| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08630590B2 |
Apparatus and method for wireless communication via at least one of directional and omni-direction antennas
Techniques for using at least one of omni-directional and directional antennas for communication are described. A station may be equipped antenna elements selectable for use as an omni-directional antenna or one or more directional antennas. The station may select the omni-directional antenna or a directional antenna for use for communication based on various factors such as, e.g., whether the location or direction of a target station for communication is known, whether control frames or data frames are being exchanged, etc. |
| US08630588B2 |
Efficient and flexible transmit beamforming sector sweep in a multi-antenna communication device
A plurality of beacon data units are generated, and each beacon data unit in the plurality of beacon data units includes an indication that the beacon data unit can be used for transmit beamforming training. The plurality of beacon data units are transmitted via a plurality of antennas during a timeslot reserved for the transmission of beacons. A different beamforming vector is applied to a beamforming network as each beacon data unit is transmitted. In another aspect, a first beamforming training transmission corrupted by a collision is received. A first station to which the first beamforming training transmission corresponds is determined based on the first beamforming training transmission corrupted by the collision. In response to determining the first station, a signal is transmitted to the first station to prompt the first station to transmit a second beamforming training transmission. |
| US08630586B2 |
Intelligent pairing of electronic devices
An intelligent pairing between a first device and a target second device is described. The intelligent pairing can use information provided by a plurality of second devices responding to a connection request by the first device where only one of the plurality of responding second devices is the target second device. The information can include a motion signature, a first device identifier, and a second device identifier. |
| US08630584B2 |
RF SIM card, card reader, and communication method
A radio frequency (RF) device includes an RF transceiver, an RF antenna, and a magnetic signal detector. The RF is selected to be in the very high frequency (VHF), ultrahigh frequency (UHF), or super high frequency (SHF) bands such that the shielding effect is reduced and the RF device can be configured as a SIM card disposed inside a cellular phone with an increased RF communication range. The magnetic signal detector is used to sense a magnetic field signal from an RF reader, which includes an RF transceiver, an RF antenna, and a magnetic signal transmitter. The longer communication range afforded by the VHF, UHF, or SHF bands is reduced by the sensing of the magnetic field, thereby providing a communication range control, while the RF device and the RF reader exchange information through the RF channel with improved security as a result of the range control. |
| US08630583B2 |
Terminal device and method for transceiving data thereof
A terminal device and a data transceiving method are provided. The terminal device includes a sensing unit which senses a momentum of the terminal device, an interface unit which receives a momentum from at least one external device, and a control unit which performs one of a data receiving operation, a data transmitting operation, and a data transceiving operation with the at least one external device depending on a comparison value obtained from a comparison of the sensed momentum with the received momentum to allow two devices to exchange data more easily. |
| US08630580B2 |
Analog space-time relay method and apparatus for a wireless communication relay channel
An analog space-time relay method and apparatus for a wireless communication relay channel is disclosed herein. In a specific embodiment, the analog space-time relay channel (100) includes first and second relay antennas (122,124) arranged to relay an information signal transmitted from a source station (110) to a destination station (130). The method comprises the steps of: (i) receiving a first symbol sequence at the first relay antenna (122), the first symbol sequence comprising the information signal and a first noise element; (ii) receiving a second symbol sequence at the second relay antenna (124), the second symbol sequence comprising the information signal and a second noise element; (iii) transmitting a first signal by the first relay antenna (122), the first signal being associated with the second symbol sequence received at the second relay antenna (124); (iv) transmitting a second signal by the second relay antenna (124), the second signal being associated with the first symbol sequence received at the first relay antenna (122). Method and apparatus for deriving a complex conjugate for a symbol sequence and a frame header structure are also disclosed. |
| US08630576B2 |
Image forming system, post processing apparatus, sheet feed control method and sheet feed control program
An image forming system comprises: an image forming apparatus and a post processing apparatus that performs a post process on sheets each carrying thereon an image printed by the image forming apparatus. In the image forming system, a sheet feeder feeds sheets of a job to be post-processed to a post processing position; a timing judger judges which is before/after, the first timing to finish feeding the last sheet of the job to the post processing position, or the second timing to finish making preparation for a post process; a delaying time calculator calculates a post process execution delaying time that is a time difference between the first timing and the second timing; and a sheet feed controller controls sheet feed timing of the top sheet of a following job by using the calculated post process execution delaying time, if the second timing is after the first timing. |
| US08630575B2 |
Image forming apparatus
The image forming apparatus comprising an image bearing member configured to carry a toner image and a rotatable belt member stretched by a plurality of stretching members and configured to carry and convey a recording material and a transfer member configured to transfer the toner image from the image bearing member to the recording material carried by the belt member by pressing the belt member against the image bearing member and a first lifting member arranged more downstream than the transfer member in a recording material conveyance direction, to which the recording material is conveyed, and configured to locally lift the belt member from the inside thereof in a width direction orthogonal to the recording material conveyance direction and a second lifting member arranged more downstream than the first lifting member in the recording material conveyance direction, is disclosed as one of the aspects of disclosures. |
| US08630573B2 |
Image forming method, image forming apparatus, varnish applicator, and toner
An image forming method including forming a toner image on a transfer medium with a toner comprising a wax having a polar group, and applying a varnish to the toner image. The wax may be a plant wax having an ester group, a wax having a polar group derived from a fatty acid, an oxidized wax, or a mixture thereof. The varnish may include a surfactant, such as a polyoxyethylene glycol, and may be photocurable. |
| US08630572B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus including same
A fixing device includes a nip forming member disposed inside a fixing member and pressed against a pressing member via the fixing member to form a nip portion between the pressing member and the fixing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. A heat generator disposed inside the fixing member heats the fixing member outside the nip portion and has variable heat distribution over a width of the fixing member. A first temperature detector disposed inside the fixing member contacts an end portion of the heat generator in the width direction of the fixing member, opposite a surface facing the fixing member, to detect a temperature of the heat generator. A second temperature detector disposed inside the fixing member contacts a center of an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member in the width direction, to detect the temperature of the fixing member. |
| US08630567B2 |
Charging device having movable holding member for shutter and image forming apparatus having the same
A corona charger conventionally includes a sheet-like shutter and a holding member configured to hold an end of the shutter, and the replacement of a charging electrode is difficult. To solve this problem, the holding member configured to hold the end of the shutter is set to be movable along the longitudinal direction of a shield to a winding member of the shutter more than a supporting member configured to replaceably support the charging electrode. |
| US08630563B2 |
Mounting structure and image forming apparatus
A mounting structure includes a supporting member and an engagement member. The supporting member includes a first engaging section at one edge portion and a second engaging section at the other edge portion, and supports or positions an object to support. The engagement member includes a first engagement section capable of engaging with the first engaging section and a second engagement section capable of engaging with the second engaging section, and is a member for holding the supporting member with the supporting member being mounted onto the engagement member. Also, the supporting member supports or positions the object to support with the first engaging section and the second engaging section respectively engaging with the first engagement section and the second engagement section. The first engaging section has a higher rigidity than the first engagement section. The second engaging section has a higher rigidity than the second engagement section. |
| US08630561B2 |
Image forming apparatus, charging apparatus and cleaning method of charging apparatus
An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes an image carrier which is irradiated with a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image, and a charging device which is disposed in parallel to the image carrier and includes an electrode that charges an electric charge to the image carrier. The charging device has a cleaning device which includes a container accommodating a cleaning member abutting an end portion of a discharge side of the electrode, moves the container along the longitudinal direction of the electrode, removes foreign matter attached to the electrode by the cleaning member, and accommodates the foreign matter in the container. |
| US08630556B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus including same
A fixing device for fixing a toner image on a recording medium includes a fixing roller to rotate in a predetermined direction of rotation, a pressing roller to rotate and contact an outer circumferential surface of the fixing roller to form a nip between the pressing roller and the fixing roller through which the recording medium bearing the toner image passes to fix the toner image by heat and pressure, a pressing lever to hold both lateral end portions of the pressing roller, and a cam disposed on a camshaft, to rotate the pressing lever to change the position of the pressing roller. Rotation of the cam in a first, pressing direction enables the pressing roller to pressingly contact the fixing roller. Rotation of the cam in a second direction opposite the pressing direction enables the pressing roller to separate from the fixing roller. |
| US08630551B2 |
Method and system for characterizing an optical device
An embodiment of the invention relates to a system comprising an optical device (10) and an evaluation device (20) for characterizing the optical device. The optical device comprising a 90° optical hybrid unit (30) having a first and second optical input (30E1, 30E2) and at least two optical outputs (30A1-30A4) wherein optical output signals (So1-So4) leaving the optical outputs have optical phase differences between each other of 90° or multiple thereof; a first photodetector (P1) connected to a first optical output (30A1) and a second photodetector (P2) connected to a second optical output (30A2), wherein the first optical output emits a first optical output signal (So1) and the second optical output emits a second optical output signal (So2), said second optical output signal having an optical phase difference of 180° relative to the first optical output signal; and a first transimpedance amplifier (Tr1) connected to the first and second photodetectors (P1, P2). The evaluation device (20) is characterized by a signal source (110) configured to generate a first and second intensity-modulated optical input signal (Sin1, Sin2); an optical phase shifter (120) adapted to phase-shift the optical phase of the second intensity-modulated optical input signal relative to the optical phase of the first intensity-modulated optical input signal; a measurement unit (160) adapted to measure the electrical output signal of the first transimpedance amplifier (Tr1); and a control unit (130) adapted to control the optical phase shifter. |
| US08630548B2 |
Method and apparatus for improved upstream frame synchronization in a passive optical network
In a passive optical network, upstream transmission frames from an ONU to an OLT can include additional delimiters that assist in overcoming high signal distortion at the beginning of the frame that can obscure an initial frame delimiter. The second delimiter can be inserted into the frame at various locations within the frame known to the OLT such that the OLT can active a delimiter detector at the beginning of a timing window for delimiter detection. The ONU can assist the OLT in synchronizing the frame by ensuring that a frame header immediately follows a second delimiter or appears at the start of a first FEC code block following the second delimiter. Depending on where the ONU inserts the second delimiter in the frame generation process, the second delimiter may be scrambled and/or may form part of the FEC. |
| US08630546B2 |
Network interface device synchronization
Techniques are disclosed that relate to synchronizing a clock on a network interface device with a clock on an optical line terminal (OLT). In one example, the technique to synchronizing the clocks may include monitoring one or more instances when the network interface device transmits information to the OLT and determining when a frame should be received by the network interface device based on the monitored one or more instances when the network interface device transmits information the OLT. |
| US08630543B2 |
Port wavelength restriction encoding in wavelength switched optical network
An apparatus comprising a path computation element (PCE) coupled to a path computation client (PCC) and configured to perform a path computation using port wavelength restriction information for a network element (NE), wherein the port wavelength restriction information is encoded and received in a port wavelength restriction Type-Length-Value (TLV) that comprises a matrix identifier (ID), a restriction type, and the port wavelength restriction information. Also disclosed is a network component comprising at least one processor coupled to a memory and configured to receive a port wavelength restriction information TLV that corresponds to a NE, and obtain a restriction type and port wavelength restriction information based on the restriction type from the port wavelength restriction TLV, and use the port wavelength restriction information to calculate a path for the NE. |
| US08630540B1 |
Method and system for transporting DOCSIS communication signals over a passive optical network
A translation agent adapts DOCSIS information, primarily QoS information, for transmission over a PON. The agent places into an IP address field of a DHCP message the MAC address of an ONU associated with a CPE device attempting to register with a CMTS. The translation agent intercepts DHCP reply messages from the DHCP server using the MAC address of the ONU. The translation agent extracts information, including an IP address of the client CPE assigned by the DHCP server. The agent downloads a configuration file for the CPE device using the configuration filename and configuration file server contained in a DHCP reply message. Information contained in the configuration file is converted from content in a format used by DOCSIS, to content in a format used by PON devices. The translated content includes QoS parameters, functions related to which are controlled at the ONU by an OLT coupled to the CMTS. |
| US08630539B2 |
Communication system, station-side optical line terminating apparatus, user-side optical line terminating apparatus, control apparatus, and communication method
An optical communication system that connects a plurality of user-side optical line terminating apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as ONUs) to a station-side optical line terminating apparatus (hereinafter referred to as OLT) using a common optical fiber, wherein the ONU as at least a part of the ONUs includes a transceiver having a power saving function for inactivating a transmitting unit while supplying electric power to a receiving unit and a control apparatus that transmits support information of the power saving function to the OLT via the transceiver, and the OLT includes a control apparatus that generates transmission allowance information of upstream communication based on the support information of the power saving function and a transceiver that receives the support information of the power saving function and transmits the transmission allowance information to the ONU. |
| US08630537B2 |
Apparatus for monitoring a package handling system
A monitoring apparatus for sensing conditions associated with a package handling system. The monitoring apparatus includes a test package configured for being handled by the package handling system with non-test packages handled by the package handling system. The test package has a housing defining a test package interior and has at least one sensor positioned within the interior for sensing conditions associated with the package handling system. The sensor produces an output signal corresponding to the conditions that it senses. The test package further includes a support positioned within the test package interior and connecting the sensor to the housing so that the sensor is directed generally toward an outside of the test package for sensing conditions associated with the package handling system. |
| US08630534B2 |
Heating system and component with such a heating system
A heating system according to the invention comprises a heating layer that is integrated into a prepreg layer of a high-resistance prepreg material. The heating layer may comprise a bonded heating fabric, a metal oxide coating or electrically conductive threads. According to the invention, the heating system is integrated into a component to be heated. This component may consist, for example, of a floor panel for an aircraft. |
| US08630531B2 |
Apparatus and method for reproducing storage medium that stores metadata for providing enhanced search function
An apparatus and method for reproducing a storage medium that stores metadata are provided for an enhanced search function using various search keywords of audio-visual (AV) data. The apparatus includes: a search unit for searching for scenes matching a search keyword by conducting an enhanced search function on the AV data with reference to metadata which contains information regarding at least one search keyword for each of the scenes of the AV data; and a reproducing unit for reproducing the AV data corresponding to at least one scene found by the search unit. The metadata may include information regarding an entry point and/or duration, angles, etc. of each scene. Hence, the enhanced search can be conducted using various search keywords. Further, search results can be reproduced according to diverse scenarios, and the enhanced search function can be provided for movie titles that support multiple angles or multiple paths. Moreover, metadata can be created in multiple languages, thereby enabling the enhanced search function to support multiple languages. |
| US08630530B2 |
Time shift reproduction time controlling method and information reproduction apparatus
A time shift reproduction time controlling method and an information reproduction apparatus are disclosed wherein reproduction of data at time which is beyond time shift reproduction possible time is prevented with certainty. An input PCR extraction section extracts a PCR from a reception transport stream and outputs the extracted PCR to a subtractor. An output PCR extraction section extracts a PCR from a transport stream read out from a recording medium and outputs the extracted PCR to the subtractor. The subtractor subtracts time information from the output PCR extraction section from time information from the input PCR extraction section and outputs a result of the subtraction to a comparator. The comparator compares the output of the subtractor and output of a reproduction time control register in which a value indicating a time limit to time shift reproduction is stored with each other and outputs a result of the comparison to a reproduction stopping control section. The reproduction stopping control section performs control for outputting a transport stream outputted from a TS readout section to a video and audio decoder in accordance with the comparison result of the comparator. |
| US08630529B2 |
Video processing system
A method and apparatus for producing video content. The method includes acquiring video data from a source. If the video data is not digitized, then the video data is digitized. The method includes generating scene indexes for the video data including a representative still image for each scene and combining the video data and scene indexes along with a media player on a video disc. The video player is operable to play the video data in accordance with the scene indexes including playing a scene from the video data on a client computer while displaying the representative stills for other of the scenes available for display on the video disc. |
| US08630525B2 |
Video-related meta data engine system and method
A engine for use with a display is disclosed. The engine includes a presenter that presents at least two audio/visual works, at least one software application capable of at least one metadata-related interaction with the at least two audio/visual works, communication points over which the audio/visual works are received, and over which at least a portion of the at least one metadata-related interaction occurs, and a hierarchical taxonomy that effects a common metadata reference to each recurrence of a particular object across the audio/visual works, and across each of the at least one metadata related interaction. |
| US08630518B2 |
Ultra-thin waveguide with controlled light extraction
A system and method are provided for using bubble structures to control the extraction of light from a waveguide top surface. The method determines a maximum angle (α) of light propagation through a waveguide medium relative to a first horizontal direction parallel to a waveguide top surface. A plurality of bubble structures is provided having a refractive index less than the waveguide medium. The bubble structures have a base, and sides formed at an acute angle upwards with respect to the base. The bubble structure bases are separated by gap (W), have a height (H), and have a top separated from a waveguide top surface by a space (h). The method varies the gap (W), the height (H), and the space (h). In response, the intensity of light extraction at even the maximum angle (α) of light propagation, can be controlled from the waveguide top surface. |
| US08630513B2 |
System and method for providing objectified image renderings using recognition information from images
An embodiment provides for enabling retrieval of a collection of captured images that form at least a portion of a library of images. For each image in the collection, a captured image may be analyzed to recognize information from image data contained in the captured image, and an index may be generated, where the index data is based on the recognized information. Using the index, functionality such as search and retrieval is enabled. Various recognition techniques, including those that use the face, clothing, apparel, and combinations of characteristics may be utilized. Recognition may be performed on, among other things, persons and text carried on objects. |
| US08630512B2 |
Dynamic client-server video tiling streaming
A system and a method for communicating video data associated with content across a network are disclosed. A server partitions the content into a plurality of tiles where each tile includes a subset of the content and index data describing a relationship between a tile and one or more adjacent tiles. Each tile is then encoded as a video frame, for example each tile is encoded according to the H.264 standard. The plurality of tiles are then transmitted to a client which combines the plurality of tiles using the index data to locally recreate the content. The client associates a predetermined viewport tile with a client viewport representing the area of the content that is visible in a client display device to allow viewing of the content while tiles not associated with the client viewport are cached to expedite subsequent retrieval. |
| US08630511B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method for image resizing matching data supply speed
An image processing apparatus includes a data supply node to receive line data scanned in a main scan direction of an image, an image enlargement unit coupled to the data supply node to apply to the line data an enlargement process for enlarging the image by an enlargement factor equal to an integer so as to produce enlarged data at an output node, and an image reduction unit coupled to the output node of the image enlargement unit to apply to the enlarged data a reduction process for reducing the enlarged image by a desired reduction factor so as to produce reduced data at an output node. |
| US08630508B2 |
Reducing noise in digital images
A target digital image is received from an image sensor. The image is contaminated by noise of unknown magnitude that is represented by a reference digital image. A process is applied that uses statistical analysis of the target digital image and of the reference digital image to estimate a magnitude of the noise for at least some pixels of the target digital image. |
| US08630507B2 |
Image data processing and arrangements therefor
Image data processing is facilitated. According to an example embodiment, image data is processed using photometric similarity and, where appropriate, a classification of sample pixels for the image data. In some applications, a trained bilateral filter function is used with a filter coefficient selected for a particular classification of image data to filter artifacts in the image data. |
| US08630504B2 |
Auto-focus image system
An auto-focus image system includes a focus signal generator and a pixel array coupled thereto that captures an image that includes a plurality of edges. The generator computes a focus signal from a plurality of edge-sharpness measures, each measured from and contributed by a different edge as a quantity with a unit that is a power of a unit of length. The generator reduces a relative weight of the contribution of an edge depending on a shape of a normalized gradient profile of the edge as identified by an n-tuple of values of n different shape measures (n≧2). Each shape measure varies across normalized gradient profiles of different shapes. One shape measure may be the edge-sharpness measure itself. The weight may be zero if the n-tuple falls outside a predetermined region. At least one symmetrical shape that has perfect reflection symmetry receives reduced weight. |
| US08630498B2 |
Methods and systems for detecting pictorial regions in digital images
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for detection of pictorial regions in an image using a masking condition, an entropy measure, and region growing. |
| US08630496B2 |
Method for creating and using affective information in a digital imaging system
An image file for storing a still digital image and metadata related to the still digital image, the image file including digital image data representing the still digital image, and metadata that categorizes the still digital image as an important digital image, wherein the categorization uses a range of levels and the range of levels includes at least three different integer values. |
| US08630495B2 |
Labeling a video, for modifying a video, and for video processing
A computer program product for processing a video having a plurality of objects is provided. The computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith. The computer readable program code is configured for labeling at least one object among the plurality of objects with a property selected from the group consisting of: whether the object can be modified; whether the object can be replaced; and at least one of: name, color, size, and content. The computer readable program code is configured for replacing the at least one object with another object having a property matching therewith if the object has been labeled as one that can be replaced. The computer readable program code is configured for modifying the at least one object to obtain a new object if the object has been labeled as one that can be modified. |
| US08630490B2 |
Selecting representative images for display
Representative images are selected for display from a group. A dissimilarity measure is selected, by which to compute dissimilarities between features of respective images in the group. Dissimilarities between the images in the group are computed, based on the selected dissimilarity measure. A relative dissimilarity between each image and the other images in the group is determined, based on the relative dissimilarity between the feature of the image and the features of the other images in the group. An image in the group is selected as a representative image for display, using the relative dissimilarity of the image as a probability bias in the selection. |
| US08630489B2 |
Efficient image matching
A system described herein includes a receiver component that receives a first image and a symmetry signature generator component that generates a first global symmetry signature for the image, wherein the global symmetry signature is representative of symmetry existent in the first image. The system also includes a comparer component that compares the first global symmetry signature with a second global symmetry signature that corresponds to a second image, wherein the second global symmetry signature is representative of symmetry existent in the second image. The system additionally includes an output component that outputs an indication of similarity between the first image and the second image based at least in part upon the comparison undertaken by the comparer component. |
| US08630483B2 |
Complex-object detection using a cascade of classifiers
Complex-object detection using a cascade of classifiers for identifying complex-objects parts in an image in which successive classifiers process pixel patches on condition that respective discriminatory features sets of previous classifiers have been identified and selecting additional pixel patches from a query image by applying known positional relationships between an identified complex-object part and another part to be identified. |
| US08630482B2 |
Feature conversion device, similar information search apparatus provided therewith, coding parameter generation method, and computer program
A bit code converter transforms a learning feature vector using a transformation matrix updated by a transformation matrix update unit, and converts the transformed learning feature vector into a bit code. When the transformation matrix update unit substitutes a substitution candidate for an element of the transformation matrix, a cost function calculator fixes the substitution candidate that minimizes a cost function as the element. The transformation matrix update unit selects the element while sequentially changing the elements, and the cost function calculator fixes the selected element every time the transformation matrix update unit selects the element, thereby finally fixing the optimum transformation matrix. A substitution candidate specifying unit specifies the substitution candidate such that a speed of transformation processing that the bit code converter performs using the transformation matrix using the transformation matrix is enhanced based on a constraint condition stored in a constraint condition storage unit. |
| US08630481B2 |
Encoding information in illumination patterns
An apparatus for authentication of three-dimensional (3D) structures includes a projector (1510) for projecting a first pattern of illumination (1520) on the three-dimensional structure; a sensor (1525) for detecting a first reflected pattern (1540) from the three-dimensional structure; a computer (1530) for analyzing the first reflected pattern for a first pre-determined characteristic; and wherein the computer authenticates the three-dimensional structure if the pre-determined characteristic is present. |
| US08630480B2 |
Image processing apparatus, display apparatus, image processing method and image processing program
Disclosed herein is an image processing apparatus including: a depth-information extraction section; a luminance extraction section; a contrast extraction section; a gain generation section; and a correlation estimation section. |
| US08630477B2 |
Electronic device and method for outputting measurement data
A method outputs measurement data automatically using an electronic device. The method obtains measurement data of feature elements from a two dimensional (2D) image of a measured object, determines a type of measurement applied to each feature element, obtains feature elements from planes of a three dimensional (3D) image of the measured object, and maps each of the obtained feature elements in the 3D image to the 2D image. The method further obtains sequential marked numbers from the 2D image, determines a feature element which is nearest to any marked number from the mapped feature elements, determines an output axis for each of the determined feature elements, and outputs measured results and measurement codes of the determined feature elements by reference to the measurement data, the type of measurement and the output axis of each determined feature element. |
| US08630463B2 |
Searchable electronic records of underground facility locate marking operations
Methods and apparatus for generating a searchable electronic record of a locate operation in which a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area may be identified using one or more physical locate marks. Source data representing one or more input images of a geographic area comprising the dig area is received and processed so as to display at least a portion of the input image(s) on a display device. One or more digital representations of the physical locate mark(s) applied to the dig area during the locate operation are added to the displayed input image(s) as “locate mark indicators” so as to generate a marked-up image. Information relating to the marked-up image is electronically transmitted and/or electronically stored so as to generate the searchable electronic record of the locate operation. |
| US08630458B2 |
Using camera input to determine axis of rotation and navigation
Systems, methods, and computer storage mediums are provided for navigating a virtual camera within a virtual three-dimensional environment using a mobile device. An exemplary method includes receiving, from at least one sensor on the mobile device, an indication that the mobile device has pivoted about a first rotation axis. A change in a user's position in relation to the mobile device is tracked as the mobile device is pivoted about the first rotation axis. A location of the first rotation axis is then determined based on the change in the user's position in relation to the mobile device. When the location of the first rotation axis is proximate to the mobile device, a first action to navigate within the three-dimensional environment is executed. When the location of the first rotation axis is proximate to the user, however, a second action to navigate within the three-dimensional environment is executed. |
| US08630457B2 |
Problem states for pose tracking pipeline
A human subject is tracked within a scene of an observed depth image supplied to a pose tracking pipeline. An indication of a problem state is received from the pose tracking pipeline, and an identification of the problem state is supplied to the pose tracking pipeline. A virtual skeleton is received from the pose tracking pipeline that includes a plurality of skeletal points defined in three-dimensions. The pose tracking pipeline selects a three-dimensional position of at least one of the plurality of skeletal points in accordance with the identification of the problem state supplied to the pose-tracking pipeline. |
| US08630455B2 |
Method and system for audience digital monitoring
Aspects of the present invention allow for real-time people monitoring method and system for estimation of the size and flow density of a given group of people located in a given area of space. The method and system may be used to monitor live or recorded camera input, foreground segmentation, human tracking, height estimation, and dwell estimation. In particular, human detection may be achieved using a spatio-temporal variance analysis calculation methodology for moving target detection. |
| US08630446B2 |
Method and system for determining projections in non-central catadioptric optical systems
A three-dimensional (3D) location of a reflection point of a ray between a point in a scene (PS) and a center of projection (COP) of a camera of a catadioptric system is determined. The catadioptric system is non-central and includes the camera and a reflector, wherein a surface of the reflector is a quadric surface rotationally symmetric around an axis of symmetry. The 3D location of the reflection point is determined based on a law of reflection, an equation of the reflector, and an equation describing a reflection plane defined by the COP, the PS, and a point of intersection of a normal to the reflector at the reflection point with the axis of symmetry. |
| US08630442B2 |
Method and apparatus for maintaining a background image model in a background subtraction system using accumulated motion
Methods and apparatus are provided for maintaining a background image model in a background subtraction system using accumulated motion. A background image model is maintained by obtaining a map of accumulated motion; and adjusting the background image model based on the map of accumulated motion. The map of accumulated motion may be obtained, for example, based on one or more of motion field images; stability maps; frame differences; or information from a background subtraction system. Objects can be added to or removed from the background model or the background model can be otherwise updated One or more pixels from an image are added to the background image model if a stability measure for the one or more pixels satisfies a predefined criteria. A portion of the background image model can be invalidated in regions where the map of accumulated motion exceeds a predefined threshold. |
| US08630440B2 |
Loudspeakers
A loudspeaker 2 comprises a dome 16 whose edge is stiffened by a carbon fiber ring 20. The dome 16 is shaped as a catenary or parabola. |
| US08630435B2 |
Apparatus incorporating an adsorbent material, and methods of making same
Apparatus for compensating for pressure changes in an acoustic transducer system includes a skeleton member having a predetermined configuration and adsorbent material having a regular structure and being supported on the skeleton member. The apparatus may include a plurality of members, each of the plurality of members having a plurality of hollows formed therein, at least one main surface of each of the plurality of members substantially facing and spaced apart from a main surface of an adjacent one of the plurality of members, and the adsorbent material may be provided within each of the plurality of hollows. |
| US08630433B2 |
Device and method for in-ear sound generation
A device for in-ear sound generation comprises a sound determining unit adapted to determine a first sound signal, a sound collecting unit exposed to the ear canal and adapted to collect a second sound signal, a sound correction determining unit adapted to determine a third sound signal, and a loudspeaker exposed to an ear canal and adapted to emit the third sound signal The third sound signal includes the first sound signal and a correction component, the correction component essentially corresponding to a weighted and phase-inverted signal. The phase-inverted signal is obtained by phase inversion from a difference signal essentially corresponding to a difference between the second sound signal and the first sound signal. |
| US08630428B2 |
Display device and audio output device
A display device includes a display portion that displays video, a first audio output portion that outputs stereo audio of a high frequency range, and that is a surface sound source positioned on a rear surface of the display portion, on one of an upper section and a lower section of the display portion, a second audio output portion that outputs stereo audio of a lower frequency range, and that is one of a surface sound source and a point sound source positioned on the rear surface of the display portion, on which the first audio output portion is not positioned, and a delaying portion that delays output of the second audio output portion to be later than output of the first audio output portion. |
| US08630417B2 |
Method for recording and restoring a ciphered content by a processing unit
A method of operating by a second processing unit a content recorded by a first processing unit, said first and second processing units having a specific key being managed by a central server. The processing units have access to a removable storage memory intended to record a content ciphered by a content key accompanied by a file associated to the content. The content key is produced by means of a cascaded deciphering starting from the specific key of the first unit of at least two constants provided by the central server and a variable. The content is restored by the second processing unit by means of a cascaded deciphering starting from the specific key of the second unit by using the constants and the variable stored in the file accompanying the content and a transcoding key calculated by the central server. |
| US08630416B2 |
Wireless device and method for rekeying with reduced packet loss for high-throughput wireless communications
Embodiments of a wireless device and methods for rekeying with reduced packet loss in a wireless network are generally described herein. In some embodiments, during rekeying operations a new key for reception may be installed early (i.e., prior to receipt of a rekeying confirmation message). The use of the new key for transmission may be delayed until after receipt of the rekeying confirmation message. The early installation of the new key for reception may allow both the new key and old key to be active at the same time for use decrypting received packets to reduce packet loss during rekeying operations. The rekeying confirmation message may be the fourth message of a four-way handshake for rekeying. In some embodiments, two key identifiers may be alternated between four-way handshakes to prevent deletion of the old key. |
| US08630414B2 |
Inter-working function for a communication system
Inter-Working Function (IWF) for interfacing between a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and a communication system. The IWF may contain sufficient information to authenticate a user access to the WLAN, or the IWF may need to request authentication from the communication system. In one embodiment, the IWF sends an access challenge to the WLAN for a user. The IWF may then pass a response to the challenge on to the communication system for authentication. The IWF allows the WLAN to use the authentication capability of the communication system for local authentication. |
| US08630411B2 |
Systems and methods for device and data authentication
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for authenticating devices and securing data. In embodiments, a session key for securing data between two devices can be derived as a byproduct of a challenge-response protocol for authenticating one or both of the devices. |
| US08630405B2 |
Echo removing apparatus
An echo removing apparatus that can remove an echo appropriately if the produced sound volume becomes large although the configuration is simple is provided. A control section 17 switches the operations of an echo suppressor 14 and an echo canceller 15 in response to the volume value input from a volume operation section 18. If the volume value is large, the echo suppressor 14 is operated and an echo is suppressed reliably. If the volume value is small, the echo canceller 15 is operated and double talk is enabled. |
| US08630393B2 |
System and method for blocking telephone calls
A facility for blocking telephone calls is described. The facility is implemented by a telecommunications system that manages assigned and unassigned telephone numbers. The facility determines that a call originator has made two telephone calls to two different unassigned telephone numbers. The facility adds the call originator to a blacklist for a default time period. If the call originator calls any managed telephone number during the default time period, the facility renews the default time period. After the default time period expires, if the call originator makes additional telephone calls to other unassigned telephone numbers, the facility adds the call originator to the blacklist for a time period that is increased from the default time period. The facility increases the time period with each additional call to an unassigned telephone number. Accordingly, the time period is a function of the number of unassigned telephone numbers called by the call originator. |
| US08630392B2 |
World clock enabling time zone sensitive applications
The present application relates to software on phones for displaying local times of distant parties as to allow users of the software to shape their behavior based on the social and business expectations related to those local times. Local times are retrieved by communicating with a directory number information service. The directory number information service can receive a user identifier from a phone application identifying a remote party. The service can retrieve a location of the remote party identified by the user identifier. The service can determine a local time of the remote party based on the remote party's location and provide the local time to the phone application for display. Social statuses can also be provided. The phone can create a call log for incoming calls made by remote parties. The calculated local time can be used for updating software on the phones. |
| US08630391B2 |
Voice authentication system and method using a removable voice ID card
A voice authentication system using a removable voice ID card comprises: at server side, a voiceprint database for storing the voiceprints of all authorized users; a voiceprint updating means for updating the voiceprints in said voiceprint database; and a voiceprint digest generator for generating a voiceprint digest according to a request from a client; at client side, a voice ID card for storing the voiceprint of an authorized user; a validation means for validating the voiceprint in the voice ID card on the basis of the voiceprint digest from the server; an audio device for performing voice interaction with a user; and a voice authentication means for determining whether the voiceprint from said voice ID card is of the same speaker as the voice from said audio device. |
| US08630387B2 |
Method for recording an X-ray image and X-ray system
In order to optimize the recording time, provision is made of a method for recording an X-ray image using an X-ray system with an X-ray detector, an X-ray source, a system control, and a computational unit, wherein information relating to the relative direct radiation component in a reference X-ray image and information relating to the utilized recording geometry and/or the utilized primary X-ray dose and/or the utilized filtering is used to determine a relaxation time, during which a ghosting effect of the X-ray detector resulting from a preceding X-ray image decays at least in part, which relaxation time is adapted to the X-ray image to be recorded, and the determined relaxation time is utilized to actuate the recording of the X-ray image. |
| US08630381B2 |
Apparatus and method for receiving dual band RF signals simultaneously
Disclosed is a dual band receiver which includes an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert a dual band analog RF signal into a dual baseband digital signal; and a first signal extractor configured to generate a first path signal and a second path signal from the dual baseband signal and to extract a first baseband signal using a relative sample delay difference between the first and second path signals, wherein the dual baseband signal includes the first baseband signal and a second baseband signal, the first path signal is a signal obtained by sample delay of the dual baseband signal and then down sampling of a resultant signal, and the second path signal is a signal obtained by down sampling of the dual baseband signal without sample delay. |
| US08630378B2 |
Interference cancellation with improved estimation and tracking for wireless communication
Techniques for performing interference cancellation in a wireless (e.g., CDMA) communication system are described. In one aspect, per-bin power estimates for multiple orthogonal bins are derived by estimating at least two components of these power estimates. The components may include, e.g., channel gain, noise and interference, and bin gain. Interference cancellation is performed based on the per-bin power estimates. In another aspect, interference cancellation is performed in multiple stages with fast tracking. A total power estimate and per-bin power estimates are derived for a first stage. A total power estimate is derived for a second stage. Per-bin power estimates are also derived for the second stage based on the total power estimates for the first and second stages and the per-bin power estimates for the first stage. Interference cancellation is performed for each stage based on the per-bin power estimates for that stage. |
| US08630377B2 |
Detection of wideband interference
A method of detecting interference in a received sample vector using hidden Markov modelling by first estimating noise variance, where estimating noise variance comprises the steps of receiving a sample vector of noise and interference, sorting the sample vector in the frequency domain by order of increasing magnitude to produce an ordered vector, finding a sub-vector of the ordered vector that minimizes the distance from a noise measure, and estimating the noise variance. |
| US08630371B1 |
Channel estimation using linear phase estimation
Systems and methods are provided for channel estimation using linear phase estimation. These systems and methods enable improved channel estimation by estimating a linear channel phase between received pilot subcarrier signals. The estimated linear phase can then be removed from the received pilot subcarrier signals. After the estimated linear phase is removed from the received pilot subcarrier signals, a channel response can be estimated. A final estimated channel response can be generated by multiplying the results of the linear channel estimation by the estimated linear phase. |
| US08630368B2 |
Transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, transmitting method, and receiving method
There is disclosed a radio transmission device capable of improving the throughput. The radio transmission device transmits a first signal and a second signal which are different from each other. In the radio transmission device, an FFT unit subjects first data to an FFT process. A sub-carrier allocation unit maps the first data which has been subjected to the FFT process and the second data into different frequencies. An IFFT unit subjects the mapped signal to the IFFT transform. A transmission radio processing unit transmits the signal which has been subjected to the IFFT processing, with a single carrier. |
| US08630366B2 |
Mobile station
A mobile station configured to perform MIMO communication is disclosed, where the mobile station includes a control unit configured to determine a radio access scheme to be applied, based on at least one of a transmission frequency bandwidth to be used and a transmission stream number used in the MIMO communication. |
| US08630364B2 |
Termination techniques for multi-index continuous phase encoders for wireless networks
Various example embodiments are disclosed herein. According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include a multiple modulation index continuous phase encoder (CPE) configured to perform continuous phase encoding on one or more received symbols and to output CPE encoded symbols, the CPE being configured to a known initial state prior to receiving a data block of one or more symbols, and a termination symbol (TS) generator coupled to the CPE, the TS generator configured to generate one or more termination symbols to be appended to the received data block, wherein an ending state of the CPE after receiving the one or more termination symbols is the same as the known initial state of the CPE. |
| US08630361B2 |
Bearing determination using signals transformed into frequency domain
An apparatus, a method and a computer program for determining a bearing. The apparatus may comprise: a first transformer configured to transform a first signal formed from a set of multiple orthogonal subcarriers and received via a first path, from a time domain to a frequency domain and produce for each of a plurality of the multiple orthogonal subcarriers a respective first coefficient; a second transformer configured to transform a second signal formed from the set of multiple orthogonal subcarriers and received via a second path, different from the first path, from a time domain to a frequency domain and produce for each of a plurality of the multiple orthogonal subcarriers a respective second coefficient; and processing circuitry configured to process the plurality of first coefficients and the plurality of second coefficients to determine a bearing for the apparatus. |
| US08630356B2 |
High performance loop filters in video compression
Disclosed are a filter and a method to improve the objective and subjective video coding performance The filter comprises: a parameter estimation unit configured to determine means and variances from a pilot frame; a filter unit configured to receive quantized residual coefficients in video coding process and restore coefficients from the quantized residual coefficients and the determined means and variances; an inverse ICT unit configured to apply an inverse ICT to the restored coefficients to obtain a filtered frame; a rate-distortion optimization unit configured to determine a quadtree block partition index; and an adaptive block selection unit configured to select final blocks according to quadtree block partition index, the final blocks being utilized to form the filtered frame. |
| US08630354B2 |
Hardware accelerated compressed video bitstream escape code handling
Apparatus, systems and methods for hardware accelerated compressed video bitstream escape code handling are disclosed including an apparatus comprising a bitstream parser (BSP) to parse a bitstream of compressed video data. The BSP includes circuitry to extract uncompressed run and level data from the bitstream when the BSP detects an escape code in the bitstream. Other implementations are disclosed. |
| US08630353B1 |
Method and computer-readable medium for content adaptive video decoding
A method and computer-readable medium for content adaptively decoding video content is disclosed. A computer-readable medium stores instructions for controlling a computing device to decode a bitstream encoded via a plurality of encoders. The bitstream is divided into portions and each portion has an associated model chosen from a plurality of predefined models. The instructions comprise routing each portion via an input switch to one of a plurality of decoders based on the associated model of the portion. |
| US08630350B2 |
Picture level adaptive frame/field coding for digital video content
A method and system of encoding and decoding digital video content. The digital video content comprises a stream of pictures which can each be intra, predicted, or bi-predicted pictures. Each of the pictures comprises macroblocks that can be further divided into smaller blocks. The method entails encoding and decoding each picture in said stream of pictures in either frame mode or in field mode. |
| US08630347B2 |
Video decoding apparatus and video decoding method
According to one embodiment, a video decoding apparatus decoding a video stream selectively generates one of an intra prediction image and an inter prediction image based on an encoding mode of a decoding object from the video stream and decoded images thereof, generates a residual decoded image based on a quantization parameter of a decoding object from the video stream, generates a decoded image by adding one of an intra prediction image and an inter prediction image selectively generated, and the residual decoded image, applies deblocking filter process for reducing a block distortion onto the decoded image, extracts information on an encoding mode from the video image stream to determine whether or not inter prediction processes for generating the inter prediction image should be simplified, and simplifies the inter prediction process step-by-step on the basis of the result of the determination. |
| US08630346B2 |
System and method for introducing virtual zero motion vector candidates in areas of a video sequence involving overlays
Systems and methods for efficiently encoding and/or reformatting video data including transparent overlay portions are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes using two prediction regions for predicting the portion of the video including the transparent overlay. In one embodiment, a first of the two prediction regions is determined based on motion compensated prediction in reference to another video frame and a second of the two prediction regions is a collocated portion of video in another frame as referenced by a virtual zero motion vector. A mixing weight factor to be used for combining the two predictions is determined. In one embodiment, the mixing weight factor is determined based on the relative values of two error metrics, a first error metric related to the motion compensated prediction and a second error metric related to the collocated prediction of the virtual zero motion vector. |
| US08630343B2 |
Method and device for coding digital images and method and device for decoding coded digital images
A method of coding digital images, wherein the method comprises a step of video coding of a plurality of successive images, the plurality of successive images corresponding to a plurality of versions of one and the same initial image at spatial resolutions different from that of the initial image. |
| US08630333B2 |
Beamforming for non-collaborative, space division multiple access systems
A wireless communication system noncollaborative, multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) space division multiple access (SDMA) system determines subscriber station combining and weighting vectors that yield a high average signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR). Each subscriber station independently transmits information to a base station that allows the base station to determine a weight vector wi for each subscriber station using the determined combining vector of the subscriber station. The ith combining vector corresponds to a right singular vector corresponding to a maximum singular value of a channel matrix between a base station and the ith subscriber station. Each subscriber station transmits signals using a weight vector vi, which corresponds to a left singular vector corresponding to a maximum singular value of a channel matrix between the ith subscriber station and the base station. The base station uses the weight vector wi to determine the signal transmitted by the ith subscriber station. |
| US08630331B2 |
Method and system for spread spectrum signal acquisition
A method for acquiring a direct sequence spread spectrum signal, which is transmitted on a carrier frequency and is modulated with a code signal of length equal to Nc chips, for determining a code delay of the spread spectrum signal and a Doppler shift with respect to the carrier frequency, the determination being performed on a discrete two-dimensional space of M possible code delays and F possible frequency shifts, includes: receiving and sampling the spread spectrum signal to obtain a sampled spread spectrum signal; performing a despreading operation of the sampled spread spectrum signal with a local replica signal of the code signal, by performing the despreading for a plurality of possible code delays between the sampled signal and the replica signal; and performing a parallel frequency search on the result of the despreading step, by performing a step of computing a Fourier transform on the result. The Fourier transform is a fractional Fourier transform. |
| US08630330B2 |
Integrated circuit for controlling radio communication process
Provided is a radio communication device which can make Acknowledgement (ACK) reception quality and Negative Acknowledgement (NACK) reception quality to be equal to each other. The device includes: a scrambling unit (214) which multiplies a response signal after modulated, by a scrambling code “1” or “e−j(π/2)” so as to rotate a constellation for each of response signals on a cyclic shift axis; a spread unit (215) which performs a primary spread of the response signal by using a Zero Auto Correlation (ZAC) sequence set by a control unit (209); and a spread unit (218) which performs a secondary spread of the response signal after subjected to the primary spread, by using a block-wise spread code sequence set by the control unit (209). |
| US08630329B2 |
High-speed sampling and low-precision quantification pulse ultra-wideband wireless communication method
For a demand of high speed, low cost and low power loss short distance wireless communication, a high-speed sampling and low-precision quantification pulse ultra-wideband wireless communication method is provided. A baseband narrow pulse sequence is generated at a transmission end using the digital technology by the method, and is transmitted after modulating amplifying and filtering and amplifying at a reception end, after the digital-signal processing of synchronizing, channel estimating, related detecting, and channel decoding, tec, is performed for the quantified data, the transmission information is retrieved. Comparing with the present carrier mechanism UWB wireless communication technology, the method does not need the complex radio frequency processing of orthogonal modulation/demodulation and frequency spectrum moving, etc, the quantification precision of analog-to-digital conversion is also decreased greatly, so the cost and power loss are greatly decreased; comparing with the present pulse mechanism UWB wireless communication technology, the method provided by the present invention greatly increase the data transmission rate, and increases the stability, reliability and integration. |
| US08630327B2 |
System for emitting a polychromatic light, provided with coupled sub-cavities
A system for emitting a polychromatic light, has a laser cavity device used to optically pump the laser cavity emit radiation according to at least one excitation wavelength and light guiding mechanism arranged in such a way as to supply a polychromatic light to an outlet in the event of excitation by the radiation in a non-linear interaction regime. In the system, the guiding mechanism is arranged inside a cavity formed by at least two sub-cavities, a first sub-cavity forming the laser cavity and a second sub-cavity comprising the guiding mechanism, the first and second sub-cavities being coupled. |
| US08630323B2 |
Beam diagnostics and feedback method and system for spectrally beam-combined lasers
Apparatus and method for control of lasers (which use an array of optical gain fibers) in order to improve spectrally beam-combined (SBC) laser beam quality along the plane of the SBC fiber array via spectral-to-spatial mapping of a portion of the spectrally beam-combined laser beams, detection of optical power in each of the spatially dispersed beams and feedback control of the lasers for wavelength-drift correction. The apparatus includes a diffractive element; a source of a plurality of substantially monochromatic light beams directed from different angles to a single location on the diffractive element, wherein the diffractive element spectrally combines the plurality of light beams into a single beam. A controller adjusts characteristics of the light beams if one of the light beams has become misadjusted. In some embodiments, the controller adjusts the wavelength tuning of the respective fiber laser. |
| US08630317B2 |
Memory system with calibrated data communication
An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit operable to transmit a timing signal over a first wire to a DRAM. The DRAM receives a first signal having a balanced number of logical zero-to-one transitions and one-to-zero transitions and samples the first signal at a rising edge of the timing signal to produce a respective sampled value. The device further includes a receiver circuit to receive the respective sampled value from the DRAM over a plurality of wires separate from the first wire. In a first mode, the transmitter circuit repeatedly transmits incrementally offset versions of the timing signal to the DRAM until sampled values received from the DRAM change from a logical zero to a logical one or vice versa; and in a second mode, it transmits write data over the plurality of wires to the DRAM according to a write timing offset generated based on the sampled values. |
| US08630316B2 |
Clock synchronization using correlation events
Two clocks may be synchronized by calculating skew and offset values that may be determined from several correlation events. A correlation event may be the passing of messages in both directions between the two devices. The skew and offset values may be used to determine the time of non-correlated events. The clock synchronization may be performed on a real time basis or may be performed on a post processing basis. One method for calculating the skew and offset may use inequalities within a solution space to refine a solution set with multiple sets of correlation events. |
| US08630314B2 |
Method and apparatus for synchronizing measurements taken by multiple metrology devices
Apparatus includes at least two devices that communicate with each other, wherein a first one of the at least two devices having an IEEE 1588 precision time protocol interface, the interface including one or more components configured for communications in both a wired manner and a wireless manner with a second one of the at least two devices. The second one of the at least two devices having an IEEE 1588 precision time protocol interface, the interface including one or more components configured for communications in both a wired manner and a wireless manner with the first one of the at least two devices. Wherein one of the at least two devices includes a master clock and the other one of the at least two devices includes a slave clock, wherein the master clock communicates a time to the slave clock and the slave clock is responsive to the communicated time from the master clock to adjust a time of the slave clock if necessary to substantially correspond to the time of the master clock, thereby time synchronizing the at least two devices together. |
| US08630311B2 |
System and method for reporting quantized feedback information for adaptive codebooks
A system and method for reporting quantized feedback information for adaptive codebooks include generating channel state information, encoding all or part of the channel state information to produce a feedback payload and transmitting the feedback payload to a base station from a mobile station. The channel state information comprises a rank indicator, a first matrix indicator, a wideband channel quality indicator, a second matrix indicator and at least one narrowband channel quality indicator. When the rank indicator is greater than 1, the first matrix indicator is reported in a second report. On the other hand, when the rank indicator is equal to 1, the content of the first matrix indicator is split between a second report and a third report. |
| US08630310B2 |
Wireless transmission of layered signals in a relay network
The wireless transmission of layered signals, in a described embodiment, uses multiple relay nodes (304) to implement cooperative diversity. The method includes: (i) receiving layered signals from a source node (300), (ii) receiving, from a destination node (302), a relay allocation parameter to implement a cooperative relay strategy with one or more other relay nodes (304), and (iii) relaying the layered signals to the destination node (302) using the cooperative relay strategy. |
| US08630308B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for detecting deviations from legitimate operation on a wireless network
Methods and apparatuses for detecting deviations from legitimate operation on a wireless network. The method includes detecting a sequence of observable events related to operation of an entity in the wireless network, and determining from the detected sequence of observable events for a particular entity in the wireless network what number of idle slots occurred between two consecutive observable events to provide a first output. The method further includes obtaining a second output corresponding to the number of idle slots between two consecutive observable events for legitimate operation of any entity in the wireless network using the network transmission protocol, and comparing a function of the first output with a function of the second output to determine whether or not the particular entity is deviating from legitimate operation of the network transmission protocol. |
| US08630306B2 |
Fast channel change apparatus and method for IPTV
The present disclosure provides a system that can receive a group of channels (at least one of which includes an I-frame) from a DSL network, a memory that can store the I-frames, and a channel change detector that can detect a user's selection of a particular channel. If the memory contains the I-frame corresponding to the particular channel and if an I-frame has not been received from the DSL network, then the system provides the stored I-frame from the memory to the user. |
| US08630302B2 |
System and network for deriving voice channels on a broadband communication line
A communications network is disclosed and includes a broadband communication line having a first derived voice channel and a second derived voice channel, wherein the first and second derived voice channels are established as a function of an available bandwidth associated with the broadband communication line. The communication network further includes a residential gateway in communication with the broadband communication line. The residential gateway includes a switch, a network interface device in communication with the switch, and wherein the switch is configured to select at least one of the first or second derived voice channels for voice communication over the broadband communication line as a function of the available bandwidth. |
| US08630301B2 |
Citizens' emergency network system and method
A system and method to provide an emergency communication network including a first responder device and at least one recipient by using a local agency communication node configured to relay communications using, in part, a VoIP interface to retransmit a communication received at a local agency as a ham communication received by at least one ham radio communication node which may be sent to and received by one or more recipients though a VoIP interface over the Internet. |
| US08630299B1 |
Customer premises equipment border element for voice over internet protocol services
A customer premises border element is disclosed that functions as an interface between devices, such as SIP devices located on a customer's premises, and a border element located in the service provider's network. Such customer premises border elements are advantageous in that they are relatively inexpensive since they only have to support devices located on the customer's premises. At the same time, by performing a number of functions, such as media transcoding and a portion of call processing, it reduces the processing requirements of network border elements. |
| US08630298B2 |
Dispersed high level devices in a network environment
A system and method for locating Open System Interconnection (OSI) Layer 3 or higher devices at strategic locations throughout the network. The Layer 3 devices may have additional capabilities, such as wireless connections or other functionality that may benefit both the consumer and network provider. Layer 2 traffic is confined to smaller areas, allowing the main backbone of the network to handle more useful data traffic and less overhead traffic. |
| US08630297B2 |
Method and apparatus for the distribution of network traffic
A packet network system, such as an autonomous system, includes a plurality of packet network devices some of which are edge routers and some of which are core routers. Each of the edge and core routers include functionality that operates to receive network traffic, process the traffic as needed and to forward the traffic to its destination. Additionally, each router includes a traffic distribution function that operates to calculate path bandwidths for all of the paths over which the traffic can be forwarding through the system and to use the volume of traffic ingressing to the system, link utilization information and the calculated path bandwidth to redistribute the traffic in the system such that traffic loss in the system in minimized. |
| US08630295B1 |
Constraint-based label switched path selection within a computer network
Techniques are described for providing QoS guarantees when coupling layer two (L2) networks via an intermediate Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network. A network device, such as a router, receives a request to transport data from an L2 connection. The request specifies one of more characteristics of the L2 connection, such as bandwidth, color, end-to-end delay, jitter, a security requirement, or a classification of traffic for the L2 connection. The network device selects a label switched path (LSP) through the MPLS network based on the characteristics of the L2 connection, and forwards the data from the L2 connection via the selected LSP. In this manner, an LSP and, in particular, one or more forwarding next hops for the LSP, is selected that provides a “virtual” L2 connection, or pseudo-wire, that more closely emulates a direct L2 connection between the L2 networks. |
| US08630291B2 |
Dynamic multi-path forwarding for shared-media communication networks
In one embodiment, a quality of one or more links of a particular node in a communication network may be determined, and then whether the quality of the one or more links is below a threshold may also be determined. In response to determining that the quality of at least one of the one or more links is above the threshold, a select one of the at least one of the one or more links with quality above the threshold may be utilized for communication with the particular node. Conversely, in response to determining that the quality of each of the one or more links is below the threshold, multi-path forwarding over a plurality of links of the particular node may be utilized for communication with the particular node. |
| US08630288B2 |
Hierarchical isolated learning and flooding for metro ethernet bridging domains
A switch includes a processor coupled to a memory, one or more forwarding tables residing within the memory, and one or more ports. The ports are associated with a plurality of virtual local area networks and a plurality of bridge domains. Each of the bridge domains is associated with one of the forwarding tables, and each of the forwarding tables is associated with one of the bridge domains. The processor is configured to assign a first tag to a received packet, assign a second tag to the received packet, look up the destination address of the received packet in one of the forwarding tables, and selectively flood the ports of the active bridge domain with a copy of the received packet. The active bridge domain includes one of the plurality of bridge domains. The active bridge domain is associated with the ingress port of the received packet. |
| US08630285B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for transmitting IPV6 message in passive optical network
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for transmitting an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) message in a Passive Optical Network (PON). The method includes: receiving a Router Advertisement (RA) message comprising Optical Line Terminal (OLT) port information, Optical Network Unit (ONU) port information, and an IPv6 address prefix; binding the IPv6 address prefix with an OLT port indicated by the OLT port information; and sending the RA message to an ONU through the OLT port, so that the ONU binds the IPv6 address prefix with an ONU port indicated by the ONU port information and provides the RA message for a user terminal through the ONU port. Embodiments of the present disclosure further disclose a PON system and an apparatus for transmitting an IPv6 message in a PON. |
| US08630281B2 |
Coding methods of communicating identifiers in peer discovery in a peer-to-peer network
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate identifying peers based upon encoded signals during peer discovery in a peer to peer network. For example, direct signaling that partitions a time-frequency resource into a number of segments can be utilized to communicate an identifier within a peer discovery interval; thus, a particular segment selected for transmission can signal a portion of the identifier, while a remainder can be signaled based upon tones communicated within the selected segment. Moreover, a subset of symbols within the resource can be reserved (e.g., unused) to enable identifying and/or correcting timing offset. Further, signaling can be effectuated over a plurality of peer discovery intervals such that partial identifiers communicated during each of the peer discovery intervals can be linked (e.g., based upon overlapping bits and/or bloom filter information). |
| US08630279B2 |
Method for generating downlink signal, and method for searching cell
An apparatus for generating a downlink signal and a cell search apparatus are disclosed. An apparatus for generating a downlink signal generates a downlink signal by one unique cell identification code group and a plurality of frame synchronization identification sequences, generates a downlink signal by a plurality of unique cell identification code groups and a plurality of frame synchronization identification sequences, or generates a downlink signal by a plurality of unique cell identification code groups and one frame synchronization identification sequence. A cell search apparatus obtains frame synchronization and identifies cells through a frame synchronization identification sequence and a unique cell identification code group. |
| US08630278B2 |
Digital broadcasting signal transmitting method and device, recording medium thereof, and receiving device thereof
In a digital broadcasting signal transmission system, a transmission frame includes a frame body and a frame header, and the frame body is divided into a plurality of sub-bands in the frequency domain and is divided into a plurality of symbols in the time domain. The frame header is provided in the former part of the transmission frame and is transmitted with a signal in the time domain. The frame body includes a plurality of services, and the services respectively receive at least one sub-band and at least one symbol. The frame header includes information on the plurality of services, and information on the plurality of services includes information on the sub-band and the symbol to which the services are allocated, information on channel encoding levels of the services, and information on digital modulation levels of the services. |
| US08630274B2 |
Method for protecting opportunity to transmit data frame in wireless LAN system
A method for guaranteeing a data frame transmit opportunity in a wireless LAN system having three different transmission modes includes: setting a first transmission protection interval based on a lowest transmission mode, when a node of a mode having a lowest transmission rate among the three transmission modes exists in the wireless LAN system, aggregating a data frame to be transmitted within time of the set transmission protection interval, and transmitting the data frame; and setting a second transmission protection interval based on a mode having a highest transmission rate, when only nodes of a mode having a highest transmission rate among the three transmission modes exist, aggregating a data frame to be transmitted within time of the set transmission protection interval, and transmitting the data frame. |
| US08630270B2 |
MAC multiplexing for uplink MIMO
A method and apparatus for logical channel prioritization in a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU), including the WTRU receiving multiple streams of a multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) signal, a physical layer (PHY) of the WTRU providing an indicator for each of the multiple streams to a medium access control (MAC) layer of the WTRU, and the MAC layer performing logical channel multiplexing based on the indicator for each of the multiple streams. |
| US08630268B2 |
Distributed antenna system, distributed antenna switching method, base station apparatus and antenna switching device
In a distributed antenna system in which plural antennas are dispersed spatially, a base station apparatus 102 collects the terminal throughput of the uplink and downlink communication, the number of simultaneous communication terminals, and the information on a radio propagation channel from a distributed antenna to a terminal antenna, and estimates the throughput in each communication mode from the number of simultaneous communication terminals and the radio propagation channel information, selects a communication mode by comparing the estimated throughput with a request value, connects the distributed antenna and the base station apparatus 102 in an antenna connection pattern in the selected communication mode, and switches the communication mode between the base station device and the terminal to continue the communication, when the terminal throughput is below the request value, or above the request value plus a certain threshold value. |
| US08630267B1 |
Interference suppression in wireless backhaul network using collaborative weight update scheme
Coordinated transmission of sounding messages between base stations and feeder stations in a wireless backhaul network is provided to facilitate accurate observations by each base station of signals from its serving feeder station and from other feeder stations in order to generate interference nulling beamforming weights for transmission to and/or reception from its serving feeder station. Likewise, these techniques facilitate accurate observations by each feeder station of signals from the base station(s) it serves and from other base stations in order to generate interfering nulling beamforming weights for transmission to and/or reception from the base station(s) it serves. |
| US08630266B2 |
Data stream transmitting and receiving method and apparatus for guaranteeing QoS
A data stream transmitting and receiving method and apparatus guaranteeing quality of service (QoS), in which the data stream transmitting method includes obtaining information regarding a link characteristic change of a mobile node, which occurs due to a handover of the mobile node between heterogeneous links, and transmitting the data stream to the mobile node based on the obtained information. Accordingly, even when the handover of the mobile node between heterogeneous links is performed, QoS of the data stream can be guaranteed. |
| US08630265B2 |
Method and apparatus for accommodating higher order modulation in wireless communication
A method and apparatus for reconfiguring a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) are directed to receiving an active set update message indicating that a mode of operation allowing a certain modulation scheme is enabled or disabled and performing at least one of: performing a MAC reset procedure, updating a set of reference enhanced transport format combination indicators (E-TFCIs) and associated power offsets, determining actions related to E-DPCCH boosting, modifying information related to an enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH), and modifying an index that indicates an E-DCH transport block size table. The update message includes at least one modified information element (IE). |
| US08630264B2 |
Transfer of communication sessions between base stations in wireless networks
A method for carrying out a handover procedure, following which a mobile terminal (MS) currently in communication with a first base station (BS), will communicate via a second BS. The method includes upon initiating a handover procedure, determining that the MS will receive all future Internet Protocol (IP) packets via the second base station, following this determination and prior to establishing a connection between the MS and the second BS, forwarding all IP packets being addressed to the MS to the second BS, and buffering the received IP packets thereat, and upon establishing a connection between the MS and the second BS, forwarding the IP packets that were buffered at the second BS to the MS, wherein the buffered IP packets are delivered to the MS before delivering any packets addressed thereto along a new path extending to the second BS which does not include the first BS. |
| US08630262B2 |
Signaling exchange for handover control for wireless networks
Various example embodiments are disclosed herein. According to an example embodiment, a technique may include transmitting, from a mobile station to a base station in a wireless network, a message (e.g., a subscriber station basic capability (SBC) request message) indicating whether or not the mobile station supports base station-controlled handover for the mobile station. The technique may also include receiving, by the mobile station from the base station, a message (e.g., a subscriber station basic capability (SBC) response message) indicating whether or not the base station supports base-station controlled handover. |
| US08630257B2 |
Method of performing handover in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a handover method of a mobile station in a wireless communication system, and a base station and a mobile station for the same. A list of neighboring base stations that can accept a handover of a mobile station is shared by the mobile station and a serving base station before the mobile station performs the handover so as to reduce handover delay time in a high speed environment through addition, the active base station set managed by the mobile station and the serving base station can be managed with consideration of radio signal quality and resource state of each of the neighboring base stations included in the active base station set, and thus when the mobile station attempts a network re-entry process to a target base station that is not ready for the handover of the mobile station due to a loss of a handover control message, a handover failure due to a lack of radio resources can be prevented, thereby increasing a handover success rate. |
| US08630255B1 |
Wireless adapter with auxiliary radio channel for advanced channel scanning
A wireless device for wireless communication in a wireless area network. The wireless device includes a main radio channel for exchanging data with an access point in the wireless area network, as well as an auxiliary radio channel for scanning for availability of other access points in the wireless area network. |
| US08630243B2 |
Base station and method used in mobile communications system
A base station belongs to one of plural cells using a same portion of a system bandwidth including a part that determines which of user apparatuses existing in a service area should be assigned one or more resource block units, the resource block unit having predetermined bandwidth and time period and being identified by a shared resource number shared by the cells; a part that grades the user apparatuses based on their wireless transmission statuses and determines ranking numbers corresponding to the user apparatuses; a part that generates assignment information indicating which of the user apparatuses should be assigned to which of the resource block units according to a predetermined corresponding relationship between the shared resource number and the ranking number; and a part that reports the assignment information to the user apparatuses. The predetermined corresponding relationship is determined to be different among the cells using the same frequency bandwidth. |
| US08630242B2 |
Resource allocation method and a method for transmitting/receiving resource allocation information in mobile communication system
A resource allocation method and a method for transmitting resource allocation information in a mobile communication system are disclosed. That is, a LVRB (PRB) and a DVRB which are the units of a scheduling resource are defined and a resource allocation method and a method for transmitting resource allocation information using the same are disclosed. In the LVRB, a part bitmap scheduling method using a LVRB set is suggested and a method for constructing resource allocation information using the same is suggested. In the DVRB, a method for defining the DVRB using PRBs in a subframe is suggested and a method for constructing resource allocation information using the same when scheduling is performed using the DVRB constructed by the defined method is suggested. In order to prevent interference and collision from occurring due to the complete matching of the DVRBs in respective cells, a method using different DVRBs in the respective cells is suggested. |
| US08630239B2 |
Station and access point for EDCA communication, system thereof and communication method thereof
The present invention relates to a method of setting wireless communication channel contention mode considering terminal state information. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a contention-based data communication system in a wireless communication where a plurality of terminals contend to obtain data transmission resources. The contention-based data communication system comprises a base station for controlling the communication, and a terminal device connected to the base station to transmit and receive data. In such a case, the terminal device transmits terminal state information representing a state of the terminal device to the base station and the base station sets channel contention mode using the received terminal state information. According to the present invention, since the channel contention mode considering a state of the terminal can be maintained, there is an advantage in that power consumption of the terminal can be minimized. |
| US08630237B2 |
Method of resolving reception conflicts for multi-card multi-standby mobile terminal
The present invention provides a method of resolving reception conflicts for a multi-card multi-standby mobile terminal, which is for resolving the conflicts of the mobile terminal based on Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) network and in the standby mode, including: acquiring synchronization result with base stations and judging if there are time slot conflicts between multiple SIM cards of the multi-card multi-standby mobile terminal according to the synchronization result; if the conflicts being non-time slot conflicts, receiving and processing data of different SIM cards in different time slots of a TDMA frame; and if the conflicts being time slot conflicts, receiving and processing data of a non-current SIM card in redundant frames of BCCH or CCCH of a current SIM card. The present invention manages the logical channel conflicts with other SIM cards through using the redundant frames corresponding to the BCCH or CCCH of a SIM card, thereby resolving the signal conflicts because of the signals from different base stations being not synchronized for a dual-card dual-standby handset and is compatible with the prior art. |
| US08630236B2 |
System for registration of communication devices
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a mobile voice over internet protocol communication device, comprising a controller operable to register with a voice over internet protocol call processing system by way of a wireless fidelity access point operating in a cluster of wireless fidelity access points, and re-register with the voice over Internet Protocol call processing system by way of the wireless fidelity access point in response to receiving a re-registration request upon expiration of a timer having a period determined from attributes of the cluster by the mobile voice over Internet Protocol communication device. Additional embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08630235B2 |
Method and apparatus for the computer-aided classification of measurements for the feature-based positioning of a mobile object in a predetermined region
In a method for the computer-aided classification of measurements for the featured-based positioning of a mobile object in a predetermined region, for which one or more starting regions are defined through which the mobile object can leave and enter the predetermined region, each measurement is specified by a time and features of several base stations. The measurements are classified based on the relative base stations positions and the base station features, wherein a respective first class measurement is categorized as a measurement in a mobile object position inside the predetermined region and a respective second class measurement is categorized as a potential measurement in a mobile object position outside of the predetermined region. Subsequently, for a respective second class measurement, the path of the mobile object is tracked to determine whether the respective measurement is located inside the predetermined region to be also assigned to the first class. |
| US08630234B2 |
Mobile gateway
A method of initiating a call to a callee using a mobile telephone involves: receiving, from a user of the mobile telephone, a callee identifier associated with the callee; transmitting an access code request message to an access server, said access code request message including said callee identifier; receiving an access code reply message from the access server in response to said access code request message, said access code reply message including an access code different from said callee identifier and associated with said callee identifier; and initiating a call with the mobile telephone using said access code to identify the callee. |
| US08630230B2 |
Method of reducing interference between two communication systems operating in adjacent frequency bands
A method of reducing interference between two communication systems operating in adjacent frequency bands and coexisting in a communication device is provided, and the two communication systems are a first communication system and a second communication system. The method includes deciding whether to perform an arbitration procedure on a downlink subframe of the first communication system according to a CINR of the first communication system and a RSSI of the second communication system; deciding whether to perform the arbitration procedure on an uplink subframe of the first communication system according to a transmit power of the first communication system and a RSSI value of the second communication system; and when deciding to perform the arbitration procedure on the downlink or uplink subframe, further deciding whether to send a specific packet to request one or more stations not to send packets to the second communication system. |
| US08630229B2 |
Base station and method for reducing asynchronous interference in a multi-tier OFDMA overlay network
Embodiments of a base station and method for reducing asynchronous interference in a multi-tier OFDMA overlay network are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a lower-tier base station is configured to adjust OFDMA frame boundaries to cause frames communicated by a higher-tier to arrive within a cyclic prefix at the lower-tier base station. The lower-tier base station may also be configured to adjust OFDMA frame boundaries to cause frames communicated by a lower-tier of the network to arrive within a cyclic prefix at a higher-tier mobile station. Accordingly, frames from one tier may arrive within the cyclic prefix of another thereby reducing asynchronous interference. |
| US08630225B2 |
Over the air programming via a broadband access gateway
A system and method supporting over-the-air programming of access device such as, for example, a mobile multimedia handset and a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA) via a broadband access gateway, is disclosed. The broadband access gateway may receive identifying information from the access device via a personal area network and/or a wireless local area network, and may transfer the identifying information to a wide area network or a third party content provider, via a broadband network. The broadband access gateway may enable the registration of the access device with the wide area network, and may receive firmware/software updates and/or provisioning parameters via the broadband network. The gateway may then transfer the firmware/software update and/or provisioning parameters to the access device via the personal area network and/or wireless local area network. |
| US08630211B2 |
Hybrid radio architecture for repeaters using RF cancellation reference
A wireless repeater includes a receiver circuit implemented as an intermediate frequency (IF) subsampling receiver and a transmitter circuit implemented as a direct conversion (zero-IF) transmitter. The repeater further includes a reference receiver implemented as an IF subsampling receiver to sample a portion of the transmit signal prior to over-the-air transmission for use as the reference signal for channel estimation. Highly accurate channel estimation is obtained by using the reference signal from the reference receiver as the reference signal accounts for distortions in the transmitter circuit of the repeater. The repeater may include an echo canceller to cancel an estimated feedback amount from an input signal based on the channel estimation. |
| US08630208B1 |
Muting of communication session participants
In general, this disclosure describes techniques for performing two-way muting of participant communication devices in a real-time communication session. An example method includes establishing, by a host device, a real-time communication session between a plurality of communication devices, detecting a muting condition between a first communication device and a second communication device of the plurality, and responsive to detecting the muting condition, muting one or more first audio signals that are output by the first communication device where the host device refrains from sending the one or more first audio signals to the second communication device. The method also includes, responsive to detecting the muting condition, muting one or more second audio signals that are output by the second communication device where the host device refrains from sending the one or more second audio signals to the first communication device. |
| US08630197B2 |
Method for determining data rate and packet length in mobile wireless networks
A method is provided to determine optimal data rate and packet length in mobile networks. The method directly determines the optimal packet length (L) and data rate (D), which allows fast convergence in the mobile channel. The method automatically identifies and quantifies channel conditions, as well as adjusts parameters according to changes of channel conditions. A variable (Channel condition Index (CCI)) is abstracted from simulations and then used to describe and quantify the impact of three components of channel conditions: signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), multipath environment and velocity. Based on packet completion rate (PCR) status, the channel condition is identified in terms of CCI value. Once CCI is identified, the model of effective throughput G is directly optimized to locate the best packet length (L) and data rate (D). |
| US08630181B2 |
Communication system and corresponding integrated circuit and method
A communication system transmits data from a first circuit over a communication channel to a second circuit, the data having a first priority and a second priority. The communication system includes a separation circuit, a first-in first-out (FIFO) memory, and a control circuit. |
| US08630179B1 |
Internet protocol video quality of service
Methods, systems, and apparatus used to identify how long a packet associated with a CPE device can be delayed based upon information associated with the CPE device and/or the stream. In some examples, during periods of high volume, packets associated with a recipient device and/or the stream can be delayed based upon identification of an acceptable latency. |
| US08630177B2 |
Dynamic directed acyclic graph (DAG) root bypass for computer networks
In one embodiment, traffic flows through a root node of a primary directed acyclic graph (DAG) in a computer network are monitored to detect whether a particular traffic flow is above a path cost threshold. If so, then a corresponding source device may be instructed to cease using the primary DAG for the particular traffic flow, and specific action may be taken based on whether the particular traffic flow is point-to-point (P2P) or point-to-multipoint (P2MP). In particular, in response to the particular traffic flow being P2P, a source route may be computed and sent to the source device to cause the source device to use the source route for the particular traffic flow, while in response to the particular traffic flow being P2MP, the source device may be instructed to create a secondary DAG for the particular traffic flow with the source device as the secondary DAG root. |
| US08630170B2 |
Systems and methods for task scheduling in multi-mode software defined radio devices
A software-defined radio system processes radio signals on multiple radios according to a task scheduling method. The scheduling method includes assigning a priority value to each received radio packet, the assigned priority value reflective of preset radio preferences and risk of radio packet loss, and determining a processing execution order for the received radio packets according to earliest associated processing deadline. If there is sufficient time to process each of the radio packets in the processing execution order ahead of their associated processing deadlines, the radio packet are so processed. Otherwise, the radio packet having the lowest priority is abandoned, the radio packets are re-ordered, and time sufficiency is re-checked. |
| US08630169B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a temperature of a packet communications device
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a communications apparatus participates in a packet-based communication, obtains a temperature of the apparatus, and compares the temperature of the apparatus to a threshold temperature, and responsive to a result of the comparison, the apparatus starts dropping packets pertaining to the packet-based communication in the protocol layer. |
| US08630168B2 |
Adaptive use of a transmit opportunity
Various embodiments are described to adaptively use a transmit opportunity. |
| US08630166B2 |
Ring network and network relay device
A ring network with plural network relay devices connected in a ring shape includes first and second control ports to be transitioned into either a forwarding state that permits relaying information, or a blocking state that prohibits relaying information; and a ring protocol control unit for transmitting connection confirmation information indicative of communications being possible between the first and the second control port, from the first to the second control port, and from the second to the first control port at a predetermined time interval, or for, in the event that the first or the second control port does not receive the connection confirmation information from the second or the first control port, transmitting failure information indicative of communications being not possible between the first and the second control port, from the first to the second control port, or from the second to the first control port. The ring protocol control unit transitions the first control port into the blocking state when the first control port receives the failure information, or into the forwarding state when the first control port transmits the failure information. The ring protocol control unit transitions the second control port into the blocking state when the second control port receives the failure information, or into the forwarding state when the second control port transmits the failure information. |
| US08630161B2 |
Method and system for multi-antenna preambles for wireless networks preserving backward compatibility
A method for processing a wireless signal includes performing by one or more processors, selecting a plurality of training sequences from a preamble of the wireless signal. Each of the selected plurality of training sequences may include a plurality of energy tones. The selected plurality of training sequences from the preamble may be shifted, in time domain, to generate a plurality of subsequent preambles for transmission. Each of the generated plurality of subsequent preambles may include the plurality of energy tones. The preamble may include a legacy preamble and/or an 802.11(n) preamble. The shifting in the time domain may include circular shifting. The circular shifting may include forward circular shifting and/or backwards circular shifting. |
| US08630160B2 |
Method for uplink transmission in OFDM(A) system
A method for uplink transmission in an OFDMA system is provided. The subcarrier transmission method includes arranging 4 pilot REs at different positions of a frequency axis in a basic unit when the basic unit includes 4 subcarriers on the frequency axis and 6 OFDM(A) symbols in a time axis, arranging data REs at remaining positions of the basic unit, and transmitting the basic unit to a receiving end. |
| US08630159B2 |
Optical disc and optical disc device
In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method. |
| US08630158B2 |
Method for reducing a number of input terminals of an automatic power control circuit, and associated automatic power control circuit
A method for reducing a number of input terminals of an APC circuit is provided, where the APC circuit is arranged to control an optical pickup unit (OPU) within an optical storage device. The method includes: utilizing at least one switching module to ground one of a first and a second input terminals of the APC circuit at a time; and utilizing the switching module to electrically connect an APC front end within the APC circuit to a non-grounded input terminal of the first and the second input terminals, in order to receive a detection signal of a photo diode of the OPU through the non-grounded input terminal at the time. An associated APC circuit is also provided. |
| US08630157B2 |
Data reproducing apparatus
According to one embodiment, a data reproducing apparatus includes a data recording medium, light source unit, light application unit, photodetector unit and control unit. An address mark string including address marks is formed on the data recording medium. The address marks are spaced from each other by a distance depending on address data. The light application unit is configured to split the light beam into a first branch light beam and a second branch light beam and apply the first and second branch light beams to the address mark string at different angles. The photodetector unit is configured to detect first reflected light beams and second reflected light beams from the address mark string to generate image data. The first and second reflected light beams result from the first and second branch light beams, respectively. The control unit is configured to reproduce address data based on the image data. |
| US08630155B2 |
Method and apparatus for offset and gain correction
Aspects of the disclosure provide a signal processing circuit that has fast response time to sudden profile changes in an electrical signal. The signal processing circuit includes a processing path configured to process an electrical signal that is generated in response to reading data on a storage medium, and a feed-forward correction module. The feed-forward correction module is configured to detect a profile variation based the electrical signal in a time window, and correct the electrical signal in the time window based on the detected profile variation. |
| US08630150B2 |
Mobile terminal and method of setting alarm therein
A mobile terminal and a method of setting an alarm therein are provided. The mobile terminal includes a controller, a display unit, and a memory unit. The controller controls the display unit to display an alarm setting screen on which alarm dates are arranged in a first direction and alarm time points are arranged in a second direction, the alarm screen being displayed in an alarm setting mode and sets an alarm at a selected time point of each alarm date in response to selection of the alarm time point. The controller also controls the memory unit to store a set alarm on an alarm date and alarm time point. The display unit displays an alarm image at an intersection of an alarm date and an alarm time point of each set alarm. |
| US08630149B2 |
Marine seismic source
A low frequency sound source has a radiating piston (3) of the order of a few meters across backed by a gas spring (13, 15) containing a fixed mass of gas. The gas pressure in the spring is kept at levels for which the natural frequency of the piston (3) loaded by the fluid (41) lies in the seismic band and may be as low as 0.5 Hz. The piston (3) is given an initial displacement and begins to oscillate. Its oscillations are sustained by an actuator (27, 29) whose drive signal is derived from the velocity of the piston (5) via a velocity or displacement sensor. The sound source is caused to perform a frequency sweep by gradually compressing the gas in the gas spring (13, 15) so that the spring becomes stiffer both because of the rising pressure and because of the reducing length of the gas spring spaces (13, 15). This double effect allows large changes in stiffness to be produced and hence allows the source to operate over at least three octaves of frequency. |
| US08630148B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus to drive reactive loads
Systems, methods, and apparatus to drive reactive loads are disclosed. An example apparatus to drive a reactive load includes a reactive component in circuit with the reactive load, a first switching element in circuit with the reactive load to selectively hold the reactive load in a first energy state and to selectively allow the reactive load to change from the first energy state to a second energy state, a second switching element in circuit with the reactive load to selectively hold the reactive load in the second energy state and to selectively allow the reactive load to change from the second energy state to the first energy state, and a controller to detect a current in the reactive load, and to control the first and second switching elements to hold the reactive load in the first or the second energy state when the current traverses a threshold. |
| US08630147B2 |
Method of determining position where work is done in space surrounded by surfaces and work result management device
A position determining method and a work result management device. A position where work is done inside a space surrounded by surfaces is determined, wherein the position where work is done inside the space is a sidewall, wave receivers that receive an acoustic wave signal are placed at three or more points, which are on the same plane substantially parallel to the sidewall but not collinear with one another and whose position coordinates are known. The signal is transmitted from a wave transmitter that transmits an acoustic wave and is placed at the position on the sidewall where work is done, and the respective arrival times of the signal at the three or more wave receivers that are not collinear with one another are measured to determine the position coordinates of the wave transmitter using the arrival times and the position coordinates of the three or more wave receivers. |
| US08630143B2 |
Multiple-port memory device comprising single-port memory device with supporting control circuitry
An apparatus comprises a clock generator, first and second memory drivers and a multiple-port memory device having at least first and second ports configured to receive input signals from and supply output signals to respective ones of the first and second memory drivers, the multiple-port memory device further comprising a single-port memory device and control circuitry coupled between the first and second ports and the single port of the single-port memory device. The clock generator generates first and second clock signals having respective first and second clock rates, the clock rate of the second clock signal being an integer multiple of the clock rate of the first clock signal. The first and second memory drivers are configured to operate using the first clock signal at the first clock rate, and the single-port memory device is configured to operate using the second clock signal at the second clock rate. |
| US08630136B2 |
Semiconductor memory
A semiconductor memory includes a first memory cell including: a first resistance change element and a first select transistor. The semiconductor memory includes a second memory cell including: a second select transistor and a second resistance change element. The semiconductor memory includes a third memory cell including: a third select transistor and a third resistance change element, the third memory cell acting as a reference cell. The semiconductor memory includes a fourth memory cell including: a fourth resistance change element and a fourth select transistor, the fourth memory cell acting as a reference cell. |
| US08630131B1 |
Data strobe enable circuitry
An integrated circuit may include memory interface circuitry that is used to communicate with off-chip memory. The memory interface circuitry may include data strobe (DQS) enable circuitry that receives DQS signals from the off-chip memory and that outputs a gated version of the DQS signals. The DQS enable circuitry may include an input buffer, a comparator, a latch, a flip-flop, a counter, and a gating circuit. The input buffer may receive an incoming DQS signal. The comparator may be used to determine when the incoming DQS signal starts to toggle. The latch may be used to control when a gating signal is asserted. The flip-flop controls the counter, which limits the duration that the gating signal is asserted. The gating circuit receives the DQS signal from the buffer and the gating signal and passes the DQS signal through to its output only when the gating signal is asserted. |
| US08630128B2 |
Method and system for a serial peripheral interface
An integrated circuit includes a serial peripheral interface memory device. In an embodiment, the memory device includes a clock signal, a plurality of pins, and a configuration register. In an embodiment, the configuration register includes a wait cycle count. The method includes transmitting a read address to the memory device using a first input/output pin and a second input/output pin concurrently. In an embodiment, the read address includes at least a first address bit and a second address bit, the first address bit being transmitted using the first input/output pin, and the second address bit being transmitted using the second input/output pin. The method includes accessing the memory device for data associated with the address and waiting a predetermined number clock cycles associated with the wait cycle count. The method includes transferring the data from the memory device using the first input/output pin and the second input/output pin concurrently. |
| US08630120B2 |
Compact sense amplifier for non-volatile memory
A compact and versatile sense amp is presented. Among its other features this sense amp arrangement provides a way to pre-charge bit lines while doing data scanning. Another feature is that the sense amp circuit can provide a way to set three different bit line levels used in the quick pass write (QPW) technique using dynamic latch, where quick pass write is a technique where cells along a given word line selected for programming can be enabled, inhibited, or partially inhibited for programming. Also, it can provide a convenient way to measure the cell current. |
| US08630118B2 |
Defective word line detection
Methods and non-volatile storage systems are provided for detecting defects in word lines. A “broken” word line defect may be detected. Information may be maintained as to which storage elements were intended to be programmed to a tracked state. Then, after programming is complete, the storage elements are read to determine which storage elements have a threshold voltage below a reference voltage level associated with the tracked state. By tracking which storage elements are in the tracked state, elements associated with other states may be filtered out such that an accurate assessment may be made as to which storage elements were under-programmed. From this information, a determination may be made whether the word line is defective. For example, if too many storage elements are under-programmed, this may indicate a broken word line. |
| US08630117B2 |
RFID tag having non-volatile memory device having floating-gate FETs with different source-gate and drain-gate border lengths
Non-volatile memory (NVM) devices are disclosed. In one aspect, a NVM device may include a substrate, and a field-effect transistor (FET). The FET may include a first doped region in the substrate and a second doped region in the substrate. The first and the second doped regions may define a channel region of the substrate between them. An insulating layer may overlie the channel region. A floating gate may overlie the insulating layer. Charge of an amount that encodes a value may be stored on the floating gate. The floating gate and the first and the second doped regions may be shaped such that the floating gate defines with the first doped region a first border of a first length, and the floating gate defines with the second doped region a second border of a second length that is less than 90% of the first length. |
| US08630115B2 |
Non-volatile electronic memory device with NAND structure being monolithically integrated on semiconductor
A non-volatile electronic memory device is integrated on a semiconductor and is of the Flash EEPROM type with a NAND architecture including at least one memory matrix divided into physical sectors, intended as smallest erasable units, and organized in rows or word lines and columns or bit lines of memory cells. At least one row or word line of a given physical sector is electrically connected to at least one row or word line of an adjacent physical sector to form a single logic sector being erasable, with the source terminals of the corresponding cells of the pair of connected rows referring to a same selection line of a source line. |
| US08630114B2 |
Memory architecture of 3D NOR array
A 3D memory device includes a plurality of ridge-shaped stacks of memory cells. Word lines are arranged over the stacks of memory cells. Bit lines structures are coupled to multiple locations along the stacks of memory cells. Source line structures are coupled to multiple locations along each of the semiconductor material strips of the stacks. The bit line structures and the source line structures are between adjacent ones of the word lines. |
| US08630112B2 |
Multilevel magnetic element
The present disclosure concerns a multilevel magnetic element comprising a first tunnel barrier layer between a soft ferromagnetic layer having a magnetization that can be freely aligned and a first hard ferromagnetic layer having a magnetization that is fixed at a first high temperature threshold and freely alignable at a first low temperature threshold. The magnetic element further comprises a second tunnel barrier layer and a second hard ferromagnetic layer having a magnetization that is fixed at a second high temperature threshold and freely alignable at a first low temperature threshold; the soft ferromagnetic layer being comprised between the first and second tunnel barrier layers. The magnetic element disclosed herein allows for writing four distinct levels using only a single current line. |
| US08630111B2 |
Memory devices and methods for high random transaction rate
A memory device can include a random access memory array configured to store data values; a plurality of bi-directional ports, configured to transfer data values into and out of the memory device on rising and falling transitions of at least one access clock signal; and at least one address bus configured to receive at least a portion of address values to random access locations on rising and falling transitions a timing clock signal having the same frequency as the access clock signal. |
| US08630107B2 |
Self-disabling chip enable input
A multi-die memory package may have separate chip enable inputs for the respective memory dice. Individual chip enable inputs may be separated by other chip connections such as power and ground. The memory dice may include multiple chip enable inputs to allow easy wire bonding of the individual chip enable inputs to a die without requiring any jumpers within the package. Circuitry may be included so that undriven chip enable inputs are masked and driven chip enable inputs may be propagated to the memory die to enable memory accesses while a single chip enable input is only connected to the capacitance of a single bonding pad. |
| US08630106B2 |
Semiconductor memory device with memory cells each including a charge accumulation layer and a control gate
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell unit, word lines, a driver circuit, and first transistors. The word lines are connected to the control gates of 0-th to N-th memory cells. The (N+1) number of first transistors transfer the voltage to the word lines respectively. Above one of the first transistors which transfers the voltage to an i-th (i is a natural number in the range of 0 to N) word line, M (M |
| US08630105B2 |
Switching power supply apparatus including a PFC converter that suppresses harmonic currents
In a switching power supply apparatus, an alternating-current input power supply is input to the input terminals of a power factor correction converter and a DC-DC converter is connected to output terminals. A load is connected to the output of the DC-DC converter. A digital signal processing circuit takes the product of an output voltage error and a detection value of the input voltage as a current reference amplitude value and controls the on period of a switching element in accordance with the difference between the current reference amplitude value and the current flowing through an inductor. The target value of the output voltage or the output voltage error is corrected using a value that is proportional to the current reference amplitude value such that the output voltage rises as the load goes from a light to a heavy load state. |
| US08630099B2 |
Electronic device having lever with precision pivot
An exemplary electronic device includes a housing, a lever, and a locking device securing the lever on the housing. The housing includes a bottom plate, a top plate and a side plate connecting the bottom plate with the top plate. The locking device includes a nut having a main body extending downwardly into the lever, a screw extending upwardly through the top plate into the nut, and gaskets sandwiched between the top plate and the nut. The lever is disposed on the top plate and sleeved on the nut with a gap defined between a top face of the lever and a bottom face of a head of the nut. A polytetrafluoroethylene paste is provided on an interface between the nut and the screw. |
| US08630097B2 |
Power module using sintering die attach and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed herein are a power module using sintering die attach and a manufacturing method of the same. The power module includes: a substrate having an insulating layer formed on a surface of a metal plate; a circuit layer formed on the substrate and including a wiring pattern and an electrode pattern; a device mounted on the wiring pattern; a sintering die attach layer applying a metal paste between the wiring pattern and the device and sintering the metal paste to bond the wiring pattern to the device; and a lead frame electrically connecting the device to the electrode pattern, whereby making it possible to simplify and facilitate the process, increase electrical efficiency and improve radiation characteristics, and manufacture firm and reliable power module. |
| US08630096B2 |
Large capacity memory module mounting device for portable terminal
A large capacity memory module mounting device employed in a portable terminal is provided, including a large capacity memory module including a plurality of first contact pads; and a flexible circuit board including a plurality of second contact pads and electrically connected to the large capacity memory module by forming solder pads in a heating process after the first and second contact pads are positioned in a face-to-face manner. Accordingly, the large capacity memory module can be advantageously mounted to the portable terminal and an electromagnetic field can be effectively shielded. |
| US08630090B2 |
Heat dissipation device for power conversion module
Disclosed herein is a heat dissipation device for a power conversion module. The device includes a casing, a high-heat-dissipation heat sink and a circuit board. The casing includes a heat-dissipation fin unit which has heat dissipation fins arranged at positions spaced apart from each other by predetermined intervals. The casing has a mounting space therein. The high-heat-dissipation heat sink is installed in the mounting space of the casing. The circuit board is coupled to a lower surface of the casing. Therefore, the weight and size of the heat dissipation device can be reduced. In addition, the heat sink and the casing having the heat dissipation fins dissipate heat at the same time, thus enhancing the heat dissipation efficiency. Moreover, in an optimal design, the high-heat-dissipation heat sink is located at a position corresponding to a part which generates high heat so that the heat dissipation efficiency can be maximized. |
| US08630088B2 |
Portable docking station for a portable computing device
A portable computing device (PCD) docking station is disclosed and may include an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion coupled to the upper housing portion. A PCD docking pocket formed in the lower housing portion of the PCD docking station may be configured to removably receive a PCD. The PCD docking station may further include a keyboard incorporated into the lower housing portion, a display incorporated into the upper housing portion and a battery. The PCD docking station may be configured to allow access to a PCD via the keyboard when the PCD is docked with the PCD docking station. |
| US08630083B2 |
Multi-layered capacitor and manufacturing method thereof
A multi-layered capacitor includes a capacitor element in which a plurality of dielectric layers are multi-layered, and which comprises a first inner electrode and a second inner electrode that are alternately formed on neighboring dielectric layers of the plurality of dielectric layers, a first external electrode and a second external electrode which are formed on an outside surface of the capacitor element to be electrically connected to the first inner electrode and the second inner electrode, respectively, and a deformation suppressing electrode which is formed on the outside surface of the capacitor element and separated from the first external electrode and the second external electrode to be electrically isolated from the first inner electrode and the second inner electrode. |
| US08630082B2 |
Multilayer ceramic electronic component and method of manufacturing the same
There are provided a multilayer ceramic electronic component and a method of manufacturing the same, the multilayer ceramic electronic including: a ceramic body; and a plurality of internal electrodes laminated within the ceramic body, wherein, when T1 is the greatest distance between an upper outermost internal electrode and a lower outermost internal electrode among the plurality of internal electrodes and T2 is the distance between the highest point and the lowest point in each of the upper outermost internal electrode and the lower outermost internal electrode in a thickness direction of the ceramic body, T2/T1<0.05 is satisfied, and thus, defects in alignment of internal electrodes of the multilayer ceramic electronic component may be suppressed. |
| US08630081B2 |
Ceramic electronic component
A ceramic electronic component includes a plurality of first reinforcement layers. The plurality of first reinforcement layers are arranged in a first outer layer portion so as to extend in the length direction and in the width direction, and are stacked in the thickness direction. The volume proportion of the plurality of first reinforcement layers in a region of the ceramic body in which the plurality of first reinforcement layers are provided is greater than the volume proportion of the first and second internal electrodes in an effective portion. |
| US08630076B2 |
Safe disconnect switch
A safe disconnect circuit is provided for mitigating the effect of harmful circuit conditions upon a load, such as an integrated power module (IPM). The safe disconnect circuit comprises a switching circuit operative to receive a pulsed input signal, and to detect the presence of a load threatening input signal, e.g. a load control signal, having an amplitude below a preset amplitude threshold and a duration beyond a present duration threshold. The switching circuit is operative to terminate load power in response to detect a presence of the load threatening signal. |
| US08630075B2 |
Protection circuit for central processing unit
A protection circuit includes a coding chip, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and a control circuit. The coding chip receives parallel voltage identification definition (PVID) signals or serial voltage identification definition (SVID) signals from a central processing unit (CPU), and converts the PVID signals or the SVID signals to voltage identification definition (VID) signals. The DAC receives the VID signals from the coding chip, and converts the VID signals to an analog voltage. The control circuit receives the analog voltage from the DAC and a voltage received by the CPU, and compares the analog voltage from the DAC with the voltage received by the CPU. When the voltage received by the CPU is greater than the analog voltage from the DAC, the control circuit disconnects the CPU from a first power supply. |
| US08630074B2 |
Over-temperature protected triac and protection method
A triac circuit comprises a triac having first and second main terminals (MT1,MT2) and a gate terminal and a thyristor connected between one of the main terminals (MT1,MT2) and a control terminal of the triac circuit. The thyristor is used to prevent turn on of the triac when it has turned on by temperature induced leakage currents. |
| US08630070B2 |
Magnetic head
According to one embodiment, there is provided a magnetic head for a three-dimensional magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, the head executing reading from or writing to a recording medium, utilizing a magnetic resonance, the medium including stacked layers formed of magnetic substances having different resonance frequencies, the head comprising a spin torque oscillation unit and auxiliary magnetic poles. The unit is operable to simultaneously oscillate at a plurality of frequencies to cause the magnetic resonance, when reading or writing. The magnetic poles assist the unit, when reading or writing. Further, according to another embodiment, there is provided a recording magnetic head using a high-frequency assist method and comprising a microwave magnetic field applying unit and a recording magnetic pole. The unit executes writing to a recording medium, and is formed of a plurality of spin torque oscillation elements having phases thereof synchronized. The magnetic pole assists the writing. |
| US08630067B2 |
Head suspension and method of manufacturing head suspension
A head suspension 31 has a piezoelectric element 13 that deforms in response to a voltage applied thereto, a base plate 33 having an attaching part to which the piezoelectric element 13 is attached, and a load beam 35 having a flexure 39. A front end of the load beam 35 moves in a sway direction according to the deformation of the piezoelectric element 13. The head suspension 31 includes adhesives that attach the piezoelectric element 13 to the attaching part. The adhesives are applied to and hardened at the attaching part one by one. At least one of the adhesives that is first applied to and hardened at the attaching part is electrically insulative.The head suspension 31 properly maintains electric insulation between the piezoelectric element 13 and the attaching part, sufficiently demonstrates original functions, and secures a rigidity balance and proper vibration characteristic. |
| US08630052B1 |
Disk drive calibrating radial density then adjusting linear density to balance off-track read capability
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a plurality of disk surfaces, and a head actuated over each disk surface. An off-track read capability (OTRC) is measured for each disk surface, and a radial density of data tracks for each disk surface is selected in response to the OTRCs. A linear density of at least two disk surfaces is adjusted to balance the OTRCs across the disk surfaces. |
| US08630048B2 |
Motor for driving lens
A motor for driving a lens is disclosed, wherein through holes through which a carrier passes are formed at an inner surface of a spring buried by an outer surface of the carrier, whereby the spring is not disengaged from the carrier to improve the reliability of the product. |
| US08630042B2 |
Lens assembly and method for forming the same
A method for forming a lens assembly is provided, including: providing a mold substrate, wherein at least a recess is formed from a surface of the mold substrate; providing a transparent substrate; disposing a lens precursor material on the surface of the mold substrate or on a first surface of the transparent substrate; disposing the mold substrate on the transparent substrate such that at least a portion of the lens precursor material is filled in the recess; disposing a mask on a second surface of the transparent substrate to partially cover the transparent substrate; after the mask is disposed, irradiating a light on the second surface of the transparent substrate to transform at least a portion of the lens precursor material on the first surface of the transparent substrate into a lens; and removing the mask and the mold substrate from the transparent substrate and the lens. |
| US08630040B2 |
Multi-component films for optical display filters
Provided are multi-component films useful as optical display filters. The optical display filters include a multi-layer stack that contains at least one organic layer. The filters have high visible light transmittance, low visible light reflection, and provide electromagnetic interference shielding. |
| US08630037B1 |
Optical shutter for day-night filter operation
A near-infrared (NIR) optical shutter comprises a multiple-bandpass filter that is characterized by a bandstop filter region located between first and second bandpass filter regions. The first bandpass filter region passes visible light; the bandstop filter region blocks NIR light of wavelengths within a NIR light sensor band region; and the second bandpass filter region passes NIR light of longer wavelengths than a longer wavelength boundary of the NIR light sensor band region. A polarization state changer positioned between NIR polarizing filters and optically associated with the multiple-bandpass filter causes visible light transmission selectively in first and second light states. The polarization state changer in the first light state causes substantially reduced optical shutter transmission of NIR light in the second bandpass filter region and in the second light state causes substantially increased optical shutter transmission of NIR light in the second bandpass filter region. |
| US08630035B2 |
Modular set of devices for optical amplification of signal by raman fiber amplifier
Modular set is formed by optical module interconnected with control module of electronic system. Optical module is formed by at least two pairs of laser diodes connected in series and including Peltier cooler and thermistor, which are connected to inputs of polarizing fiber combiners, and depolarized outputs of these polarizing fiber combiners are connected to inputs of a wavelengths combiner. Module of the electronic system is formed by a control microprocessor interconnected with direct current power supply source, with PID regulators of laser diodes temperature, a display indicating temperature of individual laser diodes and current flowing through them, and a control panel. To the microprocessor of the module of the electronic system is connected a gate array and to this gate array are connected generators of current impulses, which do not overlap in time, and their widths, repetition frequencies and amplitudes are adjustable, while the number of generators of current impulses equals to the number of pairs of laser diodes and their outputs are connected via power stages to pairs of laser diodes connected in series, and where to the power stages is connected an analogue/digital converter, which is connected also to the microprocessor. |
| US08630032B2 |
Method for preparing hologram recording medium
Two adjacent images are recorded in a state smoothly blended at a boundary portion. On a recording plane Rec, provided is a region M1 in which an original image Pic(A) is recorded, a region M2 in which an original image Pic(B) is recorded, and a middle region Mm positioned therebetween. The region Mm is divided into a plurality of strip-like regions f1 to f6. The widths of the strip-like regions f1, f3, and f5 that are odd-numbered when counted from the region M1 are set so as to increase monotonically in this order, while the widths of the even-numbered strip-like regions f2, f4, and f6 are set so as to decrease monotonically in this order. |
| US08630029B2 |
Method of reading document image data
A method of reading document image data and transferring the image data to a data reception apparatus, includes setting memory areas for storing the image data in a data storage section and setting a reading condition, upon receipt of a scan start command; transmitting the scan start command for instructing the scanner apparatus to start operations; instructing the scanner apparatus to transmit the image data to a transfer data storage section; transferring the image data in the transfer data storage section to the data storage section in response to a data transferring request command; transmitting a document end signal to the data storage section; executing feeding of subsequent document sheets, without transmitting another scan start command; determining whether distance from a rear end is a predetermined length or more, and an available space is a predetermined amount or more; and controlling a feeding section based on determination results. |
| US08630022B2 |
Method of identifying a target simplex
A method and system identify a target simplex (T7) and interpolate inputs of points (214, 216, 218) of the target simplex (T7) to identify a combination of inputs that achieves a target result (TR). |
| US08630020B2 |
Information processing apparatus and control method therefor, and print apparatus and control method therefor
In the case that a plurality of users execute output reservations while looking at targets to be output together, the necessity for an operation to sort the output materials by user after output is eliminated. The plurality of users are classified, the plurality of targets to be output selected in a scattered manner by the plurality of classified users are bulked together as selected targets to be output for each user, and those bulked targets to be output are output for each user. |
| US08630018B2 |
Producing printed products and assembly for carrying out said method
The method for producing printed products in which said printed products are composed of printed sheets and for verification of the composition, composition information on at least one printed sheet characterizing said printed sheet with respect to predetermined printed sheet properties is evaluated, whereby during analysis, the composition information of at least one printed sheet is compared to the information of at least one more printed sheet to be assembled using said composition information for production of the same printed product. |
| US08630017B2 |
Ink jet printing apparatus that identifies a region adjacent to a character for a thinning operation
An ink jet printing apparatus that improves the visibility of a character and its background in different colors or of outline characters is provided. Specifically, outline character bold data is inverted and each of the pixels in the data is expanded to adjacent eight pixels. Then, the expanded outline character is processed into expanded inverted data. The logical AND of the inverted expanded data and K data on a background image is then calculated to generate K data with the outline character expanded. This results in an image with the outline character expanded. That is, the present invention enables characters with improved visibility and free from blurredness to be printed while preventing the adverse effect of bleeding on the outline character. |
| US08630013B2 |
Printing control apparatus and method for continuously printing a plurality of jobs
An apparatus allocates a value of page attribute to each page included in a job according to a job attribute set to the job in an intermediate code format that corresponds to data to be printed generated by an application. If a combining instruction is issued to combine a plurality of jobs whose specific job attributes in which only one attribute value can be allocated to one job are allocated different attribute values, the apparatus processes the intermediate code format data so that printing is performed according to the allocated page attribute values. The apparatus then generates a combined job and transmits the generated combined job as print data to the printing apparatus. |
| US08630011B2 |
Method and system for secure facsimile delivery and registration
A secure fax transmission system can be used to assure the intended recipient of a confidential document being sent via facsimile is the only person that will have access to the document once it is sent. An application module communicates with a client user interface over a first network and communicates with a recipient fax machine over a second network. The application module receives information associated with a confidential document being sent via facsimile. Prior to sending the document, the application module determines if the recipient fax number has been previously registered as a secure fax number. The application module then sends the document to the recipient if the recipient fax number is registered a secure. If the recipient fax number is not registered as secure, the application module sends a request for registration to the recipient fax number. |
| US08630009B2 |
Systems and methods for providing content to a peripheral device
One example discloses a system for providing content to a peripheral device including a memory for storing computer executable instructions and a processing unit for accessing the memory and executing the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions include a composite application to invoke, in response to a user-input at a peripheral device, a predetermined set of print applications from a plurality of print applications stored in a cloud server, the composite application to provide content from the plurality of print applications to the peripheral device. |
| US08630006B2 |
Image processing system, information processing device, non-transitory computer readable medium, and job execution method
An image processing system comprises a job cooperation server for executing a predetermined processing necessary for execution of a job; an image processing device for cooperating with the job cooperation server and executing the job; an authentication server for executing user authentication and issuing an underlying ticket corresponding to a user and for issuing a ticket to use the job cooperation server based on the underlying ticket; and an information processing device for acquiring and storing the underlying ticket by sending a request for authentication to the authentication server and for acquiring the ticket to use the job cooperation server from the authentication server with the underlying ticket. The information processing device acquires the ticket to use the job cooperation server from the authentication server with the underlying ticket and transmits to the image processing device. The image processing device executes the job through cooperation with the job cooperation server. |
| US08630004B2 |
Image forming apparatus, billing method thereof and recording medium
An image forming apparatus comprises: an image data obtainer that obtains image data by a Web browser from a Website via a network; a printer that prints out the obtained image data and other image data; and a billing portion that bills a usage fee if the Web browser is used, meanwhile discounts the usage fee to be billed if the Web browser is used and also the image data obtained by the Web browser is printed out by the printer. |
| US08630000B2 |
Essential components for enabling a pervasive wireless digital ecosystem and wireless devices that support the wireless digital ecosystem
Next generation pervasive wireless ecosystems and mobile information apparatus are herein disclosed and enabling millions of users to migrate to pervasive digital living and enterprise. Wireless communications may include the mobile information apparatus accessing wireless local area network or by direct wireless communication. The mobile information apparatus may include a wireless unit compatible with Bluetooth and/or IEEE802.11. Mobile information apparatus may conduct a local area wireless search within short distances for discovering wireless devices in its vicinity, receive an attribute related to the discovered wireless device, establish secure wireless communication with the discovered wireless device, and transfer or synchronize digital content or applications to/from the discovered wireless device. The discovered wireless device may be other mobile apparatus, wireless televisions, wireless audio devices, wireless speakers, wireless printers, among others, in a digital living room or office. Mobile apparatus may be smart phones, information pads, or laptops with touch sensitive screen interface. |
| US08629994B2 |
Image formation control device, control method and recording medium storing image formation control program
A control device has a preview image data generating unit, a display unit displaying a preview image, an image formation controlling unit forming an image corresponding to the preview image on a recording sheet, and a user operation detection unit detecting a user operation to make modification in the preview image. The modification in the preview image includes at least one of a change of size of a preview image frame in which the preview image is displayed, a change of an area of the preview image frame, an area of the preview image appeared in the preview image frame. A preview image data modifying unit reflects the user operation detected by the user operation detection unit in the preview image data. The image formation controlling unit forms the image on the recording sheet with reflecting the modification made in the preview image data. |
| US08629992B2 |
Printing control apparatus and method, and printing system
Provided is a printing system in which it is possible to obtain an appropriate printed result from a printing apparatus even if the type of printing medium that has been set by a printer driver user interface and the type of printing medium loaded in the printing apparatus differ. The printing apparatus has a sensor for sensing the type of printing medium loaded. In the printing system, which requires that a printing parameter be transmitted from the printer driver to the printing apparatus, a printing medium is selected by a language monitor based upon the type of printing medium loaded in the printing apparatus and a print quality selected by the printer driver user interface. The selected printing parameter is transmitted to the printing apparatus together with print data. |
| US08629990B2 |
Image forming apparatus for identifying an unknown term in a document
An image forming apparatus enables meaning, a translation and an explanation of an unknown term or a term for which a translation is unknown in a document to be obtained easily while the meaning, the translation and the explanation of the term are left as a record, so that the record is able to be used afterwards, thereby increasing convenience for the user. An image reading portion reads a document image; a character recognition portion performs character recognition of a term included in the read document image; an information obtaining portion gains access to a website for performing dictionary search so as to obtain, as term information, information of a search result of the dictionary search performed with the recognized term as a keyword; and the image forming portion forms an image with term information including the term information and the document image based on the obtained term information. |
| US08629988B2 |
Laser beam image contrast enhancement
An apparatus and method for providing image contrast enhancement is disclosed. A mobile object is equipped with a laser source, polarization filter, and imaging apparatus. The reflection of the laser source output passes through the filter and is received by the imaging apparatus. If the output of the laser source impinges a metallic marker plate located at a pre-determined location, the filter decreases the intensity level of image components not associated with the reflection of the laser source output. The imaging apparatus uses such filtered image components to determine the position and/or orientation of the mobile object. |
| US08629987B2 |
Optical-type position detecting device, hand apparatus, and touch panel
An optical detection device includes: a translucent unit that has elasticity; a light source unit that emits detection light toward the translucent unit; a light sensitive unit that is directed toward the translucent unit and has light sensitivity; and a detection unit that detects a target object based on the intensity of light received by the light sensitive unit. |
| US08629986B2 |
Optical filter and method for the production of the same, and device for the examination of electromagnetic radiation
The invention relates to an optical filter and a method for its production, and to a device for the examination of the spectral and spatial distribution of an electromagnetic radiation irradiated from an object. The invention is based on the task of providing an optical filter of the above described type that is inexpensive to produce, which can be used to detect a plurality of wavelengths, in which, however, tuning of the DBR mirrors by means of displacement is not necessary. Furthermore, a method for the production of such a filter is provided. According to a first aspect of the present invention this task is solved by a method for the production of an optical filter array having two DBR mirrors, and a cavity present between the same, comprising cavity sections having a plurality of different heights, each forming one Fabry Perot filter element, characterized by the following steps: applying a first DBR mirror onto a substrate, forming of a layer comprised of a cavity material on the DBR mirror, wherein this layer is equipped with a plurality of cavity sections forming the filter elements by means of utilizing a nanoimprint method, and applying the second DBR mirror on the cavity material having a structuring that is defined by the different heights of the cavity sections. |
| US08629984B2 |
Optical analysis system for dynamic, real-time detection and measurement
A system and a method for real-time processing and monitoring, the system including a light source to provide an illumination light and a calibration light are provided. The system includes an optical element to separate the illumination light and the calibration light; an optical element to direct the illumination light to a sample; an optical element to direct the calibration light to a first detector and a second detector; an optical element to collect light backscattered from the sample; an optical element to separate light backscattered from the sample into a first scattered light portion and a second scattered light portion; an optical element to direct the first scattered light portion through at least one multivariate optical element to the first detector; and an optical element to direct the second scattered light portion to the second detector. |
| US08629976B2 |
Methods and systems for hierarchical de-aliasing time-of-flight (TOF) systems
A TOF system acquires depth data using n≧3 modulation frequencies f1, f2, . . . , fm separately, associated with separate aliasing interval ranges Z1, Z2, . . . , Zm. Next, n intermediate frequencies fDE1, fDE2, . . . , fDEn are generated sorted by order of fDE1 |
| US08629973B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and method for illumination uniformity correction and uniformity drift compensation
A lithographic apparatus including a uniformity correction system is disclosed. Fingers move into and out of intersection with a radiation beam to correct an intensity of the radiation beam. Actuating devices are coupled to the fingers. A width of a tip of each of the fingers is half that of a width of the actuating devices. Systems and methods compensate for uniformity drift. An illumination slit uniformity caused by system drift is measured. First positions of uniformity compensators are determined based on the uniformity. Uniformity compensators are moved to the first respective positions. A substrate is exposed. |
| US08629963B2 |
Liquid crystal displays
In an embodiment of the invention, a liquid crystal display is provided. The liquid crystal display includes a first substrate, a first electrode formed on the first substrate, wherein the first electrode includes a plurality of subpixels, and each the subpixel includes a plurality of subunits, and each the subunit includes a plurality of first slits and a plurality of second slits, wherein the first slits are connected to the second slits and the first slits of the subunits which are adjacent to each other are connected to each other, a second substrate opposite to the first substrate, a second electrode formed on the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US08629959B2 |
Fabricating method of an optical compensation film
An optical compensation film includes an optical film and a retardation film. The optical film provides a plate retardation in the direction of thickness (Rth), while the retardation film is disposed on the optical film. The retardation film includes first retarders and second retarders, wherein the first retarders are disposed on at least partial areas of the optical film and provide a first planar retardation (Ro1); the second retarders are disposed on partial areas of the optical film but outside the first retarders and provide a second planar retardation (Ro2) and the first planar retardation (Ro1) is different from the second planar retardation (Ro2). The above-mentioned optical compensation film is capable of compensating the displays for different display areas in a liquid crystal display panel. In addition, the present invention also provides a fabricating method of optical compensation film. |
| US08629955B2 |
Moire reducing display device having directivity with terminal device, light source device, and optical member
A display device comprising a light source and having an optical waveguide, a louver, an anisotropic scattering sheet, and a transmissive liquid crystal panel disposed along the path of light emitted from the light source. The light-restricting direction of the louver is tilted at an angle α from the Y-axis direction. The value of the angle α is set so that the arrangement direction of moiré created between the louver and the liquid crystal panel approaches the X-axis direction. A plurality of belt-shaped convex portions extending in the Y-axis direction are formed on the surface of the anisotropic scattering sheet, and are configured so that the scattering direction of the light has anisotropy. Specifically, scattering in the X-axis direction is increased, and scattering in the Y-axis direction is reduced. Moiré can thereby be reduced in a display device having increased directivity of the display. |
| US08629953B2 |
Portable device having display unit
There is provided a metal structure that holds the display unit, as the main structure, and a casing structure that is integrally molded from resin onto the metal structure. The metal structure is resilient against flexural loads, torsional loads, and other deformations from the exterior upon the display unit composed of thin plate glass, because the member that protects the display unit is in a box shape. The display unit itself can be protected from damage even if rigidity is reduced because of a thinner profile. The metal structure is manufactured by thin plate pressing and sufficient strength can be maintained even if the thickness is low. Furthermore, the metal structure is configured as a frame part of the entire casing, the rigidity of the entire device can therefore be maintained by using this structure, and the mounting board and functional components other than the display unit can also be protected. |
| US08629950B2 |
Array substrate and display device having the same
An array substrate includes a base substrate, a gate line, a data line, a switching element and a pixel electrode. The gate line extends in a first direction on the base substrate. The data line extends in a second direction, substantially perpendicular to the first direction, on the base substrate. The switching element is electrically connected to the gate line and the data line. The pixel electrode includes a first sub-pixel electrode having first slit patterns formed thereon, and a second sub-pixel adjacent to the first sub-pixel electrode and having second slit patterns formed thereon. The first slit patterns and the second slit patterns are electrically connected to the switching element, the first slit patterns are disposed in parallel with each other in a third direction, and the second slit patterns are disposed in parallel with each other in a fourth direction different than third direction. |
| US08629944B2 |
Transparent conductive structure applied to a touch panel and method of making the same
A transparent conductive structure applied to a touch panel includes a substrate unit, a first coating unit, a transparent conductive unit, and a second coating unit. The substrate unit includes a transparent substrate. The first coating unit includes a first coating layer formed on the top surface of the transparent substrate. The transparent conductive unit includes a transparent conductive layer formed on the top surface of the first coating layer. The transparent conductive layer includes a plurality of conductive circuits arranged to form a predetermined circuit pattern. The second coating unit includes a second coating layer formed on the top surface of the transparent conductive layer. The second coating layer has a touching surface formed on the top side thereof for an external object to touch. The second coating layer is substantially formed by mixing silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, lithium oxide and Teflon. |
| US08629943B2 |
Television device and stand
A television device includes a flat-plate main body, and a stand supporting the main body. The stand includes: a base member including a bottom face section and a pair of bearing sections projecting upward from the bottom face section; a shaft member bridged between the bearing sections; an arm member including a leg section rotatably fixed to the bearing sections, and a body section provided to bend from the leg section, provided with a lower screw hole and an upper screw hole, and fixed to the support object; and a receiving member including a lower section provided on the bottom face section, a middle section upstanding at a first angle from the lower section and including a first screw hole corresponding to the lower screw hole, and an upper section provided at a second angle from an upper end of the middle section and provided with a second screw hole corresponding to the upper screw hole. |
| US08629942B2 |
Decoding multiple remote control code sets
A method of processing remote control commands at a control device consistent with certain embodiments involves at the control device, receiving commands directed to the control device; at the control device, receiving a command directed to a source device, the source device being operative to provide video content to a display; and at the control device, interpreting the command directed to the source device in order to track a state of operation of the source device. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. |
| US08629941B2 |
Programmable remote controller and setting method thereof
A programmable remote controller, used for controlling audio/video devices, includes a main body, a button module, a motion-sensing module, a microprocessor unit, and a memory. The button module includes a function button group related to the control of the audio/video devices and a programming button group related to the setting of the remote controller. The setting method includes steps of: pressing a first button of the programming button group to start the setting method; pressing at least one function button of a function button group which corresponds to at least one function operation of the audio/video devices; controlling the main body of the remote controller to have a first motion status which is sensed by the motion-sensing module; and storing the first motion status and a first control command corresponding to the at least one function operation in the memory. |
| US08629940B2 |
Apparatus, systems and methods for media device operation preferences based on remote control identification
Remote control signal detection systems and methods are operable to set media device operation preferences in a media device. An exemplary embodiment detects a remote control communication signal transmitted from a remote control, wherein the remote control communication signal includes a unique identifier associated with the transmitting remote control; determines that at least one foreign language preference is associated with the transmitting remote control; and reconfigures information generated by the media device into the preferred foreign language. |
| US08629936B2 |
Moving region detection device
To provide a moving region detection device capable of rapidly and accurately detecting a main moving region from plot data on a computer screen. A moving region detection unit (122) detects, as a moving region, an identical or similar image region which exist in both a previous frame and a current frame and whose position on a screen changes. Specifically, an initial candidate decision unit (301) decides an initial candidate for a moving region. Next, a moving region decision unit (302) decides a moving region for use in motion compensation, from among the initial candidate for the moving region determined by the initial candidate decision unit (301) and another at least one candidate for the moving region obtained by changing the size of the moving region of the initial candidate. |
| US08629927B2 |
Imaging device
The present invention relates to improved imaging devices having high dynamic range and to monitoring and automatic control systems incorporating the improved imaging devices. |
| US08629920B2 |
Image capture apparatus
An image capture apparatus connects to a first battery unit and a second battery unit. The image capture apparatus includes a counting unit and a calculation unit. The counting unit counts the number of shots (PN). The calculation unit divides the number of shots (PN) to PN1 and PN2 based on a first battery consumption and a second battery consumption. The PN1represents the number of shots allotted to the first battery unit, and the PN2 represents the number of shots allotted to the second battery unit. The first battery consumption represents a consumption of the first battery unit, and the second battery consumption represents a consumption of the second battery unit. |
| US08629919B2 |
Image capture with identification of illuminant
Image capture of a scene in which there is an identification of an imaging property of the scene, such as the illuminant or dynamic range of the scene. An imaging assembly has a spectral response which is tunable in accordance with a capture parameter, and first and second different capture parameters are applied to the image sensor. Respective first and second images of the scene are captured. The first and second images of the scene are compared to identify an imaging property of the scene, such as the illuminant or multiple illuminants in respective ones of multiple regions in the scene. In accordance with the property identified for the scene, a third capture parameter is derived, such as to obtain color correction or white balance in accordance with each identified illuminant. The third capture parameter is applied to the image sensor, and a final image of the scene is captured. |
| US08629916B2 |
Camera with imaging unit and imaging unit for camera
The camera according to the present invention has an imaging unit, a sensor having a quantum efficiency of 60% or higher in a visible light range for detecting a focal point adjustment state in the imaging unit, and a control unit for outputting a control signal for adjusting the focal point on the imaging unit on the basis of the output from the sensor. |
| US08629914B2 |
Imaging device that creates movie image data with changing focus position
Provided are: an imaging sensor that captures subject light via a photographic optical system having a focusing lens; a display unit that displays a through image based upon an imaging signal from the imaging sensor; an area setting unit that sets at least two areas on the through image displayed on a display surface of the display unit; a movement control unit that adjusts a focus position to a subject in one area of the at least two areas set by the area setting unit and moves the focus position from the subject in the one area to a subject in the other area, which is different from the one area, of the at least two areas over a predetermined time by controlling drive of the focusing lens; and a movie image data creation unit that creates movie image data, which includes a movie image having the focus position moved from the subject in the one area to the subject in the other area by the movement control unit, based upon the imaging signal from the imaging sensor. |
| US08629908B2 |
Method for detecting a moving object in a sequence of images captured by a moving camera, computer system and computer program product
The invention relates to a method for detecting a moving object in a sequence of images captured by a moving camera. The method comprises the step of constructing a multiple number of difference images by subtracting image values in corresponding pixels of multiple pairs of images being based on captured images. Further, the method comprises the step of retrieving a moving object by extracting spatial information of pixels in the multiple number of constructed difference images having relatively large image values. In addition, from a pair of images in the construction step an image is a representation of a high resolution image having a higher spatial resolution than original captured images on which the high resolution image is based. |
| US08629907B2 |
Data acquisition system and transmission control device
A transmit-side transmission control device for sending data generated by a data generator device to a data utilization point receives and retains notification of the allowable data transmission quantity from a receive-side transmission control device, and adjusts the data quantity sent from the data generator device so as to fit within that allowable data transmission quantity range, and/or when a request is issued to change that data transmission quantity, the receive-side transmission control device is notified of that allowable data transmission quantity change request. The receive-side transmission control device retains the respective allowable data transmission quantities for transmit-side transmission control device, and when a change request is issued, reallocates the allowable data transmission quantities for all transmit-side transmission control devices to fit within the data processing load range stored beforehand within the data utilization point, and notifies the corresponding transmit-side transmission control device of these reallocated allowable data transmission quantities. |
| US08629905B2 |
Localization of a surveying instrument in relation to a ground mark
A method is disclosed for localizing a surveying instrument having a housing including at least one camera in relation to a mark located at a ground level. The method comprises the steps of capturing a first image of the ground below the housing in a first camera position and orientation, wherein the first camera position is eccentric to a vertical rotational axis of the surveying instrument, identifying an object point corresponding to the mark in the first image, measuring first image coordinates of the object point in the first image. The method further comprises the steps of capturing a second image of the ground below the housing in a second camera position and orientation, identifying in the second image, an object point corresponding to the mark, and measuring second image coordinates of the object point in the second image. The height of a rotation center of the surveying instrument above the mark is then determined based on the first camera position and orientation, the first image coordinates, the second camera position and orientation, the second image coordinates, and camera calibration data. Furthermore, a surveying instrument for performing the method is disclosed. |
| US08629904B2 |
Arrangement for presenting information on a display
The invention relates to a device with an image sensor for forming image information about the environment of the device, comprising at least one object, wherein the image information comprises an image of the object. The device also comprises a display for displaying a view of the environment of the device, positioning means for determining the position of the device, and at least one set of communication means that comprise a receiver for receiving information related to the one object (14), including the position of the object. The device comprises a control block (8) for determining the position of the image of the object from image information intended to be displayed by the display. |
| US08629903B2 |
Enhanced vision system full-windshield HUD
A method to represent graphical images upon a transparent windscreen head up display of a vehicle includes monitoring informational inputs describing the operational environment for the vehicle, processing the informational inputs to synthesize an operational environment model, monitoring data related to an occupant eye location, converting the model into the graphical images registering the critical information according the model upon the transparent windscreen head up display based upon the monitored data related to the occupant eye location, and displaying the graphical images upon the transparent windscreen head up display. |
| US08629902B2 |
Coordinate fusion and thickness calibration for semiconductor wafer edge inspection
A system may include a support configured to rotatably support a wafer. The system may also include an imager for generating an image of a wafer, where the image includes a first coordinate reference. The system may also include a profiler for generating a profile of the wafer, where the profile includes a second coordinate reference. The system may further include control programming for locating at least one structural feature of an edge of the wafer recognizable by both the imager and the profiler for allowing the first coordinate reference to be mapped to the second coordinate reference. The wafer used in calibration may have discrete edge features detectable in an edge imager and in an edge profiler. |
| US08629900B2 |
3D endoscope
A 3D endoscope includes an insertion portion, a left imaging unit which comprises a left imaging optical system and a left imaging device, a right imaging unit which comprises a right imaging optical system and a right imaging device, a receiving portion which receives the left imaging unit and a receiving portion which receives the right imaging unit. The 3D endoscope includes a body provided at a side of a distal end of the insertion portion, the body supporting the receiving portions at an angle to a longitudinal direction so that the inclination of a left optical axis relative to the longitudinal direction, the inclination of a right optical axis relative to the longitudinal direction, the angle of rotation of the left imaging unit around the left optical axis, and the angle of rotation of the right imaging unit around the right optical axis are adjustable. |
| US08629896B2 |
Panoramic camera unit and camera system with arrayed optical elements
A camera unit capable of taking good visibility images covering a wide field of view, and having a thinner profile includes an imaging optical unit having free-curved surface prisms for forming subject images, a single imaging device for photoelectrically-converting the subject images from a plurality of directions formed by the imaging optical unit, a signal processing unit, a communication unit, and a control unit for controlling operation of the imaging device and the signal processing unit. |
| US08629890B1 |
Digital video display employing minimal visual conveyance
Select areas and specific pixels of a digital video display screen may be updated at video frame rate while other areas or pixels are not updated at video frame rate. Further, select pixels may be updated more than once within the normal update timing of a single video frame. Selective updating may be accomplished by indicating data video processing requirements. |
| US08629885B2 |
System, method and computer program product for dynamically identifying, selecting and extracting graphical and media objects in frames or scenes rendered by a software application
A technique is described herein for dynamically enhancing and measuring a software application without having to change and recompile the original application code. A system includes a staging environment that monitors the application and indexes items of graphical and/or audio information into a first database. A second database is then populated with business rules that are associated with the objects indexed. The system further includes a run-time environment that identifies items of graphics and/or audio information generated during run-time, and upon determining that an identified item is associated with a business rule, applies the business rule, measures the object and its related attributes and optionally report the data back to a third database. Also described herein are techniques for dynamically measuring attributes of objects rendered and/or referenced by software applications, for dynamically serving advertisements to a computer game, and for pre-processing software applications to identify spots desirable for advertisement placement. |
| US08629882B2 |
Digital color chip
A computer-implemented method of color matching a repair paint formula is disclosed. The method includes steps of inputting a color code for a vehicle paint; searching a computer database for formulations associated with the color code; selecting a plurality of the formulations for display; displaying digital images of the selected formulations at a plurality of viewing angles; determining one of the displayed formulations as a best match to the vehicle paint; and identifying the formulation for the best match. |
| US08629881B2 |
Method of color mapping from non-convex source gamut into non-convex target gamut
Method of mapping source colors from a source color device having an actual source gamut that is represented by a source convex (gamut boundary descriptor) and a source non-convex into target colors for a target color device having an actual target gamut that is represented by a target convex and a target non-convex, comprising, 1—if the source color to map is located outside the source non-convex, a pre-mapping step that maps the source color into the source non-convex, 2—if the mapped target color is located outside the target non-convex, a post-mapping step that maps the target color into the target non-convex. This method allows precise gamut mapping while allowing also for simple geometrical operations using convex gamuts. |
| US08629880B2 |
Two dimensional memory access controller
A memory control device is adapted to derive a two dimensional location on a graphic display surface from address signals of a graphics processing unit (GPU), and to compare the derived two dimensional location to a two dimensional range of authorized locations corresponding to a subset of the display surface; and to modify the address signals of the graphics processing unit (GPU) if the address signals do not fall within the two-dimensional range of authorized locations corresponding to a subset of the display surface, and to propagate the address signals unmodified to a display memory otherwise. |
| US08629878B2 |
Extension to a hypervisor that utilizes graphics hardware on a host
Graphics rendering in a virtual machine system is accelerated by utilizing host graphics hardware. In one embodiment, the virtual machine system includes a server that hosts a plurality of virtual machines. The server includes one or more graphics processing units. Each graphics processing unit can be allocated to multiple virtual machines to render images. A hypervisor that runs on the server is extended to include a redirection module, which receives a rendering request from a virtual machine and redirects the rendering request to a graphics driver. The graphics driver can commands an allocated portion of a graphics processing unit to render an image on the server. |
| US08629872B1 |
System and method for displaying and analyzing financial correlation data
A method for displaying a matrix of correlations or other statistical measures of co-movement associated with a plurality of financial instruments, portfolios, indices, or asset classes is disclosed. The method includes: converting the matrix of correlations or other co-movement measures into a probability transition matrix; defining a corresponding abstract distance measurement between any two of the plurality of financial instruments, portfolios, indices, or asset classes based on the probability transition matrix; assigning coordinates in a Euclidean space to each of the plurality of financial instruments, portfolios, indices, or asset classes, wherein a Euclidean distance between any two financial instruments, portfolios, indices, or asset classes in the Euclidean space corresponds to the corresponding abstract distance measurement; and displaying on a display device the plurality of financial instruments, portfolios, indices, or asset classes based on more significant dimensions of the Euclidean space. |
| US08629870B2 |
Apparatus, method, and program for displaying stereoscopic images
A stereoscopic image display apparatus, includes an image obtaining unit, for obtaining a plurality of images, which are obtained by photography of a subject from different positions by a photography unit, a distance measuring unit, for measuring the distance to the subject from the photography unit, a stereoscopic image generating unit, for generating a stereoscopic image for three dimensional display from the plurality of images, a display region generating unit, for generating display regions that display the images in having amounts of parallax corresponding to the distance, when the display regions are displayed overlapped in the stereoscopic image, a display unit, for displaying the stereoscopic image, on which the display regions are overlapped, and a zoom unit for enlarging reducing the stereoscopic image, the display region generating unit changing sizes of the display regions according to the zoom magnification rate when the stereoscopic image is enlarged/reduced. |
| US08629869B2 |
Volumetric data exploration using multi-point input controls
A three-dimensional data set is accessed. A two-dimensional plane is defined that intersects a space defined by the three-dimensional data set. The two-dimensional plane defines a two-dimensional data set within the three-dimensional data set and divides the three-dimensional data set into first and second subsets. A three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set is rendered on such that at least a portion of the first subset of the three-dimensional data set is removed and at least a portion of the two-dimensional data set is displayed. A two-dimensional view of a first subset of the two-dimensional data set also is rendered. Controls are provided that enable visual navigation through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the multi-touch display device that correspond to either the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set and/or the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set. |
| US08629868B1 |
Systems and methods for simulating depth of field on a computer generated display
A system for simulating depth of field in a computer graphics display is provided according to an exemplary embodiment. The system comprises an image generation circuit configured to generate an image representing a plurality of objects for display on the computer graphics display. The image generation circuit is configured to generate the image using a single blur parameter for each of the plurality of objects that represents both a magnitude of blur and a relative distance with respect to a lens focal distance being simulated by the image generation circuit. |
| US08629865B2 |
Organic light-emitting device with adjustable charge carrier injection
Disclosed is an organic light-emitting device operating similarly to a bipolar transistor. The device includes a collector layer including at least one organic light-emitting layer arranged between a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode includes a first emitter layer and a first base layer arranged between the first emitter layer and the collector layer, and the second electrode includes a second emitter layer and a second base layer arranged between the second emitter layer. and the collector layer. In case of a display device, the first emitting layer and the first base layer are structured in order to form an array of pixels of first electrodes suitable to be operated separately by an operation unit in a forward bias mode or a reverse bias mode in order to switch light emission of the EL-layer above each pixel on/off. |
| US08629864B2 |
Display device and pixel circuit
A display device in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix form, corresponding to intersections of a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines, wherein each pixel includes a light emitting element having a first electrode connected to a first power supply and which emits light according to a current that flows; a driving transistor having a source electrode connected to a second power supply and which supplies a drain current to a second electrode of the light emitting element; a data storage capacitor having a first electrode connected to a gate electrode of the driving transistor; and a first switch which is switched ON during a pixel selection period so that data of a data line is written to the data storage capacitor, and wherein a potential of a second electrode of the data storage capacitor is changed. |
| US08629862B2 |
Display with pseudo photo sensor
A display capable of performing ambient light detection with a high accuracy is provided. The display device is a display device having a backlight and a photo sensor for detecting ambient light and outputting a photocurrent according to an intensity of the ambient light, and further including a light-shielding member disposed below the photo-sensor for shielding light from the backlight; and a pseudo photo sensor disposed above the light-shielding member around the photo sensor. The pseudo photo sensor is made of the same material as the photo sensor, and formed in the same process as the photo sensor. |
| US08629861B2 |
Thin film transistor array panel and method for manufacturing the same
A manufacturing method of a thin film transistor array panel includes forming a gate line, forming a gate insulating layer on the gate line, forming a data line including a drain electrode on the gate insulating layer, forming a passivation layer on the gate insulating layer, the data line, and the drain electrode, forming a negative photosensitive organic layer on the passivation layer, heat treating the negative photosensitive organic layer to form an insulating layer including a first portion, and a second portion that is thinner than the first portion, and forming a pixel electrode, a first contact assistant, and a second contact assistant on the insulating layer. The pixel electrode is disposed on the first portion, the first and second contact assistants are disposed on the second portion, and the thickness of the second portion is less than about 1.5 micrometers (μm). |
| US08629857B2 |
Organic electro-luminescent display apparatus and imaging apparatus including the same
Light is prevented from being emitted from a region that overlaps a contract hole in a structure in which light emitting devices are stacked. A stacked organic electro-luminescent display apparatus includes a contact hole that electrically connects a first electrode or a second electrode to a driving circuit. The first or second electrode and a second organic compound layer are provided in the contact hole, and the second organic compound layer existing in the contact hole does not emit light. |
| US08629848B2 |
Portable terminal apparatus
A portable terminal apparatus is provided. The portable terminal includes a first unit including a first display part, a second unit including a second display part, and a switching part configured to cause the first unit and the second unit to switch between a first position in which the first unit covers the second display part and a second position in which at least a part of the second display part is exposed to an outside. The first unit is configured such that an opposite side of the first unit is visible through the first display part. |
| US08629847B2 |
Information processing device, display method and program
There is provided an information processing device that includes: a display portion that displays a plurality of function buttons that respectively correspond to a plurality of functions included in the information processing device; a position detection portion that detects a position where an operating body touches or approaches a display screen of the display portion; a button selection portion that selects, from among the plurality of function buttons, at least one function button that corresponds to an operation state of the information processing device; and a display control portion that causes the function button selected by the button selection portion to move on the display screen such that the function button approaches the position on the display screen detected by the position detection portion. |
| US08629846B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An information processing apparatus includes a locus input unit configured to input a locus based on a user's locus input operation, a display unit configured to display the locus input by the locus input unit on a screen, a locus recognition unit configured to recognize the locus input by the locus input unit, and a display changing unit configured to change, based on a size of the locus input by the locus input unit and the locus recognized by the locus recognition unit, the size of the locus. |
| US08629842B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device having an electrostatic capacitive type touch panel function. In one embodiment, the organic light emitting display device includes a substrate, a display unit on the substrate, an encapsulation substrate having a side facing the substrate, a touch unit facing the display unit and including a plurality of first sensors electrically coupled with each other and extending in parallel rows along a first direction, and a plurality of second sensors electrically coupled with each other and extending in parallel columns along a second direction crossing the first direction, and an insulation layer on at least a portion of the first sensors and second sensors. |
| US08629836B2 |
3D pointing devices with orientation compensation and improved usability
Systems and methods according to the present invention describe 3D pointing devices which enhance usability by transforming sensed motion data from a first frame of reference (e.g., the body of the 3D pointing device) into a second frame of reference (e.g., a user's frame of reference). One exemplary embodiment of the present invention removes effects associated with a tilt orientation in which the 3D pointing device is held by a user. |
| US08629835B2 |
Input device
Provided is an input device that may sense a touch and a motion, generate a sensing signal with respect to the sensed touch and motion, generate an input signal based on the sensing signal, and transmit the input signal to a display device. The display device may control an object displayed on the display device based on the input signal. |
| US08629831B2 |
Local-dimming method, light source apparatus performing the local-dimming method and display apparatus having the light source apparatus
A light source module of a display device comprises light-emitting blocks each of which comprises multiple sets of light sources, with different sets emitting different colors (e.g. red, green and blue). Each set is independently controllable according to one or more driving parameters. A local-dimming method comprises: (a) in each color-dimming period, driving each light-emitting block by the first color-dimming process; (b) in each compensating period, driving each light-emitting block by a full-color process which is independent of the image; (c) in each compensating period, sensing emitted light and determining the one or more driving parameters' reference driving values operable to generate a reference color; (d) in at least one of the color-dimming and compensating periods, driving each light-emitting block using the one or more driving parameters' values which depend on the reference driving values; and (e) between a color-dimming period and an adjacent compensating period, gradually switching the light-source module between the first color-dimming process and the full-color process. |
| US08629828B2 |
Shift register circuit, display panel, and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is a shift register circuit that is formed on an insulating substrate with thin film transistors having channels of the same conductivity type and includes shift stages, each of the shift stages including: a first thin film transistor; a second thin film transistor; a 3(1)-th thin film transistor; a 3(2)-th thin film transistor; a 4(1)-th thin film transistor; a 4(2)-th thin film transistor; a fifth thin film transistor; and a sixth thin film transistor. |
| US08629814B2 |
Controlling complementary bistable and refresh-based displays
An electronic device includes complementary dual displays, which enable sending a video signal to a first display, wherein the first display is a refresh-based, high frame rate display; displaying the video signal on the first display; and printing a frame of the video signal to a second display, wherein the second display is a bistable, low frame rate display, the printing including, loading a portion of a current frame of the video signal into a frame buffer, and displaying the current frame of the video signal to a second display, such that a bistable static image is displayed on the second display. The device may be switched among read, extend, and navigate modes, which enable different transitions of content between the two screens by a common application, such as a browser application. |
| US08629805B2 |
Navigation system integrity
A method for modelling integrity of a filtered global navigation satellite system, by calculating component navigation system error distributions for a set of fault conditions and a fault free condition, and determining overall navigation error distribution by forming a mixture distribution from these component navigation system error distributions. The mixture distribution may be determined by weighted summation of navigation system error (NSE) distributions with weightings determined according to prior probabilities for the fault conditions. Once the overall NSE mixture distribution is determined in this way, it can be used to derive one or more statistical quantities relevant to the integrity of the navigation system such as the probability of exceeding given alert limits in a desired coordinate geometry. |
| US08629804B2 |
Execution method of position calculating circuit, position calculating circuit, operation control method of position calculating circuit, host device, and electronic apparatus
An execution method of a position calculating circuit that calculates a position by receiving a satellite signal transmitted from a positioning satellite and that has an externally readable storage section includes: receiving a selection signal for selecting acquired information, which is information acquired from information obtained from the satellite signal, from the outside; selecting the acquired information on the basis of the selection signal; and storing the acquired information in the storage section and outputting a notice signal, which indicates that the acquired information has been obtained, when the acquired information selected from the satellite signal being received is obtained. |
| US08629803B2 |
Wide area positioning system
Systems and methods are described for determining position of a receiver. The positioning system comprises a transmitter network including transmitters that broadcast positioning signals. The positioning system comprises a remote receiver that acquires and tracks the positioning signals and/or satellite signals. The satellite signals are signals of a satellite-based positioning system. A first mode of the remote receiver uses terminal-based positioning in which the remote receiver computes a position using the positioning signals and/or the satellite signals. The positioning system comprises a server coupled to the remote receiver. A second operating mode of the remote receiver comprises network-based positioning in which the server computes a position of the remote receiver from the positioning signals and/or satellite signals, where the remote receiver receives and transfers to the server the positioning signals and/or satellite signals. |
| US08629802B2 |
Method for the location of mobile terminals
A location of a mobile terminal in a given area may be determined by including the mobile terminal in a satellite-based positioning system and in a cellular communications system. The approximate coordinates of the mobile terminal may be determined based on both satellite signals received from the satellite-based system and information related to the cellular communication system, where the coordinates include an altitude coordinate. An estimate of the altitude coordinate may be derived from the information related to the cellular communication system. The approximate coordinates may be determined using the estimate of the altitude coordinate and information provided by the satellite-based system by providing an approximate bi-dimensional positioning of the terminal and exploiting the bi-dimensional positioning and the estimate of the altitude coordinate. |
| US08629797B2 |
Switched capacitor circuit and stage circuit for AD converter
A switched capacitor circuit, which is operable in two or more kinds of operation modes including a first and second operation modes, includes an amplifier and two or more internal capacitors with switches for controlling connection/disconnection of the capacitor. In the first operation mode that precedes the second operation mode, the switched capacitor circuit generates the first analog output voltage by using the first internal capacitor connected between an input terminal and output terminal of the amplifier by using its switches, the other internal capacitances connected between an input terminal of the amplifier and each analog input voltage supply by using its switches. In the second operation mode, the switched capacitor circuit generates the second analog output voltage with larger feedback factor of the amplifier than it in the first operation mode, by removing some of the internal capacitors, except the first internal capacitor, from the first operation mode. |
| US08629796B1 |
Preventing interference between microcontroller components
A microcontroller includes first and second modules. The first module can operate in a mode that causes interference with operation of the second module. A control circuit on the first module and a control circuit on the second module coordinate operation of the first and second modules to prevent the interference from causing the second module to function incorrectly. |
| US08629790B2 |
Letter input structure using morse code and input method of the same
A letter input structure of a two-click keyboard adapting a Morse code and an input method of the same, and a recording medium of the method are disclosed. A certain letter is created in selective combination with two keypads among seven keypads consisting of a dot(•) group keypad of a dot(•) keypad, a dot dot(•) keypad and a dot dot dot(•) keypad of a Morse code, a dash(-) group keypad of a dash(-) keypad, a dash dash(- -) keypad, and a dash dash dash (- - -) keypad which are separated and arranged at left and right sides (or upper and lower sides) and one function keypad. |
| US08629786B2 |
Mobile automated system for traffic monitoring
An autonomous system for automated monitoring of traffic patterns on a designated surface including at least one mobile monitoring and recording module. The at least one mobile monitoring and recording module includes at least one support and stabilization section and an erector section, at least one autonomous source of energy, at least one energy storage device, and at least one control and information storage unit. The at least one support and stabilization section incorporates a transportation subsection arranged to provide mobility when coupled to a source of a mechanical force and at least one stabilizing subsection arranged to stabilize the at least one mobile monitoring and recording module in a stationary traffic monitoring position. The erector section includes an erector arranged to erect at least one speed measuring device, at least one traffic imaging device, and at least one illumination device at respective predetermined heights above the designated surface. |
| US08629785B2 |
Method and system for traffic resource allocation
A traffic resource allocation method is provided for allocating traffic resources around an intersection formed by a first road and a second road. The method includes dividing the first road into two or more first lanes at a first direction and two or more second lanes at a second direction opposite but parallel to the first direction. The method also includes dividing the second road into two or more third lanes at a third direction and two or more four lanes at a fourth direction opposite but parallel to the third direction. Further, the method includes controlling traffic movements in the intersection by allocating traffic permit to both pedestrian traffic and vehicle traffic on the first road and the second road. The method also include, when permitting pedestrian traffic along the first direction and the second direction, permitting through vehicle traffic along the first direction and the second direction, and prohibiting turn traffic at any of the first, second, third, and fourth directions. |
| US08629783B2 |
Wireless telemetry electronic circuitry for measuring strain in high-temperature environments
In a telemetry system for use in an engine, a circuit structure (34) affixed to a moving part (20) of the engine is disposed for amplifying information sensed about a condition of the part and transmitting the sensed information to a receiver external to the engine. The circuit structure is adapted for the high temperature environment of the engine and includes a differential amplifier (102, 111) having an input for receiving a signal from a sensor (101, 110) disposed on the part. A voltage controlled oscillator (104, 115) with an input coupled to the output of the amplifier produces an oscillatory signal having a frequency representative of the sensed condition. A buffer (105, 116) with an input coupled to the output of the oscillator buffers the oscillatory signal, which is then coupled to an antenna (26) for transmitting the information to the receiver. |
| US08629779B2 |
Adapting a scanning point of a sample and hold circuit of an optical smoke detector
A smoke detector contains a radiation source for transmitting an illuminating radiation having a time sequence of radiation pulses, a radiation detector for receiving measurement radiation impinging on the radiation detector after at least partial scattering of the illuminating radiation, an amplifier circuit for amplifying an output signal of the radiation detector, an analog to digital converter having a sample and hold circuit for converting an analog output signal of the amplifier circuit into a digital measurement value, and a control device coupled to the radiation source and the sample and hold circuit. The control device is equipped for controlling the radiation source and the sample and hold circuit such that the time of a sampling point in time of the sample and hold circuit relative to a radiation pulse depends on the duration of the radiation pulse. A method for calibrating the described smoke detector is also revealed. |
| US08629774B2 |
Cable receiving unit
In order to reliably and simply acquire data for a cable receiving unit for a cable portion, the cable receiving unit is associated with an information carrier unit from which information can be read out by electromagnetic field coupling. |
| US08629771B2 |
Proximity sensors
A proximity sensor can be used with a device that relies on GPS signals or other radio-frequency (RF) signals. The proximity sensor can be used to determine if the signals are being deliberately blocked by an object such as metal foil placed near it. The sensor includes an oscillator 2, a directional coupler 4 and an antenna 8. A third port 6c of the directional coupler acts as a coupled port when RF power that has been transmitted by the antenna 8 is reflected back to the antenna by a blocking object. The reflected RF power passes along a main line of the directional coupler 4 and a proportion is coupled to the third port 6c. A detector provides an alert if the magnitude of the power of the transmit signal that is reflected back to the antenna 8 in the form of a receive signal exceeds a threshold. |
| US08629768B2 |
Vehicle vision system
A vision system for a vehicle includes at least one imaging sensor having a forward field of view with respect to a forward direction of travel of the vehicle. The imaging sensor captures image data representative of objects present in the forward field of view. A control is responsive to the imaging sensor and processes image data captured by the imaging sensor to determine an object present in the forward field of view. The control processes image data to determine a distance between the vehicle and the object determined present in the forward field of view. The control may determine the distance between the vehicle and the determined object at least in part in response to at least one of (i) size of the determined object, (ii) position of the determined object, (iii) light intensity of the determined object, and (iv) rate of approach of the determined object. |
| US08629763B2 |
RFID transponder with improved wake pattern detection and method
An RFID transponder is provided which includes an automatic gain control (AGC) stage for amplifying a radio frequency (RF) signal and for providing an amplified RF signal. The AGC stage has a control signal indicating an increase of the amplitude of the RF signal. A demodulator is coupled to receive the amplified RF signal for demodulating the amplified RF signal. The demodulator provides a data signal. A burst detector is coupled to receive the control signal of the AGC stage and adapted to provide a start signal in response to a change of the control signal. A wake pattern detector is coupled to receive the data signal and the start signal. The wake pattern detector is adapted to detect a predefined wake pattern in the data signal after having received the start signal and to issue a wake signal if the predefined wake pattern is detected for switching the RFID transponder from a first operating mode into a second operating mode having higher power consumption than the first operating mode. |
| US08629755B2 |
Visitor management systems and methods
Various apparatus, methods, techniques and systems are disclosed for admitting, tracking, monitoring and processing data about visitors and vehicles that visit an access-controlled environment. A network having one or more greeting stations and a number of linked answering stations collects and manages data concerning visitors and/or vehicles in the access-controlled environment, and can manage or assist individuals in managing granting access to the access-controlled environment, monitoring visitors and vehicles present in the access-controlled environment, limiting movement and access to certain areas in the access-controlled environment and generating records and other data about each visit. Some embodiments of the network are also adaptable for use in providing traveler assistance and consular services for various types of individuals. |
| US08629754B2 |
Audible feedback for input activation of a remote control device
A method of informing a user of an identity of an input of a remote control device is presented. In the method, user activation of one of the inputs of the remote control device is detected. An audible signal associated with the activated input is determined. Each of the inputs of the remote control device is associated with a unique one of a plurality of audible signals. The audible signal associated with the activated input is produced to inform the user of the identity of that input. |
| US08629750B2 |
Fractional amp fuse and bridge element assembly therefor
Fuse element and bridge assemblies include a length of fuse wire being wrapped around first and second end edges of a nonconductive bridge to define a winding around the nonconductive bridge element extending for at least one complete turn having a first linear segment and a second linear segment each extending entirely between the first end edge and the second end edge of the nonconductive bridge element. The winding of the fuse wire allows for construction of small fractional amp fuses with larger fuse element wires that are less prone to breakage in automated manufacturing processes. |
| US08629747B2 |
Coil component
A coil component includes a core formed by a magnetic material, a coil embedded in the core, a part of a terminal portion of the coil protruded from a side surface of the core, and a tabular terminal, a part thereof protruded from the side surface of the core and partly connected with the protruded part of the terminal portion of the coil. The protruded part of the terminal portion of the coil and the protruded part of the tabular terminal are respectively bent toward the bottom surface side of the core along the side surface of the core, and the protruded and bent part o the terminal portion of the coil is arranged between the protruded and bent part of the tabular terminal and the core. |
| US08629745B2 |
Pressure balanced spool poppet valves with printed actuator coils
Actuators with printed actuator coils facilitate efficient manufacturing and reliable operation. The printed actuator coils are in coil segments on multiple layers on a multilayer printed circuit board, which may contain a printed actuator coil for one or more additional actuators, and/or electronic circuitry, such, as may be used for control of the actuator(s). |
| US08629744B2 |
Enclosed switch including a shunt trip mechanism
An enclosed switch includes a switch assembly having separable contacts; an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts; and a shunt trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts, wherein the operating mechanism includes a manual operating mechanism. |
| US08629741B2 |
Slot-type shielding structure having extensions that extend beyond the top or bottom of a coplanar waveguide structure
A device that includes a coplanar waveguide structure is disclosed. In an example, a device includes a coplanar waveguide structure that is oriented in a first direction, and a slot-type floating shield structure oriented proximate to the coplanar waveguide structure. The slot-type floating shield structure includes a first portion that extends transversely to the coplanar waveguide structure in a second direction and a second portion that extends from the first portion in a third direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. |
| US08629739B2 |
Out-of plane MEMS resonator with static out-of-plane deflection
A method of forming a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device includes forming an electrode on a substrate. The method includes forming a structural layer on the substrate. The structural layer is disposed about a perimeter of the electrode and has a residual film stress gradient. The method includes releasing the structural layer to form a resonator coupled to the substrate. The residual film stress gradient deflects a first portion of the resonator out of a plane defined by a surface of the electrode. |
| US08629717B2 |
Power consumption control circuit, amplifier circuit and power consumption control method
Provided is a power consumption control circuit, an amplifier circuit and a power consumption control method which control the power consumption associated with an amplification action in real time.A power consumption control circuit of the present invention comprises: a detection means which detects the presence or absence of an input of a digital input signal, spending a first period of time; a signal delay means which delays the digital input signal by a second period of time equivalent to the first period of time, and outputs the delayed signal; a digital-to-analog conversion means which converts the delayed signal into an analog signal, and outputs the analog signal; an amplification means which generates an amplification action when a bias is applied to it; and a bias control means which applies a bias to an amplification device, on the basis of a detection result obtained by the detection means. |
| US08629716B2 |
Modulator, demodulator and modulator-demodulator
A modulator, a demodulator and a modulator-demodulator are provided. A modulator includes a first intermediate signal processing path adapted to route a first intermediate signal; a second intermediate signal processing path adapted to route a second intermediate signal; a first amplifier coupled into the first intermediate signal processing path; a second amplifier coupled into the second intermediate signal processing path; and a chopper circuit coupled into the first intermediate signal processing path; wherein the chopper circuit is adapted to process the first intermediate signal in dependence on first baseband data; wherein the first amplifier is adapted to amplify the first intermediate signal processed by the chopper circuit in dependence on second baseband data; and wherein the second amplifier is adapted to amplify the second intermediate signal in dependence on the second baseband data. |
| US08629714B2 |
Wake-up circuits, devices and methods for galvanic isolators
According to one embodiment, there is provided a method of reducing the amount of power consumed by a galvanic isolator. A transmitter transmits a wake-up signal to a receiver located across an isolation medium when the transmitter is ready or preparing to transmit data or power signals to a receiver, which is operably connected to a sensing circuit. The sensing circuit receives the wake-up signal through the isolation medium, which may be operably connected to and powered substantially continuously or intermittently by a first power source. In response to the sensing circuit receiving the wake-up signal, the receiver is powered up from a sleep mode to an operating mode. After a period of time tRDY has passed since the wake-up signal was transmitted, a signature pattern is transmitted from the transmitter to the sensing circuit through the isolation medium. Next, the sensing circuit or the receiver verifies the validity of the signature pattern. If the signature pattern is determined at to be valid, the receiver is enabled to receive the data or power signals from the transmitter. The transmitter then transmits the data or power signals from the transmitter through the isolation medium to the receiver. |
| US08629713B2 |
System and method for controlling bypass of a voltage regulator
A voltage regulator bypass circuit to control bypass of a voltage regulator of an integrated circuit device, the voltage regulator bypass circuit including a first voltage detector, a second voltage detector, and circuit. The first voltage detector to detect that a core circuitry voltage level is above a first threshold and to assert a first detect signal at an output in response to the detection. The second voltage detector to detect that an unregulated supply voltage is above a second threshold and to assert a second detect signal at an output in response to the detection. The circuit having a first input coupled to the output of the first voltage detector and a second input coupled to the output of the second voltage detector, the circuit to bypass the voltage regulator in response the output of the latch being cleared. |
| US08629712B2 |
Operational amplifier
An operational amplifier comprises: a plurality of transistors, comprising: a first transistor; and a second transistor, wherein a source of the first transistor is connected to a source of the second transistor; wherein the first transistor and the second transistor have near zero threshold voltage. |
| US08629710B2 |
Sensor output IC and sensor device
A sensor output IC has a switching element that turns on and off between output terminals based on a detection signal from a sensor, and a temperature-limiting circuit that maintains the switching element in an off state when a temperature at the sensor output IC becomes a predetermined value or more. |
| US08629708B2 |
High conversion gain high suppression balanced cascode frequency quadrupler
A frequency quadrupler comprises a balanced topology which increases broadband odd harmonic suppression. The frequency quadrupler is constructed in a cascode configuration which is a two-stage amplifier composed of a transconductance amplifier followed by a current buffer. The cascode is constructed with common emitter (CE) and common base (CB) stages which further improves the multiplier frequency response. The cascode configuration enables a notch filter to be placed between the common emitter and common base stages to reduce 2nd harmonic generation and thereby increase 4th harmonic output power, generation efficiency and conversion gain. To cancel 4th harmonic components at the input that may destructively interfere with the output signal, capacitors are placed at the input of the common emitter stage, which in conjunction with the parasitic base wire inductance, form a notch filter to short the 4th harmonic. |
| US08629704B2 |
Level shifters, integrated circuits, systems, and methods for operating the level shifters
A level shifter includes an input end being capable of receiving an input voltage signal. The input voltage signal includes a first state transition from a first voltage state to a second voltage state. An output end can output an output voltage signal having a second state transition from a third voltage state to the second voltage state corresponding to the first state transition of the input voltage signal. A driver stage is coupled between the input end and the output end. The driver stage includes a first transistor and a second transistor. Substantially immediately from a time corresponding to about a mean of voltage levels of the first voltage state and the second voltage state, the second voltage state is substantially free from being applied to a gate of the first transistor so as to substantially turn off the first transistor. |
| US08629696B2 |
Semiconductor device and level shifting circuit for the same
A level shifting circuit includes an inverter inverting an input voltage of an input node and driving a first voltage of a first node, a first output driving unit driving an output voltage of an output node to a first level in response to the first voltage of the first node, a first connection unit electrically coupling the first node to a second node or electrically isolating the first node from the second node in response to the first voltage of the first node, an internal driving unit driving a second voltage of the second node to a second level in response to the input voltage of the input node and the output voltage of the output node, and a second output driving unit driving the output voltage of the output node to the second level in response to the second voltage of the second node. |
| US08629695B2 |
Multi-stage sample and hold circuit
The present invention discloses a multi-stage sample and hold (S/H) circuit that includes: a first S/H circuit for sampling a sensing signal of a sensor multiple times and accumulating them into a first sampled signal, and outputting the first sampled signal; and a second S/H circuit for receiving the plurality of first sampled signals and accumulating them into a second sampled signal. As a result, when one or more first sampled signals are saturated due to instantaneous noise, the second sampled signal is not saturated, thereby increasing the noise tolerance of the multi-stage S/H circuit. |
| US08629693B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit with a chain of inverters
Each of a plurality of inverters includes: a first transistor having one end connected to a first terminal; and a second transistor having one end connected to a second terminal and the other end connected to the other end of the first transistor. The first transistors included in the inverters located at either odd-number orders or even-number orders counted from an input terminal side of an inverter chain circuit become conductive when a pre-charge signal has a first state to pre-charge the other end of the first transistors, and become non-conductive when the pre-charge signal has a second state. |
| US08629691B2 |
Systems and methods for interfacing between hard logic and soft logic in a hybrid integrated device
Systems and methods are disclosed for interfacing between hard logic elements and soft logic elements implemented on an integrated device. In particular, a configurable interface is provided that includes interconnects between hard logic and soft logic, which enable signals to be selectively routed between the inputs and outputs of hard logic blocks and soft logic modules. The interconnects allow for certain hard logic blocks to be bypassed in favor of soft logic functionality. Moreover, the interconnects allow soft logic to augment the processing of hard logic blocks, e.g., by providing additional signals to the hard logic block. |
| US08629690B2 |
Programmable logic device with logic switch and memories
One embodiment provides a programmable logic device in which a logic switch includes: a first memory having a first terminal connected to a first wire, a second terminal connected to a second wire, and a third terminal connected to a third wire; a second memory having a fourth terminal connected to the first wire, a fifth terminal connected to a fourth wire, and a sixth terminal connected to a fifth wire; and a pass transistor having a gate connected to the first terminal, and a source and a drain respectively connected to a sixth wire and a seventh wire. A source or drain of a first select gate transistor is connected the sixth wire, and a source or drain of a second select gate transistor is connected to the seventh wire. |
| US08629688B2 |
Method for sulfur-based corrosion testing
A method for performing corrosion testing is provided. The method includes applying a thin film of silicone to an electrical device to be tested, positioning the device in a chamber, connecting the device to electrical testing equipment for determining any change in electrical resistance of the device, and disposing a gaseous compound of sulfur in the chamber. The method also comprises monitoring the device for any change in electrical resistance for indicating failure of the device. |
| US08629685B2 |
Device for measuring a variation in the capacitance of a variable capacitive structure
A device for measuring a variation in the capacitance of a variable capacitive structure, includes: a supply voltage; a reference capacitance; element for measuring a voltage across the terminals of the reference capacitance; a measurement capacitive structure; and elements for detecting a threshold voltage across the terminals of the reference capacitance. The device is configured/programmed so that the measurement capacitive structure is discharged, in a variable number of discharges, into the reference capacitance after the variable capacitive structure has been discharged, in a fixed number of discharges, into the reference capacitance and until the voltage (VS) across the terminals of the reference capacitance has reached the threshold voltage. The variation in the variable number of discharges relative to a previously obtained number of discharges allows the variation in the capacitance of the variable capacitive structure to be estimated. |
| US08629680B2 |
Central processing unit test system
A central processing unit (CPU) test system includes a CPU socket, a CPU core controller, and a CPU test device. The CPU core controller stores a start voltage message. The CPU test device includes a voltage detection pin, an analog to digital (A/D) converter, and a microcontroller. The voltage detection pin detects a voltage of an electronic device connected to the CPU socket. The A/D converter converts the detected voltage into a digital signal. The microcontroller controls the CPU core controller to output the start voltage to the CPU socket according to the digital signal. The microcontroller stores a predetermined start voltage message. The microcontroller reads the start voltage message after controlling the CPU core controller to output the start voltage, and determines whether the CPU core controller supplies the start voltage to the CPU socket by comparing the read start voltage message with the predetermined start voltage message. |
| US08629676B2 |
Position encoder comprising a plastic element
Disclosed is a position sensor, in particular a rotor position sensor, comprising a base. A track that is provided with a conducting coating is formed within the surface of the base relevant for evaluating signals. Since the track is formed within the base, the desired position-dependent modulation of the eddy current behavior is obtained by design measures, resulting in low manufacturing tolerance and reduced production costs. |
| US08629675B2 |
Linear sensor
A linear sensor is described with a casing (5), with a pin (7) which contains a permanent magnet (1) and which is mounted in the casing (5) in a linearly displaceable manner against the force of a spring (6), and with a magnetic field sensor (3) attached to said casing (5) for detecting of a displacement of the permanent magnet (1). The invention provides that the pin (7) is controlled by a first cylindrical guide (8) and a second cylindrical guide (8). |
| US08629669B2 |
Sensing and feedback in a current mode control voltage regulator
The disclosed embodiments of voltage regulators incorporate a current mode control architecture. In one embodiment, a comparator mechanism triggers a transition in a power switch when the error in the regulated output voltage is equal to a proportionally scaled value of current provided at an output filter. The voltage regulator includes a power switch having an input and an output. The power switch is configured to provide a first voltage during a first conduction period and a second voltage during a second conduction period. An output filter is coupled between the power switch output and an output terminal to be coupled to a load. A comparator mechanism has a reference input coupled to a reference voltage, a feedback input coupled to sense a feedback voltage at the output filter, a current sensing input coupled to sense a current sensing voltage corresponding to a current provided to the output filter, and an output in communication with the power switch input. The comparator mechanism is configured to trigger responsive to a difference between the feedback voltage and the reference voltage equaling the current sensing voltage. The triggering causes a transition of the power switch from the second conduction period to the first conduction period. |
| US08629668B2 |
Multi-phase synthetic ripple power converter
A novel method to operate synthetic ripple multi-phase switching power converters at constant frequency is presented. The method includes the means for sensing the current in each phase without adding extra dissipation and for balancing the currents by affecting the synthetic ripple signal to modulate the duty cycle without disturbing the overall output voltage regulation.Furthermore a method for obtaining optimum load transient response is presented. The method includes the means for simply determining the derivative of the synthetic ripple signal and for forcing maximum duty cycle until the derivative of the synthetic ripple signal reaches a certain threshold. A variant of this method improves further the load transient response by coupling an RC network to the ramp signal generated to modulate the duty cycle so as to maintain the maximum duty cycle a bit longer after the derivative of the synthetic ripple signal has reached the zero value. |
| US08629667B2 |
Pulse width modulator with an adjustable waveform generator for controlling duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal
Disclosed herein are pulse width modulator (PWM) solutions with comparators not relying on a variable reference to adjust duty cycle. In accordance with some embodiments, a pulse width modulator having a comparator with an applied adjustable waveform to generate a bit stream with a controllably adjustable duty cycle is provided. |
| US08629665B2 |
Voltage regulating apparatus
The invention discloses a voltage regulating apparatus, which includes: a linear regulator generating a first error signal; a switching regulator generating a first and a second PWM signals; a selecting unit coupled to the linear and switching regulators, receiving the first error signal and the second PWM signal, and outputting a regulating signal; a first power transistor coupled to the switching regulator and receiving the first PWM signal; and a second power transistor coupled to the selecting unit and receiving the regulating signal; wherein the voltage regulating apparatus can be put either in a linear mode of operation if the first error signal is selected as the regulating signal, or in a switching mode of operation if the second PWM signal is selected as the regulating signal. |
| US08629664B2 |
Multi-path constant current driving circuit
A multi-path constant current drive circuit includes a DC/AC converter, a main transformer and at least two rectifying and filtering units. The main transformer includes at least one assistant side winding with a tap; together with the assistant side winding of the main transformer, each of the at least two rectifying and filtering units respectively forms a power supply loop; each power supply loop includes a first rectifying loop and a second rectifying loop, which are relatively used for the rectification of the positive and the negative half-cycle alternating voltage; a current-equalizing transformer is arranged between the adjacent first power supply loop and second power supply loop, the windings of the current-equalizing transformer are respectively in the rectifying loops contained in the first power supply loop and the second power supply loop, thus realizing the current equalization between the different rectifying loops in which the adjacent rectifying and filtering units are contained. The multi-path constant current drive circuit performs a good current equalization, and can reduce the volume of the current-equalizing transformer and decrease the cost. |
| US08629663B2 |
Systems for integrated switch-mode DC-DC converters for power supplies
A first control system for a power supply includes a switch-mode DC-DC converter module and an FET gate drive module. The switch-mode DC-DC converter module receives an input voltage and generates first and second voltages, the first voltage powering a DC-DC control module. The FET gate drive module selectively drives a plurality of FETs of the power supply using the second voltage thereby generating a desired output voltage from the input voltage. A second control system is directed to driving the second voltage to a desired gate voltage, wherein the desire gate voltage is determined based on at least one of a plurality of operating parameters. A third control system includes controlling first and second voltages generated by a SIDO voltage converter based on the first and second voltages and a damping factor, and generating the damping factor based on current flowing through the inductor of the SIDO voltage converter. |
| US08629662B2 |
Multiple phase switching regulator with phase current sharing
A phase current sharing network that adjusts operation of a current mode multiphase switching regulator in which the phase current sharing network includes multiple synthetic ripple networks and a current share network. The regulator develops phase currents including ripple currents through corresponding phase inductors as controlled by corresponding pulse control signals. Each synthetic ripple networks develops a corresponding ripple voltage that simulates a corresponding phase ripple current and uses the ripple voltages to develop the pulse control signals. The current share network adjusts each ripple voltage by a combined adjustment value. The combined adjustment value is a combination of phase adjustment values in which each phase adjustment value is based on a difference between a corresponding one of ripple voltage and a reference voltage. Transconductance amplifiers may be used to convert the voltage differences to current adjust values applied to the ripple capacitors developing the ripple voltages. |
| US08629660B2 |
Critical conduction resonant transition boost power circuit
A boost regulator is provided that has increased efficiency. The increased efficiency is provided by incorporating a sensing circuit that senses when the current in the boost regulator's inductor is near zero or when the voltage at its switching node is near zero or virtual ground. A switching signal is provided to the boost regulator's switching transistor when the near zero current or voltage is sensed. Switching at the near zero current or voltage moment (the “critical conduction moment”) helps to eliminate or minimize the power loss associated with switching the transistor at a time other than during the critical conduction moment. |
| US08629656B2 |
Battery pack and control method therefor
A battery pack includes one or more cell blocks in which one or more secondary battery cells are connected in series and/or in parallel, and a control section for measuring a voltage of the one or more cell blocks to detect an abnormality of a cell block on the basis of a measurement result. The control section calculates a time differential of the voltage for the one or more cell blocks on the basis of the measured voltage, extracts a first time differential which is maximum and a second time differential which is minimum from the time differentials of the voltage for the one or more cell blocks, and determines that a cell block corresponding to the second time differential is abnormal in a case where a difference between the first time differential and the second time differential is less than a prescribed value. |
| US08629648B2 |
Photovoltaic system
Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure relates to a photovoltaic system for generating an output voltage which is uninfluenced by varying irradiation. The photovoltaic system includes at least one photovoltaic unit having two photovoltaic sources, wherein each photovoltaic source includes an input terminal and an output terminal. The photovoltaic unit includes two voltage adding arrangements, each voltage adding arrangement having a first route including a voltage source and a second route including a voltage source bypass. The first voltage adding arrangement is connected in series with the first photovoltaic source and the second voltage adding arrangement is connected in series with the second photovoltaic source. A switch is arranged between an input terminal of the first photovoltaic source and an output terminal of the second photovoltaic source. The input terminals of the photovoltaic unit, which include an external interface of the photovoltaic system, are interconnected and the output terminals of the photovoltaic unit constituting the external interface of the photovoltaic system are interconnected. |
| US08629645B2 |
System and method for energizing an electric motor auxiliary winding and electric motor
A system and a method for energizing an auxiliary winding of a capacitor-start single-phase induction motor for reducing the voltage level in the bidirectional switches during the blocking of said switches and for providing smooth switching of the electromechanical bidirectional switch. This is achieved by a system for energizing an auxiliary winding of an electric motor, the auxiliary winding being connectable in series with a voltage network, the system including a start capacitor and an electromechanical switch connected in series with the auxiliary winding, the system including an electronic switch connected in parallel with the series association of the electromechanical switch and the start capacitor, the electronic switch and the electromechanical switch being used to turn on the auxiliary winding, the system configured so that the electronic switch can be turned on simultaneously with the electromechanical switch and kept on simultaneously with the electromechanical switch for a stabilization time. |
| US08629642B2 |
Closed-loop motor driver compensation
A control loop circuit for use in a closed-loop control system that controls a system such as a linear motor is presented. The control loop circuit includes a lead-lag compensator that features a lead compensation network configured to reduce output noise without substantially changing the effect of the lead compensation in the control system's frequency response. |
| US08629640B2 |
Integrated fan drive system for air-cooled heat exchangers (ACHE)
An air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE) for cooling process fluids used in an industrial process. In one embodiment, the ACHE is configured as a forced-draft ACHE. A support structure supports the forced draft ACHE above grade. A tube bundle is supported by the structure and is configured to receive process fluids used in an industrial process. A plenum is connected to the support structure, positioned beneath the tube bundle and configured to direct air-flow through the tube bundle. A fan is supported by the support structure and positioned beneath the plenum. Rotation of the fan produces an air-flow that is directed through the tube bundle by the plenum. A fan drive system is supported by the support structure, positioned beneath the fan and comprises a permanent magnet motor comprising a motor casing, a stator and a rotatable shaft, the rotatable shaft being connected to the fan. |
| US08629639B2 |
Brushless direct current motor and driving unit thereof
A brushless direct current (DC) motor includes a rotor, a stator and a driving unit. The rotor includes a plurality of magnetic poles. The stator includes a plurality of upper pole arms and a plurality of lower pole arms. The driving unit includes at least two coils wound on the upper pole arms and the lower pole arms respectively, and the driving unit generates an alternating magnetic field on the stator for driving the rotor. |
| US08629637B2 |
Operation of a three-phase regenerative drive from mixed DC and single phase AC power sources
A three-phase regenerative drive (20) is operated based upon power from a single-phase AC source (12) and power from a DC source (14). The single-phase AC input power and the DC input power are converted to DC voltage on a DC bus (24) by a three-phase converter (22). DC power is provided from the DC bus (24) to a three-phase inverter having outputs connected to a motor (34). A controller (44) controls operation of the three-phase converter (22) based upon contribution factors of the AC and DC sources (12, 14) during motoring and regeneration. The controller (44) also controls an AC component of current from the DC source to reduce ripple current on the DC bus (24). |
| US08629633B2 |
DC high voltage source and particle accelerator
A DC high voltage source may include: (a) a capacitor stack having a first electrode which can be brought to a first potential, a second electrode concentric with the first electrode and which can be brought to a second potential different from the first potential, and a plurality of intermediate electrodes concentric with respect to each other and concentrically between the first and second electrodes and which can be brought to a sequence of increasing potential levels between the first and second potentials, and (b) a switching device to which the electrodes of the capacitor stack are connected and which is configured such that, during operation of the switching device, the electrodes of the capacitor stack can be brought to the increasing potential levels, wherein the distance of the electrodes of the capacitor stack decreases toward the central electrode. An accelerator comprising such a DC high voltage source is also provided. |
| US08629631B1 |
Method and system for improving start-up time of a light emitting diode (LED) driver at reduced input voltage
Improving start-up time of a light emitting diode (led) driver at lower input voltage is accomplished with a quick start circuit comprising a constant current source that replaces the traditional trickle charge start-up path for charging of a Vcc capacitor supplying operating voltage to an SMPS controller. Also the constant current source will only be operational during SMPS start-up, then will turn off after the SMPS is capable of producing its own regulated power supply to the Vcc terminal of the SMPS controller, thereby minimizing E2/R power losses in the SMPS. |
| US08629626B2 |
Dedicated LED airfield system architectures
A system and method that contemplates operating an LED at its characterized current (e.g. 400 mA) for any luminous intensity. A Direct Current Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal is employed, wherein the pulse width of the pulse width modulated signal is used to control the luminous intensity of the LED. Optionally, the LED can be biased to reduce the intensity of the pulses used to operate the LED. |
| US08629622B2 |
Light emitting diode circuit
In light emitting diode circuits (1) comprising serially coupled first and second circuits (11, 12) with first and second light emitting diodes, third circuits (13) are coupled in parallel with the second circuits (12) for controlling the first light emitting diodes in the first circuits (11) and/or third light emitting diodes in fourth circuits (14). This allows more options, more optimizations, more flexibility and/or more efficiency. The light emitting diode circuit (1) receives a supply voltage from a source (2, 3) for feeding the light emitting diode circuit (1). The third circuit (13) receives a feeding voltage from the second circuit (12) for feeding the third circuit (13). The feeding voltage may be a voltage present across the second circuit (12). The third circuit (13) may further control the second light emitting diodes in the second circuit (12). Said controlling may comprise controlling a current flowing through said light emitting diodes for the purpose of dimming, flicker suppression, color control and/or temperature protection. |
| US08629621B2 |
Resonant network for reduction of flicker perception in solid state lighting systems
An apparatus and method for reducing the perception of flicker of solid state light sources. An alternating current (AC) signal is passed through an AC conditioning circuit and a passive resonating circuit before being supplied to a string of solid state light sources, such as light emitting diodes. |
| US08629614B2 |
Organic EL display and method for manufacturing same
An object of this invention is to provide a top-emission type organic EL display in which filling defects of a resin filler material are alleviated during bonding of an organic EL emission panel and a color conversion filter panel with the resin filler material, as well as to provide a method for manufacturing such an organic EL display. An organic EL display of this invention is characterized in having stripe-shaped barrier walls for inkjet application placed on a color conversion filter panel, and a filler material guide wall placed between the length-direction end portions of the barrier walls for inkjet application and a peripheral seal member. |
| US08629611B2 |
White light electroluminescent devices with adjustable color temperature
Solid state lighting devices include a first luminescent element (612) emitting light having a first spectrum, and a second luminescent element (614) emitting light having a second spectrum. The first luminescent element includes a first electroluminescent element (612a) that emits a first pump light, and a first light converting element (612b) that converts at least some of the first pump light to a first re-emitted light component. The second luminescent element includes a second electroluminescent element (614a) that emits a second pump light, and a second light converting element (614b) that converts at least some second pump light to a second re-emitted light component. The first and/or second light converting element includes a potential well. Light emitted by the first and second luminescent elements combine to provide a device output, which can approximate a Planckian locus over a range of color temperatures and exhibit a color rendering index of at least 60, 70, or 80. |
| US08629608B2 |
Fluorescent lamp of improved lumen maintenance and mercury consumption
The inner surfaces of fluorescent lamp tubing are provided with a phosphor coating. The phosphor coating defines an inward-facing surface. A protective coating is deposited on the inward-facing surface of the phosphor coating. The protective coating defines an innermost surface and makes effective recombination of Hg ions possible on the innermost surface of the second coating before the Hg ions collide with the phosphor particles in the phosphor coating. |
| US08629607B2 |
Lighting device
The lighting device includes: a light emitting module including a substrate and a light emitting device disposed on the substrate; a member disposed on the light emitting module, the member including: a base having a hole configured to receive the light emitting device; a projection configured to reflect light from the light emitting device; and a predetermined inclined surface coupled to an outer circumference of the base, a cover surrounding the light emitting module and the member; and a heat sink including a flat surface on which the light emitting module is disposed, and coupled to the cover. |
| US08629603B2 |
Organic light-emitting device with homogeneous temperature distribution
An organic light-emitting device (100) comprising: an active layer for producing electroluminescent radiation and decoupling the electroluminescent radiation; and a thermally -conducting layer (206) located in a decoupling path of the electroluminescent radiation for dissipating heat generated during an electroluminescence process; wherein the thermally -conducting layer (206) has a thermal conductivity of more than 200 W/mK, in particular more than 500 W/mK. |
| US08629600B2 |
Annular thermoacoustic energy converter
A thermoacoustic energy converter for converting heat energy to electricity includes an annular resonator with a regenerator disposed therein. An electro-mechanical transducer is coupled to the annular resonator and in fluid communication with the working fluid. When heat is applied to one end of the annular resonator, a traveling acoustic wave is generated in the annular resonator causing vibrations in the working fluid that actuate the electro-mechanical transducer to generate electricity. |
| US08629598B2 |
Boundary acoustic wave device
A boundary acoustic wave device includes a first medium layer made of a first dielectric material and a second medium layer made of a second dielectric material having an acoustic velocity different from the acoustic velocity of the first dielectric material. The first medium layer and the second medium layer are disposed on a piezoelectric substrate, and an IDT electrode is arranged along the interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the first medium layer. When the fast transverse bulk wave of the piezoelectric substrate has an acoustic velocity V1 and a higher-order mode boundary acoustic wave has an acoustic velocity Va at an anti-resonance point, the boundary acoustic wave device satisfies the relationship Va>V1. |
| US08629588B2 |
Apparatus for generating alternating current power by direct current supply brush that rotates with field pole generator, and apparatus for generating direct current power
The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating power by a direct current supply brush that rotates with a field pole generator, the apparatus comprising: a field pole generator which has a plurality of iron cores having a coil or wire wound around; a winding wire used for power generation, the winding wire being formed in such a manner as to wind around the field pole generator; a commutator which is disposed at one end of the field pole generator and has a plurality of commutator segments arranged in a circular shape; a rotating body which has a direct current supply brush adhered to the outer surface of the commutator; a motor for rotating the rotating body; a slip ring secured to a shaft of the motor; and a direct current supply unit for supplying direct current power to the slip ring. |
| US08629583B2 |
Electrical device
The invention relates to an electrical device, especially an electric tool, which has a motor unit provided with a motor housing, and a receiving unit for receiving at least one drive element. According to the invention, the electrical device includes a motor sleeve for coupling the motor unit to the receiving unit. |
| US08629580B2 |
Audio accessory type detection and connector pin signal assignment
An electronic audio host device has an audio accessory connector with multiple pins. An ultrasonic test signal source has an output coupled to a first pin of the connector. A programmable switch circuit couples a second or third pin of the connector, to a ground of the audio host device. A controller measures a signal on one of the pins of the connector while the test signal source is on, and compares the measured signal to a predetermined, stored signature. The signature is associated with one of several different accessory plug pin assignments for the connector, which can be configured using the programmable switch circuit. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08629568B2 |
Semiconductor device cover mark
A system and method for determining underfill expansion is provided. An embodiment comprises forming cover marks along a top surface of a substrate, attaching a semiconductor substrate to the top surface of the substrate, placing an underfill material between the semiconductor substrate and the substrate, and then using the cover marks to determine the expansion of the underfill over the top surface of the substrate. Additionally, cover marks may also be formed along a top surface of the semiconductor substrate, and the cover marks on both the substrate and the semiconductor substrate may be used together as alignment marks during the alignment of the substrate and the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08629565B2 |
Thin wafer protection device
A thin wafer protection device includes a wafer having a plurality of semiconductor chips. The wafer has a first side and an opposite second side. A plurality of dies is over the first side of the wafer, and at least one of the plurality of dies is bonded to at least one of the plurality of semiconductor chips. A wafer carrier is over the second side of the wafer. An encapsulating layer is over the first side of the wafer and the plurality of dies, and the encapsulating layer has a planar top surface. An adhesive tape is over the planar top surface of the encapsulating layer. |
| US08629564B2 |
Semiconductor electronic component and semiconductor device using the same
The problem of the present invention is to provide a chip-on-chip type semiconductor electronic component and a semiconductor device which can meet the requirements for further density increase of semiconductor integrated circuits.The present invention provides: a chip-on-chip type semiconductor electronic component in which a circuit surface of a first semiconductor chip and a circuit surface of a second semiconductor chip are opposed to each other, wherein the distance X between the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip is 50 μm or less, and the shortest distance Y between the side surface of the second semiconductor chip and the first external electrode is 1 mm or less; and a semiconductor device comprising the same. |
| US08629560B2 |
Self aligned air-gap in interconnect structures
An integrated circuit structure comprising an air gap and methods for forming the same are provided. The integrated circuit structure includes a conductive line; a self-aligned dielectric layer on a sidewall of the conductive line; an air-gap horizontally adjoining the self-aligned dielectric layer; a low-k dielectric layer horizontally adjoining the air-gap; and a dielectric layer on the air-gap and the low-k dielectric layer. |
| US08629558B2 |
Techniques for packaging multiple device components
Techniques for fabricating multiple device components. Specifically, techniques for fabricating a stacked package comprising at least one I/C module and a multi-chip package. The multi-chip package includes a plurality of integrated circuit dice coupled to a carrier. The dice are encapsulated such that conductive elements are exposed through the encapsulant. The conductive elements are electrically coupled to the chips. The I/C module comprises an interposer having a plurality of integrated circuit dice disposed thereon. The dice of the I/C module are electrically coupled to the interposer via bondwires. The interposer is configured such that vias are aligned with the conductive elements on the multi-chip package. The multi-chip package and I/C module may be fabricated separately and subsequently coupled together to form a stacked package. |
| US08629551B1 |
Bottom port 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. |
| US08629550B2 |
Printed wiring board with crossing wiring pattern
A printed wiring board including a core substrate, a build-up layer formed over the core substrate and including a first insulating layer, a conductor layer formed over the first insulating layer, and a second insulating layer formed over the conductor layer, and one or more wiring patterns formed over the first insulating layer. The conductor layer includes conductor portions, and the conductor portions have notched portions, respectively, facing each other across the wiring pattern. |
| US08629548B1 |
Clock network fishbone architecture for a structured ASIC manufactured on a 28 NM CMOS process lithographic node
A clock architecture for a Structured ASIC chip, manufactured using a CMOS process is shown. A via-configurable logic block (VCLB) architecture in the Structured ASIC has a core region containing memory and logic cells arranged in columns that are supplied by a clock network having a global clock network tree and a low-level clock mesh to distribute the global clock signal in a repeating pattern. The clock mesh has a fishbone configuration in outline and allows for scalable expansion of the clock network. In one embodiment 36 global clocks may be provided to the Structured ASIC, with four clocks per logic cell. The VCLB Structured ASIC chip is manufactured on a 28 nm CMOS process lithographic node, having several metal layers but preferably is programmable on a single via layer. |
| US08629545B2 |
Stub minimization for assemblies without wirebonds to package substrate
A system or microelectronic assembly can include one or more microelectronic packages each having a substrate and a microelectronic element having a face and one or more columns of contacts thereon which face and are joined to corresponding contacts on a surface of the substrate. An axial plane may intersect the face along a line in the first direction and centered relative to the columns of element contacts. Columns of package terminals can extend in the first direction. First terminals in a central region of the second surface can be configured to carry address information usable to determine an addressable memory location within the microelectronic element. The central region may have a width not more than three and one-half times a minimum pitch between the columns of package terminals. The axial plane can intersect the central region. |
| US08629542B2 |
Three dimensional structure memory
A Three-Dimensional Structure (3DS) Memory allows for physical separation of the memory circuits and the control logic circuit onto different layers such that each layer may be separately optimized. One control logic circuit suffices for several memory circuits, reducing cost. Fabrication of 3DS memory involves thinning of the memory circuit to less than 50 μm in thickness and bonding the circuit to a circuit stack while still in wafer substrate form. Fine-grain high density inter-layer vertical bus connections are used. The 3DS memory manufacturing method enables several performance and physical size efficiencies, and is implemented with established semiconductor processing techniques. |
| US08629540B2 |
Apparatus and methods for packaging integrated circuit chips with antennas formed from package lead wires
Apparatus and methods are provided for integrally packaging semiconductor IC (integrated circuit) chips with antennas having one or more radiating elements and tuning elements that are formed from package lead wires that are appropriated shaped and arranged to form antenna structures for millimeter wave applications. |
| US08629535B2 |
Mask for forming integrated circuit
A method of forming an integrated circuit includes providing a buffer layer comprising a dielectric material above a layer of conductive material and providing a layer of mask material above the buffer layer. The mask material comprises amorphous carbon. The method also includes removing a portion of the buffer layer and the layer of mask material to form a mask. A feature is formed in the layer of conductive material according to the mask. |
| US08629531B2 |
Structure and method to reduce wafer warp for gallium nitride on silicon wafer
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a dielectric material layer on a silicon substrate, the dielectric material layer being patterned to define a plurality of regions separated by the dielectric material layer; a first buffer layer disposed on the silicon substrate; a heterogeneous buffer layer disposed on the first buffer layer; and a gallium nitride layer grown on the heterogeneous buffer layer only within the plurality of regions. |
| US08629525B2 |
Second contact schottky metal layer to improve GaN schottky diode performance
A Schottky diode includes a first nitride-based semiconductor layer disposed atop a substrate. A second nitride-based semiconductor layer is disposed atop a portion of the first nitride-based semiconductor layer. The second layer has a doping concentration lower than that of the first layer. A first Schottky contact metal layer having a first metal work function is disposed on a top planar surface of the second layer, forming a first Schottky junction. A second Schottky contact metal layer having a second metal work function is disposed atop of and laterally surrounding the first Schottky contact metal layer, the metal work function of the second metal layer is higher than that of the first metal layer. A metal layer disposed on first and second planar surfaces forms an ohmic contact with the first nitride-based semiconductor layer. |
| US08629520B2 |
Arrangements for an integrated sensor
An integrated circuit can have a first substrate supporting a magnetic field sensing element and a second substrate supporting another magnetic field sensing element. The first and second substrates can be arranged in a variety of configurations. Another integrated circuit can have a first magnetic field sensing element and second different magnetic field sensing element disposed on surfaces thereof. |
| US08629512B2 |
Gate stack of fin field effect transistor with slanted sidewalls
The description relates to a gate stack of a fin field effect transistor (FinFET). An exemplary structure for a FinFET includes a substrate including a first surface and an insulation region covering a portion of the first surface, where a top of the insulation region defines a second surface. The FinFET further includes a fin disposed through an opening in the insulation region to a first height above the second surface, where a base of an upper portion of the fin is broader than a top of the upper portion, wherein the upper portion has first tapered sidewalls and a third surface. The FinFET further includes a gate dielectric covering the first tapered sidewalls and the third surface and a conductive gate strip traversing over the gate dielectric, where the conductive gate strip has second tapered sidewalls along a longitudinal direction of the fin. |
| US08629511B2 |
Mask free protection of work function material portions in wide replacement gate electrodes
In a replacement gate scheme, after formation of a gate dielectric layer, a work function material layer completely fills a narrow gate trench, while not filling a wide gate trench. A dielectric material layer is deposited and planarized over the work function material layer, and is subsequently recessed to form a dielectric material portion overlying a horizontal portion of the work function material layer within the wide gate trench. The work function material layer is recessed employing the dielectric material portion as a part of an etch mask to form work function material portions. A conductive material is deposited and planarized to form gate conductor portions, and a dielectric material is deposited and planarized to form gate cap dielectrics. |
| US08629502B2 |
MOSFET with recessed channel film and abrupt junctions
MOSFETs and methods for making MOSFETs with a recessed channel and abrupt junctions are disclosed. The method includes creating source and drain extensions while a dummy gate is in place. The source/drain extensions create a diffuse junction with the silicon substrate. The method continues by removing the dummy gate and etching a recess in the silicon substrate. The recess intersects at least a portion of the source and drain junction. Then a channel is formed by growing a silicon film to at least partially fill the recess. The channel has sharp junctions with the source and drains, while the unetched silicon remaining below the channel has diffuse junctions with the source and drain. Thus, a MOSFET with two junction regions, sharp and diffuse, in the same transistor can be created. |
| US08629495B2 |
High frequency field-effect transistor
The invention relates to a field-effect transistor having a higher efficiency than the known field-effect transistors, in particular at higher operating frequencies. This is achieved by electrically connecting sources of a plurality of main current paths by means of a strap line (SL) being inductively coupled to a gate line (Gtl) and/or a drain line (Drnl) for forming an additional RF-return current path parallel to the RF-return current path in a semiconductor body (SB). The invention further relates to a field-effect transistor package, a power amplifier, a multi-stage power amplifier and a base station comprising such a field-effect transistor. |
| US08629493B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type having a first surface and a second surface, a source region disposed on the first surface, a gate region disposed on the first surface adjacent the source region, and a drain region disposed on the first surface. The semiconductor device also includes a pair of charge control trenches disposed between the gate region and the drain region. Each of the pair of charge control trenches is characterized by a width and includes a first dielectric material disposed therein and a second material disposed internal to the first dielectric material. Additionally, a concentration of doping impurities present in the semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type and a distance between the pair of charge control trenches define an electrical characteristic of the semiconductor device that is independent of the width of each of the pair of charge control trenches. |
| US08629489B2 |
Nonvolatile memory devices
A nonvolatile memory device includes a string selection transistor, a plurality of memory cell transistors, and a ground selection transistor electrically connected in series to the string selection transistor and to the pluralities of memory cell transistors. First impurity layers are formed at boundaries of the channels and the source/drain regions of the memory cell transistors. The first impurity layers are doped with opposite conductivity type impurities relative to the source/drain regions of the memory cell transistors. Second impurity layers are formed at boundaries between a channel and a drain region of the string selection transistor and between a channel and a source region of the ground selection transistor. The second impurity layers are doped with the same conductivity type impurities as the first impurity layers and have a higher impurity concentration than the first impurity layers. |
| US08629483B2 |
Locally 2 sided CHC DRAM access transistor structure
A method for forming a DRAM memory with a two-sided transistor includes: providing a silicon finFET structure having at least two fins, and a trench between the fins; forming high ohmic gates on either side of the fins; forming a hole between each pair of high ohmic gates to enable connection between the pair of high ohmic gates; forming a gate on one side of the trench and underneath one of the pair of high ohmic gate; forming a layer of oxide over the gate; and depositing tungsten in the trench to form a thick layer of metal at the bottom to form a word line. |
| US08629481B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
In a semiconductor integrated circuit device, testing pads (209b) using a conductive layer, such as relocation wiring layers (205) are provided just above or in the neighborhood of terminals like bonding pads (202b) used only for probe inspection at which bump electrodes (208) are not provided. Similar testing pads may be provided even with respect to terminals like bonding pads provided with bump electrodes. A probe test is executed by using these testing pads or under the combined use of under bump metallurgies antecedent to the formation of the bump electrodes together with the testing pads. According to the above, bump electrodes for pads dedicated for probe testing may not be added owing to the use of the testing pads. Further, the use of testing pads provided in the neighborhood of the terminals like the bonding pads and smaller in size than the under bump metallurgies enables a probe test to be executed after a relocation wiring process. |
| US08629479B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first GaN layer provided on a SiC substrate, a second GaN layer provided on the first GaN layer, and an electron supply layer that is provided on the second GaN layer and has a band gap greater than that of GaN, the first GaN layer having an acceptor concentration higher than that of the second GaN layer. |
| US08629472B2 |
Light-emitting device, electronic device, and lighting device
A light energy reuse type light-emitting device with low power consumption is provided by converting light from a light-emitting device into electric power efficiently for reuse. Also, a light energy reuse type light-emitting device with high yield is provided. A light-blocking film of the light-emitting device is replaced to a photoelectric conversion element, so that light is converted into electric power. That is, conventionally, light is not emitted in a portion of a light-blocking film. In the disclosed invention, light which is not emitted can be converted into electric power by a photoelectric conversion element, and can be reused. Therefore, a light-emitting device with low power consumption is realized. |
| US08629466B2 |
Lighting device
This invention discloses a lighting device for providing an illumination with enhanced color uniformity. The lighting device includes a light generating element adjacent a substrate and configured to produce light having wavelengths substantially within a first wavelength range; a transparent frame attached to the substrate, surrounding the transparent frame; a wavelength converting layer for converting a portion of the light produced by the light generating element into light having wavelengths within a second wavelength range, substantially covering the light emitting surface and at least part of the transparent frame; and a scattering frame configured to substantially scatter light that travels therein, covering a portion of the light emitting surface around periphery thereof to thereby receive a portion of the light leaving the wavelength converting layer around the periphery of the light emitting area. Light components in said portion of the light are substantially mixed in the scattering frame. |
| US08629465B2 |
Light-emitting diodes on concave texture substrate
A semiconductor device having light-emitting diodes (LEDs) formed on a concave textured substrate is provided. A substrate is patterned and etched to form recesses. A separation layer is formed along the bottom of the recesses. An LED structure is formed along the sidewalls and, optionally, along the surface of the substrate between adjacent recesses. In these embodiments, the surface area of the LED structure is increased as compared to a planar surface. In another embodiment, the LED structure is formed within the recesses such that the bottom contact layer is non-conformal to the topology of the recesses. In these embodiments, the recesses in a silicon substrate result in a cubic structure in the bottom contact layer, such as an n-GaN layer, which has a non-polar characteristic and exhibits higher external quantum efficiency. |
| US08629463B2 |
Organic light-emitting display device
An organic light-emitting display device, formed to be transparent, includes a substrate; a plurality of thin film transistors disposed on the substrate; a passivation layer covering the plurality of thin film transistors; a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed on the passivation layer and connected electrically to the plurality of thin film transistors, and overlapping and covering the plurality of thin film transistors; a first conductive unit disposed on the passivation layer to be disconnected electrically from the pixel electrodes; a pixel defining layer formed on the passivation layer to cover edges of the pixel electrodes; an opposite electrode facing the plurality of pixel electrodes, and covering at least part of the first conductive unit; an organic layer, including an emission layer, disposed between the pixel electrodes and the opposite electrode; and a second conductive unit connected electrically to a portion of the opposite electrode and the first conductive unit. |
| US08629461B2 |
Light receiving and emitting device
A light emitting device includes: a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit which are provided on a same substrate, wherein the light emitting unit includes an active layer sandwiched between a first clad layer and a second clad layer, a first electrode electrically connected to the first clad layer, and a second electrode electrically connected to the second clad layer. |
| US08629458B2 |
Compound semiconductor light-emitting element
The present disclosure relates to a compound semiconductor light-emitting element comprising: a frame; an adhesive provided on the frame; a light-emitting part which is secured in position on the frame by means of the adhesive and which includes a substrate, a first compound semiconductor layer formed on the substrate and having a first type of conductivity, a second compound semiconductor layer having a second type of conductivity that is different from the first type of conductivity, and an active layer disposed between the first compound semiconductor layer and the second compound semiconductor layer to generate light via electron-hole recombination; and a spacer disposed between the light-emitting part and the frame to create a gap therebetween. |
| US08629457B2 |
Light-emitting device
A silicon carbide substrate has a first layer facing a semiconductor layer and a second layer stacked on the first layer. Dislocation density of the second layer is higher than dislocation density of the first layer. Thus, quantum efficiency and power efficiency of a light-emitting device can both be high. |
| US08629456B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate made of silicon carbide and having a surface, a normal vector for the surface having an off angle with respect to a <0001> direction or a <000-1> direction, a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type formed on the semiconductor substrate, a first semiconductor region of a second conductivity type formed in a surface region of the semiconductor layer, a source region of a first conductivity type formed in a surface region of the first semiconductor region, a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type formed in the surface region of the semiconductor layer, contacting the first semiconductor region, and having a bottom surface lower than a bottom surface of the first semiconductor region, wherein at least one end of the bottom surface of the second semiconductor region is perpendicular to an off angle direction. |
| US08629454B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a nitride semiconductor layer; a source electrode, a gate electrode and a drain electrode; an insulating layer covering at least the gate electrode and a part of the nitride semiconductor layer; and a field plate on the insulating layer, a width of a region of the field plate between an edge of the field plate of a side of the drain electrode and an edge of the side face of the insulating layer covering a side face of the gate electrode of a side of the drain electrode being 0.1 μm or more, a distance between an edge of the field plate and an edge of the drain electrode in a contact face between the nitride semiconductor layer and the drain electrode being 3.5 μm or more, an operating frequency of the semiconductor device being 4 GHz or less. |
| US08629453B2 |
Externally configurable integrated circuits
A die comprising two or more active electronic components is provided. The active electronic components are capable of being interconnected using interconnections external to the die. The die may be encased within a package, and the active electronic components may be interconnected using interconnections external to the package. By interconnecting the active electronic components, either directly or through one or more additional components, a desired circuit may be formed. In some examples, the desired circuit may be a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC). Methods of forming the circuit are also disclosed. |
| US08629449B2 |
Display and manufacturing method of the same
A display, including a substrate, a plurality of signal wires, a first gate electrode, a second gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, a first semiconductor layer including a first source/drain region doped with a p-type impurity, a second semiconductor layer including a second source/drain region doped with an n-type impurity, a planarization layer having a first contact hole exposing a portion of the first source/drain region, a second contact hole exposing a portion of the second source/drain region, and a third contact hole exposing a portion of any one of the signal wires, a first connection electrode, a second connection electrode, a lower electrode, an organic film layer, and an upper electrode. |
| US08629448B2 |
Flat panel display device and method of manufacturing the same
A flat panel display device including a substrate including first and second regions; an active layer on the first region of the substrate including a semiconductor material; a lower electrode on the second region of the substrate including the semiconductor material; a first insulating layer on the substrate including the active layer and the lower electrode thereon; a gate electrode on the first insulating layer overlying the active layer and including a first conductive layer pattern and a second conductive layer pattern; an upper electrode on the first insulating layer overlying the lower electrode and including the first conductive layer pattern and the second conductive layer pattern; a second insulating layer on the gate electrode and the upper electrode exposing portions of the active layer and portions of the upper electrode; and a source electrode and a drain electrode connected to the exposed portions of the active layer. |
| US08629447B2 |
Display apparatus having multiple spacers
A display apparatus includes a display substrate and a counter substrate. The display substrate includes a first substrate and a plurality of pixel electrodes formed on the first substrate. The counter substrate includes a second substrate facing the first substrate, a common electrode formed on the second substrate, a first spacer formed on the common electrode and making contact with the display substrate, a second spacer having a first gap with the display substrate, a third spacer having a second gap larger than the first gap with the display substrate, and a fourth spacer having a third gap larger than the second gap with the display substrate. |
| US08629443B2 |
Active matrix substrate and display device
The present invention provides an active matrix substrate in which a peripheral can be narrowed or a gap between adjacent wirings increased to improve a yield. The present invention is an active matrix substrate in which a peripheral region is provided outside a display region. In the active matrix substrate, a first, a second, and a third transistor, a floating wiring, a switching wiring, a main wiring, and a branch wiring electrically connected with the main wiring are arranged in the peripheral region. The floating wiring and branch wiring each electrically connect the first and second transistors and comprise an intersecting portion intersecting with the switching wiring, with the third transistor being provided at the intersecting portion. A gate electrode of the third transistor includes the switching wiring, one of a source electrode and a drain electrode thereof includes the branch wiring, and the other of the source electrode and the drain electrode includes the floating wiring. |
| US08629442B2 |
Display device
At least one or more of a conductive layer which forms a wiring or an electrode and a pattern necessary for manufacturing a display panel such as a mask for forming a predetermined pattern is formed by a method capable of selectively forming a pattern to manufacture a liquid crystal display device. A droplet discharge method capable of forming a predetermined pattern by selectively discharging a droplet of a composition in accordance with a particular object is used as a method capable of selectively forming a pattern in forming a conductive layer, an insulating layer, or the like. |
| US08629441B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
The semiconductor device includes a driver circuit including a first thin film transistor and a pixel including a second thin film transistor over one substrate. The first thin film transistor includes a first gate electrode layer, a gate insulating layer, a first oxide semiconductor layer, a first oxide conductive layer, a second oxide conductive layer, an oxide insulating layer which is in contact with part of the first oxide semiconductor layer and which is in contact with peripheries and side surfaces of the first and second oxide conductive layers, a first source electrode layer, and a first drain electrode layer. The second thin film transistor includes a second gate electrode layer, a second oxide semiconductor layer, and a second source electrode layer and a second drain electrode layer each formed using a light-transmitting material. |
| US08629438B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed is a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor film. A first oxide semiconductor film with a thickness of greater than or equal to 2 nm and less than or equal to 15 nm is formed over a gate insulating layer. First heat treatment is performed so that crystal growth from a surface of the first oxide semiconductor film to the inside thereof is caused, whereby a first crystal layer is formed. A second oxide semiconductor film with a thickness greater than that of the first oxide semiconductor film is formed over the first crystal layer. Second heat treatment is performed so that crystal growth from the first crystal layer to a surface of the second oxide semiconductor film is caused, whereby a second crystal layer is formed. Further, oxygen doping treatment is performed on the second crystal layer. |
| US08629436B2 |
Backside only contact thin-film solar cells and devices, systems and methods of fabricating same, and products produced by processes thereof
Systems, methods, devices, and products of processes consistent with the innovations herein relate to thin-film solar cells having contacts on the backside, only. In one exemplary implementation, there is provided a thin film device. Moreover, such device may comprise a substrate, and a layer of silicon or silicon-containing material positioned on a first side of the substrate, wherein the layer comprises a n-doped region and a p-doped region. In some exemplary implementations, the device may be fabricated such that the n-doped region and the p-doped region are formed on the backside surface of the layer to create an electrical structure characterized by a P-type anode and an N-type cathode forming a junction positioned along the backside surface of the layer. |
| US08629431B2 |
Material for photoelectric conversion device and photoelectric conversion device
The present invention provides a photoelectric conversion device that is durable, lightweight, and inexpensive, and has a network structure of organic semiconductor nanowires that has high durability and is suitable for charge transport. In addition, to provide the photoelectric conversion device, the present invention provides, as an electron-donating material, a material for a photoelectric conversion device, the material including phthalocyanine nanowires having a breadth of 50 nm or less and a ratio (length/breadth) of a length to the breadth, the ratio being 10 or more. According to the present invention, a photoelectric conversion device having a long life due to high light resistance of phthalocyanine can be provided at a low cost. Use of such photoelectric conversion devices can constitute a solar-cell module having a long life due to the feature of the photoelectric conversion devices and being manufactured at a low cost. |
| US08629429B2 |
Electrode device for organic device and electronic device having the same
To provide an electrode for an organic device which can be widely applied to organic devices by having both hole injection function and electron injection function. A carrier injection electrode layer 110 in which a metal for electron injection 112 (a metal having a work function of 4.2 eV or less) and a metal for hole injection 113 (a metal having a work function of more than 4.2 eV) are mixed with one kind of organic compound 111 is provided between a first organic layer 100a and a second organic layer 100b. Thus, carriers are injected into a carrier injection electrode layer 110 in the direction according to voltage application, and seemingly, current flows between an organic layer 100 and a metal electrode 101, or between the first organic layer 100a and the second organic layer 100b. |
| US08629428B2 |
Line-tunneling tunnel field-effect transistor (TFET) and manufacturing method
A tunnel field effect transistor (TFET) and method of making the same is provided. The TFET comprises a source-channel-drain structure and a gate electrode. The source region comprises a first source sub-region which is doped with a first doping profile with a dopant element of a first doping type having a first peak concentration and a second source sub-region close to a source-channel interface which is doped with a second doping profile with a second dopant element with the same doping type as the first dopant element and having a second peak concentration. The second peak concentration of the second doping profile is substantially higher than the maximum doping level of the first doping profile close to an interface between the first and the second source sub-regions. |
| US08629427B2 |
Topological insulator-based field-effect transistor
A Topological INsulator-based field-effect transistor (TINFET) is disclosed. The TINFET includes a first and second gate dielectric layers separated by a topological insulator (TI) layer. A first gate contact is connected to the first gate dielectric layer on the surface that is opposite the TI layer. A second gate contact may be connected to the second gate dielectric layer on the surface that is opposite the TI layer. A first TI surface contact is connected to one surface of the TI layer, and a second TI surface contact is connected to the second surface of the TI layer. |
| US08629424B2 |
Light emitting diode with three-dimensional nano-structures
A light emitting diode including a substrate, a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer is provided. The first semiconductor layer includes a first surface and a second surface, and the first surface is connected to the substrate. The active layer and the second semiconductor layer are stacked on the second surface in that order, and a surface of the second semiconductor layer away from the active layer is configured as the light emitting surface. A first electrode electrically is connected with the first semiconductor layer. A second electrode is electrically connected with the second semiconductor layer. A number of three-dimensional nano-structures are located on the surface of the first surface of the first semiconductor layer and the light emitting surface, and a cross section of each of the three-dimensional nano-structures is M-shaped. |
| US08629422B2 |
Deposition of materials
The method utilizes a conducting trench base with non-conducting trench walls to corral charged particles precisely into the trenches. The nanoparticles are close packed in the channels and highly ordered. This approach utilizes the charge on the particles to selectively deposit them within the trenches, as all nanoparticles in solution can be charged, and this can be extended to any nanoparticle system beyond gold. Also, this method results in the layer-by-layer growth of the gold nanoparticles. Therefore the depth of the nanoparticle layers within the trenches is controllable. This allows the possibility of heterolayered structures of different nanoparticle layers. Further this method ensures that assembly occurs to fill the void space available provided the back-contacting electrode is more conducting than the trench walls. This allows nanoparticle assemblies to be corralled into any lithographically defined shape, which makes this approach highly adaptable to a range of applications. |
| US08629418B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and sensor therefor
A sensor for use at substrate level in a high numerical aperture lithographic apparatus, the sensor having a transparent plate that covers a sensing element and includes elements that improve coupling of radiation into the sensing element. The improved coupling elements include a flowing liquid medium disposed between the transparent plate and the sensing element. |
| US08629415B2 |
Radiation therapy apparatus
A radiation therapy apparatus includes a gantry having a central aperture that defines a cavity, in which a patient is positionable. The apparatus also includes a positioning device, with which the patient is positionable in the central aperture of the gantry, and a radiation head for generating therapeutic radiation. The apparatus includes an extension mechanism for the radiation head. The extension mechanism may be operated, such that in a first operating mode, the radiation head is disposable inside the gantry, such that the gantry has, on a side facing the positioning device, a front surface that constitutes a front limit of the radiation therapy apparatus toward the positioning device. In the first operating mode, the radiation head is behind the front surface viewed from the positioning device. In a second operating mode, the radiation head, viewed from the positioning device, may be moved out in front of the front surface. |
| US08629414B2 |
Clear overcoat compositions and methods for using and detecting the same
Present embodiments generally relate to a novel clear or colorless overcoat composition that may be used for overcoating, for example, ink based images and xerographic images. The overcoat composition, which may be used as a base for a clear solid ink, comprises one or more ultraviolet (UV) absorbing additives. Also included in the present embodiments is a method for using and detecting the overcoat composition in connection with a substrate, for example, a substrate that includes printed images thereon. |
| US08629411B2 |
Photoluminescence spectroscopy
This invention relates to temperature-corrected photoluminescence spectroscopy which may be applied to semiconductors and, in particular, photovoltaic films. |
| US08629408B2 |
Overlapping detector elements of a detector array for a radiation system
One or more techniques and/or systems described herein provide for creating detector elements that are configured to be overlaid, such that at least a portion of gap between two detector elements is situated in a plane that is not parallel to a plane through which primary radiation travels. That is, a first detector element comprises a portion that is configured to overlap a portion of a second detector element. The detector element(s) may be direct conversion or indirect conversion detector elements. Moreover, one or more electrodes may be placed within the gap and/or along an edge of the detector element to assist in the movement of charge generated by a charge producing portion of the detector element. |
| US08629406B2 |
Radiation detection element and radiographic imaging apparatus
The present invention provides a radiation detecting element and a radiographic imaging device that may reliably detect irradiation of radiation even when a region where radiation is irradiated is set narrowly. Namely, the present invention provides a radiation detection element and a radiographic imaging apparatus, in which radiographic imaging pixels and radiation detection pixels are provided at intersecting portions of scan lines and signal lines. |
| US08629404B2 |
Method and apparatus to optimize injected dose and scan time in SPECT imaging
An apparatus and method are provided for optimizing an amount of radiation dose and acquisition time in cardiac Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging. The apparatus and method include providing an organ, acquiring images of the organ at projected views. Then a projected view that projects the organ as an annulus is selected; a region of interest (ROI) is also selected in the projected view, wherein the ROI is in a lateral wall of the organ. An average count in the ROI is determined; and an image quality of a reconstructed image based on the average count is predicted. |
| US08629398B2 |
Detection beyond the standard radiation noise limit using spectrally selective absorption
High sensitivity thermal detectors that perform beyond the blackbody radiation noise limit are described. Thermal detectors, as described herein, use spectrally selective materials that absorb strongly in the wavelength region of the desired signal but only weakly or not at all in the primary thermal emission band. Exemplary devices that can be made in accordance with the present invention include microbolometers containing semiconductors that absorb in the MWIR and/or THz range but not the LWIR. |
| US08629397B2 |
Spectrophotometer and method for calibrating the same
A spectrophotometer is provided, including a light source for irradiating light into a sample gas, a photodetector for detecting light transmitted through the sample gas, an optical filter, and an operation device for calculating a concentration of an actual gas to be measured, contained in the sample gas based on a detection signal value obtained from the photodetector. The operation device calculates the concentration of the actual gas based on function α for associating a concentration of a substitute gas with the actual gas obtained from a reference instrument, function β for associating a relation between a light absorption of the actual gas and the substitute gas in the reference instrument, with a relation between a light absorption of the actual gas the substitute gas in a calibration instrument, and a function indicating a relation between the concentration of the substitute gas and the detection signal value. |
| US08629396B2 |
Uncooled infrared imaging element and manufacturing method thereof
An uncooled infrared imaging element includes a pixel region, a device region, and a support substrate. The pixel region includes heat-sensitive pixels. The heat-sensitive pixels are arranged in a matrix and change current-voltage characteristics thereof in accordance with receiving amounts of infrared. The device region includes at least one of a drive circuit and a readout circuit which includes a MOS transistor. The drive circuit drives the heat-sensitive pixels. The readout circuit detects signals of the heat-sensitive pixels. The support substrate is provided with a cavity region to be under pixel region and the MOS transistor. |
| US08629395B2 |
Charged particle beam apparatus
In order to provide a charged particle beam apparatus that can detect charged particle beam signals in discrimination into a plurality of energy bands, and obtain high-resolution images for each of the energy bands using the signals, the charged particle beam apparatus has a charged particle source (12-1); an aperture (16) that limits the diameter of the charged particle beam (4); optics (14, 17, 19) for the charged particle beam; a specimen holder (21); a charged particle detector (40) that detects secondary charged particles and reflected charged particles from a specimen; and signal calculation unit that processes the output signal from the charged particle detector. The charged particle detector (40) is provided with a first small detector (51) having a first detection sensitivity and a second small detector (52) having a second detection sensitivity, and makes the detection solid angle viewed from a position on the specimen, to which the charged particle beam (4) is to be radiated, to be the same for the first small detector (51) and the second small detector (52). |
| US08629393B1 |
Method and apparatus for neutral beam processing based on gas cluster ion beam technology
An apparatus, method and products thereof provide an accelerated neutral beam derived from an accelerated gas cluster ion beam for processing materials. |
| US08629390B2 |
Digital cameras with direct luminance and chrominance detection
Digital camera systems and methods are described that provide a color digital camera with direct luminance detection. The luminance signals are obtained directly from a broadband image sensor channel without interpolation of RGB data. The chrominance signals are obtained from one or more additional image sensor channels comprising red and/or blue color band detection capability. The red and blue signals are directly combined with the luminance image sensor channel signals. The digital camera generates and outputs an image in YCrCb color space by directly combining outputs of the broadband, red and blue sensors. |
| US08629389B2 |
Low profile camera and vision sensor
A monolithic camera configured for a predetermined environment can be made in the following manner. The camera is formed from an integrated circuit that has a light sensitive portion that can sense light from the predetermined environment. Two or more opaque masks are disposed within the oxide layer above the light sensitive pixel array of the image sensor. These opaque masks may be formed from the “metal” layers typically used for signal routing in image sensor integrated circuits. The opaque masks contain arrays of holes arranged so that for each pixel there is a clear path for light to reach the pixel from a corresponding part of the visual field. Each pixel is associated with a different set of holes that allows a different region of the predetermined environment to be observed. |
| US08629388B2 |
Three-dimensional image capturing device
A 3D image capturing device includes a first lens module, a second lens module, a single sensor, an image sensor; a cross dichroic prism; a first mirror; and a second mirror. The first and second lens module have a first optical axis and a second optical axis, respectively. The second lens module is located juxtaposed with the first lens module. The second optical axis is parallel with the first optical axis. The first and second mirrors are arranged at opposite sides of the cross dichroic prism. The first and second mirrors are configured for reflecting and directing light beams from the first and second lens modules to the cross dichroic prism. The cross dichroic prism is configured to redirect the reflected light beams from the first and second mirrors to the image sensor. |
| US08629385B2 |
Solid-state imaging element and driving method of the solid-state imaging element
Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging element including: (A) a light reception/charge storage region formed in a semiconductor layer, the light reception/charge storage region including M light reception/charge storage layers stacked one on top of the other, where M≧2; (B) a charge output region formed in the semiconductor layer; (C) a conduction/non-conduction control region which includes a portion of the semiconductor layer located between the light reception/charge storage region and the charge output region; and (D) a conduction/non-conduction control electrode adapted to control the conduction or non-conduction state of the conduction/non-conduction control region, wherein mth potential control electrodes are provided between the mth and (m+1)th light reception/charge storage layers, where 1≦m≦(M−1), to control the potentials of the light reception/charge storage layers. |
| US08629384B1 |
Photomultiplier tube optimized for surface inspection in the ultraviolet
Disclosed herein is a PhotoMultiplier Tube (PMT) designed for use with a surface inspection system such as the Surfscan system, which operates at 266 nm wavelength. The inventive PMT is high efficiency, low noise, and low gain, a combination of features that is specific to the application and contrary to the features of PMT's in the art. The inventive PMT is designed to be tuned to a specific narrow band wavelength of incident light, thereby optimizing the QE at that wavelength. It is further designed to combine a small number of dynodes each having substantially higher secondary electron gain than typical dynodes. By designing the PMT in this way, the excess noise factor is dramatically reduced, yielding a much improved S/N, while still maintaining the overall PMT gain in the lower range suitable for use in a surface inspection system. |
| US08629380B2 |
Susceptor with corrugated base
A thermally insulated susceptor structure includes a dimensionally stable corrugated base, a first susceptor, and a second susceptor. At least one of the first susceptor and second susceptor may circumscribe one or more microwave energy transparent areas that allow the transmission of microwave energy through the respective susceptor and/or create localized fields that enhance heating, browning and/or crisping of an adjacent food item. |
| US08629377B2 |
Heater assembly for clothes dryer
An electric heater assembly for mounting in an electric clothes dryer supports an electrical heating element. The heater assembly has overlapping arcuate shaped support plates of mica for supporting a zig-zag shaped electrical heating element. The support plates have inner and outer concentrically curved side edge portions having inner and outer notches. A support wall mounted in the clothes dryer supports the support plates by series of inner and outer arcuate spaced apart tab members. The tab members each have a flap member. The flap members are positioned so that the notches of the support plates align with the flaps to permit the support plates to be positioned relative to the housing support wall, and then rotated, so that the flap members overlappingly engage at least one of the support plates to hold the support plates relative to the housing support wall. |
| US08629367B2 |
Plug-in primary power connections of two modules of a gas-insulated high-voltage switchgear assembly
A gas-insulated switchgear assembly having a first module and a second module, which each have a gas area, which is in the form of a pressure vessel, is filled with an insulating gas and has at least two phase conductors. The first module is connected to the second module such that the first gas area and the second gas area are hydraulically separated from one another by an insulating body, while the phase conductors in the first module are electrically connected to the phase conductors at the same electrical potential in the second module. The at least two phase conductors in the first module can be electrically connected to the at least two phase conductors at the same electrical potential in the second module, in each case via a detachable plug connection. |
| US08629365B2 |
Apparatus and methods for identifying and processing mail using an identification code
Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for identifying and processing mail using an identification code on a mailpiece as a redundant source of identification information in a mail sorting system. In one embodiment, this information is stored in a temporary database and used for the identification and processing of mail in a Remote Bar Code System (RBCS). In this embodiment, the identification code enables the automation of mail sorting and other processing tasks, reducing costs and delays in mail delivery services. In another embodiment, the identification and processing of mail occurs in and identification Code Sorting (ICS) system. In this embodiment, a long-term database allows for mail sorting and other processing tasks on a national or global level. |
| US08629364B2 |
Method for implementing capacitive sensing in the presence of conductive decorative materials
A control panel is disclosed. The control panel includes an electrically conductive substrate having a front surface. A first dielectric layer is disposed on the front surface of the substrate. A first electrode layer is disposed on a front surface of the first dielectric layer, wherein the first dielectric layer electrically isolates the first electrode layer from the substrate. The first electrode layer is in electrical communication with a switch circuit adapted to detect a change in a capacitance of the first electrode layer. A substantially transparent film can be provided to cover the electrode. The front surface of the substrate is a decorative surface substantially visible through the first dielectric layer, the first electrode layer, and the film. |
| US08629349B2 |
Electrical assembly and adapter for wiring device
A recessed box is adapted for mounting one or more electrical devices having an adapter. To accommodate electrical devices of different sizes, the adapter is provided that is coupled to the opening in the recessed box. The adapter has a frame with a central opening to receive the selected electrical device. The frame has one or more removable tabs to enlarge the dimension of the central opening to accommodate larger electrical devices. An electrical device, such as a low voltage wiring device, is coupled to the removable tabs. The tabs are removed to receive a larger electrical device, such as an electrical junction box, that is coupled to the frame. |
| US08629347B2 |
Photovoltaic cells based on nanoscale structures
Novel structures of photovoltaic cells (also known as solar cells) are provided. The Cells are based on the nanometer-scaled wire, tubes, and/or rods, which are made of the electronics materials covering semiconductors, insulator or metallic in structure. These photovoltaic cells have large power generation capability per unit physical area over the conventional cells. These cells can have also high radiation tolerant capability. These cells will have enormous applications such as in space, in commercial, residential and industrial applications. |
| US08629346B2 |
Electrode substrate, photoelectric conversion element, conductive glass substrate and production method thereof, and pigment sensitizing solar cell
In an electrode substrate 1, the surface of a metal circuit layer 12 is covered and insulated by an insulating layer 14. In a photoelectric conversion element that uses this electrode substrate 1, the metal circuit layer is reliably shielded from an electrolyte solution or the like so that corrosion and leak current thereof is effectively prevented, and the photoelectric conversion efficiency can be improved. The insulating layer 14 is preferably made of a material that contains a glass component, and is particularly preferably formed by printing a paste that contains glass frit. The metal circuit layer 12 is preferably formed using a printing method. |
| US08629344B2 |
Input apparatus and recording medium with program recorded therein
An input apparatus including: a first operation detecting section provided on a first operating section which detects acceleration and angular speed based on movement of the first operating section; a second operation detecting section provided on a second operating section which detects acceleration and angular speed based on movement of the second operating section; a judging section which judges whether or not the first and second operating sections have been held together, based on the accelerations and the angular speeds detected by the first and second operation detecting sections; a detecting section which detects a change operation based on the accelerations and the angular speeds detected by the first and second operation detecting sections, when the judging section judges that the first and second operating sections have been held together; and a changing section which changes a predetermined parameter in accordance with the change operation detected by the detecting section. |
| US08629342B2 |
Music instruction system
A method includes receiving a user selection of a musical piece; providing performance cues to a user to perform musical events on a musical instrument, wherein the performance cues are synchronized to expert performance data of the musical piece; receiving audio data corresponding to musical events performed by the user on the musical instrument; detecting fundamental frequencies associated with the user-performed musical events; determining an extent to which the user-performed musical events have been correctly or incorrectly performed; providing real-time or near real-time audio feedback and/or visual feedback indicating the extent to which the user-performed musical events have been correctly or incorrectly performed; and using the expert performance data as real-time or near real-time audio and/or video feedback by controlling an output level of the expert performance data output to the user during a session. |
| US08629341B2 |
Method of improving vocal performance with embouchure functions
A system and method for defining proper embouchure mechanics for vocalization and for representing those mechanics symbolically, such that proper embouchure for vocalization can be taught consistently and can be included in written music, to be read and executed by a vocalist in real time while performing a piece of music. |
| US08629338B2 |
Banjo tailpiece
A banjo tailpiece body formed in one single piece and having a fixation member engaging behind two rear, adjacent head-stretching hooks so as to enable a fixation of the tailpiece to the banjo only by the tension of the banjo strings. |
| US08629330B2 |
Methods and compositions for the inhibition of meristematic growth on cucurbit rootstock
The invention provides methods of inhibiting the growth of a shoot apical meristem of a cucurbit rootstock plant, comprising contacting a shoot apical meristem of the cucurbit rootstock plant with an effective amount of a composition comprising one or more fatty alcohols, thereby inhibiting the growth of the shoot apical meristem of the cucurbit rootstock plant. The present invention further provides methods for preparing and producing cucurbit rootstock plants for grafting and methods for grafting. Additionally provided are cucurbit rootstock plants and plant parts and grafted cucurbit plants produced by the methods of the invention. |
| US08629329B2 |
Self-compatible, rapid-cycling Brassica rapa plants lacking inbreeding depression
The invention provides Brassica rapa plants and seeds thereof that are self-compatible, rapid-cycling and lack inbreeding depression. For instance, the invention provides plants and seeds of the Brassica rapa line designated B3. The invention thus relates to plants, seeds and tissue cultures of Brassica rapa plants that are self-compatible, rapid-cycling and lack inbreeding depression, such as Brassica rapa line B3, and methods to produce and propagate said plants by crossing such a Brassica rapa plant with itself, or another Brassica rapa plant. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. Educational materials, such as a kit comprising said Brassica rapa plants are also provided by the invention. |
| US08629327B2 |
Pea line EX 08260893
The invention provides seed and plants of the pea line designated EX 08260893. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pea line EX 08260893, and to methods for producing a pea plant produced by crossing a plant of pea line EX 08260893 with itself or with another pea plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of pea line EX 08260893, including the seed, pod, and gametes of such plants. |
| US08629326B2 |
Polypeptides having beta-glucosidase activity and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having beta-glucosidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides. |
| US08629325B2 |
Polypeptides having beta-glucosidase activity and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having beta-glucosidase activity, beta-xylosidase activity, or beta-glucosidase and beta-xylosidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides. |
| US08629314B2 |
Surgical barriers having adhesion inhibiting properties
An adhesion inhibiting surgical barrier. The surgical barrier includes a wound-facing polymeric coating comprising an enteric polymer; and at least one flexible substrate, the at least one flexible substrate having at least one exterior surface, wherein the polymeric coating is applied to the at least one flexible substrate to substantially cover the at least one exterior surface thereof. A method of inhibiting the formation of adhesions in a patient who has undergone a surgical procedure and a method of repairing a gastric or duodenal perforation are also described herein. |
| US08629310B2 |
Transportation fuels from biomass oxygenates
Oxygenate feedstocks derived from biomass are converted to a variety of fuels including gas, jet, and diesel fuel range hydrocarbons. General methods are provided including hydrolysis, dehydration, hydrogenation, condensation, oligomerization, and/or a polishing hydrotreating. |
| US08629308B2 |
Method for the conversion of polymer contaminated feedstocks
A method for producing hydrocarbons from biomass is provided. The method involves supplying a feed stream; supplying a heated hydrocarbon solvent; combining the feed stream and the heated hydrocarbon solvent to produce a reactor feed, and hydrodeoxygenating the reactor feed to produce hydrocarbons; where the feed stream includes a synthetic polymer as well as biomass having fatty acids, glycerides, or combinations thereof. |
| US08629303B2 |
5-norbornene-2-spiro-α-cycloalkanone-α′-spiro-2″-5″-norbornene and method for producing the same
A 5-norbornene-2-spiro-α-cycloalkanone-α′-spiro-2″-5″-norbornene represented by the following general formula (1): [in the formula (1), R1s, R2, and R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or the like, and n represents an integer of 0 to 12]. |
| US08629302B2 |
Methods for preparing hypericin
The present invention provides a method for making hypericin comprising the steps of converting a protohypericin to a protohypericin salt, and irradiating the protohypericin salt with visible light to form hypericin. The present invention also provides an apparatus comprising a transparent column having a top end and a bottom end, an inlet attached to the column at the top end to flow reactants into the column, a container attached to the column at the bottom end; and a visible light source positioned to cast light on to the column. The present invention further provides a method for making hypericin using said apparatus. |
| US08629299B2 |
Radiofluorinated compounds and their preparation
The present invention provides a process for [18F]-fluorination of biomolecules containing a primary amino group such as proteins and peptides and in particular of peptides. The invention further provides reagents for this process, in particular 18F-labelled prosthetic groups for use in the preparation as well as non-labelled intermediates useful in the preparation of the [18F]-labelled prosthetic groups. [18F]-labelled compounds useful as radiopharmaceuticals, specifically for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) are also provided. |
| US08629294B2 |
Borate esters, boron-comprising dopants, and methods of fabricating boron-comprising dopants
Borate esters, boron-comprising dopants, and methods of fabricating boron-comprising dopants are provided herein. In an embodiment, a borate ester comprises boron and silicon wherein the boron is linked to the silicon by alkyl groups that are bonded via ester bonds with both the boron and the silicon. A method of fabricating a boron-comprising dopant comprises providing a borate and transesterifying the borate using a polyol-substituted silicon monomer. |
| US08629292B2 |
Stereoselective synthesis of bridged metallocene complexes
The present invention provides methods of making stereo-enriched ansa-metallocene compounds using an unchelated amine compound. Generally, these methods result in a rac:meso isomer selectivity of the stereo-enriched ansa-metallocene compound of greater than 4:1. |
| US08629288B2 |
Method for the regioselective synthesis of 1-alky1-3-haloalkyl-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid derivatives
The present invention relates to a process for the regioselective synthesis of 1-alkyl-3-halo-alkylpyrazole-4-carboxylic acid derivatives by cyclization of 2,3-disubstituted acrylic acid derivatives, and to the hydrazones formed as intermediates in the process. |
| US08629286B2 |
Pyrazole derivatives
The present invention relates to heterocycles which have microbiocidal activity, in particular, fungicidal activity. The invention also relates to preparation of these heterocycles, to heterocyclic derivatives used as intermediates in the preparation of these heterocycles, to preparation of these intermediates, to agrochemical compositions which comprise at least one of the heterocycles, to preparation of these compositions and to use of the heterocycles or compositions in agriculture or horticulture. |
| US08629283B2 |
Compounds that modulate negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus replication and uses thereof
The present invention relates to compounds that modulate the replication of negative-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses, such as influenza virus, and the use of such compounds. The invention relates to methods for increasing the titer of negative-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses, such as influenza virus, in substrates for virus propagation (e.g., tissue culture). The invention also relates to the use of compounds that decrease virus replication as antiviral agents. The invention further relates to methods for identifying compounds that modulate the replication of negative-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses, in particular, influenza virus. |
| US08629282B2 |
Heterocyclic compounds as S1P1 agonists for the treatment of autoimmune and vascular diseases
Disclosed are compounds of Formula (I) or stereoisomers, salts, or prodrugs thereof, wherein: W is CH2 or O; Q is Formula (II), Formula (III) or Formula (IV); and R1, R2, R3, R4, n, and G are defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of using such compounds as selective agonists for G protein-coupled receptor S1P1, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. These compounds are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases or disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas, such as autoimmune diseases and vascular disease. |
| US08629276B2 |
Inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus replication
The disclosure generally relates to compounds of formula I, including compositions and methods for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The disclosure provides novel inhibitors of HIV, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and methods for using these compounds in the treatment of HIV infection. |
| US08629272B2 |
Tricyclic pyrimidine derivatives as wnt antagonists
The present invention relates to compounds having the general formula (I) with the definitions of X1-X3, Y1, Y2, L1, R1 and R2 given below and/or solvates, hydrates, esters and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of said compounds for modulating of the Wnt signalling pathway activity and their use as a medicament, preferably for the treatment of cancer. |
| US08629268B2 |
Cyclisation process of forming a multiple ring compound
The present invention relates to a cyclization process of forming a multiple ring compound from an isoprenoid compound. The cyclization process involves reacting the isoprenoid compound with an acetal initiator under conditions sufficient to form the multiple ring compound. The isoprenoid compound is contacted with an initiator and optionally with a catalyst. Cyclization occurs by reaction of the initiator with the isoprenoid compound. Cyclic acetal compounds wherein the acetal forms part of 6-membered unsaturated ring are also defined. |
| US08629264B2 |
Gravity flow fluidic device for nucleic acid extraction
A system, method, and kit for extracting nucleic acid from a sample containing nucleic acid uses an extraction device with an elongate channel. Fluids are provided to the channel via gravity feed to the inlet port. The flow rate and other flow behavior may be controlled with a siphon provided at the outlet port. |
| US08629262B2 |
Detection of chromosomal inversions using non-repetitive nucleic acid probes
A method and a kit for the identification of chromosomal inversions are described. Single-stranded sister chromatids are generated, for example by CO-FISH. A plurality of non-repetitive, labeled probes of relatively small size are hybridized to portions of only one of a pair of single-stranded sister chromatids. If no inversion exists, all of the probes will hybridize to a first chromatid. If an inversion has occurred, these marker probes will be detected on the sister chromatid at the same location as the inversion on the first chromatid. |
| US08629258B2 |
Plant nucleic acids associated with cellular pH and uses thereof
The present invention relates generally to the field of plant molecular biology and agents useful in the manipulation of plant physiological or biochemical properties. More particularly, the present invention provides genetic and proteinaceous agents capable of modulating or altering the level of acidity or alkalinity in a cell, group of cells, organelle, part or reproductive portion of a plant. Genetically altered plants, plant parts, progeny, subsequent generations and reproductive material including flowers or flowering parts having cells exhibiting an altered cellular pH compared to a non-genetically altered plant are also provided. |
| US08629257B2 |
IL-12/p40 binding proteins
The present invention encompasses IL-12p40 binding proteins, particularly antibodies that bind human interleukin-12 (hIL-12) and/or human IL-23 (hIL-23). Specifically, the invention relates to antibodies that are chimeric, CDR grafted and humanized antibodies. Preferred antibodies have high affinity for hIL-12 and/or hIL-23 and neutralize h IL-12 and/or hIL-23 activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. Method of making and method of using the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The antibodies, or antibody portions, of the invention are useful for detecting hIL-12 and/or hIL-23 and for inhibiting hIL-12 and/or hIL-23 activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which hIL-12 and/or hIL-23 activity is detrimental. |
| US08629256B2 |
Genetically encoded calcium indicator polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding same
Provided herein are nucleic acid sequences and polypeptides encoding a genetically encoded calcium indicator (GECI). Also provided are vectors and cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences and/or polypeptides. Kits comprising the nucleic acid sequences, polypeptides, vectors, cells and combinations thereof are also provided. Also provided herein are methods of screening for G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists and antagonists and methods of monitoring neural activity using the GECIs. |
| US08629253B2 |
Human aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase polypeptides useful for the regulation of angiogenesis
Nucleic acids encoding tRNA synthetase polypeptides useful for regulating angiogenesis are disclosed. Methods of making and using such nucleic acids are also disclosed. |
| US08629251B2 |
Specific detection and quantification of phosphatidic acid using an Arabidopsis trigalactosyldiacylglycerol-4 (TGD4) protein
The present invention is related to the field of phospholipid detection. In particular, certain embodiments provide the detection of phosphatidic acid. For example, certain proteins are capable of binding phosphatidic acid and can be used as a diagnostic and/or research tool to identify and quantitate phosphatidic acid. Phosphatidic acid may be in or from cells and tissues isolated from plants, animals and humans. For example, a trigalactosyldiacylglycerol-2 (TGD2) protein may be fused with a fluorescent probe to monitor and measure phosphatidic acid in vitro as well as in vivo. In other embodiments, a trigalactosyldiacylglycerol-4 (TGD4) protein may be fused with a fluorescent probe to monitor and measure phosphatidic acid in vitro as well as in vivo. In additional embodiments, a fragment comprising either a truncated TGD2 or TGD4 phosphatidic acid binding region protein may be used to monitor or measure phosphatidic acid. |
| US08629246B2 |
Dual specificity antibody fusions
The present invention provides dual specificity antibody fusion proteins comprising an antibody Fab or Fab′ fragment with specificity for an antigen of interest, the fragment being fused to at least one single domain antibody which has specificity for a second antigen of interest. |
| US08629242B2 |
Methods of inhibiting calcineurin with ApoE analogs
The present invention provides a method of modulating calcineurin activity in a cell by contacting the cell with at least one ApoE analog. Methods of treating various disorders associated with calcineurin activity using one or more ApoE analogs are also disclosed. In particular, the present invention provides a method of reducing demyelination and promoting remyelination in a subject. Methods of treating spinal cord or nerve injury in a subject are also described. |
| US08629241B2 |
Alpha helical mimics, their uses and methods for their production
Disclosed are short chain peptides that are constrained to adopt an alpha helicial conformation and their use as alpha helical scaffolds for directing amino acid side chains into positions analogous to those found in longer chain alpha helical peptides. Also disclosed is the use of these peptides for attaching peptidic or non-peptidic appendages in order to mimic side chains of longer alpha helical peptides. The peptides find use in mimicking naturally occurring peptides or proteins or in preparing new materials. |
| US08629240B2 |
Peptide ligands for clusterin and uses thereof
Peptides are disclosed that are useful for molecular imaging or diagnosis of a disease state, such as cancer, in which clusterin is upregulated. |
| US08629237B2 |
Simplified production of nylon-6
A process for producing polyamides from the corresponding monomers and/or prepolymers comprises the steps of (a) reacting the monomers and/or prepolymers and optionally further components under polyamide-forming reaction conditions to form polyamide, (b) treating the polyamide obtained in step (a) in a kneader above the melting temperature of the polyamide, (c) further processing the polyamide from step (b) into pellet, film, fiber or moldings, preferably pelletizing the polyamide, (d) extracting some or all unconverted monomers and any product dimers and oligomers and also optionally further components from the polyamide and/or drying the polyamide. |
| US08629236B2 |
Polyester having renewable 1,3-propanediol
The present disclosure is directed to a polyester having renewable 1,3-propanediol. This invention is further directed to a coating composition comprising the polyester having components derived from renewable resources. |
| US08629235B2 |
Production method of polycarbonate
A method for producing a polycarbonate, comprises: continuously feeding a dihydroxy compound having a portion represented by —(—CH2—O—)— in a part of a structure thereof and a carbonic acid diester; and continuously performing polycondensation to produce a polycarbonate, wherein the method satisfies all of the conditions: (A) at least two reactor vessels connected in series are used; (B) a reaction solution reacted in a first reactor of the first vessel is continuously fed to a reactor of the second vessel; (C) the first reactor is equipped with a reflux condenser; and (D) a reflux ratio in the first reactor is from 0.01 to 10 based on a distillate volume. |
| US08629232B2 |
Polymeric materials
A polymeric material includes phenyl moieties, ketone moieties and ether moieties in the polymeric backbone of said polymeric material, wherein the difference between the nucleation temperature (Tn) and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of said polymeric material is greater than 23° C. |
| US08629228B2 |
Ionomer compositions for golf balls
Certain disclosed embodiments of the present invention concern a golf ball, including a core having a center, an outer cover layer, and optionally one or more intermediate layers, where at least one or more of the core, outer cover layer, or one or more intermediate layers if present, includes an isobutylene maleic anhydride copolymer having the general formula where n is greater than 10 and having a weight average molecular weight Mw of greater than about 2,000. The present invention also relates to golf ball including a core having a center, an outer cover layer; and optionally one or more intermediate layers, where at least one or more of the core, outer cover layer, or one or more intermediate layers if present, includes an isobutylene maleic anhydride ionomer formed by hydrolysis and neutralization of the isobutylene maleic anhydride copolymer. |
| US08629225B2 |
Poly (N-alkylcarbazole) columnar structure and method for producing the same
A poly(N-alkylcarbazole) columnar structure having electroconductivity is provided. The poly(N-alkylcarbazole) columnar structure having electroconductivity may be produced by electrolytically polymerizing an N-alkylcarbazole in a particular solvent. |
| US08629222B2 |
Curable polysiloxane composition, and polysiloxane cured product, optical member, member for aerospace industry, semiconductor light-emitting device, illuminating device and image display device using the same
The present invention provides a curable polysiloxane composition which is excellent in light resistance (particularly ultraviolet resistance) and adhesion and has a sufficient heat resistance/hydrothermal resistance and film-forming property and which generates little foaming at curing and does not generate cracks, peeling, coloring, and foaming even when used for a long period of time. A curable polysiloxane composition which comprises a specific hydrosilyl group-containing polysiloxane compound, a specific polysiloxane compound comprising two or more silanol groups in one molecule, and a dehydrogenative condensation reaction catalyst. |
| US08629221B2 |
Compositions and methods of making plastic articles
Disclosed are immiscible polymer blends, plastic articles containing the blends, and methods for making the plastic articles. One type of article is plastic lumber, which can be in the form of a railroad tie or a marine piling. |
| US08629216B2 |
Ionomers with ionic groups in the side chain
Ionomers and ionomer membranes, consisting of a non-fluorinated or partly fluorinated non-, partly or fully-aromatic main chain and a non- or partly-fluorinated side chain with ionic groups or their non-ionic precursors, have a positive impact on the proton conductivity of the ionomers. Various processes produce these polymeric proton conductors. |
| US08629215B2 |
Malodor absorbent polymer and fiber
Thermoplastic polyolefin polymer composition, polymer chip, fiber, woven or nonwoven fabric, film, closures, laminates can comprise a polymer, a polymer and a nonvolatile polymer-compatible carboxylic acid. Thermoplastic polyolefin polymer composition can also comprise a polymer, a cyclodextrin-modified polymer and a nonvolatile polymer-compatible carboxylic acid. The carboxylic acid moiety of the polymer composition can react with basic materials in the polymer environment and reduce release of the basic material. The cyclodextrin can act to absorb or trap other contaminants or odors in the environment. |
| US08629214B2 |
Ethylene-based polymer compositions for use as a blend component in shrinkage film applications
An ethylene-based polymer composition has been discovered and is characterized by a Comonomer Distribution Constant greater than about 45. The new ethylene-based polymer compositions and blends thereof with one or more polymers, such as LDPE, are useful for making many articles, especially including films. |
| US08629213B2 |
Composition including a mixture of elastomer and supramolecular polymer
The invention relates to a composition including at least one elastomer and at least one supramolecular polymer. The supramolecular polymer is obtained by the reaction of at least one trifunctional compound (A), having first and second functions, with: at least one compound (B) having at least one reactive group capable of reacting with the first functions of (A) and at least one associative group; and at least one at least bifunctional compound (C) having functions capable of reacting with the second functions of compound (A) in order to form ester, thioester and amide bridges. |
| US08629207B2 |
Aqueous coating formulation
An aqueous coating formulation for tannin-containing substrates can include a substituted C2-C4 polyalkyleneimine. Reacting a C2-C4 polyalkyleneimine having a weight-average molecular weight of from 500 to 10,000 g/mol with a carboxylic acid derivative can produce the substituted polyalkyleneimine. The carboxylic acid derivative includes at least one C1 to C30 alkyl group or C3 to C30 alkenyl group. Substrates that contain tannin and are coated with this aqueous coating formulation exhibit outstanding resistance with respect to color runs and color strikethrough. |
| US08629206B2 |
Flame-retardant thermoplastic molding composition
The thermoplastic molding composition comprises a) from 30 to 95% by weight of at least one aliphatic polyamide or copolyamide, as component A, b) from 1 to 30% by weight of at least one cyclic phenoxyphosphazene having at least 3 phenoxyphosphazene units, as component B, c) from 1 to 15% by weight of red phosphorus, as component C, d) from 0.1 to 20% by weight of at least one impact-modifying polymer, as component D, e) from 0 to 50% by weight of glass fibers, as component E, and f) from 0 to 30% by weight of further additives, as component F, where the total amount of components A to F gives 100% by weight. |
| US08629203B2 |
Rigid biofiber thermoplastic composite and articles made therefrom
Coated reinforcing biofiber for thermoplastic articles is disclosed. The coating on the biofiber comprises a plastisol. The coated reinforcing biofiber can be used in thermoplastic compounds to simulate the appearance of natural wood while adding significantly increased flexural modulus for the wood plastic composite (WPC). |
| US08629201B2 |
Preparing composition for composite laminates
A composition for production of a prepreg for manufacture of thermoset composite laminates, a method for the production of a prepreg, the prepreg, and a thermoset glass fiber reinforced composite laminate manufactured by curing the prepreg. The composition includes unsaturated polyesters or vinylesters, a catalyst, a thickening agent, and a crosslinking initiator. A first component of the unsaturated polyesters or vinylesters includes reactive groups that react with the thickening agent. A second component of the unsaturated polyesters or vinylesters does not include any groups that react with the thickening agent. The composition also includes a polyether polyol. |
| US08629194B2 |
Formed article and process for the production thereof
This invention is made to provide a formed article which ensures, for example, that an active substance included therein and a substance outside capsules can effectively come in contact with each other without suffering influences such as a pressure loss. This invention is a formed article having a plurality of cells formed in a polymer (A), (1) each cell including an active substance, (2) the polymer (A) having pores, each pore communicating with other pores and having a diameter in the range of 1 nm to 1 μm, and (3) the internal wall of each cell and the active substance being substantially not in contact with each other. |
| US08629191B2 |
Process and plant for producing methanol
For producing methanol from a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon oxides the synthesis gas is passed through a first, water-cooled reactor in which a part of the carbon oxides is catalytically converted to methanol. The resulting mixture containing synthesis gas and methanol vapor is supplied to a second, gas-cooled reactor in which a further part of the carbon oxides is converted to methanol. Subsequently, methanol is separated from the synthesis gas, and synthesis gas is recirculated to the first reactor. The cooling gas flows through the second reactor cocurrent to the mixture withdrawn from the first reactor. |
| US08629187B2 |
Cellulose fine particles, and liquid or solid dispersion thereof
An object of the present invention is to provide cellulose fine particles having a small particle diameter and a high average polymerization degree, and a liquid dispersion or a solid dispersion thereof.The inventive cellulose fine particles have an average particle diameter of 9 to 400 nm and an average polymerization degree (DP) of cellulose of 150 to 3,000. |
| US08629186B2 |
Polymer micelles containing anthracyclines for the treatment of cancer
The present invention provides micelles having an anthracycline encapsulated therein, the micelles comprising a multiblock copolymer. The invention further provides methods of preparing and using said micelles, and compositions thereof. |
| US08629185B2 |
7-[3,5-dihydroxy-2- (3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-pent-1-enyl)-cyclopentyl]-N-ethyl-hept-5-enamide (bimatoprost) in crystalline form II, methods for preparation, and methods for use thereof
The present invention provides a new crystalline form of bimatoprost, designated as crystalline form II. This new crystalline form is the most stable form known to date of bimatoprost. Moreover, it has been found that bimatoprost crystalline form II is readily prepared from crystalline form I. |
| US08629182B2 |
Method for decreasing cartilage damage in dogs
A method for modulating enzymatic degradation of articular cartilage in a dog comprises administering to the dog an enzymatic degradation modulating effective amount of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), for example as a component of a food composition. By practice of the method in a dog having arthritis, mobility of the dog can be increased, weight bearing in an arthritic limb can be increased, and/or pain associated with arthritis can be reduced. |
| US08629178B2 |
Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate hydrate and preparation method and use thereof
The present invention relates to sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate hydrates as well as preparation methods and uses thereof. The sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate hydrates have molecular formla of C19H17NaO6S.nH2O, wherein n=0.5-4.0. The sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate hydrates of the present invention have better storage stability than anhydrous sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate. |
| US08629176B1 |
β- and γ-diketones and γ-hydroxyketones as WNT/ β-catenin signaling pathway activators
The present invention discloses β-diketones, γ-diketones or γ-hydroxyketones or analogs thereof, that activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling and thus treat or prevent diseases related to signal transduction, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthropathy; osteogenesis imperfecta, bone defects, bone fractures, periodontal disease, otosclerosis, wound healing, craniofacial defects, oncolytic bone disease, traumatic brain injuries related to the differentiation and development of the central nervous system, comprising Parkinson's disease, strokes, ischemic cerebral disease, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia; eye diseases such as age related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema or retinitis pigmentosa and diseases related to differentiation and growth of stem cell, comprising hair loss, hematopoiesis related diseases and tissue regeneration related diseases. |
| US08629170B2 |
Anti-viral drugs for treatment of arenavirus infection
Compounds, methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating viral infections, by administering certain novel compounds in therapeutically effective amounts are disclosed. Methods for preparing the compounds and methods of using the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are also disclosed. In particular, the treatment and prophylaxis of viral infections such as caused by hemorrhagic fever viruses is disclosed, i.e., including but not limited to, Arenaviridae (Junin, Machupo, Guanarito, Sabia, Lassa, Tacaribe, Pichinde, and LCMV), Filoviridae (Ebola and Marburg viruses), Flaviviridae (yellow fever, Omsk hemorrhagic fever and Kyasanur Forest disease viruses), and Bunyaviridae (Rift Valley fever). |
| US08629159B2 |
Thiazolidinedione analogues
The present invention relates to thiazolidinedione analogues that are useful for treating hypertension. |
| US08629158B2 |
Azabicycloalkane-indole and azabicycloalkane-pyrrolo-pyridine MCH-1 antagonists, methods of making, and use thereof
Novel MCH-1 receptor antagonists are disclosed. These compounds are used in the treatment of various disorders, including obesity, anxiety, depression, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and psychiatric disorders. Methods of making these compounds are also described in the present invention. |
| US08629154B2 |
Substituted cycloalcano[e and d] pyrazolo [1,5-a]pyrimidines/antagonists of serotonin 5-HT6 receptors and methods for production and the use thereof
The invention relates to substituted 2-alkylsulfanyl-3-(arylsulfonyl)-cycloalkyl[e and d]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines, to serotonin 5-HT6 receptor antagonists, to novel drug substances and pharmaceutical compositions, comprising the said conpounds as active ingredients, to novel medicaments and methods for treatment and prophylaxis of CNS diseases of humans and warm blooded animals pathogenesis of which is associated with 5-HT6 receptors.In general formulas 1 and 2 R1 represents hydrogen or C1-C3 alkyl; R2 represents C1-C3 alkyl; R3 represents hydrogen, one or more optionally identical halogens, C1-C3 alkyl or hydroxyl optionally substituted with C1-C3 alkyl; n represents the whole numbers 1, 2 or 3. |
| US08629149B2 |
Oxopiperazine derivatives for the treatment of pain and epilepsy
Compounds of formula (I) which are useful in ameliorating conditions characterized by unwanted sodium and/or calcium channel actrvrh, particularly Nav 1, 7, Nav 1, 8, or Cav 3, 2 channel activity are disclosed. More specifically, compounds for use in the treatment of conditions such as epilepsy, cancer, pain, migraine, Parkinson's disease, depression, schizophrenia, psychosis, and tinnitus are disclosed. |
| US08629148B2 |
Substituted oxindole-derivatives and the use thereof for the treatment of vasopressin-dependent illnesses
The present invention relates to novel substituted oxindole derivatives of the formula (I), pharmaceutical agents containing said derivatives, and the use thereof for the treatment of vasopressin-dependent illnesses. |
| US08629147B2 |
Heterocyclic compounds useful in the treatment of neoplastic diseases, inflammatory disorders and immunomodulatory disorders
The present invention provides compounds capable of modulating tyrosine kinases, compositions comprising the compounds and methods of their use. |
| US08629146B2 |
Method for stereoselective synthesis of bicyclic heterocyclic compounds
The invention relates to a method for the stereoselective preparation of a compound of formula (5), optionally in the form of the tautomers thereof, |
| US08629141B2 |
Spiro-oxindole MDM2 antagonists
Provided herein are compounds, compositions, and methods in the field of medicinal chemistry. The compounds and compositions provided herein relate to spiro-oxindoles which function as antagonists of the interaction between p53 and MDM2, and their use as therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. |
| US08629140B2 |
Hypotensive lipid and timolol compositions and methods of using same
New compositions for and methods of treating ocular hypertension provide for effective treatment of ocular hypertension often using reduced concentrations of active components. Such compositions include a timolol component and a hypotensive lipid component. The present compositions and methods are relatively straightforward, can be easily produced, for example, using conventional manufacturing techniques, and can be easily and conveniently practiced, for example, using application or administration techniques or methodologies which are substantially similar to those employed with prior compositions used to treat ocular hypertension. |
| US08629130B2 |
6-substituted estradiol derivatives and methods of use
A method of inhibiting growth of cancer cells comprising contacting cancer cells with a 6-substituted estradiol derivative in an amount at least partially sufficient to inhibit said growth is disclosed. The compounds have the general formula depicted below, herein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are as defined herein. |
| US08629127B2 |
Compositions and methods of treatment for inflammatory diseases
Inflammatory bowel diseases are represented by two idiopathic disorders, which include ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis is restricted to the colon and involves uncertain and inflammation of the lining (mucosa) of the large intestine. Crohn's disease, on the other hand, can involve the mucosa of the small and/or large intestine and may involve deeper layers of the bowel wall. The present invention is a combination of 5-aminosalicylic acid and one or more antioxidants (e.g., N-acetylcysteine) for treating such inflammatory bowel diseases. |
| US08629126B2 |
Quinolone derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof
Disclosed are quinolone derivatives characterized in that these have lower alkyl, cycloalkyl or the like at the 1-position; —N(R0)C(O)-lower alkylene-CO2R0, lower alkylene-CO2R0, lower alkenylene-CO2R0, —O-lower alkylene-CO2R0, —O-(lower alkylene which may be substituted with —CO2R0)-aryl or —O-lower alkenylene-CO2R0 (wherein R0 is H or lower alkyl) at the 3-position; halogen at the 6-position; and amino group substituted with a substituent group having a ring structure at the 7-position, respectively, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, has excellent P2Y12 inhibitory activity. The quinolone derivatives have excellent platelet aggregation inhibitory activity. A method of using the compounds is also disclosed. |
| US08629125B2 |
Inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase
The present invention provide compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, encompassed by the formulae (I), (II) or (III). The present invention also provides methods for treating an FAAH mediated disease, disorder or condition by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a provided compound of the formulae (I), (II) or (III), or a pharmaceutical composition thereof, to a patient in need thereof. Additionally, the present invention provides methods for inhibiting FAAH in a patient by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the formulae (I), (II) or (III), or a pharmaceutical composition thereof, to a patient in need thereof. |
| US08629124B2 |
Dextran functionalized by hydrophobic amino acids
The invention relates to a dextran functionalized by at least one hydrophobic alpha-amino acid radical, said alpha-amino acid being grafted or bonded to the dextran by a bonding arm and a functional group. A hydrophobic amino acid radical is understood as being the product of coupling between the amine of the amino acid and an acid carried by the bonding arm, said dextran being amphiphilic at neutral pH. In an embodiment, the hydrophobic amino acid is selected from tryptophan derivatives, such as tryptophan, tryptophanol, tryptophanamide, 2-indole ethyl-amine and their alkaline cation salts. The present invention relates also to a pharmaceutical composition comprising one of the dextrans according to the invention. |
| US08629113B2 |
CTLA4-Ig immunoadhesins
The present application relates to CTLA4-Ig immunoadhesins that target CD80 and CD86, and their use, particularly for therapeutic purposes. |
| US08629110B2 |
Kv1.3 channel blocking substances for the treatment of diseases associated with intimal hyperplasia
The present invention provides a therapeutic tool against intimal hyperplasia consisting of the use of Kv1.3 channel blocking substances, able to selectively stop cell migration and multiplication of VSMCs. |
| US08629103B2 |
Treatment of non-proliferative cystic disease of the breast
The present invention relates generally to the treatment of non-proliferative cystic disease of the breast. More particularly, the present invention relates generally to the treatment of non-proliferative cystic disease of the breast in BRCA1 mutant carriers. Accordingly, the invention relates to the use and application of compounds or agents, including somatostatin analogs, that inhibit insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) or insulin-like growth factor I receptor signaling for the treatment of non-proliferative cystic disease of the breast. The invention further relates to the use and application of these compounds or agents for the treatment of non-proliferative cystic disease of the breast in BRCA1 patients. The invention also relates to use of somatostatin analog SOM230 in treatment of non-proliferative cystic disease of the breast and more particularly, to use of somatostatin analog SOM230 in treatment of BRCA1 associated non-proliferative cystic disease. |
| US08629101B2 |
Cholesterol derivatives of inhibitors of viral fusion
The present invention relates to compounds comprising at least ten contigous amino acids of the HR2 domain of a Type 1 viral fusogenic protein of an enveloped virus, or a derivative thereof, attached at the C-terminal to cholesterol or a derivative thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof which inhibit viral fusion. Thus compounds of the invention are useful to prevent or treat diseases caused by an enveloped virus. |
| US08629096B2 |
Compositions comprising fungal immunomodulatory protein and use thereof
This invention relates to a method for stimulation or an activation of immunological function directed to activate natural killer cells and macrophages or increase production of serum antibody in a patient in need of such stimulation or activation, comprising administering an isolated and/or purified polypeptide of a fungal immunomodulatory protein. This invention also relates to a method for suppressing proliferation of a cancer cell and a method for suppressing a tumor cell mobility, comprising providing to the tumor cell a purified polypeptide of a fungal immunomodulatory protein. |
| US08629091B2 |
Lubricating system and universal joints with the system
The present invention provides a lubrication system that improves the force of retaining a lubricating component of a foamed lubricant, is capable of minimizing the amount of exudation of the lubricating component which occurs owing to deformation of the foamed lubricant, is capable of compensating for a lubricating function even when the lubricating component exudes insufficiently from the foamed lubricant, and is capable of complying with a demand that the lubrication system has a long life and can be produced at a low cost. The lubrication system comprises a foamed lubricant containing a lubricating component in a resin thereof which foams, hardens, and becomes porous and a grease for auxiliary lubrication which is present together with the foamed lubricant in a portion to be lubricated. The grease for auxiliary lubrication satisfies a condition that (1) a penetration thereof is not less than 175 and less than 285 or that (2) a mixing ratio of a thickener to the grease for auxiliary lubrication is not less than 10 wt % and less than 40 wt %. As shown in the drawings, a foamed lubricant (9) and a grease (10) for auxiliary lubrication are present together inside a universal joint. |
| US08629090B2 |
Rust resisting grease composition, grease-enclosed bearing, and rust resisting agent for use in grease composition
The present invention provides a rust resisting grease composition showing an excellent rust resisting performance without using nitrites and the grease composition-enclosed bearing. The rust resisting grease composition contains a base oil, a thickener, and a rust resisting component. The rust resisting component contains a metallic salt of a polybasic acid, a polyvalent alcohol in which a part of a hydroxyl group is blocked, and at least one compound selected from an organic sulfonate and a fatty ester. The content of the component is 0.1 to 10 parts by weight based on the total amount of the base oil and the thickener. The base oil contains at least one oil selected from synthetic hydrocarbon oil and ether oil. The thickener is a urea thickener. The content of the thickener is 5 to 30 parts by weight based on the total amount of the base oil and the thickener. |
| US08629087B2 |
HTS coated conductor with particle inclusions, and method of production of an HTS coated conductor
A high temperature superconductor (=HTS) coated conductor (1), comprising an HTS layer (11) deposited epitaxially on a substrate (2), wherein the HTS layer (11) exhibits a lattice with a specific crystal axis being oriented perpendicular to the substrate plane (SP), in particular wherein the HTS layer material is of ReBCO type and the c-axis (c) is oriented perpendicular to the substrate plane (SP), wherein the HIS layer (11) comprises particle inclusions (4), in particular wherein the particle inclusions (4) may be used to introduce pinning of magnetic flux, is characterized in that at least a part (4a) of the particle inclusions (4) are formed of the same material as the HTS layer (11), and/or of chemical fractions of the material of the HTS layer (11), such that the average stoichiometry of said part (4a) of the particle inclusions (4) corresponds to the stoichiometry of the HTS layer (11), and that the particle inclusions of said part (4a) are discontinuities of the lattice of the HTS layer (11). A more simple method for producing a HTS coated conductor with reduced losses, and with improved critical current and critical magnetic field is thereby provided. |
| US08629081B2 |
Time/temperature indicators
By printing a bar code (comprising dark and light regions) or parts of such a bar code with an ink containing a dye, which changes color in the presence of an acid or a base to remove the contrast between the regions of the bar code, and a neutral compound which releases an acid or a base on exposure to energising radiation, a bar code can be produced that becomes unreadable after a pre-determined interval. This can be used as a time/temperature indicator to ensure that products, which might be perishable, associated with such a bar code are not used by the public. |
| US08629079B2 |
Process for producing a catalyst for the oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide
The invention relates to a process for producing a catalyst for the oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide, which comprises a) providing a support which comprises alumina and has been impregnated with silver or with a silver-comprising compound and has a temperature T0; and b) heating the impregnated support from the temperature T0 to a temperature T1 at a heating rate of at least 30 K/min, and also the catalyst itself which can be obtained by this process. |
| US08629074B2 |
Zeolite honeycomb structure
The zeolite honeycomb structure is constituted of a zeolite raw material containing zeolite particles, noble metal loaded catalyst carriers containing a noble metal loaded onto catalyst carriers, and an inorganic binding material in a honeycomb shape. An average particle diameter of the noble metal loaded catalyst carriers is ten or more times an average particle diameter of the zeolite particles. Moreover, the noble metal loaded catalyst carriers are contained in an amount corresponding to a volume ratio which is from 5 to 25 vol % with respect to 100 vol % of the zeolite particles, and the noble metal is loaded onto the noble metal loaded catalyst carriers in an amount corresponding to a mass ratio which is from 0.2 to 2.0 mass % with respect to 100 mass % of the zeolite particles in the zeolite honeycomb structure. |
| US08629068B1 |
Multi-station sequential curing of dielectric films
The present invention addresses provides improved methods of preparing a low-k dielectric material on a substrate. The methods involve multiple operation ultraviolet curing processes in which UV intensity, wafer substrate temperature and other conditions may be independently modulated in each operation. In certain embodiments, a film containing a structure former and a porogen is exposed to UV radiation in a first operation to facilitate removal of the porogen and create a porous dielectric film. In a second operation, the film is exposed to UV radiation to increase cross-linking within the porous film. In certain embodiments, the curing takes place in a multi-station UV chamber wherein UV intensity and substrate temperature may be independently controlled at each station. |
| US08629067B2 |
Dielectric film growth with radicals produced using flexible nitrogen/hydrogen ratio
Methods of forming dielectric layers are described. The method may include the steps of mixing a silicon-containing precursor with a radical-nitrogen precursor, and depositing a dielectric layer on a substrate. The radical-nitrogen precursor is formed in a remote plasma by flowing hydrogen (H2) and nitrogen (N2) into the plasma in order to allow adjustment of the nitrogen/hydrogen ratio. The dielectric layer is initially a silicon-and-nitrogen-containing layer which may be converted to a silicon-and-oxygen-containing layer by curing and/or annealing the film in an oxygen-containing environment. |
| US08629064B2 |
Multiple patterning lithography using spacer and self-aligned assist patterns
The present invention relates to lithographic apparatuses and processes, and more particularly to multiple patterning lithography for printing target patterns beyond the limits of resolution of the lithographic apparatus. Self-aligned assist pattern (SAP) is derived from original design layout in an automated manner using geometric Boolean operations based on some predefined design rules, and are included in the mask layout for efficient self-alignment of various sub-layouts of the target pattern during a multiple patterning lithography process. SAP can be of any shape and size, and can have continuous features (e.g., a ring), or discontinuous (e.g., bars not connected to each other) features. An end-to-end multiple patterning lithography using spacer and SAP may use positive tone lithography, and/or negative tone lithography for line and/or space printing. |
| US08629059B2 |
Methods of forming integrated circuit chips having vertically extended through-substrate vias therein
Methods of forming an integrated circuit device include forming an interlayer dielectric layer on a first surface of a semiconductor substrate and then forming an interconnect hole that extends through the interlayer dielectric layer and into the semiconductor substrate. A first sidewall spacer layer is formed on a sidewall of the interconnect hole. The semiconductor substrate at a bottom of the interconnect hole is isotropically etched to define an undercut recess in the semiconductor substrate. This etching step is performed using the first sidewall spacer layer as an etching mask. The interconnect hole and the uncut recess are then filled with a through-via electrode. A second surface of the semiconductor substrate is removed for a sufficient duration to expose the uncut recess containing the through-via electrode. |
| US08629055B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device
A coating solution of SOG is applied on a silicon oxynitride film (11) and precured. As a result, moisture contained in the coating solution volatilizes, and an SOG film (12) is formed. Next, a coating solution of SOG is applied on the SOG film (12) and precured. As a result, an SOG film (13) is formed. Thereafter, a coating solution of SOG is applied on the SOG film (13) and precured. As a result, an SOG film (14) is formed. Subsequently, a main cure of the SOG films (12, 13, and 14) is performed. The viscosity of the coating solution of SOG used for forming the SOG film (12) is lower than those of the coating solutions of SOG used for forming the SOG films (13 and 14). |
| US08629051B2 |
Method for providing electrical connections to spaced conductive lines
An integrated circuit and a method of formation provide a contact area formed at an angled end of at least one linearly extending conductive line. In an embodiment, conductive lines with contact landing pads are formed by patterning lines in a mask material, cutting at least one of the material lines to form an angle relative to the extending direction of the material lines, forming extensions from the angled end faces of the mask material, and patterning an underlying conductor by etching using said material lines and extension as a mask. In another embodiment, at least one conductive line is cut at an angle relative to the extending direction of the conductive line to produce an angled end face, and an electrical contact landing pad is formed in contact with the angled end face. |
| US08629047B2 |
Quantum tunneling devices and circuits with lattice-mismatched semiconductor structures
Structures include a tunneling device disposed over first and second lattice-mismatched semiconductor materials. Process embodiments include forming tunneling devices over lattice-mismatched materials. |
| US08629046B2 |
Semiconductor device with a dislocation structure and method of forming the same
A semiconductor device with bi-layer dislocation and method of fabricating the semiconductor device is disclosed. The exemplary semiconductor device and method for fabricating the semiconductor device enhance carrier mobility. The method includes providing a substrate having a gate stack. The method further includes performing a first pre-amorphous implantation process on the substrate and forming a first stress film over the substrate. The method also includes performing a first annealing process on the substrate and the first stress film. The method further includes performing a second pre-amorphous implantation process on the annealed substrate, forming a second stress film over the substrate and performing a second annealing process on the substrate and the second stress film. |
| US08629045B2 |
Reduction of edge effects from aspect ratio trapping
A device includes a crystalline material within an area confined by an insulator. In one embodiment, the area confined by the insulator is an opening in the insulator having an aspect ratio sufficient to trap defects using an ART technique. Method and apparatus embodiments of the invention can reduce edge effects in semiconductor devices. Embodiments of the invention can provide a planar surface over a buffer layer between a plurality of uncoalesced ART structures. |
| US08629043B2 |
Methods for de-bonding carriers
A method includes performing a dicing on a composite wafer including a plurality of dies, wherein the composite wafer is bonded on a carrier when the step of dicing is performed. After the step of dicing, the composite wafer is mounted onto a tape. The carrier is then de-bonded from the composite wafer and the first tape. |
| US08629042B2 |
Method for stacking semiconductor dies
A system and method for stacking semiconductor dies is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises forming through-silicon vias through the wafer, protecting a rim edge of the wafer, and then removing the unprotected portions so that the rim edge has a greater thickness than the thinned wafer. This thickness helps the fragile wafer survive further transport and process steps. The rim edge is then preferably removed during singulation of the individual dies from the wafer. |
| US08629039B2 |
Substrate fins with different heights
A device includes a number of fins. Some of the fins have greater heights than other fins. This allows the selection of different drive currents and/or transistor areas. |
| US08629038B2 |
FinFETs with vertical fins and methods for forming the same
In a method for forming a device, a (110) silicon substrate is etched to form first trenches in the (110) silicon substrate, wherein remaining portions of the (110) silicon substrate between the first trenches form silicon strips. The sidewalls of the silicon strips have (111) surface orientations. The first trenches are filled with a dielectric material to from Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) regions. The silicon strips are removed to form second trenches between the STI regions. An epitaxy is performed to grow semiconductor strips in the second trenches. Top portions of the STI regions are recessed, and the top portions of the semiconductor strips between removed top portions of the STI regions form semiconductor fins. |
| US08629037B2 |
Forming a protective film on a back side of a silicon wafer in a III-V family fabrication process
Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer over a first surface and a second surface of a silicon substrate. the first and second surfaces being opposite surfaces. A first portion of the first dielectric layer covers the first surface of the substrate, and a second portion of the first dielectric layer covers the second surface of the substrate. The method includes forming openings that extend into the substrate from the first surface. The method includes filling the openings with a second dielectric layer. The method includes removing the first portion of the first dielectric layer without removing the second portion of the first dielectric layer. |
| US08629032B2 |
Non-volatile memory cell structure and a method of fabricating the same
A non-volatile memory cell structure and a method of fabricating the same. The method comprising the steps of: fabricating a portion of a floating gate from one or more first metal local interconnection layer (LIL) slit contacts deposited on a patterned dielectric layer; and fabricating a portion of a control gate from one or more second metal LIL slit contacts deposited on the patterned dielectric layer; wherein the first and second metal LIL slit contacts form a capacitive structure between the floating gate and the control gate. |
| US08629029B2 |
Vertical SOI bipolar junction transistor and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention discloses a vertical SOI bipolar junction transistor and a manufacturing method thereof. The bipolar junction transistor includes an SOI substrate from down to up including a body region, a buried oxide layer and a top silicon film; an active region located in the top silicon film formed by STI process; a collector region located in the active region deep close to the buried oxide layer formed by ion implantation; a base region located in the active region deep close to the top silicon film formed by ion implantation; an emitter and a base electrode both located over the base region; a side-wall spacer located around the emitter and the base electrode. The present invention utilizing a simple double poly silicon technology not only can improve the performance of the transistor, but also can reduce the area of the active region in order to increase the integration density. Furthermore, the present invention utilizes side-wall spacer process to improve the compatibility of SOI BJT and SOI CMOS, which simplifies the SOI BiCMOS process and thus reduce the cost. |
| US08629028B2 |
Metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) gate termination
A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided that includes forming an oxide containing isolation region in a semiconductor substrate to define an active semiconductor region. A blanket gate stack including a high-k gate dielectric layer may then be formed on the active semiconductor region. At least a portion of the blanket gate stack extends from the active semiconductor device region to the isolation region. The blanket gate stack may then be etched to provide an opening over the isolation region. The surface of the isolation region that is exposed by the opening may then be isotropically etched to form an undercut region in the isolation region that extend under the high-k gate dielectric layer. An encapsulating dielectric material may then be formed in the opening filling the undercut region. The blanket gate stack may then be patterned to form a gate structure. |
| US08629027B1 |
Structure and fabrication of asymmetric field-effect transistor having asymmetric channel zone and differently configured source/drain extensions
An asymmetric insulated-gate field-effect transistor (100 or 102) has a source (240 or 280) and a drain (242 or 282) laterally separated by a channel zone (244 or 284) of body material (180 or 182) of a semiconductor body. A gate electrode (262 or 302) overlies a gate dielectric layer (260 or 300) above the channel zone. A more heavily doped pocket portion (250 or 290) of the body material extends largely along only the source. The source has a main source portion (240M or 280M) and a more lightly doped lateral source extension (240E or 280E). The drain has a main portion (242M or 282M) and a more lightly doped lateral drain extension (242E or 282E). The drain extension is more lightly doped than the source extension. The maximum concentration of the semiconductor dopant defining the two extensions occurs deeper in the drain extension than in the source extension. Additionally or alternatively, the drain extension extends further laterally below the gate electrode than the source extension. These features enable the threshold voltage to be highly stable with operational time. |
| US08629025B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating semiconductor device
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A stacked gate dielectric is formed over a substrate, including a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer and a third dielectric layer from bottom to top. A conductive layer is formed on the stacked gate dielectric and then patterned to form a gate conductor. The exposed portion of the third and the second dielectric layers are removed with a selective wet cleaning step. S/D extension regions are formed in the substrate with the gate conductor as a mask. A first spacer is formed on the sidewall of the gate conductor and a portion of the first dielectric layer exposed by the first spacer is removed. S/D regions are formed in the substrate at both sides of the first spacer. A metal silicide layer is formed on the S/D regions. |
| US08629024B2 |
Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices and transistors
Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices and transistors are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a workpiece comprising a plurality of fins, and forming a semiconductive material over a top surface of the plurality of fins. An etch stop layer is formed over the semiconductive material, and an insulating material is disposed over the etch stop layer. The insulating material and a portion of the etch stop layer are removed from over the plurality of fins. Forming the semiconductive material or forming the etch stop layer are controlled so that removing the portion of the etch stop layer does not remove the etch stop layer between a widest portion of the semiconductive material over the plurality of fins. |
| US08629022B2 |
Asymmetric FET including sloped threshold voltage adjusting material layer and method of fabricating same
A method of forming a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes providing a structure including at least one dummy gate region located on a surface of a semiconductor substrate and a dielectric material layer located on sidewalls of the at least one dummy gate region. Next, a portion of the dummy gate region is removed exposing an underlying high k gate dielectric. A sloped threshold voltage adjusting material layer is then formed on an upper surface of the high k gate dielectric, and thereafter a gate conductor is formed atop the sloped threshold voltage adjusting material layer. |
| US08629021B2 |
Integration scheme for an NMOS metal gate
A method for making an NMOS transistor on a semiconductor substrate includes reducing the thickness of the PMD layer to expose the polysilicon gate electrode of the NMOS transistor and the polysilicon gate electrode of the PMOS transistor, and then removing the gate electrode of the NMOS transistor. The method also includes depositing a NMOS-metal layer over the semiconductor substrate, depositing a fill-metal layer over the NMOS-metal layer, and then reducing the thickness of the NMOS metal layer and the fill metal layer to expose the gate electrodes of the NMOS transistor and the PMOS transistor. |
| US08629020B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. The method includes: forming a trench in a semiconductor substrate of a first conductive type; forming a trench dopant containing layer including a dopant of a second conductive type on a sidewall and a bottom surface of the trench; forming a doping region by diffusing the dopant in the trench dopant containing layer into the semiconductor substrate; and removing the trench dopant containing layer. |
| US08629019B2 |
Method of forming self aligned contacts for a power MOSFET
A method for providing self aligned contacts for a trench power MOSFET is disclosed. The method includes, etching trenches in a substrate through a mask of silicon nitride deposited on an oxide layer, forming a gate oxide layer on the walls of the trenches, applying polysilicon to fill the trenches and to cover the surface of the mask of silicon nitride, removing the polysilicon from the surface of the mask of silicon nitride and applying a photoresist mask to cover a location of a gate bus. The method further includes recessing polysilicon plugs formed in trenches that are located in the active area to form recesses above the polysilicon plugs, filling recesses formed above the polysilicon plugs formed in trenches that are located in the active area with an insulator, applying a fourth photo resist mask to define contact windows that are opened in the nitride layer, and selectively etching the silicon nitride film and leaving flat surfaced oxide buttons covering the trenches that are located in the active area. Moreover, electric contact trenches are defined using self-aligned spacer operations, and a fifth photo resist mask is applied to pattern metal contacts that reach the semiconductor device active areas. |
| US08629017B2 |
Structure and method to form EDRAM on SOI substrate
A memory device is provided that in one embodiment includes a trench capacitor located in a semiconductor substrate including an outer electrode provided by the semiconductor substrate, an inner electrode provided by a conductive fill material, and a node dielectric layer located between the outer electrode and the inner electrode; and a semiconductor device positioned centrally over the trench capacitor. The semiconductor device includes a source region, a drain region, and a gate structure, in which the semiconductor device is formed on a semiconductor layer that is separated from the semiconductor substrate by a dielectric layer. A first contact is present extending from an upper surface of the semiconductor layer into electrical contact with the semiconductor substrate, and a second contact from the drain region of the semiconductor device in electrical contact to the conductive material within the at least one trench. |
| US08629013B2 |
Junction leakage reduction through implantation
Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a first III-V family layer over a substrate. The first III-V family layer includes a surface having a first surface morphology. The method includes performing an ion implantation process to the first III-V family layer through the surface. The ion implantation process changes the first surface morphology into a second surface morphology. After the ion implantation process is performed, the method includes forming a second III-V family layer over the first III-V family layer. The second III-V family layer has a material composition different from that of the first III-V family layer. |
| US08629008B2 |
Electrical isolation structures for ultra-thin semiconductor-on-insulator devices
After formation of raised source and drain regions, a conformal dielectric material liner is deposited within recessed regions formed by removal of shallow trench isolation structures and underlying portions of a buried insulator layer in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. A dielectric material that is different from the material of the conformal dielectric material liner is subsequently deposited and planarized to form a planarized dielectric material layer. The planarized dielectric material layer is recessed selective to the conformal dielectric material liner to form dielectric fill portions that fill the recessed regions. Horizontal portions of the conformal dielectric material liner are removed by an anisotropic etch, while remaining portions of the conformal dielectric material liner form an outer gate spacer. At least one contact-level dielectric layer is deposited. Contact via structures electrically isolated from a handle substrate can be formed within the contact via holes. |