the second switch in the power supply. For example, upon or after deactivating the first switch, the controller initiates activation of the second switch for the estimated time duration. Deactivation of the second switch based on the estimated time duration reduces or eliminates a need to employ complex circuitry to physically measure a magnitude of current through the inductor. |
| US08598853B2 |
Method of balancing current supplied to a load
A method of balancing current supplied by a plurality of regulators coupled to a load includes: measuring an average load current supplied by each regulator; determining an overall average current to be shared by the plurality of regulators; comparing each average load current with the overall average current to be shared by the plurality of regulators; and adjusting an output current of one or more of the plurality of regulators so that the plurality of regulators supply the same current to the load. |
| US08598842B2 |
Power socket having flexible holding arm
A power socket with charging interface is provided, wherein the power socket comprises at least one power hole, at least one charging interface and a holding arm, which holding arm being slidably disposed on the main body of the power socket, and one fixed end of the holding arm and one side of the power socket together constituting a containing slot for accommodating a portable electronic device, in which the holding arm may inwardly or outwardly slide so as to adjust the position of the fixed end. Since the width of the containing slot is adjustable, the power socket is allowable for placement of portable electronic devices of various sizes and specifications. |
| US08598840B2 |
Fault-tolerant battery management system, circuits and methods
A fault tolerant battery management system includes redundancy, with applications including electric vehicles. Portions of its circuitry are constituted in distinct fault domains with control, monitoring, and balancing of cells circuitry fault-effect-isolated from the circuitry associated with built-in real-time testing. Built-in tests are orchestrated in fault domains isolated from the functional circuitry being verified. These built-in tests provide test stimulus unique for each cell measurement. Cell balancing is performed in a fault tolerant manner. It takes at least two independent faults, in two mutually distinct fault domains, to negatively affect balancing capability or to interfere with a redundant circuit's ability to operate. The built-in tests allow operation without the requirement for data cross-compare between redundant measuring electronic elements. Testing and balancing functions are interlocked through encoded enabling methodologies and transmit enables on serial buses. The circuitry is divided into mutually fault-isolated modules, each responsible for a subset of the cells. |
| US08598832B2 |
Control system of multi-shaft servo motor
A control system of multi-shaft servo motor comprises a position loop module (400) for receiving a position loop given value and a position feedback value of respective shelves and figuring out a velocity loop given value; a velocity loop module (500) for receiving the velocity loop given value and a velocity feedback value of respective shelves and figuring out a current loop given value; a current loop module (200) for receiving the current loop given value and a current feedback value of respective shelves and outputting a current loop output value; a PWM signal generation module (300) for receiving the current loop output value from the current loop module (200) and generating a PWM signal for controlling respective shelves of the servo motor; and a multi-shaft time sequence control module (700). |
| US08598828B2 |
Wiper park switch input signal noise rejection circuit
A wiper system is provided and may include a wiper that operates between a parked state and a use state, a motor associated with the wiper that selectively moves the wiper between the parked state and the use state, and a switch that generates a signal identifying whether the wiper is in the parked state or the use state. The wiper system may also include a controller in communication with the switch. The controller may include a second-order filter and a comparator, whereby the controller passes the signal through the second-order filter and the comparator to differentiate between the parked state and the use state. |
| US08598825B2 |
Lead angle control circuit, and motor drive device and motor drive system using the lead angle control circuit
According to an embodiment, a lead angle control circuit is configured to control a lead angle of a motor drive signal driving a motor. The lead angle control circuit includes a control signal generating section, an upper limit voltage limit section and a lead angle data generating section. The lead angle data generating section is configured to generate a relationship line between lead angle data representing the lead angle and a lead angle control signal, and configured to generate the lead angle data based on the relationship line and the lead angle control signal. The relationship line reaches an upper limit point from a lower limit point through a changing point. In the changing point, the lead angle control signal is a changing point voltage, and the lead angle data represents the lead angle corresponding to a lead angle setting voltage. |
| US08598822B2 |
Inverter device, motor driving device, refrigerating air conditioner, and power generation system
An inverter device, a motor driving device, a refrigerating air conditioner, and a power generation system, which can reduce the recovery loss thereof, are obtained. A plurality of arms that can conduct and block current are provided. At least one of the plurality of arms includes: a plurality of switching elements each having a parasitic diode and being connected in series with each other; and a reverse current diode connected in parallel with the plurality of switching elements. |
| US08598817B2 |
Adaptive drive system using current values for a personal care appliance
An adaptive system for a personal care appliance, such as a power toothbrush, having a workpiece which is driven through an amplitude of motion by a drive mechanism which includes a stator member includes a circuit (13) for measuring average electrical current through the stator member and stored information (19) in the personal care appliance which relates the average current values through the stator during operation of the device to corresponding amplitude of motion of the workpiece. A processor (17) utilizing a stored program adjusts the operating frequency to produce a stator current value which correlates to the desired amplitude of motion of the workpiece. |
| US08598815B2 |
Controllable transverse rotation adaptor
Torsional loads can impart painful and potentially injurious shear stresses upon residual limb soft tissues in lower limb amputees. To protect the soft tissues, a controllable transverse rotation adapter (TRA) has been developed that permits rotation of the prosthetic socket relative to the prosthetic foot, relieving some of the rotational loads experienced by the residual limb, and controlling either the stiffness resisting the transverse rotational torque, or the torque. This TRA uses series elastic actuator (SEA) technology and includes a prime mover, a speed reduction device, and a torsion spring mounted in series. By measuring a displacement of the spring (e.g., using a strain gauge), motor current, and the motor shaft position, the load torque and position can be used to calculate actual stiffness or applied torque. The motor position is then adjusted relative to the load, to control the effective stiffness or torque. |
| US08598814B2 |
Linear accelerator
A method for pulsed operation of a linear accelerator includes generating pulses of charged particles. The generating includes emitting particles by a particle source and accelerating the particles in an accelerator device that includes a plurality of linked cavity resonators. The accelerator device is supplied with energy by an energy supply unit. Particle energy is changed solely by varying a number of particles emitted by the particle source per pulse. |
| US08598811B2 |
Projection-type display device and method of controlling thereof
A projection-type display device according to an embodiment of the invention modulates light emitted from a solid-state light source array and projects the modulated light on a screen. The projection-type display device includes a power source device that generates power used for driving the solid-state light source array using power supplied from a power source, an instant interruption detecting circuit that detects an instant interruption of the power source, and a control device that, in a case where the instant interruption of the power source is detected by the instant interruption detecting circuit, performs control of extinguishing the solid-state light source array during at least a part of an instant interruption period until recovery after the detection of the instant interruption of the power source. |
| US08598810B2 |
Constant current driving circuit of light emitting diode and lighting apparatus
A constant current driving circuit of a light emitting diode (LED) including a control unit, a buck converter, and a compensation unit is provided. The control unit has an input terminal and an output terminal, and outputs a control signal through the output terminal. The buck converter is coupled to an input power, and is coupled between the output terminal of the control unit and an LED string. The compensation unit is coupled between the LED string and the input terminal of the control unit. The control unit receives a compensation signal of the compensation unit through the input terminal. Besides, a lighting apparatus is also provided. |
| US08598806B2 |
Systems and methods for intelligent control of cold-cathode fluorescent lamps
System and method for driving one or more cold-cathode fluorescent lamps. For example, the method includes generating at least one drive signal associated with a signal frequency, the signal frequency being equal to a first predetermined frequency, receiving a current-sensing signal, the current-sensing signal being associated with a lamp current for the one or more cold-cathode fluorescent lamps in response to at least the first predetermined frequency, and determining whether the current-sensing signal is larger than a first threshold in magnitude, the current-sensing signal being related to the first predetermined frequency. Additionally, the method includes, if the current-sensing signal related to the first predetermined frequency is determined to be larger than the first threshold in magnitude at anytime during a first period of time, changing the signal frequency from the first predetermined frequency to a second predetermined frequency, the second predetermined frequency being different from the first predetermined frequency. |
| US08598802B2 |
Triac dimmer compatible WLED driving circuit and method thereof
The present technology is generally related to Triac dimmer compatible driving circuits and methods thereof. The present technology also provides an electronic transformer that is integrated in the Traic dimmer compatible driving circuit. In one embodiment, the electronic transformer detects the conduction angles of an output AC voltage from the Triac dimmer and converts said output AC voltage into a PWM DC voltage having a duty cycle regulated by said conduction angles. Said PWM DC voltage is then applied to a WLED driver for driving a WLED. |
| US08598798B2 |
Camera flash with reconfigurable emission spectrum
A method and an apparatus for spectrum synthesis for use in a flash unit, wherein the spectrum synthesis includes combining a plurality of emissive light sources in order to provide a combine output beam and producing the output spectrum for the combined output beam at least based on a reference spectrum. The reference spectrum can be obtained by sensing the spectrum of ambient light or selected from a plurality of stored spectra. The flash unit has at least two emissive light sources and each of the light sources can be adjusted relative to each other so that the outputs from the light sources can mimic a selected illumination scenario. It is possible to use a mixture of quantum dots to tailor each light source so that the combined spectra from different light sources can reasonably mimic a number of frequently used illumination scenario. |
| US08598793B2 |
Tuning of emitter with multiple LEDs to a single color bin
The color of an LED-based lamp can be tuned to a desired color or color temperature. The lamp can include two or more independently addressable groups of LEDs associated with different colors or color temperatures and a total-internal-reflection (TIR) color-mixing lens to produce light of a uniform color by mixing the light from the different groups of LEDs. The color of the output light is tuned by controllably dividing an input current among the groups of LEDs. Tuning can be performed once, e.g., during manufacture, and the lamp does not require active feedback components for maintaining color temperature. |
| US08598791B2 |
Vehicular LED lamp
A vehicular LED lamp includes a mounting seat and a plurality of LED light-emitting units mounted on the mounting seat. Each LED light-emitting unit includes a carrier plate having inner and outer surfaces, a circuit board engaged on the outer surface of the carrier plate, and at least one LED mounted on the circuit board and in contact with the outer surface of the carrier plate. The mounting seat includes a plurality of mounting grooves each having a bottom wall and two side walls with inclined sections. The LED light-emitting units are received in the mounting grooves of the mounting seat, with the inner surface of each carrier plate in contact with the bottom wall of an associated mounting groove, with two sides of each carrier plate abutting the inclined sections of the associated mounting groove. |
| US08598789B2 |
Discharge lamp with improved discharge vessel
A high pressure gas discharge lamp has electrodes that project into a discharge space surrounded by a discharge wall. The discharge space has a filling of rare gas and metal halides. The metal halide composition comprises halides of sodium and scandium with a mass ratio of halides of Sodium and Scandium of 0.9-1.5. In order to provide a lamp that can be easily manufactured and is well suited for operation at reduced power, the discharge vessel wall is of externally and internally cylindrical shape. The lamp may be manufactured by providing a cylindrical tube of quartz material, heating the tube at two distant portions and forming grooves there, inserting two electrodes into the tube and heating and pinching the tube at both ends to seal the discharge space. Manufacture is carried out without a bulb forming step such that the discharge space remains in externally and internally cylindrical shape. |
| US08598785B2 |
Organometallic complex, and light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device, and lighting device using the organometallic complex
To provide a novel organometallic complex capable of emitting phosphorescence by using an organic compound with which a variety of derivatives can be easily synthesized as a ligand. In addition, to provide an organometallic complex which exhibits red emission. To provide an organometallic complex formed by ortho-metalation of an m-alkoxyphenyl pyrazine derivative represented by General Formula (G0) below with respect to an ion of a metal belonging to Group 9 or Group 10. In addition, to provide an organometallic complex which exhibits red emission formed by ortho-metalation of an m-alkoxyphenyl pyrazine derivative represented by General Formula (G0) below with respect to an ion of a metal belonging to Group 9 or Group 10. |
| US08598779B2 |
Optoelectronic film arrangement with a translucent layer
An optoelectronic film assembly, has a first flat electrode layer, a second flat electrode layer as a counter electrode to the first flat electrode layer, a dielectric layer between the electrode layers and an active layer provided next to the dielectric layer and arranged between the electrode layers and made of an electroluminescent material. To this end, the first and/or the second electrode layers are implemented to be translucent and TCO-free, particularly ITO-free, by using a woven fabric comprising electrically conductive fibers. |
| US08598772B2 |
Flat display and method of fabricating the same
A flat display and a method of fabricating the same, in which the fabrication of the flat display is facilitated by employing a plate-to-plate method. The method of fabricating a flat display panel includes the steps of forming an optical bonding resin layer by applying an optical bonding resin on the underside of a transparent film, attaching a filter to the upper surface of the transparent film, and attaching the optical bonding resin layer to the upper surface of a display panel using a plate-to-plate method. |
| US08598771B2 |
Glass and display having anti-glare properties
A glass article that is ion-exchangeable and has at least one roughened surface. The roughened surface has a distinctness-of-reflected image DOI of less than 90 when measured at an incidence angle of 20°. A pixelated display system that includes such a glass article is also provided. |
| US08598763B2 |
Field element
A field element core has a perimeter exposed around a rotation axis and a plurality of field magnet insertion holes circularly disposed around the rotation axis P. A radius between the perimeter and the rotation axis P decreases in a monotonically non-increasing manner from a pole center toward an interpole and then increases in a monotonically non-decreasing manner in a region between the pole center and the interpole in a circumferential direction. |
| US08598759B2 |
Magnetic gear arrangement
A magnetic gear arrangement includes: a first gear member for generating a first magnetic field, a second gear member for generating a second magnetic field, and a coupling device which provides an arrangement of interpoles between the first gear member and the second gear member. The interpoles couple the first and second magnetic fields to produce a gearing between the first and second gear members. The first gear member has superconducting magnets or coils for generating the first magnetic field and/or the second gear member has superconducting magnets or coils for generating the second magnetic field. |
| US08598758B2 |
Electric motor and position holding device for such an electric motor
An electric motor, particularly for an actuating device for displacing a control device, such as a valve, a gate valve, a blow-out preventer or the like, for use in oil or gas production includes a stator and a rotor assigned to a motor shaft, and a position holding device for exerting a holding torque on the motor shaft. To improve an electric motor of this type such that said motor is of a compact structure, includes less additional parts for a corresponding position holding device and, particularly in case of failure of an external power supply, reliably prevents a situation where the motor shaft is moved out of the attained position upon corresponding pressure application e.g. by the control device, the position holding device comprises a plurality of permanent magnets, the permanent magnets being arranged in radial direction relative to the rotor and the motor shaft, respectively. |
| US08598755B2 |
Electric rotary actuator
A housing is provided with a partition wall portion that partitions an inner space of the housing into an electric motor accommodating space and a speed reducer accommodating space. The partition wall portion fixes a gear that constitutes a speed reducer. In addition, the partition wall portion has a housing boss portion, and an inner stator is fixed to the housing boss portion. Thus, heat generated by the inner stator is dissipated to the outside through the housing boss portion and the partition wall portion. |
| US08598754B2 |
Motor with eccentric rotor
The invention relates to a rotary electric machine with an eccentric rotor that comprises a stator and an eccentric rotor, the stator including a plurality of magnetic poles circumferentially distributed in order to define a closed cylindrical space, the rotor having a generally cylindrical shape with a diameter lower than that of said closed space and including a plurality of magnetic poles circumferentially distributed, the rotor rotating inside the closed space, wherein the machine further includes a shaft depending on the rotational component of the rotor, said machine being characterized in that, at the area of electromagnetic interaction between the stator and the rotor, the evolute of a stator pole and the evolute of a rotor pole have substantially equal lengths. |
| US08598750B2 |
Broadband linear vibrator and mobile terminal
A broadband linear vibrator that is small sized and yet capable of generating a greater vibrating force and outputting various broadband vibrations, and a mobile terminal capable of outputting various vibrations and sounds, wherein the broadband linear vibrator includes a case; a spring coupled to the case; an oscillator including a magnet for elastically supporting the spring and a stator formed inside the case for vibrating the oscillator, wherein a frequency band to a maximum use frequency that is detectable as a vibration or a sound source based on a resonant frequency is 1.2 times than a frequency band to a minimum use frequency, such that various feelings of vibrations and sounds can be advantageously provided by the broadband linear vibrator. |
| US08598749B2 |
Converter device and uninterruptible power supply equipped with such a device
A converter to supply an AC voltage on a modulated signal output, having two switching units each provided with a DC voltage input and a switching output to supply pulses varying between the voltage on the input in a first switched state, and a reference voltage in a second switched state, each switching unit comprising a first switch connected between the input and the switching output to establish the first switched state, and for each switching unit, a second switch connected between the switching output and the modulated signal output to activate that switching unit, and a third switch connected between the input of that switching unit and the modulated signal output. The converter may be a part of an uninterruptible power supply. |
| US08598745B2 |
Wireless power feeder and wireless power transmission system
Power is fed from a feeding coil L2 to a receiving coil L3 by magnetic resonance. An oscillator 202 alternately turns ON/OFF switching transistors Q1 and Q2 to cause AC current IS of drive frequency fo to flow in a transformer T2 primary coil Lb. The AC current IS causes AC current I1 to flow in an exciting coil L1 and causes AC current I2 to flow in the feeding coil L2. |
| US08598741B2 |
Photovoltaic and fuel cell hybrid generation system using single converter and single inverter, and method of controlling the same
There are disclosed a photovoltaic and fuel cell (PV-FC) hybrid generation system using a single converter and a single inverter, and a method of controlling the same. The PV-FC hybrid generation system includes a DC/DC converter unit converting an FC output voltage from a fuel cell, converting chemical energy into electrical energy, into a preset voltage, a DC link unit commonly connecting an output terminal of a photovoltaic cell, converting the sunlight into electrical energy, and an output terminal of the DC/DC converter unit, and linking the converted FC output voltage from the DC/DC converter unit with a PV output voltage from the photovoltaic cell to thereby generate a DC voltage, and a DC/AC inverter unit converting the DC voltage from the DC link unit into a preset AC voltage. Furthermore, a method of controlling the PV-FC hybrid generation system is proposed. |
| US08598740B2 |
Intelligent battery system
A mobile workstation includes a first battery bracket for releasable attachment of a main battery, a second battery bracket for releasable attachment of a backup battery and a power control circuit. The power control circuit includes a first input for receiving and monitoring power from the main battery, a second input for receiving and monitoring power from the backup battery, and a DC output. The power control circuit selectively routes a first flow of electricity from the main battery to the DC output when the first flow of electricity exceeds a predetermined value, and routes a second flow of electricity from the backup battery to the DC output when the first flow of electricity falls below the predetermined value. |
| US08598737B2 |
Synchronous switching power supply
A method for powering one or more loads from a varying input voltage comprises controlling a primary switch to selectively apply the input voltage to energize an inductor, controlling a load switch to selectively connect the inductor to the load, monitoring one or more load parameters to determine load conditions, and, when the load conditions meet a load requirement, disconnecting the load from the inductor and directing any remaining current in the inductor to a energy storage element. |
| US08598735B2 |
Control unit for controlling an illumination device for a motor vehicle as well as an illumination device for a motor vehicle with such a control unit
A controller controls an illumination device of a motor vehicle including at least one light source. The controller includes at least one first stage that provides electric energy for supplying power to the illumination device. At least one second stage forwards the electric energy to the light source. The first stage includes intelligence for controlling the illuminating device, a first supplier for supplying the illumination device with control signals, a generator for generating a constant intermediate voltage, and a second supplier for supplying the second stage with the intermediate voltage. The second stage includes a converter for conversion of the intermediate voltage into a supply voltage suitable for supplying the power to the light source, a third supplier for supplying the light source with the supply voltage, and a mechanism for controlling the light source in dependency on the control signals. Also, an illumination device for a motor vehicle includes the controller. |
| US08598734B2 |
Power supply system and vehicle equipped with the same
Converters are connected in parallel with each other to a pair of electric power lines. When required electric power required by a drive force generation unit is not more than a threshold value, a converter ECU causes a voltage converting operation of one of the converters that is associated with a power storage device of a higher output voltage to perform voltage converting operation, and causes the voltage converting operation of the other converter to be stopped, based on output voltages of the power storage devices detected by output voltage detection units. The first power storage device and the second power storage device are configured so that one of the power storage devices has a higher power supply voltage by a predetermined value than the power supply voltage of the other power storage device. The predetermined value is defined based on errors which may be included in detected values of the output voltage detection units. |
| US08598732B2 |
Wind turbine
A wind turbine is disclosed. The wind turbine includes a direct drive generator, which includes an inner stator arrangement and an outer rotor arrangement, a stationary outer shaft and a rotatable inner shaft having a center axis. At least two main bearings support the rotatable inner shaft inside the stationary outer shaft. The stator arrangement is arranged on the outside of the stationary outer shaft. The rotor arrangement is substantially arranged around the stator arrangement on the front side at least indirectly attached to the rotatable inner shaft and/or to the hub of the wind turbine. |
| US08598725B1 |
Utilizing flux controllable PM electric machines for wind turbine applications
A wind turbine includes a tower with a nacelle mounted to the tower. A hub, with a plurality of blades extending therefrom, is rotatably mounted to the nacelle. A main shaft rotates with the hub, and at least one generator system is operatively connected to the main shaft. The generator system of the wind turbine includes a permanent magnet generator. The permanent magnet generator includes a rotor and a stator for generating a high frequency alternating current (HFAC) power output from the rotation of the main shaft, and a magnetic flux diverter circuit for modulating the output of the permanent magnet generator. The generator system may further include a power transformation circuit for transforming the HFAC power output into a low frequency alternating current power output. |
| US08598722B2 |
Electrical generator
An electrical generator utilizing two internal combustion engine having an expanded range of power output is disclosed. A primary internal combustion engine is coupled to the magnet rotor assembly. The primary engine is operated solely in a lower power range. A secondary engine, coupled to a coil assembly is locked in place in such lower power range to make the coil assembly stationary. In a higher power range, that overlaps the lower power range, the secondary engine is unlocked and operated to rotate in a counter-rotating direction with respect to the first engine. The secondary engine can be started by operating the generator (consisting of the magnet rotor assembly and the coil assembly) as a motor by appropriate application of current. |
| US08598720B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device and its manufacturing method are offered to increase the number of semiconductor devices obtained from a semiconductor wafer while simplifying a manufacturing process. After forming a plurality of pad electrodes in a predetermined region on a top surface of a semiconductor substrate, a supporter is bonded to the top surface of the semiconductor substrate through an adhesive layer. Next, an opening is formed in the semiconductor substrate in a region overlapping the predetermined region. A wiring layer electrically connected with each of the pad electrodes is formed in the opening. After that, a stacked layer structure including the semiconductor substrate and the supporter is cut by dicing along a dicing line that is outside the opening. |
| US08598712B2 |
Semiconductor structure formed by double patterning technique
A method for fabricating a semiconductor layout includes providing a first layout having a plurality of line patterns and a second layout having a plurality of connection patterns, defining at least a first to-be-split pattern overlapping with the connection pattern among the line patterns, splitting the first to-be-split pattern at where the first to-be-split pattern overlapping with the connection pattern, decomposing the first layout to form a third layout and a fourth layout, and outputting the third layout and the further layout to a first mask and a second mask respectively. |
| US08598704B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first interconnection including a first end, a second interconnection connected to the first interconnection and including a width being gradually wider towards the first end, a third interconnection and a fourth interconnection, the third interconnection and the fourth interconnection being arranged to sandwich the second interconnection. The first interconnection, the second interconnection, the third interconnection, and the fourth interconnection are each formed in a same layer and a width of the first interconnection is wider than a width of the second interconnection. |
| US08598703B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device having a via chain circuit including a plurality of fine interconnections and an extension interconnection wider than the fine interconnections, having a first end connected to one or more of the fine interconnections and a second end located in an area of the semiconductor device external to the via chain circuit. One or more of the fine interconnections becomes wider gradually towards the connection to the extension interconnection. The extension interconnection is formed in a same layer as the one or more of the fine interconnections connected to the extension interconnection. The one or more of the fine interconnections connected to the extension interconnection is connected to the extension interconnections at a position where the fine interconnections become wider. |
| US08598701B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device has high reliability which suppresses a temperature rise of a set housing within an allowable range, and avoids an effect on a wiring on a package substrate due to thermal expansion of a heat dissipating member. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element, a package substrate, and a heat dissipating member. A first main surface of the semiconductor element faces an element-mounting surface of the package substrate and is connected to the package substrate. A main surface part of the heat dissipating member contacts a second main surface which is a back surface of first main surface of semiconductor element. A bonding part around a periphery of the main surface part is bonded to a bonding area of the element-mounting surface of the package substrate. A wiring on the package substrate is arranged at a portion other than the element-mounting surface, in a region of the bonding area. |
| US08598695B2 |
Active chip on carrier or laminated chip having microelectronic element embedded therein
A structure including a first semiconductor chip with front and rear surfaces and a cavity in the rear surface. A second semiconductor chip is mounted within the cavity. The first chip may have vias extending from the cavity to the front surface and via conductors within these vias serving to connect the additional microelectronic element to the active elements of the first chip. The structure may have a volume comparable to that of the first chip alone and yet provide the functionality of a multi-chip assembly. A composite chip incorporating a body and a layer of semiconductor material mounted on a front surface of the body similarly may have a cavity extending into the body from the rear surface and may have an additional microelectronic element mounted in such cavity. |
| US08598693B2 |
Die pad package with a concave portion in the sealing resin
A rear surface opposite to one plane of a die pad is formed to be exposed from one plane of a sealing resin. In addition, a concave portion disposed to be parallel with at least a first side of an outermost edge of a central structure and a second side adjacent to the first side, respectively, is formed in the one plane of the sealing resin. Here, a depth of the concave portion is equal to or greater than a height of the outermost edge of the central structure. |
| US08598692B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
A semiconductor device includes (i) a tape base material, (ii) a wiring pattern, (iii) a semiconductor element which is electrically connected with the wiring pattern, (iv) a top-side insulating protective film which covers a top surface of the tape base material and has an top-side opening section provided in a region where the top-side insulating protective film faces the semiconductor element, and (v) a reverse-side insulating protective film which covers a reverse surface of the tape base material and has a reverse-side opening section provided on a reverse side below the top-side opening section. The top-side insulating protective film has a protruding opening section extending outwardly from the region. An opening of the reverse-side opening section is 1.00 time to 8.50 times larger in an area than the region. |
| US08598687B2 |
Semiconductor having a high aspect ratio via
The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a via structure and method of manufacturing same. In an example, a via structure includes a via having via sidewall surfaces defined by a semiconductor substrate. The via sidewall surfaces have a first portion and a second portion. A conductive layer is disposed in the via on the first portion of the via sidewall surfaces, and a dielectric layer is disposed on the second portion of the via sidewall surfaces. The dielectric layer is disposed between the second portion of the via sidewall surfaces and the conductive layer. In an example, the dielectric layer is an oxide layer. |
| US08598683B2 |
Semiconductor structure having varactor with parallel DC path adjacent thereto
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region of a first polarity and a second region of a second polarity adjacent to the first region; and a first terminal including: a first deep trench located in the first region, a first node dielectric abutting all but an upper portion of sidewalls and a bottom of the first deep trench; a first conductive inner electrode inside the first node dielectric and electrically insulated from the first region by the first node dielectric; and a first electrical contact electrically coupling the first conductive inner electrode to the first region. |
| US08598679B2 |
Stacked and tunable power fuse
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device that includes a transistor including a substrate, a source, a drain, and a gate, and a fuse stacked over the transistor. The fuse includes an anode contact coupled to the drain of the transistor, a cathode contact, and a resistor coupled to the cathode contact and the anode contact via a first Schottky diode and a second Schottky diode, respectively. A method of fabricating such semiconductor devices is also provided. |
| US08598678B2 |
Parasitic vertical PNP bipolar transistor and its fabrication method in BiCMOS process
A parasitic vertical PNP bipolar transistor in BiCMOS process comprises a collector, a base and an emitter. The collector is formed by active region with p-type ion implanting layer (P type well in NMOS). It connects a P-type conductive region, which formed in the bottom region of shallow trench isolation (STI). The collector terminal connection is through the P-type buried layer and the adjacent active region. The base is formed by N type ion implanting layer above the collector which shares a N-type lightly doped drain (NLDD) implanting of NMOS. Its connection is through the N-type poly on the base region. The emitter is formed by the P-type epitaxy layer on the base region with heavy p-type doped, and connected by the extrinsic base region of NPN bipolar transistor device. This invention also includes the fabrication method of this parasitic vertical PNP bipolar transistor in BiCMOS process. And this PNP bipolar transistor can be used as the I/O (input/output) device in high speed, high current and power gain BiCMOS circuits. It also provides a device option with low cost. |
| US08598676B2 |
Barrier structure
A starting substrate in the form of a semiconductor wafer (1) has a first side and a second side, the sides being plane-parallel with respect to each other, and has a thickness rendering it suitable for processing without significant risk of being damaged, for the fabrication of combined analogue and digital designs, the wafer including at least two partitions (A1, A2; DIGITAL, ANALOGUE) electrically insulated from each other by insulating material (2; 38; 81; L) extending entirely through the wafer. A method for making such substrates including etching trenches in a wafer, and filling trenches with insulating material is also described. |
| US08598672B2 |
Light sensor having IR cut interference filter with color filter integrated on-chip
Techniques are described to furnish a light sensor that includes a patterned IR cut interference filter integrated with a patterned color pass filter. In one or more implementations, the light sensor includes a substrate having a surface. An IR cut interference filter configured to block infrared light is formed over the surface of the substrate. The light sensor also includes one or more color pass filters placed above or below the IR cut interference filter. The color pass filters are configured to filter visible light to pass light in a limited spectrum of wavelengths to the one or more photodetectors. In an implementation, a buffer layer is formed over the surface and configured to encapsulate the plurality of color pass filters to facilitate formation of the IR cut interference filter. In another implementation, the buffer layer is formed over the IR cut interference filter to function as a quasi-sacrificial buffer layer to facilitate formation of the color pass filters. |
| US08598671B2 |
Storage element, method for manufacturing storage element, and memory
Disclosed herein is a storage element, including: a storage layer configured to retain information based on a magnetization state of a magnetic material; and a magnetization pinned layer configured to be provided for the storage layer with intermediary of a tunnel barrier layer, wherein the tunnel barrier layer has a thickness not less than or equal to 0.1 nm to not more than or equal to 0.6 nm and interface roughness less than 0.5 nm, and information is stored in the storage layer through change in direction of magnetization of the storage layer by applying a current in a stacking direction and injecting a spin-polarized electron. |
| US08598670B2 |
Semiconductor device with increased breakdown voltage
Optimization of the implantation structure of a metal oxide silicon field effect transistor (MOSFET) device fabricated using conventional complementary metal oxide silicon (CMOS) logic foundry technology to increase the breakdown voltage. The techniques used to optimize the implantation structure involve lightly implanting the gate region, displacing the drain region from the gate region, and implanting P-well and N-well regions adjacent to one another without an isolation region in between. |
| US08598667B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a thin-film diode (1) and a protection circuit with a protection diode (20). The thin-film diode (1) includes: a semiconductor layer with first, second and channel regions; a gate electrode; a first electrode (S1) connected to the first region and the gate electrode; and a second electrode (D1) connected to the second region. The conductivity type of the thin-film diode (1) may be N-type and the anode electrode of the protection diode (20) may be connected to a line (3) that is connected to either the gate electrode or the first electrode of the thin-film diode (1). Or the conductivity type of the thin-film diode may be P-type and the cathode electrode of the protection diode may be connected to the line that is connected to either the gate electrode or the first electrode of the thin-film diode. The protection circuit includes no other diodes that are connected to the line (3) so as to have a current flowing direction opposite to the protection diode's (20). As a result, deterioration of a thin-film diode due to ESD can be reduced with an increase in circuit size minimized. |
| US08598658B2 |
High voltage LDMOS device
A high voltage lateral double diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (LDMOS) comprises a substrate; an epitaxy layer on the substrate; a drift region on the epitaxy layer; and a drain region and a source region at two ends. At least one pair of n-type and p-type semiconductor regions is arranged alternately above the interface of the substrate and the epitaxy layer and firmly attached to a lower surface of the drifting region; the n-type and p-type semiconductor regions are firmly closed to each other and arranged to form a lateral PN junction; and the p-type semiconductor region and the drifting region form a vertical PN junction. The n-type and p-type semiconductor regions are also totally called “a reduced surface field (RESURF) layer in body”, and the LDMOS device with a RESURF layer in body effectively solves conflict between raising reverse withstand voltage and reducing forward on-resistance of the current LDMOS devices. |
| US08598657B2 |
Semiconductor device
Investigation of problems of the device structure of a power MOSFET and mass production of it in relation to high breakdown voltage and low ON resistance when an epitaxy trench filling system is employed has revealed that it has the following problem, that is, a high breakdown voltage as expected cannot be achieved because a P-column region does not have an ideal rectangular parallelepipedal shape but has an inverted trapezoidal shape narrower at the bottom thereof and at the same time, has a concentration distribution lower at the bottom. In order to overcome the problem, the present invention provides a semiconductor device including a power MOSFET portion equipped, in an active cell region thereof, a super junction structure formed by a trench filling system, wherein a base epitaxial layer has a multistage structure with the upper portion having a higher impurity concentration. |
| US08598656B2 |
Method and apparatus of forming ESD protection device
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device having a transistor. The transistor includes a source region, a drain region, and a channel region that are formed in a semiconductor substrate. The channel region is disposed between the source and drain regions. The transistor includes a first gate that is disposed over the channel region. The transistor includes a plurality of second gates that are disposed over the drain region. |
| US08598651B2 |
Semiconductor device with transistor having gate insulating film with various thicknesses and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a transistor having multiple trenches with the thickness thereof being intermittently changed in the lateral direction of a gate, a gate insulating film formed on the side walls and at the bottom of each of the trenches, a gate electrode formed over the gate insulating film, a source region formed in the surface of the substrate on one side in the longitudinal direction of the gate, and a drain region formed in the surface of the substrate on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the gate. The thickness of the gate insulating film in the lower portion of the side wall of the trench from an intermediate position directing from the surface of the substrate to the bottom of the trench to the bottom thereof is larger than the thickness of the gate insulating film in the upper portion on the side wall of the trench from the intermediate position directing from the surface of the substrate to the bottom of the trench and equal with or larger than the thickness of the gate insulating film at the bottom of the trench. |
| US08598647B2 |
Three-dimensional semiconductor memory devices
Provided are three-dimensional semiconductor devices. The device includes conductive patterns stacked on a substrate, and an active pattern penetrating the conductive patterns to be connected to the substrate. The active pattern includes a first doped region disposed adjacent to at least one of the conductive patterns, and a diffusion-resistant doped region overlapped with at least a portion of the first doped region. The diffusion-resistant doped region may be a region doped with carbon. |
| US08598646B2 |
Non-volatile FINFET memory array and manufacturing method thereof
An electronic device includes a substrate with a semiconducting surface having a plurality of fin-type projections coextending in a first direction through a memory cell region and select gate regions. The electronic device further includes a dielectric isolation material disposed in spaces between the projections. In the electronic device, the dielectric isolation material in the memory cell regions have a height less than a height of the projections in the memory cell regions, and the dielectric isolation material in the select gate regions have a height greater than or equal to than a height of the projections in the select gate regions. The electronic device further includes gate features disposed on the substrate within the memory cell region and the select gate regions over the projections and the dielectric isolation material, where the gate features coextend in a second direction transverse to the first direction. |
| US08598645B2 |
System and method for improving mesa width in a semiconductor device
A method for forming a memory device is provided. A nitride layer is formed over a substrate. The nitride layer and the substrate are etched to form a trench. The nitride layer is trimmed on opposite sides of the trench to widen the trench within the nitride layer. The trench is filled with an oxide material. The nitride layer is stripped from the memory device, forming a mesa above the trench. |
| US08598642B2 |
Very dense NVM bitcell
An asymmetric non-volatile memory bitcell is described. The bitcell comprises source and drain regions comprising carriers of the same conductivity type. A floating gate rests on top of the well, and extends over a channel region, and at least a portion of the source and drain regions. The drain region comprises additional carriers of a second conductivity type, allowing band to band tunneling. The source region comprises additional carriers of a first conductivity type, thereby increasing source-gate capacitance. Thus, the bitcell incorporates a select device, thereby decreasing the overall size of the bitcell. The bitcell may be created without any additional CMOS process steps, or through the addition of a single extra mask step. |
| US08598638B2 |
Solid-state image capturing element and electronic information device
A solid-state image capturing element according to the present invention includes a one conductivity type semiconductor substrate; an opposite conductivity type well region formed on the one conductivity type semiconductor substrate; a photodiode section formed on the opposite conductivity type well region, constituted of a plurality of one conductivity type regions with successively different impurity concentrations for complete electric charge transferring; a one conductive drain region capable of reading out signal charges from the photodiode section; and a transfer gate formed above a substrate between the one conductivity drain region and the photodiode section. |
| US08598636B2 |
Heat dissipation structure of SOI field effect transistor
The present invention discloses a heat dissipation structure for a SOI field effect transistor having a schottky source/drain, which relates to a field of microelectronics. The heat dissipation structure includes two holes connected with a drain terminal or with both a source terminal and a drain terminal, which are filled with an N-type material with high thermoelectric coefficient and a P-type material with high thermoelectric coefficient respectively. A metal wire for the N-type material with high thermoelectric coefficient in the vicinity of the drain terminal is applied a high potential with respect to the drain terminal, and a metal wire for the P-type material with high thermoelectric coefficient in the vicinity of the drain terminal is applied a low potential with respect to the drain terminal. A metal wire for the N-type material with high thermoelectric coefficient in the vicinity of the source terminal is applied a high potential with respect to the source terminal, and a metal wire for the P-type material in the vicinity of the source terminal is applied a lower potential with respect to the source terminal. By way of a Peltier effect, in the present invention heat can be absorbed at a contact portion between the thermoelectric material and the source/drain, and at the same time dissipated at a connection portion between the thermoelectric material and a bottom electrode metal, so that the heat generated in an active region of the device is effectively transferred to the substrate and dissipated through a heat sink. |
| US08598630B2 |
Photo alignment mark for a gate last process
A semiconductor device is provided which includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region, the first and second regions being isolated from each other, a plurality of transistors formed in the first region, an alignment mark formed in the second region, the alignment mark having a plurality of active regions in a first direction, and a dummy gate structure formed over the alignment mark, the dummy gate structure having a plurality of lines in a second direction different from the first direction. |
| US08598626B2 |
Epitaxial substrate for semiconductor device, schottky junction structure, and leakage current suppression method for schottky junction structure
Provided is an epitaxial substrate for semiconductor device that is capable of achieving a semiconductor device having high reliability in reverse characteristics of schottky junction. An epitaxial substrate for semiconductor device obtained by forming, on a base substrate, a group of group III nitride layers by lamination such that a (0001) crystal plane of each layer is approximately parallel to a substrate surface includes: a channel layer formed of a first group III nitride having a composition of Inx1Aly1Gaz1N (x1+y1+z1=1, z1>0); and a barrier layer formed of a second group III nitride having a composition of Inx2Aly2N (x2+y2=1, x2>0, y2>0), wherein the second group III nitride is a short-range-ordered mixed crystal having a short-range order parameter α satisfying a range where 0≦α≦1. |
| US08598625B2 |
ESD protection device with tunable design windows
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) device includes a high-voltage well (HVW) region of a first conductivity type; a first heavily doped region of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type over the HVW region; and a doped region of the first conductivity type contacting the first heavily doped region and the HVW region. The doped region is under the first heavily doped region and over the HVW region. The doped region has a first impurity concentration higher than a second impurity concentration of the HVW region and lower than a third impurity concentration of the first heavily doped region. The ESD device further includes a second heavily doped region of the second conductivity type over the HVW region; and a third heavily doped region of the first conductivity type over and contacting the HVW region. |
| US08598624B2 |
Fast switching hybrid IGBT device with trenched contacts
A hybrid IGBT device having a VIGBT and LDMOS structures comprises at least a drain trenched contact filled with a conductive plug penetrating through an epitaxial layer, and extending into a substrate; a vertical drain region surrounding at least sidewalls of the drain trenched contact, extending from top surface of the epitaxial layer to the substrate, wherein the vertical drain region having a higher doping concentration than the epitaxial layer. |
| US08598620B2 |
MOSFET with integrated field effect rectifier
A modified MOSFET structure comprises an integrated field effect rectifier connected between the source and drain of the MOSFET to shunt current during switching of the MOSFET. The integrated FER provides faster switching of the MOSFET due to the absence of injected carriers during switching while also decreasing the level of EMI relative to discrete solutions. The integrated structure of the MOSFET and FER can be fabricated using N-, multi-epitaxial and supertrench technologies, including 0.25 μm technology. Self-aligned processing can be used. |
| US08598610B2 |
Light emitting device, display apparatus, and electronic apparatus
In a display panel, a first electron injection layer is formed between an anode and a light-emitting functional layer, and a hole injection layer is formed between the anode and the first electron injection layer. In other words, the hole injection layer, the first electron injection layer, and the light-emitting functional layer are configured to be laminated on the anode in this order. An electron injection material used for the first electron injection layer is diffused into the hole injection layer, and the diffused electron injection material inhibits or promotes hole transportation of the hole injection layer, so that the amount of holes transported to a light-emitting functional layer is adjusted. As a result, the carrier balance is improved. |
| US08598609B2 |
Composite high reflectivity layer
A high efficiency light emitting diode with a composite high reflectivity layer integral to said LED to improve emission efficiency. One embodiment of a light emitting diode (LED) chip comprises an LED and a composite high reflectivity layer integral to the LED to reflect light emitted from the active region. The composite layer comprises a first layer, and alternating plurality of second and third layers on the first layer, and a reflective layer on the topmost of said plurality of second and third layers. The second and third layers have a different index of refraction, and the first layer is at least three times thicker than the thickest of the second and third layers. For composite layers internal to the LED chip, conductive vias can be included through the composite layer to allow an electrical signal to pass through the composite layer to the LED. |
| US08598608B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes a light emitting element, a first phosphor which emits a light by being excited by a light emitted from the light emitting element and a second phosphor which emits a light by being excited by the light emitted from the light emitting element and/or the light emitted from the first phosphor. The light emitted from the light emitting element, the light emitted from the first phosphor and the light emitted from the second phosphor are mixed to make an inclination angle of a line, on a chromaticity diagram, connecting a chromaticity coordinate of the light emitted from the first phosphor and a chromaticity coordinate of the light emitted from the light emitting element equal to an inclination angle of an isotemperature line of light of a predetermined color temperature. |
| US08598604B2 |
Optoelectronic component
An optoelectronic component with a semiconductor body that comprises an active semiconductor layer sequence is disclosed, which is suitable for generating electromagnetic radiation of a first wavelength that is emitted from a front face of the semiconductor body. The component also comprises a first wavelength conversion substance following the semiconductor body in its direction of emission, which converts radiation of the first wavelength into radiation of a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, and a first selectively reflecting layer between the active semiconductor layer sequence and the first wavelength conversion substance that selectively reflects radiation of the second wavelength and is transparent to radiation of the first wavelength. |
| US08598602B2 |
Light emitting device packages with improved heat transfer
Packages containing one or more light emitting devices, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), are disclosed. In one embodiment, LED package can include a thermal element having improved solder reliability to improve heat dissipation capacity of the LED package. LED package can include a molded plastic body having one or more LEDs attached to one or more electrical elements. The LEDs can be connected to an upper surface of the thermal element. The thermal element can include a bottom surface which can extend further away in distance from a body of the LED package than a bottom surface of the electrical element. This configuration can result in an improved connection between the LED package and an external circuitry source, thereby increasing heat transfer ability of the LED package. |
| US08598601B2 |
Light emitting package
The present invention discloses a light emitting package, including: a base; a light emitting device on the base; an electrical circuit layer electrically connected to the light emitting device; a screen member having an opening and disposed on the base adjacent to the light emitting device; and a lens covering the light emitting device, wherein a width of a cross-sectional shape of the screen member is larger than a height of the cross sectional shape of the screen member, wherein the lens is disposed on the screen member, and wherein the lens is connected to an uppermost surface of the screen member. |
| US08598599B2 |
Group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device
The present invention provides a Group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device whose main surface is a plane which provides an internal electric field of zero, and which exhibits improved emission performance. The light-emitting device includes a sapphire substrate which has, in a surface thereof, a plurality of dents which are arranged in a stripe pattern as viewed from above; an n-contact layer formed on the dented surface of the sapphire substrate; a light-emitting layer formed on the n-contact layer; an electron blocking layer formed on the light-emitting layer; a p-contact layer formed on the electron blocking layer; a p-electrode; and an n-electrode. The electron blocking layer has a thickness of 2 to 8 nm and is formed of Mg-doped AlGaN having an Al compositional proportion of 20 to 30%. |
| US08598595B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
The present application discloses a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device comprises an SOI substrate; a semiconductor fin formed on the SOI substrate, the semiconductor fin having a first side and a second side which are opposite to each other and stand upward on a surface of the SOI substrate, and a trench which is opened at a central portion of the second side and opposite to the first side; a channel region formed in the fin and being between the first side and the trench at the second side; source and drain regions formed in the fin and sandwiching the channel region; and a gate stack formed on the SOI substrate and being adjacent to the first side of the fin, wherein the gate stack comprises a first gate dielectric extending away from the first side and being adjacent to the channel region, a first conductor layer extending away from the first side and being adjacent to the first gate dielectric, a second gate dielectric extending away from the first side and being adjacent laterally to one side of the first conductor layer, and a second conductor layer extending away from the first side and being adjacent laterally to one side of the second gate dielectric. The embodiments of the invention can be applied in manufacturing an FinFET. |
| US08598589B2 |
Array substrate, method of manufacturing the array substrate, and display apparatus including the array substrate
An array substrate is disclosed. In one embodiment, the substrate includes 1) a transistor area in which a transistor is formed, 2) a capacitor area in which a capacitor is formed, wherein the capacitor is electrically connected to the transistor and 3) a light transmittance area adjacent to at least one of the transistor area and the capacitor area. The substrate further includes 1) a first insulating layer formed in at least one of the transistor area and the capacitor area, wherein the first insulating layer is not formed in the light transmittance area and 2) a second insulating layer having i) a first portion arranged to substantially overlap with the first insulating layer in the at least one area, and ii) a second portion formed in the light transmittance area. |
| US08598588B2 |
Systems and methods for processing a film, and thin films
In some embodiments, a method of processing a film is provided, the method comprising defining a plurality of spaced-apart regions to be pre-crystallized within the film, the film being disposed on a substrate and capable of laser-induced melting; generating a laser beam having a fluence that is selected to form a mixture of solid and liquid in the film and where a fraction of the film is molten throughout its thickness in an irradiated region; positioning the film relative to the laser beam in preparation for at least partially pre-crystallizing a first region of said plurality of spaced-apart regions; directing the laser beam onto a moving at least partially reflective optical element in the path of the laser beam, the moving optical element redirecting the beam so as to scan a first portion of the first region with the beam in a first direction at a first velocity, wherein the first velocity is selected such that the beam irradiates and forms the mixture of solid and liquid in the first portion of the first region, wherein said first portion of the first region upon cooling forms crystalline grains having predominantly the same crystallographic orientation in at least a single direction; and crystallizing at least the first portion of the first region using laser-induced melting. |
| US08598586B2 |
Thin film transistor and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed is a thin film transistor including: a gate insulating layer covering a gate electrode; a microcrystalline semiconductor region over the gate insulating layer; a pair of amorphous semiconductor region over the microcrystalline semiconductor; a pair of impurity semiconductor layers over the amorphous semiconductor regions; and wirings over the impurity semiconductor layers. The microcrystalline semiconductor region has a surface having a projection and depression on the gate insulating layer side. The microcrystalline semiconductor region includes a first microcrystalline semiconductor region which is not covered with the amorphous regions and a second microcrystalline semiconductor region which is in contact with the amorphous semiconductor regions. A thickness d1 of the first microcrystalline semiconductor region is smaller than a thickness d2 of the second microcrystalline semiconductor region and d1 is greater than or equal to 30 nm. |
| US08598579B2 |
Test structure for ILD void testing and contact resistance measurement in a semiconductor device
In complex semiconductor devices, the contact characteristics may be efficiently determined on the basis of a test structure which includes a combination of interconnect chain structures and a comb structure including gate electrode structures. Consequently, an increased amount of measurement information may be obtained on the basis of a reduced overall floor space of the test structure. In this manner, the complex manufacturing sequence for forming a contact level of a semiconductor device may be quantitatively estimated and monitored. |
| US08598577B2 |
Display substrate and method of manufacturing the same
A display substrate includes a gate line extending in a first direction on a base substrate, a data line on the base substrate and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, a gate insulating layer on the gate line, a thin-film transistor and a pixel electrode. The thin-film transistor includes a gate electrode electrically connected the gate line, an oxide semiconductor pattern, and source and drain electrodes on the oxide semiconductor pattern and spaced apart from each other. The oxide semiconductor pattern includes a first semiconductor pattern including indium oxide and a second semiconductor pattern including indium-free oxide. The pixel electrode is electrically connected the drain electrode. |
| US08598574B2 |
Light-emitting device
To provide a light-emitting device having a top-emission structure with low power consumption. A convex structure body is formed over a substrate to be provided with an organic EL element, and then an upper electrode layer is formed. Thus, the upper electrode layer has a shape following the convex shape. In addition, a conductive layer is formed over a substrate sealing an organic EL layer. Then, by sealing a surface where the upper electrode layer is formed and a surface where the conductive layer is formed are sealed to face each other, at least part of the electrode layer overlapped with the convex structure body is in contact with the conductive layer, so that the resistivity of the upper electrode layer is significantly reduced. Thus, power consumption of a light-emitting element can be reduced. |
| US08598572B2 |
Electronic device with an insulating layer including a groove and a protrusion, and method of manufacturing the same
Provided are an electronic device including a bank structure and a method of manufacturing the same. The method of manufacturing the electronic device requires a fewer number of processes and comprises a direct patterning of insulating layers, such as fluorinated organic polymer layers, is possible using cost-efficient techniques such as inkjet printing. |
| US08598571B2 |
Method of manufacturing a compound semiconductor device with compound semiconductor lamination structure
A method of manufacturing a compound semiconductor device, includes: forming a compound semiconductor lamination structure over a substrate; forming a metal film over the compound semiconductor lamination structure; forming a source electrode and a drain electrode over the metal film; forming one of a metal oxide film and a metal nitride film by one of oxidizing and nitriding a part of the metal film; and forming a gate electrode over the metal oxide film or the metal nitride film. |
| US08598568B2 |
Photodetector using a graphene thin film and nanoparticles, and method for producing the same
Provided are a photodetector (PD) using a graphene thin film and nanoparticles and a method of fabricating the same. The PD includes a graphene thin film having a sheet shape formed by means of a graphene deposition process using a vapor-phase carbon (C) source and a nanoparticle layer formed on the graphene thin film and patterned to define an electrode region of the graphene thin film, the nanoparticle layer being formed of nanoparticles without a matrix material. The PD has a planar structure using the graphene thin film as a channel and an electrode and using nanoparticles as a photovoltaic material (capable of forming electron-hole pairs due to photoelectron-motive force caused by ultraviolet (UV) light). Since the PD has a very simple structure, the PD may be fabricated at low cost with high productivity. Also, the PD includes the graphene thin film to reduce power consumption. |
| US08598563B2 |
Phase-change material and phase-change type memory device
A phase-change material, which has a high crystallization temperature and is superior in thermal stability of the amorphous phase, which has a composition of the general chemical formula GexMyTe100-x-y wherein M indicates one type of element which is selected from the group which comprises Al, Si, Cu, In, and Sn, x is 5.0 to 50.0 (at %) and y is 4.0 to 45.0 (at %) in range, and x and y are selected so that 40 (at %)≦x+y≦60 (at %). This phase-change material further contains, as an additional element L, at least one type of element L which is selected from the group which comprises N, O, Al, Si, P, Cu, In, and Sn in the form of GexMyLzTe100-x-y-z wherein z is selected so that 40 (at %)≦x+y+z≦60 (at %). |
| US08598562B2 |
Memory cell structures
The present disclosure includes memory cell structures and method of forming the same. One such memory cell includes a first electrode having sidewalls angled less than 90 degrees in relation to a bottom surface of the first electrode, a second electrode, including an electrode contact portion of the second electrode, having sidewalls angled less than 90 degrees in relation to the bottom surface of the first electrode, wherein the second electrode is over the first electrode, and a storage element between the first electrode and the electrode contact portion of the second electrode. |
| US08598561B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and method for manufacturing same
A nonvolatile memory device includes first and second conductive layers, a resistance change layer, and a rectifying element. The first conductive layer has first and second major surfaces. The second conductive layer has third and fourth major surfaces, a side face, and a corner part. The third major surface faces the first major surface and includes a plane parallel to the first major surface and is provided between the fourth and first major surfaces. The corner part is provided between the third major surface and the side face and has a curvature higher than that of the third major surface. The resistance change layer is provided between the first and second conductive layers. The rectifying element faces the second major surface of the first conductive layer. An area of the third major surface is smaller than that of the second major surface. |
| US08598559B2 |
Systems and methods for beam splitting for imaging
Optical systems and methods in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein can receive one or more beams of light from the system's field of view. Internal optical components can then direct the beam of light, including splitting the beam of light, rotating at least one of the split beams of light, and displacing one or more of the beams of light, such that the split beams of light are parallel to each other. Each beam of light may then be directed onto at least one linear detector array. The linear detector array can transform the light into electrical signals that can be processed and presented in a human-readable display. |
| US08598558B2 |
Sensor device for the spectrally resolved capture of valuable documents and a corresponding method
There is described a sensor device for spectrally resolved capture of optical detection radiation which emanates from a value document transported through a capture area of the sensor device in a predefined transport direction, comprising a detection device for spectrally resolved detection of the detection radiation in at least one predefined spectral detection range and emission of detection signals which represent at least one, in particular spectral, property of the detected detection radiation, at least one reference radiation device which emits optical reference radiation which is coupled into a detection beam path of the detection device at least partly in dependence on the position of a value document relative to the capture area, and which has a spectrum with a narrow band which is within the predefined spectral detection range, and/or at least one spectrum with an edge which is within the predefined spectral detection range, and a control and evaluation device which is configured for employing the detection signals which represent the property of the reference radiation, for checking and/or for adjusting the detection device and/or in the evaluation of detection signals which represent the at least one property of detection radiation emanating from the value document. |
| US08598557B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing patterned illumination fields for machine vision systems
This application relates to an apparatus and method for providing patterned illumination fields for use within process control and article inspection applications. More specifically, it pertains to the use of patterned illuminators to enable visual surface inspection of polished objects such as ball bearings. The use of patterned illuminators properly disposed in relation to a polished part under inspection allows small surface imperfections such as scratches and pits to become visible against the normal surface background. The use of carefully engineered illuminators facilitates advantageous defect-site scattering from generally dark field sources. The patterned nature of the illuminators defined by this invention allows the complete surface of three-dimensional parts to be effectively highlighted using dark field illumination fields. |
| US08598551B2 |
EUV radiation source comprising a droplet accelerator and lithographic apparatus
An EUV radiation source includes a fuel supply configured to supply fuel to a plasma formation location. The fuel supply includes a nozzle configured to eject droplets of fuel, and a droplet accelerator configured to accelerate the fuel droplets. The EUV radiation source includes a laser radiation source configured to irradiate the fuel supplied by the fuel supply at the plasma formation location. |
| US08598550B2 |
Ex-situ removal of deposition on an optical element
A collector assembly with a radiation collector, a cover plate and a support member connecting the radiation collector to the cover plate are provided. The cover plate is designed to cover an opening in a collector chamber. The collector chamber opening may be large enough to pass the radiation collector and the support member. The removed radiation collector can be cleaned with different cleaning procedures, which may be performed in a cleaning device. Such cleaning device may for example consist of the following: a circumferential hull designed to provide an enclosure volume for circumferentially enclosing at least the radiation collector; an inlet configured to provide at least one of a cleaning gas and a cleaning liquid to the enclosure volume to clean at least said radiation collector; and an outlet configured to remove said at least one of said cleaning gas and said cleaning liquid from the enclosure volume. |
| US08598547B2 |
Handling beam glitches during ion implantation of workpieces
Glitches during ion implantation of a workpiece, such as a solar cell, can be compensated for. In one instance, a workpiece is implanted during a first pass at a first speed. This first pass results in a region of uneven dose in the workpiece. The workpiece is then implanted during a second pass at a second speed. This second speed is different from the first speed. The second speed may correspond to the entire workpiece or just the region of uneven dose in the workpiece. |
| US08598546B2 |
Method and apparatus for irradiation of a target volume
A method of generating a data set defining a plurality of target points in a target volume in a body at which a particle beam is to be directed in a continuous or discontinuous process includes directing a particle beam to each of the target points so as to provide a spatial dose distribution in an area around the respective target point. The target points include a first target point having z-spacing, measured in a direction of the particle beam in a homogenous body equivalent to the body, from an adjacent second target point at a higher or lower particle energy. The method also includes defining the target points in the data set by at least one of the z-spacing and the spatial dose distribution in dependence upon a particle energy of the respective target point. |
| US08598542B2 |
Charged particle beam processing
Electron-beam-induced chemical reactions with precursor gases are controlled by adsorbate depletion control. Adsorbate depletion can be controlled by controlling the beam current, preferably by rapidly blanking the beam, and by cooling the substrate. The beam preferably has a low energy to reduce the interaction volume. By controlling the depletion and the interaction volume, a user has the ability to produce precise shapes. |
| US08598541B2 |
Fluorescent image obtaining device, fluorescent image obtaining method and fluorescent image obtaining program
A fluorescent image obtaining device includes a light source that irradiates light such that a fluorescent material marked on a target in a biological sample lies in a non-excited state and a fluorescent material marked on a control with the target lies in an excited state, and an imaging unit that takes an image including the entire biological sample. |
| US08598535B2 |
Ultraviolet protection effect evaluation method, evaluation apparatus, and recording medium
An evaluation method for evaluating the ultraviolet protection effect of a measurement sample applied on a substrate includes measuring, at predetermined wavelength intervals, a change over time of a spectral transmission spectrum of the measurement sample within a predetermined wavelength range by irradiating light from a light source that includes ultraviolet light, visible light, and infrared light under a predetermined irradiation condition; establishing, based on the change over time of the spectral transmission spectrum, a correlation between a light irradiation time and an erythema effective dose per unit time, which is obtained by dividing an erythema effective dose of the measurement sample by an erythema effective dose per 1 MED; and calculating an in vitro rSPF predictive value for the measurement sample on the basis of a time until a cumulative erythema effective dose, which is obtained through time integration based on the correlation, reaches 1 MED. |
| US08598533B2 |
Radiation detection system and method of analyzing an electrical pulse output by a radiation detector
A radiation detection system can include a photosensor to receive light from a scintillator via an input and to send an electrical pulse at an output in response to receiving the light. The radiation detection system can also include a pulse analyzer that can determine whether the electrical pulse corresponds to a neutron-induced pulse, based on a ratio of an integral of a particular portion of the electrical pulse to an integral of a combination of a decay portion and a rise portion of the electrical pulse. Each of the integrals can be integrated over time. In a particular embodiment, the pulse analyzer can be configured to compare the ratio with a predetermined value and to identify the electrical pulse as a neutron-induced pulse when the ratio is at least the predetermined value. |
| US08598518B2 |
Mass spectrometer
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a time of flight mass analyzer. The time of flight mass analyszr comprises an ion guide comprising a plurality of electrodes which are interconnected by a series of resistors forming a potential divider. Ions are confined radially within the ion guide by the application of a two-phase RF voltage to the electrodes. A single phase additional RF voltage is applied across the potential divider so that an inhomogeneous pseudo-potential force is maintained along the length of the ion guide. |
| US08598517B2 |
Method and apparatus for activation of cation transmission mode ion/ion reactions
A method and apparatus for radial activation of transmission-mode electron transfer ion/ion reactions using a dipolar AC field applied transverse to a transit direction is disclosed. Increases in fragment ion yields and structural information from electron transfer dissociation (ETD) were observed. The method may be used for transmission mode ETD for relatively low charge states of peptides and proteins. |
| US08598510B2 |
Source compensated formation density measurement method by using a pulsed neutron generator
A downhole instrument for estimating density of sub-surface materials includes: a neutron source, a source monitoring detector, a near detector and a far detector. Each of the detectors may be coupled to an electronics unit adapted for receiving a detection signal from each of the detectors and compensating the detection signal for at least one of the near detector and the far detector according to the detection signal of the source monitoring detector. A method for estimating density is provided. |
| US08598509B2 |
Optical encoder
An optical encoder comprising a set of light sources configured to emit light rays in a serial manner, an encoded scale configured to reflect at least a portion of the emitted light rays, and a photodetector, where the photodetector is configured to detect at least a portion of the reflected light rays and to generate signals based on the detected light rays for each of the light sources. |
| US08598506B2 |
Solid-state image pickup apparatus and driving method therefor
An apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a conversion unit configured to generate electric charge, a first amplification unit configured to amplify a signal corresponding to an amount of the electric charge and output a first amplified signal, a second amplification unit configured to amplify the first amplified signal and output a second amplified signal, a current source shared by the first amplification unit and the second amplification unit, and a selection unit configured to bring the first amplification unit and the second amplification unit into an inactive state. The current source is shared by the first amplification unit and the second amplification unit. The number of current sources is therefore reduced. This leads to the reduction in power consumption. |
| US08598504B2 |
Large dynamic range cameras
A digital camera includes a plurality of channels and a processing component operatively coupled to the plurality of channels. Each channel of the plurality of channels includes an optics component and a sensor that includes an array of photo-detectors. The processing component is configured to separately control an integration time of each channel, where a first integration time of a first channel is less than a second integration time of a second channel. The processing component is also configured to combine data from the plurality of channels to generate an image. |
| US08598503B2 |
Projection display apparatus with a device to measure deterioration in an array light source
A projection display apparatus includes: a light amount sensor which detects an amount of light emitted from an array light source; a deterioration rate calculator which acquires an amount of light of a measurement target light source from the amount of light detected by the light amount sensor; a reference light amount storage which stores a reference amount of light of an amount of light emitted from plurality of solid state light sources, for each of the solid state light sources; and a light source controller which controls the amount of light emitted from the plurality of solid state light sources for each of the solid state light sources, and the deterioration rate calculator determines whether the measurement target light source has deteriorated, in accordance with a result of a comparison between the amount of light detected by the light amount sensor, and the reference amount of light. |
| US08598501B2 |
GPS independent guidance sensor system for gun-launched projectiles
A sensor system uses ground emitters to illuminate a projectile in flight with a polarized RF beam. By monitoring the polarization modulation of RF signals received from antenna elements mounted on the projectile, both angular orientation and angular rate signals can be derived and used in the inertial solution in place of the gyroscope. Depending on the spacing and positional accuracies of the RF ground emitters, position information of the projectile may also be derived, which eliminates the need for accelerometers. When RF signals of ground emitter/s are blocked from the guided projectile, the sensor deploys another plurality of RF antennas mounted on the projectile nose to determine position and velocity vectors and orientation of incoming targets. |
| US08598500B2 |
Arc-resistant microwave susceptor assembly
A susceptor assembly includes electrically conductive vanes configured to prevent arcing in an unloaded microwave oven. |
| US08598498B2 |
Processing controller for driving the heat sources of a cooker
Provided are a cooker and a method for controlling the same. Levels driven by a plurality of heat sources are controlled by input driving levels of all the heat sources received by an input unit. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that foods are more swiftly cooked by the plurality of heat sources. |
| US08598496B2 |
Method for testing the operation of a heating element used for an activated carbon filter
The invention relates to a method for testing the operation of an electric heating element which is used for heating activated carbon of an activated carbon filter and/or air which is guided through the activated carbon for the regeneration thereof. The heating element has a PTC-characteristic (positive temperature coefficient characteristic). The strength of a current flow through the heating element in a heating phase selected for the operational testing is measured at a point in time or over a time period and is used for the operational testing, in that at least one measured current flow value is compared with a corresponding current flow value to be anticipated during defect-free operation of the heating element, and the heating element is considered to be defective in the event of a deviation which exceeds a predetermined measurement. |
| US08598495B2 |
Container heating device
A device for heating containers, in particular drums, for example containing liquid materials that undergo temperature-induced changes in viscosity. The device has a heat conducting base upon which a drum is adapted to be placed. In one embodiment, the device is provided with a plurality of interchangeable bases designed to be used with different liquids that are effective to heat a liquid to a desired temperature. |
| US08598494B2 |
Method for controlling power supply to the liquid contents of a cooking vessel
A method for controlling power supply to the liquid contents of a cooking vessel or the like, particularly for controlling the electrical power supply in an induction heating system, wherein a predetermined thermodynamic state is detected and the user is alerted, comprises maintaining a predetermined high power condition after reaching the predetermined thermodynamic state for a predetermined time and then reducing the power supply to a predetermined level. |
| US08598492B2 |
Method and apparatus for welding with CV control
A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The output is preferably a cyclical CV MIG output, and each cycle is divided into segments. An output parameter is sampled a plurality of times within one or more of the segments. The CV output is controlled within the at least one segment in response to the sampling. The parameter is output power, a resistance of the load, an output current, an output voltage, or functions thereof in various embodiments. The control loop is preferably a PI or PID loop. The loop may be applied only within a window. The set point may be taught or fixed. The system can be used to weld with a controlled arc length. |
| US08598489B1 |
Compact laser etching device, system and method
A system, method, and device for etching an indicia onto a piece of glass or other inorganic oxide includes a compact laser etching device having a delivery head, an emitter housing, a RF cable, and a communication cable. The delivery head has a beam steering mechanism and a hood assembly positioned between the beam steering mechanism and the piece of glass. The emitter housing has a laser for generating a laser beam, and a fold mirror positioned in an optical path of the laser beam for redirecting the laser beam into the beam steering mechanism. A remote RF electronics package drives the laser. Control electronics cause the beam steering mechanism to steer the laser beam into a pattern of the indicia. The delivery head may further include a plurality of suction cups for holding the compact laser etching device in engagement with the piece of glass. |
| US08598487B2 |
Plasma cutting method for cutting a carbon steel plate and for reducing fine particles
[PROBLEMS] To reduce the generation of fume in cutting a material to be cut typified by a steel plate with plasma.[MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A plasma cutting method comprising spraying a plasma arc directed through a material to be cut from a plasma torch nozzle to cut the cutting material, wherein a plasma arc formed by supplying a mixed gas as a plasma gas composed of a single gas or a plurality of gases selected from halogen gases and rare gases belonging to up to the second row elements of the periodic table and a hydrogen gas, and oxygen-, argon- or nitrogen-containing gas to a part around an electrode, and electrifying a part between the electrode and the nozzle or between the electrode and the cutting material is sprayed toward the cutting material to cut the cutting material, or wherein a single gas or a plurality of gases selected from halogen gases or rare gases belonging to up to the second row elements of the periodic table and a hydrogen gas, together with the plasma arc composed mainly of an oxygen, argon or nitrogen gas, is sprayed toward the cutting material to cut the cutting material. |
| US08598485B2 |
Stage for working, focused beam working apparatus and focused beam working method
The present invention efficiently processes work pieces by transferring them without bringing them outside. The present invention comprises: a stage 4 for working, which is used when working a work piece D, L by irradiating a focused beam B while observing the work piece D, L in an observation region W of a previously determined range, and possessing a table 10 having plural mount bases 2, 3 on whose upper faces 2a, 3a there can be respectively mounted the work piece D, L; and a rotation slant means 11 rotating respectively the mount base 2, 3 about a Z-axis perpendicular to the upper faces 2a, 3a and slanting the upper faces 2a, 3a to an arbitrary angle, wherein the table 10 is made possible to move so as to dispose respectively the plural mount bases 2, 3 to an inside of the observation region W. |
| US08598482B2 |
Intelligent barcode systems
Systems and methods using intelligent barcodes for processing mail, packages, or other items in transport are provided. Systems and methods allowing end-to-end visibility of a mail stream by uniquely identifying and tracking mail pieces are also provided. Systems and methods include the use of standardized intelligent barcodes on mail pieces, a seamless process for mail acceptance, continuous mail piece tracking, and feedback on mail quality in real time. In one embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to provide enhanced acceptance, sorting, tracking, address correction, forwarding, and delivery services. In another embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to identify a mail piece as undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) and determine a final disposition for the mail piece. In yet another embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow mailers more visibility into the mail stream and information on the quality of their mailings. |
| US08598481B2 |
Switch with sinuated air-passageway
A switch includes an insulative housing, a pair of first and second contacts fixed in the insulative housing and a dome-shaped moveable contact. The insulative housing includes a receiving space and a first peripheral wall located outside of the receiving space. The first and the second contacts include first and second contacting sections, respectively. The first and the second contacting sections are separated a distance from each other and exposed in the receiving space. The dome-shaped moveable contact is mounted in the receiving space under condition that the moveable contact is constantly in contact with the second contacting section while the moveable contact is alternatively driven to engage with the first contacting section so as to establish electrical connection between the first contact and the second contact. The first peripheral wall defines a sinuated air-passageway communicating the receiving space to outside. |
| US08598476B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for applying a finish to a keypad
A keypad assembly, and an associated method, is constructed in a manner to permit application of a finish, such as a decoration or painting, to any desired portion of the keys of the assembly, including at interstitial portions between adjacent keys. The keypad assembly includes a carrier membrane upon which keys forming a keypad array and key membrane pieces are supported. The carrier membrane is wrapped about a cylindrical fixture to position all portions of the keys in orientations to permit application of the finish thereto. |
| US08598474B2 |
Key assembly
A mobile device is described herein in which the mobile device has a housing that includes a transition point and an actuator that can be flexible and that can be used to initiate a predetermined action. The actuator can include a transition point. The mobile device can also have a stiffening component that can be configured to engage the actuator and can also have a flexible circuit. In one arrangement, the flexible circuit can be coupled to the stiffening component and the flexible circuit can be configured to relay signals in response to a force being applied to the actuator. In another arrangement, the actuator can be positioned such that the transition point of the actuator substantially aligns with the transition point of the housing of the mobile device. |
| US08598473B2 |
Bus bar electrical feedthrough for electrorefiner system
A bus bar electrical feedthrough for an electrorefiner system may include a retaining plate, electrical isolator, and/or contact block. The retaining plate may include a central opening. The electrical isolator may include a top portion, a base portion, and a slot extending through the top and base portions. The top portion of the electrical isolator may be configured to extend through the central opening of the retaining plate. The contact block may include an upper section, a lower section, and a ridge separating the upper and lower sections. The upper section of the contact block may be configured to extend through the slot of the electrical isolator and the central opening of the retaining plate. Accordingly, relatively high electrical currents may be transferred into a glovebox or hot-cell facility at a relatively low cost and higher amperage capacity without sacrificing atmosphere integrity. |
| US08598467B2 |
Multi-layer circuit assembly and process for preparing the same
A process for fabricating a multi-layer circuit assembly is provided. The process includes (a) providing a substrate at least one area of which comprises a plurality of vias area(s) having a via density of 500 to 10,000 holes/square inch (75 to 1550 holes/square centimeter); (b) applying a dielectric coating onto all exposed surfaces of the substrate to form a conformal coating thereon; (c) removing the dielectric coating in a predetermined pattern to expose sections of the substrate; (d) applying a layer of metal to all surfaces to form metallized vias through and/or to the electrically conductive core; (e) applying a resist to the metal layer to form a photosensitive layer thereon; (f) imaging resist in predetermined locations; (g) developing resist to uncover selected areas of the metal layer; and (h) etching uncovered areas of metal to form an electrical circuit pattern connected by the metallized vias. |
| US08598461B2 |
Flexible self supporting encased silicone cable system and method
The embodiments disclose a silicone encased flexible cable comprising plural individual conduits and at least one junction box configured into a grouped arrangement including at least one of the conduits is a fluid communication conduit for transferring fluid through the cable, wherein the silicone encased flexible cable is coupled between a controller and an electro-mechanical device, and wherein the fluid communication conduit is configured to transfer at least a liquid and pneumatic gas through the silicone encased flexible cable during operation of the electro-mechanical device; and a mixture of silicone and additives, wherein the additives include graphite and conductive materials mixed within the grouped arrangement, wherein the mixture of silicone and additives is used to create a curved “U” shaped self supporting portion surrounding the grouped arrangement during manufacturing as a singular encasement that is capable of sustaining its shape. |
| US08598458B2 |
Electronic device and method of manufacturing the same
An electronic device includes an electronic component, a joining member to be mechanically joined with the electronic component, and a metal conductor located between the electronic component and the joining member to mechanically join the electronic component and the joining member. The metal conductor is made of porous noble metal to have pores, and includes an end surface without being covered by the electronic component and the joining member. Furthermore, a reinforcing resin is impregnated from the end surface of the metal conductor to the pores inside of the metal conductor, so as to mechanically reinforce the metal conductor. |
| US08598455B2 |
Protection assemblies for terminal devices
Methods and assemblies are provided for protecting a terminal of a conductor assembly with an open face and a closed face. The protection assembly includes a housing configured to at least partially cover the open face; and a strap coupled to the housing and configured to extend around the closed face such that the housing is detachably secured to the terminal device. |
| US08598453B2 |
Power strip hanging device and structure
A power strip hanging device and structure are provided. The hanging device includes a hanger element and a positioning seat. The hanger element has a pulling portion for being pulled by a user and a shoulder extended outward from the periphery of one end thereof. The positioning seat has an upper opening on one side and a lower opening on the opposite side communicating with the upper opening to form a receiving space therein, and is positioned firmly in an installation hole of a table, so that the hanging element can pass through the upper opening and be received in the receiving space with the shoulder resting on the rim of the upper opening. Thus, the hanging element is supported by the positioning seat, and the power strip can pass through the positioning seat and be secured under the table without occupying the space on a top of the table. |
| US08598450B2 |
Conjugated polymers and their use in optoelectronic devices
Disclosed are certain polymeric compounds and their use as organic semiconductors in organic and hybrid optical, optoelectronic, and/or electronic devices such as photovoltaic cells, light emitting diodes, light emitting transistors, field effect transistors, and photodetectors. The disclosed compounds can provide improved device performance, for example, as measured by power conversion efficiency, fill factor, open circuit voltage, field-effect mobility, on/off current ratios, and/or air stability when used in photovoltaic cells or transistors. The disclosed compounds can have good solubility in common solvents enabling device fabrication via solution processes. |
| US08598448B2 |
Pyrrolo[3,2-B]pyrrole semiconducting compounds and devices incorporating same
Disclosed are semiconducting compounds having one or more pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole-2,5(1H,4H)-dione 3,6-diyl units. Such compounds can be monomeric, oligomeric, or polymeric, and can exhibit desirable electronic properties and possess processing advantages including solution-processability and/or good stability. |
| US08598447B2 |
Photoelectric conversion device
Provided is a photoelectric conversion device in which the conductivity after hydrogen-plasma exposure is set within an appropriate range, thereby suppressing the leakage current and improving the conversion efficiency. A photoelectric conversion device includes, on a substrate, a photoelectric conversion layer having at least two power generation cell layers, and an intermediate contact layer provided between the power generation cell layers. The intermediate contact layer mainly contains a compound represented by Zn1-xMgxO (0.096≦x≦0.183). |
| US08598443B2 |
Carrier assembly for percussion instruments
Drum hardware and drum secured thereon are preferably supported on a vest type carrier or a T-bar carrier having a plurality of separate parts removable from each other and formed of a rigid light material such as plastic or a light metal such as magnesium, aluminum or titanium. The carrier has a vest or belly plate, shoulder supports, and back bar and the shoulder supports are removable and/or adjustable. The supporting elements are of rod, tube, pipe or tubular construction. Special padding may be included on the shoulder supports, belly plate portion and other parts where cushioning is needed. The hardware may be universally adjustable. |
| US08598442B2 |
Pin-barrel for a musical box and musical box comprising the same
The pin-barrel (1) is provided for a musical box in the form of a wristwatch. The pin-barrel is formed of a set of parallel pairs of strips (3, 3′), which are connected at one end thereof to a heel (2). Each pair of strips forms a tuning fork, wherein one of the strips (3′) of the pair can be set in vibration by at least one pin of a musical module wherein the vibration propagates to the other strip (3) of the pair by a longitudinal wave. |
| US08598440B1 |
Wheat variety W010098F2
A wheat variety designated W010098F2, the plants and seeds of wheat variety W010098F2, methods for producing a wheat plant produced by crossing the variety W010098F2 with another wheat plant, and hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety W010098F2 with another wheat line or plant, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of variety W010098F2. This invention also relates to methods for producing other wheat varieties or breeding lines derived from wheat variety W010098F2 and to wheat varieties or breeding lines produced by those methods. |
| US08598438B2 |
Maize variety X5H333
A novel maize variety designated X5H333 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety X5H333 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X5H333 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X5H333, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X5H333. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X5H333 and to the maize varieties derived by the use of those methods. |
| US08598435B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X13B618
A novel maize variety designated X13B618 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X13B618 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13B618 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13B618, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13B618. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13B618. |
| US08598427B1 |
Maize variety PHV5W
A novel maize variety designated PHV5W and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHV5W with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHV5W through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHV5W or a trait conversion of PHV5W with another maize variety. Inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHV5W, methods for producing other inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHV5W and the inbred maize varieties and their parts derived by the use of those methods. |
| US08598423B1 |
Soybean cultivar 5656250112
A soybean cultivar designated 5656250112 is disclosed. Embodiments of the invention include the seeds of soybean 5656250112, the plants of soybean 5656250112, to plant parts of soybean 5656250112, and methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean 5656250112 with itself or with another soybean variety. Embodiments of the invention include methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more genes or transgenes and the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. Embodiments of the invention also relate to soybean cultivars, breeding cultivars, plant parts, and cells derived from soybean 5656250112, methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean 5656250112, and the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. Embodiments of the invention further include hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing 5656250112 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08598420B2 |
Soybean cultivar S090088
A soybean cultivar designated S090088 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S090088, to the plants of soybean cultivar S090088, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S090088, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S090088. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S090088. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S090088, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar S090088 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08598419B2 |
Soybean cultivar S100104
A soybean cultivar designated S100104 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S100104, to the plants of soybean cultivar S100104, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S100104, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S100104. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S100104. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S100104, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar S100104 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08598418B2 |
Soybean cultivar S100315
A soybean cultivar designated S100315 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S100315, to the plants of soybean cultivar S100315, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S100315, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S100315. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S100315. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S100315, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar S100315 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08598414B1 |
Soybean cultivar CL0911705-2
The present invention is in the field of soybean variety CL0911705-2 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety CL0911705-2 and its progeny, and methods of making CL0911705-2. |
| US08598411B2 |
Plants having improved growth characteristics and a method for making the same
The present invention is a method for improving plant growth by increasing activity of DP protein in shoot tissue. The invention also relates to transgenic plants having improved growth characteristics, which plants have increased expression of a DP nucleic acid specifically in shoot-tissue. The increased expression of the nucleic acid encoding a DP protein, according to the methods of the present invention, may be mediated by a shoot-tissue-specific promoter. |
| US08598407B2 |
Disposable absorbent articles being adaptable to wearer's anatomy
Absorbent articles having a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet are disclosed. The backsheet has a physical variation along at least one axis, wherein said physical variation defines a first backsheet zone and a second backsheet zone, and at least one elastomeric element having at least one primary direction of stretch, said elastomeric element at least partially overlapping and joined to first and/or second backsheet zone, wherein a relaxed pathlength of said elastomeric element in the primary direction of stretch is less than a total pathlength of said backsheet in the region of overlap. The physical variation is a measurable difference as measured by a physical property selected from the group consisting of basis weight, thickness and density. |
| US08598405B2 |
Waste solution solidifying agent, process for preparing the same and use of the same
An object of the present invention is to provide a waste solution solidifying agent which can solidify a waste solution, particularly, a waste solution containing blood or body fluid at a low cost, uniformly, and in a short time; in particular, to provide a waste solution solidifying agent which can solidify a waste solution uniformly and in a short time in a vertically oriented waste solution equipment. As a means of achieving this object, a waste solution solidifying agent of the present invention is a particulate treating agent used in a method of treating a waste solution which solidifies a waste solution into a gel by placing a treating agent in a waste solution, and is characterized in that said agent contains, as an essential component, a water-absorbent resin having a crosslinked structure obtained by polymerizing a water-soluble ethylenic unsaturated monomer and, when flowing-placed at once into a 0.90 mass % aqueous sodium chloride solution, 20 to 95 mass % of the agent is floated, and 80 to 5 mass % is settled. And a process for preparing a waste solution solidifying agent of the present invention is a process for preparing a particulate waste solution solidifying agent containing, as an essential component, a water-absorbent resin having a crosslinked structure obtained by polymerizing a water-soluble ethylenic unsaturated monomer, and comprises a step of mixing a hydrophobic substance having a methanol index of 20 or more after polymerization. |
| US08598403B2 |
Infant nasal septum protective device
An infant nasal septum protective device has an H-shaped configuration including a first portion that adheres to the outside of the nose when in use, a second portion that adheres to the upper lip when in use, and a third portion that extends between and interconnects the first and second portions in a position overlying the septum when in use, to help protect the septum. |
| US08598402B2 |
Butane absorption system for vent control and ethylene purification
The present invention describes a n-butane absorption process for purifying the ethylene product from an ethane oxidation process. The ethane oxidation product is fed to a series of absorption towers using a n-butane solvent that remove the inert components as well as purifying the ethylene from the product. A first absorption tower uses n-butane as a solvent to absorb both the ethane and ethylene, allowing for inert gasses to be removed from the stream. An ethylene-rich side stream from this tower is sent to an ethylene purification tower where ethylene is purified using n-butane solvent. The bottom stream from the first absorption tower is then sent to an intermediate ethylene recovery tower where crude ethylene is purified, and the overhead ethylene stream being sent to the ethylene purification tower. The bottoms stream, along with the bottoms stream of the ethylene purification tower, both of which comprise mostly ethane and n-butane, are then sent to a stripper tower for ethane recovery and n-butane solvent recover. |