| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08631016B2 |
Telephone numbers with alphabetic patterns
An exemplary process includes storing telephone numbers in a telephone number database, identifying which telephone numbers in the telephone number database have digits that occur in an alphabetic pattern as defined by a reference list, and designating the telephone numbers with digits occurring in the alphabetic pattern as patterned telephone numbers. An exemplary process of identifying alphabetic patterns includes assigning at least one letter in an alphabet to a first digit, assigning at least one other letter in an alphabet to a second digit, accessing a telephone number database storing telephone numbers having a plurality of digits, identifying a letter combination created by at least two digits of at least one of the telephone numbers in the telephone number database, and determining whether the letter combination forms an alphabetic pattern as defined by a reference list. |
| US08631015B2 |
Detecting associates
Detecting, for a content item, associated preference events is disclosed. For the content item, a plurality of preference events from a plurality of users is received. The received preference events are accumulated. Associated events are detected. The effect of the events is reduced when assigning a status to the item. |
| US08631012B2 |
Method and system for identifying and displaying images in response to search queries
A method and system are disclosed that associate search keywords with relevant images from within sources, such as books, magazines, journals, etc., thereby making the images available for search using the associated keyword. Such associations enable a search engine to identify, in response to a search query, a relevant image within the source that would have not been provided otherwise. For example, an image of the Titanic that appears in a historical or cultural book may be associated with the search keyword “ship.” Accordingly, if a user submits the search query “ship and Infamous Ocean Voyages” (i.e., the keyword “ship” and the title of a book), an image of the Titanic from the book entitled “Infamous Ocean Voyages” may be returned among the search results. |
| US08631008B1 |
Systems and methods for indexing electronic content that involves external interaction
One exemplary embodiment involves receiving electronic content from a primary indexing application at a supplemental indexing application. The primary indexing application and the supplemental indexing application are separate applications executing on one or more devices. The supplemental indexing application identifies an external interaction that occurs during execution of the electronic content. Since the external interaction is not available from the supplemental indexing application, the supplemental indexing application communicates with the primary indexing application to receive information associated with the external interaction. The supplemental indexing application identifies one or more content-descriptive terms for the electronic content using the information associated with the external interaction. |
| US08631007B1 |
Disambiguating keywords and other query terms used to select sponsored content
A disambiguation process is applied to query terms before they are used to select sponsored content. If a query term is identified as ambiguous it is replaced by phrases associated with the ambiguous term. The disambiguation process provides, as an output, these phrases for use in selecting sponsored content. One example method for identifying ambiguous query terms includes, for each of a plurality of unigrams, identifying phrases containing the unigram, measuring similarity between phrases for each pair of phrases containing the unigram and using the measured similarity to mark at least some of the plurality of unigrams as ambiguous. |
| US08631002B2 |
Web-relevance based query classification
Methods, systems, algorithms, and media are provided for query classification based upon web relevance. In embodiments, a knowledge domain is selected. A knowledge domain includes a set of seed-web domains which are classified to belong to the knowledge domain. For each seed-web domain, a filtered web search of a given query is implemented utilizing a filter associated with a particular seed-web domain to obtain a total number of filtered results for the seed-web domain. For each seed-web domain, a total number of non-filtered results are referenced. A percentage of coverage for each seed-web domain is calculated using the total number of filtered results for the seed-web domain and the total number of non-filtered results for the seed-web domain. An average percentage of coverage for the knowledge domain is calculated using the percentage of coverage for each seed-web domain. |
| US08631001B2 |
Systems and methods for weighting a search query result
Systems and methods for weighting a search query result are described. In one described system, a program, such as a query system, determines a first article identifier associated with a source and receives an input signal indicating an interest in the first article identifier. The query system then determines a second article identifier associated with the source and determines a score associated with the second article identifier based at least in part on the input signal. |
| US08630997B1 |
Streaming event procesing
A query (e.g., an extensible markup language (XML) Path or XPath query) for one or more components of a document (e.g., XML document) may be received. A forward axis graph including a plurality of nodes with edges connecting the nodes may be generated based on the query and corresponding to a traversal of the document as associated with events (e.g., XML SAX events) corresponding to the document. A plurality of matching states of the forward axis graph including at least one final state may be identified, each matching state including a subset of the nodes wherein each incoming edge to the subset originates from one of the nodes of the subset. Whether the one or more components of the query exist within the document may be based on which events correspond to transitions between the matching states and whether the final state is achieved. |
| US08630994B2 |
System for multiple tasks on a display
A system has a processor and tangible, non-transistory media that stores a program that when executed by the processor is configured to perform operations. The system receives a request from a requesting user to reconfigure a search screen on a display, adds at least one search window to the search screen; receives a plurality of search requests from the search screen, and performs a plurality of searches to perform a separate search resulting in separate search results for each of the search requests provided by the requesting user. Each of the search results is displayed on a separate frame on a display. Other embodiments include operations other than searches. |
| US08630993B2 |
Time-conditioned search engine interface with visual feedback
A human-computer interface for a search engine or similar application includes specification means for a time condition applicable to a search query, and visual feedback means expressive of relative availability of sought or potentially sought database items at one or more specific times within a time period under consideration. The invention provides a new and unique way to support interactive searching of a database that includes information relating to time availability of represented items, in order to identify items that match one or more search term(s) and are available at a specific time or during a specific time period. |
| US08630992B1 |
URL rank variability determination
A system and method for determining a rank of a URL for a search query. A processor is effective to receive a search query and a URL. The processor may send the search query to a search engine and receive at least a first and a second result set from the search engine. The processor may determine a rank of the URL for the search query based on the first and second result sets. The processor may determine a variability of the rank of the URL based on the first and second result sets and generate a report including the rank and the variability of the rank. |
| US08630988B2 |
System and method for processing DNS queries
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for high-speed database searching with concurrent updating, without the use of database locks or access controls, for large database systems. Specifically, a plurality of search queries may be received over a network, the database may be searched, and a plurality of search replies may be sent over the network. While searching the database, new information received over the network may be incorporated into the database by creating a new element based on the new information and writing a pointer to the new element to the database using a single uninterruptible operation. |
| US08630986B2 |
Extending the functionality of enterprise services
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, that include generating a first application by providing a definition of an object representing a first set of attributes of a first collection of data elements and a first set of operations on the first collection, each data element in the first collection having the attributes and a list of the operations in common with other data elements from the first collection. The method also includes extending the definition of the object with a second definition, the second definition comprising a second set of attributes of the data elements or a list of second set of operations on the data elements, receiving from the client a request to execute an operation from the first set of operations or the second set of operations on one or more data elements from the first collection, the request having input parameters, checking the request against the definition and the second definition, executing, with a first set of parameters, the operation on the one or more data elements of the first collection, the operation resulting in output parameters, and sending a second set of parameters. |
| US08630984B1 |
System and method for data extraction from email files
A method and system can be used to read and obtain data from messaging files regardless of the messaging environment used to generate the messaging files. The method and system can read part of a messaging file to identify the type of entry (e.g., email message, calendar item, address book entry, etc.) and access information on where information within the entry is located within the messaging file based on an identifying signature. The method and system can be used to obtain data from messaging files without having to recreate the messaging environment, including individual email accounts. The data can be stored in a target storage medium in a format that is more usable and more easily searched. |
| US08630979B2 |
Non-blocking input output based storage
An apparatus and a method operating on data at a server node of a data grid system with distributed cache. Data is copied to a network cloud of storage services remotely coupled to a server node with an asynchronous input output interface. The asynchronous input output interface is configured to asynchronously communicate with the network cloud of storage services. Confirmation that the data has been copied on the network cloud of storage services is received at the server node. |
| US08630976B2 |
Fast search replication synchronization processes
A method and medium for performing a replication process are provided. The method includes receiving a request to perform an initial load of a first persistence of at least one business object node to replicate the at least one business object node to a second persistence of the business object node; providing a queue to store updates of the at least one business object node; setting a lock for the at least one business object node, the lock indicating a replicating process is performing the initial load of the at least one business object node; determining whether the lock is set for the at least one business object node; and storing, in the queue, the updates of the at least one business object node that occur in parallel with the replicating process in an instance it is determined the lock is set for the at least one business object node. |
| US08630970B2 |
Methods and systems for generating medical reports
Disclosed is a networked database-driven system for facilitating the generation by multiple users of reports containing frequently occurring, repetitive, or predictable elements, through the system making predictions or suggestions regarding elements to insert into or changes to make to a currently edited report in progress by one user, through the use of user-defined report elements and user-defined relations between those elements, as well as the system's drawing upon collected data regarding prior reports and report elements entered into the system by previous report authors and inclusion or exclusion decisions made by previous report authors regarding those elements in relation to other report elements. |
| US08630965B2 |
Framework of hierarchical sensory grammars for inferring behaviors using distributed sensors
Provided herein are methods, systems, and apparatuses that can utilize a grammar hierarchy to parse out observable activities into a set of distinguishable actions. |
| US08630963B2 |
Automatic user identification from button presses recorded in a feature vector
Methods, systems and computer program products to allow a user to identify himself to a content provider, without having to explicitly perform a log in process or other identification and authentication process. By manipulating a user device such as a remote control, a profile of the user may be constructed, where the profile includes a representation of how the individual user typically manipulates the device. The profile includes a feature vector that is a function of the number of times that individual buttons are pressed. The construction of the feature vector may be viewed as a training or learning phase. Once the profile and feature vector are constructed, the user's interaction with the device in a subsequent session may be captured and compared with the profile. This may allow identification of the user, in turn allowing content to be tailored in a manner specific to this user. |
| US08630962B2 |
Error detection method and its system for early detection of errors in a planar or facilities
Provided are a method which permits complete training data and data with added errors, and enables the early and accurate discovery of errors in facilities such as a plant, and a system thereof. To achieve the objectives, (1) the behavior of temporal data is observed over time, and the trace is divided into clusters; (2) the divided cluster groups are modeled in sub spaces, and the discrepancy values are calculated as errors candidates; (3) the training data are used (compare, reference, etc.) for reference to determine the state transitions caused by the changes over time, the environmental changes, the maintenance (parts replacement), and the operation states; and (4) the modeling is a sub space method such as regression analysis or projection distance method of every N data removing N data items, (N=0, 1, 2, . . . ) (for example, when N=1, one error data item is considered to have been added, this data is removed, then the modeling is performed), or a local sub space method. Linear fitting in regression analysis is equivalent to the lowest order regression analysis. |
| US08630961B2 |
Chatbots
In one aspect, the invention concerns a method of operating a chatbot to engage in a conversation with a correspondent the method comprises building a profile having plural profile variables for the correspondent; and during the conversation with the correspondent; selecting a node in the conversation data structure for processing based on the one or more profile variables, and processing the node to follow a conversation path based on the node's coded instructions and/or relationship with other nodes. In another aspect, the method comprises the steps of attempting to match the received input message with a node in the conversation data structure of the chatbot; if a matched node is found, selecting the matched node for processing; but if a matched node is not found, selecting a node for processing using a fuzzy search, or using a default procedure. |
| US08630955B2 |
Financial card system, communications device, authentication terminal, authentication method, and program
Disclosed herein is a financial card system. The system includes a communications device on which a non-contact integrated circuit chip is installed; and an authentication terminal having a reader/writer allowing reading/writing information on the communications device and capable of transmission and reception of information with the communications device through the reader/writer. The communications device has a storage block, a common area information transmission block, and an individual area information transmission block. The reader/writer of the authentication terminal has a storage block, a common area information reception block, and an individual area information reception block. |
| US08630952B2 |
Methods and systems using contactless card
It is desirable to implement security features that can prevent the unauthorized use of a customer's sensitive account information from an RFID sticker. The methods and systems described herein attempt to resolve the deficiencies with the conventional RFID stickers. In a more secure implementation, a financial institution allows a customer to activate or deactivate the account for use with the RFID sticker by submitting a request to the financial institution using internet banking, mobile banking, SMS texting, or other communications method. |
| US08630946B2 |
Systems and methods for providing individualized financial access
Systems and methods for implementing one or a series of value transfers. In some instances, the systems and methods include web or Internet based user interfaces that provide a mechanism whereby a user can implement a transfer plan without interacting with a human operator. Further, in some instances, such systems and methods provide a mechanism for authorizing access to one or more asset accounts from which value is transferred, and/or recipient accounts to which value is transferred. In some cases, the authorization function is performed by an entity that enjoys a pre-existing relationship with a user accessing the systems of the present invention, while any actual transfers are performed by a third party entity. This can be an advantage where authorization requires a signature or other interaction with a user sufficient to conform to electronic signature laws. |
| US08630945B1 |
Method for transaction processing in a capture and deposit
A system and method for integrating transaction processing is disclosed. The different processes are integrated by use of a controlling processing engine which contains instructions on how the processes should be treated. The system and method provides an end to end integrated system for processing payments and reporting the transaction results in real time. The system and method allows customers to have access to the transaction data in real time and return any excepted payments in real time. |
| US08630944B2 |
Charitable donation of proceeds from recycling activity
Embodiments of the invention enable an organization to nominate itself to receive proceeds from consumer recycling activity. For example, some embodiments enable an organization to request that an account be established to which proceeds from recycling activity are to be directed. Upon the account being established, the organization may be provided with a set of receptacles (e.g., beverage container collection bags), which the organization may hand out to potential donors. Each receptacle may include an identifier that allows the account to be identified. Donors may collect recyclable beverage containers in his/her receptacle over time, and bring the receptacle to a return center when it becomes full, at a designated time (e.g., to meet a suggested deadline set by the organization), or at any other suitable time. The recyclable containers in the receptacle may be processed, and a value to be provided in exchange for the containers may be determined. Some or all of that value may be deposited to the organization's account, rather than being provided to the consumer. |
| US08630943B2 |
Cash sweep account platform system and method
An integrated banking transaction services (IBTS) module receives an instrument from a client to initiate a brokerage transaction between a broker-dealer and an investment firm. The IBTS module transmits a notification message to a broker-dealer that the instrument was presented. The IBTS module receives a confirmation message from the broker-dealer that includes information as to whether to pay the instrument. If the instrument is to be paid, the IBTS module transmits information associated with the brokerage transaction to a sub-accounting engine. |
| US08630938B2 |
Method and apparatus to detect fraudulent activities within a network-based auction facility
Methods and apparatuses for detecting fraudulent activities made over a network-based transaction facility using a machine. In responsive to a first event with respect to the network-based transaction facility and initiated under a first user identity from the machine which is coupled to the network-based transaction facility via a network, the method causes a first identifier associated with the first user identity to be stored on the machine. In responsive to a second event with respect to the network-based transaction facility and initiated under a second user identity from the machine, the method causes a detecting of a potentially fraudulent activity by detecting a lack of correspondence between the first identifier stored on the machine and a second identifier associated with the second user identity. |
| US08630934B2 |
System and method for monitoring trading
A monitoring system for monitoring trade at an electronic exchange comprises memories related to a specific time interval. A trade occurring during that time interval or a parameter value related to the trade is recorded to a memory related to the time interval. At a point in time, a recent trade parameter is determined based on the accumulated trade parameter values in the memories. Based on the recent trade parameter and some rules and operators, one or more monitoring actions is executed. |
| US08630932B1 |
Biometric financial transaction system and method
Tokenless biometric authorization of transaction between a consumer and a merchant uses an identicator and an access device. A consumer registers with the identicator a biometric sample taken from the consumer. The consumer and merchant establish communications via the access device. The merchant proposes a transaction to the consumer via the access device. The access device communicates to the merchant associated with the access device. After the consumer and merchant have agreed on the transaction, the consumer and the identicator use the access device to establish communications. The access device communicates to the identicator the code associated with the access device. The identicator compares biometric sample from the consumer with registered biometric sample. Upon successful identification, the identicator forwards information regarding the consumer to the merchant. These steps accomplish a biometrically authorized electronic financial transaction without the consumer having to present any personalized man-made memory tokens. |
| US08630922B2 |
Escrow accommodation system
An escrow accommodation system is provided, including a first escrow client subsystem disposed in a first location, said first escrow client subsystem including first software and a first communication device comprising a first camera configured to be operated with the first software to facilitate an online videoconference meeting regarding an escrow, and a second escrow client subsystem disposed in a second location, said second escrow client subsystem including second software and a second communication device comprising a second camera configured to facilitate the online videoconference meeting regarding the escrow. The first escrow client subsystem is configured to display a list of available escrow companies for performing escrow services and fees associated with available escrow companies, and the first escrow client subsystem is configured to facilitate an escrow opening meeting online between a customer and an escrow company selected from the list. |
| US08630916B2 |
System and method for encouraging competitive participation in an auction
In both an on-line and a conventional auction, an auctioneer may encourage competitive bidding behavior through the provision of rewards to those bidders whose bids meet predetermined criteria. For example, a bidder may be rewarded if her bid exceeds a prior bid by a threshold value. An auctioneer may further discourage non-competitive bidding behavior by penalizing those bidders whose bids fall below predetermined standards. |
| US08630914B2 |
Method and system for providing order status information using an update status flag
A method and system for providing status of a data item after receiving status information pertaining to the data item. It is determined whether the received status information is new relative to further status information pertaining to the data item. The status record is updated to include the received status information if the received status information is new. The updated message indicating the received status information is then composed and transmitted over a network. |
| US08630913B1 |
Online registry splash page
In one embodiment, a web page presented to a user includes a header section that substantially spans the top of the web page and provides a menu of selectable options as well as a search input box. A main section beneath the header section provides a registry creation control, selectable to activate a gift registry creation process, and a registry search box, providing a user with a means for searching for a particular gift registry. Beneath the main section, two promotional regions are positioned side-by-side. One of the promotional regions includes two or more sub-regions, each sub-region presenting information regarding a respective promotional concept. The other promotional region presents information regarding a main promotional concept. In some embodiments, the sub-regions are vertically aligned in a column. |
| US08630907B2 |
Secure transactions using a point of sale device
Systems and methods are provided for secure transactions according to one or more embodiments. According to an embodiment, a method for providing secure transactions comprises initiating a transaction via a point of sale device having a one time password generator. The method also comprises generating at least one password by the point of sale device. The method further comprises associating the at least one password with account information. The method further comprises transmitting the password associated with the account information to a remote location. If the transmitted password matches predetermined associated information at the remote location, the method further comprises confirming the transaction. |
| US08630903B2 |
Providing a locator, such as a URL, for tracking multiple types of user-advertisement actions
Distracting clutter in ads may be reduced, while at the same time permitting various different ways for advertisement audience members to interact with and use ads. This may be done by (a) accepting telephone number information associated with an advertisement, (b) accepting a URL segment, (c) generating a new URL including the URL segment and the telephone number information, and (d) associating the new URL with the advertisement. The new URL might define a location of a document including marketing information, or a location of a document for facilitating on-line commerce. The telephone number information might be a telephone number or extension for a device or facility supporting telephone purchase orders. The ad, including the new URL, may be printed on an offline property. |
| US08630901B2 |
Using a first network to control access to a second network
A wireless communication device is configured to be able to communicate via both a first access point and a second access point for using the first access point to obtain validation credentials in order to permit use of the second access point to access a network. The wireless communication device comprises a processor; and a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions. The instructions are operable to: initiate communication with the second access point in order to access a network; obtain an access point identifier from the second access point, the access point identifier for identifying the second access point; transmit the access point identifier to a validation server via the first access point; receive validation credentials from the validation server via the first access point; the validation credentials including at identifier of a third party, the third party sponsoring access to the second access point; use the validation credentials to validate the wireless communication device with the second access point to obtain access to the network; and present advertising information on the wireless communication device, the advertising information pertaining to the third party. |
| US08630898B1 |
Stored value card provided with merchandise as rebate
A system and method for creating a stored value account based on a purchase transaction are provided. An indicia of an identifier to be distributed to a customer at a point of sale as a result of a purchase is passed. A request to activate a stored value account associated with the identifier is received from the customer, wherein the request comprises the identifier. The stored value account is activated by a computer processor. The stored value account comprises information about a rebate value that is associated with the purchase and usable by the customer. |
| US08630896B2 |
Systems and methods wherein a security deposit facilitates a transaction in which a benefit is applied in exchange for performance of a task
Methods, computer readable media and systems are described wherein a security deposit is used to facilitate a transaction with a customer. In an embodiment, a process includes receiving an indication that a customer is interested in making a purchase during a transaction from a merchant, and transmitting an offer for a benefit to be applied to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer and a security deposit. |
| US08630892B2 |
Churn analysis system
A churn analysis system helps a business analyze, predict, and reduce customer churn. The system analyzes customer experiences by using an insightful block level approach to correlate customer experience with customer churn. Through the block level approach, the system is able to more accurately predict and effectively reduce future customer churn. As a result, businesses are able to reduce customer acquisition costs and improve customer retention rates. |
| US08630890B2 |
Product migration analysis using data mining by applying a time-series mathematical model
A method and system for mining a database for product migration analysis includes querying product usage data for a legacy product and a new product from the database as time series data. The product usage data is representative for a large number of consumers of the legacy and new products. A mathematical model may be used to determine a relationship between the two time series data. Product migration values and other features related to product migration, such as a transition period of product usage, may be estimated, determined or predicted. |
| US08630889B2 |
Aesthetic profile collection
A system for selecting products is described. The system includes a computer executing a process to retrieve a product aesthetic tag associated with a particular product type selected by a customer. The aesthetic tag contains values that represent aesthetic features of the product and a process to form a result tag that contains a value corresponding to how well aesthetic features of the product match to aesthetic preferences of the customer. |
| US08630888B2 |
Systems and methods for analyzing a potential business partner
A computer-implemented method is provided for facilitating a due diligence analysis of a potential business partner of a business entity. The method includes receiving key data regarding a potential business partner. The method further includes facilitating an analysis of the potential business partner, including receiving risk-related data from a user regarding risks associated with the potential business partner, automatically determining a risk class for the potential business partner based at least on the received risk-related data, automatically determining a set of due diligence questions to present to the user based at least on the automatically determined risk class for the potential business partner, and receiving due diligence data from the user in response to the set of due diligence questions. The method further includes facilitating an approval process for the received due diligence data. |
| US08630887B2 |
Business process flowchart editing program and business process flowchart editing method
A business process flowchart editing apparatus manages information about a business process flowchart and risks and controls, and their relation into a business process model in a unified manner, and is provided with an editing function of editing these pieces of information and an analyzing function of inconsistency check and analysis on a change ripple, thereby increasing efficiency in documentation of internal control. |
| US08630886B2 |
Method and system for providing enhanced trouble ticket status content
An approach is provided for online trouble ticket servicing. As part of a workflow, one or more activities, which are associated with a trouble ticket corresponding to a service, are monitored, wherein the one or more activities are tracked by a workflow engine. Status information is repeatedly acquired for the one or more activities until a predetermined milestone is reached according to the workflow. The status information is stored for presentation to a subscriber of the service. |
| US08630884B2 |
Engine, system and method of providing cloud-based business valuation and associated services
A computer-implemented engine, system and method for generating business valuations, scoring, and/or flagging over a network, responsively to information input by a user remote from the engine, system and method. The invention may include a graphical user interface capable of locally querying a user to input the company information, at least one network port capable of remotely receiving the company information from the graphical user interface, and at least one engine communicatively connected to the at least one network port, which engine preferably includes a plurality of rules to generate, responsively to the input company information, at least one of a business valuation, a business score, and/or one or more business flags to be used as indicators in a network marketplace, for the company associated with the inputted company information. |
| US08630881B1 |
Method, apparatus, and program for pre-selling tickets to effect a booking of an event
An apparatus, method, and program for pre-selling tickets to determine whether to book an event or activity, and for facilitating the sale of those tickets. Consumers who pre-purchase a ticket are plainly notified if an event has not yet been booked. They are also shown the progress toward the likely booking of the event. A successful pre-sale of tickets triggers the booking of the event. An unsuccessful pre-sale results in the event not being booked. Consumers who help effect an event booking may be given privileges over those who purchase traditional tickets for the same event after it has already been booked. |
| US08630878B1 |
Determining likely outcomes of active insurance claims by calculating and examining aggregated outcomes of matching historic claims
An insurance claim analysis system may generate information indicative of a possible outcome of an active insurance claim. A historic insurance claim information database may hold historic information about historic insurance claims. A database query module may query the historic insurance claim information database for historic insurance claims that match search criteria indicative of one or more aspects of the active insurance claim. A data aggregation module may calculate an aggregate of an aspect of the historic information about the historic insurance claims that match the search criteria or a subset thereof. A report generation module may generate a report that includes the calculated aggregate of the aspect of the historic information. |
| US08630868B2 |
Method and system to exchange information about diseases
An online system and method enabling users to exchange information and establish collaboration in scientific projects on rare diseases is described. The website allows users to create a list of symptoms for a patient with a rare disease who is under their care. The patient's list of symptoms is then used to find other patients sharing a similar list of symptoms. A matching system creates a match report that ranks patients with similar symptoms. Once a list of potential matches is available, the user may take the initiative of contacting other colleagues with similar clinical cases under their care, for the purpose of exchanging information and/or establishing collaboration in scientific projects about a particular rare disease. A database containing information on rare diseases, along with other services, is also provided to the users at the website. |
| US08630866B2 |
System and method to automate service delivery to medical equipment
A system and method to manage service delivery to a customer is provided. In one embodiment, a system may include a computing device that, in turn, includes a memory having a plurality of routines stored therein and a processor configured to execute the plurality of routines. The plurality of routines of one embodiment may include a response engine configured to receive an indication of an event with respect to a medical resource and to receive a plurality of region-specific parameter sets including a parameter set associated with a geographic region in which the medical resource is located. Additionally, the response engine may be configured to generate an output including a recommended action based at least in part on the event and the parameter set associated with the geographic region such that the recommended action is customized for the geographic region in which the medical resource is located. |
| US08630863B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding audio/speech signal
Provided is a method of encoding an audio/speech signal, the method including determining a variable length of a frame, that is, a processing unit of an input signal in accordance with a position of an attack in the input signal; transforming each frame of the input signal to a frequency domain and dividing the frame into a plurality of sub frequency bands; and, if a signal of a sub frequency band is determined to be encoded in the frequency domain, encoding the signal of the sub frequency band in the frequency domain, and if the signal of the sub frequency band is determined to be encoded in a time domain, inverse transforming the signal of the sub frequency band to the time domain and encoding the inverse transformed signal in the time domain. According to the present invention, the audio/speech signal may be efficiently encoded by controlling time resolution and frequency resolution. |
| US08630862B2 |
Audio signal encoder/decoder for use in low delay applications, selectively providing aliasing cancellation information while selectively switching between transform coding and celp coding of frames
An audio signal encoder includes a transform-domain path which obtains spectral coefficients and noise-shaping information on the basis of a portion of the audio content, and which windows a time-domain representation of the audio content and applies a time-domain-to-frequency-domain conversion. The audio signal decoder includes a CELP path to obtain a code-excitation information and a LPC parameter information. A converter applies a predetermined asymmetric analysis window in both if a current portion is followed by a subsequent portion to be encoded in the transform-domain mode or in the CELP mode. Aliasing cancellation information is selectively provided in the latter case. |
| US08630860B1 |
Speaker and call characteristic sensitive open voice search
Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for open-domain voice-enabled searching that is speaker sensitive. Techniques include using speech information, speaker information, and information associated with a spoken query to enhance open voice search results. This includes integrating a textual index with a voice index to support the entire search cycle. Given a voice query, the system can execute two matching processes simultaneously. This can include a text matching process based on the output of speech recognition, as well as a voice matching process based on characteristics of a caller or user voicing a query. Characteristics of the caller can include output of voice feature extraction and metadata about the call. The system clusters callers according to these characteristics. The system can use specific voice and text clusters to modify speech recognition results, as well as modifying search results. |
| US08630857B2 |
Speech synthesizing apparatus, method, and program
Disclosed is a speech synthesizing apparatus including a segment selection unit that selects a segment suited to a target segment environment from candidate segments, includes a prosody change amount calculation unit that calculates prosody change amount of each candidate segment based on prosody information of candidate segments and the target segment environment, a selection criterion calculation unit that calculates a selection criterion based on the prosody change amount, a candidate selection unit that narrows down selection candidates based on the prosody change amount and the selection criterion, and an optimum segment search unit than searches for an optimum segment from among the narrowed-down candidate segments. |
| US08630856B2 |
Relative delta computations for determining the meaning of language inputs
A method for processing language input can include the step of determining at least two possible meanings for a language input. For each possible meaning, a probability that the possible meaning is a correct interpretation of the language input can be determined. At least one relative data computation can be computed based at least in part upon the probabilities. At least one irregularity within the language input can be detected based upon the relative delta computation. The irregularity can include mumble, ambiguous input, and/or compound input. At least one programmatic action can be performed responsive to the detection of the irregularity. |
| US08630855B2 |
Call system and method
A system and method for operating a voice domain name network for use over a telephone network including the steps of a computer taking a call in which a user speaks a name. The system recognizes the spoken name. Then the system checks that the name is on a voice domain list stored in a database where the voice domain name corresponds to an Internet URL. The system creating a record registering the name as a voice domain name if the name corresponds to an Internet URL and if it is not previously registered as a voice domain name and wherein said record includes a registrant and a telephone number for the registrant. Such that future callers who call and speak the name are connected via telephone to the registrant. |
| US08630851B1 |
Assisted shopping
Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating an assisted shopping experience. A speech input can be captured and transcribed. The transcribed speech input can be transmitted to a customer service agent in a data session that is contemporaneous with a voice session. The customer service agent can then facilitate an assisted shopping experience via the voice session and data session. |
| US08630841B2 |
Regular expression word verification
The present disclosure is directed to a method of verifying a compound word. The method includes receiving an input signal indicative of a textual input and accessing a rule and a lexical data structure from data stores. The rule is applied to the textual input to determine whether the textual input is a valid compound word. An output signal is provided that is indicative of whether the textual input is a compound word. |
| US08630836B2 |
Predicting system performance and capacity using software module performance statistics
An approach is presented for predicting performance and capacity of an information technology (IT) system. Sets of component-level and middleware-based performance statistics are retrieved. The sets of component-level performance statistics measure individual performances of reusable software modules in test runs of the software modules. The middleware-based performance statistics represent a contribution of customized middleware to the performance of the IT system in a test run of the customized middleware. Based on the sets of component-level and middleware-based performance statistics and before the IT system is built, a prediction of computing resource requirements and characteristics of the performance of the IT system is generated. Generating the prediction results in a recommendation of computing resources required to build the IT system without over-specifying the computing resources. |
| US08630832B2 |
Estimation of lithological properties of a geological zone
A method of estimating lithologic properties of a geological zone represented by a grid, in which method facies are allocated to the nodes of the grid by sequential stochastic simulation. For a target node (x0) from a set of target nodes for scanning iteratively, and for each possible facies (ck0), a conditional probability (pk0/k1, . . . , kn) of observing said facies is estimated knowing that respective facies have already been allocated to other nodes in the neighborhood. A random draw weighted by these conditional probabilities is then performed. The estimation of the conditional probabilities makes use of univariate probabilities (pk0) and of bivariate probabilities (pk0,ki) of observing two facies at two respective nodes of the grid. Each bivariate probability used in estimating the conditional probability relates to the target node (x0) and to a node (xi) neighboring the target node. |
| US08630830B1 |
Thermal analysis system
A thermal fluid system modeler including a plurality of individual components. A solution vector is configured and ordered as a function of one or more inlet dependencies of the plurality of individual components. A fluid flow simulator simulates thermal energy being communicated with the flowing fluid and between first and second components of the plurality of individual components. The simulation extends from an initial time to a later time step and bounds heat transfer to be substantially between the flowing fluid, walls of tubes formed in each of the individual components of the plurality, and between adjacent tubes. Component parameters of the solution vector are updated with simulation results for each of the plurality of individual components of the simulation. |
| US08630824B1 |
Comprehending waveforms of a circuit design
An executable circuit design is used to generate waveforms, from which behaviors of the circuit are captured. The behaviors and various combinations thereof can then be saved in a database, along with descriptions and other metadata about them, thereby generating a behavioral index of the circuit design code. Behavioral indexing of circuit designs allows a user to maintain an indexed behavior database, track changes in behaviors as the circuit design's executable description evolves, and figure out how the executable description can be reused in different projects. When applied to digital design development, it facilities the current design and verification effort, as well as design reuse down the line. |
| US08630823B2 |
Feature parameter candidate generation apparatus and feature parameter candidate generation method
A feature parameter candidate generation apparatus has a storage unit that stores the values of feature parameters extracted from each of samples, an index value calculation unit that calculates an index value, which is obtained by normalizing the number of the kinds of the values of feature parameters by the number of the samples, for each of the feature parameters, an evaluation object selection unit that selects combinations of feature parameters which are objects to be evaluated, an evaluation unit that evaluates whether the uniformity of a frequency distribution of index values of the individual feature parameters for combinations of feature parameters selected as the objects to be evaluated satisfies a predetermined criterion, and a candidate determination unit that determines, as feature parameter candidates to be given to the model generation device, a combination of feature parameters that is evaluated to satisfy the predetermined criterion. |
| US08630819B2 |
System and method for electronic inspection and record creation of assembly, repair and maintenance operations
A method for generating an electronic quality record of a manufacturing operation that may involve generating inputs from a plurality of information sources located within a manufacturing environment. The plurality of information sources may provide information pertaining to at least a tool being used, an individual using the tool, and an operation that the tool is being used by the individual to perform. A locating system may be used that is in communication with the plurality of information sources to monitor a location and an operation of the tool. A processor may be in communication with the locating system to receive the generated inputs and to generate an electronic record upon completion of the operation that the tool is being used by the individual to perform. The electronic record may identify that the operation has been performed by the individual using the tool in accordance with a predefined standard. |
| US08630817B2 |
Self centering bore measurement unit
Disclosed is a bore measurement unit having an elongate main body with first and second ends. A first adjustment mechanism is disposed near the first end and a second adjustment mechanism is disposed near said second end. The adjustment mechanisms expand or contract, through triangulating arms, to relative diameters, such that when the unit is inserted into a hollow bore it may be centered therein. A measuring portion of the unit measures the internal diameter of the bore. The measuring unit includes at least one sensor and preferably takes more than three readings at each distance of insertion to formulate a best fit circle of the inner bore diameter. |
| US08630809B2 |
System and method for propagating information using modified nucleic acids
A method is provided for improving a nucleic acid-based molecular computing system comprised of (i) a nucleic acid structure, (ii) at least one polynucleotide displacement molecule that can bind with the nucleic acid structure under hybridizing conditions, and (iii) a clashing polynucleotide molecule that competes with the polynucleotide displacement molecule for binding the nucleic acid structure under the hybridizing conditions The method entails incorporation of chemical modification that inhibits the binding of the clashing molecule and the nucleic acid structure or facilitates the binding of the displacement molecule and the nucleic structure. |
| US08630805B2 |
Methods and systems for creating maps with radar-optical imaging fusion
A method of mapping a space using a combination of radar scanning and optical imaging. The method includes steps of providing a measurement vehicle having a radar system and an image acquisition system attached thereto; aligning a field of view of the radar system with a field of view of the image acquisition system; obtaining at least one radar scan of a space using the radar scanning system; obtaining at least one image of the space using the image acquisition system; and combining the at least one radar scan with the at least one image to construct a map of the space. |
| US08630804B2 |
Method for geolocating an object by multitelemetry
A method for geolocating a fixed non-cooperating object by means of an embedded system onboard a mobile platform, equipped with distance acquisition means for acquiring the distance between the object and the system, and position acquisition means for acquiring the position of the system, includes acquiring two distance measurements of the object relative to two distinct positions of the system, thus defining two object position-distance pairs, the positions being those of the system and being obtained by the position acquisition means, and the distances being obtained by the distance acquisition means. The method also includes acquiring at least one other object position-distance pair, and calculating the geolocation of the object from these object position-distance pairs. |
| US08630803B2 |
Method and apparatus for trip planning and recording medium
A method and an apparatus for trip planning and a recording medium are provided. The method is suitable for a mobile device having a touch screen. In the method, a trip plan panel comprising a plurality of waypoint blocks arranged according to an arrangement sequence is displayed on the touch screen. Then, a touch operation of dragging executed between a point of interest (POI) and the trip plan panel is received, so as to input the POI in one of the waypoint blocks. Finally, according to the arrangement sequence of the waypoint blocks, a path between the POIs in the way point blocks is planned. |
| US08630800B1 |
Travel routes interface
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving a travel query, where the travel query comprises a starting location, a destination location, and a specified transit time; and using the starting location, destination location, and the specified transit time to provide a travel route for traveling from the starting location to the destination location within the specified transit time, wherein the travel route includes one or more points of interest. |
| US08630795B2 |
Vehicle speed control method and arrangement
Method and arrangement for setting a speed limit for vehicle travelling on a road includes monitoring conditions of the road, determining a speed limit for travel of vehicles on the road based on the monitored conditions, and transmitting the determined speed limit to the vehicles to thereby notify operators of the vehicles of the determined speed limit. Monitoring conditions of the road may entail monitoring weather conditions around the road, monitoring visibility for operators of the vehicles on the roads, monitoring traffic on the road, monitoring accidents on the road or emergency situations of vehicles on the road and/or monitoring the speed of vehicles travelling on the road and a distance between adjacent vehicles. |
| US08630788B2 |
Method and system for notifying a user of a predetermined traffic condition
A method for notifying a user, including obtaining a route and a predetermined traffic condition associated with the route; identifying an occurrence of the predetermined traffic condition associated with the route; and notifying the user of the occurrence of the predetermined traffic condition associated with the route. |
| US08630784B2 |
Method and system for detecting and compensating weather condition effects on wireless signals
A method and system for adjusting an operation of a wireless communication device based on information related to at least one of an operating status of a vehicle system and a weather condition. The method includes a step of receiving at least one information source related to an operation status of at least one vehicle system of a motor vehicle. The method further includes a step of analyzing the information to determine an ambient moisture condition. The method also includes adjusting an operating parameter of the wireless communication device and then operating the wireless communication device according to the adjusted operating parameter to compensate for attenuation to a wireless signal caused by the ambient moisture. |
| US08630783B2 |
Distance control system of vehicle
A distance control system of a vehicle includes: a signal transmitter for transmitting wireless signals forward with respect to a distance-controlled vehicle; a signal receiver for receiving the wireless signals reflected and returned from an object vehicle; a relative velocity measuring unit for measuring the relative velocity of the object vehicle in relation to the distance-controlled vehicle on the basis of the received wireless signals; a vehicle-to-vehicle distance measuring unit for measuring a first vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the distance-controlled vehicle and the object vehicle; and a vehicle-to-vehicle distance calculating unit for calculating a third vehicle-to-vehicle distance based on the first vehicle-to-vehicle distance and a second vehicle-to-vehicle distance calculated from the relative velocity. |
| US08630782B2 |
Method and device for communicating true runway braking performance using data from the flight data management systems of landed aircraft
A method and apparatus for calculating a standardized value for the actual runway braking coefficient of friction of one or more arriving aircraft using data from each aircraft's flight data recorder or flight data management system, standardizing the calculated information to provide redundancy and to make it usable by subsequently arriving aircraft, and reporting the calculated standardized value information to individuals and agencies including air traffic control, airport operations and maintenance, and aircraft pilots and ground crews; and A method and apparatus for calculating the actual runway braking coefficient of friction of an aircraft using data from the aircraft's flight data recorder or flight data management system, transmitting the data in real-time to an off-aircraft high-power computing system, calculating off-aircraft the landing aircraft's actual runway braking coefficient of friction, and reporting the calculated information to individuals and agencies including air traffic control, airport operations and maintenance, and aircraft pilots and ground crews. |
| US08630777B2 |
System and method for model-based neutral idle clutch control
A vehicle includes an engine, an automatic transmission, and a controller. The transmission includes a neutral idle (NI) state and a designated NI clutch which is selectively actuated to exit the NI state. The controller executes instructions from tangible memory to shift out of the NI state and into a drive state. The controller includes a slip model which generates a desired clutch slip profile as a differentiable time function, and a desired slip derivative of the desired slip profile. The desired profiles are used to calculate a clutch pressure command for controlling the designated NI clutch. The time function may be at least a third order/cubic equation. A method includes executing the slip model to generate the desired clutch slip profile, calculating a desired slip derivative of the desired slip profile, and using the desired slip profile derivative to calculate a clutch pressure command for the designated NI clutch. |
| US08630776B2 |
Method for controlling an engine of a hybrid powertrain in a fuel enrichment mode
An engine is coupled to an input member of a hybrid transmission. The hybrid transmission is operative to transfer torque between the input member and a torque machine and an output member to generate an output torque in response to an operator torque request. The torque machine is connected to an energy storage device. A method for controlling the engine includes monitoring the operator torque request, determining a maximum engine torque operating the engine at stoichiometry, determining a maximum motor torque output from the torque machine, determining a maximum output torque from the hybrid transmission when the torque machine is generating the maximum motor torque and the engine is generating the maximum engine torque operating at stoichiometry, and controlling the engine in a fuel enrichment mode when the operator torque request exceeds the maximum output torque from the hybrid transmission when the torque machine is generating the maximum motor torque and the engine is generating the maximum engine torque operating at stoichiometry. |
| US08630775B2 |
Automatic transmission control apparatus and method
When an automatic transmission is in a manual mode, a transmission ECU calculates a speed sftrng manually requested by the driver and a speed sftrngmap set by a shift map and then performs a shift prohibition procedure. In this procedure, if the engine coolant temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined coolant temperature or the AT fluid temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined fluid temperature, a prohibition, determination flag xthlow is set to “on”, and if the engine coolant temperature is higher than the predetermined coolant temperature and the AT fluid temperature is higher than the predetermined fluid temperature, the prohibition determination flag xthlow is set to “off”. When the prohibitions determination flag xthlow is “on”, the speed sftrngmap is set as the upper limit of the speed sftrng. |
| US08630772B2 |
Occupant protection system for vehicle
An occupant protection system for vehicle, includes an own-vehicle information acquisition unit acquiring an own-vehicle information including a route information on a course of an own vehicle to a destination, an other-vehicle information acquisition unit acquiring other-vehicle information that is received through vehicle-to-vehicle communication and that includes position information of another vehicle, a crash condition calculation unit calculating a crash condition between the own vehicle and said another vehicle on the basis of the own-vehicle information and other-vehicle information, and an operation preparation unit preparing a system which corresponds to a crash damage decreasing system decreasing a level of a crash damage of an occupant of the own vehicle, and which is adapted to decrease the level of the crash damage that corresponds to the crash condition calculated by the crash condition calculation unit to operate. |
| US08630769B2 |
Method for situationally adjusting a vehicle and a vehicle
A method is provided for situationally adjusting a vehicle. The method includes, but is not limited to acquiring data of at least a partial area of an environment of the vehicle with at least one sensor with the vehicle. In addition, the approach of at least one object toward the vehicle is detected using the data acquired by the at least one sensor. Furthermore, dimensions of the at least one object are determined using the data acquired by the at least one sensor. Moreover, at least a partial area of an interior of the vehicle is adjusted to the dimensions of the at least one object. |
| US08630764B2 |
System operation for telematics systems that use a battery
A vehicle telematics system repeatedly reports vehicle status, including the location of a stolen vehicle. As wireless reports are transmitted over time, battery capacity will decrease if the engine is not running. As the vehicle battery capacity decreases over time, status reports are adjusted to extend battery life and therefore the time over which at least some vehicle status information can be obtained. |
| US08630761B2 |
Hybrid vehicles
A hybrid vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a traction motor, a starter motor, and a battery bank, all controlled by a microprocessor in accordance with the vehicle's instantaneous torque demands so that the engine is run only under conditions of high efficiency, typically only when the load is at least equal to 30% of the engine's maximum torque output. In some embodiments, a turbocharger may be provided, activated only when the load exceeds the engine's maximum torque output for an extended period; a two-speed transmission may further be provided, to further broaden the vehicle's load range. A hybrid brake system provides regenerative braking, with mechanical braking available in the event the battery bank is fully charged, in emergencies, or at rest; a control mechanism is provided to control the brake system to provide linear brake feel under varying circumstances. |
| US08630758B2 |
Method and apparatus for safety protocol verification, control and management
The present invention is an apparatus and a method for a safety verification system, or a safety verification management system. At railroads or construction sites, equipment, such as a piece of heavy machinery, or a locomotive engine, must be subjected to a safety protocol before authorized personnel are allowed to approach the equipment. It is essential to have independent, automatic confirmation that the safety protocol has been successfully completed. In railroad systems, a Three Step Protection Mode is often used to place a locomotive engine in safe mode. One embodiment of the present invention provides an independent, automatic verification that this safety protocol has been successfully completed and sends an audible, visual, audiovisual, or vibratory signal to remote personnel. Another embodiment tracks the relative positions of personnel and locomotives, and generates a warning when personnel are proximate to an equipment that is not in safe mode. |
| US08630757B2 |
System and method for optimizing parameters of multiple rail vehicles operating over multiple intersecting railroad networks
In a railway network a method for linking at least one of train parameters, fuel efficiency emission efficiency, and load with network knowledge so that adjustments for network efficiency may be made as time progresses while a train is performing a mission. The method includes dividing the train mission into multiple sections with common intersection points, and calculating train operating parameters based on other trains in a railway network to determine optimized parameters over a certain section. The method further includes comparing optimized parameters to current operating parameters, and altering current operating parameters of the train to coincide with optimized parameters for at least one of the current track section and a pending track section. |
| US08630756B2 |
Airplane position assurance monitor
An onboard monitor that ensures the accuracy of data representing the calculated position of an airplane during final approach to a runway. This airplane position assurance monitor is a software function that uses dissimilar sources of airplane position and runway data to ensure the accuracy of the respective data from those dissimilar sources. ILS data and GPS or GPS/Baro data are the dissimilar sources of airplane position data used by this function. This function will calculate the airplane's angular deviations from the runway centerline and from the glide slope with onboard equipment and then compares those angular deviations to the ILS angular deviation information. |
| US08630753B2 |
Method for dynamic determination of the true mass of a non rigid body subject to low frequency noise
A dynamic method to accurately determine the mass of a vehicle which deforms on acceleration and is subject to low frequency noise is disclosed. Only the greater than zero hertz frequencies of the signals are processed. Both signals are squelched during periods of high jerk to reduce the error between true mass and apparent mass. For a single body or combination vehicle such as a semi-rig with a propulsive body of known mass a reference for matched or Wiener filtering is constructed from the noisy signals to filter low frequency noise. A towing vehicle with a fifth wheel mounted on a dedicated load sensing apparatus can, therefore, determine the weight of any semi-trailer towed on any terrain of any inclination and any changing inclination with the greatest precision in the shortest possible time. |
| US08630747B2 |
Alternative authorization for telematics
A system for alternative authorization for telematics in a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises a telematics unit residing in the vehicle, a radio transceiver, and a digital rights management application executing on the telematics unit. The radio transceiver couples the telematics unit with a wireless service provider. The digital rights management application receives a remote operation request, maps the remote operation request to vehicle specific instructions contained in the digital rights management application, and executes the vehicle specific instructions on the telematics unit. |
| US08630745B2 |
Energy consumption management system and energy consumption management apparatus
According to one embodiment, an energy consumption management system includes: a movement information creating device; a power consumption amount measuring device; an accumulating device; and a display device. The movement information creating device creates movement information regarding a person in a management target area. The power consumption amount measuring device measures a power consumption amount of an instrument in the management target area. The accumulating device creates management information in which the movement information and a power consumption amount measurement value measured are associated with each other. The display device displays the management information. |
| US08630744B2 |
Management and monitoring of automated demand response in a multi-site enterprise
An approach for management and monitoring of auto demand response in a multi-site enterprise. It may provide awareness of upcoming demand response events, monitoring actual responses to demand response events, analysis of energy management and command system performance, an ability to opt-out of a demand response event, and management and control of the demand response strategy. At the enterprise level, an auto demand response supervisor may add management and monitoring functionality. Added capabilities may incorporate message exchanging with the site-level auto demand response service, support for user interfaces that allow event monitoring and enable management actions such as opting-out of an event. At the site level, functionality may be an extension to the auto demand response service. Added capabilities may incorporate message exchanging with the enterprise-level auto demand response supervisor service, and an event response mechanism and user interface that enable a management decision to opt-out an event. |
| US08630742B1 |
Preconditioning controls and methods for an environmental control system
Embodiments of the invention describe thermostats that are configured to precondition an enclosure and methods for performing the same. According to one embodiment, a method of preconditioning an enclosure includes providing a thermostat and computing a set of preconditioning criteria information (PCI) with said thermostat. The computed PCI is typically representative of time and ambient temperature conditions for which preconditioning should be performed. The PCI may be stored in memory and used to compare against a current time and current ambient temperature condition of the enclosure to determine whether to enter the thermostat into a preconditioning state. If a determination is made that the PCI criteria are satisfied, the thermostat may be entered into the preconditioning state to heat or cool the enclosure. One or more of these processes may be performed while a processor of the thermostat is in a relatively high power mode or relatively low power mode. |
| US08630741B1 |
Automated presence detection and presence-related control within an intelligent controller
The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that use sensor output and electronically stored information, including one or more of electronically stored rules, parameters, and instructions, to determine whether or not one or more types of entities are present within an area, volume, or environment monitored by the intelligent controllers. The intelligent controllers select operational modes and modify control schedules with respect to the presence and absence of the one or more entities. The intelligent controllers employ feedback information to continuously adjust the electronically stored parameters and rules in order to minimize the number of incorrect inferences with respect to the presence or absence of the one or more entities and in order to maximize the efficiency by which various types of systems controlled by the intelligent controllers carry out selected operational modes. |
| US08630738B2 |
Reformer and control method therefor
A reformer having improved performance and stability and a reformer control method, the reformer including a reforming reaction unit, a first sensor, a heat source unit, a second sensor, and a flow control unit. The reforming reaction unit converts a first fuel into a reformate. The first sensor senses a first temperature of the reformate generated from the reforming reaction unit. The heat source unit heats the reforming reaction unit with a combustion heat of a second fuel. The second sensor senses a second temperature at a fuel inlet of the heat source unit. The flow control unit controls a temperature of the reformate by regulating a flow of an oxidizer supplied to the heat source unit based on the first temperature, and controls a temperature of the heat source unit by regulating a flow of the second fuel supplied to the heat source unit based on the second temperature. |
| US08630737B2 |
Taking out device having function for correcting posture of an article
A taking out device capable of correcting a posture of an article to be taken out and taking out the article, while considering interference between a robot hand and a container for containing the article. Since the article is inclined to the left side, the hand approaches and contacts the article from the left side. Then, the hand pushes to the right side while claws of the hand engage a hole portion of the article in order to correct the posture of the article such that the positional relationship between the article and the hand represents a reference position/posture. In this way, the hand is positioned at a second position/posture in which the posture of the article relative to the claws allows the article to be taken out. |
| US08630733B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and substrate transfer method
A substrate processing apparatus includes a loading/unloading unit including a mounting table on which a storage container accommodating a target substrate is mounted; a processing unit set including a plurality of processing units that perform a process on the target substrate; a plurality of transit units that transit the target substrate between the loading/unloading unit and the processing unit set; a selection unit that receives input for selecting a storage container for loading, a storage container for unloading, and a processing unit to be used for processing the target substrate; and a transfer recipe creating unit that automatically selects a transit unit to be used among the plurality of transit units based on the storage container for loading, the storage container for unloading, and the processing unit selected through the selection unit, automatically generates a transfer route of the target substrate, and creates a transfer recipe. |
| US08630726B2 |
System and method for detecting three-way call circumvention attempts
Disclosed is a three-way call detection system and method for use with a telephone management system. Specifically, a three-way call detection system and method for detecting continuous noise indicative of an attempt to mask a three-way call attempt. The continuous noise detection system and method may be stand alone or used in conjunction with any existing three-way call detection system and method. |
| US08630722B2 |
System and method for dynamically adjusting patient therapy
A system and method of managing therapy provided to patients in an institution. The system monitors all aspects of the medication delivery to a patient, as well as other information related to the patient, such as values of vital signs, laboratory results and patient factors such as history, diagnosis, allergies and the like. The system includes one or more databases of information, including institutionally developed rules, guidelines and protocol representing the best medical practices of the institution. The system provides alerts and/or recommendations based on the application of the rules to the information being monitored, and alerts care givers accordingly, providing for dynamic adjustment of the patient's therapy. The system also monitors the status of the alerts, and if no action is taken in a selected period of time, may escalate the priority of the alert and/or halt the delivery of medication to the patient until the alert is resolved. |
| US08630721B2 |
Hybrid cochlear implant
An electrode array which is able to be inserted to a desired depth within the cochlea to provide useful percepts for the recipient which will also preferably not cause damage to the sensitive structures of the cochlea. The electrode array is insertable through an opening in the cochlea and into at least the basal region of the cochlea and comprises an elongate carrier having a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of electrodes supported by the carrier at respective spaced locations thereon in a region between the proximal end and the distal end. A stabilising collar extends outwardly from the elongate carrier at or adjacent a proximal end thereof and has an abutment surface adapted to abut a portion of the cochlea surface around the cochleostomy and at least substantially prevent movement of the carrier following completion of insertion of the array into the cochlea. |
| US08630717B2 |
External power source for an implantable medical device having an adjustable carrier frequency and system and method related therefore
A transcutaneous energy transfer system, transcutaneous charging system, external power source, external charger and methods of transcutaneous energy transfer and charging for an implantable medical device and an external power source/charger. The implantable medical device has a secondary coil adapted to be inductively energized by an external primary coil at a carrier frequency. The external power source/charger has a primary coil and circuitry capable of inductively energizing the secondary coil by driving the primary coil at a carrier frequency adjusted to the resonant frequency to match a resonant frequency of the tuned inductive charging circuit, to minimize the impedance of the tuned inductive charging circuit or to increase the efficiency of energy transfer. |
| US08630710B2 |
Implanted cardiac device for defibrillation
An implantable medical device for delivering electrical cardiac therapy includes a first implantable housing containing a battery. There is also a second implantable housing separate from the first implantable housing and containing at least one of: electronic circuitry adapted to evaluate and initiate electrical cardiac therapy, a storage capacitor and an electrode structure comprising a sensing electrode, a pacing electrode and a therapy electrode. The electronic circuit, the storage capacitor or the electrode structure are electrically connected to the battery. Alternatively, there is an implantable medical device for delivering electrical cardiac therapy having an implantable structure containing the following electrically connected components: a battery, electronic circuitry adapted to evaluate and initiate electrical cardiac therapy, a storage capacitor and an electrode structure comprising a sensing electrode, a pacing electrode and a therapy electrode. A method of providing electrical cardiac therapy is also provided. |
| US08630709B2 |
Computer-implemented system and method for selecting therapy profiles of electrical stimulation of cervical vagus nerves for treatment of chronic cardiac dysfunction
A computer-implemented system and method for selecting therapy profiles of electrical stimulation of cervical vagus nerves for treatment of chronic cardiac dysfunction is provided. An external programmer includes a plurality of therapy profiles stored in memory. The therapy profiles include different sets of stimulation parameters that cooperatively define alternating cycles of stimuli application and stimuli inhibition for a neurostimulator that are tuned to both efferently activate the heart's intrinsic nervous system and afferently activate the patient's central reflexes. A programming wand is configured to provide the set of stimulation parameters chosen by the user to the neurostimulator through wireless telemetry. Finally, an implantable neurostimulator device includes a stimulation therapy lead terminated by helical electrodes and electrically coupled to the neurostimulator. The implantable neurostimulator is configured to therapeutically stimulate the cervical vagus nerve through the helical electrodes by triggering bi-directional action potentials as specified by the selected set of stimulation parameters. |
| US08630708B2 |
Method and apparatus for post-shock evaluation using tissue oxygenation measurements
A method and device for delivering therapy that includes an electrode to sense cardiac signals and to deliver a therapy, a therapy delivery module coupled to the electrode to deliver a therapy via the electrode in response to the sensed cardiac signals, a sensor emitting light and detecting emitted light scattered by a tissue volume adjacent the sensor to generate a corresponding detected light intensity output signal, a control module coupled to the sensor to control light emission of the sensor in response to delivering the therapy; and a controller coupled to the therapy delivery module and the sensor, the controller configured to determine a tissue oxygenation measurement in response to the output signal, and determine whether the delivered therapy was successful in restoring cardiac hemodynamic function in response to the tissue oxygenation measurement. |
| US08630703B2 |
Treatment utilizing hydrophobic weak bases chemotherapeutic agents and illumination
Hydrophobic weak base compounds such as hydrophobic weak base chemotherapeutic agents (which are not an anthracycline) for use in the treatment of medical conditions such as proliferative disease or disorder in a subject, in combination with illumination of a region in a body of the subject which is characterized by the presence of proliferating cells, are disclosed. The hydrophobic weak base compound and a wavelength of illumination are selected such that the hydrophobic weak base compound acts as a therapeutically effective photosensitizer when exposed to the illumination. |
| US08630701B2 |
Frequency domain monitoring of myocardial electrical stability
Embodiments of the present invention relate to implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for monitoring myocardial electrical stability. A patient's heart is paced for a period of time using a patterned pacing sequence that repeats every N beats, and an electrical signal is obtained that is representative of a plurality of consecutive beats of the patient's heart while it is being paced using the patterned pacing sequence that repeats every N beats. Myocardial electrical stability is then analyzed using frequency domain techniques that are tailored to the patterned pacing sequence used to pace the patient's heart. In other embodiments, the patient's heart need not be paced. This abstract is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. |
| US08630700B2 |
Implantable heart monitoring device, system and method
In an implantable heart monitoring device and a monitoring method, an impedance is measured across at least part of an atrium, such that variation of the impedance is related to the volume change of the atrium. Values are stored at different occasions that indicate the rate of change of the measured impedance. The stored values are determined such that, when the device is used in a living being, the variation of the stored values will be related to the variation of the speed with which the atrium is filled with blood during the atrial diastole. |
| US08630698B2 |
Filter for use with imaging endoscopes
A fluorescence endoscopy video system includes a multi-mode light source that produces light for white light and fluorescence imaging modes. A filter is positioned at the distal end of an imaging endoscope so that the endoscope can produce fluorescence and white light images of a tissue sample. |
| US08630696B2 |
Integrated PET/CT system
An integrated Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT) system includes a patient support device supporting a patient pallet, a gantry having a space through which the patient pallet passes, a plurality of integrated PET/CT detector modules attached to one side of the gantry, an x-ray tube attached to the other side of the gantry, and a signal detecting/processing unit. Each of the plurality of integrated PET/CT detector modules include a plurality of PET detectors, a flat-panel x-ray detector disposed in contact with the PET detectors and a read-out driver mounted at a rear end of the PET detectors and electrically connected with the flat-panel x-ray detector. |
| US08630693B2 |
Magnetic resonance device having a PET unit
In a magnetic resonance device having a PET unit for acquiring positron emission tomography data and a gradient coil, the PET unit includes a carrier tube on which at least one PET detector is arranged. In at least one embodiment, the carrier tube is arranged inside the gradient coil and is displaceably mounted in such a way that access to the PET detector is made possible by its displacement. This allows easy access to the PET detector during maintenance activities. |
| US08630691B2 |
Multi-stream sensor front ends for noninvasive measurement of blood constituents
The present disclosure relates to an interface for a noninvasive glucose sensor that comprises a front-end adapted to receive an input signals from optical detectors and provide corresponding digital signals. In one embodiment, the front-end comprises switched capacitor circuits that are capable of handling multiple streams signals from the optical detectors. In another embodiment, the front-end comprises transimpedance amplifiers that are capable of handling multiple streams of input signals. In this embodiment, the transimpedance amplifier may be configured based on its own characteristics, such as its impedance, the impedance of the photodiodes to which it is coupled, and the number of photodiodes to which it is coupled. |
| US08630685B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing sidetone feedback notification to a user of a communication device with multiple microphones
A communication device including multiple microphones is provided. The communication device includes at least two microphones. The communication device further includes a sidetone feedback notifier for producing a notification signal. The sidetone feedback notifier is coupled to the microphones. The notification signal is based on the combination of, a first input audio signal provided for by a first microphone, and a second input audio signal provided for by a second microphone. The sidetone feedback notifier is coupled to a notification device for providing a feedback signal to a user based on the notification signal. |
| US08630679B2 |
Wireless communication unit, baseband module, radio frequency module, wireless terminal and computer program product
A wireless communication unit has two or more communication modes including one or more mobile phone mode, in which mobile phone mode the wireless communication unit is able to transmit or receive wireless signals via an antenna from and/or to a mobile phone network in accordance with a communication protocol. The unit includes a baseband module and a radiofrequency module. A radiofrequency interface of the baseband module is connected to the radiofrequency module, for receiving and/or transmitting baseband signals from and/or to the radiofrequency module. The radiofrequency module includes a baseband interface, for receiving and/or transmitting the baseband signals to the baseband module and an antenna interface (AI) connectable to an antenna for receiving and/or transmitting radiofrequency signals from and/or to the antenna. A clock system is connected to the radiofrequency interface and the baseband interface. The clock system can provide a clock signal with a clock rate of to the radiofrequency interface and the baseband interface in one or more of the one or more mobile phone modes. |
| US08630677B2 |
Distributed beam selection for cellular communication
A group of multiple base stations implements distributed and coordinated antenna beamforming selection to achieve increased performance. Each of the base stations in the group determines an associated optimal set of antenna beam direction parameters in a distributed manner based on local radio information exchanged between neighboring ones of the base stations. Each of the base stations transmits to one or more user equipments (UEs) served by that base station using its associated optimal set of beam direction parameters. The local radio information generated by one of the base stations indicates how the transmissions of its neighbor base stations affect the performance of the base station. The performance of a base station may be measured by the difficulty or challenge in maintaining a minimum desired signal quality, e.g., a minimum SINR, for the UE served by the base station. |
| US08630675B2 |
Method for controlling power in a cellular network with a surplus of transmission resources
A method for controlling the transmission power of a terminal in a cellular telecommunications network, in which the number of transmission resources is greater than the number of users is disclosed. In one aspect, the number of additional transmission resources necessary for the communication of the user if a modulation and coding scheme with minimal spectral efficiency is used, and whether these resources are available, are determined, they are allocated to the user, and the transmission power of the terminal is set to the transmission power enabling the required quality of service to be obtained by using the predetermined modulation and coding scheme. |
| US08630672B2 |
Mobile telecommunications network
In a mobile telecommunications network, a mobile terminal is prevented from communicating at a level that would introduce an unacceptable level of interference at a neighboring base station by introducing a received signal threshold criteria at its base station that can adapt to the variation in signal levels at its base station and its neighbors. |
| US08630669B2 |
Messaging system
The present application relates to SMS text messaging and in particular to having a central repository for messages using SMS text messages to relay updates to the repository to and from user's phones. |
| US08630668B2 |
SMS-based transport for instant chatting on multiple platforms
An instant messaging service is provided using short message service (SMS) messages as the underlying transport layer. A user having a phone associated with an MSISDN can use a client to generate messages that are then transmitted as if they originated from the phone. The SMS message is delivered to the second party's phone as per a normal SMS message. If the second party is also using a client, the client can retrieve messages addressed to the second party's MSISDN even though client does not need to be associated with the MSISDN. The use of SMS messages provides for a persistent and reliable transport layer, and also allows for fall back to SMS messaging for either party independently. |
| US08630666B2 |
Triggering email/PIM events based on SMS headers and content
A message composed by a user using a computer is stored in a computer-readable medium. The message is associated with a distribution list of one or more intended recipients of the message, and an identifier is associated with the message. An SMS message is received in an inbox of the computer. The SMS message is composed using an SMS-capable wireless device, and has a user-entered header. The user-entered header matching the identifier triggers sending of the message to the one or more intended recipients on the distribution list. |
| US08630662B2 |
Location specific icons
Systems, methods, and computer program products communicate location information associated with a device, such as a mobile device, to a server. Content identified by the server is received at the device, from the server and/or from a content service. The content can include an application associated with the location information. The content received at the device is displayed on the device only while the device is at or near a particular location identified by the location information. |
| US08630653B2 |
Method of performing random access procedure in wireless communication system
A method includes transmitting a random access preamble, receiving a random access response as a response of the random access preamble, wherein the random access response comprises an uplink resource assignment and a request for transmission of a Channel Quality Indicator (CQI), and transmitting the CQI in the uplink resource assignment. |
| US08630649B2 |
Terminal, method for handover thereof and supporting method for handover of base station
A handover method of a terminal in a macro cell including a plurality of femto cells includes scanning information on a femto base station for managing a femto cell that is near the terminal from among the plurality of femto cells, and reporting information on the femto base station to a macro base station for managing the macro cell. |
| US08630647B2 |
Cell re-selection in a cellular telecommunications network
A wireless cellular telecommunications device stores a first parameter obtained from system information of a first cell and measures an attribute of a signal received from a candidate cell, determines if the candidate cell is a closed subscriber group cell, and evaluates the candidate cell for re-selection. If the candidate cell is determined to be a closed subscriber group cell, the evaluation of the candidate cell for re-selection is based on at least the measured attribute irrespective of the first stored parameter, that first stored parameter indicating a minimum value for the measured attribute. |
| US08630646B2 |
Systems and methods for application configuration in a client device
In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for configuring a communication device. The method may include: determining whether a triggering rule associated with a newly provisioned application (Anew) is identical to any triggering rule included in a particular set of triggering rules; and adding one or more new triggering rules to the particular set of triggering rules if it is determined that the triggering rule associated with Anew is not identical to any one of the triggering rules included in the set of triggering rules. |
| US08630645B2 |
Fast handoff support for wireless networks
Systems and methods for providing fast handoff support by transferring information are provided. Additionally, a generic protocol message format is presented which allows the transfer of information used in the handoff. The generic protocol allows a gateway to request contexts or session information and send information that allows tunnel setup and mapping to other connections. The session, tunnel, and mapping information allow the gateways to switch packet processing operations without causing disruption to the packet flow. Further, in inter-gateway handoffs or inter-access network handoffs, fast and seamless handoffs are provided so the mobile station keeps the same IP address and the session continues. |
| US08630643B2 |
Method and system for frequency scan using an adaptive measurement interval
Aspects of the present application include using adaptive measurement intervals to improve RSSI scan accuracy. A method may involve determining a first power value in respect of a first measurement time interval, determining whether or not the first power value meets at least one criterion, when the first power value does not meet the at least one criterion, determining at least one additional power value, selecting at least one power value from a set of power values that have been determined, the set including the first power value and the at least one additional power value, and determining the power value for use in cell selection or cell re-selection based on the selected at least one power value. The methods may be applied to any cell selection or re-selection scheme for which an adaptive measurement interval may be beneficial. |
| US08630642B2 |
Method of handling proximity information transmission and related communication device
A method of handling proximity information transmission for a mobile device having a closed subscriber group (CSG) whitelist capable of providing a list of accessible CSG cells in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises sending the proximity information to a network of the wireless communication system when a CSG cell in the CSG whitelist is detected, and resending the proximity information to the network when the proximity information is not received by the network. |
| US08630641B2 |
Apparatus and method for reselecting a public land mobile network in a mobile communication terminal
Provided are an apparatus and a method for reselecting a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) in a mobile communication terminal. The method includes requesting the updating of location registration to a target PLMN after storing current system information, determining whether a Subscriber Identify Module (SIM) card is valid when it fails to update the location registration, and resetting the SIM card to a previous state and then, reading the stored current system information to request the updating of location registration in the current PLMN when the SIM card is invalid. |
| US08630637B2 |
Inter-controller roam management and prediction for voice communications
A mobile device roaming architecture for use with a mobile device, such as a cellular phone, roaming a WiFi network. In instances where the mobile device attempts to roam to a different wireless access point managed by a controller using a different authentication key, the roam process can be excessively long such that the voice signal is disrupted or fails entirely. A detection component detects the roaming attempt, and a connection component switches the call back to the original access point controller before the call has a chance to drop. In this way, a connection is maintained to the network. A mitigation component performs an operation to maintain a connection to the call as the mobile device moves out of range of the original access point. |
| US08630633B1 |
Adaptive, portable, multi-sensory aid for the disabled
A mobile terminal is used to assist individuals with disabilities. The mobile terminal (e.g., a “smartphone” or other commercially available wireless handheld device) may be loaded with software. The software may be configured to: (i) receive information about a sensory deficit associated with a user, (ii) receive information about a sensory proficiency associated with the user, (iii) determine whether an event associated with a sensory deficit satisfies a criterion, and if so (iv) provide an assistive output based on a sensory proficiency and the event. |
| US08630631B2 |
Method, device and system for displaying caller identification information
Methods and devices are provided for providing caller identification information by a caller's mobile phone. When there is a request, by a caller, for an addition of a word or phrase after an input of a call recipient's phone number, a caller's mobile phone receives an input of the word or phrase from the caller. When the caller inputs a request for making an outgoing call, the caller's mobile phone generates an outgoing call message, which includes a caller's phone number, the call recipient's phone number, and an input word or phrase, and sending the generated outgoing call message to the recipient's mobile phone. |
| US08630629B2 |
System and method for delivering advertising to packet-based telephones
A system and method of delivering targeted advertising to packet-based network telecommunications devices may include accessing a database configured to store telephone services information of telecommunications devices. The telecommunications services information may indicate whether a telecommunications device has packet-based network access. Telecommunications devices that have telephone number information including NPA-NXX of a certain NPA-NXX code and packet-based network access may be identified. Advertising content may be communicated to the identified telecommunications devices for display on the telecommunications device. |
| US08630625B2 |
System and method for personalized messaging
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to capture a voice recording, add the voice recording to a greeting to produce a personalized message, and deliver the personalized message upon scheduled delivery to at least one recipient based on a communication identifier of the at least one recipient, where the greeting includes at least one among audio, video, and image data, and where the communication device communicates with a notification server for creating the personalized message. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08630622B2 |
Devices, systems and methods for location assistance verification
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which authorize applications to access location-determining technologies on user devices and on service provider networks. An A-GPS agent resident on the device acts as an interface between applications requesting access to the user's location from the A-GPS chipset and helps to coordinate connections between the A-GPS chipset and the Assistance Server. Introduced into the network maintained by the service provider is a verification server running an application identification engine which determines if the request for preliminary location information engendered by the requesting application is approved. |
| US08630618B2 |
Real time charging of short messages originated by roaming prepaid subscribers
A Home Location Register (HLR) and an Interworking Gateway (IWG) of an operator are configured to redirect Mobile Originated Short Messages (MO SM) sent by roaming cellular communication devices of both prepaid and postpaid subscribers hosted by a foreign network to a real time charging gateway (RTCG). The RTCG retrieves from the operator's database the type of subscription of the sending device. If the device is of a postpaid subscription, the RTCG operates as a relay between an SMSC and the foreign network. If the device is of a prepaid subscription, the RTCG communicates with a PrePaid System (PPS) and forwards the MO SM to the SMSC only in case there are sufficient funds in the respective prepaid account. |
| US08630615B2 |
Method and apparatus for reliable transmission of charging detail records
A charging detail record transmission capability is provided herein. A mobile gateway (MG) generates charging detail records (CDRs) intended for delivery to a charging gateway function (CGF). The CDRs are propagated toward both a first and second charging data function (CDFs). The first and second CDFs buffer the CDRs. The first CDF is configured for propagating CDRs toward the CGF. The second CDF is configured for propagating CDRs toward the CGF when the first CDF fails. The CGF is configured for acknowledging receipt of CDRs to the first or second CDF from which the CDRs are received. The first CDF is configured for acknowledging, to the second CDF, receipt of acknowledgment messages from the first CDF. The second CDF is configured for, upon failure of the first CDF, initiating a process for determining which of the CDRs buffered at the second CDF need to be propagated to the CGF. |
| US08630614B2 |
Management of multiple subscriber identity modules
Management of multiple subscriber identity modules by server is disclosed. Instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the server, for at least one subscriber identity module belonging to a set of subscriber identity modules of a user of a mobile terminal, to: offer a period price of the subscriber identity module for the user covering usage of the subscriber identity module for a predetermined time period; track credit of the subscriber identity module during the predetermined time period; and top up credit of the subscriber identity module on the basis of the tracking of the credit in order to keep the subscriber identity module alive for the predetermined time period. |
| US08630611B2 |
Automated device provisioning and activation
Devices, methods, and computer-readable media for determining that an end-user device is connected to or attempting to connect to the first wireless access network; obtaining an indication that usage of the first wireless access network is associated with a first cost; and, based on one or both of the indication that first wireless access network is associated with the first cost and the determination that the end-user device is connected to or attempting to connect to the first wireless access network, restricting communications associated with a first service activity over the first wireless access network. |
| US08630610B2 |
Call to call center as trigger to capture and record other geographically relevant data
Techniques are provided for using a location of a caller placing a call that is received at a call center to identify other sources of information that are relevant to the call. A call is received at a call center from a caller. The location of the caller is obtained from the received call, and other sources of information potentially relevant to the call are identified based on the location of the caller. For example, information is stored that identifies at lease one individual that is proximate to the location of the caller, and communication is initiated with at least one individual who is determined to be located proximate to the caller. |
| US08630608B2 |
Systems and method for automating a response from a mobile station
Mobile stations, methods, functionality, and articles of manufactures enable mobile stations to automatically respond to a messaging service message. An application is stored and executed on a mobile station. The application provides functionality to determine response message content for use by the application, receive a mobile messaging service message, and respond automatically, without interaction by the end-user of the mobile station, send a response to the received mobile messaging service message containing the message content for the sender of the received mobile messaging service message. The automatic response application may be user activated or automatically activated under various circumstances including at a specific time, on a regularly scheduled basis, upon detection of movement faster than a predetermined speed, or upon detection of the station being in a mobile vehicle. |
| US08630606B2 |
Communications terminals for reducing power consumption and methods thereof
A communications terminal registered as a controlled terminal in a controlling terminal which controls the controlled terminal via a communications network, the communications terminal includes a receiving unit (15020) which receives a sleep message including information indicating whether or not the controlling terminal is sleeping and information indicating a timing when the controlling terminal leaves sleep mode and wakes up; a detecting unit (15030) which detects a transmission of a registration request for requesting that a new terminal be registered in the controlling terminal as a new controlled terminal, the new terminal being another communications terminal not yet registered in the controlling terminal; and a notifying unit (15040) which determines whether or not the controlling terminal is sleeping based on the sleep message, and notifies the new terminal of the timing by sending the sleep message when the controlling terminal is sleeping and when the transmission of the registration request is detected. |
| US08630603B2 |
Circuit and method for image frequency rejection
A circuit and method for image frequency rejection is provided that includes an analog dual-quadrature mixer device whose signal inputs for an in-phase-signal and a quadrature-phase signal are connected to an input circuit in the signal path and whose oscillator inputs for an in-phase oscillator signal and a quadrature-phase oscillator signal are connected to a local oscillator device, having an analog adder-amplifier device, which has a number of transistor pairs, in which in each case both transistors of each transistor pair are connected to the same load resistor for the addition of the signals applied at the control inputs of both transistors, and in which the control inputs of both transistors are connected downstream of the outputs of analog dual-quadrature mixer device, and having a multistage analog polyphase filter whose inputs are connected to outputs of the adder-amplifier device. |
| US08630593B2 |
Semiconductor device, wireless communication device and method for generating a synthesized frequency signal
A semiconductor device comprises synthesized frequency generation logic arranged to receive a reference signal, and to provide an output frequency signal. The synthesized frequency generation logic comprises divider logic arranged to receive the reference signal and to generate a divided signal comprising a frequency with a period equal to N times that of the reference signal. The synthesized frequency generation logic is further arranged to generate the synthesized frequency signal comprising a frequency with a period equal to 1/M that of the divided signal. The synthesized frequency generation logic comprises or is operably coupled to decision logic module and comprises or is operably coupled to a switching logic module such that the decision logic module is arranged to determine whether a near-integer spur arises in using the synthesized frequency signal, and configures the switching logic module to select the synthesized frequency signal in response thereto. |
| US08630589B2 |
Onboard radio communication system
Individual radio sets 12a-12e constituting an onboard radio communication system operate together with an adjacent vehicle detection unit (ultrasonic sensors 13a-13e) for detecting a second vehicle adjacent to a first vehicle 11. When it detects the adjacent vehicle, a radio interference decision unit constituting the radio sets 12a-12e decides radio interference due to an onboard radio communication system with the same radio scheme. When it detects the radio interference, a frequency channel switching unit constituting the radio sets 12a-12e switches the frequency channel to be used to avoid the interference of the radio waves. |
| US08630587B2 |
Inter-cell interference cancellation framework
Communication techniques enable efficient communication to UE (User Equipment) that is subject to a dominant interference signal that is transmitted by a different base station. Disclosed interference cancellation techniques, both UE-centric and network-centric, are suitable to this situation. These techniques are particularly advantageous when it is undesirable or difficult to introduce changes in the physical (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) layers at the existing base stations. An UE-centric framework refers to an approach largely implemented by UEs to include pico or femto cells. Network-centric framework closed-loop coordination between base stations and UEs achieves interference mitigation thereby improving network performance. In particular, an interfering base-station can help a “victim” UE by adjusting downlink pilot and control power and to adjust traffic data rates responsive to information that the “victim” UEs provide, including information about the interfering link and performance of the cancellation itself sent over the air or using backhaul. |
| US08630582B2 |
Out-of-band radio link protocol and network architecture for a wireless network composed of wireless terminals with millimetre wave frequency range radio units
The present invention relates to a wireless transmitter comprising a transmitter radio unit working a wireless transmitter comprising a transmitter radio unit working in the millimeter wave frequency band using a directional antenna and a bidirectional radio unit working in a frequency range different from said transmitter radio unit and using an omnidirectional antenna. The invention further relates to a wireless receiver and a wireless relay. |
| US08630581B2 |
Repeaters for wireless communication systems
A repeater and associated method of use includes at least one antenna element for communicating in one direction and at least one antenna element for communicating in another direction. A radio frequency uplink path and a radio frequency downlink path are coupled between the antennas. At least one of the radio frequency uplink path or the radio frequency downlink path includes an adaptive cancellation circuit. The adaptive cancellation circuit is configured to generate a cancellation signal without requiring an injected signal. The cancellation signal, when added to a radio frequency signal in the respective uplink and downlink paths, substantially reduces feedback signals present in the radio frequency signal. |
| US08630578B2 |
Methods and apparatus for interoperable satellite radio receivers
Methods and apparatus are presented to allow one receiver architecture to be used for the reception of two different SDARS signals. Common receiver functions can be utilized to process each signal, thereby obviating the need to duplicate hardware elements. For example, it can be assumed that both signals will not be received at the same time, thus allowing for considerable hardware reuse and lowering the cost of an interoperable receiver. |
| US08630566B2 |
Image forming apparatus and developer container therefor
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of developing units respectively including developer inlets, the developing units are arranged side by side in a first direction, a plurality of developer containers to contain developers to be supplied to the plurality of developing units and respectively including developer outlets, the developer units are arranged side by side in the first direction to face the plurality of developing units, and a plurality of developer supplying paths respectively to connect the developer inlets to the developer outlets, wherein the plurality of developer containers include first and second developer containers, and a position of the developer outlet of the second developer container is different from position of the developer outlet of the first developer container. |
| US08630564B2 |
Process cartridge electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit
A process cartridge for use with a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a photosensitive layer, and a process means actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The process cartridge also includes a coupling member for receiving a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. |
| US08630562B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a transfer member that retains developer; a housing provided with a removing member that removes the developer and having an intake opening that is opposed to the transfer member, the developer removed by the removing member being taken into the housing through the intake opening; a guiding pipe connected to the housing and having a suction hole through which the developer is sucked and an outlet through which the developer is discharged; and a suction member that applies a suction force to an inner space of the housing through the guiding pipe. A capturing area for capturing the developer that flows through a flow channel from the suction hole to the outlet is provided in the flow channel. A cross section of the capturing area in a radial direction of the flow channel is larger than that of other areas. |
| US08630560B2 |
Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus includes an image forming section which forms a toner image of the image to be printed on a recording medium; a transport belt which transports the toner image formed by the image forming section; a light-emitting section which emits a light to the transport belt; a first light-receiving section which is disposed at a position through which a regular reflection light, of the light emitted from the light-emitting section, reflected from the transport belt passes; a second light-receiving section which is disposed at a position different from the position of the first light-receiving section; a transmissive member which is disposed at a position through which the light emitted from the light-emitting section and a reflection light, of the light, reflected from the transport belt pass and which transmits the light and the reflection light. |
| US08630559B2 |
Image forming apparatus including toner receiver
According to one embodiment, a toner receiver includes a tray that is located below a path through which a supply port of a supply container passes if the supply container mounted to a main body is removed from the main body, and includes a first surface close to the supply port and a toner sump recessed from the first surface; and a toner guard that includes an upper surface including a same height as the first surface and causes toner spilled from the supply port to pass from the first surface to the toner sump. |
| US08630557B2 |
Medium detection device and image formation apparatus
An aspect is a medium detection device to detect a slack of a medium to be introduced into a fixation device in an image formation apparatus. The fixation device is detachable from a part of the image formation apparatus other than the fixation device. The medium detection device includes a lever support provided at the fixation device, a lever supported by the lever support such that the lever moves or displaces when the lever comes in contact with slack medium, a sensor support provided at the part of the image formation apparatus other than the fixation device, and a sensor supported by the sensor support and configured to detect the movement or the displacement of the lever. |
| US08630555B2 |
Printing apparatus and control method for printing apparatus
A printing apparatus includes a plurality of container units containing a recording material. In a case where it is determined that a container unit is lacking in the recording material when printing is executed based on print data, the printing apparatus moves the container unit determined to be lacking in the recording material to a replaceable position. In a case where the container unit determined to be lacking in the recording material is not a specific container unit among the plurality of container units and the printing based on the print data is canceled without replacing the container unit determined to be lacking in the recording material, the printing apparatus moves the specific container unit to a specific position in preparation for printing using the specific container unit. |
| US08630553B2 |
Image forming apparatus
The present invention provides a detection unit that detects, regarding a toner supply device loaded into an installation space of an apparatus main body, a type of the toner supply device or detects improper loading of the toner supply device and a notification unit that notifies loading of the toner supply device of a wrong type or improper loading of the toner supply device based on a result of detection by the detection unit. |
| US08630550B2 |
Optical repeater and optical signal amplifying method thereof
Disclosed is an optical amplifier which includes an upward optical amplifier configured to amplify an input upward optical signal of an input optical signal; and a control circuit configured to control an operation of the upward optical amplifier according to whether an upward stream is detected from the input upward optical signal. |
| US08630549B2 |
Visible light communication apparatus and visible light communciation method
The visible light communication apparatus includes: a brightness signal generator that calculates a duty cycle of an driving signal corresponding to brightness requirement information and generates clock frequency information on brightness signals based on the calculated duty cycle; a transmission data generator that generates transmission data; an illumination driver that generates and outputs an driving signal in a pulse waveform based on the clock frequency information of the brightness signals and the transmission data and controls a pulse position of a turn on section for each bit unit time in the waveform of the driving signal based on the transmission data; and an illumination that is operated according to the driving signal from the illumination driver. |
| US08630545B2 |
Multimode optical system
Disclosed is an optical system including a polychromatic optical source emitting multiple transverse modes, an optical link having at least one portion of multimode optical fiber, and an optical device positioned between the optical source and the input of the multimode optical fiber. The optical device can modify the distribution of the energy coupling of the transverse modes emitted by the source in the propagation modes of the multimode optical fiber. The optical system makes it possible to use low-cost transverse multimode optical sources for producing high-bandwidth Ethernet transmission networks having excellent performance. |
| US08630544B2 |
System and method for channel-adaptive error-resilient burst mode transmission
In a passive optical network, an upstream transmission rate from an ONT to an OLT can be optimized by matching a transmission scheme for a channel to the upstream transmission characteristics of the channel. An FEC coding can be made channel dependent so that channels with low error rates can use minimal protection, and therefore minimal overhead, while channels with high input bit error rates can use the level of FEC coding required to produce a desired output bit error rate. |
| US08630536B2 |
Iterative, maximally probable, batch-mode commercial detection for audiovisual content
Identification of starting and ending times of commercial breaks and commercials within those commercial breaks found in audiovisual content is disclosed. A solution to a “batch optimization” problem is used in which commercial locations within a set of audiovisual content are detected as a group by choosing a set of commercial locations which optimizes a cost function which can include considerations of, for example, 1) one or more cues, 2) relative locations of commercials within the audiovisual content, and/or 3) probability models based on statistics obtained regarding characteristics of typical commercial and commercial breaks. Optimization can be done over the total set of commercial location decisions, rather than on a per-commercial basis. Additionally, the cost function can be iteratively evaluated and many more types of cues and combinations of cues can be used in detection of commercials. |
| US08630527B2 |
Image editing apparatus and method for controlling the same, and storage medium storing program
The present invention is directed to an image editing apparatus that automatically selects an appropriate frame rate that improves image quality of a new moving image generated by combining a plurality of moving images having different frame rates to prevent a user from working much on the selection, when the user newly creates a moving image. The image editing apparatus of the present invention classifies a plurality of moving images to be combined into groups based on a frame rate, compares an amount of moving images included in each of the groups, and selects the group having the largest amount of moving images belonging thereto. Further, the image editing apparatus compares the amounts of the moving images for respective frame rates included in the selected group to select the frame rate which the largest amount of the moving images has. The image editing apparatus converts moving image to be combined into the selected frame rate and then combines the plurality of converted moving images. |
| US08630524B2 |
Reproduction apparatus and reproduction method controlling determination of a next clip to be reproduced
A reproduction apparatus is disclosed. A reproduction section reproduces video data from a record medium, the video data being managed in a unit of a clip composed of a plurality of frames which are chronologically successive. A first decode section decodes a first clip which is currently being output and stores the decoded first clip. A second decode section pre-decodes at least a frame which is output at beginning of a second clip adjacent to the first clip in a reproduction order and stores the decoded frame. A control section controls a clip adjacent to a decoded position side of the first clip in the reproduction order to become the second clip for an early region and a late region of a time length based on a center position of a reproduction time length of the first clip. |
| US08630522B2 |
Constructions and light-conducting conduits
The invention includes optical signal conduits having rare earth elements incorporated therein. The optical signal conduits can, for example, contain rare earth elements incorporated within a dielectric material matrix. For instance, erbium or cerium can be within silicon nanocrystals dispersed throughout dielectric material of optical signal conduits. The dielectric material can define a path for the optical signal, and can be wrapped in a sheath which aids in keeping the optical signal along the path. The sheath can include any suitable barrier material, and can, for example, contain one or more metallic materials. The invention also includes methods of forming optical signal conduits, with some of such methods being methods in which the optical signal conduits are formed to be part of semiconductor constructions. |
| US08630521B2 |
Optical cable
A micromodule cable having optical transmission elements arranged in a helically wound manner around a longitudinal axis by at least 360° in a longitudinal direction where the lay length is 100 times of the diameter of the optical cable. The cable is stable across a wide temperature range. |
| US08630520B2 |
Optical transmission element
An optical transmission element comprises a core section including a plurality of optical fibers where each one of the optical fibers is in contact with at least two other optical fibers. The optical transmission element also has a sheath section including a sheath layer surrounding the core section such that the sheath layer is in contact with the optical fibers. |
| US08630519B2 |
Photodetecting fiber
Photodetecting fiber. The fiber detects and localizes an incident optical beam. A semiconducting core is in intimate contact with a material forming a resistive channel that breaks axial symmetry. The resistive channel has a resistivity between that of metals and the semiconducting core, enabling the imposition of non-uniform, convex electric potential distributions along the fiber axis allowing photo-current measurements along the fiber. |
| US08630517B2 |
Optical multiplexer/demultiplexer
A polarization-independent optical multiplexer/demultiplexer with wide passbands has a core including an input optical waveguide, an input slab optical waveguide connected to the input optical waveguide, a waveguide array connected to the input slab optical waveguide, an output slab optical waveguide connected to the waveguide array, a pair of multimode couplers connected to the output slab optical waveguide, and a pair of output optical waveguides connected to the multimode couplers. The multimode couplers are dimensioned so that as both TE and TM polarized light propagates through them, the phase difference between the fundamental and second-order modes changes by an odd multiple of pi radians. |
| US08630516B2 |
Semiconductor optical function device
A semiconductor optical function device includes a semiconductor substrate having a substrate edge surface; an optical waveguide formed on the semiconductor substrate; a non-waveguide region formed on the semiconductor substrate between the optical waveguide and the substrate edge surface; and an insulation region disposed around the optical waveguide and having a semiconductor interface contacting with the non-waveguide region on a side of the substrate edge surface. The semiconductor interface extends not in parallel to the substrate edge surface, and is inclined relative to the substrate edge surface by a specific angle. |
| US08630510B2 |
Cut-line steering methods for forming a mosaic image of a geographical area
A method for automatically steering mosaic cut lines along preferred routes to form an output mosaic image includes creating an assignment map corresponding to the output mosaic image where each pixel has an initial designation of unassigned; marking each pixel of the assignment map that intersects the preferred routes as being a Preferred Cut Line pixel to divide the Assignment Map into one or more regions; searching for each region to locate one or more source images that cover that region; and using a Selection Heuristic or Pairing Heuristic to determine quality of coverage. The Preferred Cut Line pixels are redesignated to match the image assignments of their bounded regions, and the output mosaic image is formed by contributing pixel values from the source images based upon the designations set forth in the assignment map. |
| US08630503B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program
The image processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized by including an obtaining unit configured to obtain image data and a detection result of a main subject in the image data; a detecting unit configured to apply main subject detecting processing to the image data obtained by the obtaining unit; a coincidence determining unit configured to determine whether a detection result of the main subject obtained by the obtaining unit and a detection result of the main subject detected by the detecting unit coincide with each other; and a correction amount determining unit configured to determine an amount of correction to be applied to the image data in accordance with a determination result obtained by the coincidence determining unit. Image correction processing is performed in a determined correction processing manner. |
| US08630501B1 |
Dual technique compression
Systems and methods for ensuring that images are compressed in a format that may be decompressed at a speed that is acceptable to a particular user and/or viewing environment are disclosed herein. |
| US08630497B2 |
Analyzing a segment of video
There is disclosed a quick and efficient method for analyzing a segment of video, the segment of video having a plurality of frames. A reference portion is acquired from a reference frame of the plurality of frames. Plural subsequent portions are then acquired from a corresponding subsequent frame of the plurality of frames. Each subsequent portion is then compared with the reference portion, and an event is detected based upon each comparison. There is also disclosed a method of optimizing video including selectively storing, labeling, or viewing video based on the occurrence of events in the video. Furthermore, there is disclosed a method for creating a video summary of video which allows a used to scroll through and access selected parts of a video. The methods disclosed also provide advancements in the field of video surveillance analysis. |
| US08630491B2 |
System and method to manipulate an image
A method of operating an image reader includes the steps of: searching a digital image for nominally straight edges; characterizing the nominally straight edges in terms of length and/or direction; determining a predominant orientation of the nominally straight edges; establishing a group of edges as a function of their proximity to the center of the image; establishing a group of edges as a function of their proximity to other remaining edge positions; and, transmuting a rectangle bounding those edges into a rectified image; wherein a rectified image is an image that is cropped or rotated. |
| US08630485B2 |
Method for combining image and imaging product
A method of combining an image with an imaging-related product, comprising: providing an image; forming an image-color histogram of spatially-coherent color clusters within the image, the image-color histogram indicating the frequency of occurrence of spatially-coherent related colors in the image; selecting one or more of the image colors having a frequency of occurrence in the image high enough to be visible to an image observer; selecting an imaging-related product having one or more of the selected high-frequency colors within the imaging-related product or having a color complementary to one or more of the selected high-frequency colors within the imaging-related product; and combining the image and the imaging-related product. |
| US08630484B2 |
Method and apparatus to correct digital image blur due to motion of subject or imaging device
Signal processing techniques are applied to digital image data to remove the distortion caused by motion of the camera, or the movement of the subject being photographed, or defective optics, or optical distortion from other sources. When the image is captured, the effect of relative motion between the camera and the subject is that it transforms the true image into a blurred image according to a 2-dimensional transfer function. The 2-dimensional transfer function representing the motion is derived using blind estimation techniques or by using information from sensors that detect the motion. The transfer function is inverted and used to define a corrective filter. The filter is applied to the image and the blur due to the motion is removed, restoring the correct image. Another embodiment uses the transfer function to avoid blur by combining multiple consecutive images taken at a fast shutter speed. |
| US08630478B2 |
Method and apparatus for locating objects
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for automatic optoelectronic detection and inspection of objects, based on capturing digital images of a two-dimensional field of view in which an object to be detected or inspected may be located, analyzing the images, and making and reporting decisions on the status of the object. Decisions are based on evidence obtained from a plurality of images for which the object is located in the field of view, generally corresponding to a plurality of viewing perspectives. Evidence that an object is located in the field of view is used for detection, and evidence that the object satisfies appropriate inspection criteria is used for inspection. Methods and apparatus are disclosed for capturing and analyzing images at high speed so that multiple viewing perspectives can be obtained for objects in continuous motion. |
| US08630475B2 |
Banknote handling machine and banknote handling method
A banknote handling machine for handling banknotes including a windowed banknote that has a window capable of transmitting light formed at a predetermined position comprising: a transport path configured to transport a banknote; a window identification unit configured to judge whether the banknote being transported on the transport path is a windowed banknote; a transport path sensor, which is arranged in the transport path, configured to detect the banknote passing thereon; and a banknote presence/absence detection unit configured to judge a presence or an absence of the banknote associated with a detection signal from the transport path sensor. The banknote presence/absence detection unit performs a detection based on a detection result of the window identification unit. |
| US08630473B2 |
Noise suppression in cone beam CT projection data
A method for suppressing noise in a diagnostic 3-D image, executed at least in part on a logic processor, captures, at each of a number of projection angles, 2-D image projection data, wherein each 2-D image projection has a central pixel and arranges the 2-D image projection data to form a 3-D data set. Each of the 2-D image projections is processed by performing a diffusion filtering process that obtains a homogeneity value for the 3-D data set, generates a diffusion conductance function according to an intensity gradient between adjacent digital image elements, and applies the diffusion filtering process to digital image elements according to the obtained homogeneity value, the generated diffusion conductance function, and a weighting value that relates to the distance of each pixel in the projection from the central pixel. The diagnostic 3-D image is reconstructed from the processed 2-D image projections. |
| US08630471B2 |
Method to determine a background phase in phase image data sets
In a method to determine a background phase in phase values of a phase image data set that is acquired from an examination subject, wherein the background phase is determined in a partial region of the phase image data set, the phase image data set of the examination subject is acquired, and a substantially closed, planar contour is established in the phase image data set around the partial region, the planar contour having a contour area with a width of at least one pixel of the phase image data set. The phase values in the partial region are determined with the assumption that the spatial curve of the background phase is a harmonic or quasi-harmonic function, the phase values of the pixels in the partial region being determined based on the phase values in the planar contour. |
| US08630469B2 |
Abnormal skin area calculating system and calculating method thereof
An abnormal skin area calculating system and a calculating method thereof are provided. The system includes an image capture module, a database, a skin analysis module, and a numerical calculation module. The database pre-stores at least one abnormal skin analysis data. The skin analysis module analyzes and marks an abnormal skin area in a skin image by using the skin analysis data. The numerical calculation module calculates a pixel area of the abnormal skin area graph, and calculates an actual skin area of a human body corresponding to the abnormal skin area graph with an area calibration parameter. The area calibration parameter is pre-stored in the database, or is generated by the numerical calculation module in calculating a transformation relation between a presented calibration length unit and a pixel distance unit according to a calibration object graph in the skin image. |
| US08630466B2 |
Method of processing a Radon data based image function and imaging method
An image processing method for providing a digitized image as an approximation of an image function ƒ, wherein the digitized image comprises a plurality of pixels with a predetermined pixel size, comprises the steps of providing the image function ƒ from Radon data comprising a plurality of projection functions measured corresponding to a plurality of predetermined projection directions (v), and determining pixel values from the image function, the pixel values representing the digitized image to be obtained, wherein the pixel values are determined in dependence on at least two image function values within the pixel size of the respective pixel. Furthermore, an imaging method and an imaging device using the image processing method are described. |
| US08630461B2 |
Vehicle position detection system
A system stores reference data generated by associating image feature point data with an image-capturing position and a recorded vehicle event. The system generates data for matching by extracting image feature points from an actually-captured image. The system generates information on an actual vehicle event, extracts first reference data whose image-capturing position is located in a vicinity of an estimated position of the vehicle, and extracts second reference data that includes a recorded vehicle event that matches the actual vehicle event. The system performs matching between at least one of the first reference data and the second reference data, and the data for matching, and determines a position of the vehicle based on the matching. |
| US08630460B2 |
Incorporating video meta-data in 3D models
A moving object detected and tracked within a field of view environment of a two-dimensional data feed of a calibrated video camera is represented by a three-dimensional model through localizing a centroid of the object and determining an intersection with a ground-plane within the field of view environment. An appropriate three-dimensional mesh-based volumetric model for the object is initialized by using a back-projection of a corresponding two-dimensional image as a function of the centroid and the determined ground-plane intersection. A texture of the object is projected onto the three-dimensional model, and two-dimensional tracks of the object are upgraded to three-dimensional motion to drive a three-dimensional model. |
| US08630456B2 |
Object recognition method, object recognition apparatus, and autonomous mobile robot
To carry out satisfactory object recognition in a short time. An object recognition method in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention is an object recognition method for recognizing a target object by using a preliminarily-created object model. The object recognition method generates a range image of an observed scene, detects interest points from the range image, extracts first features, the first features being features of an area containing the interest points, carries out a matching process between the first features and second features, the second features being features of an area in the range image of the object model, calculates a transformation matrix based on a result of the matching process, the transformation matrix being for projecting the second features on a coordinate system of the observed scene, and recognizes the target object with respect to the object model based on the transformation matrix. |
| US08630454B1 |
Method and system for motion detection in an image
Embodiments for moving object detection in an image are disclosed. These include detecting a moving object in an input image by selecting video frames that are visually similar to the input image, generating a model motion image by estimating motion for each selected video frame, and detecting, using the model motion image, a moving object in the input image based on differences between the model motion image and the input image. |
| US08630453B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method and program
Provided is an image processing device which includes an optical flow computation unit computing optical flow within an image with reference to a past image, an optical flow detection unit setting multiple reference points in a partial region of the image and detecting whether or not optical flow is generated at the reference points, a feature point data storage unit storing, when optical flow is generated at the reference points, as a feature point a set of pixels of pixel data that generated the optical flow, a feature point tracking unit tracking a motion position of the feature point, a feature point deletion unit deleting the tracked feature point in accordance with a variation in motion position of the feature point, and a passage determination unit determining whether or not passage of an object is detected within the image based on multiple remaining undeleted feature points. |
| US08630452B2 |
Mailboxes and mailbox systems enabling enhanced security and logistics, and/or associated methods
A system is presented that enhances mail security and logistics. The system in certain example embodiments provides image capturing units to capture images of both the user and the items being mailed and tracks the items while maintaining some identity of the individual mailing the item. The system can in certain example embodiments perform facial recognition on the user and/or optical character recognition on the items being mailed in order to enhance the security of the mailing process. |
| US08630451B2 |
Method of processing images, with the results of the processing being overlaid in the images
A method of processing digital images, in which method a digital image is taken of a mailpiece, which image includes certain information, and certain OCR processing is applied to said image for the purpose of recognizing said information using OCR, the method is characterized in that it further includes a step of applying other OCR processing to said image for the purpose of recognizing said information, and a step of overlaying in said image results of said other OCR processing in a form recognizable by said certain OCR processing. This method makes it possible to obtain reinforced processing capacities by enriching the capacities of the first processing with the capacities of the other processing without calling into question the logical and physical interfaces of the first processing. |
| US08630450B2 |
Client-side watermarking using hybrid I-frames
A system and method for client-side watermarking of digital content using hybrid Intra-Frames (I-Frames) are provided. In general, a content source provides a compressed video stream and a hybrid I-Frame stream to a client device via a network. The hybrid I-Frame stream includes a number of low-loss I-Frames corresponding to select ones of the I-Frames in the compressed video stream to be used for client-side watermarking. The client device watermarks the I-Frames in the hybrid I-Frame stream, optionally compresses the watermarked I-Frames, and replaces the select ones of the I-Frames in the compressed video stream with the watermarked and optionally compressed I-Frames to provide a watermarked version of the compressed video stream. |
| US08630447B2 |
Analyzer of ultrasonic flaw detection image
A flaw detection image analyzer (10) takes in an inspection procedure command stored in a flaw detection condition database (40), takes in a flaw detection image signal corresponding to a flaw detection image indicated by the taken inspection procedure command from a database (50) for flaw detection image signal, and displays the flaw detection image based on the flaw detection image signal on a display (30), with a display range and a contrast indicated by the inspection procedure command in an arrangement pattern of image indicated by the inspection procedure command. Consequently, optimum images can be displayed sequentially with optimum arrangement pattern, optimum display range and contrast according to a flaw to be inspected when a flaw is detected by observing an ultrasonic flaw detection image. |
| US08630434B2 |
Hearing device comprising a mould and an output module
A hearing device having a circuitry unit which is adapted for processing sound signals and converting the processed sound signals into corresponding electrical signals. An output module is provided for receiving the electric signals after processing by the circuitry unit. The output module defines an outer surface. At least one venting channel is arranged adjacent to the outer surface of the output module of the hearing device. The hearing device may also have a mold, which is adapted to receive the output module in a through going opening. The at least one venting channel is arranged at the interface between the mold and the output module and advantageously provides a pressure balance in the user's ear canal to minimize occlusion. An ITE-part of a hearing device is furthermore provided. |
| US08630432B2 |
Self-programming hearing apparatus and corresponding method
In one aspect, a programmable hearing apparatus is provided to allow a convenient programming of the hearing apparatus with minimal effort. To this end, programming data is stored in a transponder. The transponder is activated by the hearing apparatus. Consequently, programming data is transmitted from the transponder to the hearing apparatus. |
| US08630426B2 |
Howling suppression using echo cancellation
A method for reducing howling in a communication system containing collocated mobile devices is presented. In a transmitter, an audio signal is received at a microphone. Acoustic feedback is removed from the audio signal and the resulting signal is encoded and transmitted either using direct or trunked mode operation to a receiver. The encoded signal is decoded at the transmitter, in addition to at the receiver, and fed back to an echo canceller with sufficient delay to account for substantially the entirety of a loop delay from encoding of the audio signal to reception of the acoustic feedback at the microphone to enable removal of the acoustic feedback. An estimate of the acoustic feedback is used to initially remove the acoustic feedback, the error being fed back to the processor to adaptively change the signal being subtracted from the audio signal to better reduce the acoustic feedback. |
| US08630425B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for audio communications
An apparatus is provided in one example embodiment and includes an earpiece that includes at least one switch that senses physical contact with an end user operating the apparatus. The contact triggers an application to be initiated for the apparatus. In more specific embodiments, one or more additional switches are provided to sense physical contact from the end user and trigger the application based on at least two of the switches sensing the contact. In still other embodiments, a microphone is provided and is coupled to a body element and operable to receive voice data from the end user. |
| US08630423B1 |
System and method for testing the speaker and microphone of a communication device
A method for testing a speaker (212) and microphone (216) of a communication device (110) is provided. The method includes playing a first audio signal through the speaker (212) and determining whether the first audio signal is audible. If the first audio signal is audible, the communication device (110) receives a second audio signal through its microphone (216) and plays the second audio signal through the speaker (212). If the second audio signal is audible the method determines that the microphone (216) is properly functioning. Such a method allows the communication device (110) to be quickly and easily tested. |
| US08630419B2 |
Apparatus and method for encrypting image data, and decrypting the encrypted image data, and image data distribution system
An apparatus (14-1, 50) for encrypting image data is disclosed, which includes: a processor (42) configured to divide encoded still image data or video data into a first element (a) and a second element (b); generate a first key (k1); generate a second key (k2) for at least every one image of the still image data or video data; encrypt a first portion (b1) of the second element (b) of the image using the first key (k1) and the second key (k2) corresponding to the at least one image; replace a second portion (b2) of the second element (b) of the at least one image other than the first portion (b1) with the second key (k2) corresponding to the image; and compose the first element (a) of the image, the encrypted first portion (b1′) of the second element (b), and the second key (k2), for at least every one image to generate encrypted data. An apparatus (16-2, 17-2, 70) for decrypting which decrypts the encrypted data generated by the encryption apparatus is also disclosed. |
| US08630415B2 |
Method and apparatus for authentication service application processes during service reallocation in high availability clusters
A method and communication node for providing secure communications and services in a High Availability (HA) cluster. The communication node comprises an Operating System (OS) that detects an unavailability of a first service application process and switches a second service application process from the first state to the second state, the second service application being selected for taking over service currently provided from the first service application process, the first state and the second state each being associated to a set of rights in the cluster. The OS generates a private key for the second service application process based on its second state. The set of rights associated to the second state allows the OS to replace the first service application process with the second service application process for providing secure communications between the second service application and other service application processes in the HA cluster. |
| US08630412B2 |
Transport of partially encrypted media
A method of facilitating transport of partially encrypted video is disclosed. The method re-packetizes or otherwise de-concatenates packets carrying the partially encrypted video into packets where all the video in each packet is either encrypted or unencrypted. The re-packetized video packets may include data that identifies whether the packet is carrying encrypted or unencrypted video. |
| US08630410B2 |
Signal generator based device security
Subsets of multiple signal generator circuits embodied in a device are selected, and then a volatile value for the device is generated from the selected subsets. The volatile value may be used for authentication of the device and/or for cryptographic procedures performed on the device. The signal generator circuits may each comprise an oscillator circuit, and the selection of the subsets may be according to a comparison of the outputs of the subsets of circuits, for example, according to a comparison of output oscillation frequencies. |
| US08630408B2 |
Folder type terminal cover device
A cover for covering a folder type terminal including a first frame, a second frame, and a hinge for rotatably connecting the first frame and the second frame, the folder type terminal cover device includes: a first outer cover for covering the first frame; a second outer cover for covering the second frame; and a hinge cover for covering the hinge and in which a separation distance from the hinge increases when the folder type terminal is unfolded from a folded state. Thereby, an appearance and grip impression of the folder type terminal can be improved, and when the folder type terminal is put on a table in an unfolded state, the folder type terminal can maintain a predetermined angle from a table plane without a separate device. |
| US08630407B2 |
Foldable portable electronic device and assembling method thereof
A foldable portable electronic device is disclosed including an upper housing, a bottom housing rotatable relative to the upper housing, a hinge, and a sleeve. The upper housing includes a barrel, a latching groove, and a receiving space. The hinge is secured in the receiving space and rotatably engages with the bottom housing. The sleeve is slidably received in the receiving space and can be secured in the receiving space and rotatably engaged with the bottom housing. |
| US08630406B2 |
Headset
Communication unit comprising a housing (1) in which at least one transducer is placed, and on which a microphone arm (2) is suspended. The housing also has an ear hook (6) for fastening the communication unit to the head of a user. The microphone arm (2) is pivotally connected to the housing (1) by a hinge link (3,4,5) at an outer area of the housing, and so that the microphone arm (2) can be moved between a position in which it lies up against the housing (1), and a position in which it extends away from the housing. The microphone arm has a length, which in the main is less than or of the same order as the greatest extent of the housing, so that in the folded-in state the microphone arm does not project out over the circumference of the housing. |
| US08630404B2 |
Iterative scheduling and campaign management
An iterative scheduling and campaign management process uses a WFM system and a CLM system. These systems may be independent or consolidated. In a first step of the process, the WFM system provides the CLM system coarse agent availability data. The coarse agent availability data is used by the CLM system to generate a first list order for a given outbound contact list, which contact list is then provided back to the WFM system. In a second step of the process, the WFM uses the first list order to facilitate a multi-skilled agent scheduling routine. The resulting set of multi-skilled agent schedules (or staffing level data derived from those schedules) is then provided by the WFM system to the CLM system. The CLM system then uses the multi-skilled agent schedules (or staffing level data) to create a second list order for the given outbound contact list. This list may be considered an optimized list given the agent schedule data provided by the WFM system. The outbound campaign is then initiated. Thereafter, and periodically during the outbound campaign, the WFM system provides the CLM system intraday (or intra-campaign) updates to the multi-skilled agent schedules and, in response, the CLM creates at least one re-optimized list order for the contact list based on the intraday data update received from the WFM system. The process can then be repeated iteratively throughout the campaign. |
| US08630403B2 |
Controlling hold queue position adjustment
A question of a first caller from among multiple callers waiting in a hold queue of a call center is published. Responsive to a second caller from among multiple callers indicating a readiness to answer to the question, the first caller is connected with the second caller. Responsive to the second caller answering the question, the second caller is awarded an advancement token for storage in association with an authenticated identifier for the second caller in a caller profile for redemption by the second caller for a value selected by the second caller. |
| US08630402B1 |
System and method to provide a response to an inquiry
Disclosed are systems and methods to provide a response to an inquiry. The systems and methods provide techniques to receive an inquiry from a party, wherein the inquiry comprises a plurality of inquiry classifiers that are provided by the party, determine a party status, translate the plurality of inquiry classifiers and the party status into a skill set, route the inquiry to a primary representative based on the skill set, and provide a inquiry response to the party. |
| US08630401B2 |
Method and system for extended directory service
An approach is disclosed for providing an extended directory service over a communication system including a data network and a telephony network. A subscriber submits a request for directory information to the communication system according to a first communication mode. The system accesses a directory among multiple directories in response to the request, wherein the directories include an internal directory associated with the subscriber and an external directory not associated with the subscriber. The directory information from the selected directory is retrieved and forwarded to the subscriber according to a second communication mode. |
| US08630398B2 |
Integration of carriers with social networks
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for receiving, at a server system of a social network and from a telephone service provider, information identifying members of a preferred calling group for a first user that is associated with the telephone provider. The sever system of the social network identifies the first user as a member of the social network. The server system of the social network identifies one or more of the members of the preferred calling group as being one or more members of the social network. The server system of the social network automatically defines a social network group that includes the one or more members of the preferred calling group who are members of the social network. |
| US08630397B2 |
Method and system for enabling charging of non-charging controlled services
A method and apparatus for charging control of service usage in an electronic communications system. An invocation of charging control is received from a service client for service usage by a user. Charging related data and rules checked for the user and it is determined whether the session should be charging controlled. In case of a non charging controlled session, a response message is returned to the charging client, indicating that the session is not charging controlled and that the service usage is to be reported at the end-of-session. A report of usage is received—from the client—including information of the usage consumed during the session at the end-of-session. |
| US08630395B2 |
System, method and device for multiuser communication
A moderator terminal device (201) managing display data transmits, to a display device (10) through a network (30), html fragmentation information for a remark (first information) including a data ID for identifying the display data and position information indicating the display position of the display data. A data line (40) is opened between the display device (10) and a user terminal device (202). The display device (10) transmits, to the user terminal device (202) through the network (30), html fragmentation information for a remark (second information) including a stream ID for identifying the data line (40) and the data ID. The user terminal device (202) transmits the display data to the display device (10) through the data line (40) identified by the stream ID. The display device (10) displays the display data on a display portion (11) based on the stream ID, the data ID and the position information. |
| US08630390B2 |
Automated E911 route verification
A device simulates an emergency services test call based on an automatic number identification (ANI) to be tested, and generates a test notification associated with the emergency services test call. The device also automatically initiates the emergency services test call, receives results of the emergency services test call, and generates an emergency services call information report based on the results of the emergency services test call. |
| US08630389B2 |
X-ray imaging apparatus
An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit which is rotatable relative to a platform about a shaft portion perpendicular to an X-ray detecting surface, so as to change the orientation relative to a subject. |
| US08630384B2 |
Container and method for storing or transporting spent nuclear fuel
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for storing or transporting spent nuclear fuel. In one embodiment, a container for storing spent nuclear fuel comprises a plurality of elongated tubes that receives spent nuclear fuel rods. Each tube has four sidewalls and four corners defining a rectangular cross section. The plurality of tubes is arranged in an alternating pattern. An attachment means attaches together the plurality of tubes at the corners so that two adjacent sidewalls of adjacent tubes are substantially aligned. |
| US08630383B2 |
Communication system for transmitting sync-flags and pilot symbols and method thereof
The present invention relates to a communication system and method for transmitting sync flags and pilot symbols during sync symbol periods. Example embodiments provide a method for sharing sync symbols to communicate flag sequences and pilot sequences during a sequence of sync symbol periods. The method includes modulating the pilot sequence by multiplying a pilot code by each value of the pilot sequence, and modulating the flag sequence by multiplying a flag code by each value of the flag sequence. The pilot and flag codes are mutually orthogonal to each other and each includes at least two non-zero values. The method further includes generating a resulting sync symbol sequence based on the modulated pilot sequence and modulated flag sequence, and sending the resulting sync symbol sequence during the sync symbol period. |
| US08630376B1 |
Method and apparatus for generating beamforming feedback
Cophasing angles for a plurality of antennas are received from a hardware device by one or more processors separate from the hardware device. When steering vector feedback is to be transmitted, the one or more processors generate the steering vector feedback based on the cophasing angles. When explicit channel state information (CSI) feedback is to be transmitted, the one or more processors generate the explicit CSI feedback using the cophasing angles. |
| US08630370B2 |
Apparatus and method for compensating for IQ mismatch in mobile communication system
An apparatus and a method for increasing Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) performance representing quality of transmission signal are provided. The apparatus and the method suppress an image frequency component generated due to mismatch of IQ channels in order to transmit/receive a large amount of data without distortion in 4th generation wireless communication standard candidate technologies such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system and a mobile WiMax system. The apparatus includes a LOcal frequency (LO) buffer including an amplifier. The LO buffer controls the gain and the phase of the amplifier using a control bit for controlling resistor connection. |
| US08630363B2 |
Single-carrier block transmission with trellis coded modulation (TCM), multi-level coded modulation (MLCM) and bit-interleaved MLCM (BIMLCM)
The system (900), transmitter (700), receiver (800.a 800.b), and method of the present invention provide a technique to code data bits into symbols using TCM, MLCM or BIMLCM before the symbols are placed in an SCBT block. Generally, TCM, MLCM, and BIMLCM do not have good performance over the frequency selective channels. However, since the frequency domain equalization of SCBT will flatten the channel, the use of TCM, MLCM and BIMLCM can provide significant gain. Furthermore, since some of the bits are left uncoded, the speed requirements on the encoder and decoder can be relaxed. This feature is especially important for the very high data rate systems. |
| US08630360B2 |
Method of transmitting reference signal in wireless communication system
A method of transmitting a reference signal in a wireless communication system includes generating a frequency-domain reference signal by performing discrete Fourier transform (DFT) on a time-domain reference signal, generating a transmit signal by performing inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) on the frequency-domain reference signal and transmitting the transmit signal. |
| US08630358B2 |
Data packet flow control across an asynchronous clock domain boundary
A system-on-chip integrated circuit 2 includes a packet transmitter 28 for generating data packets to be sent via a communication circuit 34 to a packet receiver 30 containing a buffer circuit 32. A transmitter counter 36 stores a transmitter count value counting data packets sent. A receiver counter 38 stores a receiver count value tracking data packets emptied from the buffer circuit 32. A comparison circuitry 40 is used to compare the transmitter count value and the receiver count value to determine whether or not there is storage space available within the buffer circuit 30 to receive transmission of further data packets. The packet transmitter 28 operates in a transmitter clock domain that is asynchronous from a receiver clock domain in which the packet receiver operates. One of the count values is passed across this asynchronous clock boundary in order that the comparison may be performed and flow control exercised. |
| US08630355B2 |
Multimedia data reorganization between base layer and enhancement layer
This disclosure describes techniques for allocating and reallocating multimedia data between a base layer and an enhancement layer defined in a wireless modulation scheme. The reallocation techniques may vary depending on whether bidirectional predictive (B) frames were originally allocated to the base layer, and whether a re-encode request has been issued to encoders, e.g., to reduce the encoding rate to meet bandwidth constraints associated with a wireless communication channel. The described techniques may help to efficiently utilize channel resources, balance bandwidth between channels and possibly improve error resilience at the application layer. In some cases, the techniques can help to reduce overall aggregate bandwidth usage. |
| US08630351B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding motion vector
Provided are methods and apparatuses for encoding and decoding a motion vector. The method of encoding a motion vector includes: selecting a mode from among a first mode in which information indicating a motion vector predictor of at least one motion vector predictor is encoded and a second mode in which information indicating generation of a motion vector predictor based on pixels included in a previously encoded area adjacent to a current block is encoded; determining a motion vector predictor of the current block according to the selected mode and encoding information about the motion vector predictor of the current block; and encoding a difference vector between a motion vector of the current block and the motion vector predictor of the current block. |
| US08630342B2 |
Picture coding method and picture decoding method
The picture coding method of the present invention is a picture coding method for coding a picture on a block-by-block basis, comprising: a selection step of selecting one of at least two sizes as a size of a block on which orthogonal transformation should be performed; a transformation step of performing orthogonal transformation on a block having the selected size; a coding step of coding data of said block obtained in the transformation step; and a generation step of generating a coded stream that includes the coded data of the block and size information concerning the size selected in the selection step, wherein the size information indicates whether or not the size is a fixed block size within a predetermined section in the coded stream, and the predetermined section is one of a sequence, a group of pictures, a picture, a slice, and a macroblock. |
| US08630340B2 |
Method for encoding and decoding video information, a motion compensated video encoder and a corresponding decoder
A motion compensated video coding method which can be applied especially in transfer of video streams using low transmission bit rate is presented. In the motion compensated coding method, the motion of picture elements between a piece of reference video information and a piece of current video information is estimated and then modeled using certain basis function and coefficients. The coefficients are quantized, and the quantizer is selected according to a certain selection criterion, for example, based on a target image quality or on a target transmission bit rate. Preferably the selection criterion is such that it automatically adjust the accuracy with which the motion of picture elements is represented to be related to the accuracy with which the prediction error information is represented. A decoding method, an encoder and a corresponding decoder are also described. |
| US08630337B2 |
DVB-S2 Demodulator
A method for demodulating a modulated signal, by: receiving a signal modulated in n-PSK or n-APSK comprising a succession of symbols organized in frames, each frame comprising a header followed by blocks of data symbols separated by blocks of pilot symbols, determining the phase of the headers and pilot blocks to predict the evolution of the signal phase, correcting the phase of the data symbols according to the evolution of the signal phase, and equalizing the data symbols corrected in phase using equalization coefficients evaluated thanks to estimated or known symbols of the signal, and pre-equalizing the header, pilot and data symbols, which is performed before determining the phase of the headers and pilot blocks, and using the estimated equalization coefficients to equalize the data symbols. |
| US08630334B2 |
Method and arrangement of selecting a CQI value based on the transport block size in a mobile telecommunication network
The present invention comprises methods and arrangements for selecting a CQI value based on an estimated or actual transport block size. This is achieved according to an embodiment by mapping the SIR value to a CQI value based on an indication of the expected transport block size to be received by the receiver. |
| US08630328B2 |
Melting furnace
A melting furnace including a sealed container containing an inert gas atmosphere, a crucible that is located inside the sealed container and melts a raw material by induction heating, and a crucible cooling mechanism. The crucible cooling mechanism includes a pipe portion that includes an intake that communicates with the sealed container and enables the inert gas to be discharged from the sealed container, and an outlet that enables the inert gas to be introduced into the sealed container, a heat exchange portion that is located partway along the pipe portion, and a gas transporting portion that is located partway along the pipe portion. |
| US08630326B2 |
Method and system of heterogeneous substrate bonding for photonic integration
A hybrid integrated optical device includes a substrate comprising a silicon layer and a compound semiconductor device bonded to the silicon layer. The device also includes a bonding region disposed between the silicon layer and the compound semiconductor device. The bonding region includes a metal-semiconductor bond at a first portion of the bonding region. The metal-semiconductor bond includes a first pad bonded to the silicon layer, a bonding metal bonded to the first pad, and a second pad bonded to the bonding metal and the compound semiconductor device. The bonding region also includes an interface assisted bond at a second portion of the bonding region. The interface assisted bond includes an interface layer positioned between the silicon layer and the compound semiconductor device, wherein the interface assisted bond provides an ohmic contact between the silicon layer and the compound semiconductor device. |
| US08630325B2 |
Manufacturing method, surface-emitting laser device, surface-emitting laser array, optical scanner, and image forming apparatus
A manufacturing method for manufacturing a surface-emitting laser device includes the steps of forming a laminated body in which a lower reflecting mirror, a resonator structure including an active layer, and an upper reflecting layer having a selective oxidized layer are laminated on a substrate; etching the laminated body to form a mesa structure having the selective oxidized layer exposed at side surfaces thereof; selectively oxidizing the selective oxidized layer from the side surfaces of the mesa structure to form a constriction structure in which a current passing region is surrounded by an oxide; forming a separating groove at a position away from the mesa structure; passivating an outermost front surface of at least a part of the laminated body exposed when the separating groove is formed; and coating a passivated part with a dielectric body. |
| US08630322B2 |
Laser system for output manipulation
A laser system capable of phase and/or amplitude manipulation of the output pulses is provided. In another aspect, a laser system includes a self-referenced pulse characterization method. A further aspect uses spectral amplitude modulation to isolate spectral bands by scanning one or more transmission slits or openings, and measuring and/or calculating the first derivative of a phase (group delay) across an entire spectrum. A single-beam pulse shaper-based technique for spectrometer-free measurement and compensation of laser pulse phase distortions is also provided in an additional aspect. |
| US08630320B2 |
Method and apparatus for a hybrid mode-locked fiber laser
An apparatus for producing coherent pulsed light with a fiber-based master oscillator/fiber amplifier architecture includes a fiber-coupled mode-locked laser source. The fiber-coupled mode-locked laser source is configured to provide pulses having a pulse duration of less than 1 ns. The apparatus also includes a fiber-coupled amplitude modulator optically coupled to the fiber-coupled mode-locked laser source. The fiber-coupled amplitude modulator is capable of gate durations greater than 1 ns. The apparatus further includes a saturated fiber power amplifier optically coupled to the fiber-coupled amplitude modulator. |
| US08630318B2 |
High data rate interface apparatus and method
A data interface for transferring digital data between a host and a client over a communication path using packet structures linked together to form a communication protocol for communicating a pre-selected set of digital control and presentation data. The signal protocol is used by link controllers configured to generate, transmit, and receive packets forming the communications protocol, and to form digital data into one or more types of data packets, with at least one residing in the host device and being coupled to the client through the communications path. The interface provides a cost-effective, low power, bi-directional, high-speed data transfer mechanism over a short-range “serial” type data link, which lends itself to implementation with miniature connectors and thin flexible cables which are especially useful in connecting display elements such as wearable micro-displays to portable computers and wireless communication devices. |
| US08630315B2 |
Ethernet network synchronization systems and methods
The present disclosure relates to Ethernet synchronization systems and methods that combines Synchronous Ethernet (Sync-E) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP) IEEE 1588 algorithms. The present invention includes systems and methods for Ethernet networks and node configurations that include a set of rules on node placement, such as Boundary Clock (BC) nodes and Sync-E nodes, a clock selection algorithm, a holdover algorithm, and the like. Advantageously, the present invention provides an architecture that allows practical and real-world useful clock propagation through placement of BCs and Sync-E nodes for best performance. Practical experience and theoretical design are embodied in the present invention to define a very specific set of rules on how to build a network capable of providing accurate and reliable synchronization. The present invention includes clock selection that unifies Sync-E and 1588 algorithms. |
| US08630307B2 |
Methods and apparatus for traffic contention resource allocation
Methods and apparatus for allocating traffic contention resource units in a wireless communications system in which decisions are made in a distributed manner are described. A wireless communications device, corresponding to a link, self allocates resource units for traffic contention. Decisions regarding initially acquiring resources, relinquishing acquired resources, and/or acquiring additional resources for traffic contention are based on detected levels of network congestion and/or detected changes in network congestion. A wireless communications device detects a level of network congestion and determines a number of resource units to acquire for traffic contention based on the detected level of network congestion. |
| US08630305B2 |
High data rate interface apparatus and method
A data interface for transferring digital data between a host and a client over a communication path using packet structures linked together to form a communication protocol for communicating a pre-selected set of digital control and presentation data. The signal protocol is used by link controllers configured to generate, transmit, and receive packets forming the communications protocol, and to form digital data into one or more types of data packets, with at least one residing in the host device and being coupled to the client through the communications path. The interface provides a cost-effective, low power, bi-directional, high-speed data transfer mechanism over a short-range “serial” type data link, which lends itself to implementation with miniature connectors and thin flexible cables which are especially useful in connecting display elements such as wearable micro-displays to portable computers and wireless communication devices. |
| US08630304B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing pool starvation in a shared memory switch
A switch includes a reserved pool of buffers in a shared memory. The reserved pool of buffers is reserved for exclusive use by an egress port. The switch includes pool select logic which selects a free buffer from the reserved pool for storing data received from an ingress port to be forwarded to the egress port. The shared memory also includes a shared pool of buffers. The shared pool of buffers is shared by a plurality of egress ports. The pool select logic selects a free buffer in the shared pool upon detecting no free buffer in the reserved pool. The shared memory may also include a multicast pool of buffers. The multicast pool of buffers is shared by a plurality of egress ports. The pool select logic selects a free buffer in the multicast pool upon detecting an IP Multicast data packet received from an ingress port. |
| US08630303B2 |
Preventing loops in networks operating different protocols to provide loop-free topology
A method and apparatus for preventing loops in a network with network devices operating a spanning tree protocol and network devices operating a link state routing protocol to prevent loops are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving from one of the network devices operating a link state protocol, a link state routing synchronization packet at a first network device in communication with one of the network devices operating the spanning tree protocol, blocking at the first network device, boundary ports in communication with the network devices operating the spanning tree protocol, transmitting a link state routing synchronization acknowledgement packet at the first network device after the boundary ports are blocked, and performing a loop-free topology convergence process at the first network device. |
| US08630294B1 |
Dynamic bypass mechanism to alleviate bloom filter bank contention
An example computing device includes a prefix lookup module, and a Bloom filter that includes a set of queues. The prefix lookup module is configured to receive policy configuration information, examine a state of a queue of the set of queues, and determine whether to bypass the first Bloom filter based on the policy configuration information and the state of the queue. In one example, the prefix lookup module may be configured to, using the policy configuration information, determine to bypass the Bloom filter when the queue is full. In another example, the prefix lookup module may be configured to, using the policy configuration information, determine not to bypass the Bloom filter and send a lookup request to the Bloom filter upon determining that the queue is no longer full. |
| US08630292B2 |
Method and system for distributing a multi-service message from a client to multiple related service applications
A method and arrangement for distributing services messages from a client terminal to multiple service units or applications in one or more application servers in a multimedia service network. A service message distributor receives from the terminal, a multi-service message that includes a plurality of service message documents containing service-related data targeted to a specific service unit or application. The message distributor converts the received message into a plurality of individual service messages corresponding to the documents. The individual messages are sent separately toward their respective target service units or applications. |
| US08630289B2 |
Switching device of dual-port ethernet system
Disclosed is a switching device of a dual-port Ethernet system capable of solving a conflict caused by the dual-port in an Ethernet system having the dual-port. According to the present disclosure, there is little transmission delay when the data frame is relayed between ports in the dual-port Ethernet system. Further, when a frame relay transmission is simultaneously generated with a frame transmission of an upper layer device, it is possible to prevent a conflict by determining a priority. |
| US08630287B2 |
Multiple core network device with core redundancy
An embodiment of a network device includes a plurality of switch cores and a plurality of ports for receiving and transmitting data frames on a network disposed on a single integrated circuit, where switch core is coupled to a subset of the plurality of ports. The network device includes a deactivator configured to selectively deactivate at least a portion of one or more switch cores among the plurality of switch cores on the single integrated circuit, and the network device is configured to forward data frames among the plurality of ports based on a configuration of active portions of the plurality of switch cores. The deactivated portions may include ingress processing pipelines, egress processing pipelines, and/or entire switch cores. The portions of the switch cores to be deactivated may be dynamically be determined based on connectors of the integrated circuit. |
| US08630280B2 |
Method and user equipment for transmitting feedback information
A method and User Equipment (UE) for transmitting feedback information are disclosed. The UE feeds back M best subbands to a Base Station (BS). Especially, the UE feeds back indication information indicating a combination of the M best subbands from among combinations each having M subbands produced out of a maximum number of subbands that can be allocated. Hence, coding of the feedback information is simplified. |
| US08630271B2 |
Communication device, communication system, communication method and communication program
The object is to prevent a third party from specifying a condition of data communication executed by a radio terminal in a radio network using a radio communication device easily accessible to anyone such as WLAN. The radio base station 2 comprises a unit which determines whether to transmit a pseudo data frame assumed to be actual data communication according to a condition of data communication with the radio terminal 3 and a unit which stores information which is information for generating a pseudo data frame and based on actual data communication with the radio terminal 3, thereby generating and transmitting a pseudo data frame based on the stored information when starting pseudo data frame transmission. |
| US08630260B2 |
Communication system, communication method and radio communication apparatus
A communication system includes plural application servers; a first base station and a second base station; and a radio communication apparatus configured to use one of the application servers via the first base station, wherein, when the radio communication apparatus is handed over to the second base station, it is determined whether to switch the application server that the radio communication apparatus uses to another application server based on a communication quality of a communication path including the communication path between the second base station and the application server. |
| US08630259B2 |
PDCP behaviour at handover and connection re-establishment
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate configuring a flush timer within a wireless environment in order to provide robust communications in regards to handover or re-establishment. The flush timer can be triggered upon successful completion of reconfiguration re-establishment. Moreover, the flush timer can be triggered upon successful completion of handover. In the case of handover and re-establishment, a separate indication of handover to packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) from the start of PDCP flush timer can be utilized. |
| US08630256B2 |
Method and system for reducing backhaul utilization during base station handoff in wireless networks
Systems and methods are provided that facilitate active queue management of internet-protocol data packets generated in a data packet switched wireless network. Queue management can be effected in a serving base station as well as in an access terminal, and the application that generates the data packets can be executed locally or remotely to either the base station or access terminal. Management of the generated data packets is effected via a marking/dropping of data packets according to an adaptive response function that can be deterministic or stochastic, and can depend of multiple communication generalized indicators, which include packet queue size, queue delay, channel conditions, frequency reuse, operation bandwidth, and bandwidth-delay product. Historical data related to the communication generalized indicators can be employed to determine response functions via thresholds and rates for marking/dropping data packets. |
| US08630254B2 |
Telephone line switching apparatus, telephone line switching system, telephone relay system, telephone relay method, telephone relay program
A telephone relay system enabling a terminal having multiple telephone numbers to originate and receive calls same as a terminal having only one telephone number is provided. When a connection management unit of an agent device receives a call request from a terminal device, it activates a terminal calling unit while designating a current telephone number and also activates a counterpart calling unit to establish a terminal-side connection between the current telephone number of the terminal device and the agent device and a counterpart-side connection between the agent device and the counterpart terminal. When an incoming call from the counterpart terminal arrives, the connection management unit establishes a counterpart-side connection corresponding to the incoming call, and activates the terminal calling unit while designating the current telephone number to establish a terminal-side connection. A communication relay unit relays the call by using the two connections established by the connection management unit. |
| US08630252B2 |
Terminal apparatus and a method for transmitting feedback information in a wireless communication system
A mobile station apparatus for transmitting feedback information in a wireless communication system and method thereof are disclosed. According to the present invention, feedback information is transmitted by a mobile station in a wireless communication system. The present invention includes receiving an allocation of a specific frequency partition from a base station by a fractional frequency reuse (FFR), generating a prescribed type feedback information on the specific frequency partition by measuring a channel quality of the specific frequency partition, and transmitting the feedback information on the specific frequency partition to the base station. Preferably, the mobile station can transmit feedback information on a frequency partition unallocated by the base station based on the received feedback request information. Accordingly, feedback overhead can be decreased in feedback transmission. |
| US08630246B2 |
Techniques for improving the spatial reuse of wireless networks
A method (400) for improving the spatial reuse of a wireless network, comprising selecting a medium access slot (MAS) type for scheduling concurrent transmissions in the wireless network (S410); assigning reservations to the selected MAS (S420); and applying the selected MAS to source nodes and sink nodes of the wireless network (S430). |
| US08630245B2 |
Enhancing fragmentation and defragmentation procedures in broadband wireless networks
A preemption system enables successful transmission of multiple service data units (SDUs) across a wireless interface. The preemption system addresses out-of-order transmissions of fragments of SDUs, such that the receiver is able to process each successfully. The preemption system enables a higher-priority SDU to simultaneously be transmitted with a lower-priority SDU, so that delays in processing the lower-priority SDU does not negatively affect processing of the higher-priority SDU. The preemption system also addresses non-automatic repeat request medium access controller (non-ARQ MAC) connections that only use hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), in which the HARQ transmission may cause out-of-order delivery of SDU fragments. |
| US08630241B2 |
Frame structures for wireless communication systems
Superframe preamble structures for wireless communication systems are provided. The preamble can include system determination information, which can improve acquisition performance. The superframe structures can allow efficient determination of flexible parameters that determine preamble structure. The superframe structures can also facilitate quick paging capacity to scale with bandwidth. |
| US08630240B2 |
Mapping between logical and physical uplink control resource blocks in wireless networks
A transmission of information from a secondary to a primary node occurs in a plurality of N logical time durations on an uplink channel in a wireless network. A scheme for mapping between logical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource blocks (RBs) and physical RBs (PRBs) used by PUCCH is described. A logical uplink control resource block index nLRB is derived by the secondary node in response to information from the primary node. The secondary node then maps the logical uplink control resource block index nLRB to a first uplink physical resource block index nPRB,1 of a plurality of uplink physical resource blocks. The secondary node then transmits an uplink control information in a subframe using one of the plurality of uplink physical resource blocks indexed by nPRB,1. |
| US08630233B2 |
Communication method of a vehicular access point, a vehicular user equipment, and a macro base station
Provided is a communication method of a vehicular access point, a vehicular user equipment, and a macro base station for a user present in a vehicle capable of effectively forming an operational relationship between the vehicular access point and the macro base station using a plurality of operational modes. The plurality of operational modes may be differentiated based on an operation of the vehicular access point and the macro base station, and are capable of transitioning the vehicular access point from an active state to an idle state by a triggering with respect to the vehicular access point. |
| US08630228B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing position related data
Certain aspects of the present disclosure propose a method for providing positioning assistance data and other supporting information for positioning methods in a wireless communication system utilizing the long term evolution (LTE) standard. The positioning assistance data may be sent in a packet to a radio network node. The radio network node may broadcast the packet to one or more user equipments. |
| US08630227B2 |
Transmission of data packets in a wireless communication network
The invention relates to a method for retransmitting data packets in a network. Further, the invention relates to an adapted system for performing the method. To improve the robustness in the transmission of an acknowledgment message by a mobile terminal to the network, while minimizing a signaling overhead, the invention provides mechanisms that optimize the retransmission of data packets and manage acknowledgement messages. The mechanisms disclosed are particular applicable to heterogeneous radio access networks. |
| US08630226B2 |
Mobile station, base station, communication system, and communication method
A disclosed communication system includes multiple mobile stations and a base station. The mobile station maps a pilot channel comprising a CAZAC code to a signal including multiple frequency components arranged at regular intervals in a given frequency band, and transmits a transmission signal including the signal according to scheduling information. The mobile station performs the mapping such that its transmission signal and transmission signals of other mobile stations using different frequency bands become orthogonal to each other on a frequency axis. The base station calculates the correlation between a received signal and a pilot channel replica, performs channel estimation, and demodulates the received signal based on the result of channel estimation. The base station generates the pilot channel replica by mapping a pilot channel comprising a CAZAC code to a signal including multiple frequency components arranged at regular intervals in a given frequency band. |
| US08630224B2 |
Proactive location based routing in a wireless ad-hoc network
Disclosed is an improved proactive location based routing protocol for ad-hoc wireless networks. When a source node has a data packet to send to a destination node, the source node calculates an estimated future location of the destination node prior to forwarding a data packet to the destination node. The estimated future location may be based on the last known location, velocity and bearing of the destination node, as well as upon the estimated propagation delay (i.e., the estimated time it will take the data packet to reach the destination node after being transmitted by the source node). The source node routes the data packet by identifying which one of a plurality of its neighbor nodes is closest to the estimated future location of the destination node, and routes the data packet the identified neighbor node as an intermediate node along the route from the source node to the destination node. Further, the frequency of flooding broadcasts is based on the velocity of the network nodes. As the velocity of a network node increases, the rate at which the node broadcasts its location and mobility data also increases. The broadcast frequency of a network node may be dynamically adjusted as its velocity changes. |
| US08630220B2 |
Access point scan method, access point scan apparatus, and storage medium storing access point scan program
A probe request for an access point scan is transmitted over a specified radio channel according to an order of scanning, a connection candidate AP list including information indicating an access point which transmits a probe response and a received signal strength indication is generated when the probe response is received, the connection candidate AP list is referred to, one access point is selected from access points whose corresponding received signal strength indications exceed a predetermined threshold, connection processing is performed on the one access point being selected on the specified radio channel, and scanning is repeatedly performed by specifying a radio channel which is second in the order until scanning on all radio channels for which the order of scanning is set is completed when no probe response is received or the connection candidate AP list includes no received signal strength indication which exceeds the threshold. |
| US08630214B2 |
Asymmetric TDD in flexible use spectrum
A method according to an embodiment of the invention includes receiving and transmitting signals over a time division duplex (TDD) communication path. Signals are received over the TDD communication path via a first portion of a first frequency band. The first frequency band is adjacent to a second frequency band and to a third frequency band. The first frequency band is different from the second frequency band and from the third frequency band. A first frequency division duplex (FDD) communication path can be operable in the second frequency band. A second FDD communication path can be operable in the third frequency band. Signals are transmitted over the TDD communication path via a second portion of the first frequency band that is different from the first portion of the first frequency band. |
| US08630213B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting signal in wireless communication system
An apparatus and a method for transmitting control information in a small base station of a wireless communication system are provided. In the method, when the small base station operates in a Low Duty operation Mode (LDM) in a superframe, a control signal including LDM operation information is generated. Only a subframe via which a preamble, a control signal including the LDM operation information, and a SuperFrame Header (SFH) are transmitted is transmitted during the superframe. When the small base station operates in a normal operation mode in a superframe, at least one of the control information and data is transmitted via at least one subframe of the superframe. |
| US08630209B2 |
Wireless transmission system and wireless transmission method
Disclosed herein is a wireless transmission system, including: a plurality of systems of millimeter wave signal transmission lines capable of individually transmitting information in a millimeter waveband independently of each other; a sending section disposed on one end side of each of the plural systems of millimeter wave signal transmission lines; and a reception section disposed on the other end side of each of the plural systems of millimeter wave signal transmission lines. The sending section is adapted to convert a signal of an object of transmission into a millimeter wave signal and supply the millimeter wave signal to the millimeter signal transmission line. The reception section is adapted to receive the millimeter wave signal transmitted thereto through the millimeter wave signal transmission line and convert the received millimeter wave signal into the signal of the object of transmission. |
| US08630207B2 |
Optimizing a physical data communications topology between a plurality of computing nodes
Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for optimizing a physical data communications topology between a plurality of computing nodes, the physical data communications topology including physical links configured to connect the plurality of nodes for data communications, that include carrying out repeatedly at a predetermined pace: detecting network packets transmitted through the links between each pair of nodes in the physical data communications topology, each network packet characterized by one or more packet attributes; assigning, to each network packet, a packet weight in dependence upon the packet attributes for that network packet; determining, for each pair of nodes in the physical data communications topology, a node pair traffic weight in dependence upon the packet weights assigned to the network packets transferred between that pair of nodes; and reconfiguring the physical links between each pair of nodes in dependence upon the node pair traffic weights. |
| US08630206B2 |
Communication system and server
A server judges whether a withdrawn terminal is included in a first communication group, wherein the withdrawn terminal is a terminal which is provided with sending permission in a second communication group and not provided with sending permission in the first communication group. The server sends a notice of withdrawal of the withdrawn terminal from the second communication group, when judged that the withdrawn terminal is included in the first communication group. |
| US08630205B2 |
Apparatus and method for enabling discovery of wireless devices
A method and apparatus discover hidden wireless devices in a wireless network using a directional antenna system, preventing partitioning of the wireless network. A first wireless device located in a first antenna sector is joined in response to an initial first beacon. First beacons are received from the joined first wireless device during corresponding first beacon periods. At least a second antenna sector is scanned during at least one first beacon period to listen for second beacons from a second wireless device in the second antenna sector, while remaining joined with the first wireless device. The first beacons are not received while the second antenna sector is scanned. The second wireless device is joined in response to an initial second beacon. Second beacons are then received from the joined second wireless device during corresponding second beacon periods, and the first beacons are received during the corresponding first beacon periods. |
| US08630204B1 |
System and method for a TCP mapper
A system is provided for congestion control of traffic in a network that uses Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). The system includes at least one TCP congestion control program, at least one TCP congestion control unit running one of the TCP congestion control programs, and a TCP mapper adapted to map incoming TCP traffic to one of the TCP congestion control units, based on at least one of (a) the type of application program from which the incoming TCP traffic flow originated, (b) the type of network for which the incoming TCP traffic flow is destined, (c) parameters related to network performance, (d) network constraints, (e) source of the incoming TCP traffic flow, and (f) destination of the incoming TCP traffic flow. |
| US08630203B2 |
Data transmission method and apparatus
A data transmission method includes receiving a data packet sent by a sender and recording information about the data packet received, sending the received data packet to a receiver through a protocol layer, looking up recorded information about data packets according to a data packet mapping after the protocol layer receives confirmation information of a data packet sent by the receiver to the sender. The data packet mapping is a relation between a recorded data packet and a data packet received by the protocol layer. The method further includes constructing an acknowledgement destined for the sender according to information about the data packet obtained by the steps of looking up recorded information about received data packets. |
| US08630202B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling buffer status report messaging
An apparatus such as a user equipment user device, smart phone and the like includes a memory device and an associated processor configured to transmit a buffer status report message when a reported buffer size in a last transmitted buffer status report message is satisfied. The apparatus may be configured to store the reported buffer size associated with the last transmitted buffer status report message, and track one or more grants of uplink resource; wherein the reported buffer size associated with the last transmitted buffer status report message is satisfied based on the grants of uplink resource. |
| US08630198B1 |
Apparatus and methods of dynamic transmit equalization
One embodiment relates to an integrated circuit configured to perform dynamic transmit equalization of a bi-directional lane. The integrated circuit including an interface between the physical coding and media access control circuitry, and an equalization control circuit which is external to the physical coding circuitry and which is configured to perform the dynamic transmit equalization using said interface. Another embodiment relates to a transceiver circuit which includes physical coding circuitry and media access control circuitry. The transceiver circuit further includes an interface between the physical coding circuitry and the media access control circuitry and an equalization controller which is external to the physical coding circuitry and which is configured to perform dynamic transmit equalization using said interface. The interface is configured to provide transmit coefficient data in a time-multiplexed signal format from the media access control circuitry to the physical coding circuitry. Other embodiments, aspects, and features are also disclosed. |
| US08630195B2 |
Method and devices for multiple station sounding in a wireless local area network
Embodiments of a method and apparatus for obtaining sounding measurements between an access point and a wireless station within a wireless local area network are described. Some embodiments relate to Wi-Fi networks and networks operating in accordance with one of the IEEE 802.11 standards. Some embodiments may allow an access point to request that multiple stations compute sounding measurements with minimal time delay between measurements. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08630191B2 |
Device selection for broadcast messages
The present invention is directed to a method and system for broadcasting a message to selected devices. More specifically, the method and system identifies appropriate VoIP devices of a recipient client suitable for a broadcast message and transmits the broadcast message to the identified appropriate VoIP devices over a digital communication channel. The appropriate VoIP devices are selected in accordance with various constraints of broadcasting such as recipient client's preference, functionality and capability of the recipient VoIP device, broadcaster's bandwidth, a set of broadcasting rules, or the like. In order to identify appropriate VoIP devices or a recipient client, the information relating to the recipient client and VoIP devices may be exchanged using the digital communication channel. |
| US08630189B2 |
Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to monitor tunnels within traffic engineering/fast reroute enabled networks
Example methods and apparatus to monitor tunnels within traffic engineering/fast reroute (TE/FRR) enabled networks are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a message interface to receive from a router a change alert notification for a traffic engineering (TE) tunnel, a router interrogator to interrogate the router to obtain updated path information for the TE tunnel in response to the received change alert notification, and a topology database interface to update a database representative of a tunnel topology of a TE/FRR enabled network based on the updated path information. |
| US08630187B1 |
Method and system for testing a network switching apparatus
A system for testing a network switching apparatus includes one or more port connections external to the network switching apparatus. The one or more port connections are configured to interconnect selected ports of the network switching apparatus to transfer packets between the selected ports. Further, the system includes a test manager configured to automatically generate a plurality of test scenarios for testing a processing operation to be performed by the network switching apparatus on packets. The test scenarios define paths for forwarding packets multiple times among the ports of the network switching apparatus. The system also includes a packet generator configured to transmit packets to at least a first port of the network switching apparatus to test a processing operation performed by the network switching apparatus. |
| US08630184B2 |
Uplink control channel format
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate encoding feedback or control information into a compact payload. In particular, a rank indicator, a precoding matrix indicator and channel quality indicators are packaged into a control channel payload that fits into a single sub-frame. The payload format is determined based at least in part on an antenna configuration or channel quality indicator granularity. In addition, hybrid automatic repeat requests can be included in the payload. |
| US08630183B2 |
Packet transfer system
A gateway selector and a load distribution management device are provided between a user terminal and plural gateway devices. Of response packets received from the plural gateway devices, the gateway selector selects a response packet from a gateway device with a higher priority, according to the priority in a load distribution management table of the load distribution management device. Then, the gateway selector transfers the selected response packet to the user terminal, while discarding a response packet from another gateway device. In this way, it is possible to construct a redundant configuration of the gateway devices, independent of user terminal implementation. |
| US08630182B2 |
Packet deconstruction/reconstruction and link-control
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for packet processing. One method embodiment for packet flow control includes deconstructing a transport layer packet into a number of link-control layer packets, wherein each of the link-control layer packets has an associated sequence number, communicating the number of link-control layer packets via a common physical connection for a plurality of peripheral devices, and limiting a number of outstanding link-control layer packets during the communication. |
| US08630180B2 |
Method of providing a gap indication during a sticky assignment
A method and apparatus are provided to manage the assignment transmission resource of forward and reserve link that is assigned to transmitting entity for a period of time. An indication of a gap is provided whenever the transmitting entity is not transmitting actual data packets (e.g. whole or part of intended data or content), yet the transmitting entity is to maintain the assignment of the allocated resource. For example, an erasure signature packet comprising a first data pattern is transmitted on the assigned resource when there is no actual data to transmit on the assigned resource. |
| US08630176B2 |
Bi-directional and reverse directional resource reservation setup protocol
A wireless user equipment (UE) configured to initiate a packet based session includes a reservation setup protocol (RSVP) message generator configured to transmit a RSVP PATH message. The RSVP PATH message includes a direction indication. The direction indicator indicates that reservations should be made for the UE to transmit only, to receive only or to both transmit and receive. The UE also includes an RSVP message receiver configured to receive an RSVP RESV message indicating that reservations have been made as a result of the RSVP PATH message. |
| US08630173B2 |
Dynamic queuing and pinning to improve quality of service on uplinks in a virtualized environment
Techniques are provided for improve quality of service on uplinks in a virtualized environment. At a server apparatus having a plurality of physical links configured to communicate traffic over a network to or from the server apparatus, forming an uplink group comprising a plurality of physical links. A first class of service is defined that allocates a first share of available bandwidth on the uplink group, and a second class of service is defined that allocates a second share of available bandwidth on the uplink group. The bandwidth for the first class of service is allocated across the plurality of physical links of the uplink group, and the bandwidth for the second class of service is allocated across the plurality of physical links of the uplink group. Traffic rates are monitored on each of the plurality of physical links to determine if a physical link is congested indicating that a bandwidth deficit exists for a class of service. In response to determining that one of the plurality of physical links is congested, bandwidth is reallocated for a class of service to reduce the bandwidth deficit for a corresponding class of service. |
| US08630172B2 |
Bi-directional ring network having minimum spare bandwidth allocation and corresponding connection admission controls
The present invention provides for a method for reserving spare bandwidth for a link in a communication network including a plurality of links. The method provides for monitoring the volume of traffic routed through each link of the communication network. A single link failure for each link is then simulated and the volume of traffic which would be rerouted through each link for maintaining communication and the volume of traffic removed from each link are determined for each simulated single link failure. The difference between the volume of traffic which would need to be rerouted through each link and the corresponding volume of traffic removed from each link is then computed, and a maximum difference value is determined for each link for all simulated single link failures. An amount of spare bandwidth equivalent to the determined maximum difference is then reserved for each link. |
| US08630171B2 |
Policing virtual connections
Traffic flow is monitored in a plurality of links. Based on the monitoring, a manner in which traffic is allocated to the links is determined, and at least one policer is assigned according to the manner in which traffic is allocated to the links. |
| US08630167B2 |
Distributed failure recovery in a routed ethernet network
Link identifiers such as VIDs, selected from a defined range of values, are locally assigned by each node on a link state protocol controlled Ethernet network to each of its links or adjacencies. The link identifiers are assigned by the nodes such that each link or adjacency at the node is uniquely identified by a different link identifier. A link state protocol adjacency notification mechanism or other flooding mechanism is used to disseminate the locally assigned link identifiers to other nodes on the link state protocol controlled Ethernet network. The link identifiers are added by the nodes to their topology databases to enable detour routes to be locally calculated by the nodes on the network in a distributed manner. Upon occurrence of a failure, the link identifiers are used to source route traffic around the failure so that traffic may continue to traverse the link state protocol controlled Ethernet network. |
| US08630165B2 |
Scalable reliable failover in a network
A method is provided for establishing a reliable communication channel between an encapsulation node and a cluster of decapsulation nodes across a communication network. The method is implemented at the encapsulation node and comprises the following steps. A primary session is initialized with a primary decapsulation node in the cluster of decapsulation nodes during which an assigned address is received. A redundant session is initialized with a redundant decapsulation node in the cluster of decapsulation nodes. Data is transmitted to and received from the decapsulation node until a failure is detected. Once the failure is detected, data is transmitted to and received from the redundant decapsulation node instead of the primary decapsulation node. |
| US08630153B1 |
TAMR writer with a concave leading shield for enhanced field magnitude
A TAMR (Thermal Assisted Magnetic Recording) write head uses the energy of optical-laser excited plasmons to locally heat a magnetic recording medium and reduce its coercivity and magnetic anisotropy. The magnetic field of the write head is enhanced by the formation of a leading shield that is formed in a concave geometrical shape and partially surrounds the waveguide portion of the head within the concavity, which allows the distal end of the waveguide to extend to the ABS plane of the write head. This arrangement reduces the gap between the shield and the magnetic pole and does not interfere with the ability of the waveguide to efficiently transfer its optical energy to the plasmon generator and, ultimately, to the surface of the magnetic recording medium. |
| US08630152B2 |
3-D self-focusing gap plasmon generator for TAMR
A device for implementing thermally assisted magnetic recording, using a TE mode laser diode, and method for using it, are described. This device is shaped internally so as to provide three-dimensional self-focusing of plasmon radiation, thereby improving the coupling efficiency between the optical wave-guide and the plasmon generator as a result of ensuring a large overlap between these two modes. |
| US08630151B2 |
Radio-synchronous signal receiver for adjusting a time base, and method for activating the receiver
The receiver (1) is for receiving radio-synchronous signals for adjusting the time base of a timepiece. The receiver includes an antenna (2) for receiving radio-synchronous signals, a low noise amplifier (3), connected to the antenna, a frequency conversion unit (7) for converting the frequency of the filtered and amplified incoming signals from the amplifier, and a processing unit (8) receiving data signals (data_out) from the conversion unit for adjusting the time base. The conversion unit includes a local oscillator stage (10) with a quartz (12) for supplying oscillating signals (Sm) at a determined frequency, a mixer unit (4) for mixing the incoming signals with the oscillating signals from the oscillator stage to generate intermediate signals (IF), a bandpass filter (5) for filtering the intermediate signals (IF), and a demodulator (6) receiving the filtered intermediate signals and supplying the data signals. The local oscillator stage is configured automatically by a control signal (Cm) from the processing unit to adapt the frequency of the oscillating signals (Sm) in accordance with the incoming radio-synchronous signal frequency, so that the intermediate signal (IF) frequency is within the frequency band of the bandpass filter. |
| US08630146B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating formation permeability and electroacoustic constant of an electrolyte-saturated multi-layered rock taking into account osmosis
An acoustic source on a logging tool is used to generate acoustic waves in a borehole. Acoustic detectors on the logging tool measure the generated acoustic waves. Electrodes on the logging tool are used to measure the potential resulting from the generated acoustic wave. The output of the hydrophones and the electrodes corresponding to Stoneley wave components of the acoustic wave are processed to provide an estimate of formation permeability, acoustoelectric constant, and a velocity of a propagating second compressional wave in the formation. |
| US08630144B2 |
Semiconductor device outputting read data in synchronization with clock signal
A semiconductor device is provided with a clock output control circuit which supplies a long-period clock signal having a period longer than an internal clock signal within an active period and supplies the internal clock signal within a read period subsequent to the active period, a clock transfer circuit which transfers the internal clock signal and the long-period clock signal outputted from the clock output control circuit, a data input/output terminal, and an input/output circuit which outputs read data to the data input/output terminal in synchronization with the internal clock signal having been transferred by the clock transfer circuit. |
| US08630141B2 |
Circuits and methods for providing refresh addresses and alternate refresh addresses to be refreshed
Circuits and refresh address circuits for providing a refresh address, and methods for refreshing memory cells. One such method includes refreshing a first plurality of memory cells and interrupting the refreshing of the first plurality of memory cells. A second plurality of memory cells is refreshed, at least one of the second plurality of memory cells the same as one of the first plurality of memory cells. Refreshing of the first plurality of memory cells is resumed following the refreshing of the second plurality of memory cells. One such refresh address circuit includes a refresh address counter configured to provide addresses to be refreshed and a refresh address interrupt circuit configured to interrupt the provision of addresses. An alternate refresh address circuit is configured to provide an alternate address and the refresh address counter resumes providing the addresses responsive to completing the refreshing of the alternate address. |
| US08630140B2 |
Non-volatile memory device having reference cells, and related method of setting reference current
A method of setting a reference current of a nonvolatile memory device comprises measuring a noise characteristic of each of multiple reference cells, and selecting at least one of the reference cells as a reference cell for generating a reference current according to the measured noise characteristics. |
| US08630135B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A row decoder is disposed on a side of a memory cell array in a column direction and supplies one of word lines with a first drive signal for selecting one of memory cells. A dummy word line is formed extending in the column direction. A dummy bit line is formed extending in a row direction. At least one of the dummy word line and the dummy bit line is disposed outside of the memory cell array. The row decoder outputs a second drive signal toward a sense amplifier circuit via the dummy bit line and the dummy word line. |
| US08630129B2 |
Semiconductor device having plural banks
A semiconductor device is provided with a control circuit generating a plurality of first control signals indicating timings at which column switches conduct at the time of reading and a plurality of second control signals indicating timings at which the column switches conduct at the time of writing. The control circuit activates the plurality of first control signals such that timing at which the data read from each of memory cell arrays arrives at a FIFO circuit after reception of a read instruction from outside is the same in each bank and activates the plurality of second control signals such that the column switches match a timing at which write data input from outside to a first data input/output terminal arrives at the corresponding column switch. |
| US08630126B2 |
Techniques for refreshing a semiconductor memory device
Techniques for refreshing a semiconductor memory device are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a semiconductor memory device including a plurality of memory cells arranged in an array of rows and columns. Each memory cell may include a first region coupled to a source line and a second region coupled to a carrier injection line. Each memory cell may also include a body region capacitively coupled to at least one word line and disposed between the first region and the second region and a decoupling resistor coupled to at least a portion of the body region. |
| US08630125B2 |
Memory cell sensing using a boost voltage
The present disclosure includes devices, methods, and systems including memory cell sensing using a boost voltage. One or more embodiments include pre-charging and/or floating a data line associated with a selected memory cell, boosting the pre-charged and/or floating data line, and determining a state of the selected memory cell based on a sensed discharge of the data line after boosting the data line. |
| US08630122B2 |
Programming a memory device to increase data reliability
Methods for programming a memory array, memory devices, and memory systems are disclosed. In one such method, the target reliability of the data to be programmed is determined The relative reliability of different groups of memory cells of the memory array is determined. The data is programmed into the group of memory cells of the array having a relative reliability corresponding to the target reliability. |
| US08630119B2 |
Method for operating non-volatile memory device
A method for operating a non-volatile memory device which includes a plurality of memory cells serially coupled between a source selection transistor and a drain selection transistor, a first dummy memory cell coupled between the source selection transistor and the memory cells, and a second dummy memory cell coupled between the drain selection transistor and the memory cells includes applying a verification voltage to a gate of a selected memory cell, applying a first voltage to gates of unselected memory cells, and applying a second voltage that is lower than the first voltage to a gate of at least one of the first dummy memory cell and the second dummy memory cell, during a program verification operation. |
| US08630110B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
The semiconductor memory device includes: a memory circuit including a transistor including an oxide semiconductor in a semiconductor layer; a capacitor for storing electric charge for reading data retained in the memory circuit; a charge storage circuit for controlling storage of electric charge in the capacitor; a data detection circuit for controlling data reading; a timing control circuit for generating a first signal controlling storage of electric charge in the capacitor (storage is conducted with the charge storage circuit, and the first signal is generated with a second signal at a supply voltage and a third signal delayed from the second signal at the supply voltage in a period immediately after the supply of the supply voltage); an inverter circuit for outputting a potential obtained by inverting a potential of one electrode of the capacitor. |
| US08630108B2 |
MOSFET fuse and array element
An alternative electrical fuse structure, which may be similar to or identical with an insulated gate field effect transistor (“IGFET”) of advanced CMOS technology, can be very area efficient and programmable at relatively low voltages, e.g., programming voltages between 1.5 V and 2.5 V. A method is provided for programming an electrical fuse having the structure of an IGFET to permanently electrically isolate the drain of the IGFET from its source. In this way, the step of programming the IGFET fuse can increase a resistance between the source and the drain of the IGFET from a pre-programming value to a post-programming value by two or more orders of magnitude when any given gate-source voltage value and any given drain-source voltage value within normal operational ranges of the IGFET are applied thereto. |
| US08630104B2 |
Switching power supply and display device provided the same
A switching power supply has a function of improving a power factor, and outputs insulated DC. The switching power supply performs two kinds of controls for switching devices exclusive to each other: controlling of a switching device provided in a direction in which the discharging of a primary-side smoothing capacitor is prohibited at the time of suspension of commercially available AC power and near the zero cross of an input voltage; and causing a switching device provided between the output side of a third winding and the primary-side smoothing capacitor to control a charging current, thereby charging a capacitor in a boosted manner. |
| US08630102B2 |
Ultra low standby consumption in a high power power converter
A power converter includes a dc input having first and second terminals. A main converter is coupled to the first terminal of the dc input. A standby circuit coupled to the second terminal of the dc input and the main converter. The main converter is coupled to control a transfer of energy from the dc input through the standby circuit to a main output of the main converter during a normal operating condition of the power supply. The standby circuit is coupled to decouple the main converter from the second terminal of the dc input during a standby operating condition of the power converter. A standby converter is coupled to the first and second terminals of the dc input to control a transfer of energy from the dc input to a standby output of the standby converter during the standby operating condition of the power converter. |
| US08630101B2 |
Power converters
A power converter for delivering power to a load at a regulated voltage 11 includes a regulating stage receiving an unregulated supply 10 and having a main transformer 18. Switches 16a and 16b are arranged in a half-bridge connect the transformer primary 17 to the unregulated supply 10 to drive the load via a rectifying stage connected to the transformer secondary 19. The on-time of the switch is controlled by a controller 14 to effect the regulation over a range of values of the unregulated supply. An auxiliary transformer 103 has a secondary winding 104 connected in series with the main transformer primary 17 and a primary winding that is selectively driven via a switch 106. A comparator 107 detects a low voltage event within the regulating stage, such as a drop in the intermediate voltage at 10. The primary winding 105 of the auxiliary transformer 103 is driven during the low voltage event. |
| US08630100B2 |
Support tabs for protecting a circuit board from applied forces
The present invention can relate to an electronic device having one or more support tabs that protect a circuit board disposed inside the device from externally applied compressive forces. In particular, when a force is applied to a housing of the device, the support tabs can buttress the housing of the device, either directly or through other intervening components disposed within the device, to reduce the likelihood that the housing or intervening components will contact and damage the circuit board. The present invention also can relate to methods for manufacturing such an electronic device. |
| US08630098B2 |
Switching circuit layout with heatsink
A circuit board adapted for use in an switching converter for connecting a plurality of switches including a first switch, a second switch, a third switch and a fourth switch. The circuit board has a layout for connecting the switches. The layout is adapted for locating the switches substantially at or symmetrically with respect to the endpoints of a right-angle cross. The right-angle cross is formed from two line segments intersecting with a ninety degree angle. The circuit board may offsets the switches perpendicularly to the line segments at the endpoints of the line segments either in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. |
| US08630095B2 |
Linked semiconductor module unit and electronic circuit-integrated motor vehicle device using same
A linked semiconductor module unit links a plurality of semiconductor modules by a first bus bar and a second bus bar, which are embedded in resin parts. The linked semiconductor module unit is disposed in a place other than on a printed circuit board. The semiconductor module linking structure is implemented readily by molding the bus bars together with semiconductor chips and lands to form the resin parts. |
| US08630093B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is provided with a power module capable of supplying an alternate current to a load, while a direct current is supplied from a battery to the power module for conversion into the alternate current, a cooling member capable of radiating heat generated by the power module, and a mounting member, integrally formed with a spring portion protruding in part therefrom and having elasticity, which allows the power module to be mounted on the cooling member under a state where one surface of the power module is caused to face the cooling member and the spring portion is pressed against the other surface of the power module in opposition to the one surface thereof. |
| US08630087B1 |
Airflow system, cable access system, and cable management system based on midplane having holes, side access of chassis, and card configuration
A method for cooling a system having a midplane design in which the midplane includes holes to allow air to flow via the midplane. Cards connected to the midplane have a front face that includes holes to allow the air to flow. The air flows from front to back or back to front to cool the cards connected to the midplane. A multi-slot chassis includes rails to support the cards. The rails form spaces to permit access to sockets associated with the cards to which cables may be connected. Platforms associated with the cards may permit a user to manage cables connected to the cards. |
| US08630084B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor and method for producing solid electrolytic capacitor
A solid electrolytic capacitor element having a solid electrolyte layer provided on a dielectric layer formed on a surface of an anode body comprising a valve acting metal including a pore, wherein the anode body is configured in such a way that multiple plate-shaped anode bodies are directly piled and integrated with a solid electrolyte, and adjacent piled anode bodies are joined at a section thereof, and a method for producing the solid electrolytic capacitor element. |
| US08630077B2 |
Circuits and methods for limiting open circuit voltage of photovoltaic strings
A photovoltaic string may include an open circuit voltage limiter that conducts current in one direction to provide a limiter voltage less than an open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string, and that conducts current in the other direction. One or more open circuit voltage limiters may be connected across the photovoltaic string or across selected groups of solar cells of the photovoltaic string. The limiter voltage may be greater than a maximum power point voltage but less than the open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string. |
| US08630073B2 |
Integrated circuit provided with a protection against electrostatic discharges
An integrated circuit protected against electrostatic discharges, having output pads coupled to amplification stages, each stage including, between first and second power supply rails, a P-channel MOS power transistor in series with an N-channel MOS power transistor, this integrated circuit further including protection circuitry for simultaneously turning on the two transistors when a positive overvoltage occurs between the first and second power supply rails. |
| US08630071B2 |
ESD protection scheme for designs with positive, negative, and ground rails
Apparatuses and systems for dissipating ESD events are provided. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit (IC) device, includes a ground rail, a positive supply rail, a negative supply rail, a circuit block, a plurality of contact pads, and a coupling system. Each of the ground rail, positive supply rail, negative supply rail, and the circuit block are coupled to a respective contact pad of the plurality of contact pads. The contact pad coupled to the circuit block is configured to swing from a voltage of the negative rail to a voltage of the positive rail. The coupling system couples each contact pad of the plurality of contact pads to all other contact pads of the plurality of contact pads, whereby an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event between two contacts pads of the plurality of contact pads can be dissipated. |
| US08630065B1 |
Data storage device tape path cleaner
A tape cartridge is provided with a reel mounted for rotation in a housing. Tape with a length, a width and a thickness, is wound upon the reel in a length direction of the tape. A leader is mounted to a free end of the tape. The leader has at least one portion with a width greater than the tape width to clean a tape path, such as a guide and/or a lens. Another tape cartridge is provided with a reel mounted for rotation in a housing. Tape is wound upon the reel in a length direction of the tape. A leader is mounted to a free end of the tape. A brush is mounted to a portion of the leader for cleaning a tape path. |
| US08630064B2 |
Magnetic write head with novel shield structure having latterally extending trailing gap layer and concaved side gap
A magnetic write head having a gap structure that improves write head performance. The write head includes a magnetic write pole and a magnetic shield that is separated from the trailing edge of the write pole by a non-magnetic trailing gap layer and is separated from the sides of the write pole by non-magnetic side gap layers. The trailing gap extends laterally beyond the side gap layers, and a convex bump is formed at an edge of the magnetic shield at a location near the trailing end of each of the side gap layers. |
| US08630063B2 |
Bearing mechanism, motor, and disk drive apparatus
A bearing mechanism includes a shaft portion, a sleeve portion, a lower opposing portion, a lower outer annular portion, and an upper opposing portion. The sleeve portion includes a sleeve body and a lower thrust plate. A radial dynamic pressure bearing portion is defined in a radial gap. A lower thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion is defined in a lower thrust gap. A lower seal portion is defined in a lower seal gap located between the sleeve portion and the lower outer annular portion. An upper seal portion is defined in an upper seal gap continuous with an upper thrust gap. The sleeve portion includes a first communicating channel in communication with the upper seal gap, and a second communicating channel located between the sleeve body and the lower thrust plate. A lower mouth portion of the first communicating channel axially overlaps the lower thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion. |
| US08630062B2 |
Bearing apparatus having concentric inner and outer roller bearings and information recording/reproducing apparatus
An inner race of a first rolling bearing is fixed to a shaft, and an outer race thereof is fixed to an inner race of a second rolling bearing. In the first bearing, the outer race and rolling elements contact each other on the side of a center of the rolling elements closer to one end side in an axial direction, and the inner race and the rolling elements contact each other on the side of the center of the rolling elements closer to the other end side in the axial direction. In the second bearing, an outer race and rolling elements contact each other on the side of a center of the rolling elements closer to the one end side, and the inner race and the rolling elements contact each other on the side of the center of the rolling elements closer to the other end side. |
| US08630060B2 |
Thermally enabled exchange coupled media for magnetic data recording
A heat enabled magnetic media having a composite magnetic recording layer structure that includes first and second magnetic layers and an exchange coupling layer sandwiched between the first and second magnetic layers. The exchange coupling layer has a reduced Curie temperature that allows the magnetic layers to become decoupled a lower temperature. This reduced Curie temperature can be achieved the addition of an alloying element such as Ni or Cu into the exchange coupling layer. Therefore, the exchange coupling layer can be constructed of an alloy such as FePtNi FePtCu, and the magnetic layers can be constructed of a material such as FePt. |
| US08630058B2 |
Drive apparatus, library apparatus, and control method thereof
A magnetic tape apparatus performs at least one of data reading processing and data writing processing on LTO wound around a reel. The magnetic tape apparatus causes the reel to rotate and move the LTO to a position at which the data writing processing or the data reading processing can be performed by a magnetic head. The magnetic tape apparatus is arranged along the width direction of the magnetic tape of LTO, which is driven, to detect medium abnormality that occurred in either a start-end or a stop-end in the width direction of the magnetic tape. |
| US08630057B2 |
In-situ contact potential measurement in hard-disk drives
Approaches are provided for a hard-disk drive (HDD) and a method for measuring the contact potential between head and disk interfaces within a hard-disk drive. In one example, a voltage bias is applied to a head slider at discrete increments, and the touchdown power is determined at each increment. The voltage bias at which the TDP maximizes equals the inverse polarity of the inherent contact potential between the head slider and disk, and this value may be used to apply a voltage that neutralizes the contact potential. |
| US08630055B2 |
Systems and methods for medium contact detection
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for detecting contact. For example, a method for detecting head contact is disclosed that includes: receiving an interface signal operable to indicate a physical contact between a sensing device and a storage medium; band pass filtering a data set derived from the interface signal to yield a band pass filtered output; comparing the band pass filtered output to a level threshold to yield a comparator output; summing the comparator output with at least one prior instance of the comparator output to yield an aggregated value; and comparing the aggregated value to an aggregate threshold to yield a contact output. |
| US08630051B2 |
Patterned media with an alternating series of concentric servo zones and overlap zones
Embodiments described herein provide for patterned media concentric zones with an alternating series of concentric servo zones and overlap zones. The overlap zones facilitate the writing of servo data between servo zones of different servo frequency. The overlap zones may be dual frequency zones. The dual frequency zones have a first set of overlap patterns with the substantially identical pattern as the bordering lower frequency servo zone and a second set of overlap patterns with the substantially identical pattern as the bordering higher frequency servo zone. A bootstrap zone can be included near the inner diameter to assist initial servo writing. Alternatively the overlap zones are bootstrap zones. Such bootstrap zones have both bootstrap patterns and overlap patterns, the overlap patterns have the substantially identical pattern as a bordering servo zone. Bootstrap patterns only require DC magnetization for servo operability. |
| US08630050B2 |
Micromechanical component, optical device, manufacturing method for a micromechanical component, and manufacturing method for an optical device
A micromechanical component is described having a component which has a moth-eye structure which covers at least a partial surface of the component. At least a portion of the partial surface, as a first contact surface, may contact a contact component of the micromechanical component on at least one second contact area of the contact component, which has a needle-shaped microstructure, the moth-eye structure of the first contact area and the needle-shaped microstructure of the second contact area being at least partially interlocked with one another. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of the partial surface may be at least one partial area of an outer side and/or of an exposed inner side, facing the inner space, of the component configured as a light window. Also described is an optical device having such a micromechanical component, a manufacturing method for a micromechanical component, and a manufacturing method for an optical device. |
| US08630049B2 |
Adjustable color correction automated high intensity stage lights
Color correction system for an automated stage light that allows the color temperature of the light beam to be continuously adjustable to both a higher and lower Kelvin value than the natural temperature of the open beam, by filtering using a dual peak filter and also color correcting the beam. |
| US08630045B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens includes a positive first-lens-group, which is fixed during zooming, a negative second-lens-group, which is moved during zooming, a positive third-lens-group, which is fixed during zooming, and a positive fourth-lens-group, which is moved during zooming, these lens groups being arranged in this order from the object side. The first-lens-group consists of four lenses of a negative first-group first lens, a positive first-group second lens, a positive first-group third lens, and a positive first-group fourth lens, arranged in this order from the object side. The first-group first lens and the first-group second lens are arranged in such a manner that a space is formed therebetween. Further, the following formula (1) is satisfied: −2.0<(R11r+R11f)/(R11r−R11f)<−0.4 (1), where R11f is a radius of curvature of an object-side surface of the first-group first lens, and R11r is a radius of curvature of an image-side surface of the first-group first lens. |
| US08630039B2 |
Optical designs for zero order reduction
Apparatus for projecting a pattern includes a first diffractive optical element (DOE) configured to diffract an input beam so as to generate a first diffraction pattern on a first region of a surface, the first diffraction pattern including a zero order beam. A second DOE is configured to diffract the zero order beam so as to generate a second diffraction pattern on a second region of the surface such that the first and the second regions together at least partially cover the surface. |
| US08630034B2 |
Display medium and display device
A display medium of the present invention includes first and second substrates, a spacing member and a particle dispersion liquid. The first substrate is transparent to light. The second substrate is opposite to the first substrate and has plural electrodes placed at an interval. The second substrate has a difference between reflectivity of the electrode portions and reflectivity of plural boundary portions between the electrodes with respect to light incident from the first substrate side. The difference is 12 percentage points or less. The spacing member is placed between the first and second substrates at another interval, is transparent to light, and keeps a gap between the first and second substrates. The particle dispersion liquid is filled between the first and second substrates, and includes particles moving in a direction of an electric field formed between the first and second substrates and a dispersion medium. |
| US08630031B1 |
Color adjustment for a scanned image
The color of a pixel in a scanned image is represented by two color components and is adjustable by interpolating between color component values obtained from elements in a bidimensional color remap look-up table. The table is sparsely populated and may be readily implemented in most scanner circuits without adding memory. |
| US08630030B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image quality calibration method thereof
An image forming apparatus and an image quality calibration method in the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus including a printing unit to print a calibration chart in one mode selected from a plurality of resolution modes, a scanning unit to scan the printed calibration chart, and a calibrating unit to calibrate an image using color values of the scanned calibration chart according to the plurality of resolution modes. |
| US08630028B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes: a conveyor roller configured to come in contact with a sheet-like medium and to convey the contacted medium in a conveyance direction in which the medium is conveyed; an image pickup device configured to pick up an image of the conveyed medium; a control device configured to control the conveyor roller and the image pickup device; an apparatus main unit that accommodates the conveyor roller, the image pickup device, and the control device; and a state detecting device configured to detect whether the apparatus main unit is in a stationary state in which the apparatus main unit is stationary or in a non-stationary state in which the apparatus main unit is not stationary, wherein the control device is configured to change contents of the control of at least the conveyor roller based on a result of the detection by the state detecting device. |
| US08630027B2 |
Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes a drive unit that drives the line image sensor by frequency-modulated clock; a signal generating unit that generates an analog signal according to a change in frequency of the frequency-modulated clock; an amplification-inversion unit that amplifies the analog signal with an arbitrary amplification factor, and configured to switch between inversion and non-inversion; and a signal superimposing unit that superimposes between the analog image signal and an analog signal output from the amplification-inversion unit. |
| US08630026B2 |
Image processing method, image processing apparatus, and storage medium for determining an area in a read image
There is provided an image processing method which determines the area of a document from an image read on a transparent platen, the image processing method also determines a single object area or a plurality of object areas from the image on the transparent platen, and when the luminance of the area in which the object area is removed from the image on the transparent platen is detected to determine the document area, the image processing method detects whether or not an image of a shadow exists around the periphery of the object area on the image of the transparent platen, and the threshold value used for determining the document area is different depending on whether a shadow is detected. |
| US08630025B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program recorded recording medium
It is an object to provide an image processing apparatus which can properly obtain an original area even when there is one original or when there are a plurality of originals, an image processing method, and a recording medium in which an image processing program has been recorded. An image processing apparatus for deciding an image data area of an original from read image data obtained by being read by an image reading apparatus has: an extracting unit for extracting a plurality of image areas from the read image data; and a discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not tilt angles of the image areas extracted by the extracting unit are equal. If one or more tile angles of the image areas are not equal as a result of the discrimination by the discriminating unit, it is determined that each of the image areas is an image data area of the original on the assumption that there are a plurality of originals. |
| US08630024B2 |
Sheet feeding apparatus
A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a sheet loading unit configured to load a plurality of sheets; a sheet feeding unit configured to feed the sheets loaded on the sheet loading unit; a light emitting unit configured to irradiate a sheet loaded on the sheet loading unit; an image sensor disposed at a position opposing the sheet loaded on the sheet loading unit and configured to sense an image reflected with light irradiated by the light emitting unit; and a trailing edge detection unit configured to cause the image sensor to repetitively perform sensing during sheet conveyance by the sheet feeding unit, compare images sensed by the image sensor, and detect a trailing edge of the sheet currently being conveyed from the sheet feeding unit based on a determination of an area where a pattern remains unchanged. |
| US08630019B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method of controlling the image processing apparatus, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus which makes it possible to prevent a third party from outputting secret information as an image without leaving any evidence. A printer section of the image processing apparatus receives first image data and attribute data. The printer section forms an image corresponding to the first image data on a sheet, and then forms an image of information of the attribute data on the sheet in a manner superimposed on the image. A controller of the image processing apparatus generates second image data from the attribute data, and performs control such that the first image data and the second image data are recorded as history information on a job processed by the image processing apparatus. |
| US08630016B2 |
Label processor and method relating thereto
A system and method are provided for providing information on at least one container for storing a biological sample, including: a holder configured to hold at least one biological sample container and a receiver configured to receive information relating to at least one of the container or the biological sample as well as data relating to at least one instruction for printing the information. The system and method further include a printer configured to print the information in accordance with the at least one instruction. In one embodiment, the printer is configured to print the information directly on the container. In another embodiment, the system and method further include an applicator configured to apply a label on the container and the printer is configured to print the information on the label. In another embodiment, the system and method include a detector configured to detect whether the container contains the biological sample and a processor configured to determine the manner for printing the information. In this embodiment, the determination is based, at least in part, on whether container contains the biological sample. |
| US08630015B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method for converting image data to a higher resolution
An image forming apparatus includes a resolution converting unit, an address generating unit, a density determining unit, and an image path selector. The resolution converting unit converts a resolution of image data into a higher resolution. The address generating unit performs a position determining process of determining a position of an additional pixel on the basis of main-scanning directional positions of pixels composing the converted image data and respective shift amounts of the pixels shifted to a sub-scanning direction. The density determining unit determines a density of the additional pixel on the basis of a density of a pixel located at a position corresponding to the determined position in the image data. The image path selector scales the image data up or down by controlling the address generating unit while adding the additional pixel having the determined density to the determined position. |
| US08630014B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing system
An image processing apparatus and an image processing system are supplied capable of restraining an occurrence of failure print. The image processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus comprises an operation detecting section that detects operations of a document processing section; a document size obtaining section that obtains document size information; a medium size obtaining section that obtains medium size information of print mediums set in the image forming apparatus; a comparing and judging section that compares the document size information and the medium size information and judges whether or not they are consistent; an inquiring section that inquires user whether or not document size of the print object document is changed; an inputting section that inputs a change instruction of the document size; and a changing section that changes the document size information into the medium size information on the basis of the change instruction. |
| US08630012B2 |
Apparatus and system on a chip for printing based on processing of baseband signals
A system includes a circuit board mounted within a printer. A first chip is mounted on the circuit board. A transceiver includes a receiver that: is implemented in the first chip; wirelessly receives a radio frequency signal; and generates a first baseband signal based on the radio frequency signal. A transmitter of the transceiver is implemented in the first chip and wirelessly transmits, based on a second baseband signal, a second radio frequency signal. A second chip is separate from the first chip and is mounted on the circuit board. The second chip includes first and second processing modules and a processor. The first processing module processed the first and second baseband signals and generates a data signal based on the first baseband signal. The processor generates the second baseband signal based on the first baseband signal. The second processing module implements a printing process based the data signal. |
| US08630010B2 |
Printing system, printing method, print server, control method, and computer-readable medium for performing pull print control
A print server which transmits print data in accordance with an instruction received via an operation unit of a printing apparatus, comprises: a storage unit configured to store a print job of an intermediate format open to the public; a first generation unit configured, upon receiving a preview image request from the printing apparatus for the print job, to generate a preview image from the print job of the intermediate format stored in the storage unit; a second generation unit configured, upon receiving a print request from the printing apparatus for the print job, to generate print data interpretable by the printing apparatus from the print job of the intermediate format stored in the storage unit; and a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the printing apparatus, one of the preview image generated by the first generation unit and the print data generated by the second generation unit. |
| US08630007B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method for managing print job, and computer-readable storage medium for computer program
An image forming apparatus is configured to access a storage that stores, therein, first associating information indicating a first terminal identifier for identifying a terminal and a first user identifier for identifying a user. The apparatus receives data based on which a print job is to be executed and which contains a second terminal identifier. If the second terminal identifier contained in the data matches the first terminal identifier indicated in the first associating information, then the apparatus executes the print job. Otherwise, the apparatus suspends execution of the print job. The apparatus receives an input of a second user identifier. If the second user identifier matches the first user identifier indicated in the first associating information, and, if the print job whose execution is suspended is selected, then the apparatus stores, into the storage, second associating information indicating the second terminal identifier and the second user identifier. |
| US08630005B2 |
Method of transmitting log information on document using metadata and host device, image forming apparatus and system using the same method
There are provided a method of transmitting log information on a document using metadata which can manage log information based on the metadata, and a host device, an image forming apparatus and an image forming system using the same method. The method includes: setting up metadata for receiving log information on a document in a host device; storing the set up metadata and printing data of the document; outputting the document; generating the log information on the document; and transmitting the log information using the metadata. |
| US08630003B2 |
Apparatus, system and method of customizing image formation instructions
An image formation apparatus includes an accepting unit, an acquiring unit and a formation unit. The accepting unit accepts an image formation instruction and input of information for specifying image supply destinations. The acquiring unit acquires an image formation condition that is specified in advance for each image supply destination. The formation unit forms images based on the acquired image formation conditions. |
| US08629999B2 |
Apparatus for carrying out a job stored in storing part, and method of controlling the apparatus
An apparatus that carries out a job which is stored in a storing part, the storing part storing therein one or more jobs and the jobs stored in the storing part being associated with user identification information, the apparatus includes a specifying information obtaining part configured to carry out a process of obtaining specifying information that is stored in a recording medium and specifies the user information; a carrying out part configured to carry out the job which is associated with the user identification information specified by the specifying information that is obtained by the specifying information obtaining part; and a carrying out process control part configured to carry out control to stop carrying out the job carried out by the carrying out part, when the specifying information can no longer be obtained by the specifying information obtaining part. |
| US08629995B2 |
Peripheral apparatus control
An information processing apparatus, which is connected to a peripheral apparatus via a network, issues, to the peripheral apparatus, a request required to acquire a response including information that represents whether or not the peripheral apparatus can notify the information processing apparatus of an event upon completion of print processing. Then, when the information included in the response returned from the peripheral apparatus in response to the request represents that the peripheral apparatus cannot notify the information processing apparatus of any event, the information processing apparatus deletes a print job, data of which have been sent to the peripheral apparatus, from a printer queue required to stack print jobs. |
| US08629991B2 |
Information processing apparatus for printing a first image added with a second image related to the first image, method of controlling same, image forming apparatus and computer program
An information processing apparatus outputs image data of a second image in such a manner that the second image is printed on a print medium by an image forming apparatus upon appending the second image to supplement a first image that is a print target, the second image being information related to the first image. The apparatus includes a determination unit which determines the formation position of the second image based upon content of an output setting and a rule; and a control unit which controls the image forming apparatus in accordance with the determined formation position in such a manner that the first and second images are formed on the same or different sheets of a print medium. |
| US08629982B2 |
Light emitting diode illumination system
In various embodiments of the invention, a unique construction for Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) with at least one luminescent rod and extracting optical elements used to generate a variety of high brightness light sources with different emission spectra. In an embodiment of the invention, forced air cooling is used to cool the luminescent rod. In an embodiment of the invention, totally internal reflected light can be redirected outward and refocused. In another embodiment of the invention, light emitted by the luminescent rod is out-coupled for use in a variety of applications. |
| US08629978B1 |
Curved laser sheet for conformal optical diagnostics
Three-dimensional surface illumination using curved laser sheets is described for optical flow measurements over conformal curved surfaces. The illumination method is applicable to many different optical-based flow visualization and measurement techniques, particularly for particle image velocimetry. An alignment sheet increases the accuracy of determining the position and movement of particles used in optical-base fluid flow techniques. |
| US08629977B2 |
Traffic scanning LIDAR
A system for determining the speed and position of objects comprises a beam source, a transmit reflection device, a beam receiver, a receive reflection device, and a controller. The beam source may generate a beam. The transmit reflection device may reflect the beam at the objects and may include a plurality of transmit faces with each transmit face oriented at a different angle and operable to reflect the beam at a different height. The beam receiver may detect the beam. The receive reflection device may include a plurality of receive faces with each receive face oriented at a different angle and operable to focus the beam reflected from objects at different heights onto the beam receiver. The controller may determine the position of the objects over time and calculate the speed of the objects based on a change in the position of the objects. |
| US08629972B2 |
Projection objective for microlithography
A projection objective for microlithography is used for imaging an object field in an object plane into an image field in an image plane. The projection objective comprises at least six mirrors of which at least one mirror has a freeform reflecting surface. The ratio between an overall length (T) of the projection objective and an object image shift (dOIS) can be smaller than 12. The image plane is the first field plane of the projection objective downstream of the object plane. The projection objective can have a plurality of mirrors, wherein the ratio between an overall length (T) and an object image shift (dOIS) is smaller than 2. |
| US08629971B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
In a lithographic projection apparatus, a liquid supply system maintains liquid in a space between the projection system and the substrate. The liquid supply system may further include a de-mineralizing unit, a distillation unit, a de-hydrocarbonating unit, a UV radiation source, and/or a filter configured to purify the liquid. A gas content reduction device may be provided to reduce a gas content of the liquid. A chemical may be added to the liquid using an adding device to inhibit lifeform growth and components of the liquid supply system may be made of a material which is non-transparent to visible light such that growth of lifeforms may be reduced. |
| US08629970B2 |
Immersion lithographic apparatus with immersion fluid re-circulating system
A lithographic apparatus includes a projection system, a fluid handling structure, a metrology device, and a recycling control device. The projection system is configured to project a patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of a substrate, the substrate being supported on a substrate table. The fluid handling structure is configured to provide an immersion fluid to a space between the projection system and the substrate and/or substrate table. The metrology device is configured to monitor a parameter of the immersion fluid. The recycling control device regulates a routing of the immersion fluid either to be reused by the fluid handling structure or to be reconditioned based on the quality of immersion fluid indicated by the metrology device. |
| US08629969B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel
A liquid crystal display panel has a pair of opposed substrates, a seal material and a liquid crystal material. The seal material bonds the pair of substrates to each other, and is formed into a closed curve shape enclosing a region including a pixel region. The liquid crystal material is filled in a region enclosed by the pair of substrates and the seal material. A surface of interface which is a surface made up of at least one substrate of the pair of substrates, and which is in contact with the liquid crystal material in a frame region enclosed by an outer periphery of the pixel region and an inner periphery of the seal material, includes a low wettability structure in which wettability to the liquid crystal material is lower than that of the surface of the one substrate in the pixel region. |
| US08629967B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A LCD and a fabrication process is presented. An upper substrate is coincidently formed with a red, a green and a blue color filters using phase separation. A compound containing a photopolymeric color filter resin and a liquid crystal are coated on an array substrate and then photopolymerized after formation of the array substrate. A seed layer may be provided on the substrate before the compound is applied. Polymerization of the color filter resin permits simultaneous formation of the upper, color filter substrate and liquid crystal layer. |
| US08629966B2 |
Display panel and sealing structure
An LCD panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a displaying medium and a sealing structure, wherein the second substrate is located at the side opposite to the first substrate and the displaying medium is located between the first substrate and the second substrate for displaying an image. The sealing structure is located between the first substrate and the second substrate to seal the displaying medium, wherein the sealing structure includes an inner wall, an outer wall and a sealant. The inner wall disposed surrounding the displaying medium and the outer wall disposed surrounding the inner wall together form a sealant-disposing space therebetween. The outer wall has a plurality of side wall holes and the sealant is disposed in the sealant-disposing space. In this way, the sealing structure is able to enhance the structure strength in a limited layout space and promote the process margin. |
| US08629965B2 |
Display device
First terminals and second terminals, which are terminals of adjacent terminal wires, are staggered in the direction in which wires run, and transparent conductive films provided to the first terminals and second terminals extend so as to overlap the terminal wires outside the regions in which contact holes are created and are formed so as to have a width narrower than the width of the terminal wires in the regions where contact holes are created. |
| US08629964B2 |
Flat panel display
A flat panel display (FPD) has a conductive heat proof plate inserted into the back surface of a display panel on which printed circuit boards (PCBs) and signal lines are formed. The signal lines are surrounded by a blocking unit, and the external surface of the blocking unit is made of a conductive material to be electrically coupled to the heat proof plate so that resistance against electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of a large flat panel display is improved and a thermal characteristic is improved. |
| US08629960B2 |
Display device substrate, display device substrate manufacturing method, display device, liquid crystal display device, liquid crystal display device manufacturing method and organic electroluminescent display device
The present invention provides a display device substrate, a display device substrate manufacturing method, a display device, a liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal display device manufacturing method and an organic electroluminescent display device that allow suppressing faults derived from occurrence of gas and/or bubbles in a pixel region. The present invention is a display device substrate that comprises: a photosensitive resin film; and a pixel electrode, in this order, from a side of an insulating substrate. The display device substrate has a gas-barrier insulating film, at a layer higher than the photosensitive resin film, for preventing advance of a gas generated from the photosensitive resin film, or has a gas-barrier insulating film, between the photosensitive resin film and the pixel electrode, for preventing advance of gas generated from the photosensitive resin film. |
| US08629956B2 |
Active matrix type liquid crystal display device and manufacturing process for the same
An active matrix liquid crystal display device of the invention includes a liquid crystal display panel operating in a normally black mode having a first substrate provided with a color filter and a second substrate provided with an active matrix array, wherein the first substrate is provided with a laminated colored layer with three colors, a laminated colored layer with two colors and a colored layer with one color in a frame part surrounding a display area without being provided with a black matrix, and the second substrate is provided with a conductive film formed in a region which is opposed to the laminated colored layer with two colors and the colored layer with one color, between the display area and the laminated colored layer with three colors. |
| US08629954B2 |
Grommet suspension component and system
A compliant grommet-based suspension system is disclosed for use in mounting an electronic touch screen or touch surface. The grommets may be designed to provide more or less movement in any direction, i.e., along the x-axis, the y-axis, and/or the z-axis, depending on the suspension application in which they are implemented. |
| US08629952B2 |
Mobile terminal device
A mobile terminal device includes a liquid-crystal portion that displays an image; a substrate that sandwiches another component between one surface of the substrate and the liquid crystal portion, and that has another surface that is provided with a control circuit; a connecting portion that connects the liquid-crystal portion and the control circuit; and a spacer member formed of an insulator and interposed between the another surface of the substrate and the connecting portion. |
| US08629951B2 |
Array substrate for liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display device includes an array substrate and a color filter substrate, a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines formed on the array substrate such that the gate lines and the data lines intersect each other to define a plurality of pixel regions, a plurality of thin film transistors formed at respective intersections of the gate lines and the data lines, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the array and color filter substrates, and a plurality of repair patterns formed on the first substrate. Each of the plurality of the repair patterns crosses a corresponding one of the data lines, and is along and adjacent to a corresponding one of the gate lines, such that the repair pattern includes protruding ends that protrude from the corresponding data line to repair a defect on the pixel regions. |
| US08629939B1 |
Television ticker overlay
Described embodiments provide for detection and selection by the user of a ticker region within a first video broadcast; and copying and overlaying the detected and selected ticker region over a second video broadcast. Motion estimation techniques are employed to identify the ticker region location and associated borders of the ticker region. The streaming video corresponding to the ticker region is buffered. Some embodiments allow for post-processing of the overlayed ticker region to, for example, eliminate artifacts of, match resolution to, and match aspect ratio of the overlayed ticker region to the second video broadcast. |
| US08629938B2 |
Multi-point television motion sensor system and method
A system is disclosed for controlling operation of an electronic device, such as a TV. The system includes a first sensor located at or near the electronic device and a second sensor spaced apart from the first sensor, wherein the first and second sensors are configured to detect motion of a user within an operating zone associated with the electronic device. A processor is coupled to the electronic device and the first and second sensors, the processor being configured to input a signal from the first and second sensors. Memory is coupled to the processor, the memory comprising a sensing algorithm configured to process the input signal from the first and second sensors and determine the location of the user with respect to the operating zone. The processor is configured to send a control command to the electronic device based on an output of the sensing algorithm. |
| US08629935B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes plural photoelectric conversion means arranged along light receiving surfaces, readout means for reading out signal charge generated in the photoelectric conversion means, a voltage supply means for supplying various levels of voltages to respective units including the photoelectric conversion means and the readout means, a detection means for detecting level change of a prescribed supply voltage in supply voltages by the voltage supply means and a control means for controlling so that the level change is converged when level change of the prescribed supply voltage is detected by the detection means. |
| US08629933B2 |
Camera system
A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. The camera body includes an image data generating unit for capturing a subject image to generate image data, a detecting unit for detecting a contrast value of an image represented by the image data generated by the image data generating unit, and a signal generating unit for generating a control signal controlling the driving unit. In an autofocus control, the signal generating unit generates the control signal controlling the driving unit to drive the focus lens at a first speed until a predetermined time elapses after the first detecting unit starts to detect the contrast value of the image and to drive the focus lens at a second speed higher than the first speed after the predetermined time elapses. |
| US08629929B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes an operation receiving unit; and a control unit configured to perform a normal mode display process of displaying icon images of kinds corresponding to an operation status of the apparatus in a display unit and an icon description display process of displaying an icon selection image for selecting an icon image that is being displayed in the display unit upon reception of an operation input to activate an icon description mode by the operation receiving unit during the normal mode display process in the display unit and displaying a description image for an icon image selected upon reception of an operation input by the operation receiving unit while the icon selection image is being displayed in the display unit. |
| US08629925B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program
An image processing apparatus includes: an image obtaining unit which obtains an image signal; an extraction position information obtaining unit which obtains information about an extraction position, where an image is extracted, from the image signal; a correction target value calculating unit which calculates a correction target value for correcting the image signal in accordance with the position information from an image center based on the extraction position information; an image correcting unit which corrects the image signal based on the correction target value; and an image extracting unit which extracts the image based on the extraction position information. |
| US08629923B2 |
Solid-state imaging element and camera system that determine in which horizontal read period a dummy pixel section is to be shuttered
A solid-state imaging element includes: a pixel section having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form, each of the pixels converting an optical signal into an electric signal and storing the electric signal according to exposure time; a dummy pixel section having dummy pixels arranged in a matrix form; and pixel drive sections adapted to control the pixel operations in such a manner as to operate an electronic shutter on and read the pixel section and dummy pixel section, wherein when an electronic rolling shutter is operated in which the pixels are shuttered row by row, the pixel drive sections judge whether the current and next frames are shuttered concurrently and in parallel so as to determine in which horizontal read period the dummy pixel section is to be shuttered. |
| US08629918B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method and program
There is provided an image processing apparatus including a representative image extraction unit for extracting a predetermined number of representative images from a series of images belonging to each scene, a representative image classification unit for, when two or more representative images are extracted from each scene, classifying the representative images into a main image and a sub-image, a degraded display image generation unit for generating a degraded display image by operating the sub-image in order to degrade and display the sub-image, and a representative image display unit for displaying the representative images of a plurality of scenes side by side in a scene transition sequence, and displaying the main image and the degraded display image when two or more representative images are extracted from each scene and the representative image when one representative image is extracted from each scene. |
| US08629915B2 |
Digital photographing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and computer readable storage medium
A digital photographing apparatus, a method of controlling the same, and a computer readable storage medium, the method including obtaining a first image captured from an optical signal received via a first optical system; obtaining a second image captured from an optical signal received via a second optical system; calculating a first histogram from the first image, where the first histogram represents a frequency distribution according to values of pixels of the first image; calculating a second histogram from the second image, where the second histogram represents a frequency distribution according to values of pixels of the second image; comparing the first histogram and the second histogram with each other; and determining whether an obstacle is present on at least one of the first and second optical systems, based on the result of comparison. |
| US08629912B2 |
Camera including a plurality of image sensors
A camera includes: a first image sensor that captures an image of a subject and outputs a first imaging signal; a second image sensor that is separately arranged from the first image sensor, captures an image of the subject and outputs a second imaging signal; a driving unit that drives the first image sensor and the second image sensor; an image processing unit that processes the first imaging signal and the second imaging signal by time sharing; and a control unit that controls the driving unit and the image processing unit. |
| US08629911B2 |
Automatic photographing system and method thereof
An automatic photographing method is provided. The method includes the steps of: receiving a dialing message from a telecommunications network; recognizing a phone number from the dialing message, and controlling a camera module to take at least one photo according to the dialing message; and performing image processing to the photo to generate photo data corresponding to the phone number. |
| US08629909B2 |
Systems and methods for lens characterization
Methods and systems for analyzing camera lenses and presenting information regarding camera lenses performance are described. An interactive user interface is provided over a network for display on a user terminal by a computer system. A user request is received at the computer system from the user terminal for lens data from a first lens. Lens data, including test data obtained via a first digital image captured using the first lens at the first focal length setting and the first aperture setting is accessed from memory and transmitted to interactive user interface. The interactive user interface is configured to display an identification of the first camera body, an identification of the first lens, the first focal length setting used to capture the image, and the first aperture setting used to capture the image. Using the lens test data, the interactive user interface generates and displays sharpness graph data. |
| US08629895B2 |
Camera-based facial recognition or other single/multiparty presence detection as a method of effecting telecom device alerting
A camera can be associated with each conference participant endpoint. The camera, either frame or video-based, can monitor and detect one or more of gestures, facial recognition, emotions, and movements of the conference participant. Based on the detection of one or more of these triggering events, a correlation to an action corresponding the triggering event can be evoked. For example, if a participant raises their hand, e.g., a triggering event, the system can recognize that this is a request to speak. The participant can then be queued in the system based, for example, relative to other participants' requests. When the other participants have finished speaking, and it is the time for the user who raised their hand to speak, the system can optionally queue the user by modifying the endpoint with which they are associated. |
| US08629893B2 |
Video switching without instantaneous decoder refresh-frames
A system and method for reducing blurred video caused by intra-coded IDR-frames sent in response to when a destination endpoint in a multipoint videoconference switches to a new video source. An embodiment according to the invention comprises using inter-coded temporal predictive referencing a long term reference frame (LTRF) instead of IDR-frames in a multipoint videoconference system. |
| US08629891B2 |
Thermal printer and protection coat print method
A thermal printer comprises a print unit which prints an image and forms a protection coat layer on a printed image, a designation unit which designates a glossy print mode or a matte print mode, and a control unit which controls the print unit, when the designation unit designates the glossy print mode, the control unit controls the print unit to execute printing of the protection coat layer without performing any preheating process, and when the designation unit designates the matte print mode, the control unit controls the print unit to perform the preheating process, and to then execute printing of the protection coat layer. |
| US08629889B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
A display device and a driving method to reduce power consumption, and to simplify the process of manufacturing the display device by configuring a driver made of PMOS transistors, is disclosed. The display device includes a display unit and a light emission driver. The display unit includes scan lines for transmitting scan signals, data lines for transmitting data signals, light emitting signal lines for transmitting light emitting signals, and pixels coupled to the scan lines, data lines, and light emitting signal lines. The light emission driver is for receiving a partial driving selection signal for selecting one of a normal driving mode or a partial driving mode, an area selection signal for dividing the display unit into a display area and a non-display area, a synchronization signal generated in synchronization with a vertical synchronization signal, and first and second light emitting clock signals, for outputting the light emitting signals. |
| US08629888B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing virtual pullback of an intravascular imaging device
The present disclosure provides a method of displaying an intravascular procedure in a virtual environment. The method includes displaying information from a first view and a second view simultaneously. The first view contains virtual representations of an anatomical region of a human body and an intravascular imaging device disposed in the anatomical region. The second view contains a cross-sectional image of a segment of the anatomical region corresponding to a location of the intravascular imaging device. The method includes moving, in response to a user input, the virtual representation of the intravascular imaging device with respect to the virtual representation of the anatomical region. The method includes updating the cross-sectional image as the virtual representation of the intravascular imaging device is being moved. The updated cross-sectional image corresponds to a new location of the intravascular imaging device. |
| US08629887B2 |
Display apparatus, display method, and moving body
According to an embodiment, a display apparatus includes an information acquisition unit, a control unit, and a display unit. The information acquisition unit is configured to acquire information relating to an energy efficiency of a moving body. The control unit is configured to generate image data to include a display object indicating the energy efficiency based on the information. The display unit is configured to present the image including the display object to a human viewer operating the moving body. The control unit is configured to generate the image data to include a first display object when the energy efficiency is in a first state and generate the image data to include a second display object when the energy efficiency is in a second state lower than the first state. |
| US08629883B2 |
Method and system for generating online cartoon outputs
A method and system for generating a cartoon are provided. The method includes receiving a digital image for processing at a server. The method includes executing a color structure coding procedure to produce a color-reduced interim image. The method includes generating a sketch from the digital image with a Difference of Gaussian procedure. The method includes combining the color-reduced interim image and the sketch into a processed cartoon. |
| US08629871B2 |
Systems and methods for rendering three-dimensional objects
In one embodiment, a three-dimensional object is rendered on a two-dimensional display screen by associating a three-dimensional mesh with an image of the object, generating a vector-based texture map that defines a surface area of the object, and rendering the vector-based texture map on the display screen. |
| US08629867B2 |
Performing vector multiplication
A method includes receiving packed data corresponding to pixel components to be processed at a graphics pipeline. The method includes unpacking the packed data to generate floating point numbers that correspond to the pixel components. The method also includes routing each of the floating point numbers to a separate lane of the graphics pipeline. Each of the floating point numbers are to be processed by multiplier units of the graphics pipeline. |
| US08629866B2 |
Computer method and apparatus providing interactive control and remote identity through in-world proxy
Computer method and apparatus render views of a computer generated virtual world to a remote viewer. The invention method and apparatus establish an avatar of a resident user as a proxy on behalf of the remote viewer. The computer node of the resident user exports proxy avatar views of the virtual world to the remote viewer. The remote viewer computer renders the exported virtual world views without executing virtual world application programs. |
| US08629859B2 |
Electrophoretic display apparatus and method for manufacturing the same and method for driving the same
An electrophoretic display device includes an electrophoretic displaying layer, a photoconductive layer and a top electrode layer. The electrophoretic displaying layer includes a number of pixels. The top electrode layer and the photoconductive layer are respectively disposed at two opposite sides of the electrophoretic displaying layer. The photoconductive layer includes a number of photoconductive units spaced apart from each other. Each of the pixels corresponds to at least one photoconductive units. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing the electrophoretic display device and a method for driving the electrophoretic display device. |
| US08629855B2 |
Multimode apparatus and method for making same
An apparatus operable in touch-input mode and scanning mode uses a light guide and a camera to look through a slanted facet at one corner of the light guide. The light guide has an upper surface for placing a touch object or an item for scanning. An angular sensitive grating is located on lower surface having fringes such that when a light beam directed from a location P on upper surface toward lower surface at a predefined direction, it is diffracted by the grating and guided toward the slanted facet. The diffracted beam exits the slanted facet at an exiting angle indicative of the location P. When an object or item is placed on upper surface, it causes changes in exit beam intensity. From exiting angles and intensity changes, a camera is able to locate touch objects or to acquire an image of the scanned item. |
| US08629854B2 |
Controlling method applied to a sensing system
A controlling method applied to a sensing system includes the following step. Whether a specific function is started is determined according to the size of a total pattern acquired. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step of determining whether the specific function is started according to the size of the total pattern acquired is the step of determining whether the specific function is started according to the size of the total pattern acquired and the length of time to successively acquire the total pattern. Accordingly, it is more convenient for a user to use the sensing system having the said controlling method. |
| US08629851B1 |
Finger gesture recognition for touch sensing surface
Touch sensor methods, devices and systems are disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention pertains to a method comprising monitoring a finger movement along a touch sensing surface based on position data of a finger touching the touch sensing surface, where the position data is obtained by locating a position of a force applied by the finger in a coordinate of the touch sensing surface. In addition, the method comprises generating direction data associated with the finger movement if the finger movement travels for more than a threshold distance. Furthermore, the method comprises determining a finger gesture which corresponds to the finger movement using a lookup table having multiple preconfigured finger gestures based on the direction data. |
| US08629850B2 |
Device, system, and method of wireless transfer of files
Device, system, and method of wireless transfer of files. For example, a method includes: identifying a selection of a representation of a digital object stored in a mobile device by detecting contact on a touch-sensitive surface of the mobile device at a contact position that corresponds to said representation; identifying a directional movement of said contact position on the touch-sensitive surface; and in response to said directional movement, wirelessly transferring data corresponding to the digital object to a nearby computing device. |
| US08629849B2 |
Spurious input detection system
A spurious input detection system includes a touch input display, a touch input surface, and a non-transitory, computer-readable medium. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed by a processor, provide a spurious input detection engine. The spurious input detection engine is operable to receive a first input from the touch input display and a second input from the touch input surface. The spurious input detection engine is further operable to determine that the first input is a spurious input based on a combination of the first input and the second input. The spurious input detection engine will cause the first input to be disregarded in response to determining that it is a spurious input. |
| US08629845B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An information processing apparatus includes: display means for displaying an image including an object; detection means, which is stacked on the display means, for detecting a contact with the display means; and control means for switching an operation mode of the display means based on a ratio of the area of the object displayed in the display means to the area of a region of the display means in which the contact is detected by the detection means. |
| US08629840B2 |
Touch sensing architecture
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device. |
| US08629838B2 |
User notification system with an illuminated computer input device
A user notification system and a computer input device, such as a mouse. The computer input device includes an illumination member that enables a user to quickly and accurately position the input device during poor lighting conditions and determine whether the computer is ON. The input device includes a housing and an illumination device that is supported by the housing. Illumination from the illumination device is visible when the input device is placed on a support surface. The illumination member is also used to notify the user if one or more of various events have occurred in a computer application being run on the computer. The notification information is presented to the user by changing the state of the illumination member. An example of event for notification includes the receipt of a message in a communications program such as an e-mail message. |
| US08629837B2 |
Method and device for controlling information display output and input device
A method and device for controlling information display output and an input device. wherein the method and device control the display output of pages or files based on the pressure parameter information, the electromagnetic parameter information, the energy parameter information and/or the time parameter information input by the user. Therefore, the method and device can quickly locate the position needed to be displayed in a plurality of displayed pages, and can multi-dimensionally arbitrarily move or select the displayed position, pages or files, etc., at one time. Furthermore, the method and device can also quickly, flexibly, accurately change the currently displayed position. |
| US08629834B2 |
Haptic automated communication system
A haptic communication system having a range of sensors embedded with an operator's attire. Data collected by the sensors is processed by a computing device local to the operator and is communicated via a haptic modality in real-time to other team members and robotic assets in the system. |
| US08629832B2 |
Electrophoretic display device, electronic device, and drive method for an electrophoretic display panel
An electrophoretic display device has an electrophoretic display panel that has a plurality of drive electrodes, a common electrode, and a plurality of electrophoretic particles disposed between the drive electrodes and the common electrode. The device also has a drive control unit including components for setting the display color and applying pulses to update the display color to a first color, a second color, or an intermediate color between the first and second colors. The first or second color is displayed by applying a first or second pulse respectively. The first and second pulses are opposite in polarity to maintain DC balance. A method of driving such a device is also provided. |
| US08629830B2 |
Synchronizing dynamic backlight adaptation
Embodiments of a system that includes one or more integrated circuits are described. During operation, the system receives a sequence of video images and a brightness setting of a light source which is configured to illuminate a display that is configured to display the video images, where the sequence of video images includes video signals. Then, the system determines an intensity setting of the light source on an image-by-image basis for the sequence of video images, where the intensity of a given video image is based on the brightness setting and brightness information contained in the video signals associated with the given video image. Next, the system synchronizes the intensity setting of the light source with a current video image to be displayed. |
| US08629824B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device is disclosed, which can reduce a unit cost and prevent deterioration of picture quality caused by unfilled pixel cells, the liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal panel including a plurality of pixel cells formed at every regions defined by ‘n’ gate lines and ‘m’ data lines, three colors alternatively arranged along the data line direction, and the same colors arranged along the gate line direction; a gate built-in circuit, built-in the liquid crystal panel, for supplying gate-on voltages to the gate lines; and a driving integrated circuit, formed in the liquid crystal panel, for driving the gate built-in circuit, inverting a polarity of video signal in the unit of each data line and at least three gate lines, and supplying the video signal having the inverted polarity to the data lines. |
| US08629823B2 |
Driving circuit of a semiconductor display device and the semiconductor display device
There are provided a driving circuit of a semiconductor display device which can obtain an excellent picture without picture blur (display unevenness) and with high fineness/high resolution, and the semiconductor display device. A buffer circuit used in the driving circuit of the semiconductor display device is constituted by a plurality of TFTs each having a small channel width, and a plurality of such buffer circuits are connected in parallel with each other. |
| US08629821B2 |
Display device with faster changing side image
A display device is provided which includes a liquid crystal display panel including a plurality of pixels each having one or more sub-pixels; and control electronics configured to provide, in response to image data, signal voltages to the pixels in a first mode whereby an on-axis viewer and an off-axis viewer perceive substantially a same main image, and signal voltages to the pixels in a second mode whereby the on-axis viewer perceives the main image and the off-axis viewer perceives a side image different from the main image. |
| US08629820B2 |
Liquid crystal display and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines intersecting the gate lines, a plurality of switching elements connected to the gate lines and the data lines, a plurality of storage electrodes, a plurality of storage electrode lines connected to the storage electrodes, a plurality of pixel electrodes connected to the switching elements and overlapping the storage electrodes, a gate driver generating gate signals having a gate-on voltage and a gate-off voltage to apply to the gate lines, a data driver generating data voltages corresponding to externally applied image signals to apply to the data lines, and a storage electrode driver generating storage electrode signals having a reference voltage, a high voltage larger than the reference voltage, and a low voltage smaller than the reference voltage to apply to the storage electrode lines. Each storage electrode signal changes a level thereof when the gate-on voltage is applied to the gate lines and changes a level thereof when a predetermined time elapses after the gate-off voltage is applied to the gate lines. |
| US08629819B2 |
Semiconductor device and driving method thereof
There has been a problem that power consumption is increased if a potential of a signal line changes every time a video signal is applied to a driving transistor from the signal line, since the parasitic capacitance of the signal line stores and releases electric charges. In a configuration of a display portion provided with a gate signal line for selecting an input of a video signal to a pixel and a source signal line for inputting a video signal to the pixel, a switch is connected in series with the source signal line, the switch being controlled to be in on state when the pixel is not selected by the gate signal line, and in off state when the pixel is selected by the gate signal line. Accordingly, the parasitic capacitance of the source signal line which stores and releases electric charges affects only pixels between an output side of a source driver up to and including the pixel selected to be written with a video signal. Consequently, power consumed by the charging and discharging of the source signal line can be reduced, and thus low power consumption can be achieved. |
| US08629816B2 |
Emission control driver and organic light emitting display using the same
An emission control driver including a plurality of stages, each including a first unit adapted to generate a first output signal at a first node thereof based on an input signal, a clock signal, a inverted input signal, first and second power source voltages, a second unit adapted to output an emission control signal based on the first output signal and the input signal, a third unit adapted to transmit the first or second power source to the first unit based on the emission control signal, a inverted clock signal and an inverted emission control signal when a first path between the first power source and the first node and a second path between the second power source and the first node are blocked by the clock signal, and a fourth unit adapted to output a inverted emission control signal based on the emission control signal and the first output signal. |
| US08629815B2 |
Laser alignment of binocular head mounted display
A binocular head mounted display includes a frame, right and left displays, an alignment sensor, and a control system. The right and left displays display right and left images to a user and are mounted to the frame. The alignment sensor includes a first laser source mounted proximate to one of the right or left displays and a first photo-detector array mounted opposite the first laser source and proximate to an opposite one of the right or left displays. The first alignment sensor is mounted to measure misalignment between the right and left displays due to deformation of the frame about one or more rotational axes and to generate a signal that is indicative of the misalignment. The control system is coupled to the alignment sensor to receive the signal and to calculate the misalignment based at least in part upon the signal. |
| US08629813B2 |
Adjustable multi-band antenna and methods
An adjustable multi-band planar antenna especially applicable in mobile terminals. In one embodiment, the feed of the antenna is connected by a multiple-way switch to at least two alternative points of the radiator element. When the feed point is changed, the resonance frequencies and thus the operating bands of the antenna change. In addition to varying the basic dimensions of the antenna, the distance between one feed point to another and a possible short-circuit point in the radiator, the value of the series capacitance produced by a reactive circuit that is formed between the feed point and switch, and the distance between the ground plane and the radiator, are parameters that may affect the antenna design. |
| US08629812B2 |
Cavity backed cross-slot antenna apparatus and method
An antenna apparatus and method includes an orthogonal slot antenna which overcomes the limitations associated with RF choke between the adjacent slots through various feed techniques. A cavity backed cross-slot antenna includes a horizontal slot antenna, a vertical slot antenna sharing a center portion with the horizontal slot antenna, a first feed for the horizontal slot antenna, and a second feed for the vertical slot antenna, the first feed and the second feed provided to the shared center portion. Another cavity backed cross-slot antenna includes a horizontal slot antenna, a vertical slot antenna, the horizontal slot antenna and the vertical slot antenna share a center portion therebetween, a first feed feeding both halves of the horizontal slot antenna, and a second feed feeding both halves of the vertical slot antenna. |
| US08629811B2 |
Dual band electrically small tunable antenna
An electrically small dual-band planar tunable UHF/L-Band antenna. In one example, the dual-band antenna includes a combination of a semi-spiral antenna for the UHF frequencies and a microstrip patch antenna for the L-band frequencies. |
| US08629810B2 |
Multiband antenna and portable electronic device using the same
A multiband antenna includes a first radiating unit, a second radiating unit connected to the first radiating unit and including a first radiating arm, a second radiating arm, and a third radiating arm, and a connecting unit connected to the first radiating unit. The first radiating unit, the second radiating unit, and the connecting unit are all planar sheets positioned coplanar with each other. The first radiating unit is a sector having a first radii side, a second radii side and an arc side. The first radiating arm, the second radiating arm, and the connecting unit are connected to the first radii side, and the third radiating arm is connected to the second radii side. |
| US08629808B2 |
Method and system for synthesizing array antennas
A method for synthesizing an array factor for an array antenna based on a target shape of an array factor amplitude, includes: calculating an array factor phase based on the target shape of the array factor amplitude, and calculating array antenna weight coefficients using the least mean square method, where a target function used in the least mean square method is a complex function composed by the target shape of the array factor amplitude and the calculated array factor phase, wherein the calculated weight coefficients determine the array factor. |
| US08629807B2 |
True time delay phase array radar using rotary clocks and electronic delay lines
Local oscillator circuitry for an antenna array is disclosed. The circuitry includes an array of rotary traveling wave oscillators which are arranged in a pattern over an area and coupled so as to make them coherent. This provides for a set of phase synchronous local oscillators distributed over a large area. The array also includes a plurality of phase shifters each of which is connected to one of the rotary oscillators to provide a phase shifted local oscillator for the array. The phase shifter optionally includes a cycle counter that is configured to count cycles of the rotary oscillator to which it is connected and control circuitry that is then operative to provide a shifted rotary oscillator output based on the count from the cycle counter. |
| US08629801B2 |
Event location determination
A method of determining a location of an event of interest by processing signals from a satellite positioning system comprises periodically recording blocks of data samples of a satellite broadcast. In response to a request for a position determination at a particular time, a most recent block of data samples is processed in an attempt to obtain a position fix. If unsuccessful, the method further comprises processing blocks of data samples which were recorded further back in time in a sequence to make further attempts to obtain a position fix, until a position fix is obtained. The blocks of data samples used for the further attempts are irregularly spaced in time, for example more densely populated in relatively recent time than in relatively ancient time with respect to the particular time. This enables the processing resource in attempting to obtain a position fix to be allocated efficiently, thereby reducing power consumption. |
| US08629800B2 |
Ground vehicle collision prevention systems and methods
A method and apparatus for detecting a vehicle. An apparatus comprises a proximity detection system, a vehicle management system, and a notification system. The proximity detection system is associated with an aircraft and operably connected to a transducer. The proximity detection system is configured to determine a distance of a vehicle from a surface of the aircraft and a velocity of the vehicle relative to the aircraft. The vehicle management system operably connected to the proximity detection system. The vehicle management system is configured to determine a time the vehicle will be a threshold distance from the surface of the aircraft and an threshold amount of time to bring the vehicle to a predetermined velocity. The notification system is associated with the proximity detection system and configured to generate a notification signal in response to a determination that the time is less than the threshold amount of time. |
| US08629799B2 |
Surface penetrating radar system and target zone investigation methodology
A radar system (22) includes a transmitter (45), a receiver (59), and a software defined radio (SDR) peripheral (40). Methodology (80) for investigating a target zone (26) utilizing the system (22) entails generating (106) a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) code (120) having a code length (122) corresponding to a time duration of radio wave travel between the transmitter (45), the target zone (26), and the receiver (59) at a carrier frequency (112). A beacon signal (34), modulated (108) by the DSSS code (120), is transmitted (152) from the transmitter (45) toward the target zone (26) and a return signal (38) is received (156) at the receiver (56). The return signal (38) is compared (170) to a replica signal (168) characterized by the DSSS code (120), and presence of an object (32) in the target zone (26) is ascertained (178) when the return signal (38) matches the replica signal (168). |
| US08629798B2 |
Programming a universal remote control via direct interaction with an original remote control
A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a remote-controlled device is disclosed. A user may be instructed to operate a control element of an original remote control (ORC) of the remote-controlled device. The ORC may be operated directly with the URC, which may so receive a programming code from the ORC. The programming code may be used by the URC to determine an identity of the remote-controlled device and/or the ORC. Based on the identity, the URC may obtain corresponding programming codes for the remote-controlled device. The URC may be configured to use at least one of the programming codes to remotely control the remote-controlled device. |
| US08629788B1 |
Sensing, display, and dissemination of detected turbulence
A system may include a sensor for coupling with a vehicle configured for atmospheric flight. The sensor may be configured for detecting a turbulence event, where the turbulence event is at least one of experienced by the vehicle or occurs proximal to the vehicle during atmospheric flight. The system may also include a transmitter coupled with the sensor. The transmitter may be configured for automatically remotely transmitting data regarding the turbulence event to a ground based entity. |
| US08629787B1 |
System, module, and method for presenting clearance-dependent advisory information in an aircraft
A present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for presenting clearance-dependent advisory information in an aircraft is disclosed. Clearances include those corresponding to interval management operations and/or trajectory management operations. Data representative of clearance information including data representative of an actual controller intervention threshold (“CIT”) information, ownship information, target information, and alert parameter(s) information is received. The actual CIT information is comprised of the CIT of a clearance assigned to an aircraft and/or an designator from which the CIT of the assigned clearance is determined. A dynamic alerting threshold is determined as a function of the received information. If the ownship position meets or exceeds the alerting threshold, an advisory data set comprised of visual advisory information, aural advisory information, and/or tactile advisory information is generated and provided a presentation system in which advisory and/or alert information is presented by an applicable unit of the presentation system. |
| US08629782B2 |
System and method for using dual telemetry
A system and a method use dual telemetry for tools located in a wellbore. A first telemetry system and a second telemetry system coordinate communication with the tools. Both the first telemetry system and the second telemetry system may transmit data regarding the tools and/or drilling conditions from the tools to a surface location simultaneously. The first telemetry system or the second telemetry system may communicate with the surface location if communication using the other telemetry system is interrupted. The first telemetry system and the second telemetry system may have a master/slave relationship so that data requests from a specific telemetry system do not interfere with data requests from the other telemetry system. |
| US08629773B2 |
Method for measuring location of radio frequency identification reader by using beacon
The present invention relates to a method for measuring a location of a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader by using beacons, and an RFID system for measuring a location of a moving RFID reader in an RFID system comprising: a plurality of beacon devices for emitting beacons; an RFID tag for transmitting pre-stored information by using radio frequency identification; and an RFID reader for calculating a current location using a plurality of at least three beacons wherein the RFID reader receives the plurality of beacons from the plurality of beacon devices while moving, and receiving the information from the RFID tag by using the radio frequency identification. According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the location measurement of a moving RFID reader in an RFID system because the location of the RFID reader is measured in consideration of propagation environments. |
| US08629772B2 |
Signal emitting retail device
A signal emitting retail device is provided. The signal emitting retail device includes a sensor and an emitter. The emitter is configured to emit a signal when the sensor senses removal of merchandise from a merchandise display structure. The sensor is also configured to sense potential theft conditions. The emitter is configured to emit a signal indicative of potential theft conditions when such conditions are sensed by the sensor. |
| US08629769B2 |
Method and system for communication between wireless devices
Systems and techniques for command communication between wireless devices are described. In one implementation, a data gathering device (such as a continuous glucose monitor) and a monitoring/control device, which communicate data samples through a frequency hopping protocol, utilize a dedicated command frequency for the transmission of non-data instructions and acknowledgements. A command mode is described where the command frequency is regularly listened to by a device to determine if pairing or other instructions are being sent. In another example, when communications are disrupted or corrupted, the devices revert to using the command frequency in order to reacquire a paired link between the devices. The command frequency is also used for a flight mode, where the data-acquisition device goes into a low-, or no-power transmission mode and remains in the mode, storing sampled data, until instructed to leave the flight mode over the command frequency. |
| US08629765B2 |
Immobilizer for shopping carts
To generally prevent people from being able to take out and move shopping carts from shopping cart parking areas at times when the store is not open, the blocking devices on the shopping carts are activated when the shopping carts are parked in shopping cart parking areas when the store is not open. |
| US08629764B2 |
Method and apparatus for power management for a radio frequency identification system
A method and device of power management for a networked radio frequency identification (“RFID”) system are disclosed. The described power management methods reduce the power consumption of battery-operated RFID readers and RFID tags. These power conservation methods increase the RFID system's hours of operation and decrease the cost by allowing the RFID readers and tags to function for a longer period of time before requiring charging or replacement of their batteries. |
| US08629762B2 |
Radio frequency identification tag location estimation and tracking system and method
Systems and methods for locating one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are provided. A phase difference of received information signals of illuminated RFID tags is utilized to locate the RFID tags. One or more exciters transmit interrogation signals to illuminate the RFID tags in which the exciters may have a plurality of antenna selectively configured to transmit through two or more antennas and to receive on one antenna. Multiple reads of the same RFID tag can also be performed to generate a probability model of the location of the RFID tag. An enhanced particle filter is applied to probability model to determine the exact location of the RFID. |
| US08629760B2 |
Signal conversion device, radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, and method for operating the RFID tag
A signal conversion device, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, and a method for operating the RFID tag. The RFID tag has an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory module for storing RFID tag information and transmitting the RFID tag information; an information comparison module coupled to the electrically erasable programmable for receiving the RFID tag information and demodulation information, comparing the RFID tag information with the demodulation information, and generating a driving signal; and a pulse oscillation module coupled to the information comparison module for receiving the driving signal, and transmitting pulse oscillating signals to the electrically erasable programmable read-only memory module, so as to allow the electrically erasable programmable read-only memory module to transmit the RFID tag information. |
| US08629753B2 |
Mobile terminal, operating method thereof, and refrigerator
A mobile terminal, an operating method thereof, and a refrigerator are disclosed. The operating method of the mobile terminal includes receiving state information of the refrigerator from the refrigerator, displaying the state information of the refrigerator on a screen, and transmitting a control signal based on a control operation to the refrigerator. Therefore, it is possible to readily control the refrigerator using the mobile terminal. |
| US08629751B2 |
High amperage surge arresters
A high-voltage surge arrester includes an electrically conductive first terminal and an electrically conductive second terminal longitudinally spaced from the first terminal. A plurality of metal oxide varistor (MOV) bars are included, each of which extends from the first terminal to the second terminal and electrically contacts the first terminal and the second terminal. A heat conducting material contacts the MOV bars. |
| US08629746B2 |
High frequency transformers
High frequency, high power density coaxial, planar and three-phase transformers for converters and inverters are disclosed. One of the coaxial transformers comprises at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding associated with at least one magnetic core, at least one coaxial Faraday shield between and substantially coaxial with the at least one primary winding and the at least one secondary winding and a substantially planar Faraday shield at one or more ends of the at least one magnetic core. |
| US08629738B2 |
Complex resonator, bandpass filter, and diplexer, and wireless communication module and wireless communication device using same
Provided is a composite resonator wherein two resonance frequencies can be set discretionarily to a certain extent. The composite resonator is provided with a grounding electrode (21) arranged on a lower surface of a laminated body wherein a plurality of dielectric layers (11) are laminated, and a composite resonant electrode (26) arranged on an upper surface or inside of the laminated body. The composite resonant electrode (26) is composed of a base section (27) and a plurality of strip-like protruding sections (28a, 28b). One end of the base section (27) is grounded. One end of each of the protruding sections (28a, 28b) is connected to the other end of the base section (27), and the protruding sections are arranged in parallel. A body wherein the base section (27) and the protruding sections (28a, 28b) are combined functions, as a whole, as a resonator which resonates at a first frequency, and the protruding sections (28a, 28b) function as a resonator which resonates at a second frequency higher than the first frequency. |
| US08629732B2 |
Voltage-controlled oscillators and related systems
Apparatus are provided for voltage-controlled oscillators and related systems. An exemplary voltage-controlled oscillator includes a first variable capacitance element, a second variable capacitance element coupled between the first control voltage node and the third node, and an inductive element coupled between the variable capacitance elements to provide an inductance between the variable capacitance elements at an oscillation frequency of an oscillating signal at an output node. The first variable capacitance element is coupled between a first control voltage node and the output node, the second variable capacitance element is coupled to the first control voltage node, and a second inductive element is coupled between the second variable capacitance element and a second control voltage node. |
| US08629731B2 |
MEMS resonator
A MEMS circuit comprises a MEMS device arrangement with temperature dependent output; a resistive heating circuit; and a feedback control system for controlling the resistive heating circuit to provide heating in order to maintain a MEMS device at a constant temperature. The heating is controlled in dependence on the ambient temperature, such that a MEMS device temperature is maintained at one of a plurality of temperatures in dependence on the ambient temperature. This provides power savings because the temperature to which the MEMS device is heated can be kept within a smaller margin of the ambient temperature. |
| US08629727B2 |
Techniques on input transformer to push the OP1dB higher in power amplifier design
A power amplifier includes a first transistor and a first inductor disposed between the first transistor and a voltage source. A first node between the first transistor and the first inductor is an output node. The power amplifier further includes a second inductor disposed between the first transistor and ground The power amplifier further includes a third inductor coupled to a gate of the first transistor and configured as a first AC input. The power amplifier further includes a first phase conditioner inductively coupled to the second inductor and the third inductor and configured to set phases of AC signals across the first inductor and the second inductor in phase. The second inductor is configured to release energy into the first inductor to raise a voltage of the AC signal and raise a power output at the output node. |
| US08629726B1 |
High-performance amplifier for transducer array input unit cell
Circuitry is disclosed that can be used, for example, in a readout circuit of an active imaging or other sensing application. The circuitry can be configured, for instance, for increasing the gain of a differential amplifier non-inverting leg used to drive the inverting output by means of a current-source load. In some example embodiments, the circuitry is suitable for use in a focal plane array input unit cell and can be implemented, for instance, as a relatively low power amplifier with high gain, bandwidth and output current-sinking capability (in some embodiments; current sourcing in others) sufficient to respond to very fast photo-diode (e.g., standard or e-APD) detector signals. The amplifier circuitry can be used with other transducer arrays and is not intended to be limited to imaging applications. |
| US08629725B2 |
Power amplifier having a nonlinear output capacitance equalization
Power amplifier (PA), regardless of the process used for the manufacturing of its devices, suffers from a nonlinear output capacitance that has significant impact on various aspects of the PA performance. This output capacitance is dependent on the large output voltage swing. Accordingly a compensation capacitance is added at the output of the PA that has a behavior that is inverse respective of the output voltage of that of the output capacitance of the PA. Connecting the compensation capacitor in parallel to the PA output capacitance, results in a total capacitance that is the sum of the output capacitance and its compensation capacitance. The total output capacitance is therefore essentially stable throughout the output voltage swing. |
| US08629724B2 |
Power amplifier
There is provided a power amplifier which may suppress fluctuations in a phase of an output signal in accordance with fluctuations in a level of an input signal by varying an impedance between a signal input terminal and an amplification unit in accordance with a power level of an input signal. The power amplifier includes a bias voltage generation unit generating a bias voltage set in accordance with a power level of an input signal, an amplification unit amplifying the power level of the input signal in accordance with the bias voltage, and an impedance variation unit varying an impedance of a signal transmission path through which the input signal is transmitted to the amplification unit in accordance with the bias voltage. |
| US08629723B2 |
Low noise amplifier including a single-ended input
A low-noise amplifier (LNA) includes an input terminal for receiving an input signal, an output terminal for providing an output signal related to the input signal. The LNA further includes a first transistor having a first source coupled to the input terminal through the first capacitor, a first gate configured to receive a first direct current (DC) bias signal, and a first drain coupled to the output terminal. The LNA also includes a second transistor having a second source coupled to the input terminal through the second capacitor, a second gate configured to receive a second DC bias signal, and a second drain coupled to the output terminal. |
| US08629720B2 |
Driving method for obtaining a gain linear variation of a transconductance amplifier and corresponding driving circuit
The disclosure relates to a driving method for obtaining a linear gain variation of a transconductance amplifier that includes a first differential transistor cell, with adjustment of a driving voltage value of a degenerative driving transistor of the transconductance amplifier The method includes generating an output current signal of a second differential cell corresponding to the first differential transistor cell of the transconductance amplifier, the output current signal having a linear relationship with a transconductance value of the second differential cell as the driving voltage varies; generating a reference current signal having a linear relationship with a differential input voltage; comparing the output current signal and the reference current signal for adjusting the driving voltage value; and modifying the transconductance value of the second differential cell up to a balance of the current signals. |
| US08629719B2 |
Amplifier circuit and method for signal sensing
An amplifier circuit (10) comprises a driver stage (11) with a driver output (13). Moreover, the amplifier circuit (10) comprises a sensor (12). The sensor (12) comprises a variable attenuator (15) with a control input (16) for receiving a mode signal (SMODE). A sensor output (14) of the sensor (12) is coupled to the driver output (13) via the variable attenuator (15). A sensor signal (SE_RFOUT) is provided at the sensor output (14). |
| US08629715B1 |
Clock distribution scheme
An apparatus for propagating local oscillator signals in a circuit, the apparatus comprising two pairs of lines carrying respectively differential in-phase and quadrature signals. The lines are arranged such that in at least one region along their length one of each pair of lines crosses the other of the pair to create a twist. The twist(s) in each respective pair of lines is offset from the twist(s) in the other pair of lines such that the portion of their length over which the in-phase lines magnetically couple to the quadrature lines with a positive coupling coefficient is substantially equal to the portion of their length over which the in-phase lines magnetically couple to the quadrature lines with a negative coupling coefficient. |
| US08629707B1 |
AC coupled level shifter
A level shifter includes first, second and third capacitively configured transistors, first and second switching transistors, and an inverting circuit. The first capacitively configured transistor has a first terminal that receives an input signal. Second and third capacitively configured transistor each have first terminal coupled to a second terminal of the first capacitively configured transistor. The second capacitively configured transistor is coupled in series with a first switching transistor that is also coupled to a first power supply terminal. The third capacitively configured transistor is coupled in series with a second switching transistor that is also coupled to a second power supply terminal. |
| US08629705B2 |
Low voltage signaling
A low voltage signaling system for integrated circuits includes a first voltage domain operating at a nominal integrated circuit (IC) power supply voltage (Vdd) swing level at a signal transmitting end of a first chip, a second voltage domain having one or more transmission interconnect lines operating at a reduced voltage swing level with respect to the first voltage domain, and a third voltage domain at a signal receiving end of a second chip, the third voltage domain operating at the Vdd swing level; wherein an input signal originating from the first voltage domain is down converted to operate at the reduced voltage swing level for transmission over the second voltage domain, and wherein the third voltage domain senses the input signal transmitted over the second voltage domain and generates an output signal operating back up at the Vdd swing level. |
| US08629703B2 |
Clock frequency divider circuit, clock distribution circuit, clock frequency division method, and clock distribution method
To provide a clock frequency divider circuit that generates a clock signal enabling an expected proper communication in communication with a circuit operating by a clock having a different frequency. A clock frequency division circuit according to the present invention generates an output clock signal obtained by dividing a frequency of an input clock signal into N/S by subtracting (S−N) clock pulses from S clock pulses of the input clock signal based on a frequency division ratio defined as N/S. The clock frequency division circuit generates a control signal used to preferentially subtract a clock pulse at a timing other than a communication timing of data communication performed by a target circuit using the output clock signal among S clock pulses of the input clock signal. Further, it generates the output clock signal by subtracting a clock pulse of the input clock signal according to the generated control signal. |
| US08629702B2 |
Digital clock regenerator
A sampling unit (110) receives an input clock signal (CLKin) having a varying period time, and samples the input clock signal (CLKin) based on a sampling clock signal (CLKsmpl) that has a frequency being substantially higher than an average frequency of the input clock signal (CLKin). The sampling unit (110) produces a respective period length value (PL) for each period of the input clock signal (CLKin). An averaging unit (120) receives a number of period length values (PL) from the sampling unit (110), and based thereon produces an average period length value (PLavg) representing an average period time for the input clock signal (CLKin) over an averaging interval including a number of periods equivalent to said number of period length values (PL). An output unit (151) produces a stabilized output clock signal (CLKout) based on the average period length value (PLavg) and the sampling clock signal (CLKsmpl). |
| US08629701B2 |
PLL bandwidth correction with offset compensation
A method and system for compensating for offsets when measuring parameters of a phase-locked loop (PLL). In one embodiment, a proportional path in the PLL is temporarily shut off, a measurement is made of a real time-to-zero crossing in the PLL to measure a defined parameter of the PLL, the proportional path is switched on, and the defined loop parameter is adjusted based on this measurement. In one embodiment, the real time-to-zero crossing is measured after introducing a phase step into the PLL between a reference signal and an output signal of the PLL. In an embodiment, two phase steps, having opposite polarities, are successively introduced into the PLL, and the time-to-crossing measurements resulting from these two phase steps may be averaged, and this average is used to determine a loop parameter. |
| US08629699B2 |
Clock data recovery circuit and transceiver semiconductor integrated circuit containing the same
A clock data recovery circuit which has a high degree of jitter tolerance and can alleviate increase in the phase number of a multi-phase clock, power consumption, and a semiconductor chip area is provided. Each circuit of plural edge detection circuits comprises a first edge detection circuit and a second edge detection circuit. The first detection circuit detects that a data edge leads in phase more than −1 phase from an edge detection phase, the second detection circuit detects that the data edge laggs in phase more than +1 phase from the edge detection phase. In response to the first output signal or the second output signal, the edge detection phase is changed by the amount of −1 phase or +1 phase. When the data edge is detected in the range of ±1 phase, a next edge detection phase is maintained in the current state. |
| US08629697B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit and method of operating the same
Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit including an internal voltage generator for generating an internal voltage. A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a dividing unit, a comparing unit, a driving unit, and a voltage level controlling unit. The dividing unit divides an internal voltage in a predetermined division ratio to output a feedback voltage. The comparing unit compares a feedback voltage with a reference voltage. The driving unit drives an internal voltage terminal in response to an output signal of the comparing unit. The voltage level controlling unit controls a voltage level of the output signal of the comparing unit in response to a first control signal that is activated at a predetermined time before an operation time point of an internal circuit using an internal voltage. |
| US08629689B1 |
Integrated circuit with improved interconnect routing and associated methods
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a circuit, an encoder, and a decoder. The circuit is coupled to circuitry in the IC via a first set of interconnect fabricated using a metal layer. The encoder encodes a plurality of address lines to provide a plurality of encoded address lines. The decoder decodes the plurality of address lines. The plurality of encoded address lines are routed using a second set of interconnect fabricated using the metal layer. |
| US08629687B2 |
Disconnection detecting device
A control circuit turns on a switching element to discharge a capacitor, and after a voltage between both ends of the capacitor becomes zero, the control circuit turns off the switching element. The control circuit measures the voltage V1, V2 between both ends of the capacitor after the first predetermined time is passed and after the second predetermined time is passed, and calculate a change rate (V1/V2). If V1/V2 is equal to or less than 0.5, the disconnection is detected. |
| US08629682B2 |
Relating to diagnostics of a capacitive sensor
A detector circuit for detecting the presence of a remote capacitive sensor having at least two terminals connected via a protection circuit that includes one or more capacitors, the detector circuit comprising: a current supply for changing the charge on the sensor and the protection circuit, a detector for measuring the voltage on one or more of the terminals; wherein the presence of the sensor is determined by changing the charge on the capacitive sensor and the one or more capacitors of the protection circuit in a predetermined manner such that the voltage measurement on the one or more terminals when the sensor is present is significantly different than when the sensor is absent. |
| US08629681B1 |
Microwave sensor and algorithm for moisture and density determination
A microwave sensor and algorithm for instantaneous and nondestructive determination of bulk density and moisture content in granular or particulate materials at a single microwave frequency, especially agricultural commodities, which uses an inexpensive microwave circuit for determining the real and imaginary parts of relative complex permittivity using an algorithm for phase correction. |
| US08629678B2 |
Formation resistivity imaging in conductive boreholes
An apparatus for providing an image of a resistivity property of an earth formation surrounding a borehole is provided. The apparatus, in one aspect, may include a plurality of measure electrodes that are configured to convey an electrical current into the earth formation. In one aspect, each measure electrode may be substantially surrounded by an associated insulator that extends away from a tool body in a manner that blocks at least a portion of a vertical current flowing in a conductive fluid when the tool is operated to log the borehole. A processor provides an image of the resistivity property of the earth formation using the current in plurality of measure electrodes. |
| US08629673B1 |
Power detection for high power amplifier applications
A system for determining an amount of power supplied from a power amplifier may include a power amplification circuit having a characteristic thermal resistance, a first temperature sensor for sensing a first temperature associated with the power amplification circuit when the power amplification circuit is receiving power from the power source, a second temperature sensor for sensing a second temperature associated with an environment occupied by the power amplification circuit, and a processor coupled with the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor for determining an amount of power dissipation utilizing (A) a temperature difference determined utilizing the first temperature and the second temperature and (B) the characteristic thermal resistance of the power amplification circuit. |
| US08629671B1 |
Method and device for calibrating a passive intermodulation (PIM) measuring instrument
A device for use with a passive intermodulation (PIM) measuring instrument comprises a load, a connector associated with the load, and a PIM standard adapted to selectively introduce a PIM intervening between the load and the connector. The load is adapted to be electrically connected with the PIM measuring instrument by connecting the connector to a port of the measuring instrument and the PIM standard is capable of selectively introducing the PIM without disconnecting the connector from the port. |
| US08629670B2 |
Switching adapter control method for adaptive mobile power systems
A switching adapter control method for adaptive mobile power systems is composed of reference current generator, current mode error compensator, controllable constant turn-off timer, PWM generator and MOSFET driver. The output of the switching adapter can show constant current and voltage characteristics, that means, as the DC bus voltage is over a preset voltage, the adaptor's output characteristic is converted from a constant current source into a constant voltage source with the preset voltage. For low output capacitance case, the present invention has the ability to smoothly reduce the switching frequency of the switching adaptor and reduce the switching losses and meet Energy Star 2.0 requirements under different load conditions. And the output ripple current and voltage can be in the allowed range. |
| US08629666B2 |
Dynamic control parameter adjustment in a power supply
A power supply controller produces a compensation value based at least in part on: an estimated or known output capacitance of the power supply, a specified rate of changing a magnitude of the output voltage as specified by the voltage setting information, and/or a load-line resistance of the power supply. The power supply controller utilizes the compensation value to adjust a magnitude of the output voltage during a voltage transition in which the output voltage is changed from an initial output voltage setting to a target output voltage setting at a pre-specified rate. |
| US08629661B2 |
Bidirectional DC-DC converter and control method thereof
Disclosed is a small-size, high-efficiency, isolated, bidirectional DC-DC converter. The bidirectional DC-DC converter includes a transformer in which windings are magnetically coupled, switching circuits, a diode which is connected in parallel with a switch, smoothing capacitors, and a control section. First and second DC power supplies, which are connected in parallel with the smoothing capacitors, respectively, provide bidirectional electrical power transfer. When electrical power is to be transferred from the first DC power supply to the second DC power supply, the switch is maintained in the ON state. When, on the other hand, electrical power is to be transferred from the second DC power supply to the first DC power supply, the switch is maintained in the OFF state to prevent a reverse electrical power flow from the first DC power supply. |
| US08629659B2 |
Thyristor gate pulses in static VAR compensator
A method of controlling a static VAR compensator includes providing a static VAR compensator having a capacitive component and a thyristor for switching the capacitive component into and out of a power distribution network; monitoring an electrical characteristic associated with the capacitive component; and controlling operation of the thyristor at least in part on the basis of the electrical characteristic associated with the capacitive component. |
| US08629658B1 |
Method and system for solar panel peak-power transfer using input voltage regulation
An apparatus and method for charging a battery. The disclosed apparatus includes a battery to be charged, a power delivery path configured for delivering power to the battery, and an integrated switching battery charger configured for charging a battery by delivering output power to the battery via the power delivery path based on input power from an input power source. In the disclosed apparatus for charging a battery, the integrated switching battery charger includes an output voltage regulation loop and an input voltage regulation loop, both of which are configured to control the output current flowing out of the integrated switching battery charger to the battery. The input or output voltage regulation loops are further enhanced by adding a current source which is proportional to absolute temperature from the regulated voltage to the control voltage for the purpose of either regulating peak power from the source or to maximize energy storage in the battery as a function of temperature. |
| US08629657B2 |
State of charge range
A management system for a battery cell pack, the management system including a controller determining an adjustable charge profile for the battery cell pack wherein the adjustable charge profile includes an operational parameter identifying a next operation drive range mode from a set of drive range modes for the battery cell pack wherein each the drive range mode includes a state of charge (SOC) window between a charge SOC and a discharge SOC, with the set of drive range modes including a first drive range mode having a first SOC window and including a second drive range mode having a second SOC window less than the first SOC window; and one or more energy transfer stages to produce the charge SOC of the next operation drive range mode in the battery cell pack. |
| US08629654B2 |
System and method for inductive charging of portable devices
A system and method for variable power transfer in an inductive charging or power system. In accordance with an embodiment the system comprises a pad or similar base unit that contains a primary, which creates an alternating magnetic field. A receiver comprises a means for receiving energy from the alternating magnetic field and transferring it to a mobile device, battery, or other device. In accordance with various embodiments, additional features can be incorporated to provide greater power transfer efficiency, and to allow the system to be easily modified for applications that have different power requirements; such as variations in the material used to manufacture the primary and/or the receiver coils; modified circuit designs to be used on the primary and/or receiver side; and additional circuits and components that perform specialized tasks, such as mobile device or battery identification, and automatic voltage or power-setting for different devices or batteries. |
| US08629653B2 |
Electronic apparatus and electronic apparatus charging system
An electronic apparatus includes a housing having a predetermined face; a power receiver that receives electric power in a contactless manner by way of the predetermined face; a secondary battery that is charged by electric power received by the power receiver; a front-back detection unit that detects whether or not the predetermined face faces a charger; and an alarm unit that notifies that the predetermined face is situated at a position inappropriate for charging when the front-back detection unit detects that the predetermined face does not face the charger. |
| US08629650B2 |
Wireless power transfer using multiple transmit antennas
Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless power transfer including a plurality of antenna circuits spatially arranged and each including an antenna configured to resonate and generate a near field coupling mode region thereabout in response to a driving signal from a power amplifier. The apparatus further includes a processor configured to control activation of resonance of each of the plurality of antenna circuits. The method for wirelessly charging includes driving a signal from a power amplifier and controlling activation of resonance of a plurality of antenna circuits spatially arranged and each including an antenna configured to resonate in response to the driving signal. |
| US08629649B2 |
Battery charging apparatus with a common control loop for a low drop-out voltage regulator and a boost regulator
A flexible dual mode battery charger that charges a battery in two different modes, depending on the difference between the adapter voltage and the battery voltage, with a smooth transition between these two modes and the charging current remains relatively constant during the transition is provided in this application. At a lower battery level, the dual mode battery charger charges the battery as a LDO charger and when battery voltage is very close to the adapter voltage, the charger migrates its operating mode from the LDO mode to the boost mode and charges the battery as a boost charger. This flexible battery charger uses one common control circuit for controlling the operations of the LDO charger and the boost charger. The switching operation from one operation mode to other operation mode is smooth. |
| US08629647B2 |
Battery charger apparatus and method for a photovoltaic system
A battery charger, or charge controller, for a photovoltaic system is disclosed, comprising a maximum power point tracker (MPPT) circuit, which may be bypassed by means of a bypass circuit. The bypass circuit may be a simple electrical wire or link. The battery charger is operable to track the maximum power of a photogenerator by means of the MPPT, or to bypass the MPPT and disable it, in dependence on whether the power loss which results from the MPPT would be greater than the power saving achieved by tracking the maximum power point of the photogenerator.Also disclosed is a control unit for use in such a battery charger, and a method for controlling such a battery charger. |
| US08629646B2 |
Generation of renewable energy certificates from distributed procedures
A system and method for recorded renewable energy certificates from power produced by small power generators is provided. An appliance can include a renewable energy source and electronics to monitor and control the charging of batteries in the appliance utilizing power from the renewable energy source. Power from the batteries can be utilized to power or charge external devices. The electronics also records the total power production from the renewable energy source and uploads transaction records to either an external device for transmission to a records server or uploads it directly to the records server itself. The records server compiles the transaction records and generates renewable energy certificates by aggregating the transaction records. Renewable energy certificates can be redeemed in exchange for real or virtual goods and services. |
| US08629644B2 |
Fault tolerant DC power systems
A fault tolerant DC power system includes a permanent magnet generator (PMG), a first contactor in electrical communication with the PMG, an active rectifier in electrical communication with the first contactor, a second contactor in electrical communication with the first contactor, and a motor drive in electrical communication with the second contactor. The first contactor is configured to sever electrical communication between the PMG and the active rectifier and the second contactor is configured to establish electrical communication between the PMG and the motor drive. |
| US08629643B2 |
Image forming apparatus having stepping motor arranged in conveying path for paper, and method for controlling stepping motor in image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a stepping motor arranged in a conveying path for a paper; a driver for driving the stepping motor; a current detecting unit for detecting an actual current value; and a control unit for providing a set current value for every predetermined cycle. The control unit determines an estimated load torque value corresponding to the set current value in a previous cycle and the actual current value in a present cycle, by referring to a relationship between actual current and load torque of the stepping motor with respect to the set current value, determines a target load torque value based on the estimated load torque value, and determines, as the set current value, a current value corresponding to the target load torque value, by referring to a relationship between maximum output torque of the stepping motor and current supplied to the stepping motor. |
| US08629641B2 |
Machine tool to control driving of control objects
A machine tool includes a time calculation unit calculating the time for a spindle to arrive at a target rotational speed, and the time for a spindle head to arrive at a target position; a comparison unit comparing the time to arrive at the target rotational speed and the time to arrive at the target position; and a drive control unit controlling the drive of the spindle and the drive of the spindle head. The drive control unit controls the drive of the spindle head, when a determination is made that the time to arrive at the target rotational speed is longer than the time to arrive at the target position, such that the time for the spindle head to arrive at the target position is longer than the calculated time to arrive at the target position, and less than or equal to the calculated time to arrive at the target rotational speed. Accordingly, the machine tool can drive the spindle head that is a control object in a power-saving mode. |
| US08629632B2 |
LED backlight driver
The present invention relates to a LED driver that minimizes the driver electronic pin count and integrates the short circuit protection feature. An NPN bipolar transistor is employed in a boost converter configuration to drive a LED string in the backlight display applications. The bipolar transistor is integrated with the driver electronics by two pins. Drive current is injected from the NPN transistor to the LED string to minimizing high voltage connection of each LED string to one. |
| US08629627B2 |
Multi-transformer LLC resonant converter circuits and methods
In a first aspect, an LLC resonant converter is provided for driving a plurality of output circuits from a DC input signal. The LLC resonant converter includes: (a) an inverter circuit for converting the DC input signal to a square-wave signal; (b) an inductor network coupled to the inverter circuit; and (c) a plurality of transformers, each transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary windings of the transformers are coupled in series, and the series-coupled primary windings are coupled in parallel with the inductor network. The secondary winding of each transformer is coupled to and provides a current to a corresponding one of the output circuits. The secondary winding currents are substantially equal, and power is processed by a single transformer between the DC input signal and each output circuit. Numerous other aspects are also provided. |
| US08629620B2 |
Automatic lighting control device and system
Provided is an automatic lighting control device for automatically switching on and off a lamp installed within a building in accordance with only the variation of brightness at the installation location. The automatic lighting control device is constituted as follows. A photoelectric transducer 1 has a daylight detection field that overlaps at least partially a lamp illumination field. A first comparator 2 generates a turn-on signal when the output level of the photoelectric transducer 1 becomes lower than the predetermined light-up level. A memory 5 stores the output level of the photoelectric transducer 1 after light-up. A second comparator 8 compares the output level of the photoelectric transducer 1 with the output level stored in the memory 5 after light-up and it generates a turn-off signal when the output level of the photoelectric transducer 1 becomes higher than the stored post-light-up brightness level. |
| US08629617B2 |
Electrical wiring device
The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a lighting assembly module disposed in the housing assembly and coupled to a set of line terminals. A control circuit is configured to provide a modulated lighting control signal to the lighting assembly module when AC power is being provided. The modulated lighting control signal is configured to adjust an intensity of the light emitted by a light emitting device such that the intensity is a function of the ambient light level. The control circuit is further configured to provide a second lighting control signal configured to turn the lighting assembly ON at a predetermined intensity for a predetermined period of time when AC power is not being provided by the source of AC power, the second lighting control signal being provided by a rechargeable electrical storage device. |
| US08629615B2 |
Method of fabricating an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display
An organic light emitting diode display and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a base substrate including a first device region and a first encapsulation region, wherein the first encapsulation region is located on both sides of the first device region and forming an organic light emitting diode (OLED) on the first device region. The method further includes providing an encapsulation substrate including a second device region and a second encapsulation region corresponding to the first device region and first encapsulation region, respectively, forming a light transmission layer on the second device region and forming an inner filler on the light transmission layer. |
| US08629613B2 |
Aromatic amine derivative and organic electroluminescent device using same
Provided are a novel aromatic amine derivative having an asymmetric structure and an organic electroluminescence device in which, an organic thin film layer comprising a single layer or plural layers including at least a light emitting layer is interposed between a cathode and an anode, at least one layer in the above organic thin film layer contains the aromatic amine derivative described above in the form of a single component or a mixed component, whereby molecules are less liable to be crystallized; a yield in producing the organic electroluminescence device is enhanced; and a lifetime is extended. |
| US08629612B2 |
Display device with a plurality of pixels and electronic device with display device
To improve color reproduction areas in a display device having light-emitting elements. A display region has a plurality of picture elements. Each picture element includes: first and second pixels each including a light-emitting element which has a chromaticity whose x-coordinate in a CIE-XY chromaticity diagram is 0.50 or more; third and fourth pixels each including a light-emitting element which has a chromaticity whose y-coordinate in the diagram is 0.55 or more; and fifth and sixth pixels each including a light-emitting element which has a chromaticity whose x-coordinate and y-coordinate in the diagram are 0.20 or less and 0.25 or less, respectively. The light-emitting elements in the first and second pixels have different emission spectrums from each other; the light-emitting elements in the third and fourth pixels have different emission spectrums from each other; and the light-emitting elements in the fifth and sixth pixels have different emission spectrums from each other. |
| US08629610B2 |
Display panel
The present invention discloses a display panel 10 having a substrate 12 with one or more surfaces and one or more features 30 within the substrate 12. When electromagnetic radiation is introduced at or directed toward one or more surfaces of the substrate 12, the features 30 redirect the electromagnetic radiation in one or more predetermined directions. |
| US08629606B2 |
Liquid anode radiation source
The present disclosure relates to a liquid anode radiation source (10) having the ability of turning upside down. The liquid anode radiation source (10) comprises a body (12) equipped with inlet and outlet having a wall (15) limiting the anode space (17), where the outlet connected to the inlet outside the body (12) will define a continuous flow path closing through the body, the inlet has a wall limiting an internal cross-section changing towards the anode space (17), wherein the cross-section of the inlet a deflector (11) is arranged in a position free of contacting the wall, filling out the cross-section partially and movable to the direction perpendicular to the cross-section; the liquid anode material (14) arranged in the flow path; the circulation unit inserted in the flow path in such a way that it can ensure the unidirectional movement of the anode material in the flow path. |
| US08629605B2 |
Spark plug having shaped insulator
A spark plug includes a center electrode extending in an axial direction; an insulator formed externally of the outer circumference of the center electrode; a metallic shell formed externally of the outer circumference of the insulator and having a ledge which supports the insulator; and a ground electrode joined to the metallic shell. The insulator has a support portion which faces the ledge. A “frontward direction” is defined as the direction parallel to the axial direction toward a spark portion formed between the center electrode and the ground electrode. The insulator has a diameter reduction portion whose outside diameter reduces along the frontward direction from the support portion, and a diameter increase portion whose outside diameter increases along the frontward direction from the front end of the diameter reduction portion. This restrains the generation of leak current while maintaining heat resistance of the spark plug. |
| US08629604B2 |
Camera behind a photoluminescent light source
An apparatus for providing a photoluminescent light source is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a light source that emanates light of a particular spectrum, a camera, and a selective mirror placed between the light source and camera. The selective mirror transmits light of a spectrum detected by the camera and reflects light of a spectrum generated by the light source. The light source is transparent to light incident on its face. |
| US08629601B2 |
Piezoelectric oscillator
A piezoelectric oscillator includes: a package including a floor surface and a step portion thereinside; a conductive adhesive applied on the step portion; and a piezoelectric vibrator including one end placed on the step portion via the conductive adhesive. The floor surface is provided with a recess filled with a resin material having a thermal deformation property. The package includes a sidewall having transparency. |
| US08629599B2 |
Mechanical resonating structures including a temperature compensation structure
Mechanical resonating structures are described, as well as related devices and methods. The mechanical resonating structures may have a compensating structure for compensating temperature variations. |
| US08629596B2 |
End turn arrangement
The invention relates to an end turn arrangement in a stator of a dynamoelectric machine. In order to reduce, in a simple fashion, the volume required for the end turns of the form-wound coils, the stator is formed of segments (1) that have a substantially circular arc-shaped cross-section and can be combined into a stator by adding one or more other segments (1) having the same design. Each segment (1) has recesses (6, 7), within which at least one first form-wound coil (3), which is bent outward in the radial direction of the stator in the region of the end turns, and at least one second form-wound coil (4), which is bent inward in the radial direction of the stator in the region of the end turns, are arranged in the form of a tiered winding. |
| US08629595B2 |
Permanent magnet rotor arrangement and method for producing such an arrangement
A permanent magnet rotor arrangement is provided. The arrangement includes a rotor, a plurality of nonmagnetic profiled tubes defining a closed channel and affixed circumferentially along the outer rim of the rotor, and a plurality of permanent magnet pole pieces arranged in the channels. In a preferred embodiment, the tubes are monolithic and one pole piece is arranged in every channel. |
| US08629593B2 |
Spindle motor with sleeve holder including cylindrical part, seating part, and coupling part
There is provided a spindle motor including: a sleeve rotatably supporting a shaft; a sleeve holder supporting the sleeve and formed through a pressing process; a stator core fixedly mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the sleeve holder; and a pulling magnet fixedly mounted on an upper surface of the stator core, wherein the stator core includes a burr insertion stepped part formed in a lower portion of an inner diameter portion thereof. |
| US08629592B2 |
Hermetic sealing assembly and electrical device including the same
Disclosed herein is a system including a motor comprising a rotor, a stator and a sealing assembly having at least one joint and a monolithic ceramic separator. Each joint of the sealing assembly is a chemical bond joint, and the monolithic ceramic separator is disposed in a gap between the rotor and the stator of the motor such that the sealing assembly hermetically isolates the rotor and the stator. |
| US08629590B2 |
Rotor for electric motor with slots for airflow
A rotor of an electric motor has a carrier structure including a disc portion to which is centrally connected a shaft, and the periphery of which is joined to an essentially cylindrical annular skirt portion which in use extends coaxially around the stator. The disc portion has a plurality of slots between which there is defined a corresponding plurality of spokes. At least some of the spokes have, in a circumferential direction, a transverse cross-section shaped in a manner to induce, at least when the rotor rotates in one direction, an at least approximately axial air flow through corresponding slots. |
| US08629587B2 |
Water-cooling structure for electric motor
A water-cooling structure for electric motor includes a motor main body, a heat-dissipation base, and a vortex-forming section. The motor main body is externally fitted around the heat-dissipation base. The heat-dissipation base is provided around an outer circumferential surface with at least one main flow passage. The vortex-forming section is provided in the main flow passage to create vortex effect on a type of cooling liquid flowing in the main flow passage, so as to enable an increased heat transfer efficiency of the water-cooling structure. |
| US08629586B2 |
Electric rotating machine with cooling mechanism
An electric rotating machine includes a rotor, a stator in which a coil is so wound as to have an coil end, and a coolant supply pipe. The coolant supply pipe lies with a length thereof extending substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotor and is disposed above the stator in a direction of gravitational force. The coolant supply pipe has a first and a second coolant outlet through which coolant is to be emitted to the coil end. The first and the second coolant outlets are so oriented as to direct streams of the coolant to a first area and a second area of the coil end which are different in location from each other. This enables the coolant to be emitted to almost the whole of the coil end even when the electric rotating machine is titled in a direction in which the rotor turns. |
| US08629584B2 |
Base assembly for motor and fan motor including the same
There are provided a base assembly for a motor and a fan motor including the same. The base assembly includes; a holder including a shaft system of the motor mounted therein and a stator for providing rotational driving force to a rotating member; an extension member mounted on the holder and extended to an upper portion of the stator; and an attractive magnet positioned above the extension member in an outer diameter direction to thereby prevent excessive floating of the rotating member. |
| US08629582B2 |
Lens driving motor and elastic member of the same
Provided are a lens driving motor and an elastic member of the lens driving motor. The elastic member of a lens driving motor, the elastic member includes a first spring and a second spring. The second spring is different from the first spring and disposed together with the first spring on one side of a carrier to support the carrier. A first lead line of a coil and a first external power source are connected to the first spring, and a second lead line of the coil and a second external power source are connected to the second spring to supply power to the coil. Since the carrier can be assembled to other part after a (+) lead line and a (−) lead line of the coil are connected to the first and second springs, respectively, using solder, a process is simple and convenient. |
| US08629581B2 |
System and method for communicating notice to limit degradation within a battery pack
Systems and methods for communicating notice to limit battery degradation within a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, a signal is generated and passed between modules of a battery pack to provide notice to limit battery pack degradation. The system and method may be particularly useful for a battery pack with distributed battery modules. |
| US08629578B2 |
Wireless energy transfer systems
A wireless power transfer system for computer peripherals, includes a source magnetic resonator, integrated into a source station and connected to a power source and power and control circuitry, and a device magnetic resonator, integrated into a computer peripheral wherein power is transferred non-radiatively from the source magnetic resonator to the device magnetic resonator, and wherein the source magnetic resonator is configured to transfer power during predefined intervals. |
| US08629576B2 |
Tuning and gain control in electro-magnetic power systems
Tuning and gain control as described for magnetic power systems, including different ways to change the characteristic of transmission and reception. |
| US08629574B2 |
Ballast for fluorescent emergency lighting
An emergency ballast for a fluorescent lamp includes a rechargeable battery. The emergency ballast also includes a circuit for receiving an electrical voltage and providing a recommended charging voltage to the battery. The electrical voltage is one of two amplitudes, and the circuit provides a charge to the battery without regard to the amplitude of the electrical voltage. The first amplitude of the electrical voltage can be 120 volts, and the second amplitude can be 277 volts. The emergency ballast includes a capacitor electrically coupled to the circuit that provides an additional voltage to the rechargeable battery when the electrical current is 120 volts. The emergency ballast also includes a switch for electrically decoupling the capacitor from the circuit when the electrical current is 277 volts. |
| US08629571B2 |
Power generation hydraulic system
A power generation system 1 comprising a first water container, a hydropower system, a second water container and a pump system. The hydropower system 2,3,4 harness water energy coming from the first container and directed it to the second container. The water at the second container circulates to the first container by the pump system located at the second water container. The pump system is energized or powered by an external source and energy generated from the water displacement due to gravity at said pump. |
| US08629567B2 |
Integrated circuit packaging system with contacts and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: forming an isolated contact having a contact protrusion; forming a die paddle, adjacent to the isolated contact, having a die paddle contour; depositing a contact pad on the contact protrusion; coupling an integrated circuit die to the contact protrusion; molding an encapsulation on the integrated circuit die; and depositing an organic filler on and between the isolated contact and the die paddle, the contact protrusion extended past the organic filler. |
| US08629563B2 |
Method for packaging semiconductor dies having through-silicon vias
Integrated circuit structures and methods are provided. According to an embodiment, a circuit structure includes a die and an anisotropic conducting film (ACF). The die comprises a through via, and the through via protrudes from a surface of the die. A cross-sectional area of the through via in the surface of the die is equal to a cross-sectional area of a protruding portion of the through via in a plane parallel to the surface of the die. The ACF adjoins the surface of the die, and the protruding portion of the through via penetrates the ACF. |
| US08629562B2 |
Techniques for modular chip fabrication
Techniques for modular chip fabrication are provided. In one aspect, a modular chip structure is provided. The modular chip structure comprises a substrate; a carrier platform attached to the substrate, the carrier platform comprising a plurality of conductive vias extending through the carrier platform; and a wiring layer on the carrier platform in contact with one or more of the conductive vias, wherein the wiring layer comprises one or more wiring levels and is configured to divide the carrier platform into a plurality of voltage islands; and chips, chip macros or at least one chip in combination with at least one chip macro assembled on the carrier platform. |
| US08629555B2 |
Fixture for semiconductor device and assembly of semiconductor device
A pressing portion of a fixture is put on a lid of a semiconductor package, and anchor portions on the opposite sides of the pressing portion are opposed to a baseplate. Two screw members are passed individually through opening parts formed spanning the pressing portion and anchor portions and threadedly engage with a heat sink through the baseplate. If the screw members are tightened in this state, the anchor portions are pressed by the baseplate, and the pressing portion presses the lid of the semiconductor package, whereby the baseplate is fixed to the heat sink in pressure contact with it. |
| US08629554B2 |
Assembly including plural through wafer vias, method of cooling the assembly and method of fabricating the assembly
An assembly includes a chip including an integrated circuit, a casing including an integrated circuit and having an upper portion formed on a side of the chip and lower portion formed on another side of the chip, plural through-wafer vias (TWVs) for electrically connecting the integrated circuit of the chip and the integrated circuit of the casing, and a card connected to the casing for electrically connecting the casing to a system board. |
| US08629553B2 |
3D integrated circuit device fabrication with precisely controllable substrate removal
A method is provided for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure. According to the method, a first active circuitry layer wafer is provided. The first active circuitry layer wafer comprises a P+ portion covered by a P− layer, and the P− layer includes active circuitry. The first active circuitry layer wafer is bonded face down to an interface wafer that includes a first wiring layer, and then the P+ portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is selectively removed with respect to the P− layer of the first active circuitry layer wafer. Next, a wiring layer is fabricated on the backside of the P− layer. Also provided are a tangible computer readable medium encoded with a program for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure, and a 3D integrated circuit structure. |
| US08629552B1 |
Top port multi-part surface mount silicon condenser microphone package
The present invention relates to a surface mount package for a silicon condenser microphone and methods for manufacturing the surface mount package. The surface mount package uses a limited number of components which simplifies manufacturing and lowers costs, and features a substrate that performs functions for which multiple components were traditionally required, including providing an interior surface on which the silicon condenser die is mechanically attached, providing an interior surface for making electrical connections between the silicon condenser die and the package, and providing an exterior surface for surface mounting the package to a device's printed circuit board and for making electrical connections between package and the device's printed circuit board. |
| US08629549B2 |
Carrier body for a semiconductor component, semiconductor component and method for producing a carrier body
A carrier body for a semiconductor component, in particular for an optoelectronic semiconductor component, is specified. Said carrier body has a connecting layer and a conductor layer, which are connected to one another via main areas facing one another. The connecting layer, the conductor layer or both the connecting layer and the conductor layer has/have at least one thinned region in which the layer thickness of said layer(s) is less than the maximum layer thickness of said layer(s). The connecting layer is either completely electrically conductive and electrically insulated at least from parts of the conductor layer or it is electrically insulating at least in parts. Furthermore, a semiconductor component comprising the electrical connection conductor and also a method for producing the carrier body are specified. |
| US08629546B1 |
Stacked redistribution layer (RDL) die assembly package
A stacked redistribution layer (RDL) die assembly package includes a substrate, a first level RDL die assembly mounted to the substrate and a second level RDL die assembly mounted to the first level RDL die assembly. The first level RDL die assembly includes a first die comprising bond pads, a first fan out support extending outwardly from sides of the first die, and first traces electrically connected to the bond pads, the first traces being supported by the first fan out support. Similarly, the second level RDL die assembly includes a second die comprising bond pads, a second fan out support extending outwardly from sides of the second die, and second traces electrically connected to the bond pads of the second die, the second traces being supported by the second fan out support. |
| US08629544B2 |
Integrated circuit package with multiple dies and a multiplexed communications interface
A package includes a first die and a second die, at least one of said first and second dies being a memory. The dies are connected to each other through an interface. The interface is configured to transport both control signals and memory transactions. A multiplexer is provided to multiplex the control signals and memory transactions onto the interface such that a plurality of connections of said interface are shared by the control signals and the memory transactions. |
| US08629543B2 |
Electrically interconnected stacked die assemblies
In die stack assembly configurations successive die in the stack are offset at a die edge at which die pads are situated, and the die are interconnected by electrically conductive traces. In some embodiments the electrically conductive traces are formed of an electrically conductive polymer. An electrically insulative conformal coating is provided having openings at die pads that are electrically connected. |
| US08629539B2 |
Methods and apparatus for magnetic sensor having non-conductive die paddle
Methods and apparatus to provide an integrated circuit package having a conductive leadframe, a non-conductive die paddle mechanically coupled to the leadframe, and a die disposed on the die paddle and electrically connected to the leadframe. With this arrangement, eddy currents are reduced near the magnetic field transducer to reduce interference with magnetic fields. |
| US08629536B2 |
High performance on-chip vertical coaxial cable, method of manufacture and design structure
A high performance on-chip vertical coaxial cable structure, method of manufacturing and design structure thereof is provided. The coaxial cable structure includes an inner conductor and an insulating material that coaxially surrounds the inner conductor. The structure further includes an outer conductor which surrounds the insulating material. Both the inner and outer conductors comprise a plurality of metal layers formed on different wiring levels and interconnected between the different wiring levels by conductors. The coaxial cable structure is formed upon a surface of a semiconductor substrate and is oriented in substantially perpendicular alignment with the surface. |
| US08629534B2 |
Semiconductor structure having low thermal stress
A semiconductor structure includes a Si substrate, a supporting layer and a blocking layer formed on the substrate and an epitaxy layer formed on the supporting layer. The supporting layer defines a plurality of grooves therein to receive the blocking layer. The epitaxy layer is grown from the supporting layer. A plurality of slots is defined in the epitaxy layer and over the blocking layer. The epitaxy layer includes an N-type semiconductor layer, a light-emitting layer and a P-type semiconductor layer. |