| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08687836B2 |
Loudspeaker system
A loudspeaker system with an enclosure, an electro-acoustic transducer mounted in the enclosure so as to leave space inside of the enclosure that is unoccupied by the transducer, and an air-adsorbing material in the space inside of the enclosure that is unoccupied by the transducer. The air-adsorbing material includes a silicon-based zeolite with a small amount of a second metal. The mole ratio of silicon to the second metal is at least about 200 and is less than 400. |
| US08687835B2 |
Diaphragm for an electropneumatic horn system
The invention relates to an improved diaphragm securing mechanism in a sound wave generator system for an electric horn system that includes a monolithic rigid housing member having a receiving opening for fixably housing, in an non-removable and secure manner following assembly, a compressor member, thereby preventing unintended separation and improving a reliability of the electric horn system. |
| US08687831B2 |
Optimized energy and data transfer in hearing implant systems
An external device for a hearing implant system and a hearing implant system having an external device is described. An external transmitter generates a radio-frequency inductive link signal to an implanted receiver including a sequence of data word segments which communicate data to the implanted receiver, and a sequence of data word pause segments between each data word segment which communicate energy without data to the implanted receiver. A data word pause controller controls the inductive link signal during the data word pause segments according to an energy management rule. |
| US08687830B2 |
Television apparatus and electronic device
According to one embodiment, a television apparatus includes a housing, a skeletal member, a speaker, a speaker holder, and a sound guiding mechanism. The housing is provided with an emission opening. The skeletal member is housed in the housing and fixed to the housing. The speaker is arranged inside the housing. The speaker holder is attached to the skeletal member with an engagement mechanism while holding the speaker. The sound guiding mechanism includes the speaker holder, and guides sound produced from the speaker to the emission opening. |
| US08687827B2 |
Micro-electro-mechanical system microphone chip with expanded back chamber
A MEMS microphone chip with an expanded back chamber includes a first chip unit and a second chip unit. The first chip unit has a first substrate, a vibration membrane layer is formed above an end of the first substrate, and a space is formed below the vibration membrane layer of the first substrate, so that the vibration membrane layer is suspended above the first substrate to vibrate. The second chip unit has a second substrate to couple with another end of the first substrate, and a groove is formed in the second substrate with a width larger than that of the space; when the first substrate and the second substrate are coupled together, the groove and the space are connected together to act as the back chamber of the vibration membrane layer. |
| US08687819B2 |
Method for monitoring the influence of ambient noise on stochastic gradient algorithms during identification of linear time-invariant systems
A hearing aid system and a method of estimating ambient noise in a listening device includes an input transducer and an output transducer, an electrical forward path between the input transducer and the output transducer providing a forward gain, an electrical feedback path comprising an adaptive filter for estimating the acoustic feedback gain from the output transducer to the input transducer. A method determines the quality of a critical gain measurement for a listening device. The method comprises a) monitoring the energy of the first-difference of the filter coefficients of the adaptive filter over time and b) applying a predefined threshold criterion to the change in energy content from one time instance to another to determine an acceptable impact of the ambient noise. This technique may e.g. be used for the fitting of hearing instruments where background noise is variable. |
| US08687818B2 |
Method for dynamically adjusting the spectral content of an audio signal
A method for dynamically adjusting the spectral content of an audio signal, which increases the harmonic content of said audio signal, said method comprising translating an encoded digital signal into data bands, creating a psychoacoustic model to identify sections of said data bands that are deficient in harmonic quality, analyzing the fundamental frequency and amplitude of said harmonically deficient data bands, creating additional higher order harmonics for said harmonically deficient data bands, adding said higher order harmonics back to said encoded digital signal to form a newly enhanced signal, inverse filtering said newly enhanced signal, and converting said inverse filtered signal to an analog waveform for consumption by the listener. |
| US08687806B2 |
Conditional access system employing constrained encryption keys
A method and apparatus is provided for decrypting an encrypted transport stream, comprising. The method includes receiving the encrypted transport stream over a content delivery network. The encrypted transport stream is encrypted using a first control word that serves as an encryption/decryption key. A variable control word is received over the content delivery network. The variable control word is mathematically constrained to create a second control word. The encrypted transport stream is decrypted using the second control word if the second control word is the same as the first control word. |
| US08687802B2 |
Method and system for accelerating the deterministic enciphering of data in a small domain
Conventional block ciphers that traffic in 128-bit block sizes are ill-suited for operating in small domains like credit card numbers. Some embodiments relate to techniques for constructing and speeding up practical and provably secure schemes for deterministically enciphering data from a small domain like credit card numbers using a conventional block cipher or other pseudorandom function. |
| US08687794B1 |
Methods and systems for processing and managing telephonic communications
The present invention relates to online and offline communication processing and tracking using data processing and data/voice networks. A phone address is automatically assigned to a first entity. A call quality rating is determined and recorded. A call from a caller directed to the phone address is received at a call bridging system coupled to at least one network, wherein the call is associated with call signaling information. Based at least in part on the call quality associated with the caller call, the caller call is assigned to a first location in a call queue. An outbound call is generated from the call bridging system and the inbound and the outbound calls are bridged. One or more parameters of the bridged call are compared to the call quality rating. An indication is recorded regarding the successful bridging of the calls in association with a first entity identifier. |
| US08687793B2 |
System and method for automatic selection of interfaces
The automatic selection of interfaces can result in the optimization of interaction between entities. Such selection of interfaces can be applied specifically in the context of interactive voice response systems, and can allow the interface presented to a caller to be optimized based on factors including the caller's usage of the system. |
| US08687783B2 |
Systems and methods to provide information via connections for real time communications between people
Methods and apparatuses to connect people for real time communications to access diverse categories of information. One embodiment includes; storing data representing a privilege of a user during a predetermined period of time; responsive to a first request made via a presentation of a listing of the first entity for a service of the first entity, establishing a connection for real time communications between the user and the first entity to deliver the service of the first entity, if the user has the privilege at a time of the first request; and responsive to a second request made via a presentation of a listing of the second entity for a service of the second entity, establishing a connection for real time communications between the user and the second entity to deliver the service of the second entity, if the user has the privilege at a time of the second request. |
| US08687778B2 |
Interactive property communication system
Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for interactive property communication. In various embodiments, an interactive property communication system includes two or more property communication nodes (PCNs) each adapted for coupling to an electrical service. PCNs include a radio transceiver for communications with a broker service adapted for controlling communications with one or more PCNs. |
| US08687777B1 |
Systems and methods for visual presentation and selection of IVR menu
Embodiments of the invention provide a system for generating an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) database, the system comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory comprising a list of telephone numbers associated with one or more destinations implementing IVR menus, wherein the one or more destinations are grouped based on a plurality of categories of the IVR menus. Further the memory includes instructions executable by said processor for automatically communicating with the one of more destinations, and receiving at least one customization record from said at least one destination to store in the IVR database. Further, a corresponding method for generating an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) database is also provided. |
| US08687776B1 |
System and method to analyze human voice conversations
A system and method for analyzing conversations is disclosed. The analysis can provide data to show behavioral trending. The system and method can be used to analyze telephonic conversations. The system and method can analyze both voice and data. The system and method can also be integrated with other systems, such as CRM databases. |
| US08687775B2 |
System and method for generating and facilitating comment on audio content
A computer-implemented system and method for generating audio content using a telephony system. The method includes receiving a telephone call initiation request through a computer implemented graphical interface, initiating a telephone call to a selected telephone number, recording at least a portion of the telephone call to generate audio content, and posting the generated audio content on the computer implemented graphical interface to allow one or more users to access the generated audio content. |
| US08687773B2 |
Method and system for interfacing systems unified messaging with legacy systems located behind corporate firewalls
A system and method for interfacing unified message processing systems with legacy voice mail, e-mail and facsimile systems, located behind corporate firewalls. The system includes a unified message server, a proxy interface and a message protocol convertor. The proxy interface is configured to access the legacy system in response to a request from a unified message server. Messages stored on the legacy system are converted by a protocol convertor to a predetermined format compatible with the unified message server. The converted messages are then transferred to a unified message server which is capable of providing messages from different messaging system, such as voice mail, e-mail and facsimile to users in a predetermined format. The invention permits enterprise wide communication systems to provide unified messaging without abandoning pre-existing legacy messaging system. |
| US08687766B2 |
Enhancing accuracy of fast high-resolution X-ray diffractometry
A method for analysis includes directing a converging beam of X-rays toward a surface of a sample and sensing the X-rays that are diffracted from the sample while resolving the sensed X-rays as a function of angle so as to generate a diffraction spectrum of the sample. The diffraction spectrum is corrected to compensate for a non-uniform property of the converging beam. |
| US08687764B2 |
Robotic sensor
A contraband detection system includes one or more detection devices operatively coupled to a spreader beam of a cargo container crane system. Detection devices may include an X-ray scanner, a detection apparatus, and a sensor array. The X-ray scanner is operative for outputting high-energy X-rays capable of penetrating through the contents of the cargo container. The X-ray scanner is movable from an inactive first position that facilitates engagement of the spreader beam with the cargo container to an active second position that facilitates the scanning of the contents of the cargo container. The detection apparatus is similarly deployable from a first position to a second position and includes a plurality of limbs capable of rotation about a plurality of axes. The detection apparatus further includes a radiation source and a receptor plate. |
| US08687761B2 |
Shift register circuit using a switch device
A shift register circuit includes plural shift register stages for providing plural gate signals. Each shift register stage includes an input unit and a pull-up unit. The pull-up unit is utilized for pulling up a gate signal according to a system clock and a driving control voltage. The input unit is employed for outputting the driving control voltage according to a control signal and an input signal. The input unit includes a switch device having a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor has a first end for receiving the input signal, a gate end for receiving the control signal, and a second end. The second transistor has a first end electrically connected to the second end of the first transistor, a gate end electrically connected to the first end of the first transistor, and a second end for outputting the driving control voltage. |
| US08687756B2 |
CDR with digitally controlled lock to reference
In described embodiments, a receiver includes a clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit with a voltage control oscillator (VCO) having proportional and integral loop control, and a Lock to Reference (L2R) mode circuit using Phase and Frequency Detector (PFD) control of the VCO during the absence of input data to the CDR. A regular CDR second order loop incorporating PFD control of the VCO during the absence of input data to the CDR achieves relatively rapid lock to reference when compared to counter-based lock to reference mode of operation. |
| US08687755B1 |
Interpolator-based clock and data recovery with reduced quantization error
One embodiment relates to an interpolator-based clock and data recovery (iCDR) circuit. The iCDR circuit includes an automatic gain control circuit arranged to generate an interpolation jump size signal when a targeted sampling detection signal is asserted. The targeted sampling detection signal may be asserted when sampling by the phase detector of the iCDR circuit is within a targeted range. The interpolation jump size signal may indicate a number of phase steps to shift an interpolation state signal if a jump is indicated by a filtered feedback signal. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed. |
| US08687752B2 |
Method and apparatus for receiver adaptive phase clocked low power serial link
A serial bit stream having a given bit per second rate is received and distributed to a plurality of phase shifted samplers. A multi-phase sampling trigger is generated at a rate lower than the given bit per second rate, and each of the phase shifted samplers is controlled by one of the phases of the multi-phase sampling trigger. The time spacing between phases of the multi-phase sampling trigger is the inverse of the given bit per second rate. The phase of the multi-phase sampling trigger is aligned with the phase of the serial bit, to collectively recover by the plurality of phase shifted samplers a plurality of consecutive bits from the serial bit stream. |
| US08687750B1 |
Signal detection with adjustable number of interfering signals
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with signal detection with an adjustable number of interfering signals. According to one embodiment an apparatus includes an interferer counter, a detection method selector, and a signal detector. The interferer counter is configured to identify a number of active interfering signals in a received signal. The detection method selector is configured to select a signal detection method based, at least in part, on the number of active interfering signals identified by the interferer counter. The signal detector is configured to process the received signal according to the signal detection method selected by the detection method selector to detect an intended signal in the received signal. |
| US08687748B2 |
Radio frequency control for communication systems
An electronic device capable of performing automatic frequency control (AFC) to maintain frequency and timing without good received bursts, in which an oscillation unit and a baseband processing unit are provided. Wherein, the baseband processing unit computes a compensation adjustment according to a prediction model and stored information regarding a previous digital value adjustment when detecting that the baseband processing unit is incapable of controlling the oscillation unit according to received bursts from the remote communication unit, and adjusts the oscillation unit according to the determined compensation adjustment. |
| US08687746B2 |
SMU architecture for turbo decoder
Systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are described for Turbo decoding in a wireless communication system. Turbo encoded wireless signals may be received and demodulated, and forwarded to a branch metric calculator. The branch metric calculator may calculate a set of branch metrics for the demodulated signal. A state metric unit may receive the set of branch metrics and a previously calculated set of state metrics. The state metric unit may perform various comparisons of the set of state metrics before the received set of branch metrics is added to a portion of the state metrics identified through the comparisons. |
| US08687744B2 |
Method and system for an improved cellular diversity receiver
Aspects of a method and system for an improved cellular diversity receiver are described. Aspects of the system may include circuitry that enables generation of an initially decoded output bit sequence by a first frame process for a received bit sequence for a plurality of received multipath signals. The first frame process may utilize redundancy based decoding, which imposes at least one physical constraint during the decoding, which may be performed by a decoding algorithm. |
| US08687740B2 |
Receiver and reception method for layered modulation
A receiver for receiving a layer-modulated signal includes: a base layer decoding unit configured to calculate a bit metric including code bit information of a base layer based on the reception signal and decode an information bit of the base layer; and at least one enhancement layer decoding unit configured to decode an information bit of an upper layer of a lower layer based on the decoding results of the lower layer, wherein the base layer decoding unit and the at least one enhancement layer decoding unit are sequentially connected according to the order of the corresponding layers. |
| US08687737B2 |
System and method for anticipatory receiver switching based on signal quality estimation
In various embodiments, a first and second complex multiplier may be configured to receive an input signal and provide a baseband I component signal and a baseband Q component signal, respectively. A first and second filter may be configured to filter the baseband I component signal and the baseband Q component signal, respectively. An equalizer may be configured to equalize the filtered baseband I component signal and the filtered baseband Q component signal. A carrier recovery portion may be configured to generate a reference signal based on the equalized filtered baseband I component signal and the equalized filtered baseband Q component signal. A first and second multilevel comparator may be configured to receive the equalized filtered baseband I component signal from the carrier recovery portion and provide an output I and receive the equalized filtered baseband Q component signal and provide an output Q signal for further modulation. |
| US08687735B2 |
Wireless communication system, transmitter and receiver
According to the present invention, a transmitter includes: multiple antennas 15-1, 15-2; a DFT unit 04 configured to transform a time domain signal into a frequency domain signal; a cluster mapping unit 05 configured to divide the frequency domain signal into clusters and to assign the clusters to frequencies on the basis of cluster assignment information; an IDFT unit 06 configured to transform a mapped frequency domain signal into a time domain signal; and cyclic delay setting units 11-1, 11-2 configured to set, for the respective multiple antennas, a cyclic delay amount to the IDFT-transformed time domain signal. |
| US08687732B2 |
Architecture and methods for coexistence of wireless radios having differing protocols
Embodiments of systems and methods for the coexistence of wireless radios having differing protocols are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments systems and methods for synchronizing clocks between two radios, and using a signal to notify one of the radios to refrain from transmitting for a timeperiod are described. |
| US08687730B2 |
Wireless device and communication control program
A wireless device includes a channel covariance matrix calculating unit that calculates a covariance matrix based on a channel matrix estimated based on radio signal transmitted from a transmitting station. The wireless device further includes a first metric calculating unit that calculates a first metric based on the calculated covariance matrix. The wireless device further includes a W1 determining unit that calculates a first precoding matrix common to a plurality of bands based on the calculated first metric. The wireless device further includes second metric calculating units that calculate a second metric using the calculated first precoding matrix. The wireless device further includes an optimal CQI/PMI/RI determining unit that calculates a second precoding matrix of each band based on the calculated second metric. |
| US08687728B2 |
Cubic-metric based frequency selective precoding for uplink in MIMO communication system
A method of wireless communication is disclosed which includes acquiring a first set of precoding matrices for a set of frequency bands and generating a second set of precoding matrices for the set of frequency bands based on the first set of precoding matrices. The second set of precoding matrices enables a transmission that satisfies a cubic metric criteria in multiple-in multiple-out communication mode in the uplink. In some designs, generating the second set of precoding matrices can be based on restricting the first set of precoding matrices for a set of frequency bands and transmission rank, rotating the first set of precoding matrices based for a predetermined transmission rank, or a combination thereof. |
| US08687727B2 |
Coordinated multi-point transmission using interference feedback
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for wirelessly receiving, by a user equipment (UE), interference signal from a first enhanced Node B (eNB) while the UE is communicating with a second eNB; generating interference feedback information that is associated with an interference channel between the first eNB and the UE; and transmitting the interference feedback information to the first eNB via the second eNB are disclosed. Additional variants and embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08687721B2 |
Method for selecting user
Disclosed herein is a method for selecting a user. A method for selecting a user in a communication system including a base station having M antennas and K users having one receive antenna includes: (a) calculating channel orthogonality between each of the possible users and previously selected users; and (b) selecting users having the largest channel orthogonality calculated at the step (a) among the possible users. |
| US08687720B2 |
Treatment process of a multicarrier signal with filter banks for synchronisation by preamble
The invention relates to a treatment process of a signal received from a multi-carrier transmitter (1) with filter banks by a multi-carrier receiver (2) with filter banks, to perform synchronization from a preamble. |
| US08687719B2 |
Method and apparatus for OFDM spectral diversity using guard bands
An OFDM modulation process and means for transmitting multiple carriers through a communication channel having a bandwidth arranged ion chunks with further subcarriers being allocated to form at least one guard band, comprising automatically and periodically shifting said chunks to the left or to the side in order to overlap said guard band and increase spectral diversity. |
| US08687718B2 |
Multiple-input multiple-output OFDM systems
Disclosed is a method of processing a series of data bits for transmission on a transmit link, the method comprising mapping the series of data bits to a series of data symbols; demultiplexing the series of data symbols to a plurality of substreams of symbols; modulating each substream of symbols to a corresponding series of OFDM symbols; and space precoding the plurality of series of OFDM symbols to form one or more series of space precoded OFDM symbols, wherein the demultiplexing is dependent on channel state information for the transmit link. |
| US08687716B2 |
Digital signal transmission and reception
A digital signal transmitter in which multiple data streams are each transmitted by modulation of a respective frequency band within one of a group of frequency channels, the frequency bands each occupying no more than a predetermined maximum bandwidth less than or equal to the channel width; comprises means for transmitting at respective frequency positions within each frequency channel, one or more instances of band information defining the frequency bands corresponding to all of the data streams carried within that frequency channel, the one or more instances being arranged so that any portion of the frequency channel equal in extent to the predetermined maximum bandwidth includes at least one instance of the band information. |
| US08687713B2 |
Optimum radio communication method with radio frame variable control and radio communication system using the same
A radio communication system includes a transmission apparatus configured to transmit data using a radio frame formed in one time block, to which a plurality of continuous or discontinuous frequency areas are assigned, and a reception apparatus configured to receive the data transmitted from the transmission apparatus by using the radio frame. The transmission apparatus transmits to the reception apparatus a radio frame provided in the beginning of the radio frame with a pilot which is a known signal used for measurement of reception quality and a control signal used for the control of demodulation at the reception apparatus. The reception apparatus transmits reception quality information concerning reception quality measured by the pilot, and the transmission apparatus performs a transmission process by using a radio frame format which does not include control information for the reception apparatus which has transmitted the reception quality information. |
| US08687708B2 |
Method and apparatus for rate distortion optimisation
There is provided a method of optimizing Rate Distortion Optimization candidate assessment in hardware apparatus, comprising determining which Rate Distortion Optimization candidates out of a plurality of candidates are separately processable, determining a processing delay of critical portions of candidate assessment hardware, determining a rule set governing how the separately processable candidates may be ordered for processing, determining an optimized processing order for processing the separately processable candidate assessments, dependent on the processing delay of critical portions of the candidate assessment hardware and the determined rule set, and processing the candidates according to the determined processing order. There is also provided an apparatus for carrying out the improved Rate Distortion Optimization method. |
| US08687707B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding using extended macro-block skip mode
A method is provided for encoding a multi-layer video signal by using an extended macro-block skip mode. The method includes generating a bit stream of a base layer; generating a bit stream of an enhanced layer by referring to a frame of the base layer; setting a syntax item for an extended macro-block skip mode in an area of the bit stream of the enhanced layer, wherein the syntax item indicates if information of the base layer is used as it is while a frame of the enhanced layer is skipped. |
| US08687705B2 |
Moving picture decoding device and moving picture decoding method
One embodiment provides a moving picture decoding device for decoding a compression-coded video stream, including: an inverse-quadrature-transformer/dequantizer configured to perform inverse-quadrature-transformation/dequantization processing on each frame to be decoded; a load detector configured to detect a magnitude of an apparatus processing load including a processing load for decoding; a judging module configured to judge whether the magnitude of the apparatus processing load detected by the load detecting module is small; and a controller configured to control the inverse-quadrature-transformer/dequantizer so as to skip at least part of the inverse-quadrature-transformation/dequantization processing if the judging module judges that the magnitude of the apparatus processing load is not small. |
| US08687704B2 |
Bitstream decoding device and method
A bitstream decoding apparatus and a method thereof, where the bitstream decoding apparatus includes: a decoder forming unit, configured to generate and output CSCI control information and connection control information by using partial decoder descriptions stored in a description storing unit; and a decoding unit, which selectively loads a plurality of functional units included in a toolbox by using the CSCI control information and the connection control information to decode a bitstream to video data. |
| US08687700B1 |
Method and/or apparatus for object detection utilizing cached and compressed classifier information
An apparatus comprising a classifier cache, a plurality of variable length decoder circuits and a core engine circuit. The classifier cache may be configured to store one or more compressed classifier streams. The plurality of variable length decoder circuits may each be configured to generate one or more uncompressed classifier streams in response to a respective one of the compressed classifier streams received from the classifier cache. The core engine circuit may be configured to detect one or more objects in a video signal by checking a portion of the video signal using the uncompressed classifier streams. |
| US08687692B2 |
Method of processing a video signal
A method of processing a video signal is disclosed. The present invention includes obtaining a DC (discrete cosine) transform coefficient for a current macroblock and partition information of a DC (direct current) component block from a bitstream, obtaining transform size information of each partition of the DC component block based on the partition information of the DC component block, performing an inverse DC transform or a Hadamard transform based on the transform size information of the partition of the DC component block, performing inverse quantization on a result value from the transform and an AC (alternating current) component, and reconstructing a residual block by performing an inverse DC transform on a result value from the inverse quantization, wherein the residual block includes a block indicating a pixel value difference between an original picture and a predicted picture. |
| US08687691B1 |
Image sliced high definition scalable array encoding system and method
An array encoding system and method for use with high definition digital video data streams includes method and means for analyzing the incoming data stream, splitting the data stream in accordance with video complexity or other criteria, encoding each of the subsidiary data streams in accordance with a desired encoding standard, and combining the data streams to generate an output. The encoding system and method is particularly suited to encoding data streams to provide an output with is substantially consistent with the H.264 video communications standard. The system and method are scalable. |
| US08687689B2 |
Method and apparatus for on-line compressed sensing
A typical data acquisition system takes periodic samples of a signal, image, or other data, often at the so-called Nyquist/Shannon sampling rate of two times the data bandwidth in order to ensure that no information is lost. In applications involving wideband signals, the Nyquist/Shannon sampling rate is very high, even though the signals may have a simple underlying structure. Recent developments in mathematics and signal processing have uncovered a solution to this Nyquist/Shannon sampling rate bottlenck for signals that are sparse or compressible in some representation. We demonstrate and reduce to practice methods to extract information directly from an analog or digital signal based on altering our notion of sampling to replace uniform time samples with more general linear functionals. One embodiment of our invention is a low-rate analog-to-information converter that can replace the high-rate analog-to-digital converter in certain applications involving wideband signals. Another embodiment is an encoding scheme for wideband discrete-time signals that condenses their information content. |
| US08687679B2 |
Datalink system architecture using OTS/COTS modem for MIMO multipath sensing networks
An apparatus interfaces a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS)/off-the-shelf (OTS) modem for pulsed data communication using existing sensor aperture among radar platforms. The apparatus includes a demodulator for receiving a sequence of first pulse signals, at least one first pulse signal of the sequence of first pulse signals being modulated with an input signal. The demodulator includes a pulse regeneration module for regenerating a pulse timing of the sequence of first pulse signals and a pulse demodulation module for demodulating the sequence of first pulse signals to recover the input signal in synchronization with the pulse timing of the sequence of first pulse signals. |
| US08687678B2 |
Parameterized codebook with subset restrictions for use with precoding MIMO transmissions
One aspect of the teachings herein relates to signaling codebook restrictions, to restrict the precoder recommendations being fed back from a remote transceiver, so that precoder selections made by the remote receiver are restricted to permitted subsets of overall precoders within a defined set of overall precoders, or to permitted subsets within larger sets of conversion precoders and tuning precoders, for the case where the overall precoders are represented in factorized form by conversion and tuning precoders. As a non-limiting example, these teachings advantageously provide for precoder restrictions in LTE or LTE-Advanced networks, where ongoing development targets the use of larger, richer sets of precoders, and where the disclosed mechanisms for determining, signaling, and responding to subset restrictions provide significant operational advantages. |
| US08687677B2 |
Method for digital wireless communications
In a multivalue modulation type with one pilot symbol inserted for every 3 or more symbols, signal points of each one symbol immediately before and after a pilot symbol are modulated using a modulation type different from that for pilot symbols. In this way, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the accuracy in estimating the reference phase and amount of frequency offset by pilot symbols and improve the bit error rate characteristic in the signal to noise ratio in quasi-coherent detection with symbols whose symbol synchronization is not completely established. |
| US08687672B2 |
Narrowband interference rejection for ultra-wideband systems
A technique for reducing interference between a direct-sequence ultra-wideband communications system and a narrowband communications system uses interference-rejecting spreading codes to reduce signal power in a frequency band associated with the narrowband communications system. A method of operating an ultra-wideband communications system includes applying an interference-rejecting spreading code to a signal for transmission. The interference-rejecting spreading code is configured to reduce power in a particular frequency band of a transmit or receive power spectral density associated with the ultra-wideband signal without substantially reducing power outside that particular frequency band of the transmit or receive power spectral density associated with the ultra-wideband signal. |
| US08687657B2 |
Base station apparatus and method in mobile communication system
A base station apparatus determines which mode of a subframe bundling mode (second mode) and a non-bundling mode (first mode) should be used by a user apparatus for communication, and reports a determination result. In the first mode, RTT period is a first period, and each of transmission and retransmission of the signal is performed every 1 TTI. In the second mode, RTT period is a second period that is longer than the first period, and each of transmission and retransmission of the signal is performed every plurality of TTIs. A radio resource to be used for retransmission is determined according to a first frequency hopping pattern in the first mode, and is determined according to a second frequency hopping pattern that is different from the first frequency hopping pattern in the second mode. |
| US08687656B2 |
Method and system for providing faster channel switching in a digital broadcast system
Methods, apparatuses, and systems are presented for switching between channels of encoded media data involving receiving encoded media data including reference frames and dependent frames for a plurality of channels, wherein each dependent frame refers to at least one reference frame. Frames associated with a first channel from the plurality of channels are decoded to generate a decoded signal for the first channel. While decoding frames associated with the first channel, data corresponding to at least one reference frame associated with a second channel from the plurality of channels are stored. In response to a control signal for switching from the first to the second channel, at least one dependent frame associated with the second channel is decoded by utilizing the stored data corresponding to the at least one reference frame associated with the second channel, to generate a decoded signal for the second channel. |
| US08687653B2 |
Tunnel path MTU discovery
A solution for tunnel path MTU discovery includes, at a first network device configured as an origination endpoint for a tunnel, storing a keep-alive packet having a size of an interface maximum transmission unit (MTU), the keep-alive packet indicating the packet should not be fragmented, the second network device configured as a termination endpoint for the tunnel. If the sending fails, the size of the keep-alive packet is iteratively changed to converge upon a path MTU, where the path MTU is the size of a largest keep-alive packet that can be sent from the first network device to the second network device without fragmentation. |
| US08687651B2 |
Method and apparatus for interfacing synchronous core network with asynchronous radio network
A method and apparatus for interfacing a synchronous core network with an asynchronous radio network in a next-generation mobile telecommunications system is disclosed. The method includes: a) selecting a function necessary to map a synchronous message to an asynchronous message; b) determining whether the synchronous message is to be transmitted to the mobile station or not; c) storing information necessary to map the synchronous message to the asynchronous message if the synchronous message is to transmitted to the mobile station, d) mapping parameters in the synchronous message to those in the asynchronous message, thereby generating the asynchronous message; e) discarding the message not to be transmitted to the mobile station after storing parameters included in the message not to be transmitted onto a predetermined device; and f) transmitting the asynchronous message to the radio resource controller. |
| US08687649B2 |
Message forwarding toward a source end node in a converged network environment
A network node that forwards traffic of a converged network received from a source end node receives a second message addressed to the network node, but intended for the source end node. The second message includes at least a portion of a first message originated by the source end node and previously forwarded by the network node. The network node extracts from the first message a source identifier of the source end node in a first communication protocol and determines by reference to a data structure a destination address of the second message in a second communication protocol. The network node modifies the second message to include the destination address and forwards the second message toward the source end node in accordance with the destination address. |
| US08687645B2 |
Wireless communications device providing temperature-compensated clock correction features and related methods
A wireless communications device may include a portable housing and a temperature-compensated clock circuit carried by the portable housing. The device may further include a wireless receiver carried by the portable housing for receiving timing signals, when available, from a wireless network, and a satellite positioning clock circuit carried by the portable housing. A clock correction circuit may be carried by the portable housing for correcting the temperature-compensated clock circuit based upon timing signals from the wireless network when available, and storing historical correction values for corresponding temperatures. The clock correction circuit may also correct the temperature-compensated clock circuit based upon the stored historical correction values when timing signals are unavailable from the wireless network, and correct the satellite positioning clock based upon the temperature-compensated clock circuit. |
| US08687643B2 |
Data transmission device
A data transmission device includes a unit that changes the number and combination of optical communication paths forming a virtual communication path. The data transmission device has functions of forming a virtual communication path by connecting only the number of optical communication paths satisfying a required bandwidth and of turning off operation circuits forming unconnected optical communication paths. |
| US08687639B2 |
Method and system for ordering posted packets and non-posted packets transfer
A system for ordering packets. The system includes a first memory, e.g., FIFO, storing transition information for posted packets, e.g., 1 when a posted packet transitions from a non-posted packet and 0 otherwise. A second memory stores transition information for non-posted packets, e.g., 1 when a non-posted packet transitions from a posted packet and 0 otherwise. A counter increments responsive to detecting a transition in the first memory and decrements responsive to detecting a transition in the second memory. A controller orders a posted packet for transmission prior to a non-posted packet if a value of the counter is negative and when a transitional value associated with the non-posted packet is 1, and wherein the controller orders either a posted packet or a non-posted packet otherwise. The first and the second memory may be within a same memory component. |
| US08687638B2 |
Methods and apparatus to distribute network IP traffic
Example methods disclosed herein include, in response to receiving, at a server, a first control packet from a first router, selecting a first auxiliary router to forward the first control packet, and updating a forwarding table in the first router to associate a destination address of the first control packet with a first control path from the first router to the first auxiliary router, the forwarding table initially causing the first control packet to be routed from the physical router to the server, the first control path being determined by routing the first control packet from the first router to the first auxiliary router through the server, the updating of the forwarding table to cause subsequent data packets associated with the first control packet to be forwarded from the first router to the first auxiliary router via the first control path without being routed through the server. |
| US08687637B2 |
Communication control method and relay device
A communication control method for controlling communication between a first node and a second node via a relay device, the method includes transmitting a control packet from the first node to the second node before transmitting a first packet which is a higher priority than another packet to be relayed, stopping a packet from being output from a packet storage device for the another packet by the relay device, for a period indicated by the control packet, the packet storage device being included in one of a plurality of output ports of the relay device from which the first packet is to be output, and transmitting the first packet from the first node to the second node or from the second node to the first node during the period. |
| US08687634B2 |
Method for diverting packet multiple times, apparatus and system
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, an apparatus, and a system for diverting a packet multiple times between a master network device and multiple slave devices. The method includes: receiving a packet sent by a first slave device, where the packet includes an MPLS header that carries multi-diversion information, the multi-diversion information includes a multi-diversion identifier field, and the multi-diversion identifier field is used to indicate a slave device to which the packet needs to be diverted; determining, according to the multi-diversion identifier field, a second slave device to which the packet needs to be diverted; and sending the packet to the second slave device. |
| US08687632B2 |
System and method for local packet transport services within distributed routers
A system and method for routing packets within a router having a plurality of loosely-coupled route processors, including a first route processor, and a line card operably coupled to the plurality of distributed-route-processors. Each route processor includes an internal forwarding information base (IFIB). Each IFIB includes information that is used to route packets addressed to elements within the router. |
| US08687630B2 |
Emergency alerting device
A communication device for transmitting and receiving messages via an emergency notification network. The communication device includes a receiver configured to receive a data packet from a data broadcasting system, a processor operably connected to the receiver and configured to process the data packet, a memory operably connected to the processor and configured to store data, a mesh network transceiver operably connected to the processor and configured to transmit the received data packet via a mesh network to at least a second communication device, and an output device operably connected to the processor and configured to present an alert corresponding to the data packet. |
| US08687629B1 |
Fabric virtualization for packet and circuit switching
A network device includes a hybrid switch fabric configured for switching packets and circuits that includes a packet switching portion that distributes packets across a plurality of packet ports of fabric chips within the hybrid switch fabric and operates in accordance with packet switching behavior requirements, and a circuit switching portion for switching circuits, wherein the circuit switching portion of the hybrid switch fabric directly connects a single input of the hybrid switch fabric to a single output of the hybrid switch fabric via a pre-determined path through the fabric chips and operates in accordance with circuit switching behavior requirements. The packet switching portion and the circuit switching portion include one or more fabric chips, wherein the fabric chips each include a plurality of ports each dynamically configurable as one of a packet port for receiving and outputting packet-switched data and a circuit port for receiving and outputting circuit-switched data. |
| US08687628B2 |
Scalable balanced switches
A balanced, bufferless switch scalable to high capacities and requiring less processing effort with less internal fabric expansion in comparison with prior-art switches. The balanced, bufferless switch employs a pre-switching or post-switching balanced-connector. |
| US08687627B2 |
Communication apparatus
One embodiment provides a communication apparatus including: a first storage which stores connection information and an address; a connection information reading portion which reads connection information from the first storage upon reception of a packet transmission start instruction; a header generating portion which generates a header of a packet from the read connection information; a second storage which stores data at the address; and a data reading portion which reads data corresponding to the read connection information from the second storage, wherein the connection information reading portion is constituted by a first hardware, wherein the header generating and data reading portions are constituted by a second hardware, and wherein, while the data reading portion is reading data of a first packet or while the header generating portion is generating a header of the first packet, the connection information reading portion reads connection information of a second packet. |
| US08687623B2 |
Method and system of centralized control and management for Fiber Channel over Ethernet networks
A first fiber channel over Ethernet (FCoE) data forwarder (FDF), comprising a memory coupled to a processor, wherein the memory comprises instructions that cause the processor to receive a base forwarding table from an FCoE controller and manager (FCM), wherein the FDF comprise a plurality of ports, and wherein the first FDF uses the base forwarding table to determine which of the ports to send a first FCoE data frame comprising fiber channel (FC) data, receive a second FCoE data frame comprising a media access control (MAC) address, a port identifier, and FC data, and update the base forwarding table using the MAC address and the port identifier. |
| US08687622B2 |
Systems and methods for discovering SCTP associations in a network
Systems and methods for discovering SCTP associations between devices communicating in a network are described. A method comprises monitoring packets communicated among a plurality of source and destination devices, determining a combination of source EP address, source port number, destination IP address, and destination port number that defines an association between a source device and a destination device, and resolving a combination of source and destination verification tags that further defines the association based upon the combination of EP addresses and port numbers. The method further comprises ascertaining whether a subsequently monitored packet belongs to the association based at least in part upon an element of the combination of verification tags after at least one element of the combination of EP addresses and port numbers has changed during the ongoing communication. |
| US08687621B2 |
Dynamically right-sizing prefixes for network and application performance
In one embodiment, performance parameters may be determined for each of a plurality of network address prefixes in a computer network. Based on the respective performance parameters, the prefixes may be resized through at least one of consolidation of adjacent prefixes and splitting of prefixes, and traffic may then be routed in the computer network based on the resized prefixes. |
| US08687612B2 |
IP communication architecture between the ground and a vehicle
An IP communication architecture between a ground computer connected to a main router and a mobile computer which is located on board a train and which is connected to a mobile router on the train. The architecture includes at least one infrastructure having base stations equipped with radio communication devices and base routers on the ground which are connected to the infrastructure. Each mobile router has a radio communication device suitable for establishing a wireless link with one of the base stations of the infrastructure, a storage device means comprising having the IP address of the base routers connected to the infrastructure, and a connection device for initiating a connection with a base router on the basis of the list of base routers, after a wireless link has been established. |
| US08687610B2 |
Infrastructure for wireless LANS
A wireless data communications system includes simplified access points which are connected to ports of an intelligent switching hub. The switching hub relays data packets to the access points in accordance with destination address data in the data communications. In a preferred arrangement the access points are provided with power over the data cable from the switching hub location. |
| US08687609B2 |
Managing router advertisement messages to support roaming of wireless mobile client devices
Techniques are provided to manage how router advertisement messages are forwarded for ultimate wireless transmission in a wireless network. In one embodiment, a multicast router advertisement message intended for a virtual local area network is converted into individual unicast router advertisement messages directed to specific wireless mobile client devices that are part of that virtual local area network. In another embodiment, router advertisement messages are routed between controllers according to the current location of a wireless mobile client device. In still other embodiments, techniques are provided to minimize the volume of the router advertisement messages sent over a wireless network, and to proactively send a unicast router advertisement message to a mobile client device that has performed a handoff, without waiting for a router solicitation message. |
| US08687605B2 |
System and method for adjusting monitoring of timeslots during data transmission
A method for coordinating communications between a user equipment and a base station is presented. The method includes receiving an assignment of timeslots within each of a plurality of contiguous radio blocks for at least one of uplink and downlink communications between the user equipment and the base station. After receiving the assignment of timeslots within each of a plurality of contiguous radio blocks, the method includes reducing a number of radio blocks and associated timeslots monitored by the user equipment. |
| US08687600B2 |
Signal quality determination methods and apparatus suitable for use in WLAN-to-WWAN transitioning
A mobile terminal operates to switch communications from a first wireless network to a second wireless network. The mobile terminal determines a transmission error value for transmissions to the first wireless network based on a count of data packet errors of the transmissions identified over a predetermined time period. The mobile terminal then calculates a transmission error percentage value based on the transmission error value and a total number of attempted data packet transmissions over the predetermined time period. When the transmission error percentage error value is greater than a predetermined error percentage value, the mobile terminal provides an indication to switch the communication operations from the first wireless network to the second wireless network. |
| US08687599B2 |
Method and device for measuring a received signal power in a mobile communication system
In a method and a mobile communications receiver for performing signal measurements, signal measurement data is received from at least one base station during at least part of a measurement period. Each measurement period comprises a number of non-equidistant snapshot measurement windows during which the receiver receives signal measurement data. At least one average signal strength value of the signal measurement data received during the measurement period is computed. |
| US08687598B1 |
Method for managing handoff in a wireless communication system
Disclosed is a method the present method may help to minimize or avoid ping-ponging between coverage areas of a wireless communication system, by having a radio access network (RAN) give special consideration to power control commands after receipt of a wireless communication device's (WCD's) handoff request. After the RAN receives the WCD's request for handoff from a first coverage area to a second coverage area, the RAN evaluates power control commands from the WCD for the first coverage area for a time period after the handoff request and, based on the evaluation, determines whether the WCD continues to experience poor RF conditions in the first coverage area 22. If so, the RAN may then allow the handoff (e.g., if other conditions such as channel resource availability are met). And otherwise, the RAN may abort the handoff. |
| US08687597B2 |
Auto-discovery and management of base station neighbors in wireless networks
Systems and methods are disclosed that include determining a local node configuration for a local network node. The local network node configuration can include a local range and a local location. In addition, these systems and methods can include receiving a remote network node configuration for a remote network node via a communications link. The remote network node configuration can include a remote range and a remote location. Also these systems and methods can further include generating a neighbor list that includes the remote network node and the local network node. The neighbor list can be determined using the local network node configuration and the remote network node configuration. |
| US08687594B2 |
Method and apparatus for power and handover management in a multiple wireless technology communication device
Method and apparatuses for power and handoff management in a multiple wireless technology communication device are disclosed. One method includes a wireless device communicating using a first technology, and detecting availability of a second technology. Logic control of the wireless device receives a power level indicator of communication signals of the first technology, and determining an acceptable power level of communication signals of the second technology based on the power level indicator. The logic control determines a requested power level of communication signals of the second technology based on a request from a base station. The logic control provides a modified link quality representation to the base station if the requested power level is greater than the acceptable power level. The wireless device transmits to the base station with the second technology at the acceptable power level. |
| US08687590B2 |
System and method for handover between relays
A method is provided for handing over a user equipment (UE). The method includes a donor access node with which the UE is in communication via a serving relay node receiving UE context information. The method further includes the donor access node using the UE context information to identify data packets that belong to the UE, wherein the data packets are forwarded from the serving relay node to a target relay node. |
| US08687587B2 |
Inter-subsystem transfers
In general, the present invention provides for a direct inter-subsystem transfer of an active communication session, such as a call, between a packet subsystem (PS) and a circuit-switched subsystem (CS) in an efficient and effective manner while maintaining service control and continuity. Further, the inter-subsystem transfer may take place between a PS of one generation and a CS of another generation. |
| US08687585B2 |
Advanced technology frame structure with backward compatibility
An advanced technology frame structure is described herein. The advanced technology frame structure can enhance a first technology frame structure in dimensions of time, frequency, or a combination of time and frequency. A second technology frame structure time division multiplexes second technology subframes with the first technology downlink and uplink subframes. The first technology downlink subframe can be divided into a first technology downlink subframe and one or more second technology downlink subframes. Similarly, the first technology uplink subframe can be divided into a first uplink subframe and one or more second technology uplink subframes. These principles can be expanded upon and can be applied in many communication systems. |
| US08687584B2 |
Control channel allocation method, and apparatus for same
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for performing processes in which a terminal determines control channel allocation, as well as to an apparatus for the method. The method comprises the following steps: monitoring, on a first carrier, a first search space, containing a control channel candidate set, for control channels having no carrier indication information; and monitoring, on a second carrier, a second search space, containing a control channel candidate set, for control channels having carrier indication information. If the terminal is set to monitor a plurality of control channel candidates which have the same radio network temporary identifier (RNTI), the same information size, and the same first control channel element (CCE) in the first search space and in the second search space, the control channels are received only in the first search space on the first carrier. |
| US08687583B2 |
Method and apparatus for communication in a wireless LAN system
A communication method in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system is provided. The communication method includes: configuring, by a first access point (AP), a first basic service set (BSS) which uses a first primary channel (P-CH) and a first secondary channel (S-CH); and configuring, by a second AP, a second BSS which uses a second P-CH, a second S-CH, a second tertiary channel (T-CH), and a second quaternary channel (Q-CH), wherein a band of the first P-CH overlaps with a band of the second P-CH, and the second P-CH is a common channel which is used in an operation of a member station of the second BSS. |
| US08687580B2 |
Method and system for minimizing latencies for content protection in audio/video networks
Reducing latencies for content protection in audio/video networks includes reserving a wireless channel for a time period to accommodate control message exchange for content protection in data communication between a wireless transmitter and wireless receiver over a wireless channel. The control message exchange includes wirelessly transmitting a control request message from the transmitter for content protection to the receiver, and transmitting a control response message from the receiver to the transmitter in reply. Reserving the wireless channel includes reserving the wireless channel for a time period that accommodates the control message exchange. The time period includes a single transmission opportunity period for communication on the wireless channel, to reduce latency for the control message exchange between the transmitter and receiver. |
| US08687577B2 |
Method for transmitting MAC PDUs
With respect to generating and sending a MAC PDU by using the radio resources allocated to the mobile terminal, the level of priority between the buffer status report (BSR) and the established logical channels are defined such that the data of each logical channel and buffer status report can be more effectively, efficiently and quickly transmitted. |
| US08687573B2 |
Allocating resources within communication system
The present invention is related to a method for allocating resources in a communications system. The method includes receiving a matrix of priorities assigned to a plurality of services at a plurality of user levels; and allocating resources to a bearer for a station of the communication system based at least in part upon the priority assigned to a service provided over the bearer at the user level associated with a subscriber. |
| US08687572B2 |
Techniques for primary channel selection for an 802.11AC wireless network operating adajacent to an 802.11N wireless network
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a transceiver capable of communicating in a first basic service set (BSS) of a wireless network that is operable adjacent to a second basic service set (BSS) of wireless network, wherein when the first BSS and the second BSS operate such that the first BSS and the second BSS contain channels that at least partially overlap, the transceiver selects a primary channel of the first BSS to be next to a primary channel of the second BSS so that the first and the second BSSs avoid collisions with each other due to the at least partial overlapping. |
| US08687563B2 |
Simultaneous sensing and data transmission
In order to satisfy the conflicting requirements for spectrum sensing and QoS of data transmission, it is highly desirable for a cognitive radio system, e.g. IEEE 802.22 WRAN, to perform spectrum sensing and data transmission simultaneously. Embodiments of the invention address critical issues of self-interference generated from a transmission unit to the co-located sensing unit when the simultaneous sensing and data transmission technique is applied. A number of interference mitigation techniques are described and analysis are given. |
| US08687560B2 |
Unsynchronized time-of-flight-based wireless positioning system using network broadcasts
In a positioning system, each network access device in a first subset of N1 network access devices transmits a wireless location beacon signal, producing N1 wireless location beacon signals that are transmitted by the first subset. Each network access device in a second subset of N2 network access devices receives the Ni wireless location beacon signals from the first subset and calculates N1 TOAs from each of the N1 received wireless location beacon signals, producing N1×N2 calculated TOAs by the second subset. Using one or more wireless transmissions, one or more network access devices transmits the location coordinates of the network access devices and transmits the N1×N2 calculated TOAs, differences calculated among the N1×N2 calculated TOAs, or a combination of one or more of the N1×N2 calculated TOAs and one or more of the differences calculated among the N1×N2 calculated TOAs. |
| US08687557B2 |
Managing user registrations of roaming IMS users
Techniques for managing a registration of a roaming user terminal (116) in its IMS home network (102) based on a roaming agreement between the visited IMS network (104) and the home IMS network (102) are described. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for managing user registrations in the first IMS network (102) is provided. The method may be performed in an I-CSCF (106) of the first IMS network and comprises the steps of determining a status change in an automatically established roaming agreement with the second IMS network; and sending, based on the determination result, roaming status update information (204) to an HSS (110) associated with the first IMS network for initiating a registration update of the user. |
| US08687549B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing location service messages in a satellite position location system
Method and apparatus for processing location service messages in a satellite position location system is described. In one example, a mobile receiver includes a satellite signal receiver, wireless circuitry, and at least one module. The satellite signal receiver is configured to receive satellite positioning system signals, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) signals. The wireless circuitry is configured to communicate location service messages between the mobile receiver and a server through a cellular communication network. The location service messages may include any type of data related to A-GPS operation, such as assistance data, position data, request and response data, and the like. The at least one module is configured to provide a user-plane interface and a control-plane interface between the satellite signal receiver and the wireless transceiver. The at least one module is capable of processing location service messages communicated using either the control-plane signaling or user-plane signaling mechanisms. |
| US08687546B2 |
Efficient uplink SDMA operation
According to various embodiments, a computer-implemented method is disclosed that allows an AP to efficiently poll various information from STAs belonging to a SDMA group. Each STA may transmit uplink frames using uplink SDMA mechanism. |
| US08687545B2 |
Anchor carrier in a multiple carrier wireless communication system
Multiple downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) carriers can enhance wireless communication between nodes and user equipment (UE). Among the carriers, it is beneficial to have some special, by configuration designated carriers to provide synchronization, system information, paging, data and control for multi-carrier enabled UEs. Thereby, overhead system information can be reduced. For instance, synchronization and paging for a certain cell are not provided on all carriers. A carrier can provide backward compatibility for single carrier UEs for access, synchronization, broadcast, and new control region within the data region of the legacy terminals. Coordination between nodes for selecting anchor carriers that mitigate interference and for transmit power control for non-anchor carriers provide further network performance advantages. |
| US08687542B2 |
Method of improving throughput in a system including sticky assignments
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that provide conditional assignments to access terminals over resources assigned to other access terminals. Further, methods and apparatuses are disclosed for processing resources to determine whether an access terminal should utilize resources that have bee conditionally assigned. |
| US08687539B2 |
Method of relayed wireless transmission
A light-weight relay selection mechanism selects the most likely “best” relay station for data transmission from a given source station S to an access point AP using the Initial Receive Signal Strength (IRSS) to infer the future data transmission rate. In the initialization stage, the access point AP constructs a table mapping the IRSSs of receivers to eight levels of transmission rate. In the relay selection stage, relay candidates R measure the IRSSs for the source station S and access point AP and report their IRSS levels to the AP. A contention-based mechanism is dedicated to enabling the candidate with higher IRSS levels to report earlier. With this mechanism, the access point AP is able to select the station with the highest estimated data transmission rate. |
| US08687537B2 |
Communication system, reception device, and communication method
A communication system includes a reception device and at least one transmission device. The transmission device includes: a signal transmission unit which transmits at least one unicast signals and a multicast signal to the reception device. The reception device includes: a plurality of signal reception units which receive at least one the unicast signals and the multicast signal from the transmission device; a first control unit which receives the unicast signals from the transmission device using all of the plurality of signal reception units when only the unicast signals are received; and a second control unit which receives the unicast signals from the transmission device using some of the plurality of signal reception units, and simultaneously receives the multicast signal from the transmission device using another signal reception unit of the plurality of signal reception units, when the unicast signals and the multicast signal are received. |
| US08687534B2 |
Method and system for managing an inactive interval of a base station
A method and system for managing an inactive interval of a Base Station (BS) are provided, in which the BS transmits a preferred Low-Duty Mode (LDM) pattern to a coordination server that manages LDM patterns of BSs, receives an LDM pattern from the coordination server, the LDM pattern being determined for the BS by the coordination server, taking into account the preferred LDM pattern and LDM patterns of neighbor BSs, and operates in an active interval and an inactive interval according to the received LDM pattern. |
| US08687527B2 |
Low complexity link adaptatation for LTE/LTE-A uplink with a turbo receiver
An inventive method for link adaptation for an LTE/LTE-A uplink with a turbo SIC receiver includes the steps of determining a precoding matrix index PMI and rank index RI selection for an LTE/LTE-A uplink when precoding of the uplink is enabled, responsive to channel state information of a subcarrier in the uplink; determining a decoding order for codewords in the uplink i) when the precoding of the uplink is not enabled and ii) if needed when the precoding of the uplink is enabled; performing modulation and coding scheme MCS assignment for the uplink based on a hard decision successive interference cancellation SIC rule (without intra-CW cancellation) or a partial hard decision successive interference cancellation SIC rule (with intra-CW cancellation), responsive to the determined PMI and RI selection; and influencing data transmission in the uplink responsive to the MCS assignment for detection by a turbo SIC receiver. |
| US08687523B2 |
System and method for integrating ring-protocol-compatible devices into network configurations that also include non-ring-protocol compatible devices
Various systems and methods for integrating ring-protocol-compatible devices into network configurations that also include non-ring-protocol-compatible devices are disclosed. One such method, which can be performed by a network node that supports a ring protocol, involves generating a ring protocol packet and sending that ring protocol packet to a neighboring node. The ring protocol packet includes information, and the presence of this information within the packet causes a network device that receives the ring protocol packet to drop the ring protocol packet unless the network device supports a ring protocol. The information can include a reserved address (e.g., in the destination address field of the packet) as well as a ring protocol identifier. |
| US08687522B2 |
Distributed storage of routing information in a link state protocol controlled network
A distributed hash table is implemented to store routing information on a network. Node IDs exchanged in connection with implementation of a link state routing protocol are used as keys in the distributed hash table, and routes are stored at one or more nodes on the network. When a route is learned, the route is processed against the set of keys to determine which nodes should store the route. When a route is needed, the route is processed against the set of keys to determine which nodes should have the route information. The manner in which the route is processed against the set of keys is the same in both instances, so that the DHT may be used to store and retrieve route information on the network. |
| US08687519B2 |
Forced medium access control (MAC) learning in bridged ethernet networks
A system, method, and Ethernet bridge utilizing forced MAC learning to set up a path from an originating node, PON (23) to one or more terminating nodes, PTN (12) through intermediate bridge nodes (14, 21). In the point-to-point case, a Previous Hop Bridge (PHB) list defines the links in the path. Each link includes a destination address, source address, port number, and VID. A path learning frame (13, 19, 22) containing the list is sent in reverse order from the PTN through the intermediate bridge nodes to the PON. Each node in the path saves the received frame's header information as learned path information using standard MAC learning functionality, removes the node's own information from the list, and forwards the frame with the remainder of the list to the next node using the port specified by the port number for that link. When the frame arrives at the PON, all nodes have saved the learned path information. |
| US08687517B2 |
Method and system for identifying degradation of a media service
A method and device for identifying degradation in service quality for a wireless media service. The wireless media service has a known expected packet generation rate, which may be determined by the device based upon the codec and payload size selected on initiating the media service. At a receiving device, the packets actually received by the device from the other termination point are counted over a time period, and this number is compared with the number of packets that were expected based upon the known packet generation rate. From this comparison a packet loss rate may be determined. If the packet loss rate exceeds a threshold level, then the device may issue a user alert, terminate the service, or take other action. The threshold level may be established based upon a packet loss rate corresponding to a significant degree of service quality degradation. |
| US08687516B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for spectrum prediction
Method, system and apparatus for spectrum prediction are provided. The method includes: obtaining the first sampling data of target spectrum, wherein the first sampling data including existing service information, channel information and channel state information of the target spectrum; extracting channel state information of all channels of the same service in each timeslot from the first sampling data, and generating a sampling matrix; extracting a spectrum resource occupancy mode combination of the target spectrum from the sampling matrix; obtaining the second sampling data of the target spectrum, matching the spectrum resource occupancy mode combination according to the second sampling data of the target spectrum, and predicting the channel state of the target spectrum in a future timeslot according to the matching result. |
| US08687512B2 |
Signal strength aware band steering
A system or method that receives a current request from a client, and responds to the current request based on signal strength associated with a previous request. If the current request is received on a non-preferred communication band, and a previous request was received on a preferred communication band within a pre-determined time, the system determines whether the signal strength associated with the previous request is weaker than a pre-determined threshold signal strength level for the preferred communication band. If so, the system responds to the current request. Otherwise, the system ignores the current request. If no recent request on the preferred communication band is received, and the signal strength associated with the current request is weaker than a pre-determined threshold signal strength level for the non-preferred communication band, the system responds to the current request on the non-preferred communication band. Otherwise, the system ignores the current request. |
| US08687508B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically allocating HARQ processes in the uplink
In a wireless communication system including at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and at least one Node-B (NB), an activation or deactivation state is determined for each of a plurality of HARQ processes. A signal that includes the activation or deactivation state for each of the HARQ processes is transmitted to the WTRU. In response to receiving the signal, the WTRU activates or deactivates a particular HARQ process in accordance with the activation or deactivation state for each of the HARQ processes contained in the received signal. |
| US08687507B2 |
Method, arrangement and system for monitoring a data path in a communication network
A probing method, arrangement, and system for estimating a condition, such as available bandwidth, of a data path in a communication network including multiple nodes are described. A probe-packet sender node transmits probe packets with a sent inter-packet separation and a time-to-live towards an intermediate node. Control message packets are generated by the intermediate node when the time-to-live expires. The probe-packet sender node receives the control message packets and calculates a received inter-packet separation. An estimate of the data path condition can be generated based on the sent inter-packet separation and the received inter-packet separation. |
| US08687503B2 |
Technique for identifying a failed network interface card within a team of network interface cards
A method for identifying a failed network interface card in a system having two NICs configured as a team includes the steps of transmitting a first data packet from the first NIC to a third NIC, wherein the third NIC is not a member of the team, and transmitting a second data packet from the first NIC to the second NIC or from the second NIC to the third NIC, depending on whether the third NIC responds to the transmission of the first data packet. One advantage of the disclosed method is that it specifically identifies which NIC within the team has failed, which is something that cannot be determined by simply exchanging packets between the two NICs. |
| US08687498B2 |
Routing device, method, and program
A routing apparatus that determines a path for a flow in a network including a plurality of data links, the routing apparatus including: a constraint condition setting unit configured to generate a constraint condition that has a requirement that an end-to-end quality requirement of the flow is satisfied based on a quality variation occurring in each of the data links owing to the allocation of the flow to each of the data links and another requirement that an end-to-end quality requirement of another flow existing in each of the data links is satisfied based on a quality variation occurring in the another flow owing to the allocation of the flow to each of the data links; and a routing unit configured to determine the path for the flow from among a plurality of paths including the data links within a range satisfying the constraint condition. |
| US08687494B2 |
System and method for Ec/Io access screening in a CDMA network
Provided are system and method for performing access screening in a CDMA network. In one embodiment, the method comprises comparing a strength of a reference pilot specified in an origination message (“ORM”) received from the mobile unit to at least one of an upper pilot strength threshold (“UPST”) and a lower pilot strength threshold (“LPST”); responsive to the reference pilot strength failing to exceed the LPST, redirecting the mobile unit; responsive to the reference pilot strength exceeding the LPST but failing to exceed the UPST, determining whether an additional pilot is reported having a strength greater than that of the reference pilot; and responsive to a determination that no additional pilot is reported having a strength greater than that of the reference pilot, redirecting the mobile unit. |
| US08687492B2 |
Traffic control by IP multimedia subsystem
Apparatus configured to implement a Proxy Call Session Control Function for use within an IP Multimedia Subsystem core network. The apparatus comprises a receiver for receiving a session initiation request in respect of an IP Multimedia Subsystem service, and a threshold determiner for determining a threshold applicable to user traffic associated with said service. The apparatus further comprises a sender for sending a session authorization request to a policy decision function, the request including said threshold and a service data flow identifier identifying the user plane flow for said session. |
| US08687491B2 |
Systems, apparatus, and methods for managing an overflow of data packets received by a switch
Systems, apparatus, and methods for managing an overflow of data packets received by a switch are disclosed. A traffic flow of data packets may be transmitted to a switch and it may be determined whether the switch has sufficient input capacity available to enable receipt of the transmitted data packets. When the input capacity of the switch is insufficient, a traffic flow control measure may be implemented to, for example, pause, limit, filter, or otherwise modify the traffic flow of data packets so that any overflowing data packets will not be lost or otherwise compromised due to the switch's inability to accept the data packets. |
| US08687490B2 |
Electronic message delivery system including a network device
In a computer network system based on an open system interconnection model, where the computer network system includes at least a network layer (Layer 3) and an application layer (Layer 7), a system and a method for managing electronic message traffic into and out of the computer network system including defining a communication channel between Layer 3 and Layer 7 for exchanging data directly therebetween for use in enhancing flow of the electronic message traffic. |
| US08687484B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing communication in relay system
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for efficiently using a resource in a relay system. In detail, the present invention relates to a method for controlling an uplink signal transmission of user equipment in a wireless communication system, and to an apparatus for same. The method comprises the following steps: checking a cell-specific first SRS transmission subframe set; checking a relay-specific second SRS transmission subframe set; and allocating a resource for the uplink signal transmission. The uplink signal is transmitted to a relay via a backhaul subframe in the event the backhaul subframe falls within the first SRS transmission subframe set but does not fall within the second SRS transmission subframe set. The uplink signal transmission is dropped from the backhaul subframe in the event the backhaul subframe falls within the second SRS transmission subframe set. |
| US08687482B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling traffic flow in backhaul link in wireless communication network
A method, system, and apparatus for controlling traffic flow in one or more backhaul links in a wireless communication network is provided. Each backhaul link of the one or more backhaul link includes a backhaul uplink and a backhaul downlink. The method includes analyzing one or more backhaul uplinks and one or more backhaul downlinks between a controller and one or more Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs). The method further includes communicating one or more messages between the controller and the one or more BTSs. The one or more messages include analysis of the one or more analysis of one of the one or more backhaul uplinks and the one or more backhaul downlinks. The method further includes controlling the traffic flow in at least one of the one or more backhaul uplinks and the one or more backhaul downlinks based on the one or more messages. |
| US08687480B2 |
Systems and methods for SC-FDMA transmission diversity
The present application provides methods, devices and transmitters that mitigate increases in peak to average power ratio (PAPR) from transmission diversity in a single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) modulated uplink A PAPR preserving precode matrix hopping method that utilizes cyclic shift delays is provided, as well as a sub-band based transmit diversity scheme. The present application also provides methods, devices and transmitters that relax the scheduling restrictions associated with uplink scheduling in the LTE standard. |
| US08687473B2 |
Overwrite control for data in tape recording apparatus
A tape recording apparatus in communication with a tape medium, and includes a head and a controlling unit to control the head to read and write data to the tape medium, wherein the controlling unit performs operations, comprising: determining an overwrite starting position by skipping data units whose beginning position cannot be determined until a data unit is reached having a beginning position that can be determined; and performing an overwrite operation at the overwrite starting position at the data unit whose beginning position can be determined. |
| US08687472B1 |
Method and apparatus for determining the cleanliness of a lens in an optical disc drive
Apparatus having corresponding methods comprise: a light source configured to produce light; a lens configured to focus the light on an optical disc; a photo detector configured to obtain a measurement of the light reflected by the optical disc; and a controller configured to determine a cleanliness of the lens based on the measurement of the light reflected by the optical disc responsive to the lens focusing the light on a surface of the optical disc. |
| US08687471B2 |
Method and apparatus for offset and gain correction
Aspects of the disclosure provide a signal processing circuit that includes a signal processing circuit includes a processing path configured to process an electrical signal to produce input data samples, and a feed-forward correction module configured to delay the input data samples to produce delayed data samples, to apply the delayed data samples to a timing loop during periods when a profile variation of the data samples is not detected, and to apply the input data sample to the timing loop during periods when a profile variation of the data samples is detected. |
| US08687469B1 |
Method for manufacturing an electronic device including a light absorption layer
A method of manufacturing an electronic device includes a first bonding step of bonding an electronic component and a first member together via a first bonding layer and a second bonding step of bonding the first member and a second member together via a second bonding layer after the first bonding step. The second bonding layer includes a bonding material layer made of a bonding material. In the second bonding step, with the bonding material interposed between the first and second members before being bonded together, the bonding material is heated and melted using light traveling through the first member. The first member is made of Si. The light has a wavelength in the range of 1100 to 15000 nm. |
| US08687467B2 |
System and method for displaying time
A visual display and device and method for producing the display may indicate the time or other data in a bold, elegant, intuitive, and stylistic manner that is easily legible despite obscured vision, viewing distances, or the user's inattentiveness. A minimalistic display may include a shape such as a geometric shape that presents the time by connecting the distal ends of the hour and minute indicators with a possibly time-varying curve. This curve aids in the interpretation of the time. Another embodiment of the invention displays, using a polar coordinate system, two physical parameters on single similar display in an aesthetically-pleasing, elegant, and intuitive method. |
| US08687455B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory
A hot electron (BBHE) is generated close to a drain by tunneling between bands, and it data writing is performed by injecting the hot electron into a charge storage layer. When Vg is a gate voltage, Vsub is a cell well voltage, Vs is a source voltage and Vd is a drain voltage, a relation of Vg>Vsub>Vs>Vd is satisfied, Vg−Vd is a value of a potential difference required for generating a tunnel current between the bands or higher, and Vsub−Vd is substantially equivalent to a barrier potential of the tunnel insulating film or higher. |
| US08687453B2 |
Energy efficient processor having heterogeneous cache
A heterogeneous cache structure provides several memory cells into different ways each associated with different minimum voltages below which the memory cells produce substantial state errors. Reduced voltage operation of the cache may be accompanied by deactivating different ways according to the voltage reduction. The differentiation between the memory cells in the ways may be implemented by devoting different amounts of integrated circuit area to each memory cell either by changing the size of the transistors comprising the memory cell or devoting additional transistors to each memory cell in the form of shared error correcting codes or backup memory cells. |
| US08687452B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device pertaining to the present invention includes a plurality of memory macros having memory cells and memory peripheral circuits which drive the memory cells; first power supply switches which control power supply to the memory cells; and a second power supply switch which controls power supply to the memory peripheral circuits. The first power supply switches are located within the memory macros, respectively, and provided between a power supply line feeding power to the memory cells and the memory cells. The second power supply switch is located outside the memory macros and provided between the power supply line and a common power supply wiring for the memory peripheral circuits in the plurality of memory macros. |
| US08687448B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and sense amplifier
A semiconductor memory device comprises a memory cell; a first bit line and a second bit line connected to the memory cell; and a sense amplifier operative to amplify the voltage between the first and second bit lines. The sense amplifier includes a first and a second drive transistor configuring a transistor pair for differential amplification, and a first and a second capacitor connected between the sources of the first and second drive transistors and a source control terminal, respectively. The sense amplifier precharges the first and second drive transistors on the drain side prior to sensing, thereby holding the threshold information on the first and second drive transistors in the first and second capacitors, and compensates for the source voltages on the first and second drive transistors by the threshold information held in the first and second capacitors at the time of sensing. |
| US08687444B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A plurality of memory cells are tested in order. Each time a defective memory cell is detected by the test, error pattern information is updated based on a relative arrangement relationship between a plurality of defective memory cells, and error address information is updated based on the addresses of at least part of the plurality of defective memory cells. According to the present invention, it is possible to significantly reduce the storage capacity of the analysis memory. This allows the implementation of the analysis memory itself in the semiconductor device, in which case external testers need not include the analysis memory. |
| US08687443B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus
Various embodiments of a semiconductor apparatus are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a semiconductor apparatus may include a memory block chip and a signal input/output chip. The memory block chip is configured to control a data access size according to specifications. The signal input/output chip is configured to transmit input data from an external device to the memory block chip or transmit output data from the memory block chip to an external device and process the input data or the output data by selectively enabling a clock phase control unit and a signal processing unit according to the specifications. |
| US08687442B1 |
Delay matching across semiconductor devices using input/output pads
A data signal is sampled by generating a read enable signal at a first semiconductor device which is intended for a second semiconductor device. A read enable signal with at least some I/O pad delay included is obtained, including by passing the read enable signal intended for the second semiconductor device at least partially through an input/output (I/O) pad on the first semiconductor device. At the first semiconductor device, a data signal from the second semiconductor is sampled using the read enable signal with at least some I/O pad delay included. |
| US08687434B2 |
Circuits, devices, systems, and methods of operation for capturing data signals
Embodiments of the invention describe driving data onto a bus. The embodiments include a data driver circuit having a data capture circuit coupled to the bus. The data capture circuit receives data relative to a write strobe signal and captures a first digit of the data responsive to a first edge of the write strobe signal and at least a second digit responsive to a second edge of the write strobe signal. The data driver circuit includes a feedback capture circuit that captures each digit in substantially the same manner as the data capture circuit, and generates a latch control signal indicative of when each digit is latched. The latch control signal is provided to a write control circuit that determines which digit was latched first relative to a timing, and generates a select control signal to drive captured digits onto the bus in the order the digits were received. |
| US08687431B2 |
Programming methods and memories
Methods of programming a memory and memories are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a memory is programmed by determining a pretarget threshold voltage for a selected cell, wherein the pretarget threshold voltage is determined using pretarget threshold voltage values for at least one neighbor cell of the selected cell. |
| US08687429B2 |
Semiconductor device and methods of operating the same
A method of operating a semiconductor device includes programming selected memory cells by supplying a selected word line with a program voltage which increases and supplying the remaining unselected word lines with a first pass voltage which is substantially constant; and programming the selected memory cells while supplying first unselected word lines adjacent to the selected word line with a second pass voltage increasing in proportion to the program voltage, when a difference between the program voltage and the first pass voltage reaches a critical voltage difference. |
| US08687427B2 |
Programming rate identification and control in a solid state memory
Memory devices adapted to receive and transmit analog data signals representative of bit patterns of two or more bits facilitate increases in data transfer rates relative to devices communicating data signals indicative of individual bits. Programming of such memory devices includes determining a rate of programming (i.e., rate of movement of the respective threshold voltage) of the memory cells and biasing the corresponding bit line with a programming rate control voltage that is greater than the bit line enable voltage and less than the inhibit voltage. This voltage can be adjusted to change the speed of programming. A capacitor coupled to the bit line stores the programming rate control voltage in order to maintain the proper bit line bias for the duration of the programming operation or until it is desired to change the programming rate. |
| US08687425B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device, method for operating the same, and method for fabricating the same
A nonvolatile memory device includes a plurality of channel structures formed over a substrate and including a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers alternately stacked with a plurality of channel layers; first and second vertical gates alternately disposed between the channel structures along one direction crossing with the channel structure and adjoining the plurality of channel layers with a memory layer interposed therebetween; and a pair of first and second word lines disposed over or under the channel structures and extending along the one direction in such a way as to overlap with the first and second vertical gates. The first word line is connected with the first vertical gates and the second word line is connected with the second vertical gates. |
| US08687418B1 |
Flash memory with nano-pillar charge trap
An embodiment of the present invention includes a non-volatile storage unit comprising a first and second N-diffusion well separated by a distance of P-substrate. A first isolation layer is formed upon the first and second N-diffusion wells and the P-substrate. A nano-pillar charge trap layer is formed upon the first isolation layer and includes conductive nano-pillars interspersed between non-conducting regions. The storage unit further includes a second isolation layer formed upon the nano-pillar charge trap layer; and at least one word line formed upon the second isolation layer and above a region of nano-pillar charge trap layer. The nano-pillar charge trap layer is operative to trap charge upon application of a threshold voltage. Subsequently, the charge trap layer may be read to determine any charge stored in the non-volatile storage unit, where presence or absence of stored charge in the charge trap layer corresponds to a bit value. |
| US08687411B2 |
Memory device, semiconductor device, and detecting method for defective memory cell in memory device
To provide a memory device which can perform verification operation for detecting a memory cell whose data holding time is shorter than a predetermined length, accurately in a short time. Each memory cell includes at least a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a transistor which functions as a switching element for controlling supply, storage, and release of charge in the first capacitor and the second capacitor. The capacitance of the first capacitor is thousand or more times the capacitance of the second capacitor, preferably ten thousand or more times the capacitance of the second capacitor. In normal operation, charge is stored using the first capacitor and the second capacitor. In performing verification operation for detecting a memory cell whose data holding time is shorter than a predetermined length, charge is stored using the second capacitor. |
| US08687410B2 |
Nonvolatile memory cell comprising a diode and a resistance-switching material
A method is provided for programming a memory cell in a memory array. The memory cell includes a resistivity-switching layer of a metal oxide or nitride compound, and the metal oxide or nitride compound includes exactly one metal. The method includes programming the memory cell by changing the resistivity-switching layer from a first resistivity state to a second programmed resistivity state, wherein the second programmed resistivity state stores a data state of the memory cell. Numerous other aspects are provided. |
| US08687409B2 |
Variable resistance nonvolatile memory device
A variable resistance nonvolatile memory device including memory cells provided at cross-points of first signal lines and second signal lines, each memory cell including a variable resistance element and a current steering element connected to the variable resistance element in series, the variable resistance nonvolatile memory device including a write circuit, a row selection circuit, and a column selection circuit, wherein the write circuit: sequentially selects blocks in an order starting from a block farthest from at least one of the row selection circuit and the column selection circuit and finishing with a block closest to the at least one of the row selection circuit and the column selection circuit; and performs, for each of the selected blocks, initial breakdown on each memory cell included in the selected block. |
| US08687408B2 |
Highly integrated programmable non-volatile memory and manufacturing method thereof
A highly integrated programmable non-volatile memory and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. More particularly, a memory device including an antifuse and a diode, or a variable resistor and a diode, an operation method thereof, and a manufacturing method of a plurality of memory cells capable of increasing the integration density by utilizing a vertical space are provided. The highly integrated programmable non-volatile memory includes first stepped cells and second stepped cells formed to have different heights. The first stepped cells are formed on a horizontal plane with a high height, and the second stepped cells are formed on a horizontal plane with a low height. |
| US08687406B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of controlling the same
According to an embodiment, a semiconductor memory device comprises: a memory cell array configured having a plurality of memory cell mats, the memory cell mats including a plurality of first lines, second lines, and memory cells, and the memory cell mats being stacked such that the first and second lines are shared alternately by each of the memory cell mats; and a peripheral circuit. Each of the memory cells has a variable resistance characteristic and a current rectifying characteristic. An orientation from an anode toward a cathode of all the memory cells is identical. The peripheral circuit applies to one of the first line and the second line connected to an anode side of the selected memory cell a selected bit line voltage, and applies to the other a selected word line voltage. |
| US08687401B2 |
Ferro-resistive random access memory (Ferro-RRAM), operation method and manufacturing method thereof
The invention provides a Ferro-RRAM, a method of operating the Ferro-RRAM, and a method of fabricating the Ferro-RRAM, and pertains to the technical field of memory. The Ferro-RRAM comprises an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and a ferroelectric semiconducting thin-film layer provided between the upper electrode and the lower electrode and serving as a storage function layer; wherein the ferroelectric semiconducting thin-film layer is operable to generate a diode conduction characteristic by ferroelectric domain reorientation, and is operable to modulate the diode conduction characteristic by variation of the ferroelectric domain orientation; the Ferro-RRAM stores information according to variation of modulation of the diode conduction characteristic. The Ferro-RRAM has such characteristics of being simple in structure and fabrication, non-destructive readout and nonvolatile storage. |
| US08687399B2 |
Semiconductor device and structure
An Integrated device comprising a first monocrystalline layer comprising logic circuit regions and a second monocrystalline layer comprising memory regions constructed above first monocrystalline layer, wherein the memory regions comprise second transistors, wherein said second transistors comprise drain and source that are horizontally oriented with respect to the second monocrystalline layer, and a multiplicity of vias through the second monocrystalline layer providing connections between the memory regions and the logic circuit regions, wherein at least one of the multiplicity of vias have a radius of less than 100 nm. |
| US08687398B2 |
Sense scheme for phase change material content addressable memory
A sensing circuit and method for sensing match lines in content addressable memory. The sensing circuit includes an inverter electrically coupled in a feedback loop to a match line. The inverter includes an inverting threshold of the match line. The match line is charged to substantially a first voltage threshold during a pre-charge phase. An evaluation phase occurs when the match line voltage drops from substantially the first voltage threshold to substantially the second voltage threshold. |
| US08687396B2 |
Static conversion method and system for the regulation of power in an alternating current electrical network
The method can be used for the regulation of power in an alternating current electrical network (ACNW; ACNW1, ACNW2), using a conversion system (PCS) having at least two terminals (1,2; 1,2,3; 1,2,3,N) for connection to the network, wherein each of said terminals has a corresponding electrical potential. Each of the potentials of these terminals has an upper and a lower envelope, the difference between which, or envelope voltage (VEP,EN), is a variable positive continuous quantity having a maximum value (VEA) called the envelope amplitude.The method comprises the operations of: defining at least an upper range (ER) of voltage values, comprising said maximum value or envelope amplitude (VEA) and having a width (VE; VEE) which is substantially smaller than the envelope amplitude (VEA); using a structure (PCS) including at least a first static converter (ES) capable of regulating the electrical power by the regulation of the envelope voltage (VE; VEE) in the aforesaid upper range (ER); this upper range (ER) having a width determined in such a way that the at least one static converter (ES) regulates more than one half of the mean active electrical power exchanged with the network (ACNW; ACNW1, ACNW2). |
| US08687395B2 |
Rectifier and high efficiency charge pump for RFID
It is described a high efficiency rectification stage using dynamic threshold MOSFET. The idea is to use the input signal to reduce the threshold voltage when the transistor has to be on, and to increase the threshold when the transistor has to be off. This allows reducing both the resistive losses and the leakage current. A matching network allows the generation of a second higher voltage signal to drive the control gates and the bulk, i.e. the wells, of the transistors. Further, a self-tuned front-end is provided to extend the bandwidth of the high-Q charge pump. |
| US08687393B2 |
Power converter module
A power converter module is disclosed, which is an all-digital module. The power converter module includes a reference voltage generation unit, a voltage loop control unit, a current loop control unit, an input voltage compensation unit, and a pulse width modulation generation unit, to transfer input power to stable output power for providing power to an external loading device through driving bridge switch unit with external driver. The voltage loop control unit and the current loop control unit contain a proportion-integral-differentiation controller for receiving signal related to voltage and current of loading device to form voltage control loop and current control loop. The pulse width modulation generation unit contains function of deciding necessary stop time to improve quality of output power and decrease the effect of input power and loading variation, and to provide stable sine-waveform output power to the external loading device. |
| US08687392B2 |
Power converter with automatic mode switching
A power converter is provided that has an alternating-current (AC) to direct-current (DC) switched-mode power converter circuit that converts alternating-current power into direct-current power for powering an attached electronic device. Power can be conserved by automatically placing the power converter circuit in a low-power standby mode of operation whenever the electronic device is detached from the power converter. A monitoring circuit can be powered by a capacitor or other energy storage element while the power converter is operating in the standby mode. If the monitoring circuit detects an output voltage change that is indicative of attachment of the electronic device or if the storage element needs to be replenished, the monitoring circuit can place the power converter circuit in an active mode of operation. |
| US08687389B2 |
Apparatus having a converter
A device has a converter which is connected to a direct voltage circuit through a short-circuit protection unit. The short-circuit protection unit is arranged at least partially in the direct voltage circuit and is provided in the direct voltage circuit to suppress short-circuit current flowing through the converter. The device contains one or more controllable power semiconductors, wherein a protection element is arranged in parallel to at least one of the controllable power semiconductors. The device prevents the negative effects of a short circuit occurring in the direct voltage network in a particularly reliable manner. For this purpose, the protection element is an energy store. |
| US08687387B2 |
Quasi-resonant controlled switching regulator and the method thereof
A frequency limitation method used in a quasi-resonant controlled switching regulator is disclosed. The switching frequency is limited by setting a minimum time period, such as a minimum switching period or a minimum OFF time period. The minimum time period is varying according to the difference between the minimum time period of the previous cycle and an offset value, so as to eliminate the audible noise caused by the frequency hopping when the minimum OFF time period is close to the valley of a quasi-resonant signal. |
| US08687385B2 |
Low power converter
An AC to DC converter system is disclosed in which a conversion circuit for converting an AC input signal to a DC output signal is operably coupled with an enabling circuit designed for sensing and output parameter indicative of the presence or absence of a load at the DC output. The system is designed so that the conversion circuit operates in an inactive standby state when there is no load, and in an active state for supplying DC power when a load is present. The enabling circuit is configured to operate using low power. |
| US08687383B2 |
Inverter and active power filter system utlizing an auxiliary capacitor module
An inverter and an active power filter system have been disclosed in the invention, so that the application range of the inverter under the occasions of different capacitor requirement can be widened, the cost can be decreased, and the efficiency can be improved. The technical scheme is: an auxiliary capacitor module can be added on the traditional inverter structure and connected in parallel selectively with the capacitor in the inverter. In a system without connecting an external auxiliary capacitor module, the value of capacitance can be designed to be smaller to satisfy the application under normal occasions. If the device operates under the occasions having large harmonic current or having large neutral line current, the ripple current on the capacitor will be larger so that large capacitance will be required to satisfy the life requirement, therefore, the problem can be solved by a method of installing an auxiliary capacitor module. |
| US08687382B2 |
High efficiency and fast response AC-DC voltage converters
The present invention discloses circuits and methods for high efficiency and fast response AC-DC voltage converters. In one embodiment, an AC-DC voltage converter can include: (i) a first stage voltage converter having an isolated topology with a power factor correction function, where the first stage voltage converter is configured to convert an AC input voltage to a series-connected N branches of first stage voltages, where N is a positive integer of at least two; (ii) a second stage voltage converter having a non-isolated topology, where the second stage voltage converter is configured to convert one of the N branches of the first stage voltages to a second stage voltage; and (iii) where the second stage voltage and a remaining of the N branches of the first stage voltages are configured to be series-connected and converted to a DC output voltage. |
| US08687381B2 |
Wiring structure for electronic apparatus, and electronic apparatus
A wiring structure for an electronic apparatus has a structure in which a first wiring path where a first harness that is used for transmitting a primary power is wired and a second wiring path where a second harness that is used for transmitting a secondary power is wired are formed, and a structure related to the first wiring path is formed so that, in a case where the first harness is wired, the first harness is integrated with the structure related to the first wiring path. |
| US08687379B2 |
Signal conversion device with dual chip
The present invention provides a dual chip signal conversion device, comprising: a carrier, one side surface thereof being provided with at least a first contact and a second contact while the other side surface thereof being provided with at least a third contact and a fourth contact; a first chip disposed at one side surface of the carrier and electrically connected to the second and fourth contacts; a second chip disposed at one side surface of the carrier and electrically connected to the first chip; and an antenna disposed within the carrier and electrically connected to the second chip. |
| US08687378B2 |
High-frequency module
A high-frequency module includes first and second switch IC elements and a substrate. The first and second switch IC elements are the same or substantially the same IC chips, and are mounted in the same or substantially the same orientation. The first switch IC element is mounted on the substrate. The second switch IC element is mounted above the first switch IC element. Due to wire bonding, the individual pad electrodes of the first and second switch IC elements are connected to the land electrodes of the substrate, which are to be connected to the individual pad electrodes. Between a pad electrode and a land electrode connected to each other, another land electrode is not provided. |
| US08687377B2 |
Storage device, electronic device, and circuit board assembly
According to one embodiment, a storage device includes a housing, a circuit board, and a module. The circuit board is located in the housing, and includes a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface. The module is provided on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the circuit board. The circuit board is provided with a first notch and a connection portion to be connected to the housing at the periphery. The first notch is provided with a second notch extending toward an area between the connection portion and a module fixation area where the module is fixed on the circuit board. |
| US08687375B2 |
Automated distress locator transmission system
The present invention relates to an automated distress locator transmitter assembly adapted to be installed on transportation means such as aircrafts and the like comprising: a base member having a primary enclosure downwardly formed from the surface thereof and defining a first peripheral flange thereon; a secondary enclosure having a second peripheral flange formed at the upper portion thereof, said secondary enclosure being enclosed within said primary enclosure and being provided with an ejector means; a locator transmitter member being provided within said secondary enclosure and secured on said ejector means; an associated cover being provided on said secondary enclosure, said associated cover being secured on said second peripheral flange; and means to secure and automatically detached said associated cover from said second peripheral flange to release and eject said locator transmitter member to a substantial distance away from said second enclosure at a predetermined switching command. |
| US08687369B2 |
Apparatus for creating resistive pathways
An apparatus configured to create a resistive pathway for an electronic assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, the pathway can be formed with a resistive film in conjunction with a conductive adhesive and a coverlay. In another embodiment, the resistive film, the conductive adhesive and the coverlay can be relatively transparent. In yet another embodiment, the resistive pathway can couple directly with traces on an electronic assembly saving space and easing assembly. |
| US08687368B2 |
Heat-dissipating module and assembled structure of heat-dissipating module and integrated circuit chipset
An assembled structure includes an integrated circuit chipset and a heat-dissipating module. The heat-dissipating module includes a heat sink, a locking member and at least one elastic element. The heat sink includes a base and a plurality of fins. The locking member includes a rectangular frame with at least one sustaining part. Two first lateral plates are downwardly extended from a first side and a second side of the rectangular frame, respectively. The first side and the second side are opposed to each other. In addition, at least one hook is formed on an inner surface and a lower edge of each first lateral plate. The elastic element has a first part sustained against the base of the heat sink and a second part sustained against the sustaining part of the rectangular frame. The hooks are engaged with a bottom surface of the substrate of the integrated circuit chipset. |
| US08687367B2 |
Rotatable latch for compressing thermal interface material between a heat generating electrical component and a cooling electrical component
Apparatuses for compressing a thermal interface material between a heat generating electrical component and a cooling electrical component are provided. Embodiments include a draw rod coupled at one end to the cooling electrical component, the draw rod passing through the heat generating electrical component; wherein the draw rod includes a pin on the end opposite the end coupled to the cooling electrical component; and a rotatable latch coupled to the heat generating electrical component, the rotatable latch including a hook at one end; wherein when the rotatable latch is in an engaged position, the hook of the rotatable latch engages the pin of the draw rod such that the thermal interface material adhered to the heat generating component is coupled to the cooling electrical component. |
| US08687362B2 |
Portable briefcase office
A portable briefcase office comprises of a computer unit, a storage unit, and a supplies and devices unit. It integrates a computer, printer, projector, storage space, battery, and other office supplies in one easily transported briefcase. It is not a case for devices, but a compact apparatus that incorporates these devices as it would appear in an entire office. |
| US08687356B2 |
Storage device testing system cooling
A storage device testing system that includes at least one rack, test slots housed by each rack, and at least one air mover in pneumatic communication with the test slots. Each test slot includes a test slot housing having an entrance and an exit, with the entrance configured to receive a storage device. The at least one air mover is configured to move air exterior to the racks into the entrance of each test slot housing, over the received storage device, and out of the exit of each test slot housing. |
| US08687354B2 |
Dual shaft hinge with angle timing shaft mechanism
A hinge is provided that permits a user to use a computer system either as a laptop computer or a tablet computer. The hinge may comprise a hinge block and an inhibitor stopper. The hinge block may have a first hinge member and a second hinge member. The inhibitor stopper may be disposed between the first hinge member and the second hinge member. The inhibitor stopper may have a first wing and a second wing. The inhibitor stopper may be attached to the hinge block. The first and second wings may be rotatable around an axis. |
| US08687345B2 |
Chip-type electronic component
A chip-type electronic component with high reliability, which is able to suppress and prevent fatal damage to a ceramic body due to cracking even if a substrate with the chip-type electronic component mounted thereon undergoes a deflection. The chip-type electronic component includes a ceramic body having internal electrodes; resin electrode layers formed in a region including at least end surfaces of the ceramic body, and connected to the internal electrodes directly or indirectly and connected with the ceramic body; and plating metal layers covering the resin electrode layers, wherein the adhesion strength between the ceramic body and the resin electrode layer is higher than the adhesion strength between the resin electrode layer and the plating metal layer. |
| US08687340B2 |
Actuation and protection utilizing active material activation during lightning strikes and similar events
A method of and actuator/device for passively actuating or protecting a system, body or circuit during a lightning strike or other high voltage/current generation event, utilizing an active material element activated by the spike in current or voltage potential, and preferably a barrier connected in series to the element and configured to be overcome by the voltage/current event, so that the element is activated only during the event. |
| US08687339B2 |
Safety control structure for heater wire
A safety control structure for heater wire comprises a switch, a first heating wire, a second heating wire, and an over-current protection element, which are sequentially connected in series connection. An insulation and fusible layer is interposed between the first heating wire and the second heating wire. Accordingly, under normal condition, the switch is triggered by triggering the circuit, so as to have the first heating wire and the second heating wire then be heated up within a preset temperature range. When the first heating wire and the second heating wire produce exceptionally high temperatures to fuse the insulation and fusible layer, the current is increased instantaneously because the first heating wire and the second heating wire are short-circuited. Therefore, the circuit is interrupted by the over-current protection element to show a broken circuit status in order to stop heating up. |
| US08687336B2 |
Over-current protection device and battery protection circuit assembly containing the same
An over-current protection device is disposed on a circuit board and configured to protect a battery. The over-current protection device includes a resistive device, at least one insulation layer and a weld electrode layer. The resistive device exhibits positive temperature coefficient behavior. The insulation layer has a thickness of at least 0.03 mm. The weld electrode layer is configured to weld a strip interconnect member to electrically coupled to the battery, and has a thickness of at least 0.03 mm. The insulation layer and the resistive device are disposed between the weld electrode layer and the circuit board. The circuit board, the resistive device and the weld electrode layer are electrically coupled in series. The association of the resistive device and the weld electrode layer has a thermal mass capable of withstanding welding the strip interconnect member without significant damage to the over-current protection device. |
| US08687333B2 |
Overcurrent limiting for high side solenoid switch controls
An overcurrent protection circuit for a high side solenoid switch includes a primary bias circuit and a secondary bias circuit. The secondary bias circuit is operable to alter a source to gate bias voltage of the high side solenoid switch during an overcurrent. |
| US08687331B2 |
Protection to avoid abnormal operation caused by a shorted parameter setting pin of an integrated circuit
For a system to avoid abnormal operation caused by a shorted parameter setting pin of an integrated circuit, a protection apparatus and method apply a buffered reference voltage to the parameter setting pin to define an internal parameter of the integrated circuit by the buffered reference voltage and an external element connected to the parameter setting pin, and detect the rapid variation of the internal parameter to trigger a shutdown signal or slow down the speed of the variation of the internal parameter reflected to an adjustable signal of the integrated circuit. |
| US08687329B2 |
Anti-lightning protection for telephone connection
A structure for protecting a circuit connected to first and second rails of a telephone connection against overvoltages, including: first and second diodes in anti-series between the first and second rails; a first capacitor in parallel with a first resistor between a first node common to the first and second diodes and a low voltage reference node; and a protection element capable of removing fast overvoltages between any of the rails and the low reference voltage node when these overvoltages exceed a first threshold associated with the voltage of the first node. |
| US08687327B2 |
Electronic system for converting DC voltage into AC voltage
An electronic system has IGBT, on driving FET and off driving FET connected with the gate of the IGBT, and a control circuit. The on driving FET in an on state supplies electric charge to the IGBT gate. The off driving FET in an on state releases the charge from the GET gate. The control circuit controls each of the on FETs according to a driving signal to be set in the on and off states every switching period of time and to control the voltage at the IGBT gate. When on-failure occurs in the on driving FET set in the on state so as to keep the on driving FET in the on state in spite of control of the control circuit, the control circuit controls a controlled element other than the off driving FET to set the IGBT in the off state. |
| US08687320B2 |
Magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording having a pole layer including a plurality of stacked magnetic films
A magnetic head includes a pole layer accommodated in a groove. The pole layer has a track width defining portion and a wide portion. The pole layer includes a plurality of magnetic films stacked. At least one of the plurality of magnetic films includes a first portion included in the track width defining portion, a second portion included in the wide portion, and a third portion coupling the first and second portions to each other. In a cross section passing through the center of the pole layer taken in the track width direction, the second portion is smaller than the first portion in thickness and the top surface of the third portion is inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to a medium facing surface. |
| US08687315B2 |
Data storage system using a media mobility unit (MMU), the MMU, and methods of use thereof
In one embodiment, a media mobility unit includes a media cartridge holding portion for storing media cartridges, a sensing mechanism for sensing at least an approximate location of the holding portion in relation to other objects, a drive mechanism for moving the holding portion from a source media library to a destination media library, and a power source electrically coupled to at least one of the sensing mechanism and the drive mechanism for providing current to the at least one of the drive mechanism and the sensing mechanism. |
| US08687308B1 |
Zone servo write with multi-frequency self-spiral write
In one aspect, systems, apparatuses and techniques obtain, through read circuitry, timing information for a machine-readable medium to determine head position; and write, by write circuitry, a first set of spiral servo reference tracks at a first frequency on a first zone of the medium and a second set of spiral servo reference tracks at a second, different frequency on a second zone of the medium. The second zone may be different from the first zone. Further, at least one of the first and second sets of spiral servo reference tracks may be written to the medium based on at least the timing information. |
| US08687303B2 |
Shingle-written magnetic recording (SMR) device with hybrid E-region
SMR disk drives with hybrid E-regions that include a nonvolatile solid state memory E-region in addition to the magnetic media E-regions on disk are described. The memory E-region can be used in operations that will be referred as destaging and/or restaging to sequentialize sets of exception records to reduce the time and energy spent in executing seeks in the disk E-region. The ratio of the size of the solid state memory E-region to the total E-region capacity on the disks can be optimized for selected applications according to the invention using tradeoffs between performance and cost. For example, an embodiment with a memory E-region size that is 10% of the total disk E-region capacity achieves substantial performance enhancement over a disk-only E-region implementation and also results in smaller costs than would be required in a NAND-only memory E-region. |
| US08687301B1 |
Parallel no-sync-mark retry
The disclosure is directed to detection of a sync mark location for at least one data sector of a disk by processing a first sector and at least a second sector in parallel. A first set of data samples from the first sector is reframed according to one or more sync mark locations based upon a first selected sync mark location, and a second set of data samples from the second sector is reframed according to one or more sync mark locations based upon a second selected sync mark location. The first set of data samples and the second set of data samples are iteratively reframed and decoded until the first sector or the second sector converges or until all possible sync mark locations have been attempted. |
| US08687291B2 |
Optical system and image pickup apparatus
An optical system includes a first lens unit fixed during a focusing operation and having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit moving in an optical axis direction during the focusing operation and having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit positioned at the image side relative to the second lens unit and having a positive or negative refractive power, the first lens unit is configured by first, second, and third partial lens units, the first partial lens unit is configured by two positive lens components, the second partial lens unit is configured by one cemented lens having a negative combined refractive power, the third partial lens unit is positioned between the second partial lens unit and the second lens unit and has a positive refractive power as a whole, and each lens unit is configured so as to meet an appropriate condition. |
| US08687290B2 |
Variable filter compensation for high-aperture camera lenses
The present invention relates to a lens or objective for a camera, more particularly for a digital camera, comprising a housing, an actuating element arranged on the housing, and a lens element system that can be set into a plurality of settings, wherein the lens element system is embodied in such a way that in at least one setting an f-number is F≦3. The lens element system is furthermore embodied in such a way that an actuation of the actuating element brings about a movement of two optical elements relative to one another, such that an intersection length difference of the lens element system can be set. |
| US08687288B2 |
Driver vision field extender
A driver vision field extender uses flexible vinyl Fresnel-type prism lens material with substantially parallel horizontal straight linearly extending prism lines. The parallel lines permit wide side by side views without substantial distortion. As the driver vision field extender is intended to be positioned contiguously along the windshield, the driver vision field extender after installation preferably exhibits a concave shape acting to focus the light defining and delineating overhead objects towards front-seated passengers such as the driver. |
| US08687282B2 |
Focus module and components with actuator
A focus module containing a boundary element and a focus element. The focus element includes a fluid and a deformable membrane, with the fluid being entrapped between the boundary element and the deformable membrane. The focus module also includes a pressure element, which is capable of deforming the focus element by pressing on the deformable membrane in the direction of the boundary element. |
| US08687280B2 |
Liquid meniscus lens including meniscus wall with microchannels
The present invention relates generally to an arcuate liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall. Some specific embodiments include a liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall essentially in the shape of a conical frustum, additional embodiments may include a cylindrical wall, each with microchannels. Embodiments may also include a lens of suitable size and shape for inclusion in a contact lens. |
| US08687277B2 |
Stacked-grating light modulator
A “Stacked-Grating Light Modulator” (“SGLM”) comprises two diffraction grating elements, a reflection grating and a transmission grating, in close parallel proximity. An incident beam transmits through the transmission grating and is reflected by the reflection grating back through the transmission grating. The relative lateral position of the two gratings is varied to modulate the beam's zero-order reflectance. |
| US08687274B2 |
Short-wavelength polarizing elements and the manufacture and use thereof
While gold wire grids have been used to polarize infrared wavelengths for over a hundred years, they are not appropriate for shorter wavelengths due to their large period. With embodiments of the present invention, grids with periods a few tens of nanometers can be fabricated. Among other things, such grids can be used to polarize visible and even ultraviolet light. As a result, such wire grid polarizers have a wide variety of applications and uses, such as, e.g., in the fabrication of semiconductors, nanolithography, and more. |
| US08687273B2 |
Image display device, electronic device, and parallax barrier element
In an image display device having a parallax barrier element, a bright display with a broad viewing range can be realized.The image display device according to the present invention includes: a display panel having a first group of pixels for displaying a first image and a second group of pixels for displaying a second image; and a parallax barrier element for separating display light emitted from the first group of pixels and display light emitted from the second group of pixels, the parallax barrier element including a plurality of light-shielding portions and a plurality of light-transmitting portions which are alternately positioned within the same plane. The parallax barrier element includes converging elements respectively provided for the plurality of light-transmitting portions. |
| US08687271B2 |
N-modulation displays and related methods
A display has a light source, a spatial light modulator and an intermediate spatial light modulator. The display may be a front projection display or a rear-projection display. The spatial light modulator is illuminated with light from a light source. The intermediate spatial light modulator is located in a light path between the light source and the spatial light modulator. The light source may comprise an array of controllable light-emitters. The display may provide a high dynamic range. |
| US08687267B2 |
Optical wavelength tunable filter
An acousto-optical tunable filter is disclosed. The filter includes a medium having one or more indices of refractions alterable by the application of acoustic waves to the medium. The filter also includes an acoustic transducer coupled to the medium to generate the acoustic waves Altering the frequency of the acoustic wave selects among the different wavelengths in the incident light ray. The device also includes an optical mirror for reflecting a wave diffracted by the medium back to the medium so that it can again be diffracted. The first diffracted wave has its frequency shifted in one direction by the frequency of the acoustic wave while the second diffracted wave has its frequency shifted in the opposite direction, thereby compensating for the first shift. The result is an output ray with little or no frequency shift. |
| US08687261B2 |
Electrochromic nickel oxide simultaneously doped with lithium and a metal dopant
An electrochromic device comprising a counter electrode layer comprised of lithium metal oxide which provides a high transmission in the fully intercalated state and which is capable of long-term stability, is disclosed. Methods of making an electrochromic device comprising such a counter electrode are also disclosed. |
| US08687260B2 |
Solid-state optical modulator
A spatial light modulator comprises a solid-state chiral material disposed between electrodes such that the polarization direction of the polarized light incident thereto can be controlled through an electrical field established between the electrodes. |
| US08687255B2 |
Method for manufacturing a micromechanical component, and micromechanical component
A method for manufacturing a micromechanical component is described, including the steps of: forming a first etch stop layer on a base substrate, the first etch stop layer being formed in such a way that it has a first pattern of through-cutouts; forming a first electrode-material layer on the first etch stop layer; forming a second etch stop layer on the first electrode-material layer, the second etch stop layer being formed in such a way that it has a second pattern of through-cutouts differing from the first pattern; forming a second electrode-material layer on the second etch stop layer; forming a patterned mask on the second electrode-material layer; and carrying out a first etching step in a first direction and a second etching step in a second direction counter to the first direction in order to etch at least one first electrode unit out of the first electrode-material layer and to etch at least one second electrode unit out of the second electrode-material layer. Also described are micromechanical components. |
| US08687241B2 |
Method for security printing
Method for security printing. A digital model of a feature for printing is received, wherein the feature is for authentication by an external device. Deviation from the digital model is compensated for, to a printed instance of the feature. |
| US08687240B2 |
Image processing apparatus and control method for performing screen processing
This invention obtains a high-quality output image in which a jaggy or a disconnection of a thin line hardly stands out. An edge detection unit detects whether the pixel of interest is an edge pixel or a non-edge pixel. A screen processing unit performs screen processing for the pixel of interest to determine the output value of the N-level tone. A calculation unit performs filtering processing having a preset visual sense characteristic for an area including the pixel of interest to calculate the target value of the pixel of interest, and corrects the value of the pixel of interest so as to come close to the target value, thereby determining the output value of the N-level tone. The selector selects, according to the detection result by the edge detection unit, either the result from the calculation unit or that from the screen processing unit. |
| US08687238B2 |
Determine modified printer profile by selectively changing color saturation to balance ink usage
A printing method includes obtaining an initial printer profile corresponding to a printing system having a plurality of ink colors, identifying a remaining ink parameter corresponding to each of the ink colors, and determining whether the remaining ink parameter of each of the ink colors are approximately equal to each other such that: performing a print job using the initial printer profile when the remaining ink parameter determination is that the remaining ink parameter of each of the ink colors are approximately equal to each other, and determining a modified printer profile by selectively changing color saturation for one or more of the ink colors to balance ink usage and performing the print job using the modified printer profile when the remaining ink parameter determination is that the remaining ink parameter of each of the ink colors are not approximately equal to each other. |
| US08687233B2 |
Print preview apparatus and recording medium recording a program
Disclosed is a print preview apparatus including: an output control section which outputs an adjustment chart with a plurality of print color sample images formed based on a color data value of a color space depending on a print device adjusted to a color gamut reproducible by the print apparatus; a conversion section which converts each color data value of the color space depending on the print device to a color data value of a color space depending on a display device; a display section which displays a plurality of display color sample images corresponding to each of the plurality of print color sample images; and an adjustment section which presents the plurality of display color sample images displayed on the display section and which adjusts a color data value indicating a color of the presented display color sample image based on color adjustment information. |
| US08687231B2 |
Decoloring device, method of determining decoloring success or failure and computer-readable recording medium recording decoloring success or failure determining program
There is provided a decoloring device including a decoloring unit, a first sheet conveying unit, a pre-decoloring reading unit, a type determining unit, a second sheet conveying unit, a post-decoloring reading unit, a decoloring success or failure determining unit, and a determination criterion setting unit. The type determining unit determines the type of image on the sheet conveyed to the decoloring unit based on the reading result in the pre-decoloring reading unit. The post-decoloring reading unit reads an image on the sheet after the decoloring, which is conveyed by the second sheet conveying unit. The decoloring success or failure determining unit determines whether or not the decoloring in the decoloring unit is successful based on the reading result in the post-decoloring reading unit. The determination criterion setting unit sets a determination criterion in the decoloring success or failure determining unit, based on the type of image, which is determined by the type determining unit. |
| US08687230B2 |
Image processor
An image processor includes an acquiring unit that acquires a plurality of image files each corresponding to an image; a correction unit that corrects each image by conforming a characteristic quantity of each image to a reference characteristic quantity, the characteristic quantity representing image characteristic of each image; and an output control unit that outputs the corrected images on a same output plane. |
| US08687228B2 |
Application function extension method, system, and program
According to an embodiment of the present invention, in a plug-in of a general use application, sheet size information and margin information set by the application are calculated by using a scaling factor at the time of an expansion or reduction printing. The calculated sheet size information and margin information are reconfigured into the application. |
| US08687215B2 |
Image forming system, information management server, and computer readable medium storing program having multiple authentication units to create a secure printing system
An image forming system includes an information management unit, a determining unit, and at least one image forming unit. The information management unit stores and manages print information. The determining unit determines whether or not execution of a printing process regarding the print information is allowed. Each image forming unit prints and outputs print information acquired from the information management unit on a recording medium in accordance with a determination result of the determining unit. The determining unit includes a first authenticating unit and a second authenticating unit. The first authenticating unit performs authentication to determine whether or not execution of processing before printing and outputting the print information on a recording medium is allowed. The second authenticating unit performs authentication after completion of the authentication performed by the first authenticating unit to determine whether or not printing and output of the print information on the recording medium is allowed. |
| US08687214B2 |
Image forming apparatus communicating with an information processing processing apparatus and a mobile terminal
Provided are an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus and a mobile terminal, and a control method of controlling the image forming apparatus. Wireless communication is enabled between the mobile terminal and the image forming apparatus owing to receipt of print data and account information, which is for placing the image forming apparatus in a state in which wireless communication is possible, from the information processing apparatus. After wireless communication is enabled, the image forming apparatus receives authentication information from the mobile terminal and, if this authentication information corresponds to the account information, start printing based upon the print data received from the information processing apparatus. |
| US08687213B2 |
Data filtering for print service providers
Systems and methods of data filtering for a print service provider (PSP) are disclosed. An exemplary method includes receiving a plurality of print service parameters. The method also includes filtering the plurality of print service parameters, wherein a portion of the received plurality of print service parameters are retained in machine readable format. The method also includes saving the filtered print service parameters for enhancing automatic and manual print production processes. |
| US08687207B2 |
Method and device for optimizing a job change
A method for determining the optimum procedure for a job change on a printing-material processing machine (10) with at least one control computer. The data of a first machine job is compared to the data of a subsequent machine job using a control computer, and the comparison is used to establish an order of the operations to be carried out during the job change. Also provided is a device for determining the optimum procedure for a job change on a printing-material processing machine (10) with at least one control computer. The control computer is intended to compare the data of a first machine job to the data of a subsequent machine job, and to use the comparison to establish an order of the operations to be carried out during the job change. |
| US08687205B2 |
Optical detection device, display device, and electronic apparatus
An optical detection device includes: a first emitting unit that emits first emitting light in a radial pattern and having an intensity that differs in accordance with an emitting direction; a second emitting unit that emits second emitting light in a radial pattern and having an intensity that differs in accordance with an emitting direction; a light receiving unit that receives first reflection light acquired by reflecting the first emitting light emitted from the first emitting unit off an object and second reflection light acquired by reflecting the second emitting light emitted from the second emitting unit off the object; and a detection unit that detects a position of the object based on a result of the light reception in the light receiving unit. |
| US08687203B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a shape of an optical test surface
A method of determining a shape of an optical test surface (14) includes: with adaptation optics (20), adapting a wavefront of a measuring beam (30) to a desired shape of the optical test surface (14), interferometrically measuring the shape of the optical test surface (14) with the adapted measuring beam, irradiating the adapted measuring beam at different angles of incidence onto the optical test surface and respectively measuring the wavefront of the measuring beam after the interaction of the measuring beam with the optical test surface (14), establishing the effect of the adaptation optics (20) upon the interferometric measurement result from the wavefronts measured for the individual angles of incidence, and determining the shape of the optical test surface (14) by removing the established effect of the adaptation optics (20) from the interferometric measurement result. |
| US08687199B2 |
Deflection measuring device according to the interferometer principle
An interferometer type deflection measuring device having a radiation source, a first fiber-optic means forming a first light path, a second fiber-optic means forming a second light path, a deflection body and an evaluation circuit, the first and second fiber-optic means receiving radiation from the radiation source on an input side, and radiation guided in the first and second fiber-optic means, respectively, being brought together on an output side with interference radiation being conveyed to the evaluation circuit for evaluation. The first fiber-optic means and the second fiber-optic means are arranged only on the deflection body, at least one of the first and second fiber-optic means being connected on the input side to the beam source with a single feed optical fiber and at least one of the first and second fiber-optic means being connected on the output side to the evaluation circuit by a single evaluation optical fiber. |
| US08687194B2 |
Small particle sensor
A sensor having a housing with a first member connected to a second member to form a circular central opening. A plurality of photoelectric transmitters and receivers are placed between the first member and the second member such that each receiver is within a liner-of-sight of each transmitter across the central opening and the signals sent between the receivers and transmitters fills an area of detection. |
| US08687193B2 |
Color measurement device
A color measurement device includes a light pipe and a light source. The light pipe is oriented length-wise towards a color sample surface along a first axis that is non-perpendicular to the surface. A color sample is positioned on the surface. The light pipe has a near opening, a far opening, and a face at the far opening. The near opening is closer to the color sample than the far opening. The light source is positioned near the far opening of the light pipe, and is to output light along a second axis and into the light pipe at the far opening. The light reflects off the surface after exiting the light pipe at the near opening. The second axis is non-perpendicular to the face of the light pipe at the far opening. The light non-uniformly illuminates the color sample after exiting the light pipe at the near opening. |
| US08687191B2 |
Detection system and method for aerosol delivery
An apparatus comprises a detector, a pressure sensor and a processor. The detector is operable to detect light that is scattered by an aerosol that is associated with a pressure. The pressure sensor is operable to measure the pressure. The processor is coupled to the detector and to the pressure sensor, and is configured to receive at least a signal from the detector and the pressure sensor. The processor is further configured to use the received signals to calculate a volume of the first aerosol, and to output an output signal associated with the calculated volume. The various measurements can be repeated and compared, and the output signal can be a feedback signal for metering subsequent amounts of the aerosol, based on the comparison. |
| US08687190B2 |
Fine particle detector and light emitting apparatus
A fine particle detector includes a light emitting system letting light from a light source pass through a phase difference element and focusing the light on a sample flow through which fine particles flow. When the direction of the sample flow is an X-axis direction, the light is emitted to the sample flow in a Z-direction, and a ZX-plane is orthogonal to a Y-direction, then the phase difference element has a plurality of regions divided in the Y-axis direction and causes a phase difference between wavefronts of the light passing through the plurality of regions. |
| US08687183B2 |
Imprint apparatus, detection method, article manufacturing method, and foreign particle detection apparatus
The present invention provides an imprint apparatus for performing an imprint process of transferring a pattern onto a substrate by curing a resin on the substrate while the resin is in contact with a mold, and removing the mold from the cured resin, including a detection unit configured to detect a foreign particle existing on the substrate, wherein the detection unit includes an obtaining unit configured to irradiate a surface of the substrate with light, and obtain light from the surface of the substrate, and a specification unit configured to specify a shot region where a foreign particle existing on the substrate is positioned, based on the light obtained by the obtaining unit. |
| US08687175B2 |
Fluid flow velocity and temperature measurement
A method is provided for monitoring velocity of a fluid flow through a predetermined fluid flow space. A fiber optic conductor includes a flow measurement portion defining an elongated dimension extending across a portion of the fluid flow space. The fluid flow in the fluid flow space causes the measurement portion of the fiber optic conductor to flex in a direction transverse to the elongated dimension. Optical radiation is supplied to the fiber optic conductor, and optical radiation is received from the fiber optic conductor after the supplied optical radiation has passed through the measurement portion. The received optical radiation is analyzed to effect a determination of a flow velocity of the fluid flow. |
| US08687174B2 |
Unit pixel, photo-detection device and method of measuring a distance using the same
A unit pixel included in a photo-detection device, the unit pixel including a floating diffusion region in a semiconductor substrate, a ring-shaped collection gate over the semiconductor substrate, a ring-shaped drain gate over the semiconductor substrate, and a drain region in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the collection gate and the drain gate are respectively arranged between the floating diffusion region and the drain region. |
| US08687172B2 |
Optical digitizer with improved distance measurement capability
Systems and methods improve the accuracy of spatial coordinate measurements by optical digitizers by obtaining a separate distance measurement, which may be via direct ranging rather than triangulation, and combining the distance measurement with the spatial coordinate measurements to improve the accuracy of the three-dimensional spatial coordinate measurement. |
| US08687169B2 |
Optical aperture device
An optical module includes an aperture device and a support structure supporting the aperture device. The aperture device defines an aperture edge and an aperture plane. The aperture edge is adapted to define a geometry of a light beam passing the aperture device along an optical axis. The support structure is adapted to hold the aperture device in a defined manner when the aperture plane is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. A temperature distribution prevails within the aperture device and at least one of the aperture device and the support structure is adapted to maintain at least one of a relative position of the aperture edge with respect to the optical axis and a geometry of the aperture edge substantially unaltered upon an introduction of a thermal energy into the aperture device, where the thermal energy being adapted to cause an alteration in the temperature distribution. |
| US08687166B2 |
Lithographic apparatus having an encoder position sensor system
A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that includes an encoder type sensor system configured to measure a position of a substrate table of the lithographic apparatus relative to a reference structure. The encoder type sensor system includes an encoder sensor head and an encoder sensor target and the lithographic apparatus comprises a recess to accommodate the encoder sensor target. |
| US08687162B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for fabricating the same
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device for reducing line resistance of an line on glass (LOG) type signal line, and a method for fabricating the same. The liquid crystal display device includes signal lines formed at a picture display part, and an LOG type signal line formed at a peripheral region of the picture display part to have a width greater than the signal line and a plurality of first openings spaced at regular intervals for supplying a required driving signal to a drive IC to drive the signal lines. |
| US08687161B2 |
TFT arrangement for display device
A new TFT arrangement is demonstrated, which enables prevention of TFT to be formed over a joint portion between the adjacent SOI layers prepared by the process including the separation of a thin single crystal semiconductor layer from a semiconductor wafer. The TFT arrangement is characterized by the structure where a plurality of TFTs each belonging to different pixels is gathered and arranged close to an intersection portion of a scanning line and a signal line. This structure allows the distance between regions, which are provided with the plurality of TFTs, to be extremely large compared with the distance between adjacent TFTs in the conventional TFT arrangement in which all TFTs are arranged in at a regular interval. The formation of a TFT over the joint portion can be avoided by the present arrangement, which leads to the formation of a display device with a negligible amount of display defects. |
| US08687158B2 |
IPS LCD having a first common electrode directly extending from the common line and a second common electrode contacts the common line only through a contact hole of the gate insulating layer
An array substrate for an in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device includes: a gate line on a substrate; a data line crossing the gate line to define a pixel region on the substrate; a common line parallel to and spaced apart from the gate line; a gate electrode connected to the gate line; a semiconductor layer disposed over the gate electrode, wherein an area of the semiconductor layer is less than an area of the gate electrode; a source electrode connected to the data line, and a drain electrode spaced apart from the source electrode, the source and drain electrodes disposed on the semiconductor layer; a plurality of pixel electrodes integrated with the drain electrode and extending from the drain electrode in the pixel region; and a plurality of common electrodes connected to the common line and alternately arranged with the plurality of pixel electrodes, wherein each of the source electrode, the drain electrode, the data line and the plurality of pixel electrodes are comprised from a first conductive material layer and a second conductive material layer, wherein the second conductive material layer is disposed on the first conductive material layer. |
| US08687156B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel
Provided is a liquid crystal display panel which allows high quality display by suppressing a disturbance of liquid crystal molecule alignment caused by formation of liquid crystal alignment control protrusions. The liquid crystal display panel of the present invention is a liquid crystal display panel including a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, one of the pair of the substrates including a colored layer, a light-shielding layer, and walled liquid crystal alignment control protrusions projecting toward the other substrate, the liquid crystal alignment control protrusions including a main protrusion and a secondary protrusion lower than the main protrusion, the secondary protrusion being provided on the colored layer along a borderline between the colored layer and the light-shielding layer, and the light-shielding layer having a narrower width in a region adjacent to the secondary protrusion. |
| US08687153B2 |
Substrate, and display panel provided with substrate
A substrate for use in a display panel includes a transparent substrate and a light blocking layer which includes two layers of different optical densities. A low optical density layer that is one of the two layers of different optical densities which has a lower optical density is interposed between a high optical density layer that is the other one of the two layers which has a higher optical density and the transparent substrate. The sum of the optical density of the low optical density layer and the optical density of the high optical density layer is not less than 3.0. According to the present invention, a substrate which includes a low-reflectance light blocking layer is provided, the substrate being suitably used as a color filter substrate of a display device which has a low reflection structure, such as a low reflection film. |
| US08687146B2 |
Reflective plate and liquid crystal display apparatus having the same
The invention provides a reflective plate that includes a first reflective part having a predetermined surface roughness and a second reflective part having a surface roughness that is less than the predetermined surface roughness of the first reflective part. The invention also provides a reflective plate that is capable of supplying a liquid crystal panel with substantially uniform light. |
| US08687138B2 |
Coupling means and display device using the same
A display module includes: upper and lower supporting means facing and spaced apart from each other; a display device between the upper and lower supporting means; a middle supporting means surrounding the display device; and a plurality of coupling means combining the upper, middle and lower supporting means to fix and support the display device, wherein each of the plurality of coupling means includes a hook and each of the upper and lower supporting means has a through hole corresponding to the hook. |
| US08687134B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate having a pixel electrode and a second substrate having a counter electrode. The pixel electrode includes a first pixel electrode portion in a belt-like shape extending in a first direction and a second pixel electrode portion connected with one end of the first pixel electrode portion and extending in a second direction orthogonally crossing the first direction. The counter electrode includes a first counter electrode portion in a belt-like shape extending in the first direction to form a lateral electric field between the first counter electrode portion and the first pixel electrode portion. A liquid crystal layer is held between the first substrate and the second substrate. The lateral electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer. |
| US08687133B2 |
Stereoscopic display device with polarized backlights from single light source and display panel having alternating two visible images
A stereoscopic display device includes a display panel, two different polarized backlights and a synchronization module. The display panel is used to alternately generate first visible images and second visible images. The two different polarized backlights are to alternately illuminate the display panel so as to output the first visible images and second visible images, respectively. The synchronization module is used to synchronize the first visible images and second visible images with illumination periods of the respective polarized backlights. |
| US08687130B2 |
Remote controller, and system and method for remotely controlling digital television
A remote controller (100) and a system and method for remotely controlling a digital TV are disclosed. A memory card (110) is mounted in the remote controller (100), and the remote controller (100) receives video or audio data inputted from the memory card (110) and transmits the received data to a TV body (300). The remote controller (100) receives the video or audio data from the memory card (110) modulates the received data into a wireless signal and transmits the modulated wireless signal, and the TV body (300) receives the wireless signal transmitted from the remote controller (100), demodulates the received wireless signal into the video or audio data and reproduces the demodulated video or audio data. Therefore, the user can remotely control the TV body (300) without personally inserting the memory card (110) into the TV body (300). As a result, the user does not need to move to a place where the TV body (300) is located resulting in convenience in use. |
| US08687128B2 |
System and method of navigating previously viewed channels
The disclosure is directed to systems and methods of navigating previously viewed channels. In a particular embodiment, a method may include maintaining a channel list in a memory, the channel list comprising multiple previously viewed channels. The method may also include receiving a first signal to select a first selected channel in the channel list. The method may also include tuning a channel tuner to the first selected channel. |
| US08687125B2 |
Image processing system and display device for carrying out subtraction or addition of a pixel value of a target pixel in accordance with a value equivalent to a noise quantity
An image processing system for processing a target pixel to be processed, which target pixel corresponds to inputted image data, a plurality of pixels including the target pixel being arranged in a matrix manner, includes an NR circuit (106). The NR circuit (106) includes a signal processing process circuit (114) for carrying out subtraction or addition, with respect to a pixel value Aij of the target pixel, of a value equivalent to a noise quantity Er calculated in advance, in a case where the pixel value Aij of the target pixel is larger or smaller, respectively, than a first couple of estimated values Bij and Cij for the pixel value Aij of the target pixel, the first couple of estimated values Bij and Cij being estimated from pixel values of respective pixels adjacent to the target pixel, centered at the target pixel, in a temporal axis or in a spatial axis. It is therefore possible to provide an image processing system which further reduces noise and is less likely to blur a video as compared with a conventional noise reduction process. |
| US08687123B2 |
Video signal processing
A video signal processing apparatus for processing a video signal comprises a receive unit (101, 103, 105) which receives the video signal comprising a sequence of pictures. A processing unit (107) applies a picture noise changing algorithm to the sequence of pictures and a variation unit (113) varies a spatial noise reduction setting for the picture noise changing algorithm between at least some consecutive pictures of the sequence of pictures in response to a predetermined variation rule. Specifically a set of picture manipulation processes (203, 205) with different spatial noise reduction characteristics may be provided and the variation unit (113) may select different picture manipulation processes in consecutive pictures. The approach may introduce high frequency noise flickering which is less perceptible to a viewer thereby reducing the perceived noise. The invention may in particular be applied to upconverted high picture rate video signals for hold type displays, such as Liquid Crystal Displays displays. |
| US08687114B2 |
Video quality adaptation based upon scenery
Operating on video frames includes determining a frame set backdrop of a set of video frames that is a characterization of the relative difference in content of the set of video frames. Decreasing video quality of the set of video frames when the frame set backdrop is relatively higher indicating relatively greater content difference among video frames of the set of video frames and increasing/leaving quality of the set of video frames when the frame set backdrop is relatively lower indicating relatively lesser content difference among video frames of the set of video frames. Alteration of video quality of the set of video frames includes altering a frame rate, altering a pixel resolution, and/or altering color resolution of the set of video frames and/or altering a ratio of independent frames to predictive frames of the set of frames. |
| US08687112B2 |
Adjustment device and method thereof
The present invention discloses an adjustment device and method thereof which are applied for adjusting a photosensitive element. The adjustment device comprises a first platform, a second platform, a third platform and a cover. The first platform comprises a curved surface body and a positioning elastic element. The second platform, having a recess corresponding to each curved surface body and having a loading support portion, is arranged on a side of the first platform. The third platform is arranged on the other side of the first platform, and when the third platform, moves in an axial direction, the first and second platform moves together with the third platform. The cover compresses the photosensitive element against the second platform. When the inclination of photosensitive element is adjusted by the adjustment device, each curve surface body and each recess keep in contact due to the expansion of each positioning elastic element. |
| US08687111B2 |
Optical payload with folded telescope and cryocooler
A compact optical payload for an unmanned aircraft includes two infrared cameras for wide and narrow field viewing, a daylight color camera, a laser pointer and a laser range finder. |
| US08687110B1 |
Intelligent power management for actively-cooled cameras
In one embodiment, a camera is provided that includes: an image sensor configured to provide an image signal; an automatic gain control (AGC) unit configured to determine an AGC control signal for controlling a gain applied to the image signal; a cooler configured to cool the image sensor; and a thermal control circuit configured to compare the AGC control signal to a threshold, wherein the thermal control circuit is further configured to turn on the cooler if the comparison indicates that the AGC control signal exceeds the threshold. |
| US08687109B2 |
Image capturing device having pulsed LED flash
An image capturing device employing as illumination source(s) (flash apparatus(es)) a plurality of light emitting diodes emitting light of different colors; wherein such light emitting diodes are respectively made to emit light in pulsed fashion in turn by emitted color during exposure time(s). Furthermore, during exposure time(s), such light emitting diodes may be made to sequentially emit light in pulsed fashion in turn by emitted color, and/or such light emitting diodes may be made to sequentially emit light in pulsed fashion in turn by emitted color over multiple iterations. |
| US08687107B2 |
Photographing device, photographing method, and playback method
A photographing device according to the present invention comprises: an imaging section that captures a subject image and outputs image data; a motion picture recording section that records a motion picture based on the image data; a parameter setting section that sets a photographing parameter to change a photographing state; and a parameter control section that automatically changes the photographing parameter during the recording of the motion picture regardless of the set photographing parameter. |
| US08687100B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, method of driving the device, and camera system with varied timing of sampling period for sampling a bias voltage during pixel readout
A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel section formed by pixels performing photoelectric conversion arranged in a matrix; a pixel signal readout section capable of column-parallel processing including an A/D conversion function for reading out a pixel signal from the pixel section and performing analog-digital conversion of the signal, the pixels being read in groups; a voltage sampling section sampling a bias voltage generated by an internal or external voltage generating circuit for a period in accordance with a control signal and supplying the sampled bias voltage to the pixel signal readout section; and a control section controlling the signal readout operation of the pixel signal readout section and the voltage sampling operation of the voltage sampling section. The pixel signal readout section includes a functional portion. The control section exercises control such that the voltage sampling operation is performed in a period other than at least either of a period in which an analog signal is read out or in which A/D conversion is carried out. |
| US08687097B2 |
Solid-state image-pickup device, method for driving solid-state image-pickup device, and image-pickup apparatus
A CMOS image sensor in which column-parallel ADCs are mounted. Reference voltages Vref1 to Vref4 having slopes with different gradients and a reference voltage Vref5 are used. Additionally, a comparison circuit that compares an output voltage Vx of a unit pixel with any one of the reference voltages Vref1 to Vref4, and a comparison circuit that compares the one of the reference voltages Vref1 to Vref4 with the reference voltage Vref5 are included in a column processing circuit. High-resolution AD conversion is performed at a high speed by respective operations of the comparison circuits and an up/down counter. |
| US08687091B2 |
Image capturing systems and methods utilizing customizable look management
An image capturing apparatus that includes an image capture unit, an interface unit, a processing unit, and a display unit, wherein the image capture unit captures an image, the memory unit stores the image, the interface unit loads one or more look transforms into the image capturing apparatus, the processing unit converts color signals of the image from values of the image capturing apparatus into an output rendering space using a device-independent color space, automatically applies the look transform(s) to the image, and generates a rendered image, which is then displayed by the display unit. |
| US08687090B2 |
Method of removing audio noise and image capturing apparatus including the same
A method of removing an audio noise and an image capturing apparatus providing the same includes storing a specified audio signal included in a captured image as a noise signal, receiving an input audio signal included in an image, and removing a noise included in a transformed audio signal through a comparison between the input audio signal and the noise signal. Accordingly, the audio noise included in the input audio signal is removed, and thus the sound that is not desired by a user can be easily removed. |
| US08687087B2 |
Digital camera with selectively increased dynamic range by control of parameters during image acquisition
A parameter of a digital camera or other digital image acquisition device is adjusted to maintain the resulting digital signal within a range carried by a digital processing path that carries a limited number of bits. The magnitude of the parameter is then also used to represent the image. Examples of the parameter include analog signal gain and exposure time. This is a cost effective way to increase the dynamic range of a digital camera, instead of increasing the width of its digital processing path. The digital data may be processed to obtain either tone mapped images, which are compatible with current cameras and other equipment, or to obtain images with a greater dynamic range for use with suitable displays and the like. |
| US08687080B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and signal processor
An image pickup apparatus a camera 100 includes an image pickup element 105 including a plurality of imaging pixels 106 which perform a photoelectric conversion of an image formed by a light beam from an image pickup optical system and a plurality of focus detection pixels 107 which perform a photoelectric conversion of an image formed by a divided light beam of the light beam, a focus detector 113 which performs a focus detection of the image pickup optical system based on an output of the focus detection pixels 107, an aperture controller 104 which performs a control so that an aperture value of the image pickup optical system is equal to or less than a predetermined value when the focus detector 113 perform the focus detection, and an exposure controller 110 which adjusts an exposure condition in accordance with the aperture value controlled by the aperture controller 104. |
| US08687079B2 |
Imaging apparatus, imaging method, recording medium, and program
An imaging method, a recording medium, and a program which are capable of processing imaging data of a high rate in a manner similar to that of a normal frame rate. Image data captured by a solid-state imaging element capable of performing imaging at a high resolution and a high frame rate is supplied to a memory control unit. The memory control unit, at the same time as writing the imaging data input from the imaging element in a frame memory, reads preceding frames of imaging data that are recorded on the frame memory, and sequentially respectively outputs them in parallel, as video image data items for each frame, to respective camera signal processing units. Then, in the camera signal processing units, a video output unit, a viewfinder output unit, codec units, and recording units, processing similar to that in the case of a frame rate that is ¼ the imaging frame rate is executed. |
| US08687078B2 |
Face recognition using face tracker classifier data
A face recognition technique includes using a multi-classifier face detector to determine above a threshold probability that region of an image includes a face. Further probability values are determined for a set of classifiers for the region to provide a recognition profile. Face detection and recognition probabilities are determined for at least one classifier of the set. The recognition profile is compared against a predetermined recognition profile to determine a degree of match. |
| US08687076B2 |
Moving image photographing method and moving image photographing apparatus
A moving image photographing apparatus that recognizes the shape of a speaker's mouth, and/or recognizes the speaker's voice to detect a speaker area, and selectively performs image signal processing with respect to the detected speaker area, and a moving image photographing method using the moving image photographing apparatus. The moving image photographing apparatus may selectively reproduce a moving image by generating a still image including the speaker area and using the still image as a bookmark. |
| US08687075B2 |
Imaging apparatus and information display method for imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus, which is capable of recording a still image during a moving image recording operation, includes a display unit, an operation unit configured to receive an instruction from a user, and a controller configured to control the display unit to display information about a number of recordable still image data, when the operation unit receives a predetermined instruction during a moving image recording operation. |
| US08687074B1 |
Camera arrangements with backlighting detection and methods of using same
The present invention relates to camera arrangements with backlighting detection. The camera arrangements are capable of simultaneously capturing real scene data from various viewpoints. This data may include illumination data impinging the scene. The illumination data may then be utilized to alter the apparent illumination of a second image, either real or virtual, which is to be superimposed over the real scene so that the illumination across the entire superimposed scene is consistent. The camera arrangements may utilize combinations of umbilical cables and light tubes to expand or contract the field of capture. The camera arrangements may also include in-line signal processing of the data output. |
| US08687072B2 |
System and method for creating composite images by utilizing an imaging device
A system and method for creating composite images by utilizing a camera comprises a cradle device that transports the camera across a target area during a scanning procedure that captures and stores image data. During the scanning procedure, a motion detector captures and provides scan motion data to a scanning manager from the camera. The scanning manager may then responsively utilize the scan motion data to accurately extract still frames corresponding to the target area from the captured image data at pre-determined time intervals. A stitching software program may then access and combine the still frames generated by the scanning manager to thereby create composite images. |
| US08687071B2 |
Composite image creating method as well as program, recording medium, and information processing apparatus for the method
In an aspect of the composite image creating method according to the present invention, an information processing apparatus executes the steps of: inputting material candidate images which are images composed of frames of a moving image and/or a plurality of still images that were taken by an image-taking apparatus; detecting a movement of the image-taking apparatus at image-taking time points of all or some of the material candidate images or analysis time points that are time points in a neighborhood of the image-taking time points; determining a condition for generating a composite image from among the material candidate images based on the movement of the image-taking apparatus detected; and creating a composite image based on the material candidate images and on the condition determined. |
| US08687067B2 |
Camera device, camera system and camera calibration method
An object of the present invention is to simplify a calibration operation of a camera and to shorten a time necessary for calibration. A camera calibration device 10 is mounted on a predetermined position of a movable object 100 and includes a camera 11 configured to take an image including an index 41 provided outside the movable object 100, an image superimposing unit 122 configured to generate a superimposed image by superimposing a calibration object 42 having a position adjustment part and a rotation adjustment part on the image taken by the camera 11, and a calculation unit 124 configured to calculate, based on a position of the calibration object 42 after being shifted in the superimposed image such that an end or a center of the index 41 meets the position adjustment part and a part of the index other than the end or the center overlaps the rotation adjustment part, parameters relative to a pan angle, a tilt angle and a roll angle for calibration of the camera mounting position. |
| US08687064B2 |
Method and device for describing and capturing video object
A method and a device for describing and capturing video objects are provided in the embodiments of the present application, including: capturing video images to generate video sequences, generating a video object tracking sequence (OTS) according to the video sequences, and generating video object descriptors (ODs) according to the video OTS and video sequences. Therefore, in a generated video object tracking sequence (OTS), the video object region tracking number (TID) is used to capture and track video objects. This makes it unnecessary to create a video object descriptor (OD) for each video object on a frame-by-frame basis. Therefore, the quantity of video ODs is reduced, thereby suiting the application requirement for the intelligent video interaction and accelerating the search of the video materials. |
| US08687056B2 |
Aircraft landing assistance
Enhanced vision system for assisting aircraft piloting, the system including a line-of-sight detector for determining the line-of-sight of the pilot of the aircraft, a head mounted display (HMD) worn by the pilot, and a processor which receives the determined line-of-sight from the line-of-sight detector, receives a spatial image of the external scene to the aircraft, generates symbolic information respective of the aircraft piloting, and superimposes the symbolic information onto the spatial image to produce a combined spatial and symbolic image, the HMD displaying the combined spatial and symbolic image to the pilot in real-time, in alignment with the determined line-of-sight. The spatial image may be an image combined from a sensor image and a synthetic image. A communication interface may be coupled to the HMD allowing the pilot to receive and confirm flight instructions. |
| US08687053B2 |
Stereoscopic image display device
The present invention provides a stereoscopic image display device that improves visibility of a stereoscopic pointer image when the pointer position moves between objects in the stereoscopic image that have greatly different display depths. The display device changes the display depth of the stereoscopic pointer image in accordance with the display depth of an object in the stereoscopic image. When the pointer position moves between objects that have greatly different display depths from time t0 to time t1, the stereoscopic pointer image at time t1 is rendered so as to be perceived as having a display depth intermediate between the display depth of the stereoscopic pointer image at time t0 and the display depth of the display screen at the pointer position at t1. As a result, visibility of the stereoscopic pointer image is improved. |
| US08687049B2 |
Display device and method of displaying image
A display device includes a display panel for displaying a plurality of images, a viewing-zone generator for producing a plurality of viewing zones corresponding to the plurality of images and a first reflector at a first side of the display panel for reflecting a first image of the plurality of images to one of the plurality of viewing zones that corresponds to a second image of the plurality of images. |
| US08687047B2 |
Compound-eye imaging apparatus
A stereoscopic image with a predetermined parallax can be automatically taken, and a stereoscopic image with an arbitrary parallax can also be taken based on selection made by a photographer. An imaging apparatus includes two or more imaging systems. First, a guidance indicating that a first imaging system is used to take a first image and that a second imaging system is used to take a second image, is displayed on a monitor of the imaging apparatus. After the first image is shot by the first imaging system, a live view image shot by the second imaging system is displayed in a semi-transparent manner with the shot first image on the monitor, and a guidance is also displayed on the monitor. When the release switch is depressed, the second image is shot by the right imaging system. |
| US08687045B2 |
Three-dimensional image-capturing apparatus
A three-dimensional image-capturing apparatus includes an image-capturing device having a plurality of image-capturing regions and a plurality of optical systems for forming images of a subject in the image-capturing regions. The optical systems includes a plurality of reflectors for reflecting rays from the subject a number of times and at least a lens provided to be closer to the image-capturing device than the reflection means closest to the subject. The reflectors and the lens are used to form, in the image-capturing regions, separate images of the subject which are captured from different viewpoints. |
| US08687043B2 |
Method of generating stereoscopic image signal and method of scaling the same
A method of generating a stereoscopic image signal and scaling the same includes receiving a left-eye image signal and a right-eye image signal, generating a progressive stereoscopic image signal by multiplexing the left-eye image signal and the right-eye image signal, and scaling up or down the progressive stereoscopic image signal. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify a structure of an apparatus to generate the stereoscopic image signal and reduce manufacturing costs of the apparatus to generate the stereoscopic image signal. |
| US08687041B2 |
Stereoscopic panorama image creating apparatus, stereoscopic panorama image creating method, stereoscopic panorama image reproducing apparatus, stereoscopic panorama image reproducing method, and recording medium
In a stereoscopic panorama image creating method according to an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter, a plurality of stereoscopic images formed of left images and right images continuously shot with a stereoscopic imaging apparatus 1 being moved in one direction, the left images of the stereoscopic images are synthesized together and the right images thereof are synthesized together to create a stereoscopic panorama image, corresponding points of the stereoscopic images are detected, an image shift amount for setting a parallax of each corresponding point at a predetermined value is calculated, and information about the corresponding point and the image shift amount are recorded in association with the stereoscopic panorama image. |
| US08687038B2 |
Registration, verification and notification system
A registrant provides at least one registrant electronic contact, such as a telephone number, during a registration process. The registrant's information may be compared to a database of such information. The registrant is verified by establishing a connection with the registrant via the registrant contact. The verification code is communicated to the registrant, which is input into an on-line form. Notification events are established, and the registrant is notified of the occurrence of a previously established notification event by establishing a connection with the registrant via the registrant contact. |
| US08687037B2 |
Telephony services for programmable multimedia controller
A programmable multimedia controller which may be programmed to provide advanced, diverse telephony services including video phone calls, audio and videoconferencing, voicemail, text messaging and answering machine functions among others. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a touchscreen which is interfaced with the multimedia controller may be used as a virtual telephone, intercom or other communication or control device. By displaying a simulated telephone keypad, intercom controls or other appropriate controls on the touchscreen, a user may access both basic and advanced features and functions in a way that is intuitive and familiar. In an alternative embodiment, a simple remote control may be used with a television to enable user access to the same advanced telephony services as with the touchscreen. The programmable multimedia controller may be directly connected with conventional handsets to provided plain old telephone service (POTS) as well private branch exchange (PBX) service. |
| US08687033B2 |
Printing
A method and apparatus for transferring an image of predetermined length onto a substrate by selective energization of a row of printing elements in a printhead of a printing apparatus. Operational characteristics of the printing apparatus are determined, and the image is rendered such that the number of rows of the pixels in the rendered image is no greater than the maximum number of rows of pixels which can be printed in the length of the image given the operational characteristics of the printing apparatus. Additional rows of pixels may be printed between pairs of rows of printed which correspond to consecutive rows in the rendered image. The pixel content of each additional row is a function of the pixel content of the adjacent pairs of rows. |
| US08687030B2 |
Exposing device, method of manufacturing the same, and image forming apparatus
There is provided an exposing device which includes an elongated optical head in which a plurality of light emitting portions are arranged, and a supporting member to which the optical head is adhered. The optical head and the supporting member are adhered by a first adhesive, and a second adhesive of which a modulus of elasticity after curing is lower than that of the first adhesive. The second adhesive is applied in a second adhesive area which is located at a boundary between the optical head and the supporting member and which is longer, in a longitudinal direction of the optical head, than a first adhesive area which is located at the boundary and to which the first adhesive is applied. |
| US08687027B2 |
Displaying apparatus, displaying panel driver and displaying panel driving method
A display panel driver includes a color reducing circuit and a driving section. The driving section is configured to drive a first pixel and a second pixel. If a second input image data and a third input image data corresponding to the second pixel are supplied as an image data of a second image display format, then the color reducing circuit generates a third color reduction image data and a fourth color reduction image data. If the first input image data is supplied as the image data of the first image display format, then the first selector selects the third error value, and if the second input image data and the third input image data are supplied as the image data of the second image display format, then the first selector selects the second error value. |
| US08687017B2 |
Method and system for generating pyramid fisheye lens detail-in-context presentations
A method for generating a presentation of a region-of-interest in an original image for display on a display screen, comprising: establishing a focal region for the region-of-interest at least partially surrounded by a shoulder region; creating a focal region image for the focal region by scaling the original image within the focal region by a focal region magnification; creating a shoulder region image for the shoulder region by scaling the original image within the shoulder region by a shoulder region magnification, the shoulder region magnification being less than the focal region magnification; and, overlaying the focal region image and the shoulder region image on the original image to thereby generate the presentation. |
| US08687016B2 |
Method and system for enhancing the quality of video prompts in an interactive media response system
Embodiments of the present invention recite a method for enhancing the quality of visual prompts in and interactive media response system. In one embodiment, a video coder/decoder (codec) used by a thin device is determined. A visual prompt to be displayed on the thin device is accessed and the display parameters of the visual prompt are modified such that at least one character of the visual prompt is aligned with a blocking artifact generated by the video codec. |
| US08687014B2 |
Process and apparatus for blending images
A process and circuit for blending a foreground image (B) with a background image (A), said foreground and background images being arranged in pixels and having color representations (R, G, B). The foreground foreground image (A) has a transparency parameter (T(x,y)) in accordance with a so-called alpha plane representative of the transparency profile to apply to the foreground image. The process involves the steps of: -applying a dithering method on said alpha plane in order to convert said transparency parameter (T) into a one-bit transparency parameter (T′); -use said one-bit transparency parameter (T′) for controlling a multiplexing unit having two inputs respectively receiving the foreground image (A) and the background image (B). In one embodiment, the one-bit transparency parameter T′ into the two extreme values of a range of continuous values, for instance coded on 8 bits. The process then applies a four-pixel interpolation method to the foreground image (A) for the purpose of creating a five level transparency parameter in the blending process, and then uses the five level transparency parameter for controlling a multiplexing circuit for the purpose of achieving blending of the foreground image with the background image. |
| US08687011B2 |
Techniques for efficient sampling for image effects
Techniques to sample texels efficiently for an image effect may include determining a number of texels (kernel size) needed to compute a weighted average for an image effect on an image. The technique may further include selecting at least one mipmap generated by a graphics processing unit (GPU) according to a function of the determined kernel size. The function may also consider a threshold kernel size. The technique may further sampling texels, with the GPU, from the selected mipmap(s), and calculate the weighted average of the sampled texels to produce the image effect. |
| US08687007B2 |
Seamless display migration
Exemplary embodiments of methods, apparatuses, and systems for seamlessly migrating a user visible display stream sent to a display device from one rendered display stream to another rendered display stream are described. For one embodiment, mirror video display streams are received from both a first graphics processing unit (GPU) and a second GPU, and the video display stream sent to a display device is switched from the video display stream from the first GPU to the video display stream from the second GPU, wherein the switching occurs during a blanking interval for the first GPU that overlaps with a blanking interval for the second GPU. |
| US08687006B2 |
Display device including image signal processor and image interpolation chip
A display device includes a display panel having pixels and divided into first and second display regions; first and second image interpolation chips which receive an original image signal and output interpolated ¼, ½, and/or ¾ frames inserted between a previous (n−1)-th frame and a current n-th frame of the original image signal; a first timing unit which receives the interpolated ¼, ½, and/or ¾ frames from the first image interpolation chip and outputs a first quadruple-speed image signal to pixels in the first display region; and a second timing unit which receives the interpolated ¼, ½, and/or ¾ frames from the second image interpolation chip and outputs a second quadruple-speed image signal to pixels in the second display region. The first timing unit transmits data to the second timing unit, and the second timing unit transmits data to the first timing unit. |
| US08687005B2 |
Apparatus and method for synchronizing and sharing virtual character
An apparatus and method for synchronizing and sharing a virtual character are provided. The method includes generating a virtual character, synchronizing content in a predetermined form with the generated virtual character; converting the virtual character into an extensible markup language (XML)-based file and storing the XML-based file. |
| US08687004B2 |
Font file with graphic images
At least certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a font file having graphic image files. In one embodiment, the font includes a set of glyphs and the font file includes a set of predetermined information of each glyph and graphic image data of each glyph. The graphic image data contains a graphic image of the corresponding glyph, which may be a multi-color glyph. |
| US08687000B2 |
Image generating apparatus and computer program
The present invention relates to an image generating apparatus for generating an image from a viewpoint specified by a user. According to the invention, the apparatus has a storage unit that stores a plurality of pre-images from viewpoints on predetermined lines and depth maps indicating a depth value of each pixel of a corresponding pre-image, and an image generating unit that generates a first image from a first viewpoint based on the pre-images and depth maps. |
| US08686996B2 |
System and method for analyzing and imaging three-dimensional volume data sets using a three-dimensional sampling probe
System and method for analyzing and imaging three-dimensional volume data sets using a three-dimensional sampling probe. A number of sampling probes can be created, shaped, and moved interactively by the user within the whole three-dimensional volume data set. As the sampling probe changes shape, size, or location in response to user input, the image is re-drawn at a rate sufficiently fast to be perceived as real-time by the user. In this manner, the user can more easily and effectively visualize and interpret the features and physical parameters that are inherent in the three-dimensional volume data set. |
| US08686994B2 |
Full-screen 3D image display device
A full-screen 3D image display device provides a dynamic liquid crystal parallax barrier device for solving a 3D image resolution deterioration problem caused by view separation of a multi-view 3D image displayed by a conventional parallax barrier, and achieves the purpose of displaying a multi-view 3D image with a full-screen image resolution through a multi-view image dynamic combination and display procedure and a barrier electrode dynamic driving procedure. |
| US08686993B2 |
Image processing for controlling disparity in 3D images
An image processing apparatus includes: a disparity setting unit that sets disparity between left-eye and right-eye images for a 3D image based on a manipulation from a manipulation unit that allocates a value to a depth direction of a 2D image; and a 3D image creating unit that creates data on the left-eye and right-eye images in which a corresponding object is arranged in positions separated by the disparity set by the disparity setting unit. |
| US08686990B2 |
Scanning signal line drive circuit and display device equipped with same
Provided is a monolithic gate driver capable of performing block-reversal driving without causing deterioration of display quality or an increase in power consumption. Gate bus lines are divided into z blocks. Agate driver (400) is provided with a block scanning circuit (40), as well as odd-numbered line scanning circuits (42) each provided for each block and even-numbered line scanning circuits (44) each provided for each block. The block scanning circuit (40) sequentially selects the first to z-th blocks one by one, and alternately selects the odd-numbered line scanning circuits (42) and the even-numbered line scanning circuits (44). Each of the odd-numbered line scanning circuits (42) sequentially and selectively drives the odd-numbered gate bus lines included in the corresponding block. Each of the even-numbered line scanning circuits (44) sequentially and selectively drives the even-numbered gate bus lines included in the corresponding block. |
| US08686987B2 |
Output circuit, data driver and display device
Disclosed is an output circuit including a differential amplifier stage, an output amplifier stage, an amplification acceleration circuit and a capacitance connection control circuit. The output amplifier stage includes push/pull type transistors connected an output terminal. The amplification acceleration circuit includes a first switch and a first transistor, connected between a first output of the differential amplifier stage and the output terminal, and a second transistor and a second switch connected between the output terminal and a second output of the differential amplifier stage. The capacitance connection control circuit includes first capacitive element having first end connected to the output terminal, a first switch connected between a second end of the first capacitive element and a first voltage supply terminal, and a second switch connected between the second end of the first capacitive element and one output of a first differential pair of the differential amplifier stage. |
| US08686985B2 |
Active liquid crystal display drivers and duty cycle operation
A liquid crystal display (LCD) driving system includes a reference voltage generator to generate a plurality of reference voltages. The LCD driving system also includes a plurality of drive buffers to generate drive voltages according to at least one of the reference voltages, and to drive at least a portion of a liquid crystal display to present data according to the drive voltages. |
| US08686980B2 |
Array substrate and liquid crystal display panel
A gate driving circuit (60) separated into a plurality of stages (ST) is provided. In each of the stages (ST), TFT elements (T1) through (T4) are provided, branch lines (78) that connect clock lines (72, 74) to the TFT elements are provided. Junction lines (79A, 79B) are each extended from the branch line (78A) of interest to electrically connect the branch line (78A) of interest to the TFT elements (T2, T4) provided in the stage (ST(j)) different from the stage (ST (j−1)) where the TFT elements (T1, T3) connected to the branch line (78A) of interest are provided. |
| US08686977B2 |
Display apparatus having a timing controller and method of driving the timing controller
A timing controller is adapted to support a display apparatus that operates with image data having a configuration of M-bits per word and an average serial data flow rate corresponding to CK1 image words per second where CK1 is a first clock frequency and M is a whole number. The timing controller includes a data mapper that converts supplied image data from the M-bits per word times CK1 words per second configuration into a P-bits per word times CK2 words per second configuration so that the mapped data matches the configuration of an external memory. The timing controller also includes a data remapper that performs the inverse conversion. In one embodiment, M is 24 while P is 32. |
| US08686976B2 |
Apparatus and method for hand motion detection and hand motion tracking generally
Apparatus and method for motion tracking, including a hand-held device including at least one accelerometer providing an acceleration indicating output and computation circuitry adapted to employ the acceleration indicating output for generating tracking output indication. |
| US08686974B2 |
Touch-sensitive system and method for controlling the operation thereof
A touch-sensitive system comprises a light transmissive panel defining a touch surface and an opposite surface; an illumination arrangement comprising emitters configured to introduce light into the panel for propagation in the panel in an emission pattern; a light detection arrangement comprising detectors configured to receive the light propagating in the panel. A control unit is arranged to control the operation of the touch-sensitive system. The control unit executes a control method to monitor the light received in the light detecting arrangement for detection of touches on the touch surface, the touches attenuating the light propagating in the panel. The control method also selects a mode for the emission pattern in dependence of the occurrence of touches on the touch surface and controls the emission pattern in accordance with the selected mode. |
| US08686970B2 |
Touch input electronic device
An touch input electronic device includes: a touch input device; a clock generation circuit, generating a first clock and a second clock; a touch sensing circuit, coupled to the touch input device, the touch sensing circuit operated under the first clock; a logic circuit, receiving a sensing output signal from the touch sensing circuit, the logic circuit operated under the second clock; and a conversion circuit, outputting an output voltage under control of the logic circuit, the output voltage coupled to the touch sensing circuit, the conversion circuit operated under the second clock. In response to the sensing output signal from the touch sensing circuit, the logic circuit controls the conversion circuit to adjust the output voltage to detect a capacitance variance of the touch input device. |
| US08686969B2 |
Input apparatus with integrated detection sections of electromagnetic type and capacitive type
An input apparatus with integrated detection sections of electromagnetic type and capacitive type is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a substrate, a control device and at least one signal processing device on the substrate. The substrate comprises an electromagnetic sensor coil layout and a capacitive sensor layout. |
| US08686965B2 |
Single-layer projected capacitive touch panel and method of manufacturing the same
A single-layer projected capacitive touch panel has a glass cover, a touch sensing circuit layer, an insulating ink layer, a conductive wire layer, an insulator layer, a conductive glue layer and a flexible printed circuit (FPC) board. The touch sensing circuit layer, the insulating ink layer, the conductive wire layer, the insulator layer and the conductive glue layer are mounted on a circuit surface of the glass cover in sequence. The insulating ink layer covers the touch sensing circuit layer and has multiple through slots. Each through slot is filled with an electric conductor. The FPC is fastened on the conductive wire layer by a conductive glue layer. Therefore, the touch panel of the present invention is thinner, provides better penetrability and costs less than conventional projected capacitive touch panels. |
| US08686960B2 |
Piecewise-linear and piecewise-affine transformations for high dimensional touchpad (HDTP) output decoupling and corrections
Methods for piecewise-linear and piecewise-affine transformations parameter decoupling in High Dimensional Touchpad (HDTP) user touch interfaces including those with multitouch capabilities are described. A calculation chain provides a first-order calculation of up to six touch parameters (left-right, front-back, downward pressure, roll angle, pitch angle, yaw angle) responsive in real-time to user touch on a touch-responsive sensor array. A piecewise-affine transformation is applied to these first-order calculations to produce parameter decoupling. The piecewise-affine transformation can be structured to depend only on current numerical values from the first-order calculation. Alternatively, the piecewise-affine transformation can be structured to additionally depend on the positive or negative direction of change over time of at least one numerical value from the first-order calculation, thereby providing a correction for hysteresis effects. |
| US08686957B2 |
Touch-based user interface conductive rings
An apparatus in which an outer conductive ring surrounds the periphery of a touch-sensitive surface of a touch sensor serving as a manually-operable control, wherein a portion of the outer conductive ring is also between the touch-sensitive surface and another manually-operable control that lacks the ability to sense the mere touch of a tip of a digit of a user. A processing device causes the level of capacitance of the outer conductive ring to be measured on a recurring basis for instances of an amount of additional capacitance above a minimum capacitance threshold, and employs such amounts of additional capacitance in a comparison to distinguish between the user interacting with a control surface defined on the touch-sensitive surface of the touch sensor or the other manually-operable control. |
| US08686956B2 |
Capacitive touch sensing structure and sensing method thereof
A capacitive touch sensing structure includes: a substrate; a plurality of first electrode groups arranged from a first position towards a second position in a first direction, wherein each of the first electrode groups includes a plurality of first electrodes extended from a third position towards a fourth position in a second direction; a plurality of first conducting wires each having a plurality of contacts respectively coupled to the first electrodes of each of the first electrode groups; a plurality of second electrode groups arranged from the first position towards the second position in the first direction, wherein each of the second electrode groups includes a plurality of second electrodes extended from the fourth position towards the third position in the second direction and respectively staggering with the first electrode groups; and a plurality of second conducting wires each having a plurality of contacts respectively coupled to the electrodes of each of the second electrode groups. |
| US08686952B2 |
Multi touch with multi haptics
Methods and systems for processing touch inputs are disclosed. The invention in one respect includes reading data from a multi-touch sensing device such as a multi-touch touch screen where the data pertains to touch input with respect to the multi-touch sensing device, and identifying at least one multi-touch gesture based on the data from the multi-touch sensing device and providing an appropriate multi-haptic response. |
| US08686951B2 |
Providing an elevated and texturized display in an electronic device
An apparatus and method for providing and configuring an elevated, indented, or texturized display device is disclosed. Processes are also given involving elevated, indented, or texturized portions of a display device. By providing an elevated, indented, or texturized display device enhanced input/output functions are provided. |
| US08686950B2 |
Setting operation support device for substrate processing apparatus, setting operation support method and storage medium having program stored therein
A setting operation support device includes an operation target object among components constituting a substrate processing apparatus, an operation setting of which can be selected, a simulator that simulates an operation of the operation target object, a touch-panel type operator operation display unit and a touch-panel type simulation operation display unit and a function setting button. The correlation between the operation target object and a screen related to its operation settings is stored in advance in a screen storage unit. As the function setting button is first depressed and then the operation target object is specified through a touch operation while a dynamic image of the operation target object is on display at the operator operation display unit, the setting screen correlated to the particular operation target object is searched at the screen storage unit and is brought up on display at the operator operation display unit. |
| US08686948B2 |
Highly mobile keyboard in separable components
A collapsible compact touch-type keyboard for mobile devices. The keyboard includes a plurality of separate parts that together form a keyboard with keys large enough to allow efficient touch-typing. The plurality of parts includes at least a first and a second base each retaining a plurality of keys. A wireless transmitter exists within at least one of the parts to send keyboard events to a computer. |
| US08686936B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus and method of driving the same
A liquid crystal display apparatus and a method of driving the liquid crystal display apparatus, which commonly boosts pixels of a first group and commonly boosts pixels of a second group. The liquid crystal display apparatus includes a first group of pixels for displaying an image and a second group of pixels for displaying an image. Each pixel of the first and second groups includes a storage capacitor for storing a data voltage. The liquid crystal display apparatus further includes a first storage common voltage line connected to storage capacitors of the pixels of the first group of pixels, a second storage common voltage line connected to storage capacitors of the pixels of the second group of pixels. A first storage common voltage is supplied to the pixels of the first group through the first storage common voltage line, and a second storage common voltage is supplied to the pixels of the second group through the second storage common voltage line. |
| US08686932B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for driving the same
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes: a plurality of gate lines; a plurality of data lines that cross the gate lines to define pixel regions; a plurality of thin film transistors at the crossings of the gate and data lines, the thin film transistors of vertically adjacent pixels each connected to a shared gate line of the plurality of gate lines and on opposite sides of the shared gate line; and a plurality of pixel electrodes in the pixel regions, wherein each pixel electrode of the plurality of pixel electrodes is formed in two horizontally-adjacent pixel regions. |
| US08686931B2 |
Light emitting device, electronic apparatus, and driving method of light emitting device with image displayed selectively on two sides
A light emitting device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a driving circuit, a first electric supply line, and a second electric supply line. In a case where while an image is displayed on the first substrate side, an image is not displayed on the second substrate side, the value of the potential which is supplied to the second electric supply line, to be a value where voltage between both ends of the second light-emitting element falls below the light-emitting threshold voltage. In a case where while an image is not displayed on the first substrate side, an image is displayed on the second substrate side, the value of the potential which is supplied to the first electric supply line, to be a value where voltage between both ends of the first light-emitting element falls below the light-emitting threshold voltage. |
| US08686924B2 |
Determining whether a wearable device is in use
Systems and methods for selecting an action associated with a power state transition of a head-mounted display (HMD) in the form of eyeglasses are disclosed. A signal may be received from a sensor on a nose bridge of the eyeglasses indicating if the HMD is in use. Based on the received signal, a first power state for the HMD may be determined. Responsive to the determined first power state, an action associated with a power state transition of the HMD from an existing power state to the first power state may be selected. The action may be selected from among a plurality of actions associated with a plurality of state transitions. Also, the action may be a sequence of functions performed by the HMD including modifying an operating state of a primary processing component of the HMD and a detector of the HMD configured to image an environment. |
| US08686922B2 |
Eye-location dependent vehicular heads-up display system
Optimized visual information presentation system and method for a vehicular occupant includes a heads-up display system for generating a virtual display in a field of view of an occupant of the vehicle when facing outward of the vehicle, an occupant sensing system for determining the location of the eyes of the occupant, and a control system coupled to the heads-up display system and the occupant sensing system. The control system controls the location of content of the virtual display being generated by the heads-up display system based on the determined location of the eyes of the occupant by the occupant sensing system. |
| US08686920B2 |
Miniaturized radio repeater
A radio repeater system is provided that utilizes miniaturized antennas and a meta-material channel isolator. The radio repeater is comprised of: a receive antenna configured to receive a signal at a desired channel frequency; a transmit antenna configured to transmit the signal at the channel frequency; an amplifier electrically connected between the receive antenna and the transmit antenna; and an array of resonating circuits disposed spatially between the receive antenna and the transmit antenna. Each resonating circuit is designed to resonant at the channel frequency and thereby suppress propagation of surface waves between the antennas. |
| US08686919B1 |
Apparatus for allowing pivotal movement of an antenna mast relative to its support post
An apparatus (10) for attaching an antenna mast (11) to a post (12) positioned in the ground includes a bracket (14) attached to the mast (11). A plate (13) is attached to the post (12). The plate has a slot (32) which receives a bolt (30) that extends through the mast (11) and the bracket (14). The plate also has an elongate opening (33) which receives a bolt (31) that extends through the mast (11) and the bracket (14). Nut assemblies (34) are provided for the bolts (30, 31) and when tightened, the mast (11) and the bracket (14) are attached to the plate (13) and the post (12). But when loosened, the bolt (30) may be moved in slot (32) and bolt (31) may be moved in opening (33) until the bolt (30) is out of the slot (32) at which time the mast (11) and the bracket (14) may be rotated relative to the post (12) and the plate (13). |
| US08686917B2 |
Locating technique and apparatus using an approximated dipole signal
Location determination is performed using a transmitter including an elongated generally planar loop antenna defining an elongation axis. The elongation axis is positioned along at least a portion of a path. A magnetic field is then generated which approximates a dipole field. Certain characteristics of the magnetic field are then determined at a receiving position radially displaced from the antenna elongation axis. Using the determined certain characteristics, at least one orientation parameter is established which characterizes a positional relationship between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The magnetic field may be transmitted as a monotone single phase signal. The orientation parameter may be a radial offset and/or an angular orientation between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The antenna of the transmitter may be inserted into a first borehole to transmit the magnetic field to a receiver inserted into a second borehole. |
| US08686915B2 |
Antenna device and wireless communication apparatus
An antenna device includes a board made of dielectric material, having first and second power feed parts; a first antenna element connected to the first power feed part, using a first wavelength; a second antenna element connected to the second power feed part, using a second wavelength; a ground formed on the board, having a first side and a second side respectively having different lengths and extending in different directions, the length of the first side, compared with the length of second side, which is approximate to a ¼ length of the first wavelength and a ¼ length of the second wavelength; and a parasitic element connected to the ground, which is not parallel to the first side of the ground, a length of the parasitic element is approximate to ¼ length of the second wavelength and an interval of the parasitic element and the second power feed part is less than equals the ¼ length of the second wavelength. |
| US08686907B2 |
Antenna device
An antenna device is provided and includes a bottom, two monopole antennas, and a cover assembled with the bottom. A projection plane is defined perpendicular to the bottom. The two monopole antennas substantially symmetrically protrude from the bottom, and a gap is formed between the two monopole antennas. Projections of the two monopole antennas on the projection plane intersect with each other. Each of the two monopole antennas includes a first frequency receiving portion adjacent to the bottom, a second frequency receiving portion, and a connection portion located between the first frequency receiving portion and the second frequency receiving portion. A slot is formed through the connection portion to adjust a received frequency of the first or second frequency receiving portion. An accommodating space is formed between the cover and the bottom to accommodate the two monopole antennas. |
| US08686905B2 |
Pattern shaping of RF emission patterns
A metallic shaping plate located in the interior housing of a wireless device is disclosed. The metallic shaping plate may influence a radiation pattern being generated by a horizontal antenna array. The result may be an increase in the gain of the array. |
| US08686902B2 |
Antenna structures
Antenna structures and configurations which incorporate alignment keys and support structures which mate Composite Right and Left Handed (CRLH) metamaterial (MTM) structures formed on two or more substrates. |
| US08686898B2 |
System employing a direct digital synthesiser
A DDS based system, such as a radar, includes means for generating a plurality of transmission signals using a DDS, and means for integrating signals derived therefrom, such as received signals. The system further includes means for varying the relative starting phase of the plurality of transmission signals, or adjusting the DDS input clock while maintaining similar primary output frequency characteristics of the transmission signals. The approach has the effect of changing the location of unwanted frequency spurs in each of the transmission signals, and hence the effects of these are decreased in the integration process. An improvement in the sensitivity of the system results. Although primarily suited to radar applications the invention may find utility in other systems such as sonar or lidar systems. |
| US08686896B2 |
Bench-top measurement method, apparatus and system for phased array radar apparatus calibration
A method for determining beamformer scattering parameters for a plurality of phased array radar antenna subarrays that each include a radiating (e.g., dipole) component and a beamformer component provides for obtaining for the plurality of phased array radar antenna subarrays a plurality of electromagnetic measurements at a plurality of ports. Analogous electromagnetic measurements are obtained for a reference subarray including a radiating component but absent a beamformer component. The plurality of phased array radar antenna subarray electromagnetic measurements and the reference subarray electromagnetic measurements provide a plurality of beamformer scattering parameter values for the plurality of phased array radar antenna subarrays that may be used in modeling and calibrating a phased array radar apparatus that may be assembled from the plurality of phased array radar antenna subarrays. |
| US08686893B2 |
Radar device
A signal processing unit in a radar device calculates a change amount Y (=log(P)−log(Pb)) between a power P of a current arrival echo and a power of a previous arrival echo arrived before an observation period TSW. A memory unit in the radar device stores, every type of objects, a probability distribution of the change amount Y calculated from the arrival echo from the object. On the basis of the calculated change amount Y and the probability distribution, the signal processing unit determines a probability Pr to obtain the change amount Y every type of object, and determines that the object having the maximum probability Pr is the object which transmits the current arrival echo. |
| US08686892B2 |
Synthetic aperture radar chip level cross-range streak detector
A method of reducing cross-range streaking in a radar image includes determining a number of on-pixels in each line of at least a portion of the radar image, determining which lines have a determined number of on-pixels that exceeds a threshold number, and removing the on-pixels of lines having the determined number of on-pixels exceeding the threshold number. |
| US08686887B2 |
NFC transceiver with current converter
Exemplary embodiments are directed to near field communication A device may include a current digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to convey a current to an antenna in a first near-field communication (NFC) mode and enable for load modulation in a second NFC mode. |
| US08686886B2 |
Field device controlling system
A device monitoring unit obtains, through respective digital communication routes, a combination of a digital setting value for an analog output value to an analog communication route in a field device, a digital value of an AD converting device in an input/output unit, and one of the digital setting values stored in a memory of the input/output unit, to check the status of the communication through the analog communication route based on the values obtained. |
| US08686882B2 |
High-frequency semiconductor switch and terminal device
A high-frequency semiconductor switch includes a serial-parallel conversion circuit, a power supply circuit, and a drive circuit. In the serial-parallel conversion circuit, a parallel data signal is formed from a serial data signal input thereto. In the power supply circuit, a first positive voltage, a second positive voltage, and a negative voltage are formed from a high-potential power source supplied thereto. The drive circuit is supplied with the first positive voltage, the second positive voltage, and the negative voltage, and includes an inverter to which the parallel data signal is input and a differential type of level shifter to which the parallel data signal and the output signal of the inverter is provided. The drive circuit outputs the second positive voltage as a high level signal, and the negative voltage as a low level signal, to a switching circuit, and the switching circuit performs selective switching based thereon. |
| US08686880B2 |
Communicating electronic map data
A method of communicating electronic map data is disclosed, wherein map data is compiled as at least one cell comprising a plurality of vector data records and a plurality of feature data records to, for instance, the IHO S-57 standard. During the compilation, the respective bit lengths of a plurality of vector data values are reduced and both the bit-reduced vector data values and feature data values are entropy encoded. The compiled cell data, which may be an Electronic Navigational Chart, is then compressed, encrypted and digitally signed according to, for instance, the IHO S-63 standard. The encrypted and digitally signed cell data is eventually transmitted to a remote navigational system, which may be an Electronic Chart Display and Information System, over a network, for instance in a satellite telecommunication. A system embodying the method is also disclosed. |
| US08686876B2 |
Galley control system of aircraft
A control system is provided that adopts a communication network using wireless visible light and IR light communications in a galley of an aircraft which is subjected to limitations of aviation regulations regarding wired communications. Insert equipments each having a visible light receiving element and an IR emitting element are disposed in a galley of an aircraft, and a galley controller is disposed within the galley or a circumference area thereof having a visible light emitting panel, an IR receiving element and a display/control panel for controlling the insert equipments. A mutual communication function between the galley controller and the insert equipments and a remote control function for controlling the insert equipments from the galley controller are realized via transmission and reception of visible light communication data and IR communication data. |
| US08686873B2 |
Two-way video and 3D transmission between vehicles and system placed on roadside
A system and method for providing visual information to a driver of a first vehicle, including: at least one camera or sensor which is not on the first vehicle but which captures image data that includes a view of a road within a vicinity of the first vehicle; a decision unit which receives the image data from the camera or sensor and which identifies information in the image data which a driver of the first vehicle needs to be informed of; and a display unit on the first vehicle which displays information transmitted to the first vehicle in a view that displays information determined to be missing in the vehicle's current line of sight, so that the otherwise missing information can be observed by a driver of the first vehicle. |
| US08686871B2 |
Monitoring system and methods for monitoring machines with same
A monitoring system for use with a system is provided. The monitoring system includes a data management system that includes a database configured to store data representative of at least one operating characteristic of at least one machine. A portable display assembly is coupled to the data management system and includes at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of the machine within a predefined distance from a portion of the display assembly. The display assembly also includes a communication interface that is coupled to the data management system and is configured to receive the data. Moreover, the display assembly includes a display media that is coupled to the communication interface for presenting an output representative of the data to a user of the display assembly such that the user is enabled to view historical data of the machine and/or monitor the machine in real-time. |
| US08686869B2 |
Alignment-related operation and position sensing of electronic and other locks and other objects
A sensing system senses whether or not a lock's bolt (140), e.g. deadbolt, is aligned with a hole (150) which the bolt is to engage in the locked state. In electronic locks, the bolt is not driven into the hole until the sensing system indicates that the bolt is aligned with the hole. Another sensing system senses the position of the bolt and/or a dead-latch bar (1310). This sensing system is spaced from the bolt's end engaging the hole in order not to interfere with the alignment sensing. The two sensing systems are used to determine whether the lock is locked or unlocked. A magnet system provides alignment assistance to align the bolt with the hole before the bolt is driven into the hole. Position encoding for lock and non-lock devices, and other features and embodiments are also provided. |
| US08686867B2 |
Abnormal discharge alarm device for steam trap
An abnormal discharge alarm device is applied in a steam trap. The steam trap is installed in a pipeline of a steam system. The abnormal discharge alarm device includes a power generation component and a control circuit. The power generation component receives a fluid discharged from the steam trap and generates a self-generated electric power. The control circuit receives and detects the self-generated electric power to obtain a detection result. The control circuit sends an alarm signal when the detection result is greater than a predetermined threshold value. In addition, the abnormal discharge alarm device may further include a monitoring unit. The control circuit transmits the detection result to the monitoring unit. The monitoring unit obtains an updated threshold value according to accumulated detection results, and determines whether to send an alarm after comparing the updated threshold value with a real-time detection result. |
| US08686860B2 |
Method and apparatus for retrieving content via a service endpoint
An approach is provided for retrieving ordered content via a service endpoint. A radio frequency memory tag is preloaded with content managed by a service platform. A request is generated for content stored on the radio frequency memory tag of an endpoint associated with the service platform. Transmission of the request to the endpoint is initiated. The request for the content is received from a user equipment. Transmission of the content is initiated from the memory tag to the user equipment. The user equipment receives the content from the memory tag in response to the request. |
| US08686852B2 |
Location-based notification services
Architecture that generates a notification when a user arrives at a location, but without exposing identity of the location. Moreover, the notification can be generated and transmitted at all times. The architecture comprises a reminder service that manages all reminder requests and approvals, a notification engine that notifies a requesting user when target user arrived at a specific location or one of a general category of location, and a user interface that allows the user to set reminders that are displayed when the target user arrives at the point of interest and approves other user reminder requests. The architecture can be run on a mobile phone, and manages user requests and user approvals for location based notifications, alerts a requesting user the target user arrived at one of previously-specified points of interest. Similarly, a general category of destination can be specified, rather than a specific point of interest. |
| US08686849B2 |
Method of alarm handling in wireless sensor networks
A method of wirelessly transmitting alarm signals includes wirelessly transmitting an alarm signal from a transmitting station. It is determined whether an acknowledgement signal wirelessly transmitted from an access point in response to the access point receiving the alarm signal has been received by the transmitting station. A relaying station is woken up and kept awake during a plurality of periodic time intervals for overhearing transmissions from the transmitting station. If it is determined that an acknowledgement signal from the access point has not been received by the transmitting station, then the alarm signal is wirelessly re-transmitting from the transmitting station during at least one of the time intervals in which the relaying station is awake. The alarm signal is received at the relaying station. The alarm signal is transmitted from the relaying station to the access point. |
| US08686845B2 |
Automotive vehicle and method for advising a driver therein
An automotive vehicle may include a navigation system, a speed sensor, an audio, visual or haptic output system, and at least one controller. The controller may be configured to determine if a current speed of the vehicle exceeds a target speed of an upcoming road curvature based on information from the speed sensor and navigation system, to generate a first alert based on a selected driver type via the output system to prompt the driver to disengage the vehicle's accelerator pedal if the current speed of the vehicle exceeds the target speed of the upcoming road curvature, and to generate a second alert after the first alert based on the selected driver type via the output system to prompt the driver to engage the vehicle's brake pedal. |
| US08686844B1 |
Methods, devices, and mediums associated with risk management of vehicle operation
A system may be configured to receive input indicating an operating condition associated with a vehicle. One or more environmental parameters of vehicle operation may be identified and compared with the operating condition to determine a safety rating of the vehicle operation based, at least in part, on the comparison. The safety rating may be assigned to an account associated with an operator of the vehicle. |
| US08686843B2 |
Motor vehicle with warning system
A motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to an environment sensor for identifying a source of danger external to the vehicle and detecting at least one first direction in which the source of danger lies when viewed from the vehicle, and a loudspeaker arrangement which can be triggered, when a source of danger has been identified, to generate a warning signal which for a listener in a passenger cell of the vehicle appears to come from the first direction. The environment sensor is furthermore equipped to trigger the loudspeaker arrangement to produce a second signal following the warning signal, which for the listener appears to come from a second direction different from the first direction. |
| US08686841B2 |
Methods and systems related to activating geo-fence boundaries and collecting location data
Activating geo-fence boundaries and collecting location data. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: activating a geo-fence for a pre-determined area responsive to an event related to a vehicle; receiving Global Positioning System (GPS) signals indicative of a location of the vehicle, the receiving by an onboard device coupled to the vehicle; detecting that the vehicle has crossed the geo-fence; creating a data set comprising data regarding locations of the vehicle with respect to the geo-fence; determining a parameter associated with an existing insurance policy based on the data set. |
| US08686837B2 |
Wireless remote
Various embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods including an apparatus comprising a remote operable to receive a non-radio frequency beacon signal, the non-radio frequency beacon signal transmitted within and contained substantially within an approximate line-of-sight transmission space, the non-radio frequency beacon signal including at least one channel information portion, wherein the channel information portion includes information indicating a radio frequency, the remote operable to establish bi-directional communications using the radio frequency designated by the at least one channel information portion. |
| US08686830B2 |
Communication system including a vehicle electronic key, electronic key for use in a communication system and method for communicating information from a vehicle to a portable telecommunication terminal
The invention relates to a communication system that comprises a vehicle electronic key, a vehicle telecommunication device and a portable telecommunication terminal, the electronic key including a first transmitter and the vehicle including a first receiver, the first transmitter and the first receiver being provided for carrying out the transmission of at least one information request from the electronic key to the vehicle, the vehicle telecommunication device including at least a second transmitter, the portable telecommunication terminal including at least a second receiver, the second transmitter and the second receiver being provided for carrying out the transmission of information from the vehicle to the portable telecommunication terminal, the portable telecommunication terminal being provided for displaying at least a portion of the information on a display member of the portable telecommunication terminal. The invention also relates to an electronic key and to a method for communicating information from a vehicle to a portable telecommunication terminal. |
| US08686829B2 |
Lock code recovery system
A lock code recovery system for selectively sending a lock code to a proximate personal electronic device is provided. A recognizable code is associated with the proximate personal electronic device. The lock code recovery system includes a user input device for receiving feedback and a control module. The control module is in communication with the user input device, and has a memory with an application and at least one recognizable code stored thereon. The application has the lock code associated with the application for at least activating or deactivating the application. The control module includes control logic for monitoring the user input device for feedback indicating the lock code associated with the application should be sent to the proximate personal device. |
| US08686827B2 |
PTC element and heating-element module
An object is to provide a PTC element that can be made thinner, using a Pb-free semiconductor ceramic composition.The object is achieved with a PTC element including at least two metal electrodes and a BaTiO3 system semiconductor ceramic composition arranged between the electrodes, in which, in the semiconductor ceramic composition, a portion of Ba in the BaTiO3 system is substituted by Bi—Na and a semiconductorizing element, vacancies are formed on Bi sites by depleting at least a portion of Bi, and oxygen defects are formed on a crystal thereof. Since the PTCR characteristic at the inside of the semiconductor ceramic composition is negligibly weak in comparison with the PTCR characteristic at the interface between the semiconductor ceramic composition and the electrodes, the PTC element can be made thinner. |
| US08686824B2 |
Economical core design for electromagnetic devices
A magnetic core for an electromagnetic device is formed from alternating interleaved steel laminations. The core comprises a plurality of core elements comprising legs and yokes oriented substantially quadrature to the legs, such that abutting core elements are in substantially quadrature relation. A plurality of flux deflection zones are defined in regions where flux flows from one core element to an abutting core element. At least one of the layers has at least one core element composed of grain-oriented steel, and the remaining core elements are composed of non-grain-oriented steel, such that at least some flux deflection zones are composed of a substantial amount or substantially entirely of non-grain-oriented steel. Flux flowing in the direction of the grain orientation in the core element(s) composed of grain-oriented steel changes direction to flow through the abutting core element in the flux deflection zone composed of non-grain-oriented steel. This reduces the power losses in flux deflection zones of the core relative to cores formed entirely from grain-oriented steel, because the flux is never flowing perpendicular to the direction of the grains in the steel, while providing a design that is considerably less expensive than cores formed from non-grain-oriented steel with substantially the same level of power losses or lower. |
| US08686822B2 |
Surface mounted pulse transformer
A surface mounted pulse transformer (100) comprising a drum core (1) and a number of coils (3). The drum core includes a core (11), a first flange (12a) and a second flange (12b) disposed on both ends of the core. The number of coils wind around the core to form a primary coil and a secondary coil. A number of electrodes (40) are formed on surfaces of the first and second flanges and to be connected to an external substrate. The ends of the coils are physically and electrically connected to the electrodes. One of the electrodes has an electrode groove (401) for receiving and positioning one end of the coils. |
| US08686817B2 |
Electromagnetic relay
An electromagnetic relay includes an electromagnet part, an actuating part, a contact part and a base for holding the electromagnet part, the actuating part and the contact part. The contact part includes a pair of fixed plates having one end fixed to the base and the other end to which a fixed contact is attached, a pair of movable springs having one end fixed to the base and the other end to which a movable contact is attached, and a connecting portion extending between the movable springs and electrically connecting the movable contacts to each other. The actuating part is actuated so as to press only a part of the movable springs inside an area defined between longitudinal axes extending between one end and the other end of the movable springs through the movable contact, when the contact part closes. |
| US08686811B2 |
Stripline filter
A stripline filter having a substrate, a grounding electrode, principal-surface lines, side-surface lines, and common electrodes, and is mounted on a set substrate by soldering. The side-surface lines are disposed on a side surface of the substrate, and are wetted by solder during soldering. Each of the common electrodes is connected to a corresponding one of the principal-surface lines. The common electrodes are also connected to the grounding electrode via the side-surface lines. |
| US08686805B2 |
Oscillator, a frequency synthesizer and a network node for use in a telecommunication network
The disclosure relates to an oscillator for use in generating frequencies in a frequency synthesizer, comprising: a first inductor element forming a metal trace loop with at least one turn, and a first capacitive circuit arranged to form a first resonance circuit with the first inductor element and being connected to the first inductor element through at least one first connection terminal, wherein the first capacitive circuit comprises at least one capacitive element and an electrical components arrangement arranged to establish and maintain an oscillation. The oscillator is characterized in that a second capacitive circuit comprising at least one capacitive element and an arrangement of electrical components, is arranged to form a second resonance circuit with the first inductor element and being connected to the first inductor element through at least one second connection terminal located on the opposite side of the first inductor element in respect to the first connection terminal of the first capacitive circuit, wherein the first and second resonance circuits are tuned to substantially the same frequency. The invention also relates to a frequency synthesizer and to a network node for use in a telecommunications network. |
| US08686803B2 |
Crystal device and manufacturing method thereof
A crystal device includes; a base, a framed crystal vibrating blank in which a mesa section is formed on an upper face end bonded to a seal path on an upper surface of the base via a low melting point glass layer or a resin adhesive layer, and a lid bonded to a seal path on an upper surface of the framed crystal vibrating blank via a low melting point glass layer or a resin adhesive layer. A pillow made of low melting point glass or a resin adhesive that suppresses vibration amplitude at the time of a drop impact of the framed crystal vibrating blank is formed on a rear surface of the lid simultaneously with the low melting point glass layer or the resin adhesive layer. |
| US08686802B1 |
Bias voltage tuning of MEMS resonator operation point
A method of configuring a device comprising a MEMS resonator includes initiating operation of the device, estimating a first parameter of the MEMS resonator based on the initiated operation, the first parameter not varying with the bias voltage, monitoring the operation of the device at a plurality of levels of the bias voltage, calculating a second parameter of the MEMS resonator based on the monitored operation, the second parameter varying with the bias voltage, determining an operational level of the bias voltage based on the estimated first parameter and the calculated second parameter, and configuring the device in accordance with the determined operational level of the bias voltage. |
| US08686798B2 |
Method and system for testing oscillator circuit
An oscillator circuit generates a voltage signal. The magnitude of the voltage signal is measured and compared with predetermined upper and lower voltage signals by an internal test circuit. If the magnitude of the voltage signal is between the predetermined upper and lower voltage signals, then a pass test status signal is generated. If the magnitude of the voltage signal is not between the predetermined upper and lower voltage signals then a fail test status signal is generated. |
| US08686797B2 |
Phase locked loop circuit and communication device
There is provided a phase locked loop circuit which includes a frequency divider, a phase comparator, a filter, and an output signal oscillator. The frequency divides a feedback signal by a specific ratio and the feedback signal is used for synchronizing a phase of a reference signal and a phase of an output signal. The phase comparator compares the phases of the reference signal, the output signal, and the feedback signal and adjusts a gain of an analog signal used for generating the output signal in accordance with increase or decrease of the ratio. The filter filters the analog signal to pass signals in a specific frequency band, the gain of the analog signal having been adjusted by the phase comparator and the output signal oscillator outputs the output signal on the basis of the analog signal. |
| US08686796B2 |
RF power amplifiers with improved efficiency and output power
Amplifiers with improved efficiency and output power are described. In an exemplary design, an apparatus includes an amplifier having at least three transistors and at least two capacitors. The at least three transistors are coupled in a stack and receive and amplify an input signal and provide an output signal. The at least two capacitors include at least one capacitor coupled between the drain and source of an associated transistor for each of at least two transistors in the stack, e.g., at least one capacitor for each transistor in the stack except for the bottommost transistor in the stack. The at least two capacitors recycle energy from gate-to-source parasitic capacitors of the at least two transistors to the output signal, which improves efficiency and output power of the amplifier. |
| US08686795B2 |
Power amplifier
A power amplifier includes: an amplifier having a base into which input signals are input, a collector to which a collector voltage is supplied, and an emitter; and a bias circuit for supplying a bias current to the base of the amplifier. The bias circuit includes a first transistor having a first control terminal into which a reference voltage is input, a first terminal to which a power voltage is applied, and a second terminal connected to the base of the amplifier. A capacitance adjusting circuit elevates capacitance between a grounding point and at least one of the first control terminal and the first terminal when the collector voltage of the amplifier is lowered. |
| US08686794B2 |
Amplifying apparatus
An amplifying apparatus includes a first amplifier that amplifies a first signal of a constant amplitude; a second amplifier that amplifies a second signal identical in amplitude and differing in phase with respect to the first signal; a first transmission line of which, a first end is connected to an output terminal of the first amplifier; a second transmission line differing in length with respect to the first transmission line and of which, a first end is connected to an output terminal of the second amplifier and a second end is connected to a second end of the first transmission line; and an amplitude balance adjusting element connected to the first or the second transmission line. The amplifying apparatus outputs from a connection node of the first and the second transmission lines, a signal that is a combination of output signals of the first amplifier and of the second amplifier. |
| US08686792B2 |
Amplifying device
A supply voltage controller 11 includes a simplified envelope creating unit 111 that calculates an envelope of an input audio signal according to an input audio signal from an external device, creates a supply voltage control signal so that a waveform of the supply voltage control signal follows a waveform of the envelope, and outputs the supply voltage control signal to a voltage variable power supply 12 a constant time before the input audio signal is amplified by the amplifier 14. Accordingly, an amplifying device can be provided which can reduce the distortion of the output signal not depending on a change in the slew rate of the voltage variable power supply 12 and suppress the deterioration of power efficiency. |
| US08686791B2 |
Amplifying apparatus and distortion compensation method
An amplifying apparatus includes: a plurality of amplifiers; a linear combiner receiving a plurality of leakage signals resulting from cross leakage between outputs of the plurality of amplifiers and performing a linear combination of level values of the plurality of leakage signals to generate a plurality of linear combination signals; and an output calculator calculating real level values of a plurality of output amplified signals of the amplifiers from level values of the linear combination signals. |
| US08686785B2 |
Level shifter
A level shifter includes a resistor R1 connected to a power source, a MOSFET MN3 having a drain connected to the resistor R1 and a grounded source, a resistor R2 having the same resistance of the resistor R1 and connected to the power source, a MOSFET MN4 having a drain to the resistor R2 and a grounded source, a pulse generator 10 controlling ON/OFF of the MOSFETs MN3 and MN4 according to an input signal, a control part generating a set signal when the MOSFET MN3 is ON and a reset signal when the MOSFET MN4 is ON, a flip-flop that providing, according to the set and reset signals, an output signal level-shifted of the input signal to operate a switching element Q1, and a switching operation control part detecting when reference potential decreases to negative and stopping the switching element Q1. |
| US08686782B2 |
Structure for a frequency adaptive level shifter circuit
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a frequency adaptive level shifter circuit. The frequency adaptive level shifter circuit includes a first inverter, a second inverter coupled to the output of the first inverter, a capacitor coupled to the output of the second inverter, and a resistor coupled to the output of the capacitor. The frequency adaptive level shifter circuit further includes a transistor coupled to the output of the resistor, wherein the transistor has a gate connected to a reference voltage, a third inverter coupled to the output of the capacitor, and a fourth inverter coupled to the output of the third inverter and the transistor and outputting the signal. |
| US08686781B2 |
Voltage-mode driver with controllable output swing
A circuit includes a first node, a second node, a pull-up circuit selectively coupled to the first node or the second node, a pull-down circuit selectively coupled to the first node or the second node, and a resistive circuit. The circuit is configured to operate in a full-swing mode or in a de-emphasis mode based on an electrical coupling of the resistive circuit between the first node and the second node. |
| US08686780B2 |
Low distortion MOS attenuator
An attenuation circuit uses a voltage controlled variable resistance transistor as a signal attenuator for receivers operating in the zero Hz to about 30 MHz range. The transistor functions in the linear region to linearize the transistor resistance characteristics used for signal attenuation. In an exemplary application, the attenuation circuit is used as an RF attenuator for AM radio broadcast receivers and amplifiers with automatic gain control. Multiple attenuation circuits can be coupled in parallel, each attenuation circuit having a different sized variable resistance transistor, to form sequentially activated stages that increase the range of attenuation while minimizing distortion. |
| US08686777B1 |
Methods and circuits for enabling slew rate programmability and compensation of input/output circuits
Various embodiments of circuits and methods for enabling a slew rate programmability and compensation of input/output circuits are provided. The circuit includes a delay code generation circuit and at least one input/output (I/O) circuit. The delay code generation circuit is configured to receive a clock signal and a delay factor and generate a compensated delay code based on the clock signal or a combination of the delay factor and the clock signal. The I/O circuit includes a plurality of delay lines associated, integrated or communicatively associated with the delay code generation circuit and is configured to program the plurality of delay lines so as to generate a predetermined delay corresponding to the compensated delay code in order to achieve a predetermined slew rate of the I/O circuit. |
| US08686773B1 |
In-system margin measurement circuit
A margin circuit for controlling skew between first and second signals in order to determine margin, includes a variable delay circuit and a margin controller. Based on a current code value, the delay circuit applies a delay to the second signal to generate a delayed second signal. The margin controller generates the current code value for the variable delay circuit to be any one of a plurality of available code values. In one embodiment, the margin circuit is a write margin circuit that generates a first clock signal and a delayed second clock signal used to generate transmit (TX) clock and data signals having a non-zero phase offset between them. In another embodiment, the margin circuit is a read margin circuit that applies a phase offset between receive (RX) clock and data signals to enable the RX clock signal to be used to recover data from the RX data signal. |
| US08686772B2 |
Frequency multiplier and method of multiplying frequency
A frequency multiplier in accordance with some embodiments of the inventive concept may include a pulse generator receiving a differential clock signal from a delay locked loop having a plurality of delay cells to generate a pulse signal for generation of a multiplication clock signal. The pulse generator comprises an intermediate pulse signal generation unit receiving the differential clock signal to generate intermediate pulse signals; and an overlap correction unit correcting an overlap between the intermediate pulse signals to generate correction pulse signals. |
| US08686768B2 |
Phase locked loop
A phase locked loop includes a phase detector configured to compare a phase of an input clock with a phase of a feedback clock to produce a phase comparison result, an initial frequency value provider configured to detect a frequency of the input clock and provide a frequency detection result, a controller configured to generate a frequency control signal based on the phase comparison result and the frequency detection result, and an oscillator configured to generate an output clock in response to the frequency control signal. |
| US08686762B2 |
Half open-loop-controlled LIN transmitter
An LIN transmitter includes a current mirror coupled to a transmit output node and a control circuit coupled to a transmit input node for controlling the current mirror with various load current control signals. |
| US08686756B2 |
Time-to-digital converter and digital-controlled clock generator and all-digital clock generator
An all-digital clock generator includes a digitally-controlled clock generator and a processing unit. The digitally-controlled clock generator generates a clock signal in response to an enable signal and a digital signal. The processing unit has a frequency multiplier and a reference signal having a period, digitizes the period to generate a quantized signal, generates the digital signal according to the quantized signal and the frequency multiplier, and generates the enable signal according to the reference signal, the clock signal and the frequency multiplier. |
| US08686750B2 |
Method for evaluating semiconductor device
To provide a simple method for evaluating reliability of a transistor, a simple test which correlates with a bias-temperature stress test (BT test) is performed instead of the BT test. Specifically, a gate current value is measured in the state where a voltage lower than the threshold voltage of an n-channel transistor whose channel region includes an oxide semiconductor is applied between a gate and a source of the transistor and a potential applied to a drain is higher than a potential applied to the gate. The evaluation of the gate current value can be simply performed compared to the case where the BT test is performed; for example, it takes short time to measure the gate current value. That is, reliability of a semiconductor device including the transistor can be easily evaluated. |
| US08686748B2 |
System and method for modulation mapping
An apparatus for providing modulation mapping is disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser source, a motion mechanism providing relative motion between the laser beam and the DUT, signal collection mechanism, which include a photodetector and appropriate electronics for collecting modulated laser light reflected from the DUT, and a display mechanism for displaying a spatial modulation map which consists of the collected modulated laser light over a selected time period and a selected area of the IC. |
| US08686747B2 |
Monitoring a suspension and traction means of an elevator system
A monitoring device for a suspension-and-traction apparatus of an elevator system that includes at least one electrically conductive cord contains a measurement apparatus for determining a resulting resistance. The measurement apparatus is connected to the cord with contacting elements contacting opposite ends of cord. Damage to the suspension-and-traction apparatus is detected by a contact point that can register protruding conductive parts of the cord and, in another embodiment, the contacting elements each contain a plurality of mutually differing resistance elements such that each of at least two electrically conductive cords of the suspension-and-traction apparatus is connected to the monitoring device through two of the resistance elements. |
| US08686743B2 |
Substrate, substrate holding apparatus, analysis apparatus, program, detection system, semiconductor device, display apparatus, and semiconductor manufacturing apparatus
A substrate including a sensor unit, wherein the sensor unit includes a coil wound at least once arranged on the surface of the sensor or embedded within and near the surface thereof. With such an arrangement, an electric current that corresponds to information with respect to the substrate (e.g., the temperature of the substrate or the amount of charge stored in the substrate) flows through the coil. |
| US08686740B2 |
Calibration method for inertial drive actuator, and inertial drive actuator device
A calibration method for an inertial drive actuator of detecting a position of a moving body based on an electrostatic capacitance is proposed. The calibration method includes driving the moving body; outputting a first signal for detecting the electrostatic capacitance of opposing parts of a moving body side electrode provided on the moving body and a detecting electrode provided opposing the moving body side electrode; receiving a second signal obtained after the first signal output at the outputting has passed through the moving body side electrode and the detecting electrode; and calculating an optimum first signal based on the second signal received at the receiving. |
| US08686739B2 |
Programmable gain trans-impedance amplifier overload recovery circuit
Embodiments of an apparatus for measuring the leakage current of capacitive components is taught. One embodiment includes a first stage amplifier configured to receive an input from a serially-connected capacitive component at an inverting input and a feedback resistor in a feedback path of the first stage amplifier. A resistance value of the feedback resistor is programmable based on an expected value of the leakage current and a corresponding voltage output. |
| US08686738B2 |
Electrical safety devices and systems for use with electrical wiring, and methods for using same
Disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring an electrical wire. A safety device utilized to monitor the wire may include at least one current sensing device, at least one voltage sensing device, and at least one processing component. The current sensing device measures a current on at least one conductor of the wire. The voltage sensing device measures a voltage associated with the safety device. The at least one processing component receives the measurements and identifies, based upon the current measurement, an overcurrent event. The processing component then compares the voltage measurement to a stored voltage value and determines, based upon the comparison, that a difference between the voltage measurement and the stored voltage value satisfies a threshold condition. The processing component directs, based upon the determination, at least one relay to be opened to discontinue provision of an electrical power signal onto the electrical wire. |
| US08686736B2 |
System and method for testing a radio frequency integrated circuit
In an embodiment, a method of testing a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) includes generating high frequency test signals using the on-chip test circuit, measuring signal levels using on-chip power detectors, and controlling and monitoring the on-chip test circuit using low frequency signals. The RFIC circuit is configured to operate at high frequencies, and an on-chip test circuit that includes frequency generation circuitry configured to operate during test modes. |
| US08686734B2 |
System and method for determining radio frequency identification (RFID) system performance
A system for determining radio frequency identification (RFID) performance includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) system having at least one antenna and at least one reader configured to receive an RF indication from an RFID tag and is configured to provide RFID data and an RFID time stamp relating to the at least one antenna. A motion capture video system has at least one camera and a processing system including a recognizable element located proximate to the RFID tag and is configured to provide position data relating to the position of the recognizable element and a motion capture time stamp. An RFID/motion capture system is configured to receive the RFID data, the RFID time stamp, the position data relating to the recognizable element and the motion capture time stamp and to correlate the RFID data and the position data and provide a correlated RFID and motion capture signal. |
| US08686730B2 |
System for streamer electrical resistivity survey and method for analysis of underground structure below a riverbed
A system for measuring electrical resistivity survey checks a border of bedrock or a thickness of a sedimentary layer in a riverbed of a river or lake within a short time. A method for analysis of an underground structure of a riverbed using the same is also provided. The system for streamer electric resistivity survey using a survey boat includes a streamer cable connected to the survey boat and having a plurality of electrodes attached thereto, a multi-channel resistivity meter loaded on the survey boat to measure electric resistivity from the plurality of electrodes, a first RTK GPS (Real Time Kinematic Global Positioning System) loaded on the survey boat to measure a position of the survey boat in real time, and a second RTK GPS installed to a tail of the streamer cable to measure a position of the tail in real time. |
| US08686728B2 |
System for adapting an RF transmission magnetic field for image acquisition
A system generates a Radio Frequency (RF) magnetic field in an MR imaging unit using an RF transmitting coil for generating a Radio Frequency (RF) magnetic field and multiple RF receiver coils for receiving RF signals for Magnetic Resonance (MR) image data acquisition. An RF transmission coil generates an RF magnetic field. An RF receiver coil receives an RF signal for MR image data acquisition and couples a magnetic field from the RF receiver coil to the RF transmission coil for adaptively altering the RF magnetic field generated by the RF transmission coil to reduce inhomogeneity in the RF magnetic field generated by the RF transmission coil in response to applying an RF pulse to the RF transmission coil. An adjustment processor adjusts characteristics of the RF receiver coil to alter the RF magnetic field generated by the RF transmission coil. |
| US08686726B2 |
RF shimming with RF power regularization using a multi-channel RF transmit system for MRI
A magnetic resonance system includes a magnetic resonance scanner having a multi-channel RF transmit system; an RF shimming processor configured to compute complex amplitude values for operative channels of the multi-channel RF transmit system based on a figure-of-merit including a weighted combination of a B1 uniformity measure and a total power measure. An RF transmit sub-system is configured to drive the multi-channel RF transmit system to excite magnetic resonance using the complex amplitude values computed by the RF shimming processor for the operative channels of the multi-channel RF transmit system. |
| US08686723B2 |
Determining the larmor frequency for NMR tools
The Larmor frequency for an in situ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool is determined and used to acquire NMR data. An NMR tool is provided and placed in situ, for example, in a wellbore. An initial estimate of the Larmor frequency for the in situ NMR tool is made and NMR data are acquired using the in situ NMR tool. A spectral analysis is performed on the NMR data, or optionally, the NMR data are digitized and a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) is performed on the digitized NMR data. The modal frequency of the spectral analysis or DFT is determined, and the Larmor frequency for the in situ NMR tool is determined using the modal frequency. The NMR tool is modified to transmit at the determined Larmor frequency and then used to acquire further NMR data. |
| US08686721B2 |
Automated pre-processing of body-mounted magnetometer data from constellations of low earth orbit satellites for derivation of birkeland current signatures
A system, method and computer-readable medium for mapping magnetic activity for a current linking a planet's space environment to an ionosphere of the planet are disclosed. Magnetic field measurements of the current are obtained from a plurality of satellites orbiting the planet. A residual magnetic field is determined from the obtained magnetic field measurements. The determined residual magnetic field is arranged to create a time series for a selected location of a planet-centered coordinate system. The magnetic activity is mapped using the created time series for the selected location. |
| US08686720B2 |
Motion sensor, method, and computer-readable storage medium providing a motion sensor with a validated output signal from the motion sensor
A motion sensor has an output protocol processor configured to provide a validated output signal after a determined time period, wherein the determined time period is extended if a vibration is detected. |
| US08686713B2 |
In-water voltage gradient detector
A voltage gradient detector provides notice when a potentially hazardous voltage gradient is present in water, employing at least one pair of spaced-apart electrodes connected to an LED. The electrode spacing is selected such that, when exposed to a sufficiently large voltage gradient, the voltage between the electrodes causes activation of the LED. The LED can provide visual illumination, or can be a part of a switching device such as a photoMOS relay that in turn activates an alarm device such as an audible sounder or a high-intensity light. Sensitivity in multiple directions can be attained by employing a pair of LEDs between the electrodes, and by employing three pairs of electrodes and associated LED pairs, with the pairs of electrodes being spaced apart along substantially orthogonal axes. These pairs may be discrete or may share an electrode in common. |
| US08686712B2 |
Time stretch enhanced recording scope
A time-stretched enhanced recording scope (TiSER) is described using time stretch analog-to-digital conversion in a real-time burst mode. A chirped optical signal is modulated in response to receiving segments of an input signal. The optical signal with its modulated input signal, is stretched through an optical medium and digitized to represent the waveform segment. TiSER provides ultra-fast real-time sampling within short segment bursts of the original input signal while providing an ability to detect non-repetitive events. Methods and apparatus are also described for providing real-time information about inter-symbol information (ISI), rapidly determining bit-error rates (BER), performing time-domain reflectometry (TDR), generating eye diagrams for serial data, facilitating digital correction of data, clock recovery, optical carrier phase recovery, and otherwise increasing the speed and/or accuracy of a diverse range of high-speed signal measurement and processing activities. |
| US08686711B2 |
High-frequency measuring device and high-frequency measuring device calibration method
A method for calibrating a high frequency measuring device so as to accurately measure plasma processing parameters within a chamber. A calibration parameter is calculated from a first set of three reference loads measured by a high frequency measurement device. A second calibration parameter is calculated from S parameters measured between a connection point where the high-frequency measuring device is connected and the inside of the chamber of a plasma processing device. A second set of three reference loads, which include the impedance previously calculated and encompass a range narrower than that encompassed by the first set of three reference loads, is measured with the reference loads in the chamber. Another calibration parameter is calculated from the measured impedances of the second set of three reference loads measured by the high- frequency measuring device, and the true values of those impedances, and a detected voltage signal and a detected current signal are calibrated using the above calibration parameters. |
| US08686709B2 |
Apparatus and method for counting and identifying particles of interest in a fluid
Apparatus and associate method including a substrate having a first surface; a lid having a second surface; at least one spacer element interposed between the substrate and the lid so as to maintain the first and second surface spaced apart; a partition with a plurality of nanometric size through-openings interposed between the spacer element and the lid defining a first chamber a second chamber fluidically connected together through at least one of the openings; the substrate has at least one first electrode on the first surface and the lid has a second electrode, the first electrode being configured to detect an electric signal associated to the passage of one of said particles through one of the through-openings. |
| US08686701B2 |
Active wire compensation circuit and controller with the same
An active wire compensation circuit, adapted to compensate a level of an output voltage detecting signal, is disclosed. A feedback controller controls a converting circuit according to the compensated output voltage detecting signal to have a load voltage for driving a load stabilized at a predetermined voltage level. The active wire compensation circuit comprises a compensating unit and a feedback compensating unit. The compensating unit detects the load current flowing through the load and accordingly generates a compensating current. The feedback compensating unit modulates the level of the output voltage detecting signal according to the compensating current and generates the compensated output voltage detecting signal. |
| US08686698B2 |
Power converter with controller operable in selected modes of operation
A power converter and method of controlling the same for selected modes of operation. In one embodiment, the power converter includes a first power switch coupled to a source of electrical power and a second power switch coupled to the first power switch and to an output terminal of the power converter. The power converter also includes a controller configured to control an operation of the first and second power switches during selected modes of operation. |
| US08686694B2 |
Discharge circuit for smoothing capacitor of DC power supply
A discharge circuit for a DC power supply smoothing capacitor that is used in a power conversion device that supplies DC power via a switch to the DC power supply smoothing capacitor and an inverter, includes; a resistor that discharges charge in the capacitor; a switch connected in series with the resistor, that either passes or intercepts discharge current flowing from the capacitor to the resistor; a measurement circuit that measures a terminal voltage of the capacitor; and a control circuit that controls continuity and discontinuity of the switch; wherein the control circuit, after having made the switch continuous and starting discharge of the capacitor by the resistor, if a terminal voltage of the capacitor as measured by the measurement circuit exceeds a voltage decrease characteristic set in advance, makes the switch discontinuous and stops discharge by the resistor. |
| US08686687B2 |
Method and system for co-operative charging of electric vehicles
A method and system provide for the cooperative charging of electric vehicles. By using power line communications, chargers of the electric vehicles who are serviced by the same distribution transformer can form self-contained local area networks due to the nature of power line communications (PLCs). Alternatively, or in addition to the PLCs, other communication networks, such as the Internet and local area networks, may be used as part of the communications infrastructure for the chargers. After the chargers of the electric vehicles are coupled to one another through power line communications or traditional communications networks, they can form a logical token ring network. According to this token ring network, a predetermined number of tokens can be assigned within the token ring network for permitting chargers with tokens to charge respective electric vehicles while chargers without tokens must wait until they receive a token to initiate charging. |
| US08686686B2 |
System and method for use in charging an electrically powered vehicle
A method of delivering power from a power supply to an electric vehicle is described herein. The method includes receiving, by a charging station from the electric vehicle, a request to deliver power from the power supply to the electric vehicle. A signal that is indicative of a unique identifier associated with the electric vehicle is received, and the charging station determines whether the unique vehicle identifier is associated with a stolen electric vehicle, and delivers power, from the charging device to the electric vehicle, after determining the unique identifier is not associated with a stolen electric vehicle. |
| US08686685B2 |
Secure apparatus for wirelessly transferring power and communicating with one or more slave devices
Some embodiments provide a system for charging devices. The system includes a master device and a slave device. Some embodiments provide a method for charging devices in a system that includes a slave device and a master device. The slave device includes (1) an antenna to receive a radio frequency (RF) beam and (2) a power generation module connected to the antenna that converts RF energy received by the slave antenna to power. The master device includes (1) a directional antenna to direct RF power to the antenna of the slave device and (2) a module that provides power to the directional antenna of the master device. |
| US08686683B2 |
Charge clip
A charge clip having a main body and plug received through an aperture therein includes a cradle for holding a personal electronic instrument (PEI) thereon. The plug is inserted into a wall outlet and the main body is selectively rotationally moveable with respect to the plug so that the main body is maintained in a vertical orientation regardless of the orientation of the wall outlet. The plug includes at least one rib that is selectively engageable with at least one notch formed in the aperture, preventing rotational movement of the main body with respect to the plug. The plug further includes an AC/DC conversion circuit that converts standard AC power from the wall outlet to DC power for charging the PEI. The charge clip further includes at least one USB port in electrical communication with the AC/DC conversion circuit that receives a USB plug in electrical communication with the PEI. |
| US08686682B2 |
Power supply for battery powered devices
An auxiliary power supply (150) includes an auxiliary battery (152), power supply circuitry (154), and a connector (108b). The power supply circuitry (154) supplies an output which provides electrical energy for powering the electrical circuitry (102) of a battery powered device (100) and for recharging a battery (104) associated therewith. In one embodiment, the power supply circuitry (154) supplies an output current which is a function of the charge state of the auxiliary battery (152) and a load current presented by the electrical circuitry (102). |
| US08686681B2 |
Power supply apparatus for electronic,electrical, and electromechanical installations
An apparatus for power supply to electronic, electrical or electromechanical equipment, the apparatus including a chargeable power source in the form of at least one high energy capacitor package (1); equipment control unit (3) for controlling power supply to the equipment, a power source control unit (2) for controlled charging and discharging of the power source, and a means (4; 10′; 11′; 12′) for power supply from an external energy source (10; 11; 12) to the power source control unit (2). |
| US08686679B2 |
Robot confinement
A method of confining a robot in a work space includes providing a portable barrier signal transmitting device including a primary emitter emitting a confinement beam primarily along an axis defining a directed barrier. A mobile robot including a detector, a drive motor and a control unit controlling the drive motor is caused to avoid the directed barrier upon detection by the detector on the robot. The detector on the robot has an omnidirectional field of view parallel to the plane of movement of the robot. The detector receives confinement light beams substantially in a plane at the height of the field of view while blocking or rejecting confinement light beams substantially above or substantially below the plane at the height of the field of view. |
| US08686677B2 |
Synchonrous oscillating fan system for livestock shelter
A synchronous fan system is provided which intermittently calibrates the fans by rotating periodically the fans each to a common stop position. |
| US08686674B2 |
Method for controlling brushless DC motor
A method for controlling a brushless DC motor, comprising transmitting a phase-inversion signal to a motor control unit by a rotor position detecting unit after a motor enters a stable state, advancing or delaying phase shift by the motor control unit at an offset electrical angle, recording and comparing phase current values In at different offset electrical angles whereby obtaining an optimum offset angle αm corresponding to the minimum phase current value Imin, and advancing or delaying phase shift by the motor at the optimum offset angle αm. As the motor enters a stable state, the motor advances or delays phase shift at the optimum offset angle αm, at this time operating current of a coil winding of the motor is the minimum, which saves power and reduces cost. |
| US08686673B2 |
Control device for electric rotary machine
A control device controls a power conversion circuit so as to adjust control values of a motor generator to optimum values. The power conversion circuit has switching elements for selectively connecting and disconnecting a battery and terminals of the motor generator. The control device sets a simulated voltage vector V(n+1) in one control-period forward to perform a prediction model control. On predicting a current, the control device uses a model in a rotary coordinate system, and sets the median value of the voltage vector V(n+1) in one control-period Tc to a value of the voltage vector V(n+1) in the rotary coordinate system. The control device sets, as the value of the voltage vector V(n+1) in the rotary coordinate system, the voltage vector V(n+1) when the half-time of the control-period Tc is elapsed from the time at the electric angle θ(n+1). |
| US08686672B2 |
Motor control device and electric power steering device
A current command value computation section 22 is provided with a q-axis current command value correction section 31 and an expected voltage utilization factor computation section 32. The expected voltage utilization factor computation section 32 estimates an expected voltage utilization factor f based on a rotational angular velocity ω of a motor 12, a q-axis current command value Iq*, and a power voltage Vb (the maximum voltage Vmax). The expected voltage utilization factor f is the ratio of required output voltage to the maximum voltage Vmax applicable to a drive circuit 18. Based on the expected voltage utilization factor f, the q-axis current command value correction section 31 corrects the q-axis current command value Iq* such that the corrected expected voltage utilization factor f does not exceed a predetermined value that corresponds to the voltage saturation limit. |
| US08686670B2 |
Method and apparatus for calibrating and testing brake holding torque
A system and method for determining the holding torque of a brake in a material handling system is disclosed. The material handling system may include a bridge, a trolley, and a hoist, each driven along a different axis by a motor. A brake is operatively coupled to the motor to prevent unwanted motion of the motor. A motor controller is coupled to each motor which controls operation of the motor and its corresponding brake. The motor controller generates a torque command to the motor while keeping the brake set. The initial torque command is less than the holding torque of the brake. The torque command is incremented until motion is detected on the motor. The torque value when motion is detected is stored in the motor controller and displayed to an operator. |
| US08686669B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a linear motion system
A method of controlling a linear motion system has a linear synchronous motor comprising a stator and at least two carrier units moveable in relation to the stator, the stator comprising a number of coil units, each of the at least two carrier units comprising a magnetic unit including an array of alternate-pole magnets having a regular magnet pole-pitch, wherein in order to form a train the at least two carrier units are arranged relative to each other so that the mutual distance between two identically poled magnets of two different magnetic units is an integer multiple of the magnet pole-pitch. |
| US08686668B2 |
Current offset circuits for phase-cut power control
Apparatus for maintaining at least a holding current in a leading-edge phase-cut dimmer during a period of transient voltage variations, the apparatus connectable to the dimmer and connectable to a load connected to draw current from the dimmer. The apparatus may comprise an edge detector connected to receive a voltage from the dimmer and generate a leading-edge signal in response to a leading-edge of a phase-cut waveform, and a current offset circuit connected to receive the leading-edge signal and draw a supplementary offset current in response to the leading-edge signal, wherein the supplementary offset current is sufficient to maintain at least a holding current in the dimmer during the period of transient voltage variations. The current offset circuit may comprise a holding current circuit which also draws supplementary current in response to an instantaneous value of load current. |
| US08686664B2 |
Method and system for automated lighting control and monitoring
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to automated control of lighting systems at individual-light-fixture, local, regional, and larger-geographical-area levels. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a hierarchical lighting-control system including an automated network-control center that may control up to many millions of individual lighting fixtures and lighting elements, regional routers interconnected to the network-control center or network-control centers by public communications networks, each of which controls hundreds to thousands of individual light fixtures, and light-management units, interconnected to regional routers by radio-frequency communications and/or power-line communications, each of which controls components within a lighting fixture, including lighting elements, associated ballasts, sensors, and other devices. |
| US08686659B2 |
Multiple lamp lighting level ballast for series connected lamps
A ballast that selectively operates multiple lamps is provided. The ballast includes a switching network, capable of operating in a number of switching configurations. The ballast also includes a control circuit, and two lamp control switches. The control circuit is connected to the switching network, and provides respective control signals via respective output terminals as a function of the switching configuration of the switching network. Each lamp control switch is in parallel with its lamp and is connected to a respective output terminal. The first lamp control switch is connected to a ballast power supply, and either provides power to the first lamp or does not, depending on the first control signal. The second lamp control switch is connected to the first lamp control switch and to ground, and either provides power to the second lamp or does not, depending on the second control signal. |
| US08686652B2 |
Reference voltage generating circuit and LED driver circuit having the same therein
A reference voltage generating circuit used for a light-emitting diode (LED) driver circuit and a light-emitting diode (LED) driver circuit are provided. A reference voltage generating circuit used for a light-emitting diode (LED) driver circuit includes a voltage measurer configured to sequentially measure feedback voltages of a plurality of LED arrays, the LED arrays being connected to one another in parallel, a quantizer configured to search for one of the plurality of LED arrays having a lowest feedback voltage of the measured feedback voltages, a comparator configured to compare an output of the voltage measurer with a preset comparison voltage to generate a reference voltage, and a timing controller configured to control the comparator to output the generated reference voltage corresponding to the one of the plurality of LED arrays. |
| US08686650B2 |
LED backlight device
An LED backlight device includes an inverter having an input connected to a DC power supply to provide an output AC current. A plurality of transformers are each configured to drop AC current input from the inverter. Input sides of the transformers are connected in series to an output of the inverter and output sides of the transformers are disposed in parallel. A plurality of full-wave rectification circuits are respectively connected to the output sides of the transformers and full-wave rectify the dropped AC currents, respectively. A plurality of smoothing circuits are respectively connected to outputs of the full-wave rectification circuits, and are configured to smooth the full-wave rectified currents to output DC currents, respectively. A plurality of LED strings are respectively connected to the outputs of the smoothing circuits and each of the LED strings have a plurality of LEDs. |
| US08686648B2 |
Lighting applications with light transmissive optic contoured to produce tailored light output distribution
The present application relates to a lighting applications. In particular, the present application describes examples of lighting fixtures and light bulbs containing a light transmissive optic. The orientation of the solid state emitters together with the contoured output surface of the light transmissive optic produce a tailored light output distribution over a designated planar surface. The light generated by the solid state light emitters is of a sufficient intensity to illuminate the designated planar surface. |
| US08686646B2 |
Illuminating device
Disclosed is an illuminating device which has: a first illuminating lamp which is disposed at a first predetermined position and is identifiable; a second illuminating lamp which is disposed at a second predetermined position having a predetermined relationship with the first predetermined position and is identifiable; a determining means which determines the mutual relationship between the first illuminating lamp and the second illuminating lamp; and a transmitting means which transmits identifiable control signals to the first illuminating lamp and the second illuminating lamp, respectively, so as to achieve the determination made by the determining means. |
| US08686645B2 |
LED protection circuit
Disclosed is an LED protection circuit using a one-shot vibrator. The LED protection circuit includes an LED module; an LED load-open detection circuit for detecting a voltage applied to the LED module to vary a reference potential; a latch circuit for maintaining a latch state according to the reference potential of the LED load-open detection circuit; a current limit circuit for receiving an output signal from the latch circuit to output a first signal; an LED load connection detection circuit for varying the reference potential through the first signal to output a second signal; a trigger input circuit connected to the LED load connection detection circuit for outputting a third signal using the second signal; and a one-shot vibrator for outputting a fourth signal of a square waveform during a predetermined time when the third signal is input. |
| US08686642B2 |
Stabilized high brightness LED suitable as calibration standard
A high brightness LED (102) is precisely controlled. The temperature of the LED (102) is controlled via controlled thermal resistance (300), measurement of the base temperature (302) and careful power monitoring of the LED (102). |
| US08686640B2 |
Magnetic field reduction apparatus and magnetic plasma flood system for ion beam processing
An ion beam processing system includes a plasma generator with a magnetic flood system. Magnets are provided for reducing the transverse magnetic field in the ion beam transport region of the plasma flood device so as to control charging damage or to neutralize beam space charge in ion beam processing and semiconductor ion implantation. The system is especially adapted for beam lines with ribbon beams. |
| US08686638B2 |
Lighting device having a plurality of light sources
A lighting device having a plurality of light sources includes several superimposed layers. The superimposed layers include a first and a second electrically conductive layer, which are designed so as to create an alternating electrical field between the layers. The superimposed layers also have an electrically insulating layer between the electrically conductive layers and a luminescent layer between the electrically conductive layers. Electroluminescent material is arranged within the luminescent layer in several adjacent and spatially separated regions, each region forming a light source. As a result, a simulated starry sky may be provided when the lighting device is used with an aircraft interior trim panel. |
| US08686635B2 |
Organic light emitting diode lighting apparatus
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) lighting apparatus includes an OLED lighting module, and a socket board for mounting the OLED lighting module, wherein the OLED lighting module includes a substrate body including an emission region and a sealing region surrounding the emission region, an OLED on the substrate body, a sealant on the sealing region of the substrate body, and including a conductive member electrically coupled to the OLED, a printed circuit board (PCB) bonded to the substrate body by the sealant for sealing and covering the OLED, and including external input terminals electrically coupled to the conductive member, and an affixing unit on the external input terminals, and wherein the socket board has a supporting unit coupled to the affixing unit for attaching the OLED lighting module thereto. |
| US08686633B2 |
Organic light emitting display device and method for manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting display device (OLED) includes: a substrate; a first anode layer disposed on the substrate and including a plurality of first projections; a second anode layer formed on the first anode layer and including a plurality of second projections; an organic emission layer formed on the second anode layer; and a cathode layer formed on the organic emission layer. As a result, the anodes are formed to have a double projection structure to enhance light extraction efficiency. |
| US08686632B2 |
Organic electroluminescent device
An organic electroluminescent device having a plurality of pixels, the device comprising: an anode formed on a substrate; an organic electroluminescent layer formed on the anode in each well of a well-defining layer to form the plurality of pixels; a cathode layer on the electroluminescent layer and a layer of metal on the top surface of the well-defining layer; wherein a conductive layer is deposited over the cathode layer and the metal layer to electrically connect the cathode layer on the electroluminescent layer with the metal layer on the top surface of the well-defining layer. |
| US08686631B2 |
Phosphor particle group and light emitting apparatus using the same
Provided is a phosphor particle group of divalent europium-activated oxynitride green light emitting phosphor particles each of which is a β-type SiAlON substantially represented by a general formula: EuaSibAlcOdNe, where 0.005≦a≦0.4, b+c=12, d+e=16, wherein 60% or more of the phosphor particle group is composed of the phosphor particles in which a value obtained by dividing a longer particle diameter by a shorter particle diameter is greater than 1.0 and not greater than 3.0. A high-efficiency and stable light emitting apparatus using a β-type SiAlON, which includes a light converter using the phosphor particle group, and a phosphor particle group therefor are also provided. |
| US08686625B1 |
Engineered-phosphor LED packages and related methods
In accordance with certain embodiments, a phosphor element at least partially surrounding a light-emitting die is shaped to influence color-temperature divergence. |
| US08686619B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator, liquid transport apparatus, and method for producing piezoelectric actuator
A piezoelectric actuator is provided, including a piezoelectric layer which is joined to a joining member and which has a coefficient of linear expansion smaller than a coefficient of linear expansion of the joining member; a first electrode which is arranged on one surface of the piezoelectric layer; a second electrode which is arranged on a portion of the one surface of the piezoelectric layer different from the first electrode and which is in conduction with the first electrode; and a low dielectric layer which is formed between the piezoelectric layer and the second electrode and which has a dielectric constant lower than a dielectric constant of the piezoelectric layer. |
| US08686618B2 |
Vibrating device, and drive device, dust removing device, and optical device which include the vibrating device
A vibrating device includes a vibrator having multiple electromechanical energy converting elements, with the vibrating device generating a first standing wave and a second standing wave in the vibrator with a predetermined time phase difference. The first standing wave and the second standing wave having multiple nodal lines aligned in the same direction and being different in terms of an order. A first electromechanical energy converting element is disposed at a first portion, and a second electromechanical energy converting element is disposed at a second portion. The first portion extends in a first direction parallel to one of the multiple nodal lines, and the second portion extends in a second direction which crosses the first direction. |
| US08686617B2 |
Circuit for compensating influence of temperature on a resonator
The invention relates to a device for compensating influence of temperature on a resonator circuit. The device comprises a resonator circuit and a supply unit for supplying an electric bias signal to the resonator circuit, wherein the supply unit is adapted for adjusting the electric bias signal for compensating influence of temperature on the resonator circuit. |
| US08686606B2 |
Cooling device
A cooling device includes an inner sleeve with an outer surface, an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve, and two end portions extending between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve at the ends. The inner sleeve, the outer sleeve and the end portions define a peripheral space. A flow guiding structure defines N channels in the peripheral space for coolant to flow, where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1. Each channel has at least two branches, and N pairs of inlet and outlet corresponding to the N channels. The branches of each channel are in fluid communication with a respective pair of inlet and outlet. Each branch extends over a half circumferential part of the outer surface of the inner sleeve. An electric motor incorporating the cooling device is also provided. |
| US08686601B2 |
Power conversion apparatus for vehicle use
A power conversion apparatus for vehicle use having a small size and a light weight is obtained. The power conversion apparatus is provided with: a plurality of semiconductor modules in which semiconductor devices are molded with a resin, and each of which has a module body, an input terminal, and an output terminal; a heat sink of a rectangular parallelepiped shape which has cooling principal planes on opposite surfaces thereof, respectively, for cooling these semiconductor modules; and a plurality of control boards which control the driving of the semiconductor modules. Each of the semiconductor modules is arranged such that its module body has a principal plane in surface contact with one of the cooling principal planes of the heat sink, and each of the control boards is arranged in opposition to a surface of the module body at an opposed side of the principal plane thereof. |
| US08686600B2 |
Techniques for configuring contacts of a connector
Systems and methods for configuring contacts of a first connector includes detecting mating of a second connector with the first connector and in response to the detection, sending a command over one of the contacts and waiting for a response to the command. If a valid response to the command is received, the system determines the orientation of the second connector. The response also includes configuration information for contacts in the second connector. The system then configures some of the other contacts of the first connector based on the determined orientation and configuration information of the contacts of the second connector. |
| US08686599B2 |
Power transmission system and power receiving jacket
A power transmission system and a power receiving jacket is provided that enhances the transmission efficiency of electric power with a simple structure and without increasing manufacturing costs. The power transmission system includes a power transmitting device having a first passive electrode, a first active electrode whose potential is higher than the first passive electrode, and a voltage generation circuit connected between the first passive electrode and the first active electrode, a power receiving jacket having a second active electrode and a power receiving circuit module connected to the second active electrode, and an electronic device attachable to the power receiving jacket. The electronic device includes a chassis having a conductive portion formed from a conductive material along a surface facing the first passive electrode, and the power receiving circuit module is electrically connected between the conductive portion and the second active electrode. |
| US08686596B2 |
Fuse box system and method
A fuse box system and method providing for visual and/or remote sensing of interrupted fusing elements is disclosed. The system incorporates LEDs and/or remote sensing apparatus to permit indication of a “blown” fuse and/or circuit protection breaker. This system may be configured for both polarized and/or non-polarized applications and generally provides for indicator illumination when a fuse/breaker is blown. Some preferred embodiments may incorporate current sourcing technologies to permit operation of the system over wide range of system voltages, as well as provisions for wired and/or RF/wireless interrogation of the fuse/breaker status. Alternate embodiments including systems/methods to permit remote sensing of fuse status and/or circuit current monitoring, and may be retrofit within existing fuse/breaker panel systems in some configurations. |
| US08686593B2 |
Systems and methods of power device lighting
Aspects and embodiments described herein provide power devices with tactile sensors to activate light emitting elements that illuminate power device interfaces, facilitating engagement of the interfaces with external loads and their connectors and the manipulation of control panels and their interfaces. A housing houses at least a portion of the power device and can include a tactile sensor to detect a presence of an object proximate to the power device. When an object is detected, the controller and the tactile sensor activate at least one light emitting element to illuminate a least a portion of the housing that includes an interface. |
| US08686590B2 |
Wireless power transmission system and method for an aircraft sensor system
An aircraft sensor system including a primary module configured to be attached to an aircraft portion and operative to transmit electrical power wirelessly. A secondary module configured to be attached to an aircraft component, the secondary module operative to receive electrical power wirelessly from the primary module. At least one sensor configured to be operatively attached to a portion of the aircraft component and electrically coupled to the secondary module, wherein the at least one sensor is operative to measure a desired parameter of the aircraft component. |
| US08686581B2 |
Method for operating a wind turbine in the event of the occurrence of a grid fault with a voltage drop and such a wind turbine
A method for operating a wind turbine when a grid fault with a voltage drop occurs. The turbine has a rotor with a rotor blade having an adjustable blade pitch angle, a generator connected to the rotor for generating power for a power grid and a converter connected to the generator and the power grid. The grid fault is identified and a present value of a turbine variable representing a power is detected and a hold setpoint for the variable representing a power of the turbine is preset. A maximum and/or minimum permissible setpoint for the variable of the turbine is determined. The setpoint is increased or reduced once the hold time has elapsed. The turbine is driven with a setpoint preset which corresponds to the rotational speed. A presetting of the maximum permissible setpoint is ended when the rotational speed-dependent setpoint is lower than the maximum permissible setpoint. |
| US08686578B2 |
Method and apparatus for storing energy
An energy storage apparatus for storing energy transmitted by a power transmission line includes an elastically deformable component and an actuator-generator. The actuator-generator is coupled to the elastically deformable component such that electrical actuation of the actuator-generator generates tension in the elastically deformable component. The actuator-generator is further coupled to the elastically deformable component such that mechanical actuation of the actuator-generator via a release of tension in the elastically deformable component causes a generation of electrical energy by the actuator-generator. |
| US08686577B2 |
Engine generator
An engine generator for driving an air motor to energize an engine is provided which reduces an installation space and facility and running costs. The engine generator (EG) is attached to a fire extinguishing facility (14). The fire extinguishing facility is designed to eject unburnable gas supplied from gas containers (11) and comprises an air motor (10) for driving an engine, and a valve unit (12) designed to drive in response to an instruction signal, control a pressure of the unburnable gas from the gas container and supply the pressure controlled unburnable gas to the air motor (10). |
| US08686576B1 |
System and method for harvesting electrical energy by linear induction
A linear induction generator for use in a weapon system comprising a matrix of coils, a matrix of magnets, a spindle assembly, a matrix of coils, and a dust cover there over. This generator is mounted onto a weapon receiver of the weapon system to generate raw electric current. The raw current is then rectified and delivered to either a battery or directly to the electronic devices. |
| US08686574B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a wiring board that has a conductive pattern formed on at least one principal surface, and an IC chip that is mounted on the wiring board. The IC chip includes a plurality of electrodes to make conductor connection with the wiring board. The conductive pattern includes a lead line pattern and a heat dissipation pattern. The lead line pattern is connected with at least one of the plurality of electrodes through a conductor. The heat dissipation pattern is physically spaced from the IC chip and the lead line pattern and has a larger surface area than the lead line pattern. Further, the lead line pattern and the heat dissipation pattern are placed opposite to each other with a gap therebetween, and their opposite parts respectively have interdigitated shapes and are arranged with the respective interdigitated shapes engaging with each other with the gap therebetween. |
| US08686569B2 |
Die arrangement and method of forming a die arrangement
A die arrangement includes a carrier having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the carrier including an opening leading from the first side of the carrier to the second side of the carrier; a first die disposed over the first side of the carrier and electrically contacting the carrier; a second die disposed over the second side of the carrier and electrically contacting the carrier; and an electrical contact structure leading through the opening in the carrier and electrically contacting the second die. |
| US08686568B2 |
Semiconductor package substrates having layered circuit segments, and related methods
The package substrate includes a core, a plurality of first circuit segments, and a plurality of conductive pillars. Each of the first circuit segments has a patterned metal layer disposed on the core, a barrier layer disposed on the patterned metal layer, and an upper metal pattern disposed on the barrier layer. The conductive pillars penetrate the core, the patterned metal layer, and the barrier layer, and contact the upper metal pattern. The conductive pillars are formed from a material that can be selectively removed without affecting the barrier layer. |
| US08686558B2 |
Thermally and electrically enhanced ball grid array package
In one embodiment, a method for assembling a ball grid array (BGA) package is provided. The method includes providing a stiffener that has opposing first and second surfaces, wherein the first surface is capable of mounting an integrated circuit (IC) die in a central area and forming a pattern in at least a portion of the first surface to enhance the adhesiveness of an encapsulant material to the first surface. |
| US08686552B1 |
Multilevel IC package using interconnect springs
A stacked-die electronic package assembly includes IC chips connected to a base substrate in a flip-chip, offset (e.g., pyramid-type) stacked arrangement by way of single-curved interconnect springs. Each interconnect spring is patterned from a spring metal film that bends to form a cantilevered structure having an anchor portion secured to the base substrate, a body portion that curves upward from the base substrate, and a tip disposed at the free end of the body portion. The IC chips are mounted onto interconnect springs such that contact pads on the chips contact the spring tips, causing the springs to slightly compress. Optional solder is utilized to secure the connection of the spring tips to the contact pads. Optional spacers and adhesive are utilized to maintain proper spacing between the IC chips and the base substrate. The springs are formed with different tip heights to facilitate connection to the stacked IC chips. |
| US08686549B2 |
Reconfigurable elements
A cell element field for data processing having function cells for execution of algebraic and/or logic functions and memory cells for receiving, storing and/or outputting information is described. A control connection may lead from the function cells to the memory cells. |
| US08686546B2 |
Combined packaged power semiconductor device
A combined packaged power semiconductor device includes a flipped top source low-side MOSFET electrically connected to a top surface of a die paddle, a first metal interconnection plate connecting between a bottom drain of a high-side MOSFET or a top source of a flipped high-side MOSFET to a bottom drain of the low-side MOSFET, and a second metal interconnection plate stacked on top of the high-side MOSFET chip. The high-side, low-side MOSFET and the IC controller can be packaged three-dimensionally that reduces the overall size of semiconductor devices and can maximize the chip's size within a package of the same size and improves the performance of the semiconductor devices. The top source of flipped low-side MOSFET is connected to the top surface of the die paddle and thus is grounded through the exposed bottom surface of die paddle, which simplifies the shape of exposed bottom surface of the die paddle and maximizes the area to facilitate heat dissipation. |
| US08686539B1 |
Inductor having a deep-well noise isolation shield
A shielded inductor in an integrated circuit includes conductive loops disposed on a deep-well noise shield for isolating a noise coupling between the conductive loops and the substrate of the integrated circuit. The deep-well noise shield includes a first well disposed within a second well that is disposed within the substrate of the integrated circuit. The second well includes a peripheral well, a deep-well layer, and slot wells. The peripheral well surrounds a periphery of the first well. The peripheral well and the deep-well layer are coupled together to provide two p-n junctions that separate the first well and the substrate. The slot wells are distributed inside the periphery of the first well. Each slot well and the deep-well layer are coupled together. Each slot well has a width and a length that is at least three times the width. |
| US08686537B2 |
Apparatus and methods for reducing impact of high RF loss plating
To reduce the radio frequency (RF) losses associated with high RF loss plating, such as, for example, Nickel/Palladium/Gold (Ni/Pd/Au) plating, an on-die passive device, such as a capacitor, resistor, or inductor, associated with a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) is placed in an RF upper signal path with respect to the RF signal output of the RFIC. By placing the on-die passive device in the RF upper signal path, the RF current does not directly pass through the high RF loss plating material of the passive device bonding pad. |
| US08686535B2 |
Trench isolation implantation
Embodiments of the disclosure include a shallow trench isolation structure having a dielectric material with energetic species implanted to a predetermined depth of the dielectric material. Embodiments further include methods of fabricating the trench structures with the implant of energetic species to the predetermined depth. In various embodiments the implant of energetic species is used to densify the dielectric material to provide a uniform wet etch rate across the surface of the dielectric material. Embodiments also include memory devices, integrated circuits, and electronic systems that include shallow trench isolation structures having the dielectric material with the high flux of energetic species implanted to the predetermined depth of the dielectric material. |
| US08686533B2 |
Isolation structure
Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device that includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a front side and a back side, forming a first circuit and a second circuit at the front side of the semiconductor substrate, bonding the front side of the semiconductor substrate to a carrier substrate, thinning the semiconductor substrate from the back side, and forming an trench from the back side to the front side of the semiconductor substrate to isolate the first circuit from the second circuit. |
| US08686531B2 |
Structure and method for forming a guard ring to protect a control device in a power semiconductor IC
Provided is a power semiconductor device including a guard ring region to protect control devices. The power semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body layer extending over a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type. The semiconductor body layer has a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type. A well of the first conductivity type extends in the semiconductor body layer and is configured to be electrically insulated from the semiconductor substrate. At least one control device is formed in the well, where the control device comprises at least one of PN junction. A guard ring region of the first conductivity type is laterally spaced from but surrounds the well. The guard ring region together with the semiconductor substrate and the semiconductor body layer form a parasitic bipolar transistor, and the guard ring region functions as a collector of the parasitic bipolar transistor. |
| US08686526B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
The invention is directed to providing a semiconductor device receiving a blue-violet laser, of which the reliability and yield are enhanced. A device element converting a blue-violet laser into an electric signal is formed on a front surface of a semiconductor substrate. An optically transparent substrate is attached to the front surface of the semiconductor substrate with an adhesive layer being interposed therebetween. The adhesive layer contains transparent silicone. Since the front surface of the device element is covered by the optically transparent substrate, foreign substances are prevented from adhering to the front surface of the device element. Furthermore, the adhesive layer is covered by the optically transparent substrate. This prevents the adhesive layer from being exposed to outside air, thereby preventing the degradation of the adhesive layer 6 due to a blue-violet laser. |
| US08686524B2 |
Magnetic stack with oxide to reduce switching current
A magnetic stack having a ferromagnetic free layer, a metal oxide layer that is antiferromagnetic at a first temperature and non-magnetic at a second temperature higher than the first temperature, a ferromagnetic pinned reference layer, and a non-magnetic spacer layer between the free layer and the reference layer. During a writing process, the metal oxide layer is non-magnetic. For magnetic memory cells, such as magnetic tunnel junction cells, the metal oxide layer provides reduced switching currents. |
| US08686513B1 |
IGBT assembly having circuitry for injecting/extracting current into/from an auxiliary P well
An IGBT die structure includes an auxiliary P well region. A terminal, that is not connected to any other IGBT terminal, is coupled to the auxiliary P well region. To accelerate IGBT turn on, a current is injected into the terminal during the turn on time. The injected current causes charge carriers to be injected into the N drift layer of the IGBT, thereby reducing turn on time. To accelerate IGBT turn off, charge carriers are removed from the N drift layer by drawing current out of the terminal. To reduce VCE(SAT), current can also be injected into the terminal during IGBT on time. An IGBT assembly involves the IGBT die structure and an associated current injection/extraction circuit. As appropriate, the circuit injects or extracts current from the terminal depending on whether the IGBT is in a turn on time or is in a turn off time. |
| US08686512B2 |
Elevation of transistor channels to reduce impact of shallow trench isolation on transistor performance
Roughly described, transistor channel regions are elevated over the level of certain adjacent STI regions. Preferably the STI regions that are transversely adjacent to the diffusion regions are suppressed, as are STI regions that are longitudinally adjacent to N-channel diffusion regions. Preferably STI regions that are longitudinally adjacent to P-channel diffusions are not suppressed; preferably they have an elevation that is at least as high as that of the diffusion regions. |
| US08686508B2 |
Structures, methods and applications for electrical pulse anneal processes
Structures and methods are provided for nanosecond electrical pulse anneal processes. The method of forming an electrostatic discharge (ESD) N+/P+ structure includes forming an N+ diffusion on a substrate and a P+ diffusion on the substrate. The P+ diffusion is in electrical contact with the N+ diffusion. The method further includes forming a device between the N+ diffusion and the P+ diffusion. A method of annealing a structure or material includes applying an electrical pulse across an electrostatic discharge (ESD) N+/P+ structure for a plurality of nanoseconds. |
| US08686507B2 |
System and method for I/O ESD protection with floating and/or biased polysilicon regions
A system and method for electrostatic discharge protection. The system includes a plurality of transistors. The plurality of transistors includes a plurality of gate regions, a plurality of source regions, and a plurality of drain regions. The plurality of source regions and the plurality of drain regions are located within an active area in a substrate, and the active area is adjacent to at least an isolation region in the substrate. Additionally, the system includes a polysilicon region. The polysilicon region is separated from the substrate by a dielectric layer, and the polysilicon region intersects each of the plurality of gate regions. At least a part of the polysilicon region is on the active area. |
| US08686506B2 |
High performance devices and high density devices on single chip
A CMOS chip comprising a high performance device region and a high density device region includes a plurality of high performance devices comprising n-type field effect transistors (NFETs) and p-type field effect transistors (PFETs) in the high performance device region, wherein the high performance devices have a high performance pitch; and a plurality of high density devices comprising NFETs and PFETs in the high density device region, wherein the high density devices have a high density pitch, and wherein the high performance pitch is about 2 to 3 times the high density pitch; wherein the high performance device region comprises doped source and drain regions, NFET gate regions having an elevated stress induced using stress memorization technique (SMT), gate silicide and source/drain silicide regions, and a dual stressed liner, and wherein the high density device region comprises doped source and drain regions, gate silicide regions, and a neutral stressed liner. |
| US08686504B2 |
Double diffused drain metal oxide semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention discloses a double diffused drain metal oxide semiconductor (DDDMOS) device and a manufacturing method thereof. The DDDMOS device is formed in a substrate, and includes a first well, a gate, a diffusion region, a source, and a drain. A low voltage device is also formed in the substrate, which includes a second well and a lightly doped drain (LDD) region, wherein the first well and the diffusion region are formed by process steps which also form the second well and the LDD region in the low voltage device, respectively. |
| US08686501B2 |
Semiconductor device with high voltage transistor
A semiconductor device includes: a p-type active region; a gate electrode traversing the active region; an n-type LDD region having a first impurity concentration and formed from a drain side region to a region under the gate electrode; a p-type channel region having a second impurity concentration and formed from a source side region to a region under the gate electrode to form an overlap region with the LDD region under the gate electrode, the channel region being shallower than the LDD region; an n-type source region formed outside the gate electrode; and an n+-type drain region having a third impurity concentration higher than the first impurity concentration formed outside and spaced from the gate electrode, wherein an n-type effective impurity concentration of an intermediate region between the gate electrode and the n+-type drain region is higher than an n-type effective impurity concentration of the overlap region. |
| US08686499B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a p-type semiconductor substrate, an n-type drift region formed in the p-type semiconductor substrate, and a p-type body region formed in the n-type drift region. A circular gate electrode is formed over a pn junction between sides of the p-type body region and the n-type drift region along the pn junction. An n-type drain region and an n-type source region are formed in the n-type drift region and the p-type body region, respectively, with a part of the gate electrode between. |
| US08686497B2 |
DRAM cell utilizing a doubly gated vertical channel
A double-gate vertical channel transistor (DGVC) structure is described which is particularly well suited for Dynamic RAM (DRAM) memory (e.g., capacitorless DRAM) wherein the memory cell occupies a small cell area of 4F2, and provides beneficial retention properties including immunity to disturbances. The vertical transistors are arranged in an alternating gate-facing orientation, with a common source formed on a first end and separate drains on their second ends. Word lines comprise alternating front gates and back gates shared by columns of gate-facing transistors on each side of it. The DGVC cell provides enhanced scalability allowing the continued scaling of DRAM technology and can be fabricated using low-cost semiconductor materials and existing fabrication techniques. Fabrication techniques and array biasing are also described for the DGVC cell arrays. |
| US08686493B2 |
High density FET with integrated Schottky
A semiconductor structure includes a monolithically integrated trench FET and Schottky diode. The semiconductor structure further includes a plurality of trenches extending into a semiconductor region. A stack of gate and shield electrodes are disposed in each trench. Body regions extend over the semiconductor region between adjacent trenches, with a source region extending over each body region. A recess having tapered edges extends between every two adjacent trenches from upper corners of the two adjacent trenches through the body region and terminating in the semiconductor region below the body region. An interconnect layer extends into each recess to electrically contact tapered sidewalls of the source regions and the body regions, and to contact the semiconductor region along a bottom of each recess to form a Schottky contact therebetween. |
| US08686484B2 |
Spin-torque magnetoresistive memory element and method of fabricating same
A spin-torque magnetoresistive memory element has a high magnetoresistance and low current density. A free magnetic layer is positioned between first and second spin polarizers. A first tunnel barrier is positioned between the first spin polarizer and the free magnetic layer and a second tunnel barrier is positioned between the second spin polarizer and the free magnetic layer. The magnetoresistance ratio of the second tunnel barrier has a value greater than double the magnetoresistance ratio of the first tunnel barrier. |
| US08686480B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that can improve the performance of a photodiode that is formed on a same substrate as a thin film transistor without greatly deteriorating the productivity of the semiconductor device. On a glass substrate 30, a base layer 31 having a recess 33b on the surface is formed, and on the base layer 31, an amorphous silicon thin film 42 is formed. The amorphous silicon thin film 42 is melted to form a crystalline silicon thin film 43, while moving the molten silicon into the recess 33b. Of the silicon thin film 43, a silicon film 11 that constitutes a portion of a thin film transistor 10 is formed of the silicon thin film 43 in a part other than the recess 33b, while a silicon film 21 that constitutes a portion of a photodiode 20 is formed of the silicon thin film 43 in the recess 33b. |
| US08686476B2 |
Resistance-switching memory cells adapted for use at low voltage
A memory cell is provided that includes a diode and a resistance-switching material layer coupled in series with the diode. The resistance-switching material layer: (a) includes a material from the family consisting of XvOw, wherein X represents an element from the family consisting of Hf and Zr, and wherein the subscripts v and w have non-zero values that form a stable compound, and (b) has a thickness between 20 and 65 angstroms. Other aspects are also provided. |
| US08686475B2 |
Reconfigurable elements
A cell element field for data processing having function cells for execution of algebraic and/or logic functions and memory cells for receiving, storing and/or outputting information is described. A control connection may lead from the function cells to the memory cells. |
| US08686474B2 |
III-V compound semiconductor epitaxy from a non-III-V substrate
A structure comprises a substrate, a mask, a buffer/nucleation layer, and a group III-V compound semiconductor material. The substrate has a top surface and has a recess from the top surface. The recess includes a sidewall. The first mask is the top surface of the substrate. The buffer/nucleation layer is along the sidewall, and has a different material composition than a material composition of the sidewall. The III-V compound semiconductor material continuously extends from inside the recess on the buffer/nucleation layer to over the first mask. |
| US08686466B2 |
Technique for the growth and fabrication of semipolar (Ga,Al,In,B)N thin films, heterostructures, and devices
A method for growth and fabrication of semipolar (Ga, Al, In, B)N thin films, heterostructures, and devices, comprising identifying desired material properties for a particular device application, selecting a semipolar growth orientation based on the desired material properties, selecting a suitable substrate for growth of the selected semipolar growth orientation, growing a planar semipolar (Ga, Al, In, B)N template or nucleation layer on the substrate, and growing the semipolar (Ga, Al, In, B)N thin films, heterostructures or devices on the planar semipolar (Ga, Al, In, B)N template or nucleation layer. The method results in a large area of the semipolar (Ga, Al, In, B)N thin films, heterostructures, and devices being parallel to the substrate surface. |
| US08686463B2 |
Capping system
A capping system includes: a moving portion moving a stem, on which an optical semiconductor element is mounted, horizontally; a fixer fixing a cap having a window, on the stem; a camera taking an image of the cap and the stem from above the cap and the stem; a detector detecting whether the optical semiconductor element is present within a visual field of the camera; and a searching action controller controlling the moving portion to move the stem so the detector searches the optical semiconductor element. The searching action controller causes searching radially and outwardly from a search starting point. |
| US08686461B2 |
Light emitting diode (LED) die having stepped substrates and method of fabrication
A light emitting diode (LED) die includes a first substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface; a second substrate on the second surface of the first substrate; a p-type semiconductor layer on the first surface of the first substrate; a multiple quantum well (MQW) layer on the p-type semiconductor layer configured to emit light; and an n-type semiconductor layer on the multiple quantum well (MQW) layer. |
| US08686459B2 |
Light-transmitting metal electrode and process for production thereof
The present invention provides a light-transmitting metal electrode including a substrate and a metal electrode layer having plural openings. The metal electrode layer also has such a continuous metal part that any pair of point-positions in the part is continuously connected without breaks. The openings in the metal electrode layer are periodically arranged to form plural microdomains. The plural microdomains are so placed that the in-plane arranging directions thereof are oriented independently of each other. The thickness of the metal electrode layer is in the range of 10 to 200 nm. |
| US08686457B2 |
Method for manufacturing substrate for semiconductor light emitting element and semiconductor light emitting element using the same
A light emitting element having a recess-protrusion structure on a substrate is provided. A semiconductor light emitting element 100 has a light emitting structure of a semiconductor 20 on a first main surface of a substrate 10. The first main surface of the substrate 10 has substrate protrusion portion 11, the bottom surface 14 of each protrusion is wider than the top surface 13 thereof in a cross-section, or the top surface 13 is included in the bottom surface 14 in a top view of the substrate. The bottom surface 14 has an approximately polygonal shape, and the top surface 13 has an approximately circular or polygonal shape with more sides than that of the bottom surface 14. |
| US08686453B2 |
Light emitting device, light emitting device package, and lighting system
Provided is a light emitting device. The light emitting device comprises: In one embodiment, a light emitting device includes: a light emitting structure comprising a first conductive type semiconductor layer, a second conductive type semiconductor layer, and an active layer between the first conductive type semiconductor layer and the second conductive type semiconductor layer; and a conductive support member under the light emitting structure. The conductive support member comprises a first conductive support member and a second conductive support member. The second conductive support member has a thermal conductivity higher than that of the first conductive support member. |
| US08686441B2 |
Life-improved semiconductor light emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting device includes first and second semiconductor layers, an active region, a transparent electrically-conducting layer 13, a reflecting structure 20, and a first electrode. The second semiconductor layer has a conductivity different from the first semiconductor layer. The active region is arranged between the first and second semiconductor layers. The transparent electrically-conducting layer 13 is arranged on or above the first semiconductor layer. The reflecting structure 20 is arranged on or above the transparent electrically-conducting layer 13. The first electrode is arranged on or above the reflecting structure 20, and electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer. The reflecting structure 20 includes at least a reflective layer 16. An intermediate layer 17 is interposed between the transparent electrically-conducting layer 13 and the reflecting structure 20. The intermediate layer 17 is formed of a material containing an element with larger ionization tendency than the reflective layer 16. |
| US08686434B2 |
Silicon carbide semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
There is provided a silicon carbide semiconductor device having excellent electrical characteristics such as channel mobility, and a method for manufacturing the same. A semiconductor device includes a substrate made of silicon carbide and having an off-angle of greater than or equal to 50° and less than or equal to 65° with respect to a surface orientation of {0001}, a p-type layer serving as a semiconductor layer, and an oxide film serving as an insulating film. The p-type layer is formed on the substrate and is made of silicon carbide. The oxide film is formed to contact with a surface of the p-type layer. A maximum value of the concentration of nitrogen atoms in a region within 10 nm of an interface between the semiconductor layer and the insulating film (interface between a channel region and the oxide film) is greater than or equal to 1×1021 cm−3. |
| US08686433B2 |
Light emitting device and light emitting device package
A light emitting device includes a light emitting layer, a substrate that is transparent to an emission wavelength of the light emitting layer and positioned to receive an emission wavelength from the light emitting layer, a convex pattern including a collection of a plurality of convex portions discretely arranged on a front surface of the substrate with a first pitch, an n type nitride semiconductor layer located on the front surface of the substrate to cover the convex pattern and a p type nitride semiconductor layer located on the light emitting layer. The light emitting layer is located on the n type semiconductor layer. Each of the convex portions includes a sub convex pattern comprising a plurality of fine convex portions discretely formed at the top of the convex portion with a second pitch smaller than the first pitch, and a base supporting the sub convex pattern. |
| US08686427B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of manufacturing the same
A display apparatus includes a first substrate including pixels, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. Each of the pixels includes a thin film transistor disposed on a first insulating substrate, a first protective layer that covers the thin film transistor and includes a SiOC layer, a first electrode disposed on the first protective layer, a second protective layer that covers the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed on the second protective layer. |
| US08686425B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A larger substrate can be used, and a transistor having a desirably high field-effect mobility can be manufactured through formation of an oxide semiconductor layer having a high degree of crystallinity, whereby a large-sized display device, a high-performance semiconductor device, or the like can be put into practical use. A first multi-component oxide semiconductor layer is formed over a substrate and a single-component oxide semiconductor layer is formed thereover; then, crystal growth is carried out from a surface to an inside by performing heat treatment at 500° C. to 1000° C. inclusive, preferably 550° C. to 750° C. inclusive so that a first multi-component oxide semiconductor layer including single crystal regions and a single-component oxide semiconductor layer including single crystal regions are formed; and a second multi-component oxide semiconductor layer including single crystal regions is stacked over the single-component oxide semiconductor layer including single crystal regions. |
| US08686423B2 |
Thin film transistor substrate and manufacturing method thereof
A thin film transistor array panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a substrate, a gate line formed on the substrate, a gate insulating layer formed on the gate line, a semiconductor layer formed on the gate insulating layer, and a data line formed on the semiconductor layer, wherein the data line comprises a lower data layer, an upper data layer, a data oxide layer, and a buffer layer, wherein the upper data layer and the buffer layer comprise a same material. |
| US08686420B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and method for manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes a substrate including a plurality of pixels defined thereon, a thin film transistor (TFT) positioned at each pixel, a negative electrode electrically connected to the TFT, an organic emission layer positioned on the negative electrode, and a positive electrode positioned on the organic emission layer, the positive electrode including an auxiliary layer positioned on the organic emission layer, a conductive layer positioned on the auxiliary layer, and an insulation layer positioned on the conductive layer. |
| US08686417B2 |
Oxide semiconductor device formed by using multi-tone mask
An object is to manufacture a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor at low cost with high productivity in such a manner that a photolithography process is simplified by reducing the number of light-exposure masks. In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including a channel-etched inverted-staggered thin film transistor, an oxide semiconductor film and a conductive film are etched using a mask layer formed with the use of a multi-tone mask which is a light-exposure mask through which light is transmitted so as to have a plurality of intensities. In etching steps, a first etching step is performed by wet etching in which an etchant is used, and a second etching step is performed by dry etching in which an etching gas is used. |
| US08686409B2 |
Method of repairing short circuit defect, and display apparatus and organic light emitting display apparatus manufactured according to the repairing method
A method of repairing a defective pixel in a display apparatus that includes forming an insulating layer to cover the plurality of second signal wires, cutting both sides of a region of the corresponding second signal wire of the defective pixel and the insulating layer to form both sides of a cut region, forming contact holes adjacent to the both sides of the cut region, respectively, such that an upper portion of the corresponding second signal wire is exposed, forming a repair metal layer on the insulating layer to contact the contact holes and the second signal wire, and forming a repair insulating layer to cover the repair metal layer. |
| US08686407B2 |
Transparent display apparatus with transparent electroluminescent display unit
A display apparatus includes a driving substrate and an organic light emitting diode device. The driving substrate includes a display area, a non-display area, a substrate and a transparent driving element. The transparent driving element is disposed in the non-display area to form a transparent region. The organic light emitting diode device is disposed over the driving substrate and located in the display area to form a non-transparent region. |
| US08686400B2 |
Light emitting device having a light emitting structure including an interface layer
Disclosed herein is a light emitting device including a light emitting structure including a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, and an active layer including at least one combination of a well layer of a first composition formed of a nitride-semiconductor material having first electronic energy and a barrier layer of a second composition formed of a nitride-semiconductor material having higher electronic energy than the first electronic energy, and an interface layer disposed between the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer and the active layer or between the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer and the active layer. The interface layer includes first, second and third layers having different energy bandgaps, the energy bandgaps of the first and second layers are greater than the energy bandgap of the barrier layer, and the energy bandgap of the third layer is less than the energy bandgap of the barrier layer. |
| US08686395B2 |
Bond type flip-chip light-emitting structure and method of manufacturing the same
A bond type flip-chip light-emitting structure and method of manufacturing the same. Firstly, form a positive electrode and a negative electrode on an epitaxy layer. Next, deposit an insulation layer on parts of the positive electrode and negative electrode, to expose respectively a positive electrode via hole and a negative electrode via hole. Then, form a bonded metal layer on the insulation layer, the positive electrode via hole, and the negative electrode via hole, so that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are on a same plane by means of the bonded metal layer. Finally, on a substrate, bond the first metal layer and the second metal layer onto the corresponding first bonded metal unit and the second bonded metal unit of the bonded metal layer, to form into shape, thus realizing a bond type flip-chip light-emitting structure. |
| US08686393B2 |
Integrated circuit semiconductor devices including channel trenches and related methods of manufacturing
An integrated circuit device may include a semiconductor substrate including an active region and a transistor in the active region. The transistor may include first and second spaced apart source/drain regions in the active region of the semiconductor substrate, and a semiconductor channel region between the first and second source/drain regions. The semiconductor channel region may include a plurality of channel trenches therein between the first and second source/drain regions. A gate insulating layer may be provided on the channel region including sidewalls of the plurality of channel trenches, and a gate electrode may be provided on the gate insulating layer so that the gate insulating layer is between the gate electrode and the semiconductor channel region including the plurality of channel trenches. Related methods are also discussed. |
| US08686392B2 |
Semiconductor device
The semiconductor device includes a memory cell including a plurality of magnetoresistive elements disposed therein, and a peripheral circuit region disposed around the memory cell region. The magnetoresistive element includes a magnetization fixed layer, a magnetization free layer, and a tunneling insulation layer. The semiconductor device includes, above the magnetoresistive elements, a plurality of first wires extending in the direction along the main surface. In the peripheral circuit region, there is disposed a multilayer structure of lamination of a layer equal in material to the magnetization free layer, a layer equal in material to the tunneling insulation layer, and a layer equal in material to the magnetization fixed layer so as to overlap a second wire formed of the same layer as the first wire in plan view. The multilayer structure does not overlap both of a pair of adjacent second wires in plan view in the peripheral circuit region. |
| US08686390B2 |
Nonvolatile memory element having a variable resistance layer whose resistance value changes according to an applied electric signal
Provided is a nonvolatile memory element achieving a stable resistance change and miniaturization, and a method of manufacturing the same. The nonvolatile memory element includes: a first electrode formed above a substrate; an interlayer insulating layer formed above the substrate including the first electrode and having a memory cell hole reaching the first electrode; a barrier layer formed in the memory cell hole and composed of a semiconductor layer or an insulating layer connected to the first electrode; a second electrode formed in the memory cell hole and connected to the barrier layer; a variable resistance layer formed on the second electrode and having a stacked structure whose resistance value changes based on electric signals; and a third electrode connected to the variable resistance layer and formed on the interlayer insulating layer to cover the memory cell hole. |
| US08686389B1 |
Diffusion barrier layer for resistive random access memory cells
Provided are resistive random access memory (ReRAM) cells having diffusion barrier layers formed from various materials, such as beryllium oxide or titanium silicon nitrides. Resistive switching layers used in ReRAM cells often need to have at least one inert interface such that substantially no materials pass through this interface. The other (reactive) interface may be used to introduce and remove defects from the resistive switching layers causing the switching. While some electrode materials, such as platinum and doped polysilicon, may form inert interfaces, these materials are often difficult to integrate. To expand electrode material options, a diffusion barrier layer is disposed between an electrode and a resistive switching layer and forms the inert interface with the resistive switching layer. In some embodiments, tantalum nitride and titanium nitride may be used for electrodes separated by such diffusion barrier layers. |
| US08686386B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device using a varistor as a current limiter element
Embodiments of the invention include a method of forming a nonvolatile memory device that contains a resistive switching memory element that has improved device switching performance and lifetime, due to the addition of a current limiting component disposed therein. The electrical properties of the current limiting component are configured to lower the current flow through the variable resistance layer during the logic state programming steps by adding a fixed series resistance in the resistive switching memory element of the nonvolatile memory device. In some embodiments, the current limiting component comprises a varistor that is a current limiting material disposed within a resistive switching memory element in a nonvolatile resistive switching memory device. Typically, resistive switching memory elements may be formed as part of a high-capacity nonvolatile memory integrated circuit, which can be used in various electronic devices, such as digital cameras, mobile telephones, handheld computers, and music players. |
| US08686383B2 |
Object holding apparatus, and inspection apparatus
In order to enable high accuracy positioning and strong pressing of a substrate, the present invention provides a substrate holding apparatus including: a rotating bed having an inclined surface supporting a lower side of an outer circumferential side surface of the substrate, which bed rotates on a normal line of the substrate as the rotation axis together with the substrate; a position restriction unit rotating together with the rotating bed and restricting the substrate in a predetermined position on the rotating bed by pressing a plurality of points on the circumference on an upper side of the outer circumferential side surface of the substrate prior to the rotation; and a pressing unit rotating together with the rotating bed and pressing the substrate against the inclined surface by pressing a plurality of points on the upper side of the outer circumferential side surface of the substrate during the rotation. |
| US08686381B2 |
Source-collector module with GIC mirror and tin vapor LPP target system
A source-collector module (SOCOMO) for generating a laser-produced plasma (LPP) that emits EUV radiation, and a grazing-incidence collector (GIC) mirror arranged relative to the LPP and having an input end and an output end. The LPP is formed using an LPP target system having a light source portion and a target portion, wherein a pulsed laser beam from the light source portion irradiates Sn vapor from a Sn vapor source of the target portion. The GIC mirror is arranged relative to the LPP to receive the EUV radiation at its input end and focus the received EUV radiation at an intermediate focus adjacent the output end. A radiation collection enhancement device may be used to increase the amount of EUV radiation provided to the intermediate focus. An EUV lithography system that utilizes the SOCOMO is also disclosed. |
| US08686377B2 |
Diamond sensors, detectors, and quantum devices
A single crystal synthetic CVD diamond material comprising: a growth sector; and a plurality of point defects of one or more type within the growth sector, wherein at least one type of point defect is preferentially aligned within the growth sector, wherein at least 60% of said at least one type of point defect shows said preferential alignment, and wherein the at least one type of point defect is a negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy defect (NV−). |
| US08686372B2 |
Method for the spatially resolved measurement of parameters in a cross section of a beam bundle of high-energy radiation of high intensity
Spatial acquisition of measurement data over a cross section of a high-energy, high-intensity radiation beam bundle without impairment of measuring accuracy due to saturation or degradation of detectors occurs by imaging an entire cross section of the beam bundle on a shading element, the cross section being separated successively into partial beam bundles having reduced cross sections and reduced intensity through movement of at least one opening, whereby measurement values of the partial beam bundles passing the opening are associated temporally and spatially with positions of the opening. |
| US08686371B1 |
Using of enhanced retroreflectors for non-visible light
This is a way interrogating an object using retro-reflection of non-visible light. It uses e.g. IR transmitted toward the object from a distance and covertly detects the retro-reflection. Highly reflective passive non-visible light retroreflectors on the object reflects and refracts light back toward the light transmitter, with the returned light being very nearly parallel to the light from a narrow beam light transmitter. |
| US08686368B2 |
High resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system
A high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system comprising: a rotating ring for surrounding anatomy which is to be imaged; at least one camera mount movably mounted to the rotating ring so that the camera mount can be moved radially relative to the axis of rotation of the rotating ring; and at least one gamma camera carried on the at least one camera mount, wherein the at least one gamma camera is focused on a single SPECT focal point; whereby, when the rotating ring is rotated about the anatomy which is to be imaged and the at least one camera mount is moved radially on the rotating ring, the single SPECT focal point of the at least one gamma camera carried by a camera mount follows a spiral pattern through the anatomy, whereby to produce a scan of the anatomy. |
| US08686362B2 |
Millimeter wave sensor for far-field standoff vibrometry
A millimeter wavelength (MMW) measurement system for remote detection of object characteristics and methods for detecting such characteristics. The MMW measurement system comprises a front-end and an optional signal conditioning component. The MMW front-end includes an oscillator, a transceiver portion, and an antenna for focusing a detection component comprising micrometer level wavelength electromagnetic radiation onto the object. A portion of the electromagnetic radiation reflected by the object is received by the MMW measurement system, which is indicative of a displacement of the object. The MMW system may be configured to detect micrometer level displacement of the object disposed tens of meters from the MMW measurement system. In various embodiments the object may be a natural object, including a human, and the displacement may be indicative of a heart rate and/or a respiratory function. |
| US08686359B2 |
Characterization of nanoscale structures using an ultrafast electron microscope
The present invention relates to methods and systems for 4D ultrafast electron microscopy (UEM)—in situ imaging with ultrafast time resolution in TEM. Single electron imaging is used as a component of the 4D UEM technique to provide high spatial and temporal resolution unavailable using conventional techniques. Other embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for convergent beam UEM, focusing the electron beams onto the specimen to measure structural characteristics in three dimensions as a function of time. Additionally, embodiments provide not only 4D imaging of specimens, but characterization of electron energy, performing time resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). |
| US08686355B2 |
Detection system assembly, dryer cartridge, and regenerator and methods for making and using the same
A detection system assembly is provided. The detection system assembly includes a detector system including a housing having a sample port configured to receive a sample of an unknown substance, a detector assembly in flow communication with the sample port, and a pump in flow communication with the detector assembly. The detection system assembly further includes a dryer cartridge removably coupled to an outer surface of the housing of the detector system. The dryer cartridge is in flow communication with the pump and the detector assembly. |
| US08686352B2 |
Systems and computer program products for mass spectrometry
A mass spectrometry system is mounted with (1) an action planning module for determining a measurement schedule provided by a combination of an MS analysis and an MSn analysis (where n≧2) according to a measuring time provided previously; and (2) a mass spectrometry unit having a tandem mass spectrometry function for outputting a mass spectrum obtained by performing each measurement action constructing the measurement schedule. |
| US08686345B2 |
Standby circuit
The present invention discloses a standby circuit. The standby circuit is coupled to an electric device for providing a standby voltage to the electric device when the electric device is not turned on. The standby circuit includes a light emitting module and an energy converter. The light emitting module receives an AC current and is driven by the AC current to generate light. The energy converter receives the light generated by the light emitting module and converts the light into the standby voltage. Therefore, the present invention can simplify the design of traditional standby circuit in a television. |
| US08686343B2 |
Avalanche photodiode circuits with protection against damage from sudden increases in incident light level
An avalanche photodiode circuit, comprising an avalanche photodiode typically connected in parallel to a capacitor, in which there is provided a current shunt circuit which activates to shunt current from the avalanche photodiode in response to detecting a decrease in the impedance of the avalanche photodiode, typically measured by determining the slope of the voltage across the avalanche photodiode. By using this circuit, the avalanche photodiode can be protected from sudden increases in incident light level decreasing the impedance of the avalanche photodiode to an extent that the energy such as is stored in the capacitor can damage the structure of the avalanche photodiode. |
| US08686337B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, solid-state imaging device manufacturing method, electronic device, and lens array
A solid-state imaging device includes: multiple micro lenses, which are disposed in each of a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, focus the incident light into the light-receiving surface; with the multiple micro lenses of which the planar shape is a shape including a portion divided by a side extending in the first direction and a side extending in the second direction being disposed arrayed mutually adjacent to each of the first direction and the second direction; and with the multiple micro lenses being formed so that the depth of a groove between micro lenses arrayed in a third direction is deeper than the depth of a groove between micro lenses arrayed in the first direction, and also the curvature of the lens surface in the third direction is higher than the curvature of the lens surface in the first direction. |
| US08686331B2 |
Dynamic wavefront control of a frequency converted laser system
The present invention is directed to a laser system in which a current laser wavefront performance of the laser system may be monitored. Further, the laser system embodiments disclosed herein may be configured for correcting the laser wavefront internally via correction system(s) within the laser system. Still further, the correction system(s) disclosed herein may provide a long lifetime of performance and may be configured for having a minimal impact on photocontamination. |
| US08686326B1 |
Optical-flow techniques for improved terminal homing and control
In certain aspects, this invention is a “control system” that detects and minimizes (or otherwise optimizes) an angle between vehicle centerline (or other reference axis) and vehicle velocity vector—as for JDAM penetration. Preferably detection is exclusively by optical flow (which herein encompasses sonic and other imaging), without data influence by navigation. In other aspects, the invention is a “guidance system”, with optical-flow subsystem to detect an angle between the vehicle velocity vector and line of sight to a destination—either a desired or an undesired destination. Here, vehicle trajectory is adjusted in response to detected angle, for optimum angle, e.g. to either home in on a desired destination or avoid an undesired destination (or rendezvous), and follow a path that's ideal for the particular mission—preferably by controlling an autopilot or applying information from navigation. Purposes include real-time angle optimization to improve autopilots or guidance, and vehicle development or testing. |
| US08686321B2 |
Method for supplying power to induction cooking zones of an induction cooking hob having a plurality of power converters, and induction cooking hob using such method
A method for supplying power to induction cooking zones of an induction cooking hob with a plurality of power converters, each feeding an induction heating element, comprises feeding all the induction heating elements according to a predetermined and repetitive driving sequence in order to keep a predetermined delivered power to the induction heating elements according to user input. |
| US08686319B2 |
Vehicle transparency heated with alternating current
A heatable transparency comprises a substrate and an electrically conductive coating formed over at least a portion of the substrate. A power supply is in contact with the conductive coating. The power supply is configured to provide alternating current (AC) to the conductive coating. |
| US08686317B2 |
Removable nozzle-cooling mechanism for welding torches
A removable cooling collar is provided for cooling the nozzle of a welding nozzle. This collar includes first and second parts in fluid communication with a chamber that extends circumferentially within a hollow structure. Cooling fluid circulating through the chamber facilitates dissipation and/or extraction of heat in the nozzle, in turn reducing the likelihood of weld splatter adhesion on the nozzle. |
| US08686315B2 |
Laser irradiation method and laser irradiation device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
The present invention is characterized in that by laser beam being slantly incident to the convex lens, an aberration such as astigmatism or the like is occurred, and the shape of the laser beam is made linear on the irradiation surface or in its neighborhood. Since the present invention has a very simple configuration, the optical adjustment is easier, and the device becomes compact in size. Furthermore, since the beam is slantly incident with respect to the irradiated body, the return beam can be prevented. |
| US08686313B2 |
System and methods for forming apertures in microfeature workpieces
Systems and methods for forming apertures in microfeature workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes directing a laser beam toward a microfeature workpiece to form an aperture and sensing the laser beam pass through the microfeature workpiece in real time. The method can further include determining a number of pulses of the laser beam and/or an elapsed time to form the aperture and controlling the laser beam based on the determined number of pulses and/or the determined elapsed time to form a second aperture in the microfeature workpiece. |
| US08686304B2 |
Electrical switching apparatus including two poles and a single operating handle
An electrical switching apparatus includes an enclosure having an opening, a single operating handle disposed through the enclosure opening, a first pole disposed in the enclosure and including first separable contacts, a first operating mechanism to open and close the first contacts, and a first operating member cooperating with the first operating mechanism to open and close the first contacts. A second pole is disposed in the enclosure and includes second separable contacts, a second operating mechanism to open and close the second contacts, and a second operating member cooperating with the second operating mechanism to open and close the second contacts. The single operating handle, centered between parallel poles, includes a first projection within the enclosure cooperating with the first operating member to open and close the first contacts, and a second projection within the enclosure cooperating with the second operating member to open and close the second contacts. |
| US08686302B2 |
Selector switch assembly for load tap changer
A selector switch assembly for a load tap changer includes a bevel gear coupled with a motor drive shaft. A shaft assembly is coupled with the bevel gear and a switch is provided for each phase. Each switch includes a helical gear fixed to the shaft assembly, a Geneva pinion gear engaged with the helical gear, a first Geneva gear wheel mounted on a first shaft moved by a first follower of the pinion gear, a first contact arm associated with the first Geneva gear wheel to rotate therewith, a second Geneva gear wheel mounted on a second shaft and moved by a second follower of the pinion gear, and a second contact arm associated with the second Geneva gear wheel so as to rotate therewith. The contact arms include contacts that engage fixed contacts that define tap positions of the load tap changer. |
| US08686300B2 |
Printed wiring board and method for manufacturing the same
A printed wiring board includes a resin insulation layer having a first surface and a second surface on an opposite side of the first surface, the resin insulation layer having an opening for a first via conductor, a pad formed on the first surface of the resin insulation layer and provided to mount an electronic component, a first conductive circuit formed on the second surface of the resin insulation layer, and a first via conductor formed in the opening and connecting the pad and the first conductive circuit. The pad has an embedded portion embedded in the resin insulation layer and a protruding portion protruding from the resin insulation layer, and the embedded portion has an external shape which is greater than an external shape the protruding portion. |
| US08686296B2 |
Electronic device having heat dissipation device
An exemplary heat dissipation device includes a bracket, and heat sink and a pressing member. The bracket includes a bottom plate. An opening is defined in the bottom plate. Two supporting portions are formed from an underside of the bottom plate. The heat sink extends through the opening of the bracket, with bottom edges of the heat sink rested on the supporting portions. The pressing member is mounted on the bracket and elastically presses the heat sink onto the supporting portions. |
| US08686293B2 |
Silane-crosslinked polyolefin insulated wire
A silane-crosslinked polyolefin insulated wire includes a conductor, and an insulating cover layer extruded on an outer periphery of the conductor. The insulating cover layer includes a silane-crosslinked polyolefin to be cross-linked by reacting water with a polyolefin having an alkoxysilyl group as a side chain. The insulating cover layer further includes a guanidine derivative having a boiling point of not less than 170° C. and a melting point of less than 190° C. in an environment at 760 mmHg as a crosslinking promoter to promote crosslinking of the polyolefin in an amount of not less than 0.05 parts by mass and not more than 0.5 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the polyolefin. |
| US08686292B2 |
Tunable resistance conductive ink circuit
The method and system of high-resistance, multiple-conductor flat cables which contain integral tunable resistance sections suitable for fine tuning the resistance of a conductor to match the resistance of the conductors to one another within a specified target value. The method involves the design and creation of the high-resistance, multiple-conductor flat cables and the tuning of the resistance of the conductor. |
| US08686290B2 |
Submarine electric power transmission cable armour transition
An electric power transmission cable includes at least one first section provided with cable armor made of a first metallic material, and at least one second section provided with a cable armor made of a second metallic material, wherein the second metallic material has ferromagnetic properties substantially lower than those of the first metallic material. |
| US08686288B2 |
Power electronics interconnection for electric motor drives
The bus bar includes a first bus bar layer formed of a first generally uniform thickness of a first bus bar conductor; a first dielectric layer overlying a top surface of the first bus bar layer; and a second bus bar layer formed of a second generally uniform thickness of a second bus bar conductor overlying a top surface of the first dielectric layer and the top surface of the first bus bar layer wherein: the first bus bar layer includes a first via for receipt of a first electrical lead of an electrical component and a second via for receipt of a second electrical lead of the electrical component and wherein: the first dielectric layer and the second bus bar layer each include a via aligned with the first via wherein the first electrical lead is extendable from beneath the first bus bar layer through the first dielectric layer and through the second bus bar layer. |
| US08686277B2 |
Microelectronic assembly including built-in thermoelectric cooler and method of fabricating same
A method for fabricating a microelectronic assembly including a built-in TEC, a microelectronic assembly including a built-in TEC, and a system including the microelectronic assembly. The method includes providing a microelectronic device, and fabricating the TEC directly onto the microelectronic device such that there is no mounting material between the TEC and the microelectronic device. |
| US08686273B2 |
Recording and selecting a region of a media track
A program product, a graphical user interface, a computer system including such a graphical user interface and method for recording and selecting a region of a media track are described. Such a method comprises storing multiple takes of the same region of a media track and storing a data structure representing a take container to store multiple takes. |
| US08686272B2 |
Method and system for music recommendation based on immunology
An artificial intelligence song/music recommendation system and method is provided that allows music shoppers to discover new music. The system and method accomplish these tasks by analyzing a database of music in order to identify key similarities between different pieces of music, and then recommends pieces of music to a user depending upon their music preferences. Once the song files have been analyzed and mapped, this system uses four layers, metaphorically equivalent to the human immune system, to provide music recommendation. |
| US08686269B2 |
Providing realistic interaction to a player of a music-based video game
A simulated musical instrument may be used to alter the audio of a video game, the video aspects of video game, or both. Use of a controller simulating a musical instrument allows a rhythm-action game can be enjoyed in a manner closer to a realistic state of playing an instrument. |
| US08686268B1 |
System of associating sheet music notation with keyboard keys and sight reading
A system of associating sheet music notation with keyboard keys of a keyboard instrument and sight reading comprises a rectilinear colored strip adapted to be disposed upon the keyboard instrument. The colored strip includes first and second sets of markings corresponding to first and second octaves of the keyboard. Each of the sets includes wide markings corresponding to white keys of the keyboard and narrow markings corresponding to black keys thereof. Each of the wide markings of the first set is color-coded with a first color and each of the wide markings of the second set is color-coded with a second color different from the second color. The system further comprises a musical notation including musical notes color-coded with the same colors the first and second sets of markings on the colored rectilinear strip. |
| US08686257B1 |
Maize inbred PH1M1K
A novel maize variety designated PH1M1K and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1M1K with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1M1K through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1M1K or a locus conversion of PH1M1K with another maize variety. |
| US08686248B1 |
Maize hybrid X05B912
A novel maize variety designated X05B912 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X05B912 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X05B912 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X05B912, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X05B912. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X05B912. |