| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08712706B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing homogeneous magnetic fields
A method for shimming a magnetic field is disclosed. The method uses a single shim current to contribute to suppression of more than one geometrical component of an inhomogeneity in the magnetic field without changing the geometry of the shim path. Apparatuses to implement the method are also disclosed. In embodiments the apparatuses comprise substantially commonly oriented shim paths. |
| US08712703B2 |
Turbulence sensor and blade condition sensor system
The invention comprises a turbulence sensor and sensor system for determining the condition of a wind turbine blade. A turbulence sensor comprises a sensor membrane provided in the surface of a wind turbine blade. A light source and light detector provided in a sensor cavity in the blade illuminate the sensor membrane and detect the light reflected back. The reflected light is mixed with non-reflected light to give an interference pattern indicative of the quality of the airflow, whether it is laminar or turbulent. The turbulence sensor can be used in a sensor system for detecting the accumulation of unwanted matter, such as dirt or ice, on the blade. |
| US08712699B2 |
Agglutination judgment method
The present invention provides an agglutination judgment method includes a first step of collecting data of a transmitted light intensity from each of measuring points included in a predetermined region of the reaction pattern, a second step of calculating a parameter representing the dispersion of a transmitted light intensity in the region, and a third step of judging the agglutination or non-agglutination by comparing the parameter thus calculated with a predetermined reference value. |
| US08712697B2 |
Determination of copy number variations using binomial probability calculations
This invention relates to a binomial calculation of copy number of data obtained from a mixed sample having a first source and a second source. |
| US08712694B2 |
Combining seismic data from sensors to attenuate noise
To perform noise attenuation for seismic surveying, a sensor assembly is deployed on a ground surface, where the sensor assembly has a seismic sensor to measure seismic waves propagated through a subterranean structure, and a divergence sensor comprising a pressure sensor to measure noise. First data is received from the seismic sensor, and second data is received from the divergence sensor. The first data and the second data are combined to attenuate noise in the first data. |
| US08712693B2 |
Method for enhanced subsurface electromagnetic sensitivity
A method for measuring an enhanced electromagnetic field response, especially in a submarine environment, for the purposes of subsurface data acquisition and processing. An electromagnetic field is applied to subterranean strata at two or more different frequencies, a response at each frequency is detected, and the responses at different frequencies are resolved. The differences in the phase and/or amplitude of the responses are analyzed and the nature of the strata is determined. The same method can be used to determine the hydrocarbon content of a reservoir via the use of a borehole. |
| US08712683B2 |
Sensor controller, navigation device, and sensor control method
Conventional navigation devices are equipped with technology that supports the driving of a driver by detecting the surroundings of a vehicle using a plurality of sensors such as cameras. However, because complex arithmetic processing is carried out using the detection results from the plurality of sensors, the processing load increases and other processes requiring a rapid response can be delayed. As a result, consideration has been given to decreasing the amount of arithmetic processing and reducing the processing load by uniformly decreasing the processing area for information detected by the sensors. However, if the processing area is uniformly decreased, information necessary for driving support may not be obtained. Provided is a sensor control technology that better obtains information necessary for driving support: a sensor controller, characterized by carrying out predetermined processing by changing the processing area of the information acquired by the sensors according to the vehicle driving conditions. |
| US08712678B2 |
Method of measuring a displacement amount for an automobile suspension assembly
Provided is a work measuring method by which a deviation quantity of a work measuring point from a reference position can be measured in a short time. A work surface is set as a reference point when the measuring point is positioned at the reference position, and a distance from a photographing device to a reference surface is set as a reference distance. A deviation quantity of the measurement point in a direction intersecting a photographing direction on the reference surface is measured by the photographing device, and a deviation quantity of the measuring point in the photographing direction is measured by a laser distance sensor. Then, based on the deviation quantity measured by the photographing device, the deviation quantity measured by the laser distance sensor, and the reference distance, a deviation quantity of the measuring point in a direction intersecting the photographing direction is calculated. |
| US08712676B2 |
Method for computing an energy efficient route
Probe data is analyzed to derive Longitudinal Speed Profiles (LSPs) and an Optimal Longitudinal Speed Profile (18) for each road segment or link in a digital map network. The Longitudinal Speed Profiles (LSPs) profiles are calculated during defined time spans whereas the Optimal Longitudinal Speed Profile (18) is based on the LSP for the time span corresponding only to free flow traffic conditions. All of the LSPs can used to create a respective energy cost for each time span, or only the OLSP (18) can be used (or alternatively the RRDSL 16 or LRRDSL 17) to calculate an energy cost for the free flow conditions only. The energy cost can be used to predict the energy required by a vehicle to traverse the link. Navigation software can use the energy cost to plan the most energy efficient route between two locations in the digital map. Sensory signals can be activated if a driver strays from the Optimal Longitudinal Speed Profile (18) to achieve extremely high levels of energy efficiency. |
| US08712675B2 |
Preventative traffic congestion social networking improvement system within a community
A method, system, and computer program product for transmitting traffic congestion routing data to a community of global positioning system (GPS) devices. Community routing logic of a community routing system (CRS) receives a route request containing the current location and desired destination of a GPS device. The CRS may use the community routing logic to determine a path that the user of the GPS device should travel on to best minimize driving time and traffic conditions for a community of users of the CRS. The CRS considers road capacity, current traffic conditions, and historical traffic data for roads and alternate roads along a preferred route. The CRS also considers routes previously taken by the GPS device. Additionally, the CRS may receive information about routes taken by other GPS devices to further improve future routes of the community of GPS devices. |
| US08712672B2 |
Automatic stop and restart device for an engine
Provided is an automatic stop and restart device for an engine that is capable of suppressing occurrence of an abnormal condition even if a transmission state is changed during an engine restart process after an engine restart condition is satisfied in an automatic engine stop process. A controller performs the automatic engine stop process and the engine restart process. If a determined state of a transmission is a drive range, a transmission state determination unit drives a pinion gear thrust unit at timing determined by a first pinion gear thrust timing determination unit. If the determined state of the transmission is a non-drive range, the transmission state determination unit drives the pinion gear thrust unit at timing determined by a second pinion gear thrust timing determination unit. |
| US08712669B2 |
Fuel-based injection control
Systems and methods of operating an engine with a varying fuel composition. In one example, a split injection is performed during engine cranking with at least some fuel injected in the intake stroke and some fuel injected in the compression stroke. Further, a split ratio of the injection is adjusted based on the alcohol content of the injected fuel. |
| US08712667B2 |
Air-fuel ratio control apparatus for an internal combustion engine
A air-fuel ratio control apparatus, applied to an internal combustion engine having a catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine, includes a downstream air-fuel ratio sensor (oxygen concentration cell type oxygen concentration sensor) disposed at a position downstream of the catalyst, and air-fuel ratio control means for controlling, based on an output value of the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor, an air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine so as to change an air-fuel ratio of a catalyst inflow gas. Further, the air-fuel ratio control means controls the air-fuel ratio of the mixture supplied to the engine. |
| US08712666B2 |
Multiple-frequency inversion method and control apparatus for internal combustion engine driven generator
A multiple-frequency inversion method and a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine driven generator includes an inverter unit that employs a multiple-frequency inversion technology, controlling the inverter unit through a low switching frequency f to obtain a 2f modulated frequency, thus resolving the problem that a low frequency switching component generates a high frequency modulated waveform. Four switching devices in the inverter unit have the same working frequency, alleviating the controller load. In addition, a high modulated frequency reduces the device parameters of the filter unit, resulting in a smaller-sized and lighter apparatus, thus giving the generator portability. Reduction of the device parameters of the filter unit means reduction of the output internal resistance of the generator, therefore increasing the non-linear load capability of the generator. |
| US08712664B2 |
Vehicle control apparatus
In a vehicle control apparatus employing a first speed self-adjustment control system configured to control a speed of a host vehicle based on a first command value, in a manner so as to maintain a distance of the host vehicle from a preceding vehicle or to maintain a set speed, a second speed self-adjustment control system is provided for controlling the host vehicle's speed based on a second command value determined based on information about a lateral acceleration acting on the host vehicle. Also provided is a deceleration selector configured to select either one of the first and second command values, which selected command value produces a greater deceleration exerted on the host vehicle. A control unit is configured to control the host vehicle's speed by driving an actuator based on the selected command value. |
| US08712661B2 |
Device to control force required to depress accelerator pedal
In an accelerator pedal effort control apparatus which increases a pedal effort of an accelerator pedal 2 when an accelerator opening angle is larger than a predetermined accelerator opening angle threshold value, in a case where a steering angle of a steering wheel when a vehicle driver starts to increase an opening angle of accelerator pedal 2 is small, a pedal effort increment is a reference pedal effort increment (ΔF) and, in a case where the steering angle is large, is a relatively small pedal effort increment (ΔF−β). Thus, when the vehicle turns right or left from a stopped state, pedal effort increment (ΔF−β) is set to relatively be small so that a smooth acceleration becomes possible. |
| US08712659B2 |
Method and apparatus for eliminating a motor vehicle tip-over risk
The invention relates to a method for preventing tip-over of a motor vehicle in the lateral direction, in which a finite number of predefined driving states is specified; in which a determination is made as to which of the predefined driving states the vehicle is in instantaneously, the predefined driving state thus determined being dependent on sensor signals and on that predefined driving state in which the vehicle was most recently; and as a function of the predefined driving state instantaneously present, at least one braking intervention is carried out in order to prevent the tip-over. |
| US08712654B2 |
Acceleration based mode switch
The present invention provides a method of selecting and implementing a shift schedule for a transmission in a vehicle that includes an output speed sensor and a controller. The method includes measuring output speed with the output speed sensor and comparing the measured output speed to an output speed threshold. The controller receives throttle percentage and compares the throttle percentage to a throttle threshold. The method also includes calculating output acceleration and transmission gear ratio with the controller. The shift schedule is selected based on the measured output speed, calculated output acceleration, calculated transmission gear ratio, and throttle percentage. |
| US08712651B2 |
Control strategies for a multi-mode drive system
A method of operating a multi-mode drive system that precisely orchestrates a shift between gear ratios in a power take off unit and a rear drive module. The method first shifts between gear ratios in the power take off unit and then, depending upon the success or failure of the shift of the power take off unit, shifts between gear ratios in the rear drive module. |
| US08712650B2 |
Power management systems and designs
Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for managing the power consumption of an automotive vehicle, and thereby for optimizing the power consumption of the vehicle. The devices and systems for managing the power consumption of the vehicle typically include power management logic that can calculate an applied power for the vehicle engine based on information provided from the external environment of the vehicle, the operational status of the vehicle, one or more command inputs from a driver, and one or more operational parameters of the vehicle. |
| US08712647B2 |
Steering lock driving circuit and steering lock device
A steering lock driving circuit includes: a microcomputer that, based on a detected condition of a vehicle, outputs one of a lock command for restricting rotation of a steering shaft by a rock member to carry out steering lock and an unlock command for releasing the steering lock; a latch circuit that, when an unlock signal indicating that the lock member is located in an unlock position is input to the latch circuit, holds the unlock signal; an OR circuit to which a logical NOT signal of a signal output from the latch circuit and a parking signal indicating that a shift position is a parking position are input; and an AND circuit to which one of the lock command and the unlock command, a signal output from the OR circuit and a condition coincidence signal generated when information detected from the vehicle satisfies a predetermined condition are input. |
| US08712644B2 |
Vehicle control apparatus
A vehicle control apparatus including a braking force applying device of a hydraulic type, capable of applying a braking force to each of a plurality of wheels. A hydraulic pressure controlling device controls a hydraulic pressure of the braking force applying device such that each of the wheels is not locked. A hydraulic pressure increasing or decreasing period changing device changes an increasing or decreasing period of the hydraulic pressure controlled by the hydraulic pressure controlling device. A controlling device controls the hydraulic pressure increasing or decreasing period changing device to change the increasing or decreasing period of the hydraulic pressure corresponding to each of the wheels in contact with a road surface having a high road surface friction coefficient, from that where a left-right braking force difference is not generated, to where the left-right braking force difference is generated by the hydraulic pressure controlling device. |
| US08712633B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing vehicle data for testing product
Provided is a vehicle data providing apparatus supporting to easily generate vehicle internal communication data at the development stage of a product to perform a test. According to an aspect, there is provided a vehicle data providing apparatus including: a vehicle data analyzer configured to analyze a vehicle data file that is used in a vehicle, and to provide a reference data graph about reference data included in the vehicle data file; a vehicle data changing unit configured to receive a user input signal for changing the reference data, and to change related data associated with the reference data based on the reference data graph; and a test data file generator configured to generate a vehicle data file for test, including the changed reference data and the changed related data. |
| US08712632B2 |
Method and apparatus for complementing an instrument panel by utilizing augmented reality
An approach is provided for complementing various devices and/or instruments by utilizing augmented reality and providing an adaptive user interface to a user at a user device. A user device determines one or more information items associated with at least one instrument panel of at least one vehicle. Then the user device determines one or more representations of the one or more information items and causes, at least in part, a presentation of the one or more information items at the user device, wherein the user device may complement and/or may be substituted for the at least one instrument panel. |
| US08712618B2 |
Power conversion device for electric vehicle
To include a power converter that drives an induction machine and a control unit that controls the, power converter. The control unit includes a drive stopping unit. The drive stopping unit includes a secondary-resistance-temperature detecting unit that detects temperature rise of a secondary resistance of the induction machine based on a current (a d-axis-current detection value and a q-axis-current detection value, or a d-axis current command and a q-axis current command) detected by the induction machine, an inverter angular frequency calculated based on the current, and speed information of an electric vehicle detected by an external-speed-information detecting unit, and the drive stopping unit also includes a drive-stopping-signal output unit that outputs a drive stopping signal for stopping a driving operation of the power converter based on the speed information ωtrain of an electric vehicle and an output (deviation) from the secondary-resistance-temperature detecting unit. |
| US08712603B2 |
Aircraft drive
The present invention describes a drive system for an aircraft involving one or more nose wheel motors. Data regarding the nose wheel rotation is used to control the ground travel of the aircraft, to predict potential problems, to provide more precise control over the aircraft, and to improve aircraft safety. |
| US08712602B1 |
Mobile target system
A remote controlled mobile target system having a target base on wheels and a target rotatable on the base under wireless control of a central processing unit. The target is rotatable between a shoot and no-shoot position independent of movement of the target base thereby giving a student a better simulation of real close quarters firearms engagement. The movements of the target base and target may be programmed or under the control of an instructor and when programmed the movements may be randomized based on number of hits to the target or hits to a specific hit sensitive area of the target. |
| US08712597B2 |
Method of optimizing air mover performance characteristics to minimize temperature variations in a computing system enclosure
A computer-implemented method optimizes air mover performance to minimize temperature variations in a computer system enclosure. The computer system includes one or more modules and at least one air mover. The method includes collecting thermal data from the modules; using the collected thermal data, determining a maximum value of the thermal data; comparing the determined maximum value of the thermal data to a current maximum value of the thermal data; using the determined and the current maximum values, determining a desired operating characteristic of the air mover; and adjusting the air mover to the desired operating characteristic. |
| US08712594B2 |
Optimized control of an energy supplying system and an energy consuming system
The present invention relates to a fuel control system for a local energy supplying and/or an energy consuming system. The local energy system comprises at least a first controllable electrical unit outputting electrical power and generating a first heat flux within a series of time periods, a controllable fuel powered heating unit for outputting a further heat flux within the series of time periods, a controllable heat buffer for storing the heat fluxes and outputting a fourth heat flux within the series of time periods and a heat flux user thermally coupled to the heat buffer. |
| US08712593B2 |
Method for controlling operation of a wind turbine
A method for controlling operation of a wind turbine and a method for controlling operation of a plurality of wind turbines positioned in a wind farm are disclosed. According to the method, a pitch and rotational speed curve, e.g. a θ versus λ curve, is selected from a group of pitch and rotational speed curve, and the wind turbine is operated in accordance with the selected curve for a short period, while monitoring at least one target parameter, e.g. power production or loads on one or more components. This is repeated for each of the curves of the group of pitch and rotational speed curves. This is also repeated a predetermined number of times, i.e. each curve is selected in turn a predetermined number of times. Based on the monitored target parameters an optimum curve is determined from the group of pitch and rotational speed curve, and the wind turbine is operated in accordance with this optimum curve. The method ensures that the applied curve is in fact optimal for the specific wind turbine, at the specific site and under the specific conditions. Thereby the wind turbine can be operated in a more optimal manner, e.g. with respect to power production and/or loads or wear on components. |
| US08712592B2 |
Controlling a resource demand system
Methods of controlling a resource demand system are disclosed. One method includes obtaining weather data from at least one data source that collects weather data at a plurality of areas. A weather value for a target location is calculated from the weather data. A weather value is sensed for the target location. The calculated weather value is compared with the sensed weather value to validate at least one of the calculated weather value and the sensed weather value, and a control value is calculated based on at least one of the calculated weather value and the sensed weather value. |
| US08712591B2 |
Constant low-flow air source control system and method
A constant low-flow air source control system and method is used to operate a pump to inflate an inflatable support structure used to support a person. |
| US08712586B2 |
Dispensing of restricted goods
A method of dispensing restricted products includes providing: a dispenser containing an inventory of restricted goods and a communication link to an authorized vendor; means to enable the vendor to verify the purchaser as an approved purchaser; an inventory system including storage for products in rows and columns; an identification system that identifies the location of each product by row and column; a product section device enabling verification that the selected product is correct and moves the product to a printing location, a viewing location, and/or an issue tray; a visual viewing means for the vendor to view the product; a payment transaction system to verify payment for the product; at least two collection trays remaining locked until the vendor releases product to the purchaser; a product reject hopper to collect product not approved for collection; and reject system to securely remove product to the reject hopper. |
| US08712584B2 |
Method and system for electronic assistance in dispensing pharmaceuticals
A system and method for electronic assistance in dispensing pharmaceuticals, utilizing software, hardware and barcode technology to yield error free, clinically correct, adjudicated prescriptions. The system is adaptive to the preferences of an authorized user, by being configurable on the basis of when and what type of warnings are given in particular circumstances, based on entries in a field, and whether the order can proceed. Additionally, the invention allows for automated and electronically assisted refilling of orders. The invention allows for tracking and monitoring of prescription orders through barcode labeling and scanning. |
| US08712581B2 |
Sample analysis and/or sample processing system
A sample analysis and/or sample processing system having a robotic system includes at least one carrier in which one or more objects are retained, a positioning region having a plurality of defined Positions for positioning the at least one carrier, a robot for approaching the object(s) in the carrier, and a control unit for storing the position of the carrier and the objects retained therein and for controlling the robot. The positioning region has an elongate profile-member having a plurality of coupling positions stored in the control unit, and the carrier provides a coupling for suspending the carrier in a specific coupling position on the elongate profile-member. |
| US08712576B2 |
Controller for machine tool and five-axis simultaneous control machine tool controlled thereby
A controller for a machine tool and a five axis simultaneous control machine tool which can improve machining accuracy in controlling a pivoting axis of the machine tool. The controller including an allowable position error setting member setting an allowable position error between a commanded machining position and an actual machining position; a velocity control parameter deciding member deciding a velocity control parameter of the pivoting axes of the A-axis and the B-axis in accordance with the allowable position error being set and a distance of said actual machining position from the pivoting axes; and a controlling member controlling a velocity of the pivoting axes based on the velocity control parameter. |
| US08712572B2 |
Electronic component mounting machine and operating instruction method for the same
A challenge to be met by the invention is to provide an electronic component mounting machine that makes up an electronic component mounting line and that standardizes an operation input method, to thus enable lessening of work load on an operator during performance of operation input action, and an operation instruction method for use with the electronic component mounting machine. In electronic component mounting machines that make it possible for a single machine to perform a plurality of types of works by replacement of a work head to be built into a common platform according to a type of work, a production start button to a model change button are provided as common individual input parts in a basic operation command input part of a display panel of an operation unit regardless of a work type. Control processing and computation processing commensurate with an operation instruction entered by way of the individual input part are performed according to a work program and a computation processing program corresponding to the work head recognized by a plug-in function. |
| US08712566B1 |
Segmentation of a product markup image based on color and color differences
An input image of a customizable product comprising a markup is partitioned into a plurality of image regions based on color and color differences. The partitioning comprises assigning a color difference value to plurality of locations within the input image. The partitioning further comprises assigning each of the plurality of locations to an image region of the plurality of image regions, where the assigning occurs according to a particular order. The particular order is based at least in part on color difference values associated with the plurality of locations. Data representing at least a particular portion of the markup in the input image based on the partitioning is identified. Data representing at least the portion of the markup is used in a visualization of the customizable product or a manufacturing control associated with the customizable product. |
| US08712565B2 |
Data output apparatus and data output method
A data output apparatus is provided. The data output apparatus includes a playback unit and an audio processing unit. The playback unit may carry out playback of data at 2× speed from a tape-shaped recording medium, on which has been recorded video data with a field frequency of 59.94 Hz and audio data with a sampling frequency of 48 kHz, by playing back video data in odd-numbered fields and audio data corresponding thereto and video data in even-numbered fields and audio data corresponding thereto in parallel. The audio processing unit may write the audio data corresponding to the odd-numbered fields and the audio data corresponding to the even-numbered fields played back in parallel in the playback unit into a memory, read out the audio data from the memory at 96 kHz in order of the corresponding fields, and output the audio data to dual-link HD-SDI transmitters. |
| US08712562B1 |
Audio and music data transmission medium and transmission protocol
A transmission medium and protocol is provided for bi-directional communication between an audio system and a peripheral device. The transmission medium includes a communication medium for communicating data and a communication medium for communicating a clock signal that corresponds to a transmission rate of bits on the other communication media. By transmitting the clock signal on a separate communication medium from the data, clock recovery is avoided. There may be multiple clock domains. By having multiple clock domains, multiple sample rates can be supported. Synchronization information is embedded in the signal by using run length limiting markers between the data for each channel and a synchronization word having more consecutive zero bits than the number of bits for each channel. One or more channels may be dedicated to providing control and status information. |
| US08712561B2 |
Method for specifying control curve parameters for controlling climatic environmental conditions of climate-controlled enclosed spaces
A method is provided for specifying the parameters of control curves of equipment for controlling the environmental conditions of climate-controlled enclosed spaces, including the step of specifying at least one control curve for the equipment, which is formed by a sequence of pairs of values introduced in succession. Each pair identifying the value of a predetermined parameter in a corresponding instant of time, the curve, indicating the desired variation of the parameter in time, is used for reproducing the variation of the parameter in time in said space according to the specified curve. The method also includes preliminary plotting of the shape of a curve in a graphic system of Cartesian axes. The curve represents a previously selected variation of the predetermined parameter as a function of time. |
| US08712558B2 |
Data center management unit with improved disaster prevention and recovery
A data center management unit for managing and controlling power distribution to computers in a data center includes a power inlet, a plurality of power outlets for providing power to respective ones of the computers, and a processor. In addition thereto, the data center management unit includes a memory for storing logged parameters or events. The processor in the data center management unit takes measures for disaster prevention and/or disaster recovery based on the logged parameters or events. The measures for disaster prevention or disaster recovery comprise generating alert messages, de-activating one or more power outlets, activating one or more power outlets and/or re-activating a power outlet that has been de-activated earlier. |
| US08712554B2 |
Integrated wire carrier for electrode array
A cochlear lead includes a plurality electrodes forming an electrode array configured to stimulate an auditory nerve from within a cochlea; a lead body connected to the electrode array; a plurality of wires passing through the lead body and connecting to the plurality of electrodes; an integrated wire carrier extending between an exit of the wires from the lead body and a first electrode in the electrode array, the integrated wire carrier comprising a cavity along its longitudinal axis configured to contain the plurality of wires and shape the plurality of wires into a wire bundle in which the plurality of wires passing through the integrated wire carrier are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the integrated wire carrier; and a flexible body encapsulating the integrated wire carrier and the wires. |
| US08712546B2 |
Neurostimulation system
Some embodiments of the present invention provide neurostimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia. Some other embodiments of the present invention provide neurostimulation systems adapted for selective neurostimulation of one or more nerve root ganglia as well as techniques for applying neurostimulation to the spinal cord. Still other embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia in combination with a pharmacological agent. |
| US08712540B2 |
Patient programmer with automated MRI compatibility verification for active implantable medical device
A system may include an active implantable medical device implantable in a body of a patient and a patient programmer for the AIMD. The patient programmer may be configured to obtain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatibility information relating to compatibility of the AIMD with an MRI modality. |
| US08712534B2 |
Combined high and low frequency stimulation therapy
In some examples, the disclosure relates to system, devices, and techniques for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to treat patient disorders characterized by overactive nerve activity. In one example, the stimulation therapy may include high frequency and low frequency stimulation. The high frequency stimulation may be configured to substantially block overactive pathological nerve activity of the patient and the combination of the high frequency and low frequency simulation may be configured to result in nerve activity that mimics non-pathological nerve activity. |
| US08712529B2 |
Device and implantation system for electrical stimulation of biological systems
The present specification discloses devices and methodologies for the treatment of GERD. Individuals with GERD may be treated by implanting a stimulation device within the patient's lower esophageal sphincter and applying electrical stimulation to the patient's lower esophageal sphincter, in accordance with certain predefined protocols. The presently disclosed devices have a simplified design because they do not require sensing systems capable of sensing when a person is engaged in a wet swallow and have improved energy storage requirements. |
| US08712526B2 |
System for seeking for an optimal configuration of a bi-, tri- or multi-ventricular cardiac resynchronization implanted device
An apparatus and a system for seeking for an optimal configuration of a bi-, tri- or multi-ventricular cardiac resynchronization implantable medical device. This system includes ventricular pacing, a signal representative of an endocardial acceleration (EA) of a patient's heart, and isolating and pre-processing the EA signal to obtain an EA1 component and an EA2 component. The effectiveness of the current pacing configuration is evaluated by one or more composite indexes that combine at least two of the following parameters: peak-to-peak amplitude (PEA1) of the EA1 component; time occurrence (TstEA1) of the beginning of the EA1 component; time interval (LargEA1) between the beginning of the EA1 component and the moment of the energy peak of the EA1 component; and duration of systole (Syst), represented by the time interval between the beginning (TstEA1) of the EA1 component and the beginning (TstEA2) of the EA2 component. |
| US08712518B2 |
Determining phase-specific parameters of a physiological variable
The invention relates to methods and systems for determining phase-specific parameters of a physiological variable, and a related computer program and a related machine-readable storage medium, which are usable in particular to determine parameters of physiological variables that are subject to circadian variation. To this end, phase-specific parameters of a physiological variable X(t) are determined by calculating, at least for a portion of values x lying in a specifiable time period, a mean g(x|τ) in each case of values X(t+τ) for which X(t)=x applies for their predecessors, τ describing a time interval, and determining the phase-specific parameters by evaluating the mean g(x|τ). |
| US08712516B2 |
Biomedical electro-stimulator
A power efficient biomedical electro-stimulator circuit BSC is provided. The circuit BSC includes a charging circuit arranged to control charging of a storage capacitor C based on electric energy from an energy source ES, e.g. a battery. The charging circuit includes an energy converter EC that applies a charging current I to the storage capacitor C, this charging current I being substantially constant over a charging period T, thereby providing a power efficient charging. In preferred embodiments, the energy converter EC is an inductive energy converter, e.g. a DC-DC converter, with a control circuit serving to provide an almost constant charging current during the charging period. In another embodiment, the energy converter EC is an energy converter that charges the storage capacitor via a series resonator, e.g. a series connection of an inductor and a capacitor. The proposed biomedical electro-stimulator circuit is advantageous for devices such as pacemakers, and neural stimulation etc. which can benefit of increased battery lifetime due to an efficient charging scheme. |
| US08712513B1 |
Quantitative sleep analysis system and method
The present invention relates to a method of analyzing a subject for excessive daytime sleepiness, and more particularly to a quick (short duration), quantitative method of sleep disorder analysis. The present invention additionally relates to a method that can be used to quantitatively measure the treatment endpoints for the subject, i.e., appropriate levels of stimulants. Additionally, the present invention relates to a device for sleep disorder analysis. |
| US08712509B2 |
Virtual physician acute myocardial infarction detection system and method
A system and method for virtually detecting a medical condition, such as acute myocardial infarction (AMI), in a patient using holistic diagnostic procedures implemented in medical devices. Physiological parameters in a patient are monitored in an implantable medical device (IMD) to detect deviations from desired characteristics. When severe physiological parameter deviations exist indicating with a desired certainty that the patient is experiencing a medical condition (e.g., AMI), an alert is generated. If only minor deviations from the desired characteristics exist, additional holistic diagnostic procedures are performed virtually for diagnosing whether the patient is likely to be experiencing the medical condition, such as querying the patient through an external device regarding symptoms the patient is experiencing and analyzing the patient's responses to the questions to determine whether the patient is experiencing the medical condition. When diagnosis is still unclear, additional holistic diagnostic procedures can be performed virtually until diagnosis is certain. |
| US08712505B2 |
Automated macular pathology diagnosis in three-dimensional (3D) spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images
Systems and methods of analyzing an optical coherence tomography image of a retina are discussed. A 2-dimensional slice of the image can be aligned to produce an approximately horizontal image of the retina and an edge map based at least in part on the aligned slice. Also, at least one global representation can be determined based on a (multi-scale) spatial division, such as multi-scale spatial pyramid, on the slice and/or edge map. Creating the local features is based on the specified cell structure of the global representation. The local features can be constructed based on local binary pattern (LBP)-based features. Additionally, a slice can be categorized into one or more categories via one or more classifiers (e.g., support vector machines). Each category can be associated with at least one ocular pathology, and classifying can be based on the constructed global descriptors, which can include the LBP-based local descriptors. |
| US08712504B2 |
Hand-held optical probe based imaging system with 3D tracking facilities
A method, apparatus, and system display image data for a three-dimensional object in real-time, co-registering the image data acquired from a probe with the location on the three-dimensional object from which the image data was acquired, by tracking the position and orientation of the probe as the probe acquires the image data. |
| US08712503B2 |
Pelvic registration device for medical navigation
A device for registering in a medical navigation system a position and/or orientation of a patient's pelvis includes a pelvic registration frame. A plurality of positioning elements are arranged on the pelvic registration frame so as to define a plane, wherein the plurality of positioning elements are movable with respect to each other to enable placement of the positioning elements at defined pelvic points of the patient's pelvis. At least one position transmitter is arranged in an unambiguously defined position and/or orientation relative to the frame. |
| US08712496B2 |
Endotracheal tube
An endotracheal tube with a tube part and a contact electrode for bearing on at least one vocal cord of a patient intubated with the tube, wherein, in order to establish and maintain a reliable contact between the vocal cords of the patient and the contact electrode throughout the duration of an operation, provision according to the invention is made for the contact electrode to have at least one conductor loop which at least approximately circumferentially surrounds the tube part in a contact region. |
| US08712493B2 |
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation monitoring apparatus
A cardiopulmonary resuscitation monitoring apparatus includes: a light source section configured to cause light, which includes at least infrared light, to be incident on a living body; a light receiving unit configured to receive at least one of transmitted light that is transmitted through the living body and reflected light that is reflected from the living body; a calculating unit, based on DC components of received light intensities of the received light, configured to calculate a ratio of the DC components of the received light intensities of the received light during execution of cardiopulmonary resuscitation; an evaluating unit configured to perform evaluation related to the cardiopulmonary resuscitation based on the ratio calculated by the calculating unit; and an outputting unit configured to perform an output in accordance with a result of the evaluation performed by the evaluating unit. |
| US08712490B2 |
Conductor for transmitting electrical power
A conductor for transmitting electrical power having a cylindrical core (1) clad with a strip of metallic material (2), possibly comprising a superconductor, placed, in the shape of a tube, longitudinally around said core (I), its longitudinal edges being welded to each other along a weld seam (3). The core (1) has a slot (4, 4′) placed under said weld seam (3). |
| US08712477B2 |
Mobile terminal and method for changing page thereof
A mobile terminal for smoothly changing a page between page groups by using an indicator indicating a page group, and a method for changing a page in the mobile terminal are provided. The mobile terminal including: a display unit configured to display an indicator indicating a page group including a plurality of pages; an input unit configured to detect a gesture associated with the indicator; and a controller configured to control the display unit to display a page representing the page group, wherein the indicator discriminately displays the page representing the page group among the plurality of pages. |
| US08712472B1 |
Communication device
The communication device comprising a voice communication implementer, a calculation implementer, a word processing implementer, a multiple language mode implementer, and a remote control implementer. |
| US08712471B2 |
Methods, systems and apparatus for displaying the multimedia information from wireless communication networks
Video signals for a mobile terminal are converted to accommodate reproduction by an alternative display terminal. The video signal is processed to provide a converted video signal appropriate for an alternative display terminal that is separate from the mobile terminal. This converted video signal is then provided for the alternative display terminal to accommodate the corresponding video display on a screen provided by the alternative (e.g., external) display terminal. |
| US08712470B2 |
Method and device for synthesizing image
A method and device for synthesizing an image for audiovisual communication includes: generating, if a request for synthesizing a sensor image input through a camera sensor and an image designated by a user is input, a synthesis image of the sensor image and the designated image. The method also includes storing, when the synthesis image is generated, object information of an object of the sensor image and object information of an object of the designated image; and changing, if a sensor image is input in which object information of the sensor image object has changed, object information of the designated image object according to the changed object information of the sensor image object and synthesizing the sensor image and the designated image in which object information has changed. |
| US08712465B2 |
Mobile terminal device capable of more effectively utilizing operation portions, conductive portion, operation detecting unit, power supply unit, and signal processing unit
An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal device capable of utilizing a conductive portion further more effectively. A cellular telephone device includes: a key switch, of which electrical state changes depending on an operation on an operation unit; a CPU that is connected to the key switch, and detects an operation on the operation unit based on change in the electrical state of the key switch; a power supply unit that is electrically connected to the key switch; and an RF circuit unit that is connected to the power supply unit, and processes a signal resonated by the key switch. |
| US08712464B2 |
Method and apparatus for communication channel error rate estimation
A wireless communication device or system generates transmit power control feedback for a received power control channel by determining a command error rate (CER), or by identifying a target signal quality for the power control channel according to a defined signal-quality-to-CER mapping function. Generally, the power control channel does not include error-coded data to use for CER estimation. However, in one embodiment, the channel does include known reference bits that are evaluated for CER estimation, with the estimated CER used to set the signal quality target for inner loop power control. In other embodiments, a computed reception error probability is used to identify a CER estimate according to a defined probability-to-CER mapping function. By way of non-limiting example, these embodiments may be used to provide power control feedback for power control commands transmitted on a Fractional Dedicated Physical Channel in WCDMA systems. |
| US08712463B2 |
Wireless communication power control
For power control in a wireless communication system, a node comprises means for obtaining power of signals received over a wireless signal channel and a power control signal unit. The power control signal unit (21) provides power control signals intended for the power control over the channel. A warper unit warps the power control signals by a first filter. A quantizer quantizes the warped power control signals, which are transferred to another node in the wireless communication system. The receiving node comprises a dewarper, dewarping the received signals by a second filter. The power control of the wireless signal channel is performed based on the dewarped power control signal. The filters are linear filters arranged for reducing an influence of quantization. The second filter is an inverse filter with respect to the first filter. The filters are preferably adapted by adaptors. |
| US08712458B2 |
Radio communication system, base station apparatus, terminal apparatus, and radio communication method for radio communication system
A radio communication system including: a base station apparatus; and a terminal apparatus, wherein the base station apparatus and terminal apparatus performs radio communication, the base station apparatus includes: a scheduler which divides a radio frequency band used for the radio communication into first and second sub-bands of which respective bandwidths are different, assigns the divided first or second sub-band for transmitting user data to the terminal apparatus or for transmitting the user data from the terminal apparatus, and generates assignment information indicating which of the first or second sub-band is assigned to each terminal apparatus; and a transmitter which transmits the assignment information to the terminal apparatus, and the terminal apparatus includes a receiver which receives the assignment information. |
| US08712449B2 |
Apparatus and method for multiple pagings in broadband wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for operating a paging control in a broadband wireless communication system are provided. The method includes receiving paging information used to determine a location of a paging listening interval in an idle mode, determining whether multiple pagings are applied, using a maximum paging number field contained in the paging information, determining locations of a plurality of paging listening intervals in a paging cycle using a paging spacing value and an initial paging offset contained in the paging information, and determining whether the terminal is paged in each of the paging listening intervals. |
| US08712447B2 |
Method of transmitting and receiving a paging message in a mobile communication system
A method of transmitting and receiving a paging message in a mobile communication system is disclosed, by which the power saving effect can be enhanced in a manner of minimizing unnecessary wake-up, decoding and demodulation of a terminal by informing the terminal of a location of a frame to receive before a base station sends a paging message. An embodiment of the present invention comprises transmitting a signal including location information of the paging message for a specific terminal between paging listening intervals to the terminal and transmitting the paging message to the terminal for the paging listening interval. |
| US08712445B2 |
Method of applying a spherical correction to map data for rendering direction-of-travel paths on a wireless communications device
Displaying a map on a wireless communications device includes steps of obtaining map data for rendering the map to be displayed on the wireless communications device, determining a rotation that, when applied to the map, will orient a selected path in a selected direction, such as a current direction of travel, generating a corrected rotation by applying a spherical correction factor, e.g. based on a current location, and rendering the map on a display of the wireless communications device by applying the corrected rotation. The spherical correction factor corrects for map distortions that occur at high latitudes for paths that are neither purely north-south or east-west. When such a path is rotated to face upward to show direction of travel, the path needs to be straightened by applying the spherical correction factor. |
| US08712444B2 |
Signal phase-based location of network nodes
The physical position of a movable node in a network is determined by sending a first signal from a first reference node to at least a second reference node and the unknown node. The unknown node receives the first signal and sends a second signal to at least the second reference node in phase with the first signal. The first signal and the second signal are received in the second reference node and the phase of the received signals is compared to determine the position of the unknown node based on the phase difference between the received first and second signals. |
| US08712443B2 |
Wireless communication method, wireless communication system, and mode switching method
In a mobile terminal (10), a position information which is received by a position information detecting section (12) is transmitted to a base station. A determining section (34) in the base station determines whether or not the received position information indicates a non-communication area which is then stored in a memory device (35). If the position information indicates a no-communication area, a communication impossible information is transmitted to the mobile terminal (10). When the communication impossible information is received, a wireless communication section (19) in the mobile terminal (10) is notified that a network is disconnected. By putting out a network disconnection request by a communication controlling section (36), the network is disconnected. Consequently, use of the mobile terminal is prohibited in an area where a mobile terminal should preferably be restricted. |
| US08712439B2 |
Method and apparatus for using service capability information for user plane location
Techniques for supporting location services in a user plane location architecture such as Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) are described. In an aspect, a terminal informs a location server of service capabilities of the terminal. The location server uses the service capabilities to request only location services supported by the terminal and to avoid requesting unsupported location services. The terminal generates a message containing its service capabilities and sends the message via a user plane, e.g., SUPL. The location server receives the message, obtains the service capabilities of the terminal, and stores these service capabilities for future network-initiated location sessions with the terminal. The location server determines whether a location service is supported by the terminal based on the service capabilities of the terminal. The location server communicates with the terminal via the user plane for the location service if supported by the terminal. |
| US08712438B1 |
Method and system for associating a cell-sector with time-dependent location parameters
A set of location fixes is obtained for a plurality of mobile stations, wherein each mobile station is served by a serving area of a wireless network at a respective date and time of day. The set of location fixes is used to determine different geographic parameters that apply to the serving area for different time periods (e.g., different days of the week and/or times of day). A location server may receive a request to locate a mobile station that is being served by the serving area at a current date/time. The location server may select a representative location and at least one uncertainty parameter based on the geographic parameters that apply to the serving area for the time period corresponding to the current date/time, and report the representative location and at least one uncertainty parameter in response to the request. |
| US08712437B2 |
Mobile communication device and method for providing positioning information
According to an aspect of this disclosure, a mobile communication device is provided comprising a positioning circuit configured to determine the geographical position of the mobile communication device; a requester configured to generate a request for information about the geographical position of the mobile communication device; a location management circuit configured to receive an indication of the determined geographical position of the mobile communication device from the positioning circuit; receive the request from the requester, process the request and provide information about the geographical position of the mobile communication device based on the result of the processing of the request and based on the indication of the geographical position of the mobile communication device to the requester. |
| US08712433B1 |
Methods and systems for use in tracking targets for direction finding systems
A tracking device is at a tracking device location, and a processing unit is at a home location. The processing unit receives a first signal associated with the target, determines positional data associated with the target, and transmits the positional data to the tracking device. |
| US08712430B2 |
System and method for deriving cell global identity information
A system and method for deriving cell global identity information are provided. A method for deriving cell global information includes receiving, at a first cell, a measurement report, determining a second identifier for the second cell based on a first identifier and information about the first cell, and adding the second cell to a cell list. The measurement report includes the first identifier of a second cell, and the second identifier is used to reference the second cell. |
| US08712429B2 |
Managing device functionality during predetermined conditions
Functionality of a mobile device depends on detected speed of the mobile device. Global positioning system (GPS) technology or tower triangulation may be used to estimate the speed of a mobile device. In addition, the geographic location of the mobile device may be estimated. A set of rules regarding when functionality of the mobile device should be limited is accessed and if the mobile device exceeds a threshold speed or is located in a restricted area, selected features of the mobile device are disabled. Incoming calls and outgoing calls may be restricted according to local regulations. Other features such as emergency dialing, hands-free operation of the mobile device, and playing audio files (e.g., MP3 music files) may remain functional regardless of the geographic location or estimated speed of the mobile device. |
| US08712427B2 |
Method for determining the local position of at least one mobile radio communication device based on predetermined local positions of adjacent radio communication devices, associated radio communication device and radio communication system
A method determines the local position of at least one mobile radio communication device which is to be locates, in at least one radio cell of a radio communication system. At least one remote mobile radio communication device is located in the same radio cell or in another radio cell as the radio communication device which is to be located, and the current local position thereof is predetermined to said device or to the radio network of the radio communication system and transmits positional information by one or several radio information signals via a direct radio connection or via an indirect radio communication device with the aid of the radio network to the radio communication device which is to be located. |
| US08712424B2 |
Inter-cell power control in the presence of fractional frequency reuse
System(s) and method(s) are provided for inter-cell power control in the presence of fractional frequency reuse in a wireless communication system. Transmission power control of a terminal (210); and ensuing inter-cell interference mitigation, is accomplished by receiving load indicators (23Oi) from non-serving sectors (246i), decoding those load indicators corresponding to the non-serving sectors that operate in the same frequency bands as the terminal, and adjusting the transmission power according to the states of the decoded load indicators in conjunction with the associated non-serving sector forward link signal-to-interference and-noise ratio at the terminal. The states of the load indicators reflect magnitudes of interference metrics with respect to threshold values. Load indicators can also be conveyed by the non-serving sector to a base station (260) serving the terminal through a backhaul (250) communication, and said base station can schedule an adjusted transmission power for the terminal. |
| US08712423B1 |
Controlling transmission resources in mobile radio systems with dualtransfer mode
The invention relates to a method for controlling the use of transmission resources, wherein transmission resources for a transmission between a first entity (200) and a second entity (204) can be used by at least a first connection (205) and a second connection (219), comprising checking (208, 211) whether QoS requirements of the first connection (205) can still be guaranteed when the transmission resources are jointly used by the first connection (205) and the second connection (219), and controlling (212) the use of at least one portion of the transmission resources by at least one of the first (205) and second connections (219), accordingly. The connections may for instance be packet-switched (205) and circuit-switched (219) connections in a General Packet Radio System that is capable of Dual Transfer Mode (DTM). |
| US08712421B2 |
Efficient location discovery
Techniques are generally described for determining locations of a plurality of communication devices in a network. In some examples, methods for creating a location discovery infrastructure (LDI) for estimating locations of one or more of a plurality of communication nodes may comprise one or more of determining a plurality of locations in the terrain to place a corresponding plurality of beacon nodes, determining a plurality of beacon node groups for the placed beacon nodes, and determining a schedule for the placed beacon nodes to be active. Additional variants and embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08712417B2 |
Mobile communication method, mobile station, and network device
A mobile communication method according to the present invention includes a step of a radio network controller of a first communication scheme transmitting an instruction signal to a mobile station UE in a case where a radio access capability of the mobile station UE is contained in the received connection setup request signal, the instruction signal instructing the mobile station UE to make an attempt to set up a connection in a cell of a second communication scheme, and a step of the mobile station UE setting up the connection in the cell of the second communication scheme in response to the received instruction signal, wherein in the mobile station UE transmits a connection setup request signal not containing the radio access capability of the mobile station UE, in a case where the mobile station UE detects the predetermined trigger but the attempt to setup the connection in the cell of the second communication scheme has been made a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined period of time. |
| US08712414B2 |
Cell reselection and handover with multimedia broadcast/multicast service
A method and apparatus for providing wireless communication services, (e.g., multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS)), are disclosed. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) detects a plurality of target cell evolved Node-Bs (eNodeBs) that neighbor a serving cell eNodeB. The WTRU evaluates cell reselection criteria and determines a neighboring target cell eNodeB to reselect. The WTRU receives and reads master information block (MIB) and system information messages of the neighboring target cell eNodeB, and confirms that the determined neighboring target cell eNodeB is not part of a multimedia broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN). The WTRU identifies the neighboring target cell eNodeB to the serving cell eNodeB. The WTRU then receives and reads MIB messages of the neighboring target cell eNodeB again to determine whether the system information has changed and, if so, the WTRU reads the system information and reselects to the neighboring target cell eNodeB, which provides the wireless communication services. |
| US08712410B2 |
Systems and methods for dynamically modifying subcriber service profile stored in home location register while roaming in wireless telecommunication networks
In a wireless telecommunication system, Home Location Register logic generates a subscriber roaming profile for use by a Visitor Location Register by retrieving a subscriber's provisioned profile, retrieving a rule set associated with the subscriber, and applying the rule set to the set of provisioned service features indicated in the provisioned profile to generate a modified profile. The rules can be responsive to one or more of: the identity of the visited network, subscriber preferences, and provisioned features. The rules can be in the form of tables stored in the Home Location Register. |
| US08712405B1 |
Method and apparatus for over-the-air activation of neighborhood cordless-type services
A method for providing a neighborhood or local cordless service comprises the steps of receiving subscriber neighborhood zone selection input so that a mobile telephone equipped subscriber may place or receive calls for a fixed rate, for example, per month without having to pay radio frequency air time charges any time they are located within their selected subscribed-to zones. If the subscribed-to zones are adjacent to one another and the mobile subscriber roams from one zone to another, the subscriber may continue their free call uninterrupted and without paying air time charges. |
| US08712396B2 |
Mobile communication device monitoring systems and methods
Systems and methods are directed to monitoring the communications to and from a mobile communication device in accordance with one or more embodiments. For example in accordance with an embodiment, each of the data services on a mobile communication device may be monitored against rules stored in a central data center repository. The data services may include all forms of communications between the mobile communication device and a third party along with changes to application or data within the mobile communication device. An alert may be provided to an administrator when unauthorized data service activity and/or a message may be sent to the mobile communication device to prevent the unauthorized data service activity. |
| US08712395B2 |
Interaction analysis and prioritization of mobile content
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for receiving interaction information relating to a first mobile communication facility, weighting content based at least in part on the interaction information, and ordering the content for presentation on a second mobile communication facility based at least in part on the weighting. |
| US08712394B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus to prepare a mobile device for provisioning
Systems, methods, and apparatus to prepare a mobile device for provisioning are disclosed. An example method includes recording information about a mobile device via wireless communications in response to detecting a presence of the mobile device in a first location, determining a software version of the mobile device via wireless communications, and updating the software of the mobile device via wireless communications prior to provisioning the mobile device to a user. |
| US08712393B2 |
Selecting input/output components of a mobile terminal
A device includes a first microphone at a first position on the device, a second microphone at a second position on the device, a first speaker at a third position on the device, and a second speaker at a fourth position on the device. The first, second, third, and fourth positions of the device are different positions. The device also includes a controller configured to determine a physical characteristic of the device. The controller is further configured to select, based on the determined physical characteristic, among the first microphone at the first position on the device and the second microphone at the second position on the device. The controller is additionally configured to select, based on the determined physical characteristic, among the first speaker at the third position on the device and the second speaker at the fourth position on the device. |
| US08712382B2 |
Method and device for managing subscriber connection
The invention relates to a device for managing a subscriber connection, the device including a mechanism for granting connection services to the subscriber connection, mechanism for monitoring reception behavior concerning predetermined messages conveyed to the subscriber connection, and a mechanism for controlling a further connection service grant to the subscriber connection based on the reception behavior. |
| US08712381B2 |
System and method for wireless messaging in a wireless communication system
A host service queues one or more data messages for delivery to a wireless mobile device, and attempts to authenticate whether a service session with the device is active. A session includes a saved login credential over a predetermined time period, where the credential was previously received and saved from a previous login. When the session is active, the host service sends the data message to the device via a wireless network. When the session is inactive, the host service sends a notification message to the router system over a previously-established connection. The notification message is subsequently forwarded by the router system to the device in the wireless network. After sending the notification message, the host service receives a new login credential from the device for activating a new service session, authenticates the new login credential, and activates the new service session for data message delivery. |
| US08712376B2 |
Subscribing to content
A method includes (a) receiving periodic subscription fees from subscribers of a content subscription service, (b) updating an electronically maintained account of the subscriber to reflect an additional amount of scrip corresponding to each subscription fee, and (c) enabling the subscriber to obtain items of content in amounts and at times determined arbitrarily by the subscriber in exchange for amounts of scrip in the subscriber's account. |
| US08712374B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing charging status information to subscriber of communication service
A method for providing charging status information to a subscriber of a communication service includes: receiving an accounting request (ACR) from a network element (NE) at a charging collection function (CCF) subsystem, the ACR associated with communication service provided to a subscriber in conjunction with a communication session, the subscriber subject to a rate plan that applies different billing rates for different usage levels, the ACR including a volume parameter indicating usage since a previous ACR; converting the ACR to a credit control request (CCR), the CCR including a usage parameter indicating usage since a previous CCR; sending the CCR to a quota monitoring function (QMF) subsystem; adding the volume parameter to a previously consumed amount in relation to a billing cycle to form a total consumed amount; and comparing the total consumed amount to a threshold value associated with a quota value for a first usage level. |
| US08712373B2 |
Secure service for enabling communication for calling party when communication service for called party is suspended
Selective calling party pays via a secure service feature may be provided. A determination is conducted to decide if a called party's wireless communications service has entered a suspension state. Next, if the wireless communication service is in a suspension state, a determination is conducted to decide if a secure service feature has been purchased for the particular wireless communications service under suspension. Next, if the wireless communications service includes the secure service feature, a determination is conducted to decide if a caller calling the called party is permitted to communicate with the called party when the called party's communications service is under suspension. If a caller is determined to be an authorized caller, a communications path is provided for the caller and the called party. Billing associated with the communications is charged to the caller instead of the called party. |
| US08712367B2 |
Method and system for placing an emergency call
An emergency call device for a vehicle is specified in which, on occurrence of a certain event, a data record is generated which thereupon is transmitted during the emergency call. The event can be an external request by an operator or a trigger signal inside a vehicle. In this way, the operator can obtain the most recent information at any time during the emergency call. |
| US08712366B2 |
System and method for distributing emergency data messages to public safety answering points in a balanced manner
A system and method for routing emergency data messages to public safety answering points may include identifying PSAPs local to the user and configured to receive emergency data messages. A determination of distribution of previous emergency data messages to the identified PSAPs may be performed. Based on the distribution of previous emergency data messages to the identified PSAPs, one of the identified PSAPs may be selected and the emergency data message may be routed thereto. |
| US08712362B2 |
Method and system of extending battery life of a wireless microphone unit
A method of extending battery life of a wireless microphone unit includes muting the wireless microphone unit responsive to a mute signal from a base station unit, transmitting, by the wireless microphone unit, compressed muted audio data, wherein the compressed muted audio data is compressed via a first compression scheme, determining, by the wireless microphone unit, whether an unmute signal has been received from the base station unit, and responsive to a determination that the unmute signal has been received, unmuting the wireless microphone unit. The method further includes discontinuing transmission of the compressed muted audio data and transmitting compressed audio data via a second compression scheme, wherein the first transmitting step causes the wireless microphone unit to consume less power per unit of transmission time than the second transmitting step. |
| US08712360B2 |
System and transceiver clocking to minimize required number of reference sources in multi-function cellular applications including GPS
A system includes a first clock module, a global positioning system (GPS) module, a phase-locked loop (PLL) module, a cellular transceiver, and a baseband module. The first clock module generates a first clock reference. The GPS module operates in response to the first clock reference. The WLAN module operates in response to the first clock reference. The PLL module generates a second clock reference by performing automatic frequency correction (AFC) on the first clock reference in response to an AFC signal. The cellular transceiver receives radio frequency signals from a wireless medium and generates baseband signals in response to the received radio frequency signals. The baseband module receives the baseband signals, operates in response to a selected one of the first clock reference and the second clock reference, and generates the AFC signal in response to the baseband signals. |
| US08712359B2 |
Communication device and method for detecting a radio signal
For example, a communication device may be provided comprising an oscillator configured to generate a reference signal; an accuracy determiner configured to determine information about an accuracy of a frequency of the reference signal; a signal detector configured to detect the presence of a radio signal; and a controller configured to control the signal detector based on the information. |
| US08712358B2 |
Reception system including a mechanism countering pulsed interference
A system for receiving an analogue signal e includes amplifying and digitizing the signal in order to obtain a digitized signal en, a power inversion module, the module determining an inversion gain g2, this gain being applied to the digitized signal en, an automatic gain control AGC loop adapting the power of the signal e before digitization, the input signal of the AGC loop being a function of the inversion gain g2. |
| US08712356B2 |
Apparatus and method for phase synchronization in radio frequency transmitters
Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to phase synchronization in transmitters. One such apparatus includes a wireless transmitter with two or more separate and unrelated local oscillators. The apparatus can provide RF signals to multiple antenna elements, which can be implemented in systems such as beamforming systems or multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems. A phase difference between local oscillators is determined using outputs of receivers. The phase difference can be used to adjust a phase of signals associated with one or more of the local oscillators, such that the phase of each signal provided to the multiple antenna elements can be aligned. |
| US08712355B2 |
Antenna tuning on an impedance trajectory
A method, transceiver integrated circuit (IC), and communications device for generating antenna tuning states derived from a pre-established trajectory of tuning states to adjust a detected signal level towards a preset, given value. A tuning state generation (TSG) controller determines whether a detected signal level matches a given value. If the detected signal level does not match the given value, the TSG controller selects an initial preset tuning state from a pre-established trajectory corresponding to a pre-identified operating condition that best matches a current operating condition. The TSG logic forwards the initial preset tuning state to the antenna tuner to trigger impedance transformation. Following generation of the initial preset tuning state, the controller receives an updated detected signal level. If the updated detected signal level fails to match the given value, the controller generates an incremental tuning state that is interpolated between the initial and a final preset tuning states. |
| US08712349B2 |
Selecting a converter operating mode of a PA envelope power supply
A power amplifier (PA) envelope power supply and a process to select a converter operating mode of the PA envelope power supply are disclosed. The PA envelope power supply operates in one of a first converter operating mode and a second converter operating mode. The process for selecting the converter operating mode is based on a selected communications mode of a radio frequency (RF) communications system, a target output power from RF PA circuitry of the RF communications system, and a direct current (DC) power supply voltage. |
| US08712348B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling a tunable matching network in a wireless network
An apparatus and method manage impedance values in a radio in a wireless network. The apparatus includes a tunable matching network (TMN) positioned on a path between a transceiver and an antenna. The TMN includes a plurality of immittance elements. A voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) detector is configured to detect a ratio of a signal passing the VSWR detector and a signal reflected from the TMN. A control circuit is configured to identify an operating setting for the radio, set a number of the immittance elements based on the operating setting, monitor the ratio detected by the VSWR detector, and modify a setting of at least one of the immittance elements based on the ratio detected. |
| US08712343B2 |
Topology arrangement for achieving reliable communication in wireless automotive networks
A wireless network arrangement includes a space having a hindrance to wireless communication. The hindrance includes a fixed barrier and/or a three-dimensional area for accommodating a moveable barrier. At least three wireless electronic nodes are wirelessly and communicatively coupled to each other. A broadcast range of the nodes is greater than a largest dimension of the enclosure. The hindrance is disposed between a first one of the nodes and a second one of the nodes. The at least three nodes are positioned within the enclosure such that a wireless signal communication path wirelessly and communicatively couples the first one of the nodes to the second one of the nodes. The communication path is non-intersecting with the hindrance. The communication path passes through at least a third one of the nodes. The communication path is formed exclusively of a plurality of joined linear segments. Opposite ends of each linear segment are disposed at corresponding ones of the nodes. |
| US08712336B2 |
Data unit receiver and sender control method
A method is described for controlling a data unit receiver or a data unit sender. The data unit receiver or sender comprise a gap response procedure for responding to gaps in the sequence of data units received at the receiver. A reordering detection procedure S12 is provided for detecting a reordering indication indicative of a potential re-ordering of data units in the course of a transmission from sender to receiver, and the gap response procedure is adapted in response to detecting a re-ordering indication. |
| US08712333B1 |
Selecting modulation and coding scheme in the presence of interference
A system including a sensing module to sense an interference signal in a wireless channel, determine whether the interference signal is noise or a modulated signal transmitted by a device, and attempt to determine a modulation scheme of the modulated signal. A capacity determination module determines capacities of the wireless channel to transmit data using a plurality of modulation schemes. The plurality of modulation schemes includes (i) the modulation scheme used by the device to modulate the modulated signal if the sensing module can determine the modulation scheme of the modulated signal and (ii) one or more modulation schemes that can be used by the device to modulate the modulated signal if the sensing module cannot determine the modulation scheme of the modulated signal. A selection module selects, based on the capacities of the wireless channel, one of the plurality of modulation schemes to transmit data over the wireless channel. |
| US08712330B2 |
Method and system for Bluetooth low power link layer connection setup
A mobile device such as a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) device detects out-of-band blocking signals and manages packet transmission in associated BLE link layer connections based on the detected out-of-band blocking signals. The BLE device is operable to measure out-of-band RSSI to detect out-of-band transmission interferences. The BLE device compares the measured out-of-band RSSI with an out-of-band energy profile such as a LTE energy profile or a WiMAX energy profile to determine the out-of-band blocking signals indicating cadence or periodic out-of-band traffic activities. A remote BLE deice (advertiser) aperiodically or periodically transmits an advertising packet to the BLE device for a specific link layer connection. If not connected within a determined time period, the remote BLE device (advertiser) reduces transmission power for transmitting the advertising packet. The BLE device receives the advertising packet and sends a connection request packet to the remote BLE device (advertiser). |
| US08712327B2 |
Remote device pairing setup
A communication device having a display and instructions for displaying a short range wireless function. The instructions can cause the display of a Toolkit homepage in response to a Toolkit application being selected in a homepage of the communication device. In response to the short range wireless function being selected in the Toolkit homepage, status of the short range wireless function on the communication device can be displayed. In response to the short range wireless function being turned on, a short range wireless function menu can be displayed. In response to a pairing option being selected from the displayed short range wireless function menu, menu options for pairing a short range wireless device with the communication device can be displayed. |
| US08712324B2 |
Inductive signal transfer system for computing devices
At least two devices are provided that can each form part of a system to inductively exchange power and data. One device is capable of inductively transmitting a power signal to a second device, and to receive feedback from the second device in order to regulate the power signal. |
| US08712322B2 |
Satellite communication network
Methods and apparatus are disclosed to enable a fixed or a mobile ground based slave stations (VSAT: Very Small Aperture Terminal) in a communication network to receive TDM transmissions from and transmit TDMA burst transmissions to one or more ground-based gateway stations in a networking system that employs one or more geosynchronous satellites. Each gateway station transmits on one or more forward TDM channels to the slave stations; however, one primary gateway acts as the master station at any given time which transmits the network control messages to the slave stations (VSATs) that control their TDMA transmission behavior on the network. |
| US08712318B2 |
Integrated multi-sat LNB and frequency translation module
Systems and devices for receiving satellite signals are disclosed. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises a plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier in the plurality of amplifiers receiving the signals, a Frequency Translation Module, comprising a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, wherein each amplifier in the plurality of amplifiers is coupled to a separate analog-to-digital converter in the plurality of analog-to-digital converters, wherein the plurality of analog-to-digital converters convert the signals into digital data streams, a digital signal processing section, coupled to the plurality of analog-to-digital converters, wherein the digital signal processing section at least translates the frequency of the digital data streams and filters the digital data streams, a digital-to-analog section, coupled to the digital signal processing section; wherein the digital-to-analog section downconverts the satellite signals to an intermediate frequency band, and a receiver, coupled to the digital-to-analog section, wherein the receiver receives an output of the digital-to-analog section of the module at the intermediate frequency band, the output of the digital to analog section being on a single coaxial cable. |
| US08712317B2 |
Method for facilitating assessment of a coursework answer and moderating the assessment
A method for facilitating assessment of an answer to a coursework question and moderating the assessment, the method comprising the steps of displaying at least part of a representation of a coursework answer on a display of a computer, displaying a list of learning outcome statements, selecting a learning outcome statement from the list of learning outcome statements and placing the learning outcome statement on the representation of the coursework answer at a location evidencing fulfillment of the learning outcome statement. |
| US08712309B2 |
Cleaning device, and image forming apparatus, process cartridge, and intermediate transfer unit each including the cleaning device
A cleaning device includes a laminated blade member including multiple layers made of materials different in permanent set value and a holding member to hold the blade member. The multiple layers include an edge layer formed of a material higher in permanent set value among the materials and a backing layer disposed against a distal surface of the edge layer. The laminated blade member includes a leading edge where an edge portion of the edge layer contacting a cleaning target is located and a trailing edge where the holding member supports the blade member. A ratio of a thickness of the edge layer to a thickness of the backing layer at the trailing end of the blade member is smaller than a ratio thereof at the leading edge of the blade member. |
| US08712305B2 |
Apparatus for electrographic printing or copying
In an apparatus for the electrographic printing or copying of an object wherein a toner is applied to a medium according to the object to be printed or copied and the toner is fixed to the medium by the application of heat, a hot air blower is provided which directs hot air onto the medium and whose inlet is connected to a suction line having an intake end which is arranged remote from the hot air blower in close proximity of the medium being heated. |
| US08712303B2 |
Image heating device
An image heating device includes a heating rotatable member; and a pressing pad contacted to said heating rotatable member and forming a nip with said heating rotatable member to nip and feed a recording material, said pressing member being provided with an electroconductive material dispersed resin material layer contacting said heating rotatable member. |
| US08712300B2 |
Fusing apparatus and image forming apparatus provided with the same, and heating apparatus
A fusing apparatus includes a heating element generating heat to fix a toner image onto a sheet; a rigid member conducting the heat to an endless belt and arranged to contact the heating element and the endless belt; and a pressure member pressing the heating element against the rigid member. The endless belt contacts the sheet, the heating element includes an elongated substrate extending in a widthwise direction of the endless belt, plural resistance heating layers formed on a surface of the substrate along a longitudinal direction thereof and arranged parallel to one another, and at least one conduction portion formed in at least one place of an intermediate region between one end and another of each resistance heating layer to connect the different resistance heating layers, and the pressure member presses the heating element against the rigid member at a position other than where the conduction portion is formed. |
| US08712297B2 |
Transfer device and image forming apparatus including regulation member
A transfer device includes an endless member caused to circulate by a driving unit, plural transfer members coming in contact with a rear surface of the endless member and transferring toner images on image holding members to the endless member, a support member movably supporting a specific transfer member of the transfer members located at a position which is more upstream in a circulation direction of the endless member than a contact position where a recording medium comes in contact with the endless member and which is closest to the contact position, a regulation member regulating the movement of the specific transfer member in a state where the specific transfer member is disposed at a position where the toner image formed on the corresponding image holding member is transferred to the endless member, and a first impelling member impelling the support member to the regulation member. |
| US08712295B2 |
Developing device
A developing device includes: a developing unit; a toner cartridge; a shutter drive member; and a second gear. The toner cartridge is mountable on or detachable from the developing unit and includes a casing defining an internal space for accommodating a developing agent and formed with a communication hole for supplying the developing agent to the developing unit, and a shutter movable between an open position in which the communication hole is open and a closed position in which the communication hole is closed. The shutter drive member includes a first gear that extends in the moving direction of the shutter. The shutter drive member is engageable with the shutter to be movable together with the shutter when the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing unit. The second gear is meshingly engageable with the first gear to transmit a drive force to the first gear. The first gear is disengaged from the second gear when the shutter is in at least one of the open position and the closed position. |
| US08712294B2 |
Image forming unit having agitating portion and image forming apparatus
A image forming unit includes an image forming unit including an image bearing body that bears a latent image, a developer bearing body that develops the latent image, a developer supplying portion that supplies the developer to the developer bearing body, an agitating portion provided in the vicinity of the developer supplying portion and including a plate member for agitating the developer in the vicinity of the developer supplying portion and a rotation shaft that holds the plate member, and a driving mechanism that causes the plate member of the agitating portion to reciprocatingly swing about the rotation shaft. |
| US08712287B2 |
Fusing device to prevent overheating of a heating member and image forming apparatus having the same
A fusing device to prevent overheating of a heating member includes a heating member having a heat emitting part disposed to transfer heat to recording media, an induction coil to create a magnetic field acting upon the heat emitting part, at least one magnetic body disposed around the induction coil, and an inductor cover disposed between the heating member and the magnetic body. The heating member includes a first region corresponding to a size of the recording media passing through the heating member and a second region outside the first region. The inductor cover includes at least one opening formed to correspond to the second region of the heating member such that heat generated from the heating member is directly radiated to the magnetic body. |
| US08712286B2 |
Developing cartridge
A developing cartridge includes a receiving member which receives a driving force from outside; a first rotary member which rotates by the driving force; a second rotary member which takes a driven position where the second rotary member rotates by the driving force from the first rotary member and a non-driven position where transmission of the driving force from the first rotary member is cut off; a detectable member which moves as the rotation of the second rotary member, and a first portion which rotates by the driving force. The second rotary member includes a second portion. When the second rotary member is in the non-driven position, the second portion is provided on a rotating locus drawn by the first portion. The first portion engages with the second portion as the first portion rotates, so that the second rotary member rotates from the non-driven position to the driven position. |
| US08712285B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes plural cartridges and a cartridge holder which integrally supports cartridges and is movable in an alignment direction of the cartridges between an outer position and an inner position relative to the apparatus main body. Each cartridge includes a developer carrier, a handle member which is displaceable between a protrusion position of protruding upward and a retreat position below the protrusion position, and a cover member which is displaceable between a close position of covering an upper part of the developer carrier and an open position of opening the upper part of the developer carrier. At least the cartridges are provided with an interlocking mechanism which is configured to displace each of the handle members and the cover members in conjunction with moving the cartridge holder with respect to the apparatus main body. |
| US08712283B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes plural photosensitive drums; a belt which opposes the photosensitive drums; and a holder which collectively holds the photosensitive drums, and is movable between an outer position and an inner position. The holder includes a first handle unit which is provided at an upstream side, a second handle unit which is provided separately from the first handle unit at a downstream side, and an interfered portion which interferes with an apparatus main body. The second handle unit is movable between a protrusion position where the second handle unit protrudes from a top portion of the photosensitive drums and a retreat position where the second handle unit retreats therebelow. The interfered portion interferes with the apparatus main body to cause the second handle unit to be displaced from the protrusion position to the retreat position when the holder is mounted in the apparatus main body. |
| US08712280B2 |
Image forming apparatus assembled with a fixing member and a pressing member
In order to improve a fixing accuracy, provided is an image forming apparatus including a pressing member pressing a first frame and a second frame so that an abutment portion of the first frame abuts on the second frame, wherein the first frame and the second frame are pressed by the pressing member urged by a fixing member, and the second frame abuts on the abutment portion of the first frame. |
| US08712274B2 |
Image recording device, image recording method, and computer program product that adds a fluorescent-whitening-agent onto a recording sheet
An image recording device records an image on a recording sheet based on input image information. The image recording device includes: an illumination-light-information inputting unit that inputs information of illumination light when the recorded image is observed; a whiteness setting unit that sets a whiteness of the recording sheet when the recorded image is observed; an addition amount determining unit that determines an amount of fluorescent-whitening-agent to be added to the recording sheet based on the input information of the illumination light and the whiteness that is set; and a fluorescent-whitening-agent adding unit that adds an amount of fluorescent-whitening-agent onto the recording sheet according to the determined amount of fluorescent-whitening-agent. |
| US08712273B2 |
Fixing apparatus
The present disclosure is directed to enhance thermal efficiency of a fixing apparatus while a belt of the apparatus is heated, the fixing apparatus including: a belt including a plurality of heaters therein; a nip forming member that contacts with an inner surface of the belt; and a pressure member that forms a nip portion in conjunction with the nip forming member through the belt, wherein a ratio of an amount of heat generation by a heater farther from the nip portion to another heater closer to the nip portion is changed according to a speed at which a recording material is conveyed. |
| US08712271B2 |
Image forming apparatus
In an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit which forms an image in which toner containing a wax is used on a recording material, and a fixing device which heats the toner image formed on the recording material at a nip portion which nips and conveys the recording material, when the fixing device heats the recording material on which a toner image having a maximum toner-carrying amount of toner is formed, when a temperature of a surface of the toner layer reaches a temperature at which an endothermic amount indicates a peak in a relationship between a temperature of the toner and the endothermic amount, a condition of the fixing device at the nip portion is set so that a temperature of an interface between the toner and the recording material is lower than a temperature of a surface of the toner. |
| US08712264B2 |
Fixing device, fixing device control method, and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a fuser member, a pressure member, a positioning mechanism, an operational thermometer, an environmental sensor, and a controller. The fuser member is subjected to heating. The pressure member is opposite the fuser member. The fuser member and the pressure member press against each other to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium is passed. The positioning mechanism is coupled with the pressure member to move the pressure member into and away from contact with the fuser member. The operational thermometer adjoins the pressure member to detect an operational temperature at a surface of the pressure member. The environmental sensor is disposed in the image forming apparatus to detect an environmental condition. The controller is connected to the operational thermometer and the environmental sensor to control the positioning mechanism to adjust spacing between the fuser member and the pressure member. |
| US08712260B2 |
Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus for performing a printing operation includes an image forming portion for forming an image on a surface of a sheet according to image data; a discharge portion for discharging the sheet with the image formed thereon with the image forming portion; a reverse transportation unit for returning the sheet discharged with the discharge portion into the printing apparatus to reverse the sheet, so that another image is formed on another surface of the sheet according to image data; a detection unit for detecting the sheet discharged with the discharge portion when the sheet is pulled out before the reverse transportation unit returns the sheet; and a control unit for controlling the image forming portion to form the image on another sheet according to the image data when the detection unit detects that the sheet is pulled out. |
| US08712256B2 |
Monolithic widely-tunable coherent receiver
Various embodiments of a coherent receiver including a widely tunable local oscillator laser are described herein. In some embodiments, the coherent receiver can be integrated with waveguides, optical splitters and detectors to form a monolithic optical hetero/homodyne receiver. In some embodiments, the coherent receiver can demodulate the full phase information in two polarizations of a received optical signal over a range of optical wavelengths. |
| US08712255B2 |
Optical receiver and optical transfer apparatus
It is provided an optical receiver comprising a compensator, a compensation controller and a clock extractor. The optical receiver selects first and second values, and obtains a stabilization time necessary to change the dispersion value and a transition time shorter than the stabilization time, compensates the received optical signal using the selected first value, changes the dispersion value from the first value into the second value, compensates the received optical signal using the dispersion value when the transition time has passed since starting to change the dispersion value, creates second extraction information of the dispersion value after the transition time, compensates for dispersion of the optical signal using an dispersion value calculated based on the second value and the difference between the dispersion value after the transition time and the second value in a case where the created second extraction information indicates that the clock extraction is available. |
| US08712248B2 |
Bi-directional, compact, multi-path and free space channel replicator
An apparatus for simulating radio frequency (RF) signal propagation characteristics in a wireless communication network is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first RF terminal and a second RF terminal. A first optical modulator is in electrical communication with the first RF terminal. An optical delay line is in optical communication with the first optical modulator. A first optical demodulator is in optical communication with the optical delay line and in electrical communication with the first RF terminal. A second optical demodulator is in optical communication with the optical delay line and in electrical communication with the second RF terminal. A second optical modulator is in electrical communication with the second RF terminal and in optical communication with the optical delay line. |
| US08712243B2 |
Methods and apparatus for achieving multiple bit rates in passive optical networks
Systems and techniques for multiple bit rate optical data transmission. A passive optical network includes an optical line termination unit (OLT) connected to one or more optical network units (ONUs) by optical elements. The OLT is capable of performing downstream transmission to the ONUs at each of a variety of different bit rates, and each ONU performs upstream transmission at one or more bit rates. The OLT can sense a bit rate of a received transmission and change its operation so as to receive and process the transmission exhibiting the sensed bit rate. Each of the ONUs receives and processes downstream transmissions at one or more bit rates, but each ONU is capable of maintaining a phase and frequency lock to downstream transmissions at all bit rates supported by the OLT. One or more of the ONUs may also receive and process downstream transmissions exhibiting different or changed bit rates. |
| US08712241B2 |
Broadband optical network apparatus and method
Methods and apparatus for providing enhanced optical networking service and performance which are particularly advantageous in terms of low cost and use of existing infrastructure, access control techniques, and components. In the exemplary embodiment, current widespread deployment and associated low cost of Ethernet-based systems are leveraged through use of an Ethernet CSMA/CD MAC in the optical domain on a passive optical network (PON) system. Additionally, local networking services are optionally provided to the network units on the PON since each local receiver can receive signals from all other users. An improved symmetric coupler arrangement provides the foregoing functionality at low cost. The improved system architecture also allows for fiber failure protection which is readily implemented at low cost and with minimal modification. |
| US08712239B1 |
Mirror drift compensation in an optical circuit switch
Methods of operating an optical circuit switch and optical circuit switches are disclosed. An optical circuit switch may receive a first make command to make a first optical connection between a first port and a second port, the first port uniquely associated with a rotatable mirror element, determine a first baseline voltage to be applied to an electrode coupled to the mirror element to cause the mirror element to rotate about an axis to make the first optical connection, and apply the first baseline voltage to the electrode. The optical circuit switch may periodically adjust the voltage applied to the electrode to minimize an insertion loss of the first optical connection, and periodically store accumulated angular drift data in a memory, the accumulated angular drift data derived from a difference between the adjusted voltage applied to the first electrode and the first baseline voltage. |
| US08712237B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing cost of optical amplification in a network
Signals propagating in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical networks suffer from loss, which decreases optical signal-to-noise ratios (OSNRs) and degrades a quality of received transmissions. Present methods of boosting OSNRs involve regeneration using transponders, which scale in complexity with the number of WDM channels. Optical amplifiers may boost signal strength, but amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise often reduces OSNR despite increases in signal strength, although changing the amplifier operating settings may reduce emitted ASE noise power. A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention provides a planning tool for deploying optical amplifiers in an optical network in a manner that reduces the need for optical regeneration, reducing cost and complexity of the deployed network. In one embodiment, the disclosed planning tool may substitute models of high-gain amplifiers operating at low settings for models of low-gain amplifiers operating at high settings. |
| US08712235B2 |
Transmission apparatus and network protection method
A transmission apparatus includes a processor configured to recognize a number of working failures and a number of protection failures on a network for transmission of wavelength-multiplexed signal light, the number of working failures being the number of failures in signal light in wavelengths at a working entity and the number of protection failures being the number of failures in signal light in wavelengths at a protection entity, configured to perform path switching for each group of signal light in wavelengths that are different from each other and configured to select, when multiple failures occur, restoration processing, on a basis of the number of working failures and the number of protection failures. |
| US08712229B2 |
Arcuate motion control in electrostatic actuators
In one embodiment, an actuator includes a moving frame coupled to a fixed frame by a plurality of elongated parallel motion flexures for generally parallel motion relative to the fixed frame and between an as-fabricated position and a deployed position. The flexures are disposed at a first angle relative to a line extending perpendicularly to both the moving frame and the fixed frame when the moving frame is disposed in the as-fabricated position, and at a second angle relative to that same line when the moving frame is disposed in the deployed position. Arcuate movement of the first frame relative to the second frame is controlled by constraining the first angle to a value of less than about half of the sum of the first and second angles. |
| US08712228B2 |
Intraoral camera for dental chairs
An intraoral camera comprising: an imaging section for obtaining image data from a patient in a dental chair; a transmitter comprising a transmitter configured for both wired and wireless transmission of the obtained image data to a computer; and a power section including a cable that obtains power from the dental chair or a battery module within the camera. |
| US08712224B2 |
Method and apparatus for editing a program on an optical disc
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for editing a program on a re-writable compact disc. The method comprises the steps of acquiring the description information of two program segments of said program, said program segments being in sequence in playing-back order, said description information comprising the ending point information of the previous program segment and the start point information of the subsequent program segment, generating a guiding information to guide the ending point information to the start point information according to the description information and playing-back order of said program segments and updating the description information of said program according to said guiding information. With this invention, excessively detailed application editing work and an expense of high buffering cost may be avoided in editing compact disc program. |
| US08712222B2 |
Editing device and editing method
An editing device and editing method are provided for which it is possible for the operator to immediately recognize whether trim edit is possible or not at the stage of selecting the trim points, and eliminate unnecessary work. The editing device includes receiving means for receiving command input for trim editing; judging means for judging whether trim editing is possible or not based on the command input received by the receiving means; and notification means for outputting notification that editing is not possible when the judging means judges that editing is not possible. |
| US08712218B1 |
System and method for providing program recommendations through multimedia searching based on established viewer preferences
A system and method is disclosed for processing viewer profiles and program metadata from a number of sources to provide viewing suggestions and recommendations to one or more viewers. |
| US08712216B1 |
Selection of hash lookup keys for efficient retrieval
Videos are received and indexed based on fingerprints generated for the videos, using lookup keys which correspond to sub portions of the reference fingerprints. Specifically, a set of lookup keys is selected such that the number of reference fingerprints such that the clumping associated with the associated each of the lookup keys is minimized. Clumping occurs when a number of reference identifiers associated with a lookup key exceeds a maximum value. |
| US08712206B2 |
High-density fiber optic modules and module housings and related equipment
High-density fiber optic modules and fiber optic module housings and related equipment are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a front opening of a fiber optic module and/or fiber optic module housing is configured to receive fiber optic components. The width and/or height of the front opening can be provided according to a designed relationship to a width and/or height, respectively, of a front side of a main body of the fiber optic module and/or fiber optic module housing. In this manner, a high density of fiber optic components and/or connections for a given space of the front side of the fiber optic module can be supported by the fiber optic module and/or fiber optic module housing. The fiber optic modules and fiber optic module housings disclosed herein can be disposed in fiber optic equipment including but not limited to a fiber optic chassis and a fiber optic equipment drawer. |
| US08712201B2 |
Bullet lens design for the dasal seeker
An optic assembly is provided, that assembly comprising: a bullet collection lens; a plurality of fiber optic fiber bundles; and those fiber optic bundles being parallel to a central channel. |
| US08712195B2 |
Optical modulator module
Disclosed is an optical modulator module including an optical modulator configured to have a signal electrode and a ground electrode; a conductive package configured to accommodate the optical modulator and have electrical continuity with the ground electrode of the optical modulator; a substrate configured to have a ground electrode on a first surface thereof electrically connected to the package by solder or a conductive adhesive and have a signal electrode on another surface thereof; and a lead pin configured to electrically connect the signal electrode of the optical modulator to the signal electrode of the substrate. |
| US08712192B2 |
Geo-coding images
A unique system, method, and user interface are provided that facilitate more efficient indexing and retrieval of images. In particular, the systems and methods involve annotating or geo-coding images with their location metadata. Geo-coded images can be displayed on a map and browsed or queried based on their location metadata. Images can be annotated one by one or in bulk to reduce repetitiveness and inconsistency among related images. More specifically, selected images can be dropped onto a map, thereby triggering a virtual marker to appear. The virtual marker facilitates pinpointing the precise location associated with the images on the map with a higher level of granularity. The system and method can also generate customized directions and include geo-coded images throughout to serve as visual landmarks. Privacy controls can be employed as well to control access and modification of the images. |
| US08712191B2 |
Method for detecting directions of regularity in a two-dimensional image
When analyzing an image signal having pixel values defined on a sampling grid, the method detects at least one direction of regularity of the image signal in relation to a pixel of the sampling grid. This detection comprises computing a respective loss value associated with at least one direction in a set of directions, and selecting at least one direction of regularity by minimizing the loss value. The loss value associated with a direction (u, v), where u is a horizontal coordinate and v a vertical coordinate, has an axial loss component measuring variations of the pixel values in at least one linear array of pixels. This linear array is a horizontal array if |u/v|>1 and a vertical array if |u/v|<1. |
| US08712180B2 |
System and methods for random parameter filtering
The invention produces a higher quality image from a rendering system based on a relationship between the output of a rendering system and the parameters used to compute them. Specifically, noise is removed in rendering by estimating the functional dependency between sample features and the random inputs to the system. Mutual information is applied to a local neighborhood of samples in each part of the image. This dependency is then used to reduce the importance of certain scene features in a cross-bilateral filter, which preserves scene detail. The results produced by the invention are computed in a few minutes thereby making it reasonably robust for use in production environments. |
| US08712178B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes: an acquisition module configured to acquire a moving image configured by a plurality of frames; an estimation module configured to estimate an amount of motion of a processing frame in the moving image with respect to a reference frame other than the processing frame in the moving image; a fine image generator configured to produce a generated fine image serving as a fine image of the processing frame by performing, according to the amount of motion, motion compensation on a fine image by increasing a spatial frequency of texture components included in the reference frame; and a combining module configured to combine the processing frame and the generated fine image, wherein the fine image generator puts a limit to an interval between the reference frame in a future direction and the processing frame. |
| US08712177B2 |
Motion compensated overlay
A method for displaying a motion compensated overlay includes receiving a model of a structure of interest, capturing an image depicting a region of interest and an instrument, determining whether the structure of interest is visible in the image, registering the model of the structure of interest to the image upon determining that the structure of interest is visible, and combining the model of the structure of interest with the image according to a registration to determine an overlay image. |
| US08712176B2 |
Image processor
An image processor that achieves reduction in delay amount, in comparison with code amount control GOP by GOP or frame by frame. The controller includes a first processing unit that obtains a generated amount of code used for a first predetermined number of immediately preceding macroblocks, a second processing unit that obtains an allowable amount of code available for a third predetermined number of immediately subsequent macroblocks including a currently target macroblock, based on a target amount of code for not more than a second predetermined number of macroblocks less than a total number of macroblocks included in one frame, and the generated amount of code obtained by the first processing unit, a third processing unit that obtains an expected amount of code expected to be used for the third predetermined number of macroblocks, and a fourth processing unit that sets a quantization parameter of a currently target macroblock, based on the allowable amount of code obtained by the second processing unit and the expected amount of code obtained by the third processing unit. |
| US08712174B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
In an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment, a first prediction value calculating unit calculates a prediction value of the pixel value; a prediction error calculating unit calculates a prediction error between the prediction value and the pixel value of the target pixel; a second storage unit receives the prediction error sequentially from a first terminal and stores therein; a comparing unit compares the prediction error with each of the prediction errors already stored; a search unit, when the prediction error thus received is identical to each of the prediction errors, searches for a data array; a length information generating unit generates length information; an address information generating unit generates address information; a first code data generating unit generates first code data; and a second code data generating unit generates second code data by encoding the pixel value of the target pixel. |
| US08712173B2 |
Methods for processing 2Nx2N block with N being positive integer greater than four under intra-prediction mode and related processing circuits thereof
A method for processing a 2N×2N block under intra-prediction includes: utilizing an intra-prediction unit for performing intra-prediction upon the 2N×2N block by utilizing a plurality of prediction modes, and accordingly generating a plurality of intra-prediction results respectively corresponding to the prediction modes, wherein N is a positive integer greater than four, and a number of the prediction modes is greater than four; and determining a target intra-prediction result from the intra-prediction results. |
| US08712171B2 |
Image coding apparatus and image decoding apparatus
Provide is an image decoding apparatus which reliably prevents deterioration of the image quality of decoded images which have been previously coded. An image decoding apparatus (200) includes: an inverse quantization and inverse orthogonal transform unit (220) and an adder (230) which decode a coded image included in a coded stream (Str) to generate a decoded image (Rc); an entropy decoding unit (210) which extracts cross-correlation data (p) which indicates a cross-correlation between the decoded image (Rc) and an image which corresponds to the decoded image and has not yet been coded; and an adaptive filter (240) which computes a filter parameter (w) based on the extracted cross-correlation data (p), and performs a filtering operation on the decoded image (Rc) according to the filter parameter (w). |
| US08712170B2 |
Image-processing method and program, and image-processing apparatus
An image-processing method for compressing image data, includes: (a) obtaining a block composed of part of or all of the image data; (b) determining whether the obtained block is color or monochrome; and (c) performing, in the case where the obtained block is determined to be color, compression processing in parallel for a predetermined number of elements of a predetermined color system, and performing, in the case where the obtained block is determined to be monochrome, the compression processing in parallel for individual areas obtained by dividing a division block containing the obtained block into a predetermined number of pieces for a single component of the predetermined color system. |
| US08712167B2 |
Pattern identification apparatus, control method and program thereof
A pattern identification apparatus computes, for each of multiple data elements in input information stored in an array, an accumulated information value corresponding to the position of the data element in the array, writes each of the computed accumulated information values into one of multiple storage units provided in advance, based on the positions of the corresponding data elements in the array, reads out, in parallel and one each from the storage units, the accumulated information values decided based on the positions in the array that corresponds to a local area, the local area being an area within an area of interest in the input information, calculates a feature amount of the local area using the accumulated information values read out from the storage units, and determines whether or not a predetermined pattern is present in the area of interest by comparing the calculated feature amount with pre-set dictionary data. |
| US08712164B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image registering method, program causing computer to execute image registering method, and recording medium in which program is recorded
An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the invention includes an LCD touch panel and a central control circuit. The LCD touch panel includes a display unit and an input unit. The central control circuit which is of an image processing unit performs a searching process for searching a portion having high similarity between a registered image and a processing target image and a registering process for producing and registering the registered image. The central control circuit deals with an input image as the processing target image when the searching process is to be performed, the central control circuit causes the display unit to display the input image when the registering process is performed, and the image processing unit draws an image used to produce the registered image unit based on operation of the input unit while overlapping the image with the input image displayed on the display. |
| US08712162B2 |
Interest point detection
Interest points are markers anchored to a specific position in a digital image of an object. They are mathematically extracted in such a way that, in another image of the object, they will appear in the same position on the object, even though the object may be presented at a different position in the image, a different orientation, a different distance or under different lighting conditions. Methods are disclosed that are susceptible to implementation in hardware and corresponding hardware circuits are described. |
| US08712158B2 |
Keypoint descriptor generation by complex wavelet analysis
The present invention relates to a method of generating a keypoint descriptor for identifying an object in an image or in a sequence of images, the keypoint descriptor being substantially invariant to a transformation of the object in the image. The method includes receiving object data representing an object for identification in an image; processing said object data to generate at least one basis function representing a feature having undergone at least one transformation or a transformation sequence across several consecutive frames, optionally using transformations that are out of the image plane to recognize objects from multiple views; modifying a prototype wavelet function based on said at least one basis function to generate a plurality of modified wavelet functions; comparing the plurality of modified wavelet functions with the at least one basis function; selecting a modified wavelet function of said plurality of modified wavelet functions based on the comparison of the plurality of modified wavelet functions with the at least one basis function; and processing an input image or input orientation field according to said selected modified wavelet function to generate the keypoint descriptor. The present invention further relates to a method of identifying an object in an image using a keypoint descriptor; and apparatus and computer software for implementing a method in accordance with the present invention. |
| US08712157B2 |
Image quality assessment
A computer-implemented system and method for predicting an image quality of an image are disclosed. For an input image, the method includes generating a first descriptor based on semantic content information for the image and generating a second descriptor based on aesthetic features extracted from the image. With a categorizer which has been trained to assign a quality value to an image based on first and second descriptors, a quality value is assigned to the image based on the first and second descriptors and output. |
| US08712155B2 |
Device for identifying types of document files
According to one embodiment, a device for identifying types of document files includes an extraction unit, an evaluation unit, and a document type identification unit. The extraction unit extracts document feature information indicating distinguishing information for a document included in a document file. The evaluation unit verifies the validity of the document feature information extracted by the extraction unit. The document type identification unit identifies a type of the document file corresponding to the document feature information extracted by the extraction unit if the document feature information is valid. |
| US08712144B2 |
System and method for detecting crop rows in an agricultural field
A system and method for creating 3-dimensional agricultural field scene maps are disclosed comprising producing a pair of images using a stereo camera and creating a disparity images based on the pair of images, the disparity image being a 3-dimensional representation of the stereo images. Coordinate arrays can be produced from the disparity image and the coordinate arrays can be used to render a 3-dimensional local map of the agricultural field scene. Global maps can also be made by using geographic location information associated with various local maps to fuse together multiple local maps into a 3-dimensional global representation of the field scene. |
| US08712140B2 |
Method of analyzing cell structures and their components
A cell is provided that contains a plurality of virus particles. A first image of a first virus particle and a second image of a second virus particle are taken by electron microscopy technology. The first virus particle is characterized as being in a first maturity stage and the second virus particle as being in a second maturity stage. The first image and the second image are transformed to first and second gray scale profiles, respectively, based on pixel data. The first and second gray scale profiles are then saved as first and second templates, respectively. A third virus particle in a third image is identified. The third image is transformed into a third gray scale profile. The third gray scale is compared to the first and second template to determine a maturity stage of the third virus particle. |
| US08712137B2 |
Methods and system for displaying segmented images
A method for displaying a segmented two-dimensional (2D) image includes obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) volume dataset corresponding to an imaged volume along a viewing plane, segmenting an object of interest within 3D volume to generate a plurality of segmented two-dimensional (2D) images along the viewing plane, selecting a reference image for viewing from the plurality of segmented 2D images, and displaying the reference image, the reference image having a first segmentation boundary drawn around the object of interest and a second segmentation boundary drawn around the object of interest, the first segmentation boundary being derived from the segmentation performed on the reference image and the second segmentation boundary being derived from the segmentation performed on at least one non-reference image of the plurality of segmented 2D images. |
| US08712136B2 |
Image reconstruction iterative method
An image reconstruction method is described as follows. A structural image of an object is obtained. An actual optical detected result of the object is obtained. An inhomogeneous initial state is determined based on the structural image. At least one solution converged with the actual optical detected result is determined by iteratively calculating a physical model from the inhomogeneous initial state. The image of the object is reconstructed based on the solution. |
| US08712134B2 |
Method and system for expanding axial coverage in iterative reconstruction in computer tomography (CT)
The image generation method and system generates an image using a predetermined iterative reconstruction technique from cone beam data that has been expanded by adding additional data, and an instance of the iteration process is weighted according to a corresponding validation weight during the reconstruction. Optionally, an instance of the iteration process is weighted according to a combination of weights during the reconstruction. The predetermined combination of the weights includes axial weights based upon a validity value of the expanded data and statistical weights. |
| US08712132B2 |
Method and computer system for automatic vectorization of a vessel tree
A method and a computer system are disclosed for automatic vectorization of the profile of a vessel tree and at least one of its properties on the basis of tomographic images of an examined patient. In at least one embodiment, using previously established location probabilities of landmarks in the vessel tree, there is an automatic determination of a plurality of distinctive landmarks in the current tomographic image data record of the patient, a registration of the current tomographic image data record to the statistical vessel model, an automatic determination of previously unidentified landmarks in the registered tomographic image data record using characteristic identification features of the previously unidentified landmarks from the statistical vessel model and the statistical location probability thereof, and a determination of at least one current vessel model using the identified landmarks and at least one vessel property at and/or between the identified landmarks. |
| US08712128B2 |
Methods for non-linear image blending, adjustment and display
A method for generating and adjusting an image obtained based on computed tomography data using a non-linear blending function is provided. In one embodiment of the method, first image data is obtained using a first X-ray energy, and second image data is obtained using a second X-ray image energy. An image is generated by blending the first and second image data using the non-linear function. The first X-ray energy and the second X-ray energy are different. |
| US08712127B2 |
Matching geometry generation and display of mammograms and tomosynthesis images
A method and a system for using tomosynthesis projection images of a patient's breast to reconstruct slice tomosynthesis images such that anatomical structures that appear superimposed in a mammogram are at conforming locations in the reconstructed images. |
| US08712125B2 |
Device and method for superimposing patterns on images in real time, particularly for guidance by location
The invention relates to a device for superimposing known patterns, characteristic of a region, on (real) images of said region. The device comprises, a memory in which patterns are stored, which are representative of a selected region, of known position and orientation with relation to a common reference and processing means, for determining a pattern representative of the selected portion in the memory, on receipt of the designation of at least one portion of an observed image of the selected region, taken at a selected angle and at least one representative attribute of said region, taking account of the attribute selected, then superimposing the determined pattern on the selected portion of the image taking account of the selected angle. |
| US08712119B2 |
Systems and methods for computer-aided fold detection
Described herein is a computer-aided technology for facilitating detection of folds of an object surface. In one implementation, image data is processed to determine curvature characteristics at one or more points of the surface of a region of interest. If the curvature characteristics of one of the one or more points correspond to a hyperbolic curvature, the point is identified as a seed point. A region of a predetermined thickness is grown around the seed point so as to detect the presence of any fold feature within the grown region. |
| US08712117B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program product for virtually modifying surface region curvature to detect protrusions
A protrusion of at least a part of a surface of an internal part of a human or animal body is detected from three dimensional digital data representing the surface or the part. A surface region is detected from the three dimensional digital data. The surface region has at least one point at which a first and second normal curvature intersect that both have an original curvature value that is larger than zero or both have an original curvature value that is smaller than zero. The second normal curvature has a curvature value that is closer to zero than the curvature value of the first normal curvature. The second normal curvature is digitally modified such that it has a modified curvature value that is closer to zero than its original curvature value. The modification the surface region is digitally deformed such that a deformed surface region is formed. The extent of deformation of the deformed surface region is compared to the detected surface region to determine an amount of protrusion. |
| US08712113B2 |
Method to trace video content processed by a decoder
A method traces the origin of a (illegally) distributed video material. It fingerprints a data object A having a nominal stream format F to provide a fingerprinted data object B including a pre-fingerprinting forensic luring process. |
| US08712110B2 |
Identifying a characteristic of an individual utilizing facial recognition and providing a display for the individual
A method may include automatically remotely identifying at least one characteristic of an individual via facial recognition; and providing a display for the individual, the display having a content at least partially based on the identified at least one characteristic of the individual. A system may include a facial recognition module configured for automatically remotely identifying at least one characteristic of an individual via facial recognition; and a display module coupled with the facial recognition module, the display module configured for providing a display for the individual, the display having a content at least partially based on the identified at least one characteristic of the individual. |
| US08712107B2 |
X-ray imaging
An X-ray scanning apparatus for locating a contaminant in a product, the apparatus comprising: means for generating an X-ray image of the product; means for assigning a grey scale value to a plurality of pixels; means for identifying a plurality of suspect pixels; means, which for each suspect pixel: selects two neighboring pixels in a first direction lying on opposed sides of the suspect pixel and determines which of the first direction pixels has the lowest grey value; selects two neighboring pixels in a second direction lying on opposed sides of the suspect pixel and determines which of the second direction pixels has the lowest grey value; determines a first direction difference value by taking the grey value difference between the lowest grey value first direction pixel and the grey value of the suspect; determines a second direction difference value by taking the grey value difference between the lowest grey value second direction pixel and the grey value of the suspect; determines a first direction score from the first direction difference value; determines a second direction score from the second direction difference value; compares said scores with a threshold value; and identifies the suspect pixel as representing a contaminant if said threshold value is exceeded. |
| US08712093B2 |
Millimeter wave imaging method and system to detect concealed objects
The invention provides for an expandable multi channel radiometer imaging method and system. The imaging system includes a scanner for reflecting millimeter wave energy emanating from a pre-determined scene. The millimeter wave energy is focused to a focal plane array using an optical lens and a multi channel radiometer receives the millimeter wave energy. The focal plane array is formed by a plurality of pixels that each includes a single low noise amplifier. The number of pixels of the focal plane array is expendable to increase the resolution of a millimeter wave image. A virtual grid of cells is formed representing different values of millimeter wave energy within the imaging zone. Algorithms calculate differences of millimeter wave energy between cells of said virtual grid to display a composite image to identify concealed objects on an individual. |
| US08712091B2 |
Loudspeaker grille
A loudspeaker grille is disclosed. In accordance with one example, a loudspeaker grille includes a louver arrangement to be arranged in front of a chassis of a loudspeaker to protect membrane and suspension thereof. The louver arrangement includes a first and a second louver arranged on opposing sides of a center plane. Both louvers include a plurality of fins which are arranged slanted with respect to the center plane and which are spaced such that a clearance is provided between projections of neighboring fins to the center plane. The fins of the first louver are inversely slanted to the fins of the second louver. Further, the fins of the first louver are shifted in a lateral direction within the to center plane with respect to the fins of the second louver. |
| US08712090B2 |
Headset, terminal, and method capable of switching headset mode
A headset includes a Bluetooth headset body, a microphone, and at least one speaker. The Bluetooth headset body includes a Bluetooth headset main-board and a battery. Interfaces provided by the Bluetooth headset main-board include the interfaces for the microphone and the speaker. Anodes of the microphone and the at least one speaker are connected to the corresponding interfaces of the Bluetooth headset main-board, respectively, and their cathodes are connected to a ground cable, respectively. The headset further includes: a headset plug, where interfaces of the headset plug are correspondingly and electrically connected to the anode of the at least one speaker, the ground cable, and the anode of the microphone, respectively; and connections between the anode of the microphone and of the at least one speaker and the corresponding interfaces of the Bluetooth headset main-board are disconnected after the headset plug is plugged in the external headset jack. |
| US08712089B2 |
Earpiece positioning and retaining
A positioning and retaining structure for an in-ear earpiece. An outer leg and an inner leg are attached to each other at an attachment end and attached to a body of the earpiece at the other end. The outer leg lies in a plane. The positioning and retaining structure have a stiffness that is greater when force is applied to the attachment end in a counterclockwise direction in the plane of the outer leg than when force is applied to the attachment end in a clockwise direction in the plane of the outer leg. The positioning and retaining structure position an earpiece associated with the earpiece in a users ear and retains the earpiece in its position. |
| US08712087B2 |
Earphone
The earphone includes a driver unit; a housing accommodating the driver unit, the housing having a front face serving as a sound emitting surface and a bowl shaped rear face; a hollow casing provided separately from the housing, the casing being configured to increase an internal volume adjacent to the rear side of a vibrating plate and to reduce the back pressure of the vibrating plate; and a connecting channel connecting the rear face of the housing and the casing such that the housing is in communication with the internal space of the casing, in which the housing includes a sound emitting tube protruding from the front face thereof so as to be fitted into an external auditory meatus. |
| US08712084B2 |
Motor assembly
A transducer assembly with a U-shaped element at least a part of which forms a part of a magnet housing is disclosed. One or more magnets are attached to the magnet housing which is adapted to conduct magnetic flux from one or more magnets. |
| US08712079B2 |
Piezoelectric speaker and method of manufacturing the same
A piezoelectric speaker and a method of manufacturing the same that can obtain a high sound pressure using a piezoelectric thin film are provided. The piezoelectric speaker includes a piezoelectric thin film, electrodes formed on an upper surface or upper and lower surfaces of the piezoelectric thin film, a damping material layer formed on the lower surface of the piezoelectric thin film, and a frame attached around at least one of the piezoelectric thin film and the damping material layer using an adhesive. |
| US08712077B2 |
Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals
Various methods and apparatus for processing audio signals are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device which can enhance and/or optimize received audio signals for vibrational conduction to the user. Received audio signals may be processed to cancel acoustic echo such that undesired sounds received by one or more intra-buccal and/or extra-buccal microphones are eliminated or mitigated. Additionally, a multiband actuation system may be used where two or more transducers each deliver sounds within certain frequencies. Also, the assembly may also utilize the sensation of directionality via the conducted vibrations to emulate directional perception of audio signals received by the user. Another feature may include the ability to vibrationally conduct ancillary audio signals to the user along with primary audio signals. |
| US08712070B2 |
Simultaneous enhancement of transmission loss and absorption coefficient using activated cavities
A method and apparatus for providing simultaneous enhancement of transmission loss and absorption coefficient using activated cavities is presented. A layer of material is provided, and a backing plate having a plurality of cavities on the top surface of said backing plate, is disposed adjacent a top surface of said layer of material. A screen is disposed along the top surface of said cavities on said backing plate and at least one cavity includes an actuator disposed within the cavity and a control system receiving a signal from the microphone and receiving a signal from the accelerometer and providing a drive signal to the actuator to provide an acoustic output to provide simultaneous insertion loss and absorption which serves to minimize a linear combination of the signal from the microphone and the signal from the accelerometer. |
| US08712069B1 |
Selection of system parameters based on non-acoustic sensor information
An audio processing system processes an audio signal that may come from one or more microphones. The audio processing system may use information from one or more non-acoustic sensors to improve a variety of system characteristics, including responsiveness and quality. Especially those audio processing systems that use spatial information, for example to separate multiple audio sources, are undesirably susceptible to changes in the relative position of any audio sources, the audio processing system itself, or any combination thereof. Using the non-acoustic sensor information may decrease this susceptibility advantageously in an audio processing system. |
| US08712067B2 |
System and method of improving audio signals for the hearing impaired
A system and method for using an audiogram and audio filters to provide improved audio characteristics for hearing impaired listeners by equalizing the received sound level of the signal across the frequency spectrum. The system and method further provide for modifying an audio signal based on the personal hearing characteristics of a listener to compensate for hearing loss. |
| US08712066B1 |
Audio signal clip detection
Methods and apparatus for audio signal clip detection are disclosed. The clip detectors may receive audio signals, from which peak reference signals, indicative of the highest voltage of the received audio signals, may be derived. The received audio signals may also be differentiated and phase-lagged to produce differentiated audio signals which may, in turn, be rectified to produce rectified differentiator signals. The rectified differentiator signals and the peak reference signals may be compared to thereby produce clip detect signals indicative of whether the received audio signals are clipped. The clip detect signals may then be used to indicate whether the received audio signal are clipped. |
| US08712065B2 |
Transducer displacement protection
This invention relates to the mechanical protection using digital processing and a predictive estimation of instantaneous displacement of the voice coil in a loudspeaker transducer.The invention solves the problem of limiting the coil displacement of the transducer by applying a look-a-head based linear or non-linear predictor and a controller operating directly on the displacement signal in order to finally convert back into the incoming signal domain. |
| US08712060B2 |
Method and an apparatus for processing an audio signal
A method and apparatus for processing an audio signal is disclosed. Herein, the method includes receiving a downmix information having at least two independent objects and a background object downmixed therein; separating the downmix information into a first independent object and a temporary background object using a first enhanced object information; and extracting a second independent object from the temporary background object using a second enhanced object information. |
| US08712058B2 |
Apparatus and method for encoding/decoding signal
An encoding method and apparatus and a decoding method and apparatus are provided. The decoding method includes extracting an arbitrary down-mix signal and compensation information necessary for compensating for the arbitrary down-mix signal from the input bitstream, compensating for the arbitrary down-mix signal using the compensation information, and generating a three-dimensional (3D) down-mix signal by performing a 3D rendering operation on the compensated arbitrary down-mix signal. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently encode multi-channel signals with 3D effects and to adaptively restore and reproduce audio signals with optimum sound quality according to the characteristics of an audio reproduction environment. |
| US08712052B2 |
System and method for secure power systems infrastructure communications
Communication apparatus and associated method for sending messages while concealing the messages among chaff data. In sending outgoing communications to and from a remote device, a stream of chaffing data is generated. A message to be communicated is inserted into the stream of chaffing data such that the beginning and ending boundaries of the first message are concealed by the chaffing data. A matching pair of deterministic number generators, one at the sending end and one at the remote device, are initialized using a common initialization value to cause generation of a common sequence of numbers with the remote device. The stream of chaffing data, or data associated with the first message, or both, are encoded with the common sequence of numbers. |
| US08712048B2 |
Information recording medium and information processing method for accessing content with license or copyright protection
There are provided an information recording medium, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a computer program, which can realize users' convenience for using content in accordance with a license and copyright protection. An information recording medium stores an encrypted content file including encrypted content, usage right information of the encrypted content, and encryption key information necessary for a decrypting process for the encrypted content. Thus, a user can acquire a license (usage right information) and key information necessary for decryption of the content, together with the content, from the information recording medium, without acquiring the license (usage rights) by connection to a license provider. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to perform a process of acquiring the license (usage rights) from the license provider when the content is to be used, whereby user convenience is improved, and license-based content copyright management can also be ensured. |
| US08712047B2 |
Visual universal decryption apparatus and methods
Disclosed is a virtual universal decryption (VUD) service that provides a mechanism for allowing users of camera enabled mobile devices to use their camera to decrypt messages. The VUD service can provide a mechanism for a user of a VUD enabled device to authorize one or more other users of VUD enabled and camera enabled devices to use their cameras to decrypt messages sent by the authorizing user. The VUD service may then provide mechanisms for the authorized users to decrypt messages, which have been encrypted by the authorizing users, by simply capturing an image/video of the encrypted text with a camera of their VUD enabled devices. |
| US08712045B2 |
Digital rights management for media streams
This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling application of digital rights management (DRM) to media streams. In one embodiment, three license levels are used to protect numerous television channels without undue use of computing resources. |
| US08712040B2 |
Data-conditioned encryption method
A system and method for encryption of data is disclosed. At least one block of the data is received. The at least one block of data is modified to cause each unique data element within the at least one block to appear with a respective predetermined frequency ratio. The block of data is encrypted into ciphertext based at least on an encryption key. |
| US08712038B2 |
Cryptography on a simplified elliptical curve
A cryptographic calculation includes obtaining a point P(X,Y) from a parameter t on an elliptical curve Y2=f(X) and from polynomials satisfying: −f(X1(t))·f(X2(t))=U(t)2 in the finite body Fq, irrespective of the parameter t, q=3 mod 4. A value of the parameter t is obtained and the point P is determined by: (i) calculating X1=X1(t), X2=X2(t) and U=U(t); (ii) testing whether the term f(X−1) is a squared term in the finite body Fq and, if so, calculating the square root of the term f(X1), the point P having X1 as abscissa and Y1, the square root of the term f(X1), as ordinate; (iii) otherwise, calculating the square root of the term f(X2), the point P having X2, as abscissa and Y2, the square root of the term f(X2), as ordinate. The point P is useful in encryption, scrambling, signature, authentication or identification cryptographic applications. |
| US08712025B2 |
Communication terminal, communication system, server apparatus, and communication connecting method
A communication terminal includes a communication unit configured to carry out communications with a communication terminal of an intended counterparty; a detector configured to detect information reflecting a status of a user of the own communication terminal; a condition checker configured to check whether a predetermined condition is satisfied by comparing information reflecting a status of a user of the communication terminal of the counterparty, received via the communication unit, with the information detected by the detector; and a controller configured to exercise control so that a communication circuit is established with the communication terminal of the counterparty via the communication unit when it is determined by the condition checker that the condition is satisfied. |
| US08712023B2 |
Methods and systems for aggregating and graphically representing information associated with a telecommunications circuit
Exemplary systems and methods for aggregating and graphically representing information associated with a telecommunications circuit are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a telecommunications management subsystem receiving, from a plurality of backend telecommunications subsystems, data representative of information associated with a telecommunications circuit, aggregating the data representative of the information associated with the telecommunications circuit, providing a portal configured for access by a user associated with the telecommunications circuit, and displaying, within the portal, a graphical user interface including a graphical representation of the telecommunications circuit. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. |
| US08712022B2 |
Selective facsimile denial
A method includes determining whether an incoming call to a first destination is authorized at a switch of a communication network. The method includes, in response to determining that the incoming call is not authorized, determining whether the incoming call is a facsimile call, routing the incoming call to the first destination when the incoming call is not the facsimile call, and routing the incoming call to the first destination when the incoming call is the facsimile call. |
| US08712019B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing lawful intercept in group calls
An apparatus and method for performing lawful intercept in group calls is described herein. When a group call is established having a monitoring target as a member, a monitoring component obtains signaling, location, and data related to the monitoring target, correlates this information, and provides it to a call intercept component. |
| US08712012B2 |
Combined imaging and radiation therapy
One or more techniques and/or systems described herein provide for examining an object (e.g., a tumor in a patient) and subsequently treating the object. The examination and treatment generally occur very close to one another in time, with the patient remaining on a support article (e.g., on a bed or in a chair) during both the examination and the treatment. In this way, a position of the tumor and/or orientation of the tumor relative to the patient is substantially fixed during both the examination and the treatment. In one embodiment, a support article is configured to rotate during the examination and/or treatment. In this way, the object can be examined (e.g., and volumetric data related to the object can be acquired) and/or treated without moving portions of the imaging and/or treatment apparatus, for example. |
| US08712009B2 |
Can seam inspection
A method of determining integrity of a can seam including disposing the can seam between an X-ray source and an X-ray detector, exposing an overlap region of the can seam to radiation from the source, and determining an indication of integrity of the overlap region from a measure of variation in radiation intensity readings taken by the detector over a series of circumferential intervals of the can seam. |
| US08712006B2 |
Method and CTDevice for computer tomographic spiral scanning of a patient
An embodiment of the invention relates to a method and to a CT device for computer tomographic spiral scanning of a patient in the region of a moving organ, in particular a beating heart, wherein a pitch is adjusted which is less than the maximum pitch, with which 180° image data can still be reconstructed. In at least one embodiment, during the scan the evaluated detector data with respect to its z width and position on the at least one irradiated detector are restricted as a function of the projection angle in such a way that an effective virtual detector with smaller z width and with a z speed profile, which differs from the z speed profile of the real detector, is produced respectively, and the moving organ is reconstructed on the basis of the detector data of the at least one virtual detector. |
| US08712001B2 |
Fuel basket spacer, apparatus and method using the same for storing high level radioactive waste
A fuel basket spacer, and system and method for storing high level radioactive waste. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials comprising: a body having a cavity for receiving radioactive materials; a basket positioned in the cavity comprising a plurality of cells; and a structure having an outer surface and an inner surface forming a central passageway; the structure positioned in the cavity so that the basket extends through the central passageway of the structure; and wherein the internal perimeter of the structure corresponds to the external perimeter of the basket in size and shape and the external perimeter of the structure corresponds to the perimeter of the cavity in size and shape. Circumferential clearances are provided between structure and the basket and the structure and the body that are eliminated when exposed to a residual heat load of the radioactive waste. |
| US08711999B2 |
Inspection tool for top guides of a boiling water reactor
A tool for inspecting a cell formed by grid beams of a top guide structure in a nuclear reactor is provided. The tool includes a camera; a support structure coupled to the camera for contacting at least one of the grid beams to support the camera within the cell; and at least one actuator moving the camera with respect to the support structure and along one of the grid beams, the at least one actuator coupling the camera to the support structure. A method for inspecting a cell formed by grid beams of a top guide structure in a nuclear reactor is also provided. |
| US08711997B2 |
Reactor core of liquid metal cooled reactor
A reactor core is immersed in a liquid metal coolant in a core barrel of a liquid metal cooled reactor. The reactor core includes a plurality of fuel assemblies contained in the core barrel, a neutron absorber that absorbs a neutron in the reactor core, and a neutron moderator that moderates a neutron therein so as to control a reactivity of the reactor core. The neutron absorber and the neutron moderator constitute a mixture contained in reactivity control assemblies of the reactor core in the liquid metal coolant prior to immersion of the reactor core. The neutron moderator is composed of zirconium hydride. |
| US08711985B2 |
Multi user MIMO detection utilizing averaged spatial whitening
A system and method for decoding a Multi User (MU) Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) signal is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a selected symbol in a tone of an MU-MIMO signal at a mobile communication device. A channel response for the selected symbol is identified. Spatial whitening is applied to the tone and the channel response using an average of a co-user interference plus noise matrix that is averaged over a selected number of tones. Maximal ratio combining is performed for the spatially whitened tone and the spatially whitened channel response matrix to decode the selected symbol out of the spatially whitened tone. |
| US08711983B2 |
Phase locking loop
A phase-locking loop (PLL) for use with orthogonal frequency division multiplexed signals. In one embodiment, a wireless receiver includes a PLL is configured to reduce phase and frequency divergence between the wireless receiver and a transmitter of a packet received by the wireless receiver. The PLL includes a loop bandwidth controller. The loop bandwidth controller is configured to set a bandwidth of the PLL to a first value for reception of an initial symbol of the packet. The loop bandwidth controller is configured to reduce the bandwidth of the PLL over a number of symbols preceding an initial header of the packet. |
| US08711980B2 |
Receiver with feedback continuous-time delta-sigma modulator with current-mode input
In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a receiver may include a downconverter configured to demodulate a modulated wireless signal to produce a current-mode baseband signal and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to convert the current-mode baseband signal into a digital output signal. The downconverter may be coupled to the ADC without an intervening filter element. |
| US08711974B2 |
Systems and methods for mitigating spectral regrowth from non-linear systems
Various embodiments are directed to a non-linear amplifier system comprising a reference output generator, an adaptive filter, a amplitude distortion (AM-AM) compensator, a phase distortion (AM-PM) compensator, an adaptive spectrum controller and a non-linear system. The reference output generator may receive an input signal and generating a reference output. The adaptive filter may generate a modified input signal based on the input signal and the reference output. The AM-AM compensator may act on the modified input signal to compensate for AM-AM distortion. The phase distortion (AM-PM) compensator may act on the modified input signal to compensate for AM-PM distortion. The adaptive spectrum controller may provide parameters to the adaptive filter to minimize the power spectral density (PSD) of an output of the non-linear amplifier system in a stop-band and maximize the PSD of the output of the non-linear amplifier system in a pass-band. |
| US08711971B2 |
Multiple input multiple output transceiver
An exemplary MIMO transceiver includes a first transmitting channel and a second transmitting channel. The first transmitting channel includes a first power amplifier and a first transmission line which are connected together in series. The second transmitting channel includes a second power amplifier. A common terminal of a first single pole double throw (SPDT) switch is connected to the second power amplifier. A first terminal of the first SPDT switch is connected to the first power amplifier through a second transmission line. A common terminal of a second SPDT switch is connected to the second power amplifier. A first terminal of second SPDT switch is connected to the first power amplifier through a third transmission line. A second terminal of the second SPDT switch is connected to a second antenna. The first power amplifier, the second transmission line, and the third transmission line cooperatively act as a balance power amplifier. |
| US08711962B2 |
Method for generating multi-antenna signals
The invention relates to a method for generating multi-antenna signals. Firstly, the propagation conditions between channel coefficients, which each describe one transmitter antenna and one receiver antenna, are generated. Furthermore, weighting factors are generated to weight signals to be transmitted via one transmitter antenna in each case. Taking the channel coefficients (hij) and the weighting factors (Wij), into consideration, received signals arriving therein are calculated for each receiver antenna. A transmitted signal is generated in each case from the calculated arriving received signals, which corresponds to the calculated received signal for said receiving device. The particular transmitted signals are generated by a signal generator and transmitted to the associated receiving device. |
| US08711960B2 |
Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data
A digital broadcasting system including a transmitting system and a receiving system, and a method of processing data are disclosed. A method of processing data of a transmitting system includes sequentially grouping N number of columns (Kc) configured of A number of enhanced data bytes having information included therein, thereby creating a frame having a size of N (rows)*Kc (columns), wherein N and A are integers, encoding the created frame, and multiplexing and transmitting enhanced data included in the encoded frame and main data. |
| US08711951B2 |
Powerline communication device with load characterization functionality
A method for operating a Power Line Communications (PLC) device includes identifying at least one proximately located load device using the wireless interface, determining device characteristics of the at least one proximately located load device using the wireless interface, communicating with a remote PLC device via the PLC interface, and transmitting to the remote PLC device via the PLC interface the device characteristics of the at least one proximately located load device. Operation may further include establishing wireless communications with the at least one proximately located device, querying the at least one proximately located device wirelessly, and receiving the device characteristics wirelessly. Other operations include creating a diagrammatic representation of a premises representing a plurality of areas and passages between the plurality of areas and including wireless reception quality for each of the plurality of spaces. |
| US08711950B2 |
Apparatus and method for adapted deblocking filtering strength
A picture processing apparatus for carrying out decoding processing to produce picture data from a bit stream generated previously in processing performed typically by a coding apparatus to code the picture data by selection of setting of picture types from a frame structure of the picture data and from a field structure of the picture data and by execution of an orthogonal transform process for each orthogonal transform process unit of the picture data on a prediction error, which is a difference between a predicted value generated for each predicted-value generation unit of the picture data and the true value of the picture data. |
| US08711948B2 |
Motion-compensated prediction of inter-layer residuals
Techniques and tools are described for scalable video encoding and decoding. In some embodiments, an encoding tool encodes base layer video and outputs encoded base layer video in a base layer bit stream. The encoding tool encodes inter-layer residual video (representing differences between input video and reconstructed base layer video) using motion compensation relative to previously reconstructed inter-layer residual video. For the inter-layer residual video, the encoding tool outputs motion information and motion-compensated prediction residuals in an enhancement layer bit stream. A decoding tool receives the base layer bit stream and enhancement layer bit stream, reconstructs base layer video, reconstructs inter-layer residual video, and combines the reconstructed base layer video and reconstructed inter-layer residual video. Using motion compensation for the inter-layer residual video facilitates the use of separate motion vectors and separate codecs for the base layer video and inter-layer residual video. |
| US08711946B2 |
Device and method for unified codes
A unified codec device and method are disclosed. A decoding device includes a decoding description decoder, generating at least one table by using inputted decoding description; and a codec unit, decoding and outputting encoded video data, included in an inputted bit-stream, to moving picture data by using the table. With the present invention, a bit-stream, encoded by various formats according to each standard (e.g. MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and MPEG-4 AVC), can be decoded by the same information recognizing method. |
| US08711940B2 |
Method and apparatus of motion vector prediction with extended motion vector predictor
A method and apparatus for determining a motion vector predictor (MVP) or a MVP candidate based on a MVP set are disclosed. In video coding systems, the spatial and temporal redundancy is exploited using spatial and temporal prediction to reduce the video data to be transmitted or stored. Motion vector prediction has been used to further conserve the bitrate associated with motion vector coding. Motion vector prediction technique being developed for the current high efficiency video coding (HEVC) only uses a MVP candidate set including spatial MVP candidates and a temporal candidate corresponding to the co-located block. In the current disclosure, the spatial and temporal motion vector predictor set is extended to include at least one spatially neighboring block associated with list 0 reference pictures and list 1 reference pictures, and co-located block and its neighboring block associated with list 0 reference pictures and list 1 reference pictures. |
| US08711934B2 |
Decoding and presentation time stamps for MPEG-4 advanced video coding
A system, method, and apparatus for time stamping compressed video data is disclosed. A delay parameter is generated and can be encoded with the compressed video, representing the number of picture delay between the decoded sequence and the presented sequence. The presentation time stamp is associated with each of the pictures. The presentation time stamp is a function of the delay parameter and other parameters associated with picture associated therewith. |
| US08711929B2 |
Network-based dynamic encoding
A network-based video encoding and decoding system encodes and decodes remotely displayed user application data on a centralized desktop computer. Remotely displayed user application data are screen captures of a browsing application run by the centralized desktop computer on user's behalf. The encoding system optimizes its encoding performance using back channel information which includes real time network capacity information and decoder feedback. The encoding system consults a back channel information manager to dynamically adjust encoding parameters. Based on the real time network capacity information received, the encoding system adjusts its capturing sampling rate. Based on encoding errors identified by the decoding system, the encoding system selectively re-send previously encoded frames/blocks, or send intra frames on demand to allow the decoding system to correct encoding errors. In response to encoding customization requests from the decoding system, the encoding system adjusts its encoding parameters to meet such requests. |
| US08711926B2 |
Distortion estimation for quantized data
Techniques for estimating distortion due to quantization of data are described. A histogram with multiple bins may be obtained for a set of coefficients to be quantized. Distortion due to quantization of the set of coefficients may be estimated based on the histogram and average distortions for the histogram bins. The number of coefficients in each bin may be multiplied with an average distortion for the bin to obtain a per-bin distortion. The per-bin distortions for all of the bins may be accumulated and scaled with a correction factor to obtain the estimated distortion. The techniques may be used to estimate distortions for a set of coding elements. Distortion and rate may be estimated for each coding element for each of multiple quantization steps. A set of quantization steps may be selected for the set of coding elements based on the estimated distortions and the estimated rates for the set of coding elements for different quantization steps. |
| US08711925B2 |
Flexible quantization
A digital media encoder/decoder uses a flexible quantization technique that provides the ability to vary quantization along various dimensions of the encoded digital media data, including spatial, frequency sub bands and color channels. The codec utilizes a signaling scheme to signal various permutations of flexible quantization combinations efficiently for primary usage scenarios. When a choice of quantizer is available, the codec efficiently encodes the current quantizer by defining a subset of quantizers and indexes the current quantizer from the set. |
| US08711923B2 |
System and method for selecting a video encoding format based on feedback data
A method according to one embodiment comprises: encoding a first plurality of video frames or portions thereof, wherein each encoded video frame or portion thereof is dependent on a previously encoded video frame or portion thereof, respectively; transmitting the first plurality of encoded video frames or portions to a client device; receiving feedback information from the client device, the feedback information usable to determine whether data contained in the video frames or portions has not been successfully received and/or decoded; in response to detecting that a video frame or portion thereof has not been successfully received and/or decoded, encoding a current video frame or portion thereof to be dependent on a previously-encoded video frame or portion thereof known to have been successfully received and/or decoded on the client device; and transmitting the current video frame or portion thereof to the client device. |
| US08711921B1 |
System and method for multi-threaded MIMO OFDM channel equalizer
A system for a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) equalizer, said system comprising a program memory, a program sequencer and a processing unit connected to each other, wherein the processing unit comprises an input selection unit, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and an output selection unit; further wherein the program sequencer schedules the processing of one or more symbol-carrier pairs input to said OFDM equalizer using multiple threads; retrieves, for each of the one or more symbol-carrier pairs, multiple program instructions from said program memory; generates multiple expanded instructions corresponding to said retrieved multiple program instructions; and further wherein said ALU performs said processing of the one or more symbol-carrier pairs using the multiple threads across multiple pipeline stages, wherein said processing comprises said ALU executing one or more arithmetic operations to process said expanded instructions using said multiple threads across the multiple pipeline stages. |
| US08711920B1 |
System and method for multi-threaded OFDM channel equalizer
A system for an orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) equalizer, said system comprising a program memory, a program sequencer and a processing unit connected to each other, wherein the processing unit comprises an input selection unit, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and an output selection unit; further wherein the program sequencer schedules the processing of one or more symbol-carrier pairs input to said OFDM equalizer using multiple threads; retrieves, for each of the one or more symbol-carrier pairs, multiple program instructions from said program memory; generates multiple expanded instructions corresponding to said retrieved multiple program instructions; and further wherein said ALU performs said processing of the one or more symbol-carrier pairs using the multiple threads across multiple pipeline stages, wherein said processing comprises said ALU executing one or more arithmetic operations to process said expanded instructions using said multiple threads across the multiple pipeline stages. |
| US08711918B2 |
Adaptive known signal canceller
An adaptive known signal canceller comprising of a known signal canceller filter responsive to a known signal including a known portion of a transmitted signal, the known signal canceller filter operative to generate a filtered known signal, and a subtractor unit responsive to an input signal and operative to generate an output signal, the subtractor unit configured to subtract the filtered known signal from the input signal to generate an output signal, such that the known portion of the transmitted signal is substantially removed from the input signal. The adaptive known signal canceller further comprising of a known signal canceller update unit, responsive to a desired signal and an output signal and operative to continually adjust the coefficients of the known signal canceller filter based on the difference between the output signal and the desired signal, so that the filter coefficients substantially reflect the impulse response of a channel. |
| US08711917B2 |
Sampling filter device
A sampling filter device wherein the filter characteristic is variable without using a control signal of a complicated waveform is provided. A sampling filter device 105 has integration capacitors 130 and 131, an integration time adjustment section 180, and a plurality of switches 100, 101, 110, and 111. Input current is integrated in different time duration with one clock and is stored in the integration capacitors 130 and 131 and charges stored in the integration capacitor from several clocks before to one clock before are added and the result is output. When charge is stored in the integration capacitors 130 and 131 with each clock, the integration time duration is changed, whereby it is made possible to weight and add output charge and the filter characteristic changes. |
| US08711906B2 |
Tracking data eye operating margin for steady state adaptation
In described embodiments, a transceiver includes an eye monitor and margin detector having one or more samplers with corresponding logic. One or more programmable provisioning parameters are defined based on a pre-defined minimum target operating margin for acceptable noise and jitter margins. For example, two programmable provisioning parameters, phase and voltage, correspond with thresholds for margin samplers placed within the eye. Initially, the transceiver applies equalization, after which an inner eye of the transceiver, as detected by the eye monitor, is relatively open with some margin for supporting channels. If the receiver margin goes below this target margin, the eye closes, which is registered by the samplers. In the presence of spectrally rich input data, if the receiver margin goes below this target margin, an updated adaptation of equalizer or other circuit parameters might be initiated; else, adaptation is not generally required. |
| US08711902B2 |
Synchronization processing circuit and synchronization processing method in wireless communication system
In a synchronization processing circuit in a wireless communication system, a correlation operation unit is designed to have a parallel structure which can be restructured to improve flexibility in order to cope with various synchronization processings in a plurality of radio systems.The synchronization processing circuit in the wireless communication system comprises a plurality of correlation operation modules 31 through 3N that execute correlation operation, each of which correlation operation modules includes a plurality of correlators 60, a plurality of shift registers 50 for shifting a correlation code, an interface which transfers a shifted correlation code to an adjacent correlation operation unit for timing correlation processing, and a correlation code selection unit 40 which selects an externally and individually applied correlation code for code correlation processing and a correlation code transferred from an adjacent correlation operation unit as the correlation code. |
| US08711898B2 |
Ultra-wideband communication system and method
The present invention provides systems and methods for communication between ultra-wideband (UWB) devices. In general, the UWB device may characterize the attenuation, and other characteristics of the communication environment. Using these characteristics the UWB device can adapt various communication parameters to improve the communication quality. The UWB device may use these characteristics to establish zones and sectors for communication with other UWB devices. Based on this zone and sector assignment the UWB device may select communication parameters for communication with other UWB devices. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims. |
| US08711897B2 |
Split-ring resonator creating a photonic metamaterial
A split ring-resonator includes a substrate, an inner-trench or cavity formed into the substrate, the inner trench or cavity including a split, and an outer trench or cavity formed into the substrate around the inner trench or cavity, the outer trench or cavity including another split disposed at an opposite end of the split in the inner trench or cavity, wherein the inner trench or cavity and the outer trench or cavity are configured to receive an electrically conductive gas and/or plasma to form a split-ring resonator. |
| US08711895B2 |
Surface-emitting laser light source using two-dimensional photonic crystal
The present invention intends to provide a surface-emitting laser light source using a two-dimensional photonic crystal in which the efficiency of extracting light in a direction perpendicular to the surface is high. In a laser light source provided with a two-dimensional photonic crystal layer created from a plate-shaped matrix body in which a large number of holes are periodically arranged and an active layer arranged on one side of the two-dimensional photonic crystal layer, the holes are created to be columnar with a predetermined cross-sectional shape such as a circular shape, and the main axis of each of the columnar holes is tilted to a surface of the matrix body. When provided with this two-dimensional photonic crystal layer, the surface-emitting laser source using a two-dimensional photonic crystal has a Q⊥ value (i.e. a Q value in a direction perpendicular to the surface) of several thousands, which is suitable for an oscillation of laser light, and the efficiency of extracting light is high in the direction perpendicular to the surface. |
| US08711894B2 |
High brightness laser diode module
A high-brightness laser module is configured with a beam-compression unit capable of reducing a diameter of parallel light beams which are emitted by respective spaced apart individual laser diodes. The module further has an objective lens configured to losslessly launch the light with the reduced diameter into a fiber. |
| US08711889B2 |
Asynchronous line interface rate adaptation to the physical layer with synchronous lines at the connection layer
A method for adapting the rates of a certain number of asynchronous HDLC channels (15) to a single clock domain suited for interfacing with an HDLC processor (13) through a synchronous pseudo-TDM interface (14) in which the HDLC channels are multiplexed in time and vice versa in the opposite direction. In one direction the algorithm is based on the writing of the HDLC channels in a dedicated buffer (17) and in reading these buffers with a common synchronous clock just above the expected maximum HDLC rate. The under-run condition is avoided by inserting neutral information between the end byte and the start byte of the HDLC packets when this is suggested by the buffer fill monitoring function. A simple function to locate the first and last bytes of each HDLC packet read by the buffer is hence used in combination with the buffer fill monitoring function. The algorithm is also suited in the opposite direction in which different asynchronous physical lines receive their HDLC channels from a synchronous TDM-type interface on condition that this interface clock domain be just below the minimum expected HDLC output rate. In this case also the under-run conditions are avoided by insertion of neutral data after having used the same algorithm described above. Adaptation devices and a telecommunications card using them are also proposed. |
| US08711888B2 |
Digital microwave radio link with adaptive data rate
A digital microwave link and system are provided that has an adaptive data rate. |
| US08711886B2 |
Transmitting a synchronizing signal in a packet network
The invention concerns a device for transmitting packets in a packet communication network comprising at least two stations, characterized in that it includes means for: extract image cues from a synchronizing signal, initializing a first counter based on said image cues, initializing a second counter every “m” zero crossing of the first counter, sampling the second counter at all the Tech periods, where Tech is derived from a time base synchronized on all the network stations, and transmitting packets containing the samples in the network. The invention also concerns a device for receiving packets in a packet communication network comprising at least two stations. |
| US08711882B2 |
Reframing circuitry with virtual container drop and insert functionality to support circuit emulation protocols
Reframing circuitry controls communications between a physical layer device and a link layer device. In a first direction of communication, the reframing circuitry receives a container frame with the container frame having a first arrangement of columns, and outputs a virtual container frame that includes a modified version of the container frame received by the reframing circuitry, with the modified version of the container frame having a second arrangement of columns different than the first arrangement of columns. For example, the reframing circuitry in generating the modified version of the container frame may remove a path overhead column of the container frame and replace that path overhead column with a stuff column in the modified version of the container frame. The virtual container frame may be configured to include the path overhead column that was removed from the container frame in generating the modified version of the container frame. |
| US08711879B2 |
Radio communication system, base station device and mobile station device utilizing an intermittent reception
With communication service considered, it is an object to provide a communication system in which power consumption of a mobile station device is suppressed. This mobile communication system includes a base station device and a mobile station device, wherein the base station device includes a scheduling portion that carries out scheduling to determine a downlink CQI effective period scheduled by using the downlink CQI as a downlink effective period, start the downlink effective period after a lapse of a given period from downlink CQI transmission timing, and allow the mobile station device to transmit control information and user data only during the downlink effective period. |
| US08711877B2 |
Apparatus and method for connection control with media negotiation successful on different media formats
In an apparatus for connection control between two terminals, a communication unit transmits or receives a connection control signal to or from the terminals. A storage stores media format information usable on the two terminals, which are to be supplied with the media format information on media formats converted by a media format converter. A media format information supplementing unit references the media format information storage, based on the connection control signal received from the terminal, and verifies a possible presence of common media format information usable by the terminals to be interconnected. If there is no common media format information, predetermined media format information is supplemented to the connection control signal, and a resulting connection control signal is delivered to the communication device. Thus, media negotiation may be made even when media formats usable on the two terminals differ from each other. |
| US08711872B2 |
Data distribution apparatus, data distribution method, and distribution control program
Disclosed is a data distribution apparatus delivering multicast data to a terminal belonging to a multicast group, including: a table generating unit to generate a table including a source address (SA) of the terminal and a destination address (DA) for requesting the multicast data in association with port information of the terminal; an address discrimination unit to discriminate a combination of DA and SA contained in the multicast data; a forwarding destination information generation unit to generate forwarding destination information designating a forwarding destination of the multicast data by obtaining the port information in the table, corresponding to the discriminated combination, and inserts the forwarding destination information in the multicast data for transfer to a L2 switch; and a port selection unit provided in the L2 switch to select port to transfer the multicast data referring to the forwarding destination information and a routing table provided in the L2 switch. |
| US08711871B2 |
Method and system for weighted fair queuing
A system for scheduling data for transmission in a communication network includes a credit distributor and a transmit selector. The communication network includes a plurality of children. The transmit selector is communicatively coupled to the credit distributor. The credit distributor operates to grant credits to at least one of eligible children and children having a negative credit count. Each credit is redeemable for data transmission. The credit distributor further operates to affect fairness between children with ratios of granted credits, maintain a credit balance representing a total amount of undistributed credits available, and deduct the granted credits from the credit balance. The transmit selector operates to select at least one eligible and enabled child for dequeuing, bias selection of the eligible and enabled child to an eligible and enabled child with positive credits, and add credits to the credit balance corresponding to an amount of data selected for dequeuing. |
| US08711870B2 |
Technology for managing traffic via dual homed connections in communication networks
Technique for handling traffic between a specific common source node and a network element NE being part of a dual homing configuration, via a main path and an auxiliary path in the configuration, the technique comprises redirection of the traffic from one of said paths to another while the path from which the traffic has been redirected remains active, while relearn of MAC addresses which is required due to the redirection is performed without executing a MAC addresses flush operation. |
| US08711868B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for providing communications services
Methods, systems, and products provide communications services. A request for communications service is received at a service provider and a best-value scenario is determined. Packets of data are subcontracted to another service provider to receive a subcontracted processing service. A result of the subcontracted processing service is incorporated in the best-value scenario, and the communications service is provided to fulfill the request for communications service. |
| US08711864B1 |
System and method for supporting fibre channel over ethernet communication
A system and method for transmitting packets over two different network protocols without protocol conversion in any switches. A computer system comprises host computers and target storage arrays, or targets, coupled to one another through a Enhanced Ethernet network. Each of the host computers and the targets is configured to transmit encapsulated packets, such as a Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) packet. During system configuration, each of the targets is set to be the only target included in a virtual local area network (VLAN) with a corresponding unique VLAN identifier (ID). A given host computer logins to multiple assigned targets using a predefined Fiber Channel protocol. In response to a login request, a corresponding target assigns and conveys a N_Port ID that comprises a VLAN ID and a unique Host ID to the host computer in a reply message. A virtual link is established between the host computer and the target storage array. |
| US08711862B2 |
System, method and apparatus for pausing multi-channel broadcasts
A system and method for providing a global pause function in a broadcast multimedia system during a pause mode including an input module having an incoming timestamp counter for providing a time-based marker value to mark when each incoming packet arrives from a tuner and an outgoing timestamp counter for providing a time-based marker value for each outgoing packet to a receiver(s), the outgoing counter being configured for controlling when to release each outgoing packet to the receiver(s). At least one global memory device is provided for storing each received packet. The input module is configured to stop the outgoing counter from incrementing in response to activation of a global pause signal for the duration of the pause mode. Data flow to all of the receiver(s) is simultaneously and automatically stopped when a pause mode is enabled. |
| US08711861B2 |
Lookup front end packet input processor
A packet processor provides for rule matching of packets in a network architecture. The packet processor includes a lookup cluster complex having a number of lookup engines and respective on-chip memory units. The on-chip memory stores rules for matching against packet data. A lookup front-end receives lookup requests from a host, and processes these lookup requests to generate key requests for forwarding to the lookup engines. As a result of the rule matching, the lookup engine returns a response message indicating whether a match is found. The lookup front-end further processes the response message and provides a corresponding response to the host. |
| US08711860B2 |
Controller for flexible and extensible flow processing in software-defined networks
A network device acts as a controller within a software-defined network. The network device receives a processing definition, which includes a representation of configurable definitions of protocols, configurable flow table definitions, and configurable logic for selecting between flow tables defined by the configurable flow table definitions. The network device translates the processing definition to create a parser configuration package, which is distributed to a plurality of forwarding elements. This distribution causes each forwarding element to create a flow table based on each of the configurable flow table definitions. The flow tables include one or more configurable key columns and a set of one or more action columns to store forwarding decisions. The network device transmits data to populate the configurable key columns and action columns of the flow tables created within each of the plurality of forwarding elements. |
| US08711859B2 |
Interconnecting virtual domains
According to certain embodiments, control packets are received through a control plane tunnel that communicates control traffic for virtual private networks (VPNs) among autonomous systems. A routing instance of each control packet is identified according to a control tag of the control packet. At least two routing instances are distinct from each other. The control packets are routed according to the routing instances. According to certain embodiments, data packets are received through a data plane tunnel that communicates data traffic for the VPNs among the autonomous systems. A forwarding instance of the control packet is identified for each data packet according to a data tag of the data packet. At least two forwarding instances are distinct from each other. The data packets are forwarded according to the forwarding instances. |
| US08711855B1 |
Topology discovery, control channel establishment, and datapath provisioning within an aggregation network with centralized control
An access network is described in which a centralized controller provides seamless end-to-end service from a core-facing edge of a service provider network through aggregation and access infrastructure out to access nodes located proximate to the subscriber devices. The controller operates to provide a central configuration point for configuring aggregation nodes (AGs) of a network of the service provider so as to provide transport services to transport traffic between access nodes (AXs) and edge routers on opposite borders of the network. |
| US08711853B2 |
System and method for providing a path avoidance feature in a network environment
A method is provided in one example and includes evaluating multiple paths in a network in order to execute a reverse path forwarding decision for multicast traffic associated with a source. The method may also include selecting a second network path based on a first network path previously been designated as a route for the multicast traffic associated with the source. The first network path and a second network path differ by at least one network element. The method further includes receiving at least one of a first data stream and a second data stream, wherein the first data stream is associated with the first network path and the second data stream is associated with the second network path. |
| US08711849B2 |
Output queued switch with a parallel shared memory, and method of operating same
A network switch includes an input layer to receive a data stream with a set of cells. Each cell includes data and a header to designate a destination device. The input layer includes a set of input layer circuits. A selected input layer circuit of the set of input layer circuits receives the data stream. The selected input layer circuit includes a set of queues corresponding to a set of destination devices. The selected input layer circuit is configured to assign a selected cell from the data stream to a selected queue of the set of queues. The selected queue corresponds to a selected destination device specified by the header of the selected cell. An intermediate layer includes a set of intermediate layer circuits, each intermediate layer circuit has a set of buffers corresponding to the set of destination devices. A selected intermediate layer circuit of the set of intermediate layer circuits receives the selected cell and assigns the selected cell to a selected buffer corresponding to the selected destination device. An output layer includes a set of output layer circuits corresponding to the set of destination devices. A selected output layer circuit of the set of output layer circuits stores the selected cell prior to routing the selected cell to a selected output layer circuit output node. |
| US08711845B2 |
Communication terminal device, communication system, and communication control method
The first communication unit 101 performs data communication in a first communication mode specializing in packet communication via a first communication system A. The second communication unit 102 performs data communication in a second communication mode supporting voice communication via a second communication system B. The control unit 109 controls the first communication unit 101 and second communication unit 102. The control unit 109 controls the first communication unit 101 to perform data communication via the first communication system A until a voice communication start instruction is received. The control unit 109 determines whether to perform data communication via the second communication system B based on access control information on the second communication system B in response to the reception of a voice communication start instruction. |
| US08711844B2 |
Peer-to-peer, internet protocol telephone system with proxy interface for configuration data
Various embodiments of the invention provide a Peer-to-Peer (P2P, Internet Protocol (IP) telephone system. The telephone system includes a plurality of terminals coupled together via an IP network. The terminals cooperate with one another to provide telephony features without a dedicated central controller such as a PBX and/or a KSU controller. The terminals may further receive requests for configuration data residing on other terminals, relay the requests to such other terminals to obtain the request configuration, and return the requested configuration data to the requesting device. |
| US08711841B2 |
Communication system
A method of establishing a communication event in a communication system from an initiator device to one of a plurality of entities associated with the initiator device comprising assigning a calling identity to at least one of said entities at a first network node associated with a packet switched network; providing the assigned identity to the initiator device; storing associated contact information for the entity together with the calling identity assigned to the entity at a second network node associated with the packet switched network, initiating a communication event from the initiator device to the entity via a circuit switched network by transmitting the identity assigned to the entity to a gateway node; sending a message to the second network node with the identity assigned to the entity to determine the contact information for the entity; and routing the communication event from the gateway node to the entity using the determined contact information via one of the circuit switched and packet switched networks without said communication event being routed via said first network node. |
| US08711838B1 |
Using network labels without standard-defined syntax and semantics
In general, techniques are described for transmitting MPLS labels over a network. More specifically, a network device such a router receives a packet to be forwarded according to a label switching protocol, such as Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS). The router may determine a service instance for the packet based on a client device from which the packet originated. The network device may determine one or more services to apply to the packet based on the service instance for the packet and generate a label which having a service instance portion and a service information portion. The network device may append the label to the packet to form an MPLS-encapsulated packet, and may forward the MPLS-encapsulated packet via an output interface according to the label switching protocol. |
| US08711834B2 |
Method to prevent hyper frame number de-synchronization in a wireless communication system
A method for HFN synchronization in a wireless communication system. The method includes toggling an RSN bit value in RESET PDU, after single sided re-establishment of RLC entity. A RESET PDU with the toggled RSN bit value is transmitted to a receiver. The HFN value then updated according to a RESET ACK PDU. |
| US08711832B2 |
Method and apparatus for selective decoding in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for controlling decoding in a wireless communication system are provided. Data is received in a slot associated with a packet to be received. A threshold is determined according to format information of the packet. It is determined whether to decode the received data by comparing the threshold with the number of slots received in relation to the packet. The received data is stored without decoding, if the number of the received slots is less than or equal to the threshold. The received data is decoded to recover the packet, if the number of the received slots is greater than the threshold. |
| US08711810B2 |
Method for dropping packet data, radio communication device, and mobile communication system
A control method in a mobile communication system, that includes configuring a timer corresponding to packet data for discarding the packet data according to a value of the timer; maintaining the value of the timer corresponding to the packet data when a handover is performed without restarting or resetting the value of the timer; and discarding the corresponding packet data when the maintained value of the timer reaches a given value. |
| US08711802B2 |
Communication apparatus, and method and program for controlling same
A communication apparatus communicates by switching between a first communication period in which contention access control is performed and a second communication period in which non-contention access control is performed. The apparatus determines the state of access contention in the first communication period, changes the frequency bandwidth of the first or second communication period in accordance with the determination and changes the time ratio between the first communication period and the second communication period in accordance with the change of frequency bandwidth. |
| US08711801B2 |
System and method for burst separation and extended interleaving length
A method includes allocating frame capacity between physical layer pipes dividing a frame and physical layer pipes into a plurality of subframes, wherein each subframe carries one burst from each physical layer pipe; selectively time shifting the plurality of bursts such that a defined time shift exists between corresponding bursts in each subframe within the frame; and appending the subframes after each other in a sequence. Each frame may include two or more radio frequency channels, each radio frequency channel including subframes. The method may further include selectively time shifting one or more of the radio frequency channels such that a defined time shift exists between corresponding radio frequency channels in each frame; and for any subframes of a radio frequency channel which have been selectively shifted beyond the end of the frame, cyclically shifting such subframes to the beginning of the frame. |
| US08711800B2 |
Wireless communications system, wireless communications apparatus, wireless communications method and computer program for wireless communication
In performing SVD-MIMO transmission, a set-up procedure is simplified while assuring a satisfactory decoding capability with a reduced number of antennas. A transmitter estimates channel information based on reference signals sent from a receiver, determines a transmit antenna weighting coefficient matrix based on the channel information, calculates a weight to be assigned to each of components of a multiplexed signal, and sends, to the receiver, training signals for respective signal components, the training signals being weighted by the calculated weights. On the other hand, the receiver determines a receive antenna weighting coefficient matrix based on the received training signals. |
| US08711792B2 |
Method for mapping resource units
A method for mapping resource units is disclosed. The method includes: dividing the physical resource unit set to obtain a first physical resource unit set which is in a unit of N1 continuous physical resource units, and a second physical resource unit set into which the remaining physical resource units are put; permuting, in a unit of N2 continuous physical resource units, the physical resource units in the second physical resource unit set; allocating, in a unit of N1 continuous physical resource units, the physical resource units in the first physical resource unit set to each frequency partition, and allocating, in a unit of one physical resource unit, the permuted physical resource units in the second physical resource unit set to each frequency partition. By using the invention, the combination of external mapping under the two-level sub-carrier mapping manner in the partial frequency multiplexing with the localized mapping and the distributed mapping can be realized. |
| US08711790B2 |
DL control channel structure enhancement
An apparatus includes one or more processor and one or more memories including computer program code. The one or more memories and the computer program code are configured to, with the one or more processors and in response to execution of the computer program code, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: accessing in an enhanced downlink control region of a downlink subframe a downlink control channel message corresponding to the apparatus, wherein the downlink control channel message corresponding to the apparatus occupies two or more physical resource blocks contiguous in one or both of time and frequency; and accessing or not accessing a portion specific to the apparatus of a physical downlink shared channel in the downlink subframe, depending in least in part on the determined downlink control channel message. Additional apparatus, methods, and computer products are disclosed. |
| US08711786B2 |
Autonomous downlink code selection for femto cells
Downlink codes may be chosen autonomously for femtocells in a wireless communication environment. Downlink transmissions are received from Home NodeBs that are neighbors of the femtocell and macrocell base stations near the femtocell. The downlink transmissions are evaluated to recognize a first set of detected downlink codes that each have a pilot energy above a predetermined detection threshold. An optimal downlink code is selected for use in connection with serving user equipment of the femtocell. The optimal downlink code is based upon the first set of detected downlink codes and selected as a downlink code from a set of downlink codes reserved for the femtocell. The optimal downlink code may be an available downlink code with a smallest amount of detected energy or a randomly selected downlink code from the available downlink codes. |
| US08711784B2 |
Beaconing and superframe structure for millimeter wave wireless technologies
According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided a method and apparatus for communicating in a wireless network with a MAC layer that uses multi-level beacons, the multi-level beacons including a discovery beacon which is transmitted in an omni mode and an announcement beacon/frame transmitted in a beamformed mode. |
| US08711782B2 |
Session transfer method, application server, and communications system
Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communications and provide a session transfer method, an application server, and a communications system, which implement a cross-network session transfer between a CS domain and an IMS domain. The method includes: after receiving a session transfer request sent by user B or user C in the IMS domain, sending a release message to the user B currently in a call to terminate a session between user A in the CS domain and the user B, and negotiating media information of the user A and media information of the user C to establish a session between the user A and the user C. The embodiments of the present invention apply to a cross-network session between the CS domain and the IMS domain. |
| US08711781B2 |
Multi-carrier operation for wireless systems
A method for a subscriber station to perform network entry in a multi-carrier wireless environment that has a primary carrier and at least one secondary carrier associated with a base station. The method includes sensing a carrier in an area serviced by the base station and determining if the carrier is a primary carrier or a secondary carrier. The method further includes performing the network entry if the determining establishes that the sensed carrier is a primary carrier and not a secondary carrier. |
| US08711780B2 |
Method for sending status information in mobile telecommunications system and receiver of mobile telecommunications
Discussed is a method of sending status information (STATUS PDU) in which a receiving side reports a data received state to a transmitting side in a mobile telecommunication system. A receiving side RLC entity considers an available radio resource to construct a status PDU fit to the size of the radio resource and then sends the constructed status PDU to a transmitting side RLC entity, thereby avoiding a deadlock situation of RLC protocols. |
| US08711777B2 |
Apparatus for transmitting and receiving data in a wireless communication system and method thereof
An apparatus for transmitting and receiving data in a wireless communication system. In a terminal of a wireless communication system, the present invention includes receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), receiving a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and demodulating the PDSCH by interpreting the PDCCH according to a type of a subframe including the PDCCH and the PDSCH. |
| US08711773B2 |
Multi-carrier operation for wireless systems
A method for a subscriber station to perform network entry in a multi-carrier wireless environment that has a primary carrier and at least one secondary carrier associated with a base station. The method includes sensing a carrier in an area serviced by the base station and determining if the carrier is a primary carrier or a secondary carrier. The method further includes performing the network entry if the determining establishes that the sensed carrier is a primary carrier and not a secondary carrier. |
| US08711771B2 |
Scalable header extension
Systems and methods for extending header fields are disclosed. The header field may be extended without changing the current size of the header. Reserve bits may be used to indicate the use of an extended header and the extended header may be store in a variety of locations within the frame, including the frame payload or pad bits. |
| US08711760B2 |
Method and apparatus to adjust received signal
A wireless communication device, a wireless communication system and a method to adjust transmitted signals constellation in a maximum likelihood multiple-input-multiple-output receiver by transmitting an EVM deviation value. The EVM deviation value may be added to a pre-stored error value at the receiver. |
| US08711755B2 |
Wireless communication system, wireless communication device, wireless communication method, and program
A wireless communication system is provided that includes a first wireless communication device, a second wireless communication device, and a base station. The first and second wireless communication devices perform one of indirect communication via the base station and direct communication not passing via the base station. The first wireless communication device obtains the type of communication function with which the second wireless communication device is compatible, and transmits a data frame using at least one of the communication functions with which both the first and second wireless communication devices are compatible. The second wireless communication device measures communication quality of the data frame transmitted from the first wireless communication device for each communication function used. One of the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device, based on the communication quality, determines whether to perform one of the indirect communication and the direct communication. |
| US08711753B2 |
Femtocell one-to-many packet delivery
Femto nodes provide Local IP Access (LIPA) which allows terminals to communicate with local area networks that the femtocells reside in using cellular air-interfaces (such as cdma2000, UMTS or LTE). Femto nodes also enable Remote IP Access (RIPA) service, which allows the terminals to access the local area network from the Internet as if they were present in the local area networks. Further, to avoid degradation of standby time of the terminals or the capacity of the femto node, or both, apparatus and methods are described herein in which a femto node consolidates received Broadcast/Multicast IP packets from a local area network prior to delivering the packets to terminals over a cellular air-interface. In other aspects, a femto node may deliver the received Broadcast/Multicast IP packets via a cellular one-to-many transmission, either with or without consolidation. |
| US08711748B2 |
Method and apparatus for band switching in wireless local access network
A method and apparatus of switching a band in a wireless local access network (WLAN) is provided. The method includes transmitting a multi-band switch request message to request switching from a first frequency band to a second frequency band, and receiving a multi-band switch response message in response to the multi-band switch request message. The multi-band switch request message includes a multi-band switch schedule to operate in the second frequency band. Wider coverage can be supported by using multi-band. |
| US08711747B2 |
Power saving methods for wireless systems
Methods for saving power and facilitating transitions from power-saving states back to active states in mobile stations are provided. A base station transmits indication of a periodic interval at which system configuration information is to be transmitted, periodically transmits a current version of system configuration information and in advance of an action time of a new version of system configuration information, periodically transmits the new version of system configuration information at the periodic interval; and transmits a flag indicating whether the new version of system configuration information is available. In respect of each of at least one mobile station in a power-saving state, in which the mobile station (MS) is configured on a per-MS basis to periodically wake up and check for the presence of an information block relevant to the MS, the base station transmits an information block presence indicator indicative of whether the information block is present. |
| US08711746B2 |
Method, apparatus or computer program for changing from scheduled to unscheduled communication modes
A method comprising: while in a first communication mode that uses scheduled communication, detecting when a number of packets communicated in an interval exceeds a threshold; and if the number of packets communicated in the interval exceeds the threshold, changing the communication mode from the first communication mode to a second communication mode that uses unscheduled communication and if the number of packets communicated in the interval does not exceed the threshold, remaining in the first communication mode. |
| US08711744B2 |
Commissioning incoming packet switched connections
A node (120) for communication within a communication system (100), wherein the node (120) comprises a network signaling stack (122), the node (120) is adapted for serving as a first radio access platform which supports incoming packet switched connections, the node (120) is adapted for interconnecting to a second radio access platform which supports outgoing packet switched connections, and the node (120) is adapted for commissioning of an incoming packet switched connection. |
| US08711742B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus, a method of wireless communication, and a program for wireless communication
In wireless communication with another communication apparatus in a predetermined wireless network, overhead information defined in a media access control layer is divided into a header of information necessary for the common access control and a header of information necessary for each payload. Address information is added to the header of information necessary for the common access control to transmit the generated header attached to the transmission data. For example, in a case of forming a physical burst in which a plurality of data payloads are combined into one, a frame structure is provided without useless repetition of address information. |
| US08711741B1 |
Method and apparatus for networked modems
Networked modems configurable to establish a communication system on a wired communication medium. Each modem includes: a network module, transmit and receive path modules and a frequency domain echo canceller. The network module is configured to communicate with network modules of remaining ones of the at least three modems to allocate bandwidth of the shared communications medium for at least two discrete point-to-point communication links between corresponding pairs of the at least three modems. The transmit and receive path modules are configured for multi-tone modulation and demodulation of communications on the wired communication medium and are responsive to the bandwidth allocation of the network module to concurrently process at least a first discrete point-to-point communication link with a first modem among remaining ones of the at least three modems and at least a second discrete point-to-point communication link with a second among remaining ones of the at least three modems. The frequency domain echo canceller is configured to substantially cancel leakage of the communications transmitted on the transmit path into the receive path and to enable each point-to-point communication link to support full duplex communications. |
| US08711736B2 |
Audio processing in a multi-participant conference
A first computing device distributes audio signals to several computing devices of participants in a communication session. In some embodiments, the first computing device serves as a central distributor for receiving audio signals from other computing devices, compositing the audio signals and distributing the composited audio signals to the other computing devices. The first computing device prioritizes the received audio signals based on a set of criteria and selects several highly prioritized audio signals. The first computing device generates composite audio signals using only the selected audio signals. The first computing device sends each computing device the composited audio signal for the device. In some cases, the first computing device sends a selected audio signal to another computing device without mixing the signal with any other audio signal. |
| US08711735B2 |
Personal IP toll-free number
In an internet telephony system, toll-free service and the calls that are accepted and paid for can be specified by the IP telephony system user to be limited according to the calling party's identity, time of day, day of week or other criteria. Data that is used to screen or filter incoming calls is programmed into a call manager by the IP telephone system user's broadband residential gateway. Using such a system the user can carefully screen calls that are paid for and more closely control telecommunications service costs. More generally, the user has the ability to store predefined call handling criteria, which may be executed by the broadband residential gateway and/or the call manager. |
| US08711732B2 |
Synthesized interoperable communications
A method for interoperable communications including at least the step of: a) at least one radio user's being able to transmit at least one transmission on a first radio frequency to a computer having at least one sound card and at least two sound card channels on one or more sound cards, wherein each of the at least two sound card channels is programmed to receive and process transmissions from at least two separate radio frequencies. This configuration creates a new way of interfacing virtually any speaker with virtually any computer, and allows a paradigm shift of communications organization such that everyone can talk at once, literally, and still “hear” everyone else. |
| US08711723B2 |
Subband SNR correction in a frequency selective scheduler
A method, system, and base station for providing subband signal to noise ratio (SNR) correction in the scheduling of communication resources. A Scheduling Correction (SC) utility receives periodic subband and wideband channel quality indicator (CQI) reports from one or more wireless devices. The SC utility records a subframe report period for a respective subband CQI report. The SC utility calculates the age of the subband report to determine whether the subband CQI report remains valid. If the subband report is invalid, the SC utility utilizes the wideband CQI report for (current) transmission scheduling. However, if the subband report is valid, the SC utility utilizes: (a) the subband CQI report for transmission scheduling from the most current reporting subframe; or (b) a modified subband CQI value with a correction that utilizes the wideband CQI report, if the subband CQI report was not received at the most current reporting subframe. |
| US08711719B2 |
Generating network topology parameters and monitoring a communications network domain
A method of generating network topology parameters of a communications network domain comprising a plurality of network nodes and a plurality of interconnecting links. The method comprises: identifying network nodes configured to interface with one or more other network domains as summarized nodes; and generating network topology parameters for one or more pairs of summarized nodes. The network topology parameters are dependent on the transmission parameters of one or more identified paths between said pair of summarized nodes. At least one said path comprises at least one other network node and respective interconnecting links. |
| US08711715B2 |
Method and apparatus to select a profile of a digital communication line
A method of selecting a profile of a digital communication line includes determining a first throughput value of the digital communication line, the first throughput value associated with a first profile and determined based at least in part on a count of code violations. The method includes determining a second throughput value of the digital communication line that is associated with a second profile, the second throughput value determined based on the count of code violations. The method includes identifying a selected profile that has a greater corresponding throughput value. The first throughput value is greater than the second throughput value when the count of code violations is less than a threshold and the first throughput value is smaller than the second throughput value when the count of code violations is greater than the threshold. |
| US08711714B2 |
Method and system for simulating wireless networks
A method, that comprises selecting for simulation a first cell comprising a access station. The method also includes determining a first cell pattern comprising a first plurality of cells surrounding the first cell. The method additionally includes simulating, for each cell of the first plurality of cells, at least one wireless parameter associated with at least one wireless signal. The method further includes determining a second cell pattern comprising a second plurality of cells surrounding the first cell pattern. Each cell of the second plurality of cells comprises a copy of a simulation result of a corresponding cell of the first plurality of cells. The method also includes simulating, for the first cell, at least one wireless parameter associated with at least one wireless connection. The simulation is based on the simulation results of the first plurality of cells and the copied simulation results of the second plurality of cells. |
| US08711707B2 |
Integrating multimedia capabilities with circuit-switched calls
The present invention monitors call signaling events stemming from a circuit-switched call between a caller and a called party and controls a packet-session between user agents on respective endpoints associated with the caller and called party. The endpoints may include any type of computational device capable of facilitating the packet-session over a packet-switched network. Control of the user agents may be provided via a proxy for the user agents and may use the session initiation protocol (SIP), or like session control protocol for communications. |
| US08711705B1 |
Method and system for monitoring service quality in a mobile node
A mobile node includes a software client that is configured to monitor the quality of a communication service provided by a wireless network and to detect an impairment of the communication service. When a service impairment is detected, the software client is further configured to generate a service impairment report for transmission to a service quality management system for the wireless network. The service impairment report may include a description of the service impairment (such as the category of impairment), a time associated with the impairment, and a location associated with the impairment. The software client may also be configured to determine a cause of the detected impairment and to indicate the cause in the service impairment report. |
| US08711699B2 |
Prioritizing application data for transmission in a wireless user device
Methods and systems for prioritizing application data in a wireless user device are disclosed. A user device receives, at an application transport bearer (ATB) entity of a protocol layer of a network interface of a user device, at least a portion of a data packet originating from an application identified for prioritized data transfer on the user device. Then, the ATB entity of the user device schedules the data packet ahead of any data packets processed at any network-established data radio bearer (DRB) entities on the same protocol layer as the ATB entity. The ATB entity of the user device is also configured to operate on a protocol layer of a subset of protocol layers on the user device and is configured by the user device with a higher priority parameter than any of the network-established DRB entities on the same protocol layer as the ATB entity. |
| US08711694B2 |
Call admission control method and system
A call admission control technique allowing flexible and reliable call admissions at an ATM switch in the case of an ATM network including both QoS-specified and QoS-unspecified virtual connections is disclosed. In the case where a QoS (Quality of Service) specified connection request occurs, an estimated bandwidth is calculated which is to be assigned to an existing QoS-unspecified traffic on the link associated with the QoS-specified connection request. A call control processor of the ATM switch determines whether the QoS-specified connection request is accepted, depending on whether a requested bandwidth is smaller than an available bandwidth that is obtained by subtracting an assigned bandwidth and the estimated bandwidth from a full bandwidth of the link. |
| US08711693B2 |
Gateway channel utilization
Voice call entries for voice calls handled by a gateway may be stored in a database. Determining channel utilization in the gateway may include determining whether a gateway channel was used during a voice call based on a corresponding voice call entry. A determination may be made as to whether the voice call is complete or active. Also, the channel name is determined and the channel usage duration of the voice call since the last channel utilization determination is calculated. Also, the channel name is mapped with the channel usage duration, and the mapping may be stored in the database. |
| US08711682B2 |
Method for resource allocation in a wireless communication network, method for error-free transmission of information, node and wireless communication network
An approach for resource allocation in a wireless communication network including a sender, a relay station and a receiver in case of a retransmission of information from the relay station to the receiver is described, wherein a resource necessary for retransmission is determined on the basis of the relayed channel and the relay function. |
| US08711678B2 |
Communication network management system, method and program, and management computer
A communication network includes a plurality of nodes and a plurality of links connecting between the nodes. A management computer managing the communication network has a storage means, an entry control means and a monitoring means. A route information indicating a transfer route of frames in the communication network is stored in the storage means. The monitoring means performs, based on the route information, transmission and reception of frames to and from the communication network. The entry control means instructs each node to set up a forwarding table indicating a correspondence relationship between an input source and a forwarding destination of frames. More specifically, the entry control means instructs the each node to set up the forwarding table such that frames are forwarded along the transfer route indicated by the route information. |
| US08711674B2 |
Interference suppressing OFDM system for wireless communications
An IS-OFDM system for point-to-point wireless communications that suppresses narrow-band interference comprises an IS-OFDM transmitter and an IS-OFDM receiver, wherein a transmitted signal comprises a plurality of subcarriers, and further wherein each subcarrier contains more than one and potentially all symbols transmitted in a given frame. The IS-OFDM transmitted signal is at a data rate that is equal to the data rate of the input data stream via the use of P/S converters. |
| US08711672B2 |
Wireless communication system using pilot allocation, method and pilot pattern thereof
A wireless communication system using pilot allocation, method and pilot pattern thereof are disclosed. The method is applied for allocating pilots for transmission of multiple pilot streams in a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna system using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation. In embodiment, the pilot allocation are applied in contiguous frame structure, and two pilots are allocated for each pilot stream in frame structure comprising 18 subcarriers and 6 OFDM symbols. The 8 pilot streams are grouped into two pilot stream clusters, and pilots for each pilot stream cluster are grouped into two pilot clusters. Four pilot clusters are then allocated in first frame structure, and the allocation of the pilot clusters in second frame structure corresponds to those in first frame structure. Therefore, better transfer rate in such wireless communication system can be achieved. |
| US08711671B2 |
Extension of physical downlink control channel coverage
It is provided an apparatus, including observing means configured to observe a first parameter; deciding means configured to decide, based on the first parameter, whether or not an original search space of a downlink control channel of an orthogonal frequency division multiplex technology is to be redefined; and redefining means configured to redefine the original search space, thus obtaining a redefined search space. |
| US08711666B2 |
Adhesive structure of optical device, adhesion method, and optical pickup device
In an optical pickup device for use in recording and reproducing on an optical recording medium, such as a CD or DVD, banks are formed on both sides of an adhesive agent application position for adhering an optical device, such as a photodetector or a laser diode, in an optical pickup case. At this time, a bank on the side of an optical path is formed higher than a height of an outer bank, and an adhesive agent is poured between the banks, to adhere the optical pickup case and the optical device. |
| US08711663B1 |
Plasmon generator includes three metal layers for thermally-assisted magnetic recording
A plasmon generator has a front end face located in a medium facing surface of a magnetic head. The plasmon generator includes a first layer formed of a first metal material, a second layer formed of a second metal material, and a third layer formed of a third metal material. Each of the second and third layers has an end portion constituting part of the front end face. The first layer does not have any portion constituting part of the front end face. The first and second metal materials are higher in electrical conductivity than the third metal material. The third metal material is higher in Vickers hardness than the first and second metal materials. The first layer has a plasmon exciting part. |
| US08711662B2 |
Near-field transducers for focusing light
An apparatus includes a waveguide shaped to direct light to a focal point, and a near-field transducer positioned adjacent to the focal point, wherein the near-field transducer includes a dielectric component and a metallic component positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the dielectric component. An apparatus includes a waveguide shaped to direct light to a focal point, and a near-field transducer positioned adjacent to the focal point, wherein the near-field transducer includes a first metallic component, a first dielectric layer positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the first metallic component, and a second metallic component positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the first dielectric component. |
| US08711660B2 |
Timepiece
A timepiece, particularly wristwatch, having a dial on which are arranged at least two circular scales having centers which are offset relative to one another. A first hand can sweep over the first scale and a second hand can sweep over the second scale, each hand being rotatable around a hand axis centric to the associated scale, and wherein the scales partially overlap. There is formed in the dial in the area surrounded by the first circular scale an aperture through which an area of the timepiece located behind the plane of the dial is visible. The circle segment of the second scale extending across the aperture is arranged on a separate scale carrier which is pivotable around a pivot axis coaxial to the hand axis of the second hand between a display position covering the aperture into a non-display position not covering the aperture. |
| US08711654B2 |
Random sampling for geophysical acquisitions
The presently disclosed technique includes a method for geophysical survey having at least one source and one receiver, wherein the survey has two sets of survey locations within the survey area, one set of survey locations for the source(s) and the other set of survey locations for the receiver(s), wherein the survey locations in one set are randomized. |
| US08711653B2 |
Changing a system clock rate synchronously
A system includes a shared memory and a plurality of processor cores communicatively coupled to the shared memory. The system includes a processor core memory and a clock subsystem for providing a clock signal to the shared memory and the plurality of processor cores. Each of the plurality of processor cores executes instructions stored in the processor core memory for synchronously changing the clock rate provided by the clock subsystem to the plurality of processor cores. |
| US08711652B2 |
Arbitration for memory device with commands
A plurality of masters arbitrate for access to a shared memory device, such as a SDRAM (synchronous dynamic random access memory), amongst themselves using software and arbitration interfaces. The masters generate additional commands upon arbitration, such as MRS and PALL commands, for prevention of collision of commands, refresh starvation, and/or a missing pre-charge operation in the shared memory device. |
| US08711648B2 |
Voltage generating system and memory device using the same
A voltage generating system and a memory device using the same are disclosed. The voltage generating system includes an internal voltage regulator, configured to supply a current to pull an internal supply voltage to a regulated level and maintain at the regulated level; and a substrate-bias controlled selector, configured to receive a regulator power-up mode signal, a regulating mode signal and a substrate-bias voltage of a substrate, and control the internal voltage regulator such that when the substrate-bias voltage is smaller than a predetermined voltage, the internal voltage regulator powers up and operates normally by respectively taking the regulator power-up mode signal and the regulating mode signal into consideration, and when the substrate-bias voltage is larger than or equal to the predetermined voltage, the internal voltage regulator is disabled. The predetermined voltage is smaller than or equal to a forward voltage of a p-n junction formed with the substrate. |
| US08711646B2 |
Architecture, system and method for testing resistive type memory
Example embodiments include a method for massive parallel stress testing of resistive type memories. The method can include, for example, disabling one or more internal analog voltage generators, configuring memory circuitry to use a common plane voltage (VCP) pad or external pin, connecting bit lines of the memory device to a constant current driver, which works in tandem with the VCP pad or external pin to perform massive parallel read or write operations. The inventive concepts include fast test setup and initialization of the memory array. The data can be retention tested or otherwise verified using similar massive parallel testing techniques. Embodiments also include a memory test system including a memory device having DFT circuitry configured to perform massive parallel stress testing, retention testing, functional testing, and test setup and initialization. |
| US08711643B2 |
Memory interface circuit, memory interface method, and electronic device
A memory interface circuit includes a gating circuit that starts detection of a logic level of a data strobe signal in accordance with a data read command. A clamp circuit clamps the data strobe signal to a first logic level after the data read command is issued. A detection circuit detects a logic level of the data strobe signal, which is driven by the memory, in accordance with the data read command. |
| US08711642B2 |
Interleaving charge pumps for programmable memories
Systems and methods, including computer software for performing operations enable interleaving of charging operations in a charging pump. A first charge pump is charged to a predetermined level, and a first operation is performed using a charge stored in the first charge pump after it reaches the predetermined level. A second charge pump is charged during a time that overlaps with performing the first operation. A second operation is performed using a charge stored in the second charge pump as a result of charging the second charge pump. |
| US08711641B2 |
Memory device, test operation method thereof, and system including the same
A test operation method of a memory device includes a reference current generator generating a reference current and providing a reference voltage generated based on the reference current to one of input terminals of a sense amplifier; providing a read voltage generated based on a read current of a memory cell to another one of the input terminals of the sense amplifier; and the sense amplifier comparing the reference voltage with the read voltage. |
| US08711640B2 |
Semiconductor memory apparatus
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes: a data output signal transmitter configured to receive a data signal and a data mask signal and transmit a data output signal through a global data line, the data output signal being outputted by determining whether the data signal is masked or not; and a write driver configured to receive the data output signal through the global data line and input the received data output signal to a local data line corresponding to the data output signal. |
| US08711639B2 |
Data paths using a first signal to capture data and a second signal to output data and methods for providing data
Data paths, memories, and methods for providing data from memory are disclosed. An example read data path includes a delay path, and a clocked data register. The data path has a data propagation delay and is configured to receive data and propagate the data therethrough. The delay path is configured to receive a clock signal and provide a delayed clock signal having a delay relative to the clock signal that models the data propagation delay. The clocked data register is configured to clock in data responsive at least in part to the delayed clock signal. The clocked data register is further configured to clock out data responsive at least in part to the clock signal. |
| US08711632B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
The control circuit selects, as the first reference cell, the first memory cell having a maximum reading current supplied by turning on the first select transistor in a state in which resistance values of the first memory cells are all increased. The control circuit selects, as the second reference cell, the second memory cell having a maximum reading current supplied by turning on the second select transistor in a state in which resistance values of the second memory cells are all increased. The first reference-current setting circuit sets, as the first reference current, a current obtained by adding a first adjusting current to the reading current of the first reference cell. The second reference-current setting circuit sets, as the second reference current, a current obtained by adding a second adjusting current to the reading current of the second reference cell. |
| US08711627B2 |
Data storage device and block selection method for a flash memory
The invention provides a block selection method for a flash memory. First, a flash memory is divided into a plurality of great block groups. Each of the great block groups is then divided into a plurality of block groups. Scores corresponding to the blocks of the flash memory are then recorded in a score table. When the score of a target block selected from the blocks of the flash memory has been amended, the amended score of the target block is compared with a first extreme value and a second extreme value corresponding to the block group and the great block group comprising the target block and the total extreme value. A victim block is then determined from the blocks of the flash memory according to an extreme value table. |
| US08711626B2 |
Flash memory apparatus and method for generating read voltage thereof
A flash memory apparatus includes: a cell array including a plurality of main blocks, a code addressable memory (CAM) block, and a security block; a control unit configured to detect a threshold voltage change data of a main block to which a program operation has been performed among the plurality of main blocks, and set a trimming value corresponding to the detected threshold voltage change data; and a read voltage generation unit configured to generate a read voltage according to the set trimming value. |
| US08711624B2 |
Memory device and self interleaving method thereof
A memory device includes a memory cell array, a self interleaver configured to interleave and load data on the fly into a buffer circuit using an interleaving scheme, and a control logic configured to control programming of the interleaved data in the memory cell array. |
| US08711617B2 |
Data modulation for groups of memory cells
Methods, devices, and systems for data modulation for groups of memory cells. Data modulation for groups of memory cells can include modulating N units of data to a combination of programmed states. Each memory cell of a group of G number of memory cells can be programmed to one of M number of programmed states, where M is greater than a minimum number of programmed states needed to store N/G units of data in one memory cell, and where the programmed state of each memory cell of the group is one of the combination of programmed states. |
| US08711616B2 |
Single check memory devices and methods
Memory devices and methods of operating memory devices are shown. Configurations described include circuits to perform a single check between programming pulses to determine a threshold voltage with respect to desired benchmark voltages. In one example, the benchmark voltages are used to change a programming speed of selected memory cells. |
| US08711615B2 |
Memory kink checking
This disclosure concerns memory kink checking. One embodiment includes selectively applying one of a plurality of voltages to a first data line according to a programming status of a first memory cell, wherein the first memory cell is coupled to the first data line and to a selected access line. An effect on a second data line is determined, due at least in part to the voltage applied to the first data line and a capacitive coupling between at least the first data line and the second data line, wherein the second data line is coupled to a second memory cell, the second memory cell is adjacent to the first memory cell, and the second memory cell is coupled to the selected access line. A kink correction is applied to the second data line, responsive to the determined effect, during a subsequent programming pulse applied to the second memory cell. |
| US08711613B2 |
Non-volatile flash-RAM memory with magnetic memory
A flash-RAM memory includes non-volatile random access memory (RAM) formed on a monolithic die and non-volatile page-mode memory formed on top of the non-volatile RAM, the non-volatile page-mode memory and the non-volatile RAM reside on the monolithic die. The non-volatile RAM is formed of stacks of magnetic memory cells arranged in three-dimensional form for higher density and lower costs. |
| US08711611B2 |
Supply voltage generating circuit and semiconductor device having the same
A supply voltage generating circuit includes a first charge pump circuit that generates a first internal supply voltage, and second charge pump circuit that generates a second internal supply voltage. The absolute value of the second internal supply voltage is greater than that of the first internal supply voltage. The output terminal of the first charge pump circuit is connected to a secondary-side charging terminal of the second charge pump circuit. The secondary-side is an output-side of the corresponding charge pump circuit, and the charging terminal is an auxiliary charging terminal that supplies an auxiliary charge to a secondary-side output terminal of the corresponding charge pump circuit. The output terminal of the second charge pump circuit outputs a voltage value that is the result of adding a prescribed voltage value to the value of the first internal supply voltage applied to the charging terminal. |
| US08711610B2 |
Non-volatile memory array and device using erase markers
A non-volatile memory device, non-volatile memory cell array and related method of operation are disclosed. The non-volatile memory cell array includes a defined data unit stored in a plurality of non-volatile memory cells capable of being electrically overwritten within the non-volatile memory cell array, and an erase marker corresponding to the data unit and indicating whether the data unit is in an erased state or a not-erased state. |
| US08711609B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device
A nonvolatile memory device comprises a memory cell configured to store or output data in a magneto-resistance device in response to a write current applied to a bit line and a source line. A voltage detector is configured to sense potentials loaded in the bit line and the source line. A write current controller configured to control activation of a write control signal in response to an output of the voltage detector, and a write driver configured to control amounts of write current applied to the memory cell according to the activation of the write control signal. |
| US08711605B2 |
Resistive memory element sensing using averaging
A system for determining the logic state of a resistive memory cell element, for example an MRAM resistive cell element. The system includes a controlled voltage supply, an electronic charge reservoir, a current source, and a pulse counter. The controlled voltage supply is connected to the resistive memory cell element to maintain a constant voltage across the resistive element. The charge reservoir is connected to the voltage supply to provide a current through the resistive element. The current source is connected to the charge reservoir to repeatedly supply a pulse of current to recharge the reservoir upon depletion of electronic charge from the reservoir, and the pulse counter provides a count of the number of pulses supplied by the current source over a predetermined time. The count represents a logic state of the memory cell element. |
| US08711601B2 |
Resistive random access memory cell and resistive random access memory module
A resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a plurality of repeated sets of layers is provided. Each of the sets of layers includes a resistance-changing layer, a barrier layer, and an ionic exchange layer between the resistance-changing layer and the barrier layer, wherein a thickness of each of the resistance-changing layer, the barrier layer and the ionic exchange layer exceeds a Fermi wavelength, and the thickness each of the resistance-changing layer and ionic exchange layer are less than an electron mean free path. Further, a RRAM module including the aforesaid RRAM cell and a switch is also provided. |
| US08711594B2 |
Asymmetric switching rectifier
An asymmetric switching rectifier includes a first switching device to allow electric current to flow while in a first state and inhibit electric current in a second state and a second switching device connected in a head-to-head formation to said first switching device, said second switching to allow electric current to flow while in a first state and inhibit electric current in a second state. A first electric current to turn said switching devices to said first state is different than a second electric current to turn said switching devices to said second state. The rectifier further includes a bypass segment to draw a bypass electric current from a center electrode between said first switching device and said second switching device. |
| US08711589B2 |
Direct converting apparatus, method for controlling the same, and control signal generation device
In a direct converting apparatus including a converter and a plurality of inverters, substantial carrier frequencies of the plurality of inverters are made different from each other while performing an operation in synchronization with the converter. An original carrier has a carrier frequency twice as high as a carrier frequency of a first carrier used for controlling one of the inverters. A waveform of the original carrier is magnified twice with a value serving as the center thereof, so that a second carrier used for controlling the other of the inverters is obtained. |
| US08711587B2 |
Power converter with a variable reference voltage and inrush current limiting
[Problem] To provide a power converter capable of suppressing voltage dropping of the smoothing capacitor and suppressing a rush current at the time of power recovery,[Means for Resolution] When it is determined that a bus voltage Vdc detected by a DC voltage detecting unit 24 is equal to or less than a predetermined reference voltage, a control device 20 allows a DC load control unit 23 to stop an operation of a DC load 30. |
| US08711583B2 |
Single-stage PFC converter with constant voltage and constant current
An exemplary embodiment of a power converter is provided. The power converter includes a transformer, a power device, a switching controller, and a capacitor. The power device is coupled to the transformer for switching the transformer to product output of the power converter. The switching controller receives a feedback signal for generating a switching signal coupled to drive the power device. An input circuit of the switching controller is coupled to the transformer to sample an input signal for generating the feedback signal, and the input signal is correlated to the output of the power converter. The capacitor is coupled to the switching controller to provide frequency compensation for a feedback loop of the power converter. Input of the power converter is without an electrolytic capacitor, and a maximum output current of the power converter is a constant current. |
| US08711580B2 |
Resonant conversion system with over-current protection processes
A resonant conversion system is provided, in which a resonant converter receives an input voltage to generate an output voltage, and a buck converter provides the input voltage of the resonant converter, and controls the input voltage to perform an over-current protection process. |
| US08711579B2 |
Switching power supply apparatus with overcurrent limiting and prolonged holding time
A switching power supply apparatus including: a switching DC-DC converter for receiving an input voltage; a current detecting unit for detecting a current from the DC-DC converter; an input voltage detecting unit for detecting the decrease or cutoff of the input voltage; an overcurrent limiting circuit for stopping the operation of the DC-DC converter when the current detected by the current detecting unit exceeds a threshold; and a threshold control unit for changing the threshold of the overcurrent limiting circuit such that, if the decrease or cutoff of the input voltage is detected by the input voltage detecting unit, the period between the time when the decrease or cutoff of the input voltage is detected and the time when the operation of the DC-DC converter is stopped is prolonged. |
| US08711577B2 |
Connector with shielding device and method for manufacturing connector
A connector includes a main body and a shielding device. The main body includes a circuit board and a plurality of cables connected to the circuit board. Each of the plurality of cables includes a plastic jacket, a center core and a dielectric insulator enclosing the center core. The dielectric insulator is received in the plastic jacket, and the center core is attached to the circuit board. The shielding device includes a first insulating member, a copper foil, and a second insulating member. The circuit board is enclosed by the first insulating member and the plurality of cables extend out of the first insulating member. The copper foil covers the first insulating member and secured to the dielectric insulator, and the second insulating member encloses the copper foil. The present disclosure further offers a method for manufacturing the connector. |
| US08711575B2 |
Printed circuit board unit having routing unit mounted thereon and computer device having the same
A printed circuit board unit usable with a computer device includes a main board on which a first component and a second component are mounted on an upper surface, and a routing unit mounted on at least one of the upper surface and a lower surface of the main board and including a sub-wire forming at least part of a wire to transmit a data between the first component and the second component. |
| US08711573B2 |
Using interrupted through-silicon-vias in integrated circuits adapted for stacking
In an integrated circuit (IC) adapted for use in a stack of interconnected ICs, interrupted through-silicon-vias (TSVs) are provided in addition to uninterrupted TSVs. The interrupted TSVs provide signal paths other than common parallel paths between the ICs of the stack. This permits IC identification schemes and other functionalities to be implemented using TSVs, without requiring angular rotation of alternate ICs of the stack. |
| US08711572B2 |
Circuit board having semiconductor chip embedded therein
A circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein includes: a core board having opposing first and second surfaces and a through-hole; a semiconductor chip received in the through-hole and having a first active surface and an opposing second active surface, wherein first electrode pads comprising signal pads, power pads, and ground pads are provided on the first active surface; a first dielectric layer provided on the first surface of the core board and the first active surface of the semiconductor chip and configured to fill a gap between the through-hole and the semiconductor chip so as to secure the semiconductor chip in position to the through-hole; and a first circuit layer disposed in the first dielectric layer so as to be flush with the first dielectric layer, provided with first conductive vias disposed in the first dielectric layer, and electrically connected to the first electrode pads. |
| US08711569B2 |
Server chassis
A server chassis includes a frame for accommodating a plurality of data storage devices and at least one tray for disposing a circuit board. The frame is provided with a connector and the tray is provided with a signal bridge board electrically connecting the circuit board with the connector. The circuit board could be coupled with the data storage devices through the signal bridge board without any use of cables. |
| US08711556B2 |
Business card assembly
A card for use with a computer comprises two panels. One panel is connected to the other for movement about an axis to permit movement of the one between a closed position, wherein the panels are stacked, and an open position, wherein the panels extend away from one another. An apparatus can be coupled to said device and is coupled to the one panel such that the apparatus: moves with the one panel as same moves between the open and closed positions; and is movable relative to the one panel, in a direction perpendicular to the axis, between a retracted position, wherein the apparatus is disposed in stacked relation to the one panel, and an extended position, wherein the apparatus extends beyond the one panel. A mechanism causes the apparatus to move, upon movement of the one panel between the open and closed position, between the extended and retracted position. |
| US08711552B2 |
Modular system having expandable form factor
A modular system of devices, in which a (master) device can be combined with one or more of other (slave) devices to transform to functional electronic devices having expanded functionalities and features in different form factors and/or platforms. The master device is docked to the slave device via a data/electrical interface, to transform the master device to the larger form factor of the slave device, with the master device maintaining control of the slave device, substantially based on the operating system installed in the master device, with access to the data, application programs, functionalities and features embodied in the master device. An intermediate removable physical interface adaptor (or docking adaptor) is provided to facilitate docking compatibility of the master device to the slave device. An enhanced charging and power management scheme is provided to optimize power management for the master device and the slave device. |
| US08711537B2 |
ESD protection device and method for producing the same
An electro-static discharge protection device includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped base in which insulating ceramic layers are laminated, a pair of discharge electrodes that are located inside the base and that include facing portions facing each other, and outer electrodes that are located on surfaces of the base and that are electrically connected to the discharge electrodes. The base includes a cavity therein, and the facing portions of the discharge electrodes are exposed in the cavity. The base has an hourglass shape in which the thickness of the insulating ceramic layers is gradually decreased from an area near both ends of the base to a central portion thereof with respect to both a longitudinal cross section passing through the center in the longitudinal direction of the base and a lateral cross section passing through the center in the lateral direction of the base. |
| US08711533B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor integrated circuit including in a same semiconductor substrate: first and second power supply lines; a protected circuit being connected between the first and second power supply lines and provided with a supply voltage; a detecting circuit detecting a surge generated in the first power supply line; an inverter circuit having one or more inverters connected in series to each other; and a protection transistor being connected between the first and second power supply lines and controlled by output of the detecting circuit to discharge the surge to the second power supply line. In the inverter circuit, an inverter whose output is connected to a control node of the protection transistor is connected between the first power supply line and a third power supply line that is different from the first and second power supply lines. |
| US08711532B2 |
Integrated advance copper fuse combined with ESD/over-voltage/reverse polarity protection
In one embodiment, an integrated circuit, and method of manufacturing thereof, is provided. The integrated circuit contains an over-voltage protection element and an over-current protection element. The integrated circuit operates to provide enhanced and efficient ESD functionality. The over-current element of the instant disclosure includes a diffusion protection layer to enhance the lifetime of the over-current element and improve functionality. |
| US08711525B2 |
Magnetoresistive shield with coupled lateral magnet bias
In accordance with various embodiments, at least one magnetic shield for a magnetoresistive (MR) element has one or more lateral hard magnets and a coupling layer contactingly adjacent both the MR element and the hard magnet. The coupling layer concurrently magnetically decouples the MR element while magnetically coupling the hard magnet. |
| US08711523B2 |
Stacked magnetoresistance device responsive to a magnetic field generally perpendicular to a side face running along a channel of the device
A magnetoresistance device comprises a substrate, an elongate semiconductor channel extending in a first direction and at least two conductive leads providing a set of contacts to the channel. The device may comprise an optional semiconductor shunt in contact with the channel. The optional shunt, channel and set of contacts are stacked relative to the substrate in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction and the surface of the substrate. The device has a side face running along the channel. The device is responsive to a magnetic field generally perpendicular to the side face. |
| US08711522B2 |
Flexure with insulating layer isolating a portion of a metal substrate
A flexure is capable of securing strength of the flexure while surely preventing from deteriorating electric characteristic thereof. The flexure includes a metal substrate, an insulating layer formed on the metal substrate, and a wiring pattern arranged on the insulating layer and having a first end connected to the head and a second end that is provided with a terminal for external connection. The insulating layer extends a back of the terminal and a surrounding portion of the back. The metal substrate has an isolated portion that is on the back of the terminal through the insulating layer and is separated from the other portion of the metal substrate. |
| US08711519B2 |
Shallow trench media
A shallow trench discrete track media structure is fabricated by etching a magnetic recording layer to provide a plurality of discrete magnetic data tracks separated by shallow trenches. Each shallow trench has a trench floor formed at a depth in the magnetic recording layer that is less than the thickness of the magnetic recording layer. Exposed regions of the magnetic recording layer beneath the trench floor are reacted with reactive plasma to diminish the magnetic moment of the exposed regions. |
| US08711517B2 |
Two dimensional magnetic sensor immune to skew angle misalignment
Apparatus for two dimensional data reading. In accordance with some embodiments, a magnetic read element has a plurality of read sensors positioned symmetrically about a pivot point with at least two of the read sensors configured to concurrently read two dimensional user data while being immune to skew angle misalignment. |
| US08711512B2 |
Servo write assembly
A servo write apparatus, comprising a first servo write head configured to only encode a single first magnetic dibit onto a magnetic information storage medium, wherein the first magnetic dibit comprises a first azimuthal slope. The servo write apparatus further comprises a second servo write head configured to encode one or more second magnetic dibits onto a magnetic information storage medium, wherein the second magnetic dibit comprises a second azimuthal slope, wherein the first azimuthal slope differs from the second azimuthal slope. |
| US08711510B1 |
Harmonic sensor
A system including a weighting function module, a frequency sensor module, and a control module. The weighting function module is configured to receive a plurality of samples of data, the data having been obtained based on a head having read the data from a storage medium while the head was at a given height above the storage medium, and to apply a weighting function to the plurality of samples to generate weighted samples. The frequency sensor module is configured to estimate, based on the weighted samples, (i) a first magnitude of a first frequency component, and (ii) a second magnitude of a second frequency component. The control module is configured to estimate, based on the first magnitude and the second magnitude, the height of the head above the storage medium. |
| US08711505B2 |
Storage device having clock adjustment circuitry with firmware-based predictive correction
A hard disk drive or other disk-based storage device comprises a storage disk, a read/write head configured to read data from and write data to the storage disk, and control circuitry coupled to the read/write head and configured to process data received from and supplied to the read/write head. The control circuitry comprises clock adjustment circuitry configured to generate a control signal for adjusting a parameter of a clock signal based at least in part on timing information obtained by detecting a timing pattern on a surface of the storage disk. The control signal is generated utilizing at least a predictive correction control loop, with the clock adjustment circuitry comprising predictive control firmware that implements at least a portion of the predictive correction control loop. |
| US08711503B2 |
Protecting information written to recording medium
A method of protecting information written to a recording medium includes magnetizing the recording medium to form a first magnetic pattern corresponding to information to be stored, and magnetizing the recording medium to form a protective magnetic pattern having a phase difference of 180° from the first magnetic pattern at a position adjacent to where the first magnetic pattern is formed, with adjacent bits of the first magnetic pattern opposite and the protective magnetic pattern opposite to each other. |
| US08711500B1 |
Disk drive to enable defect margining
A disk drive is disclosed that enables defect margining during disk drive burn-in testing. The disk drive comprises: a disk comprising a plurality of tracks; a head actuated over the disk; and a processor. The processor is configured to: perform disk drive burn-in testing to detect media defects; generate an initial defect list based upon detected media defects for sectors; generate an extended defect list that includes detected media defects and extended defect margins from the detected media defects; and utilize the extended defect list for burn-in, wherein a spare area of the disk allows for the detected media defects and the extended defect margins. |
| US08711497B2 |
Lens driving device
A lens driving device includes a base member, a movable member that is disposed at the base member and moves in a plane that is orthogonal to an optical axis, a first driving portion that moves the movable member in a direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis in accordance with image shake, a lens frame that is mounted to the movable member and moves in a direction of the optical axis, a second driving portion that moves the lens frame in the direction of the optical axis and includes a first magnet that is secured to the movable member and a first coil that is secured to the lens frame, and a Hall element that is disposed so as to oppose the first magnet in the direction of the optical axis and detects a change in a magnetic field of the first magnet. |
| US08711495B2 |
MEMS autofocus actuator
A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) autofocus actuator having a support member for supporting a lens element, the support member including a stationary portion and a movable portion, the movable portion attached to the stationary portion by a movable support beam. An electrostatic drive member is attached to the stationary portion and the movable portion to drive movement of the movable portion with respect to the stationary portion. A lens holder is suspended within the support member by a resilient arm member attached to the movable portion and a deflection beam attached to the stationary portion so that in a non-actuated state, the lens element is in a first focal position that is substantially out-of-plane with respect to the stationary portion, and in an actuated state, the lens element is in a second focal position, the second focal position being different from the first focal position. |
| US08711494B2 |
Imaging lens with three lens elements, and electronic apparatus having the same
An imaging lens includes first, second, and third lens elements arranged from an object side to an image side in the given order. The first lens element has a positive refracting power, and has a convex object-side surface facing toward the object side. The second lens element has a concave object-side surface facing toward the object side, and a convex image-side surface facing toward the image side. The third lens element has an image-side surface facing toward the image side and having a concave portion in a vicinity of an optical axis of the imaging lens. The imaging lens satisfies |ν1−ν2|<5, and |ν1−ν3|>20, where ν1, ν2, and ν3 represent dispersion coefficients of the first, second, and third lens elements, respectively. |
| US08711490B2 |
Lens system
A lens system includes: a lens unit; a drive unit driving the lens unit in an optical axis direction; a detector detecting a position of the lens unit; a lens operation unit that operates driving of the lens unit; and a computing unit that computes a positional command value for controlling driving of the lens unit based on a signal input from the lens operation unit and controls driving of the lens unit; a time setting unit; and a threshold setting unit setting a positional difference threshold for switching the first and second current values set in the drive unit. When the difference between the positional command value and the lens position is larger than the positional difference threshold and duration after the second current value is set has not exceeded the high-current maximum time, the second current value is set. In other cases, the first current value is set. |
| US08711483B2 |
Lens module and method for manufacturing thereof
A lens module capable of preventing a deterioration of optical properties and a method for manufacturing thereof are provided. Optical axes of lens portions of superimposed lens arrays are aligned. Substrate portions of the other lens arrays of the superimposed lens arrays except the lowermost lens array are cut by a first cutting portion. Subsequently, thermosetting resins are supplied from a gap between cut surfaces of the cut substrate portion so as to fill a gap between the substrate portions of the superimposed lens arrays with the thermosetting resins and to cause the thermosetting resins to integrally cover the cut surfaces of the substrate portion and a surface of the substrate portion of the uppermost lens array. Thereafter, the thermosetting resins are cured, and an individual lens module is separated by cutting the substrate portion of the lowermost lens array using a second cutting portion. |
| US08711481B2 |
Polarized film apparatus with bands of alternating orientation
A polarized film apparatus comprising printed bands of successively alternating polarization orientations is disclosed. The printed bands of alternating polarization orientations repeat throughout the length of the film. The polarized film can be installed in an object, for example a window where the amount of energy through the object has to be controlled. Two identical films are superimposed to create polarization patterns that can be varied when one film is displaced with respect to the other. The resulting variable polarization patterns can be utilized to control the amount of energy allowed through this arrangement. The polarized films with bands of alternating polarization orientations can be utilized to control the amount of energy for example sunlight, radiated heat transmission, illumination level, electromagnetic radiation, etc. |
| US08711479B2 |
Illumination apparatus for microlithography projection system including polarization-modulating optical element
A polarization-modulating optical element consisting of an optically active crystal material has a thickness profile where the thickness, as measured in the direction of the optical axis, varies over the area of the optical element. The polarization-modulating optical element has the effect that the plane of oscillation of a first linearly polarized light ray and the plane of oscillation of a second linearly polarized light ray are rotated, respectively, by a first angle of rotation and a second angle of rotation, with the first angle of rotation and the second angle of rotation being different from each other. |
| US08711477B2 |
Polarization preserving front projection screen microstructures
Polarization preserving front projection screens and diffusers provide optimum polarization preservation for stereoscopic 3D viewing, as well as improved light control for enhanced brightness, uniformity, and contrast for both 2D and 3D systems. Generally, the disclosed screens direct light from a projector toward viewers within a diffusion locus, while maintaining optimum gain characteristics. More specifically, light incident on a region of the front projection screen from a predetermined projection direction is reflected by an engineered surface to a predetermined diffusion locus after undergoing substantially single reflections. The engineered surface, comprised of generating kernels, is used to optimally diffuse illumination light into a range of viewing angles, within the diffusion locus, with suitable gain profile, while optimally preserving polarization for 3D applications. Such a screen, when combined with matched polarization analyzing eyewear, provides extremely low cross-talk from any observation point. |
| US08711472B2 |
Optical imaging device and imaging method for microscopy
The present invention relates to an optical imaging device, in particular for microscopy, with a first optical element group and a second optical element group, wherein the first optical element group and the second optical element group, on an image plane, form an image of an object point of an object plane via at least one imaging ray having an imaging ray path. The first optical element group comprises a first optical element with a reflective first optical surface in the imaging ray path and a second optical element with a reflective second optical surface in the imaging ray path, wherein the first optical surface is concave. The second optical element group comprises a third optical element with a concave reflective third optical surface in the imaging ray path and a fourth optical element with a convex reflective fourth optical surface in the imaging ray path without light passage aperture. |
| US08711470B2 |
High damage threshold frequency conversion system
The present invention includes a fundamental laser light source configured to generate fundamental wavelength laser light, a first nonlinear optical crystal configured to generate first alternate wavelength light; a second nonlinear optical crystal configured to generate second alternate wavelength light; a dual wavelength Brewster angle waveplate configured to rotate a polarization of the first alternate wavelength light relative to the second alternate wavelength light such that the first and second alternate wavelength light have the same polarization; a set of Brewster angle wavefront processing optics configured to condition the first and second alternate wavelengths of light; a harmonic separator configured to separate the first alternate wavelength light from the second alternate wavelength light; and a Brewster angle output window configured to transmit the first or second alternate wavelengths of light from the interior of a laser frequency conversion system to the exterior of the laser frequency conversion system. |
| US08711466B2 |
Illumination unit for a direct-view display
The present invention relates to a lighting device having a planer optical fiber and at least one light source device for illuminating a controllable spatial light modulator, wherein the optical fiber comprises a light-conducting core and a cover coating, and the light modulator comprises a pixel matrix, the light source device is disposed on the side of the optical fiber, and the light emitted by at least one light source of the light source device propagates laminarly in the optical fiber. The lighting unit according to the invention is characterized in that the planar optical fiber comprises a deflecting coating having a selective polarization function for laminarly decoupling and deflecting the evanescent wave field of the light propagating in the optical fiber, wherein the thickness of the cover coating reduces in the direction of light propagation. |
| US08711461B2 |
Aperture stop
An aperture stop 10A includes a filter area 1 formed on a flat-plate substrate 23, and an aperture area 2 formed inside the filter area 1. The filter area 1 transmits infrared light and reduces or blocks the transmission of visible light. The aperture area 2 transmits light in the wavelength range corresponding to fluorescent light from an observed area of a subject and light in the wavelength range corresponding to illumination light to the subject. The aperture stop 10A does not reduce the light in the wavelength range corresponding to fluorescent light from the observed area of the subject, but variably reduces visible light since the area of the aperture area 2 is variable. Therefore, it becomes possible to simultaneously and clearly observe, with a simple method, a subject image formed by illumination light in the visible light band and an observed image formed by weak fluorescent light from the observed area of the subject in the infrared light band. |
| US08711459B2 |
Micromechanical component, device for beam deflection of monochromatic light, and spectrometer
A micromechanical component includes a micromechanical unidimensional optical lattice structure for diffracting an incident light beam, and a linear drive connected to the lattice structure for compressing and/or stretching the lattice structure in the plane of the lattice structure. The lattice structure is of elastic design with regard to a change of shape resulting from the compressing and/or stretching. The micromechanical component may be incorporated in a device for beam deflection of monochromatic light or in a spectrometer. |
| US08711456B2 |
Deflection device for a scanner with Lissajous scanning
A deflection device for a scanner with Lissajous scanning includes a micromirror that oscillates in at least two deflection axes and that includes a frame and a mirror plate that is movably arranged via a suspension mount. The deflection device also includes a control device for generating control signals for a resonant operation of the micromirror in the at least two deflection axes. The suspension mount includes at least one spring connected at one end to the mirror plate and at the other end to the frame. The frequencies of the control signals for the resonant operation of the micromirror are substantially equal in the at least two deflection axes, but differ at least in terms of the predefined scanning repetition rate. The levels of the resonance frequencies of the deflection axes and control signals are determined by a predefined scanning resolution and a predefined scanning repetition rate. |
| US08711454B2 |
Image scanner and image forming apparatus
An image scanner includes: a light source that irradiates, with light, a recording medium on which an image is formed; a light receiving portion that receives light reflected by the recording medium; and a reflecting portion that has a reflecting surface for measuring the amount of specular reflection light coming from the light source, the specular reflection light being included in the light received by the light receiving portion. |
| US08711450B2 |
Image reading apparatus, image reading method and program
An image reading apparatus, an image reading method and a program are provided for favorably correcting color misalignment in a sub-scanning direction of a read signal read by a plurality of line sensors without increasing a circuit scale or processing time. To accomplish this, the image reading apparatus sets, as a reference signal, the read signal that is output from one of the plurality of line sensors, and detects a correlation between the reference signal and each of a plurality of read signals output from line sensors other than the one of the plurality of line sensors of a plurality of lines that are displaced in predetermined line units from a line from which the reference signal is read, and selects a read signal having a high correlation with the reference signal as a read signal from the line of the reference signal. |
| US08711448B1 |
Linear book scanner
A linear scanning apparatus for scanning a bound volume is used to turn a page of the volume and scan the respective sides of the turned page. The apparatus includes front and rear portions, each having first and second support surfaces, to support the volume. As the volume moves along the linear scanner from the front portion to the rear portion, the page encounters a front guiding surface joined with the first front support surface that guides the page into a page turning channel within the linear scanner. As the volume continues to move along the linear scanner, an exit surface joined with the second rear support surface guides the page out of the page turning channel and onto the second rear support surface. Scanning devices disposed on the linear scanner digitally scan the sides of the page as the volumes moves along the linear scanner. |
| US08711445B2 |
Reading apparatus and reading method
Provided is a reading apparatus that includes a light source that emits a light to a source material and an image pickup element that receives the light reflected by the source material, to thereby read the source material. The image pickup element is disposed so as to move to a plurality of positions at each of which the image pickup element is oriented at a different angle with respect to a surface to be read of the object to be read, and to perform reading at the plurality of positions. The reading apparatus compares read values obtained by the image pickup element at the plurality of positions to thereby decide a property of an image expressed on the object to be read. |
| US08711443B2 |
Compact multi-functional scanning apparatus with retractable flatbed scanner
A compact multi-functional scanning apparatus includes a sheet-fed scanner, a casing and a flatbed scanner. The casing is attached to the sheet-fed scanner and has a recess. The flatbed scanner is movable between a retracted position within the recess and a deployed position outside the recess. In the deployed position the flatbed scanner is enabled to perform a flatbed-scanning task. An open end of the recess is located on a lateral side of the casing, and the flatbed scanner is movable into and out of the recess through the open end. |
| US08711439B2 |
High productivity single pass scanning system
A scanner enables full productivity and individual image size detection, without user intervention for mixed size originals in both simplex and duplex scanning modes. The scanner provides high-productivity single pass scanning while preserving the image size for each of the document scanned. In addition, the scanner may support duplex scanning by adding a second image sensor, for example, in the document handler. Methods of scanning are also provided. |
| US08711437B2 |
Correcting color plate data for mis-registration in a sub-scanning direction by performing a pixel transition at the transition point aligned in the main-scanning direction
An image processing apparatus and a method thereof for setting, in a case where a plurality of component colors of a special-color object specified with a special color is included and a transition point is included in a region of the special-color object in image data, a transition point located in the region at a position where a generation of color unevenness can be reduced. |
| US08711436B2 |
Tint block image generation program and tint block image generation device
A image generation device generates, on a print medium, an image including a first image portion and a second image portion. The device has a first screen processing unit which generates image data by an area modulation screen having a first screen ruling, for pixels of the first image portion; and a second screen processing unit which generates image data by an area modulation screen or a density modulation screen having a second screen ruling which is higher than the first screen ruling for pixels of the second image portion. And the first screen processing unit generates a halftone dot at a center of gravity position of an image of the first image portion in a cell corresponding to a halftone dot formation area in the area modulation screen processing. |
| US08711435B2 |
Method for correcting integrating cavity effect for calibration and/or characterization targets
In one form, the method comprises obtaining scanned values of the image, scaling the scanned values to obtain scaled values, applying a non-linear correction function to the scaled values to obtain a first approximation of corrected reflectance values, filtering the corrected reflectance values by applying a piecewise Gaussian filter, applying the non-linear correction function to obtain a successive approximation of the corrected reflectance values, determining whether the successive approximation of the corrected reflectance values are sufficiently converged, selectively repeating the filtering and applying if the corrected reflectance values are insufficiently converged and selecting the corrected reflectance values for subsequent processing if the corrected reflectance values are sufficiently converged. |
| US08711430B2 |
Data processing system, data processing method, and image forming apparatus
The data processing apparatus according to the present invention has the image data preparation unit that prepares various kinds of image data deriving from document data depending on various purposes of the document data; and the image synthesis instructing unit that instructs images to be synthesized based on the image data comprising a plurality of page portions on one sheet of paper for at least one kind of image data prepared by the image data preparation unit from various kinds of document data. |
| US08711429B2 |
Systems and methods for printing images outside a normal color gamut in image forming devices
A user of an image forming device selects from among a plurality of pre-stored color rendition dictionaries (CRDs) in order that a set of system process parameter setpoints associated with that CRD may be referenced to bias and/or skew an available color gamut in the direction of a particular nominally out-of-gamut color which the user wishes to produce in a color image output by the image forming device. A capability is included in a color image forming device store and/or update multiple sets of special process parameter setpoints defining a plurality of CRDs each of which may be identified and associated with a specific color in order that requests to print out-of-gamut colors may be satisfied routinely as exceptions to a nominal gamut based on a nominal set of stored setpoints when a CRD is selected and the setpoints associated with that CRD are input for reference by the color image forming device on a temporary basis. |
| US08711425B2 |
Selecting one of a plurality of print modes based on pixel coverage of a document
A method and a print apparatus are described. The method and the print apparatus allow for selecting from a plurality of print modes a print mode for a whole page of a document to be printed dependent on a print material coverage of the whole page of the document to be printed. |
| US08711420B2 |
Data processor and scanner device
A data processor includes an image acquiring unit, a reference file acquiring unit, and a file generating unit. The image acquiring unit is configured to acquire a plurality of sets of image data indicating a plurality of images. The reference file acquiring unit is configured to acquire a reference file including a reference object including first information indicating a layout of at least two images among the plurality of images. The file generating unit is configured to generate a file in which the plurality of images are laid out based on the first information. |
| US08711419B2 |
Preserving user applied markings made to a hardcopy original document
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for preserving user-applied markings made to a hardcopy of an original document and for generating a new composite document containing the user markings which can be reprinted without loss of image quality. In one embodiment, an original document is scanned to produce a digital representation thereof. One or more marked documents containing the user markups are scanned. The user markings are identified in each of the marked document by an iterative comparison between the marked document and the image of the original document. The identified user markings are stored to records. Thereafter, the stored user markings are retrieved and combined into an image of the original document to produce a new composite document containing selected user markings. The new file is smaller in file size and has no loss of image quality during subsequent reprints. Various embodiments have been disclosed. |
| US08711418B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of translating virtual memory address into physical memory address
An image forming apparatus includes a function unit to perform functions of the image forming apparatus, and a control unit to control the function unit to perform the functions of the image forming apparatus. The control unit includes a processor core to operate in a virtual memory address, a main memory to operate in a physical memory address and store data used in the functions of the image forming apparatus, and a plurality of input/output (I/O) logics to operate in the virtual memory address and control at least one of the functions performed by the image forming apparatus. Each of the plurality of I/O logics translates the virtual memory address into the physical memory address corresponding to the virtual memory address and accesses the main memory. |
| US08711417B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method for controlling information processing apparatus, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus, which includes a storage unit having a plurality of data areas, includes a measurement unit configured to measure a first data access speed in a first data area of the storage unit and a second data access speed in a second data area of the storage unit, and a detection unit configured to detect a defect at the first data area based on difference between the first data access speed and the second data access speed. |
| US08711415B2 |
Account managing device, image processing system, and storage medium
A control device of an account managing server carries out (i) a first process in which the control device (a) obtains client identification information from a client PC via a network and (b) controls a storage device to store, as provisional login information, first login information contained in the client identification information, (ii) a second process in the control device (c) obtains second login information inputted into a multifunction peripheral and (iii) a third process in which the control device (d) permits usage of the multifunction peripheral in a case where the second login information is identical to the provisional login information stored in the storage device. This makes it unnecessary for a user to register login information of a client device newly connected to the network. |
| US08711413B2 |
Methods and systems for managing print device supplies using cloud administration system configured for chemical signature tracking
A cloud administration system for chemical signature-based print device consumable monitoring includes a storage module for storing reference chemical signature data, and a monitoring system having one or more sensors configured for detecting a chemical signature of a consumable such as ink or toner. The detected chemical signature data may be compared with reference stored chemical signature data to determine whether monitored consumables have a chemical signature that matches a known chemical signature. |
| US08711409B2 |
Image forming apparatus
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit which executes a predetermined image forming process to a paper, a control section which controls so as to receive reservations of a plurality of jobs, so as to execute the plurality of jobs in a predetermined order and to make the image forming unit carry out the image forming process to the paper in each predetermined interval, so as to continuously executed the plurality of jobs without interrupting the image forming process in each predetermined interval, so as to stop the image forming process in each predetermined interval until a reserved job be in a state where the image forming process is startable when a predetermined continuous execution not-feasible condition is met when starting an execution of the reserved job and a display section which displays an execution order of the plurality of jobs which are received by the control section so as to be specified. |
| US08711408B2 |
Smart television system having methods or means for accessing paid or subscribed digital content from the internet
Smart television systems and methods for rendering digital content accessed from over the Internet is disclosed. The smart television system is a device that may include an operating system, and one or more applications installed or installable for accessing digital content over the Internet. The method may include providing security or authentication information to one or more servers over the Internet, providing payment or subscription information to the one or more servers, selecting a reference from a list of references to digital content, and providing, to the one or more servers, a content object that includes the selected reference to digital content. Subsequently, the smart television system may receive, from the one or more servers over the Internet, the digital content corresponding to the selected reference to digital content for rendering. The smart television system may further include a touch sensitive screen. |
| US08711405B2 |
Monitoring device, monitoring method and non-transitory computer readable medium
A monitoring device includes an acquiring unit, a first determination unit, a second determination unit and a notification unit. The acquiring unit periodically acquires status information from a printer having a consumable. The first determination unit determines a first state transition from an occurrence state of a consumable alarm to a release state of the consumable alarm and a second state transition from the release state of the consumable alarm to the occurrence state of the consumable alarm, based on the status information. If the first state transition is determined, the second determination unit determines, based on the status information, as to whether the determined first state transition is an apparent first state transition or an actual first state transition. If the actual first state transition is determined and then the second state transition is determined, the notification unit notifies an alarm relating to the consumable. |
| US08711395B2 |
Electronic document reading devices
We describe a method of displaying one or more pages of a document on an electronic document reading device using a second, computerised electronic device, the method comprising: running a document display management program on said second electronic device; using said management program to invoke an application running on said second electronic device to open said document on said second electronic device, such that said opening of said document is hidden from said user; using an intermediary code module, in particular a printer driver for said application, coupled to said application to generate image data representing an image of a said page of said document to be displayed on said electronic document reading device; sending said image of said page to said electronic document reading device; and displaying said image of said page on said electronic document reading device. |
| US08711393B2 |
Printing device, printing system, program, and printing method for printing based on print data from a user authorized to issue a print instruction for the print data
There are provided a printing device, a printing system, a program, and a printing method capable of improving security and user-friendliness. The printing system (1) includes a PC (10-1) and printer devices (20-1 to 20-N) connected via a LAN (50). The PC (10-1) has a printing data forming unit (111) for forming print data according to a user instruction, a print data transmission unit (113) for transmitting the formed print data to the printer devices (20-1 to 20-N), a communication unit (17), and the like. The printer devices (20-1 to 20-N) have an external storage device (23) for storing received print data, an input unit (26) for inputting a user print instruction and a user identifier, a card reader (24), a print data management unit (212) for reading out print data corresponding to the user identifier from the external storage device (23), a printer engine (28) for performing printing according to the print data which has been read out, and the like. |
| US08711383B2 |
Information processing using batch setting information
In an information processing apparatus according to this invention, a plurality of pieces of batch setting information each configured by a plurality of pieces of print setting information are registered in advance. A setting of print setting information, use of which is inhibited, of the plurality of pieces of print setting information is accepted. Batch setting information including the print setting information, use of which is inhibited, is specified from the plurality of pieces of batch setting information. Then, a setting screen which allows the user to select pieces of non-specified batch setting information, and does not allow the user to select the specified batch setting information is displayed. |
| US08711377B2 |
Image forming apparatus, control method of image forming apparatus, and storage medium
A CPU is provided to, when at least one of a first print job and a second print job as merging targets is a variable data printing (VDP) job, display a user interface for prompting a user to select a merging method for merging the first print job and the second print job and merge the first print job and the second print job according to the merging method selected via the user interface. |
| US08711373B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method therefor
Print settings changed in a direct printing-capable image forming apparatus are treated as either temporary changes or permanent changes depending on the state of the image forming apparatus when the print settings are changed. Specifically, print settings changed when the image forming apparatus is in a direct printing-executable state are treated as temporary, whereas print settings changed when the image forming apparatus is in a direct printing-inexecutable state are treated as permanent. Usability regarding print settings is improved. |
| US08711372B2 |
Techniques for image segment accumulation in document rendering
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for image processing. In one embodiment, the method comprises performing an analysis corresponding to a sequence of drawing commands that create a bit-map when executed and generating a set of image segments based on the analysis corresponding to the sequence of drawing commands. |
| US08711371B2 |
Image forming apparatus, control method, and storage medium
An image forming apparatus including a function of executing printing on a preprint sheet acquires orientation information about an orientation setting method of the preprint sheet when receiving a print job. The image forming apparatus includes a control unit, and when processing according to a setting included in the print job cannot be executed unless the orientation setting method of the preprint sheet is changed even if image data included in the print job is rotated, according to the orientation information and the setting included in the print job, the control unit causes a display unit to display an orientation setting method with which the processing according to the setting included in the print job can be executed on the preprint sheet. |
| US08711370B1 |
Scanning optical positioning system with spatially triangulating receivers
Embodiments are directed towards detecting the three dimensional position of a position sensing device (PSD) utilizing a spot scanned across a remote surface. A trajectory map may be determined for a projection system. The trajectory map may identify a location of the spot at various times during the scan. A PSD may be arranged with a clear view of the remote surface. The PSD may observe at least three spots projected onto the remote surface utilizing three lines of sight that enable moment-in-time linear alignment between the spot and a sensor. Observation angles between each of the lines of sight may be determined. For each observed spot, a transition time may be determined and a location of the observed spot may be determined based on the trajectory map. A position of the PSD may be determined based on determined observed locations and the observation angles of the PSD. |
| US08711368B2 |
Prompt gap varying optical filter, analytical instrument, optical device, and characteristic measurement method
An optical filter includes a first substrate, a second substrate opposed to the first substrate, a first reflecting film provided to the first substrate, a second reflecting film provided to the second substrate, and opposed to the first reflecting film, a first electrode provided to the first substrate, a second electrode provided to the second substrate, and opposed to the first electrode, and a voltage control section adapted to control an electrical potential difference between the first electrode and a second electrode, and when switching a wavelength of a light beam to be dispersed by switching the electrical potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, and measuring an intensity of the light beam dispersed, the voltage control section switches the electrical potential difference from a first electrical potential difference to a second electrical potential difference larger than the first electrical potential difference. |
| US08711360B2 |
Spectral measurement device
A spectral measurement device includes: an optical band-pass filter section that has first to n-th wavelengths (n is an integer of 2 or more) having a predetermined wavelength width as a spectral band thereof; a correction operation section that corrects a reception signal based on an output optical signal from the optical band-pass filter section; and a signal processing section that executes predetermined signal processing based on the reception signal corrected by the correction operation section that corrects the reception signal based on the change in the spectral distribution of the reception signal. |
| US08711359B2 |
Delay interferometer using magneto-optic effect of a variable faraday rotator
A delay interferometer includes first and second optical paths into which incident signal light is split, a first converter including one or more conversion parts to convert the signal light on the first optical path into circularly polarized light and to convert the circularly polarized light into linearly polarized signal light, a phase adjuster to shift an optical phase of the circularly polarized light through a magneto-optic effect, and a second converter to convert a polarization state of the signal light on the second optical path into substantially the same polarization state as a polarization state of the linearly polarized signal light. |
| US08711356B2 |
Gas sensor with a porous layer that detectably affects a surface lattice resonant condition of a nanoparticle array
The present disclosure relates to a gas sensor including a first layer and a second layer superimposed on each other along an interface between the two layers. The first layer includes an array of nanoparticles along the interface, the nanoparticles provided so as to allow, upon illumination with electromagnetic radiation, long range diffractive coupling of surface plasmon resonances resulting in a surface lattice resonance condition. The second layer includes a material that, when exposed to at least one predetermined gas, detectably affects the surface lattice resonance condition. The material of the second layer preferably has a porosity of at least 10%. |
| US08711354B2 |
Method for spore detection
A method of detecting the presence of bacterial spores in a sample comprises non-destructively to the spores carrying out the steps of assessing the absorption, reflectance, and/or index of refraction (IOR) of the sample, subjecting the sample to UV radiation, and reassessing the absorption, reflectance, and/or index of refraction (IOR) of the sample to determine the presence or absence of spores. A detector is also disclosed. |
| US08711351B1 |
Scattering spectroscopy employing hotspot-aligned nanopores
Scattering spectroscopy employs a scattering spectroscopy enhancing structure having a hotspot on a first side of a substrate and a nanopore in the substrate, where the nanopore is aligned with the hotspot. |
| US08711350B2 |
Test method for inspection device, particularly for label seating inspection device
The invention relates to a test method for checking an inspection device, comprising at least the steps of: generating a prescribed number of faulty and/or correctly labelled containers or test containers; moving the faulty containers or test containers past the inspection device, which detects the faulty containers or test containers and generates a signal for ejecting the faulty containers or test containers, or indicates a value relative to the expected and the measured faulty and/or correctly labelled containers. The test method can be started or performed manually or automatically, and is suitable, for example, for checking a label seating inspection device for correct functionality, or optionally for confirming the faulty functioning thereof. |
| US08711349B2 |
High throughput thin film characterization and defect detection
Methods and systems for determining band structure characteristics of high-k dielectric films deposited over a substrate based on spectral response data are presented. High throughput spectrometers are utilized to quickly measure semiconductor wafers early in the manufacturing process. Optical dispersion metrics are determined based on the spectral data. Band structure characteristics such as band gap, band edge, and defects are determined based on optical dispersion metric values. In some embodiments a band structure characteristic is determined by curve fitting and interpolation of dispersion metric values. In some other embodiments, band structure characteristics are determined by regression of a selected dispersion model. In some examples, band structure characteristics indicative of band broadening of high-k dielectric films are also determined. The electrical performance of finished wafers is estimated based on the band structure characteristics identified early in the manufacturing process. |
| US08711345B2 |
Optical angular position detection apparatus and method
An annular position detection method provides a plurality of light emitters on a first imaginary circle centered on an axis, the emitters directing individual, well-defined, overlapping light beams to a pair of light detectors positioned on a second imaginary circle centered on that axis. The detectors include pairs of diametrically opposite photosensors producing outputs depending upon the areas thereof exposed to light from the emitters. A light blocker is rotatably mounted on the axis so that the blocker blocks light to different extents of the photosensors depending upon its orientation about the axis. The outputs from all of the photosensors are processed to produce a position signal that varies with the angular position of the blocker and the relative intensities of the emitters are adjusted so that the position signal is substantially linear at all operative angles of the blocker. Apparatus for practicing the method is also disclosed. |
| US08711344B1 |
Method for remotely measuring fluctuations in the optical index of refraction of a medium
A method is provided for remotely measuring index of refraction fluctuations. From a first location, an optical beam is focused at a focal plane located at a second location in a medium of interest. As a result, a beam of energy is backscattered towards the first location. At the first location, a size of the backscattered beam is determined where the size is indicative of strength of fluctuations in the medium's index of refraction. |
| US08711341B2 |
Using sets of OTDR receive fibers with different lengths of marker events to verify optical fiber connectivity
A test receiver for use with an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR), including a first receive fiber having a first attribute, and a second receive fiber having a second attribute different from the first attribute. The attributes may be lengths, marker events, or both. This configuration reduces the number of times an OTDR operator must travel back and forth between cable ends when testing fibers. |
| US08711335B2 |
Stroboscopic light source for a transmitter of a large scale metrology system
A stroboscopic light source (22) for a transmitter (14) of a metrology system (10) the monitors the position or shape of an object (12) includes a source housing (224) and a pulsed light generator (232). The stroboscopic light source (22) emits a pulsed beam (20) that is used to identify the transmitter (14). The source housing (224) defines a housing cavity (226) and includes an inlet port (228) and one or more outlet ports (230). The pulsed light generator (232) generates the pulsed beam (20) that is directed into the housing cavity (226) via the inlet port (228). Subsequently, the pulsed beam (20) emits from the outlet ports (230) of the source housing (224). |
| US08711331B2 |
Optical module for a microlithography objective including holding and supporting devices
There is provided an optical module for an objective. The optical module includes (a) a first holding device with an inner circumference, which extends in a first circumferential direction, (b) at least one first supporting device for supporting a first optical element and being fixed at said inner circumference of said first holding device, (c) an annular circumferential first assembly space being defined by displacing said first supporting device once in a revolving manner along said first circumferential direction, (d) at least one second supporting device being provided for supporting a second optical element and being fixed at said inner circumference of said first holding device, and (e) an annular circumferential second assembly space being defined by displacing said second supporting device once in a revolving manner along said first circumferential direction. The first assembly space intersects the second assembly space. |
| US08711330B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
In an immersion lithography apparatus or device manufacturing method, the position of focus of the projected image is changed during imaging to increase focus latitude. In an embodiment, the focus may be varied using the liquid supply system of the immersion lithographic apparatus. |
| US08711326B2 |
Fluid handling structure, a lithographic apparatus and a device manufacturing method
A fluid handling structure to confine immersion liquid in a space between a projection system and a facing surface of a substrate, of a table to support the substrate, or both, is disclosed. The fluid handling structure includes a transponder to dissolve at least some of the gas in a bubble in the immersion liquid or to control a bubble in the immersion liquid so that it avoids entering an optical path of a beam from the projection system. |
| US08711318B2 |
Apparatus and method of preventing signal delay in display device
An apparatus and method of preventing signal delay in display device according to the present invention includes a first substrate, a driving portion formed on the first substrate, a plurality of signal lines formed on the first substrate to transmit signals to the driving portion, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a conductive member formed on the second substrate, wherein the driving portion overlaps with the conductive member, and the signal lines and the conductive member do not overlap. Accordingly, the capacitances between the signal lines may be substantially the same. |
| US08711315B2 |
Liquid crystal display having particular pixel structure
An LCD includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, first and second alignment films respectively disposed on the first and second substrates. The first substrate comprises multiple scanning lines and multiple data lines intercrossed with the multiple scanning lines to define multiple pixel areas. Each pixel area comprises multiple electrically interconnected first electrodes and multiple electrically interconnected second electrodes. The first electrodes and the second electrodes are disposed on different layers and mutually intersected to define multiple sub-pixel areas. Each sub-pixel area further comprises two protrusion-shaped patterns facing each other on two adjacent first electrodes where the first electrodes and the second electrodes are not overlapped. An angle within a range of 5-20 degrees is defined between the vertex connection direction of the two protrusion-shaped patterns facing each other and the rubbing direction of the first and second alignment films. |
| US08711312B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device using a liquid crystal material exhibiting a blue phase is provided to achieve higher contrast. Further, the power consumption of the liquid crystal display device using a liquid crystal exhibiting a blue phase is reduced. In a liquid crystal display device including: a first substrate provided with a pixel electrode layer (also referred to as a first electrode layer); and a second substrate provided with a common electrode layer (also referred to as a second electrode layer), between which a liquid crystal layer exhibiting a blue phase is interposed, the pixel electrode layer and the common electrode layer project into the liquid crystal layer and are arranged so that the adjacent pixel electrode layer and common electrode layer engage with each other at a distance with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. |
| US08711311B2 |
Fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display panel
The present invention provides a fringe field switching (FFS) mode liquid crystal display panel including a plurality of scanning lines 12 and common lines 13 provided in parallel, a plurality of signal lines 14 provided in a crank manner in a direction perpendicular to the scanning lines 12, and pixel electrodes 181 and 182 each formed between the plurality of scanning lines 12 and signal lines 14 in a delta arrangement. Each of the pixel electrodes 181 and 182 has a plurality of slits 171 and 172, respectively, inclined in different directions to each other with respect to an axis x parallel to the scanning lines 12 and positioned between adjacent scanning lines 12. The pixel electrodes 181 in odd-numbered rows and the pixel electrodes 182 in even-numbered rows are inverted to each other with respect to another axis perpendicular to the axis x. With such features, the FFS mode liquid crystal display panel provides symmetrical viewing angle generating no spots in a transverse direction, a wide viewing angle, a bright display with high transmittance and excellent display quality. |
| US08711305B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes: a color filter substrate including a first transparent, which has: an anti-static transparent conductive layer; and a light shield layer that shields light; a TFT substrate including a second transparent substrate facing the color filter substrate, and which has: a projecting part that projects beyond an end face of the color filter substrate; a conductive tape, which is stuck from an upper part of the color filter substrate to an upper part of the TFT substrate, wherein the light shield layer has a notch having an opening at the end side of the color filter substrate, wherein the conductive tape is arranged adjacent to or partially overlapping with the light shield layer, wherein the notch is provided at a connection part, and wherein a light transmission part capable of light transmitting is provided to the connection part. |
| US08711298B2 |
Flat panel display device and stereoscopic display device
The present invention provides a flat panel display device, which includes a reflector plate and a back frame that carries the reflector plate, wherein the backlight system includes a reflector plate and a back frame that carries the reflector plate, wherein the back frame includes at least two primary assembling pieces, the at least two primary assembling pieces being joined to form a main frame structure of the back frame; and the reflector plate includes a foamed plastic substrate layer and a reflection layer formed on the foamed plastic substrate layer. The present invention also provides a stereoscopic display device. With the above arrangement, the present invention provides a flat panel display device and a stereoscopic display device that have a substrate layer made of foamed plastics in order to increase the stiffness of the reflector plate, reduce the risk that the reflector plate gets easily collapsing after the assembling of the backlight system, and thereby improve the performance of the flat panel display device and the stereoscopic display device. |
| US08711293B2 |
Liquid crystal shutter glasses
In one embodiment, a pair of liquid crystal shutter glasses include a first liquid crystal shutter and a second liquid crystal shutter. The first and second liquid crystal shutters are switched to a transmissive state by turns. The respective first and second liquid crystal shutters include a first electrode substrate and a second electrode substrate opposing the first electrode substrate. An OCB (Optically Compensated Bend) mode liquid crystal layer is held between the first and second electrode substrates. The first electrode substrate includes a first electrode and a second electrode arranged adjacent to the first electrode. The first and second electrodes respectively include a side opposing each other and a plurality of projecting portions provided to the respective opposing sides of the first and second electrodes alternately. |
| US08711290B2 |
Projection-type video-image display apparatus
A projector includes an excitation light source and a color wheel which is rotatable, with an axis in parallel to an optical axis of the excitation light source serving as a rotation axis. The color wheel includes two phosphors arranged adjacent to each other in a direction of rotation and emitting G light and Ye light respectively as they are excited by excitation light from the excitation light source. The projector further includes a phosphor drive portion which drives the color wheel to rotate such that the two phosphors emit light in a time-division manner within 1 frame period, a video signal analysis portion which analyzes a video signal for each piece of image data in each frame, and an excitation light source drive portion which sets an intensity of excitation light emitted to each phosphor in accordance with a result of analysis by the video signal analysis portion. |
| US08711288B2 |
Digital IF demodulator for video applications
An integrated communications system. A substrate having a receiver disposed on the substrate for converting a received signal to an IF signal, a digital IF demodulator disposed on the substrate and coupled to the receiver for converting the IF signal to a demodulated baseband signal, and a transmitter disposed on the substrate operating in cooperation with the receiver to establish a two way communications path. |
| US08711285B2 |
Output device, source apparatus, television set, system, output method, program, and recording medium
Disclosed is a television (1) that outputs a content supplied from a source apparatus, which television includes an address acquiring section (301) that acquires a logical address from the source apparatus, a device type acquiring section (302) that acquires a device type from the source apparatus, and a UI section (305) that identifies which kind of apparatus the source apparatus is, based on a combination of the logical address and the device type. |
| US08711282B2 |
Digital broadcast receiver and method for processing caption thereof
A digital cable broadcast receiver and a method for automatically processing caption data of various standards and types, is disclosed. The digital broadcast receiver includes: a demultiplexer for dividing a received broadcast stream into video data, audio data, supplementary information; a controller for determining whether caption data included in the video data is digital caption data or analog caption data on the basis of caption information included in the supplementary information, and outputting a control signal according to a result of the determining; a digital caption decoder for extracting and decoding digital caption data from the video data according to the control signal; and an analog caption decoder for extracting and decoding analog caption data from the video data according to the control signal. |
| US08711279B2 |
Camera with monitor
A monitor with a large screen is provided at the back of the camera. In the recording mode, a preview image or a captured image is displayed in a part of the monitor where there is little possibility of being covered by the hand of the operator. In the reproducing mode, a reproduced image is displayed on substantially the entire screen of the monitor. A touch panel is provided over the monitor, and operation buttons such as a zoom operation button and an exposure correcting button are displayed on a part of the monitor where no image is displayed in the recording mode. Therefore, the part of the monitor can also be used as a camera operational part. |
| US08711277B2 |
Method for assembling a camera module, and camera module
A method for manufacturing a camera module is provided, the camera module including a lens and an image sensor chip, the image sensor chip being electrically contacted to a circuit board. After a first fitting part that surrounds the image sensor chip is positioned and secured on the circuit board, the first fitting part is joined to a second fitting part disposed on the housing of the camera module, forming an overlap region. A focus position between the housing-side lens and the image sensor chip is produced, and a materially attached connection is then generated between the fitting parts within the overlap region, in the focus position. |
| US08711274B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method configured to calculate defocus amount of designated area
An image processing apparatus includes a focus detector configured to detect a focus state of a focus detection area by detecting a shift amount between a pair of image signals of an object image, a memory configured to store an image photoelectrically converted and output from an image pickup device, the focus detection area, and the image signals, a setting unit configured to set a designated area in the image stored in the memory, a calculating unit configured to calculate a defocus amount of the designated area using the pair of image signals corresponding to the designated area among the image signals stored by the memory, and a display unit configured to display the defocus amount of the designated area. |
| US08711273B2 |
Focusing apparatus that effectively sets a focus area of an image when a focusing mode is changed
A focusing apparatus includes a focus area setting unit that sets a first focus area in a first captured image, an auto focusing control unit that performs focusing according to a first focus evaluation value that is calculated from the first focus area by automatically adjusting a focus lens, an information deriving unit that derives focus aid information corresponding to a second focus evaluation value that is calculated from a second focus area in a second captured image by manually adjusting the focus lens, and a storage unit that stores at least one of first focus area information about the first focus area and second focus area information about the second focus area, wherein the focus area setting unit sets a third focus area in a third captured image from among the first focus area information and the second focus area information stored during another focusing. |
| US08711271B2 |
Digital photographing apparatus and control method for evaluating validity of an auto-focus operation
A digital photographing apparatus includes an AF region setting unit for setting an AF region, a luminance detection area setting unit for setting a luminance detection area, a luminance calculation unit for calculating luminance values of the AF region and the luminance detection area, and a determination unit for calculating a luminance difference value that is a difference value between the luminance value of the AF region and the luminance value of the luminance detection area, and determining validity of an AF evaluation value with respect to the AF region according to the luminance difference value. |
| US08711268B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for anti-shading correction with extended color correlated temperature dependency
In a method for correcting shading effects in an image sensor including a plurality of pixels, shading effects on at least one readout pixel of the image sensor are modeled based on a parametric component, and the shading effects on the at least one readout pixel are corrected based on the modeled shading effects. The parametric component is dependent on at least one of a color channel corresponding to the readout pixel and a color correlated temperature of light incident on the at least one readout pixel. |
| US08711267B2 |
Solid-state imaging device
According to an embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes: an imaging element formed on a semiconductor substrate; a first optical system configured to focus an image of a subject on an imaging plane; a second optical system including a microlens array including a plurality of microlenses corresponding to the pixel blocks, and re-focusing the image of the imaging plane onto the pixel blocks corresponding to the respective microlenses; a first filter placed on the second optical system, and including a plurality of first color filters corresponding to the microlenses; and a second filter placed on the imaging element, and including a plurality of second color filters corresponding to the first color filters of the first filter. The first and second filters are designed so that the first and second color filters deviate to a periphery of the imaging area, the deviation becoming larger toward the periphery of the imaging area. |
| US08711265B2 |
Image processing apparatus, control method for the same, and storage medium
An image taking apparatus is configured to obtain image data by taking an image of an object, recording the image data on a recording medium, and reproducing the image data recorded on the recording medium to display the image. The image taking apparatus includes a scale-up display unit configured to display a partial area of the image in an enlarged scale, a setting unit configured to selectively set a flag indicating a rating for the partial area displayed in the enlarged scale, and a storing unit configured to store, on the recording medium, the flag set for the partial area and position information representing a position of the partial area in relation to the image data. |
| US08711264B2 |
Segmented display panel and camera with segmented display
The invention is directed to the provision of a display panel in which, while providing a sufficient gap between two electrodes, the gap is made not easily visible. The display panel according to the invention includes: a first substrate having a first electrode and a second electrode formed on one and the same side thereof; a second substrate disposed opposite the first substrate; a gap formed between the first electrode and the second electrode; a backup electrode formed on the first substrate so as to overlap the gap; and a wiring electrode electrically connected to the first or second electrode, wherein the wiring electrode is formed in the same plane as the backup electrode. |
| US08711259B2 |
Solid-state imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: an amplifier circuit configured to amplify a signal from pixel; and a reference signal generating circuit configured to generate a ramp signal, wherein feedback capacitor elements having the same structure are electrically connected to a capacitive feedback type amplifier of the amplifier circuit and to a capacitive feedback type amplifier of the reference signal generating circuit respectively, and a connecting configuration between an amplifier of the amplifier circuit and the feedback capacitor element and a connecting configuration between an amplifier of the reference signal generating circuit and the feedback capacitor element are the same. |
| US08711254B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method having defective pixel detection and correction ability
An image processing apparatus comprises: a storage unit storing a first group of defective pixel data including positional information on a defective pixel of an image sensor and information on a type of defect; a detection unit which detects a defective pixel of the image sensor and generates a second group of defective pixel data; a combining unit which combines the first and second groups to generate a third group; and a correction unit which corrects an image signal output from a defective pixel of the image sensor using the third group, wherein the combining unit assigns a priority level corresponding to the type of defect to each piece of defective pixel data, and if there are multiple pieces of defective pixel data including common positional information, leaves the defective pixel data in the order of priority level, the highest the first and the lowest the last. |
| US08711248B2 |
Global alignment for high-dynamic range image generation
Techniques and tools for high dynamic range (“HDR”) image generation and rendering are described herein. In several described embodiments, images having distinct exposure levels are aligned. In particular embodiments, the alignment of a reference image to a non-reference image is based at least in part on motion vectors that are determined using covariance computations. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, saturated areas, underexposed areas, and/or moving objects are ignored or substantially ignored during the image alignment process. Moreover, in certain embodiments, a hierarchical pyramid block-based scheme is used to perform local motion estimation between the reference image and the non-reference image. |
| US08711240B2 |
Data recording apparatus with recording control based on defect block and control method thereof
A data recording apparatus records data onto a recording medium having a flash memory in which data can be written in block units using a part of a recording region as an alternative block for a defect block in which normal data writing cannot be performed. The data recording apparatus causes a user to select one of plural recording modes including a first recording mode and a second recording mode in which an amount of data to be processed is larger than that of the first recording mode, then obtains data in the selected recording mode and stores the data onto the recording medium. If an alternative block remaining amount obtained from the recording medium is equal to or less than a threshold value, the data recording apparatus allows recording in the first recording mode and inhibits recording in the second recording mode. |
| US08711239B2 |
Program recording medium, image processing apparatus, imaging apparatus, and image processing method
In a first step of a program, data of a plurality of still images generated by continuously imaging still images of a subject using an imaging apparatus is read into a calculating section. In a second step, the calculating section selects a specified image from among an object image group which includes the plurality of still images and in which respective images are continued in a time base direction. In a third step, the calculating section selects a first image to be added from images before the specified image in the time base direction among the object image group. Further, the calculating section determines an addition rate of the first image to be added to the specified image. In a fourth step, the calculating section records data of the addition rate of the first image to be added in association with data of the specified image. |
| US08711233B2 |
Video stabilization
Method, device and computer program product for stabilizing a video signal. A plurality of frames of the video signal are captured using a camera. A motion sensor associated with the camera is used to generate a plurality of samples representing motion of the camera. The samples are used to determine a displacement of the camera between a first time and a second time, wherein the first time corresponds to an exposure time midpoint of a first frame of the video signal and the second time corresponds to an exposure time midpoint of a second frame of the video signal. The determined displacement is used to compensate for motion in the video signal between the first and second frames caused by the motion of the camera, to thereby stabilize the video signal. |
| US08711232B2 |
Digital camera supporting intelligent self-timer mode and method of controlling the same
Provided are a digital camera supporting an intelligent self-timer, which pauses an image capturing operation when an unwanted subject enters a subject composition and starts the image capturing operation later, and a method of controlling the digital camera. The digital camera includes a motion calculating unit which calculates degree of motions observed in image frames that are obtained in a chronologically successive manner, and an image capture start determining unit which determines whether to start an image capturing operation or not based on whether entry of an unwanted subject is detected or not from the calculated degree of motions and whether a set self-timer time is over or not. |
| US08711230B2 |
Image capture apparatus and program
An image capture apparatus shifts an image sensor at each shooting initiation time in the continuous-shoot mode in the event of a camera-shake in response to a control signal which reflects an offset signal indicating pixel shifting information in a compensating signal indicating shake compensating information. Thereby, a change in the shooting range of the image sensor due to the camera-shake is mostly compensated for and the shooting range is changed by one pixel at each shooting. Thus, even in the event of a camera-shake, the distance between a feature portion of a main subject and a fixed pattern noise can be made different for each of continuously shot images. As a result, even in the event of the camera-shake, a composite image having fixed pattern noises scattered can be obtained by combining continuously shot images with reference to the feature portion. |
| US08711222B2 |
Method and system for calibrating laser profiling systems
A laser profiling calibration system includes a light emitting device, a light-reflecting target, and an optical receiver. The light emitting device is configured to project a light and define a light plane. The light-reflecting target is configured to be positioned at multiple positions within the light plane, and has a plurality of non-reflective regions. The optical receiver is oriented to receive light reflected from the target, and further configured to capture a plurality of images, comprising at least one image at each of the target's multiple positions. The system is configured to use the plurality of images to calibrate the optical receiver within the light plane. |
| US08711219B2 |
Signal processor and signal processing method
According to one embodiment, a signal processor includes: a plurality of loudspeakers configured to reproduce sound of a plurality of channels; a plurality of microphones configured to pick up sound of a plurality of channels; a detector configured to detect a user who is present in a direction of a space from which the microphones pick up the sound, and output directional characteristic information indicating a relative direction of the user to the loudspeakers; and a signal processor configured to switch contents of processing to reduce a disturbance signal included in a picked-up sound signal of the sound picked up by the microphones from the picked-up sound signal based on the relative direction indicated by the directional characteristic information. |
| US08711218B2 |
Continuous geospatial tracking system and method
A surveillance system and methods are disclosed. The system of the invention includes computing means connected to memory means, input means and a plurality of sensors, such as video camera and plurality of display screens. The system is adapted to compute for the sensors a 3D coverage space which considers terrain data and man-made objects and specific features of the sensors such as the 3D location and the pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) of the camera and to establish a data base indicative of the coverage area. The system and method of the invention are also adapted to support tracking of an object within the coverage space of the sensors, either in automatic or manual mode and to provide a user of the system with data indicative of sensors into the coverage space of which a tracked object is about to enter. |
| US08711215B2 |
Imaging device and imaging method
Provided is an imaging device including: a lens optical system L including at least an optical plane area D1 and an optical plane area D2, the optical plane area D2 having an optical property that causes a focusing property of the optical plane area D2 to differ from a focusing property of the optical plane area D1 due to a light beam that has passed through the optical plane area D1; an imaging element N including at least a plurality of pixels P1 and a plurality of pixels P2 which allow light that has passed through the lens optical system L to enter; and an array-shaped optical element K that is arranged between the lens optical system L and the imaging element N and is configured to cause light that has passed through the optical plane area D1 to enter the plurality of pixels P1 and to cause light that has passed through the optical plane area D2 to enter the plurality of pixels P2. |
| US08711209B2 |
Method and system for automatic 3-D image creation
Disclosed herein are methods, devices, and non-transitory computer readable media that relate to stereoscopic image creation. A camera captures an initial image at an initial position. A target displacement from the initial position is determined for a desired stereoscopic effect, and an instruction is provided that specifies a direction in which to move the camera from the initial position. While the camera is in motion, an estimated displacement from the initial position is calculated. When the estimated displacement corresponds to the target displacement, the camera automatically captures a candidate image. An acceptability analysis is performed to determine whether the candidate image has acceptable image quality and acceptable similarity to the initial image. If the candidate image passes the acceptability analysis, a stereoscopic image is created based on the initial and candidate images. |
| US08711208B2 |
Imaging device, method and computer readable medium
A same subject of imaging is captured continuously, one frame at a time, from plural viewpoints by imaging units, and a subject is detected from images of the captured frames, and, if plural subjects are detected, a range represented by a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of distances between the imaging units and the subjects is computed. If a difference between a range of a specific frame and a range of a frame one before or after exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the range of the specific frame is adjusted such that the difference becomes smaller. Based on a predetermined relationship between ranges and parallax amounts corresponding to the ranges, a parallax amount corresponding to the computed range or the adjusted range is computed, and the parallax amounts and the images of the respective frames are recorded in correspondence with one another on a recording unit. |
| US08711207B2 |
Method and system for presenting live video from video capture devices on a computer monitor
One embodiment of a method and system for presenting artifact-free live video from video capture devices on a computer display including the step of using the vertical blanking interrupt signal of a display controller to generate a software trigger command for the video capture devices. The vertical blanking signal is further used to transfer acquired image frames to the graphic memory of the display controller during the vertical blanking interval. Other embodiments are described and shown. |
| US08711205B2 |
Image display device and capsule endoscope system
An image display device includes: a memory unit that stores internal body image data acquired via a receiver from a capsule endoscope taking internal body image of a subject and information that is associated with the internal body image data and related to a position of the capsule endoscope within the subject; a position information acquisition unit that performs a position estimation process based on the information related to the position to acquire position information of the capsule endoscope at imaging each of the internal body images; a preferential image determination unit that determines whether each of the internal body images meets a predetermined condition; and a preferential process control unit that controls the position information acquisition unit to perform the position estimation process preferentially on the internal body image determined to meet the predetermined condition by the preferential image determination unit. |
| US08711203B2 |
Creating three dimensional graphics data
The present invention relates to a method in a graphics system for creating a graphics stream allowing to form a three-dimensional graphics data, the graphics stream consisting of segments. The graphics stream is divided into at least a first segment and a second segment, the first segment comprises two-dimensional graphics data and the second segment comprises a depth map for the two-dimensional graphics data. The graphics stream can be decoded by a decoder to form two data sequences to be output separately to a display device for rendering a three-dimensional subtitle or graphics image for a three-dimensional video image. |
| US08711202B2 |
Performing failover for a plurality of different types of videoconferencing devices
Providing high availability in videoconferences system. A first plurality of videoconferencing devices of a first type may be monitored. Additionally, a second plurality of videoconferencing devices of a second type may be monitored. During this monitoring, at least one device of the first plurality of videoconferencing devices performs activities corresponding to a respective videoconference and at least one device of the second plurality of videoconferencing devices performs activities corresponding to the respective videoconference. In response to failure of a one of the devices associated with the respective videoconference, failover to a second device of the same type may be performed. After performing failover, the second device performs the activities corresponding to the respective videoconference that the original device was performing. |
| US08711200B2 |
Television apparatus
A television appliance comprising: a television receiver for receiving television signals and outputting the television signal of a selected channel to a screen; a network interface for accessing a packet-based network; a memory storing a communication client application; and processing apparatus arranged to execute the communication client application. The client application is configured to maintain a list of contacts and allow a user of the media appliance to establish communication events with the contacts via the network interface and packet-based network. The client application is further configured so as: to receive a machine-readable data item via the network interface and packet-based network from a television appliance of one or more of said contacts, the machine-readable data item indicating a current television channel being viewed by the respective contact; and to process the machine-readable data item so as to control operation of said user's television appliance in relation to the contact's television appliance based on the processed data item. |
| US08711193B2 |
Printing apparatus and method of operation of a printing apparatus
A printing apparatus including a printhead for transferring ink from a ribbon to a substrate to be printed, a print roller for guiding the substrate to be printed, a peel-off roller for separating the ribbon from the substrate, downstream of the printhead, wherein a peel-off angle is subtended between a portion of ribbon which, when the printing apparatus is in use, extends between the printhead and the peel-off roller and a tangent to the print roller at a contact point on the circumference of the print roller, and a printhead angle is subtended between a part of the printhead which transfers ink from the ribbon to the substrate and a radius of the print roller at the contact point, and wherein the printhead angle is adjustable in accordance with the speed of the ribbon relative to the printing apparatus. |
| US08711186B2 |
Scanning projection apparatus with tangential compensation
A scanning projector includes a scanning mirror that sweep a beam in two dimensions. Tangential distortion in a fast-scan dimension is compensated by incorporating a tangent function when determining the light beam location and interpolating pixel data. Tangential distortion in a slow-scan dimension is compensated by driving the scanning mirror nonlinearly in the slow scan dimension such that the light beam sweeps across the display surface at a constant rate. |
| US08711180B2 |
Display apparatus and control method thereof
A display apparatus and a control method of the display apparatus are provided. The display apparatus includes a display panel which is partitioned into a plurality of panel areas, a video dividing unit which divides a video frame into a plurality of video areas, wherein each of the plurality of video areas corresponds to a respective panel area of the plurality of panel areas, a scaler which scales each of the plurality of video areas to fit into a corresponding panel area of the plurality of panel areas, and an operating unit which operates the display panel so that each of the scaled plurality of video areas is displayed in the corresponding panel area of the plurality of panel areas. |
| US08711179B2 |
Mobile terminal and method for displaying information
A mobile terminal to display information includes a memory unit to store menu information and application information corresponding to a menu; a display unit that includes a touch panel and displays a first item contained in the menu information or the application information corresponding to the menu; and a control unit that rotates a touched display area of the first item and displays a second item contained in the menu information or the application information corresponding to the menu. The menu may include a main menu, one or more sub-menus, and one or more items, which may be executable applications. The first item may be an entry in a contact list, a status item representing recent call or message activity, or a multimedia item. |
| US08711173B2 |
Reproducible dither-noise injection
A display pipe unit for processing pixels of video and/or image frames may be injected with dither-noise during processing of the pixels. A random noise generator implemented using Linear Feedback Shift Registers (LFSRs) produces pseudo-random numbers that are injected into the display pipe as dither-noise. Typically, such LFSRs shift freely during operation and the values of the LFSRs are used as needed. By shifting the LFSRs when the values are used to inject noise into newly received data, and not shifting the LFSRs when no new data is received, variations in the delays of receiving the data do not affect the pattern of noise applied to the frames. Therefore, dither-noise can be deterministically injected into the display pipe during testing/debug operation. By updating the LFSRs when new pixel data is available from the host interface instead of updating the LFSRs every cycle, the same dither-noise can be injected for the same received data. |
| US08711166B1 |
Simulating non power of two texture behavior
Aspects of the invention relate generally to enforcing elements of the OpenGL ES specification. More specifically, regardless of whether or not the underlying API system would allow NPOT textures, the systems and methods herein may disallow them. As a result, objects bound with these textures may be considered errors, non-renderable, and rendered in black. In order to accomplish this, various functions may be tracked to determine whether an NPOT texture that uses mips is being bound to an object, and if so, treat the condition as an error and bind (then draw) the object with a black texture. |
| US08711164B2 |
Memory controller including a hardware compression and decompression engine for managing system memory and graphical operations
An integrated memory controller (IMC) may sit on the main CPU bus or a high speed system peripheral bus and couple to system memory. The IMC may use a lossless data compression and decompression scheme for improved performance. The IMC may also include microcode for specific decompression of particular data formats such as digital video and digital audio. Compressed data may be decompressed in the IMC and stored into system memory or saved in the system memory in compressed format. Internal memory mapping may allow for format definition spaces which may define the format of the data and the data type to be read or written. Software overrides may be placed in applications software in systems that desire to control data decompression at the software application level. |
| US08711163B2 |
Reuse of static image data from prior image frames to reduce rasterization requirements
An apparatus, program product and method reuse static image data generated during rasterization of static geometry to reduce the processing overhead associated with rasterizing subsequent image frames. In particular, static image data generated one frame may be reused in a subsequent image frame such that the subsequent image frame is generated without having to re-rasterize the static geometry from the scene, i.e., with only the dynamic geometry rasterized. The resulting image frame includes dynamic image data generated as a result of rasterizing the dynamic geometry during that image frame, and static image data generated as a result of rasterizing the static image data during a prior image frame. |
| US08711161B1 |
Functional component compensation reconfiguration system and method
A memory cell reconfiguration process is performed in accordance with the operational characteristic settings determined based upon the results of analysis and/or testing of memory cell operations. The memory circuit can include a plurality of memory cells and memory cell configuration controller. The memory cells store information associated with a variety of operations. The memory cell configuration controller coordinates selective enablement and disablement of each of the plurality of memory cells, which can be done on a subset or group basis (e.g., enables and/or disables memory cells on a word length or row by row basis). The address mapping can be adjusted so that the memory space appears continuous to external components. The memory cell configuration controller can also forward configuration information to upstream and/or downstream components that can adjust operations to compensate for the memory cell configuration (e.g., to prevent overflow). |
| US08711160B1 |
System and method for efficient resource management of a signal flow programmed digital signal processor code
A method according to an embodiment of a system for efficient resource management of a signal flow programmed digital signal processor code is provided and includes determining a connection sequence of a plurality of algorithm elements in a schematic of a signal flow for an electronic circuit, the connection sequence indicating connections between the algorithm elements and a sequence of processing the algorithm elements according to the connections, determining a buffer sequence indicating an order of using the plurality of memory buffers to process the plurality of algorithm elements according to the connection sequence, and reusing at least some of the plurality of memory buffers according to the buffer sequence. |
| US08711159B2 |
VGPU: a real time GPU emulator
An exemplary method for emulating a graphics processing unit (GPU) includes executing a graphics application on a host computing system to generate commands for a target GPU wherein the host computing system includes host system memory and a different, host GPU; converting the generated commands into intermediate commands; based on one or more generated commands that call for one or more shaders, caching one or more corresponding shaders in a shader cache in the host system memory; based on one or more generated commands that call for one or more resources, caching one or more corresponding resources in a resource cache in the host system memory; based on the intermediate commands, outputting commands for the host GPU; and based on the output commands for the host GPU, rendering graphics using the host GPU where output commands that call for one or more shaders access the one or more corresponding shaders in the shader cache and where output commands that call for one or more resources access the one or more corresponding resources in the resource cache. Other methods, devices and systems are also disclosed. |
| US08711157B2 |
Switching device and electronic apparatus using the same
A switching device includes a plurality of first interfaces respectively coupled to a plurality of computers, a third interface coupled to a display module, and a switching unit coupled to the first interfaces and the third interface. The switching unit is used for selecting one of the first interfaces to be coupled to the third interface in response to a command. The display module receives a video signal from a selected one of the computers through the selected first interface and the third interface, and displays video information. |
| US08711156B1 |
Method and system for remapping processing elements in a pipeline of a graphics processing unit
A method and system for remapping units that are disabled to active units in a 3-D graphics pipeline. Specifically, in one embodiment, a method remaps processing elements in a pipeline of a graphics pipeline unit. Graphical input data are received. Then the number of enabled processing elements are determined from a plurality of processing elements. Each of the enabled processing elements are virtually addressed above a translator to virtually process the graphical input data. Then, the virtual addresses of each of the enabled processing elements are mapped to physical addresses of the enabled processing elements at the translator. The graphical input data are physically processed at the physical addresses of the enabled processing elements. In addition, each of the enabled processing elements are physically addressed below the translator to further process the graphical input data. |
| US08711154B2 |
System and method for parallel video processing in multicore devices
Embodiments are disclosed for a system and method for parallel processing of video signals. A multi-core processor is used to establish a master-slave relationship between a first processing core and a plurality of individual processing cores. Shared memory is used to store data and control messages. A plurality of individual private memories are associated with each of the individual processing cores; and control logic is used to establish a master-slave protocol for using the plurality of individual cores to process video data. The master processing core is operable to balance the video data processing load among the individual slave processing cores. |
| US08711153B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for configuring and operating graphics processing units
A graphics processing system with multiple graphics processing cores (GPC)s is disclosed. The apparatus can include a peripheral component interface express (PCIe) switch to interface the GPCs to a host processor. The apparatus can also include a transparent bus to connect the GPCs. The transparent bus can be implemented with two PCIe endpoints on each side of a nontransparent bridge where these three components provide a bus interconnect and a control line interconnect between the GPCs. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08711151B2 |
Hair motion compositor system for use in a hair/fur pipeline
A hair pipeline utilizes a surface definition module to define a surface and a control hair and a hair motion compositor module combines different control hair curve shapes associated with the control hair and the surface. In particular, the hair motion compositor module generates a static node defining a static control hair curve shape; generates an animation node defining an animation control hair curve shape; and combines the static control hair curve shape of the static node with the animation control hair curve hair shape of the animation node to produce a resultant control hair curve shape for the control hair. |
| US08711149B2 |
Graphical user interface for interpreting the results of image analysis
A method of intuitively displaying values obtained from analyzing bio-medical images includes displaying a table of the values in a first pane of a graphical user interface. The table contains a user selectable row that includes a reference value and two numerical values. The reference value refers to an image of a tissue slice. The first numerical value is generated by performing image analysis on the image, and the second numerical value indicates a health state of the tissue. The image is displayed in a second pane of the graphical user interface in response to the user selecting the user selectable row. A graphical plot with a selectable symbol associated with the image is displayed in a third pane. The symbol has a position in the plot defined by the values. Alternatively, in response to the user selecting the selectable symbol, the image is displayed in the second pane. |
| US08711144B2 |
Perception-based artifact quantification for volume rendering
Artifact quantification is provided in volume rendering. Since the visual conspicuity of rendering artifacts strongly influences subjective assessments of image quality, quantitative metrics that accurately correlate with human visual perception may provide consistent values over a range of imaging conditions. |
| US08711143B2 |
System and method for interactive image-based modeling of curved surfaces using single-view and multi-view feature curves
Various embodiments of an interactive system and methods for generating an image-based 3D model of an object from multiple images captured from different viewpoints of the object are described. A user may identify feature curves for the object by outlining the feature curves on a display of the images. The user may outline a feature curve in multiple images which depict the feature curve from different viewpoints. 3D shape constraints for the model may be generated dependent on the identified feature curves and camera parameters for the images. The user may also outline multiple single-view feature curves, such as silhouette curves, in single images. A 3D surface approximation for the model may be generated from the single-view feature curves. The 3D shape constraints and the 3D surface approximation may be used to generate a polygonal mesh which represents the surface of the 3D model of the object. |
| US08711135B2 |
Driving system of display panel having a circuit of a voltage generator and driving method thereof
A driving system of a display panel and a driving method thereof are provided, in which the display panel includes a plurality of pixel units, and the driving system includes a timing controller and a voltage generator. The timing controller is used for detecting data values of the pixel units, and calculating difference values between the data values of every two pixel units, in which the calculated pixel units are in successive rows. The timing controller obtains an aggregation value of absolute values of the difference values, and then provides a related control signal to the voltage generator according to whether the aggregation value reaches a threshold value. The voltage generator provides a common voltage or provides a compensation voltage to a common electrode according to content of the control signal. |
| US08711129B2 |
Minimizing mismatch during compensation
A method and apparatus for minimizing mismatch effects between a compensation signal and an output signal generated by a touch surface device is disclosed. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a touch-sensitive panel having a sense node for providing an output signal indicative of a touch or no-touch condition on the panel; a drive circuit for generating a sinusoidal drive signal provided to the sense node of the touch-sensitive panel; at least one non-touch-sensitive node within the touch-sensitive panel, for generating a sinusoidal compensation signal, wherein the sinusoidal compensation signal is summed with the output signal to provide a sinusoidal compensated output signal; and a sensing circuit for receiving the sinusoidal compensated output signal. |
| US08711127B2 |
Scanning of a touch screen
A rectangular light-based touch-sensitive surface for an electronic device comprising a plurality of light emitters arranged along one and only one side of a surface, each emitter being activatable to emit light rays at a plurality of different angles across the surface, a plurality of light detectors arranged along the three remaining sides of the surface, each detector being activatable to register detection values of emitted light beams, wherein light emitted from each emitter is registered by two or more of the detectors, and a processor connected to the emitters and to the detectors operable to coordinate activations of the emitters and detectors, and to receive the registered detection values. |
| US08711126B2 |
Optical input device
A specific information input region (B) individually specifying information to be input and an input mode switching region (C) used for changing an information input mode are placed on an information input region (A) set on a substrate. Each of these regions is displayed to be visible. An optical sensor detects a touched position on the information input region. Then, the touch operation in the input mode switching region (C) is detected according to the output of the optical sensor to selectively switch the information input mode among keyboard input, pen tablet input and mouse input. The output of the optical sensor is analyzed according to the set input mode to find out the information input by the touch operation. |
| US08711123B2 |
Multi-touch recognition resistive touch screen for recognizing multi-touch coordinates through capacitor charging time
The present invention relates to a resistive touchscreen for recognizing touch coordinates through a capacitor charging time constant, and more specifically, the invention comprises: an equal resistance line operating means for obtaining the same resistance line according to an (Rv+Ry+) value and the same resistance line according to an (Rv+Ry−) value by using the charge time constant after a charge time constant measuring means measures charge time constants of capacitors CconL and CconR; and a coordinate calculating means for obtaining intersecting points of the resistance lines, thereby perceiving the intersecting points as touch positions. According to the present invention, a conventional ADC (analog to digital converter) is not used because the touch positions can be perceived through the capacitor charging time constants, whereby the invention is advantageous for IC integration. |
| US08711118B2 |
Interactivity model for shared feedback on mobile devices
A system that produces a dynamic haptic effect and generates a drive signal that includes a gesture signal and a real or virtual device sensor signal. The haptic effect is modified dynamically based on both the gesture signal and the real or virtual device sensor signal such as from an accelerometer or gyroscope, or by a signal created from processing data such as still images, video or sound. The haptic effect may optionally be modified dynamically by using the gesture signal and the real or virtual device sensor signal and a physical model, or may optionally be applied concurrently to multiple devices which are connected via a communication link. The haptic effect may optionally be encoded into a data file on a first device. The data file is then communicated to a second device and the haptic effect is read from the data file and applied to the second device. |
| US08711108B2 |
Direct connect single layer touch panel
A substantially transparent touch sensor panel having co-planar single-layer touch sensors and traces fabricated on a single side of a substrate for detecting single or multi-touch events. The touch sensor elements can be fabricated in columns and rows, with each sensor element in a row adjacent to a sensor element in a column. By using a board as the dielectric to connect traces from multiple sensor elements in each row, rather than using a dielectric layer on the substrate upon which the sensor elements and traces are formed, the sensor elements and traces on the substrate can be formed by simply patterning a single layer of conductive material on the substrate, which can simplify the manufacturing process of the substrate from a complexity and cost perspective. |
| US08711107B2 |
Signal conversion control circuit for touch screen and method thereof
A signal conversion control circuit comprises an analog-to-digital converter, a first sample-and-hold circuit, a second sample-and-hold circuit, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a fourth switch. The analog-to-digital converter has an input end for receiving an output signal of a touch screen. The first sample-and-hold circuit is configured to provide the analog-to-digital converter with a high-level reference voltage. The second sample-and-hold circuit is configured to provide the analog-to-digital converter with a low-level reference voltage. The first switch connects a supplied voltage to the touch screen. The second switch connects the touch screen to a ground potential. The third switch connects the supplied voltage to the first sample-and-hold circuit through the first switch. The fourth switch connects the ground potential to the second sample-and-hold circuit through the second switch. |
| US08711106B2 |
Input system including position-detecting device
A position-detecting device detects a position pointed to by a position-pointing instrument and includes an operation panel detecting the position pointed to by the position-pointing instrument; and a manipulation-detecting unit located at at least one of the interior and the exterior of the operation panel, and detecting a manipulation by a second instrument other than the position-pointing instrument, or detecting a manipulation by both the position-pointing instrument and the second instrument. |
| US08711099B2 |
Handheld electronic communication device having sliding display
A handheld electronic device comprising a housing having a keyboard support member and a base, the base having a first section spaced apart from and opposing the keyboard support member to define a cavity therebetween, the base having a second section that extends from the first section beyond an open end of the cavity, the housing further comprising opposed first and second sidewalls, the first sidewall protruding from a first peripheral side edge of the second section of the base and the second sidewall protruding from a second peripheral side edge of the second section of the base. A display assembly is slidably mounted to the housing and comprising a display screen on a front face thereof, the display assembly being slidable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein in the retracted position a first portion of the display screen is received within the cavity facing towards the keyboard support member and a second portion of the display screen is viewable outside of the cavity and disposed between the first and second sidewalls, and in the extended position the first portion and the second portion of the display screen are viewable outside of the cavity. |
| US08711097B2 |
Optical navigation device with image sensor and inner housing
An optical navigation device that can sense the movement of an object, such as a user's finger, so that the movement can control a feature of a consumer digital device such as a cursor on a display screen. The device includes a substrate to which an LED, reflector, and image sensor are attached. Light from the LED is directed by the elliptical reflector toward and through a window that is transparent to the light from the LED and then is reflected off of the user's finger back through the window, through a lens, and onto the image sensor. The reflector is positioned to direct light toward the window at an oblique angle, in the range of 65 to 70 degrees from an angle normal to the window. Further, the reflector is curved to gather light across a large solid angle in the vicinity of the LED. The curved shape of the reflector may be a portion of an ellipsoid and the LED may be located at one of the foci of the ellipsoid, with the window located at the other foci of the ellipsoid. |
| US08711091B2 |
Automatic logical position adjustment of multiple screens
A method and a computer system are provided for automatically setting the logical positions of multiple screen displays. A computer system may comprise a plurality of display devices, at least one image capturing device, and a controller. The controller may be coupled to the display devices and image capturing devices. The adjustment module may be adapted to adjust the plurality of the display settings. |
| US08711087B2 |
Method for driving electrophoretic display device, electrophoretic display device, and electronic device
A method for driving an electrophoretic display device, which includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrophoretic element disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the method includes: setting a multiplication of a driving voltage and a voltage application time of the electrophoretic element in a unit period, which displays a first gradation with minimum reflectivity, and a multiplication of a driving voltage and a voltage application time of the electrophoretic element in the unit period, which displays a second gradation with maximum reflectivity, so as to be different from each other. |
| US08711085B2 |
Apparatus and methods for color displays
A display incorporates both narrow-band light emitters and broadband light emitters. The light emitters are controlled to display images according to image data. The narrow-band light emitters can be used to provide highly saturated primary colors. Light from the broadband light sources may be mixed with the broadband light. This can reduce metamerism failures arising from variations in the characteristics of the eyes of observers. |
| US08711084B2 |
Device and method for controlling brightness of organic light emitting diode display
A device and a method for controlling brightness of an OLED display device are disclosed.The method for controlling brightness of an OLED display device includes the steps of forwarding external brightness control information in a PWM signal or a brightness control data, selecting and normalizing either the PWM signal or the brightness control data into an external brightness adjusting gain, analyzing a received video data to detect a peak brightness value, multiplying the peak brightness value by the external brightness adjusting gain to produce a final peak brightness value, adjusting the R/G/B maximum gamma voltage values according to the final peak brightness value, and generating R/G/B reference gamma voltage sets by using the R/G/B maximum gamma voltage values adjusted thus. |
| US08711082B2 |
Method for driving bistable display device
A method for driving a bistable display device is provided. The bistable display device has a matrix of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, a timing controller and a source driver. The timing controller is configured to sequentially output control signals which correspond to a positive high voltage, a negative high voltage and a ground voltage respectively to the source driver. The source driver is configured to drive each pixel with the voltages corresponding to the control signals. The method comprises: providing only the positive high voltage or the ground voltage to one of two pixels in two adjacent rows of the same column if the source driver provides the positive high voltage to the other one when the source driver consecutively drives the two pixels. |
| US08711080B2 |
Backlight assembly, method for driving backlight assembly, and liquid crystal display having the same
There is provided a backlight assembly that supplies light to an LCD panel. The backlight assembly includes an LED assembly and a backlight unit. The LED assembly includes at least one LED block region having a plurality of LEDs. The backlight unit driving unit includes a color control unit that determines a representative color of the LED block region using an image signal supplied to the LCD panel, and a dimming control unit that controls the color of the LED block region based on the representative color determined by the color control unit. |
| US08711076B2 |
Timing controller capable of removing surge signal and display apparatus including the same
A timing controller includes a first stage removing a first surge signal generated during a first logic level period of a data enable signal, and a second stage receiving the data enable signal generated by the first stage and removing a second surge signal generated during a second logic level period of the received data enable signal. |
| US08711070B2 |
Display device and projector
Since green is expressed by the first sub-pixels and the second sub-pixels, and at the same time, red is expressed by the third sub-pixels using the yellow illumination light, and green is expressed by the first sub-pixels and the second sub-pixels, and at the same time, blue is expressed by the third sub-pixels using the cyan illumination light, the display device can assure the apparent resolution and the brightness using the first and second sub-pixels with greenish color. It should be noted that red and blue can be expressed by the third sub-pixels with magenta color. |
| US08711068B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display device for automatically selecting a common voltage adaptive for a scan line system to supply it to a common electrode of liquid crystal cells is disclosed.In the liquid crystal display device, a controller is selectively controls a supply of a first common voltage or a second common voltage in accordance with a scan line system of an image signal displayed at a liquid crystal display panel. A first common voltage generator supplies the first common voltage in accordance with a control of the controller to the common electrode of the liquid crystal cells. And, a second common voltage generator supplies the second common voltage in accordance with a control of the controller to the common electrode of the liquid crystal cells. |
| US08711067B2 |
Pixel interleaving configurations for use in high definition electronic sign displays
Pixel interleaving configurations for use in high definition electronic sign displays where each and every scan line includes full red, green, and blue color representation to provide for high resolution electronic video sign displays. |
| US08711064B2 |
Digital signal processing apparatus, liquid crystal display apparatus, digital signal processing method and computer program
A digital-signal processing apparatus for processing elementary-color data to be output to a liquid-crystal display apparatus having a color panel structure, the digital-signal processing apparatus including: a line-unit weight-coefficient sum computation section; a compensation-coefficient computation section; a partial-weight-coefficient-sum computation section; a first-compensation-quantity-component computation section; a second-compensation-quantity-component computation section; a compensation-quantity computation section; a line memory used for applying a 1-line period extension process to each elementary-color data; and a horizontal-cross-talk compensation section for successively compensating each elementary-color data, which has been subjected to the 1-line period extension process in the line memory. |
| US08711056B2 |
Multi display device and method of controlling the same
A multi display device includes a row drive circuit, a column drive circuit and a column line selection circuit. The row drive circuit drives first row lines of a first display panel and second row lines of at least one second display panel. The column drive circuit drives first column lines of the first display panel and second column lines of the second display panel. The column line selection circuit controls a connection between the column drive circuit and one of the first column lines and the second column lines based on a column line selection signal. |
| US08711055B2 |
Printed circuit board including electromagnetic bandgap structure
Disclosed is a printed circuit board, which includes an electromagnetic bandgap structure disposed around an antenna so as to prevent noise from being transmitted to the antenna. The printed circuit board includes an antenna, a circuit chip, a plurality of metal layers and a plurality of dielectric layers, a pair of transmission lines for transmitting a signal to the antenna, and an electromagnetic bandgap structure disposed between the antenna and the circuit chip and for preventing an electromagnetic wave from being transmitted from the circuit chip to the antenna. |
| US08711054B2 |
Electronic device with embedded antenna
An electronic device with an embedded three-dimensional antenna is disclosed. The electronic device includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and an embedded three-dimensional antenna. The embedded three-dimensional antenna includes a radiation element and a connection element. The connection element includes a first connection part and a second connection part. The first and second connection parts are coupled to the PCB, and utilized for transferring signals of the embedded three-dimensional antenna to the PCB. The first and second connection parts further clamp the PCB to attach the embedded three-dimensional antenna on the PCB. |
| US08711053B2 |
Antenna device
Provided is an antenna device, having a small and simple configuration, which reduces connection resistance in connections between a film antenna element and a power feeding unit. An antenna device comprises a nonconductive transparent film, which is an insulating substrate having a prescribed optical transmission factor, an antenna element that is formed, upon the transparent film, from transparent conductive material, which is a conductive material having a prescribed optical transmission factor, and a non-transparent conductive power feeding wire. The transparent film and the transparent conductive material are doubled over and pressed upon a portion of one side of the antenna element, which forms a square dipole antenna, such that the transparent conductive material is on the inside, and the power feeding wire is sandwiched therein. By being doubled over, the transparent conductive material has an overlap portion, the two sides whereof electrically connect to one other. |
| US08711052B2 |
Antenna support device
An antenna support device for supporting an antenna is disclosed. The antenna support device includes a support arm, a holder mounted on the support arm, a first connecting member rotatably connected to the holder around a first axis, a second connecting member rotatably connected to the first connecting member around a second axis, and an antenna bracket fixed on the second connecting member, wherein the antenna is fixed on the antenna bracket. |
| US08711051B2 |
Antenna device and wireless communication apparatus
An antenna device includes a feed element being of a length that allows resonance in a specified frequency band, a distributed constant feed line grounded at one end and coupled at another end to the feed element to form a feeding point, a reactive element grounded at one end and coupled at another end to a position a specified distance from the feeding point of the feed line, a first switch disposed between the feed line and the reactive element and used to select whether the feed line and the reactive element are coupled or uncoupled, a parasitic element disposed adjacent to the feed element and being of a length that allows resonance in a frequency band different from the frequency band in which the feed element resonates, and a second switch used to select whether the parasitic element is grounded. |
| US08711047B2 |
Orthogonal tunable antenna array for wireless communication devices
A multi-band antenna array for use in wireless communication devices with up to three simultaneous operating modes with improved antenna efficiency and reduced antenna coupling across a broad range of operative frequency bands with reduced physical size is described. The multi-band antenna array includes at least two loop antenna elements, each of which is orthogonal to, and arranged in an embedded manner, relative to each other. Each loop antenna in the multi-band antenna array may include a corresponding tuning element for tuning to a desired resonant frequency, and be comprised of an upper and lower half with the corresponding tuning element coupled therebetween. |
| US08711041B2 |
Case of electronic device having antenna pattern embedded therein and mold and method for manufacturing the same
There is provided a case of an electronic device having an antenna pattern embedded therein, the case including: a radiator frame injection molded so that a radiator including an antenna pattern part formed of a metal sheet is exposed on one surface thereof; a case frame injection molded upward of the radiator frame, such that the radiator is embedded between the radiator frame and the case frame; and a boundary part forming a boundary between the radiator frame and the case frame and having a groove formed inward of the case frame. |
| US08711037B2 |
Precision geolocation of moving or fixed transmitters using multiple observers
A method of geolocating a stationary transmitter observed by a fixed receiver device and at least two receiver devices, at least one of the receiver devices moving includes obtaining wavelength-scaled phase difference measurements between pairs of receiver devices, and obtaining a result lattice of possible locations of the transmitter, one location more probable than the remainder. A method of geolocating a moving transmitter observed by a plurality of fixed or nearly fixed receiver devices, and a moving receiver device, includes obtaining wavelength-scaled phase difference measurements from the plurality of fixed or nearly fixed receiver devices to obtain a shape of the transmitter trajectory, measuring the phase difference between the moving receiver device and at least one of the plurality of fixed or nearly fixed receiver devices to obtain a phase error residual, and moving an estimated starting point of the transmitter to obtain a best-fit residual. |
| US08711032B2 |
High-resolution, active reflector radio frequency ranging system
A radio frequency ranging system is grounded in establishing and maintaining phase and frequency coherency of signals received by a slave unit from a master unit and retransmitted to the master unit by the slave unit. For a preferred embodiment of the invention, coherency is established through the use of a delta-sigma phase-lock loop, and maintained through the use, on both master and slave units, of thermally-insulated reference oscillators, which are highly stable over the short periods of time during which communications occur. A phase relationship counter is employed to keep track of the fractional time frames of the phase-lock loop as a function of the reference oscillator, thereby providing absolute phase information for an incoming burst on any channel, thereby enabling the system to almost instantaneously establish or reestablish the phase relationship of the local oscillator so that it synchronized with the reference oscillator. |