| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08699781B1 |
Embedded symbology for use with scene imaging system
A scene imaging system (SIS) for providing an enhanced image with embedded symbology. The SIS includes an image sensor assembly for receiving a real-world image and providing a sensed image containing raw image sensor assembly data. An image processing system receives and processes the sensed image and manufacturing tolerance/aircraft installation information. The image processing system provides an image processing system output containing a sensed image with embedded symbology. A database maintains the manufacturing tolerance/aircraft installation information. An output interface element is operatively connected to the image processing system for receiving the processor output for use by a computer for a display. The embedded symbology in the sensed image is used 1) in a monitoring mode to detect frozen, flipped or misaligned SIS images in a continuous real-time manner, 2) in an alignment mode to align the SIS to ensure that the sensed image is conformal to the operator's field of view; and, 3) provide electronic boresighting of the sensed image when the camera is replaced. |
| US08699779B1 |
Systems and methods for alignment of check during mobile deposit
An alignment guide may be provided in the field of view of a camera associated with a mobile device used to capture an image of a check. When the image of the check is within the alignment guide in the field of view, an image may be taken by the camera and provided from the mobile device to a financial institution. The alignment guide may be adjustable at the mobile device. The image capture may be performed automatically by the camera or the mobile device as soon as the image of the check is determined to be within the alignment guide. The check may be deposited in a user's bank account based on the image. Any technique for sending the image to the financial institution may be used. |
| US08699778B2 |
Image coding method, image coding apparatus, program, and integrated circuit
An image coding method determines one of frame coding and field coding while suppressing an increase in the complexity. The image coding method includes coding a current picture included in the pictures; determining whether a picture next to the current picture is to be coded in frame coding or field coding, depending on motion information that is information for indicating a motion in the current picture; and coding the next picture in frame coding when it is determined in the determining that the next picture is to be coded in frame coding, and coding the next picture in field coding when it is determined in the determining that the next picture is to be coded in field coding. |
| US08699777B2 |
Method and apparatus for counting thrombocytes
A method of counting thrombocytes contained in a sample of blood, the method having the steps: mixing said sample with: fluorescent markers suitable for bonding specifically with the thrombocytes; and an agent for inhibiting activation of said thrombocytes; introducing the sample (E) into a fluidic chamber (CF) having at least one transparent face; acquiring at least one digital image (IN) of said sample by fluorescence microscopy under stationary illumination; and counting the thrombocytes (T) present in said or each image by image processing computer means (O). Apparatus for implementing the method. |
| US08699771B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing motion-related imaging artifacts
A method and apparatus are provided for reducing motion related imaging artifacts. The method includes obtaining an image data set of a region of interest in an object, obtaining a motion signal indicative of motion of the region of interest, determining at least one quiescent period of at least a portion of the motion signal, extracting image data from the image data set that is within the determined quiescent period to form an image data subset, and generating an image of the region of interest using the image data subset. |
| US08699764B2 |
Automated biometric submission and improved scanning system and method
An automated biometric submission and scanning system includes a scanner adapted for creating digital image files corresponding to biometrics, such as fingerprints. A computer, which can be standalone or linked to a network, receives the scanner output. The computer is programmed with an image enhancement program, which transforms the biometric image to an appropriate format for searching in one or more biometrics databases. An automated biometric submission and scanning method includes the steps of scanning a biometric image, enhancing the scanned image file, running a biometrics tracking program, selecting a biometrics database, complying with the database submission standards and submitting a biometrics database search. |
| US08699757B2 |
Software embodied on a non-transitory storage media for distance measurement using speckle pattern
A storage media provided by the present invention, has a non-transitory processing software for computing a position of an object in a distance measurement system, the execution of the processing software comprising: receiving a plurality of reference image information contained in an image with a speckle pattern, wherein the image is projected from a light beam on a plurality of reference flat surfaces which are located on different position points, and the speckle contains a plurality of speckles; receiving an object image information contained in an image with the speckle pattern which is projected from the light beam on an object; obtaining a plurality of comparison results through comparing the plurality of reference image information with the object image information; and computing the position of the object through performing an interpolation operation to the plurality of comparison results. |
| US08699756B2 |
Geodetic measuring device
Geodetic measuring device that has an angle and distance measuring functionality for determining a position of a target object. For this purpose, the measuring device comprises a sighting device having a lens that magnifies multiplicatively, a camera sensor comprising a plurality of image recording points for recording a camera image of a field of view, a focusing optical system arranged in front of the camera sensor—wherein a first optical path is defined between the lens and the camera sensor—and an ocular. The camera sensor is connected to an electronic graphics processor for generating a display image from the camera image. The sighting device comprises an electronic graphical display component arranged in front of the ocular for visually presenting the generated display image, wherein a second optical path separated from the first optical path by the display image is defined between the display component and the ocular. |
| US08699752B2 |
Adaptive cross partition for learning weak classifiers
Systems and methods are disclosed to perform object detection for images from an image sensor by reusing a 1-dimensional feature from a previously learned weak classifier and selecting a new feature to construct a 2-dimensional feature space; and cross partitioning the 2-dimensional space to learn optimal outputs for instances in each domain within a boosting framework. |
| US08699749B2 |
Computer-readable storage medium, image processing apparatus, image processing system, and image processing method
First, a series of edge pixels representing a contour of an object or of a design represented in the object are detected from an image acquired from a capturing apparatus. Then, a plurality of straight lines are generated on the basis of the series of detected edge pixels, and vertices of the contour are detected on the basis of the plurality of straight lines. Further, relative positions and orientations of the capturing apparatus and the object relative to each other are calculated on the basis of the detected vertices, and a virtual camera in a virtual space is set on the basis of the positions and the orientations. Then, a virtual space image obtained by capturing the virtual space with the virtual camera is displayed on a display device. |
| US08699741B2 |
Headset with more buttons for activating the same switch pad
A communication device (1), such as a headset, comprising a housing (2) with a housing wall (3) encapsulating a housing interior (13). An electronic circuit (11) is arranged in the housing interior (13), the electronic circuit (11) comprising a first momentary switch (8) and a first actuation member (6), which can be operated by a user from the outside of the housing (2), and which is adapted to actuate the first momentary switch (8). A second actuating member (7; 22), which can be operated by a user from the outside of the housing (2), is adapted to actuate the first momentary switch (8). The second actuating member (7) is adapted to move independently from the first actuating member (6). Further embodiments have multiple conductors in the switch for multiple functions. |
| US08699734B1 |
Dual microphone EAS system that prevents feedback
An exemplary method includes an electro-acoustic stimulation (EAS) system associated with a user 1) processing sounds sensed by a first microphone coupled to a cochlear implant portion of the EAS system, 2) applying electrical stimulation representative of the sounds sensed by the first microphone by way of a plurality of electrode contacts located in a basal region of a cochlea of the user, 3) processing sounds sensed by a second microphone coupled to a hearing aid portion of the EAS system, 4) broadcasting, way of a speaker, amplified sound signals representative of the sounds sensed by the second microphone into an ear canal of the user, and 5) acoustically separating the second microphone from the speaker to avoid feedback within the hearing aid portion of the EAS system. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. |
| US08699729B2 |
Audio speaker assembly
An audio speaker assembly including a housing defining an internal compartment, and a glass membrane having a first portion supported in the housing and a second portion extending externally from the housing. The second portion having a length greater than its width, the length of the second portion extending orthogonal to the width of the housing, the second portion defining at least one aperture and a curved section formed along an edge of the glass membrane. A driver is mounted to the membrane that is responsive to an electrical signal causing the membrane to vibrate. |
| US08699728B2 |
Acoustic sensor
A vibrating electrode plate 24 that senses a sound pressure faces a counter electrode plate 25 to form a capacitance type acoustic sensor. Acoustic perforations are opened in the counter electrode plate 25 in order to allow vibration to pass through. The acoustic perforations opened in the counter electrode plate 25 include plural acoustic perforations 31 having a relatively small opening area and one acoustic perforation 36 having a relatively large opening area. The acoustic perforations 31 and 36 are disposed into a lattice shape at equal intervals. Assuming that L is a width of a diaphragm 28, in the counter electrode plate 25, the acoustic perforation 36 having the large opening area is provided within a circular region a having a radius r=L/4 around a position facing a center of the diaphragm 28. |
| US08699727B2 |
Visually-assisted mixing of audio using a spectral analyzer
Processor-implemented methods and systems for visually-assisted mixing of audio using a spectral analyzer are disclosed. The system calculates and displays a spectral view for each track in an arrangement in a multi-track view. A user can then request modification of the spectral view. In response to this request for modification, the system automatically adjusts associated mixing parameters for the modified track so that the spectral output of the track substantially matches the user-requested modified spectral view. This allows a user to visually mix an arrangement by imputing a desired spectral result and having the program make the changes necessary to achieve it. |
| US08699726B2 |
Apparatus and method for biasing a transducer
An apparatus comprising a capacitive transducer, for example a MEMS microphone. A first voltage generator is connected to receive a first voltage (VDD*) and generate a second voltage (VCP) for biasing the capacitive transducer. A control circuit is adapted to, in use, control the first voltage (VDD*) based on a calibration value, wherein a different calibration value would lead to a different first voltage level and the calibration value is set such that an input signal of known amplitude produces an output signal of predetermined amplitude. |
| US08699725B2 |
Acoustic processing apparatus
An acoustic processing apparatus includes: a connecting unit to which an instructing device is connected; a situation obtaining unit obtaining information indicative of whether a number of apparatuses connected to the instructing device is a plural number or not, from the instructing device; a receiving unit receiving an instruction value from the instructing device; a storage unit in which a set value is stored; a determining unit, in a case where the information indicates that the number of apparatuses connected to the instructing device is a plural number, comparing the instruction and set values, and determines correspondence relationship between the values in accordance with a result of comparison; a changing unit, when the receiving unit receives a instruction value after the correspondence relationship is determined, specifying a set value which corresponds to the instruction value, based on the correspondence relationship, and changes the set value stored in the storage unit to the specified set value; and an acoustic processing unit which applies an acoustic process on an input audio data in accordance with the set value. |
| US08699724B2 |
Volume scale selection
Embodiments herein relate to volume scale selection by a computing device. In an embodiment, the computing device includes a rotational device to assert a volume signal when the rotational device is rotated. Further, the computing device is to select one of a plurality of volume scales based on whether a peripheral audio device is connected to the computing device and is to correlate the volume signal to one of a plurality of values of the selected volume scale. |
| US08699721B2 |
Calibrating a dual omnidirectional microphone array (DOMA)
Systems and methods are described by which microphones comprising a mechanical filter can be accurately calibrated to each other in both amplitude and phase. |
| US08699719B2 |
Personal acoustic device position determination
Apparatus and method for determining an operating state of an earpiece of a personal acoustic device and/or the entirety of the personal acoustic device through tests to determine the current operating state, wherein the tests differ depending on a current power mode of the personal acoustic device, and wherein at least one lower power test is employed during at least one lower power mode. |
| US08699718B2 |
Sound signal processing apparatus, microphone apparatus, sound signal processing method, and program
A sound signal processing apparatus includes a sliding operation detecting section to which a sound signal collected by a microphone is inputted, and which determines start and end of a sliding operation by a determination process using a sliding sound signal component in the inputted sound signal, the sliding sound signal component being produced by the sliding operation on the microphone itself or its vicinity, and a control section that performs a predetermined control process that is set with respect to the sliding operation, during a period from the start to the end of the sliding operation determined by the sliding operation detecting section. |
| US08699716B2 |
Conference device and method for multi-point communication
The conference device (EMCU) according to the invention has several monaural HRTF filters (HRTF1, . . . , HRTFN), each of which is to be allocated to a conference participant. The abbreviation HRTF stands for “Head Related Transfer Function”. A corresponding HRTF filter (HRTF1, . . . , HRTFN) is used for filtering a monaural audio signal coming from the conference participant to whom it is allocated. An individual, monaural HRTF filter coefficient set is responsible in this case for defining the filter characteristics of a particular HRTF filter. The conference device (EMCU) also has a conference mixing device (MP) coupled to the HRTF filters (HRTF1, . . . , HRTFN), for mixing the individually filtered audio signals from various conference participants and for transferring the mixed audio signals to conference participants. |
| US08699710B2 |
Controlled security domains
A security domain control method includes defining a sequential series of security domains; designating one of the security domains as a current domain; generating a plurality of security tokens under the current security domain, each security token being configured to enable a party to exchange cryptographically secured messages with another party that is holding any one of: a token generated under the current security domain; a token generated under at least one next security domain in the series; and a token generated under at least one previous security domain in the series; and subsequently designating a next one of the security domains in the series as a current domain. |
| US08699706B2 |
Method for generating rights object and device to perform the method, method for transmitting rights object and device to perform the method, and method for receiving rights object and device to perform the method
A method for transmitting a Rights Object (RO) includes generating a password key by encrypting a password, generating the RO using the password key, and transmitting the RO from a first device to a second device. The second device and the first device share the password and the second device generates the password key using the same encryption method as that used by the first device to generate the password key. The second device decrypts a Message Authentication Code (MAC) key and a Rights Object Encryption Key (REK) using the password key, decrypts a Content Encryption Key (CEK) using the decrypted REK, and verifies integrity of the RO using the decrypted MAC key. The second device can use and/or access content associated with the RO using the decrypted CEK. The CEK may be generated by the first device or may be the CEK from a Rights Issuer. |
| US08699704B2 |
Secure node admission in a communication network
A system and method for node admission in a communication network having a NC and a plurality of associated network nodes. Key determination in a communication network includes a NN sending to the NC a request for a SALT; the NN receiving the SALT from the NC, combining the SALT with its network password w calculate a static key, and submitting an admission request to the NC to request a dynamic key. The SALT can be a random number generated by the NC, and the admission request can be encrypted by the NN using the static key. |
| US08699696B1 |
System and method for efficiently managing large contact centers
Provided is a system and method that identifies a characteristic associated with a resource. A resource can be, for example, an agent in a contact center. An identifier, representing the characteristic is associated with the resource (e.g., a bit) is stored in a first memory location. A characteristic associated with a work item is identified. The characteristic associated with the work item can be for example, a type of communication (e.g., email, voice, video, etc.), a company represented by the work item, and the like. The identifier representing the characteristic associated with the work item is stored in a second memory location. The first memory location is bit masked and compared with the second memory location to determine if the resource should process the work item. In response to determining that the resource should process the work item, the work item is routed to the resource, such as an agent. |
| US08699682B2 |
System and method for providing custom Caller-ID messages
Systems and methods for providing a message in Caller-ID information are described. In one embodiment of the present invention, an applications server, such as service control point (SCP), substitutes a message for Caller-ID information when a switch serving the called party's line requests the Caller-ID information. An embodiment may also include an application that provides a user interface, for example, a web-enabled interface, to allow the subscriber to add or change the message. |
| US08699681B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring blocked calls in a communication network
Method and apparatus for monitoring a communication network is described. In one example, call detail record data generated by network elements in the communication network is parsed to identify occurrence of a plurality of blocked calls over a time period. A plurality of consolidated call detail records for the plurality of blocked calls are respectively generated from the call detail record data. Each of the plurality of consolidated call detail records includes an originating telephone number. The originating telephone number of each of the plurality of consolidated call detail records is then processed to identify unique originating telephone numbers for the plurality of blocked calls. |
| US08699679B2 |
System apparatus and method for accessing scheduling information
A system for accessing scheduling information. In one illustrative embodiment, a user can log into a phone system by entering their extension number and passcode, which allows the phone to assume their profile. The user then enters the credentials required to access their PC based calendar information, which is stored by a server application. The server application can look up the scheduling information that is stored in the user's PC based calendar application on a message server. The information can then be provided to the phone by the server application where it is displayed. Application programming interfaces can facilitate communications between the phone and the server application and the server application and the message server. Other information located on the message server can also be retrieved through the server application and is not limited to scheduling information. |
| US08699673B2 |
Multi-mode IVR
An interface prompts a user to enter a marker during a communications session, in which the user is able to later provide a subsequent version of the marker. Initially, a first version of the marker is received from the user. A processor associates the first version of the marker received from the user with a particular position in an information tree and stores the particular position in the information tree associated with the first version of the marker. A second version of the marker is received from the user and in response, the user is returned to the particular position in the information tree that has been stored and associated with the first version of the marker received from the user. |
| US08699670B2 |
Method for geometrically correct association of 3D image data of a patient
In a method for geometrically correct association of at least two 3D image data of a patient, a marker field that defines a reference and is dimensionally stable and can be imaged in an x-ray image, is fixed in a stationary position relative to the patient. An x-ray apparatus is brought into first and second 3D acquisition positions. In each of the 3D acquisition positions, the x-ray apparatus acquires first 2D x-ray images for the associated 3D image data in various positions. The first and second 3D acquisition positions are selected such that a second 2D x-ray image that includes an image of at least a portion of the marker field is acquired in at least one respective position. The respective attitudes of the 3D acquisition position and the 3D image data in the reference system are determined from the image of the marker field in the second 2D x-ray image. First and second image data are geometrically correctly associated with one another according to their respective attitude. |
| US08699669B2 |
Collimator for X-ray imaging apparatus and the assemble and disassemble method thereof
A collimator for X-ray imaging apparatus is provided. The collimator includes a collimator housing including a tube flange, a tube, a locating ring configured to be mounted at an outlet of the tube flange, and at least one tongue set fixed on the locating ring. An outstretching direction of the tongue is towards a center of the locating ring. |
| US08699668B2 |
Composite material x-ray collimator and method of manufacturing thereof
A composite material pre-patient collimator for shaping an x-ray beam in a computed tomography (CT) system is disclosed. The pre-patient collimator includes a base comprised of a first material having a first material density and an insert mechanically coupled to the base and being comprised of a second material, the second material comprising a moldable material having a second material density greater than the first material density and that is sufficient to block high frequency electromagnetic energy. The base comprises a plurality of structural features by which the insert is molded to the base, with the moldable material of the insert forming a connection with the plurality of structural features to mechanically couple the base and the insert. |
| US08699667B2 |
Apparatus for x-ray generation and method of making same
A system for applying a target track material to an x-ray tube target includes a controller configured to direct a beam of energy toward an x-ray tube target, and direct a solid stock material toward the beam of energy to cause the solid stock material to melt and deposit as a melted material on the x-ray tube target. |
| US08699665B2 |
Wavelength-classifying type X-ray diffraction device
A wavelength-classifying type X-ray diffraction device bombards a sample with characteristic X-rays generated from an X-ray generation source, and detects characteristic X-rays diffracted by the sample using an X-ray detector. The X-ray generation source is composed of several metals of different atomic number, respective metals generating several characteristic X-rays of different wavelengths. An X-ray detector is composed of several pixels for receiving X-rays and outputting pulse signals corresponding to X-ray wavelengths. Pixels are respectively furnished with classification circuits. The classification circuits classify and output pixel output signals based on each of characteristic X-ray wavelengths. X-ray intensity is detected on a per-wavelength basis in individual pixels 12. Measurement data based on different wavelength X-rays are acquired simultaneously in just one measurement. Data of diffracted X-rays of different wavelengths are acquired using the entire region of the receiving surface of a two-dimensional detector. |
| US08699662B2 |
Determination of composition of liquids
A method of and apparatus for obtaining radiation transmission data from a liquid in such manner that allows some data about relative proportions of constituent ingredients to be derived is described. A radiation source and a radiation detector system able to resolve transmitted intensity across a plurality of frequencies within the spectrum of the source are used to produce transmitted intensity data for each such frequency. Measured data is compared numerically to a mass attenuation data library storing mass attenuation data, individually or collectively, for a small number of expected constituent ingredients of the liquid to fit each intensity data item to the relationship given by the exponential attenuation law: I/IO=exp [−(μ/ρ) ρt] in respect of the constituent ingredients and derive therefrom an indication of relative proportions of each constituent ingredient. |
| US08699659B2 |
Systems and methods for focal spot motion correction
Systems and methods for focal spot motion correction are provided. One system includes a radiation source configured to project radiation from a first focal spot onto an object and a plurality of radiation detectors disposed around at least a portion of the object. The plurality of radiation detectors measure received radiation along a path projected from the first focal spot to the plurality of detectors. The imaging system further includes an imaging region from which the detectors provide image information for image reconstruction and a plurality of collimators positioned between the object and the plurality of radiation detectors. At least one collimator at a first end of the plurality of collimators and at least one collimator at second end of the plurality of collimators are aligned to a second focal spot different than the first focal spot and having a different location. |
| US08699654B2 |
Method comprising measurement on fuel channels of fuel assemblies for nuclear boiling water reactors
The invention concerns a method comprising measurement on a fuel channel (14) of fuel assemblies (8) for nuclear boiling water reactors. The method comprises that: the measurement is done by the use of a non-destructive inductive eddy current measurement method, the measurement is done on a fuel channel (14) which has been used at least a certain time during operation in the core of a nuclear boiling water reactor, the measurement is done when the fuel channel (14) is located in water, the measurement is done on different places on the fuel channel (14), wherein through the method at least the hydride content of the fuel channel (14) at said places is determined. The method can be used in order to find out how shadow corrosion from a neighboring control rod influences the properties of the fuel channel (14). |
| US08699652B2 |
Control rod for nuclear reactor and method of manufacturing control rod
A control rod for nuclear reactors includes four wings including neutron absorbers containing hafnium, a front end structural member which has a cross shape in cross section and includes brackets bonded to the leading ends of the wings, and a terminal end structural member which has a cross shape in cross section and includes brackets bonded to the tailing ends of the wings. The four wings are bonded to a wing-bonding member including a cross-shaped center shaft so as to form a cross shape. The front end structural member and the wing-bonding member are made of a zirconium alloy. The wings include neutron-absorbing plates having neutron-absorbing portions and each have an outer surface which is opposed to a fuel assembly and at which a hafnium-zircaloy composite member covered with zircaloy is disposed. The neutron-absorbing plates are opposed to each other with trap spaces disposed therebetween. |
| US08699651B2 |
Method and system for simultaneous irradiation and elution capsule
A capsule for holding, irradiating, and eluting a material is provided. Methods of fabricating and using the capsule are also provided. The capsule may include a multidiameter tube with a first end region, a second end region, and a middle region. Washers and filters are provided in the end regions and the end regions may be sealed using various methods and materials with the end caps press fit into the end regions. The middle region is designed to store a material to be irradiated by a neutron flux source. The capsule components may be made from materials having a low nuclear cross section so that the capsule may be handled safely after an irradiation step is performed. The capsule is also designed to have a symmetric configuration as an elution and irradiation column so that the same capsule may be used to elute the material within the middle region of the capsule after an irradiation step is performed. |
| US08699650B2 |
Fractional type phase-locked loop circuit with compensation of phase errors
A fractional-type phase-locked loop circuit is proposed for synthesizing an output signal multiplying a frequency of a reference signal by a fractional conversion factor, the circuit including means for generating a modulation value, means for generating a feedback signal dividing the frequency of the output signal by a dividing ratio, the dividing ratio being modulated according to the modulation value for providing the conversion factor on the average, means for generating a control signal indicative of a phase difference between the reference signal and the feedback signal, means for controlling the frequency of the output signal according to the control signal, and means for compensating a phase error caused by the modulation of the dividing ratio; in the circuit of an embodiment of the disclosure, the means for compensating includes means for calculating an incremental value, indicative of an incremental phase error, according to the conversion factor and the modulation value, means for calculating a correction value accumulating the incremental value, and means for conditioning the control signal according to the correction value. |
| US08699649B2 |
Clock and data recovery circuit
A clock and data recovery circuit is disclosed. The clock and data recovery circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention uses a hybrid phase detector that is constituted by including a linear phase detector and a binary phase detector. Since the clock and data recovery circuit basically is constituted with the linear phase detector, a charge pump, a loop filter, a voltage controlled oscillator and a D flip flop to recover clock and data, a phase detector gain is irrelevant to the jitter of received data and recovered clock, and it is possible to make a fine adjustment of the size of up/down currents of the charge pump using the binary phase detector and a charge pump controller, thereby compensating a phase offset between the received data and the recovered clock. |
| US08699648B1 |
Apparatus and methods of receiver offset calibration
One embodiment relates to a method of offset cancellation for a receiver in an integrated circuit. The receiver is set to a phase-detector offset-cancellation mode so as to determine offset cancellation settings for the phase detector. The offset cancellation settings are applied to the phase detector. The receiver is then set to a receiver-driver offset-cancellation mode so as to determine an offset cancellation setting for the receiver driver. This offset cancellation setting is applied to the receiver driver. Another embodiment relates to an integrated circuit configured to perform receiver offset cancellation. The integrated circuit including a receiver driver configured to receive a differential input signal, a phase detector including a plurality of latches, a calibration controller, a voltage source, and first and second pairs of switches. Other embodiments, aspects, and features are also disclosed. |
| US08699642B2 |
Platform RFI mitigation
In some embodiments, SSC (e.g., discrete SSC) profiles with intentional and controlled gaps may be used to mitigate interference for platform radios. Targeted frequency gaps are placed in spectrum of spread clocks and clock-derived signals where they may otherwise result in problematic RFI to a platform radio. |
| US08699636B2 |
Long range radio frequency identification system
A method and apparatus for building a long range RFID system is disclosed. A new signaling structure called Block Pseudo Noise is described that allows for more computationally efficient decoding. A novel approach to synchronize the RFID reader local oscillator with the RFID tag oscillator using an on board GPS receiver on the RFID tags and RFID reader is also disclosed. A novel positioning technique called Asynchronous Time Difference of Arrival used to located RFID tags is also disclosed. |
| US08699631B2 |
Receiver with selective signal path operation and associated methods
A receiver includes a first local oscillator, and an in-phase mixer and a quadrature mixer coupled to the first local oscillator and configured to generate in-phase and quadrature signals based upon received RF signals. A complex mixer is downstream from the in-phase and quadrature mixers. A controller is coupled to the in-phase and quadrature mixers and is configured to determine when the in-phase and quadrature signals include interference less than an interference threshold, and then powers off one of the in-phase and quadrature mixers. |
| US08699627B2 |
Systems and methods for wirelessly receiving data
In accordance with some embodiments, receivers for receiving a wireless data transmission are provided, the receivers comprising at least one amplifier that receives an RF input signal and produces at least one amplified signal; a mixer that mixes the at least one signal to produce a mixed signal; a filter that filters the mixed signal to produce a filtered signal, a comparator that compares the filtered signal to a threshold voltage and produces a digital signal, a first pulse generate i that generates a first pulse in response to a transition in the digital signal, a second pulse generator that generates a second pulse that is longer than the first pulse in response to a transition in the digital signal; and digital logic that generates a clock output and that generates a data output based on a state of the first pulse when the second pulse expires. |
| US08699623B2 |
Modem architecture
A modem device for use in a wireless communications terminal comprises a plurality of functional units to perform signal processing tasks which are connected in a ring structure. Each of the functional units comprises a local processor, a plurality of hardware accelerators and a switching matrix connected between a data input of the respective functional unit and each of the sub-components. The local processor receives task instructions from a controller of the modem device over a first bus system that uses a first protocol which includes addressing, and in response to the task instructions configures the hardware accelerators and switches the switching matrix to selectively produce connections between the data input and the hardware accelerators in a manner to perform the intended task. Data flow occurs in a ring structure between said functional units and through each of the functional units using a second protocol without addressing. |
| US08699621B2 |
Precoding selection for retransmission in uplink MIMO hybrid ARQ
A method includes obtaining a precoder for retransmission of one codeword responsive to a known precoding matrix of a certain rank and modulation and coding scheme assignments used in an original transmission, and a desired retransmission rank', forming an approximate channel covariance matrix; stimating an a minimum mean square error receiver signal-to-noise-interference-ratio for each layer to be retransmitted responsive to the prior forming; and finding a precoding matrix from a preceding codebook that maximizes a sum-rate for enabling precoding selections for retransmissions in uplink multiple-input multiple-output MIMO hybrid automatic repeat request HARQ. |
| US08699619B2 |
Dutycycle adjustment to improve efficiency of a digital RF-PA
An amplification unit reduces a duty cycle of a digital signal at a carrier radio frequency to optimize the efficiency of the RF power amplifier that amplifies the reduced duty cycle signal. An exemplary amplification unit includes a duty cycle controller and a digital power amplifier. A delay unit in the duty cycle controller applies a delay to an input digital signal at the carrier radio frequency to generate a delayed signal at the carrier radio frequency. A logic gate in the duty cycle controller logically combines the input digital signal with the delayed signal to generate a modified digital signal at the carrier radio frequency, where the modified input digital signal has a reduced duty cycle relative to that of the input digital signal. Amplifying the modified digital signal in the digital RF power amplifier generates an amplified analog signal at the carrier radio frequency while improving amplifier efficiency. |
| US08699618B2 |
Method for generating plurality of DM-RS sequences, communication terminal device using same, and base station using same
The present invention relates to a method for generating a plurality of demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) sequences, a communication terminal device using same, and a base station using same, which generate N DM-RS sequences by adding additional parameters having N (≧2) values or N numbers of cases after designing a basic DM-RS sequence for one or more layers. Thereby, each terminal can easily obtain layer information assigned thereto except for basic precoder information from DM-RS and can further predict interference and the like among terminals by obtaining layer information of other terminals. |
| US08699614B2 |
Apparatus and method for interference mitigation
An apparatus in a wideband radio transceiver for mitigating interference between a wideband radio operating in a wide frequency band and a narrowband radio operating in a narrow frequency band within the wide frequency band. The effects of transmissions by the wideband radio on the narrowband radio are reduced by creating by the wideband radio, a transmitter notch of decreased transmit power centered at a frequency in the wide frequency band that is fixed in relation to the wideband carrier frequency. The wideband carrier frequency is then adjusted so that the transmitter notch is aligned with the second radio's narrow frequency band. The effects of transmissions by the narrowband radio on the wideband radio are reduced by creating by the wideband radio, a fixed receiver notch of decreased receiver gain in the wideband receiver, and aligning the narrowband signal with the fixed receiver notch. |
| US08699613B2 |
Wireless communication system, wireless communication apparatus, and wireless communication method
A wireless communication system is disclosed. The system performs data transmission from a first terminal including N antennas to a second terminal including M antennas using spatially multiplexed streams (N and M are integers larger than or equal to 2). |
| US08699611B2 |
Wireless communications system and apparatus
In a wireless communication apparatus, an index value control unit transmits, to a different wireless communication apparatus, index values which indicate precoding matrices for use in precoding of the different wireless communication apparatus, and a deprecoding unit performs deprecoding using precoding matrices corresponding to index values transmitted in the past, wherein the index value control unit transmits, at each transmission timing, the index values generated based on a result of channel condition measurement for entire or some sub-frequency bands of a predetermined frequency band, the count of the index values being less than that of the entire sub-frequency bands, and the deprecoding unit selects one of the index values transmitted in the past, according to the time or frequency of a data block for which no index value is transmitted, and performs deprecoding for the data block using the selected index value. |
| US08699610B2 |
Feedback scheme for multi-cell interference mitigation consideration legacy mobile users
The present invention relates to a Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) communication system and more particularly, to a method for precoding matrix index (PMI) restriction/recommendation in a multi-cell wireless communication system. A method of codebook based precoding matrix index (PMI) feedback considering legacy mobile stations in a multi-cell wireless communication system comprises measuring a channel from at least one neighboring base station generating interference with a signal received from a serving base station; determining a first PMI in which the interference is maximized from PMIs included in a first codebook, wherein the first PMI is determined based on the measured channel; determining a first PMI group including PMIs having high correlation to the first PMI from the PMIs included in the first codebook; determining a second PMI in which the interference is maximized from PMIs included in a second codebook, where in the second codebook is for the legacy mobile stations; determining a second PMI group including PMIs having high correlation to the second PMI from the PMIs included in the second codebook; and transmitting feedback information including the first PMI, a first subset bit indicating the first PMI group, the second PMI and a second subset bit indicating the second PMI group to the serving base station. |
| US08699609B2 |
Methods and arrangements for peak to average power ratio reduction
The present invention relates to a transmitter and to a receiver and methods thereof wherein the PAPR is reduced by applying a set of different phase rotations to the output of each DFT of the transmitter. A corresponding set of inverse phase rotations are applied to the input of the IDFT of the receiver. The set of phase rotations applied to the subcarriers at the output of the DFT precoder of the transmitter results in a circular time shift of the corresponding time domain at the output of the IDFT modulator. If the phase rotations are properly selected for each DFT precoder, the probability that signal peaks sum in a constructive way at the output of the IDFT modulators is reduced, with a consequent reduction of the PAPR. |
| US08699607B2 |
Diversity reception
A receiver for receiving signals of a protocol in which traffic data is redundantly modulated onto both of two carriers according to a predetermined decision scheme, the receiver comprising: an input for receiving signals on the two carriers; a demodulator for demodulating the signals received on each of the two carriers to form two respective received data streams; first transformation logic for generating a first candidate set of traffic data by processing the received data streams by the functional inverse of the predetermined decision scheme; second transformation logic for generating a second candidate set of traffic data by aggregating corresponding bits of each of the received data streams; and a traffic data set selector for selecting data from either the first candidate set of traffic data or from the second candidate set of traffic data for further processing, the traffic data set selector being configured to make that selection in dependence on the relative strength with which signals on the two carriers are received. |
| US08699605B2 |
Method and apparatus for receiving in multiple-input multiple-output system
A receiving method and apparatus in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) communication system are provided. The method includes receiving reception signals through a plurality of reception antennas, grouping symbols corresponding to the reception signals, respectively, into a preset number of groups, and rearranging symbols of the respective groups, transforming the reception signals by applying QR decomposition to the reception signals, sequentially canceling interference due to each of total possible candidate symbols for a first symbol based on an order of the rearranged symbols in the transformed reception signals, determining a portion of the total possible candidate symbols to be a candidate symbol set for each remaining symbol, except for the first symbol, using the interference-canceled reception signal, and determining log-likelihood ratio values of the first symbol, which are to be used upon decoding the received signals, using candidate symbols for the first symbol and each remaining symbol. |
| US08699603B1 |
Iterative precoding selection
The present invention allows a wireless communication system, such as a base station or user element to iteratively select precoding sets to apply to signals for transmission based on effective channel conditions. |
| US08699600B2 |
Method and apparatus of an 8VSB SFN distributed translator system
A frequency and data synchronization control system through the 8VSB SFN DTx modulation prevents the deterioration of the digitally broadcasted receiving sensitivity caused by a discrepancy of the frequency or data between the receiver of the digital broadcasting signal and the distributed translator or between distributed translators. |
| US08699599B2 |
Method for defining a search sequence for soft-decision sphere decoding algorithm
A low complexity method for determining a search sequence of nodes for an efficient soft-decision sphere decoding algorithm for use in receivers for quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) communication signals is achieved by determining a first member of the search sequence by rounding a received symbol (z) to a first constellation symbol (xc) of the QAM constellation, classifying the remaining constellation symbols (xi) of the QAM constellation into a plurality of sub-sets of constellation symbols having the same distance metric relative to said first constellation point (xc) according to a metric dsequ(n)=2a·n=max{|real(xc−xi)|,|imag(xc−xi)|}, a being a scaling factor of the constellation grid, and ordering said sub-sets of constellation symbols in ascending order of their distance metric relative to the first constellation symbol (xc), and ordering the members of each sub-set of constellation symbols that are defined by the same distance metric according to their Euclidean distances. |
| US08699598B2 |
Method and device for graphically representing the I and/or Q components of digitally modulated high frequency signals
A method and device for graphically representing the I and/or Q components of digitally modulated high frequency signal are described, in which the I or Q components measured in a temporally successive manner are graphically represented side-by-side on a display device. |
| US08699597B2 |
Method for the spectral configuration of signals modulated by means of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) for an electrical network
A transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter receives a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal, and generates a first analog signal based on the first OFDM signal. The first OFDM signal has a first bandwidth, a first spectral position, and a first frequency spectrum. The first frequency spectrum of the first OFDM signal has a first set of frequencies with first amplitudes. The receiver receives a second analog signal, and generates a second OFDM signal based on the second analog signal. The second OFDM signal has a second bandwidth, a second spectral position, and a second frequency spectrum. The second frequency spectrum of the second OFDM signal has a second set of frequencies with second amplitudes. The transmitter varies the first bandwidth, the first spectral position, and the first amplitudes independent of the second bandwidth, the second spectral position, and the second amplitudes. |
| US08699592B1 |
Systems and methods for estimating decoder noise power in OFDM systems
Systems and methods for computing a decoder noise power estimate are provided. A pilot signal transmitted through a fading channel from a wireless transmission source is received. Signal power of the received pilot signal, channel noise power, and channel estimation error are computed. The decoder noise power estimate is determined based on the computed signal power, channel noise power, and channel estimation error. |
| US08699588B2 |
Self-adaptive frequency interpolator for use in a multi-carrier receiver
A Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial/Handheld (DVB-T/H) receiver comprises a controller and a frequency interpolator for use in estimating channel state information (CSI) information of a received signal by frequency interpolation. The controller determines a multi-path delay (Tmax) for the received signal and adjusts the bandwidth of the frequency interpolator as a function of the determined multi-path delay. For example, when the multi-path delay is small, the bandwidth of the frequency interpolator is adjusted to be smaller than the bandwidth of the frequency interpolator when the multi-path delay is large. In addition, the controller may also change the coefficients of the frequency interpolator such that different word lengths are used for the coefficients as a function of the determined multi-path delay. |
| US08699587B2 |
Feedback of precoding control indication (PCI) and channel quality indication (CQI) in a wireless communication system
Techniques for sending feedback information in a wireless communication system are described. In one design, precoding control indication (PCI), rank, and channel quality indication (CQI) for data transmission from a transmitter to a receiver may be determined by evaluating different hypotheses. A report may be formed based on the PCI, rank and CQI. The PCI may include a precoding matrix or vector to use for the data transmission. The CQI may include at least one CQI value for at least one transport block to send for the data transmission. The rank and CQI may be combined based on a mapping. For example, the CQI may include one CQI value and fall within a first range of values if one transport block is preferred by the receiver. The CQI may include two CQI values and fall within a second range of values if two transport blocks are preferred. |
| US08699585B2 |
Transmitters for loop-back adaptive pre-emphasis data transmission
Transmitters for data communication can include a pattern generator configured to generate parallel data stream composed of k bits, k being a natural number greater than 2, a serializer configured to convert the parallel data stream into a serial data stream, a pre-emphasis circuit configured to pre-emphasize the serial data stream based on a pre-emphasis control value, to transmit the pre-emphasized serial data stream to a receiver via a first transmission line, and a pre-emphasis controller configured to receive measured values of transmission errors of the pre-emphasized serial data stream from the receiver via a second transmission line, and configured to set the pre-emphasis control value corresponding to a minimum measured value of the transmission errors, to an optimum pre-emphasis control value. |
| US08699583B2 |
Scalable video coding and decoding
A system and method for conveying supplemental enhancement information related to different pictures in one access unit. Different pictures in one access unit may be pictures of each layer of a scalable video, pictures of each view of a multiview video, or pictures of each description in a multiple description coding (MDC) video. An indication is included in the coded bitstream indicating the pictures with which the supplemental enhancement information message is associated. During a subsequent decoding process, the device performing the decoding recognizes this information and uses it appropriately. |
| US08699580B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for video compression
A method for scanning MacroBlocks in video compression and selecting alternative sized Large Macroblocks accordingly. The scanning pattern is divided into scanning fragments with a size corresponding to different possible Large Macroblocks. This allows for varying the size of the selected Macroblocks, based on minimizing distortion and/or bit rate consumption. |
| US08699575B2 |
Motion vector generation apparatus, motion vector generation method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
A motion vector generation apparatus which generates a motion vector utilized to execute motion-compensated encoding based on comparison between a block to be encoded in an image to be encoded and a reference block in a reference image. The apparatus sequentially selects a candidate from a plurality of motion vector candidates, sequentially calculates differences between pixel values of the block to be encoded and pixel values of the reference block corresponding to respective motion vector candidates, calculates, as an average difference, differences between an average pixel value obtained by averaging the pixel values of the block to be encoded and respective pixel values of the block to be encoded, decides a weighting coefficient based on a ratio between a minimum difference and the average difference, and calculates, for each selected motion vector candidate, an evaluation value for deciding a motion vector candidate having a minimum evaluation value. |
| US08699573B2 |
Method and device for digital video encoding, corresponding signal and computer-program product
Digital video image sequences including slices of macroblocks are encoded by adopting a direct prediction mode, motion-compensated on the basis of motion vectors, chosen from between a direct spatial prediction in which the motion vectors of a given macroblock are obtained from the motion vectors of the macroblocks already encoded within one and the same image, and a direct temporal prediction, in which the motion vectors of a given macroblock are obtained from the motion vectors of the macroblocks belonging to a previously encoded image. |
| US08699569B2 |
Motion picture encoding device and method, motion picture decoding device and method, motion picture recording device, program, and data structure
A CODEC compresses and encodes a motion picture captured at a high speed of 240 fps frame rate in MPEG format. The CODEC divides pictures in each frame into I pictures and the main frame P pictures and the other sub frame P pictures. In encoding P pictures of the main frame, the CODEC uses I pictures that are adjacent on the time axis or P pictures of other main frames as a reference picture. With a playback device, etc., of its motion picture playback performance of 60 fps, to perform an actual speed playback with the playback time being equal to the picture-capturing time, only the main frame alone is to be subjected to playback, in that case the decoding process of P pictures of the sub frames is not required. |
| US08699568B2 |
Filtering method for removing block artifacts and/or ringing noise and apparatus therefor
Provided are a filtering method and apparatus for removing blocking artifacts and ringing noise. The filtering method includes transforming video data on a block-by-block basis, and detecting the presence of an edge region in the video data by checking the distribution of values obtained by the transformation. Accordingly, it is possible to completely remove blocking artifacts and/or ringing noise by more effectively detecting the presence of an edge region in video data. |
| US08699564B2 |
Robust mode staggercasting with adjustable delay offset
A method and apparatus for staggercasting includes encoding a first signal representing content having a time duration and a second signal also representing that content. A time delay period is specified for the time duration of the content. A composite signal, comprising the first and second encoded signals, is generated. In the composite signal the first encoded signal is delayed with respect to the second encoded signal by the time delay period for the time duration of the content. If an error is detected in the composite signal, then the received second encoded signal is decoded to produce the content, otherwise the delayed received first encoded signal is decoded to produce the content. |
| US08699554B2 |
Scaling to reduce wireless signal detection complexity
In at least some embodiments, a receiver for a wireless communication system is provided. The receiver includes an equalizer that provides an equalized channel matrix. The receiver also includes scaling logic coupled to the equalizer, the scaling logic selectively scales coefficients of the equalized channel matrix. The receiver also includes a decoder coupled to the scaling logic. The decoder decodes a signal based on the equalized channel matrix with scaled coefficients. |
| US08699552B2 |
Mechanism for measuring transmitter impairments using offset local oscillators
Systems and methods for measuring transmitter and/or receiver I/Q impairments are disclosed, including iterative methods for measuring transmitter I/Q impairments using shared local oscillators, iterative methods for measuring transmitter I/Q impairments using intentionally-offset local oscillators, and methods for measuring receiver I/Q impairments. Also disclosed are methods for computing I/Q impairments from a sampled complex signal, methods for computing DC properties of a signal path between the transmitter and receiver, and methods for transforming I/Q impairments through a linear system. |
| US08699548B2 |
LO generation and distribution in a multi-band transceiver
A VCO of a PLL outputs a first differential signal of frequency FVCO. A first divide-by-two circuit local to the VCO divides the first differential signal and outputs a first quadrature signal of frequency FVCO/2. Two of the component signals of the first quadrature signal are routed to a second divide-by-two circuit local to a first mixer of a first device. The second divide-by-two circuit outputs a second quadrature signal of frequency FVCO/4 to the first mixer. All four signals of the first quadrature signal of frequency FVCO/2 are routed through phase mismatch correction circuitry to a second mixer of a second device. In one example, FVCO is a tunable frequency of about ten gigahertz, the first device is an IEEE802.11b/g transmitter or receiver that transmits or receives in a first band, and the second device is an IEEE802.11a transmitter or receiver that transmits or receives in a second band. |
| US08699547B2 |
Multiple-input Multiple-output (MIMO) with relay nodes
A method for providing multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) feedback information and configuration information. The method includes transporting the MIMO feedback information, configuration information, or both over an uplink relay link using higher layer signaling. Also included is a method for providing uplink data transmission over an access link. The method includes transporting the uplink data over an uplink access link using orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing access (OFDMA). Also included is a relay node comprising a processor configured to promote transmitting MIMO feedback information, configuration information, or both over an uplink relay link using higher layer signaling. Also included is a user agent (UA) comprising a processor configured to promote transmitting uplink data over an uplink access link using OFDMA. |
| US08699544B2 |
System and method for wireless communications
System and method for enabling the cohabitation of licensed and unlicensed communications devices. A method comprises at a receiver, receiving transmitted data, demodulating the transmitted data to produce spread symbols, despreading the spread symbols to produce received data, wherein the despreading comprises using an orthogonal sequence selected from a list of orthogonal sequences for use by all transmissions in the wireless network, and processing the received data. |
| US08699539B2 |
Photonic crystal surface emitting laser and method of manufacturing the same
A photonic crystal surface emitting laser, having an n-type cladding layer formed on a substrate; an active layer formed on the n-type cladding layer; an electron blocking layer formed on the active layer and made of a second p-type semiconductor; and a two-dimensional photonic crystal layer that is formed on the electron blocking layer, includes a plurality of layers that are made of a first p-type semiconductor and have different band gaps, and has a high and a low refractive index portion in an in-plane direction. The band gaps of the plurality of layers are smaller than a band gap of the second p-type semiconductor and decrease stepwise or continuously in a lamination direction of the plurality of layers. A third p-type semiconductor having an acceptor doping concentration smaller than that of the second p-type semiconductor is disposed so as to cover a surface of the electron blocking layer. |
| US08699537B2 |
Application-oriented nitride substrates for epitaxial growth of electronic and optoelectronic device structures
The present invention provides an applications-oriented nitride compound semiconductor substrate, and devices based on it, whose lattice constant can be tuned to closely match that of any nitride thin film or films deposited on it for specific electronic or optoelectronic device applications. Such application-oriented nitride substrates, which can be composed of ternary InxGa1-xN, AlyIn1-yN, AlzGa1-zN, or quaternary AlaInbGa1-a-bN alloy compounds, minimize lattice-mismatch-induced dislocations and defects between the epitaxial films and the substrate on which the device layers are grown, leading to substantially improved device performance. |
| US08699536B2 |
Semiconductor laser device
A semiconductor laser device capable of high output is provided. A semiconductor laser diode includes: a substrate; and a semiconductor stacked structure, which is formed on the substrate through crystal growth. The semiconductor stacked structure includes: an n-type (Alx1Ga(1-x1))0.51In0.49P cladding layer and a p-type (Alx1Ga(1-x1))0.51In0.49P cladding layer; an n-side Alx2Ga(1-x2)As guiding layer and a p-side Alx2Ga(1-x2)As guiding layer, which are sandwiched between the cladding layers; and an active layer, which is sandwiched between the guiding layers. The active layer is formed of a quantum well layer including an AlyGa(1-y)As(1-x3)Px3 layer and a barrier layer including an Alx4Ga(1-x4)As layer that are alternatively repetitively stacked for a plurality of periods. |
| US08699535B1 |
Terahertz step well quantum cascade structures
Terahertz quantum cascade structures employing multiple steps per periodic section. Terahertz quantum cascade structures employing no more than one step per periodic section. |
| US08699532B2 |
Optical scanning and imaging systems based on dual pulsed laser systems
The invention relates to scanning pulsed laser systems for optical imaging. Coherent dual scanning laser systems (CDSL) are disclosed and some applications thereof. Various alternatives for implementation are illustrated, including highly integrated configurations. In at least one embodiment a coherent dual scanning laser system (CDSL) includes two passively modelocked fiber oscillators. The oscillators are configured to operate at slightly different repetition rates, such that a difference δfr in repetition rates is small compared to the values fr1 and fr2 of the repetition rates of the oscillators. The CDSL system also includes a non-linear frequency conversion section optically connected to each oscillator. The section includes a non-linear optical element generating a frequency converted spectral output having a spectral bandwidth and a frequency comb comprising harmonics of the oscillator repetition rates. A CDSL may be arranged in an imaging system for one or more of optical imaging, microscopy, micro-spectroscopy and/or THz imaging. |
| US08699529B2 |
Broadband pilot channel estimation using a reduced order FFT and a hardware interpolator
Within a receiver, a channel estimation mechanism involves a hardware interpolator. In a first mode, narrowband pilot values are analyzed to generate channel parameters that are supplied to the interpolator such that the interpolator generates channel estimate values. The channel estimate values are used to demodulate a tile of a frame. In a second mode, broadband pilot values are supplied to an IFFT, thereby generating time domain values. After time domain processing, an FFT is employed to generate intermediate channel estimate values. These intermediate values are analyzed to determine channel parameters, which in turn are supplied to the hardware interpolator so that the interpolator generates a larger number of channel estimate values. After phase adjustment, the channel estimate values are used in demodulation. Use of the interpolator in the broadband mode allows the FFT employed to be of a smaller order, and to consume less power and/or processing resources. |
| US08699526B2 |
Communication control method and transmitting apparatus
A communication control method of a transmission system that exchanges a transmission frame between a first transmitting apparatus and a second transmitting apparatus, the communication control method including causing the first transmitting apparatus to receive a transmission frame, which is encapsulated using a first method or a second method different from the first method, from the second transmitting apparatus; causing the first transmitting apparatus to determine an encapsulation method of the transmission frame, based on information set according to the encapsulation method in the received transmission frame; causing the first transmitting apparatus to decapsulate the received transmission frame, based on the determination result; and causing the first transmitting apparatus to encapsulate another transmission frame using the determined encapsulation method and transmit another transmission frame. |
| US08699523B2 |
Inducing protocol violations for identifying a stream of information
In one embodiment, protocol violations of a particular protocol are induced at one or more predetermined intervals within a particular stream of information encoded according to the particular protocol in order to produce a marked particular stream of information for use in subsequent identification of the marked particular stream of information. The marked stream is multiplexed or otherwise communicated to a second device. The second device detects, and typically corrects, the induced protocol violations. And based on which stream of information included the induced protocol violations and the multiplexing/distribution pattern of the other streams of information, the second device can identify which stream is which and process or forward accordingly. |
| US08699509B2 |
Methods and systems for diversity idle mode in a mobile station
A mobile station (MS) of a wireless communications system monitors the paging messages of a serving base station (BS) as well as paging messages of one or more neighboring BSs with sufficient signal strength or signal quality. The MS monitors for paging messages from a set of BSs including the serving BS and the neighboring BSs, during listening intervals. The MS coordinates the listening intervals with the paging intervals of the paging messages. These and other aspects related to monitoring the paging intervals of multiple BSs may help improve paging success rate. |
| US08699508B2 |
Response scheduling for multiple receivers
A base station poll mobile devices with the same multicast poll, and the polled mobile stations may respond separately at different times based on an assigned delay period for each mobile station that was specified in the poll message. |
| US08699501B2 |
Residential gateway system for home network service
Disclosed herein is a Residential Gateway (RG) system for home network service. The RG system receives various supplementary services through a Home Network Serving Node (HNSN) that provides home network service. The system includes an Open Service Gateway initiative (OSGi) framework, an RG agent, a virtual Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) device, and a Java virtual machine. The RG agent is installed on the OSGi framework and implemented in bundle form. The UPnP device is registered on the OSGi framework by the RG agent. The Java virtual machine is ported by the RG agent to hardware on which an operating system is installed. |
| US08699500B2 |
Method and apparatus to perform network routing
A method and apparatus to route information over a network is described. |
| US08699497B2 |
Domain-independent persistent fibre channel identifiers
A Fiber Channel switch is provided for a relative addressing scheme for domain values to avoid losing portions of a Fiber Channel identifier. At a Fiber Channel switch, data is stored that assigns a relative domain field value to a run-time domain. The relative domain field value used for a Fiber Channel identifier is determined for devices connected to the switch based on the run-time domain of the devices and the virtual storage area network in which the devices are active. A Fiber Channel identifier is stored in a memory of the switch that comprises the relative domain field value determined for the device together with area and port values for the device. The relative domain value is either a reserved domain field value for an existing virtual storage area network or any of the regular domain field values for a new virtual storage area network. |
| US08699495B2 |
Method of performing tunnel signaling over IP tunneling path and apparatus using the method
A method and apparatus for performing tunneling signaling over an IP tunneling path connected to an end-to-end path on an IP network are provided, in which an end-to-end signaling flow is received from a sender or a receiver on the end-to-end path, a tunnel signaling flow is generated corresponding to the received end-to-end signaling flow, and the generated tunnel signaling flow is transmitted through the IP tunneling path, the end-to-end signaling flow is forwarded between an entry node and an exit node of the IP tunneling path, and the forwarded end-to-end signaling flow is transmitted to at least any one node on the end-to-end path, wherein the forwarding is simultaneously performed with the transmitting of the tunnel signaling flow, and the transmitting of the end-to-end signaling flow is suspended until the transmitting of the tunnel signaling flow is completed. |
| US08699493B2 |
Routing validation
A simulator simulates routing system protocols to build routing tables corresponding to a modeled network, and a comparator compares the routing tables in the actual network to these simulator-created routing tables. Because the modeled system represents a fault-free version of the actual system, and assuming that the modeled routing system protocols are representative of the algorithms used in the actual routers, these simulator-produced routing tables can represent steady-state routing tables that should be present in the routers of the actual network at steady state. By querying each router in the actual network for its routing table and comparing each routing table to the corresponding simulator-produced routing table, any differences from the steady state can be identified. |
| US08699492B2 |
Method and apparatus for simulating IP multinetting
IP Multinetting on a local area network is simulated by performing VLAN translation at a port connecting to the local area network. This allows IP addresses from multiple subnets to be associated with a single VLAN on the Local Area Network (LAN), while allowing the core switch to process the packets with a one-to-one correspondence between IP Subnet and VLAN. When a packet is received from the local area network at an IP multinetting port, the VLAN ID will be read to determine if the packet contains the IP Multinetting VLAN ID. The IP Subnet address will also be checked to see if the packet is associated with an IP Subnet that is part of the Multinetting. If so, the multinetting VLAN ID will be changed to an IP Subnet specific VLAN ID before the packet is processed by the core switch. |
| US08699489B2 |
Method and arrangement for transferring data packets
A method in an access device for handling data packets transferred between a user device and a communication services network. The access device receives a first data packet coming from the user device, the first data packet having a source address. Then, occurrence of service tag in the received packet is detected, where the service tag indicates a type of communication service. A packet handling rule is then determined for the source address based on the detected occurrence of service tag. Occurrence of service tag in any subsequent data packets referring to the source address or to a port the first packet was received on, is then handled according to the packet handling rule. Thereby, a flexible packet forwarding mechanism can be achieved in the access device for any types of connected user devices. Related access devices are also disclosed. |
| US08699486B1 |
Managing multicast distribution using multicast trees
A method includes receiving multicast traffic intended for host devices; identifying a flow associated with the multicast traffic; retrieving information associated with a group of multicast trees, where the group of multicast trees includes information associated with a group of I/O units, associated with a network node; identifying a particular tree that corresponds to the identified flow, where the particular tree includes information associated with a set of I/O units; and transferring the multicast traffic to an I/O unit, of the set of I/O units, based on the identification of the particular tree, where the transferring enables the I/O unit to send a copy of the multicast traffic to other I/O units of the set of I/O units, and the set of I/O units to process the multicast traffic in a manner that utilizes bandwidth or processing resources in a controlled manner and to send a copy of the multicast traffic to each of the host devices. |
| US08699484B2 |
Methods and apparatus to route packets in a network
Methods and apparatus to route packets in a network are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a packet in a packet aggregator, accessing a forwarding table to determine a router within a router array to which the packet is to be forwarded, transmitting the packet to the determined router via a first interface of the packet aggregator, identifying a second interface within the router to which the packet is to be forwarded, forwarding the packet from the router via the second interface to a virtual interface within the packet aggregator, and statically forwarding the packet from the packet aggregator to a destination based on the virtual interface that received the packet. |
| US08699482B2 |
Communication system and communication method
In a communication system in which computer 20 transmits an HTTP request to WWW server 70 via broadband router apparatus 30 and the Internet 50, and WWW server 70 transmits an HTTP response to computer 20 according to the received HTTP request, broadband router apparatus 30 establishes an IP phone session and a TCP connection with HTTP proxy server 620 upon receiving the HTTP request from computer 20, and transmits the received HTTP request to WWW server 70 via HTTP proxy server 620. |
| US08699481B2 |
Via site for managing network bandwidth
A system for using one more via sites to manage network bandwidth, according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first call manager at a source site receiving an offer message to connect a call. The offer message includes an endpoint media settings list. The first call manager determines a first filtered media preferences list based on a source media settings list and the endpoint media setting list. The first call manager and transmits an invite message to a second call manager at a first via site. The invite message includes the first filtered media preferences list. The first call manager receives from the second call manager a call settings list that includes a description of the call settings negotiated between the source site, the first via site and a destination site. |
| US08699467B2 |
Anchor carrier selection in multi-carrier wireless network
Mechanism to receive control signals transmitted from a base station (210, 510, 910) to the user equipment (220, 520, 920) in a manner that minimizes power consumption on the user equipment (220, 520, 920) while still maintaining some acceptable level of performance is described. The user equipment (220, 520, 920) periodically measures the signal quality of component carriers used by the base station (210, 510, 910) and requests control signaling (anchor) carrier reselection. Either a single component carrier can be chosen if the single carrier has sufficient quality or multiple component carriers can be selected when the quality of the single quality is low. The anchor carrier reselection may also be triggered to manage the system as a whole. For fast moving user equipments (220, 520, 920), anchor carrier hopping pattern can be provided to increase robustness and reduce reselection signaling overhead. |
| US08699465B2 |
Forward link data rate control and rate indication for satellite-enabled communications systems
In a synchronous application to control forward link (FL) data rates in a satellite system, user equipment (UE) repeatedly transmits a quality control measurement (QCM) index during a QCM period. During this QCM period, the data rate cannot change. The associated satellite transmits at a new rate corresponding to the QCM index. The UE knows that it will begin receiving new data at the new rate after a QCM delay. In an asynchronous application, a satellite transmits a rate change signal over a FL rate indication channel (RICH). A UE monitors the FL RICH for this signal. When the signal quality is to be low, the satellite sends only a single bit of the QCM index over a first orthogonal channel. When the signal quality is not low, the satellite transmits each bit of the QCM index in a separate orthogonal channel of the FL RICH. |
| US08699462B2 |
Interworking gateway for mobile nodes
Systems and methods are provided that allow inter-working between communication networks for the delivery of service to mobile nodes. A gateway is provided that communicates with a femto cell to extend service to an area that otherwise does not receive coverage from a service provider. The femto cell is a small scale base station used to provide coverage over a small area (such as a home or business), and connect to a home or enterprise network. The femto cell provides service for a mobile node and a gateway permits communication over a broadband network. The gateway integrates the mobile nodes connecting via a femto cell into the service provider's network. The gateway also allows provisioning of services and applications, control of service levels, and provides seamless handoffs to marco base stations and other types of access technologies such as Wi-Fi. |
| US08699461B2 |
Optimized home evolved NodeB (eNB) handover in an LTE network
A method to provide an optimized intra-HeNB GW handover operation that reduces signaling to and from an LTE MME (Mobility Management Entity) function of the 3GPP E-UTRAN Evolved Packet core (EPC). In operation, an HeNB Gateway (GW) intercepts handover requests from a source HeNB to a target HeNB and processes these requests locally, with minimal interaction from the MME. Where possible, messaging to and from the MME is minimized and/or reduced, irrespective of the 3GPP requirement that the GW relay all handover-related messages to the MME. |
| US08699458B1 |
Method and system for forcing mobile IP home agent handoff
When a mobile node hands off to a new network access server/foreign agent (NAS/FA) and establishes a data link layer connection with the new NAS/FA, the NAS/FA will determine whether the mobile node is registered with a preferred home agent. If not, the NAS/FA will force the mobile node to hand off to the preferred home agent, while maintaining the data link layer connection with the mobile node. |
| US08699456B2 |
Methods and apparatus for use in improving network coverage for voice or data calls
To improve network coverage or reduce false handover triggering, at least one client terminal is set to operate as a virtual access point (VAP) in a first wireless network by an AP controller. If a mobile device detects that a signal quality estimate of communications via an AP of the first wireless network is below a first value, the mobile device performs a handover procedure to the VAP. While maintaining the call via the VAP, if the mobile device detects that the signal quality estimate is back above the first value, the mobile device performs a handover procedure back to the AP of the first wireless network. On the other hand, if the mobile device detects that the signal quality estimate is below a second value which is less than the first value, the mobile device performs a vertical handover procedure from the VAP to a base station of a second wireless network. |
| US08699454B2 |
Mobile communication method and radio base station
A mobile communication method according to the present invention includes: the steps of: (A) transferring, from a first radio base station (S-eNB) to an upper level node (S-GW), consecutive uplink data received from a mobile station (UE) with their sequence numbers being consecutive, by use of a resource allocated by the upper level node (S-GW), when the first radio base station (S-eNB) determines that the mobile station (UE) is to perform a handover; (B) transmitting, from the first radio base station (S-eNB) to the upper level node (S-GW) transfer completion notification data after the transfer of the consecutive uplink data to the upper level node (S-GW) is completed; and (C) releasing, at the upper level node (S-GW), the resource when receiving the transfer completion notification data. |
| US08699453B2 |
Reuse of RF receive chain for hand-in assistance
A radio frequency receive chain of an access point is reused for different functions. For example, the same RF receive chain may be used to receive on a downlink at certain points in time and on an uplink at other points in time. An RF receive chain that is used to derive synchronization from downlink signals received from a macro system also may be used to receive uplink signals from an access terminal to provide assistance for hand-in of the access terminal. Accelerated searching for hand-in may be provided through the use of a relatively small search window for hand-in of an access terminal to a small coverage access point. In some aspects, the search window may be defined based on the distance between access points or calibration of synchronization error between access points. |
| US08699445B2 |
Wireless communication system
A method of operating a communication system comprises exchanging initial communications between a wireless communication device and a communication network over a wireless connection between the wireless communication device and a network access system and a network connection between the wireless communication device and the communication network. The method further comprises performing a plurality of ranging processes to monitor a status of the wireless connection. Upon successfully completing a ranging process of the plurality of ranging processes, the method comprises determining a duration elapsed since the last successful ranging process and processing the duration to determine if the duration satisfies a criteria. The method further comprises, if the duration does not satisfy the criteria, then setting the indicator to indicate that a partial entry process is required to regain the network connection, and in response to the deterioration of the wireless link, processing the indicator to determine if the partial network entry process is required to regain the network connection. |
| US08699444B2 |
Broadcast system interference protection method and apparatus
A method and transceiver in a secondary system for utilizing channel bandwidths allocated to a primary system. A secondary system transceiver receives a primary system signal, re-transmits a delayed version of the primary system signal, and communicates with secondary system equipment utilizing secondary system signals within at least part of a bandwidth of at least one channel of the primary system. The re-transmission of the primary system signal allows the use of primary system channels by the secondary system without adversely affecting the primary or secondary system users. |
| US08699442B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting data frame in WLAN system
A method of transmitting a data frame in a wireless local area network is provided. The method includes TXOP the step of: obtaining a transmission opportunity (TXOP) indicating a time interval during which a transmitter has a right to transmit at least one data frame and an available bandwidth for the TXOP and sequentially transmitting a plurality of data frames to at least one receiver during the TXOP, wherein a bandwidth of a subsequent data frame of the plurality of data frames is same to or narrower than a bandwidth of a preceding data frame of the plurality of data frames which is last previously transmitted before the subsequent data frame. |
| US08699438B2 |
Method and apparatus for improved paging in wireless communication
Various methods and devices are provided to address the need to reduce paging latency. In one method, a wireless network determines (201) that a page for a mobile needs to be transmitted over a target broadcast area. The wireless network schedules (202) the transmission of the page in an upcoming paging timeslot based on the target broadcast area and then pages (203) the mobile in the target broadcast area before transmitting an earlier scheduled page for another mobile with a different target broadcast area. |
| US08699434B2 |
Protocol engine for processing data in a wireless transmit/receive unit
A protocol engine (PE) for processing data within a protocol stack in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is disclosed. The protocol stack executes decision and control operations. The data processing and re-formatting which was performed in a conventional protocol stack is removed from the protocol stack and performed by the PE. The protocol stack issues a control word for processing data and the PE processes the data based on the control word. Preferably, the WTRU includes a shared memory and a second memory. The shared memory is used as a data block place holder to transfer the data amongst processing entities. For transmit processing, the PE retrieves source data from the second memory and processes the data while moving the data to the shared memory based on the control word. For receive processing, the PE retrieves received data from the shared memory and processes it while moving the data to the second memory. |
| US08699431B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication method, and computer program for making computer execute communication method
When communication apparatuses each having a plurality of antennas perform a data communication using a plurality of transmission channels formed by space division multiplexing, whether or not to perform a highly reliable communication is determined based on the variation of a transmission characteristic in the plurality of transmission channels. |
| US08699430B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamic spectrum access
Methods and apparatus are provided for the efficient use of cognitive radios in the performance of dynamic spectrum access. This includes spectrum sensing algorithms, adaptive optimized sensing of parameters based on changing radio environments, and identifying vacant channels. Protocols for switching communication links to different channels, and synchronizing communicating nodes in order to maintain reliable connectively while maximizing spectrum usage are also provided. |
| US08699429B2 |
Wireless communication system and wireless communication method
There is provided a MIMO wireless communication system, which comprises at least one base station having plural transmitting antennas and at least one user equipment having at least one receiving antennas, the base station being capable of accommodating plural user equipments by precoding based on a codebook, wherein, each of the plural user equipments comprises: a channel estimation unit for conducting a channel estimation based on a pilot signal transmitted from the base station, to obtain a channel information; a codeword determination unit for determining a first codeword that results in the maximum signal-noise-ratio, and at least one second codeword that results in the minimum signal-noise-ratio, based on the channel information; and a transmission unit for feedbacking the first codeword and the second codeword(s) to the base station, the base station is configured to schedule the user equipments based on the first codeword and the second codeword so that a predetermined system performance metric is optimized. |
| US08699424B2 |
Adapting channel width for improving the performance of wireless networks
The subject invention relates to a system and/or methodology that provide improved wireless networking performance by dynamically adapting the channel width. A dynamic adaptation component adjust the channel width based on at least one characteristic of a wireless network, the characteristics can include but are not limited to range, power consumption, throughput, signal to noise ratio (SNR), resilience to delay spread, data rate, and capacity. Additionally, an optimization component can determine an optimum channel width. |
| US08699423B1 |
Wireless slot allocation
An indicator of throughput for one or more network elements is received. A plurality of slots are allocated to a plurality of devices that are operating using a plurality of combinations of modulation and coding. This allocation is based upon the indicator of throughput for the one or more network elements. An indicator of throughput for one or more network elements is received. A plurality of requests for wireless throughput are received from a plurality of wireless devices. Wireless throughput for each of the plurality of wireless devices is allocated based on a wireless throughput indicator associated with each of the plurality of wireless devices and the indicator of throughput. |
| US08699418B2 |
Band steering for multi-band wireless clients
Band steering for multi-band wireless clients. In a wireless digital network having at least one central controller and a plurality of access nodes connected to the central controller, and wherein some of the access nodes support a preferred wireless band and at least one non-preferred wireless band, the central controller identifies wireless client devices capable of multi-band operation, and encourages them to connect to the preferred wireless band. Client devices may be identified as multi-band capable by tracking probe requests. The central controller keeps a list of multi-band capable clients, for example in a database. This information is provided to other central controllers, and to access nodes attached to the central controller. Multi-band capable clients are encouraged to connect on the preferred wireless band for example by having the access nodes not respond to probe requests on the non-preferred wireless bands. Connections made on the non-preferred wireless bands may be moved to the preferred wireless band. |
| US08699416B2 |
Communication system, femto-cell base station, authentication device, communication method, and memory medium
A communication system that includes at least UE and an HLR that are used in an IMS network further includes: a Femto-cell base station that makes up a predetermined communication area, and a control unit for controlling at least communication between the UE and the HLR. The Femto-cell base station and the control unit are present between the UE and the HLR. The Femto-cell base station includes a transmission unit for transmitting messages received from the UE to the control unit and for transmitting messages received from the control unit to the UE. The control unit converts messages received from the Femto-cell base station to messages that can be recognized by the HLR, and converts messages received from the HLR to messages that can be recognized by the UE. |
| US08699411B1 |
Dynamic TDMA system for TV white space MIMO wireless
A method may include identifying a repeating frame structure for communication between a MIMO base station and one or more wireless devices, the frame structure including a plurality of slots, with each slot including an uplink portion and a downlink portion, and each uplink portion and downlink portion comprising a plurality of sub-slots, receiving, at the wireless base station, an identification of a first wireless device of the one or more wireless devices, assigning to the first wireless device, a sub-slot in an uplink portion of a static slot in the frame structure, communicating, to the first wireless device, information from which the first wireless device can identify the sub-slot, and communicating with the one or more wireless devices by associating data in the first sub-slot with the first wireless device. |
| US08699409B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for providing peer-to-peer positioning in wireless networks
Methods and apparatus are provided for use in wireless networks to provide and/or otherwise support peer-to-peer positioning operations. |
| US08699408B2 |
Method for controlling transmission over a radio channel between a sending unit and receiving units and equipments for implementing the method
The invention relates to a method for controlling transmission over a radio channel between a sending unit and a group of receiving units in a radio communication system, the method comprising the following steps relating to information aimed at a subgroup of at least one receiving unit of said group of receiving units: transmitting said information over the radio channel from the sending unit; upon reception of said information, transmitting an acknowledgement from at least each receiving unit of the subgroup, which has received said information correctly over said radio channel; and checking whether acknowledgments have been received by the sending unit from each receiving unit of said subgroup. |
| US08699405B2 |
Wireless communication system, wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method
A wireless communication system which performs data transmission using spatially multiplexed streams from a first terminal including N antennas to a second terminal including M antennas (N is an integer of 2 or more and M is an integer of 1 or more) is disclosed. The system includes notifying means, training means, channel matrix estimation means, beamforming information feedback means, transmission weight matrix setting means, and beamforming means. |
| US08699402B2 |
Multi-hop relay radio communication system, access gateway, and route selection method
A multi-hop relay wireless communication system provided with an AGW (2), a policy controller (3), a base station (4), one or more relay stations (6), and a mobile station (7) collects data path setting information into the AGW (2) after the establishment of the wireless links between the base station and the relay stations and between the relay stations and the mobile station, selects a relay station (6) which becomes the data path from the one or more relay stations by using the collected information, and sets the optimal path from the AGW (2) to the mobile station (7). |
| US08699400B2 |
Source antenna switching scheme for non-orthogonal protocol
The present invention relates to a source antenna switching scheme for a non-orthogonal protocol; and more particularly, to a source antenna switching scheme for a non-orthogonal protocol, which transmits a signal of a source node to a destination node through a relay node. The present invention provides a source antenna switching scheme for a non-orthogonal decode-and-forward protocol that can acquire a greater diversity than the conventional NDF protocol. In other words, the present invention provides a source antenna switching scheme for a non-orthogonal decode-and-forward protocol that can increase a diversity order by adding a reasonable priced antenna instead of expensive hardware such as an RF chain when there are a plurality of antenna in the RF chain. |
| US08699398B2 |
Dynamically switching mobile stations between point-to-point and point-to-multipoint operating modes
A method and apparatus is provided for dynamically switching mobile stations between point-to-point (PTP) and point-to-multipoint (PTM) operating modes. For example, a particular mobile station can determine whether reception of information over a downlink PTM bearer is inadequate or adequate. Upon determining that the reception of the information over the downlink PTM bearer is inadequate, the particular mobile station can generate and transmit a complaint message to a controller. It can then be determined whether the particular mobile station is to switch between the PTP operating mode and the PTM operating mode. A signal can be processed at the particular mobile station. When the signal is to switch to the PTP operating mode, the particular mobile station can switch from the PTM operating mode to the PTP operating mode and start receiving downlink transmissions over a PTP bearer. |
| US08699395B2 |
Method and device for inverse multiplexing of multicast transmission
A stream of multicast messages is forwarded through a network to a plurality of subscriber devices (18). The stream is inverse multiplexed and transmitted distributed over a plurality of communication channels (14). A plurality of inverse demultiplexers (16) is provided, to reassemble a plurality of copies of the stream from the multiplexed streams from the communication channels at different locations. Preferably, the final communication channels to a plurality of subscribers (e.g. telephone lines to different homes) are used as communication channels for said inverse multiplexing and the inversely multiplexed data is communicated locally (17) between the subscribers to enable reassembly of copies of the stream. |
| US08699392B2 |
Method and apparatus for conserving access point power usage during low network usage intervals
A method for conserving the power usage of access points in a WLAN is disclosed. The method includes detecting, by a peripheral access point during periods of low network usage, that a mobile device has entered a wireless network coverage area. The method also includes providing, by the peripheral access point, initial services to the mobile device and monitoring movements of the mobile device in the network coverage area. Upon determining that the mobile device is in a vicinity of a powered-off non-peripheral access point, powering on a first non-peripheral access point which is determined to be closest to the mobile device and a set of first concentric access points to provide a coverage buffer around the first access point and using the first non-peripheral access point and the set of first concentric access points as serving access points for the mobile device. |
| US08699391B2 |
Methods for power headroom reporting, resource allocation, and power control
A method and apparatus for power headroom reporting are provided. The power headroom reporting method for a mobile terminal may include determining whether a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) transmission and a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) transmission are allowed to occur in a same subframe; determining whether an event for requesting power headroom reporting is generated; and reporting a first power headroom and a second power headroom to a base station. |
| US08699390B2 |
Call routing method and apparatus
The invention relates to a telecommunications chip card for carrying personalization data for connection to at least a mobile telecommunications network, said telecommunications chip card further comprising: means for receiving a dialed telephone number from a first wireless terminal coupled to a first network, wherein said first wireless terminal is adapted for initiating a call between said first wireless terminal and a second wireless terminal, wherein said dialed telephone number belongs to said second wireless terminal; means for obtaining a geographic location of said first wireless terminal; —means for fetching an access point address from a look-up table according to said geographic location, wherein said look-up table is stored in said telecommunications chip card, wherein said access point address belongs to an access point coupled to a second network and within said geographic location, wherein said second network is coupled to said first network; means for initiating a connection with said access point; means for sending said dialed telephone number to said access point for establishing connection through a third network between said first wireless terminal and a second wireless terminal having said dialed telephone number; means for connecting said call between said first and said second wireless terminal. |
| US08699385B2 |
Method for transmitting and receiving signals using a time division duplexing frame structure
The present invention relates to transmission and reception of a frame for a legacy support mode of IEEE 802.16m system for supporting a legacy system. A method of transmitting an uplink signal, in which a signal is transmitted by a user equipment in a wireless mobile communication system, according to the present invention includes the step of transmitting the signal from the user equipment, wherein the signal is transmitted via an uplink frame including 15 OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access) symbols and wherein the uplink frame comprises a first uplink subframe including 9 OFDMA symbols and a second uplink subframe including 6 OFDMA symbols. Preferably, the user equipment is multiplexed with a second user equipment supporting a legacy system for the wireless mobile communication system only by FDM for an uplink. |
| US08699382B2 |
Network topologies for energy efficient networks
One embodiment identifies all one-hop neighbor nodes and two-hop neighbor nodes of a node; determines an active set of one-hop neighbor nodes for the node, comprising: includes in the active set each one-hop neighbor node that is either an edge node or connected with at least one two-hop neighbor node with which no other one-hop neighbor nodes are connected; and if the active set is not yet complete, then: determine all combinations of one-hop neighbor nodes that are not already in the active set; and tests each combination in order of each combination's total-energy value to determine whether a specific combination is able to complete the active set; if no combination is able to complete the active set, then including all one-hop neighbor nodes in the active set; and communicates a message to each one-hop neighbor node in the active set indicating that it is in the active set. |
| US08699375B2 |
Method for implicit conveying of uplink feedback information
Method and apparatus for conveying feedback reports from a data receiving party (300) for data received from a data sending party (302) in a wireless connection. A plurality of feedback resources (304) assigned to different feedback information codes are allocated to the data receiving party for transmitting feedback reports. After checking whether the data was received correctly or not, the data receiving party selects a feedback resource (FR2) with a feedback information code that corresponds to one or more feedback reports on the received data. The data receiving party then sends feedback information on the selected feedback resource to the data sending party, thereby conveying the corresponding feedback information code. In this way, multiple feedback reports can be conveyed in a single feedback resource to the data sending party while still retaining single carrier properties. |
| US08699374B2 |
Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing system capable of optimizing channel estimation and method for optimizing channel estimation for orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing system
The present invention discloses a channel estimation method for an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing system with cyclic-delay diversity. The method makes pilots have the same amplitude and equally partitions the pilots into a number of pilot groups. In addition, the method equally spaces the pilots of each group in a frequency domain and determines the pilot locations and cyclic-delay coefficient of each pilot group in order to optimize the channel estimation of a receiver. The method can perform the channel estimation by using just one OFDM symbol. |
| US08699372B2 |
System and method for implementing beam forming for a single user
The invention discloses a system for implementing beam forming for a single user is, in the system, a null widening calculation unit is for calculating the first beam forming weight corresponding to the first detection threshold and the second beam forming weight corresponding to the second detection threshold by using a null widening algorithm according to the input first detection threshold and second detection threshold; a beam forming unit is for implementing beam forming according to the first beam forming weight and second beam forming weight respectively. The invention further discloses a method for implementing beam forming for a single user, and the method includes: calculating the first beam forming weight corresponding to the first detection threshold and the second beam forming weight corresponding to the second detection threshold by using a null widening algorithm according to the input first detection threshold and second detection threshold; and implementing beam forming. |
| US08699369B2 |
Hybrid land mobile radio system incorporating mobility management and out-of-coverage indication
The present disclosure provides a system and a method for providing mobility management and out-of-coverage indication in a hybrid system comprised of conventional LMR sites and trunking LMR sites. If a radio is located at a conventional site, the radio provides its location and user group data to the disclosed system through its traffic channel when the channel is idle. If the radio is located at a trunking site, the radio provides its location and user group data to the disclosed system through the trunking site's control channel. Knowledge of the radio's current location and user group data is used to provide dynamic call routing and data management within the disclosed system. The disclosed system and method provides seamless communication between a trunking site and a conventional site while concurrently enhancing the hybrid system to provide mobility management and out-of-coverage indication features typically associated with a stand-alone trunking system. |
| US08699363B2 |
Method and arrangement for the power management of a digital communication line
The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for the power management of a digital communication line such as a digital subscriber line DSL. A problem addressed by the invention is that the transitioning of the digital subscriber line from a low transmission power state to a high transmission power state can cause disturbance to adjacent lines. This problem is solved by the current invention by an access node AN that is arranged to step-wise increase the power state until the high transmission power state has been reached. The invention also comprises embodiments of monitoring and detecting traffic events that serve as triggers of the transitioning. |
| US08699362B2 |
Radio communication method, radio communication device, radio communication program, and radio communication system
In cooperative sensing in which a plurality of cognitive radio apparatus collaboratively exchange sensing information on a status of frequency band usage as a secondary system, the sensing information is efficiently exchanged in the secondary system without influencing communication of the primary system. In a radio communication system according to this invention, a first radio communication device includes means for observing a surrounding radio communication environment, means for converting information obtained by the observation into a parameter used for radio communication, and means for performing transmission by using the parameter, and a second radio communication device includes means for receiving a signal transmitted from the first radio communication device and means for extracting, from the received signal, information on the surrounding radio communication environment that is observed on a transmission side. |
| US08699361B2 |
Out-of-synchronization handling method and apparatus
A method for handling out-of-synchronization (SYNC) includes generating a plurality of combination sets of transport channels utilized by a communication device. The method also includes selecting, based on a window-based parameter, a highest-ranking combination set of transport channels out of the plurality of combination sets of transport channels. The highest-ranking combination set of transport channels excludes one or more out-of-SYNC transport channels. The method further comprises providing, to a window-based data processing unit, data packets from transport channels in the highest-ranking combination set of transport channels, without providing data packets from the one or more out-of-SYNC transport channels to the window-based data processing unit. Apparatus and machine-readable media for out-of-SYNC avoidance and/or detection are also provided. |
| US08699359B2 |
Data plane delay KPI monitoring in live network
A method and apparatus for Data Plane Delay KPI Monitoring in a live network is disclosed for measuring node delays in a manner that allows latency to be apportioned to network elements. The method and apparatus for Data Plane Delay KPI Monitoring in a live network includes establishing a call session, propagating a probe session commencement indicator, capturing timestamps for incoming and outgoing packets associated with the call session at the network nodes, propagating a probe session stop indicator which causes the network nodes to cease collecting timestamps and then transmitting the timestamps to a Network Management System. |
| US08699349B2 |
Multi-factor optimized routing
A multi-factor optimized routing can select a computing device, from among multiple computing devices associated with a domain, to receive communications and thereby optimize one or more factors associated with such communications. Such multi-factor optimized routing can likewise specify a particular route, such as through the specification of one or more sub-networks. A performance monitoring system, comprising a performance monitoring framework that can support service-specific performance monitors can collect performance data to be used in the selection of a multi-factor optimized route. Additional data can be collected from other sources and the multi-factor optimized routing can be provided to a name resolution and routing system to ultimately route communications in an optimized manner. |
| US08699347B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication system, communication method, and a computer-readable medium
A communication apparatus can perform reliable and stable communication with one or more counterpart apparatuses in a communication network, where the network has plural communication paths in which data communication transmissions are performed according to a predetermined transmission condition. The transmission condition of a communication packet for at least one of the plural communication paths is determined to be different from the predetermined transmission condition if bandwidth measurement is not performed on that communication path while bandwidth measurement is performed on one or more of the other communication paths. Accuracy of measuring available bandwidth in the communication network can be improved because communication paths that perform bandwidth measurements are less impacted by communication paths that do not perform bandwidth measurement. |
| US08699346B2 |
Method and system for optical network smart timer management via delay measurement between spans
A method and system for determining timers in a High Level Data Link Control (HDLC) Traffic Manager (HTM) state machine are disclosed. According to one aspect, the invention provides for determining a transit delay between two nodes by sending a first packet having a delay measurement byte to a second node that is on a link between the first node and the second node. A measured delay value is determined based on the delay between a time of sending the first packet to the second node and receiving a second packet from the second node. The timer values of the HTM state machine are set based on the measured delay value. |
| US08699344B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing a degree of parallelism of streams
A method, computer readable medium and apparatus for managing a degree of parallelism of streams are disclosed. For example, the method analyzes wireless traffic to determine a profile of the wireless traffic, determines an amount of available processing resources, and manages the degree of parallelism of streams based on the profile and the amount of available processing resources in a probe server. |
| US08699342B2 |
Transmission device
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a transmission device, that automatically generates transmission paths within a transmission network, includes a storing unit that stores first information that indicates an end user to which a link, where a transmission path is contained, and a path bandwidth, which is used to generate the transmission path, are assigned and second information that indicates whether the path can be shared each of the end users; and a sending unit sending third information to identify the end user and the second information to a adjacent node. |
| US08699337B2 |
Communication terminal which perform low-delay communication
A communication terminal used in a communication system which sets a communication session between a plurality of terminals through a network to perform data transmission and reception includes a first transmission bandwidth control unit which performs transmission bandwidth control independently of a state of the network, a second transmission bandwidth control unit which performs transmission bandwidth control depending on a state of the network, and a bandwidth estimating unit which determines a transmission bandwidth when bandwidth control by the second transmission bandwidth control unit is started. When transmission is started, bandwidth control by the first transmission bandwidth control unit is performed, and when a transmission bandwidth is determined by the bandwidth estimating unit on the basis of a response packet to a transmission packet based on the bandwidth control, the bandwidth control by the second transmission bandwidth control unit is performed. |
| US08699330B2 |
Systems and methods for digital data transmission rate control
The present invention provides systems and methods for adaptive digital data transmission rate control. A digital data transmission system for adaptively transferring packets over a transmission link includes a client device having a bandwidth control module and a host device coupled to the client device over the transmission link. The host device includes one or more bandwidth control registers and a packet builder. The bandwidth control module determines a packet speed and/or size for packets transmitted from the host device to the client device over the transmission link. The bandwidth control registers store the requested packet size and/or rate. The packet builder accesses these registers when transmitting packets to determine the requested packet size and/or rate. |
| US08699329B2 |
Tie-breaking in shortest path determination
A consistent tie-breaking decision between equal-cost shortest (lowest cost) paths is achieved by comparing an ordered set of node identifiers for each of a plurality of end-to-end paths. Alternatively, the same results can be achieved, on-the-fly, as a shortest path tree is constructed, by making a selection of an equal-cost path using the node identifiers of the diverging branches of the tree. Both variants allow a consistent selection to be made of equal-cost paths, regardless of where in the network the shortest paths are calculated. This ensures that traffic flow between any two nodes, in both the forward and reverse directions, will always follow the same path through the network. |
| US08699321B2 |
System and method for path state determinations
A system and method for determining a state of a communications system. A determination is made whether a communications path is fully functional, impaired, or non functional. A maximum capacity available to the communications path is determined in response to deterting the communications path is impaired. The communications path is limited to a maximum capacity available in response to determining the maximum capacity of the connection as impaired. |
| US08699320B2 |
Multi-interface port management
The present embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for managing forwarding devices that support hybrid multi-interface ports. This type of device supports a plurality of physical ports, with each port supporting a plurality of interface media. The interface media supported in each port may be of varying media types, such as one may be copper and the other fiber. The systems and methods also handle failover conditions, thus ensuring network redundancy and reliability. |
| US08699317B2 |
Transmission timing in a carrier group
A base station configures a first carrier group and a second carrier group in a wireless device. The wireless device transmits first uplink signals in the second carrier group employing a first secondary carrier in the second carrier group as a timing reference carrier. The wireless device autonomously changes the timing reference carrier to a second secondary carrier in the second carrier group. The second secondary carrier is an active carrier different from the first secondary carrier. The wireless device transmits second uplink signals in the second carrier group employing the second secondary carrier as the timing reference carrier. |
| US08699310B2 |
Optical information recording medium, optical information recording/reproducing device and optical information recording/reproducing method
A holographic recording medium in which information can be reproduced by phase conjugate beam without requiring a mirror for obtaining the phase conjugate beam and its driving part and recording density is not reduced. The recording medium includes a recording layer in which an interference pattern is recorded and a light absorption/transmission layer which can be reversibly changed to be in a first state where signal beam and reference beam passed through the recording layer are absorbed at the time of recording of information and a second state where the reference beam is transmitted at the time of reproduction of information, and the reference beam transmitted through the light absorption/transmission layer is reflected by a reflection layer to produce the phase conjugate beam. |
| US08699304B2 |
Electronic device, electronic device control method, and electronic device control program
An electronic device includes a primary power supply portion generating power by converting a first energy into electric energy as a second energy; a secondary power supply portion storing the electric energy obtained by the power generation; a charge detection portion detecting a state where the secondary power supply portion is not charged with the electric energy; a clocking portion clocking time and stopping display of clocked time when an operation input is detected; and a low power consumption state control portion which measures a time of a state where the operation input is detected and the charging is not performed, and stops the operation of the clocking portion when the measured time exceeds a preset time. |
| US08699301B2 |
Apparatus and system for acquiring seismic data over a loose surface
An apparatus and system for acquiring seismic data over a loose surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing capable of moving on the loose surface with an opening configured at a bottom surface of the housing. The apparatus further includes a seismic sensing unit configured within the housing at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane. The horizontal plane may be the bottom surface of the housing. The seismic sensing unit is operable to retractably move within the housing towards and away from the opening. In response to the seismic sensing unit moving towards the opening, the seismic sensing unit establishes contact with the loose surface for acquiring the seismic data. |
| US08699300B2 |
Underwater communications
A method of underwater communication between a link initiator and a link receptor, by transmitting a link acquisition waveform from the initiator to the receptor, and establishing communications channel parameters from such a received waveform. Data is then transmitted according to these parameters, which may include range, direction, frequency band and Doppler, with greater efficiency and robustness. |
| US08699294B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device
A nonvolatile memory device includes a plurality of memory blocks vertically arranged, first and second row decoder groups configured to couple first and second local global word lines and the word lines of upper memory blocks among the plurality of memory blocks, third and fourth row decoder groups configured to couple third and fourth local global word lines and the word lines of lower memory blocks among the plurality of memory blocks, a first local decoder switch configured to couple a plurality of global lines and the first or second local global word lines, a second local decoder switch configured to couple the plurality of global lines and the third or fourth local global word lines, and a high voltage generator configured to supply operating voltages to the plurality of global word lines. |
| US08699290B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for forming the same
A method for forming a semiconductor device is disclosed. An anti-fuse is formed at a buried bit line such that the area occupied by the anti-fuse is smaller than that of a conventional planar-gate-type anti-fuse, and a breakdown efficiency of an insulation film is increased. This results in an increase in reliability and stability of the semiconductor device. A semiconductor device includes a line pattern formed over a semiconductor substrate, a device isolation film formed at a center part of the line pattern, a contact part formed at both sides of the line pattern, configured to include an oxide film formed over the line pattern, and a bit line formed at a bottom part between the line patterns, and connected to the contact part. |
| US08699287B2 |
Techniques for increasing a lifetime of blocks of memory
Techniques are described for increasing a lifetime of a plurality of blocks of memory by equalizing a variation between the blocks. In operation, blocks to be written are allocated from a set of blocks having a lifetime factor below a threshold. The threshold is reset as required to resupply the set of blocks available for allocation. |
| US08699286B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is provided with: a delay circuit including a first delay unit that has a plurality of differential first delay elements which are respectively connected in series, a plurality pairs of first contacts which are respectively provided between the plurality of first delay elements, and a first output circuit that outputs a first delayed signal corresponding to a pair of first contacts selected from among the plurality pairs of first contacts, on receiving a first selection signal; a second delay unit that receives the first delayed signal, and that includes a plurality of single-ended second delay elements which are respectively connected in series, a plurality of second contacts which are respectively provided between the plurality of second delay elements, and a second output circuit that outputs a second delayed signal corresponding to a second contact selected from among the plurality of second contacts, on receiving a second selection signal; and a control circuit that outputs each of the first and second selection signals. |
| US08699281B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method with auxiliary I/O line assist circuit and functionality
A semiconductor memory device includes an I/O line for transmitting read data that has been read from a memory cell, a plurality of driver circuits for driving the I/O line on the basis of the read data, a read circuit for receiving the read data transmitted through the I/O line, and an assist circuit for amplifying the read data transmitted through the I/O line. The assist circuit is disposed farther away from a prescribed drive circuit included in the plurality of drive circuits as viewed from the read circuit. The signal level can thereby rapidly change levels even in memories having relatively long I/O lines. |
| US08699279B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and semiconductor system
A semiconductor system includes a semiconductor memory device configured to, during a test mode, store received data in a memory cell in response to a write command, read the stored data as information data in response to a read command, and internally store the information data, in response to the read command, in synchronization with a pulse generated when a level of the information data changes. |
| US08699274B2 |
Flash memory device and operating method for concurrently applying different bias voltages to dummy memory cells and regular memory cells during erasure
Integrated circuit flash memory devices, such as NAND flash memory devices, include an array of regular flash memory cells, an array of dummy flash memory cells and an erase controller. The erase controller is configured to concurrently apply a different predetermined bias voltage to the dummy flash memory cells than to the regular flash memory cells during an erase operation of the integrated circuit flash memory device. Related methods are also described. |
| US08699273B2 |
Bitline voltage regulation in non-volatile memory
Systems and methods are provided to minimize write disturb conditions in an untargeted memory cell of a non-volatile memory array. Bitline driver circuits are provided to control a ramped voltage applied both to a bitline of a target memory cell and a neighboring bitline of an untargeted memory cell. Various embodiments advantageously maintain the integrity of data stored in the untargeted memory cells by applying a controlled voltage signal to a previously floating bitline of a neighbor cell to reduce a potential difference between the source and drain nodes of the untargeted neighbor memory cell during a write operation at a target memory cell. In another embodiment, an increased source bias voltage is applied on a “source” bitline of the target cell during the ramping of the drain bias voltage and then reduced to a ground or near ground potential during the write operation. |
| US08699272B2 |
Programming and/or erasing a memory device in response to its program and/or erase history
For one embodiment, a programming method includes programming one or more memory cells of a memory device during a programming operation, determining, internal to the memory device, a number of program pulses required to program a sample of the one or more memory cells of the memory device during the programming operation, and adjusting a program starting voltage level of one or more program pulses applied to the one or more memory cells during a subsequent programming operation in response, at least in part, to the number of program pulses required to program the sample of the one or more memory cells programmed during the prior programming operation. |
| US08699270B2 |
System and method for controlling voltage ramping for an output operation in a semiconductor memory device
A voltage driving circuit comprises a current bias generating unit and a voltage driving unit. The current bias generating unit is configured to receive a mode signal and to generate a mode selection current in response to the mode signal. The voltage driving unit is coupled to the current bias generating unit, and is configured to receive the mode selection current and to drive an output voltage at a slew rate that is set according to the mode selection current. The voltage driving unit can include a plurality of stages, where each stage is configured to drive the output voltage at a respective different slew rate according to the mode signal. |
| US08699269B1 |
Systems and methods for improving error distributions in multi-level cell memory systems
A state set module arranges states of a memory cell in a first and a second sequence in a first and a second state set, respectively. The memory cell stores first and second bits when programmed to a state. When the states in the first and second state sets are accessed respectively in the first and the second sequence, the first and second bits of the states in the first and second state sets exhibit different number of logical transitions. A write module receives first and second sets of bits to be written as the first and second bits in a plurality of memory cells, and selects states from the first and second state sets in an alternating pattern to write the first and second sets of bits as the first and second bits in the plurality of memory cells. |
| US08699268B2 |
Field effect devices controlled via a nanotube switching element
Field effect devices having a drain controlled via a nanotube switching element. Under one embodiment, a field effect device includes a source region and a drain region of a first semiconductor type and a channel region disposed therebetween of a second semiconductor type. The source region is connected to a corresponding terminal. A gate structure is disposed over the channel region and connected to a corresponding terminal. A nanotube switching element is responsive to a first control terminal and a second control terminal and is electrically positioned in series between the drain region and a terminal corresponding to the drain region. The nanotube switching element is electromechanically operable to one of an open and closed state to thereby open or close an electrical communication path between the drain region and its corresponding terminal. When the nanotube switching element is in the closed state, the channel conductivity and operation of the device is responsive to electrical stimulus at the terminals corresponding to the source and drain regions and the gate structure. |
| US08699264B2 |
Memory element and memory apparatus
A memory element has a layered structure, including a memory layer that has magnetization perpendicular to a film face in which a magnetization direction is changed depending on information, and includes a Co—Fe—B magnetic layer, the magnetization direction being changed by applying a current in a lamination direction of the layered structure to record the information in the memory layer, a magnetization-fixed layer having magnetization perpendicular to a film face that becomes a base of the information stored in the memory layer, and an intermediate layer that is formed of a non-magnetic material and is provided between the memory layer and the magnetization-fixed layer, a first oxide layer and a second oxide layer. |
| US08699259B2 |
Non-volatile storage system using opposite polarity programming signals for MIM memory cell
A reversible resistance-switching metal-insulator-metal (MIM) stack is provided which can be set to a low resistance state with a first polarity signal and reset to a higher resistance state with a second polarity signal. The first polarity signal is opposite in polarity than the second polarity signal. In one approach, the MIM stack includes a carbon-based reversible resistivity switching material such as a carbon nanotube material. The MIM stack can further include one or more additional reversible resistivity switching materials such as metal oxide above and/or below the carbon-based reversible resistivity switching material. In another approach, a metal oxide layer is between separate layers of carbon-based reversible resistivity switching material. |
| US08699257B2 |
Three-dimensional writable printed memory
The present invention discloses a three-dimensional writable printed memory (3D-wP). It comprises at least a printed memory array and a writable memory array. The printed memory array stores contents data, which are recorded with a printing means; the writable memory array stores custom data, which are recorded with a writing means. The writing means is preferably direct-write lithography. To maintain manufacturing throughput, the total amount of custom data should be less than 1% of the total amount of content data. |
| US08699255B2 |
Memory array with hierarchical bit line structure
A memory array includes a plurality of word lines extending along a first direction; a plurality of memory cells coupled to a first sub-bit line (SBL) extending along a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction; a first selector region disposed substantially in the middle of the first SBL thereby dividing the plurality of memory cells into two sub-groups, wherein the first selector region comprises at least one selector transistor that is coupled to the first SBL; and a main bit line (MBL) extending along the second direction and coupled to the selector transistor. |
| US08699248B2 |
Power converter with capacitive energy transfer and fast dynamic response
A converter circuit and related technique for providing high power density power conversion includes a reconfigurable switched capacitor transformation stage coupled to a magnetic converter (or regulation) stage. The circuits and techniques achieve high performance over a wide input voltage range or a wide output voltage range. The converter can be used, for example, to power logic devices in portable battery operated devices. |
| US08699247B2 |
Charge pump system dynamically reconfigurable for read and program
A charge pump system can provide multiple regulated output levels, including several concurrently, in an arrangement that can reduce the area and power consumption of such a high voltage generation system. The charge pump system can be dynamically reconfigurable based on output requirements. When output level is low, but required for a large AC, DC load, the system is configured in parallel to share the load. When a higher output is required, such as for a programming in a non-volatile memory, the system is configured in serial to generate the desired high output level. The exemplary embodiment uses all of the pump units in each operation and, hence, is able to be optimized for smaller pump area and less power consumption, while still delivering the same pump ability as larger, more power consuming arrangements. |
| US08699240B2 |
Charge-mode control device for a resonant converter
A control device for a resonant converter includes a first circuit structured to rectify a signal indicating the current circulating in the primary winding, a second circuit adapted to integrate at least the rectified signal and structured to generate at least a control signal of the switching circuit according to the integrated signal, and a third circuit adapted to send a reset command to the second circuit so as to inhibit the operation over a time period between the instant when the integrated signal reaches or exceeds a first signal and the instant of the next zero crossing of the signal, indicating the current circulating in the primary winding. |
| US08699239B2 |
Controller for a resonant converter
Consistent with an example embodiment, there is a controller for a resonant converter, wherein the controller is configured to operate the resonant converter in a high power mode of operation by adjusting a first control parameter to vary the output power and a low power mode of operation by adjusting a second control parameter to vary the output power. The controller is configured to set the value of the first control parameter when changing over between the high power mode of operation and the low power mode of operation such that the output power is substantially consistent during the changing over. |
| US08699236B2 |
Conductive buffer material and display device
A conductive buffer material (11) is one surface of a display panel (29) sandwiched between a first member (BZ1) and a second member (CS), and is interposed between a first panel surface facing the metallic first member (BZ1) and the first member (BZ1). The conductive buffer material (11) includes an inclusion material (15) and a conductive envelope material (14) that wraps the inclusion material (15), and the conductive buffer material (11) includes a main portion in which part of the envelope material (14) is brought closer to the first panel surface and the first member (BZ1) by the inclusion material (15) having a given thickness or more. |
| US08699235B2 |
Mobile phone/PDA security masking box
The Mobile Phone/PDA Security Masking Box is a sound insulated box for use as a temporary storage location for cellular and other mobile devices in locations at which confidential and sensitive conversations and discussions are being conducted. A pink/white noise generating device within the box generates a masking noise such that the cellular or other mobile devices inside the box are unable to pick up or record conversations outside the box. |
| US08699232B2 |
Integrated circuit packaging system with interposer and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a substrate; mounting an interposer having a top interposer surface over the substrate; attaching an interposer pad extension to the top interposer surface, the interposer pad extension having an extension contact surface and a lower contact surface, the surface area of the extension contact surface being smaller than the surface area of the lower contact surface; and forming a package encapsulation on the substrate, the interposer, and the interposer pad extension, the package encapsulation having a recess exposing the top interposer surface, the interposer pad extension embedded only in the package encapsulation. |
| US08699229B2 |
Display and electronic unit
A display capable of inhibiting deformation of a component during transport or the like and an electronic unit including the display are provided. A display includes: a main section; and a board-mounting plate disposed on one surface of the main section, and having a board-mounting region on a main surface on a side opposite to a side facing the main section, in which the board-mounting plate includes, at corners at both ends of a side of the mounting region, hook sections allowing corners of a board to be hooked thereto, and the hook sections each are fixed to the main surface on two sides of the corner of the mounting region. |
| US08699227B2 |
Well logging tool
The present invention relates to a device for transfer of heat energy in a well logging tool, where a variable heat flow from a chamber for electronics via a thermovalve is transmitted into a heat sink consisting of cooled metal, thereby establishing an approximately constant temperature in the chamber for electronics. The device comprises an electronics modular unit and a heat sink modular unit, which modular units are connected via an intermediate section, where a heat-regulating thermovalve provides heat conduction between a conical piston and a conical piston seat, for transferring heat energy. |
| US08699225B2 |
Liquid cooled electronics assembly suitable to use electrically conductive coolant
A liquid cooled power electronics assembly configured to use electrically conductive coolant to cool power electronic devices that uses dielectric plates sealed with a metallic seal around the perimeter of the dielectric plates to form a device assembly, and then forms another metallic seal between the device assembly and a housing. The configuration allows for more direct contact between the electronic device and the coolant, while protecting the electronic device from contact with potentially electrically conductive coolant. Material used to form the dielectric plates and the housing are selected to have similar coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) so that the reliability of the seals is maximized. |
| US08699221B2 |
Notebook computer cooling pad capable of temperature detection and fan-speed adjustment
A notebook computer cooling pad capable of temperature detection and fan-speed adjustment is equipped with heat-dissipating fans, a control panel and plural movably deposited temperature sensors, so that when a notebook computer is placed on the notebook computer cooling pad, a user may be informed of real-time temperature readings related to different locations of the notebook computer and use the use the fan-speed adjusting button to adjust a rotational speed of the heat-dissipating fans. |
| US08699214B2 |
Electronic device
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing, a keyboard, a flexible keyboard cover, a plurality of belt-like members, and an engaging member. The housing is provided with a recess on the front face, which is rectangular in shape in the planar view of the front face. The keyboard is housed in the recess and is rectangular in shape in the planar view. The keyboard cover covers the front face of the keyboard in entirety. The belt-like members are attached to the housing along the inner periphery of the recess while covering the outer periphery of the keyboard and the keyboard cover. The engaging member is located on an end portion in the longitudinal direction of at least one of the belt-like members behind an end portion in the longitudinal direction of another one of the belt-like members. |
| US08699213B2 |
Electronic device with supporting stands
An electronic device with supporting stands includes an input/output module, two stands and a limiter. The two stands are obliquely disposed on the back side of the input/output module. The stands are limited by the limiter to move synchronously. At the same time, the limiter has two slots penetrated by the stands to limit moving range for the stands. Then the stands are controlled to swing with an angle and finally the visual angle of the input/output module is varied in suitable range. |
| US08699206B1 |
Nano vacuum tube arrays for energy storage
Methods and apparatus for storing information or energy. An array of nano vacuum tubes is evacuated to a pressure below 10−6 Torr, where each nano vacuum tube has an anodic electrode, a cathodic electrode spaced apart from the anodic electrode, and an intervening evacuated region. An excess of electrons is stored on the cathodic electrode. |
| US08699202B2 |
Heat generation inhibiting circuit for exciting coil in relay
A resistor is provided between an exciting coil and the ground, and a diode is provided between a point p1 and a point p2. An exciting current flows on the ground side via the diode until a relay contact is closed immediately after a switch is turned on. Thus, a voltage applied to the exciting coil becomes almost same as a power supply voltage, the relay contact can be surely closed. Further, when the relay contact is closed, since the exciting current flows on the ground side via the resistor the voltage applied to the exiting coil reduces and hence the heat generation amount can be reduced. |
| US08699198B2 |
Compact transient voltage surge suppression device
A transient voltage surge suppression device includes a varistor assembly having a compact thickness, and a disconnect element carrying a separable contact along a linear axis to disconnect the varistor element from external circuitry. |
| US08699197B2 |
Compact transient voltage surge suppression device
A transient voltage surge suppression device includes a varistor assembly having a compact thickness, and thermal disconnect assembly carrying a separable contact bridge movable along a linear axis to disconnect the varistor element from external circuitry. |
| US08699196B2 |
Thermal protection control method and system
A thermal protection method and system of an Integrated Circuit (IC) are provided, which are applicable to a wireless terminal equipment. The method includes: measuring a temperature value of a protection point; comparing the measured temperature value with a thermal protection temperature threshold; and starting a protection measure when the measured temperature value reaches or exceeds the thermal protection temperature threshold and a duration of reaching or exceeding the thermal protection temperature threshold exceeds a preset time. |
| US08699195B2 |
System and method for detection of multiple current limits
Devices, such as mobile devices, may be exposed to short circuit and output overload events. To protect against such events, mobile devices typically include current limit circuits. Some current limit circuits may involve user programmable function. User programmable function may need accurate current limit detectors. Various embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for detecting one or more programmed current limits. Some embodiments allow for a user application to select among parallel or serial configurations of current detection circuitry. Each such configuration may include multiple resistive devices of different resistive values. |
| US08699194B2 |
Shunt protection module and method for series connected devices
A shunt protection module and method for series connected devices use multiple shunt semiconductors and a control unit. The shunt semiconductors correspond respectively to multiple target devices. Each shunt semiconductor connects to a corresponding target device in parallel. The control unit connects to trigger terminals of the shunt semiconductors. Because each shunt semiconductor has a characteristic that with the higher voltage the trigger terminal is input, the lower the electrical potential difference between shunt terminals is, and the control unit outputs a trigger voltage that is equal to the electrical potential difference on at least two adjacent target devices to the shunt semiconductor corresponding to a failed target device, an electrical potential difference on the shunt semiconductor is low when it operates. The shunt protection module and method ensure providing high trigger voltage to the shunt semiconductor corresponding to the failed target device. |
| US08699189B2 |
High precision clipping regulator circuit
A high precision clipping regulator circuit includes a first protection diode, a second protection diode, a first offset clamp voltage regulator, and a second offset clamp voltage regulator. The first protection diode is configured to conduct when a voltage potential exceeds a first protection voltage magnitude, and is operable to exhibit variations in the first protection voltage magnitude. The second protection diode is configured to conduct when a voltage potential exceeds a second protection voltage magnitude, and is operable to exhibit variations in the second protection voltage magnitude. The first reference and second voltage regulator circuits are configured to determine when the first and second protection voltages vary and, in response thereto, to vary the first and second variable offset clamp voltages so that a difference in voltage across the protection diodes remains substantially constant. |
| US08699186B1 |
DSA suspension with mid-load beam mounted dual actuators
A dual stage microactuated (DSA) suspension has two microactuators which are located approximately mid-load beam, and which are close to the stiffening edge rails of the load beam. A vertically extending C-spring is formed in the rails adjacent the microactuators in order to allow the microactuators to expand and contract. |
| US08699182B2 |
Fluid dynamic motor with reduced vibrations
An apparatus includes a hub, a first disk, a second disk, and a spacer. The hub is supported for relative rotation about a stationary component. The first disk is mounted to the hub with a first dynamic resonance mode associated therewith. The second disk is mounted to the hub with a second dynamic resonance mode associated therewith. The spacer is positioned between the first disk and the second disk, wherein the spacer is operable to cause the first dynamic resonance mode to be different from the second dynamic resonance mode. |
| US08699180B2 |
Motor and disk drive apparatus
A spindle motor arranged to rotate a disk about a center axis extending in an up-down direction includes a rotary unit including a rotor magnet and a stationary unit including a stator opposed to the rotor magnet and a base plate. The base plate includes a flat plate-shaped member positioned around the center axis and made of a first kind of metallic material and a base body axially overlapping with the plate-shaped member and made of a second kind of metallic material. The first kind of metallic material is larger in Young's modulus than the second kind of metallic material. The base body includes a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical bearing attachment portion axially extending about the center axis and a bottom plate portion radially extending from a lower portion of the bearing attachment portion. The plate-shaped member is positioned below the bottom plate portion to contact the bottom plate portion. |
| US08699177B2 |
System for and method of properly positioning a magazine media adapted for library storage
A system for and method of properly positioning a media magazine in a mass data storage library. |
| US08699173B1 |
Disk drive detecting touchdown event by evaluating frequency response of a touchdown metric
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, and a fly height actuator operable to control a fly height of the head over the disk. A periodic control signal is applied to the fly height actuator, a frequency response of a touchdown metric at a frequency of the periodic control signal is measured, and a touchdown event is detected in response to the frequency response of the touchdown metric. |
| US08699172B1 |
Disk drive generating off-track read capability for a plurality of track segments
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of tracks. Data is read from a target track, and an off-track read capability (OTRC) is generated for a plurality of segments of the target track. For example, an OTRC may be generated for a plurality of data sectors, wherein the combined OTRCs may be evaluated to compute an average track center, or an average track width, or a repeatable runout (RRO). |
| US08699171B1 |
Disk drive selecting head for write operation based on environmental condition
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a plurality of disk surfaces, and a head actuated over each disk surface. When a write command is received, the data is written to a selected disk surface in response to a measured environmental condition. For example, the heads may exhibit different write performance based on the ambient temperature, and therefore the head to write data may be selected based on a measured ambient temperature at the time of the write operation. |
| US08699170B2 |
Virtual tape device and cleaning control method
A virtual tape device includes a first drive group of virtual tape drives, a first determination unit, and a first instruction unit. The first drive group is assigned to a first information processing apparatus. The first determination unit determines, upon receiving a first cleaning instruction for cleaning a first virtual tape drive included in the first drive group from the first information processing apparatus, whether the first cleaning instruction is to be output to a physical tape device connected to the virtual tape device. The first instruction unit instructs, when the first determination unit determines that the first cleaning instruction is to be output to the physical tape device, a first physical tape drive corresponding to the first virtual tape drive to perform cleaning. The first physical tape drive is included in the physical tape device. |
| US08699168B2 |
Methodology for equalizing systemic latencies in television reception in connection with games of skill played in connection with live television programming
A method of and system for handling latency issues encountered in producing real-time entertainment such as games of skill synchronized with live or taped televised events is described herein. There are multiple situations that are dealt with regarding latencies in receiving a television signal with respect to real-time entertainment based on the unfolding games played along with the telecasts. Systemic delays, arbitrarily imposed delays of a broadcast signal and variances in the precise broadcast times of taped television programs have to be equalized so as to provide fair entertainment. |
| US08699165B2 |
Thermal read/write offset compensation
A HDD comprising a temperature sensor disposed inside the HDD configured to periodically measure temperature inside of said hard disk drive; a magnetic disk; a read head; a write head; memory for storing RWO data. The RWO data is a function of a distance between the read head and the write head. The HDD also includes a RWO data adjustor configured to adjust the RWO data in response to a change in temperature of the HDD to compensate for a change in the distance between the read head and the write head based on the change in temperature. |
| US08699164B1 |
Data recovery using no sync mark retry
A read channel is configured to receive at least part of a data fragment read from a storage media into a register, wherein the data fragment is configured to be formatted with a preamble, a sync mark (e.g., a syncMark), and user data, and wherein the data fragment is missing a sync mark. A position in the data fragment is selected, a sync mark is assumed at the selected position. The data is then processed assuming the sync mark is at the selected position of the data fragment to determine whether the data converges. When a determination is made that the data converges, the data is recovered. |
| US08699163B2 |
Magnetic disk drive and data buffering method applied to the same
According to one embodiment, there is provided a method of temporarily storing data in a buffer. The method determines whether data written based on sequential writing is of a first type or a second type in data type. The method stores the written data in association with the determined data type in the buffer. The method further controls the buffer so that the data of the first type stored in the buffer may be held in the buffer for a length of time twice as long as time T1 corresponding to one revolution of a disk and the data of the second type stored in the buffer may be held in the buffer for the time T1. |
| US08699160B2 |
Methods and apparatus for validating detection of RRO address marks
Methods and apparatus are provided for validating a detection of RRO address marks. After a potential RRO address mark is detected, a disclosed RROAM validation metric evaluates the energy of the remaining RRO data bits in the servo sector, relative to a predefined energy threshold. In addition, the number of remaining RRO data bits in the servo sector is compared to an expected value. The detected RRO address mark is validated in an exemplary embodiment if the RROAM validation metric satisfies the predefined energy threshold and the proper number of remaining RRO data bits is detected in the servo sector. The potential RRO address mark can optionally be discarded if the potential RRO address mark is not validated. |
| US08699154B2 |
Camera lens assembly and producing method thereof
A camera lens assembly is provided, including a holder, a lens module, and a metal frame. The lens module is fixed in the holder by an adhesive and includes a lens, a substrate connected to the lens, and a plurality solder balls disposed on the substrate. The metal frame is disposed around the lens module and fixed to the holder, wherein the metal frame forms an opening with the solder balls exposed thereto, and the lens module and the metal frame form a gap there between. |
| US08699151B2 |
Imaging lens
An imaging lens includes, sequentially from an object side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power; a second lens group having a negative refractive power; a third lens group having a positive refractive power; and a fourth lens group having a negative refractive power. The third lens group is configured by a single lens element, and is moved along an optical axis, whereby focusing is performed. |
| US08699150B1 |
Wide-angle image capturing lens assembly
A wide-angle image capturing lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element and each of the first through fifth lens elements is single and non-cemented. The first lens element with negative refractive power has a concave image-side surface. The second lens element with refractive power has a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface. The third lens element has positive refractive power. The fourth lens element has negative refractive power, wherein at least one of an object-side surface and an image-side surface of the fourth lens element is aspheric. The fifth lens element with positive refractive power has a convex image-side surface, wherein at least one of an object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fifth lens element is aspheric. |
| US08699149B2 |
Reversing system for a sighting telescope
Regarding a sighting telescope reversing system which comprises a guide casing fitted with a linear cam slot, further an external casing fitted with an external cam slot and fixed in the axial direction while rotatably supported on the guide casing, a mount holding a lens element and fitted with a guide pin passing through the linear cam slot as well as through the external cam slot, the present invention stipulates that the guide pin be fitted with a first and a second collar, both collars resting on a common shaft, the first collar being displaceable within the external cam slot and the second collar being displaceable within the linear cam slot. |
| US08699144B2 |
Optical zoom lens assembly
This invention discloses an optical zoom lens assembly, sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side along an optical axis comprising: a first lens-group, a second lens-group and a third lens-group. The first lens-group with negative refractive power comprises at least one positive lens, and at least one negative lens. The second lens-group with positive refractive power comprises at least one positive lens, and at least one negative lens. The third lens-group with a positive refractive power comprises at least one aspheric lens. Therein, refractive indexes of the first lens-group, the second lens-group and the third lens-group are small than 1.69. Therefore, the present invention can reduce manufacturing costs and provide good image quality to be applied to cameras, cell phone cameras and other devices. |
| US08699143B2 |
Wide-angle lens, imaging apparatus, and method for manufacturing wide-angle lens
Including: a front lens group Gf disposed to an object side of an aperture stop; and a rear lens group Gr disposed to an image side of the aperture stop; the front lens group including a sub-lens group Ga having negative refractive power, the sub-lens group Ga including, in order from the most object side, at least three negative lenses, at least one of the three negative lens being an aspherical negative meniscus lens, the aspherical negative meniscus lens having a shape that negative refractive power is getting smaller from the center to the periphery, a cemented lens constructed by a positive lens, a negative lens, and a positive lens being disposed to the image side of the sub-lens group Ga, and given conditional expressions being satisfied, thereby providing a wide-angle lens having high optical performance with a wide angle of view. |
| US08699138B2 |
Multi-wavelength multi-lamp radiation sources and systems and apparatuses incorporating same
Systems for providing high-intensity and high-quality illumination and other electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to target regions. The systems each include multiple EMR sources and a radiation combiner for combining the output radiation of the multiple sources. In some examples, the EMR sources are visible light sources, such as light-emitting diodes and laser diodes. In some of those examples, the light sources are of differing colors that are combined to form output illumination having user-selected qualities, such as color and intensity. The output of the radiation combiner can be directed into an optical fiber or bundle of optical fibers for remote delivery of the output to a target, such as in endoscopy and remote-illumination microscopy. Systems disclosed can also include additional EMR beams, such as visible light beams used for pointing/targeting and non-visible beams used, for example, for heating and fluoroscopic excitation of dyes/stains, among other things. |
| US08699136B2 |
Method and apparatus for adjusting position of optical element
An apparatus for adjusting a position of an optical element is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a support; a movement unit for supporting an optical element and being movable relative to the support; a magnet unit; a coil unit for generating a magnetic force for moving the movement unit when an electrical signal is applied; a sensor unit disposed in a position corresponding to the magnet unit for detecting a relative position of the movement unit with respect to the support; a locking unit for limiting or allowing movement of the movement unit; and a controlling unit connected to the coil unit for controlling the coil unit and determining whether the movement unit is in a state where movement of the movement unit is limited by the locking unit based on a signal output from the sensor unit. |
| US08699128B2 |
Laser scanning microscope
A laser scanning microscope includes a culture vessel that accommodates a specimen and is capable of maintaining an interior temperature and humidity thereof, and an optical system space adjacent and optically connected to the culture vessel. The optical system space includes a scanner that two-dimensionally scans ultrashort pulsed laser light across the specimen; an objective lens that focuses the scanned ultrashort pulsed laser light on the specimen and collects light coming from the specimen; a dichroic mirror, disposed between the scanner and the objective lens, that splits off the light coming from the specimen from the laser light; a photodetector that detects the split-off light coming from the specimen; and an outer cover, provided so as to surround the optical system space, that blocks light coming from outside the optical system space. |
| US08699127B2 |
Optical amplifier
An optical amplifier of the present invention includes: an optical amplifier circuit that amplifies input signal light and outputs the amplified light as output signal light; a first monitor for monitoring the presence or absence of the input signal light; and a control circuit that, when receiving a shutdown control signal, controls the optical amplifier circuit such that a shutdown control speed for reducing a level of the output signal light to zero differs according to the presence or absence of the input signal light. |
| US08699125B2 |
Reconfigurable optical amplifier
A reconfigurable optical amplifier is formed of a plurality of optical switches and a plurality of fiber amplifier sections to provide a switchable amplifying network. A variable pump splitter provides pump light from an optical pump source to two or more fiber amplifier sections. The optical switches and variable pump splitters are formed in a planar lightwave circuit, which may further include pump WDM combiners, variable optical attenuators, tap couplers and other optical components, and to which monitoring photodiodes and the fiber amplifier sections are coupled. A same PLC can be used for a wide variety of reconfigurable optical amplifiers. |
| US08699120B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus capable of implementing high luminance and high contrast ratio (C/R) may include a first substrate, a second substrate disposed on the first substrate so as to face the first substrate and having a plurality of pixel regions defined therein, and a plurality of color filters formed on the plurality of pixel regions of the second substrate, each color filter having one or more holes formed therein. |
| US08699119B2 |
Electronic paper and method for producing same
Electronic paper 100 according to the present invention includes a first substrate 10 with first electrodes 14, a second substrate 20 with second electrodes 24, and a powder sheet structure 50 arranged between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. The powder sheet structure 50 includes a bottom substrate 52 and a top substrate 54 opposed to each other, a dividing wall layer 56 including dividing walls 55 arranged between the bottom substrate 52 and the top substrate 54, and powder particles 30 enclosed between the adjacent dividing walls 55 in the dividing wall layer 56. The powder sheet structure is arranged so that the bottom substrate is opposed to the first electrodes of the first substrate, and that the top substrate is opposed to the second electrodes of the second substrate. |
| US08699116B2 |
Microactuator, optical device, display apparatus, exposure apparatus, and method for producing device
A microactuator includes a base member, a plate-shaped member which is deflectively deformable, and a driving force applying device. A driving objective is connected to a predetermined portion of a deflectively deformable area of the plate-shaped member. The driving force applying device deflectively deforms the deflectively deformable area to change an inclination of the predetermined portion of the plate-shaped member between a first inclination and a second inclination; and a part of the plate-shaped member or a part of a member fixed to the plate-shaped member is brought into abutment against a member when the inclination is the first inclination, and the part of the plate-shaped member or the part of the member fixed to the plate-shaped member is brought into abutment against the base member when the inclination is the second inclination. |
| US08699103B2 |
System and method for dynamically generated uniform color objects
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method to render spatially uniform memory colors when images printed with CMYK primaries are not rendered uniformly due to output device quality errors. The disclosed method uses an array of sensors to scan a test image. Colors of interest are printed at the desired location first and then adjusted (iterated) to achieve a desired output quality. Iterations are carried out on the image on desired memory colors at the spatial resolution available in the measurement system. Colors of pixels are modified based on position where the pixels will be rendered, thereby compensating for any position/process related differences. Also disclosed is a process for incorporating modified memory colors before rendering, and the extension of memory color concepts to adjust colors for the uniform blocks (not edges), with uniformity defined by user definable thresholds. |
| US08699098B2 |
Scanner gear assembly
A scanner comprises a first gear assembly on a frame, a stationary scan surface having a first width, and a scan module having a length substantially less than the first width. The scan module includes a second gear assembly configured to move the scan module, in a first orientation generally perpendicular to the first width, in a first scanning path relative to a first width portion of the scan surface and in a second, non-duplicative scanning path relative to a second width portion of the scan surface. The second gear assembly is releasably engageable to the first gear assembly to selectively shift the scan module, in a second orientation generally perpendicular to the first orientation, between the respective first and second scanning paths. |
| US08699096B2 |
Image forming apparatus
A deflector deflects a light beam from a light source. A scanning optical system focuses the light beam deflected by the deflector. An image carrying member is located at a focal position of the light beam and includes a surface that is scanned in a main scanning direction with the light beam focused by the scanning optical system. One pixel of an image is formed by a plurality of light spots having different focal positions in at least a sub-scanning direction. At least one light spot from among the light spots is formed on the surface of the image carrying member at a scan timing different from those of rest of the light spots. |
| US08699095B2 |
Scanner module and image scanning apparatus employing the same
An illuminator, a scanner module and an image scanning apparatus are provided. The scanner module includes an illuminator that includes a light source, a light guide extending in a main scanning direction to change a direction of the light from the light source, a guide holder recessed with a light guide mounting portion in which the light guide is mounted, and at least one supporting protrusion protruding from an entrance of the light guide mounting portion into the light guide mounting portion to support the light guide received in the light guide mounting portion. As the light guide is supported by the supporting protrusion formed at the entrance of the light guide mounting portion, it is possible to reduce deformation of the light guide and/or to prevent the light guide from being falling out of the light guide mounting portion when subjected to, e.g., a shock. |
| US08699093B2 |
Image reading apparatus and optical unit
An image reading apparatus includes a body; a circuit board fixed to the body; a light emitter disposed on a first surface of the circuit board, the light emitter emitting light with which a document is irradiated; a light guide disposed opposite the circuit board with the light emitter therebetween, the light emitted from the light emitter passing through the light guide; an urging unit; a supporting unit fixed to the body; and a pressing unit. The pressing unit includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is pressed in a direction from the light emitter toward the light guide as a result of receiving a force from the urging unit. The second portion presses the light guide against the light emitter as a result of receiving a reaction force from the supporting unit when the first portion is pressed. |
| US08699092B2 |
Optical component mounting structure, image reading device including the same, and image forming apparatus including the same
An optical component mounting structure includes an elastic member and a mounting portion. The elastic member applies pressure to an optical component toward a flat surface portion of a base. The mounting portion is provided at the base and mounts the elastic member. The elastic member has a pressing portion, a holding portion, and a positioning hole. The pressing portion has a tongue piece shape and elastically comes in contact with a light guide member. The holding portion supports one end of the pressing portion and holds elastically the mounting portion of the base. The positioning hole is formed through the holding portion and is to be engaged with each of a pair of positioning convex portions provided at the mounting portion of the base. |
| US08699090B1 |
Automated image capture based on spatial-stability information
During an image-capture technique, a user of the electronic device may be instructed by an application executed by the electronic device (such as a software application) to point an imaging sensor, which is integrated into the electronic device, toward a location on a document. For example, the user may be instructed to point a cellular-telephone camera toward a field on an invoice. Then, when spatial-position information associated with the electronic device (such as spatial-position information associated with an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope integrated in the electronic device) remains within a predefined range for a predefined time duration, the electronic device communicates a signal to the imaging device to acquire the image. Note that the image may be acquired without additional action by the user. |
| US08699089B2 |
Variable data image watermarking using infrared sequence structures in black separation
An image watermarking method includes a color transform on RGB image data to derive CMYK image data that define a constant K image. Variable infrared (IR) mark data defining an IR mark are received and a sparse two-dimensional pattern of black pixels is defined that corresponds to the variable IR data, e.g., using Gold codes or pseudorandom binary sequences. A watermarked black separation K″ is defined by embedding the sparse two-dimensional pattern into the constant K black separation K′ while maintaining local average levels. A watermarked image includes the watermarked black separation K″ in combination with the CMY separations of the constant K image. A decoding process includes using an IR microscope fitted with IR LEDs and an IR pass filter to capture an IR image, which is subjected to exposure correction, thresholding, and dilation operations to extract the two-dimensional pattern for subsequent correlation processing. |
| US08699088B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for creating authenticatable printed articles and subsequently verifying them
A printer with integral scanner obtains a digital signature from an article as it is printed. The integral scanner has a coherent source which directs a light beam to illuminate the article and a detector arrangement to collect data points from light scattered from many different parts of the article to collect a large number of independent data points. The digital signature derived from the data points is stored in a database with an image of what was printed on the article. The authenticity of an article purported to be the originally printed article can be verified by scanning the purported genuine article to obtain its digital signature. The database is then searched, to establish whether there is a match. If a match is found, the image is displayed with the matched digital signature to allow a further visual check that the article is genuine. |
| US08699086B2 |
Method for image correction and scanner using the same
A method for image correction and a scanner using the same are provided. The scanner includes an image sensor and an automatic document feeder. The automatic document feeder has a paperweight mechanism. The method includes marking a first and a second characteristic regions on the paperweight mechanism; using the image sensor to search the two black characteristic regions to define a scan line; when the document is to be scanned, moving the image sensor to a position corresponding to the scan line, and starting to scan the document in order to obtain a scanned image; identifying the scanned image to obtain two position information associated with the two black characteristic regions; calculating a tilt angle of the scanned image according to a distance between the two black characteristic regions and the two location information; and finally correcting the scanned image angle according to the tilt angle. |
| US08699079B2 |
Image forming apparatus having paper dust removal device
An image forming apparatus is provided which realizes an adequate operation of a paper dust removing device. The image forming apparatus has a storing portion which stores the likelihood that paper dust is produced upon previous image formation as previous paper dust production information according to the type of sheet. Further, the image forming apparatus has a CPU which adjusts paper dust removing performance upon current image formation to increase based on previous paper dust production information when the likelihood that paper dust is produced upon previous image formation is higher. Consequently, it is possible to realize an adequate paper dust removing operation of the paper dust removing device and prevent problems of images from occurring due to paper dust. |
| US08699074B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method and program of controlling the same
An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printing device includes an input unit for inputting a search condition for searching for a desired printing device, a display unit for displaying at least one printing device that satisfies the search condition, a selection unit for selecting a printing device from the at least one printing device displayed by the display unit, and a setting unit for setting the search condition input by the input unit as a printing setting for the printing device selected by the selection unit in accordance with selection of the printing device by the selection unit. |
| US08699071B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of forming an image thereof
An image forming apparatus including: a communication interface unit to receive print data; an image processing unit to convert the received print data into pages of bitmap image data; an image forming unit to print the pages and having a queuing time; and a queuing time changing unit to change the queuing time according to a conversion time of the print data by the image processing unit. |
| US08699070B2 |
Control method for replacing data rendering blocks of white space with paper feed commands
A recording system has a recording device that records recording data sent from a host computer to a recording medium. The host computer has a division control unit that divides recording data to be recorded into plural blocks of recording data, and a transmission control unit that sequentially transmits the blocks of divided recording data. The recording device has a reception unit that stores the transmitted blocks of recording data to a receive buffer in the order received, and a recording control unit that records the received blocks of recording data to the recording medium. The dividing position where the division control unit divides the recording data to be recorded is a position where white space data is contained in the recording data to be recorded. |
| US08699069B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium for processing job data stored in a folder
When an execution instruction file including a description of an instruction to execute processing is input into a first folder, job data to be subjected to processing that is stored in the first folder is moved to a second folder different from the first folder. After the movement, a file including a description indicating that execution of the processing is underway is stored in the first folder. The processing is executed with respect to the job data to be subjected to the processing that was moved to the second folder, and when the processing ends, a file including a description of an end of the processing is stored in the first folder in place of the file including a description indicating that execution of the processing is underway. |
| US08699068B2 |
Printing device and method of controlling printing device
A printer device connects a plurality of stations each having a plurality of data transmission control units which perform data transmission for respective colors of C, M, Y, and K received from an upper level device, and prints transmitted image data of the respective colors. The transmission of image data received from the upper level device is performed to be thinned out in a raster unit in accordance with the number of stations by a plurality of data transmission control units, which controls image data of the same color, from among a plurality of data transmission control units of each of a plurality of stations. A sheet conveying speed is determined in accordance with the number of stations, and the determined conveyance speed is allocated on a conveyance control unit when sheet conveying starts. |
| US08699066B2 |
Data processing apparatus, data processing method, and storage medium capable of suppressing an increase in processing load in determination of a color range
A high-quality image reproducibility is realized by appropriately evaluating a screen processing result and controlling the screen processing. An image processing apparatus includes a first screen processing unit for performing screen processing on input image data using first screen information, an evaluation unit for acquiring an evaluation value of a processing result of the first screen processing unit based on a difference between a low-frequency component of the processing result of the first screen processing unit and a low-frequency component of the input image data, a setting unit for setting screen information acquired by performing calculation using the first screen information and second screen information that is different from the first screen information, according to an evaluation value of a processing result of the first screen processing unit, and a second screen processing unit for performing screen processing on the input image data using the set screen information. |
| US08699061B2 |
Control panel system
In one example, a control panel system for a printer includes a portable control panel configured to receive user input to control printer functions and a stationary control panel configured to receive user input to control printer functions. In this example, the portable control panel has a wireless connector for making a wireless connection to the printer. In another example, a control panel system for a device (for example a printer) includes: a portable control panel; a stationary control touch panel; a dock configured to receive the portable control panel; and a feature configured to inhibit the portable control panel from triggering touch sensitive buttons on the stationary control panel during docking and undocking. In this example, the stationary control touch panel is hidden from view by the portable control panel and inaccessible to the user when the portable control panel is docked. |
| US08699057B2 |
Image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus, information processing system, method of controlling image forming apparatus, method of controlling information processing apparatus, and storage medium
An arrangement which is capable of copying a clear toner image formed by a clear toner. In the image forming apparatus, a scanner section of an MFP reads an original. A CPU of the MFP determines whether or not position information indicative of a position where a clear-toner image formed by a clear toner is formed is contained in an image of the original read by the scanner section. When the CPU determines that the position information indicative of the position where the clear-toner image is formed is contained in the image of the original, the CPU forms the image of the original and the clear-toner image based on the position information. |
| US08699053B2 |
System and method for mobile printing from a desktop operating system using a portable computing device
A method, printer, system, and program product for mobile printing, comprising, in one embodiment, the steps of: obtaining a portable computing device with a reference to a printer-independent On-the-Go-print queue on the Internet; obtaining print data; and transferring the print data to the On-the-Go Print Queue on the Internet. In a further aspect of the present invention, the On-the-Go Print Queue may be accessed to set at least one storage or print parameter. In a further aspect of the present invention, the print data may be converted to generic print data and encrypted prior to transferring the print data to the On-the-Go Print Queue. In a yet further aspect, a key for decryption and the reference for the On-the-Go print queue may obtained at a printer from a portable computing device such as a smart card. |
| US08699051B2 |
Prevent printing if image data on preprinted sheet does not match data on at least one sheet
A method is provided that restricts execution of a job where a finished sheet which is specified in a job, and another finished sheet that is fed, do not match each other. The method for controlling a data processing apparatus for causing a post-processing apparatus to execute post-processing on a print product output by executing printing based on print data received from an information processing apparatus includes inputting image data generated by reading a sheet to be post-processed, receiving checking data for checking an image of the sheet, and restricting, if the checking data does not match the input image data, execution of the post-processing. |
| US08699049B2 |
Setting change control for an image forming system and image forming apparatus
An image forming system includes an information processing unit, an image forming apparatus that communicates with the information processing unit, a first memory unit that stores setting information of printing restriction on the image forming apparatus, a printing unit that executes a printing process of a print job in accordance with the setting information, a detection unit that detects a change request of the setting information, a job judging unit that judges whether there exists a print job in processing when the detection unit detects the change request, and a first permitting unit that permits change of the setting information in accordance with the change request when the job judging unit judges that there exists no print job in processing. |
| US08699048B2 |
Image processing apparatus with improved image processing efficiency
A multifunctional printer comprises a CCD for reading an image on one side of a document, a CIS for reading an image on the other side of the document, an image processing unit for processing the image of the side read by the CCD or the CIS, and a determining unit (S12) for determining which of the images of the sides read by the CCD and the CIS is to be processed first by the image processing unit. |
| US08699047B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and non-transitory computer readable medium that includes plural page description language (PDL) processing units and a job management unit
An image processing apparatus includes plural page description language processing units and a job management unit. Each of the page description language processing units corresponds to one of different page description languages. The job management unit performs management to select one of the page description language processing units, the selected page description language processing unit serving as a currently processing page description language processing unit, and to cause only the currently processing page description language processing unit to process a print job. Each of the page description language processing units includes a raster image creating unit and a raster image transferring unit. The job management unit includes a first queue, a second queue, a reception-time adding unit, an image-creation-time adding unit, a first instruction unit, a second instruction unit, a third instruction unit, a controller, and a job-being-processed list memory. |
| US08699044B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method of controlling information processing apparatus, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus that lightens the workload for a serviceman or an administrator who imports setting information into the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes an operation section via which the user can input data. The apparatus stores setting information containing a plurality of settings required for operation control and discriminating information on each setting for discriminating whether the setting is of a common setting item or of an apparatus-specific setting item, changes the discriminating information on each setting of the setting information, according to a specific instruction given by the user via the user interface, and externally outputs the stored setting information. |
| US08699043B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image processing method, and computer-readable storage medium containing image processing program
An image processing apparatus of the present invention includes: a blank document determination section determining whether or not input image data is image data of a blank document, regardless of a process mode set for setting a process with respect to the input image data; a storage device storing the input image data in association with a determination result made by the blank document determination section; and a control section (i) reading out the input image data from the storage device and (ii) excluding the input image data determined as image data of a blank document by the blank document determination section, from images to be displayed by the image display device, when the image display device carries out a preview display of the input image data. This configuration makes it possible to carry out a preview display in which a blank document (blank page document) is skipped, without reading the document again. |
| US08699040B2 |
Paper-feeding device and multi-functional printers having a paper separating element with paper inserting and separating portions
A paper-feeding device and a multi-functional printer are provided. The paper-feeding device includes a base, a driving axle, a position-limiting element and a retaining element. The base has a first assembling portion. The driving axle, the position-limiting and the retaining elements are all in the base. The position-limiting element has a second assembling portion and two position-limiting portions on radial directions of the second assembling portion between the inserting portion and the body. The retaining element includes a swing frame, a paper-separating element and a spring. The body of the swing frame is located between the two position-limiting portions. The first and second pivoting portions coaxial and connect the body are pivoted respectively to the first and second assembling portions. The inserting portion of the paper-separating element is sheathed by the body and the separating element leans against the driving axle. |
| US08699035B2 |
Inspection apparatus and inspection method for light emitting device
An inspection apparatus and an inspection method is provided having a wafer chuck stage equipped with one or more wafer chucks; a position measurement unit for measuring the positions of the light emitting devices on each of the expanded wafers loaded respectively on the wafer chucks; a photodetector and at least one probe provided corresponding to each of the expanded wafers; and a control unit provided with means for moving the wafer chuck stage in the X axis and/or Y-axis directions such that the light emitting devices on each of the expanded wafers are sequentially brought under the corresponding probes, means for moving each of the probes to a place corresponding to the electrodes in the light emitting devices, and means for bringing the probes into contact with the corresponding electrodes. |
| US08699034B2 |
Systems and methods for resonator fiber optic gyroscope intensity modulation control
Systems and methods for improved resonator fiber optic gyroscope intensity modulation control are provided. In one embodiment, a resonant fiber optic gyroscope (RFOG) having a residual intensity modulation (RIM) controller is provided. The controller includes an intensity modulator optically coupled to receive a light beam from a laser source modulated at a resonance detection modulation frequency, and an optical tap device optically coupled to the intensity modulator. The controller also includes a feedback servo coupled to the optical tap device and the intensity modulator, the demodulating feedback servo generating a sinusoidal feedback signal to the intensity modulator. The feedback servo adjusts an amplitude and phase of the sinusoidal feedback signal provided to intensity modulator based on a residual intensity modulation detected by the demodulating feedback servo. |
| US08699030B2 |
Apparatus for sensing of chlorine dioxide
The instant invention provides apparatuses for measuring the level or concentration of chlorine dioxide gas in a sample and methods of using the same. One aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for measuring a concentration of a chlorine dioxide gas in a sample. The apparatus includes a light emitting diode (LED), a light sensor, and a flow path between the LED and the light sensor, and a filter configured to remove chlorine dioxide from a reference stream. The flow path is capable of containing a sample. The sensor is capable of measuring the level of chlorine dioxide in the sample and the reference stream. |
| US08699028B2 |
Real-time cell/particle analyzing device with optical detection and cell cultivation functions
A cell/particle analyzing device includes a light-emitting unit, a light-diverting unit, a first receiving unit and a second receiving unit. The light-emitting unit generates a first light beam. The light-diverting unit is connected to the light-emitting unit and has an input end, a bidirectional transceiving end and an output end. The input end receives the first light beam generated by the light-emitting unit. The bidirectional transceiving end transmits the first light beam generated by the light-emitting unit and receives a second light beam. The output end outputs the second light beam. The first receiving unit is connected to the output end of the light-diverting unit and receives the second light beam. The second receiving unit is aligned with the bidirectional transceiving end. |
| US08699027B2 |
Multiple measurement techniques including focused beam scatterometry for characterization of samples
A system for monitoring thin-film fabrication processes is herein disclosed. Diffraction of incident light is measured and the results are compared to a predictive model based on at least one idealized or nominal structure. The model and/or the measurement of diffracted incident light may be modified using the output of one or more additional metrology systems. |
| US08699024B2 |
Tunable optical filter and spectrometer
A tunable optical filter is disclosed having an input port, a beam translator for translating input and output optical beams, an element having optical power for collimating the translated beam, a reflective wavelength dispersive element, and an output port. The beam translator can include a tiltable MEMS mirror coupled to an angle-to-offset optical element. An output port can be extended into a plurality of egress ports, each receiving a fraction of the scanned optical spectrum. A multi-path scanning optical spectrometer can be used as an optical channel monitor for monitoring performance of a wavelength selective switch, or for other tasks. |
| US08699019B2 |
Assuring food safety using nano-structure based spectral sensing
A method for inspecting an edible oil includes obtaining a first Raman spectrum from an edible oil sample, discovering an unhealthy, unsanitary, unsafe, or adulterated content in the edible oil sample in part by the intensity level of the fluorescence background in the first Raman spectrum, introducing the edible oil sample to nano-scale surface structures to allow molecules of the edible oil sample to be adsorbed to the nano-scale surface structures, illuminating the edible oil sample and the nano-scale surface structures by a laser beam, obtaining a second Raman spectrum from light scattered by molecules of the edible oil sample adsorbed to the nano-scale surface structures, and identifying the unhealthy, unsanitary, or unsafe content in the edible oil sample using one or more first spectral signatures in the second Raman spectrum. |
| US08699017B2 |
Appearance inspection apparatus
An appearance inspection apparatus analyzes a difference in detection characteristics of detection signals obtained by detectors to flexibly meet various inspection purposes without changing a circuit or software. The apparatus includes a signal synthesizing section that synthesizes detection signals from the detectors in accordance with a set condition. An input operating section sets a synthesizing condition of the detection signal by the signal synthesizing section, and an information display section displays a synthesizing map structured based on a synthesized signal which is synthesized by the signal synthesizing section in accordance with a condition set by the input operating section. |
| US08699014B2 |
Measuring member, sensor, measuring method, exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device producing method
A measuring member has a first face and a plurality of first marks arranged on the first face. The first marks have respective orientations corresponding to their positions in a first direction. |
| US08699013B2 |
Chromatic dispersion measurement device and chromatic dispersion measurement method for measuring the dispersion of light pulses
Provided is a chromatic dispersion measurement device including a light branching unit that divides a incident measured light signal into a first measured light signal and a second measured light signal and causes a frequency difference between the first measured light signal and the second measured light signal when the signals are output, an optical phase shifter provided in either one of the first branch path and the second branch path having a polarization maintaining characteristic and periodically changing a phase αi of the measured light signal, an optical combination unit that combines the first measured light signal and the second measured light signal and outputs an interference element of an i-th optical component obtained by interference of the first measured light signal and the second measured light signal when the phase difference is the phase αi, as a combined measured light signal. |
| US08699010B2 |
Examination kit for polarized lens
An examination kit allows for discovery of the axis of direction and stress areas of polarized lenses. The kit comprises a lower light box with a transparent work surface, two polarized film sheets, a dial gauge with notches defining allowable variation of axis direction and an upper polarized lens for viewing the tested polarized lens in various states and positions. |
| US08699009B2 |
Distributed optical fiber sensor
The present invention provides a distributed optical fiber sensor capable of measuring the strain and temperature of an object to be measured simultaneously and independently with high spatial resolution. A distributed optical fiber sensor FS is a distributed optical fiber sensor which uses an optical fiber 15 as a sensor, and a strain and temperature detector 14 measures a Brillouin frequency shift amount caused by a strain and a temperature generated in the optical fiber 15 by using a Brillouin scattering phenomenon, measures a Rayleigh frequency shift amount caused by the strain and temperature generated in the optical fiber 15 by using a Rayleigh scattering phenomenon, and calculates the strain and temperature generated in the optical fiber 15 from the measured Brillouin frequency shift amount and Rayleigh frequency shift amount. |
| US08699006B2 |
Measuring method and measuring instrument
The invention provides a measuring instrument, comprising a telescope, a distance measuring unit, an image pickup unit, angle detecting units for detecting a vertical and horizontal angle in the sighting direction, an automatic sighting unit, an arithmetic unit, and a storage unit. The arithmetic unit makes the telescope rotate in horizontal and vertical direction and perform scanning over a predetermined range so that a plurality of objects to be measured are included and makes the image pickup unit acquire digital images during the scanning process. The arithmetic unit detects the objects in the digital images, calculates a vertical and horizontal angle of the objects based on the angle detector and a deviation of each of the objects from sighting axis, associates the calculated angles with each of the objects, and makes the storage unit store the vertical and horizontal angles of the objects as target values for automatic sighting. |
| US08699004B2 |
Device for mounting a grating and a photosensitive material for stereoprojection imaging
A device for mounting a grating and a photosensitive material for stereoprojection imaging, includes: an enlarging-printing platform; and an exposure head positioned above the enlarging-printing platform; wherein the enlarging-printing platform is a chamber structure, and has a plurality of suction holes provided on an upper surface thereof and at least one exhaust port provided on a side connected with an exhaust device; the device for mounting the grating and the photosensitive material for stereoprojection imaging further includes a compressing mechanism connected with the upper surface. The device for mounting the grating and the photosensitive material provides a real-time composite device for developing stereopictures. With the mounting device, the grating and photosensitive photographic paper need either being combined beforehand, or being developed with the grating after exposure. Therefore, the drawback of high crimp ratio of the grating, high difficulty of developing, bad stereoimaging effect, and high cost is overcome. |
| US08698999B2 |
Protection module for EUV lithography apparatus, and EUV lithography apparatus
In EUV lithography apparatuses (10), it is proposed, in order to lengthen the lifetime of contamination-sensitive components, to arrange them in a protection module. The protection module comprises a housing (23-29) having at least one opening (37-47), in which at least one component (13a, 13b, 15, 16, 18, 19) is arranged and at which one or more gas feeds (30-36) are provided in order to introduce a gas flow into the housing (23-29), which emerges through the at least one opening (37-47). In order to effectively prevent contaminating substances from penetrating into the protection module, a light source (48-56) is arranged at the at least one opening (37-47), which light source illuminates the opening (37-47) with one or more wavelengths by which the contaminating substances can be dissociated before they penetrate through the opening (37-47). |
| US08698998B2 |
Exposure apparatus, method for cleaning member thereof, maintenance method for exposure apparatus, maintenance device, and method for producing device
An exposure apparatus EXS forms an immersion area AR2 of a liquid LQ on the side of the image plane of a projection optical system PL and performs exposure of a substrate P via the projection optical system PL and the liquid LQ of the immersion region AR2. The exposure apparatus EXS has an optical cleaning unit (80) which irradiates a predetermined irradiation light Lu, having an optical cleaning effect, onto, for example, the upper surface (31) of the substrate stage PST which makes contact with the liquid LQ for forming the immersion area AR2. Thus, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the exposure accuracy and measurement accuracy due to pollution of the member in contact with the liquid in the immersion region. |
| US08698992B2 |
Normally black mode active matrix liquid crystal display device wherein a part of an edge of a protection transistor provided in a frame portion is covered with a transparent electrode
Disclosed is an active matrix liquid crystal display device including: an active matrix liquid crystal display device of a normally black mode which includes an active matrix substrate and an opposed substrate and in which a black matrix is not provided on the opposed substrate, wherein a gap between opaque electrodes which are closely located and whose electric potentials are different from each other in a frame portion around a display area of the active matrix substrate is covered with a constant-potential transparent electrode arranged in an upper layer of the gap. |
| US08698987B2 |
Display panel comprising a plurality of marks in at least one corner of substrate
A liquid crystal display panel includes an active matrix substrate, a counter substrate, a liquid crystal layer, and a sealant. The counter electrode is opposed to the active matrix substrate. The liquid crystal layer is provided between the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate. The sealant, which surrounds the liquid crystal layer between the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate, joins the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate and seals the liquid crystal layer. A portion of the surface on the liquid crystal layer side of the active matrix substrate which is located at the periphery of the liquid crystal display panel is flat. |
| US08698986B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device capable of suppressing alignment disorder of liquid crystal and having satisfactory VR characteristics. According to the present invention, a liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the pair of substrates, the liquid crystal display device having a reflective region and a transmissive region. One of the pair of substrates includes a longitudinal projecting portion and a liquid-crystal-layer-thickness adjusting portion for setting a liquid crystal layer thickness in the reflective region to be smaller than a liquid crystal layer thickness in the transmissive region. At least a part of the projecting portion is arranged without a gap along at least a part of a step portion of the liquid-crystal-layer-thickness adjusting portion. |
| US08698979B2 |
Electroluminescent displays
A display including an electroluminescent layer, a liquid crystal layer, a barrier layer arranged between the electroluminescent layer and the liquid crystal layer to restrict migration of liquid crystal from the liquid crystal layer to the electroluminescent layer, and a first electrode and a second electrode arranged such that the electroluminescent layer and the liquid crystal layer are disposed between the first and second electrodes and arranged to apply an electric field across both the electroluminescent layer and the liquid crystal layer. |
| US08698978B2 |
Electroluminescent displays
A display including an electroluminescent layer, a liquid crystal layer, and a first electrode and a second electrode arranged such that the electroluminescent layer and the liquid crystal layer are disposed between the first and second electrodes and arranged to apply an electric field across both the electroluminescent layer and the liquid crystal layer. |
| US08698973B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of disassembling the same
A liquid crystal display and a method of disassembling the same are disclosed. The liquid crystal display comprises a plastic frame, an optical film, a LCD panel and a double-sided tape. The plastic frame comprises two inner walls and two loading planes. The two inner walls respectively form a first accommodation space and a second accommodation space in communication mutually. One side of the double-sided tape respectively adheres the optical film, the other inner wall and the two loading planes, and the other side thereof adheres the LCD panel, and the optical film and the LCD panel are together installed in the plastic frame. |
| US08698972B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device is provided. The liquid crystal display device includes a side frame provided with a reflective surface to refract light irradiated from light-emitting diodes arranged to direct light upward at a predetermined position. The side frame constitutes the side periphery of the liquid crystal display device and is connected with a bottom chassis through a holder. The configuration of the side frame and reflective surface is able to reduce a width of a bezel portion of a top chassis and prevent light from bypassing a light guide portion so as to prevent bright lines from forming on a display. |
| US08698967B2 |
Electro-optic device, electronic device, and method of manufacturing electro-optic device
A liquid crystal device as the electro-optic device according to the application example includes a transistor, a pixel electrode which is provided corresponding to the transistor, and a capacitive wiring of which a part is provided so as to face the pixel electrode between an element substrate and the pixel electrode, and configures a retention capacitor through the pixel electrode and a dielectric layer in which the capacitive wiring is formed so as to be embedded in an insulating film which is provided between the element substrate and the pixel electrode, the surface thereof on the pixel electrode side is planarized along with an insulating film. |
| US08698965B2 |
Robot
A robot rotates frontward, rearward, clockwise, or counterclockwise such that a display device is matched with the eye position of a user. The robot includes a body, a display device, and at least one bending device. The display device includes a recognition unit to rotate about the body according to the position of the user. The recognition unit detects a position of a user. The bending device couples the body with the display device such that the body and the display device rotate frontward, rearward, clockwise, or counterclockwise according to a detection state of the recognition unit. |
| US08698962B2 |
Content processing device
A content processing device includes an input section, a memory section, a selection section and an output section. The input section is configured to receive content having a video signal and a plurality of audio signals with different audio types. The memory section is configured to store selection information indicative of a predetermined audio type, and order information indicative of a preset order of a plurality of audio types. The selection section is configured to select one of the audio signals based on the selection information and the order information. The output section is configured to output the video signal and the one of the audio signals that was selected by the selection section. |
| US08698961B2 |
Enhanced histogram equalization
A video processor includes a video stream translation module configured to generate a translated luminance value for a pixel of a current frame of a video data stream. The translated luminance value is based on a first luminance value for the pixel and a first translation matrix for the current frame of the video data stream. The video processor includes a filter configured to generate an output luminance value for the pixel based on the translated luminance value and a target translated luminance value for the pixel. The output luminance value may be based on a weighted average of the translated luminance value and the target translated luminance value using a first weighting factor. The video processor may include a first weighting factor generator configured to generate the first weighting factor based on luminance values of the current frame of the video stream. |
| US08698955B2 |
Compressed timing indicators for media samples
A first frame of data is encoded and a first timestamp associated with the first frame of data is generated. The first timestamp includes complete timing information. The first frame of data and the associated first timestamp is transmitted to a destination. A second frame of data is encoded and a second timestamp associated with the second frame of data is generated. The second timestamp includes a portion of the complete timing information. The second frame of data and the associated second timestamp is then transmitted to the destination. Additional frames of data are encoded and additional timestamps associated with the additional frames of data are generated. The majority of the additional timestamps include a portion of the complete timing information. |
| US08698953B1 |
Field programmable digital image capture device
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques and configurations to determine, by a digital image capture device, that lens calibration data is to be downloaded for a lens assembly of the digital image capture device and to download the lens calibration data. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US08698952B2 |
Camera module
A camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) configured to have an image sensor mounted thereon; a housing unit disposed over the first PCB; a holder module spaced apart from a bottom surface within the housing unit at a specific interval and configured to have first coils wound on its outer circumferential face and to include at least lens therein; a second PCB combined with the bottom surface of the holder module; a third PCB disposed over the holder module; a plurality of wire springs each configured to have one end connected to the second PCB and the other end connected to the third PCB; and buffer units provided at the connection units of the wire springs and the third PCB and configured to surround the connection units of the wire springs and the third PCB. |
| US08698950B2 |
Device and method for controlling a camera module in a mobile terminal to reduce power consumption
A camera control device and a method for operating a mobile terminal having a single camera module in selected modes to reduce the power consumption of the mobile terminal is disclosed. The camera control device for a mobile terminal includes a camera module, a memory, and a control unit. The camera module has a sensor for photographing an image. The memory stores tables which are provided for respective modes of the camera module and which include camera register values set for each mode and stores initial values of the sensor for the respective modes to initialize the sensor of the camera module. The control unit determines a mode of operating the camera module, extracts camera register values for the mode from a corresponding table stored in the memory, and operates the camera module according to the extracted camera register values to implement the corresponding mode. |
| US08698947B2 |
Digital photographing apparatus and method of controlling the same
A digital photographing apparatus and a method of controlling the same may reduce a photographing time by performing an operation of reading out data, an operation of closing an iris, and an operation of opening a shutter in parallel. |
| US08698945B2 |
Autofocus apparatus and method
In automatically focusing on a subject in the field of view of a camera device, the camera device sets a focal length successively at one or more focal positions with an angle of the focus plane tilted so as not to be orthogonal to a normal optical path through the camera device. An image is taken at each of the focal positions. A comparison of data from each image is made so as to determine best focus. This comparison includes comparing data from at least two different locations along the tilted focus plane of at least one of the images. |
| US08698943B2 |
Imaging apparatus and distance measurement method
An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging unit; a focal range control unit configured to cause the imaging unit to capture a first image and a second image which have mutually different focal ranges, changing a focal position of the imaging unit; a reference image generation unit configured to generate, using the first image and the second image, a reference image to be used as a blur standard; and a distance measurement unit configured to measure a distance to the subject based on a difference in blur degrees between the reference image and each of the first image and the second image. The focal ranges of the first image and the second image are independent of each other, and an out-of-focus space is provided between the focal ranges. |
| US08698939B2 |
Dual beam optic with dichroic filter
An apparatus and method for generating co-registerable images for processing is disclosed. The apparatus includes a dichroic filter that splits an electro-magnetic beam into first and second split beams, and a mirror that reflects the second split beam. The dichroic filter and the first and second split beams are arranged to direct the first and second split beams, respectively, along substantially parallel but non overlapping paths. |
| US08698936B2 |
Digital image processing apparatus and method of controlling the same
Provided are a digital image processing apparatus and a method of controlling the apparatus, by which a setting item designated by a user and a setting status of a setting value for the setting item are displayed together, thereby allowing the user to efficiently set items necessary for a photographing operation and/or other operations. The apparatus includes a body and a display unit on the body where setting information is displayed, in which a display screen displayed on the display unit includes a selection region where at least one setting item is displayed and an adjustment region where a currently set current setting value is displayed together with candidate setting values that can be set for at least one of the at least one setting item, and in which the at least one setting item is designated as candidate items that can be displayed on the selection region and display items selected from among the candidate items are displayed on the selection region. |
| US08698934B2 |
Solid-state image sensing device, camera module, and solid-state image sensing device manufacturing method
According to one embodiment, a solid-state image sensing device includes a semiconductor substrate which includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a pixel which is provided in the semiconductor substrate and which photoelectrically converts light emitted via a lens on the second surface, a support substrate which is provided on a first insulating layer covering an element on the first surface and which includes a trench, and a first device which is provided on the first insulating layer and which is accommodated in the trench of the support substrate. |
| US08698931B2 |
Photoelectric conversion apparatus and image pickup system
A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes signal processing units having a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, a first output unit having a plurality of first output terminals and include first output blocks provided in correspondence with the first output terminals, and a second output unit having one or more second output terminals and include second output blocks provided in correspondence with the second output terminals. |
| US08698930B2 |
Photoelectric conversion apparatus, focus detection apparatus, and image pickup system
A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a plurality of unit pixels each including a first photoelectric conversion unit and a second photoelectric conversion unit, and a pixel output unit shared by the first photoelectric conversion unit and the second photoelectric conversion unit. The first photoelectric conversion unit is configured to be depleted when it is reset, while the second photoelectric conversion unit is configured not to be depleted when it is reset. |
| US08698928B2 |
Reduced size image pickup apparatus retaining image quality
An image pickup apparatus for photographing an image, includes: a photoelectric converter to convert incident light an electric charge and accumulate the electric charge, a transfer element to transfer the electric charge accumulated in the photoelectric converter, a converter to convert the electric charge in the photoelectric converter transferred via the transfer element into a voltage, a reset element to reset potentials of the converter, and an amplifier to amplify a voltage converted by the converter to generate a pixel signal and output the pixel signal to a read signal line for reading the pixel signal. A plurality of the photoelectric converter and the transfer element are disposed at least in a horizontal direction share the amplifier and the read signal line. |
| US08698923B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, and program for detecting and correcting defective pixel in image
An image processing device includes a texture direction determining unit that determines a texture direction of an image, a defective pixel detecting unit that calculates a pixel value average for each of pixel groups including a plurality of pixels, and detects a defective pixel position on the basis of difference information of the pixel value average according to an arrangement direction of the pixel groups, and a correction unit that corrects, as a correction target, a pixel value at the defective pixel position detected on the basis of the difference information in the same pixel group arrangement direction as the texture direction determined by the texture direction determining unit. |
| US08698921B2 |
Audio processing device, audio processing method, program, and audio acquisition apparatus
In an audio-accompanying moving-image taking apparatus, a noise period setting unit sets a second period with respect to an audio signal acquired by image-taking. The second period is a period between the endpoint of a first period which is a predetermined period starting from the timing when a drive instruction is made to a drive unit for driving a lens and the point in time when the drive unit stops driving according to the drive instruction. A noise level estimation unit estimates a noise level using the signal present in the second period set by the noise period setting unit. A noise suppression unit suppresses noise from the signal present in the second period using the noise level estimated by the noise estimation unit. |
| US08698918B2 |
Automatic white balancing for photography
Embodiments of the claimed subject matter are directed to methods for automatic white balancing in an image-capture device. In one embodiment, given an estimated illuminant color (e.g., derived from the Gray World method), a more optimal illuminant color can be found by projecting this point to a plot of common illuminants to determine the closest point on the plot of common illuminants. Once the closest point of the plot of common illuminants is derived, the actual image (e.g., pixel) data of the scene is adjusted by the value of the closest point on the plot of common illuminants so that the light is normalized for the scene. |
| US08698917B2 |
Reducing computational complexity in determining an illuminant of a scene
In an embodiment, computational complexity of estimating the actual illuminant of a scene is reduced by examining only a subset of the pixel values generated for a received image frame. In another embodiment, number of rotations of color values is minimized by selecting an area which contains the color cue values of a color in an original/unrotated coordinate space and has boundaries which parallel the axis of the original coordinate space, and rotating a color value only if the color value is within the selected area. In another embodiment, such an area is used in conjunction with a histogram-based approach to determine the actual illuminant. |
| US08698915B2 |
Configuring an image capturing device based on a configuration image
A method is disclosed for operating an image capturing device. The method is performed by one or more processors of the image capturing device. The one or more processors detect a configuration image using a lens of the image capturing device. The configuration image is associated with information for configuring the image capturing device. The one or more processors determine a set of image capturing settings based on the information and captures an image other than the configuration image using the determined set of image capturing settings. |
| US08698911B2 |
Sound recording device, imaging device, photographing device, optical device, and program
A sound recording device includes an input unit, a timing detection unit, a section setting unit that sets a first section including a section in which an operation unit operates in a sound signal, a reference signal determination unit that determines, as a first reference signal, the sound signal corresponding to a second section following the first section, a signal detection unit that detects, as a second reference signal, a sound signal with the highest correlation with the first reference signal, an interpolation signal detection unit that detects, as an interpolation signal, a sound signal that follows the second reference signal detected by the signal detection unit in the sound signal and has the same time length as the first section, a signal replacement unit that replaces the sound signal in the first section with the interpolation signal, and a recording unit that records the sound signal replaced by the signal replacement unit. |
| US08698902B2 |
Computer-readable storage medium having image processing program stored therein, image processing apparatus, image processing system, and image processing method
A real camera image of a real space that is captured by a real camera is obtained. Color information about a plurality of sampling points in the real camera image is obtained. Next, an average color is calculated based on the obtained color information about the plurality of sampling points. Based on the calculated average color, parameters relating to the color and brightness of a light source set in a virtual space are set. A virtual object image is generated by capturing, with a virtual camera, an image of a virtual object existing in the virtual space, which virtual object is illuminated by the light source whose parameters have been set. Then, a superimposed image, in which the virtual object image is superimposed on the real camera image, is generated and displayed on a display device. |
| US08698899B2 |
Motion capture system and method for three-dimensional reconfiguring of characteristic point in motion capture system
In an optical motion capture system, it is possible to measure spatially high-dense data by increasing the number of measuring points. In the motion capture system using a mesh marker, intersections of lines for the mesh marker are called nodes and the lines connecting the nodes are called edges. The system includes a plurality of cameras for capturing a two-dimensional image of the mesh marker by imaging a subject having the mesh marker, a node/edge detecting section for detecting node/edge information on the mesh marker from the two-dimensional image captured by the respective cameras, and a three-dimensional reconstructing section for acquiring three-dimensional position information of the nodes by using the node/edge information detected from the plurality of two-dimensional images captured by different cameras. |
| US08698898B2 |
Controlling robotic motion of camera
Among other disclosed subject matter, a system includes a first camera generating a live image of a scene, the first camera configured for being placed in a plurality of locations by robotic motion. The system includes a handheld device that includes a display device for continuously presenting the live image, wherein movement of the handheld device causes the handheld device to generate an output that controls the robotic motion. |
| US08698890B2 |
Method for controlling a TDI-CCD image sensor
A method for controlling a scanning apparatus for scanning a continuously moved object includes seizing the actual momentary position of the moving object, and controlling the time instant or period in which image information is captured by the scanning devices in dependence of the actual momentary position of the object. The scanning apparatus in which the method is used includes a multiplicity of line scanning devices arranged adjacent to each other in the direction of the movement of the moved object. Each of the line scanning devices has a multiplicity of pixels that are arranged adjacent to each other in a direction across a path along which the object is moved. The pixels of the line scanning devices accumulate charges according to the amount of incident light. A controlling means is provided for transferring the charges accumulated in individual pixels to pixels in the adjacent line scanning device in synchronism with direction of the movement and the speed of the moving object. The object is illuminated or transilluminated by a light source. |
| US08698889B2 |
Metrology system for imaging workpiece surfaces at high robot transfer speeds
A metrology system has an elongate stationary camera pixel array facing a workpiece transit path of a robot with an field of view corresponding to a workpiece diameter and extending transverse to the transit path portion, and a stationary elongate light emitting array generally parallel to the pixel array. An image control processor causes the camera to capture successive image frames while the robot is moving the workpiece through the transit path. |
| US08698885B2 |
Methods and apparatus for demosaicing images with highly correlated color channels
In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is disclosed including an image sensor, a color filter array, and an image processor. The image sensor has an active area with a matrix of camera pixels. The color filter array is in optical alignment over the matrix of the camera pixels. The color filter array assigns alternating single colors to each camera pixel. The image processor receives the camera pixels and includes a correlation detector to detect spatial correlation of color information between pairs of colors in the pixel data captured by the camera pixels. The correlation detector further controls demosaicing of the camera pixels into full color pixels with improved resolution. The apparatus may further include demosaicing logic to demosaic the camera pixels into the full color pixels with improved resolution in response to the spatial correlation of the color information between pairs of colors. |
| US08698884B2 |
Light source apparatus
A light source apparatus includes: a first light source unit including a plurality of light sources arranged therein, the plurality of light sources each emitting illuminating light in a first wavelength band; a second light source unit including a plurality of light sources arranged therein, the plurality of light sources each emitting illuminating light in a second wavelength band; an in-light source light guiding channel that guides the light emitted from the first light source unit and the light emitted from the second light source unit to a proximal end-side input end of a light guiding channel in an endoscope; and a light source control section that, based on endoscope information from an endoscope information storing section, divides the plurality of light sources in the first light source unit into a first light source group, light from which enters a vicinity of an optical axis of the proximal end-side input end of the light guiding channel in the endoscope, and a second light source group in a periphery of the first light source group, and divides the plurality of light sources in the second light source unit into a third light source group, light from which enters the vicinity of the optical axis of the proximal end-side input end of the light guiding channel in the endoscope, and a fourth light source group in a periphery of the third light source group, and performs control to decrease an output of the second light source group to be lower than an output of the first light source group and decrease an output of the fourth light source group to be lower than an output of the third light source group. |
| US08698883B2 |
Endoscopic image reproducing apparatus
An endoscopic image reproducing apparatus has an image pickup section that picks up an image of an object, an image generating unit that generates image data based on an image signal, an acceleration measuring section that measures accelerations of the image pickup section, a moving image file generating section that generates a moving image file including the image data and the acceleration data, a reading section that reads the image data and the acceleration data from the moving image file, a calculating section that calculates a position and a direction of the image pickup section at a certain time of a moving image based on an acceleration, an associating section that associates the position and direction of the image pickup section with the image data at that time, and an insertion path calculating section that calculates an insertion path based on the position of the image pickup section. |
| US08698881B2 |
Apparatus, method and article to perform assays using assay strips
An assay system includes an optical imager to acquire high resolution images of assay strips (e.g., lateral flow immunochromatographic test strips) and performs image processing to identify individual assay strips and determine results for each assay strip, by quantifies the presence or absence of test signal line(s) and control signal line(s). Assay strips may be in a holder or carrier contained in a specimen container also holding a specimen. The assay system automatically logs all results and data to a database that stores a high resolution image of the original immunochromatographic assay, the values of test line(s) and control line(s), and the test result. A user interface directs an end user through operation. |
| US08698877B2 |
Image information processing apparatus, image capture apparatus, image information processing method, and program
An image information processing apparatus is provided. The information processing apparatus includes a scene change detection unit that detects a scene change in content. The information processing apparatus also includes a depth value correction unit that corrects a depth value for stereoscopic display so as to allow a change of the depth value to transition at a predetermined display speed before and after the scene change. |
| US08698876B2 |
Single camera device and method for 3D video imaging using a refracting lens array
An embodiment of the present invention may include an apparatus that captures 3D images having a lens barrel. The lens barrel may include a lens disposed at the first end of the lens barrel, an image capture element at the second end of the lens barrel, and a pair of refracting lenses positioned along the optical axis of the lens barrel. The first and second refracting lenses may be mounted to a first set and second set of positioning elements. The image capture element may capture images continuously at a predetermined frame rate, and the first and second set of positioning elements may continuously change the position of the first and second refracting lenses among a series of predetermined correlated positions based on the predetermined frame rate. |
| US08698868B2 |
Image forming apparatus with partition wall between scanning optical device and photosensitive drum
An image forming apparatus includes a scanning optical device which performs scanning on a photosensitive drum with laser light. The scanning optical device includes a polygon motor unit, an emergence unit and a projecting unit. The polygon motor unit includes a polygon mirror which performs the scanning on the photosensitive drum with the laser light emitted from a light source. The laser light emerges from the emergence unit so that the photosensitive drum is irradiated with the laser light. The projecting unit projects to a first side where the photosensitive drum is disposed from a partition wall. The polygon motor unit is disposed in the projecting unit. The emergence unit is disposed on a second side separated from the first side by the partition wall. A gap is provided between the partition wall and the scanning optical device. |
| US08698867B2 |
Housing immobilizing mechanism, image forming apparatus, and housing immobilizing method
A housing immobilizing mechanism has a drive source that drives at a predetermined speed; a housing for holding the drive source; a number of fasteners greater than a number of predetermined fastening sites on the housing; and an immobilizing member attached to a plurality of the fasteners, the immobilizing member adapted to immobilize the housing. The immobilizing member is attached to a combination of fasteners to which the immobilizing member is attached that is not a combination in which an amplitude of vibration relative to a drive speed of the drive source is greatest, there being at least one fastener to which an immobilizing member is not attached. |
| US08698861B2 |
Color erasing apparatus and color erasing heat source unit
According to one embodiment, a transporting path transports a paper with a heat erasable image. A first color erasing unit has a first heat roller and a first press roller. A second color erasing unit, downstream of the first color erasing unit, has a second heat roller and a second press roller. A gear drive train, engages the first heat roller and the second heat roller. An opening and closing mechanism moves between an open and a closed position. While maintaining the state of the gear drive train, the open position has the first press roller separated from the first heat roller and the second press roller separated from the second heat roller. In the closed position, the first press roller is in close proximity to the first heat roller and the second press roller is in close proximity to the second heat roller. |
| US08698860B2 |
Image forming device with exposure unit and pressing member
An image forming device includes a photoconductive body, an exposure unit configured with a plurality of light emitting elements aligned in a predetermined direction, the exposure unit being adopted to expose the photoconductive body to light emitted by the light emitting elements, a frame configured to support both sides of the exposure unit in the predetermined direction, the frame having a reference portion configured to position the exposure unit in the predetermined direction in contact with an end of the exposure unit in the predetermined direction, and a pressing member provided to one of the frame and the exposure unit, the pressing member being configured to press the end of the exposure unit against the reference portion. |
| US08698859B2 |
Display screen having regions of differing pixel density
A display device including: a display screen having first region and second region, the first region having a first pixel density and the second region having a second pixel density, the second pixel density being higher than the first pixel density, an input for receiving image data, a power source; and wherein the display screen is operable in a full screen mode in which an image is displayed in both the first region and the second region and a reduced screen mode in which power to the first region is turned off and the image is displayed in the second region. |
| US08698855B2 |
White balance adjusting method
A white balance adjusting method is disclosed. The white balance adjusting method includes obtaining maximum spectral tristimulus values, minimum spectral tristimulus values and spectral tristimulus values of respective gray levels of a red color, a green color and a blue color; computing spectral tristimulus values Y of the middle respective gray levels; setting a chromaticity and setting polynomial functions which varied based on the gray levels in the spectral tristimulus values; establishing relationships between the spectral tristimulus values of three colors in a white field and the polynomial functions of spectral tristimulus values of a color field; utilizing an approximation method to obtain gray level numbers in the white field. In the present invention, since brightness exponentially varies with the gray level, the chromaticity of a white color dot is set to adjust the white field. |
| US08698854B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display device and low power driving method thereof
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display and a low power driving method of the OLED display are provided. The OLED display comprises a display panel that comprises data lines, scan lines intersecting the data lines, and light emitting cells arranged in a matrix form, wherein the light emitting cells respectively comprise OLEDs, a DC-DC converter that is enabled in a normal mode to supply a first high potential power voltage to the display panel and is disabled in a low power mode, and a panel driver that drives the data lines and the scan lines of the display panel, disables the DC-DC converter in the low power mode, and supplies a second high potential power voltage to the display panel. |
| US08698853B2 |
Method and apparatus for driving liquid crystal display
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display (LCD) device with reduced response time with respect to input frame data. The present invention also provides an LCD device for performing pre-tilt driving and over-drive driving using only two frame memories. According to the present invention, a method of driving a liquid crystal display (LCD) device comprises generating pre-tilt data with respect to a current frame by using previous frame data and current frame data, generating over-drive data with respect to the current frame by using the previous frame data and the current frame data, displaying the pre-tilt data with respect to the current frame, and displaying the over-drive data with respect to the current frame. |
| US08698851B2 |
Method of driving display panel and display apparatus for performing the same
A display apparatus includes a first pixel including a first pixel electrode connected to first data and gate lines, a second pixel including a second pixel electrode connected to a second data and gate lines, a third pixel including a third pixel electrode connected to a third data line and the first gate line, a fourth pixel including a fourth pixel electrode connected to a fourth data line and the second gate line, a fifth pixel including a fifth pixel electrode connected to a fifth data line and the second gate line, a sixth pixel including a sixth pixel electrode connected to a sixth data line and the first gate line, a seventh pixel including a seventh pixel electrode connected to a seventh data line and the second gate line, and an eighth pixel including an eighth pixel electrode connected to an eighth data line and the first gate line. |
| US08698846B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method, and program
An information processing apparatus includes a designation unit which designates an object, a sensing unit which senses a change which exceeds a threshold value in at least a part of the object when a user zooms in on the object, and a zoom unit which zooms in on the object at the zoom rate which is just less than that when there is a change that exceeds the threshold value in at least a part of the object if there is a change that exceeds the threshold value in at least a part of the object when the user zooms in on the object at the designated zoom rate, and which zooms in on the object if there is no change that exceeds the threshold value in at least a part of the object even when the user zooms in on the object at the designated zoom rate. |
| US08698842B2 |
System and method for providing graphics using graphical engine
Systems and methods that provide graphics using a graphical engine are provided. One such system includes at least one graphical pipeline and a graphical engine. The at least one graphical pipeline is coupled to a bus and operable to generate a plurality of graphical layers. The graphical engine is coupled to the bus and operable to receive, over the bus, the plurality of graphical layers. The graphical engine is operable to composite the received plurality of graphical layers into a composite graphical layer, and to store the composite graphical layer in a local memory of the graphical engine. |
| US08698836B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for optimizing stratified sampling associated with stochastic transparency
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for optimizing stratified sampling associated with stochastic transparency. In use, surface data associated with one or more surfaces to be rendered is received. Additionally, the one or more surfaces are rendered, utilizing stochastic transparency, where stratified sampling associated with the stochastic transparency is optimized. |
| US08698835B1 |
Mobile device user interface having enhanced visual characteristics
A computing device includes a user interface module operable by at least one processor to output, for display, a graphical user interface of an application, the graphical user interface including a plurality of elements, each respective element of the plurality of elements being associated with one of a plurality of application features, determine an age for a first application feature of the plurality of application features, the age being a period of time that has elapsed since the first application feature was enabled in the application, generate, based on the age, a visual characteristic that modifies at least one of a chrominance value and a luminance value associated with a first element of the plurality of elements associated with the first application feature, and output, for display, the visual characteristic. |
| US08698830B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method for texture-mapping an image onto a computer graphics image
Provided is an image processing apparatus which includes an image selection unit selecting one image data from a plurality of input image data, an image generation unit generating a computer graphics image based on computer graphics description data, an image mapping unit determining an object or a portion of the object of computer graphics drawn by the image generation unit as the target of texture mapping and texture-mapping an image according to the image data selected by the image selection unit onto a surface of the target of texture mapping, and an image selection control unit controlling the image data selection by the image selection unit according to an attribute given to the target of texture mapping. |
| US08698828B2 |
Graphics processing systems
In a graphics processing system, when a fragment reaches a texturing stage, it is determined whether the texture to be applied is a static or dynamic texture. If it is determined that the required texels relate to a dynamic texture, then the system first tries to fetch those texels from a dynamic texture memory. If it is found that the texels are not available in the dynamic texture memory, then the relevant texels are generated in an “on-demand” fashion and stored in the dynamic texture memory so that they can be applied to the fragment. |
| US08698824B1 |
Computing systems, devices and methods for rendering maps remote from a host application
The present disclosure relates to rendering interactive displays remote from a host application. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to rendering interactive displays, such as interactive geographic map displays and computer game displays, remote from a corresponding host application, such as a web page for a municipality, a university, a computer game, a business, etc., that generates a display which includes the remotely rendered interactive display. |
| US08698820B2 |
Graphics processing systems
In a graphics processing system, a command list reader first reads-in and identifies a portion of a command list. The primitives corresponding to the commands in the portion of the command list are then subjected to a Z-only processing pass. This allows a Z-buffer 16 and a hierarchical Z-pyramid 8 to be filled with the appropriate Z-values for the primitives in the portion of the primitive list. The primitives are then subjected to a second, normal rendering, processing pass, but the filled Z-buffer 16 and Z-pyramid from the first processing pass are used together with the Z-tests 7, 10 performed in the second processing pass to determine which primitive should be processed for each sampling point in the second processing pass. |
| US08698804B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
Upon generation of an image of a virtual space on which a virtual object is laid out using a ray tracing method, an approximate virtual object, which is configured by at least one virtual element to approximate the shape of a physical object, is laid out on the virtual space. Then, intersect determination between a ray generated based on the ray tracing method and an object on the virtual space is executed. As a result of the intersect determination, when the ray and the approximate virtual object have a predetermined intersect state, a pixel corresponding to the ray is generated based on a ray before the predetermined intersect state is reached. |
| US08698797B2 |
Method and device for generating multi-views three-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic image
A method and a device for generating a multi-views three-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic image are based on displaying positions of target image elements of each view image of a multi-views 3D stereoscopic image in a 3D stereo display. Source image elements suitable to be displayed at each displaying position are obtained from a 2D-depth mixed image formed by combining a source 2D image and a corresponding depth map through an inverse view image searching manner, thereby generating a multi-views 3D stereoscopic image from the set target image elements for being displayed in the 3D stereo display. |
| US08698796B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
In an image processing apparatus, a feature point acquirer acquires feature points, which are characteristic points on a face in an image presenting a face. A supplementary feature point calculator calculates supplementary feature points on the basis of the feature points acquired by the feature point acquirer. An image transform unit utilizes the feature points and the supplementary feature points to transform the image so as to match the structure of a face in a projected image that depicts the surface of a given three-dimensional face shape projected onto a flat plane. |
| US08698795B2 |
Interactive image segmentation
When adapting models of anatomical structures in a patient for diagnosis or therapeutic planning, an atlas (26) of predesigned anatomical structure models or image volumes can be accessed, and a segmentation of one or more such structures can be selected and overlaid on an a 3D image of corresponding structure(s) in a clinical image (52) of a patient. A user can click on an initially unapproved segmentation 5 landmark (72) on the patient image (52), reposition the unapproved landmark, and approve the repositioned landmark. Remaining unapproved landmarks (72) are then repositioned as a function of the position of the approved landmark (92) using one or more interpolation techniques to adapt the model to the patient image on the fly. |
| US08698792B2 |
Low-power display control method and associated display controller
A low-power display control method and associated display controller is provided. The low-power display control method detects a sensing signal to generate a sensing result. A control signal is generated according to the sensing result to control a power conversion controller to operate in a low-power power saving mode. In response to a wake-up event, the control signal is deasserted and an associated auxiliary circuit is also turned off, and then the display controller is woken up to restore to a normal operating mode. |
| US08698786B2 |
Driving circuit and driving method for display device
A gate start pulse signal for a next frame is output at (m−n+k+1)-th line from a beginning of display period for a previous frame in a case where m denotes the number of the display lines, n denotes the number of extra outputs from the gate driver at a side from which the scan is performed, k denotes a positive integer, and a scan of a gate driver is performed from a side at which there is an extra output from the gate driver; k pulses of gate driver clock signals are output during a vertical blank period; and input of a gate driver clock signal is restarted from a beginning of a display period for the next frame. |
| US08698784B2 |
Buffered stylus
A buffered stylus includes a barrel that has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and a staff that extends through the barrel. A front end portion of the staff has a part that extends outwardly of the first end of the barrel, and further has a rear end. A staff body portion is connected to the rear end of the front end portion, and has an elastically deformable segment capable of being extended and contracted in a longitudinal direction so as to absorb shock force. A rear end portion of the staff is connected to a rear end of the staff body portion, and is secured to the second end of the barrel. |
| US08698783B2 |
Touch panel
Disclosed is a touch panel comprising a display panel (for example, a liquid crystal panel) (1); a plurality of mirrors (2) provided on an edge of a display surface side of the display panel (1); a light source (3); a plurality of light sensors (4) embedded in the display panel (1), positioned immediately under the mirrors (2), and for which light emitted from the light source (3) is guided by the mirrors (2); and a data interpolation processing unit that, if an output signal from a certain light sensor included in the plurality of light sensors (4) is at most at a threshold, calculates interpolation data from output signals that are stronger than the threshold from light sensors about a periphery of the certain light sensor. |
| US08698777B2 |
Mount structure of touch input device having pressure sensitive sensor
[Subject] To provide a mount structure of a touch input device having a pressure sensitive sensor in which visibility can be prevented from being lowered even when the pressure sensitive sensor is mounted, water-proofness and dust-proofness are excellent, and a pressure can be easily detected with high measurement accuracy.[Solution] According to a mount structure of a touch input device which includes a touch input device having at least a touch panel, and a pressure sensitive sensor attached to a lower surface thereof, and a casing dented to allow the device to be externally fitted in, and having a concave part or an opening part for a display device, and a frame-shaped support part to support a back surface peripheral part of the touch input device, in its bottom surface, the pressure sensitive sensor includes a pressure concentration member laminated and arranged in a dot shape so as to support the pressure sensitive ink member on a back surface, and a frame-shaped gasket is attached between the pressure sensitive sensor and the support part of the casing, in which the gasket does not overlap with the pressure concentration member. |
| US08698776B2 |
Electrostatic capacitance-type input device, method of manufacturing electrostatic capacitance-type input device, and electro-optical apparatus provided with input function
An electrostatic capacitance-type input device includes: a translucent input device substrate that has a translucent position detecting electrode and a position detecting mount terminal electrically connected to the position detecting electrode on a first face side; a flexible wiring substrate that includes an overlapping portion overlapping with the first face side of the input device substrate and is electrically connected to the position detecting mount terminal in the overlapping portion; and a translucent shielding film that has a shield electrode layer and is disposed so as to overlap with a second face side of the input device substrate. The shielding film includes an extension portion that is folded back so as to overlap with the first face side of the input device substrate. The shielding film is electrically connected to the flexible wiring substrate through the extension portion. |
| US08698775B2 |
Driving method, driving device and touch sensitive display device using the same
A driving method for driving a touch sensitive display device is disclosed. The touch sensitive display device includes a plurality of pixel units and a plurality of touch sensors both arranged in matrixes. The driving method includes generating a plurality of source driving signals according to an image signal to indicate color intensities of the plurality of pixel units, generating a plurality of scanning impulses according to a synchronization signal to indicate an updating sequence of the plurality of pixel units, and shrinking duty cycles of the plurality of scanning impulses to generate a plurality of sensor scanning impulses for triggering the plurality of touch sensors. |
| US08698769B2 |
Dual mode capacitive touch panel
A dual mode capacitive touch panel includes a sensor substrate, an electrode layer comprising an array of sensor electrodes arranged over the sensor substrate, the array of sensor electrodes including a plurality of drive electrodes and a plurality of sense electrodes, each sensor electrode corresponding to a location on the sensor substrate, and a shield layer arranged over and spaced apart from the electrode layer. The shield layer includes a predetermined resistance that permits transmission of an electric field at a first frequency and prevents transmission of an electric field at a second frequency, wherein a spacing between the shield layer and the electrode layer is deformable as a result of a force applied to the shield layer due to a user touch, wherein the deformation alters a capacitance between the shield layer and a sensor electrode of the array. A controller is operatively coupled to the array of sensor electrodes, the controller configured to drive the shield layer and at least some sensor electrodes of the sensor electrode array at the first frequency in a first mode to measure a location of an object relative to the sensor substrate, and drive the shield and the at least some sensor electrodes at a second frequency in a second mode different from the first mode to measure a force applied toward the sensor substrate. |
| US08698768B2 |
Touch screen panel and display device having the same
A touch screen panel comprises a first sensing pattern provided with first sensing cells arranged on one row along a first direction on a transparent substrate, and a first connection pattern through which adjacent first sensing cells are electrically connected to each other. A second sensing pattern is provided with second sensing cells arranged so as to be spaced apart from the first sensing cells on one column along a second direction on the transparent substrate, and a second connection pattern through which adjacent second sensing cells are electrically connected to each other. The first connection pattern includes at least two pairs of metal patterns arranged so as to be spaced apart from one another, and a transparent pattern formed in the shape of an island in the second sensing pattern so as to be electrically connected to one or the other end of each of the metal patterns. |
| US08698766B2 |
System integration of tactile feedback and touchscreen controller for near-zero latency haptics playout
A haptic feedback system includes a user interface device, such as a touchscreen that includes a touch panel and one or more haptic drive elements coupled to the touch panel, a touch controller, and an actuator controller. The touch controller receives sensed data from the touch panel, and in response generates and sends a haptic signal to an actuator controller. Generation and transmission of the haptic signal bypasses any system host controller. A dedicated signal path couples the touch controller and the actuator controller, over which the haptic signal is transmitted. Alternatively, the haptic signal is transmitted from the touch controller to the actuator controller over a serial bus interface. In response to the received haptic signal, the actuator controller implements an appropriate drive signal in the form of a haptic waveform to the one or more haptic drive elements of the touchscreen. |
| US08698763B2 |
Touch panel
Disclosed herein is a touch panel 100 including: bar type transparent electrodes 120 that are formed on a transparent substrate 110, bar type opening parts 130 that are formed in the bar type transparent electrodes 120 so as to be surrounded by the bar type transparent electrodes 120, and wirings 140 of which one ends are connected to the bar type transparent electrodes 120 and the other ends are collected at one side of the transparent substrate 110. The touch panel 100 includes the bar type transparent electrodes 120 in which the bar type opening parts 130 are formed and subdivides the transparent electrodes, thereby making it possible to improve touch sensitivity without increasing the wirings 140 and improve transparency. |
| US08698760B2 |
Method and apparatus for identification of touch panels
A method for configuring a touchscreen controller may include identifying a model of a touchscreen by measuring a capacitance or resistance of at least one element integrated in the touchscreen, identifying the model of the touchscreen based on the measured capacitance or resistance, and configuring the touchscreen controller based on the identified model of the touchscreen. |
| US08698758B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method, and program that detects three-dimensional coordinates and outputs corresponding audio
An information processing apparatus includes a sensor portion, a judgment portion, and an output portion. The sensor portion detects three-dimensional coordinates designated by a spatially-apart detection target object. The judgment portion determines an area designated in advance, that includes the three-dimensional coordinates detected by the sensor portion. The output portion outputs, based on a result of the judgment by the judgment portion, audio corresponding to audio information from a position corresponding to at least two-dimensional coordinates out of the three-dimensional coordinates. |
| US08698756B2 |
Interrupt reduction method in touch screen controller
Integration of a FIFO memory, FIFO threshold and a timer, along with the other components of a touch screen system allows the number of interrupts to the touch screen controller to be reduced while allowing all point data to be acquired and preserved. In the first touch-detect event, an interrupt is issued to inform the host. The touch screen controller then automatically acquires data as long as touch is detected without host intervention. A FIFO threshold defines the minimum number of data points in FIFO memory before it issues an interrupt to inform the host that data is ready to be fetched. The timer is started once touch is detected. On every single data acquired, the timer is reset. In the event where touch is no longer detected, the timer keeps on counting until the time-up limit is reached. In this event, the touch screen controller will issue an interrupt informing the host the pen is lifted. The host then checks whether there is still data left in FIFO memory to be read. |
| US08698754B2 |
Keypad for electronic device and manufacturing method thereof
A keypad for an electronic device and manufacturing method thereof having at least one or more ink layers which selectively let pass or cut off a light wavelength of at least one or more light emitting diodes generating light in accordance with an opened or closed direction of a folder. At least one or more light emitting elements for generating light in various colors are provided, and a diffusion ink layer is arranged above the light emitting elements. At least one or more ink layers provided on the diffusion ink layer, wherein the ink layers selectively let passes or cut-off light wavelengths of the light emitting elements when the folder is rotated or slid in a longitudinal or perpendicular direction. A transparent or semi-transparent ink layer is provided on the ink layers, and a sheet film layer is provided on the transparent or semi-transparent ink layer. |
| US08698753B2 |
Virtual optical input device with feedback and method of controlling the same
Provided are a virtual optical input device capable of providing feedback and a method of controlling the same. In the method, a portion of an input means such as a finger, and a portion of a shadow of the input means generated by a light source are detected through image processing. Physical variations formed between them are used to detect the touch contact of the input means, calculate the position and motion of the input means, and provide the corresponding feedback. |
| US08698749B2 |
Input apparatus, mobile apparatus, and information recording medium
Keys that structure the keyboard have a diamond-shaped form that is symmetrical in both the vertical and the horizontal directions, disposed so that none of the edges of the surface in which the keyboard is formed are parallel with any of the edges of the diamond shapes. To each key is applied a marking in one or two orientations depending on the orientation of use of the mobile communications terminal. In the keyboard, these types of keys are laid out in a staggered pattern, wherein the markings are applied in positions that are on a straight line that passes through each of the keys in two rows of keys that are adjacent in the vertical direction on keys that are used when the mobile communications terminal is used in the horizontal orientation. |
| US08698747B1 |
Hand-activated controller
A hand-activated controller including a base and a circuit board attached to the base is provided. The circuit board has an aperture extending therethrough, and first, second, third, and fourth switches disposed thereon proximate to the aperture. The controller further includes a shaft having a tubular portion and a plate portion. The plate portion is disposed proximate to the first, second, third and fourth switches. The controller further includes a ball-shaped member that is coupled to the tubular portion of the shaft, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor determines if the first, second, third and fourth switches transition from a first operational state to a second operational state indicating that the ball-shaped member and the shaft have been pushed downwardly toward the base, and to generate a first command signal in response thereto. |
| US08698746B1 |
Automatic calibration curves for a pointing device
A system and method is disclosed for calibrating a pointing device. A virtual movement of a position indicator is generated based on current acceleration parameters of an acceleration curve applied to a physical movement made at a pointing device and terminating at a target action. A plurality of virtual path segments are determined based on the physical movement, and an overall error representative of a deviation of the endpoint of each segment from the target action is generated. One or more hypothetical acceleration parameters are calculated that, when applied to the changing position information, generate an overall hypothetical error value less than the overall error. The current acceleration parameters are set equal to the one or more hypothetical acceleration parameters to calibrate the pointing device. |
| US08698745B2 |
Configuring the functionality of control elements of a control device based on orientation
A control device controls the functionality of two or more sets of control elements. A processing unit of the control device determines that it is oriented in a first zone or in a second zone based on input received from a magnetometer. The first and second zones are defined with respect to a magnetic reference point and are oriented relative to a controlled device or an electronic device. If the processing unit determines that the control device is oriented in the first zone, the processing unit configures a first functionality for the first set of control elements. If the control device's orientation changes from being oriented in the first zone to being oriented in the second zone, the processing unit configures the first set of control elements with a second functionality. |
| US08698743B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method and program
An information processing apparatus includes an imaging unit, an icon display control unit causing a display to display an operation icon, a pickup image display processing unit causing the display to sequentially display an input operation region image constituted by, among pixel regions constituting an image picked up by the imaging unit, a pixel region including at least a portion of a hand of a user, an icon management unit managing event issue definition information, which is a condition for determining that the operation icon has been operated by the user, for each operation icon, an operation determination unit determining whether the user has operated the operation icon based on the input operation region image displayed in the display and the event issue definition information, and a processing execution unit performing predetermined processing corresponding to the operation icon in accordance with a determination result by the operation determination unit. |
| US08698740B1 |
Computing interface system
Computing interface systems and methods are disclosed. Some implementations include a first accelerometer attached to a first fastening article that is capable of holding the first accelerometer in place on a portion of a thumb of a user. Some implementations may also include a second accelerometer attached to a second fastening article that is capable of holding the second accelerometer in place on a portion of a wrist of a user. Some implementations may additionally or alternatively include magnetometers and/or gyroscopes attached to the first and second fastening articles. Some implementations may also include a processing device configured to receive measurements from the accelerometers, magnetometers, and/or gyroscopes and identify, based on the measurements, symbols associated with motions of a user's hand and/or the orientation of the hand. Some implementations may allow a user to control a cursor in a three dimensional virtual space and interact with objects in that space. |
| US08698739B2 |
Input apparatus following task flow and image forming apparatus using the same
An input apparatus includes a command input unit to input a command, a key input unit having at least one key, a navigation key input unit having a rotatable navigation key, and a display panel unit to perform displaying according to manipulation of the command input unit, the key input unit, and the navigation key. In the input apparatus, the command input unit, the key input unit, the navigation key input unit, and the display panel unit are arranged in sequence according to a task flow, so a user-friendly input apparatus can be implemented. |
| US08698736B2 |
Handheld computer interface with haptic feedback
A handheld computer interface includes an enclosure, a mass coupled to the enclosure, and an actuator coupled to the mass to change a position of the mass relative to the enclosure. When the actuator receives a signal indicating a change in the center of mass of the interface, it changes the position of the mass. |
| US08698735B2 |
Constrained virtual camera control
A method is described that includes receiving, from a first device, input used to select a first object in a computer-generated environment. The first device has at least two degrees of freedom with which to control the selection of the first object. The method also includes removing, in response to the selection of the first object, at least two degrees of freedom previously available to a second device used to manipulating a second object in the computer-generated environment. The removed degrees of freedom correspond to the at least two degrees of freedom of the first device and specify an orientation of the second object relative to the selected first object. Additionally, the method includes receiving, from the second device, input including movements within the reduced degrees of freedom used to manipulate a position of the second object while maintaining the specified orientation relative to the selected first object. |
| US08698733B2 |
Electrophoretic display and method for driving the same
Disclosed is an electrophoretic display and a method for driving the electrophoretic display. The method for driving the electrophoretic display, which includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrophoretic layer including electrophoretic particles disposed in a plurality of pixels receiving the voltage for driving from the first electrode and the second electrode and provided between the first electrode and the second electrode includes applying a reset voltage to the pixels, applying a reset compensation voltage including reversed polarity to the reset voltage to the pixels, applying an image display voltage including the same or different polarity during a predetermined time between the neighboring pixels, and applying an image display compensation voltage including reversed polarity to the image display voltage to the pixels during a predetermined time. The foregoing method provides a potential distribution which is symmetrical in the boundary region between the neighboring pixels such that the display size of the real image of each of the pixels is uniform and an afterimage may be prevented, thereby improving the display performance. |
| US08698732B2 |
Outdoor display system and display apparatus
The outdoor display system has a solar cell; an electricity storing unit which stores electricity obtained by the solar cell, and a display apparatus having a displaying portion displaying contents, wherein the apparatus is supplied an electric power from the storing unit or solar cell. The display apparatus may contain a display panel which displays contents; a receiving unit which receives contents transmitted wireless; a backlight which irradiates light to the display panel, and a control unit which controls the displaying of the received contents in the display panel. The control unit may perform the luminosity control of the backlight according to a residual capacity of the electricity storing unit. |
| US08698730B2 |
Inspecting method for electrophoretic display device
An inspecting method for an electrophoretic display device includes applying first signals into all pixel regions in a display region of the electrophoretic display device to inspect defects on an image; applying second signals into a first part of the pixel regions and maintaining the first signals at second and third parts of the pixel regions; and applying third signals into the first part of the pixel regions and fourth signals at the second part of the pixel regions and maintaining the first signals at to the third part of the pixel regions. |
| US08698728B2 |
Apparatus for integrated backlight and dynamic gamma/VCOM control on silicon chips
Integrated backlight unit (BLU) and liquid crystal systems and circuits in liquid crystal display (LCD) systems are described. An LCD system can include a BLU to emit light at different intensities, and a BLU controller coupled to the BLU and configured to control the intensities. An LCD unit can receive the emitted light, and emanate light at a selected luminosity. The LCD unit can include pixels corresponding to: a liquid crystalline medium to provide a transmittance of the light emitted or to transmit a color light; and transistors adapted to modulate reference voltages. An LCD unit controller can be coupled to the LCD unit and configured to control luminosity of the light emanated from the LCD unit. The BLU and the LCD unit, which can be integrated in a single integrated circuit, can be controlled during concurrent time periods for contrast enhancement of images displayed from the LCD unit. |
| US08698724B2 |
Liquid crystal display device, scan signal drive device, liquid crystal display device drive method, scan signal drive method, and television receiver
In one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device is disclosed in which a gate driver applies a gate-on pulse so that a second period is longer than a first period. Among gate-on pulses applied before the moment of polarity inversion of a data signal, the last end of the gate-on pulse nearest to the moment of the polarity inversion is earlier than the end time of the horizontal period during which the gate-on pulse is applied. The first period starts at the last end of the gate-on pulse and ends at the end time of the horizontal period during which the gate-on pulse is applied. The second period starts at the moment of the polarity inversion and ends at the moment of the application start of the gate-on pulse nearest to the moment of the polarity inversion among the gate-on pulses applied after the polarity inversion. |
| US08698723B1 |
Method of driving active matrix displays
Method of driving a pixel element having a first capacitive element, a first transistor, and a compound-switch that includes at least one switching transistor and at least one secondary switching element. The method includes (1) setting the bias voltage of the first transistor to a value that is substantially close to a threshold voltage of the first transistor at the end of a first time period after starting changing a voltage across the first capacitive element at the beginning of the first time period, and (2) writing a pixel data into the pixel element to change the bias voltage of the first transistor to a target value that is different from the threshold voltage of the first transistor during a second time period while keeping the compound-switch at conducting state. The first time period is at least three times as long as the second time period. |
| US08698722B2 |
Display apparatus and driving method thereof
A display apparatus includes a panel part having a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of pixels, a data driver and a gate driver part. Each pixel of the plurality of pixels includes a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel. The first sub-pixel is connected to a first gate line of the plurality of gate lines and the second sub-pixel is connected to a second gate line of the plurality of gate lines. The first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel are each commonly connected to one data line of the plurality of data lines. The gate driver part is disposed on the panel part and applies a plurality of gate signals to the plurality of gate lines. A current gate signal of the plurality of gate signals is temporally overlapped with a previous gate signal for a predetermined time interval. |
| US08698721B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of driving the same
A liquid crystal display device includes a conversion portion processing a plurality of data signals to increase at least one of a plurality of gray levels of the plurality of n-bit data signals; a liquid crystal panel including a plurality of pixels supplied with the plurality of data signals processed; a light source supplying light to the liquid crystal panel; and a light source control portion adjusting a light luminance in inverse proportion to increasing the at least one of the plurality of gray levels. |
| US08698715B2 |
Display device and method for manufacturing the same
A display device (10) includes an upper substrate (first substrate) (2), a lower substrate (second substrate) (3), and a conductive liquid (16) that is movably sealed in a display space (S) formed between the upper substrate (2) and the lower substrate (3). In the display device (10), an electrode member (f) for filling the conductive liquid (16) is provided in the display space (S) and configured so that a predetermined voltage can be applied thereto, and the conductive liquid (16) is filled in the display space (S) by applying the predetermined voltage to the electrode member (f). |
| US08698709B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
To solve the lack of program time, which is a problem of a display device including an EL element, and to provide a display device including a pixel circuit with a high aperture ratio and a driving method thereof. In a circuit including a driving transistor, a capacitor, a display element which can be used as a capacitor, a first power supply line and a second power supply line, potentials of the first power supply line and the second power supply line are set to be almost the same, thereby a threshold voltage of the driving transistor is held in the display element, and after that, a charge is divided into the display element and the capacitor. |
| US08698702B2 |
Image displaying system, image displaying device, image data outputting device, image displaying method, image displaying program, and image data outputting program
A system consisting of a plurality of terminals storing image data and an image displaying device which are connected with each other through a network capable of two-way communication has the disadvantage of decreasing in throughput on account of slow image data transfer over the network. The image displaying device performs two-way communications with each of the terminals by a communication means at the display device side. Also, the image displaying device acquires image data from a relevant terminal while instructing other terminals to suspend transmission by the image data acquisition controlling means, thereby suspending transmission of image data. The image displaying device displays images by the image displaying means based on the thus acquired image data. |
| US08698701B2 |
Field sequential light source modulation for a digital display system
A digital display system consists of an image modulator and multiple light modulators. An image processing system processes an incoming data stream, scans processed data to an image modulator and controls for the light modulators. Other user inputs and sensors are used to affect the processing and controls. The timing for scanning the processed data into the image modulators is controlled along with the intensity and wavelength of the light modulators. The display system may implement a spatial and temporal image processing, digital shutter controls, rolling shutter controls, sequential color output, adaptive dynamic sensor feedback, frame rate matching, motion compensated field sequencing and a variety of other techniques to produce a high quality display output. The resulting display has improved image consistency, enhanced color gamut, higher dynamic range and is better able to portray high motion content. |
| US08698700B2 |
Metamaterial antenna with mechanical connection
Metamaterial antenna devices having one or more mechanical connection units made of electrically conductive materials to provide both mechanical engagement and electrical conduction for the antenna devices. |
| US08698694B2 |
Screw mechanism for adjusting an angle of an antenna module and related antenna system
A screw mechanism for adjusting an angle of an antenna module is disclosed in the present invention. The screw mechanism includes a screw rod. The screw rod includes a rod portion. A thread is formed on a first area of the rod portion. An annular protrusion is formed on a second area of the rod portion, and an outer diameter of the annular protrusion is greater than an outer diameter of the rod portion. The screw rod further includes a handle disposed on an end of the rod portion adjacent to the second area. The screw mechanism further includes an accommodating component whereon a sunken part is formed. The sunken part is for accommodating the annular protrusion of the screw rod. The screw mechanism further includes a screw having a side hole. The screw is installed on the first area of the screw rod and moves along the thread. |
| US08698681B2 |
Solar energy collection antennas
The subject disclosure relates to solar energy collection and use in communications systems and to enhancements thereof. In an aspect, dual function antennas are disclosed that can simultaneously function as an antenna and as a solar energy collection system. In further aspects, disclosed embodiments can focus incident solar radiation to increase output voltage of conventional solar cells. Measured and simulated results demonstrate various aspects of the subject disclosure. |
| US08698672B2 |
System for positioning in a location opaque to the signals of a satellite navigation system
According to the invention, the system comprises: at least three position beacons (3) arranged about said location (2) and emitting in the long-wave range, and an apparatus associated with the user (1) and including means for receiving, processing and displaying the information transmitted by said beacons (3). |
| US08698671B2 |
Binning venues into categories based on propagation characteristics
Example methods, apparatuses, or articles of manufacture are disclosed herein that may be utilized to facilitate or otherwise support one or more processes or operations in connection with defining and determining a plurality of venue types and binning a plurality of venues into categories based, at least in part, on signal propagation characteristics associated with such venues. |
| US08698660B2 |
Feedback in noise shaping control loop
The present application describes an apparatus and method for improving the performance of ΣΔ modulators functioning as ADCs. In one embodiment, the ΣΔ modulator comprises a plurality of quantizers operating in a round-robin fashion, rather than the single quantizer of the prior art. The use of multiple quantizers allows the ΣΔ modulator to appear to be functioning at a significantly higher rate than a single quantizer allows. In another embodiment, a second-order ΣΔ modulator contains a plurality of control loops, rather than the single control loop of the prior art. The use of multiple control loops allows the ΣΔ modulator to have multiple points of maximum signal-to-noise ratio rather than a single such point as in prior art ΣΔ modulators. |
| US08698655B2 |
System and method of assisted aerial navigation
A system and method of providing aerial navigation for an aircraft comprises presenting an enlarged virtual runway for an identified runway on a display, where the virtual area of the virtual runway remains substantially constant as the aircraft approaches the runway. |
| US08698653B2 |
Display system and method for generating a display
A display system and method for providing a display. A display system includes a computer processor, the computer processor being configured to receive information from a plurality of sensors. The computer processor is further configured to detect an abnormal situation, based on information received from the plurality of sensors. The display system further includes a database including abnormal situation response procedures in operable communication with the processor, wherein the database is configured to provide the processor with the abnormal situation response procedures upon the detection of an abnormal situation. The display system further includes a display device in operable communication with the processor, wherein the display device is configured to display information from the sensors regarding the abnormal situation and the abnormal situation response procedures. |
| US08698647B2 |
Warning lamp
A warning lamp has a base, a luminous module, a lampshade, and a reflector. The luminous module is mounted in the base and is located in a center segment of the base. The lampshade is combined with the base and has a lucent portion that is formed on a sidewall of the lampshade. The reflector is mounted in the lampshade and has a cone portion protruding toward the luminous module, a first surface facing the lucent portion, and a reflective portion formed on the first surface. The light emitted from the luminous module irradiates the reflective portion. The reflective portion reflects the light emitted from the luminous module to pass through the lucent portion. Accordingly, the warning lamp has a luminous effect in a circular form. |
| US08698646B2 |
Systems and apparatus for light-based social communications
Light-based systems for communicating information associated with the formation of social connections are disclosed. One or more lighting controllers controlling individually controllable luminaires are used in conjunction with communication networks in order to identify and form remote light-based social connections. Additionally, visualization controllers are used in conjunction with visualization infrastructures, visualization actuators, localization systems and identification systems to visually identify proximally present potential social connections. |
| US08698639B2 |
System and method for responding to driver behavior
Methods of assessing driver behavior include monitoring vehicle systems and driver monitoring systems to accommodate for a driver's slow reaction time, attention lapse and/or alertness. When it is determined that a driver is drowsy, for example, the response system may modify the operation of one or more vehicle systems. The systems that may be modified include: visual devices, audio devices, tactile devices, antilock brake systems, automatic brake prefill systems, brake assist systems, auto cruise control systems, electronic stability control systems, collision warning systems, lane keep assist systems, blind spot indicator systems, electronic pretensioning systems and climate control systems. |
| US08698638B2 |
Transceiver unit in a measurement system
A measurement system may comprise a sensor wire, a sensor, and a transceiver unit. The sensor wire may comprise an insertable portion configured to be inserted in a blood vessel of a patient's body. The sensor is disposed within the insertable portion at a distal end of the sensor wire. The sensor is configured to measure or detect a non-physiological parameter when inserted inside the patient. The transceiver unit is adapted to generate a communication signal and to transfer information related to the non-physiological parameter to an external communication module using the communication signal. The communication signal includes sensor values related to the non-physiological parameter. The transceiver unit may comprise a housing adapted to be connected to a proximal end of the sensor wire and configured to remain external to the patient's body. |
| US08698629B1 |
RFID readers with encapsulating commands
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers may transmit one or more encapsulated commands within the payload of an encapsulating command. An encapsulated command includes at least a command code and an instruction. A reader may instruct a tag to store the encapsulated command(s) or instruction(s) for later execution. A sequence of encapsulated commands may be contained within one encapsulating command or spread across multiple encapsulating commands. The sequence of encapsulated commands, or the sequence of instructions associated with the encapsulated commands, may form a program. The reader may cause the tag to execute the instructions or program upon receipt, upon a trigger event, serially or in parallel, and/or may cause the tag to modify the instructions or program by adjusting parameters. The reader may later instruct a tag to execute the instructions or program via another command which, in some cases, may be sent prior to tag singulation. |
| US08698625B2 |
Systems and methods for providing security at a vehicle yard
Systems and methods for providing security at a vehicle yard are provided. A communicator may collect data associated with a plurality of vehicles or trailers during completion of a guard tour, and a processing station may receive the collected data from the communicator. The processing station may compare the collected data to expected data in order to generate one or more instructions that are returned to the communicator. The one or more instructions may include an instruction to collect additional data associated with a vehicle or trailer. |
| US08698622B1 |
Alerting based on location, region, and temporal specification
In some embodiments, techniques for processing an alert may include receiving specifications of a region and a time; creating an alert; associating information relating to the region and the time with the alert; determining a current time; determining that the current time matches the time; determining a first current location as a second location; determining that the second location is outside the region; determining a second current location as the third location; determining that the third location is within the region, based at least in part on the first location and the radius; and responsive to determining that that the third location is within the region and that the current time matches the time specification, sending an indication that the alert has been triggered, wherein the indication that the alert has been triggered includes an identifier associated with the alert. |
| US08698619B2 |
Alarm system and method of communicating with alarm system
A portable alarm system includes a wireless receiver configured to receive signals from remote wireless devices and a processor in communication with the wireless receiver, wherein the processor is configured to receive the signals from the wireless receiver. The system further includes an intelligent communications interface in communication with the processor, the intelligent communications interface being configured to receive and translate into wireless digital data at least a portion of the signals from the processor, and transmit the wireless digital data to an external location. |
| US08698618B2 |
Display for hand-held electronics
The invention disclosed here is a display system for managing power and security for a plurality of hand-held electronic devices sold to consumers in a retail location. The display includes features that allow power to be supplied to individual devices and security sensors without continuous hard wiring or multi-conductor retractor cables. The display also allows for individual security alarms to be triggered when a theft occurs. Security alarm conditions are preferably triggered via wireless signals. |
| US08698614B1 |
Alarm signaling technology
Techniques are described for handling an event where a control panel or an alarm signaling device is tampered with or destroyed by a disablement tactic, e.g., a “crash and smash intrusion”. |
| US08698612B2 |
Apparatus and method for defining a safety zone using a radiation source for a vehicle
An apparatus for defining a safety zone for a vehicle, the apparatus comprising one or more radiation sources operatively coupled to the vehicle, the one or more radiation sources configured to create one or more visible identifiers at one or more locations, said locations defining a pre-determined position relative to the vehicle, and said one or more visible identifiers thereby defining the safety zone for the vehicle. There is also disclosed, the use of one or more vehicle-mounted radiation sources to direct radiation to one or more pre-determined positions to create a conspicuous safety zone proximal to a vehicle. There is further described, a method for creating a safety zone proximal to a vehicle, comprising the steps of mounting one or more radiation sources on the vehicle; directing said one or more radiation sources towards one or more pre-determined positions proximal to the vehicle; and configuring the one or more radiation sources to create one or more conspicuous visible identifiers at the one or more pre-determined positions to define a safety zone for the vehicle. |
| US08698607B2 |
Lighting system and remote control method therefor
Proposedis a remote control device (100), arranged to control a lighting system(1). The lighting system comprises a plurality of light-modules (10) capable of emitting modulated light comprising light module identification codes (20). The remote controldevice (100) comprises a sensor (110) arranged to switch the light modules (10) from an operational mode (210) in which the light emitted by the light modules (10) is non-5 modulated to a control mode (230) in which the light emitted by the light modules (10) is modulated. Advantageously, the invention provides a lighting system with improved energy efficiency and EMC characteristics. |
| US08698599B2 |
Reader/writer, communication processing device, communication processing method, data management system and communication system
A communication processing device includes a control unit for, when receiving an address update request signal including a segment identifier for identifying a segment address of a recording unit from a reader/writer, holding the segment identifier in a RAM, and when receiving a readout request signal including an offset address having the segment as a reference from the reader/writer, transmitting to the reader/writer data recorded in a region specified by an address having the offset address contained in the readout request signal as offset with the segment address identified in the segment identifier as a reference of the regions of the recording unit. |
| US08698598B2 |
Digital punch card for mobile device
A method for verifying a location of a user of a mobile device is disclosed. The method involves: receiving an indicia of a location of the mobile device based on an at-location element proximate to the mobile device; receiving a global positioning system (GPS) position associated with the mobile device; determining whether at least one security condition is satisfied based on the indicia of the location and the GPS position; and causing a next action to occur when the at least one security condition is satisfied, or not causing the next action to occur when the at least one security condition is not satisfied. |
| US08698597B2 |
System and method for associating an electronic device with a remote device having a voice interface
The disclosure provides a system and method for associating an electronic device with a remote electronic device. In the method at the remote device, an authentication process is initiated to authenticate the remote device to the electronic device. The authentication process includes: generating a pass key according to an authentication protocol followed by the remote device; and providing the pass key to a user through an output device on the remote device. The method also includes: waiting for the user to provide the pass key to the electronic device; and if the remote device receives a timely message from the electronic device indicating that the remote device has been authenticated, activating additional applications on the remote device to allow it to communicate with the electronic device. |
| US08698593B2 |
Chip resistor and method of manufacturing the same
There is provided a chip resistor including a ceramic substrate; a first resistance layer formed on the ceramic substrate and including a first conductive metal and a first glass; and a second resistance layer formed on the first resistance layer, including a second conductive metal and a second glass, and having a smaller content of glass than the first resistance layer, thereby obtaining relatively low resistance and a relatively small temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR). |
| US08698591B2 |
Method for operation of multi-layer-multi-turn high efficiency tunable inductors
A multi-layer, multi-turn structure for an inductor having a plurality of conductor layers separated by layers of insulator is described. The inductor further comprises a connector electrically connected between the conductor layers. The structure of the inductor may comprise a cavity therewithin. The structure of the inductor constructed such that electrical resistance is reduced therewithin, thus increasing the efficiency of the inductor. The inductor is particularly useful at operating within the radio frequency range and greater. |
| US08698588B2 |
Transformer
There is provided a thin transformer capable of being used in a thin display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a light emitting diode (LED) display device. The transformer includes: a bobbin part including a plurality of bobbins, each including a pipe shaped body part having a though-hole formed in an inner portion thereof, a flange part vertically protruding outwardly from both ends of the body part, and a terminal connection part protruding from one side of a lower flange part formed at a lower end of the body part and having external connection terminals connected thereto; a core inserted into the through-hole of the bobbin to thereby form a magnetic path; and a coil part including coils each wound around the plurality of bobbins, wherein the bobbin part includes an outer bobbin and an inner bobbin inserted into the through-hole of the outer bobbin to thereby be coupled thereto, and the terminal connection part of the inner bobbin protrudes in an outer diameter direction thereof. |
| US08698586B2 |
Transformer and flat panel display device including the same
There are provided a thin transformer capable of being used in a thin display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, a light emitting diode (LED) device, and a flat panel display device including the thin transformer. The transformer includes a bobbin part including inner and outer bobbins each including a pipe shaped body part having a though-hole formed in an inner portion thereof and a flange part protruding outwardly from both ends of the body part; coils respectively wound around the inner and outer bobbins; and a core electromagnetically coupled to the coils to thereby form a magnetic path, wherein the outer bobbin includes a support part formed at the flange part formed at an upper end of the body part of the outer bobbin so as to cover a portion of the through-hole, and the inner bobbin is coupled to the outer bobbin while having one end supported by the support part. |
| US08698585B2 |
High power inductance device
A high power inductance device enables a large ferrite magnetic core to be manufactured at low cost and with ease and improves heat radiation efficiency to reduce an increase in the temperature of the core. The inductance device has a ferrite magnetic core and a winding wire wound around the ferrite magnetic core and is mounted on a heat radiation structure through at least one of the front surfaces of the ferrite magnetic core. The ferrite magnetic core is made of a core aggregate obtained by arranging side by side a plurality of ferrite cores 10 having a completely-closed magnetic path structure or a quasi-closed magnetic path structure with a magnetic gap such that an interval is placed between the ferrite cores and magnetic paths are parallel to each other. The inductance device is mounted such that at least one plane surface of the peripheral surfaces of each of the ferrite cores is brought into direct or indirect contact with the heat radiation structure 18 with a metal plate 12 inserted into the interval between the ferrite cores and the common winding wire 14 wound around all the ferrite cores. |
| US08698577B2 |
Three-dimensional microstructures
An apparatus comprising a first power combiner/divider network and a second power combiner/divider network. The first power combiner/divider network splits a first electromagnetic signal into split signals that are connectable to signal processor(s). The second power combiner/divider network combines processed signals into a second electromagnetic signal. The apparatus includes a three-dimensional coaxial microstructure. |
| US08698574B2 |
High-frequency switch
According to one embodiment, a high-frequency switch includes a high-frequency switch IC chip. The high-frequency switch IC chip has a high-frequency switching circuit section including an input terminal, a plurality of switching elements, a plurality of high-frequency signal lines, and a plurality of output terminals. The input terminal is connected to each of the plurality of output terminals via each of the plurality of switching elements with the high-frequency signal lines having the same lengths. The plurality of output terminals are arranged on a surface at an outer periphery of the high-frequency switch IC chip. The input terminal is arranged on the surface of the high-frequency switch IC chip at the center of the high-frequency switch IC circuit section. |
| US08698572B2 |
Delay line calibration
A tunable delay line is calibrated to maintain the delay of the delay line at a desired value or within a desired range of values. In some aspects a signal is passed through a delay line multiple times so that the cumulative delay of the signal through the delay line (e.g., as indicated by a count) may be calculated over a period of time. The count is compared with an expected count and, based on this comparison, the delay of the delay line is adjusted as necessary. In some aspects the signal may comprise a digital signal. In some aspects a delay through a delay line may be calculated based on analysis of amplitude changes in a signal caused by a phase shift imparted on the signal by the delay line. In some aspects a delay line is incorporated into a transmitted reference system to generate and/or process transmitted reference signals. |
| US08698571B2 |
Circuit for improving the immunity performance of a vehicle network
In a vehicle network for controlling electronic devices of the type having a network driver with at least one output line connected to the network through a common mode choke. A circuit for improving the immunity of the network includes a resistor and a capacitor connected in series between the signal output line and ground. The series resistor and capacitor protect the network from communication errors. |
| US08698569B2 |
MEMS resonator
In order to provide a MEMS resonator having a higher Q factor, by suppressing losses in high-frequency signals due to barriers of thin-film lamination portions, in cases where there exist junction interfaces (barriers), such as pn junctions, in AC-current input/output lines for a vibrator (1) and electrodes (2, 3), the MEMS resonator is structured such that a DC current is flowed therethrough along with an AC current at the same time, in order to reduce resistance losses applied to the AC current, wherein there are provided DC bias circuits (22, 23, 24) for continuously flowing DC currents through the junction interfaces, in an input-electrode side and/or output-electrode side. |
| US08698567B2 |
Phase-locked loop calibration system and method
In a phase-locked loop (PLL) calibration system and method, the PLL input reference clock is phase-modulated, the resulting PLL output modulation is measured, and PLL calibration signals, such as a PLL proportional path adjustment signal and a PLL integral path adjustment signal, are derived from the measured PLL output modulation. |
| US08698562B2 |
RF power amplifier
A reduction is achieved in the primary-side input impedance of a transformer (voltage transformer) as an output matching circuit without involving a reduction in Q-factor. An RF power amplifier includes transistors, and a transformer as the output matching circuit. The transformer has a primary coil and a secondary coil which are magnetically coupled to each other. To the input terminals of the transistors, respective input signals are supplied. The primary coil is coupled to each of the output terminals of the transistors. From the secondary coil, an output signal is generated. The primary coil includes a first coil and a second coil which are coupled in parallel between the respective output terminals of the transistors, and each magnetically coupled to the secondary coil. By the parallel coupling of the first and second coils of the primary coil, the input impedance of the primary coil is reduced. |
| US08698559B2 |
Amplifier circuit and method
A differential amplifier circuit comprises a differential pre-amplifying stage which is designed to allow an input signal with a first common mode voltage range, and to generate an output which has a narrower common mode voltage variation. This pre-amplifier stage is designed to accept a large common mode input voltage and to process the signal so that it can be amplified by a main amplifying stage which is designed to allow an input signal with a smaller common mode voltage range. |
| US08698556B2 |
Low switching error, small capacitors, auto-zero offset buffer amplifier
Switching error in an auto-zero offset amplifier is reduced by keeping a clock level to the auto-zero switches at an amplitude just enough to insure complete switching of the switches of the auto-zero offset buffer amplifier. A level shifting circuit provides the clock at the desired level control and a local voltage regulator provides a regulated voltage to the level shifting circuit. |
| US08698550B2 |
Dual output charge pump generating two voltage values with two distinctive levels, and method for the same
A dual voltage charge pump circuit to be associated with one power supply for the purpose of generating two positive and negative output voltages, with two different low and high levels. The circuit comprises two flying capacitors and two tank capacitors. PMOS transistors and NMOS transistor for achieving the charge transfer between the fly capacitor and the respective tank capacitor. Additional transistors are used for providing a low voltage charge pump as well as charge compensation between the two fly capacitors. Preferably, one fly capacitor has one end directly connected to the ground, what reduces the complexity of the dual charge pump and achieves saving of MOS transistor and ball. |
| US08698548B2 |
Adaptive thermal compensation circuit and method
For thermal compensation for an intrinsic element in a system, a circuit and method are proposed to predict the temperature variation caused by power loss of the intrinsic element, in addition to sense the external environment temperature variation of the intrinsic element, and thus sense the operational temperature of the intrinsic element more precisely. |
| US08698547B2 |
Control circuit and electronic device
A control circuit includes: a first switching element having a source, a gate, and a drain; a battery configured to supply a voltage to the gate through a second switching element; a PWM signal generator circuit configured to supply a PWM signal to the gate through a third switching element; and a gate control circuit configured to, under a power-off condition, turn on the second switching element to supply the voltage of the battery to the gate and turns off the third switching element, and configured to under a power-on condition, turn on the third switching element to supply the PWM signal voltage to the gate and turns off the second switching element. |
| US08698545B2 |
Analog multiplier and method for current shunt power measurements
Multiplier circuitry includes first multiplier circuit including a first transistor having an emitter coupled to a first conductor, a base coupled to a second conductor, and a collector coupled to a third conductor, a second transistor having an emitter coupled to the first conductor, a base coupled to a fourth conductor, and a collector coupled to a fifth conductor, a third transistor having an emitter coupled to the second conductor and a base and collector coupled to a supply voltage, and a fourth transistor having an emitter coupled to the fourth conductor and a base and collector coupled to the supply voltage. Chopper includes a first switch to provide a chopped differential signal between the second and fourth conductors and a second switch for un-chopping a first differential output signal produced between the third and fifth conductors to provide an un-chopped differential output signal between the third and fifth conductors. |
| US08698542B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for performing level shifting
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for performing level shifting. In use, level shifting is performed utilizing a native transistor, where the level shifting is performed utilizing a feedback based topology. |
| US08698531B1 |
Integrated circuit with automatic configuration and method thereof
An integrated circuit with automatic configuration is disclosed. The integrated circuit comprises a plurality of controllers and a clock detection device. The controllers share a plurality of common pins. The clock detection device coupled to a specified common pin for performing clock detection operations on an external clock signal through the specified common pin according to a plurality of predetermined thresholds and generating a plurality of control signals to the controllers so that only one controller is enabled and performs signal transmission through the common pins. |
| US08698530B2 |
High precision synchronisation method and system
Method of synchronizing clocks between a first reference clock and a second clock to be slaved on the frequency of the reference clock, the two sharing a common clock, this method comprising the following steps: calculation of the integer part of the timestamp using the reference clock and the common clock; generation of a system clock local to the reference clock; calculation of the phase shift between the system clock signal and the reference clock signal; calculation of the phase shift between the system clock signal and the common clock signal; calculation of the decimal part of the timestamp; sending of the decimal timestamp to the second clock; slaving of the second clock using the common clock and the timestamp received. |
| US08698528B2 |
CDR circuit, reception circuit, and electronic device
An apparatus includes an integration circuit that integrates values of one of a data center and a data edge of input data, based on clock signals, a sampling circuit that samples another at the data center and a data edge of the input data, based on clock signals, a first determination circuit that determines a data value of an integration value of the integration circuit, a second determination circuit that determines a data value of a sampling value of the sampling circuit, a phase detection circuit that detects phase information of the input data, based on a data value determined by the first determination circuit and the second determination circuit, and a phase adjusting circuit that adjusts a phase of a reference clock so as to track a phase of the input data, in accordance with the phase information, so as to output as the clock signals. |
| US08698526B2 |
Clock supply apparatus
A clock supply apparatus for supplying clock signals to a plurality of circuit blocks includes a supply unit configured to supply, to reset the plurality of circuit blocks, a clock signal rising at timing different from one circuit block to another to each of the plurality of circuit blocks. |
| US08698524B2 |
Internal voltage generation circuits
Internal voltage generation circuits are provided. The internal voltage generation circuit includes a driving signal generator comparing first and second internal voltage signals with lower and upper limit reference voltage signals to generate a pull-up driving signal and a pull-down driving signal, a driver generating a first voltage and a second voltage in response to the pull-up driving signal and the pull-down driving signal, a selecting signal generator comparing the first internal voltage signal with the second internal voltage signal to generate a selection signal, and a selection transmitter that transmits any one of the first and second voltages to the first or second internal voltage signal in response to the selection signal. |
| US08698522B2 |
System and methods to improve the performance of semiconductor based sampling system
Circuits and methods that improve the performance of electronic sampling systems are provided. Impedances associated with sampling semiconductor switches are maintained substantially constant during sample states, at least in part, by compensating for encountered input signal variations in order to reduce or minimize signal distortion associated with sampled signals that pass through the sampling switch. |
| US08698520B2 |
Output slew rate control
This document discusses, among other things, output slew rate control. Methods and structures are described to provide slew rate control of an output driver circuit such as a DRAM output driver on a die. A selectable combination of series coupled transistors are configured as a parallel array of complementary inverter pairs to provide a divided voltage to a calibrator. The calibrator is configured to respond to a differential voltage to adjust the divided voltage such that the differential voltage is forced to zero. The calibrator outputs a plurality of discrete signals from an up/down counter to toggle the individual transistors of the parallel array to increase and decrease a collective current. In some embodiments, transistor channel currents are modulated to step-adjust a voltage based on a ratio associated with a static resistance. In various embodiments, the divided voltage is an analog voltage based on a resistance associated with trim circuitry. |
| US08698512B2 |
Capacitance sensor layout scheme for linearity improvement
A capacitive touchpad includes a plurality of parallel traces configured in a capacitance sensor layout scheme such that the maximum sensor gap is smaller than the sensor pitch to improve the sensor response linearity of the capacitive touchpad. |
| US08698509B2 |
Proximity sensor
An immersion sensor for use with a cushion or mattress for determining the relative immersion of a person within the cushion or mattress including a sensor, a ground and a circuit for measuring capacitance. The sensor includes a sheet of conductive material, and the ground includes a second sheet of conductive material. The circuit is adapted to send short bursts of electrical current to the sensor and a capacitor. The circuit is further adapted to measure the length of time the burst of current takes to charge the capacitor. Based upon the measured time, the circuit calculates the proximity of the object based upon the time taken to charge the capacitor. A method that may be implemented with the immersion sensor is also disclosed. |
| US08698508B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting radome damage
A method and system for detecting and localizing damage on a radome. In one example, the system includes a detection mesh made up of an arrangement of conductive wires integral with the radome structure, and a digital strobe circuit coupled to the detection mesh that measures the detection mesh and reports results. In one example, the system includes a controller coupled to the strobe circuit and configured to assess the results and localize the damage based on measured changes in impedance of individual wires within the detection mesh. The controller may be further configured to provide a damage report to a user interface, the damage report optionally identifying the damaged area(s) of the radome. |
| US08698505B2 |
Measurement apparatus detecting consumption current of a display
A measurement apparatus includes a display unit, a current detection unit configured to output a detection signal if an increase in a consumption current of the display unit is detected, a plurality of setting units each of which is configured to output an output signal, each of the plurality of setting units changing the output signal if the detection signal is received, and a diagnosis unit configured to receive the output signal, the diagnosis unit diagnosing the increase in the consumption current. |
| US08698504B2 |
System for detection of a ground fault in a high resistance ground network
A method is provided for detection of a ground fault in a high resistance network in a voltage source power conversion circuit comprising a power converter that converts incoming AC power to DC power applied to a DC bus and an inverter that converts DC power from the DC bus to output AC power. The method includes detecting a midpoint-to-ground voltage between a low side of the DC bus and a ground potential and detecting the presence of a ground fault in a high resistance network based upon the detected midpoint-to-ground voltage. |
| US08698503B2 |
Geomagnetic application device
A geomagnetic application device including a triaxial magnetic sensor, a measurement point acquiring mechanism, a calibration mechanism calibrating offset of the magnetic sensor, and an azimuth calculator. The calibration mechanism includes an offset calculation measurement point selector selecting at least six measurement points of the geomagnetic vectors from among a data set stored in the measurement point storage unit by the measurement point acquiring mechanism and storing the selected measurement points in an offset calculation measurement point storage unit. The offset calculation measurement point selector selects the measurement points from among the data set stored in the measurement point storage unit to include at least six points, component values of which are maximum or minimum in each of three orthogonal axes. |
| US08698500B2 |
Magnetic resonance tomography system
The present embodiments relate to a magnetic resonance tomography system that includes antenna elements and a controller for selection of the antenna elements. The controller is configured to select antenna elements that surround a field of view of the magnetic resonance tomography system in succession one after the other. |
| US08698497B2 |
Multi-field-of-view gradient coil
A coil assembly for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system includes a primary gradient coil, and a corrector coil, at least a portion of the corrector coil being interwoven with a portion of the primary gradient coil such that the portion of the primary gradient coil is concentric with the portion of the corrector coil. An MRI imaging system and a method of fabricating the coil assembly are also provided. |
| US08698496B2 |
Method for two-dimensional correlation magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Methods for low-power in vivo localized multi-dimensional correlated magnetic resonance spectroscopy (“MRS”) are provided. Low-power adiabaticity is achieved, generally, using gradient-modulated radio frequency pulses for localization and mixing. The provided pulse sequences also provide a mechanism for longitudinal mixing, which significantly increases the efficiency of magnetization transfer and thereby increases signal-to-noise ratio. |
| US08698494B2 |
Biological detector and method
A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid. |
| US08698484B2 |
Over-voltage and over-temperature detecting circuit
An over-voltage and over-temperature detecting circuit includes a voltage-limiting circuit, a temperature sensing circuit, a current source, a first comparing circuit and a second comparing circuit. The equivalent resistance of the temperature sensing circuit varies with the temperature. The current source provides a first current to a detecting terminal, so that a detecting voltage is generated at the detecting terminal. By comparing the magnitude of the detecting voltage with the first reference voltage value, the first comparing circuit generates a corresponding temperature status signal. By comparing the magnitude of the detecting voltage with the second reference voltage value, the second comparing circuit generates a corresponding voltage status signal. If the temperature exceeds the temperature upper limit, the temperature status signal is in an enabling status. If the first voltage exceeds the voltage upper limit, the voltage status signal is in an enabling status. |
| US08698483B2 |
LED lamp driver identification
The type of an LED power driver (i.e., a magnetic transformer or an electronic transformer) is determined by manipulating the AC voltage produced by the power driver so that it may be analyzed and the type of power driver reliably determined. In various embodiments, a system for detecting an AC power supply type includes a circuit for monitoring a negative half or a positive half of an output voltage of the AC power supply and an analyzer for determining the AC power supply type based at least in part on a presence or absence of an envelope in the monitored output voltage. |
| US08698481B2 |
High-resolution molecular sensor
A solid state molecular sensor having an aperture extending through a thickness of a sensing region is configured with a sensing region thickness that corresponds to the characteristic extent of at least a component of a molecular species to be translocated through the aperture. A change in an electrical characteristic of the sensing region is measured during the molecular species translocation. The sensor can be configured as a field effect transistor molecular sensor. The sensing region can be a region of graphene including an aperture extending through a thickness of the graphene. |
| US08698469B1 |
System and method for predicting output voltage ripple and controlling a switched-mode power supply
A system includes a sinc filter module and a cyclic integrator module. The sinc filter module (i) determines a direct current (DC) voltage component of an error between a measured output voltage of a switched-mode power supply and a reference voltage and (ii) determines a signal with ripple by subtracting the determined DC voltage component from the error. The cyclic integrator module (i) applies a learning gain to a difference between the determined signal with ripple and a predicted ripple, (ii) performs integration of each of N segments of the gain-applied difference, and (iii) generates the predicted ripple by reconstructing the N integrated segments, wherein N is an integer greater than one. |
| US08698465B2 |
Control circuit for power supply including a detection circuit and a regulation circuit for regulating switching timing
A control circuit for controlling a power supply including a first switch and a second switch coupled in series between a first potential and a second potential. The control circuit includes a detection circuit that detects a magnitude relation of a voltage value at a node between the first and second switches and a reference value during a period in which the first switch and the second switch are inactivated. The detection circuit generates a control signal corresponding to the magnitude relation. A regulation circuit regulates a switching timing of the second switch in response to the control signal to decrease a difference between the voltage value at the node and the reference value. |
| US08698462B2 |
Bi-polar bi-directional energy balancing power-conversion engine
The invention provides a power converter and method for controlling same, comprising a plurality of switch elements, an inductive reactor, and at least two ports for the movement of electrical energy. Any energy-moving port may be made unipolar, bidirectional, bipolar, or bidirectionally bipolar. Ports may be equipped with sensing circuitry to allow the converter output to be controlled responsively to an input signal. The invention may be configured to be used in many ways, for example, as a power-supply, as an amplifier, or as a frequency converter. The invention may comprise energy predictive calculating means to obtain excellent transient response to line and load variations. The invention may also include a switch to create a low impedance path around the inductor to allow current to recirculate through the inductor when it is not needed at any of the ports. |
| US08698458B2 |
Battery pack having boosting charge function and method thereof
A method of charging a battery pack, the battery pack including at least one battery cell. The method includes comparing a battery cell voltage to a first voltage; comparing the battery cell voltage to a second voltage that is greater than the first voltage; and controlling a current amplifying unit coupled to the at least one battery cell to amplify a current from a charger to the at least one battery cell if the battery cell voltage is between the first voltage and the second voltage. |
| US08698457B2 |
Battery pack with protection circuit
A battery pack includes a current control device that has a thermostat and a positive temperature coefficient device whose resistance increases as the temperature rises connected in parallel, the current control device being inserted into a discharge current path of a battery cell and a protection circuit that detects a voltage of the battery cell, detects an overcharge and over-discharge of the battery cell, and generates an overcharge detection signal and an over-discharge detection signal. In a normal state, a discharge current of the battery cell flows through the thermostat of the current control device. When the discharge current is large enough to damage the battery cell, the thermostat turns off and the discharge current flows through the positive temperature coefficient device. When the positive temperature coefficient device produces heat, a resistance of the positive temperature coefficient device increases and the discharge current is limited or interrupted. |
| US08698445B2 |
Method for activating an asynchronous motor
The method for activating an asynchronous motor comprising at least two windings is provided, in order, for the purpose of a change in the rotational speed, to connect a first winding and at least one second winding by way of at least two electronic switches. On switching, both switches are opened for one or more time intervals in order to avoid current peaks. |
| US08698442B2 |
Motor drive control device for limiting output of motor
If it is predicted that the sum of the output of a servo motor and the output of a spindle motor exceeds power supplied by a rectifier unit, during a cutting operation, a motor drive control device controls alternating-current power of a first inverter unit so as to reduce the feed speed of at least one feed axis and controls alternating-current power of a second inverter unit so as not to limit torque of the spindle motor. Further, if it is predicted that the sum of the output of the servo motor and the output of the spindle motor exceeds power supplied by the rectifier unit, during an operation other than the cutting operation, the motor drive control device controls the alternating-current power of the second inverter unit so as to limit the torque so as not to reduce the feed speed. |
| US08698441B2 |
Servo control device and recording medium
A disclosed servo control device includes a servo control unit configured to control a driving unit for driving a driven body with servo control, and a changing unit configured to change a timing of ending the servo control in response to stop position accuracy for a target stop position of the driven body when the driven body is driven to move, wherein the servo control unit detects an error between the target stop position and an actual stop position of the driven body, and corrects the timing of ending the servo control using the detected error. |
| US08698439B2 |
Electrical device and method for determining a phase failure in the electrical device
A method is disclosed for determining a phase failure in an electrical device for driving or monitoring a three-phase AC motor, wherein the electrical device comprises a first, a second and a third line. In order to detect a phase failure in a line in the three-phase electrical device, in particular in a soft starter, the phase failure in the third line is determined by analysing the first and second lines, wherein the analysis includes: determining a value which characterizes a phase shift between a current in the first and second lines, and outputting a signal if the value which has been determined is in a range of values which characterizes a phase failure in the third line. |
| US08698434B2 |
Motor control device that controls d-axis current of permanent magnet synchronous motor
A motor control device that performs vector control to control a q-axis current and a d-axis current of a permanent magnet synchronous motor independent from each other. The motor control device includes a q-axis current and d-axis current detection unit configured to detect a q-axis current and a d-axis current of a permanent magnet synchronous motor, a q-axis current command value generation unit configured to generate a q-axis current command value, a d-axis current command value generation unit configured to generate a d-axis current command value, in which an amount of rise in the temperature of permanent magnets in a steady state of the permanent magnet synchronous motor is a minimum, and a drive unit configured to drive the permanent magnet synchronous motor. |
| US08698432B2 |
Driving low voltage brushless direct current (BLDC) three phase motors from higher voltage sources
A control method for a sensor-less, brushless, three-phase DC motor. The stator coil in the electromagnets inside the motor may be used as the inductive element through which a voltage regulator can regulate the current as a means of regulating the output voltage. The value of the control signal provided to the drivers controlling power to the coils may be calculated based on at least the rail voltage, as measured in real time. This allows for a wide variation of input voltages, while maintaining a relatively constant output power to the motor. In general, by taking into account the value of the rail voltage when determining the final value of the control signal that is applied to the stator coils, the maximum current through the stator coils may be scaled to the same magnitude current that would be expected to flow through the coils if the rail voltage were the rated (nominal) fan/motor voltage, even when the actual rail voltage is different, e.g. higher than the rated fan/motor voltage. |
| US08698428B2 |
Three light level electronic ballast
A three light level electronic ballast, and methods of operating lamps at three light levels, are provided. The ballast includes a rectifier, a power factor correction circuit, an inverter circuit, a first circuit, a second circuit, and a control circuit. The rectifier receives an AC voltage signal and produces a rectified voltage signal, which the power factor correction circuit receives and uses to provide a corrected voltage signal. The inverter circuit receives the corrected voltage signal and provides an energizing signal to power at least two lamps. The first circuit selectively reduces the current applied to the lamps by the energizing signal. The second circuit selectively prevents the second lamp from being energized by the energizing signal. The control circuit controls the first circuit and the second circuit. |
| US08698423B2 |
Color mixing system with buck-boost and flyback topologies
A system includes a first solid-state lamp that generates a first illuminated output having a first color. A second solid-state lamp generates a second illuminated output having a second color. The second illuminated output is mixed with the first illuminated output to generate a third illuminated output having a third color. An inductor or a transformer includes a primary coil and a bias coil. A first circuit includes the primary coil and a first switch. The first circuit supplies power to the first solid-state lamp. A second circuit includes the bias coil and a second switch. The second circuit supplies power to the second solid-state lamp. A control module alters the third color including controlling (i) a state of the first switch to adjust current supplied to the first solid-state lamp, and (ii) a state of the second switch to adjust current supplied to the second solid-state lamp. |
| US08698420B2 |
LED drive circuit, LED lamp, LED lighting appliance, and LED lighting system
An LED drive circuit receives an alternating-current voltage and drives an LED. The LED drive circuit has a current extractor which extracts a current from the current supply line through which an LED drive current is supplied to the LED, and a timing adjuster which adjusts the current extraction start timing and the current extraction duration in the current extractor. |
| US08698416B2 |
Continuous dimming AC LED device
A continuous dimming AC LED device is operated in association with a dimmer. When the dimmer adjusts brightness, the voltage supplied to the AC LED driver is reduced to decrease the brightness of an LED unit. When the supplied voltage is reduced to a working voltage required by the AC LED driver, a control unit detects the supplied voltage being lower than the working voltage. A control end of a voltage-controlled switch disconnects from the AC LED driver and connects to a power supply. Therefore, even the supply voltage is below the working voltage of the AC LED driver, the LED unit is prevented from being immediately turned off to maintain some brightness. With the dimmer, the brightness of the LED continuously and gradually changes from full brightness to darkness. |
| US08698414B2 |
High resolution pulse width modulation (PWM) frequency control using a tunable oscillator
A fluorescent lamp light intensity dimming control generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal at about a fifty percent duty cycle and has very fine frequency change granularity to allow precise and smooth light dimming capabilities. Intermediate PWM signal frequencies between the frequencies that are normally generated from values in a period register of the PWM generator are provided with a variable frequency clock source to the PWM generator. Selection of each frequency from the plurality of frequencies available from the variable frequency clock source may be determined from a value stored in a variable frequency clock register. A microcontroller may be used to select appropriate frequencies for dimming control of the fluorescent lamp from the variable frequency clock source, and the period and duty cycle values used in generating the PWM signal at about a fifty percent duty cycle. |
| US08698413B1 |
RF induction lamp with reduced electromagnetic interference
An induction RF fluorescent lamp configuration provides reduced EMI, including a lamp envelope with a re-entrant cavity both covered on the partial vacuum side with phosphor and filled with a working gas mixture, a tubular ferromagnetic core on the non-vacuum side said re-entrant cavity wound directly on the said core with two windings having different numbers of turns, a first active winding having one end connected to an RF ballast and the other end connected to local ground, and a second passive winding having one end grounded and the other end free. |
| US08698412B2 |
High intensity discharge ballast configured to accommodate wide range of input and output characteristics
A ballast includes a power supply subsystem, a power factor correction circuit, a control subsystem and a half bridge. In one embodiment, the power supply subsystem receives an input line voltage that is within a range of approximately 310-530 volts AC or other suitable ranges. Further, in one embodiment, the power supply subsystem provides a rectified DC output. The power factor correction circuit receives the rectified DC output. In one embodiment, the power factor correction circuit includes a boost converter and a buck converter that produce a selected stable bus voltage that is less than approximately 700 volts DC. The control subsystem outputs control signals based on a digital input. The half bridge receives the bus voltage and the output control signals. Additionally, the half bridge outputs a high frequency signal to a lamp. In one embodiment, the control subsystem includes a microcontroller and a ballast controller. Further, in one embodiment, the ballast controller includes a software module that receives the digital input and provides first input control signals to the microcontroller. |
| US08698410B2 |
LED backlight driving circuit
A light emitting diode (LED) backlight driving circuit is disclosed in the present disclosure. The LED backlight driving circuit in configured to power an LED backlight module, and comprises: a voltage stabilizing circuit, being configured to receive an input voltage and filter the input voltage to output a stabilized direct current (DC) voltage; a first boost circuit and a second boost circuit connected with the voltage stabilizing circuit respectively, being configured to receive the stabilized DC voltage and boost the stabilized DC voltage for output to the LED backlight module; and a selection control circuit, being configured to alternately select one of the first boost circuit and the second boost circuit to power the LED backlight module. The LED backlight driving circuit of the present disclosure can improve the voltage boosting efficiency and reduce the cost, so it is of great utility. |
| US08698404B2 |
Brightness control for LED lighting
A driving arrangement for light emitting diode (LED) based illumination constituted of: a comparison circuitry arranged to compare an integral of a target current over a target illumination time for at least one LED based luminaire with an integral of an illumination current over an illumination time for the at least one LED based luminaire, the comparison circuitry arranged to output a comparison signal; and a control circuitry in communication with the comparison circuitry and arranged to alternately: allow the flow of electrical current through the at least one LED based luminaire responsive to a first condition of the comparison signal; and prevent the flow of electrical current through the at least one LED based luminaire responsive to a second condition of the comparison signal, the second condition different from the first condition. |
| US08698400B2 |
Method for producing a plasma beam and plasma source
A plasma source generates a plasma beam that is extracted from a plasma generated by electric and magnetic fields. An RF electrode device includes an excitation electrode having an excitation area, and a plasma space is arranged between extraction electrode and excitation area. The plasma, relative to the extraction electrode is at a higher potential which accelerates positive plasma ions, and the plasma and the extracted plasma beam are influenced by a magnetic field. At least one magnet north pole and one magnetic south pole generate the magnetic field. Each are arranged such that a curved magnetic field projecting into the interior of the plasma space is formed. At least one of the north or south poles is embodied in elongate fashion to form a tunnel-like region in the plasma, in which charged particles are held and along which the latter can propagate. |
| US08698391B2 |
Chiplet display with oriented chiplets and busses
A display device includes a substrate having a display area; two or more column-driver chiplets having connection pads, each column-driver chiplet having a long axis and located over the substrate in the display area, the long axis of each column-driver chiplet oriented in a row direction; one or more row-driver chiplets having connection pads, each row-driver chiplet having a long axis and located over the substrate in the display area, the long axis of each row-driver chiplet oriented in a column direction different from the row direction; and a first common buss extending over the display area in the row direction connected to a connection pad on each of the row-driver chiplets, the first common buss further including one or more electrically connected first buss portions oriented in the column direction, each first buss portion electrically connected to a connection pad of a respective column-driver chiplet. |
| US08698385B2 |
Optoelectronic semiconductor component and display means
In at least one embodiment, an optoelectronic semiconductor component includes at least two optoelectronic semiconductor chips, which are designed to emit electromagnetic radiation in mutually different wavelength ranges when in operation. The semiconductor chips are mounted on a mounting surface of a common carrier. Furthermore, the optoelectronic semiconductor component contains at least two non-rotationally symmetrical lens bodies, which are designed to shape the radiation into mutually different emission angles in two mutually orthogonal directions parallel to the mounting surface. One of the lens bodies is here associated with or arranged downstream of each of the semiconductor chips in an emission direction. |
| US08698384B2 |
Sintered electrode for cold cathode tube, and cold cathode tube and liquid crystal display device using the sintered electrode
This invention provides a sintered electrode for a cold cathode tube in a cylindrical form having a bottom part on one end and an opening part on the other end, characterized in that a lead-in wire is joined integrally to the bottom part and a requirement of d2/d1>1 is satisfied wherein d1 represents the density of the sintered electrode; and d2 represents the density of the lead-in wire. According to the sintered electrode for a cold cathode tube, the bonding strength between the sintered electrode and the lead-in wire is high, and the handleability is good. The main component of the sintered electrode is particularly preferably identical to the main component of the lead-in wire. Enhancing the density of the lead-in wire can contribute to a further improvement, for example, in reliability. |
| US08698383B2 |
Anode of an arc plasma generator and the arc plasma generator
An anode of an arc plasma generator and the arc plasma generator are disclosed. The plasma generator is a multi-stage gas admission type arc plasma generator, and the plasma generator includes a cathode and an anode. The anode comprises at least two portions (201, 203), wherein any two adjacent portions of the anode are connected electrically with one another. |
| US08698382B2 |
Socket and luminaire
A socket is configured to hold a straight tube type lamp including an earth pin including a leg portion, and a holding portion formed at a distal end of the leg portion, formed into an oval shape and having a diameter larger than that of the leg portion. The socket includes a socket body, a guiding device, and terminals. The socket body includes an insertion port having a dimension larger than a short diameter dimension of the oval shape of the holding portion of the earth pin and a notched portion communicating from the insertion port to a predetermined holding position P where the earth pin is held and allowing the leg portion of the earth pin to be inserted therethrough. The guiding device is configured to guide the holding portion to the predetermined holding position P by a rotation of the earth pin between the insertion port and the predetermined holding position P. The terminals hold the holding portion of the earth pin at the predetermined holding position P. |
| US08698378B2 |
Ultrasonic transducer for use in a fluid medium
An ultrasonic transducer for use in a fluid medium includes at least one piezoelectric transducer element, at least one matching body for the promotion of a vibrational coupling between the piezoelectric transducer element and the fluid medium, and at least one compensating body situated between the piezoelectric transducer element and the matching body for the reduction of thermal stresses, the compensating body having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is between a coefficient of thermal expansion of the piezoelectric transducer element and a coefficient of thermal expansion of the matching body. |
| US08698377B2 |
Dual-mode piezocomposite ultrasonic transducer
A compact, high power, dual mode, emitting and receiving ultrasound transducer and method for applying ultrasonic energy within a living subject and for monitoring the effects it induces in tissue comprises a set of piezoelectric polymeric transducer elements and a set of piezoelectric ceramic elements, bonded together. The polymeric transducer elements have electrodes enabling their use for low power diagnostic imaging interrogation of the tissue and the ceramic transducer elements have electrodes enabling their use for high power therapy applications. |
| US08698376B2 |
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) resonators and related apparatus and methods
Devices having piezoelectric material structures integrated with substrates are described. Fabrication techniques for forming such devices are also described. The fabrication may include bonding a piezoelectric material wafer to a substrate of a differing material. A structure, such as a resonator, may then be formed from the piezoelectric material wafer. |
| US08698372B2 |
Pyroelectric power from turbulent airflow
A power-generating device is disclosed that includes a pyroelectric material having first and second surfaces on opposite sides of the pyroelectric material. The device also includes a first conductive electrode coupled to a first support element that is configured to intermittently bring the first electrode into proximity with the first surface and a second conductive electrode proximate to the second surface at least while the first electrode is proximate to the first surface. The device also includes a power module that is electrically coupled between the first and second electrodes. The power module is configured to capture power from an electrical current flowing between the first and second electrodes. |
| US08698366B2 |
Flat type vibration motor
A flat type vibration motor realizing strong fastening of a rotor frame and an eccentric weight without welding, that is, a flat type vibration motor provided with a cover case having a tubular part with an opening closed by a stator structure and supporting one end of a shaft and with a rotor frame supported to be able to rotate via a slide bearing through which the shaft runs and having an axial direction field-type rotary magnet and an eccentric weight, wherein the rotor frame has a disk part having a burring part into which a slide bearing is fitted and at least one rivet hole, while the eccentric weight has a covering part superposed over the disk part at the side opposite to the stator structure, at least one rivet which is inserted from the covering part through the rivet hole and have heads which are crushed at the stator structure side of the disk part, and an eave-shaped taper part hanging down from the covering part over the outer circumferential edge of the disk part to the stator structure side. |
| US08698364B2 |
Inverter-integrated electric compressor
Provided is an inverter-integrated electric compressor wherein the attachability of a coil component has been improved while reliability of a connection state at the electrical joints is ensured by simplifying a mechanism which electrically connects the coil component, such as one for removing electromagnetic noise, to a motor drive circuit. An inverter-integrated electric compressor, wherein a motor drive circuit including an inverter is surrounded by a compressor housing, is characterized in that a coil component comprising a plurality of conductor wires wound in parallel is attached to the motor drive circuit through a seat, the seat is provided with a protrusion which can be fitted into a seat affixing hole provided in a case member for housing the motor drive circuit, a plurality of terminal holes are arranged in the portion where the protrusion is provided, the plurality of conductor wires pulled out from the coil component are inserted, in a one-to-one correspondence, into the plurality of terminal holes in such a manner that the mutual interval between the wires is widened, and the end of each conductor wire is connected electrically to the motor drive circuit. |
| US08698361B2 |
Arrangement for cooling of an electrical machine
An arrangement for cooling of an electrical machine is disclosed. The electrical machine includes a stator-arrangement and a rotor-arrangement. The stator-arrangement is mounted on an outer surface of a support-structure. At least one cooling channel is arranged between the stator-arrangement and the support-structure in a way that the cooling-channel is pressed between the stator-arrangement and the support structure. |
| US08698359B2 |
Electric storage system
An electric storage system includes an electric storage apparatus, relays, a plurality of smoothing capacitors, and a current limiting resistance. The electric storage apparatus has a plurality of electric storage elements connected in series. Each of the electric storage elements includes a current breaker breaking an electric current path inside the electric storage element. The plurality of smoothing capacitors are connected in series between a positive electrode line and a negative electrode line which connect the electric storage apparatus to a load. Each of the relays is placed on the positive electrode line, the negative electrode line, and an intermediate line. The intermediate line connects a connecting point of two of the electric storage elements included in the electric storage apparatus and a connecting point of the plurality of smoothing capacitors. The current limiting resistance is also placed on the intermediate line. |
| US08698358B1 |
Active parasite power circuit
A circuit is provided that includes a parasitic power circuit that powers a parasitic circuit. The parasitic power circuit derives a supply voltage from an external AC or other signal suitable for use as a communications signal. A PMOS transistor or transistors is utilized to enable a supply voltage capacitor to charge substantially to the same voltage as the channel voltage of the communications signal. |
| US08698355B2 |
Communication device, communication method and communication system
A communication device including: a first slave communication section performing first communication which is proximity communication at a first communication speed; a second slave communication section performing a second communication which is proximity communication at a second communication speed faster than the first communication speed; and an electrical power reception section receiving electrical power to perform the second communication transmitted using wireless electrical power transmission from a master communication device, wherein the first slave communication section transmits configuration information including a maximum electrical power consumption consumed in the second communication to the master communication device using the first communication, the electrical power reception section receives electrical power which begins being transmitted from the master communication device after the first communication, and the second slave communication section begins operating using electrical power received by the electrical power reception section and begins the second communication with the master communication device. |
| US08698354B2 |
System and method for bidirectional DC-AC power conversion
A power converter includes a power input configured to receive input power from an AC power source, a power output configured to provide output power to a load, a battery interface configured to exchange DC power with a battery, and power converter circuitry. The power converter circuitry is adapted to, in a first interconnection configuration, convert the input power into the DC power at the battery interface, and, in a second interconnection configuration, convert the DC power at the battery interface into the output power. The power converter circuitry has a power line, a transformer, a first connection node switchably connected to the power line in the first interconnection configuration and switchably connected to the transformer in the second interconnection configuration, and a second connection node switchably connected to the transformer in the first interconnection configuration and switchably connected to the power line in the second interconnection configuration. |
| US08698352B2 |
Rapid activation fusible link
An assembly includes a plurality of energy storage components. An energy storage component is electrically coupled to at least two other energy storage components of the plurality by at least two electrical pathways, each including a fusible link. The at least two electrical pathways may be formed in a circuit board. The energy storage component may be coupled to the circuit board by a fusible link. |
| US08698342B2 |
Wind turbine generating apparatus
A wind turbine generating apparatus includes a rotor head that rotates upon receiving outside wind on a wind turbine blade, a generator that generates electricity, and a nacelle interior air passage through which outside air flows isolatedly from an interior space of the nacelle. |
| US08698338B2 |
Offshore energy harvesting, storage, and power generation system
A system for harvesting, storing, and generating energy, that includes floating structure supporting machinery to extract energy from wind, waves, surface generators, or currents. At least one energy storage and power generating unit is anchored to the seafloor and adapted to tether the floating structure to the unit. The unit includes an internal chamber into which water flows through a hydroelectric turbine to generate electrical energy. A pump is provided, powered by energy from the floating structure machinery, to evacuate water from the unit and a control system directs power from the machinery to pump water out of the unit during periods of excess energy extraction by the machinery and to allow water to flow into the chamber through the hydroelectric turbine to generate electrical energy during periods of lower energy extraction by the machinery. The same internal chamber design can be utilized to store hydrocarbons in the vicinity of undersea wellheads during “shut-in” procedures when the wellhead would otherwise be secured. |
| US08698337B2 |
Matrix sea wave power generating device
A matrix sea wave power generating device includes a plurality of power generating units positioned to form a matrix, wherein each of the power generating units includes a floating member, a transmission shaft provided on the floating member, a ratchet having a plurality of ratchet teeth, a pull disk, a speed increasing device, a power generator, and a driving device, wherein the transmission shaft is rotatably mounted on the floating member through a shaft bearing, and is operatively connected to the power generator through the speed increasing device, the ratchet teeth is extended in a clockwise direction, wherein the ratchet is provided on the transmission shaft, wherein the pull disk has plurality of engaging teeth engaged with the ratchet teeth of the ratchet, wherein the pull disk has a plurality of pulling strings, wherein a winding direction of the pulling strings is opposite to that of the corresponding ratchet teeth. |
| US08698334B2 |
Wind park, method of correcting voltage imbalances, and wind turbine
A wind park, a method of correcting voltage imbalances, and a wind turbine are provided. The wind park includes at least one wind turbine; a transformer coupled between the at least one wind turbine and a power grid. The transformer includes a primary winding arrangement coupled to the power grid, and a secondary winding arrangement coupled to the at least one wind turbine. The power grid includes at least three power lines, each power line conducting a respective phase of a multi-phase current. Each power line of the power grid is coupled to the primary winding arrangement via an individual tap changer. Influences of the detected voltage imbalances on the wind turbines can be compensated. |
| US08698327B2 |
Substrate handler
A loadport for handling film frames is disclosed. The loadport is modular and substantially compatible with applicable standards regarding modular equipment. In particular, the load port is substantially interchangeable with loadports not adapted for handling film frames. The loadport has a compact shuttle for moving film frames and flexible alignment mechanisms for aligning film frames and cassettes of different configurations. |
| US08698320B2 |
Curable resin compositions useful as underfill sealants for use with low-k dielectric-containing semiconductor devices
This invention relates to thermosetting resin compositions useful for flip chip (“FC”) underfill sealant materials, where a semiconductor chip is mounted directly onto a circuit through solder electrical interconnections. Similarly, the compositions are useful for mounting onto a circuit board semiconductor devices, such as chip size or chip scale packages (“CSPs”), ball grid arrays (“BGAs”), land grid arrays (“LGAs”) and the like, each of which having a semiconductor chip, such as large scale integration (“LSI”), on a carrier substrate. |
| US08698319B2 |
Electronic component
An electronic component includes a printed conductor structure on a substrate, as well as a film which contacts the printed conductor structure. The film has a smaller layer thickness than the printed conductor. The printed conductor structure has a region which is covered by the film for the purpose of contacting. |
| US08698318B2 |
Superfilled metal contact vias for semiconductor devices
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for fabricating a semiconductor element having a contact via. In such method, a hole can be formed in a dielectric layer to at least partially expose a region including at least one of semiconductor or conductive material. A seed layer can be deposited over a major surface of the dielectric layer and over a surface within the hole. In one embodiment, the seed layer can include a metal selected from the group consisting of iridium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium. A layer consisting essentially of cobalt can be electroplated over the seed layer within the hole to form a contact via in electrically conductive communication with the region. |
| US08698311B2 |
Package substrate and semiconductor package including the same
A package substrate may include an insulating substrate, a dummy pad, a signal pad and a plug. The dummy pad may be formed on an upper surface of the insulating substrate. The signal pad may be formed on the upper surface of the insulating substrate. The signal pad may have an upper surface protruded from an upper surface of the dummy pad. The plug may be vertically formed in the insulating substrate. The plug may have an upper end exposed through the upper surface of the insulating substrate and connected with the signal pad and the dummy pad, and a lower end exposed through a lower surface of the insulating substrate. Thus, a signal bump may accurately make contact with the protruded upper surface of the signal pad. |
| US08698310B2 |
Structure for signal line, manufacturing method for signal line and switch using the signal line
A structure for a signal line has the signal line having a base, a lower insulating layer formed at an upper surface of the base, a semiconductor layer disposed along a pathway at an upper surface of the lower insulating layer, at least a part of the semiconductor layer configured to transmit a signal, an upper insulating layer formed at an upper surface of the semiconductor layer, at least a part of the upper insulating layer being mounted along the semiconductor layer; and a strip conductor formed at an upper surface of the upper insulating layer, at least a part of the strip conductor being mounted along the upper insulating layer. |
| US08698307B2 |
Semiconductor package with integrated metal pillars and manufacturing methods thereof
A semiconductor package includes a substrate and a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a body having a center, a layer disposed adjacent to the body, and a plurality of conductive pillars configured to electrically connect the semiconductor device to the substrate. The layer defines a plurality of openings. Each of the plurality of conductive pillars extends at least partially through a corresponding one of the plurality of openings. An offset between a first central axis of the each of the plurality of conductive pillars and a second central axis of the corresponding one of the plurality of openings varies with distance between the first central axis and the center of the body. The second central axis of the corresponding one of the plurality of openings is disposed between the first central axis of the each of the plurality of conductive pillars and the center of the body. |
| US08698299B2 |
Semiconductor device with wiring substrate including lower conductive pads and testing conductive pads
Miniaturization and high-performance of a semiconductor device are promoted, which has a package on package (POP) structure in which a plurality of semiconductor packages is stacked in a multistage manner. A testing conductive pad for determining the quality of a conduction state of a microcomputer chip and a memory chip is arranged outside a conductive pad for external input/output and thereby the route of a wire that couples the microcomputer chip and the memory chip to the testing conductive pad is reduced in length. Further, the wire that couples the microcomputer chip and the memory chip to the testing conductive pad is coupled to a pad in the outer row among conductive pads in two rows to be coupled to the microcomputer chip. |
| US08698295B2 |
Super high-density module with integrated wafer level packages
A wafer level package, and a semiconductor wafer, an electronic system, and a memory module that include one or more of the wafer level packages, and methods of fabricating the die packages on a wafer level, and integrated circuit modules that include one or more packages are provided. In one embodiment, the die package comprises a redistribution layer interconnecting two or more dies disposed on a substrate, typically a semiconductor wafer, the redistribution layer including a first trace connecting a bond pad of each of two dies, and a second trace connecting one of the bond pads of the two dies to a ball pad. The die package of the invention can comprise memory devices such as static random access memories (SRAMs), and can be incorporated into a variety of electronic systems as part of memory packages such as single in line memory modules (SIMMs) or dual in line memory modules (DIMMs). |
| US08698276B2 |
Semiconductor device having a plurality of repair fuse units
A semiconductor system includes a controller; a semiconductor device comprising a plurality of stacked semiconductor chips stacked over the controller, and a plurality of through-silicon vias (TSVs) configured to commonly transfer a signal to the plurality of stacked semiconductor chips; and a defect information transfer TSV configured to transfer TSV defect information sequentially outputted from at least one of the semiconductor chips to the controller, wherein the controller comprises: a plurality of first repair fuse units configured to set first fuse information based on the TSV defect information; and a plurality of first TSV selection units configured to selectively drive the TSVs in response to the first fuse information. |
| US08698273B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device having improved interconnect accuracy near cell boundaries
A layout structure of a semiconductor integrated circuit is provided with which narrowing and breaking of metal interconnects near a cell boundary can be prevented without increasing the data amount and processing time for OPC. A cell A and a cell B are adjacent to each other along a cell boundary. The interconnect regions of metal interconnects from which to the cell boundary no other interconnect region exists are placed to be substantially axisymmetric with respect to the cell boundary, while sides of diffusion regions facing the cell boundary are asymmetric with respect to the cell boundary. |
| US08698267B2 |
Electrode and fabricating method thereof
An electrode includes a substantially planar metallic thin film layer with a patterned structure including a plurality of parallel lines or a plurality of crossed lines, the metallic thin film layer configured to transmit an incident light through the metallic thin film layer. |
| US08698263B2 |
Three-dimensional arrays composed of flexible pin diodes and imaging devices made therefrom
Flexible lateral p-i-n (“PIN”) diodes, arrays of flexible PIN diodes and imaging devices incorporating arrays of PIN diodes are provided. The flexible lateral PIN diodes are fabricated from thin, flexible layers of single-crystalline semiconductor. A plurality of the PIN diodes can be patterned into a single semiconductor layer to provide a flexible photodetector array that can be formed into a three-dimensional imaging device. |
| US08698257B2 |
Resonator and production method thereof
A resonator using the MEMS technology is provided which improves the accuracy of a shape of electrodes so as avoid a short circuit that would otherwise be caused between input and output electrodes to thereby increase the reliability thereof. A resonator includes a substrate 101, an insulation layer 102 formed selectively on the substrate 101 as a sacrificial surface, a beam 103 formed on the substrate 101 via a space, a first support portion 104A formed on the insulation layer 102 of the same material as that of the beam 103, and electrodes formed with a space defined between the beam 103 and themselves for signals to be inputted thereinto and outputted therefrom. A sectional area of the beam 103 and a sectional area of the first support portion 104A are substantially equal in a section which is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the beam 103. |
| US08698255B2 |
Semiconductor component having a micromechanical microphone structure
A simple and cost-effective form of implementing a semiconductor component having a micromechanical microphone structure, including an acoustically active diaphragm as a deflectable electrode of a microphone capacitor, a stationary, acoustically permeable counterelement as a counter electrode of the microphone capacitor, and means for applying a charging voltage between the deflectable electrode and the counter electrode of the microphone capacitor. In order to not impair the functionality of this semiconductor component, even during overload situations in which contact occurs between the diaphragm and the counter electrode, the deflectable electrode and the counter electrode of the microphone capacitor are counter-doped, at least in places, so that they form a diode in the event of contact. In addition, the polarity of the charging voltage between the deflectable electrode and the counter electrode is such that the diode is switched in the blocking direction. |
| US08698250B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: an N-type drift layer; a P-type anode layer above the N-type drift layer; an N-type cathode layer below the N-type drift layer; a first short lifetime layer between the N-type drift layer and the P-type anode layer; and a second short lifetime layer between the N-type drift layer and the N-type cathode layer. A carrier lifetime in the first and second short lifetime layers is shorter than a carrier lifetime in the N-type drift layer. A carrier lifetime in the N-type cathode layer is longer than the carrier lifetime in the N-type drift layer. |
| US08698245B2 |
Partially depleted (PD) semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) field effect transistor (FET) structure with a gate-to-body tunnel current region for threshold voltage (VT) lowering and method of forming the structure
Disclosed are embodiments of a field effect transistor with a gate-to-body tunnel current region (GTBTCR) and a method. In one embodiment, a gate, having adjacent sections with different conductivity types, traverses the center portion of a semiconductor layer to create, within the center portion, a channel region and a GTBTCR below the adjacent sections having the different conductivity types, respectively. In another embodiment, a semiconductor layer has a center portion with a channel region and a GTBTCR. The GTBTCR comprises: a first implant region adjacent to and doped with a higher concentration of the same first conductivity type dopant as the channel region; a second implant region, having a second conductivity type, adjacent to the first implant region; and an enhanced generation and recombination region between the implant regions. A gate with the second conductivity type traverses the center portion. |
| US08698243B2 |
Semiconductor device with strain-inducing regions and method thereof
Improved MOSFET devices are obtained by incorporating strain inducing source-drain regions whose closest facing “nose” portions underlying the gate are located at different depths from the device surface. In a preferred embodiment, the spaced-apart source-drain regions may laterally overlap. This close proximity increases the favorable impact of the strain inducing source-drain regions on the carrier mobility in an induced channel region between the source and drain. The source-drain regions are formed by epitaxially refilling asymmetric cavities etched from both sides of the gate. Cavity asymmetry is obtained by forming an initial cavity proximate only one sidewall of the gate and then etching the final spaced-apart source-drain cavities proximate both sidewalls of the gate along predetermined crystallographic directions. The finished cavities having different depths and nose regions at different heights extending toward each other under the gate, are epitaxially refilled with the strain inducing semiconductor material for the source-drain regions. |
| US08698236B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
The invention provides an LDMOS transistor of which the time-dependent degrading of the performance due to the trapping of hot electrons in the gate insulation film is decreased. A body layer is disposed in a surface portion of an N−− type semiconductor layer. A source layer including an N− type layer is disposed in a surface portion of the body layer. An N− type drift layer is formed in a surface portion of the N−− type semiconductor layer. This drift layer includes a first region having a first N type impurity concentration peak region and a second region having a second N type impurity concentration peak region that is positioned deeper than the first N type impurity concentration peak region, the second region adjoining this first region. An N+ type drain layer is formed in a surface portion of the second region. |
| US08698235B2 |
Slit recess channel gate
A slit recess channel gate is provided. The slit recess channel gate includes a substrate, a gate dielectric layer, a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The substrate has a first trench. The gate dielectric layer is disposed on a surface of the first trench and the first conductive layer is embedded in the first trench. The second conductive layer is disposed on the first conductive layer and aligned with the first conductive layer above the main surface, wherein a bottom surface area of the second conductive layer is substantially smaller than a top surface area of the second conductive layer. |
| US08698232B2 |
Semiconductor device including a voltage controlled termination structure and method for fabricating same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device including a voltage controlled termination structure comprises an active area including a base region of a first conductivity type formed in a semiconductor body of a second conductivity type formed over a first major surface of a substrate of the second conductivity type, a termination region formed in the semiconductor body adjacent the active area and including the voltage controlled termination structure. The voltage controlled termination structure includes an electrode electrically connected to a terminal of the semiconductor device. In one embodiment, the electrode of the voltage controlled termination structure is electrically connected to a gate terminal of the semiconductor device. In one embodiment, the electrode of the voltage controlled termination structure is electrically connected to a source terminal of the semiconductor device. |
| US08698227B2 |
Mesa-type bidirectional Shockley diode
A mesa-type bidirectional Shockley diode delimited on its two surfaces by a peripheral groove filled with a glassivation including a substrate of a first conductivity type; a layer of the second conductivity type on each side of the substrate; a region of the first conductivity type in each of the layers of the second conductivity type; a buried region of the first conductivity type under each of the regions of the first conductivity type, at the interface between the substrate and the corresponding layer of the second conductivity type, each buried region being complementary in projection with the other; and a peripheral ring under the external periphery of each of the glassivations, of same doping profile as the buried regions. |
| US08698226B2 |
Semiconductor devices, methods of manufacture thereof and articles comprising the same
Disclosed herein is a device comprising a source region, a drain region and a gate layer; the source region, the drain region and the gate layer being disposed on a semiconductor host; the gate layer being disposed between source and drain regions; the gate layer comprising a first gate-insulator layer; a gate layer comprising carbon nanotubes and/or graphene. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising disposing a source region, a drain region and a gate layer on a semiconductor host; the gate layer being disposed between the source region and the drain region; the gate layer comprising carbon nanotubes and/or graphene. |
| US08698225B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device and its manufacturing method
In a non-volatile semiconductor memory device and a method for manufacturing the device, each memory cell and its select Tr have the same gate insulating film as a Vcc Tr. Further, the gate electrodes of a Vpp Tr and Vcc Tr are realized by the use of a first polysilicon layer. A material such as salicide or a metal, which differs from second polysilicon (which forms a control gate layer), may be provided on the first polysilicon layer. With the above features, a non-volatile semiconductor memory device can be manufactured by reduced steps and be operated at high speed in a reliable manner. |
| US08698223B2 |
Semiconductor device and forming method of the same
A semiconductor device includes contact structures and conductive wires formed over the contact structures and coupled to the respective contact structures. Part of each of the conductive wires crosses the contact structure. |
| US08698219B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having a low off state current and high repeatability
A semiconductor device has a non-volatile memory cell including a write transistor which includes an oxide semiconductor and has small leakage current in an off state (off-state current) between a source and a drain, a read transistor including a semiconductor material different from that of the write transistor, and a capacitor. Data is written or to the memory cell by applying a potential to a node where one of a source electrode and drain electrode of the write transistor, one electrode of the capacitor, and a gate electrode of the read transistor are electrically connected to one another so that the predetermined amount of charge is held in the node. The memory window width is changed by 2% or less, before and after 1×109 times of writing. |
| US08698218B2 |
Magnetoresistive memory elements with separate read and write current paths
A magnetoresistive memory element has a free layer, and a write current path aligned with a free layer plane. The memory element has a pinned layer with a magnetization direction aligned with that of the free layer. A barrier layer is disposed between the free layer and the pinned layer. The free, barrier and pinned layers together form a layer stack that has a read current path that extends through the layer stack and that is not aligned with the write current path in the free layer. |
| US08698212B2 |
Active chemically-sensitive sensors
Methods and apparatus relating to FET arrays for monitoring chemical and/or biological reactions such as nucleic acid sequencing-by-synthesis reactions. Some methods provided herein relate to improving signal (and also signal to noise ratio) from released hydrogen ions during nucleic acid sequencing reactions. |
| US08698211B2 |
Sensing apparatus and method
A method of observing reaction intermediaries during a chemical reaction and comprising detecting an electrical signal output from an ion sensitive field effect transistor exposed to said reaction, and monitoring the detected electrical signal to discriminate discrete fluctuations in the electrical signal, the discrete fluctuations indicating reaction intermediaries occurring during a chemical reaction. |
| US08698208B2 |
Photoelectric conversion device
A manufacturing method of a photoelectric conversion device comprises a first step of forming a gate electrode, a second step of forming a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a third step of forming an insulation film, and a fourth step of forming a protection region of a second conductivity type, which is the opposite conductivity type to the first conductivity type, by implanting ions in the semiconductor region using the gate electrode of the transfer transistor and a portion covering a side face of the gate electrode of the transfer transistor of the insulation film as a mask in a state in which the semiconductor substrate and the gate electrode of the transfer transistor are covered by the insulation film, and causing a portion of the semiconductor region of the first conductivity type from which the protection region is removed to be the charge accumulation region. |
| US08698206B2 |
Feature patterning methods and structures thereof
Methods of patterning features, methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices, and semiconductor devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of patterning a feature includes forming a first portion of the feature in a first material layer. A second portion of the feature is formed in the first material layer, and a third portion of the feature is formed in a second material layer. |
| US08698202B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device including at least a p-channel field-effect transistor region formed above a compound semiconductor substrate. The p-channel field-effect transistor region includes an undoped buffer layer; a p-type channel layer formed in contact with the buffer layer; a p-type source region and a p-type drain region formed in the channel layer, being separated with each other; and an n-type gate region formed above the channel layer and between the source region and the drain region. The buffer layer is formed having either a multilayer structure including a hole diffusion control layer with a band gap larger than the channel layer, or a single layer structure including only the hole diffusion control layer. |
| US08698200B2 |
Gallium nitride for liquid crystal electrodes
Described herein is a liquid crystal (LC) device having Gallium Nitride HEMT electrodes. The Gallium Nitride HEMT electrodes can be grown on a variety of substrates, including but not limited to sapphire, silicon carbide, silicon, fused silica (using a calcium flouride buffer layer), and spinel. Also described is a structure provided from GaN HEMT grown on large area silicon substrates and transferred to another substrate with appropriate properties for OPA devices. Such substrates include, but are not limited to sapphire, silicon carbide, silicon, fused silica (using a calcium fluoride buffer layer), and spinel. The GaN HEMT structure includes an AlN interlayer for improving the mobility of the structure. |
| US08698199B2 |
FinFET structure
A finFET device includes a substrate, at least a first fin structure disposed on the substrate, a L-shaped insulator surrounding the first fin structure and exposing, at least partially, the sidewalls of the first fin structure, wherein the height of the L-shaped insulator is inferior to the height of the first fin structure in order to expose parts of the sidewalls surface of the first fin structure, and a gate structure disposed partially on the L-shaped insulator and partially on the first fin structure. |