| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08611587B2 |
Device, system and method for determining compliance with an instruction by a figure in an image
A device, system and method for determining a compliance with an instruction to assemble a figure according to a depiction of the figure on an output device, by presenting image data of the figure, capturing an image of the assembled figure, and comparing the figure captured in the image to the figure depicted on the output device. |
| US08611585B2 |
Clear path detection using patch approach
A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle utilizing an image generated by a camera device located upon the vehicle includes monitoring the image, and generating a plurality of patches onto the image, wherein the patches are collectively arranged to substantially include the clear path of travel. Feature extraction is utilized to analyze the patches and includes convolving each of the patches with a feature detection filter generating a feature-based filter response, extracting features based upon the feature-based filter response, and determining each of the patches to represent the clear path of travel or to not represent the clear path of travel based upon the extracted features. The clear path of travel is determined based upon the plurality of patches, and is utilized to navigate the vehicle. |
| US08611579B2 |
Microphone assembly for removable attachment to surface
A microphone assembly is operable to be removably attached to a surface. The microphone assembly includes a microphone and a microphone support that operably supports the microphone. The microphone assembly further includes a coupling assembly that is operable to removably connect the microphone support to the surface. The coupling assembly includes at least one magnet that magnetically and removably attaches the microphone support to the surface. |
| US08611578B2 |
Charging cradle for a headset device and an earphone cover for the headset device
Disclosed is a charging cradle for a headset device, which includes a housing with a surface providing a mounting depression, and a cover with a transparent surface pivotably connected to the housing so as to open and close the mounting depression. The headset device is mounted in the mounting depression so as to charge an internal battery pack provided in the headset device. The cradle protects the headset device under charging, enabling the user to observe the charging state without opening it. An earphone cover for a headset device includes a projected semi-circular fixing ring for preventing the earphone from being removed from the ear. The earphone cover is provided in various sizes to fit a user's ear size, and may be rotated to change the rotational position of the fixing ring so as to enable the user to put the headset device selectively on the right or left ear. |
| US08611577B2 |
Portable terminal with duct for transmitter
Provided is a portable terminal including a microphone hole formed to perforate from an outer wall of a housing to an inner wall of the housing, a duct groove extending from an inner side of the housing and being open on a top surface thereof, a microphone holder coupled with the top surface of the duct groove, and a microphone coupled with the microphone holder, in which a duct connected to the microphone hole is formed by coupling the microphone holder with the duct groove, and the microphone is connected with the microphone hole through the duct. The duck is formed by coupling the duct groove formed in the housing of the terminal with the microphone holder coupled with the microphone, thereby smoothly delivering input sound such as user's voice to the microphone and contributing to the slimness of the terminal. |
| US08611575B1 |
Speaker system method and apparatus
The disclosure relates to a concealed speaker system, specifically a system that is not readily visible in a room. The speaker system is comprised of a base frame that is adapted to be mounted between support members of a wall. The concealed speaker system further has a speaker assembly mounted to the base frame and an active member formed of PVC that has an outer surface which is substantially coplanar with the surrounding wall section, and in one form extends slightly outward therefrom. The base frame, speaker assembly, and the active member cooperate to form an acoustic chamber that is positioned behind the inner surface of the active member. Acoustic energy is transferred from the speaker assembly to the active member where the sound is produced therefrom to the room. |
| US08611565B2 |
Microscale implementation of a bio-inspired acoustic localization device
An apparatus and method for creating a MEMS directional sensor system capable of determining direction from at least two microphones to a sound source over a wide range of frequencies is disclosed. By utilizing a stiff beam stand-off architecture that relies on a unique manufacturing technique in a MEMS device, such as described herein, a very small set of microphones, on the order of a few micrometers, can be designed with unsurpassed ability to detect a sound source location. |
| US08611559B2 |
Dynamic adjustment of master and individual volume controls
Techniques for controlling the volumes of multiple audio output devices using a collective (master) volume control and an individual volume control for each audio output device. In one set of embodiments, each individual volume control can be configured to indicate the current absolute volume level of its corresponding audio output device. When the master volume control is manually adjusted, the individual volume controls can be automatically adjusted in a manner proportional to the manual adjustment of the master volume control. In addition, when an individual volume control is manually adjusted to a setting or value that exceeds the master volume control, the master volume control can be automatically adjusted to be equal to, or greater than, the manually adjusted setting for the individual volume control. In this scenario, the other individual volume controls can remain unchanged. |
| US08611553B2 |
ANR instability detection
Apparatus and method of an ANR circuit detecting instances of instability in at least the provision of feedback-based ANR, monitoring audio that includes feedback anti-noise sounds for acoustic output by an acoustic driver for a sound having characteristics indicative of instability including at least a frequency within a range of frequencies and an amplitude reaching at least a predetermined minimum amplitude, and perhaps also a sinusoidal waveform. |
| US08611550B2 |
Apparatus for determining a converted spatial audio signal
An apparatus for determining a converted spatial audio signal, the converted spatial audio signal having an omnidirectional audio component and at least one directional audio component, from an input spatial audio signal, the input spatial audio signal having an input audio representation and an input direction of arrival. The apparatus has an estimator for estimating a wave representation having a wave field measure and a wave direction of arrival measure based on the input audio representation and the input direction of arrival. The apparatus further has a processor for processing the wave field measure and the wave direction of arrival measure to obtain the omnidirectional audio component and the at least one directional component. |
| US08611549B2 |
Detection circuit for audio device
A detection circuit of an electronic device, includes a jack circuit, a first switch, a second switch, and a detection end. The jack circuit includes a type detection pin and a connection detection pin. The first switch includes a first control end. The connection detection pin is connected to the first control end to control the first switch on or off according to whether the audio device is connected to the electronic device. The second switch is connected to ground via the first switch. The second switch includes a second control end. The type detection pin is connected to the second control end to control the second switch on or off according to the type of the audio device. The detection end is connected to the first switch via a first resistor, and is connected to the second switch via a second resistor. The detection end is adapted to generate different signals to indicate a connection status of the electronic device and the audio device. |
| US08611547B2 |
Apparatus and method for restoring multi-channel audio signal using HE-AAC decoder and MPEG surround decoder
Provided is a method for controlling synchronizing downmix signals and MPEG surround side information signals by controlling a delay according to the kind of downmix audio signals in an MPEG surround decoder. When multi-channel audio signals are restored using an HE-AAC decoder and a low-power MPEG surround decoder and complex QMF signals outputted from the HE-AAC decoder are used as downmix signals, a delay unit compensates for a delay caused in a real-to-complex converter. Anther delay unit delays spatial parameters to compensate for a delay caused in QMF and Nyquist banks when time-domain downmix signals are used. Also, when multi-channel audio signals are restored using an HE-AAC decoder and a high-quality MPEG surround decoder and complex QMF signals outputted from the HE-AAC decoder are used as downmix signals, a delay unit compensates for a delay caused in a real-to-complex converter. |
| US08611546B2 |
Method and apparatus for remotely switching noise reduction modes in a radio system
A radio configured to dynamically control cancellation of undesired signals in an audio stream. The radio includes a noise cancellation processor configured to receive an audio stream from a user and to alter information in the audio stream by filtering out undesired signals in the audio stream. The radio also includes a receiving component configured to receive a data packet from a remote device, to retrieve configuration information from the data packet, and to dynamically apply the configuration information, while the radio is being used by a user, to settings associated with the noise cancellation processor. A dynamically enabled noise cancellation processor suppresses undesired signals associated with a subsequent incoming audio stream provided by the user and transmits at least one of an altered audio stream or an unaltered audio stream to the remote device. |
| US08611544B1 |
Systems and methods for controlling electronic document use
One exemplary embodiment involves receiving, at a server, a request for a document key for accessing a document on a client device, wherein the request comprises an identity of an access policy and information about the document. The exemplary method further comprises determining, at the server, whether access to the document is permitted according to the access policy. If access to the document is permitted, the exemplary method involves computing, at the server, the document key using the information about the document, wherein the document key is document specific, wherein, prior to the computing of the document key, the document key is not stored for access by the server. The exemplary method further involves responding to the request by providing the document key for use in accessing the document on the client device. |
| US08611542B1 |
Peer to peer key synchronization
Apparatus and method for synchronizing objects, e, g., encryption key objects, between pairs of appliances, particularly lifetime key management (LKM) appliances. Each LKM has a local sequence counter where increasing sequence numbers are generated and applied to objects. A peer counter is used to indicate the sequence number of an object synchronized from a peer appliance. When two appliances are synchronized, only those new objects with sequence numbers at least equal to or higher than that within the other appliance are transferred. When synchronized to each other, each appliance will have an up-to-date stored set of objects for all of the appliances in the group. Each object has a unique identification number that are compared to eliminate duplicate objects. During synchronization, if unique identification numbers match between a newly received object and a previously stored key, version numbers may be used to determine which object the receiving appliance should store. |
| US08611541B2 |
Method and apparatus for applying a ciphering configuration in a wireless communication network
Methods and devices are provided for applying a ciphering configuration in a wireless communication network. The method includes initiating an entity reset procedure by a first entity in the wireless communication network; synchronizing Hyper Frame Numbers (HFNs) associated with the first entity and a second entity, respectively, during the entity reset procedure; and applying a new ciphering configuration by the first entity and the second entity, upon completing the entity reset procedure, without updating the synchronized HFNs associated with the first entity and the second network, respectively. |
| US08611538B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, operation terminal, and information processing system
Provided is an information processing apparatus including a security level determination section which determines a security level at a time of transmitting a key to an operation terminal, as a transmission security level, a transmission power determination section which determines a transmission power in accordance with the transmission security level and a key-dividing number included in a key transmission request, a key acquisition section which acquires each key fragment by dividing the key into the key-dividing number, and a transmission section which transmits the each key fragment acquired by the key acquisition section using the transmission power determined by the transmission power determination section, via a wireless signal to the operation terminal. |
| US08611537B2 |
Method and system for optimizing authentication procedures in media independent handover services
A method and system for establishing security association mechanism between a Mobile Node (MN) and a plurality of Point of Services (PoS) are provided. The method includes sending a first request from primary PoS to secondary PoS. The primary PoS then receives a first response along with a derived first key. The first key is derived at the secondary PoS. The method further includes receiving a second request from the MN at the primary PoS. The method then derives a second key based on a MN identity and the derived first key. Thereafter, the method sends a second response along with a second key from the primary PoS to the MN. Further, the method establishes communication between the MN and secondary PoS based on the second key received by the MN and the second key generated at the secondary PoS. |
| US08611533B2 |
Method and system for the Orange family of stream ciphers and method and system for generating stream ciphers based on the ERINDALE-PLUS hashing function
The present invention introduces the Orange family of stream ciphers. The cipher may involve several elements including splitting with jumping, iterated transformations and padding. The construction of the cipher also involves constantly updated bit strings that may be used as multiple keystreams in transformations of various degrees. The cipher permits parameterizing speed, security and consumed memory. A customization of the cipher allows generating practically unlimited number of stream ciphers with different inner structures and IV parameters. The present invention also presents a transformation of the ERINDALE-PLUS hashing function. The transformed ERINDALE-PLUS hashing is capable simultaneously generate a ciphertext and a secure hash value of a message. |
| US08611529B2 |
Communication device
A communication device is provided, which includes a communication unit performing data communication, a communication device main body accommodating the communication unit, a handset that is electrically connected with the communication unit and configured to be used for voice communication, a first side cover forming a first side wall of the communication device main body in a predetermined width direction of the communication device main body, an upper cover that is disposed over the first side cover and configured with a higher stiffness than the first side cover, a holder that is attached to the first side cover and configured to hold the handset on an upper surface of the holder, and a load transmission unit transmitting, to the upper cover, a load applied upward from a lower surface of the holder. |
| US08611528B2 |
Outlet add-on module
A method and an apparatus for upgrading an existing service outlet (e.g. LAN, telephone, power or CATV outlet) in a house by adding functionality thereto. The functionality is added by an add-on module, connected electrically and secured mechanically to the existing outlet. Several attachment devices are exampled, including surface attachment, side clamping, snap locking, strap securing and fastening screws. The add-on module may include a service connector for retaining the basic existing outlet function. The module may be attached in a permanent way or by using a detachable solution. |
| US08611519B2 |
Enabling priority based call handling for multiple different telephony devices
A disclosed application server and method are operable to enable a user to access and modify a remote user profile stored on or otherwise accessible to the application server. The user profile identifies the user's CPE devices and information indicative of priority based call handling rules defined by the user. The profile may also include priority levels assigned by the user to selected telephone numbers. The application server downloads a user's profile information to the CPE devices identified in the profile, which may include multiple CPE devices that operate on different telecommunications networks, for example, VoIP networks, wireless cellular networks, and/or traditional TDM networks. The application server communicates the profile information to the CPE devices defined in the profile. In the case of a TDM phone, the application server uses an intermediary, such as a central office or Service Node, to implement the service on behalf of a TDM telephone. |
| US08611515B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for billing calls
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for routing a communication. An identifier of an origination point of the communication is received. A destination point associated with a destination of the communication is determined. The origination point and the destination point are analyzed to determine whether the communication may be entirely routed within a local service provider's geographic area. |
| US08611512B2 |
System for integrated electronic communications
A system is disclosed for integrating electronic mail, voice mail, and fax mail in a universal mailbox. Message receivers may access their messages with a telephone or a computer regardless of the communication medium used by the message sender. Using a telephone, message receivers may playback voice mail, redirect fax mail, and “listen” to e-mail through a text-to-speech conversion process. Using a computer and modem, message receivers may playback voice mail, view fax mail, and read e-mail by accessing the universal mailbox via connection software. Message senders and receivers may choose from a variety of filter and forward options that allow them to manage their communications via the universal mailbox. Forwarding and conversion of messages is performed automatically. The options are used to define a set of rules to be applied to inbound and outbound messages so that messages are sent and received in accordance with the preferences of the senders and receivers. |
| US08611511B2 |
Contact number encapsulation system
A contact number encapsulation system is disclosed that is operable to consolidate a plurality of contact numbers associated with a given user into a single contact number. The system includes a call processing application that uses information contained in a message header to determine a list of contact numbers to call. The message header contains a call destination indication that is used by the call processing application to retrieve the list of contact numbers. The list of contact numbers is user defined and may be updated or modified by an account holder at any given time. Once the list of contact numbers is obtained, a simultaneous call module is used to simultaneously call each number. The account holder only needs to provide the primary contact number to individuals desiring to reach them instead of various numbers that are associated with locations the account holder may be located. |
| US08611505B2 |
Method and system of generating reference variations for directory assistance data
Methods and systems of performing user input recognition are disclosed. A digital directory comprising listings is accessed. Metadata information is associated with individual listings describing the individual listings. The metadata information is modified to generate transformed metadata information. Therefore, the transformed metadata information is generated as a function of context information relating to a typical user interaction with the listings. Information is generated for aiding in an automated user input recognition process based on the transformed metadata information. |
| US08611501B2 |
X-ray imaging apparatus
An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray sensor configured to convert an X-ray into an image signal, a drive control unit configured to perform wireless communication with an external device and control driving of the X-ray sensor, a power supply unit configured to supply power to the X-ray sensor and the drive control unit, and a display unit configured to display information differently in accordance with one of the state of transmission and reception in the wireless communication and the remaining battery level state of the power supply unit and in accordance with the driving state of the X-ray sensor. |
| US08611499B2 |
Method for monitoring the X-ray dosage administered to a patient by a radiation source when using an X-ray device, and X-ray device
A method for monitoring the X-ray dosage administered to a patient by a radiation source when using an X-ray device is proposed. The X-ray device is in particular a C-arm X-ray device. A location-dependent dosage value on the surface of the patient is determined with reference to parameters which describe the recording geometry and the radiation that is administered. The surface is described by a patient model in particular. A representation of the dosage value and/or of a value derived therefrom is displayed. |
| US08611498B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, radiation imaging system, and computer-readable recording medium
An image processing apparatus includes an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a pixel value range for each of a plurality of partial images captured for a plurality of partial imaging ranges which an imaging region of a subject is divided into, an offset value acquisition unit configured to acquire a value indicating pixel value distribution of an overlapping area in each of the plurality of partial images, a correction value acquisition unit configured to calculate for each partial image a shift amount for minimizing a difference between the values indicating pixel value distribution of the overlapping areas, and setting each of the pixel value range within a predetermined range, and a correction unit configured to shift pixel values by the shift amount for each partial image. |
| US08611495B2 |
Biplane X-ray imaging system
A biplane X-ray imaging system is provided. The biplane X-ray imaging system has two recording units disposed in different planes. Each of the recording units has an X-ray detector and an X-ray source. The first recording unit is a phase-contrast recording unit for phase-contrast X-ray imaging. The second recording unit is a conventional recording unit for conventional x-ray imaging. |
| US08611491B2 |
Compression plate for a mammography unit and a mammography unit
A laser device for projecting a position mark in the field of vision onto an object to be examined using a mammography unit is described, where the laser device can be adjusted in position together with a vertically adjustable compression plate of the mammography unit. The laser device may be arranged on the compression plate or on the compression plate support thereof. In the latter configuration, the laser device may remain attached to the mammography unit. The apparatus has application to biopsies. |
| US08611489B2 |
Spectral imaging
A spectral processor (118) includes a first processing channel (120) that generates a first spectral signal derived from a detector signal, wherein the first spectral signal includes first spectral information about the detector signal, and a second processing channel (120) that generates a second spectral signal derived from the detector signal, wherein the second spectral signal includes second spectral information about the detector signal, wherein the first and second spectral signals are used to spectrally resolve the detector signal, and wherein the detector signal is indicative of detected polychromatic radiation. |
| US08611482B2 |
Crossing ISI cancellation
An apparatus comprising an inter symbol interference (ISI) cancellation circuit and a detector circuit. The inter symbol interference (ISI) cancellation circuit may be configured to minimize ISI at data sampling and crossing sampling points in a symbol interval of an input signal. The detector circuit may be configured to generate data samples and crossing samples at the data sampling and crossing sampling points in the symbol interval of the input signal. |
| US08611477B1 |
Estimating and compensating for noise on antennas of a multi-antenna wireless system
A method for estimating and compensating for noise on antennas of a multi-antenna wireless system. The method includes receiving multiple signals via multiple receive antennas of a receiver, where each of the signals is received via a respective antenna. The method further includes estimating noise power imbalance corresponding to the receive antennas based on the multiple signals. |
| US08611472B2 |
Carrier frequency offset estimation scheme, for digital standards with MPSK modulated preamble
A receiver for reducing acquisition time of a Carrier Frequency Offset (CFO) of an input intermediate frequency (IF) signal with M-PSK modulated preamble using spectral based analysis is provided. The receiver includes an analog to digital converter that converts the input IF signal into a digital signal, a down conversion unit that down converts the digital signal to a baseband complex signal, and a CFO estimation block that estimates the CFO. The CFO estimation block includes a carrier harmonic generation unit that generates an output of carrier Mth harmonic without modulation in the baseband complex signal, a spectral mapping unit that spectrally maps the carrier harmonic using complex Fast Fourier Transform, a spectral analysis unit that performs peak search on the spectrally mapped carrier Mth harmonic to obtain a peak position (PPOS), and a carrier frequency offset estimation unit that receives the peak position (PPOS) and estimates the CFO. |
| US08611468B2 |
Demodulator of digital modulated signal, receiver apparatus employing the demodulator, and demodulation method
A demodulator comprising an input structured to receive at least one past value and a current value both associated with the same bit transmitted in different time instants, a bit decoder configured to provide a decoded bit from an input value, a quality signal evaluation module configured to provide a quality signal representing a quality of the current value, and a filtering module structured to provide a filtered value computed as a weighted average of said at least one past value and said current value. Moreover the demodulator comprises a selection module connected between said input and said bit decoder, configured to transfer the current value as the input value of the bit decoder if the quality is greater than a reference value or transfer the filtered value as the input value of the bit decoder if the quality is not greater than the reference value. |
| US08611467B2 |
DC offset correction techniques
Techniques are disclosed that involve the reduction of DC offsets. For instance, embodiments may receive a baseband signal, and determine a DC characteristic of the baseband signal. When the DC characteristic has a value that is outside of a predetermined range, a correction signal is adjusted. The correction signal is injected into the baseband signal. |
| US08611461B2 |
Method and device for modulating the information of TFCI
A modulation method and device for modulating transfer format combination indicator TFCI information, the method including: dividing equally original TFCI information in a unit of 2 bits in a transmission time interval TTI; extending the resultant respective parts of the TFCI information after the division to correspond to identifiers of one or more designated energy points in a preset constellation; and mapping the respective extended parts of the TFCI information to the corresponding energy points for modulating. |
| US08611460B2 |
Wireless communication unit, integrated circuit and method of power control of a power amplifier therefor
A wireless communication unit comprises a transmitter having a forward path comprising a power amplifier, PA, and a feedback path operably coupled to the power amplifier, wherein the feedback path comprises a coupler arranged to feed back a portion of a signal to be transmitted and a controller logic module arranged to control a power control value of the power amplifier, such that the forward path and feedback path form a closed loop power control. The controller logic module is arranged to determine a gain variation in the transmitter and provide attenuation to a transmit signal passing therethrough on a transmit slot by transmit slot basis and instruct a power backoff where necessary. |
| US08611455B2 |
Multiple-input multiple-output spatial multiplexing system with dynamic antenna beam combination selection capability
A spatial diversity receiver for wirelessly receiving a modulated RF signal and a method for wirelessly transmitting and receiving the modulated RF signal. The spatial diversity receiver includes at least two antenna arrays and an antenna beam selection control unit. Each antenna array of the spatial diversity receiver includes at least two fixed beam antennas with distinct radiation patterns, and combinations of the fixed beam antennas are selectable for wireless receipt of the modulated RF signal. The antenna beam selection control unit is configured to control at least one antenna switching and/or combining unit in order to select a specific combination of fixed beam antennas from each antenna array. |
| US08611454B2 |
Multi-user MIMO systems and methods
A method and system are provided for scheduling data transmission in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) system. The MIMO system may comprise at least one MIMO transmitter and at least one MIMO receiver. Feedback from one or more receivers may be used by a transmitter to improve quality, capacity, and scheduling in MIMO communication systems. The method may include generating or receiving information pertaining to a MIMO channel metric and information pertaining to a Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) in respect of a transmitted signal; and sending a next transmission to a receiver using a MIMO mode selected in accordance with the information pertaining to the MIMO channel metric, and an adaptive coding and modulation selected in accordance with the information pertaining to the CQI. |
| US08611451B1 |
Precoder coefficient optimization method and apparatus for communications systems
A method of operation in a receive circuit is disclosed. The method comprises entering an initialization mode followed by receiving training data from a lossy signaling path. The training data originates from a transmit circuit. The received training data is sampled and minimax transmit equalizer coefficients are generated based on the sampled data. The minimax transmit equalizer coefficients are then transmitted back to the transmit circuit. The initialization mode is exited and an operating mode initiated, where transmit data precoded by the minimax transmit equalizer coefficients is received. |
| US08611449B2 |
Method and apparatus for demodulation of a reference signal
A method for wireless network communication is provided. The method comprises determining, by a transmitter including a quantity of antennas, a quantity of transmitted layers; mapping a quantity of data symbols to the antennas using a quantity of precoders; generating a quantity of demodulation reference signal (DMRS) antenna ports based on the quantities of the antennas, the transmitted layers, and the precoders; and determining whether to precode at least one of the DMRS antenna ports with the precoders. The method further maps the precoded data symbols and the DMRS antenna ports to a quantity of resource elements. The method then modulates a signal comprising the resource elements and transmits the modulated signal to a receiver. Subsequently, the method estimates a channel received by the receiver over the DMRS antenna ports. |
| US08611444B2 |
Receiver and signal receiving method thereof
A signal receiving method of a receiver includes the following steps. A time-domain received signal is transformed into a frequency-domain received signal, which includes multiple pilot symbols and multiple data symbols. Multiple channel impulse responses corresponding to the pilot symbols are estimated. Multiple inter-carrier interference and inter-block interference (ICIIBI) values corresponding to the pilot symbols are estimated based on the pilot symbols and the corresponding channel impulse responses. Multiple ICIIBI values corresponding to the data symbols are obtained via an interpolation operation according to the ICIIBI values corresponding to the pilot symbols. The estimated corresponding ICIIBI values are cancelled from the data symbols. The interference-cancelled data symbols are demapped to obtain soft-decision or hard-decision bits. |
| US08611439B2 |
System and method to optimize multicarrier communication
A system and method for allocating transmitter power to subcarriers of a multicarrier signal is provided. First, the subcarriers are transmitted with an initial set of power levels and an initial set of constellation assignments. Next, quantized SNR metric values are measured at the receiver for each subcarrier. The measured subcarrier quantized SNR metric is compared with the respective allocated constellation quantized SNR metric, for determining the excess SNR per subcarrier. The transmitter power of the subcarriers whose excess SNR is above a predetermined threshold is adjusted, while keeping the total transmitter power constant. The transmitter power may be adjusted for increasing throughput or robustness of the system. For increased accuracy, several training frames may be used. Advantageously, only constellations equally spaced, such as square or cross constellations, are used. According to a preferred embodiment, OFDM/DMT multicarrier system use IFFT prescalers in the transmitter power adjustment. |
| US08611433B2 |
Information processing apparatus and video decoding method of information processing apparatus
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus which includes a video decoding processing to decode a compressed and encoded video image stream by software, selectively generates one of an intra prediction image and an inter prediction image on the basis of an encoding mode of a decoding object from the video stream and a decoded image thereof, generates a residual decoded image based on a quantization parameter of a decoding object from the video stream, generates a decoded image by adding the generated prediction image and the residual decoded image, applies a deblocking filter process, extracts information on an encoding mode from the video image stream to determine whether or not inter prediction processes for generating the inter prediction image should be simplified, simplifies the inter prediction process step-by-step on the basis of the result of the determination. |
| US08611428B1 |
Transparent insertion of multimedia content in real-time streaming sessions
An example embodiment of the present invention provides a process for inserting a source media stream into a target media stream, which media streams might be in container file format. The process opens and reads into memory structural information from a target media stream and structural information from a source media stream. The process then finds the nearest prior key frame to an insertion time and splits a chunk of media samples if the key frame's sample is not at the beginning of a chunk. The process adjusts the structural information for both streams in order to effect the mid-roll insertion of the source media stream into the target media stream. The process then writes onto an output media stream the adjusted structural information for the source and target media streams and then pipes onto the output media stream the media data for the source and target media streams. |
| US08611417B2 |
Using decoding progress to adapt transmission rate in a multicast transmission
Exemplary embodiments are concerned with method of controlling transmission of a set of transmissions from a source device to at least one destination device according to a multicast transmission scheme, the set of transmissions including random linear network coded packets that are to be multicast by the source device to the destination devices. These embodiments differ from this conventional approach in that the number of packets that are encoded for multicast transmission or the rate of transmission thereof is configured using feedback from the destination devices regarding their progress in decoding a previously multicast set of transmissions. |
| US08611416B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining encoding mode by using temporal and spatial complexity
A method and apparatus for deciding an encoding mode are disclosed. The encoding mode decision apparatus comprises a temporal complexity calculator to calculate a temporal complexity of a macroblock and a mode decider to elect the encoding mode utilizing the temporal complexity. The disclosure calculates the temporal and spatial complexes for the macroblocks more accurately as well as elects the optimal encoding mode using the same resulting in a reduction of the calculation complexity when applying the rate-distortion technique along with an improvement of its processing speed. |
| US08611414B2 |
Video signal processing and encoding
A video signal encoder includes a pre-processor adapted to select a portion of an input video signal and partition the portion into partitions, a first transformer adapted to transform the partitions from a first domain into a second domain, a selector adapted to select representative values from the respective partitions of the second domain, a collector adapted to collect the representative values to form a representative group of values, and a first encoding unit adapted to encode the representative group. |
| US08611411B2 |
Equalizer and equalization method
A linear equalizer unit sequentially subjects a signal to be processed to linear equalization. A temporary decision unit sequentially subjects a signal subjected to linear equalization by the linear equalizer unit to temporary decision. A nonlinear equalizer unit derives a plurality of coefficients using a signal subjected to temporary decision as a teacher signal and sequentially subject a signal subjected to linear equalization by the linear equalizer unit to nonlinear equalization based on the plurality of coefficients. |
| US08611396B2 |
Frequency hopping modulation apparatus and method in communication system
Disclosed is a frequency hopping modulation method in a communication system. The method includes: generating a frequency hopping pattern according to a hopping frequency's level; generating a hopping frequency through use of the frequency hopping pattern; modulating an original signal to a frequency hopping spread signal by multiplying the original signal by the hopping frequency; generating a chirp pulse code for diversifying the frequency hopping spread signal; and modulating the frequency hopping spread signal to a chirp pulse signal by multiplying the frequency hopping spread signal by the chirp pulse code. |
| US08611392B2 |
Semiconductor laser
In one embodiment, a semiconductor laser includes a semiconductor laminated body formed in a ring shape and first and second electrodes. The semiconductor laminated body includes an active layer, first and second cladding layers formed on both sides of the active layer, first and second contact layers formed on the first and second cladding layers, and first and second modified layers. The first and second modified layers are formed by selectively modifying the inner peripheral sidewalls and the outer peripheral sidewalls of the first and second cladding layers so as to have a refractive index lower than the refractive indexes of the first and second cladding layers. The first and second contact layers are electrically connected to the first and second electrodes. |
| US08611389B2 |
Light emitting device and package component
A light emitting device includes a light emitting element mounting component, including a cubic package component formed of a silicon member covered with a insulating layer, and the package component including a bottom portion, a sidewall portion provided to stand upright on both ends of the bottom portion respectively, and a backwall portion provided to stand upright on an innermost part of the bottom portion, and the package component in which a cavity is provided in an inner side, and a light emitting element mounted on an inner side surface of the backwall portion of the package component, and including a light emitting surface on an upper end part, wherein a plurality of said light emitting element mounting components are stacked in a depth direction of the cavity to direct toward an identical direction. |
| US08611386B2 |
Semiconductor laser device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor laser device includes an n-type clad layer, a first p-type clad layer and a ridge stripe. The device also includes an active layer interposed between the n-type clad layer and the first p-type clad layer, and a current-blocking layer formed on side surfaces of the ridge stripe. The ridge stripe of the device includes a second p-type clad layer formed into a ridge stripe shape on the opposite surface of the first p-type clad layer from the n-type clad layer. The ridge stripe is formed such that a first ridge width as the width of a surface of the second p-type clad layer exists on the same side as the first p-type clad layer and a second ridge width as the width of a surface of the second p-type clad layer exists on the opposite side from the first p-type clad layer. |
| US08611383B2 |
Optically-pumped surface-emitting semiconductor laser with heat-spreading compound mirror-structure
A gain-module for use in an OPS-laser includes a multilayer semiconductor gain-structure surmounting a multilayer compound mirror-structure. Within the multilayer compound mirror-structure is a relatively thick layer of diamond which serves as a heat-spreader. |
| US08611376B2 |
Radio data transmission method employing several different pilot patterns, corresponding base station, mobile, system and reception method
A method and apparatus are provided for the transmission of radio data between at least two transmitters and one receiver, said method employing at least one multi-carrier data transmission signal. The aforementioned multi-carrier signal is formed by a temporal succession of symbols comprising: (i) informative data elements, and (ii) reference elements known as pilots which are distributed within the informative data elements according to a pre-determined pattern. Moreover, the value of said pilots at transmission is known to the receiver. At least two transmitters use different pilot patterns such that, at a give instant and a give frequency, only one pilot can be received (possibly with other informative data elements) by the receiver from other transmitters. |
| US08611372B2 |
Data transfer system and method
A transmission source bridge collects packets sent from nodes connected to a serial bus in accordance the IEEE1394 Standards, into one packet in an order they are to be transmitted and then sends them onto an ATM network, so that a transmission destination bridge receives this packet and divides it into a plurality of smaller packets and transfers them, in the order they were sent, to nodes connected to the serial bus in accordance with the IEEE1394 Standards. |
| US08611368B2 |
Controlling bandwidth reservations method and apparatus
Disclosed is an apparatus which operates to substantially evenly distribute commands and/or data packets issued from a managed program or other entity over a given time period. The even distribution of these commands or data packets minimizes congestion in critical resources such as memory, I/O devices and/or the bus for transferring the data between source and destination. Any unmanaged commands or data packets are treated as in conventional technology. |
| US08611367B2 |
Method and apparatus for allocating time slots in baseband EPCN system
A method and apparatus for allocating time slots in a baseband EPCN system is provided. The method includes: obtaining a period type of a current period; and determining a proportion between uplink time slots and downlink time slots for the current period according to the period type. According to present invention, different proportions between uplink time slots and downlink time slots may be respectively applied to different periods such as a registration period and a communication period in the baseband EPCN system. Thus, the register time of a new CNU in the registration period is shortened and the requirement for high downlink bandwidth for normal communications in the communication period is guaranteed at the same time. |
| US08611366B2 |
Apparatus and method for addressing modules in a system for controlling the release of material
A method includes receiving a token over a token line at a first control module and, in response to receiving the token, receiving a first address. The first control module is configured to control one or more first actuators. The method also includes using the first address for communications over a communication line and identifying a second address. The method further includes providing the token over the token line to a second control module, where the second control module is configured to control one or more second actuators. In addition, the method includes providing the second address to the second control module in response to the second control module receiving the token. |
| US08611364B2 |
Universal serial bus control system and method of driving the same
A universal serial bus (USB) control system includes a plurality of antennas configured to transmit and receive a radio frequency (RF) signal, a plurality of wireless USB modules connected to the plurality of antennas, and an application layer connected to the plurality of wireless USB modules. Each wireless USB module is configured to convert the RF signal received through a corresponding antenna into data, convert the data into the RF signal, and transmit the RF signal through the corresponding antenna. |
| US08611363B2 |
Logical port system and method
Logical ports allow multiple customers to be connected to and to receive different services over a common physical port of a packet forwarding device. Such logical ports allow for customer separation and may be created based on VLAN ID and MPLS labels. In one embodiment, each service provided via a packet forwarding device is associated with a unique logical port. The logical port may span multiple physical ports. |
| US08611362B2 |
Personalized multimedia services using a mobile service platform
A method for providing multimedia data from at least one controllable multimedia source to a mobile device includes providing a request path from the mobile device to a mobile service platform, receiving a request from the mobile device, obtaining a device profile from the mobile device, authenticating the identity of a user of the mobile device, and determining a user profile in response to the user identity. The method further includes authorizing control and access to the at least one multimedia source, providing a control channel from the mobile service platform to at least one multimedia server, providing multimedia data delivery information to the at least one multimedia server, and providing multimedia data to the mobile device in response to the request via the at least one multimedia server. |
| US08611359B1 |
Scaling MPLS across areas of an autonomous system using labeled interior border gateway protocol
Techniques are described for scaling Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) across areas of an autonomous system using a labeled interior Border Gateway Protocol (iBGP). A method includes executing a first label distribution protocol at a border node at a border between two of a plurality of interior gateway protocol (IGP) areas of a single autonomous system (AS), and exchanging label distribution messages using the first label distribution protocol to establish a first intra-area label switched path (LSP) within a first one of IGP areas. The method also includes executing a labeled interior border gateway protocol at the border node, and exchanging label distribution messages using the labeled interior border gateway protocol to establish a hierarchical inter-area LSP that runs over the previously established first intra-area LSP, wherein the hierarchical inter-area LSP extends across the plurality of IGP areas of the AS. |
| US08611349B1 |
Methods and apparatus for internet-scale routing using small-scale border routers
Methods and apparatus for Internet-scale routing using small-scale border routers and IP tunneling are described. Each border router is directly connected to a transit provider. Routing protocol peerings may be passed via the border routers through tunnels to a routing service; the routing service and the transit provider router(s) appear to be directly adjacent routing peers. The routing service receives routing data from the transit provider(s), maintains the routing data in a routing table, and processes the routing data in the routing table to select best paths. A mapping service may be informed, by the routing service, of a best exit point (or points) for each Internet prefix of each packet to be routed on the Internet. Outbound packets from devices on the network to the Internet, and inbound packets from the Internet to the network devices, may be encapsulated and passed through tunnels as directed by the mapping service. |
| US08611348B2 |
Source specific multicast group to source mapping
A system and method of generating a channel address. The method includes mapping a first address, obtained from a membership report, to a second address to generate a channel address. A multicast network device (MND) for subscribing one or more hosts on a multicast network to one or more channels is disclosed. The MND includes a memory containing a first address and a SSM mapping engine configured to map the first address to a second address to generate a channel address, identifying a channel, in response to the first address contained in the memory. |
| US08611344B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing multi-homing to an aggregate endpoint device
A method and an apparatus for providing multi-homing to an aggregate endpoint device over a network are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method receives a session request directed towards a user endpoint device by a routing device. The method receives at least one Public User Identity (PUID) for the user endpoint device if the session request is for a subscriber of a service with multi-homing via an aggregate endpoint device. The method selects a route for sending the session request in accordance with the at least one PUID and a route priority information of the PUID associated with the user end point device, wherein the route with a highest priority is selected, and forwards the session request via the selected route. |
| US08611340B2 |
Smooth edge distortion in broadband channel interpolation via virtual pilot extrapolation
In the basic transform domain (linear filtering interpolation) technique for channel estimation at the receiver in a wireless communication system, the improvement of providing channel estimation at the receiver with computational efficiency, comprising: extending the pilot support to move the effective edges of the pilot data further from the channel span of interest, that corresponds to data transmission. |
| US08611338B2 |
System and method for processing media requests during a telephony sessions
In a preferred embodiment, the method of caching media used in a telephony application includes: receiving a media request; sending the media request to a media layer using HTTP; the a media layer performing the steps of checking in a cache for the media resource; processing the media request within a media processing server; and storing the processed media in the cache as a telephony compatible resource specified by a persistent address. The system of the preferred embodiment includes a call router and a media layer composed of a cache and media processing server. |
| US08611335B1 |
System and method for assigning paths for data flows through a wide-area network
A system and method to assign paths for data flows through a wide area network. A plurality of data flows is received, wherein a respective data flow in the plurality of data flows includes a respective source address and a respective destination address. An ordering of the plurality of data flows is generated. The ordering of the plurality of data flows are iteratively modified until a cost associated with path assignments for the ordering of the plurality of data flows satisfies a predetermined condition, wherein a respective path assignment for a respective data flow specifies a respective path from a respective source address to a respective destination address. The data flows are executed based on the path assignments for the ordering of the plurality of data flows having the cost that satisfies the predetermined condition. |
| US08611332B2 |
Communication apparatus, base station apparatus and data reception timing synchronizing method
A communication apparatus comprises a processing information acquiring unit to acquire a processing delay time, a transmission information acquiring unit to acquire each transmission delay time, a collecting unit to collect each arrival time from nodes onward from each of the subordinated nodes, a calculating unit to calculate the time after distribution data is received by the self-node until it arrives at each of the terminals as the arrival time from the home node onward for each of the nodes through which the distribution data is routed based on the processing delay time, the transmission delay times, and each the arrival time from the node onward, and a transmission control unit to control the transmission timing of the distribution data to at least one of the nodes based on the arrival times from the home node onward for each of the nodes. |
| US08611323B2 |
Managing and monitoring emergency services sector resources
A system includes one or more wireless islands, one or more incident management applications, and one or more message management and routing (MMR) systems. Each MMR systems is configured to act as an intermediary for communication between one of the wireless islands and one or more of the incident management applications. One of the wireless islands includes a radio network. The radio network includes a plurality of remote sensor nodes (RSNs), and a gateway controller. An RSN of the plurality of RSNs is worn by ESS personnel, the gateway controller is mounted to an ESS vehicle, and the RSN is configured to wirelessly communicate with the gateway controller. |
| US08611320B2 |
Scalable media access control for multi-hop high bandwith communications
A scalable medium access control (“MAC”) module is provided that avoids conflict resource reservation so that network performance does not degrade as the number of hops or nodes in a wireless network increases. The MAC also provides different access schemes for traffic with different quality of service (“QoS”) requirements such that QoS is guaranteed and network resources are efficiently utilized. Furthermore, the resource allocation scheme determines the routing path as resources is allocated for data traffic, thereby achieving more robust layer-2 routing at the MAC layer. Finally, the scalable MAC is compliant with both WiMedia MAC and IEEE 802.15.3 MAC. |
| US08611319B2 |
Methods and apparatus to retrofit wired healthcare and fitness systems for wireless operation
Provided herein is an apparatus for converting a wired sensor system to a wireless sensor system. The apparatus can comprise a relay station comprising at least one antenna and at least one radio. The relay station can be adaptable to be integrated as at least one application specific integrated circuit and further adaptable to convert a wired sensor system into a wireless sensor system. Further provided are systems for converting wired sensor systems into wireless sensor systems and methods of use. |
| US08611316B2 |
Communication method and system for terminal entering and leaving idle mode
A communication method and system for terminal entering and leaving idle mode in a mobile communication system are disclosed. The communication method for a terminal entering an idle mode includes: triggering a flow of entering the idle mode for the terminal; and a serving access service network gateway sending the information of anchor function entities serving the terminal to an anchor function entity information storing unit, so as to store the information. With the technical scheme of the invention, when the anchor function entities serving the terminal are not located at the same physical entity, the addressing process can be accomplished correctly, and the smoothness of the network service flow can be guaranteed. |
| US08611313B2 |
Multiplexing of control information and data for wireless communication
Techniques for sending control information in a wireless communication system are described. A user equipment (UE) may be configured to periodically send control information (e.g., CQI information) and may receive an assignment of control resources for sending the control information. The UE may also receive an assignment (e.g., a dynamic assignment or a semi-persistent assignment) of data resources for sending data. The UE may send the control information (i) on the control resources if the control and data resources do not coincide in time or (ii) on a designated portion of the data resources if the control and data resources coincide in time. The UE may generate at least one SC-FDMA symbol with the control information sent on the control resources or the designated portion of the data resources. The UE can maintain a single-carrier waveform for each SC-FDMA symbol. |
| US08611304B2 |
Method, system and base station for transmitting data during cell handover
A method for forwarding data during cell handover includes: forwarding, by a source base station, user plane data of Packet Data Convergence Protocol, PDCP, data units that have not been transmitted to a User Equipment, UE, to a target base station in a PDCP layer during cell handover. In addition, embodiments of the present invention further provide a system and devices for forwarding data during cell handover. In the method, a system and base stations are provided by the present invention, the data that have not been transmitted are forwarded in a layered manner respectively in at least one of the PDCP layer and RLC layer. Therefore, data transmission during cell handover is implemented and data loss due to the handover is avoided. |
| US08611303B2 |
Seamless context switching for radio link protocol
Techniques to support handover of a terminal from a source base station to a target base station are described. In one design, a determination is made whether a change in personality is requested by the terminal. If the answer is ‘Yes’, then the personality of the terminal may be switched by sending one or more appropriate messages. The connection and RLP for the terminal may be reset due to the change in personality. A buffer of data reported by the source base station as being served to the terminal (e.g., no NAK was sent) may be saved by a BSC/PCF. The buffer of data may be sent to the target base station when handover occurs. New data may thereafter be sent to the target base station. This buffer of duplicate data may avoid both loss of data and retransmission timeout by TCP during the handover. |
| US08611301B2 |
Method of indicating mobile station capability to a network
An indication is sent from a mobile station to a network regarding the capability of the mobile station to receive or transmit on two or more carriers simultaneously. The network determines an ideal multi-carrier multi-slot capability of the mobile station from an existing capability indication for single carrier transmission mode of the mobile station; and the mobile station sends in an additional field an indication in respect of a reduction in number of time slots from the ideal multi-carrier multi-slot capability determined by the network. |
| US08611296B2 |
Method and apparatus for data transfer in a packet-switched network
Apparatus for and methods of enabling a gateway node of a first packet-switched data network to select a first channel for transferring a tunneled data packet to a destination packet data protocol address of a mobile node provided service in the first network are disclosed. The gateway node is configured to select the first channel from a plurality of channels configured to transfer data packets to the destination packet data protocol address of the mobile node, and the selection is performed by matching a packet data protocol address, associated with a data packet received by the gateway node, to one or more data packet filters associated with the plurality of channels. |
| US08611294B2 |
Method and communication network element for transmitting reference signals
In the field of wireless communications where a communication network has cooperative antenna systems, a method, apparatus, and computer program product for transmitting reference signals in the communication network from a first network element to a second network element are disclosed herein. The transmission of reference signals includes transmitting a first type of reference signals, which are related to a first communication system, using a first resource of a frame, and transmitting a second type of reference signals, which are related to a second communication system, using a second resource of the frame. |
| US08611293B2 |
Efficient channel search with energy detection
Methods and systems for cognitive radio channel searching are shown that include determining an energy detection threshold and a number of samples that will find a free channel in a minimum searching time, based on a number of channels K and a channel occupancy probability π0, constrained by a target acceptable misdetection probability and a target acceptable false alarm probability. The search includes an energy detection threshold and a number of samples that will find a free channel in a minimum average searching time. The K channels are searched with a signaling device using the determined energy detection threshold and the determined number of samples to find a free channel. |
| US08611291B2 |
Method and apparatus for allocating a control channel resource of a relay node in a backhaul subframe
A method and apparatus for allocating control channels of a relay within a backhaul subframe in a wireless communication system is provided. The method for allocating control channel resources includes grouping relays according to channel conditions; transmitting resource group information on the same resource group allocated to use the same transmission mode for the relays belonging to the same relay group; transmitting a control channel message to the relays according to the allocated resource; and transmitting data to the relays according to the control channel message. |
| US08611290B2 |
Method for scheduling distributed virtual resource blocks
A method for efficiently scheduling virtual resource blocks to physical resource blocks is disclosed. In a wireless mobile communication system, for distributed mapping of consecutively allocated virtual resource blocks to physical resource blocks, when nulls are inserted into a block interleaver used for the mapping, they are uniformly distributed to ND divided groups of the block interleaver, which are equal in number to the number (ND) of physical resource blocks to which one virtual resource block is mapped. |
| US08611287B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting coexistence beacon protocol packet in cognitive radio-based wireless communication system
Provided are an apparatus and a method for transmitting a CBP packet for communication information sharing between base stations in a CR-based wireless communication system. In the method, a CBP packet including a CBP identifier is transmitted to a base station of adjacent cells via one SCW slot. A CBP identifier list for successfully received CBP packets is received from the base station of the adjacent cells. When the CBP identifier is included in the CBP identifier list, the SCW slot is occupied. |
| US08611286B2 |
Methods for channel-dependent time-and-frequency-domain scheduling and related communication nodes
In a method of improved channel-dependent time- and frequency-domain scheduling in an OFDM based telecommunication system with multiple user terminals, determining SO a parameter value representative of the system load; pre-selecting SI a subset of user terminals if the determined parameter value is larger than or equal to a predetermined threshold; and performing S2 frequency-domain scheduling of the pre-selected subset, to reduce the downlink signaling overhead and enabling improved efficiency of the channel-dependent time- and frequency-domain scheduling. |
| US08611280B2 |
Public land mobile network selection procedures for simultaneous network connectivity through multiple accesses
A system and method for network selection procedures for simultaneous network connectivity through multiple accesses comprises obtaining stored and registered PLMNs, determining whether PLMNs are both stored PLMN for access technology type Ai and registered PLMN, when no PLMNs are both, performing PLMN selection using a standard procedure, when only one PLMN is both, determining whether the PLMN satisfies a condition, and when the PLMN satisfies the condition, attempting to connect to the PLMN, and when more than one PLMN is both, creating a set of PLMNs, selecting one PLMN that satisfies the condition, from the set PLMN, attempting to connect to the selected PLMN, and when attempting to connect fails, removing the selected PLMN from the set, and selecting another PLMN. In one aspect, the PLMN that minimizes changes is selected. In one aspect, the PLMN that provides access to a larger number of access technologies is selected. |
| US08611276B2 |
Method and system for providing media stored in a PoC box in a PoC system
A method and system for providing desired media when a Push-To-Talk (PTT) over Cellular (PoC) User Equipment (UE) retrieves media information stored in a PoC box and requests a desired media transmission in a PoC system. In the PoC system, the PoC UE sends, to the PoC box, a request for media information stored in the PoC box to receive media stored in the PoC box. When receiving the media information request, the PoC box sends the stored media information to the PoC UE. The PoC UE selects desired media using the received media information and requests a PoC box media transmission. The PoC box sends the requested media to the PoC UE. |
| US08611275B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing an integrated multi-hop routing and cooperative diversity system
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing an integrated multi-hop routing and cooperative diversity system are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08611274B2 |
Method for scheduling transmissions in communication systems
A communication system comprises a communication node for scheduling uplink and downlink transmissions in a communication system. The communication node determines based on a first set of parameters of a data associated with the communication node and a second set of parameters of a data associated with one other communication node, whether to load the data associated with the communication node from an end of a data queue buffer. The communication node upon determining to load the data associated with the communication node from the end of the data queue buffer, loads the data associated with the communication node from the end of the data queue buffer. The communication node further determines a start time for transmission of the data associated with the communication node and schedules transmission of the data associated with the communication node at the start time. |
| US08611273B2 |
System level architectures for relayed uplink communication
A wireless communication method and apparatus are disclosed for assigning different phases, (i.e., time periods), to perform data transmissions over designated frequency bands in a cooperative relaying system. In phase 1, a relay station (RS) listens to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and successfully receives b information bits. In phase 2, the RS and WTRU cooperatively transmit these b information bits to the destination. These transmissions may be performed in a unicast scheme, wherein a WTRU sends information to a selected RS in phase 1, and the RS forwards the information to a base station (BS) in phase 2. The transmission may also be performed in a multicast scheme, wherein the WTRU sends information to the RS and the BS in phase 1, and the RS transmits a subset the information to the BS in phase 2. |
| US08611272B1 |
Disruption blocking in mobile devices
A do not disturb (DND) mode for telephonic devices, in which the DND mode is automatically deactivated after a time increment has elapsed, the DND mode having been activated based on detecting, upon receiving a telephone call, a selection of the control. |
| US08611270B1 |
Dynamic wireless VLAN IP multicast distribution
In one embodiment, a system that employs IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol) snooping and client tracking to forward an IP multicast flow between a distribution (e.g., wired or backbone) network and a wireless network without the need to configure a VLAN on either infrastructure. A single IP multicast flow is forwarded natively on the distribution network (e.g., from an IP Multicast enabled router) to an AP, and the AP replicates and forwards the multicast flow to a plurality of domains on the wireless network. |
| US08611268B1 |
Access point power save mechanism for wireless communication systems
Power saving mechanisms can be implemented in an access point to improve power consumption. The access point can be configured to switch from an active power mode to a power save mode in response to not detecting communication activity for at least a predetermined idle time interval. In the power save mode, one or more sleep sub-states and one or more awake sub-states are initiated at the access point. During each awake sub-state, it is determined whether the awake sub-state coincides with a beacon transmission time instant. The access point broadcasts a probe response message if the awake sub-state does not coincide with the beacon transmission time instant. The access point broadcasts a beacon message if the awake sub-state coincides with the beacon transmission time instant. |
| US08611264B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting data
A method for transmitting data includes: acquiring a Multicast and Broadcast Service Mapping Information Element (MBS_MAP_IE) and MBS data corresponding to the MBS_MAP_IE; wherein the MBS_MAP_IE carries a parameter for indicating the frame position of the next MBS_MAP_IE; setting a sleep duration according to the parameter for indicating the frame position of the next MBS_MAP_IE; and acquiring the next MBS_MAP_IE and MBS data corresponding to the next MBS_MAP_IE when the sleep duration expires. By applying the present invention, it is unnecessary for a mobile terminal to receive an MBS mapping message, so that the sleep duration of the mobile terminal is increased and thus the power consumption of the mobile terminal is reduced. |
| US08611263B2 |
Methods and apparatus for saving power by designating frame interlaces in communication systems
The disclosed embodiments provide for methods and systems for designating at least one frame interlace out of a set of frame interlaces, by identifying a number of frame interlaces, wherein information may be communicated on the identified frame interlaces, and designating the identified frame interlaces to at least one access terminal, such that the access terminal may save power by monitoring only the designated frame interlaces. |
| US08611256B2 |
Method and system for a radio frequency management in a mesh network with a path distance factor
A method and system for radio frequency management (RFM) in a mesh network using a path distance factor (PDF) is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method, comprises calculating a path distance factor (PDF) between a first mesh router and a portal. A frame is transmitted to a second mesh router, wherein the frame includes the path distance factor. |
| US08611250B2 |
System for merging wireless data into an established process control system
A method and system of communicating between a wireless network and a process control system communicatively coupled to a server, such as OPC. The server receives data from the wireless network, where the data is generated from an input/output data point within the wireless network. The server maps the data between the input/output data point and a data point placeholder within the process control system. The server writes the mapped data to the corresponding data point placeholder of the process control system via a process control interface, and the mapped data is provided to the process control system as process control data native to the process control system. Process control data may also be provided to the server, mapped between a data point placeholder of the process control system and an input/output data point of the wireless network, and written to the corresponding input/output data point. |
| US08611248B2 |
Information processing apparatus, device information display method, and computer-readable storage medium
An information processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain pieces of identification information sent from devices mutually connected via a network, a determination unit configured to determine, in a case where the pieces of identification information which are obtained by the obtaining unit and sent by using mutually different protocols are identical with each other, that the devices which send the pieces of identification information are identical with each other, and a display unit configured to integrate information related to the devices determined to be identical with each other by the determination unit and display the information on a display apparatus. |
| US08611242B2 |
Method and system for monitoring use of a mobile hotspot function in a wireless device
A method for monitoring use of a mobile hotspot function in a wireless device, comprising: storing a last access time for a client within a memory of the wireless device, the last access time being a time when the hotspot function last performed a network address translation for the client; determining whether a difference between a current time and the last access time exceeds a threshold; and, if the difference exceeds the threshold, generating an indication that the mobile hotspot function is not in use by the client. |
| US08611239B2 |
Distributed computation of common normalization constant for quantized best effort traffic priority
Apparatus, systems, devices and methods are provided for Distributed Computation of Common Normalization Constant for Quantized Best Effort Traffic Priority. In certain non-limiting aspects, there may be provided a method for prioritizing traffic in a wireless communication environment, including: providing a quantized priority value for each of one or more data streams associated with a wireless communications node; and determining a relative prioritization for each of the one or more data streams using the quantized priority values and one or more quantized priority values associated with one or more other wireless communications nodes; wherein, the quantized priority values associated with the wireless and other wireless communications nodes are normalized with respect to a reference rate. |
| US08611237B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying types and access modes of neighbor cells in femtocell environment
In a mobile communication system including macro cells and femtocells, a neighbor cell identification method includes: transmitting, by a neighbor cell that is a macro cell or a femtocell, a neighbor cell identifier containing information regarding the type and access mode of the neighbor cell to a user equipment. The user equipment identifies, after receiving the neighbor cell identifier the type and access mode of the neighbor cell. The user equipment also accesses the neighbor cell according to the identification result. |
| US08611236B2 |
Communication checker, communication-state detection system and method for checking communication state
A simple-structure communication checker capable of detecting the communication state of devices communicating in different communication methods is provided. The communication checker includes an SLPR communication detector that detects the communication state through the SLPR service and a FOMA communication detector that detects the communication state through the FOMA service. |
| US08611234B1 |
Network interface with cable tracing
A network includes a network switch and plural remote nodes, each connected by a cable or channel with the network switch. The network switch includes a set of channel interfaces, each of which includes a visual indicator responsive to data traffic on the associated channel. A cable tracing arrangement includes a tracing signal generator at a channel interface of each remote node, which generates a tracing signal when cable tracing is desired. The tracing signal, when generated for cable tracing, flows over an existing cable to the associated channel interface of the network switch. At the associated channel interface, the tracing signal is converted to a visual illuminator drive signal, which illuminates the visual indicator of the channel with an indication that is distinguishable from the data traffic indication. |
| US08611232B2 |
Method of simple and efficient failure resilient load balancing
A resilient load balancing method uses fixed paths and a fixed path-splitting strategy to enable ingress routers to efficiently reroute traffic after a failure. An off-line management system computes a set of fixed paths and a set of splitting ratios for routing demand from ingress routers to egress routers, with sufficient capacity to meet demands under each failure scenario. That data is then used by the ingress router to reroute demand after observing a failure. |
| US08611227B2 |
Channel estimate pruning in presence of large signal dynamics in an interference cancellation repeater
A method for estimating a feedback channel for a wireless repeater detects changes in a power of a remote signal. When a large power swing in the remote signal is detected, the method operates to discard samples or blocks of samples of the pilot and receive signals and a final channel estimate is generated using undiscarded samples of the pilot and receive signals. Alternately, sub channel estimates are generated using individual blocks of the pilot samples and receive samples. When a large power swing in the remote signal is detected, the method operates to discard one or more sub channel estimates and a final channel estimate is generated using undiscarded sub channel estimates. |
| US08611219B2 |
Method of detecting anomalies in a communication system using symbolic packet features
A method of detecting anomalies in a communication system includes: providing a first packet flow portion and a second packet flow portion; extracting samples of a symbolic packet feature associated with a traffic status of the first and second packet flow portions; computing from the extracted samples a first statistical concentration quantity and a second statistical concentration quantity of the symbolic feature associated with the first and second packet flow portions, respectively; computing from the concentration quantities a variation quantity representing a concentration change from the first packet flow portion to the second packet flow portion; comparing the variation quantity with a comparison value; and detecting an anomaly in the system in response to the comparison. |
| US08611218B2 |
Variable PHY margin to combat ingress noise
A method includes determining a first aggregate received power level of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) signal received at a first network node, adjusting a nominal PHY Margin an amount that is dependent upon a measurement of an aggregate received power level of the OFDM signal, determining a data transmission rate based on the adjusted nominal PHY Margin, and receiving data being transmitted in accordance with the data transmission rate at the first node. |
| US08611214B2 |
Devices and method for guaranteeing quality of service per service data flow through the bearer layer
In scenarios where the quality of service is negotiated through a signalling layer whereas the services are actually carried through a bearer layer, application functions at the signalling layer are not always aware of how quality of service is individually accomplished at the bearer layer on a service basis. The invention provides a method and devices whereby events are detected on a service data flow basis at a detection device in the bearer layer and notified towards an application device in the signalling layer via a control device between the signalling and the bearer layer. The list of events to be notified is obtainable at the control device from the application device and is included in Quality of Service related rules, along with service data flow filters. This Quality of Service related rules are provided to the detection device for inspecting individual service data flows in order to detect and notify the indicated events. |
| US08611212B2 |
Method and system for writing to a VLAN tag
According to one embodiment, a method may include writing a congestion forward indicator (CFI) bit of an outer virtual local area network (VLAN) tag in an Ethernet frame to one of a first setting or a second setting, reading the CFI bit of the outer VLAN tag at a switching element, copying priority (PRI) bits of the outer VLAN tag to PRI bits of an inner VLAN tag if the CFI bit of the outer VLAN tag is set to the first setting, and maintaining the state of the PRI bits of the inner VLAN tag if the CFI bit of the outer VLAN tag is set to the second setting. |
| US08611207B2 |
Data transmitter and data transmission method
A data transmitter is provided. The data transmitter is configured to transmit reception data and copy data of the reception data to the outside via respective separate ports. The data transmitter includes an identification information attaching unit configured to attach, to the reception data, identification information identifying the reception data, a reception data copying unit configured to copy the reception data with the identification information attached thereto, a data calculation unit configured to perform the same calculation operation on the reception data with the identification data attached thereto and the copy data copied by the reception copying unit, and an identity determiner unit configured to determine whether the reception data with the identification data attached thereto is identical to the copy data, based on the identification data and the calculation results of the data calculation operation. |
| US08611206B2 |
Failure-section determining device and failure-section determining method
A loss determining unit of a monitoring device calculates a receiving-time interval between a receiving time of data and the receiving time of immediately previous data. If the interval is a predetermined threshold or higher, the loss determining unit determines that “a loss is detected” and calculates the number of losses. If the number of losses is lower than the threshold, the loss determining unit determines that “no loss is detected”. A failure-section determining unit calculates the number of losses occurring in a first section. The failure-section determining unit calculates the number of losses occurring in a second section. If the loss is detected in the first section, the failure-section determining unit determines that a failure occurs in the first section. If the loss is detected in the second section, the failure-section determining unit determines that a failure occurs in the second section. |
| US08611203B2 |
Coding information for communication over an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA)-based wireless link
In a wireless access network, a transmitter provides a pool of sequences having a reduced peak-to-average power ratio. Information to be transmitted is mapped to a selected at least one of the pool of sequences. The selected at least one sequence is transmitted over an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA)-based wireless link of the wireless access network. |
| US08611202B2 |
Optical storage medium comprising two nonlinear layers
The optical storage medium comprises a substrate layer, a data layer arranged on the substrate layer, a first nonlinear layer with a first super-resolution structure arranged above the data layer, and a second nonlinear layer with a second super-resolution structure arranged above the first nonlinear layer, the first nonlinear layer comprising a material having an increased reflectivity when irradiated with a laser beam and the second nonlinear layer comprising a material showing a transparency when irradiated with a laser beam. The first nonlinear layer comprises in particular a semiconductor material of one of the III-V semiconductor family having a low band-gap. And the second nonlinear layer comprises in particular a phase change material, for example SbTe or AIST. |
| US08611198B2 |
Method for identifying group of multilayer disc, and optical disc device
The present invention provides a method for determining what group a given multilayer optical disc belongs to. The disc is one of a number of multilayer optical discs, which are designed so that information stored is retrievable from any of the discs by irradiating the disc with a light beam having the same wavelength and which have been classified into multiple groups. According to this method, performed first is Step (A) of measuring either a distance from a first one of multiple information layers of the given multilayer optical disc to a second one thereof, which is located adjacent to the first information layer, or a distance from the first information layer to the surface of the optical disc. Next, Step (B) of determining, by the distance measured, what group the given multilayer optical disc belongs to is performed. |
| US08611197B2 |
Optical recording device and method
Provided is an optical write device and method. The optical recording method includes generating a first signal including a preset write pulse power Pm in response to information to be written, generating a second signal including an over drive pulse power Po that is synchronized with the preset write pulse power Pm and which is at a higher level than the preset write pulse power Pm, and writing the information to an optical disc using a driving signal that is obtained by synthesizing the first and second signals. |
| US08611195B2 |
Detection of data in burst cutting area of optical disk
An apparatus generates outgoing data (OD) to be provided on an optical disk (1) in a burst cutting area (2). The burst cutting area (2) further comprises markings (3) which cause a marking frequency spectrum (MFS) when reading out the burst cutting area (2). The apparatus comprises a channel coder (4) which receives processed data (PD) and supplies the outgoing data (OD) having an outgoing data frequency spectrum (DFS) with suppressed DC-content. The apparatus further comprises a data processing device (5) which generates the processed data (PD) to obtain an outgoing frequency spectrum (DFS) wherein a frequency component causing interference with a low frequent component of the markings (3) is suppressed or not present. |
| US08611190B1 |
Bio-acoustic wave energy transducer
A method and apparatus is taught for a signal processing breakthrough that significantly alleviates the “Curse of Dimensionality” (COD) in the characterization of nonlinear physical systems; namely, the reduction in the number of coefficients used to describe the higher order (i.e., nonlinear) kernels in the Volterra series expansion. The latter technique provides the means to evaluate simultaneously from a wide band excitation, all the inter-modulation products up to a specified order by greatly reducing the number of coefficients in the higher order kernel estimation to a manageable set that can be easily manipulated by current personal computers used to enhance a finite element (FE) model that generates a bio-inspired acoustic transducer model. |
| US08611188B2 |
Method and apparatus for locating at least one object
The invention relates to a method and a device for locating at least one object, in which a) a microphone device of the at least one object at least one acoustic signal of at least one acoustic source is received, b) the temporal profile of the at least one acoustic signal is automatically searched by a data processing device by the means of pre-defined criteria for at least one pattern, whereby c) the at least one pattern is an onset of the at least one acoustic signal or comprises an onset of the at least one acoustic signal and d) the localization of the at least one object occurs in dependency of the reception of the pattern by the means of a time synchronization. |
| US08611187B2 |
Miner acoustic communication and location system
A miner communication and locating system is disclosed. Two technologies used in the system include a communicator, and a locator array that may be used with a computer. The communicator portion allows trapped miners to continually signal without physical effort that they have survived a cave-in or explosion in a direct, mechanical, and reliable manner. The locator array receives the communicator signal for use to accurately identify where the survivors are underground, and facilitate their rescue; a computer can be used to calculate the position of the communicator from information provided by a plurality of locators: global positioning system receivers may be used with the locator array. |
| US08611182B2 |
Fast 3-D surface multiple prediction
A method and apparatus for predicting a plurality of surface multiples for a plurality of traces in a record of seismic data. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a plurality of target traces at a nominal offset and a nominal azimuth; selecting a plurality of pairs of input traces, wherein the midpoints of the input traces in each pair are separated by half the nominal offset and the azimuth of a line connecting the midpoints of the input traces in each pair is equal to the nominal azimuth; convolving the selected pairs of input traces to generate a plurality of convolutions; and applying a three dimensional operator to the convolutions. |
| US08611180B2 |
Ocean bottom seismic station
Methods and apparatus for cable termination and sensor integration at a sensor station within an ocean bottom seismic (OBS) cable array are disclosed. The sensor stations include a housing for various sensor components. Additionally, the sensor stations can accommodate an excess length of any data transmission members which may not be cut at the sensor station while enabling connection of one or more cut data transmission members with the sensor components. The sensor stations further manage any strength elements of the cable array. |
| US08611179B2 |
Acoustic wave measuring system and method of generating image data thereof
When correcting the acoustic wave refraction occurring on the interface between mediums having different sound speeds by Snell's law, an applicable back-projection method is limited to a time domain method. An image data generating method performed to receive and convert an acoustic wave generated by irradiating a subject with light into a first electrical signal with an acoustic wave receiver via a medium having a sound speed different from that of the subject, and to generate image data based on the first electrical signal is provided, wherein a second electrical signal obtained when the acoustic wave is received at each virtual reception point is generated based on the first electrical signal through an integral calculation performed by using an advanced Green's function, and image data is generated based on the second electrical signal. |
| US08611177B2 |
Semiconductor device including latency counter
For example, a semiconductor device includes a first latency counter, which selects whether to give an odd-cycle latency to an internal command signal; and a second latency counter, which gives a latency to an internal command signal at intervals of two cycles. The latency counters are connected in series. Since the number of bits in control information, which is used to set a latency, is smaller than the types of settable latency as a result, it is possible to reduce wiring density. |
| US08611172B2 |
Controlling a voltage level of an access signal to reduce access disturbs in semiconductor memories
A semiconductor memory storage device having a plurality of storage cells for storing data, each storage cell comprising an access control device and access control circuitry. The access control circuitry is configured to respond to a data access request signal to access a selected storage cell connected to a corresponding selected access control line to: control the voltage control switching circuitry to connect the at least one capacitor to the voltage supply line such that the at least one capacitor is charged by the voltage supply line and a voltage level on the voltage supply line is reduced; and to control the access control line switching circuitry to connect the selected access control line to the voltage supply line having the reduced voltage level. |
| US08611169B2 |
Fine granularity power gating
An approach for providing fine granularity power gating of a memory array is described. In one embodiment, power supply lines are disposed in a horizontal dimension of the memory array parallel to the word lines that access cells arranged in rows and columns of the array, wherein each of the supply lines are shared by adjacent cells in the memory. Power supply lines that activate a row selected by one of the word lines are supplied a full-power voltage value and power supply lines that activate rows adjacent to the selected row are supplied a half-power voltage value, while the power supply lines of the remaining rows in the memory array are supplied a power-gated voltage value. |
| US08611168B2 |
Control of inputs to a memory device
A memory device includes a command decoder and control interface logic. One or more external inputs, such as row and column address strobes, communicate with the command decoder through the control interface logic. A control signal is also in communication with the control interface logic. During operation of a drowsy mode in the memory device, a self-refresh signal causes the control signal to disable the external inputs. With the external inputs disabled, command hazards are reduced when exiting drowsy mode. |
| US08611167B2 |
Semiconductor device and control method of the same
The present invention provides a semiconductor memory and a control method therefor, the semiconductor device including a first current-voltage conversion circuit connected to a core cell provided in a nonvolatile memory cell array, a second current-voltage conversion circuit connected to a reference cell through a reference cell data line, a sense amplifier sensing an output from the first current-voltage conversion circuit and an output from the second current-voltage conversion circuit, a compare circuit comparing a voltage level at the reference cell data line with a predefined voltage level, and a charging circuit charging the reference cell data line, if the voltage level at the reference cell data line is lower than the predefined voltage level during pre-charging the reference cell data line. According to the present invention, the pre-charging period of the reference cell data line can be shortened, and the data read time can be shortened. |
| US08611166B2 |
Semiconductor device
There is provided a technique for ensuring both an SNM and a write margin simultaneously in a semiconductor device having static memory cells. A semiconductor device has a plurality of static memory cells. The semiconductor device includes a memory cell array having the static memory cells arranged in a matrix, a temperature sensor circuit for sensing a temperature in the semiconductor device, and a word driver for controlling a voltage supplied to a word line of the memory cell array based on an output of the temperature sensor circuit at the time of writing to or reading from a memory cell. |
| US08611165B2 |
Non-volatile memory device and electronic apparatus
A non-volatile memory device is provided, which includes a first block for storing a first data group including a test data, a second block for storing a second data group including a complementary data to the first data group, a differential sense amplifier for generating an output value based on a difference between two input signals, a diagnostic circuit for performing a failure diagnosis using a value from the differential sense amplifier, and a control circuit which performs control such that a signal based on the test data and the complementary data is set to the input signal of the differential sense amplifier and the diagnostic circuit executes a failure diagnosis of the differential sense amplifier. The non-volatile memory device performs a failure diagnosis with high reliability capable of distinguishing between a failure of sense amplifier and a failure of a memory cell. |
| US08611160B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor storage device and data write method for the same
A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device includes an identification code generating circuit, a simultaneous write bit count calculation circuit, a write range calculation circuit, and a program pulse generating circuit. The identification code generating circuit generates an identification code to be assigned to every one of bits to be written, and the simultaneous write bit count calculation circuit calculates the number of bits to be written simultaneously, the number being equalized based on the generated identification code, within a range that does not exceed a maximum simultaneously writable bit number. The write range calculation circuit calculates a write range, based on the calculated number of bits to be written simultaneously, and the program pulse generating circuit generates a program pulse based on write data and on the generated identification code and the calculated write range. |
| US08611159B1 |
Memory write interface in an integrated circuit and method of providing same
A memory write interface in an integrated circuit (IC) and method of providing the same are described. An aspect relates to an apparatus for providing an input/output (IO) interface in a programmable device. The apparatus can include: a memory write interface configured to drive a memory having a daisy-chained clock, a first interface configured to receive output data from the programmable device and a second interface configured to control transmission of the output data to the memory by an IO element of the programmable device, the first interface operating according to a global clock of the programmable device and the second interface operating according to a local clock used only by the IO interface; a delay circuit configured to add a delay to the local clock with respect to the global clock; and a configuration circuit configured to adjust the delay added to the local clock to implement write-leveling at the memory. |
| US08611152B2 |
Non-volatile multilevel memory cells
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, modules, and systems for operating non-volatile multilevel memory cells. One method embodiment includes assigning, to a first cell coupled to a row select line, a first number of program states to which the first cell can be programmed. The method includes assigning, to a second cell coupled to the row select line, a second number of program states to which the second cell can be programmed, wherein the second number of program states is greater than the first number of program states. The method includes programming the first cell to one of the first number of program states prior to programming the second cell to one of the second number of program states. |
| US08611151B1 |
Flash memory read performance
This disclosure describes techniques for reducing the number of data transmissions required to read an amount of data from multi-level-cell (MLC) flash memory. These techniques effectively increase the speed at which MLC flash memory can be read. This disclosure also describes techniques for reducing the amount of hardware and processing resources of a flash controller to read an amount of data. These techniques effectively increase the speed at which flash memory can be read by the flash controller without modifying conventional flash memories. |
| US08611148B2 |
Data state-dependent channel boosting to reduce channel-to-floating gate coupling in memory
In a programming operation, selected storage elements on a selected word line are programmed while unselected storage elements on the selected word line are inhibited from programming by channel boosting. To provide a sufficient but not excessive level of boosting, the amount of boosting can be set based on a data state of the unselected storage element. A greater amount of boosting can be provided for a lower data state which represents a lower threshold voltage and hence is more vulnerable to program disturb. A common boosting scheme can be used for groups of multiple data states. The amount of boosting can be set by adjusting the timing and magnitude of voltages used for a channel pre-charge operation and for pass voltages which are applied to word lines. In one approach, stepped pass voltages on unselected word lines can be used to adjust boosting for channels with selected data states. |
| US08611147B2 |
Spin-transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STTMRAM) using a synthetic free layer
A spin-torque transfer memory random access memory (STTMRAM) element, employed in a STTMRAM array, receives electric current for storage of digital information, the STTMRAM element has a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). The MTJ includes an anti-ferromagnetic (AF) layer, a fixed layer having a magnetization that is substantially fixed in one direction and that comprises a first magnetic layer, an AF coupling layer and a second magnetic layer, a barrier layer formed upon the fixed layer, and a free layer. The free layer is synthetic and has a high-polarization magnetic layer, a low-crystallization magnetic layer, a non-magnetic separation layer, and a magnetic layer, wherein during a write operation, a bidirectional electric current is applied across the STTMRAM element to switch the magnetization of the free layer between parallel and anti-parallel states relative to the magnetization of the fixed layer. |
| US08611145B2 |
Spin-transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STTMRAM) device with shared transistor and minimal written data disturbance
A spin-torque transfer memory random access memory (STTMRAM) cell is disclosed comprising a selected magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) identified to be programmed; a first transistor having a first port, a second port and a gate, the first port of the first transistor coupled to the selected MTJ; a first neighboring MTJ coupled to the selected MTJ through the second port of the first transistor; a second transistor having a first port, a second port, and a gate, the first port of the second transistor coupled to the selected MTJ; a second neighboring MTJ coupled to the selected MTJ through the second port of the second transistor; a first bit/source line coupled to the second end of the selected MTJ; and a second bit/source line coupled to the second end of the first neighboring MTJ and the second end of the second neighboring MTJ. |
| US08611144B2 |
Non-volatile memory with split write and read bitlines
Read and write operations of a non-volatile memory (NVM) bitcell have different optimum parameters resulting in a conflict during design of the NVM bitcell. A single bitline in the NVM bitcell prevents optimum read performance. Read performance may be improved by splitting the read path and the write path in a NVM bitcell between two bitlines. A read bitline of the NVM bitcell has a low capacitance for improved read operation speed and decreased power consumption. A write bitline of the NVM bitcell has a low resistance to handle large currents present during write operations. A memory element of the NVM bitcell may be a fuse, anti-fuse, eFUSE, or magnetic tunnel junction. Read performance may be further enhanced with differential sensing read operations. |
| US08611143B2 |
Memory circuit using spin MOSFETs, path transistor circuit with memory function, switching box circuit, switching block circuit, and field programmable gate array
A memory circuit according to an embodiment includes: a first transistor including a first source/drain electrode, a second source/drain electrode, and a first gate electrode; a second transistor including a third source/drain electrode connected to the second source/drain electrode, a fourth source/drain electrode, and a second gate electrode; a third transistor and a fourth transistor forming an inverter circuit, the third transistor including a fifth source/drain electrode, a sixth source/drain electrode, and a third gate electrode connected to the second source/drain electrode, the fourth transistor including a seventh source/drain electrode connected to the sixth source/drain electrode, an eighth source/drain electrode, and a fourth gate electrode connected to the second source/drain electrode; and an output terminal connected to the sixth source/drain electrode. At least one of the third transistor and the fourth transistor is a spin MOSFET, and an output of the inverter circuit is sent from the output terminal. |
| US08611141B2 |
Magnetic random access memory devices including heating straps
A memory device includes at least one magnetic random access memory cell, which includes: (1) a magnetic tunnel junction having a first end and a second end; and (2) a strap electrically coupled to the second end of the magnetic tunnel junction. The memory device also includes a bit line electrically coupled to the first end of the magnetic tunnel junction. During a write operation, the bit line is configured to apply a first heating current through the magnetic tunnel junction, and the strap is configured to apply a second heating current through the strap, such that the magnetic tunnel junction is heated to at least a threshold temperature according to the first heating current and the second heating current. |
| US08611140B2 |
Magnetic random access memory devices including shared heating straps
A memory device includes: (1) multiple magnetic random access memory (“MRAM”) cells each including a first end and a second end; (2) a bit line electrically coupled to the first end of at least one of the MRAM cells; and (3) a strap electrically coupled to the second end of each one of the MRAM cells. During a write operation, the bit line is configured to apply a first heating current, and the strap is configured to apply a second heating current, such that at least one of the MRAM cells is heated to at least a threshold temperature according to the first heating current and the second heating current. |
| US08611139B2 |
Memory element and memory device
There is disclosed a memory element including a layered structure including a memory layer that has a magnetization perpendicular to a film face; a magnetization-fixed layer; and an insulating layer provided between the memory layer. An electron that is spin-polarized is injected in a lamination direction of a layered structure, a magnitude of an effective diamagnetic field which the memory layer receives is smaller than a saturated magnetization amount of the memory layer, in regard to the insulating layer that comes into contact with the memory layer, and the other side layer with which the memory layer comes into contact at a side opposite to the insulating layer, at least an interface that comes into contact with the memory layer is formed of an oxide film, and the memory layer includes at least one of non-magnetic metal and oxide in addition to a Co—Fe—B magnetic layer. |
| US08611137B2 |
Memory elements with relay devices
Integrated circuits with memory elements are provided. An integrated circuit may include logic circuitry formed in a first portion having complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices and may include at least a portion of the memory elements and associated memory circuitry formed in a second portion having nano-electromechanical (NEM) relay devices. The NEM and CMOS devices may be interconnected through vias in a dielectric stack. Devices in the first and second portions may receive respective power supply voltages. In one suitable arrangement, the memory elements may include two relay switches that provide nonvolatile storage characteristics and soft error upset (SEU) immunity. In another suitable arrangement, the memory elements may include first and second cross-coupled inverting circuits. The first inverting circuit may include relay switches, whereas the second inverting circuit includes only CMOS transistors. Memory elements configured in this way may be used to provide volatile storage characteristics and SEU immunity. |
| US08611136B2 |
Method and apparatus providing a cross-point memory array using a variable resistance memory cell and capacitance
The invention relates to a method and apparatus providing a memory cell array in which each resistance memory cell is connected in series to a capacitive element. Access transistors are not necessary to perform read and write operations on the memory cell. In one exemplary embodiment, the capacitive element is a capacitor. |
| US08611132B2 |
Self-body biasing sensing circuit for resistance-based memories
A resistance based memory sensing circuit has reference current transistors feeding a reference node and a read current transistor feeding a sense node, each transistor has a substrate body at a regular substrate voltage during a stand-by mode and biased during a sensing mode at a body bias voltage lower than the regular substrate voltage. In one option the body bias voltage is determined by a reference voltage on the reference node. The substrate body at the regular substrate voltage causes the transistors to have a regular threshold voltage, and the substrate body at the body bias voltage causes the transistors to have a sense mode threshold voltage, lower than the regular threshold voltage. |
| US08611131B2 |
Variable resistance device, semiconductor device including the variable resistance device, and method of operating the semiconductor device
According to an example embodiment, a method of operating a semiconductor device includes applying a first voltage to the variable resistance device so as to change a resistance value of the variable resistance device from a first resistance value to a second resistance value that is different from the first resistance value, sensing first current flowing through the variable resistance device to which the first voltage is applied, determining a second voltage used to change the resistance value of the variable resistance device from the second resistance value to the first resistance value based on a distribution of the sensed first current, and applying the determined second voltage to the variable resistance device. |
| US08611130B2 |
Method for fabricating multi-resistive state memory devices
A treated conductive element is provided. A conductive element can be treated by depositing either a reactive metal or a very thin layer of material on the conductive element. The reactive metal (or very thin layer of material) would typically be sandwiched between the conductive element and an electrode. The structure additionally exhibits non-linear IV characteristics, which can be favorable in certain arrays. |
| US08611126B2 |
Semiconductor device
According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a connector, a volatile semiconductor memory element, multiple nonvolatile semiconductor memory elements, and a controller. A wiring pattern includes a signal line that is formed between the connector and the controller and that connects the connector to the controller. On the opposite side of the controller to the signal line, the multiple nonvolatile semiconductor memory elements are aligned along the longitudinal direction of the substrate. |
| US08611123B2 |
Complex semiconductor device for use in mobile equipment
Provided is a complex semiconductor device. The complex semiconductor device includes first memory chips in a first package, second memory chips in a second package configured for mass storage of data, and a controller packaged with either the first package or the second package in a complex package. The controller is connected to the first package via a first internal bus and to the second package via a second internal bus, and the first package, second package and controller are commonly packaged within a single complex package. |
| US08611122B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having vertical transistors
A device includes a first region including a plurality of first memory elements and a plurality of first vertical transistors, the first vertical transistors comprising a plurality of first selective transistors and a first switching transistor, each of the first selective transistors including an upper electrode coupled to a corresponding one of the first memory elements and a lower electrode, the first switching transistor including an upper electrode and a lower electrode coupled in common to the lower electrodes of the first selective transistors through a first signal line, a second region arranged to make a first line with the first region in a first direction and including a plurality of second memory elements and a plurality of second vertical transistors, the second vertical transistors comprising a plurality of second selective transistors and a second switching transistor, and a third region sandwiched between the first and the second regions. |
| US08611120B2 |
Power conversion apparatus
A power conversion apparatus including: a three-level inverter including bridge circuits each including a first semiconductor switching device and a second semiconductor switching device connected in series, the bridge circuits being connected to a positive terminal and a negative terminal of a DC power supply, and switch circuits having bidirectional characteristics and connected to respective AC output terminals of the bridge circuits which are the connection points between the first semiconductor switching devices and the second semiconductor switching devices, and to an intermediate potential point of the DC power supply; and single-phase inverters each including a plurality of semiconductor switching devices and respectively connected in series to the AC output terminals of the bridge circuits. The sum of an output voltage of the three-level inverter and output voltages of the single-phase inverters is supplied to a load. |
| US08611113B2 |
Fault protection in voltage source converters with redundant switching cells via mechanical switches being closed pyrotechnically
A Voltage Source Converter has a series connection of switching assemblies, in which each switching assembly has an electrically conducting plate member carrying a plurality of semiconductor chips each having at least a semiconductor device of turn-off and a free-wheeling diode connected in parallel therewith. Said chips are connected in parallel with each other by each being connected by at least one individual conductor member to a said plate member of an adjacent switching assembly of said series connection. Each switching assembly has a mechanical switch configured to be open under normal operation of the switching assembly and configured to enable connection of said plate member of the switching assembly to the plate member of an adjacent switching assembly for bypassing said semiconductor chips of the switching assembly to which the mechanical switch belongs in the case of occurrence of a short circuit current through a semiconductor chip of the switching assembly. |
| US08611112B2 |
DC power supply apparatus
A DC power supply apparatus comprising: a rectifying circuit including, a first rectifying portion, a second rectifying portion, a third rectifying portion and a fourth rectifying portion; a current detection portion; a first switching portion; and a second switching portion; wherein each of the first rectifying portion cooperatively operating with the first switching portion and the second rectifying portion cooperatively operating with the second switching portion is a semiconductor element which is formed by using a Schottky junction formed between silicon carbide or gallium nitride and metal and has a withstanding voltage property with respect to a voltage of an AC power supply. |
| US08611111B2 |
Resonance power generator
A resonance power generator is provided. The resonance power generator includes an alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) rectifier to rectify an input signal of an alternating voltage and an AC generator to generate an AC signal based on the rectified signal that is output from the AC/DC rectifier. The resonance power generator may also include, for example, a control unit to control a frequency of the AC signal, a filter unit to remove a spurious signal or a harmonic element included in the AC signal, a voltage/current amplifier to amplify the AC signal, and a source resonator to transmit a power to a target resonator. |
| US08611107B2 |
Method and system for controlling a multi-stage power inverter
A method for controlling an multi-stage inverter comprises controlling an input converter of the multi-stage inverter with an input controller and controlling an output converter of the multi-stage inverter with an output controller separate from the input controller. The input controller and output controller may be galvanically isolated. Additionally, the method may include communicating data between the input controller and the output controller over a power bus of the multi-stage inverter. |
| US08611102B2 |
Computing device with independent dual CPUs
A computing device includes a first motherboard and a second motherboard perpendicularly attached to the first motherboard. The first motherboard includes a first CPU module and a plurality of first peripheral component interconnect (PCI) sockets. The second motherboard includes a second CPU module and a plurality of second PCI sockets. The plurality of first PCI sockets is located perpendicularly to both motherboards. The plurality of second PCI sockets includes at least one PCI socket that is obliquely oriented relative to the first motherboard. |
| US08611101B2 |
Assembly of a microelectronic chip having a groove with a wire element in the form of a strand, and method for assembly
Assembly of at least one microelectronic chip with a wire element, the chip comprising a groove for embedment of the wire element. The wire element is a strand with a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the axis of the groove, comprising at least two electrically conducting wires covered with insulator. The chip comprises at least one electrically conducting bump in the groove, this bump being in electric contact with a stripped area of a single one of the electrically conducting wires of the strand. |
| US08611100B2 |
Display device back panel with adjustable PCB mounting seat
The present invention provides a display device back panel with adjustable PCB mounting seat, which includes a hollow body and paired mounting seats. The mounting seats are arranged in a hollow portion of the body and have opposite ends extended to connect to the body. Each of the mounting seats includes a first bracket and a second bracket that are symmetrically arranged and a connection board connected between the first bracket and the second bracket. The first bracket has an end adjustably connected to the body and an opposite end adjustably connected to the connection board. The second bracket has an end adjustably connected to the body and an opposite end adjustably connected to the connection board. The first bracket has a first bent section that is bent downward, and the second bracket has a second bent section that is bent down. The pair of mounting seats forms a receiving space between the two first bent sections and the two second bent sections that receive a PCB supported and mounted thereon. The assembling is simple and through the adjustable connection formed between the first bracket, the second bracket, the body, and the connection board, it is suitable for mounting and fixing PCBs of various sizes. |
| US08611099B2 |
Electronic device with detachable module
An electronic device includes a chassis, a detachable module with a case received in the chassis, a resilient latching member, and an operation member slidably positioned between the latching member and the case. The chassis defines a fastening hole. The case defines a through hole. A first end of the latching member is fixed to the case. A latching tab protrudes outwards from a second end of the latching member. When the operation member is at a first position, the latching tab engages in the fastening hole such that the detachable module is attached to the chassis. When the operation member slides to a second position, it pushes against the latching member to deform the second end of the latching member to move away from the case, such that the latching tab is disengaged from the fastening hole, thereby detaching the detachable module from the chassis. |
| US08611091B2 |
Thermal module for solar inverter
A thermal module for mounting to and using with a solar inverter includes a heat sink, at least one cooling module, and a thermal insulator. The heat sink has a heat-receiving portion and a heat-radiating portion, and the cooling module has a hot side and a cold side. The hot side of the cooling module is in contact with the heat-receiving portion of the heat sink while the cold side is in contact with a heat-producing source on the solar inverter. The thermal insulator is provided in a space between the heat-receiving portion of the heat sink, the cooling module, and the heat-producing source of the solar inverter. With the cooling module provided between the heat sink and the solar inverter, the solar inverter can have largely upgraded heat dissipation efficiency. |
| US08611083B2 |
System and method for cooling a computer
Provided is a system and method of circulating a cooling fluid in a cooling system. For example, provided is a system, comprising a modular unit configured to mount into a computer drive bay, comprising a pump and a reservoir, configured to gravity feed a fluid to the pump, wherein the reservoir is positioned at least partially directly above the pump. |
| US08611080B2 |
Server system
A server system includes at least one motherboard, a control board, and a power module. The control board is connected electronically to each motherboard. The control board includes an I/O module for connecting at least one external device and a switching module for switching each motherboard to connect electronically to the at least one external device. The power module is connected electronically to the control board. The power module may supply power to each motherboard through the control board, and the power supplied to each motherboard is switched by the switching module. |
| US08611078B2 |
Method and apparatus for displays
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprising a first body comprising a first power source, and a second body comprising a second power source and a display, the second body is configured to move relative to the first body between a closed configuration and an open configuration via at least one intermediate configuration, and when the apparatus is in at least one of the open and closed configurations the first power source is configured to power the display, and when the apparatus is in the at least one intermediate configuration the second power source is configured to power the display. |
| US08611074B2 |
User interface mounting module and method to mount a user interface on a UPS
A mechanism for adjusting the orientation of a user interface of an electronic system component from a rack mounted orientation to a tower orientation. |
| US08611072B2 |
Thermal actuator for configurable imaging systems
For use in an imaging system having a plurality of adjacent display units, the improvement comprising a thermal actuator in at least one of the display units for moving a screen thereof away from a chassis thereof when the said display unit exceeds a predetermined temperature, so as to prevent mechanical interference between the adjacent display units. |
| US08611069B2 |
Ultracapacitors employing phase change materials
Implementations and techniques for employing phase change materials in ultracapacitor devices or systems are generally disclosed. |
| US08611068B2 |
Multilayer polymer dialectric film having a charge-delocalizing interface
A multilayer polymer dielectric film includes a coextruded first dielectric layer and second dielectric layer. The first dielectric includes a first polymer material and the second dielectric layer includes a second polymer material. The first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer defining an interface between the layers that delocalizes charges in the layers. |
| US08611065B2 |
Method and device for automatic positive and negative ion balance control in a bipolar ion generator
A method and a device for automatic positive and negative ion balance control in a bipolar ion generator. The method may include applying bias voltage from a bias voltage source to a bias electrode from a power supply that includes an AC voltage generator and a voltage multiplying circuit of at least one cascade. The method may also include controlling a bias current flowing through the bias electrode for the purpose of stabilization of that current, wherein the step of controlling of the bias current is performed during charging of a capacitor in the voltage multiplying circuit. |
| US08611063B2 |
Current limit control with current limit detector
Devices, such as mobile devices, may be exposed to short circuit and output overload events. To protect against such events, mobile devices typically include circuitry to limit currents so as not to exceed a pre-programmed current limit. Various embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for detecting pre-programmed current limits and for limiting currents in response to such detection. In some embodiments, both the current limit detector and the current limit controller circuitry include scaled current switches. The scaling may be substantially similar between the programmed-current limit detector and the current limit controller circuitry. |
| US08611059B2 |
Power management circuit and high voltage device therein
A high voltage device includes a high voltage transistor and a protection device. The high voltage transistor has a first end and a second end, in which the first end is coupled to a voltage input/output terminal. The protection device is coupled between the second end of the high voltage transistor and a ground terminal, and has a parasitical equivalent circuit. When the voltage input/output terminal is charged based on positive ESD charges, the current corresponding to the positive ESD charges flows from the voltage input/output terminal through the high voltage transistor and the equivalent circuit in the protection device toward the ground terminal. A power management circuit is also disclosed herein. |
| US08611051B1 |
Magnetic head, head gimbal assembly with the same, and disk drive
According to one embodiment, a bearing surface of the head slider includes a leading step at the inflow end portion, a skirt portion at the inflow end portion, a leading pad on the leading step and including a junction extending to the skirt portion, first groove surfaces individually on the opposite sides of the junction and being continuous with a downstream central portion of the skirt portion, second groove surfaces on an upstream side of the first groove surfaces and formed deeper than the first groove surfaces, and negative-pressure grooves individually on the transversely opposite sides of the first groove surfaces between the second groove surfaces and the skirt portion and formed deeper than the second groove surfaces. |
| US08611048B2 |
Apparatus and method for receiving and positioning a read/write head to a disk for testing and method of removing a tested read/write head from a test apparatus
An apparatus for receiving and positioning a read/write head to a disk and related methods are disclosed. The apparatus includes: a deck; a spindle on the deck; a safety enclosure surrounding at least the spindle; and a movable carriage having at least one head receiving portion. The carriage is movable between a first position wherein the head receiving portion is outside the safety enclosure and a second position wherein the head receiving portion is inside the safety enclosure. The apparatus further includes an automated mechanism arranged to pick up the head from the head receiving portion when in the second position and to load the head to the disk for testing. |
| US08611045B2 |
Magnetic recording apparatus
A magnetic recording apparatus includes a magnetic recording medium that is provided with a first magnetic layer with magneto crystalline anisotropy energy, a second magnetic layer with magneto crystalline anisotropy energy that is smaller than the magneto crystalline anisotropy energy of the first magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic metal layer that is positioned between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer and that provides coupling force between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer; and a magnetic head that includes a main pole that applies a recording magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to a film surface of the magnetic recording medium to the magnetic recording medium, and an alternate current (AC) magnetic field generator that applies an AC magnetic field with a frequency of 1-40 GHz to the magnetic recording medium. |
| US08611040B1 |
Disk drive adjusting microactuator gain by injecting a sinusoid into a servo control system
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head, a disk surface, and a dual stage actuator (DSA) servo loop comprising a voice coil motor (VCM) servo loop and a microactuator servo loop operable to actuate the head over the disk surface. A microactuator compensator in the microactuator servo loop is disabled, a sinusoid is injected into a control signal applied to the microactuator, and coefficients of a corresponding sinusoidal response in a DSA error signal of the DSA servo loop is measured. The sinusoid is injected into a model of the microactuator to generate a compensation signal. A gain of the microactuator is adjusted based on a VCM error signal and the coefficients of the sinusoidal response in the DSA error signal. |
| US08611039B2 |
Arrangement and processing of longitudinal position information on a data storage medium
There is described apparatus (800) to decode longitudinal position (LPOS) information from non-shifted servo elements (a1, a4, a7) and an unbroken sequence of plural shifted servo elements (a2-a3, a5-a6), variations in the relative displacement of the non-shifted and shifted elements encoding the LPOS information. The apparatus is operable to receive signals (905) from a transducer head apparatus (131) that detects the servo elements as they move past the transducer head apparatus, and to process the signals to obtain data (L1, L4, L5, L8) related to relative displacement of mutually adjacent shifted and non-shifted elements within respective ones of the servo bursts, and data (L2, L3, L6, L7) related to relative displacement of mutually non-adjacent shifted and non-shifted elements within the respective ones of the servo bursts, and also to process the data to determine LPOS bit values corresponding to the respective ones of the servo bursts. |
| US08611038B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for servo compensator switching in high vibration environments
A tape drive system according to one embodiment includes a magnetic head having at least one servo sensor; a tape motion controller; a fine actuator; a skew actuator; a coarse actuator; and a control. The control is configured to perform various operations that help account for vibrations that effect track-following a servo track when operating a tape drive. Additional systems, methods and computer program products are also described. |
| US08611036B2 |
Disk drive with head thermal fly-height actuator and controller for compensation of write head expansion
The invention is a disk drive with a thermal fly-height actuator and a fly-height controller that compensates for exponential write pole protrusion during a write operation. The fly-height controller includes fly-height control logic that controls a single digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that outputs a voltage to drive the heater. Prior to writing, the heater is at the heater power value (HPV) required to maintain the read head at the desired fly-height (Read-HPV). At the initiation of writing the fly-height control logic inputs a new HPV to the DAC to reduce the heater power to begin the compensation. A new and successively reduced HPV is input to the DAC for each servo-identification (SID) mark, during which writing is prevented. When the DAC output voltage approaches the voltage corresponding to the desired write-head fly-height, the method is done. |
| US08611035B1 |
Capacitance sensor for determining a distance between a head and a magnetic storage medium
A proximity sensor is described including a capacitor formed by a first conductive element and a second conductive element. The first conductive element and the second conductive element are situated at a magnetic head, a slider that connects to the magnetic head, a reader of the magnetic head, a writer of the magnetic head, a reader shield of the magnetic head, or a writer shield of the magnetic head. A capacitance and a fringing electric field are formed by the capacitor when there is a voltage difference between the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The capacitor is situated such that the fringing electric field changes with a positioning change of a magnetic storage medium with respect to at least one of the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The capacitor is also situated such that the capacitance changes with the fringing electric field change. |
| US08611031B1 |
Methods and devices for adaptive margining
A data storage device may comprise a disk comprising a plurality of zones, each comprising a plurality of data tracks, a head having a reader spaced away from a writer by a gap, and a controller. The controller may be configured to, upon detecting a media defect in one of the zones: determine a width of data tracks in the zone in which the media defect is detected; calculate a minimum number of contiguous tracks in the zone in which the media defect is detected whose aggregate width is at least as great as the gap between the reader and writer; and margin the detected media defect with a number of tracks immediately adjacent to the detected media defect that is at least equal to the calculated minimum number of contiguous tracks. |
| US08611028B2 |
Lens barrel and imaging device
A lens barrel 111 according to the present invention includes: a lens group 220 which moves along an optical axis direction 300; and a lens holding frame 224 holding a lens group 220. A guide hole 406 is provided in the lens holding frame 224, the guide hole 406 being penetrated by a main shaft 440 having a circular cross section. A cross section of the guide hole 406 taken orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the main shaft 440 includes at least two linear portions 406a, and the main shaft 440 is in contact with the two linear portions 406a. |
| US08611026B2 |
Optical device including at least one replicated surface and associated methods
An optical device includes a substrate. a non-planar transparent structure on a first surface of the substrate, the non-planar transparent structure being made of a first material, and a molded refractive surface on the first surface of the substrate adjacent the non-planar transparent structure, the molded refractive surface being made of a second material, different from the first material. |
| US08611024B2 |
Image pickup lens and image pickup apparatus
An image pickup lens having the following disposed from an object side in the order listed below: a first lens having a negative meniscus shape with a concave surface on an image side, a second lens having a negative meniscus shape with a concave surface on the object side adjacent to an optical axis, a third positive lens having a convex surface on the image side adjacent to the optical axis, an aperture, and a fourth lens having a bi-convex shape adjacent to the optical axis. Each of the second, third, and fourth lenses has an aspherical surface on each side. |
| US08611019B2 |
Zoom lens system, interchangeable lens apparatus and camera system
A zoom lens system comprising a negative first lens unit, a positive second lens unit, a negative third lens unit, and a positive fourth lens unit, wherein the first lens unit and the third lens unit move along an optical axis, and the fourth lens unit is fixed with respect to an image surface in zooming, the third lens unit moves along the optical axis in focusing, and the conditions: 0.0<|M3/fW|<0.5 and 0.2<|f3/f4|<1.0 (M3: an amount of movement of the third lens unit in zooming, f3: a composite focal length of the third lens unit, f4: a composite focal length of the fourth lens unit, fW: a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit) are satisfied. |
| US08611016B2 |
Zoom lens system, interchangeable lens apparatus and camera system
A zoom lens system comprising a plurality of movable lens units which individually move along an optical axis at the time of zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit during image taking, wherein at least two of the movable lens units are focusing lens units which move along the optical axis at the time of focusing from an infinity in-focus condition to a close-object in-focus condition in at least one zooming position, and among the focusing lens units, a lens unit having the absolute value, which is not the greatest absolute value, of a wobbling value at a wide-angle limit is a wobbling lens unit which senses a moving direction of the focusing lens units at the time of focusing by wobbling itself in a direction along the optical axis; an interchangeable lens apparatus; and a camera system are provided. |
| US08611014B2 |
Optical waveguide and display device
In a slab waveguide which expands an image-bearing pupil into a visible image, reflective edge surfaces are used to redirect once-diffracted light back through the same grating structure. The number of separate grating structures thereby can be reduced to two or even one, compared to three in the prior art. |
| US08611013B2 |
Optical integrator, illumination optical device, aligner, and method for fabricating device
An optical integrator is able to keep down a light-quantity loss in modified illumination with an illumination optical apparatus. An optical integrator of a wavefront division type according to the present invention has a plurality of refracting surface regions which refract incident light, and a plurality of deflecting surface regions provided corresponding to the plurality of refracting surface regions and adapted for changing a traveling direction of the incident light. The plurality of refracting surface regions include a plurality of first refracting surface regions includes an arcuate contour with the center projecting in a first direction, and a plurality of second refracting surface regions includes an arcuate contour with the center projecting in a second direction. |
| US08611009B2 |
Optical device, manufacturing method thereof, and method of manufacturing master
An optical device that has an antireflection function includes: a base; and a plurality of structural bodies, which are formed by convex portions or concave portions, arranged on a surface of the base with a fine pitch that is equal to or smaller than a wavelength of visible light. The plurality of structural bodies are arranged so as to form tracks of a plurality of rows on the surface of the base and form a quasi-hexagonal lattice pattern, a tetragonal lattice pattern, or a quasi-tetragonal lattice pattern, and a packing ratio of the structural bodies to the surface of the base is equal to or higher than 65%. |
| US08611008B2 |
Optical system capable of enhancing specific polarization state of light and light source system including same
An optical system capable of enhancing a specific polarization state of light beam comprises a polarization beam splitter and a polarization state converter. The polarization beam splitter separates an input light beam into a first light beam of first polarization state and a second light beam of second polarization state. The first polarization state is different from the second polarization state. The second light beam is input into the polarization state converter and converted to a third light beam having significantly much more components of first polarization state. The polarization state converter has a configuration providing total reflection or high reflection function. The configuration includes at least one anisotropic optical thin film that is disposed between an incident medium of high refractive index and a medium of low refractive index. |
| US08611006B2 |
Systems for three-dimensional viewing and projection
Systems for three-dimensional viewing and projection aimed at full-color flat-screen binocular stereoscopic viewing without the use of eyeglasses for the viewer. According to the invention, light emanating from a display or projected thereat presenting a left image and a right image is directed only to the appropriate left or right eyes of at least one viewer using various combinations of light polarizing layers and layers of light rotating means. |
| US08611005B2 |
Compensation for self-scattering on concave screens
Projection systems and methods handle images to be viewable on a concave surface, wherein the projected image is modified to account for surface-to-surface reflections due to the concave surface, by determining geometric surface parameters, determining the ideal image, determining a model for reflected light that is a result of surface-to-surface reflections given the ideal image, wherein the model is expressible in closed form, determining a compensation image to compensate for at least some of the surface-to-surface reflections, taking into account at least the ideal image and the reflected light, and combining the compensation image and the ideal image to form a projectable image that can be projected onto a surface having the determined geometric parameters. The surface can be defined by a portion of an interior of a sphere and the reflection of a given pixel can be modeled as a constant over the concave surface. |
| US08611003B2 |
Double clad fiber laser device
Provided is a double clad fiber device. The double clad fiber device includes a double clad fiber, a pump combiner, at least one first laser diode, and at least one second laser diode. The double clad fiber includes a core and a clad. The pump combiner provides pump light to the core and the clad through one end of the double clad fiber, respectively. The at least one first laser diode provides first pump light to the clad through the pump combiner. The at least one second laser diode provides second pump light to the core through the pump combiner. |
| US08611002B2 |
Optical fiber lasers and amplifiers and methods for providing optical gain
The present invention relates generally to devices for the generation and amplification of electromagnetic energy. The present invention relates more particularly to optical fiber devices, such as lasers and amplifiers, useful for generating and amplifying optical energy. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is an optical fiber device for providing optical gain at a selected wavelength, the optical fiber device comprising: one or more sources of optical pump energy; a first length of optical fiber having a core comprising a first cross-sectional region within which the concentration of a rare earth does not fall below 50% of its highest concentration; and a second length of optical fiber comprising a core comprising a first cross-sectional region within which the concentration of the rare earth does not fall below 50% of its highest concentration, wherein the intensity of optical pump energy is higher in the first length of optical fiber than in the second, and the first cross-sectional region of the core of the second length of optical fiber is larger in area than the first cross-sectional region of the core of the first length of optical fiber. |
| US08610999B2 |
Display element, display apparatus and fabricating method of the display element
A display element, a display apparatus and a fabricating method of a display element are provided. The display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a display medium layer. The display medium layer is disposed between a first electrode layer of the first substrate and a second electrode layer of the second substrate. The display medium layer has a plurality of display elements. Each display element includes a colorized capsule, a fluid and a plurality of particles. The fluid and the particles are disposed in the colorized capsule, and the particles are charged. The fabricating method of a display element is coloring a capsule of a display element with dye to form a colorized capsule. |
| US08610996B2 |
Tunable multiple laser pulse scanning microscope and method of operating the same
A tunable multiple laser pulse scanning microscope and a method of operating the same is described, applying two pulsed laser beams with distinct wavelengths incident on a scanning spot of a sample to be imaged simultaneously or at a specific time delay. The microscope comprises at least two pulsed laser light sources emitting laser light of distinct wavelengths, an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) for tuning at least one of the laser pulses, a delay stage provided upstream of the AOTF, and an actuator for moving delay stage depending on the time delay. As a result, the wavelength of at least one type of pulses is tuned, and the delay between at least two pulses of distinct wavelengths is adjusted. |
| US08610995B2 |
Occasional calibration phase-difference modulation for sagnac interferometer
An occasional calibration waveform is used to, first, make an interferometer sensitive to small changes in Sagnac phase difference due to rotating the gyroscope (this is commonly referred to as biasing the interferometer); second, supply a feedback phase difference to keep the interferometer sensitive to small changes in rotation rate; and third, supply the calibration modulation necessary to keep the digital electronics calibrated with respect to the Sagnac phase difference being measured. |
| US08610991B2 |
Electrochromic material and electrochromic device including the same
An electrochromic compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1: Also disclosed is an electrochromic device including the electrochromic compound. |
| US08610988B2 |
Electro-optic display with edge seal
An electro-optic display (100) comprises a backplane (102); an electro-optic layer (112) adjacent the backplane (102), the electro-optic layer (112) being smaller than the backplane (102) so as to leave a peripheral portion of the backplane extending beyond the edges of the electro-optic layer (112); and a protective layer (118) disposed on the opposed side of the electro-optic layer (112) from the backplane (102), a peripheral portion of the protective layer (118) extending beyond the edges of the electro-optic layer and being adhered (at 120) to the backplane (102). |
| US08610987B2 |
Optical device, optical scanner, and image forming apparatus
An optical device includes: an axis member including a plate-shaped attachment portion and an elastic support portion that swingably supports the attachment portion around a predetermined axis; a rigid member attached to one side of the attachment portion; and a light reflecting member attached to the other side of the attachment portion and having an area larger than that of the attachment portion. |
| US08610985B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
A disclosed optical scanning device includes a light source unit configured to emit a laser beam; an oscillating mirror configured to deflect the laser beam from the light source unit; a scanning/imaging optical system configured to focus the deflected laser beam on a target surface; and plural light-receiving elements configured to receive the laser beam in a scanning area of the laser beam, the position of the oscillating mirror being adjusted such that time intervals between output pulses in output signals of the respective light-receiving elements become substantially the same between the light-receiving elements and/or widths of the output pulses become substantially the same between the light-receiving elements. |
| US08610982B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image reader that covers an image recorded material placed on a reading surface with an openable cover plate so as to press thereof and optically reads an image of the image recorded material, an image output unit that forms an image on a recording sheet and outputs the image, a detecting unit that detects an opened/closed state of the cover plate when the image output unit forms a gradation test image on the recording sheet, the recording sheet having the gradation test image formed thereon is placed on the reading surface of the image reader, and an operation of reading the gradation test image is performed, and a gradation correction unit that conducts a gradation correction of the image forming apparatus based on an image read by the image reader when the detecting unit detects the closed state of the cover plate. |
| US08610981B2 |
Device, method, and computer-readable storage medium for correcting tone in an image
Disclosed is an image processing device comprising: a storage part to store a target value set for each tone value in a plurality of colors; a measurement value information obtaining part to obtain measurement value information, the measurement value information comprising a measurement value of a density at each of a plurality of measurement positions in a main and a sub-scanning directions; a correction target value calculation part to correct the target value based on color mixture proportion information where a proportion of the colors is set, and to calculate a correction target value; a correction value calculation part to calculate a correction value of the density at each measurement position, which is calculated based on the correction target value and the measurement value information; and a correction part to correct a density value of each pixel in image data, based on the correction value. |
| US08610980B2 |
Table generating apparatus, table generating method, image processing apparatus, and image processing method
There is provided an image copying apparatus provided with a scanner and a printer, the image copying apparatus comprising: an obtaining unit which obtains image data by causing the scanner to scan an image of an original; a correction unit which performs correction processing that adds, to saturation, a value corresponding to a difference between lightness before and after performing predetermined editing processing on the image data, with respect to a region where a correction is performed designated near the maximum saturation of a color gamut of the printer; and a control unit which causes the printer to print the image data corrected by the correction unit. |
| US08610978B2 |
Document reading apparatus
A document reading apparatus includes a white LED including an LED and a fluorescent material and configured to illuminate a document reading position with light, a reading unit having a color line sensor and a monochrome line sensor and configured to read an image of a document illuminated with the light emitted from the white LED, and a filter arranged on an optical path between the monochrome line sensor and the document, and wherein the filter is configured to suppress transmission of light at a peak wavelength of the LED so that, regarding an intensity of light to be received on the monochrome line sensor, the intensity of the light at the peak wavelength of the LED is smaller than the intensity of the light at the peak wavelength of the fluorescent material when the light emitted from the LED is received. |
| US08610974B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus may include a main unit and a cover unit pivotally attached to the main unit. The cover unit may include an image reading device configured to read an image of a document along a conveying path. The image reading device may include a contact image sensor, a sensor holder to hold the contact image sensor, an urging member, and a shock absorber. The contact image sensor is disposed below the conveying path. The sensor holder has an open top boxed shape and holds the contact image sensor in position inside. The urging member is disposed in an inner bottom surface of the sensor holder to urge the contact image sensor toward the conveying path. The shock absorber is disposed between a bottom surface of the contact image sensor and the inner bottom surface of the sensor holder, and is made of a porous material. |
| US08610972B2 |
Optical system for a scanner including a light source for illuminating a target area and a plurality of mirrors positioned to receive a light beam
An optical system for a scanner according to one example embodiment includes a light source for illuminating a target area and a plurality of mirrors that includes a first mirror positioned to receive a light beam traveling along a first optical path and to reflect the beam along a second optical path. A second mirror receives the beam traveling along the second optical path and reflects the beam along a third optical path. A third mirror receives the beam traveling along the third optical path and reflects the beam along a fourth optical path. A fourth mirror receives the beam traveling along the fourth optical path and reflects the beam along a fifth optical path. A fifth mirror receives the beam traveling along the fifth optical path and reflects the beam along a sixth optical path. An image sensor receives the beam and senses an image of the target area. |
| US08610971B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus that forms an image includes: a photosensitive element; an optical scanning device that includes a light source, and scans a surface of the photosensitive element in a main scanning direction with light emitted from the light source to form a latent image; a developing unit that develops the latent image; a photosensitive element period detecting sensor that detects a rotation period of the photosensitive element; a density sensor that detects a density variation of an image developed by the developing unit, in a sub scanning direction; and a processing device that corrects a driving signal of the light source according to the image information, based on an output signal of the density sensor and an output signal of the photosensitive element period detecting sensor. |
| US08610968B2 |
Document illuminating system and image reader including the same
A document illuminating system includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in an array, a reflective element which guides light emitted from the light emitting elements to a document read area of a certain width and length. The reflective element includes first to third reflective portions. The second reflective portion includes one or more planar reflective faces and is disposed so that the reflective faces reflect light from the light emitting elements to one or both of the first and third reflective portions without other reflective elements. The first and third reflective portions each include one or more planar reflective faces and are disposed so that their reflective faces oppositely illuminate the document read area together by reflecting light from one or both of the light emitting elements and the second reflective portion to the document read area without other reflective elements. |
| US08610967B2 |
Illumination apparatus and image reading apparatus including the same
According to one embodiment, illumination apparatus including, first light source module which includes light-emitting module that emits light, light-emitting module having line shape, and first reflection member which includes first reflection surface that reflects light emitted from light-emitting module of first light source module for predetermined range, wherein first reflection surface has cross section that has zigzag line shape including plurality of line segments running along standard oval, which has major axis that forms predetermined angle with direction perpendicular to predetermined range, in direction perpendicular to longitudinal direction of light-emitting module of first light source module. |
| US08610952B2 |
Printing control device and printing control program
Provided is a printing control device capable of: a reception process of receiving designation of a printing medium; an adjustment process of adjusting a printing apparatus in accordance with a printing result of a first test pattern; a color conversion table generation process of generating a color conversion table for the designated printing medium; and a profile generation process of generating a device profile of the printing apparatus on the basis of a colorimetric value of a second test pattern by performing color conversion on data, which represents the second test pattern, through the color conversion table, and by causing the printing apparatus to print the second test pattern. |
| US08610949B2 |
Color facsimile apparatus
According to one embodiment, a color facsimile apparatus includes a printer portion that performs color print and monochrome print of a received image of a color facsimile signal transmitted from a certain outgoing listed number, an outgoing detecting portion that receives the facsimile signal to detect the outgoing listed number, an image determination portion that determines whether the received image of the facsimile signal is a color image or a monochrome image, and a color print control portion that compares the outgoing listed number to listed numbers on a previously stored white list to restrict the color print of the received image when the outgoing listed number does not exist in the listed numbers on the white list. |
| US08610947B2 |
Image forming apparatus using logical arithmetic processing and image forming program using logical arithmetic processing
An image processing apparatus includes an interpreting unit that interprets an order of the logical arithmetic processing and a kind of a logical arithmetic processing; and a drawing unit that, in a case of drawing the image information as raster data, draws from an element of an upper-order side in order of the logical arithmetic processing interpreted by the interpreting unit with respect to an area that is interpreted to be processed by a simple overwrite processing for giving priority to an uppermost-order side element as the kind of the logical arithmetic processing, and draws using a calculation sequentially from an element of a lower-order side in order of the logical arithmetic processing interpreted by the interpreting unit with respect to an area that is interpreted to be processed by a logical arithmetic processing for using the calculation as to the overlapped elements as the kind of the logical arithmetic processing. |
| US08610943B2 |
Apparatus, method and program for customizing scanning an image
An image-processing device includes a first image data acquiring unit, a display unit, a display control unit, an area designating unit, an image area setting unit, a margin area setting unit, a second image data acquiring unit, a margin data creating unit, and an image data creating unit. The first image data acquiring unit acquires first image data. The display unit has a display area. The display control unit controls the display unit to display a first image on the display area based on the first image data, the first image occupying a first image area defined within the display area. The area designating unit enables a user to specify his/her desired area as a designated area in the display area. The image area setting unit sets, in the designated area, an image area that is located within the designated area and is located also within the first image area. The margin area setting unit sets, in the designated area, a margin area that is defined as an area other than the image area. The second image data acquiring unit acquires second image data corresponding to the image area. The margin data creating unit creates margin data corresponding to the margin area. The image data creating unit creates output image data by adding the margin data to the second image data. |
| US08610942B2 |
Discard certification output device, method for outputting discard certificate and computer readable medium
A discard certification output device is installed in one of a document generation apparatus generating a document, a document discard apparatus discarding the document, and a server connected to the document generation apparatus and document discard apparatus, the discard certification output device including: a discard information acquisition unit that acquires information concerning a document discard in the document discard apparatus; and a discard certification output unit that converts the information acquired by the discard information acquisition unit into a visible image in a predetermined format and outputs the visible image as discard certification. |
| US08610939B2 |
Application delivering system
An application delivering system includes an image forming apparatus that stores list information including plural sets of information, each including an item indicating a function capable of being provided by the image forming apparatus, and ID of an application program which is necessary to use the function in correspondence with the item indicating the function; an information terminal that determines whether it is necessary to obtain the application program to use a desired function of the image forming apparatus selected by a user among the functions indicated by the items included in the list information and sends a request for delivering the application program including ID of the application program to the application delivering server; and an application delivering server that stores application programs in correspondence with ID and delivers the application program identified by the ID included in the request to the information terminal. |
| US08610938B2 |
Remote print preview generation
A print preview is displayed for a printer on a network. A selection of a document to be printed by the printer is accepted, and a request for the selected document is sent from the printer to a remote print preview service. There is a determination of whether the printer supports a native print preview function capable of displaying a visually acceptable print preview on a display unit of the printer. If the printer supports such a native print preview function, the printer requests the remote print preview service to generate a native print preview compatible with the capabilities of the printer and to transmit the generated native print preview to the printer. If the printer does not support such a native print preview function, the printer requests the remote print preview service to generate a print preview for an alternate display device, and to transmit the generated print preview to the alternate display device. |
| US08610936B2 |
Communication controlling method, computer readable medium, and communication device
A method to control a communication device to communicate with a first external device in a first communication method and with a second external device in a second communication method is provided. The method includes steps of determining prior to communicating in the first communication method whether the communication device is under an ongoing communication session in the second communication method, executing one of switching the communication methods in the communication device from the second communication method to the first communication method when the communication device is not under any ongoing communication session in the second communication method and maintaining the second communication method set in the communication device when the communication device is under an ongoing communication session, and communicating with the first external device in the first communication method after switching the communication methods from the second communication method to the first communication method. |
| US08610931B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus includes a generation unit configured to determine, when a user inputs the number of images to be laid out on one side of a print sheet and an image magnification rate with an input operation via an input screen, an image size based on an image reduction rate for laying out the input number of images on the print sheet and the input image magnification rate, and generate print data for laying out images having the determined size on one side of the print sheet. |
| US08610927B2 |
Walk-up printing without drivers
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that supports printing from a computing device. During operation, the system uses a discovery protocol to identify printers that can be accessed by the computing device. Next, the system receives a selection of a printer that can be accessed by the computing device. The system then generates printer data for the print job. This can be accomplished in a number of ways. The system can use a driverless printing technique, which involves obtaining printer capability information from the selected printer and generating printer data for the selected printer based on the printer capability information. Alternatively, the system can use a printer-specific driver for the selected printer to generate the printer data. The system can also send the print job to a cloud, which includes one or more servers that provide a printing service, so that the cloud can generate the printer data. Finally, the system sends the generated printer data to the printer. |
| US08610926B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program for determining suitability of printing content data displayed on a display apparatus
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a detection unit configured to detect approach or contact of a printing apparatus relative to a display apparatus, a first acquisition unit configured to acquire information about a print attribute of the printing apparatus detected by the detection unit, a second acquisition unit configured to acquire attribute information about content data to be displayed on the display apparatus, and a determination unit configured to determine suitability of printing the content data in the printing apparatus, based on the information about the print attribute of the printing apparatus and the attribute information about the content data. |
| US08610919B2 |
Image forming apparatus, control method and control program therefor
There is provided an image forming apparatus that is connected to a plurality of other image forming apparatuses via a network, including a function presenting unit that presents required functions of a job to be transferred from the image forming apparatus a transfer destination candidate presenting unit that retrieves, from among the a plurality of other image forming apparatuses, an image forming apparatus that supports the required functions of the transferred job by comparing the required functions of the transferred job and a function supported by the other image forming apparatuses, and presents the retrieved apparatus and a transfer destination candidate re-presenting unit that presents another image forming apparatus that supports the remaining required functions when one or more of the required functions of the transferred job are de-selected. |
| US08610918B2 |
Management apparatus and image forming apparatus for part replacement based on operation mode
A management server receives a notification from an image forming apparatus as to an operation mode of the image forming apparatus in response to an operation performed by a service person. The management server detects a status change in the image forming apparatus from the received notification. The management server then produces a replacement part list in accordance with management information stored in the management server and in accordance with the notified operation mode of the image forming apparatus and the detected status change. The management server transmits the produced replacement part list to the image forming apparatus. |
| US08610916B2 |
Image forming device, image forming method and storage medium for tracking a user, even when an image is prohibited from being output
Even when an image output is prohibited, an image forming device, an image forming method and a program are provided that can track an evidence of attempt to perform the image output. Output prohibition information and tracking information for tracking a user are acquired from an image of a scan document. The image output of the scan document is prohibited according to the acquired output prohibition information, and the acquired tracking information is stored as a log. |
| US08610915B2 |
Printing apparatus and printing system for allotting electric energy usage
An image processing apparatus includes: an image processing unit that executes an image process in accordance with an instruction by a user; an accumulating unit that accumulates electric energy consumed in a preparation process of the image processing unit for each user; and a control unit which, if the image processing unit is made usable by the preparation process and executes image processes in accordance with a plurality of instructions by a plurality of users, controls the accumulating unit to allot and accumulate the electric energy for each of the plurality of users. |
| US08610911B2 |
Printing device, printing system, printing control method and recording medium
A conversion unit converts a command part of an image inclusion command into an internal command. A first memory unit stores an image non-inclusion command and the internal command converted by the conversion unit. A second memory unit stores an image data part of the image inclusion command. A restart page number memory unit stores restart page number information when a print process being executed is interrupted in order to execute an interruption print process. When restarting the interrupted print process, a control unit executes control to read out the internal command and the image non-inclusion command stored in the first memory unit up to the page indicated by the restart page number information, and from the page indicated by the restart page number, further executes control to read out from the second memory unit the image data part following the internal command read out from the first memory unit. |
| US08610909B2 |
Information processing apparatus, process control method, and program for scheduling a plurality of processes arranged in a recognizable manner
A workflow scheduler is provided in which highly correlated processes are scheduled so as to be continuously executed. The workflow scheduler analyzes an input print order, divides the print order into a plurality of processes to carry out the print order, arranges a schedule of the plurality of processes divided, groups a set of processes together from the plurality of processes into which the print order is divided according to grouping attributes of the plurality of processes, the set of processes being associated with each other by the grouping attributes, outputs the plurality of processes whose schedule is arranged by the schedule arranging unit in a recognizable manner, and arranges the schedule of the plurality of processes such that the set of processes is capable of being executed continuously. |
| US08610908B2 |
Generation of output data processable by data outputting apparatus without needing apparatus information in advance
An information processing apparatus includes a data requesting unit configured to request the data outputting apparatus to provide output condition setting screen data for displaying an output condition setting screen, a screen display unit configured to receive the output condition setting screen data sent from the data outputting apparatus and to display the output condition setting screen based on the output condition setting screen data, a setting information storing unit configured to store output condition setting information that is set on the output condition setting screen displayed by the screen display unit, and an output data generating unit configured to generate output data processable by the data outputting apparatus in response to the output condition setting information stored in the storage apparatus. |
| US08610905B2 |
Image formation system lock release
An image formation system, which is provided with a first storage configured to store initial setting containing information, includes at least one setting item, necessary for an image formation, a second storage configured to store a lock setting which locks modification of the at least one setting item of the initial setting, an acquiring system configured to acquire release of the lock setting when a file subject to the image formation is selected, an image formation device configured to form an image on a printing sheet, the image formation device forming the image in accordance with the initial setting stored in the first storage and the at least one setting item of which the release of the lock setting is acquired by the acquiring system and modification is made, and a re-setting system configured to invalidate the modification of the at least one setting item and validate the lock setting. |
| US08610902B2 |
Apparatus and method for inspecting an object with increased depth of field
An apparatus for measuring a height of an object plane or multiple points on an object is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an imaging system having a focal plane passing through a focal point of the imaging system, wherein the focal plane of the imaging system is tilted at an oblique angle with respect to the object plane such that only a small portion of the object is in focus. Alternatively, the focal plane is tilted at an oblique angle with respect to a scanning direction of the imaging system during relative movement between the imaging system and the object. |
| US08610897B2 |
High-resolution surface plasmon microscope with heterodyne interferometry in radial polarization mode
The present invention relates to a high-resolution scanning surface-plasmon microscope including a source (LG) of coherent light and a medium for coupling and confining a surface plasmon including an objective (O, OM) with a large numerical aperture, immersion oil (Hi), and a glass cover slip (GS). A metal layer (MS) covers a surface of the glass cover slip (GS). The microscope also includes a heterodyne-mode Twyman-Green interferometer placed between the light source and means (PL1, PL2, EC) for scanning the metal layer using a light beam and means (PD) for detecting the beam from the interferometer connected to processing means (S, F, DTec, COMP) for forming an image from that beam. According to the invention, at least one polarization converter (CP) for converting the light beams (L) emitted by the light source (LG) from linear polarization to radial polarization is disposed between the light source and the interferometer. |
| US08610894B2 |
Dryness fraction measuring device and dryness fraction measuring method
The provision of a dryness fraction measuring device includes a light-emitting body for irradiating moist steam with light of a plurality of wavelengths; a light-receiving element for receiving light of the plurality of wavelengths that has traversed the moist steam; and a dryness fraction calculating device for calculating the dryness fraction of the moist steam based on the received light intensity at each of the plurality of wavelengths. |
| US08610892B2 |
Analyzation instrument
Various optical apparatus, in particular embodiments, may provide a source of parallel light (7, 75). The parallel light (7, 75) may be generally achieved by directing an incident beam at the apex of a prism (1, 22, 24, 26, 28). The prism may have varying configurations. One configuration has a forward conical face (24). Another configuration has a pyramidal forward end (22). Other configurations are also disclosed. Various optical methods and methods for flow cytometry are also disclosed. |
| US08610891B2 |
Gantry apparatus
A gantry apparatus includes a structure to couple and support an optical system has enhanced rigidity, which minimizes deformation of the structure even if a plurality of optical systems is coupled to the structure. The gantry apparatus includes an optical system, a drive device to drive the optical system, and a structure to couple and support the drive device. The structure includes a plurality of first plates arranged parallel to one another, and a plurality of second plates intersecting the plurality of first plates to define receptive corridors, each of which receives the drive device. |
| US08610890B2 |
Arrangement and method for measuring the deformation of a shaft
A method for measuring deformation of a shaft by a device includes illuminating a pattern applied on the shaft before the deformation is applied; and detecting a first reference position by detecting the radiation reflected by the pattern, after the deformation is applied illuminating the pattern and detecting a second reference position by detecting the radiation reflected by the pattern. Based on the distance between the first and the second reference positions, the shaft circumferential deformation and/or torque is determined. |
| US08610889B2 |
Automated optical inspection device and calibration method thereof
The present invention discloses an automated optical inspection device and a calibration method thereof. The automated optical inspection device has a machine table and a camera. The machine table has a first fixing base for placing a product plate and a second fixing base for placing a standard plate, and the second fixing base is disposed above the first fixing base. The camera is disposed above the machine table and is used to move upward a predetermined distance at a predetermined time and then scan the standard plate on the second fixing base to achieve calibration. The present invention automates the calibration process for the automated optical inspection device, so as to reduce overall work time. |
| US08610888B1 |
Light measurement system
A light measurement system measures light characteristics of a plurality of light sources and includes a processing unit, a plurality of capturing modules, a plurality of signal conversion units, and a demultiplexing unit. The processing unit generates a control signal for controlling the capturing modules to capture the light characteristics of the light sources. After capturing the light characteristics, the capturing modules output captured frequency-related data corresponding to the light characteristics respectively. Then, the capture frequency-related data are converted into capture bit codes by the signal conversion units respectively. Under the control of the processing unit, the demultiplexing unit selectively sends the capture bit code of each of the signal conversion units to the processing unit. Accordingly, the light measurement system measures the light sources synchronously and allows the demultiplexing unit to send the capture bit code of any one of the light sources to the processing unit. |
| US08610887B1 |
Method for testing optical fiber connector
A method for testing if an optical fiber is precisely positioned on a jumper is provided. The jumper includes a main body defining a through hole. The optical fiber is positioned in the main body and has a coupling end inserting through the first through hole. A testing device including a slat defining a second through hole is provided. A diameter of the second through hole is equal to a sum of a diameter of the first through hole and the position tolerance of the optical fiber. The testing device is located on the jumper such that the second through hole is aligned with the first through hole. It is determined that the optical fiber is precisely positioned on the jumper if all of the coupling end is seen through the second through hole along a depth direction. |
| US08610886B2 |
Long distance optical fiber sensing system and method
A long-distance fiber optic monitoring system having a sensing unit and an analyzer that is remotely located from the sensing unit is provided. The sensing unit comprises a source of optical energy for injecting optical energy into the fiber optical cable and an optical detector configured to detect an optical return signal from the optical fiber. The detected optical return signal is associated with an acoustic signal impinging on the optical fiber. The analyzer receives a signal from the remote sensing unit via the optical fiber that is representative of the optical return signal, and determines a location of a disturbance based at least on the received signal. The representative signal can be transmitted from the remote sensing unit to the analyzer as an optical signal or via a metallic wired included with the optical fiber. |
| US08610877B2 |
Imaging optical system and projection exposure installation for microlithography with an imaging optical system of this type
An imaging optical system has a plurality of mirrors, which via a beam path for imaging light, image an object field in an object plane into an image field in an image plane. The imaging optical system has an exit pupil obscuration. At least one of the mirrors has no opening for passage of the imaging light. The fourth to last mirror in the beam path is concave, resulting in an imaging optical system having improved imaging properties without compromise in throughput. |
| US08610876B2 |
Reflective optical element, projection system, and projection exposure apparatus
For the use in illumination systems and projection exposure apparatuses for UV or EUV lithography, a reflective optical element is provided for a operating wavelength in the ultraviolet to extreme ultraviolet wavelength ranges. The reflective optical element includes a substrate and a reflective surface on the substrate. The multilayer system has layers of at least two alternating materials having different real parts of the refractive index at the operating wavelength. Radiation in the operating wavelength of a certain incident angle bandwidth distribution can impinge on the reflective optical element. The reflective surface includes one or more first portions, in which the layers have alternating materials of a first period thickness. The reflective surface includes one or more additional portions, in which the layers of alternating materials have a first period thickness and at least one additional period thickness. The arrangement of the first and additional portions across the reflective surface is adapted to the incident angle bandwidth distribution. Furthermore, a projection system and a projection exposure apparatus including such a reflective optical element are suggested. |
| US08610873B2 |
Immersion lithography apparatus and method having movable liquid diverter between immersion liquid confinement member and substrate
An immersion lithography apparatus includes a projection system having a final optical element and a stage that is movable to a position below the projection system such that a gap exists between the final optical element and a surface of the stage. An immersion liquid fills the gap between the surface and the final optical element. A liquid confinement member maintains the immersion liquid in the gap. The immersion liquid has a meniscus where the liquid contacts ambient gas, the meniscus defining a footprint of an immersion area. A movable liquid diverter is positioned between the liquid confinement member and the stage. The movable liquid diverter moves relative to the liquid confinement member in a direction parallel to the surface of the stage, and includes an opening that surrounds the immersion area, the opening contacting or being slightly spaced from the immersion area when the stage is stationary. |
| US08610870B2 |
Air-cooling apparatus and display device having the same
An air-cooling apparatus which cools an imaging unit with a plurality of LCD panels and a polarizer assembly includes a cooling fan, and a cooling duct which directs air expelled from the cooling fan onto the plurality of LCD panels and the polarizer assembly, and the cooling duct includes a plurality of channels corresponding to the plurality of LCD panels, and at least two channels from among the plurality of channels are bent in a vertical direction. |
| US08610869B2 |
Flat display panel comprising a plurality of signal lines connected to a plurality of electrodes disposed along a periphery of a display area wherein the purality of signals lines has one segment extending along a first direction and one segment extending along a second direction
A flat display panel includes an array substrate and a color filter substrate facing each other. Multiple first electrodes and second electrodes are formed on the array substrate. The first electrodes receive scan signals transmitted from a driving circuit, and each of the second electrodes is connected to a corresponding scan line. Multiple signal lines are formed on the color filter substrate and in an active display area. Besides, multiple third electrodes and forth electrodes are formed on the color filter substrate. Each of the third electrodes is electrically connected to a corresponding forth electrode by a corresponding signal line, each of the third electrodes is electrically connected to a corresponding first electrode, and each of the forth electrodes is electrically connected to a corresponding second electrode. |
| US08610866B2 |
Liquid crystal display
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display including a pixel electrode including a first subpixel electrode and a second subpixel electrode spaced apart with a gap therebetween, a common electrode facing the pixel electrode, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode and including a plurality of liquid crystal molecules. The first and second subpixel electrodes include a plurality of branches, and each of the first and second subpixel electrodes includes a plurality of subregions. The branches extend in different directions in different subregions. |
| US08610862B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and electronic appliance
A pixel electrode or a common electrode is a light-transmissive conductive film; therefore, it is formed of ITO conventionally. Accordingly, the number of manufacturing steps and masks, and manufacturing cost have been increased. An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device, a liquid crystal display device, and an electronic appliance each having a wide viewing angle, less numbers of manufacturing steps and masks, and low manufacturing cost compared with a conventional device. A semiconductor layer of a transistor, a pixel electrode, and a common electrode of a liquid crystal element are formed in the same step. |
| US08610861B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
In a liquid crystal display device of an IPS system, to realize reduction of manufacturing cost and improvement of yield by decreasing the number of steps for manufacturing a TFT. A channel etch type bottom gate TFT structure, where patterning of a source region and a drain region and patterning of a source wiring and a pixel electrode are carried out by the same photomask. |
| US08610859B2 |
Liquid crystal display device associated with touch panel and method for fabricating the same
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device associated with a touch panel, the device includes a liquid crystal panel having opposite first and second substrates, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates, a plurality of driving electrodes arranged on an outer surface of the second substrate in one direction spaced from one another, a first polarizing plate formed on the outer surface of the second substrate including the driving electrodes, a third substrate opposite to the first polarizing plate, and a plurality of sensing electrodes formed on a surface of the third substrate opposite to the first polarizing plate perpendicular to the driving electrodes spaced from one another. |
| US08610858B2 |
Thin film transistor array panel and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display device that is in a normally black mode where a screen is black when a voltage difference between a first insulating substrate and a second insulating substrate is zero, wherein a column spacer is positioned between the two substrates and the column spacer is in contact with a common voltage conductor pattern formed on the first insulating substrate and a common electrode formed on the second insulating substrate, such that a voltage difference between the common voltage conductor pattern and the common electrode is zero. |
| US08610856B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first gate line, a second gate line, a common line, a first electrode, an insulation film, and a second electrode. The common line includes a first edge, which has a non-linear shape and is formed at a first distance from the first gate line, and a second edge, which is formed at a second distance, which is shorter than the first distance, from the second gate line. The first electrode is disposed between the first gate line and the second gate line and put in contact with the common line. The insulation film is disposed above the first electrode. The second electrode is disposed above the insulation film, opposed to the first electrode, extending immediately above the first edge of the common line, and having a slit formed therein. |
| US08610853B2 |
Methods of fabricating optical elements on substrates and related devices
In a method of fabricating an optical element, an alignment surface is photolithographically patterned using a birefringent mask having a holographic pattern therein to create an alignment condition in the alignment surface based on the holographic pattern. A layer is formed on the alignment surface such that local optical axes of the layer are oriented according to the alignment condition in the alignment surface. For example, the layer may be a liquid crystal layer having respective molecular axes aligned according to the alignment condition. Related fabrication methods and polarization gratings are also discussed. |
| US08610846B2 |
Display device with stacked polarizers
An object of the present invention is to provide a display device having a high contrast ratio by a simple and easy method. Another object of the present invention is to manufacture such a display device having a high contrast ratio at low cost. The present invention relates to a display device including a first substrate; a second substrate; a layer including a display element, wherein the layer including the display element is interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and stacked polarizers on the outer side of the first substrate or the second substrate. The stacked polarizers are arranged to be in a parallel Nicols state and the wavelength distributions of the extinction coefficients of the stacked polarizers are different from each other. |
| US08610838B2 |
Display device having particular barrier portion
An electronic image device includes a display unit that displays an image; and a barrier portion disposed over the display unit and configured to control transmission of the image to a user. The barrier portion includes a first substrate and a second substrate opposing each other to define a space in which interception portions and lens portions are to be alternately disposed. The barrier portion further includes a common electrode disposed over one surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first electrode disposed at a region corresponding to each of the interception portions, and a second electrode including a plurality of sub-electrodes and disposed at a region corresponding to each of the lens portions. |
| US08610836B2 |
Electronic display device
An electronic display device includes a storage device for storing an image file, a display screen for showing the image file, a positive evaluation button, and a statistical program. The electronic display device is in communication with a social website. When the positive evaluation button is pressed down, a positive evaluation signal is generated. The statistical program has a preset evaluation threshold value. The statistical program generates an evaluation value according to the positive evaluation signal. If the evaluation value is greater than or equal to the evaluation threshold value, the image file is transmitted to the social website. |
| US08610832B2 |
System and method for broadcast station adjacency
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for broadcasting signals. The system includes a supplemental antenna at a first location co-located with a main antenna transmitting a main signal. The supplemental antenna is physically separate from a main antenna at the same location and transmits a supplementary signal adjacent to the main signal which matches or corresponds to a remote signal transmitted from an antenna at a remote location. The system transmits the supplemental signal at sufficient power to overcome interference in a coverage hole of the remote signal caused by the main signal. A supplemental antenna co-located with the main antenna can transmit the supplemental signal. The system can receive a supplemental signal that matches a remote signal, pass the supplemental signal through a same power amplifier and filter as a local main signal, and broadcast via an antenna both the main signal and the supplemental signal. |
| US08610830B2 |
Video rotation method and device
A media processing system with an improved method and device for rotating a video image is provided. Embodiments of the media processing system include a video decoder with the ability to output decoded video in a landscape or portrait orientation. In some embodiments, the video output orientation is based on the physical orientation of the display as indicated by an electronic sensor. |
| US08610827B2 |
Direct IPTV distribution
The invention defines a method for leveraging the standard conditional access module interface of a digital TV receiver to deliver IPTV or other TV content without the need of a set top box. An IP-connected interface (“probe”) is used in place of a conditional access module to establish a two-way communication link between the TV and the IPTV headend or other IP content source and to deliver IP content. In an embodiment, the invention covers the specifics of content navigation without requiring any modification of the TV receiver application software or provisioning of IPTV-specific software. Content navigation is achieved by supporting a catalog/grid browsing session on the TV receiver and enabling a flat multiplex navigation, a virtual MPEG multiplex that contains the definition of several available programs but a single video and audio channel is dynamically switched to carry the selected program. |
| US08610822B2 |
Camera alignment and mounting structures
An electronic device may be provided with a housing. A camera module may be mounted within the housing. The housing may have a camera window with which a lens in the camera module is aligned. To rotationally and laterally align the camera module with respect to the camera window and the electronic device housing, an alignment structure may be mounted to the housing in alignment with the camera window and housing. The alignment structure may be formed form a ring-shaped structure with an opening. The alignment structures may have sidewalls that form an alignment groove for the camera module. The camera window may be formed from a circular opening in a layer of opaque material deposited on a transparent housing member such as a planar layer of glass. During the process, a laser tool may be used to trim the opening in the opaque material. |
| US08610821B2 |
Imaging device and method for controlling power of imaging device
An imaging device according to the present invention comprises: an imaging section photoelectrically converting an object image and outputting image data; a display section displaying the object image based on the image data; an acceleration sensor section detecting vibration in at least one direction among a plurality of directions of a camera; a determination section continuously determining an output equal to or greater than a gravity force by means of the acceleration sensor section; and a power supply control section supplying power to the imaging section upon detection of an output equal to or greater than the gravity force by the determination section and also upon detection of an attitude change in a vertical direction or the like or a predetermined acceleration when a photographer sets the camera while viewing the display section of the camera. |
| US08610818B2 |
Systems and methods for improving video stutter in high resolution progressive video
Systems and methods for improving video stutter in high resolution progressive video captured with fast exposure times. In a first approach, digital video is captured with fast shutter speeds that cause each frame of the video to be sharp. A motion blur is not captured for objects moving within the frame. The video codec generates motion information that may be utilized to add an artificial motion blur to each frame of the digital video during processing in a digital video pipeline. In a second approach, the lens assembly of the digital camera includes an electronically actuated filter that attenuates the light reaching an image sensor such that the shutter speeds may be decreased in order to capture motion blur. The electronically actuated filter may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) device that is set to a plurality of different transparency levels based on the voltage applied to the LCD device. |
| US08610808B2 |
Color CMOS imager with single photon counting capability
A color imaging device comprises: one or more arrays (10, RA, GA, BA) of color selective photodetectors (R, G, B) configured to acquire a color image of a subject; a set of avalanche photodiode photodetectors (APD) arranged to acquire a luminance image of the subject; and digital image processing circuitry (30) configured to process the acquired color image and the acquired luminance image to generate an output image of the subject. In some embodiments the avalanche photodiode photodetectors are configured to perform photon counting. In some embodiments, the one or more arrays comprise an imaging array (10) including the color-selective photodetectors (R, G, B) distributed across the imaging array with the set of avalanche photodiode photodetectors (APD) interspersed amongst the color-selective photodetectors. |
| US08610807B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, method of manufacturing solid-state imaging device, and electronic equipment
A solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric transformation portion and a micro lens, the micro lens has a first refractive index layer which is a first refractive index and a second refractive index layer which is a second refractive index different from the first refractive index, wherein the micro lens is configured so that a vertical cross section, which is a surface perpendicular to the capturing surface, has a rectangular shape, wherein each of the first refractive index layer and the second refractive index layer are arranged adjacent to each other in a direction along the capturing surface, and an interface between the first refractive index layer and the second refractive index layer in the vertical cross section is formed so as to follow a direction perpendicular to the capturing surface. |
| US08610804B1 |
Gain value interpolation
An apparatus and other embodiments associated with performing interpolations to compute gain values that correct for varying spatial intensity are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes interpolation logic configured to determine a gain value for a pixel in image data for which there is no gain value available in the apparatus. The interpolation logic is configured to determine the gain value by performing an interpolation of related gain values available in the apparatus. The apparatus also includes falloff correction logic configured to apply the gain value to the pixel in the image data. |
| US08610801B2 |
Image processing apparatus including chromatic aberration correcting circuit and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes an image pickup circuit that performs photoelectric conversion on an optical image, and a chromatic aberration correcting circuit that calculates an amount of shift by chromatic aberration based on a linear function to perform chromatic aberration correction on captured image data in accordance with the amount of shift. The chromatic aberration correcting circuit performs the chromatic aberration correction on a first pixel in a first area including an optical center of the captured image data with a first linear function using a distance from the optical center, and performs the chromatic aberration correction on a second pixel in a second area that does not include the optical center and that is different from the first area with a second linear function using the distance from the optical center. |
| US08610799B2 |
Magnifying playback/display
An image sensing apparatus which stores an image signal from an image sensing element and reads out and processes the stored image signal to magnify and display an image on a display device includes a designation unit that designates the magnification ratio of the image to be displayed, a storage unit that stores the magnification ratio designated by the designation unit, and a magnifying processing unit that executes magnifying processing for the stored image signal on the basis of the magnification ratio stored in the storage unit and outputs the image signal to the display device. The magnification ratio stored in the storage unit is updated when a different magnification ratio is designated by the designation unit, and the magnification ratio stored in the storage unit is used for a plurality of images that are sequentially displayed. |
| US08610798B2 |
Zoom lens system, imaging device and camera
A zoom lens system comprises: a negative first lens unit being composed of two lens elements; a positive second lens unit; and a positive third lens unit, wherein the lens units are moved such that an interval between the first lens unit and the second lens unit decreases and an interval between the second lens unit and the third lens unit increases in zooming, so that magnification change is achieved, wherein the first lens unit is composed of a negative first lens element and a positive second lens element, and wherein the condition is satisfied: 0.50 |
| US08610796B2 |
Digital camera capable of continuous shooting
A digital camera of the present invention comprises: an imaging section, a read out section for reading out first image data for still picture storage from the imaging section, a storage section subjecting the first image data to image processing and storing the resultant data, an image data generating section for generating second image data that has fewer pixel data than the first image data, from the first image data, and a detection section for detecting at least one evaluation value based on the second image data, wherein a detection operation of the evaluation value by the detection section is executed in parallel to a still picture storage operation by the storage section. |
| US08610793B2 |
Electronic camera that reduces processing time by performing different processes in parallel
An electronic camera includes: an image-capturing device that captures an image of a subject and generates image data; a first bus to which the image data generated by the image capturing device are output; an image memory that is connected to the first bus and temporarily stores the image data on the first bus; a plurality of image data conversion devices connected to the first bus that individually convert the image data on the first bus; a second bus through which conversion outputs from the plurality of image data conversion devices are provided to individual output destinations; and an adjustment device that performs timing adjustment or multiplexing of a plurality of conversion outputs to ensure that the plurality of conversion outputs do not collide on the second bus. |
| US08610790B2 |
Programmable data readout for an optical sensor
Programmable data readout for optical image sensors is disclosed herein. By way of example, vertical skipping and vertical mixing functionality is provided that is responsive to commands, enabling dynamic selectivity and processing of optical sensor data. A data output control system can be incorporated with or coupled to data readout circuitry of an optical sensor. The output control system comprises a vertical skipping engine that can dynamically select a subset of data for output in response to one or more skipping commands, and a vertical mixing engine that can act upon subsets of data in accordance with processing functions called by respective mixing commands. The disclosure provides simplification of selective data readout and processing for image sensors, potentially reducing design, testing, and maintenance overhead, as well as cost and number of integrated circuit components. |
| US08610788B2 |
Content storage management in cameras
An embodiment of the invention includes a method for managing media files created by a digital camera. More specifically, a content analyzing module tags a media file with one or more location media tags, event media tags, and/or content media tags. The location media tags are indicative of the geographic location where the media file was created. The event media tags are indicative of an event where the media file was created; and, the content media tags are indicative of individual(s) in the media file. A priority analyzing module connected to the content analyzing module determines a priority of the media file based on priority rules and the location media tags, event media tags, and/or the content media tags. A storage management module connected to the priority analyzing module stores the media file based on the determined priority. |
| US08610787B2 |
Camera device including privacy protection method
Camera device includes an imaging unit, a communications unit, an identified area detection unit, and an image data processing unit. The imaging unit images an area in a shooting field to obtain image data. The communications unit communicates with a memory device that stores subject information, and obtains the subject information. The identified area detection unit dynamically detects an identified area corresponding to the subject. The image data processing unit specifies a protected area in the identified area based on the subject information, and applies protection only to the protected area when the subject is a protection target. This structure provides the camera device that generates image data in which a subject to be protected is obscured in an imaged subject. |
| US08610786B2 |
Providing multiple video perspectives of activities through a data network to a remote multimedia server for selective display by remote viewing audiences
Multiple visual perspectives in video of private and public activities including those in public areas such as entertainment venues captured by cameras located near the activities can be transmitted over data networks to a server where video-related data is processed and recorded for selective display by authorized, remote video display devices (e.g., HDTV, set-top boxes, computers, handheld devices) in wired/wireless communication with the server. Users can be registered and authorized to access the server to provide/access video captured by cameras at activities. Wireless handheld devices can selectively retrieve video-related data captured at activities for server storage and subsequent display by video display devices. Captured video/pictures can be organized in a server based on at least one of: activity title, activity time, activity date, activity place, wireless handheld device location at time of video recording, distance from location of interest. Simultaneous display of multiple videos on a display can be synchronized. |
| US08610782B2 |
Broadcast receiving device
A broadcast receiving device includes a receiving component, a comparison component and a drive signal generating component. The receiving component is configured to receive broadcast waves and extract a video signal from the broadcast waves. The comparison component is configured to compare quality of the video signal with a first level. The drive signal generating component is configured to generate a drive signal for displaying video on a display based on the video signal such that at least one of brightness and contrast of the video is reduced by a certain amount when the quality of the video signal is lower than the first level. |
| US08610776B2 |
System for target designation and/or illumination and for air reconnaissance
The invention relates to a system for target designation and/or illumination in a scene, that is designed to be attached to an aircraft comprising one optical path fitted with a matrix sensor forming an image of the scene, each image corresponding to an instantaneous field centered around a line of sight LV, and fitted with a device for deflecting the LV at a determined speed Vd making it possible to carry out a scan in order to perform the target designation and illumination function. The system comprises an additional device for deflecting the LV at a speed Vr making it possible to carry out a counter-scan in order also to perform an air reconnaissance function. |
| US08610773B2 |
CCTV camera housing
A camera housing incorporates a glass window, as an optical port, to improve image quality. The window can be curved or flat. The housing can be dome shaped and can also include metal or plastic along with the glass window. A camera installed in the housing has a field of view that intersects the window. The clear glass window enhances image quality when tilting or zooming the camera. A panning mechanism rotates the camera and housing together. |
| US08610769B2 |
Medical monitor data collection system and method
A system and method for generating results indicative of physiological parameters of a patient and for capturing the results. The capture of the results may include recordation of the results through the use of a camera, while the physiological parameters may be generated through monitoring of a patient or by simulating such monitoring. |
| US08610765B2 |
Imaging apparatus, imaging method, and endoscope apparatus
A head separated type imaging apparatus includes a head unit and a main unit which are separated, the main unit processing an image signal transmitted from the head unit. The main unit includes a first communication unit transmitting/receiving data to/from the head unit via wireless communication, a second communication unit transmitting/receiving data to/from the head unit via wired communication, and a control unit detecting whether the second communication unit is communicable, and continuing, when the first and second communication units are switched based on a detection result therefrom, transmission/reception of the data which is performed before the switching. |
| US08610764B2 |
Shutter glasses repeater
A method, consistent with certain implementations involves at a television remote controller housing that provides a user interface that provides access to controls for television functions and encloses a television remote controller circuit: receiving a 3D shutter glasses synchronization signal; and re-transmitting the shutter glasses synchronization signal. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. |
| US08610763B2 |
Display controller, display control method, program, output device, and transmitter
A display controller includes an extraction unit for extracting a characteristic of at least one of image data and sound data of content; a detection unit for detecting a predetermined scene of the content on the basis of the characteristic extracted by the extraction unit; a reproduction unit for reproducing the content; and a display control unit for displaying an image of the content so as to be recognized as a two-dimensional image when the reproduction position of the content is a position of a section of the predetermined scene detected by the detection unit and displaying an image of the content so as to be recognized as a three-dimensional image when the reproduction position of the content is a position outside the section of the predetermined scene. |
| US08610761B2 |
Systems and methods for optically projecting three-dimensional text, images and/or symbols onto three-dimensional objects
The present invention provides a method whereby the spatial relationship and orientations of one or more three-dimensional objects being illuminated by an optical projector, and the optical projector itself, can be very accurately defined both quickly and easily. The present invention also provides a novel computerized optical projection system whereby three dimensional data when viewed by the human eye projected onto three dimensional objects is not deformed as a result of the non-planar projection surface. The present invention could have many applications in many industries that include entertainment, apparel, marketing, and many others. In one embodiment, the invention provides computerized optical assembly or manufacturing guidance systems, and related methods, that provide step-by-step assembly or manufacturing instructions for instructing technicians how to assemble or manufacture three-dimensional objects or systems, or parts thereof, which may be extremely complex, such as an aircraft, or a part thereof (a vertical stabilizer, or the like), in a very efficient, rapid and accurate manner. The assembly instructions are in the form of calibrated three-dimensional text, images and/or symbols, and are projected by one or a plurality of optical projectors that are in operable communication with one or a plurality of computers onto the three-dimensional objects or systems, or component parts or skins thereof. |
| US08610760B2 |
Method for intensifying identification of three-dimensional objects
A method for intensifying identification of three-dimensional objects identification includes utilizing a left eye camera and a right eye camera to capture a left eye image and a right eye image, calibrating the left eye image and the right eye image to generate a calibrated left eye image and a calibrated right eye image, using the calibrated left eye image and the calibrated right eye image to generate a disparity map, differentiating a three-dimensional object from a background image according to the disparity map, projecting the three-dimensional object onto a plan view, filtering noise out of the plan view to generate a filtered three-dimensional object, determining whether the filtered three-dimensional object contains at least two three-dimensional objects, and separating the at least two three-dimensional objects if the filtered three-dimensional object contains at least two three-dimensional objects. |
| US08610759B2 |
Methods and systems for presenting adjunct content during a presentation of a media content instance
An exemplary method includes an adjunct content presentation system including adjunct content within a first image of a media content instance by setting a pixel value of a first group of pixels included in the first image to be greater than a predetermined neutral pixel value, including the adjunct content within a second image of the media content instance by setting a pixel value of a second group of pixels included in the second image and corresponding to the first group of pixels to be less than the predetermined neutral pixel value, and presenting the first and second images. The respective pixel values are set to result in the adjunct content being perceptible to a first viewer viewing only one of the first and second images and substantially imperceptible to a second viewer viewing both the first and second images. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. |
| US08610758B2 |
Depth map generation for a video conversion system
In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, a process for generating a depth map for converting a two-dimensional (2D) image to a three-dimensional (3D) image is described. The process may include generating a depth gradient map from the 2D image, wherein the depth gradient map is configured to associate one or more edge counts with one or more depth values, extracting an image component from the 2D image, wherein the image component is associated with a color component in a color space, determining a set of gains to adjust the depth gradient map based on the image component, and generating the depth map by performing depth fusion based on the depth gradient map and the set of gains. |
| US08610755B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for multi-lingual support for hearing impaired communication
Methods and apparatuses for automated multi-lingual support are described herein. A relay service provides translation services between a hearing-impaired user and a hearing-capable user. The relay service includes a database with one or more entries. Each of the one or more entries is associated with a contact of the hearing-impaired user and includes one or more connection indicators for the contact and one or more spoken languages for the contact. A profile system determines an identified entry in the database using a calling connection indicator associated with the hearing-capable user to compare with the one or more connection indicators. A call distribution system establishes a calling connection over a voice-capable network with the calling connection indicator associated with the hearing-capable user and routes the calling connection to a translator capable in the one or more spoken languages associated with the hearing-capable user determined from the identified entry. |
| US08610750B2 |
Print head pulsing techniques for multicolor printers
In one aspect of the invention there is disclosed a multicolor thermal imaging system wherein different heating elements on a thermal print head can print on different color-forming layers of a multicolor thermal imaging member in a single pass. The line-printing time is divided into portions, each of which is divided into a plurality of subintervals. All of the pulses within the portions have the same energy. In one embodiment, every pulse has the same amplitude and duration. Different colors are selected for printing during the different portions by varying the fraction of subintervals that contain pulses. This technique allows multiple colors to be printed using a thermal print head with a single strobe signal line. Pulsing patterns may be chosen to reduce the coincidence of pulses provided to multiple print head elements, thereby reducing the peak power requirements of the print head. |
| US08610748B2 |
Driving method for electrophoretic display device, electrophoretic display device, and electronic apparatus
Disclosed is a method for driving an electrophoretic display device including a first electrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode, and an electrophoretic element disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The method includes a display driving step of inputting a first potential to the first electrode and inputting a second potential different from the first potential to the second electrode, and a reverse potential driving step of applying a voltage to the electrophoretic element, the voltage having a polarity which is opposite to a polarity of the potential in the display driving step. |
| US08610747B2 |
Display device of work vehicle
A display device for a work vehicle, comprising: a variable display unit capable of varying display contents; and a printed display unit disposed adjacent to the variable display unit; wherein: the printed display unit is formed with a background color similar to that of the variable display unit so that the printed display unit appears as a single display unit continuous with the variable display unit. |
| US08610745B2 |
Image forming apparatus and display console displaying preview image
In order to provide a technique allowing easy confirmation of image contents even if the number of images increases, a display console includes a display device having an image displaying function and a display control unit controlling the display by dividing a display screen of the display device into an image preview area and another area. The display control unit switches, in accordance with a user instruction, between a fit-to-screen screen image in which area ratio between the preview area and another area has a first value, and a finish preview screen image, an image edition mode screen image, or a document display mode screen image, in which the size of another area is made smaller and the size of preview area is made larger than in the fit-to-screen screen image. |
| US08610739B2 |
Graphics processing unit based color management of output devices
A method includes querying a database to determine the color profile of the multimedia content. The method may include comparing the secondary color profile of the secondary display to the primary color profile of the primary display and then determining a secondary color profile to apply to the multimedia content on the secondary display. The method may include selecting the secondary color profile from a database and applying the secondary color profile to the multimedia content. The method includes displaying the multimedia content with the secondary color profile on secondary display to reduce a color discrepancy of the multimedia content between the primary and the secondary display. |
| US08610736B2 |
Screen display method, information processing apparatus, and computer program product
An image forming apparatus is connected to an information processing apparatus via a network. The image forming apparatus transmits setting information contained in a setting screen to the information processing apparatus and receives customized setting information generated by the information processing apparatus based on the setting information, whereby the setting screen is customized by the customized setting information. |
| US08610735B2 |
Image converting device and three dimensional image display device including the same
An image converting device includes; a downscaling unit which downscales a two-dimensional image to generate at least one downscaling image, a feature map generating unit which extracts feature information from the downscaling image to generate a feature map, a visual attention calculating unit which generates a low-level attention map based on a visual attention of the feature map, and an image expansion unit which up-scales the low-level attention map, wherein an increasing gray value may be added to image data disposed on the upper portion in the low-level attention map, and 0 or a decreasing gray value may be added to the image data disposed on the lower portion. |
| US08610728B2 |
Rendering device, non-transitory computer readable medium, and image output apparatus
A rendering device includes a temporary memory, plural rendering processors, and a rendering controller. The temporary memory stores one or more rendering instructions and rendered results therefor in association with each other. The plural rendering processors each perform rendering processing in accordance with a rendering instruction, store the one or more rendering instructions and rendered results in association with each other in the temporary memory, when one or more similar rendering instructions exist for pages for which rendering processing was consecutively performed, and read and use the rendered results, in a case where rendered results associated with one or more rendering instructions are stored in the temporary memory. The rendering controller controls assigning a given rendering instruction to a corresponding one of the rendering processors in accordance with a given page editing instruction and causing the corresponding one of the rendering processors to perform rendering processing. |
| US08610723B2 |
Fully automatic dynamic articulated model calibration
A depth sensor obtains images of articulated portions of a user's body such as the hand. A predefined model of the articulated body portions is provided. The model is matched to corresponding depth pixels which are obtained from the depth sensor, to provide an initial match. The initial match is then refined using distance constraints, collision constraints, angle constraints and a pixel comparison using a rasterized model. Distance constraints include constraints on distances between the articulated portions of the hand. Collision constraints can be enforced when the model meets specified conditions, such as when at least two adjacent finger segments of the model are determined to be in a specified relative position, e.g., parallel. The rasterized model includes depth pixels of the model which are compared to identify overlapping pixels. Dimension of the articulated portions of the model are individually adjusted. |
| US08610716B1 |
Retaining a surface detail
Among other disclosure, a computer-implemented method for retaining a surface detail includes identifying a surface that is to be used for generating an image in a rendering process. The surface includes polygons to be changed from an initial size to a larger size as the surface is changed to a lower resolution as part of tessellating the surface. The surface includes at least one surface detail smaller than the larger polygon size. The method includes storing information corresponding to at least a portion of the surface that includes polygons forming the surface detail. The method includes tesselating the surface, wherein the surface assumes the lower resolution. The method includes determining, while the image is at the lower resolution and using the stored information, a shading sample for at least one of the polygons of the larger size that includes the surface detail. The method includes storing the shading sample. |
| US08610713B1 |
Reconstituting 3D scenes for retakes
In general, one or more aspects of the subject matter described in this specification can include associating with each clip in a sequence of one or more clips a copy of a three dimensional (3D) scene that was used to create the clip, where the clip is a sequence of one or more images that depict the clip's respective 3D scene from the perspective of one or more virtual cameras. Input identifying a clip in the sequence is received. In response to the receiving, a copy of the identified clip's associated copy of the 3D scene is presented in an editor. |
| US08610711B2 |
Device for three-dimensional image display using viewing zone enlargement
The present invention relates to a autostereoscopic image display device capable of observing a natural three-dimensional image without crosstalk or pseudo-stereoscopic zone between optimal viewpoints and without using special glasses. The three-dimensional image display device of the present invention includes: a display panel configured to display image information of at least two viewpoints; an optical substrate that is separately disposed from the display panel at a predetermined distance, the optical substrate being configured to form at least one intermediate viewing zone between left and right viewing zones included in base viewing zones corresponding to two viewpoints, which are observed when a position of an observer moves horizontally; and a control unit configured to provide the image information corresponding to the respective viewpoints at the base viewing zones and remove image information from the at least one intermediate viewing zone. |
| US08610708B2 |
Method and apparatus for three-dimensional image reconstruction
In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, a method and apparatus is disclosed for constructing a three-dimensional model of a scene captured as a video stream including obtaining a video stream of a scene by a first camera; locating a horizon with respect to the scene with a second camera; and constructing a three-dimensional model of the scene based upon the obtained video stream and the located horizon. |
| US08610706B2 |
Parallel surface reconstruction
Described is a technology in which point cloud surface reconstruction is performed via parallel processing on a graphics processing unit, achieving real-time reconstruction rates. An octree is built for a given set of oriented points, with each node containing a set of points enclosed by the node. The data structure is built on the GPU, in parallel, using level-order traversals to process nodes at a same tree level. The surface is reconstructed based on data configured and located via the traversals. To produce the surface, an implicit function over the volume spanned by the octree nodes is computed using the GPU, e.g., based on a Poisson surface reconstruction method. A sparse linear system is built and a multi-grid solver is employed to solve the system. An adaptive marching cubes procedure is performed on the GPU to extract an isosurface of the implicit function as a triangular mesh. |
| US08610705B2 |
Apparatus and method for driving liquid crystal display device
An apparatus for driving a liquid crystal display device, and which includes an image analyzer configured to compare a pattern of input image data with a plurality of stored patterns of image data, to determine a stored pattern of image data from the plurality of stored patterns of image data that is most similar to the pattern of the input image data, and to output a pattern analysis signal indicating the determined stored pattern, and a dithering unit connected to the image analyzer and configured to select a dithering pattern based on the output pattern analysis signal, to dither the input image data based on the selected dithering pattern, and to output a dither-processed image data. |
| US08610704B2 |
Display device and control method of the same
A display device includes a display panel which includes a plurality of pixels in a matrix form, an image signal comparator which compares image signals corresponding to at least two successive frames and increases a count value if a proportion of the image signals that are the same as each other exceeds a preset critical value, and a panel driver which drives the display panel to display a non-image signal on at least a part of the display panel during at least one frame if the count value reaches a preset instruction value. |
| US08610702B2 |
Gamma voltage controller, gradation voltage generator and display device having the same
A gamma voltage controller includes a gamma distribution unit that generates a plurality of voltages by performing voltage divisions between a first gradation voltage and a N(th) gradation voltage, a gamma selection unit having first through M(th) gamma selectors that respectively select first through M(th) gamma voltages among the plurality of voltages, a gamma buffer unit that changes inflection points of the gamma curve, and buffers the first through M(th) gamma voltages to output buffered first through M(th) gamma voltages, and a gradation distribution unit that generates second through N−1(th) gradation voltages by performing voltage divisions among the buffered first through M(th) gamma voltages. Each of the buffers includes a feedback loop, and some of the buffers change inflection points of the gamma curve. |
| US08610700B2 |
Organic light emitting display
An organic light emitting display includes a pixel circuit that compensates for variations of the threshold voltage of a driving transistor. The organic light emitting display includes a scan driver, a data driver, a power source unit, and a plurality of pixels. If a pixel is assumed to be positioned in an ith (i is a natural number) horizontal line, that pixel includes an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a first transistor coupled between a power source line and the OLED, a second transistor having a gate electrode coupled to an ith scan line for supplying the data signal to the first transistor, a third transistor coupled between the OLED and the first transistor and having a gate electrode coupled to an ith emission control line, and a storage capacitor coupled between the gate electrode of the first transistor and an anode electrode of the OLED. |
| US08610699B2 |
Display device
An object of the invention is to reduce the size of a decoder circuit of a display device. A decoder circuit which outputs voltages corresponding to 8-bit digital values includes a predecoder section, which includes an A decoder, B decoder, and C decoder, each of which is configured of a matrix type decoder circuit which carries out a three bits' worth of decoding, and a tournament type decoder circuit which carries out a three bits' worth of decoding, a selection circuit which, having input thereinto three voltages output respectively from the A decoder, B decoder, and C decoder, and applied to three output signal lines, selects two voltages of the three input voltages using a bit with one of the digital values and applies them to two output signal lines, and an intermediate voltage output circuit which, having input thereinto the two voltages selected by the selection circuit, outputs a voltage which is the average of the two voltages. |
| US08610694B2 |
Writing device, display sheet, and electronic device
A writing device for displaying an image on a display layer having a containing portion in which electrophoretic particles are contained, includes: a casing; a power supply provided in the casing; an electrode portion which is provided in the casing and is electrically connected to the power supply; and a conductive portion which is provided in the casing and is electrically connected to the power supply, wherein display of the image is performed by electrically connecting the electrode portion to the display layer so that the conductive portion is electrically connected to the display layer. |
| US08610693B2 |
Optical position detection device, optical position detection system, and display system with input function
In an optical position detection device, the XY coordinates of a target object are detected based on received light intensity of a light receiving section by forming a light intensity distribution, in which the intensity changes in a radiation angle range of detection light, with first and second light source modules. The first and second light source modules are separated from each other in the Z-axis direction, and the position of the target object in the Z-axis direction is detected based on the received light intensity of the light receiving section when forming the light intensity distribution in which the intensity is fixed in the radiation angle range of detection light. |
| US08610691B2 |
Resistive touch screen and method for manufacturing same
A touch screen and method for manufacturing a touch screen includes a transparent substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The transparent substrate has a first transparent conductive layer disposed on the first surface. A cover sheet is spaced from the substrate by a plurality of spacer elements and has a second transparent conductive layer coated at a surface of the cover sheet and opposed to the first transparent conductive layer. An electromagnetic interference shield is disposed at the second surface of the transparent substrate. The electromagnetic interference shield includes a third transparent conductive layer. |
| US08610690B2 |
Capacitive sensor and method for manufacturing same
A touch sensor, such as a capacitive touch sensor, includes a substrate having at least one passageway established therethrough. A first conductive coating is established at a first surface of the substrate, and a conductive element is disposed at the substrate and at least partially through the passageway. The conductive element establishes conductive continuity between the first surface and second or opposite surface of the substrate. The passageway may comprise multiple passageways and is/are established inboard of a perimeter edge of the substrate. The conductive element may include a first conductive material disposed at the first surface and partially into the passageway and a second conductive material disposed at the second surface and partially into the passageway, whereby the conductive materials contact one another in the passageway to establish conductive continuity between the first and second surfaces of the substrate. |
| US08610684B2 |
System and method for controlling an electronic device having a touch-sensitive non-display area
A method and system are provided for controlling a first electronic device connectable to a second electronic device. The first electronic device comprises a touch-sensitive non-display area for detecting one or more touch-sensitive non-display area gestures. Each touch-sensitive non-display area gesture is associated with a respective function of the first electronic device. The method comprises partitioning a touch-sensitive input mechanism of the second electronic device into a non-display portion and a display portion; receiving a gesture using the non-display portion, the gesture corresponding to a touch-sensitive non-display area gesture; and determining an instruction to be performed by the first electronic device based on the gesture. |
| US08610682B1 |
Restricted carousel with built-in gesture customization
A method, computer program product, and system are provided for defining a touch gesture on a touch sensing device. The method can include receiving a touch gesture at the touch sensing device, determining that the touch gesture is not associated with any operations, and providing an indication of one or more operations the touch sensing device can perform in response to the touch gesture. The method can also include receiving a selection of an operation, and associating the touch gesture with the selected operation. |
| US08610681B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An information processing apparatus including a display device; pointed position detecting means for detecting a specified position by a touch operation of a pointing device on a screen of the display device; sensor means for detecting a position of the pointing device when the pointing device is not in contact with the screen of the display device; and control means for recognizing the touch operation detected by the pointed position detecting means and controlling the information processing apparatus in accordance with the recognized touch operation and the position of the pointing device detected by the sensor means. |
| US08610680B2 |
Touch screen flat panel display
A touch screen flat panel display (FPD) is provided, which includes a display screen, a display driving circuit, a touch system circuit, and the like. Related circuits in the touch screen FPD enable electrodes of the display screen to transmit display driving signals as well as touch signals, that is to say, the display driving and the touch detection multiplex the electrodes of the display screen, such that the FPD is not only used for normal display but also used for realizing touch detection. By applying the touch signal simultaneously to detecting lines and non-detecting lines, the flow of the touch signal between the detecting lines and between the detecting line and the non-detecting line is reduced, thus controlling the flow direction of the touch signal, and increasing the accuracy of determining touched electrodes. |
| US08610670B2 |
Imaging and display apparatus, information input apparatus, object detection medium, and object detection method
The imaging and display apparatus is provided. The imaging and display apparatus includes the following elements. An imaging-and-display panel has an image display function and an imaging function. A generation unit generates a difference image representing a difference between a display-light-based image and a shadow image, the display-light-based image being obtained by the imaging-and-display panel by imaging an object close to the imaging-and-display panel using display light from the imaging-and-display panel, the shadow image being obtained by the imaging-and-display panel by imaging a shadow of the object. An image processing unit obtains information concerning at least one of a position, shape, and size of the object taking the shadow image and the difference image into account. |
| US08610659B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatic brightness adjustment on a display of a mobile electronic device
A system and method is provided for use in a mobile electronic device for adjusting brightness of a display on the mobile electronic device. The method comprises collecting a plurality of light sensor samples using an ambient light sensor of the mobile electronic device; calculating a representative value of the plurality of light sensor samples; comparing the representative value to at least one brightness threshold value; determining if a predetermined application is active on the mobile electronic device; determining whether to adjust the brightness of the display based on the comparison and based on whether predetermined application is active on the device; and adjusting the brightness of the display. |
| US08610657B2 |
Source driver, common voltage driver, and method of driving display device using time division driving method
A source driver and a common voltage driver for a display device using a time division driving method, in which the source driver outputs an analog voltage corresponding to digital image data to a corresponding source line out of a plurality of source lines, after precharging the corresponding source line with a predetermined voltage. The common voltage driver discretely and sequentially increases or decreases the common voltage. By using the source driver and the common voltage driver, the power consumed upon driving of the display device can be reduced. |
| US08610656B2 |
Method for generating frame-start pulse signals inside source driver chip of LCD device
Provided is a method of driving a liquid crystal display apparatus, and more particularly, to a method of generating a frame start pulse signal for instructing driving of a specific function of a source driver in a source driver chip of a liquid crystal display apparatus. Accordingly, by generating a frame start pulse signal for instructing driving of a specific function of a source driver in a source driver chip unlike a conventional method where the frame start pulse signal is externally input, it is possible to reduce the number of input pins for inputting the frame start pulse signal and to remove an input line for inputting the frame start pulse signal in a process of mounting the source driver chip in a printed circuit board. |
| US08610654B2 |
Correction of visible mura distortions in displays using filtered mura reduction and backlight control
A display that includes at least one gray level being provided to a plurality of pixels that illuminates each of the pixels with the gray level. The display applies interpolated corrective data for the pixels so as to reduce the mura effects of said display and modifies the backlight of the display. |
| US08610652B2 |
Display apparatuses and methods of operating the same
Provided are display apparatuses and methods of operating the same. In a display apparatus, a display image may be continuously held for longer than about 10 msec after the power of the display panel is turned off. The display apparatus may indicate a liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus including an oxide thin film transistor (TFT). Off leakage current of the oxide TFT may be less than about 10−14 A. |
| US08610650B2 |
Advanced multi line addressing
A circuit for a flat panel display, capable of displaying images, is provided. The circuit includes an image storage and processing block for the images to be displayed, a display and timing controller block controlling the display operation, an image pixel matrix containing a multitude of rows and columns arranged pixel elements. The circuit also includes one or more controlled row driver blocks, one or more controlled column driver blocks, and a pixel display operation for displaying pixel elements employing an advanced multi line addressing operation applied to a row and/or column drive activated pixel element display operation. The advanced multi line addressing operation signifies that during every operating sequence a decomposition operation of image data is taking place by analyzing image data from multiple lines for common contents by pixel data comparison, separating common parts of the image data into a multi line data domain and residual parts of the image data into a single line data domain thus allowing for a display of these two data domains in separately activated pixel element display operations. |
| US08610647B2 |
Image display apparatus and method of driving the image display apparatus
The present invention retains a scanning line for power supply in a floating state in a pause provided halfway through a period of emission. |
| US08610641B2 |
Portable presentation system and methods for use therewith
A method and system for configuring electronic presentation units for cooperative activities, the method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of presentation units in a conferencing space including a master unit and other units, electronically identifying the other units present in the conferencing space, enabling a configuration interface for identifying a sub-set of the other units as slave units, receiving input via the configuration interface identifying the slave unit sub-set and enabling a control interface for transferring images from the master unit to each of the slave units in the selected sub-set. |
| US08610639B2 |
Surface-independent body mount conformal antenna
A surface-independent antenna that operates consistently and independently of a material of its mounting surface. The antenna includes a ground plane having an outer perimeter, an antenna element having a floating portion and a non-floating portion. The non-floating portion is affixed in a generally parallel orientation above an end of the ground plane, and the floating portion extends beyond the outer perimeter of the ground plane. The antenna also includes a housing including a top portion and a bottom portion, the housing sized to generally encapsulate the ground plane and the antenna element. |
| US08610637B1 |
Method for enabling the electronic propagation mode transition of an electromagnetic interface system
A propagating mode transition system provides a transition from a free-space-propagating electromagnetic energy field, which is partitioned by an array of elongate elements, to a transverse electromagnetic-mode propagating energy field in a transmission line. Electrically-conductive pads are disposed on a substrate with the pads being arranged in spaced-apart fashion. Each pad is substantially covered by and electrically coupled to one of the elongate elements at a base thereof such that portions of each pad not covered by the base are exposed. Each of a plurality of transmission line baluns extends through the substrate with one end thereof disposed between the exposed portions of two adjacent pads. Each balun includes two identical-width electrical conductors with each conductor being electrically coupled to one of the exposed portions. |
| US08610636B2 |
Radio frequency IC device
A radio frequency IC device includes a radio frequency IC chip, a feeder circuit substrate, and a radiating plate. The feeder circuit substrate includes a feeder circuit that electrically connects to the radio IC chip and that includes a resonance circuit and/or a matching circuit including inductance elements. The feeder circuit substrate is bonded to the radiating plate, which radiates a transmission signal supplied from the feeder circuit and supplies a received signal to the feeder circuit. The inductance elements are arranged in spiral patterns wound in opposite directions and couple to each other in opposite phases. The radio frequency IC device is able to obtain a radio frequency IC device that is not susceptible to being affected by a usage environment, minimizes variations in radiation characteristics, and can be used in a wide frequency band. |
| US08610635B2 |
Balanced metamaterial antenna device
This document describes designs and techniques for directly feeding an unbalanced transmission line with a balanced antenna using Composite Right and Left Handed (CRLH) and balun structures. According to various examples, first and second radiating elements, first and second antenna structures, or first and second portions of an antenna structure can provide a left-handed (LH) mode resonance and a right-handed (RH) mode resonance. A feed port can provide an unbalanced signal, and a balun structure can be coupled to the first and second radiating elements, first and second antenna structures, or first and second portions of an antenna structure, to adapt the unbalanced signal from the feed port to a balanced signal for coupling to the first and second radiating elements, first and second antenna structures, or first and second portions of an antenna structure. |
| US08610630B2 |
4-port strip line cell for generating standard near fields
A 4-port strip line cell for generating standard near fields includes an upper conductor, a third port, a first port, a lower conductor, a second port and a fourth port. The third port supplies a power signal to the upper conductor. The first port terminates the upper conductor. The lower conductor is disposed to be spaced apart from the upper conductor. The second port is connected to the lower conductor so as to supply a power signal in the opposite direction of the third port. The fourth port terminates the lower conductor. |
| US08610628B2 |
Wideband antenna
A wideband antenna includes: a substrate, having a first surface and a second surface; a ground plane, disposed on the second surface; an exciting element, disposed on the first surface, and having a feed point coupled to a signal source; a connection element, disposed on the first surface, and coupled to the ground plane; a first branch, disposed on the first surface, and coupled to the connection element; a second branch, disposed on the first surface, and coupled to the connection element; and a coupling element, disposed on the first surface, and coupled to the connection element. |
| US08610627B2 |
Space-filling miniature antennas
A novel geometry, the geometry of Space-Filling Curves (SFC) is defined in the present invention and it is used to shape a part of an antenna. By means of this novel technique, the size of the antenna can be reduced with respect to prior art, or alternatively, given a fixed size the antenna can operate at a lower frequency with respect to a conventional antenna of the same size. |
| US08610626B2 |
Antenna with slot
An antenna having a signal feeding structure, an antenna conductor coupled to the signal feeding structure and forming a slot in the antenna conductor. A closing portion capacitively closing the at least one slot at a mechanically open end of the slot. |
| US08610621B1 |
Extended optimal filters for adaptive radar systems using binary codes
A method for transmission and detection in an adaptive-on-transmit (AT) system operating in the electromagnetic spectrum comprising determining a waveform-filter pair; and employing the waveform-filter pair in transmission and detection, wherein two or more are provided of the group consisting of an auto-correlation function sidelobe level reduction proportional to a the filter length, K, or better, an out-of-band spectral suppression of at least about 40 dB, and a frequency spectrum power tail power decay of K−4 or better. |
| US08610614B1 |
CMOS current-mode folding amplifier
A CMOS current-mode folding amplifier circuit is provided that uses MOSFETs operating in relatively strong inversion. The CMOS current-mode folding amplifier circuit produces a saw-tooth shaped input-output characteristic which provides for relative precision in flash-type analog-to-digital converters. Furthermore, the CMOS current-mode folding amplifier circuit uses a plurality of simple current mirrors, in addition to biasing currents, for defining the switching levels. Accordingly, the current-mode amplifier requires less area on the chip and consumes less power relative to other analog preprocessing circuits. Moreover, the CMOS current-mode folding amplifier circuit is resilient to process, temperature and power supply variations. Tanner simulation tools using 0.35 μm CMOS technology confirm the functionality of the current-mode folding amplifier. |
| US08610611B2 |
Analog-to-digital converter for biomedical signals
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a technique for producing a difference value by offsetting a current value of an analog signal with a stored previous value of the analog signal, and generating a digital representation of the difference value. Digital representations obtained by this technique may be sent over a channel to a receiver device for reconstruction of the original analog signal. An integrator of the receiver device may be configured to process (sum) the received samples to generate a reconstructed version of the original signal. |
| US08610609B2 |
NMOS buffer for high-speed low-resolution current steering digital-to-analog converters
The present disclosure provides techniques for using an NMOS field effect transistor-based buffer to buffer a pair of complementary digital signals and output a pair of equivalently fast rising and fast falling complementary signals to simultaneously drive a differential pair of PMOS transistors of a unit cell that output an analog signal for a current steering DAC. Accordingly, a DAC comprises a latch circuit and a unit cell circuit. The latch circuit includes an NMOS field effect transistor-based buffer and is capable of receiving a first digital signal and a clock signal and outputting a second digital signal through the NMOS field effect transistor-based buffer according to the clock signal. The second digital signal is associated with the first digital signal. The unit cell circuit, coupled to the latch circuit, receives the second digital signal and outputs an analog signal representative of the first digital signal. |
| US08610608B2 |
Systems and methods for reduced latency loop correction
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. For example, a data processing circuit is discussed that includes: a data detector circuit, a low latency detection circuit, and an error calculation circuit. The data detector circuit is operable to perform a data detection process on a first signal derived from a data input to yield a detected output, and to provide a loop error as a difference between the detected output and the first signal. The low latency detection circuit operable to process a second signal derived from the data input to yield a fast detector output, and to provide a generated error as a difference between the fast detector output and the second signal. The error calculation circuit is operable to calculate an error value based at least in part on the generated error and the loop error. |
| US08610596B2 |
Monitoring and diagnostics of traffic signal preemption controllers
Management of traffic signal preemption control equipment. In one approach, logged preemption data is periodically read from each of a plurality of intersections having respective preemption controllers for preempting traffic signals at the intersections. The logged preemption data at an intersection describes operational states of the preemption controller and each vehicle control unit that submitted a preemption request at the intersection and data describing each individual preemption request. The logged preemption data read from the plurality of intersections are stored in a database. The database is monitored for data indicative of changes in operational status of the traffic signal preemption control equipment. In response to the data indicating a change in operational status, data descriptive of the change are output. |
| US08610595B1 |
Vehicle U-turn safety alert system
The vehicle U-turn safety alert system is a system for alerting a driver of a vehicle whether it is safe or unsafe to make a U-turn driving maneuver. The system incorporates an electronic system that measures the distance away and speed of an approaching vehicle. The system functions to calculate the time it would take for the approaching vehicle to reach the turning vehicle and displays this time as a digital readout. Visual and audible alerts inform the driver as to whether the U-turn maneuver can be safely accomplished. |
| US08610584B2 |
Fall-down alarm system
A fall-down alarm system includes a contact detection unit, a non-contact detection unit and a fall-down evaluation unit connecting respectively to the contact detection unit and non-contact detection unit. The contact detection unit and non-contact detection unit respectively detect an abnormal detected shape of an object and abnormal life symptoms of the object, and then the fall-down evaluation unit determines a fall-down condition and sends a trigger signal to request assistance. Through the contact detection unit and non-contact detection unit respectively detecting the shape and life symptoms of the object, the erroneous fall-down judgment can be reduced. |
| US08610577B2 |
RFID system
A magnetic field focusing assembly includes a magnetic field generating device configured to generate a magnetic field, and a split ring resonator assembly configured to be magnetically coupled to the magnetic field generating device and configured to focus the magnetic field produced by the magnetic field generating device. |
| US08610574B2 |
Item storage and tracking system
An item storage facility that includes a resident programmable subcontroller, at least one stand, a one circuit board having a plurality of elongated openings therein supported on the stand, and a plurality of connectors resident on the circuit board and in communication with the subcontroller. |
| US08610571B1 |
Window alarm device
The window alarm device provides an electronic receiver, a control panel within the receiver, an audio output disposed within the receiver, a video screen disposed within the receiver, a plurality of electronic transmitters, each transmitter further comprising an individual electronic identification, an electrical sensor port disposed within each transmitter, a plurality of activation strips, each having a front spaced apart from an adhesive back, the front further comprising, a plurality of valleys, a ridge disposed between an any two adjacent valleys, a smooth transition connecting each valley to each ridge, a sensor extended from each transmitter, each sensor further comprising, a vertical leg, a pivotal leg pivotally affixed atop the vertical leg, the pivotal leg frictionally positioned, and a point disposed at a distal end of the pivotal leg, the point configured to follow the activation strip front. |
| US08610566B2 |
GIS-based automated weather alert notification system
An automated weather alert system using GIS technology automatically ingests weather data and processes the weather data to determine if localized weather conditions pose a threat to any of a plurality of business operations, each of which have a known location. In the event such threat exists, an employee having responsibility for a threatened business operation is provided with an alert message and asked to acknowledge receipt. Additional notification is automatically provided to the employee's supervisor if such acknowledgment is not received within a predetermined period of time. |
| US08610562B2 |
Automatic determination of location for ethernet devices
A method for automatically locating an Ethernet patient monitor in one or more buildings includes querying, by a computing device of a central monitoring system, a switch using a Media Access Control address of the patient monitor, and receiving a port number to which the patient monitor is connected from the switch. The method also includes consulting a configuration file to determine a location of the patient monitor, and displaying a representation of the location of the patient monitor on a user interface representing at least a portion of the one or more buildings. |
| US08610560B1 |
Pre-hazardous condition warning system and method
A system for monitoring a structure prior to and during subjection to a hazardous condition. The system includes a primary monitoring apparatus comprising a monitoring circuit and alerting circuit integrated into an enclosure. The monitoring circuit includes a sensor for detecting an individual or an animal within the area. The alerting circuit includes at least one alerting device. The alerting device can be any of audible alert, a visual alert, and a remote communications. A remote alerting apparatus includes at least one alert device. Signal communication is established between the monitoring apparatus and the alerting apparatus, wherein the primary apparatus activates the alert device(s) of the remote apparatus. The system is deployed within a structure, including placement of an alerting apparatus external to the structure. The system is activated prior to initiation of the hazardous process, monitoring the region for any living beings and emitting an alert when detected. |
| US08610558B2 |
Method for detecting multiple events and sensor network using the same
A method and network for detecting multiple events is provided. The method includes detecting at least one subordinate event constituting a superordinate event, determining whether another subordinate event constituting the superordinate event exists in a time window other than a current time window in which the detected subordinate event is included, and determining that the superordinate event has occurred and reporting the determination, if the subordinate events constituting the superordinate event exist within a duration of the superordinate event. |
| US08610556B2 |
Automobile communication system
A communication system for use with an automobile having an accelerator, a brake, a cruise control, and a brake lamp includes a display, a transmitter, a receiver, and a cruise lamp visible from outside the automobile. The communication system includes a processor in data communication with the accelerator, the brake, the cruise control, the brake lamp, the display, the transmitter, the receiver, and the cruise lamp. The processor includes programming to actuate the automobile's cruise control to synchronize with the cruise control of a nearby vehicle having an activated cruise control. The processor actuates the accelerator to accelerate or decelerate according to cruise data received from the nearby synchronized automobile. The system may include a GPS such that current GPS and speed data may be compared with received GPS and speed data to determine a proximity and rate of closure between synchronized automobiles. |
| US08610554B2 |
Method and apparatus for electric powered vehicle recharging safety
An apparatus comprising a recharging inlet inside an electric powered vehicle (EPV), a light source coupled to the inside wall of the EPV recharging inlet, a light detector located within the EPV recharging inlet and positioned between recharging inlet pins and the light source, and a plurality of threads around the inside wall of the recharging inlet and positioned between the light source and the light detector, wherein the light detector is configured to detect light from the light source and/or external light, wherein the threads are configured to receive a housing cap that substantially blocks light from reaching the light detector when the housing cap is properly mounted onto the EPV recharging inlet and are configured to allow light from the light sources and/or external light to reach the light detector when the housing cap is not properly mounted onto the EPV recharging inlet. |
| US08610551B2 |
Vehicle status notification device and a vehicle status notification method for a construction machine
A vehicle status notification device for a construction machine, includes: a key switch connected to a battery; an engine shut-off switch which is serially connected to a downstream side of the key switch in a connection line between the battery and an engine controller configured to control engine operation; and a control unit configured to perform control to notify a notification unit that the engine shut-off switch is in an OFF state in a case that a signal at the downstream side of the engine shut-off switch is in the OFF state while a signal at an upstream side of the engine shut-off switch is in an ON state. |
| US08610546B2 |
System for selecting resources accessible to a mobile device server
A system may include, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium operating in a mobile device server having computer instructions to execute a web server application at the mobile device server. The web server application can be operable to cause the mobile device server to detect a media resource center, to transmit a pairing key to the media resource center, and to receive authorization from the media resource center to pair with one or more resources selected by the media resource center according to the pairing key. The web server application can be further operable to identify a location of the one or more resources, to select a software application according the location of at least one of the resources, and to execute the software application in the portable communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08610542B2 |
Radio frequency identification reader with variable range
A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader for, and method of, reading an RFID tag to obtain data in both handheld and hands-free modes of operation, include all RFID module supported by the reader and including an antenna for propagating an electromagnetic field over a range, and a controller for varying the range of the antenna to be different in each mode. The antenna has a full range, preferably by default, in the handheld mode, and the controller is operative, preferably automatically, for decreasing the full range to a restricted range in the hands-free mode. |
| US08610535B2 |
Door locking system
A door locking system configured to lock and unlock a door frame of a cabinet is provided. The door locking system includes a handle rod; a digital or mechanical door sensor configured to detect whether the door frame of the cabinet is open or closed; and a latch configured to lock the handle rod, the latch being connected to and controlled by a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes a mechanical module and an electromechanical module. The mechanical module is configured to actuate the latch to lock and unlock the handle rod, and configured to grant the electromechanical module control over the latch to lock and unlock the handle rod. |
| US08610531B2 |
Microcoil construction
A microcoil is manufactured by rolling a trace unit in such a way as to form at least one winding. The trace unit is comprised of a conductive trace attached to a flexible insulating film. A preferred embodiment of the microcoil contains both a first winding and a second winding electrically connected and spaced apart by ajoining portion. The microcoil may be used for internal magnetic resonance imaging of patient by attaching the microcoil to a catheter. |
| US08610527B2 |
Field coil assembly of electromagnetic clutch for a compressor
The present invention relates to a field coil assembly of an electromagnetic clutch for a compressor, more particularly, a field coil assembly of an electromagnetic clutch for a compressor, in which a terminal electrically connected with a field coil portion, and an electric wire are assembled to each other by means of upper and lower holders, and then finally engaged with together by means of an insert molding, thereby simplifying a manufacturing process to reduce manufacturing expense, removing a need for a separate member for protecting an electric wire, and easily adjusting the length of the electric wire. |
| US08610519B2 |
MEMS microswitch having a dual actuator and shared gate
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a MEMS switch is provided. The MEMS switch includes a substrate, a first and a second actuating element electrically coupled together, an anchor mechanically coupled to the substrate and supporting at least one of the first and second actuating elements, and a gate driver configured to actuate the first and second actuating elements. |
| US08610517B2 |
Surface acoustic wave resonator mounting with low acceleration sensitivity
A device, comprising a substrate having opposing first and second surfaces, a first surface acoustic wave resonator disposed on the first surface of the substrate, a second surface acoustic wave resonator disposed on the second surface of the substrate, a first adhesive layer sandwiched between the first surface acoustic wave resonator and the substrate, and a second adhesive layer sandwiched between the second surface acoustic wave resonator. |
| US08610513B2 |
Crystal oscillator
A crystal oscillator is provided, which varies a frequency drift compensation according to a power consumption and compensates a frequency drift characteristic caused by heat. An adder is used to add a temperature compensation control voltage from a temperature compensation circuit, an oscillating frequency control voltage from an AFC circuit, and a frequency drift compensation voltage corresponding to the power consumption from a frequency drift compensation circuit. A voltage added by the adder is outputted to voltage-variable capacitor elements and, which respectively are connected to an input side and an output side of an inverter IC that is connected in parallel to a crystal oscillating unit. |
| US08610511B1 |
High-frequency digitally controlled oscillator
The high-frequency digitally controlled oscillator includes fully digital cells capable of being ported to any CMOS fabrication process. The oscillator has a basic modular architecture comprising a digitally controlled digital ring oscillator (DRO) having a plurality of delay stages, a counter divider and a selection multiplexer. The DRO generates the basic (intrinsic) high frequency range and the counter provides the remaining ranges through division by multiples of two. The multiplexer provides a selection mechanism for the required range of frequencies. Load capacitances to the delay stages are added/removed to control delay via utilization of a unique capacitive cell driven synchronously by two ring oscillators such that the capacitance could be added or removed utilizing the Miller effect. Moreover, multiple capacitive load cells can be added to the same stage. This configuration electrically removes the effect of un-enabled shunt load capacitances, thereby increasing the intrinsic frequency range of the DRO. |
| US08610507B2 |
Power amplifier
According to an embodiment, a power amplifier includes: an MMIC substrate; a high frequency probe pad disposed on the MMIC substrate; and a metal plate disposed on the MMIC substrate so as to adjoin to the high frequency probe pad, and connected to an MMIC external circuit via a bonding wire. |
| US08610495B2 |
Adaptive filtering of blocker signals in demodulators
Some embodiments of the invention relate a transimpedance amplifier circuit having a negative feedback network that provides additional filtering of an out-of-band transmitted signal is provided herein. In one embodiment, the transimpedance amplifier circuit has a first pole, transimpedance amplifier having a multi-stage operational amplifier with an input terminal and an output terminal. An RC feedback network extends from the output terminal to the input terminal. A negative feedback network, extending from an internal node of the multi-stage operational amplifier to an input terminal of the single pole, transimpedance amplifier provides a negative feedback signal with an amplitude having an opposite polarity as the out-of-band transmitted signal. The negative feedback signal suppresses the out-of-band-transmitted signals within the demodulator circuit, thereby improving linearity of the transimpedance amplifier circuit. |
| US08610494B1 |
Low power active filter
Some embodiments relate to a band-pass filter arranged in a ladder-like structure. The band-pass filter includes respective inductor-capacitor (LC) resonators arranged on respective rungs of the ladder-like structure. Respective matching circuits are arranged on a leg of the ladder-like structure between neighboring rungs. |
| US08610490B2 |
Voltage switching in a memory device
Voltage switches, memory devices, memory systems, and methods for switching are disclosed. One such voltage switch uses a pair of switch circuits coupled in series, each switch circuit being driven by a level shift circuit. Each switch circuit uses a group of series coupled transistors with a parallel control transistor where the number of transistors in each group may be determined by an expected switch input voltage and a maximum allowable voltage drop for each transistor. A voltage of a particular state of an enable signal is shifted up to the switch input voltage by the level shift circuits. The particular state of the enable signal turns on the voltage switch such that the switch output voltage is substantially equal to the switch input voltage. |
| US08610481B2 |
Discrete signal consolidation device and method and aircraft with said device
A device and a method for eliminating transitions in discrete signals. The working of the device and method is based on allowing the charge of a capacitor with one state when the state opposite the state to which it has been assigned is produced and allowing their discharge through a corresponding capacitor when their state is active. The signal is advantageously consolidated without needing processors or programs, is very simple, there is increased reliability, and the device can very easily be integrated in any sensor, such as those used in aircraft. |
| US08610474B2 |
Signal distribution networks and related methods
A signal distribution network has segments that each have a buffer circuit, a transmission line coupled to the buffer circuit, an inductor coupled to the buffer circuit through the transmission line, and a variable capacitance circuit coupled to the inductor and coupled to the buffer circuit through the transmission line. A capacitance of the variable capacitance circuit is set to determine a phase and an amplitude of a signal transmitted through the transmission line. A signal distribution network can include a phase detector, a loop filter circuit, and a resonant delay circuit. The phase detector compares a phase of a first periodic signal to a phase of a second periodic signal. The resonant delay circuit has a variable impedance circuit having an impedance that varies based on changes in an output signal of the loop filter circuit. |
| US08610473B2 |
Phase lock loop with adaptive loop bandwidth
The loop bandwidth of a PLL is adjusted based on a difference between the output signal of the PLL and the PLL reference signal. In an embodiment, the DC open loop gain and natural frequency of the PLL are adjusted based on the phase difference between the output signal and the reference signal, so that the loop bandwidth of the PLL is increased when the phase difference is outside a programmable range and is decreased when the phase difference is within the programmable range. |
| US08610471B2 |
Delay locked loop
A delay locked loop includes a closed loop circuit configured to generate preliminary delay information, a control unit configured to update the preliminary delay information into delay information in response to a control signal, and a first delay unit configured to delay an input clock signal by a first delay value determined by the delay information and generate an output clock signal. |
| US08610470B2 |
Inverter circuit
The present invention provides a semiconductor integrated circuit capable of achieving high voltage. The proposed semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first node [VOUT] connected to a first potential node [VDD], and a first n-channel transistor [NT1] and a second n-channel transistor [NT2] serially connected between a first node [VOUT] and a second potential node [VSS] of a lower potential than the first potential node. One end of NT1 is connected to the second potential node [VSS], the other end thereof is connected to one end of the second n-channel transistor [NT2], a gate terminal thereof is connected to a second node [VIN], the other end of NT2 is connected to the first node [VOUT], and a gate terminal thereof is connected to a first intermediate range potential [VM1] positioned between the first potential node [VDD] and the second potential node [VSS]. |
| US08610469B2 |
Dynamic switch driver for low-distortion programmable-gain amplifier
A switching circuit for switching a time-varying input signal, the switching circuit comprising: at least one switch including a N-channel MOSFET and a P-channel MOSFET, each having a gate configured to receive a drive signal to change the ON/OFF state of the switch; and a drive circuit configured and arranged so as to selectively apply a pair of drive signals to change the ON/OFF state of the switch, the drive circuit being configured and arranged to generate the drive signals as a function of (a) a pair DC signal components sufficient to change the ON/OFF state of the switch and (b) a pair of time-varying signal components as at least a partial replica of the signal present on the source terminal of each MOSFET so that when applied with the DC signals to the gates of the re-channel MOSFET and p-channel MOSFET respectively, the drive signals will be at the appropriate level to maintain the ON/OFF state of the switch and keep the gate-source voltages of each MOSFET within the gate-source breakdown limit of the MOSFETs. |
| US08610468B2 |
Power interface circuit of contact IC card reader
A power interface circuit of a contact integrated circuit (IC) card reader is provided. The power interface circuit includes a power control unit configured to invert, amplify and output a power control signal supplied from the outside, a switching diode unit configured to control on and off operations of a ground terminal transistor in a complementary transistor unit in response to an output signal of the power control unit, the complementary transistor unit in which complementary transistors transfer a power supply terminal voltage to a power output unit or mute a card power supply terminal of the power output unit to a ground voltage level while operating inversely to each other in response to a control signal directly input from the power control unit and a control signal input through the switching diode unit, and the power output unit configured to output a voltage input through the complementary transistor unit to a card power supply terminal of an IC card or maintain the card power supply terminal at the ground voltage level in response to operation of the complementary transistor unit. |
| US08610465B2 |
Comparator circuit
A comparator circuit (5) comprising a fully differential main amplifier unit (10, 10b). The main amplifier unit (10, 10b) comprises a control port and is adapted to control a bias current of a first branch of the main amplifier unit (10, 10b) and/or a bias current of a second branch of the main amplifier unit (10, 10b) in response to one or more control voltages supplied to the control port of the main amplifier unit (10, 10b). The comparator circuit (5) comprises circuitry (60) for balancing the voltages at the positive and negative input terminals (12a, 12b) of the main amplifier unit (10, 10b) during a first clock phase of the comparator circuit (5). Furthermore, the comparator circuit (10, 10a) comprises a switched-capacitor accumulator unit with a differential input. The switched-capacitor accumulator unit is operatively connected to the positive and negative output terminals (14a, 14b) of the main amplifier unit (10, 10b) for sampling voltages at the positive and negative output terminals (14a, 14b) of the main amplifier unit (10, 10b) during the first clock phase, and operatively connected to the control port of the main amplifier unit (10, 10b) for supplying said one or more control voltages. |
| US08610463B2 |
Redriver with output receiver detection that mirrors detected termination on output to input
A redriver chip is inserted between a transmitter chip and a receiver chip and re-drives differential signals from the transmitter chip to the receiver chip. The redriver chip has switched output termination that switches to a high value to detect far-end termination at the receiver chip, and to a low value for signaling. An output detector detects when the receiver chip has termination to ground and enables switched input termination to provide termination to ground on the lines back to the transmitter chip so that the far-end termination on the receiver chip is mirrored back to the transmitter chip, hiding the redriver chip. An input signal detector detects when the transmitter chip begins signaling and enables an equalizer, limiter, pre-driver, and output stage to re-drive the signals to the receiver chip. The input signal detector also causes the switched output termination to switch to the low value termination for signaling. |
| US08610462B1 |
Input-output circuit and method of improving input-output signals
Circuits and techniques for operating an integrated circuit (IC) with a level shifter circuit are disclosed. A level shifter circuit with input and output terminals is operable to shift an input signal that ranges from a ground voltage to a first positive voltage to an output signal that ranges from the ground voltage to a second positive voltage. The level shifter circuit further includes a first kicker transistor having a first source-drain terminal operable to receive a buffered version of the input signal and having a second source-drain terminal coupled to the output terminal. The first kicker transistor may receive gate signals that turn on the first kicker transistor when the input signal is at the ground voltage and may pull the output terminal to the first positive voltage as the input signal transitions from the ground voltage to the first positive voltage. |
| US08610461B2 |
Split decode latch with shared feedback
An apparatus having a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be configured to generate an output signal in response to (i) an intermediate signal, and (ii) a clock signal. The second circuit may be configured to generate the intermediate signal and a digital complement of the output signal in response to (i) an input signal and (ii) the clock signal. The intermediate signal may form a feedback to ensure the output signal and the digital complement of the output signal are in complementary states during a power up. |
| US08610460B2 |
Control signal generation circuits, semiconductor modules, and semiconductor systems including the same
Semiconductor modules are provided. The semiconductor module includes a first semiconductor chip configured for storing an information signal that is set in response to a command/address signal and which determines reception of an on-die termination (ODT) signal in a power down mode in response to the information signal to control activation of a first ODT circuit; and a second semiconductor chip configured for sharing and utilizing the first ODT circuit included in the first semiconductor chip. |
| US08610454B2 |
System and methods for generating unclonable security keys in integrated circuits
A system and methods that generates a physical unclonable function (“PUF”) security key for an integrated circuit (“IC”) through use of equivalent resistance variations in the power distribution system (“PDS”) to mitigate the vulnerability of security keys to threats including cloning, misappropriation and unauthorized use. |
| US08610452B2 |
Apparatus and method for diagnosing permanent magnet demagnetization of permanent magnet synchronous motor, and apparatus for driving permanent magnet synchronous motor
Provided are an apparatus and a method for diagnosing permanent magnet demagnetization of a permanent magnet synchronous motor. The apparatus includes a magnetic field generating unit, a stator current measuring unit, and a demagnetization diagnosing unit. The magnetic field generating unit generates magnetic fields of which directions are respectively parallel to a predetermined direction among a plurality of directions passing through a rotation axis of a rotor, on a plane vertical to the rotation axis of the rotor which is in a standstill. The stator current measuring unit measures currents which flow in a stator winding in correspondence with the respective generated magnetic fields. The demagnetization diagnosing unit compares a predetermined reference value and a comparison value which is calculated on the basis of the magnitudes of the stator winding currents which are measured in correspondence with the respective generated magnetic fields to diagnose demagnetization of a permanent magnet attached to the rotor. |
| US08610450B2 |
Method of measuring electrical characteristics of semiconductor wafer
There is provided a method of measuring a leakage current or a dielectric breakdown voltage of a semiconductor wafer that has a base wafer and a buffer layer formed on the base wafer. The method includes providing, on the buffer layer, a plurality of electrodes including a hole injection electrode made of a material that injects a hole into the buffer layer when an electric field is applied thereto, measuring an electric current flowing through a pair of electrodes or a voltage between the electrodes when a voltage or an electric current is applied to the pair of electrodes, the electrodes including at least one hole injection electrode, and measuring a leakage current or a dielectric breakdown voltage caused by hole migration in the semiconductor wafer based on the current flowing through the pair of electrodes or the voltage generated between the pair of the electrodes. |
| US08610449B2 |
Wafer unit for testing and test system
Provided is a test wafer unit that tests a plurality of circuits under test formed on a wafer under test. The test wafer unit comprises a test wafer that is formed of a semiconductor material and exchanges signals with each of the circuits under test, and a plurality of loop-back sections that are provided in the test wafer to correspond to the plurality of circuits under test and that each supply the corresponding circuit under test with a loop-back signal corresponding to a signal received from the corresponding circuit under test. |
| US08610448B2 |
One-sheet test device and test method thereof
A one-sheet test device for testing panels on a one-sheet substrate and a test method thereof, wherein the test device and method are capable of performing a one-sheet test regardless of the number of panels formed on the one-sheet substrate. The one-sheet test device includes a signal supplier and a connection board. The signal supplier is for generating a plurality of signal groups and a plurality of dummy signals for testing the panels. The connection board is for transmitting a first signal group of the signal groups to a first panel of the panels corresponding to the first signal group, and for transmitting a signal of at least one signal group of the plurality of signal groups to at least two of the panels when the number of panels is larger than the number signal groups. The one-sheet test device may include a connection controller for controlling the connection board. |
| US08610446B2 |
Testing device and testing method
A testing device includes a pressure vessel, a mounting stand disposed in an internal space of the pressure vessel, on which a device to be tested is mounted, test electrodes, disposed in the internal space of the pressure vessel, that supply a test voltage to the device to be tested mounted on the mounting stand, and a pressurization unit that raises the pressure of the internal space of the pressure vessel. The test voltage is supplied from the test electrodes to the device to be tested mounted on the mounting stand, and testing of the device to be tested is carried out, in a condition that the pressure of the internal space of the pressure vessel is raised by the pressurization unit. |
| US08610445B2 |
Agricultural working machine for measuring components of a crop material
A measuring device for measuring components of a crop material is installed on an agricultural machine and includes at least one conductance sensor, determining the component “moisture content”, which is determined via the temperature-compensated detection of conductance. In this manner it is ensured that the measuring device delivers reliable measurement results for determining the components of a crop material even under fluctuating measuring conditions. |
| US08610444B2 |
Method and system for analyzing a chemically-active material
A method of determining setting period of a chemically-active material is disclosed. The method comprises: continuously measuring an electrical property such as of the material to provide a time-dependence of the property, and using the time-dependence for defining a setting-start time and a setting-finish time. The setting-start time is defined as a time of onset of a fastest rise of the resistivity and the setting-finish time is defined as a time of local maximum of the resistivity. |
| US08610443B1 |
Attenuator circuit of a capacitance-sensing circuit
Apparatuses and methods of input attenuator circuits are described. One sensing circuit includes an attenuator circuit to receive a signal from an electrode of a sense array. The attenuator circuit is configured to attenuate input current of the signal. The attenuator circuit includes an attenuation matrix including an input terminal to receive the signal and multiple resistors. The attenuation matrix is configured to split the input current into an output current of the attenuation signal on a first output terminal and a second output current on a second output terminal. The attenuation matrix is to output the attenuated signal on the first output terminal to an integrator of the sensing circuit. The attenuator circuit also includes a buffer coupled between the attenuation matrix and the integrator. The buffer is configured to maintain a substantially same voltage at the first output terminal and the second output terminal. |
| US08610439B2 |
Radio-frequency test probes with integrated matching circuitry for testing transceiver circuitry
Wireless electronic devices include wireless communications circuitry such as transceiver circuitry coupled to an antenna resonating element. The transceiver circuitry and the antenna element may be formed on first and second substrates, respectively. In compact wireless devices, transceiver and antenna matching circuits may be formed on the first substrate. During production testing, a radio-frequency test probe with integrated matching circuitry may be used to mate with a corresponding contact point on the first substrate. The integrated matching circuitry may include resistors, capacitors, and inductors soldered in desired series-parallel configurations within the test probe. When the test probe is mated to the contact point on the first substrate, a test unit connected to the test probe may be used to perform radio-frequency measurements to determine whether the transceiver circuitry satisfies design criteria. |
| US08610438B1 |
Branch circuit monitor
A branch circuit monitoring system (BCMS) for monitoring branch circuit currents in one or more electrical circuit panels is described. The system is comprised of a data center server, one or more panel processors, each with one or more collection devices, and one or more current sensors per collection device. The BCMS is designed to be installed entirely inside the panel without the need for a dedicated enclosure or power supply to facilitate ease of installation and low-cost. The BCMS also allows for future upgradability through standard software updates so that the system can be updated or patched easily. The BCMS data center server collects, aggregates, stores, and serves historical branch circuit current data from the panel processors to networked users via a web server to provide visualization of data such as tables, charts, and gauges. Finally, the BCMS interfaces to third-party software suites using industry-standard protocols such as Modbus® TCP and BACnet™ for integration with data center infrastructure management or building management system software. |
| US08610436B2 |
Method for making a permanent magnet particularly for MRI scanners and a permanent magnet, particularly for MRI scanners made by said method
Method for making magnets particularly for the use in MRI scanners, which magnets are three-dimensional and have a tubular wall made of magnetized material, with a closed or open annular shaped cross-section, the tubular wall being composed of individual elements made of magnetized material, the magnetization of each element made of magnetized material having a predetermined direction in the transverse section plane and said directions being determined such to generate a uniform static magnetic field in the cavity of the tubular wall. The invention provides the following steps: determining the modulus and direction of the magnetization of elements necessary for generating a predetermined magnetic field in said cavity in a theoretical two-dimensional magnet model, extruding the two-dimensional model to a three-dimensional model and at least partially compensating aberrations, distortions or inhomogeneites of the magnetic field generated in the three-dimensional model by modifying the magnetization orientation in the individual elements and in the plane of the two-dimensional model such to minimize differences between the magnetic field in the two-dimensional model and the magnetic field in the three-dimensional model above all as regards its homogeneity level. The invention relates also to a magnet made by said method and particularly a small magnet. |
| US08610435B2 |
Focus coil array and interface devices therefor
A coil for use with a magnetic resonance (MR) system includes an outer loop having a first end and a second end formed from a conductive material for detecting MR signals oriented vertical to a plane of the coil. The outer loop has a plurality of capacitors therein including: (i) a first drive capacitor and a second drive capacitor of approximately equal value serially deployed within the outer loop at the first end of the outer loop with a junction node therebetween; and (ii) a third drive capacitor and a fourth drive capacitor serially deployed within the outer loop at the second end of the outer loop with a junction node therebetween. The coil also includes a first center conductor extending between and evenly bisecting the junction nodes of the outer loop and a second center conductor extending perpendicular to the first center conductor and evenly bisecting the outer loop. |
| US08610434B2 |
Cryogen-free cooling system for electron paramagnetic resonance system
In an electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer, a closed cycle cryocooler is used to cool gaseous helium, which is then circulated around a sample to cool the sample by direct convection. Since the sample is not mechanically connected to the refrigerator, no vibrations are transmitted from the refrigerator to the sample and the sample can be quickly removed and replaced. The cooled helium can be passed through a Joule-Thomson expansion device before circulating the cooled helium around the sample to further cool the helium. In addition, a vacuum pump can be connected to the helium outlet after circulating the cooled helium around the sample to increase the pressure differential across the Joule-Thomson expansion device and further cool the helium. In order to raise the temperature of the cooled helium, a heater can be placed about the cooled helium line upstream from the sample. |
| US08610431B2 |
NMR contrast logging
An apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole, the apparatus includes: a carrier configured to be conveyed through the borehole; a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instrument disposed at the carrier and configured to perform an NMR measurement on a volume sensitive to the NMR measurement; and a contrast agent disposed in the volume and comprising particles that form a suspension in a liquid, the suspension of particles being configured increase a magnetic field gradient of at least one earth formation material in the volume to change an NMR relaxation time constant of the at least one earth formation material; wherein the NMR measurement on the volume containing the at least one earth formation material and the contrast agent is used to estimate the property. |
| US08610429B2 |
Magnetic field sensor device
A magnetic field sensor device 1 includes a sensor section 100 that includes a magneto-impedance device 110 having a magnetic amorphous structure, and rod-shaped core sections 130 and 131 that guide a magnetic field to the magnetic amorphous structure in a longitudinal direction with respect to the magnetic amorphous structure. The core sections 130 and 131 may be provided on either side of the magnetic amorphous structure in the longitudinal direction. The core sections 130 and 131 may be disposed so that the longitudinal direction of the magnetic amorphous structure coincides with the longitudinal direction of the core sections 130 and 131. The magnetic field sensor device 1 may include environmental magnetic field cancellation means 140 and 141 that generate a correction magnetic field that cancels the environmental magnetic field input to the magnetic amorphous structure. |
| US08610427B2 |
Magneto-sensitive wire, magneto-impedance element and magneto-impedance sensor
The magneto-sensitive wire of the invention has a vortex-spin structure and hence includes no magnetic domain walls, so that the magneto-sensitive wire of the invention has an excellent hysteresis characteristic exhibiting nearly zero hysteresis. Therefore, the linearity related to the output voltage characteristic for the applied magnetic field in the determination range of an MI sensor is significantly improved as compared to MI sensors using the conventional magneto-sensitive wires. Using the magneto-sensitive wire of the invention makes it possible to provide a magneto-impedance (MI) element exhibiting a higher precision than the conventional ones and further provide a sensor using such an MI element. |
| US08610423B2 |
Low noise external enable switcher control signal using on-chip switcher
A method and system is disclosed for powering device sub-circuitry of an electronic device. The sub-circuitry may be used to provide control signals to a direct current switcher on a main system board, thus eliminating passive circuitry typically associated with the sub-circuitry. Furthermore, by actively generating the control signals for the direct current switcher, explicit timing control circuitry is not required to synchronize the transmitted power to the sub-circuitry. |
| US08610421B2 |
Current generator and method of operating
A current generator includes an op-amp having a negative terminal arranged to be coupled to an input voltage, a resistance selection circuit having at least one tunable resistor connected with each other, and at least one power transistor. A gate of the at least one power transistor is coupled to an output of the op-amp, and a drain of the at least one power transistor is coupled to the at least one tunable resistor or a load. The resistance selection circuit is configured to select a node of the at least one tunable resistor based on the input voltage for coupling from a positive terminal of the op-amp. The at least one tunable resistor is configured to adjust a resistance setting to control a current level of the current generator based on a power supply voltage or a current of a reference resistor. |
| US08610416B2 |
Self-driven synchronous rectification boost converter
The present invention provides a self-driven synchronous rectification boost converter. The self-driven synchronous rectification boost converter has a first switch receiving a pulse driving signal, a first winding and a synchronous rectification circuit constructed by an auxiliary winding and a second switch. The first winding stores energy when the first switch is switched on and releases energy when the first switch is switched off to achieve boosting. In the meantime, the auxiliary winding cooperates with a switch circuit to switch on/off the second switch according to a voltage inducted from the first winding, so as to achieve an object of synchronous rectification. Under a condition of outputting high current, the present invention can greatly reduce power-consumption of rectifying and enhance efficiency. |
| US08610411B2 |
High-voltage regulated power supply
The disclosed embodiments relate to a power-supply circuit, an electronic device that includes the power-supply circuit, and a method for generating high-voltage DC power from AC line power using the power-supply circuit. This power-supply circuit includes a voltage multiplier and a low dropout (LDO) regulator, and does not include a step-up transformer. Conventional power supplies often use a custom step-up transformer, which is expensive unless the power supplies are manufactured in high quantities. In contrast, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a solid-state implementation of a 700 V regulated power supply that can take up to a 1020 V input from an 6× voltage multiplier powered from the AC mains. Hence, the disclosed power-supply circuit eliminates the need for large, heavy and expensive step-up transformers and chokes that are used in conventional high-voltage DC power supplies. |
| US08610410B2 |
Dual drive system for transformer isolated half bridge and full bridge forward converters
The present invention relates to a power converter circuit for operating on a DC input voltage comprising a forward ferrite-core transformer having at least two primary windings and at least one secondary winding, at least one automatic switching device provided between the primary windings, a current sense circuit provided between the first primary winding and the automatic switching device, and a control unit having a voltage sense circuit, the control unit being connected to the automatic switching device and the current sense circuit and being configured to operate the automatic switch on the basis of an input parameter, thereby controlling the out put voltage. |
| US08610407B2 |
Method and apparatus for handling a charging state in a mobile electronic device
Disclosed is a mobile device comprising a voltage supervisor and reset (VSAR) module configured to detect an input voltage, start a timer set to a predetermined time period responsive to detecting the input voltage, and output a low signal responsive to detecting the input voltage. The mobile device also comprises a battery charger module configured to receive the input voltage, receive the low signal, output a power signal, and charge a battery. The mobile device also comprises a processing module configured to receive the power signal, and attempt enumeration responsive to receiving the power signal, wherein the VSAR module is further configured to output a high signal to the battery charger module when the timer expires and enumeration has not been completed. |
| US08610404B2 |
Charge pump DC-DC converter comprising solid state batteries
An electronic device is provided which comprises a DC-DC converter. The DC-DC converter comprises at least one solid-state rechargeable battery (B1, B2) for storing energy for the DC-DC conversion and an output capacitor (C2). |
| US08610403B2 |
Charging cradle
A charging cradle for a rechargeable medium having a charging contact. The charging cradle including a cradling-body, which includes a receiving area shaped to receive the rechargeable medium; a charging circuit having a charging and a non-charging state; a charging contact electrically coupled to the charging circuit and positioned to be alignable with the charging contact of the rechargeable medium; and a switch coupled to the cradling-body for interacting with the rechargeable medium to place the charging circuit in the charging state or the non-charging state. When the rechargeable medium is fully inserted into the receiving area such that the charging contact of the rechargeable medium is aligned with the charging contact of the cradling-body, the rechargeable medium, via the switch, places the charging circuit in the charging state, and when the rechargeable medium is not fully inserted, the switch places the charging circuit in the non-charging state to prevent short-circuiting of the charging circuit. |
| US08610402B2 |
Adaptor device for charging portable electronic apparatus
An adaptor device for charging portable electronic apparatus, the device being comprised of a plurality of connectors to be coupled mechanically and removably to a housing connectable to a power supply, each connector being comprised of a hollow main body featuring a compartment which may house a voltage regulating electronic circuit, equipped with an aperture for access; and a corresponding closing element for the aforementioned aperture, featuring in turn a window and a means for the fixing of a connecting plug for the portable electronic apparatus located in the aforementioned window and communicating with the interior of the compartment of the hollow main body, the connector also featuring electrical connection terminals in order to establish electrical contact between the connecting plug or the electronic circuit, whichever is the case, and the housing, when the connector is duly coupled into said housing. |
| US08610396B2 |
Battery boost apparatus
A battery boost apparatus is described. The battery boost apparatus monitors that amount of voltage in the vehicle battery and the current flowing to the vehicle battery to determine an existence of a fault condition. If a fault condition exists, a vehicle battery is cutoff from the boost battery and the charge of the boost battery is maintained until the fault condition is remedied. |
| US08610395B2 |
Battery charging apparatus
An apparatus for charging an automobile battery is presented. The device provides a surface charge with a time limited window in which to start a vehicle. Use of used batteries provides for environmentally effective manner in which to deal with the tremendous amount of used batteries that are discarded worldwide each year. The apparatus may optionally include a charging circuit to allow for recharging the used batteries. An LED display may be included to provide indication when a target battery has sufficient surface charge to warrant an attempt to start an engine. The apparatus is a small portable device that can be stored anywhere in a vehicle. |
| US08610394B2 |
Microcomputer for controlling ultrasonic motor, and method for controlling ultrasonic motor
A microcomputer that outputs a pulse signal controlling an ultrasonic motor includes a digital/analog, D/A, conversion set register that stores a D/A conversion set value setting an amplitude value of the pulse signal, a D/A converter that generates the amplitude value based on the D/A conversion set value, a first compare register that stores a first compare register value setting a frequency of the pulse signal, a second compare register that stores a second compare register value setting a duty ratio of the pulse signal, a counter that outputs a count value, a first comparator that compares the first compare register value with the count value to generate a first comparison result signal, and a second comparator that compares the second compare register value with the count value to generate a second comparison result signal. |
| US08610392B2 |
Runout measurement for devices having a rotating body
A runout measurement system is proposed for measuring the runout of a moving surface of a device having a rotating body, such as a mass storage device (100) (e.g. a hard disk drive) having a rotor which in use includes a rotating recording medium. A sensor (102) interacting with the moving surface obtains a displacement signal. The displacement signal is sampled by a sampling unit (104) controlled by a unit (109) which initiates sampling based on both a signal indicating a ZCP and the clock signal of a high frequency (e.g. 20 MHz) clock (106). Simultaneously, the same clock (106) is used by a counter 108 to measure the spacing between one or more ZCP times. This permits the correspondence between the sampling times and the angular position of the rotor to be found with a high accuracy which depends upon the clock frequency, and thereby allows calculation of repeatable runout (RRO) and non-repeatable runout (NRRO). |
| US08610391B1 |
Disk drive optimizing spindle motor torque by adjusting leading phase angle during spin-up
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, and a spindle motor for rotating the disk, the spindle motor comprising a plurality of windings. During a spin-up operation a sinusoidal driving voltage is applied to each winding of the spindle motor. A back electromotive force (BEMF) voltage generated by at least one of the windings is measured, and a rotation speed of the spindle motor is measured. The sinusoidal driving voltage is adjusted in order to optimize a lead angle relative to the rotation speed, wherein the lead angle represents a degree the sinusoidal driving voltage leads the BEMF voltage. |
| US08610385B2 |
Motor driving circuit
A motor driving circuit includes an inverter circuit which supplies a driving current to a coil of a single phase brushless DC motor, a position detection sensor which detects a magnetic pole position of a magnet rotor of the motor and outputs a position detection signal, and a controller which controls the inverter circuit based on the position detection signal and a speed instruction signal for instructing a rotating speed of the motor. At a time of startup of the motor, the controller makes a pulse width of a PWM signal for controlling the inverter circuit constant in a first time period which starts after the position detection signal zero-crosses and lasts until the position detection signal zero-crosses next time, and narrows the pulse width of the PWM signal as time elapses in a second time period immediately after the first time period. |
| US08610384B2 |
Converter with distributed brake resistances
A device converts electrical energy into heat in the field of drive voltage technology and/or high voltage technology. The device contains a brake resistance and at least one controllable brake power semiconductor for controlling the conversion, enabling a rapid and economical transformation of effective power into heat as required. To this end, the brake resistance contains a plurality of individual brake resistances that are each part of a bipolar submodule. The submodules are connected in series, form a submodule series connection, and at least partially contain an energy accumulator respectively connected in parallel to an associated individual brake resistance and a controllable brake power semiconductor, which allows the current flow over the respectively associated individual brake resistance in a brake position, and interrupts the current flow over the brake resistance in a normal operating position. |
| US08610383B2 |
Combined electric device for powering and charging
The invention relates to a combined method and device for powering and charging, wherein said device comprises an AC motor (6), a converter (2), storage means (5), and switching means (4) either for enabling the powering of the motor (6) or for enabling the charging of the storage means (5) by the converter (2). The switching means (4) is integrated in the converter (2) and includes at least one H-shaped bridge structure (3) for each phase of the motor (6). |
| US08610376B2 |
LED lighting methods, apparatus, and systems including historic sensor data logging
In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for designing improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more of rotatable LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to receive signals from the LED light bars and control the LED light bars, and a mesh network connectivity to other fixtures. |
| US08610368B2 |
Serial-type light-emitting diode (LED) device
A serial-type LED device includes p light source units and a dimming circuit. Each light source unit includes first and second terminals, m light strings and m current balance units. Each light string includes LEDs coupled in series to have a first terminal coupled to the first terminal of a corresponding light source unit and a second terminal coupled to the second terminal of the corresponding light source unit through a corresponding current balance unit. The first terminal of the first light source unit is coupled to a second DC voltage, and the second terminal of the i-th light source unit is coupled to the first terminal of the (i+1)-th light source unit, where m and p are integers greater than or equal to 2, and i is any integer from 1 to (p−1). The dimming circuit coupled to the second terminal of the p-th light source unit controls the second DC voltage according to a current outputted from the p-th light source unit. |
| US08610365B2 |
Switching power converter input voltage approximate zero crossing determination
In at least one embodiment, the controller senses a leading edge, phase cut AC input voltage value to a switching power converter during a cycle of the AC input voltage. The controller senses the voltage value at a time prior to a zero crossing of the AC input voltage and utilizes the voltage value to determine the approximate zero crossing. In at least one embodiment, by determining an approximate zero crossing of the AC input voltage, the controller is unaffected by any disturbances of the dimmer that could otherwise make detecting the zero crossing problematic. In at least one embodiment, the controller approximates the AC input voltage using a function that estimates a waveform of the AC input voltage and determines the approximate zero crossing of the AC input voltage from the approximation of the AC input voltage. |
| US08610363B2 |
LED lighting device and illumination apparatus
The present invention provides a pair of input terminals to which AC voltage is input, the AC voltage being phase-controlled by a dimmer for phase-controlling AC voltage of an AC source; a damping circuit which has a resistor inserted to a position, into which input current flows from the AC source via the dimmer in series, and a capacitor and an inductor which form a closed circuit together with the AC source and the dimmer, and suppresses high-frequency vibration generated in the dimmer when a phase control element of the dimmer is turned on; and an LED lighting circuit which rectifies AC voltage phase-controlled and input via the pair of input terminals, converts DC output voltage, which is obtained by rectification, so that the voltage adapts to a load, and lights the LED. |
| US08610358B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection for luminaire
An apparatus for protecting a solid state retrofit lighting or illumination system from electrostatic discharge damage caused by charge induced onto conductive surfaces of the lighting or illumination system. |
| US08610357B2 |
LED assembly for a signage illumination
An LED light source assembly for signage illumination includes one or more planar LED arrays located with respect to a light spreading system for uniformly distributing light onto a viewing surface. The light spreading system includes a plurality of reflectors in combination with a transverse deflector disposed directly above and in the light emanating path of a planar LED array. The transverse deflector is oriented angularly and projects at least a portion of light onto a lateral reflector of the light spreading system. In one embodiment, a heat dissipation fixture is supported external to a housing assembly for improved heat management. The LED arrays and the plurality of reflectors and transverse deflectors are affixed directly to the heat dissipation fixture. |
| US08610356B2 |
Iodine fueled plasma generator system
An iodine fueled plasma generator system includes a plasma generator. At least one storage vessel is configured to store condensed phase iodine therein. A heating device proximate to the storage vessel is configured to create iodine vapor from the condensed phase iodine. A propellant management subsystem is configured to deliver the iodine vapor to the plasma generator. A feedback control subsystem is responsive to one or more of plasma generator discharge current, the pressure of the iodine vapor, and/or the temperature of the iodine vapor configured to regulate the flow rate of the iodine vapor to the plasma generator. |
| US08610355B2 |
Reactor structure and plasma treatment apparatus
A distance from a negative output terminal of a secondary winding of the transformer to a feeding terminal of the cathode plate is longer than a distance from a positive output terminal of the secondary winding to a feeding terminal of the anode. The anode side feeding path electrically connects the feeding terminal of the anode bar to the positive output terminal of the secondary winding. The cathode side feeding path electrically connects the feeding terminal of the cathode plate to the negative output terminal of the secondary winding. A path length of the cathode side feeding path is longer than a path length of the anode side feeding path. The housing is formed by an electric conductor and is electrically connected to the cathode side feeding path. |
| US08610351B2 |
Surge absorber
[Problems]Disclosed is a surge absorber which can absorb a surge having a long wave tail, wherein a stable sparkover voltage is obtained without applying a discharging aid to electrodes.[Means for Solving the Problems]The surge absorber is comprised of a pair of terminal electrode members (2) which are opposed to each other; and the insulation tube (3) on which the pair of terminal electrode members (2) are disposed on opposite ends thereof and that has a discharge control gas sealed therein. Bulging electrode elements (4) having an expanded center portion (4a) are formed on the inner surfaces of the terminal electrode members (2). The bulging electrode elements (4) contain metal which can emit more electrons than the terminal electrode members (2). |
| US08610340B2 |
Solid-state light emitting devices and signage with photoluminescence wavelength conversion
A solid-state light emitting device having a solid-state light emitter (LED) operable to generate excitation light and a wavelength conversion component including a mixture of particles of a photoluminescence material and particles of a light reflective material. In operation the phosphor absorbs at least a portion of the excitation light and emits light of a different color. The emission product of the device comprises the combined light generated by the LED and the phosphor. The wavelength conversion component can be light transmissive and comprise a light transmissive substrate on which the mixture of phosphor and reflective materials is provided as a layer or homogeneously distributed throughout the volume of the substrate. Alternatively the wavelength conversion component can be light reflective with the mixture of phosphor and light reflective materials being provided as a layer on the light reflective surface. |
| US08610332B2 |
Positioning system and method
A system for positioning an object, having a fixed base, a support for the object, an actuator for applying a force to displace the support relative to the fixed base, a sensor for measuring the load force on the support, and a controller for processing the measured load force to control the position of the support and/or damp at least one resonance frequency of the system. A method of controlling the system is also provided. |
| US08610328B2 |
Rotary electric machine
The concentrated winding coil is mounted onto a tooth such that a coil end portion is housed inside a concave space that is formed by the trunk portion and first and second guide portions at two axial ends of the tooth. Third cover portions of an insulating sheet that is disposed on two circumferential sides of the tooth are folded over so as to overlap with each other and extend so as to cover the coil end portion of the concentrated winding coil, and a second leader line that projects outward from a radially inner end portion of the concentrated winding coil is bent and led radially outward parallel to the coil end portion that is covered by the third cover portions. |
| US08610321B2 |
Generator, wind turbine, method of assembling a generator and use of a generator in a wind turbine
A generator is provided comprising a rotor with a number of magnetic rotor pole shoes, a stator with a number of stator coils wound on the stator, and a generator-utility grid interface comprising a plurality of diode rectifiers, each diode rectifier is connected to a stator coil and the number of stator coils is greater than the number of rotor pole shoes, or the number M of rotor pole shoes is greater than, but not an integer multiple of, the number of stator coils. A wind turbine utilizing the generator of the present invention and a method of assembling such a generator are provided. |
| US08610316B2 |
Apparatus and method for scalable power distribution
In one aspect, the invention provides a system for power distribution. According to some embodiments, the system includes a rack mountable power distribution unit including a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing also including an outer wall defining a cavity within the housing, and fastening elements configured to allow the housing to be mounted within an electrical equipment rack. In accordance with these embodiments, the outer wall of the housing includes an opening extending linearly between the first end and the second end of the housing and a plurality of electrical conductors located within the cavity and oriented linearly between the first end and the second end. In accordance with further embodiments, the system includes a tap module. |
| US08610315B2 |
Circuit and heating apparatus that completely cuts power to a supply circuit due to blowout of a fuse on a single supply line
This invention allows completely cutting power supply to a circuit that has become dysfunctional because of blowout of a fuse. To accomplish this, a circuit includes a fuse connected to one supply line of an AC power supply, a switching unit connected to the other supply line of the AC power supply, a detection unit configured to detect blowout of the fuse, and a control unit configured to turn off the switching unit when the detection unit detects blowout of the fuse. |
| US08610314B2 |
Switching phase offset for contactor optimization
A system and methods providing for minimizing the arc energy delivered to the pads of a plurality of contactors using a single control coil based on monitoring the electrical sine waves of the three alternating current electrical poles and calculating the instant to energize or deenergize a single control coil. The remainder of the contactors will make or break based on an offset in time from the making or breaking of the control contactor. |
| US08610313B2 |
DC power outlets in fixed power distribution systems in or on wall installations
An electrical power distribution system has fixed stations with AC power to DC power conversion circuitry at these stations. The converter(s) are switchable ON/OFF at outlet ports or sockets where the socket configuration permits. Standardized DC sockets accommodate a variety of voltage requirements typical of portable digital devices. In some embodiments feedback circuitry is provided to regulate the power to these devices in accordance with parameters programmed in the portable devices or in the sensing circuitry provided at each station. |
| US08610311B1 |
Passive power generation system
A passive power generation system comprised of a magnification device for magnifying energy and a recovery device operatively coupled to the magnification device for recovering at least a portion of the magnified energy and a method for making the passive power generation system for magnifying and recovering energy. |
| US08610308B2 |
System and method for electrical power conversion
A system for combining electrical power from two or more power sources includes first and second conversion stages (120) which receive input power from two or more power sources (110), and produce different output voltages, including DC outputs. The input power sources (110) may have different voltage, frequency, and phase characteristics, and may be DC voltages. Various embodiments are disclosed for converting and combining the input power sources (110) to provide at least a DC output voltage and an optional AC output voltage which may have different voltage, frequency, and phase characteristics than the input power sources (110). In another embodiment, a method of power conversion is disclosed. |
| US08610302B2 |
Water wave power plant system
A water wave power plant system includes a first guide rail, a first clockwise freewheel, a first counterclockwise freewheel, a first buoy queued through the through-hole by the first guide rail, first right and left roller, a first chain belt having engaging the first clockwise freewheel, the first counterclockwise freewheel, the first right roller, and the first left roller on the first plane, and corresponding second set of equivalent elements to tap the water wave energy in an opposite direction. Each of the guide rail includes a rectangular tube, first embedded-rollers installed in the rectangular tube rotatably with two partial portions exposed on two parallel outer wall of the rectangular tube, and second embedded-rollers installed in the first rectangular tube rotatably likewise, wherein the first embedded-rollers and the second embedded-rollers are disposed perpendicularly with respect to each other. A self-propelling ship is constructed using the water wave power plant systems. |
| US08610296B2 |
Starter adapted to absorb engine-oscillation
A starter to start an engine mounted on a vehicle provides an electromagnetic solenoid to push a pinion gear towards a ring gear side, an electromagnetic switch to open and close a motor contact point. The electromagnetic solenoid and the electromagnetic switch are individually controlled by an Electronic Control Unit i.e., ECU. When an idle-stop is triggered, the ECU controls a starter relay to be closed during the ring gear is rotating whereby the pinion gear together with a clutch are pushed out to counter-motor direction by the electromagnetic solenoid. As a result, the pinion gear meshes with the ring gear that is rotating at lower rotational speed. Therefore, the inertial mass of the starter is added to the ring gear so that swinging of the engine can be suppressed. |
| US08610292B2 |
Resin sealing method of semiconductor device
A resin sealing method of a semiconductor device includes: positioning semiconductor devices at predetermined positions of an adhesive layer formed on a support body and adhering the semiconductor devices thereto, sealing a part of each of the semiconductor devices with resin by curing a first seal resin in a fluidization state so as to fix the semiconductor devices adhered to the predetermined positions of the adhesive layer formed on the support body, setting the semiconductor devices fixed to the predetermined positions of the adhesive layer formed on the support body in a mold and sealing the exposure parts of the semiconductor devices exposed from the first seal resin with a second seal resin, and removing the support body and the adhesive layer from the semiconductor devices sealed with the resin. |
| US08610289B2 |
Semiconductor component and method for producing a metal-semiconductor contact
A semiconductor component including a first layer (10) of a semiconductor material as a substrate, a second layer (12) running on said first layer (10), and at least two intermediate layers (14, 16) made of the materials of the first and second layers running between the first and second layer, where the first intermediate layer (16) facing the second layer (12) may contain a eutectic mixture (18) made of the materials of the first and second layers. The invention is also directed to an electroconductive contact (15, 15a, 15b) forming an electroconductive connection to the first layer and originating at or running through the second layer, as well as to a method for producing the metal-semiconductor contact. In order to produce a mechanically durable, electrically flawless, removable contact in the area of the material of the second layer it is proposed that the electroconductive contact (15, 15a, 15b) include a solderable or wettable metallic material, which is alloyed into the second layer (12) or which forms a mixture with the material of the second layer. |
| US08610288B2 |
Semiconductor device with stacked semiconductor chips
A semiconductor chip 109 is mounted on a substrate 100, first wire group 120 and a second wire group 118 having a wire length shorter than the first wire group are provided so as to connect the substrate 100 and the semiconductor chip 109 to each other, and a sealing resin 307 is injected from the first wire group 120 toward the second wire group 118 so as to form a sealer 401 covering the semiconductor chip 109, the first wire group 120, and the second wire group 118. |
| US08610286B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming thick encapsulant for stiffness with recesses for stress relief in Fo-WLCSP
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die mounted to a carrier. A first encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die and carrier. A stiffening support member can be disposed over the carrier around the semiconductor die. A plurality of channels or recesses is formed in the first encapsulant. The recesses can be formed by removing a portion of the first encapsulant. Alternatively, the recesses are formed in a chase mold having a plurality of extended surfaces. A second encapsulant can be deposited into the recesses of the first encapsulant. The carrier is removed and an interconnect structure is formed over the semiconductor die and first encapsulant. The thickness of the first encapsulant provides sufficient stiffness to reduce warpage while the recesses provide stress relief during formation of the interconnect structure. A portion of the first encapsulant and recesses are removed to reduce thickness of the semiconductor device. |
| US08610285B2 |
3D IC packaging structures and methods with a metal pillar
A package component is free from active devices therein. The package component includes a substrate, a through-via in the substrate, a top dielectric layer over the substrate, and a metal pillar having a top surface over a top surface of the top dielectric layer. The metal pillar is electrically coupled to the through-via. A diffusion barrier is over the top surface of the metal pillar. A solder cap is disposed over the diffusion barrier. |
| US08610284B2 |
Semiconductor device and electronic device
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate, first and second internal electrodes provided on a surface of the semiconductor substrate; a first through electrode which penetrates through the semiconductor substrate in a thickness direction and is electrically connected to the first internal electrode; and a second through electrode connected to the second internal electrode, and the second internal electrode is thinner than the first internal electrode. The second through electrode may penetrate through the second internal electrode. |
| US08610274B2 |
Die structure, die arrangement and method of processing a die
A die structure includes a die and a metallization layer disposed over the front side of the die. The metallization layer includes copper. At least a part of the metallization layer has a rough surface profile. The part with the rough surface profile includes a wire bonding region, to which a wire bonding structure is to be bonded. |
| US08610272B2 |
Package structure with micro-electromechanical element and manufacturing method thereof
A package structure includes a micro-electromechanical element having a plurality of electrical contacts; a package layer enclosing the micro-electromechanical element and the electrical contacts, with a bottom surface of the micro-electromechanical element exposed from a lower surface of the package layer; a plurality of bonding wires embedded in the package layer, each of the bonding wires having one end connected to one of the electrical contacts, and the other end exposed from the lower surface of the package layer; and a build-up layer structure provided on the lower surface of the package layer, the build-up layer including at least one dielectric layer and a plurality of conductive blind vias formed in the dielectric layer and electrically connected to one ends of the bonding wires. The package structure is easier to accurately control the location of an external electrical contact, and the compatibility of the manufacturing procedures is high. |
| US08610266B2 |
Semiconductor device for radio frequency applications and method for making the same
A semiconductor device (5) for radio frequency applications has a semiconductor chip (1) with an integrated circuit accommodated in a radio frequency package. Inside bumps (2) comprise inside contacts between the semiconductor chip (1) and a redistribution substrate (3). The inside bumps (2) have a metallic or plastic core (6) and a coating layer (7) of a noble metal. |
| US08610265B2 |
Compliant core peripheral lead semiconductor test socket
An electrical interconnect for providing a temporary interconnect between terminals on an IC device and contact pads on a printed circuit board (PCB). The electrical interconnect includes a substrate with a first surface having a plurality of openings arranged to correspond to the terminals on the IC device. A compliant material is located in the openings. A plurality of conductive traces extend along the first surface of the substrate and onto the compliant material. The compliant material provides a biasing force that resists flexure of the conductive traces into the openings. Conductive structures are electrically coupled to the conductive traces over the openings. The conductive structures are adapted to enhance electrical coupling with the terminals on the IC device. Vias electrically extending through the substrate couple the conductive traces to PCB terminals located proximate a second surface of the substrate. |
| US08610264B2 |
Compliant interconnects in wafers
A microelectronic assembly includes a substrate and an electrically conductive element. The substrate can have a CTE less than 10 ppm/° C., a major surface having a recess not extending through the substrate, and a material having a modulus of elasticity less than 10 GPa disposed within the recess. The electrically conductive element can include a joining portion overlying the recess and extending from an anchor portion supported by the substrate. The joining portion can be at least partially exposed at the major surface for connection to a component external to the microelectronic unit. |
| US08610261B2 |
Power semiconductor device
A power semiconductor device includes a power semiconductor module having cylindrical conductors which are joined to a wiring pattern so as to be substantially perpendicular to the wiring pattern and whose openings are exposed at a surface of transfer molding resin, and an insert case having a ceiling portion and peripheral walls, the ceiling portion being provided with external terminals that are fitted into, and passed through, the ceiling portion, the external terminals having outer-surface-side connecting portions at the outer surface side of the ceiling portion and inner-surface-side connecting portions at the inner surface side of the ceiling portion. The power semiconductor module is set within the insert case such that the inner-surface-side connecting portions of the external terminals are inserted into the cylindrical conductors. |
| US08610257B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for producing such a device
A semiconductor device and method for producing such a device is disclosed. One embodiment provides a semiconductor functional wafer having a first and second main surface. Component production processes are performed for producing a component functional region at the first main surface, wherein the component production processes produce an end state that is stable up to at least a first temperature. A carrier substrate is fitted to the first main surface. Access openings are produced to the first main surface. At least one further component production process is performed for producing patterned component functional regions at the first main surface of the functional wafer in the access openings. The end state produced in this process is stable up to a second temperature, which is less than the first temperature. |
| US08610253B2 |
Lead frame, semiconductor device, and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A lead frame includes a die stage; an inner lead provided near the die stage; and a bus bar provided between the die stage and the inner lead and supported by a hanging lead, wherein the hanging lead is inclined with respect to the inner lead, and a wire connection face of the bus bar is displaced with respect to a wire connection face of the inner lead in a direction of a frame thickness. |
| US08610251B1 |
Low voltage protection devices for precision transceivers and methods of forming the same
A bi-directional protection device includes a bi-directional NPN bipolar transistor including an emitter/collector formed from a first n-well region, a base formed from a p-well region, and a collector/emitter formed from a second n-well region. P-type active regions are formed in the first and second n-well regions to form a PNPNP structure, which is isolated from the substrate using dual-tub isolation consisting of an n-type tub and a p-type tub. The dual-tub isolation prevents induced latch-up during integrated circuit powered stress conditions by preventing the wells associated with the PNPNP structure from injecting carriers into the substrate. The size, spacing, and doping concentrations of active regions and wells associated with the PNPNP structure are selected to provide fine-tuned control of the trigger and holding voltage characteristics to enable the bi-directional protection device to be implemented in high voltage applications using low voltage precision interface signaling. |
| US08610243B2 |
Metal e-fuse with intermetallic compound programming mechanism and methods of making same
Disclosed herein is a metal e-fuse device that employs an intermetallic compound programming mechanism and various methods of making such an e-fuse device. In one example, a device disclosed herein includes a first metal line, a second metal line and a fuse element that is positioned between and conductively coupled to each of the first and second metal lines, wherein the fuse element is adapted to be blown by passing a programming current therethrough, and wherein the fuse element is comprised of a material that is different from a material of construction of at least one of the first and second metal lines. |
| US08610240B2 |
Integrated circuit with multi recessed shallow trench isolation
A system and method for forming multi recessed shallow trench isolation structures on substrate of an integrated circuit is provided. An integrated circuit includes a substrate, at least two shallow trench isolation (STI) structures formed in the substrate, an oxide fill disposed in the at least two STI structures, and semiconductor devices disposed on the oxide fill in the at least two STI structures. A first STI structure is formed to a first depth and a second STI structure is formed to a second depth. The oxide fill fills the at least two STI structures, and the first depth and the second depth are based on semiconductor device characteristics of semiconductor devices disposed thereon. |
| US08610239B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device including an isolation layer structure including a doped polysilicon layer pattern doped with first and second impurities of first and second conductivity types at lower and upper portions thereof, the doped polysilicon layer pattern being on an inner wall of a first trench on a substrate including an active region in which the first trench is not formed and a field region including the first trench, and an insulation structure filling a remaining portion of the first trench; a gate structure on the active region; a well region at a portion of the active region adjacent to lower portions of the doped polysilicon layer pattern and being doped with third impurities of the second conductivity type; and a source/drain at a portion of the active region adjacent to upper portions of the doped polysilicon layer pattern and being doped with fourth impurities of the first conductivity type. |
| US08610231B2 |
Photodiode array including channel surrounding part
A photodiode array 1 has a plurality of photodetector channels 10 which are formed on an n-type substrate 2 having an n-type semiconductor layer 12, with a light to be detected being incident to the plurality of photodetector channels 10. The photodiode array 1 comprises: a p−-type semiconductor layer 13 formed on the n-type semiconductor layer 12 of the substrate 2; resistors 4 each of which is provided to each of the photodetector channels 10 and is connected to a signal conductor 3 at one end thereof; and an n-type separating part 20 formed between the plurality of photodetector channels 10. The p−-type semiconductor layer 13 forms a pn junction at the interface between the substrate 2, and comprises a plurality of multiplication regions AM for avalanche multiplication of carriers produced by the incidence of the light to be detected so that each of the multiplication regions corresponds to each of the photodetector channels. The separating part 20 is formed so that each of the multiplication regions AM of the p−-type semiconductor layer 13 corresponds to each of the photodetector channels 10. |
| US08610224B2 |
MEMS element and electrical device using the same
In a MEMS element 500 where a MEMS structure 201 is hermetically sealed in a cavity 110 by a substrate 301 and laminated structure 120, interface sealing layers 101, 102 and 103 are provided between two layers that constitute the laminated structure 120, so as to prevent gas from breaking into the cavity 110 through the interface between two layers along the direction parallel to the surface of the substrate 301. |
| US08610220B2 |
Semiconductor device with self-aligned interconnects
A semiconductor device and method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device includes a substrate including a metal oxide device. The metal oxide device includes first and second doped regions disposed within the substrate and interfacing in a channel region. The first and second doped regions are doped with a first type dopant. The first doped region has a different concentration of dopant than the second doped region. The metal oxide device further includes a gate structure traversing the channel region and the interface of the first and second doped regions and separating source and drain regions. The source region is formed within the first doped region and the drain region is formed within the second doped region. The source and drain regions are doped with a second type dopant. The second type dopant is opposite of the first type dopant. |
| US08610217B2 |
Self-protected electrostatic discharge field effect transistor (SPESDFET), an integrated circuit incorporating the SPESDFET as an input/output (I/O) pad driver and associated methods of forming the SPESDFET and the integrated circuit
Disclosed are embodiments of a self-protected electrostatic discharge field effect transistor (SPESDFET). In the SPESDFET embodiments, a resistance region is positioned laterally between two discrete sections of a deep source/drain region: a first section that is adjacent to the channel region and a second section that is contacted. The second section of the deep source/drain region is silicided, but the first section adjacent to the channel region and the resistance region are non-silicided. Additionally, the gate structure can be either silicided or non-silicided. With such a configuration, the disclosed SPESDFET provides robust ESD protection without consuming additional area and without altering the basic FET design (e.g., without increasing the distance between the deep source/drain regions and the channel region). Also disclosed are embodiments of integrated circuit that incorporates the SPESDFET as an input/output (I/O) pad driver and method embodiments for forming the SPESDFET and the integrated circuit. |
| US08610214B2 |
ESD protection device having a geometric salicide pattern
Provided is a semiconductor device having an ESD protection MOS transistor including a plurality of transistors combined together, in which a plurality of drain regions and a plurality of source regions disposed alternately and a gate electrode disposed between each pair of adjacent regions constituted of one of the plurality of drain regions and one of the plurality of source regions, in which a distance between a salicide metal region, which is formed on each of the plurality of drain regions, and the gate electrode is determined according to contact holes in the plurality of drain regions and a distance of the contact holes from substrate contacts. |
| US08610212B2 |
Semiconductor active matrix on buried insulator
A high resolution active matrix backplane is fabricated using techniques applicable to flexible substrates. A backplane layer including active semiconductor devices is formed on a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The backplane layer is spalled from the substrate. A frontplane layer including passive devices such as LCDs, OLEDs, photosensitive materials, or piezo-electric materials is formed over the backplane layer to form an active matrix structure. The active matrix structure may be fabricated to allow bottom emission and provide mechanical flexibility. |
| US08610211B2 |
Semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structure with selectively placed sub-insulator layer void(s) and method of forming the SOI structure
Disclosed is a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structure having sub-insulator layer void(s) selectively placed in a substrate so that capacitance coupling between a first section of a semiconductor layer and the substrate will be less than capacitance coupling between a second section of the semiconductor layer and the substrate. The first section may contain a first device on an insulator layer and the second section may contain a second device on the insulator layer. Alternatively, the first and second sections may comprise different regions of the same device on an insulator layer. For example, in an SOI field effect transistor (FET), sub-insulator layer voids can be selectively placed in the substrate below the source, drain and/or body contact diffusion regions, but not below the channel region so that capacitance coupling between the these various diffusion regions and the substrate will be less than capacitance coupling between the channel region and the substrate. Also, disclosed is an associated method of forming such an SOI structure. |
| US08610207B2 |
Semiconductor architecture having field-effect transistors especially suitable for analog applications
An insulated-gate field-effect transistor (220U) utilizes an empty-well region for achieving high performance. The concentration of the body dopant reaches a maximum at a subsurface location no more than 10 times deeper below the upper semiconductor surface than the depth of one of a pair of source/drain zones (262 and 264), decreases by at least a factor of 10 in moving from the subsurface location along a selected vertical line (136U) through that source/drain zone to the upper semiconductor surface, and has a logarithm that decreases substantially monotonically and substantially inflectionlessly in moving from the subsurface location along the vertical line to that source/drain zone. Each source/drain zone has a main portion (262M or 264M) and a more lightly doped lateral extension (262E or 264E). Alternatively or additionally, a more heavily doped pocket portion (280) of the body material extends along one of the source/drain zones. |
| US08610204B2 |
Semiconductor device
A first semiconductor device comprising: a first conductivity type drift region formed in a semiconductor substrate; a second conductivity type body region formed at an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate on an upper surface side of the drift region; a first conductivity type first semiconductor region formed on a part of an upper surface of the body region; and a trench gate type insulated gate penetrating the first semiconductor region and the body region, and formed to a depth at which the insulated gate contacts the drift region. A part of the insulated gate on a drift region side relative to the body region is deeper at a center portion than at both end portions in a longitudinal direction of the insulated gate. |
| US08610203B2 |
Semiconductor device with buried gates
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming a buried gate after forming an active region to have a line type. The buried gate comprises an operation gate and a non-operation gate. A height of a gate electrode layer (conductive material) of the non-operation gate is formed to be lower than that of a gate electrode layer of the operation gate, thereby increasing a threshold voltage and preventing an overlap of the ion-implanted active region with the non-operation gate. As a result, a Gate Induced Drain Leakage (GIDL) is prevented to improve a refresh characteristic of the semiconductor device. |
| US08610201B1 |
FinFET comprising a punch-through stopper
Structures and methods are presented relating to formation of finFET semiconducting devices. An approach is presented to facilitate formation of a pMOS finFET which can be combined with a nMOS finFET to form a balanced CMOS device. A Si:C layer can be utilized to suppress diffusion of group III and group V impurities, where suppression can utilize interstitial and substitutional phases. A Si:Ge layer can be utilized to facilitate determination of transition between a Si layer and a Si:C layer to enable a finFET to be formed having a required volume of fin material exposed for anticipated operation (e.g., a target Vth) of the finFET device. |
| US08610200B2 |
Nitride read only memory device with buried diffusion spacers and method for making the same
A method for making a nitride read only memory device with buried diffusion spacers is disclosed. An oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) layer is formed on top of a silicon substrate, and a polysilicon gate is formed over the ONO layer. The polysilicon gate is formed less than a length of the ONO layer. Two buried diffusion spacers are formed beside two sidewalls of the polysilicon gate and over the ONO layer. Two buried diffusion regions are implanted on the silicon substrate next to the two buried diffusion spacers. The two buried diffusion regions are then annealed such that the approximate interfaces of the buried diffusion regions are under the sidewalls of the polysilicon gate. The structure of a nitride read only memory device with buried diffusion spacers is also described. |
| US08610198B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device comprises a transistor comprising a gate, a source, a drain, and a gate insulating layer, and an auxiliary line formed over the drain and electrically insulated from the drain. During a turn-off operation of the transistor, voltage to increase a resistance of the drain is supplied to the auxiliary line. |
| US08610196B2 |
Memory including transistors with double floating gate structures
In a memory of an embodiment, first and second P-channel transistors are formed on a first semiconductor region, and each of the first and second P-channel transistors has a structure formed by stacking a first insulating film, a first floating gate, a second insulating film, a second floating gate, a third insulating film, and a first control gate in this order on the first semiconductor region. In the memory, first and second N-channel transistors are formed on a second semiconductor region, and each of the first and second N-channel transistors has a structure formed by stacking a fourth insulating film, a third floating gate, a fifth insulating film, a fourth floating gate, a sixth insulating film, and a second control gate in this order on the second semiconductor region. |
| US08610195B2 |
Non-volatile memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same
A non-volatile memory device includes a field region that defines an active region in a semiconductor substrate, a floating gate pattern on the active region, a dielectric layer on the floating gate pattern and a control gate on the dielectric layer. The control gate includes a first conductive pattern that has a first composition that crystallizes in a first temperature range, and a second conductive pattern that has a second composition that is different from the first composition and that crystallizes in a second temperature range that is lower than the first temperature range, the first conductive pattern being between the dielectric layer and the second conductive pattern. |
| US08610194B2 |
Semiconductor device with vertical gate and method for fabricating the same
A vertical channel type non-volatile memory device having a plurality of memory cells stacked along a channel includes the channel configured to be protruded from a substrate, a tunnel insulation layer configured to surround the channel, a plurality of floating gate electrodes and a plurality of control gate electrodes configured to be alternately stacked along the channel, and a charge blocking layer interposed between the plurality of the floating gate electrodes and the plurality of the control gate electrodes alternately stacked. |
| US08610188B2 |
Integrated circuit decoupling capacitor arrangement
A decoupling capacitor arrangement is provided for an integrated circuit. The apparatus includes a plurality of decoupling capacitor arrays electrically connected in parallel with one another. Each of the arrays includes a plurality of decoupling capacitors and a current limiting element. The decoupling capacitors of each array are electrically connected in parallel with one another. The current limiting element is connected in series with the plurality of decoupling capacitors. |
| US08610187B2 |
Semiconductor device
A first transistor including a channel formation region, a first gate insulating layer, a first gate electrode, and a first source electrode and a first drain electrode; a second transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer, a second source electrode and a second drain electrode, a second gate insulating layer, and a second gate electrode; and a capacitor including one of the second source electrode and the second drain electrode, the second gate insulating layer, and an electrode provided to overlap with one of the second source electrode and the second drain electrode over the second gate insulating layer are provided. The first gate electrode and one of the second source electrode and the second drain electrode are electrically connected to each other. |
| US08610184B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes: a substrate which has a first conductivity type and in which a first amplifier area and a second amplifier area are defined; a first well which has a second conductivity type, a first pocket well which has the first conductivity type and is separated from the first well, and a first deep well which has the second conductivity type, surrounds the first pocket well, and is separated from the first well; and a second well which has the second conductivity type, a second pocket well which has the first conductivity type and is separated from the second well, and a second deep well which has the second conductivity type, surrounds the second pocket well, and is separated from the second well The first well, the first pocket well, and the first deep well are formed in the first amplifier area of the substrate, and the second well, the second pocket well, and the second deep well are formed in the second amplifier area of the substrate. |
| US08610182B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
An object of the present invention is to prevent the deterioration of a TFT (thin film transistor). The deterioration of the TFT by a BT test is prevented by forming a silicon oxide nitride film between the semiconductor layer of the TFT and a substrate, wherein the silicon oxide nitride film ranges from 0.3 to 1.6 in a ratio of the concentration of N to the concentration of Si. |
| US08610180B2 |
Gas sensor and method for manufacturing the gas sensor
It is an object to provide a gas sensor which is formed by a simple manufacturing process. Another object is to provide a gas sensor whose manufacturing cost is reduced. A transistor which includes an oxide semiconductor layer in contact with a gas and which serves as a detector element of a gas sensor, and a transistor which includes an oxide semiconductor layer in contact with a film having a gas barrier property and which forms a detection circuit are formed over one substrate by the same process, whereby a gas sensor using these transistors may be formed. |
| US08610178B2 |
Semiconductor device having a fuse element
A portion-to-be-melted of a fuse is surrounded by plates, so that heat to be generated in a meltdown portion of the fuse under current supply can be confined or accumulated in the vicinity of the meltdown portion of the fuse. This makes it possible to facilitate meltdown of the fuse. The meltdown portion of the fuse in a folded form, rather than in a single here a fuse composed of a straight-line form, is more successful in readily concentrating the heat generated in the fuse under current supply into the meltdown portion, and in further facilitating the meltdown of the fuse. |
| US08610171B2 |
Infrared detector with extended spectral response in the visible field
A semiconductor-based SWIR infrared detector sensitive to wavelengths shorter than about 2.5 microns comprises a stack of semiconductor layers based on III-V materials forming a PIN photodiode. The stack includes a naked electrical contact, called a lower electrical contact, serving as an optical window; and a detection layer sensitive to said wavelengths. The lower contact comprises at least one layer of indirect-bandgap III-V material(s) doped n-type, pseudomorphic or lattice matched with a substrate intended to serve as a temporary substrate possibly being made of a III-V material such as InP or GaAs or of silicon or germanium. |
| US08610170B2 |
Compound semiconductor light-receiving element array
An array structure solves issues that exist in conventional compound semiconductor photodiode arrays, such as large cross talk, large surface leaks, large stray capacitance, narrow detection wavelength bands, and bad manufacturing yield, simultaneously. A photodiode array has, laminated upon a semiconductor substrate, a buffer layer (8) with a broad forbidden band width, an I-type (low concentration photosensitive layer (2) with a narrow forbidden band width, and an n-type semiconductor window layer (3) with a broad forbidden band width, wherein photodiode elements are electrically separated from adjacent elements, by doping the periphery of the p-type impurity, and the detection wavelength band is expanded, by making the n-type window layer (3) on the photosensitive layer (2) a thinner layer with crystal growth. |
| US08610166B2 |
Light emitting device
According to one embodiment, a light emitting device includes a first lead, a light emitting element, a second lead and a molded body. The light emitting element is fixed on the first lead. The second lead is provided away from the first lead and electrically connected to the light emitting element via a metal wire. The, molded body made of a sealing resin covers the light emitting element, end portions of the first lead and the second lead, the light emitting element being fixed on the end portion of the first read, and the metal wire being bonded on the end portion of the second lead. The first groove is provided between first and second portions in a front surface of the second lead, the first portion being in contact with an outer edge of the molded body and the metal wire being bonded on the second portion. |
| US08610165B2 |
LED light module with heat releasing casing and grooved backing to contain conductive bonding fluids
An LED module structure and a light fixture provided with the structure includes a heat releasing casing; an LED package having an LED chip mounted on a base material, a material having both heat conductance and electric insulation property placed between the heat releasing casing and the LED package upon fitting of the LED package to the heat releasing casing, and a plastic fluid or adhesive agent having particles with high heat conductivity. The material has a groove with outside smaller than an outside dimension of the LED package. The groove receives excess plastic fluid or excess adhesive agent on a surface to which the LED package is firmly attached. |
| US08610158B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting device according to an embodiment includes: a substrate; an n-type semiconductor layer formed on the substrate; an active layer formed on a first region of the n-type semiconductor layer, and emitting light; a p-type semiconductor layer formed on the active layer; a p-electrode formed on the p-type semiconductor layer, and including a first conductive oxide layer having an oxygen content lower than 40 atomic %; and an n-electrode formed on a second region of the n-type semiconductor layer. |
| US08610154B2 |
Side-view type light emitting device and line light source type light emitting device
A side-view type light emitting device includes a package body, a lead frame, and a light emitting diode (LED). The package body has a first surface provided as a mount surface, a second surface disposed on a side opposite to the first surface, and lateral surfaces disposed between the first surface and the second surface. The package body includes a recessed portion disposed on a lateral surface corresponding to a light emitting surface of the lateral surfaces. The lead frame is disposed in the package body. The LED chip is mounted on a bottom surface of the recessed portion. Protrusion parts protruding toward the LED chip are disposed in regions adjacent to the LED chip of facing inner sidewalls of the recessed portion, respectively. |
| US08610149B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode display is disclosed. The display includes: a substrate; a first electrode positioned on the substrate; an organic emission layer positioned on the first electrode; a second electrode positioned on the organic emission layer; and a semi-transmissive layer positioned between the substrate and the first electrode and having a plurality of refractive layers having different refractive indices. |
| US08610145B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting apparatus 10 includes an aluminum nitride co-fired substrate 11 and a light emitting device 12 arranged on a front surface of the co-fired substrate, in which the front surface of the aluminum nitride substrate 11 bearing the light emitting device 12 is mirror-polished so as to have a surface roughness of 0.3 μm Ra or less, and the light emitting apparatus 10 further includes a vapor-deposited metal film 14 and via holes 15. The vapor-deposited metal film 14 is arranged on the front surface of the aluminum nitride substrate 11 around the light emitting device 12 and has a reflectivity of 90% or more with respect to light emitted from the light emitting device 12. The via holes 15 penetrates the aluminum nitride substrate 11 from the front surface bearing the light emitting device 12 to the rear surface to thereby allow conduction to the light emitting device 12 from the rear surface. This configuration can reduce light emitting apparatuses in size and can provide light emitting apparatuses that are excellent in heat radiation performance, allow a larger current to pass therethrough, and can have a significantly increased luminance with a high luminous efficiency. |
| US08610142B2 |
Light emitting device
By doping an organic compound functioning as an electron donor (hereinafter referred to as donor molecules) into an organic compound layer contacting a cathode, donor levels can be formed between respective LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) levels between the cathode and the organic compound layer, and therefore electrons can be injected from the cathode, and transmission of the injected electrons can be performed with good efficiency. Further, there are no problems such as excessive energy loss, deterioration of the organic compound layer itself, and the like accompanying electron movement, and therefore an increase in the electron injecting characteristics and a decrease in the driver voltage can both be achieved without depending on the work function of the cathode material. |
| US08610138B2 |
LED package having an array of light emitting cells coupled in series
Disclosed is a light emitting diode (LED) package having an array of light emitting cells coupled in series. The LED package comprises a package body and an LED chip mounted on the package body. The LED chip has an array of light emitting cells coupled in series. Since the LED chip having the array of light emitting cells coupled in series is mounted on the LED package, it can be driven directly using an AC power source. |
| US08610132B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A MOSFET includes a semiconductor substrate having a trench formed in a main surface, a gate oxide film, a gate electrode, and a source interconnection. A semiconductor substrate includes an n-type drift layer and a p-type body layer. The trench is formed to penetrate the body layer and to reach the drift layer. The trench includes an outer peripheral trench arranged to surround an active region when viewed two-dimensionally. On the main surface opposite to the active region when viewed from the outer peripheral trench, a potential fixing region where the body layer is exposed is formed. The source interconnection is arranged to lie over the active region when viewed two-dimensionally. The potential fixing region is electrically connected to the source interconnection. |
| US08610131B2 |
Silicon carbide insulated-gate bipolar transistor
An IGBT includes a groove provided in a silicon carbide semiconductor layer, a body region of a first conductivity type provided in the silicon carbide semiconductor layer, and an insulating film covering at least a sidewall surface of the groove, the sidewall surface of the groove being a surface having an off angle of 50° or more and 65° or less with respect to a {0001} plane, the sidewall surface of the groove including a surface of the body region, the insulating film being in contact with at least the surface of the body region at the sidewall surface of the groove, and a first conductivity type impurity concentration in the body region being 5×1016 cm−3 or more. |
| US08610130B2 |
Monolithic high voltage switching devices
Metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) power devices are provided including a MOS channel including a semiconductor material having high electron mobility on a silicon carbide (SiC) layer. Related methods are also provided herein. |
| US08610128B2 |
Thin film transistor method of fabricating the same
A thin film transistor includes: a silicon nanowire on a substrate, the silicon nanowire having a central portion and both side portions of the central portion; a gate electrode on the central portion; and a source electrode and a drain electrode spaced apart from the source electrode on the both side portions, the source electrode and the drain electrode electrically connected to the silicon nanowire, respectively. |
| US08610122B2 |
Display unit
A display unit with which lowering of long-term reliability of a transistor is decreased is provided. The display unit includes a display section having a plurality of organic EL devices with light emitting color different from each other and a plurality of pixel circuits that are singly provided for every said organic EL device for every pixel. The pixel circuit has a first transistor for writing a video signal, a second transistor for driving the organic EL device based on the video signal written by the first transistor, and a retentive capacity, and out of the first transistor and the second transistor, a third transistor provided correspondingly to a second organic EL device adjacent to a first organic EL device is arranged farther from the first organic EL device than a first retentive capacity provided correspondingly to the second organic EL device out of the retentive capacity. |
| US08610120B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
A photolithography step and an etching step for forming an island-shaped semiconductor layer is omitted, and a liquid crystal display device is manufactured through the following four photolithography steps: a step for forming a gate electrode (including a wiring or the like formed from the same layer), a step for forming a source electrode and a drain electrode (including a wiring or the like formed from the same layer), a step for forming a contact hole (including removal of an insulating layer or the like in a region other than the contact hole), and a step for forming a pixel electrode (including a wiring or the like formed from the same layer). In the step of forming the contact hole, a groove portion in which the semiconductor layer is removed is formed, so that formation of parasitic channels is prevented. |
| US08610119B2 |
Stability enhancements in metal oxide semiconductor thin film transistors
A plasma hydrogenated region in the dielectric layer of a semiconductor thin film transistor (TFT) structure improves the stability of the TFT. The TFT is a multilayer structure including an electrode, a dielectric layer disposed on the electrode, and a metal oxide semiconductor on the dielectric. Exposure of the dielectric layer to a hydrogen containing plasma prior to deposition of the semiconductor produces a plasma hydrogenated region at the semiconductor-dielectric interface. The plasma hydrogenated region incorporates hydrogen which decreases in concentration from semiconductor/dielectric interface into the bulk of one or both of the dielectric layer and the semiconductor layer. |
| US08610116B2 |
Electroluminescent organic semiconductor element and a method for repair of an electroluminescent organic semiconductor element
An electroluminescent organic semiconductor element includes a substrate and a first electrode arranged on the substrate. The semiconductor element additionally contains a second electrode and at least one organic layer, which is arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. The organic layer is a layer that generates light by recombination of charge carriers. At least one of the first and the second electrode contains a highly conductive organic sublayer. |
| US08610108B2 |
Light emitting device and electronic apparatus
A light emitting device which is capable of suppressing deterioration by diffusion of impurities such as moisture, oxygen, alkaline metal and alkaline earth metal, and concretely, a flexible light emitting device which has light emitting element formed on a plastic substrate. On the plastic substrate, disposed are two layers and more of barrier films comprising a layer represented by AlNxOy which is capable of blocking intrusion of moisture and oxygen in a light emitting layer and blocking intrusion of impurities such as an alkaline metal and an alkaline earth metal in an active layer of TFT, and further, a stress relaxation film containing resin is disposed between two layers of barrier films. |
| US08610105B2 |
Semiconductor electroluminescent device with a multiple-quantum well layer formed therein
Provided is a semiconductor electroluminescent device with an InGaAlAs-based well layer having tensile strain, or a semiconductor electroluminescent device with an InGaAsP-based well layer having tensile strain and with an InGaAlAs-based barrier layer which is high-performance and highly reliable in a wide temperature range. In a multiple-quantum well layer of the semiconductor electroluminescent device, a magnitude of interface strain at an interface between the well layer and the barrier layer is smaller than a magnitude of critical interface strain determined by a layer thickness value which is larger one of a thickness of the well layer and a thickness of the barrier layer. |
| US08610102B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and manufacturing method thereof
A nonvolatile memory device (10A) comprises an upper electrode layer (2); a lower electrode layer (4); a resistance variable layer (3) sandwiched between the upper electrode layer (2) and the lower electrode layer (4); and a charge diffusion prevention mask (1A) formed on a portion of the upper electrode layer (2); wherein the resistance variable layer (3) includes a first film comprising oxygen-deficient transition metal oxide and a second film comprising oxygen-deficient transition metal oxide which is higher in oxygen content than the first film; at least one of the upper electrode layer (2) and the lower electrode layer (4) comprises a simple substance or alloy of a platinum group element; and the charge diffusion prevention mask (1A) is insulative, and is lower in etching rate of dry etching than the upper electrode layer (2) and the lower electrode layer (4). |
| US08610096B2 |
Charged particle beam writing apparatus and method
A charged-particle beam writing apparatus used for writing a predetermined pattern on a sample placed on a stage with a charged-particle beam. The apparatus comprises a height measuring unit that measures a height of the sample by irradiating the sample with light and receiving light reflected from the sample, and a control unit that receives either of height data acquired from a height data map prepared based on values measured by the height measuring unit before writing and height data measured by the height measuring unit during writing, thereby adjust an irradiation position of the charged-particle beam on the sample. |
| US08610095B2 |
Extreme ultraviolet light source device
An extreme ultraviolet light source device in accordance with the present invention suppresses a surface that comes into contact with a target material in a molten state from being eroded by the target material, being reacted with the target material, and being cut by the target material.A target generating unit 120 injects molten tin in a droplet shape as a target 201 into a chamber 101. A protective coating provided with an erosion resistance property to tin is configured on a section that comes into contact with tin in a molten state for each face of a nozzle part 121 and a tank part 122. Alternatively, a part that comes into contact with tin in a molten state is made of a material provided with an erosion resistance property and a heat resistance property. |
| US08610092B2 |
Charged particle beam processing system with visual and infrared imaging
A charged particle beam system for processing substrates is disclosed, comprising a charged particle column, combination infrared radiation and visible light illumination and imaging subsystems, in-vacuum optics, and a precision stage for supporting and positioning the substrate alternately under the charged particle column and the imaging system. The axes of the charged particle column and imaging system are offset to enable much closer working distances for both imaging and beam processing than would be possible in a single integrated assembly. A method for extremely accurately calibrating the offset between the column and imaging system is disclosed, enabling beam processing at precisely-determined locations on the substrate. The imaging system is capable of locating sub-surface features on the substrate which cannot be seen using the charged particle beam. Two illumination modes are disclosed, enabling both bright-field and dark-field imaging in infrared radiation and visible light. |
| US08610079B2 |
Robust radiation detector and method of forming the same
The present disclosure relates to radiation detectors having a layer of a high Z material, such as tungsten or lead, disposed on a face of a photodetector layer or other underlying layer. In one embodiment, the layer of the high Z material substantially prevents radiation from reaching on or more electronics components or circuits, such as an analog-to-digital conversion ASIC or other circuit. |
| US08610078B2 |
Radiological image detection apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
The X-ray image detection apparatus 1 includes: a scintillator panel 10 including a phosphor 200 that is formed on a support 101 and emits fluorescence by irradiation of radiation; and a photodetector 40 that detects the fluorescence emitted by the phosphor as an electric signal, wherein the phosphor 200 includes a columnar section 20 formed by growing crystals of a fluorescent material in a columnar shape, and a non-columnar section 25 provided between the columnar section 20 and the support 101 and has a porosity lower than that of the columnar section 20, and the scintillator panel 10 is disposed at the rear side of the photodetector 40 in a radiation travelling direction, and in the phosphor 200, the non-columnar section 25 is disposed at a side opposite to the photodetector side. |
| US08610075B2 |
Radioimaging applications of and novel formulations of teboroxime
A method for cardiac imaging is provided, including administering to an adult human subject an amount of a teboroxime species having a radioactivity of less than 5 mCi at a time of administration, and performing a SPECT imaging procedure of a cardiac region of interest (ROI) of the subject. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08610074B2 |
Passive radiometric imaging device and corresponding method
The present invention relates to a passive radiometric imaging device and a corresponding method for scanning a scene. The proposed device comprises a radiometer that detects radiation emitted in a predetermined spectral range from a spot of said scene and for generating a radiation signal from said detected radiation, a spot movement means that effects a movement of the spot, from which the radiation is detected, to various positions, a controller that controls said spot movement means to effect the movement of the spot from one position to another position after a random time interval, and a processor that processes the radiation signals detected from the spot at said various positions and for reconstructing an image of said scene by applying compressive sensing. With this device an increase of the temperature resolution of the reconstructed image can be obtained. |
| US08610071B2 |
Method of measuring characteristics of specimen, and flat-plate periodic structure
The present invention provides a measuring method comprising the steps of holding a specimen on a flat-plate periodic structure, applying a linearly-polarized electromagnetic wave to the periodic structure, and measuring characteristics of the specimen based on change of the electromagnetic wave scattered forward or backward by the periodic structure, wherein the periodic structure is structured such that plural unit structures having the same shape are two-dimensionally and periodically interconnected in a direction of one reference plane, the unit structure has at least one aperture penetrating therethrough in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane, the electromagnetic wave is applied from a direction perpendicular to the reference plane, and the unit structure has a shape that is not mirror-symmetric with respect to an imaginary plane orthogonal to a polarizing direction of the electromagnetic wave. |
| US08610069B2 |
Coaxial to dual co-planar waveguide launcher for microwave bolometry
A dual-coplanar sensor architecture is constructed by launching from coaxial airline to a unique arrangement of coplanar waveguides, arranged symmetrically on both sides of a thin dielectric substrate. The center conductor of the coaxial airline makes electrical contact with the middle conductor of both the top and bottom coplanar waveguides. The characteristic impedance of the top and bottom coplanar waveguides is designed to be approximately twice the characteristic impedance of the coaxial airline, such that the parallel combination of the two coplanar waveguides is the characteristic impedance of the coaxial airline. Further, steps in both the ground planes and center conductor at the point of transition from coaxial to coplanar are used to tune the launch and minimize reflection at the launch. |
| US08610064B2 |
Thermal detector, thermal detector device, and electronic instrument
A thermal detector has a substrate, a thermal detector element having a light-absorbing film, and a support member. The support member has a mounting part mounting the thermal detector element, a first arm part having one end that is linked to one end of the mounting part and another end that is supported on the substrate, and a second arm part having one end that is linked to the other end of the mounting part and another end that is supported on the other end of the substrate. A plurality of wirings electrically connected with the thermal detector element are provided on the first arm part, and the length of the second arm part is shorter than the length of the first arm part. |
| US08610062B2 |
Apparatus and method for multi-spectral imaging
An apparatus for multi-spectral imaging includes a microbolometer array comprising a two-dimensional array of microbolometer detectors that are configured to respond to energy having a first range of wavelengths comprising a first plurality of spectral bands. The apparatus also includes a wideband window configured to allow energy having a second range of wavelengths to reach the microbolometer array. The second range of wavelengths comprises a second plurality of spectral bands. The apparatus additionally includes optics configured to focus the energy from a scene towards the microbolometer array. The apparatus further includes a processor configured to generate an output based on a response of the microbolometer array to energy having a third range of wavelengths comprising a third plurality of spectral bands. There is substantial overlap between the first, second, and third range of wavelengths and the first, second, and third plurality of spectral bands. |
| US08610059B2 |
Method and system for non-destructive distribution profiling of an element in a film
A method to determine a distribution profile of an element in a film. The method comprises exciting an electron energy of an element deposited in a first film, obtaining a first spectrum associating with the electron energy, and removing a background spectrum from the first spectrum. Removing the background value generates a processed spectrum. The method further includes matching the processed spectrum to a simulated spectrum with a known simulated distribution profile for the element in a film comparable to the first film. A distribution profile is obtained for the element in the first film based on the matching of the processed spectrum to a simulated spectrum selected from the set of simulated spectra. |
| US08610058B2 |
Silver and silver nanoparticle MALDI matrix utilizing online soft landing ion mobility
Silver nanoparticles as a sample matrix for Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) along with a novel method for nanoparticle development is described herein. The silver nanoparticles were generated from silver ions on the surface of a MALDI plate utilizing a Soft Landing Ion Mobility (SLIM) instrument. Upon interaction with the surface the incident silver ions were labile and aggregated into the nanoparticle structures in a time dependent fashion. Post landing analysis were completed by Time of Flight mass spectrometry (TOF), and of particular interest in the spectra were the elimination of low mass interference peaks that generally plague organic based matrices. The approach of the present invention significantly decreases sample preparation time and may lead to a preparation free MALDI source by soft landing a matrix directly on the sample surface. |
| US08610055B1 |
Mass spectrometer ion trap having asymmetric end cap apertures
An ion trap for a mass spectrometer is disclosed. The ion trap includes a ring electrode and first and second electrodes which are arranged on opposite sides of the ring electrode. The ring electrode and the first and second electrodes are configured to generate an electric field based on the received RF signal. The first electrode defines a first aperture and the second electrode defines a second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture being asymmetric relative to each other and configured to generate a hexapole field. |