| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08849069B2 |
Object information derived from object images
Search terms are derived automatically from images captured by a camera equipped cell phone, PDA, or other image capturing device, submitted to a search engine to obtain information of interest, and at least a portion of the resulting information is transmitted back locally to, or nearby, the device that captured the image. |
| US08849067B2 |
Image processing apparatus, computer-readable storage medium, and image processing method for improving image data transfer
According to an embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes: a reading unit, a magnification change processing unit, a wait time acquiring unit, and a signal output unit. The reading unit reads image data from the memory line by line. The magnification change processing unit performs a magnification change process on the image data and outputs. The wait time acquiring unit acquires wait time information on a value corresponding to a wait time from when a synchronous signal, representing a start of read of the image data for each line, falls to when the magnification change process starts. The signal output unit outputs, to the reading unit, a permission signal indicating whether read of image data of a next line is permitted or denied based on the wait time information while the magnification change processing unit is outputting the image data. |
| US08849065B2 |
Continuation of multi-element image templates
A system for making an image product includes a computer including a processor and a memory, a template stored in the memory, the template including a template graphic and a plurality of openings in the template graphic, an image stored in the memory, and the processor compositing the image into two or more of the plurality of openings, so that two different portions of the image are located in two different openings and the two different portions have the same relative locations in the composition as in the user image. |
| US08849064B2 |
Method and apparatus for viewing images
A computer-implemented method for viewing images on an interactive computing device comprises displaying an image from a stack comprising a display image and at least one compressed sub-image of nominally the same scene, each of the sub-images of the stack having been acquired at respective focal distances. Responsive to a user selecting a portion of the displayed image, the selected portion is mapped to a corresponding mapped portion of a sub-image within the stack according to the difference in focal distances between the displayed image and the sub-image. At least one row of compressed image blocks of the at least one sub-image extending across the mapped portion; and a reference value for a point in the compressed image stream of the sub-image preceding the row of compressed image blocks is determined. Using the reference, the row of blocks of the sub-image at least partially decoded, and a measure of focus for an area of the mapped portion coinciding with the decoded image blocks is computed to determine if at least that content of the sub-image should be displayed within a display image. |
| US08849061B2 |
Noise reduction device and noise reduction method
A noise reduction section includes: a correlation detector configured to detect correlations between corresponding pixels between first and second image signals which are obtained from an identical image, and output degrees of correlation based on the detected correlations; an addition ratio determining section configured to determine addition ratios of the corresponding pixels between the first and second image signals based on the degrees of correlation, where the addition ratios are used in weighted addition averaging processes; and a weighted addition averaging section configured to perform, based on the addition ratios, the weighted addition averaging processes on the corresponding pixels to generate an output image signal, wherein when each of the degrees of correlation is relatively high, the addition ratio determining section provides a relatively high proportion of the pixel of the second image signal in the addition ratio. |
| US08849060B2 |
Image processing method, image processing system and display device for modifying background colors based on object colors
An image processing method is provided, which includes a step of separating an object image into an object region and a background region, a step of calculating a gray scale value of an average color of the object region, a step of calculating a gray scale value of an inversion color of the object region by using the gray scale value of the average color, and a step of calculating a gray scale value of a background region of a processed image by using the gray scale value of the inversion color and a gray scale value of the background region of the object image. |
| US08849058B2 |
Systems and methods for image archaeology
Systems and methods are described for determining manipulation history among a plurality of images. The described techniques include selecting a pair of images from the plurality of images, detecting one or more manipulations operable to transform one of the images to the other, and based on the manipulations detected, determining a parent-child relationship between the pair or pairs of images. The described techniques can further include repeating the selecting two images, detecting manipulations, and determining the parent-child relationship for each pairs of images in the plurality of images, constructing a visual migration map for the images, and presenting the visual migration map in a user readable format. |
| US08849054B2 |
Digital image stabilization
A Digital Image Stabilization method including selecting a principal transform representing a stationary/background object in the scene of a video frame, based on scoring each of a plurality of transforms of tile motion vector (Tile MV) groups and of feature point motion vector (FP MV) groups, and excluding large moving objects based on the history of the stationary (background) group and the history of each of the plurality motion vector groups. |
| US08849050B2 |
Computer vision methods and systems to recognize and locate an object or objects in one or more images
Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for identifying and locating an object in an image. In embodiments, an object in an image may be identified by segmenting a first image of an object into one or more superpixels; extracting local descriptors from the first image, each of the descriptors having an interest point with a location; correlating the local descriptors to the superpixels based on locations of the local descriptors and superpixels; determining a probability for an object label for each of a set of the superpixels; and assigning an object label to each of the set of the superpixels based on the probability and a smoothness factor that includes weighting in terms of one or more of spatial, colors, angular distances between superpixels. The superpixels of an image may be concatenated to predict an object label for the image and to determine the location of the image. |
| US08849049B2 |
Image coding device and image decoding device
To provide an image coding device having high coding efficiency and an image decoding device. A plurality of prediction procedures that uses various types of correlations between pixels are adaptively applied with a coded signal as a reference. With respect to an input pixel, first residual and prediction information are obtained by a first prediction unit that carries out in-screen prediction and the like, second residual and prediction information are obtained by a second prediction unit for predicting a first residual as a serial additional process, and third residual and prediction information are obtained by a third prediction unit for directly predicting a pixel to be coded as a parallel additional process on the input pixel. Which of either the second residual or the third residual to code is determined based on the coding cost, and the signal is switched in the first switching unit. |
| US08849039B2 |
Image processing method and system
A method of comparing two object poses, wherein each object pose is expressed in terms of position, orientation and scale with respect to a common coordinate system, the method comprising: calculating a distance between the two object poses, the distance being calculated using the distance function: d sRt ( X , Y ) = d s 2 ( X , Y ) σ s 2 + d r 2 ( X , Y ) σ r 2 + d t 2 ( X , Y ) σ t 2 . where X is the object pose of one object and Y is the object pose of the other object, d s ( X , Y ) = log ( s ( X ) s ( Y ) ) , d r ( X , Y ) = R ( X ) - R ( Y ) F , d t ( X , Y ) = t ( X ) - t ( Y ) s ( Y ) , s(X) and s(Y) are scalar functions representing the scale of the object poses X and Y respectively, R(X) and R(Y) are matrices expressing the rotation of object poses X and Y respectively, t(X) and t(Y) are vectors expressing the translation of object poses X and Y respectively, and σs, σr and σt are weighting factors for ds, dr and dt respectively. |
| US08849037B2 |
Methods and systems for image processing of microfluidic devices
A method of processing data associated with fluorescent emissions from a microfluidic device. The method includes performing an auto-focus process associated with a first image of the microfluidic device and performing an auto-exposure process associated with the first image of the microfluidic device. The method also includes capturing a plurality of images of the microfluidic device. The plurality of images are associated with a plurality of thermal cycles. The method further includes performing image analysis of the plurality of captured images to determine a series of optical intensities and performing data analysis of the series of optical intensities to provide a series of change in threshold values. |
| US08849034B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for triggering recognition of a handwritten shape
A technique that uses repetitive and reliably recognizable parts of handwriting, during digital handwriting data entry, to trigger recognition of digital ink and to repurpose handwriting task area properties. In one example embodiment, this is achieved by drawing one or more delayed strokes of a desired sub-word unit using a stylus on a touch screen. An associated data of the drawn one or more strokes is inputted via the touch screen into a handwriting recognition engine. A first trigger stroke in the drawn one or more strokes that can be used to trigger the sub-word unit recognition by the handwriting recognition engine is then determined. The sub-word unit recognition is then triggered for the drawn one or more strokes based on the determined first trigger stroke by the handwriting recognition engine. |
| US08849031B2 |
Document analysis systems and methods
A method embodiment herein begins by capturing a source image. The source image is segmented into first planes. The first planes can each comprise a mask plane and foreground plane combination. The binary images in the first planes are structurally analyzed to identify different regions of text, tables, handwriting, line art, equations, etc., using a document model that has information of size, shape, and spatial arrangement of possible regions. Then, the method extracts (crops out) these regions from the foreground plane to create second mask/foreground plane pairs. Thus, the method creates “second” planes from the first planes, so that a separate second plane is created for each of the regions. Next, tags are associated with each of the second planes (to create tagged mask/foreground plane pairs) and the second planes and associated tags are combined into a mixed raster content (MRC) document. Then, the MRC can be stored and/or transmitted so that the method can perform a separate recognition process (OCR, table recognition, handwriting recognition, etc.) on each of the second planes to produce tagged output. |
| US08849029B2 |
Image processing method, image processing device and program
A plurality of images are used as input images. On the basis of a degree of similarity to an input image group and an evaluation of the quantity of edges of an overall image, a new image is generated. An image processing method may comprise calculating a specified color characteristic degree indicating a degree of similarity between a pixel color of a generated image predicted from the input image group and a specified color that has been specified beforehand, and for, on the basis of the specified color characteristic degree, modifying a weight corresponding to the edge quantity of each pixel within the generated image, and generating an image wherein the manner of reproduction of edges of areas of the specified color differs from other regions. |
| US08849028B2 |
Color selection tool for selecting a custom color component
A non-transitory machine readable medium that has a computer program for execution by at least one processing unit is described. The computer program receives a selection of a location on an image that includes several pixels. Each pixel has several color values. The computer program identifies a set of color values of a pixel that corresponds to the selected location on the image. Based on the identified set of color values, the computer program defines a custom color component that is defined by a fractional contribution from each of the plurality of primary color components of the color space. The computer program generates a response curve along the custom color component. The response curve corresponds a set of input color values of the custom color component to a set of output color values of the custom color component. |
| US08849024B2 |
Image processing device and medium storing image processing program
An image processing device can explicitly distinguish cells to be observed from cells other than those to be observed with a simple configuration. To this end, the image processing device includes a color information obtaining part obtaining at least hue from color information of each pixel of a color image, a detecting part detecting a mode value of the hue on a color space, a range setting part setting a predetermined range on the color space including the mode value of the hue detected by the detecting part as a target range, a changing part changing hue of a pixel included in the target range by virtually performing extension on the target range, and an information converting part converting color information of a pixel having hue not included in the target range into color information indicative of an achromatic color. |
| US08849020B2 |
Search system using images
A search system using images is provided in which when a user does not know a relevant URL or search keyword correctly while surfing the Internet, he or she can search a desired website using only an image. The search system using images according to the present invention comprises an image search server and a user terminal. The image search system comprises: an image conversion section for converting the image included in the website information and the to-be-searched image uploaded by the user into search format images; an image search section for comparing eigen values of both the to-be-searched image uploaded by the user and the search image included in the website information and detecting the website information having a matching eigen value; and a storage section for storing the detected website information, the image included in the website information, and information regarding eigen values. |
| US08849019B2 |
Method and system operative to process color image data
A method and system operative to process color image data are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method can comprise the steps of receiving color image data, determining the color ranges to be applied to the color image data, assigning each of the pixel positions in the image data a color range, assigning a different spatial binary pattern to each color range, and assigning each of the pixel positions a binary output pixel value that corresponds to the spatial binary pattern assigned to the color range assigned to that pixel position. The resulting binary image data can be written to a file for subsequent storage, transmission, processing, or retrieval and rendering. In other embodiments, a system can be made operative to accomplish the same. |
| US08849005B2 |
Coronary artery motion modeling
A method for tracking coronary artery motion includes constructing (11) a centerline model of a vascular structure in a base phase image in a sequence of 2D images of coronary arteries acquired over a cardiac phase, computing (12), for each pixel in a region-of-interest in each subsequent image, a velocity vector that represent a change in position between the subsequent image and base phase image, calculating (13) positions of control points in each phase using the velocity vectors, and applying (14) PCA to a P×2N data matrix XT constructed from position vectors (x, y) of N centerline control points for P phases to identify d eigenvectors corresponding to the largest eigenvalues of XXT to obtain a d-dimensional linear motion model {circumflex over (α)}p, in which a centerline model for a new image at phase p+1 is estimated by adding {circumflex over (α)}p to each centerline control point of a previous frame at phase p. |
| US08849003B2 |
Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to process cardiac images to detect heart motion abnormalities
Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to process cardiac images to detect heart motion abnormalities are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes using a filter coefficient based on a plurality of cardiac images to characterize motion of a heart; computing an information-theoretic metric from the filter coefficient; and comparing the information-theoretic metric to a threshold to determine whether the motion of the heart is abnormal. |
| US08848999B2 |
Method for increasing updating rate of reconstruction of a current three-dimensional image dataset of an object during a monitoring process and X-ray device
A method for reconstruction of an actual three-dimensional image dataset of an object during a monitoring process is proposed. Two-dimensional X-ray projection images which correspond to a recording geometry are continuously recorded from different projection angles. The three-dimensional image dataset are reconstructed from a first number of these projection images, especially by a back projection method. The proportion of the oldest projection image contained in the current three-dimensional image dataset is removed from the three-dimensional image dataset and the proportion of the actual projection image is inserted in the three-dimensional image dataset after each recording of the actual projection image. |
| US08848997B2 |
Medical image acquisition apparatus and operating method therefor
In a medical image acquisition, and operating method, before acquiring a current planning image data set from a subject, a statistical atlas is generated from multiple planning image data sets using a specific measurement protocol, as a statistical compilation including an average image data set electronically associated with association information that identifies different anatomical entities represented by the statistical compilation. After the current planning image data set is acquired, the stored average image data set is transformed into the current planning image data set, with the association information being accurately associated with the current planning image data set. A diagnostic image acquisition of the subject is then controlled using the association information that is now associated with the current planning image data set. |
| US08848996B2 |
System for suppressing vascular structure in medical images
A system generates medical image data representing smaller vessels including capillaries of a region of patient anatomy. An image data processor identifies pixels of larger vessels in individual images of difference images where the larger vessels have a size exceeding a predetermined threshold size. The image data processor generates an enhanced visualization small vessel image comprising substantially peak luminance values of individual pixels exclusive of pixels of the identified larger vessels. A peak luminance value of an individual pixel is generated in response to a peak luminance value of luminance values of pixels, spatially corresponding to the individual pixel and present in images comprising the plurality of temporally sequential individual difference images. An output processor outputs substantially peak luminance values as a vessel image. |
| US08848993B2 |
Method and device to generate MR images based on MR data entered in three-dimensional k-space
In a method and a magnetic resonance (MR) system to generate MR images based on an MR measurement of the magnetic resonance system, MR data are acquired in three-dimensional k-space along straight lines proceeding in parallel. Each of these lines is defined by a point in a plane which intersects each line and that is situated orthogonal to each line. The points in the plane are arranged such that a distribution of the points obeys spiral phyllotaxis. |
| US08848989B2 |
Cardiac image processing and analysis
A system for visualizing a myocardium represented by a cardiac image comprises a resampling means and a visualizing means. The resampling means resamples the intensity levels at sampling points on a plurality of curved surfaces, each curved surface enclosing at least part of a heart cavity and zero or more of the plurality of curved surfaces and being enclosed by the remaining curved surfaces of the plurality of curved surfaces, the plurality of curved surfaces together covering a hollow region in the cardiac image, the hollow region comprising the outer cavity walls of a group of at least one heart cavity. The visualizing means is arranged for visualizing at least part of at least one of the plurality of curved surfaces, using resampled intensity levels obtained from the resampling means. The group of at least one heart cavity may be the left atrium alone. It may also be the complete heart. |
| US08848988B2 |
Appliance and method for evaluation and assessment of a test strip
The invention relates to a method for quantitative determination of test results from diagnosis methods with the aid of an optoelectronic evaluation appliance, and to the evaluation appliance itself, characterized in that the digital pixel information per color level or grey level is represented in its intensity in the microprocessor as one column per pixel, wherein the column height corresponds to the intensity, and these columns are displayed alongside one another on one plane, such that the intensity distribution is displayed over the test area as a surface contour or surface profile, the height profile of which corresponds to the intensity profile of the color intensity received by the CCD. Fields of application for the invention are test methods in biochemical laboratories, such as medical diagnosis, forensic medicine, foodstuff diagnosis, molecular biology, biochemistry, gene technology and all other related fields, as well as patient monitoring for home users or in pharmacies. |
| US08848984B2 |
Dynamic thresholds for document tamper detection
Disclosed is a method (160) for identifying potential tamper in a candidate document having content affected by noise. A candidate content value for each of a plurality of sub-regions of the candidate document and an original content value for each of a plurality of sub-regions of a corresponding original document are determined. The content values are desirably determined based on at least one characteristic of the content in the corresponding sub-region. The candidate content values (330) are associated with the corresponding original content values and a distribution of the candidate content values based on the corresponding original content values is determined. The method characterizes (340) the noise in the candidate document by determining an expected content value range based on the spread of a selected part of the distribution of candidate content values. The method can then identify (350) candidate content values outside the expected content value range as potential tamper. |
| US08848982B2 |
Image reconstruction by position and motion tracking
A system, method, and apparatus provide the ability to reconstruct an image from an object. A hand-held image acquisition device is configured to acquire local image information from a physical object. A tracking system obtains displacement information for the hand-held acquisition device while the device is acquiring the local image information. An image reconstruction system computes the inverse of the displacement information and combines the inverse with the local image information to transform the local image information into a reconstructed local image information. A display device displays the reconstructed local image information. |
| US08848978B2 |
Fast obstacle detection
Systems and methods for detecting obstacles using a single camera positioned on an apparatus in motion over an area of motion, or stationary over a moving area of motion. In an example method, a video stream of images is captured of the area of motion. The images in the video stream may be corrected for lens distortion prior to further processing. An Nth image frame is selected from a sequence of N images in the video stream. A set of N−1 difference images is calculated by subtracting each of the N−1 previous images from the Nth image. The N−1 difference images are added to one another to generate a combined difference image. A perspective transformation is performed on the combined difference image to generate a transformed image. The transformed image is analyzed to detect edges of obstacles in the transformed image. A signal indicating detection of an obstacle in the area of motion may then be generated. |
| US08848976B2 |
Method for tracking parametric motion of an area using complex discrete wavelet transform
The present invention relates to a video tracker which allows automatic tracking of a selected area over video frames. Motion of the selected area is defined by a parametric motion model. In addition to simple displacement of the area it can also detect motions such as rotation, scaling and shear depending on the motion model. The invention realizes the tracking of the selected area by estimating the parameters of this motion model in the complex discrete wavelet domain. The invention can achieve the result in a non-iterative direct way. Estimation carried out in the complex discrete wavelet domain provides a robust tracking opportunity without being effected by noise and illumination changes in the video as opposed to the intensity-based methods. The invention can easily be adapted to many fields in addition to video tracking. |
| US08848973B2 |
System and method for authenticating an optical pattern
A system for authenticating an optical pattern created by exposing a magnetically sensitive material to one or more magnetic field sources. The system includes illumination sources configured to illuminate the optical pattern, sensors configured to generate sensed optical characteristic data when the optical pattern is illuminated, a memory configured to store a reference optical data associated with a reference optical pattern, and a processor configured to access the memory and compare the reference optical data to the sensed optical characteristic data in order to authenticate the optical pattern. |
| US08848972B2 |
Proactive creation of photobooks
A method for proactively creating a photobook includes identifying a group of images by a computer system and automatically creating a design for a photobook by the computer system without receiving a user's request for designing a photobook if the number of images in the group is determined to be within a predetermined range. Pages of the photobook incorporate a plurality of images in the group. The method further includes presenting the design of the photobook to a user for preview and receiving an order from the user for a physical manifestation of the photobook based on the design. |
| US08848970B2 |
Salient point-based arrangements
A variety of methods and systems involving sensor-equipped portable devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers, are described. One particular embodiment decodes a digital watermark from imagery captured by the device and, by reference to watermark payload data, obtains salient point data corresponding to an object depicted in the imagery. Other embodiments obtain salient point data for an object through use of other technologies (e.g., NFC chips). The salient point data enables the device to interact with the object in a spatially-dependent manner. Many other features and arrangements are also detailed. |
| US08848969B2 |
Methods and apparatus for watermarking and distributing watermarked content
Methods and apparatus for generating and distributing watermarked content are described. Content to be distributed is sliced into a plurality of segments, e.g., short portions. Individual segments are subjected to watermarking with multiple watermarked versions of a segment being generated. Different watermarked versions of a segment communicate different information, e.g., one or more numbers. Sets of watermarked segments corresponding to a program are supplied to a content distribution device. Based on a session number or other information corresponding to the destination of the content, the content distribution device selects watermarked segments from the sets of segments to provide to the user. The combination of segments communicates, via the watermarks, a sequence of numbers used to identify the streamed content without requiring the distribution node to perform image processing to generate the watermarks. When the segments are communicated sequentially, the watermarks can be detected and the identifying numerical sequence extracted. |
| US08848968B1 |
Mechanically adjustable variable flux speaker
The present disclosure is directed to inventive methods and apparatus for a variable flux speaker subassembly for a loudspeaker. The variable flux speaker subassembly may contain at least one repositionable structure that is repositionable from at least a first position to a second position. The magnetic flux through a voice coil structure of the speaker subassembly is altered when the repositionable structure is moved from the first position to the second position. |
| US08848964B2 |
Audio-bypass, safety earbud apparatus and method
A fitting provided for earbud-type personal audio speakers may be formed as a homogeneous, integral component molded from an elastomeric polymer, such as silicone, urethane, or other elastomeric resins. A sleeve fitted to the speaker engages the fitting to the speaker, while ribs extending from the sleeve terminate in flutes conformal to an ear canal of a user. Axial insertion of the fitting and speaker into an ear of a user results in localized deflection of flutes and ribs in order to accommodate size and shape of an ear canal, resulting in transmission of sound from the speaker directly through the sleeve into an ear canal of a user, while also permitting environmental sounds to pass along a parallel path over the outside of the sleeve, between the ribs. |
| US08848959B1 |
Invisible retention device for hearing aids
A safety device reversibly attachable to any hearing aid of a type having a behind the ear unit with a connecting member and an ear bud prevents the hearing aid from being lost or damaged if the unit is dislodged from behind the ear of the wearer. The device is virtually invisible so as not to draw attention to the fact that the wearer is using a hearing aid. One portion of a two part attaching strip is adhered to the behind the ear unit. The second portion can be securely and reversibly united with the first portion to attach or remove the device from the hearing aid. A transparent filament is integral with the second portion at one end and to a securing plate at the opposing end. The securing plate can receive the temple of a pair of glasses or another retaining article worn on the person of the wearer. A slit in the securing plate is opened by pressure on the side rim enabling the insertion of the retaining article which is held securely when the pressure is removed and the slit closed around it. |
| US08848954B2 |
Self-adjustment of a hearing aid and hearing aid
The adjustment of the signal processing carried out by a hearing aid to the individual hearing loss of a user is intended to be simplified. For this purpose, a number of predefined adjustment programs, from which the user selects a suitable program by operating an operating element, are provided in the hearing aid. Neither a visit to a hearing aid acoustician nor special adjustment devices is/are required for adjustment. |
| US08848950B2 |
Condenser microphone
A condenser microphone includes a plurality of condenser microphone units, each unit including a diaphragm and a fixed electrode one of which has an electret layer thereon. The condenser microphone units include respective sensitivity controllers changing sensitivities of the units. The sensitivity controllers include respective variable resistors connected between a power source and a ground. Each of the variable resistors has a slidable terminal connected to one, opposed to the electret layer, of the diaphragm and the fixed electrode, of the corresponding condenser microphone unit. |
| US08848948B1 |
Rotatable christmas tree stand with audio player dock
The Christmas tree is a fake Christmas tree rotatably engaged with respect to a stand having rotating means integrated thereon. The stand features a USB port and MP3 dock that enables audio to be played upon speakers vertically arranged upon said tree. The Christmas tree shall be either permanently or temporarily affixed to said stand. The rotating means of the stand consist of a motor and gearing system that can optionally provide different rates of rotation of said Christmas tree. An optional light system may be included to illuminate said Christmas tree. |
| US08848944B1 |
Low powered guitar amplifer with or without attenuator
A low powered guitar amplifier is disclosed that can generate the overdriven tones of much larger class ab push-pull amplifiers and attenuate them further with an attenuator that leaves the tone and feel intact. This amplifier uses a cathode follower output stage FIG. 1. 12 to generate these powerful tones and a non intrusive attenuation circuit FIG. 2. 46 that benefits from the unique properties of the cathode follower output stage regardless of configuration or topology. These benefits are the ability to drive any impedance above the selected output impedance and no need to maintain a constant impedance therefore utilizing a simple series attenuation circuit whereby substantially all the current is seen in the speaker load and therefore the output stage interaction between the amp and musician is left intact. |
| US08848938B2 |
Electrostatic planar loudspeaker arrangement in a motor vehicle
A loudspeaker arrangement in a motor vehicle includes at least one loudspeaker, which is able to be driven by an audio processor, the loudspeaker being arranged as at least one electrostatic planar loudspeaker. |
| US08848931B2 |
Method and device for testing and calibrating electronic semiconductor components which convert sound into electrical signals
A method for testing and calibrating electronic semiconductor components which convert sound into electrical signals acoustically irradiates the components in a sound chamber whose largest free length is less than half the wavelength of the highest frequency of the sound waves produced during the test. |
| US08848930B2 |
Adaptive ring level
A method and an arrangement for adapting an alert signal level generated by a device to an ambient of the device is provided. The method may include processing a sound signal corresponding to a test signal or an alert signal, generating a correlation value by correlating the sound signal with a generated sound signal, comparing the correlation value with a value, and adjusting the alert signal to a level based on result of the comparison. |
| US08848929B2 |
Sound exposure monitoring system and method for operating the same
A personal noise monitoring system and method for operating the same. Sound pressure data from inside the ears of a user of hearing protection device (HPD) are acquired from microphones in the HPD and reported to a master control unit. Simultaneously, the master control unit receives sound pressure data from the ambient environment in which the user is located. The data are reported to a central server for processing. The central server may use the data to determine in near real time or real time whether the user of the HPD is at risk for exposure to excess sound levels and to take remedial action while the user is still in the ambient environment. |
| US08848928B1 |
Automatic measurement of audio presence and level by direct processing of an MPEG data stream
Automatic measurements are made of audio presence and level in an audio signal by direct processing of an MPEG data stream representing the audio signal, without reconstructing the audio signal. Sub-band data is extracted from the data stream, and the extracted sub-band data is dequantized and denormalized. An audio level for the dequantized and denormalized sub-band data is measured without reconstructing the audio signal. Channel characteristics are used in measuring the audio level of the sub-band data, wherein the channel characteristics are used to weight the measured levels. The measured levels are compared against at least one threshold to determine whether an alarm should be triggered. |
| US08848924B2 |
Privacy-preserving location tracking for devices
A privacy-preserving device-tracking system and method to assist in the recovery of lost or stolen Internet-connected mobile devices. The function of such a system seem contradictory, since it is desirable to hide a device's legitimately-visited locations from third-party services and other parties to achieve location privacy, while still enabling recovery of the device's location(s) after it goes missing by tracking the device to determine its location. An exemplary embodiment uses a DHT for storing encrypted location information and other forensic information in connection with indices that are successively determined based on initial pseudorandom seed information (i.e., state) that is retained by the owner of the device. Using the seed information, the software can determine indices mapped to location information stored after the device went missing, enabling the device to be located. Numerous extensions are discussed for the basic exemplary design that increase its suitability for particular deployment environments. |
| US08848922B1 |
Distributed encryption key management
Secure information is managed for each host or machine in an electronic environment using a series of key identifiers that each represent one or more secure keys, passwords, or other secure information. Applications and services needing access to the secure information can specify the key identifier, for example, and the secure information currently associated with that identifier can be determined without any change to the code or manual input or exposure of the secure information on the respective device. Functionality such as encryption key management and rotation are inaccessible and transparent to the user. In a networked or distributed environment, the key identifiers can be associated with host classes such that at startup any host in a class can obtain the necessary secure information. Updates and key rotation can be performed in a similar fashion by pushing updates to host classes transparent to a user, application, or service. |
| US08848921B2 |
Group key management approach based on linear geometry
A group key management approach based on linear geometry is disclosed. The approach includes the following steps: step 1: a group controller selects a mapping f and a finite field F; each group member selects a m-dimensional private vector over the finite field F, and sends it to the group controller via secure channel; step 2: the group controller selects a mapping parameter in the finite field F randomly, and maps the private vectors of all the group members into a new set of vectors by using the mapping f according to the mapping parameter; step 3: the group controller selects a random number k in the finite field F as a group key, and constructs a system of linear equations by using the new set of vectors and the group key; the group controller computes the central vector, and sends the central vector and the mapping parameter to all the group members via open channel; step 4: after the group members receive the central vector and the mapping parameter, the private vector of each group member is mapped to a new vector in a vector space according to the mapping parameter, and the group key is obtained by calculating the inner product of the new vector and the central vector. This invention requires small memory and little computation, has high security property, and is effective against brute-force attacks. |
| US08848918B2 |
Method and system for deleting data
A computer system having at least first and second documents, a plurality of decryption keys, and a plurality of data segments stored therein is provided. Each of the plurality of data segments is decryptable by a selected one of the decryption keys. The decryption keys include a first set of decryption keys associated with the first document and not associated with the second document, a second set of decryption keys associated with the second document and not associated with the first document, and a third set of decryption keys associated with the first document and the second document. The first document is deleted, and in response, the first set of decryption keys is rendered unusable, and the second set of decryption keys and the third set of decryption keys are not rendered unusable. |
| US08848915B2 |
Method for automatic WLAN connection between digital devices and digital device therefor
A method and apparatus for performing an automatic wireless connection with a second digital device by a first digital device is provided. The method includes acquiring, by the first input device, random information used for the wireless connection; checking a status of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN); storing the checked status; setting the WLAN to an Ad-hoc mode; setting a Service Set Identifier (SSID) of the WLAN using the random information; setting a security key of the WLAN using the random information; and setting an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the WLAN using the random information. |
| US08848914B2 |
Spectrum authorization and related communications methods and apparatus
Various embodiments relate to wireless communications, and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for authorizing use of spectrum, e.g., through the issuance of spectrum access keys, and/or preventing or discouraging the unauthorized use of licensed spectrum. Peer to peer wireless communications between authorized users of licensed spectrum may involve scrambling/descrambling of information communicated between authorized devices. In some embodiments air interface timing and/or other information received from a second device, e.g., a beacon or GPS transmitter, is incorporated into a computation of a pseudo-random bit sequence which is also computed based on a spectrum access key communicated to authorized spectrum users. In some embodiments authorized peer to peer devices scramble communicated information based on the generated pseudo random bit sequence thereby preventing or discouraging communication with devices which are not authorized to use the spectrum and lack a spectrum access key used to generate the pseudo random bit sequence. |
| US08848912B2 |
Terminal identification method, authentication method, authentication system, server, terminal, wireless base station, program, and recording medium
A terminal identification method is provided which enables two-way communications between terminals and a network while identifying terminal IDs and protecting privacy. Also, authentication method and system are provided which require no complicated calculating process, less steps and smaller amount for wireless communications, and less power consumption. A server and terminal share a hash function and an initial value determined for each terminal, calculate the same temporary ID by hashing the initial value the same number of times with the hash function, and identify the terminal using the calculated temporary ID. The server and the terminal also hold a common hash function and authentication information, acquire an authenticating communication parameter from communication parameters temporarily common during communication, and generate an authentication key using the authentication information, the authenticating communication parameter, and the hash function. Then at least one of the server and terminal performs authentication using the generated authentication key. |
| US08848910B2 |
HDCP video over USB
A system includes an HDCP-over-USB controller including an HDCP module for encrypting or decrypting video data according to an HDCP standard prior to transmission or display of said video data. |
| US08848907B2 |
Computer program product and method for processing information to obtain an HMAC
One embodiment is a computer program product for processing information to obtain an HMAC, comprising: by using a padding circuit, generating first key data by adding 0 with respect to secret key data, setting the secret key data as second key data, or generating third key data by adding 0 with respect to a first digest value, according to comparison result of a second key length and a block length of the hash function, and performing an exclusive OR operation with a second constant with respect to one of the first key data, the second key data, and the third key data to calculate first data; by using a hash calculation circuit, obtaining the first digest value, and obtaining a second digest value, by using a holding circuit, storing the secret key data or the first digest value; and by using a control unit, managing a processing state for calculating the HMAC. |
| US08848903B2 |
Device for evaluating side-channel attack resistance, method for evaluating side-channel attack resistance, and program for evaluating side-channel attack
A side channel attack resistance evaluation apparatus includes: a measurement section that measures side channel information leaking from an encryption device to be evaluated; a noise removal section that removes noise from the measured side channel information using a band-pass filter (BPF); a passband determination section that determines the passband of the band-pass filter; and a DSCA (Differential Side-Channel Analysis) evaluation section that evaluates resistance against the differential side channel analysis. The passband determination section preferably has a DFT processing section and a power spectrum analysis section, or has a DFT processing and a DFA processing section. |
| US08848898B2 |
System and method for automated call distribution
Aspects of systems and methods for maintaining and operating agent nodes are provided. In some embodiments, calls, contacts, and other work units may be routed to individual customer service agents via a centralized queue based on a variety of factors. Some embodiments may provide market-based call pricing and customer service agent compensation. |
| US08848896B2 |
Message-based notifying method for notifying waiting queue and application server
The present invention relates to a message-based notifying method for notifying a waiting queue and an application server, wherein the method includes: sending, by a calling terminal, a call request to a called terminal; forwarding, by an application server, to the called terminal the call request sent from the calling terminal, and determining from a response message returned from the called terminal whether the called terminal is in an idle status; and if the called terminal is in a busy status, then adding by the application server the calling terminal into a waiting enqueuing queue of the called terminal, and sending to the calling terminal a waiting notification message containing a waiting queue value corresponding to the calling terminal; or if the called terminal is in an idle status, then establishing directly a communication connection between the calling terminal and the called terminal. |
| US08848894B2 |
Tandem access controller within the public switched telephone network
A system includes a tandem access controller (TAC) coupled to a PSTN, where the TAC allows a subscriber to set-up and make changes to the configuration of his/her phone line or other communications device. Such changes include selective call forwarding. The TAC is controlled by the subscriber using the web. The TAC is coupled internally to the PSTN in a local service area and is outside the subscriber's central office. A calling party makes a first call to the subscriber using the subscriber's public telephone number. The TAC receives the first call prior to the call reaching the subscriber's terminating central office. The TAC then carries out the subscriber's instructions for the first call, such as making one or more second calls using telephone numbers different from the subscriber's public telephone number. When the second call is answered, the answering phone is connected by the TAC to the caller. |
| US08848891B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing caller identification services
A method, system, and computer program product for providing caller identification services to an Internet Protocol-enabled device are provided. The method includes receiving a communication request from a caller device over a voice network, the communication request including a caller party number, mapping a called party number to an Internet Protocol-enabled device address of a called party, and sending the caller party number to the Internet Protocol-enabled device address corresponding to the called party number. |
| US08848887B2 |
Jurisdictionally optimized call routing
A device receives ordered call routing lists, receives information about a call, from an originating location, to a terminating location of a network, and determines a jurisdictional index for the call based on the originating and terminating locations and based on jurisdiction definitions of carriers associated with the network. The device also selects a route list from the ordered call routing lists based on the determined jurisdictional index and based on the terminating location, selects a route from the selected route list, and provides routing instructions to network elements associated with the selected route, where the call is routed to the terminating location via the selected route and based on the routing instructions. |
| US08848882B2 |
System for and method of measuring caller interactions during a call session
A system for and method of monitoring caller interactions during a call session is presented. The system and method for monitoring caller interaction may include receiving information from a call session between a caller and an automated voice portal system via a communication network, monitoring caller interaction points accumulated during the call session, comparing a sum of caller interaction points accumulated during the call session with the automated voice portal system with the caller interaction threshold, and taking one or more actions in response to the sum of the caller interaction points exceeds the caller interaction threshold. |
| US08848874B2 |
System for recovering from collision of components of an X-ray imaging unit
A system provides recovery from an X-ray system C-arm and patient table collision. A collision recovery system enables a user to recover from a collision or near collision of movable components of an X-ray imaging system including a movable C-arm hosting an X-ray emitter and detector. The system includes a C-arm position tracking processor for automatically recording C-arm position data indicating a valid stationary position of a C-arm and a path from the valid stationary position to an invalid position of the C-arm enabling retracement of the C-arm along the path to the valid stationary position. A user interface enables a user to initiate retracement of the C-arm along the path to the valid stationary position. A C-arm is movable to retrace the path to the valid stationary position using the recorded C-arm data in response to user command. |
| US08848871B2 |
X-ray backscatter imaging of nuclear materials
The energy of an X-ray beam and critical depth are selected to detect structural discontinuities in a material having an atomic number Z of 57 or greater. The critical depth is selected by adjusting the geometry of a collimator that blocks backscattered radiation so that backscattered X-ray originating from a depth less than the critical depth is not detected. Structures of Lanthanides and Actinides, including nuclear fuel rod materials, can be inspected for structural discontinuities such as gaps, cracks, and chipping employing the backscattered X-ray. |
| US08848870B2 |
Point-line converter
An X-ray optical configuration for irradiation of a sample (1) with an X-ray beam having a line-shaped cross-section, wherein the configuration contains an X-ray source (2) and a beam-conditioning X-ray optics, is characterized in that the X-ray source (2) comprises a brilliant point source (4) and the X-ray optics comprises an X-ray optical element (3) which conditions X-ray light emitted by the point source in such a fashion that the X-ray beam is rendered parallel in one direction perpendicular to the beam propagation direction and remains divergent in a direction which is perpendicular thereto and also to the beam propagation direction. An X-ray optical element of this type enables use of both point-shaped and line-shaped beam geometries without complicated and time-consuming conversion work. |
| US08848869B2 |
Methods and devices for detecting, controlling, and predicting radiation delivery
Embodiments provide method and systems for determining alignment of a patient's body part, such as an eye, in an external coordinate system of a treatment or diagnostic device, such as a radiotherapy device, so as to define a reference axis for guiding device operation. Additional embodiments provide image-based methods and systems for aligning, tracking and monitoring motion of a body part and a treatment target in relation to a radiation beam axis. Particular ophthalmic embodiments provide method and systems including an eye-contact guide device and imaging system for aligning and tracking motion of an eye and ocular treatment target in relation to an orthovoltage X-ray beam axis, so as to monitor application of radiation to a lesion, such as a macular lesion of the retina. Particular methods for controlling radiation in response to motion of the target during treatment are described, such as algorithms for gating or interrupting radiation emission, both to ensure treatment goals and to avoid exposure to sensitive structures. |
| US08848868B2 |
X-ray system and method of using thereof
An X-ray system including an X-ray source generating X-rays, an X-ray receptor receiving the X-rays and generating X-ray images, a patient satellite and a server connected to the X-ray source, the X-ray receptor and the patient satellite. The patient satellite is secured to a patient positioned between the X-ray source and the X-ray receptor and includes an angular orientation sensor and a distance sensor. The angular orientation sensor detects an angular orientation of the patient and outputs a signal to an operator allowing the operator to position the patient with respect to the X-ray source and the X-ray receptor so as to eliminate an angular distortion in the X-ray images. The distance sensor measures a distance between the patient and the X-ray receptor. |
| US08848867B2 |
Method and apparatus for adaptive exposure in x-ray systems
The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for adaptive exposure in imaging systems. An x-ray source for producing x-ray radiation and an x-ray detector for measuring amount of x-ray radiation passing through the human patient and striking the detector can be used. A tomographic image of the human patient or a tomosynthetic image of the human patient can be generated. Region of interest filtering and equalization filtering can be utilized. Filtering can be accomplished with a mechanical shield or shutter or with electronic control of the x-ray source. |
| US08848862B2 |
Inverse geometry volume computed tomography systems
The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for inverse geometry volume computed tomography medical imaging of a human patient. A plurality of stationary x-ray sources for producing x-ray radiation are used. A rotating collimator located between the plurality of x-ray sources and the human patient is also used. A rotating detector can also be used. |
| US08848858B2 |
Integrated non-volatile monotonic counters
Some embodiments include a counter having a first generator to generate signals having different frequencies, and a second generator to generate counter values of the counter. Each of the counter values may be based at least in part on a number of transitions of a respective signal among the signals. Other embodiments are described. |
| US08848856B2 |
Method for catalytic recombination of hydrogen, which is carried in a gas flow, with oxygen and a recombination system for carrying out the method
A method and a system for catalytic recombination of hydrogen, which is carried in a gas flow, with oxygen, has the gas flow passed through a reaction zone with a number of catalytic converter elements, with steam being added to the gas flow before it enters the reaction zone. The method and system ensure a particularly high operational reliability of the recombination device, even in varying operating conditions or with varying operating methods, in particular with regard to a hydrogen feed, which is provided as required, in the steam/feed water circuit of the installation. For this purpose, the feed rate of the steam to be added is adjusted in dependence on a measured value which is characteristic of a current actual temperature in the reaction zone. |
| US08848852B2 |
Antenna grouping and group-based enhancements for MIMO systems
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a transmitter, a receiver and methods of operating a transmitter and a receiver. In one embodiment, the transmitter has at least three transmit antennas and includes a feedback decoding portion configured to recover at least one group-based channel quality indicator provided by a feedback signal from a receiver, wherein each group-based channel quality indicator corresponds to one of a set of transmission layer groupings. The transmitter also includes a modulator portion configured to generate at least one symbol stream and a mapping portion configured to multiplex each symbol stream to at least one transmission layer grouping. The transmitter further includes a pre-coder portion configured to couple the transmission layers to the transmit antennas for a transmission. The receiver includes a decoder portion which is configured to use decoded signals from at least one group to decode the other groups. |
| US08848851B2 |
Output signal adjustment system
An output signal adjustment system includes a signal adjustment unit, a reference slope generating unit, a slope detecting unit, a voltage-to-current conversion unit, and a control unit. The slope detecting unit compares the slope of the rising and falling edges of the output signal of the reference slope generating unit with that of the signal adjustment unit and outputs a voltage signal. The voltage-to-current conversion unit converts the voltage signal into a current signal. Based on the current signal, the control unit outputs a control signal for controlling the adjustment of the signal adjustment unit to the slope of the rising and falling edges of the output signal. The output signal adjustment system can automatically adjust the slope of the rising and falling edges of the output signal, so that the output signal is insensitive to the packaging, the printed circuit board, the transmission line and other sender loads. |
| US08848849B1 |
SPDIF clock and data recovery with sample rate converter
A system and a technique for recovering data from an input data stream without synchronization of an input sampling circuit to the input data stream determines a count of incoming samples (or frames) without generating a signal that is frequency-locked to the input data stream. A first clock is generated comprising a frequency that is greater than or equal to an expected frequency of the input data stream. A sample count is incremented in response to a sample received in the input data stream, and is decremented in response to a second clock signal. The second clock is generated the first clock signal by passing the first clock signal if the sample count of the sample counter does not equal a predetermined sample count value and by blocking the first clock signal if the sample count equals the predetermined sample count value. |
| US08848848B2 |
Transmission timing adjustment in radio systems
A method of adjusting the transmission time of a signal in a radio link, the method being performed by a transmitter configured to transmit the signal over the radio link to a receiver and comprising the steps of ascertaining an accuracy that the receiver assumes for the transmitter's clock, calculating an assumed drift of the transmitter's clock based on the assumed accuracy of that clock and the time since a previous correlation between the transmitter's clock and the receiver's clock; and transmitting the signal at a time dependent on the assumed drift. |
| US08848844B2 |
Receiver node and a method therein for compensating frequency offset
According to embodiments herein an ambiguity problem when compensating for frequency offset may be solved by compensating a received reference symbol according to two different frequency offset hypotheses; the estimated frequency offset and the a mirrored version of the same. Then by comparing the compensated reference symbol of the different frequency hypotheses with a target reference symbol, which is known at the receiver node 12, the frequency offset hypothesis which is most likely is used to compensate a received data symbol. |
| US08848839B2 |
Data carrier provided with at least two decoding stages
In a data carrier (1) which includes receiving means (5) for receiving a modulated carrier signal (MTS) which contains a data signal (DS1) encoded in conformity with an encoding method (MA, PW, MI, RTZ, FSK, PSK), demodulation means (9) for demodulating the received modulated carrier signal (MTS) and for outputting the encoded data signal (DS1) contained therein, decoding means (10, 20) for decoding the encoded data signal (DS1) and for outputting data (D1, D2), and data processing means (11) for processing the data (D1, D2) output by the decoding means (10, 20), the decoding means (10, 20) are provided with at least a first decoding stage (12) and a second decoding stage (13), the first decoding stage (12) being arranged to decode a data signal (DS1) encoded in conformity with a first method (RTZ) whereas the second decoding stage (13) is arranged to decode a data signal (DS1) encoded in conformity with a second method (MI). |
| US08848835B2 |
Interpolation circuit, reception circuit and method of generating interpolated data
An interpolation circuit includes: a generation circuit configured to generate interpolated data based on a plurality of pieces of input data in time sequence; a first analog digital converter configured to convert first interpolated data at a data point of the interpolated data into first digital data; and a second analog digital converter configured to convert second interpolated data at a change point into second digital data of the interpolated data, a second number of quantization bits of the second analog digital converter being smaller than a first number of quantization bits of the first analog digital converter. |
| US08848831B2 |
Direct digital synthesis of quadrature modulated signals
An apparatus comprises a direct digital synthesizer, a mixer having first and second input ports and an output port, and a numerically-controlled oscillator. The direct digital synthesizer has a first output coupled to the first input port of the mixer and a second output coupled to a control input of the numerically-controlled oscillator, and the numerically-controlled oscillator has an output coupled to the second input port of the mixer. The mixer provides a quadrature modulated signal at its output port, and the first and second outputs of the direct digital synthesizer control respective portions of the quadrature modulated signal. For example, the first and second outputs of the direct digital synthesizer may control respective amplitude and phase portions of the quadrature modulated signal. |
| US08848830B2 |
Method for providing a modulation scheme
A method for providing a first modulation scheme based on a second modulation scheme, the second modulation scheme including a first constellation point associated with a first bit pattern and a second constellation point associated with a second bit pattern. The method includes mapping the second bit pattern from the second constellation point to the first constellation point, wherein an energy associated with the second constellation point is greater than an energy associated with the first constellation point. |
| US08848828B2 |
Distortion compensation circuit, transmitting apparatus and distortion compensating method
A distortion compensation circuit for compensating for the distortion characteristics of an amplifier, includes a distortion compensating coefficient calculating element and a distortion compensating operation element. The distortion compensating coefficient calculating element calculates a distortion compensating coefficient to be used for compensation of the distortion characteristics by comparing an input signal with the output signal amplified by the amplifier. The distortion compensating operation element performs a distortion compensating operation on the input signal, using a variably set bit format and the distortion compensating coefficient calculated by the distortion compensating coefficient calculating element. |
| US08848827B2 |
Chirp communications using interleaved symbols of varying periods
A method of communicating a chirp signal from a transmitter suitable for receipt at a proximal receiver and a distal receiver, the chirp signal including a plurality of packets, each packet including at least one symbol, each symbol including one or more identical chirps, the method including: generating the chirp signal by interleaving constituent packets of: (i) a first set of packets encoded with first data, each packet including one or more symbols having a first time period t1, and (ii) a second set of packets encoded with second data, each packet including one or more symbols having a second time period t2, where t1 |
| US08848826B2 |
Method for adaptively driving data transmission and communication device using the same
A method for adaptively driving data transmission and a communication device using the same are provided. The proposed method includes following procedures. Detection result is generated after detecting a receiving signal on a receiving path of the communication device. Driving parameter is generated according to the detection result. Finally, a transmitting signal on a transmitting path is adjusted according to the driving parameter. |
| US08848825B2 |
Echo cancellation in wireless inband signaling modem
An inband signaling modem receives digital user data for transmission to a remote location, via wireless and land line telecommunication networks. The modem converts the user data into audio tones for transmission, and encodes the audio tones into digital form suitable for transmission through a voice channel call session of a digital wireless network. After establishing a voice channel call session on a digital wireless network, the modem disables any echo cancellation or echo suppression means that may be encountered in the voice channel call session; and then transmits the user data audio tones. Preferably, disabling the echo cancellation or echo suppression means comprises transmitting a predetermined tone in the voice channel call session. Further, the modem preferably repeats the tone, to again disable echo cancellation or echo suppression means, at the beginning of each data burst during the call session. |
| US08848824B2 |
High efficiency RF system linearizer using controlled complex nonlinear distortion generators
A linearizer reduces nonlinear intermodulation distortion in radio frequency and microwave systems by first directly generating in-phase and quadrature nonlinear intermodulation products of the system input. Controllable amounts of each phase are then added back into the system such that the vector sum of nonlinear intermodulation products at the output is reduced or eliminated by destructive interference, while the fundamentals are substantially unaffected. The quadrature distorted signals are generated with two lightly-biased and thus overdriven differential pairs having gain-determining degeneration impedances that are in quadrature with each other. The amount of each quadrature phase summed to the output is controlled with electronically tunable four-quadrant variable attenuators. The quadrature phasing enables rapidly convergent tuning to minimize distortion using conventional scalar spectral analysis. The advantages of a linearizer using rectangular vector coordinate system are significant. |
| US08848819B2 |
Transmission method, transmitter apparatus, reception method and receiver apparatus
Transmission quality is improved in an environment in which direct waves dominate in a transmission method for transmitting a plurality of modulated signals from a plurality of antennas at the same time. All data symbols used in data transmission of a modulated signal are precoded by hopping between precoding matrices so that the precoding matrix used to precode each data symbol and the precoding matrices used to precode data symbols that are adjacent to the data symbol in the frequency domain and the time domain all differ. A modulated signal with such data symbols arranged therein is transmitted. |
| US08848818B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating codebook in wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for generating a codebook in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The codebook generation method includes determining one or more dominant singular vectors in a channel matrix for antennas and setting each of the dominant singular vectors as a random non-zero vector, generating a first codebook having codewords, a minimum distance between the codewords being maximized, using the random non-zero vector in a region that includes unit norm vectors each having a Euclidean distance to each of the dominant singular vectors, equal to or less than a predetermined value, generating a second codebook corresponding to a unitary matrix that rotates the random non-zero vector toward the dominant singular vectors, and generating a final codebook using the first and second codebooks. |
| US08848814B2 |
Method of estimating the symbols of a digital signal and receiver for implementing said method
The invention relates to a method of estimating symbols carried by a digital signal that is received by a receiver over a communication channel (5), said symbols being multiplexed on orthogonal frequency sub-carriers. The inventive method comprises the following steps in relation to each symbol carried by the digital signal, consisting in: performing at least two transforms towards the frequency domain (8,9) on a portion of the received signal essentially corresponding to the symbol, said transforms being performed with a determined time lag (10) therebetween; estimating the parameters (r0, r1, . . . , rn, r′0, r′1, . . . , r′n) of the communication channel from pre-determined binary information contained in the digital signal; and estimating the symbol from a combination of the result of each of the transforms performed and the estimated communication channel parameters. |
| US08848811B2 |
Precoder for a communication system and methods used in said communication system
The present invention relates to a precoder for a communication system arranged to provide transmission blocks for transmission over a transmission channel based on inputted symbol blocks. The precoder is arranged to pre-distort each symbol block based on an estimate of the characteristics of the transmission channel so that the corresponding transmission block appears to be undistorted after transmission over the transmission channel. In accordance therewith, the precoder is arranged to apply Tomlinson-Harashima precoding on a sum of a first measure corresponding to predistortion so as to remove intrasymbol interference and a second measure corresponding to predistortion so as to remove intersymbol interference. The present invention further relates to a method for providing transmission blocks for transmission over a transmission channel in a communication system. |
| US08848807B2 |
Apparatus for transmission of electrical energy and information
An apparatus for transmission of electrical energy and data between a primary side and a secondary side. At least one transferring unit is provided between the primary side and the secondary side, that, on the secondary side, at least a first data channel is provided, which has at least one address, that, on the primary side, at least one frequency control unit is provided, which is embodied in such a manner that the frequency control unit sets the working frequency of the transferring unit corresponding to data to be transferred and/or corresponding to the addressing of at least the first data channel, that, on the secondary side, at least one load setting unit is provided, which is embodied in such a manner that the load setting unit sets the electrical load, which lies on the secondary side on the transferring unit, corresponding to data to be transferred and/or corresponding to the address at least of the first data channel. |
| US08848804B2 |
Video decoder with slice dependency decoding and methods for use therewith
A video decoder includes an entropy decoding device that includes a first processor that generates entropy decoded (EDC) data from an encoded video signal, wherein the encoded video signal includes a plurality of video layers, wherein the entropy decoding device includes a slice dependency module that generates slice dependency data and wherein the first processor entropy decodes a selected subset of the plurality of video layers, based on the slice dependency data. A general video decoding device includes a second processor that generates a decoded video signal from the EDC data. |
| US08848794B2 |
Method and device for video coding and decoding
A method of encoding/decoding a video and an apparatus thereof are disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention provides an encoding/decoding method and apparatus thereof that can interpolate a frame to be skipped with the consideration of the property of the frame. Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention can encode and decode by using a frame-skipping method having low complexity. |
| US08848792B2 |
Video and graphics system with video scaling
A video and graphics system has a reduced memory mode in which video images are reduced in half in horizontal direction during decoding. The video and graphics system includes a video decoder for decoding MPEG-2 video data. The video images may not be downscaled in the horizontal direction when no bi-directionally predicted pictures are used. The video and graphics system may output an HDTV video while converting the HDTV video and providing as another output having an SDTV format or another HDTV format. The output having an SDTV format may be recorded using a video cassette recorder (VCR) while the HDTV video is being displayed. |
| US08848790B2 |
Encoding processing apparatus and method for a moving image
A video encoder interframe-encodes a moving image captured by a camera and generates a video code stream. An I frame send request manager receives from a receiver of the video code stream a request signal for requesting to send an I frame that has not been interframe-encoded, when any frame of the moving image is not properly received at the receiver. Then the request manager determines whether or not to accept the received request signal. When the request manager determines to accept the request signal, the request manager supplies an I frame setting signal to the video encoder. Upon receiving the I frame setting signal, the video encoder sets the type of a next frame to be encoded to an I frame and then interframe-encodes the moving image. |
| US08848789B2 |
Method and system for coding and decoding information associated with video compression
A method and system for coding and decoding information associated with video impression is described. The video sequence is processed in a plurality of frames. Each frame of the plurality of frames is processed in a plurality of macroblocks. A prediction of an original video signal, which is a part of a macroblock, in a current frame, is constructed from the video sequence. A residual signal is formed by subtracting the prediction of the original video signal from the original video signal in the current frame. A transform to the residual signal is applied. A plurality of transform coefficients is quantized. A symbol of at least one syntax element that defines a characteristic of the residual signal is identified. Symbols of the at least one syntax element of a same category are coded together. |
| US08848783B2 |
Motion picture encoding/decoding apparatus, and apparatus and method for adaptive overlapped block motion compensation by variable unit for same
The present disclosure relates to a video encoding/decoding apparatus, and apparatus and method for adaptive overlapped block motion compensation by variable units for same. The apparatus and the method for adaptive overlapped block motion compensation by variable units, according to the present disclosure, when conducting a motion compensation, enable an encoder to perform an adaptive overlapped block motion compensation for a plurality of predetermined scan modes and sampling modes, and enable the encoder to calculate the computation volume occurring in said compensation and residual pixel energy, estimate the performance for each mode based on the calculation, determine an optimum scan mode and an optimum sampling mode, thus enabling a decoder to perform a motion compensation with optimum performance and less computing volume based on the determined mode. |
| US08848782B2 |
Reception apparatus, reception method, and program with encoding bit rate determination
A reception apparatus includes: a data reception unit receiving compressed/encoded data from external apparatuses; a decoding unit decoding the compressed/encoded data to obtain received data; a data processing unit performing data processing so that information based on the received data obtained from the decoding unit is displayed on corresponding display windows, respectively; a window size setting unit setting sizes of the display windows respectively corresponding to the external apparatuses; an encoding bit rate determination unit determining an encoding bit rate of each external apparatus corresponding to the size of the display window based on a correspondence relation between the size of the display window and the encoding bit rate; an information transmission unit transmitting information regarding each of the encoding bit rates to each of the corresponding external apparatuses; and a size/bit rate correspondence relation setting unit setting the correspondence relation for each of the external apparatuses. |
| US08848780B2 |
Video processing impermeable to additional video streams of a program
Methods and systems for the efficient and non-redundant transmission of a single video program in multiple frame rates, optionally employing a combination of video coding standards, in a way that is backwards-compatible with legacy receivers only supportive of some subsection of frame rates or of some subsection of video coding standards. |
| US08848778B2 |
Covariance estimation method for space-frequency domain equalization and apparatus and system associated therewith
The present invention relates to a method for generating impairment covariances for equalization in a receiver of a wireless communication system, as well as an covariance estimator, a receiver and a wireless communication system associated therewith, where the receiver is equipped with multiple antennas, and an impairment covariance matrix is used to calculate equalization weighting vector for signals transmitted by a transmitter, the method comprising the steps of: calculating a raw impairment covariance estimate between a first antenna and a second antenna of the multiple antennas on each of subcarriers allocated to the transmitter in frequency domain, transforming the raw impairment covariance estimates into time domain, masking the transformed impairment covariance estimates by a triangle window with a width defined by a maximum delay spread, determining a threshold based on the transformed impairment covariance estimates for the subcarriers and thresholding the masked impairment covariance estimates with the determined threshold, and transforming the thresholded impairment covariance estimates into frequency domain to form an impairment covariance matrix for calculating the equalization weighting vector. The impairment covariance estimation according to the present invention provides a performance improvement in equalization. |
| US08848774B2 |
Adaptation of a linear equalizer using a virtual decision feedback equalizer (VDFE)
A method and system of adaptation of a linear equalizer using a virtual decision feedback equalizer (VDFE) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of adjusting a setting of a linear equalizer includes determining a change to a decision feedback equalizer (DFE) tap weight value of a predefined metric according to a data signal and an error signal (e.g., the change may be generated according to an average of a specified plurality of data signals and the error signal); using the change in the DFE tap weight value to algorithmically generate a modification in a linear equalizer setting; and adjusting the linear equalizer setting. The linear equalizer is located in a feed-forward path and/or a feedback path of data transmission. The linear equalizer may be located in a transmitter and/or a receiver. The linear equalizer may be a continuous time linear equalizer and/or a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) linear equalizer. |
| US08848767B2 |
Transceiver for communicating signal encoded to include clock information
In a transceiver, a clock generator generates a second clock synchronized with a first clock. The second clock has a period corresponding to a duration of one bit of a digital signal. When first transmission data is supplied to the transceiver with being asynchronous to the second clock, a sampling timing generator detects start data of the first transmission data as a start timing, and generates sampling timings based on the first clock in response to the start timing. The sampling timings have intervals each of which is defined to correspond to the period of the second clock. The first sampling timing is spaced from the start timing. A sampling module samples, at each of the sampling timings, the first transmission data, thus generating second transmission data synchronized with the second clock. |
| US08848761B2 |
Application of sequence hopping and orthogonal covering codes to uplink reference signals
Methods and User Equipment (UE) apparatuses are provided for transmitting Reference Signals (RSs). A method includes receiving a cell-specific sequence-hopping parameter; receiving a UE-specific sequence-hopping parameter; determining a reference signal sequence based on the UE-specific sequence-hopping parameter; and transmitting the reference signal based on the determined reference signal sequence. Sequence hopping does not apply to the reference signal sequence if the cell-specific sequence-hopping parameter indicates that the sequence hopping is enabled and the UE-specific sequence-hopping parameter indicates that the sequence hopping is disabled. |
| US08848760B2 |
On-chip optical reference cavity exhibiting reduced resonance center frequency fluctuations
An optical apparatus comprises a waveguide substrate and an optical reference cavity. The optical reference cavity comprises an optical waveguide formed on the waveguide substrate and arranged to form a closed loop greater than or about equal to 10 cm in length. The RMS resonance frequency fluctuation is less than or about equal to 100 Hz. The Q-factor can be greater than or about equal to 108. The optical waveguide can exhibit optical loss less than or about equal to 0.2 dB/m for propagation of an optical signal along the optical waveguide. The closed loop path can comprise two or more linked spirals greater than or about equal to 1 meter in length and can occupy an area on the waveguide substrate less than or about equal to 5 cm2. |
| US08848758B2 |
Waveguide CO2 laser with multiply folded resonator
A gas-discharge waveguide CO2 laser has a Z-shaped folded waveguide formed by three ceramic tubes. Ends of the adjacent tubes are shaped and fitted together to form a common aperture. The tubes are held fitted together by spaced-apart parallel discharge electrodes. Four minors are arranged to form a laser-resonator having a longitudinal axis extending through the tubes. |
| US08848757B2 |
Multibeam arrays of optoelectronic devices for high frequency operation
A VCSEL array device formed of a monolithic array of raised VCSELs on an electrical contact and raised inactive regions connected to the electrical contact. The VCSELs can be spaced symmetrically or asymmetrically, in a manner to improve power or speed, or in phase and in parallel. The VCSELs include an active region positioned between two mirrors generating a pulsed light operating at a frequency of at least 1 GHz. The VCSELs having an output power of at least 120 mW. The raised VCSELs and raised inactive regions are positioned between the electrical contact and an electrical waveguide. |
| US08848753B2 |
Spatially combined laser assembly and method of combining laser beams
A diode laser assembly including a plurality of diode bars disposed on a generally flat base plate and being oriented to emit a plurality of laser beams in a first direction. A reflector is spaced in the first direction from each of the diode bars in the first. Each reflector has at least two reflecting surfaces, one for reflecting the laser beams into a second direction different from the first direction and the other for reflecting the laser beams into a third direction different from the first and second directions to produce a spatially combined laser beam. Each reflector is moveable relative to one another and to the diode bars for adjusting the individual laser beams within the spatially-combined laser beam for optimizing the quality of the spatially combined laser beam. |
| US08848750B2 |
Optical pulse sources
An optical pulse source comprising a DPSS pump laser, a photonic crystal fiber (PCF), and acousto-optic modulator (AOM) gating device is disclosed. The pump pulses are coupled through lenses to the AOM gating device, which is synchronized to the pump laser and is operable to gate the pump pulses to a reduced repetition rate Rr=Rf/N, where Rf is the pump laser fundamental frequency. The pulses from the AOM are injected via optics into the PCF. Propagation through the PCF causes the pulses to broaden spectrally to produce optical supercontinuum pulses. An optical pulse source that further includes an acousto-optical tunable filter (AOTF) operable to convert the optical supercontinuum pulses into wavelength variable output pulses is also provided. A method of scaling the energy of the optical supercontinuum pulses is also disclosed. |
| US08848747B2 |
Method and device for recovering OTUk frame, and system for transporting OTUk frame
A method for recovering an OTUk frame includes: receiving an optical signal sent by using a method of multi-lane distribution from the OTUk frame to an interface of an optical module; converting the optical signal into an electrical signal, performing electrical equalization and demodulation on the electrical signal, and recovering multi-lane data from the demodulated signal; aligning and rearranging the data on each lane, according to a lane sequence identifier included in an overhead frame header of the data on each lane; and recovering the OTUk frame according to the aligned and rearranged data. According to the present invention, lane rearrangement is performed by detecting the lane sequence identifier, and the recovery of the OTUk frame is achieved. Therefore, a training sequence overhead does not need to be additionally introduced, and the influence on the system performance is avoided. |
| US08848746B2 |
Packet protocol processing with precision timing protocol support
Device and methods determine timing parameters and associated timing actions from timing messages in communication packets. The timing messages may be encapsulated with a plurality of communication protocols. An example timing message may be an IEEE 1588 timing message encapsulated in an Internet protocol packet encapsulated in an Ethernet protocol packet. The protocols are matched in classifier blocks by comparing portions of the packet to bit values or ranges of values. Operation of other than the first classifier block depends on results of matching in the preceding block by using offset values passed between blocks that indicate starting points for the matching. The final classifier block matches values in timing messages to identify timing parameters and associated timing actions in the message. |
| US08848745B2 |
Remote flash access
A system, method, and computer program product for allowing a first processor to access flash or other non-volatile memory that is associated with a second processor. The first processor obtains parameters that allow the initialization of an internet protocol (IP) stack. The parameters can be obtained using the trivial file transfer protocol (TFTP), for example. The first processor communicates with the second processor using a socket protocol, sending a command word that represents either a read or write command. The command word specifies where in the non-volatile memory the access is to occur, and for how many bytes. Information is then returned to the first processor, allowing the first processor to verify the success of the access. |
| US08848743B1 |
Method and system for controlling count information in generic mapping procedure
A method of communicating count value information in an Optical Transport Network (OTN) signal frame. The method comprises determining a count value indicating a number of payload bytes to be sent in a next OTN signal frame; determining that a change in the count value (Δ) with respect to a current count value is within a predetermined range; selecting an inversion pattern indicating the change in the count value; determining a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) code associated with the inversion pattern; and, inserting the inversion pattern and the CRC code in a Generic Mapping Procedure (GMP) overhead of the OTN signal frame. |
| US08848738B2 |
Optical transmission device and optical transmission method
There is provided an optical transmission device which includes a determiner, a convertor, and a switch. The determiner determines whether a frame includes a fixed stuff byte area or not when the frame is received from a first network, where the frame includes a payload area for storing client data and the fixed stuff byte area is for storing fixed data. When the determiner determines that the frame includes the fixed stuff byte area, a convertor to convert a fixed stuff byte area into the payload area and a switch switches a clock frequency from a first clock frequency used in the first network to a second clock frequency used in a second network when the frame including the converted fixed stuff byte area is output to the second network on the basis of the clock frequency as a reference. |
| US08848735B2 |
Method and device for MIMO transmission in high speed packet access evolution system
A method and device for MIMO transmission in high speed packet access evolution system, the method includes: determining each signaling in high speed shared information channel HS-SICH; duplexing all signaling as HS-SICH signaling; carrying channel coding for HS-SICH signaling, and mapping to the allocated channelization code resource. |
| US08848734B2 |
System and method of providing telecommunications special services to a telecommunications customer
A system and method for providing telecommunications special services to customers of a communications service provider includes receiving first communications signals from customer premise equipment. The first communications signals may be processed using a special services card to generate second communications signal. The second communications signal may be communicated to a line termination unit operating externally from a BBDLC. The second communications signal may be processed by the line termination unit to generate a third communications signal. The third communications signal may be communicated to a transport card operating in the BBDLC. By externally processing special services signals from the BBDLC, bandwidth of the BBDLC may be utilized more efficiently. |
| US08848733B2 |
Dual channel mode of operation for bonded channels
A dual channel mode of operation (DCM) for a home entertainment network that can provide aggregate throughput associated with channel bonding without requiring that every device in the network be capable of channel bonding. |
| US08848732B2 |
Method of controlling connection between nodes in digital interface
A method of controlling connection between nodes in a digital interface whereby a first node that is a master node determines a second node to be the master and controls a point-to-point connection or a broadcast connection to another node. The first node having the display device determines the second node to be the master in accordance with a user selection, and transmits a connection command of a predetermined format for transmitting a data stream to the second node. The second node determined as the master in accordance with the transmitted connection command of the predetermined format is allocated with a channel and a bandwidth from an isochronous resource manager (IRM), and performs a point-to-point connection between the second node and the first node to transit the data stream. Thus, the transmission/reception, reproduction, and control of the data stream of the program can be smoothly performed. |
| US08848731B2 |
System and method for facilitating data transfer using a shared non-deterministic bus
System and method for facilitating data transfer between logic systems and a memory according to various conditions. Embodiments include systems and methods for facilitating and improving throughput of data transfers using a shared non-deterministic bus, a system and method for managing a memory as a circular buffer, and a system and method for facilitating data transfer between a first clock domain and a second clock domain. Embodiments may be implemented individually or in combination. |
| US08848730B1 |
Method and apparatus for scanning and device detection in a communication system
In a communication system wherein a plurality of electronic devices connect and disconnect from communication over a medium and wherein the communication system has a protocol such that it is followed by the plurality of electronic devices when using the communication system, a probing device attempts to detect presence of a listening device and parameters associated with a connection to be set up between the probing device and the listening device by sending a probe request packet directed to the listening device and sending, from the listening device, a probe response packet in response to the probe request packet, wherein the listening device bypasses at least one step of the protocol when sending the probe response packet. |
| US08848729B2 |
Allocation method for physical downlink control channel, base station and user terminal
The present invention discloses a method for configuring a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), a base station and a UE, wherein the base station configures a component carrier or component carriers for monitoring the PDCCH for the UE and notifies the UE about information on the configured component carrier or component carriers so that the UE monitors the PDCCH only over the configured component carrier or component carriers. Stated otherwise, in this way, the UE will operate only over a necessary component carrier or component carriers without monitoring respective component carriers in an LTE-A system to thereby reduce the number of concurrently monitored component carriers, and in the case of nonconsecutive component carriers, also reduce the number of consequently enabled receivers and consequently the amount of consumed power of the UE for monitoring the PDCCH. |
| US08848726B1 |
I/O data interface for packet processors
Systems and methods to process packets of information use an on-chip information processing system configured to receive, resolve, convert, and/or transmit packets of different packet-types in accordance with different protocols. A first packet-type may use a protocol for wired local-area-networking (LAN) technologies, such as Ethernet. A second packet-type may use a proprietary protocol. The proprietary protocol may be used to exchange information with one or more packet processing engines, such as neural processing engines. |
| US08848721B2 |
Method and apparatus for coordinating information request messages over an ad-hoc mesh network
An approach is provided for coordinating information request messages over an ad-hoc mesh network. A module receives at least one request to transmit one or more information request messages over an ad-hoc mesh network. The module determines context information associated with at least a portion of the ad-hoc mesh network, one or more nodes within the at least a portion of the ad-hoc mesh network, or a combination thereof. The module then determines to transmit the one or more information request messages over the ad-hoc mesh network based, at least in part, on the context information. |
| US08848717B2 |
Method, apparatus, and network system for multi-port load sharing
The present invention relates to network communications technologies, and discloses a method, an apparatus, and a network system for multi-port load sharing. The method includes: receiving packets destined for a destination; searching an address port mapping table for corresponding logical egress port information according to destination address information carried in the packets; searching a logical port table for information about a corresponding load sharing group according to the logical egress port information, where the load sharing group includes at least two physical ports and each physical port corresponds to at least two subchannels; and encapsulating the packets into at least one subchannel corresponding to each physical port in the load sharing group respectively according to a preset load sharing policy, and forwarding the packets to the destination through the corresponding physical port. The embodiments of the present invention are applicable to network communications. |
| US08848714B2 |
Packet transfer method, packet transfer device, and packet transfer system
An edge router measures a traffic volume inputted into a network, and the measurement result is notified to a network management server. If the network management server judges that the notified traffic volume is “smaller” than a capacity of a second core router, it will direct a first core router to shift to a power saving mode. The first core router notifies the edge router of the shift to the power saving mode, and the edge router updates a routing table so that the packet to the first core router may be bypassed to the second core router. The first core router shifts to the power saving mode that does not perform packet transfer, and reduction in electric power is realized. |
| US08848710B2 |
System and method for performing flash caching of dynamically generated objects in a data communication network
The present invention is directed towards a method and system for providing a technique referred to as flash caching to respond to requests for an object, such as a dynamically generated object, from multiple clients. This technique of the present invention uses a dynamically generated object stored in a buffer for transmission to a client, for example in response to a request from the client, to also respond to additional requests for the dynamically generated object from other clients while the object is stored in the buffer. Using this technique, the present invention is able to increase cache hit rates for extremely fast changing dynamically generated objects that may not otherwise be cacheable. |
| US08848708B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for packet processing
The present invention relate to a packet processing method, an access device, and a communication system. The method includes: receiving, by an access device, a multicast packet from a network side via a first network port of the access device; identifying, by the access device, a protocol type of the multicast packet; if identifying that the multicast packet is a virtual router redundancy protocol packet, sending the virtual router redundancy protocol packet via a second network port of the access device to the network side according to a snooping port list used for forwarding the virtual router redundancy protocol packet; and if identifying that the multicast packet is a non-virtual router redundancy protocol packet, sending the non-virtual router redundancy protocol packet via a user port of the access device to a user side. |
| US08848705B2 |
System and method for finding point-to-multipoint label switched path crossing multiple domains
An apparatus associated with a first domain, the apparatus comprising a processor configured to compute a portion of a Point-to-Multipoint (P2MP) path, wherein the P2MP path spans a plurality of domains including the first domain, wherein the apparatus does not require knowledge of a core tree of domains to compute the portion of the P2MP path. |
| US08848702B2 |
Automated transitioning between different communication protocols in a network
One embodiment includes, inter alia, methods, apparatus, computer-storage media, mechanisms, and/or means associated with automated transitioning between different communication protocols in a network. In one embodiment, automatic transition routers are automatically discovered along with the knowledge of what non-native protocols need to be transported across a network. Communication pathways are automatically established as needed to transport these non-native protocols. One embodiment is particularly useful in transitioning a network from one protocol to another, such as from Internet Protocol version 4 to version 6. |
| US08848701B2 |
Split usage of radio access networks with IMS
Different access networks may perform signaling and data delivery (bearer connection) for communication services. A device may determine, in response to a request for a service from a user of the device, whether the device is connected to a non-cellular access network. The device may transmit, when it is determined that the device is connected to the non-cellular access network, one or more control messages, relating to establishment of the service, using the non-cellular access network. The device may transmit, when it is determined that the device is not connected to the non-cellular access network, the one or more control messages, using a cellular access network. The device may establish, with a party with which the service is to connect, a bearer connection for the service over the cellular access network. |
| US08848700B2 |
Method for device-to-device communication based on cellular telecommunication system
Disclosed is device-to-device communication based on a cellular communication network. A method of operating a terminal capable of supporting D2D (device to device) communication based on a cellular communication network may include: determining whether to perform central control D2D communication or distributed control D2D communication; and performing the distributed control D2D communication, or requesting a setting for the central control D2D communication to a base station on the basis of the determination. With the D2D communication based on the cellular communication network, the cellular communication, the central control D2D communication, or the distributed control D2D communication may flexibly and selectively operate in the cellular network. |
| US08848699B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods for distributed monitoring and control of networked server computers
Embodiments of the present invention include network cables that include a number of inter-integrated circuit communication addressable components in the connector heads. The inter-integrated circuit communication addressable components include signal translators and switches for communicating with environmental and electrical sensors, memories, and controllers in the connector heads and the computers or network interface cards to which they are coupled. Such embodiments allow for localized monitoring of environmental and operational data as well as location or server computer specific control of networked-server operations. Such information and control is useful in reducing the cost and increasing the efficiency of server farm installation cooling, maintenance, operation, and troubleshooting. Other embodiments include methods for communicating between a switch and a server computer using the network cable assembly by translating a signal from a one communication protocol to another for transmission over a dedicated connection between two connector heads. |
| US08848696B2 |
Systems and methods to facilitate searches of communication references
Methods and apparatuses to facilitate searches of communication references for real time communication connections. One embodiment includes: one or more web servers to assign a communication reference to an advisor for distribution by the advisor in one or more documents, to associate at least one keyword with the communication reference, to receive from the advisor a bid price on the keyword associated with the communication reference, and to present the communication reference selected based at least in part on the bid price in response to a search related to the keyword; a session border controller to interface with a packet switched network; and one or more telecommunication servers to determine contact information of the advisor based on the communication reference used by a customer to request a communication connection to the advisor, and to connect the customer to the advisor for real time communications using the determined contact information. |
| US08848695B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing ringing timeout disconnect supervision in remote telephone extensions using voice over packet-data-network systems (VOPS)
A Multiservice Access Concentrator (MAC) provides a time limit for a first ringing voltage signal in response to an attempted call. The call is attempted via a voice over packet-data-network system (VOPS), wherein the VOPS comprises voice over Internet Protocol (IP), voice over Frame Relay, voice over Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), and voice over High-level Data Link Control (HDLC) network systems. Generation of the first ringing voltage signal is terminated upon expiration of the time limit. A control message is transmitted to terminate the attempted call, wherein the control message is transmitted via the VOPS. |
| US08848691B2 |
Common mobility management protocol for multimedia applications, systems and services
A framework of a common mobility management protocol for Q.5/16 includes a high level protocol for performing the functions of address resolution, routing, location update and authentication. The common mobility management protocol can be used by existing and future multimedia applications (MA's) to support mobility management for messaging among mobility management authentication function (AuF), home location function (HLF) and visitor location function (VLF) databases/servers, and the corresponding multimedia application functional entities (MAFEs) of the multimedia applications (MA's). The common mobility management protocol may replace, act in concert with or in sequence with existent interworking protocols for the various multimedia applications. Reference point architectures, functional characteristics, features, and capabilities of the protocol are described including call flows and message syntax. The disclosure presents the scope of Q.5/16 and how H.MMS.1 (H.323 Mobility), H.MMS.2 (Global Mobility), and H.MMS.3 (Presence/Instant Messaging Mobility) can be a part of the same common mobility management protocol. |
| US08848677B2 |
Method and apparatus for peer-to-peer connection using wireless local area network (LAN) in mobile communication terminal
An apparatus and a method for Peer-to-Peer (P2P) connection using a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) in a mobile communication terminal are provided. The method includes detecting a P2P connection attempt of a new terminal not connected to P2P communication, during P2P communication with at least one terminal, determining whether the mobile communication terminal operates as a slave terminal or a group owner in the P2P connection, and when the mobile communication terminal operates as the slave terminal, transmitting a signal indicating that the P2P connection attempt of the new terminal is detected, to a terminal operating as the group owner in the P2P connection. |
| US08848673B2 |
Beam information exchange between base stations
A first base station receives an application protocol message from a second base station. The application protocol message comprises an identifier of the second base station and a beamforming codebook. The beamforming codebook comprises a plurality of beamforming codewords. Each of the plurality of beamforming codewords is identifiable by an index. The first base station transmits signals to wireless devices using a subset of the plurality of beamforming codewords. |
| US08848671B2 |
Apparatus and method of using CDMA architecture for 3GPP2 compliant transceivers
A mobile device that operates in a wireless communication network is disclosed. The mobile device includes a transceiver that uses a first wireless communication technology, which can be Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology. The mobile device also includes a modem that coupled to the transceiver through a standard interface and uses a second wireless communication technology, which can be CDMA. The modem processes the received signal from the transceiver and processes a transmit signal for the transceiver. A first receiver first processing circuit has a matching filter to compensate for and resampling the received signal from the receiver so that that the received signal from the transceiver is compatible with the modem. A transmitter processing has a filter for resampling and adjusting a processed transmit signal for the transmitter. |
| US08848668B2 |
Network initiated context establishment
The invention relates to a method for configuring a context for a connection delivering a packet data service to a mobile terminal via a target wireless access network. The mobile terminal is initially connected to an originating wireless access network and the packet data service may be provided to the mobile terminal via the originating wireless network. Moreover, the invention provides an authentication server, a packet data gateway and a packet data service support node which participate in the context configuration method. To provide a method that allows establishing connection for packet service delivery to a mobile terminal from a wireless access network, as for example a UMTS, as fast as possible the invention suggests to preconfigure service provision of the packet data service via the target wireless access network by establishing a context prior to the mobile terminal connecting to the target wireless access network. |
| US08848667B2 |
Wireless communication device
A mobile station that establishes an uplink wireless connection by transmitting a random access signal through a random access channel after receiving a synchronization channel transmitted from a radio base station in a handover destination, and includes a setting unit for setting a timing of transmitting the random access signal to be later than the timing of receiving the synchronization channel by a prescribed period. |
| US08848666B2 |
Handover of emergency calls from a circuit switched to a packet switched access network
A method is provided of performing a handover with SRVCC to a target PS access network of an emergency call to a PSAP from a UE accessing a CS access network. The method includes sending a handover request from the CS access network towards an IMS network to transfer the emergency call. A CS to PS emergency handover command is sent to the UE, including an emergency STN identifying an access transfer control function. The UE sends a SIP INVITE to establish an emergency IMS session over the PS access network. The SIP INVITE includes the emergency STN so that the INVITE is routed to the access transfer control function. The emergency call sent over the CS access network with the emergency IMS session are correlated and the emergency call is switched to the emergency IMS session over the PS access network to complete the handover. |
| US08848664B2 |
Communication method for a mobile terminal and mobile terminal
A technique for flexibly performing processes depending on the type of a path for providing an additional service when there are a plurality of paths for providing additional services for the same session between terminals communicating with each other over a network is disclosed. According to the technique, when a mobile terminal (MN 100) establishes a QoS path using NSIS to a corresponding node (CN 124) on different types of data communication paths, a signaling message including information (MIE) representing the path type is created and transmitted. Each node (QNE) with an NSIS QoS function, which has received the message, identifies a plurality of QoS paths by comparing the MIE, a session identifier and a flow identifier, and performs processing of the QoS paths according to control information (CI) from MNs or/and the policy which the QNE has. |
| US08848662B2 |
Method of performing a handover procedure in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and UE providing wireless communication services, and a method of effectively performing a handover procedure in an evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) that has evolved from a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, or a LTE-A (LTE-Advanced) system and it may be an object of the present invention to perform the handover procedure without terminating a data transmission between a terminal and a base station by utilizing carrier aggregation scheme, which allows a high-speed data transmission by using a plurality of frequencies. |
| US08848661B2 |
User equipment and method of user equipment for receiving downlink data
The present invention discloses a UE (User Equipment) and a method of the UE for receiving downlink data to avoid the occurrence of mistakes when the UE receives the downlink data. The method comprises the following steps: during the reestablishment, in the process of transmitting Service Data Units (SDU) to a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity from a Radio Link Control (RLC) entity in the UE, if the PDCP entity judges that the PDCP Sequence Number (SN) of the received PDCP Protocol Data Unit (PDU) which includes the SDU satisfies the report condition, the PDCP PDU is received and the SDU included in the PDCP PDU is submitted to the upper layer entity, wherein the report condition is: PDCP SN=(Last_Submitted_PDCP_RX_SN+1)%(Maximum_PDCP_SN+1). |
| US08848659B2 |
Tracking network resources
A method and apparatus for tracking resources in a communication network. A central resource tracking function receives a request to track a resource from a location application node. The central resource tracking function broadcasts a subscription message to a plurality of Wireless Sensor Network Gateway nodes. The subscription message includes an identifier associated with the tracked resource. The central resource tracking function then receives a subscription response message from a first Wireless Sensor Network Gateway node informing the central resource tracking function that the resource associated with the identifier is located in the Wireless Sensor Network served by the first Wireless Sensor Network Gateway node, and receiving from a second Wireless Sensor Network Gateway node a subscription rejection message. |
| US08848658B2 |
Inter-frequency indication of association data for multi-carrier wireless deployments
Providing for user equipment mobility in a multi-carrier wireless network deployment is described herein. By way of example, data pertinent to mobile cell selection can be shared among base stations operating on different carrier frequencies either over-the-air or via a wired backhaul, and distributed by a base station to mobile terminals served by the base station. In one aspect, the data can be distributed over a wireless channel reserved for inter-carrier association data, whereas in other aspects, the data can be unicast to particular mobile terminals served by the base station. This can reduce or avoid a need for individual mobile terminals to tune away to a non-serving carrier for inter-carrier association or handover determinations. Accordingly, gaps in signal analysis on a serving carrier can be reduced or avoided, improving overall quality of wireless communication in a multi-carrier environment. |
| US08848654B2 |
Methods of handling coverage within a wireless communications system
A first pilot signal is transmitted at a first frequency for a first coverage area (e.g., an outdoor area). A second pilot signal is transmitted at a second frequency for a second coverage area (e.g., an indoor area). The first pilot signal at the second frequency is transmitted into a portion of the second coverage area, the second coverage area at least overlapping with the first coverage area. Further, the first pilot signal is transmitted at the second frequency in the second coverage area. In an example, the first pilot signal at the first frequency is transmitted from an outdoor base station, the second pilot signal at the second frequency is transmitted by an indoor base station, the first pilot signal at the second frequency is transmitted into the second coverage area (e.g., an interior of a building from a building exit point) by an antenna (e.g., not necessarily at a base station) and the second pilot signal at the first frequency is transmitted by the indoor base station. The pilot signal configuration discussed above may facilitate call handoffs between the first and second coverage areas. For example, if the first coverage area is an outdoor area and the second coverage area is a building interior, the example pilot signal configuration may reduce pilot pollution. |
| US08848653B2 |
Extended capability transfer between a user equipment and a wireless network
Techniques for transferring new capability information in an efficient and backward compatible manner are described. A user equipment (UE) may send a new compatibility indicator to a wireless network to indicate that the UE has new capability information to send. This new capability indicator may be implemented with a spare bit in an information element included in an initial message sent to the network. The network may request for the information or indicate that it can receive the information. The UE may then send the new capability information to the network upon receiving the request or the indication. Alternatively, the network may convey that it supports transfer of new capability information, e.g., via a broadcast message or a unicast message. The UE may then send new capability information at any time to the network, without having to send the new capability indicator. |
| US08848650B2 |
Technique for transmitting on multiple frequency resources in a telecommunication system
The present disclosure relates to a technique for transmitting modulation symbols on multiple frequency resources. A method aspect of this technique includes applying a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) coding per set of modulation symbols of two or more sets of modulation symbols, wherein a first set of modulation symbols from the two or more sets of modulation symbols is transmitted on a set of frequency resources handled by the same power amplifier. Then, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) modulation is applied to the sets of DFT coded modulation symbols to output a first set of OFDM symbols for transmission on the set of frequency resources, and output another set of OFDM symbols for transmission on at least one additional frequency resource distinct from the set of frequency resources. Power amplification is then applied per set of frequency resources at the power amplifier. |
| US08848643B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting uplink control information in wireless communication system for supporting multi-carriers
The present invention relates to a method for transmitting the uplink control information in the wireless communication system supporting the multi-carriers according to one embodiment of the present invention, which comprises the steps of: reserving one or more channel selection resources for transmitting the uplink control information; receiving scheduling information for one or more uplink data channels to be transmitted on the same time domain resources as the reserved channel selection resources; determining an uplink data channel in which the uplink control information is multiplexed, from one or more uplink data channels; and multiplexing and transmitting the uplink control information in each of one or more resource element regions corresponding to each of one or more channel selection resources which are reserved to transmit the uplink control information, on the selected one uplink data channel. |
| US08848641B2 |
Methods for radio link failure recovery, and user equipment
A system and method for radio link failure recovery is presented. A set of component carriers is identified. Each one of the set of component carriers includes a control channel monitored by a user equipment (UE). The control channel signals data channel assignment information for the UE. Radio link failure recovery is performed using monitoring of only a subset of the set of component carriers. In some cases, performing radio link failure recovery includes performing radio link failure detection, and detecting radio link failure by detecting an out-of-sync condition on a downlink physical layer, the out-of-sync condition occurring for a predetermined duration. In some cases, a number of component carriers in the subset of the set of component carriers is equal to 1. |
| US08848635B2 |
Systems and method for communicating priority information for use in scheduling the transmission of data
In one aspect, the invention provides apparatuses and methods for communicating, from one network node to another network node, application data together with priority information so that the receiving network node may use the priority information in scheduling the transmission of the application data to the intended receiver of the application data. |
| US08848626B2 |
Scheduling retransmissions for contention-based access
A base station supports a contention-based channel and a schedule-based channel. If too many mobile terminals simultaneously transmit on the contention-based channel, the base station schedules retransmissions to those terminals on the schedule-based channel. Supporting this, a terminal transmits a user transmission on the contention-based channel that includes both a data transmission and a reference signal. The terminal derives this reference signal by selecting one of a plurality of cyclic shifts (CSs). Correspondingly, the base station receives the user transmission and can determine the selected CS even if it is unable to demodulate the data transmission. The base station then determines a retransmission identifier (RTI) mapped to that CS, according to a mapping between CSs and RTIs, and sends scheduling information for any needed retransmission to the terminal by addressing that information to the RTI. Meanwhile, the terminal knows this mapping and monitors for scheduling information addressed to that RTI. |
| US08848621B2 |
Apparatus and method for cell-based highly detectable pilot multiplexing
An apparatus and method for cell-based highly detectable pilot (HDP) multiplexing comprising determining if an HDP opportunity exists; selecting a subslot within the HDP opportunity for transmission of a HDP signal; and activating more than one sector within a cell for the transmission of the HDP signal. |
| US08848619B2 |
Interface management in a wireless communication system using subframe time reuse
Interference that occurs during wireless communication may be managed by subframe time reuse. A method, apparatus amend medium of communication determines interfering subframe gating sequences. The transmission gating in a home access point is adjusted by determining a first gating sequence from a first unplanned access point. A second gating sequence is selected based on the first gating sequence, wherein the first and second gating sequences are non-interfering. Signals are transmitted according to the second gating sequence from a second unplanned access point to an associated access terminal. |
| US08848617B2 |
Method and system of channel resource allocation
The present invention relates to a method and system of transmissions and retransmissions of packet data in a communications system, where the communications system uses switched channels, switching between rates or channels of different characteristics, and connection control and management in such a system. Particularly, the invention relates to radio resource management in a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, UMTS, or WCDMA system allowing for use of compatible protocols for non-switched and switched channels. |
| US08848616B2 |
Method for transmitting ACK/NACK signal in wireless communication system applied carrier aggregation and apparatus therefor
A method and apparatus for transmitting ACK/NACK (Acknowledgement/Negative-ACK) state information in a wireless communication system. The method includes receiving, by a user equipment (UE), multiple transmission blocks through multiple downlink component carriers from a base station (BS); and transmitting, by the UE, multiple transmission block ACK/NACK state information through a single uplink component carrier to the BS. The multiple transmission block ACK/NACK state information indicates a number of ACK responses among ACK/NACK responses corresponding to each of the multiple transmission blocks. |
| US08848611B2 |
Method, system and device for transmitting random access preamble
A method, a system and a device for sending a random access preamble are provided. The method includes: a base station determines an uplink component carrier to be utilized by a terminal for sending a random access preamble, and sends identification information of the uplink component carrier to the terminal (30); and the terminal selects a component carrier corresponding to the uplink component carrier identification from multiple uplink component carriers which are supported by the terminal, and sends a random access preamble to the base station utilizing the component carrier (31). With the invention, a terminal in a Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) system can select a component carrier for sending a random access preamble based on indication of a base station. |
| US08848610B2 |
Lightweight data transmission mechanism
User plane data is sent between a user device and a network entity within a packet core network via a radio access network. The user device is authenticated to the network entity, and a Security Association between the user device and the network entity is established. The user device is maintained in a connectionless state such that no Security Association is established between the user device and the radio access network, and no data bearer is set up between the user device and said packet core network. With the user device in the connectionless state, uplink and downlink user plane data is sent between the user device and the network entity by including the data within signalling messages on a Non Access Stratum plane. |
| US08848608B1 |
System and method for wireless interface selection and for communication and access control of subsystems, devices, and data in a vehicular environment
A method in one embodiment includes detecting a trigger on an electronic device and identifying an interface usage policy for an agent and a corresponding application on the electronic device. The method also includes selecting a first wireless interface of a plurality of wireless interfaces on the electronic device for a network session between an application process of the application and a remote node, with the first wireless interface being selected based on one or more criteria in the interface usage policy. In specific embodiments the electronic device is an on-board unit of a vehicle. In more specific embodiments a second wireless interface is selected based on the interface usage policy, the first and second wireless interfaces are different physical interfaces on the electronic device. In other specific embodiments, the first and second wireless interfaces are virtual interfaces of a single physical interface on the electronic device. |
| US08848601B2 |
System and method for carrier activation
A method for receiving data using a user agent (UA) configured to communicate with a wireless communications network using a first and second communication carrier is presented. The method includes receiving control information at a first time interval using the first communication carrier. The control information allocates a resource on at least one of the first communication carrier and the second communication carrier. The control information indicates whether a carrier switch is required. In one implementation, when the control information indicates a carrier switch is required, the method includes ceasing signal reception on the first communication carrier, and receiving a signal on the second communication carrier. |
| US08848591B2 |
System and method for message acknowledgment feedback for device-to-device communication overlaid on a cellular network
An embodiment of a system for operating a communications controller for a group of user equipments engaged in a direct mobile communication (“DMC”) link in a wireless communications system is provided. The communications controller is configured to allocate a set of subframes to the group of UEs for the DMC link, signal the set of allocated subframes to the group of UEs, and signal a length of a sliding window to the group of UEs. In an embodiment, ACK/NACK feedback for communications over the DMC link is aggregated according to the length of the sliding window, and the ACK/NACK feedback for the communications over the DMC link is determined independently from ACK/NACK feedback for cellular transmission between the communication controller and the group of UEs. In an embodiment, the length of the sliding window is a number of subframes. |
| US08848583B2 |
Communication method and apparatus for header compression
A communication method and a related apparatus for header compression by using an automatic retransmission mechanism are disclosed. The method comprises determining with a receive end parameters required for performing header compression and an ARQ through negotiation, constructing a lower-layer PDU that comprises header compression information, and sending the PDU to a receive end. By using methods provided in the embodiments of the present invention, combination of a header compression mechanism and an ARQ mechanism may be implemented, thereby improving header compression efficiency and accuracy, and saving air interface resources. |
| US08848580B2 |
Resource allocation method for backhaul link and access link in a wireless communication system including relay
A resource allocation method of a relay station in a wireless communication system employing the relay station is provided. The method includes: receiving information on a resource allocation pattern for an access link and a backhaul link of a first frequency band; and determining a resource allocation pattern for an access link and a backhaul link of a second frequency band on the basis of the resource allocation pattern of the first frequency band, wherein the first frequency band is any one of an uplink frequency band and a downlink frequency band, and the second frequency band is a remaining one of the uplink frequency band and the downlink frequency band. |
| US08848579B1 |
Methods and systems for using transport-layer source ports to identify sources of packet payloads in mixed tethering and non-tethering environments
Disclosed are methods and systems for using transport-layer source ports to identify sources of packet payloads in mixed tethering and non-tethering environments so that, e.g., a provider may differentially bill between those two types of data communication. In particular, a wireless device capable of sending data from both tethered and non-tethered sources may use specified transport-layer source ports to identify data as coming from various different sources. Network entities that record data usage associated with the device may detect which port the device used to send data and use port-to-source (e.g., port-to-hardware-interface) mapping data to determine the source (e.g., the source hardware interface) of the data. The network entities may report this data usage, along with the determined data sources, to a billing system so that the billing system may accordingly differentially bill a subscriber associated with the device. |
| US08848574B2 |
Interference control in a wireless communication system
For interference control, a sector m estimates interference observed from terminals in neighbor sectors and obtains an interference estimate. Sector m may generate an over-the-air (OTA) other-sector interference (OSI) report and/or an inter-sector (IS) OSI report based on the interference estimate. Sector m may send the IS OSI report to the neighbor sectors, receive IS OSI reports from the neighbor sectors, and regulate data transmissions for terminals in sector m based on the received IS OSI reports. Sector m may control admission of terminals to sector m, de-assign admitted terminals, schedule terminals in sector m in a manner to reduce interference to the neighbor sectors, and/or assign the terminals in sector m with traffic channels that cause less interference to the neighbor sectors. |
| US08848571B2 |
Use of minimal propagation delay path to optimize a mesh network
The present technology relates to protocols relative to utility meters associated with an open operational framework. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to protocol subject matter for advanced metering infrastructure, adaptable to various international standards, while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field. The present subject matter supports meters within an ANSI standard C12.22/C12.19 system while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field, all to permit cell-based adaptive insertion of C12.22 meters within an open framework. Particular present features relate to the use of minimal propagation delay path to optimize a mesh network. |
| US08848565B2 |
Method for performing measurements and positioning in a network based WLAN positioning system
A network based positioning (NBP) system that improves the accuracy of wireless positioning systems by concurrently performing RTT ranging operations and associated TDOA operations to generate a number of difference measurement values from which the position of a station device (STA) can be determined using, for example, multilateration techniques. Because the RTT values and their corresponding TDOA values both include the turn-around time (TAT) of the STA, subtracting TDOA values from their corresponding RTT values generates difference measurement values that do not include such TAT values of the STA. In this manner, the STA position can be determined without estimating the STA's TAT. |
| US08848562B2 |
Modifying FEC values and MCS values in a network
A method includes receiving an indication of current quality of service for a transmission received by user equipment from a base station. The method includes identifying target quality of service values for the transmission. A current FEC value and a current MCS value is identified for the transmission. An adjusted FEC value and an adjusted MCS value is determined based on the current FEC value and the current MCS value, the indication of current quality of service, and the target quality of service values. The method includes outputting the adjusted FEC value to a broadcast multicast service center for the transmission. The method also includes outputting the adjusted MCS value to the base station. |
| US08848558B1 |
Mesh wireless connectivity
A method, system, and medium are provided for connecting mesh devices to a wireless network. The system includes at least one base station and mesh devices that are part of a mesh network. The base station is configured with a database that stores metrics for each mesh device. The base station may identify one or more mesh devices that are suitable to communicate data for each of mesh devices based on the stored metrics. The identified suitable devices proxy communications for other mesh devices over the wireless network. |
| US08848555B2 |
Method and a system for management of transmission resources in digital communication systems
The present invention relates to a method for managing transmission resources in a digital communication system comprising an access network, such as a DSL system, implementing resource management for minimization of cross-talk interference in a cable or cable binder of the access network comprising a number, N of lines. It comprises the steps of: determining, by means of calculating means, for a respective of said lines, a relevant line set, comprising interference relevant lines, for said respective line, and applying, for the respective line, an algorithm for resource management using the determined relevant line set, thus reducing computational complexity of the resource management algorithm. |
| US08848554B2 |
Packet sniffing with packet filtering hooks
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with packet sniffing using packet filter hooks are described. In one embodiment, a method includes re-directing a network packet at a filter hook point in an Internet Protocol processing stack. The example method may also include re-directing the network packet to a packet sniffer. |
| US08848553B2 |
Assisted state transitions of a user equipment within a wireless communications system
In an embodiment, a user equipment (UE) determines to initiate a communication session with at least one other UE to be arbitrated by an application server. The UE determines a type of the communication session (e.g., delay-sensitive, PTT, etc.) and/or a size of a call message to be sent by the UE for requesting initiation of the communication session by the application server. The UE selects a reverse-link channel on which to transmit the call message based at least in part upon the determined type of the communication session and/or the determined size of the call message. The UE transitions to a given state (e.g., CELL_FACH, CELL_DCH, etc.) that supports transmissions upon the selected reverse-link channel. The UE transmits the call message on the selected reverse-link channel after the UE is transitioned to the given state. |
| US08848549B2 |
Optimizing throughput in a wireless communication system
A method for optimizing throughput in a wireless communication system is disclosed. A target metric is estimated based on previous acknowledgment data. A channel quality indicator offset is determined based on the target metric. A channel quality indicator is adjusted based on the channel quality indicator offset. The channel quality indicator indicates the quality of a wireless transmission channel. |
| US08848548B2 |
Internet radio broadcast using cellular
Aspects describe utilizing the Internet capability in mobile devices/networks to deliver broadcast multimedia to a device. The broadcast can be video, audio, and so forth. Initially the broadcast multimedia is transmitted at high data rates (and in unicast mode) in order for a buffer associated with mobile device to be built to a very long buffer length. When the long buffer length is reached, the multimedia can be delivered at real-time rates. The multimedia delivered at real times rates can be unicast mode or in multicast mode. If the buffer is depleted, a mobile device that is part of a multicast group can autonomously disassociated from the group until the buffer length is restored. |
| US08848545B1 |
Use of bearer traffic to validate call records
A system, a method and computer-readable media for monitoring the state of a call. A system is provided that includes a user device configured to send and receive voice packets over a bearer path and further configured to send and receive signaling messages over a signaling path. The system also includes a media gateway configured to communicate the voice packets to the user device over the bearer path. In addition, the media gateway is configured to monitor the bearer path and to generate status messages indicating whether the bearer path is still active. The system further includes a call agent configured to maintain a record of the call by attempting to communicate with the user device over the signaling path and by utilizing the status messages received from the media gateway. |
| US08848542B2 |
Method for efficiently performing coverage loss operation during sleep mode in a broadband wireless access system
A method for detecting coverage loss during a sleep mode of a mobile station and an apparatus for performing the same are disclosed. The method for detecting coverage loss of a mobile station, which is operated in a sleep mode, in a broadband wireless access system comprises the steps of awaking regardless of a sleep window of a sleep cycle at a first time when a super frame header (SFH) is transmitted from a serving base station; detecting the super frame header; and operating for the sleep window or listening window in accordance with the sleep cycle if the detected result is successful, and awaking until the super frame header is successfully detected if the detected result is failed. |
| US08848537B2 |
Token bucket management apparatus and method of managing a token bucket
A token bucket management apparatus comprises a processing resource having an input for receiving profile data associated with a classified data stream. The processing resource also comprises an arithmetic unit arranged to maintain a bucket status value for a token bucket associated with the classified data stream. The arithmetic unit is a fixed point arithmetic unit that is arranged to maintain the bucket status value in accordance with a fixed point representation of non-integer numbers having a first accuracy. The arithmetic unit calculates a fixed point non-integer increment value in accordance with a fixed point representation of non-integer numbers having a second accuracy. The arithmetic unit is arranged to manipulate the calculated non-integer increment value so as to bring the second accuracy into agreement with the first accuracy, and to increment the bucket status value by the manipulated non-integer increment value. |
| US08848535B2 |
Opportunistically delayed delivery in a satellite network
Systems and methods are described for using opportunistically delayed delivery of content to address sub-optimal bandwidth resource usage in network infrastructures that allow subscribers to share forward link resources. According to some embodiments, content is identified as delayable and assigned to a delaycast queue and/or service flow. For example, a server system of a satellite communications system identifies content that can be delayed to exploit future excess link capacity through multicasting and to exploit subscriber-side storage resources. Some implementations attempt to exploit any excess link resources at any time, while others exploit unused bandwidth only during certain times or when a certain threshold of resources is available. Various embodiments also provide content scoring and/or other prioritization techniques for optimizing exploitation of the delaycast queue. |
| US08848530B2 |
System and method for providing differentiated quality of service
Described is a system and method for providing differentiated service levels. The method comprising receiving a packet stream including a plurality of packets. A level of service to be provided to the packet stream is determined. An impairment to the packet stream is determined as a function of the level of service. The impaired packet stream is outputted. |
| US08848529B2 |
WRR scheduler configuration for optimized latency, buffer utilization
A method includes receiving network information for calculating weighted round-robin (WRR) weights, calculating WRR weights associated with queues based on the network information, and determining whether a highest common factor (HCF) exists in relation to the calculated WRR weights. The method further includes reducing the calculated WRR weights in accordance with the HCF, when it is determined that the HCF exists, and performing a WRR scheduling of packets, stored in the queues, based on the reduced WRR weights. |
| US08848520B2 |
Aperiodic sounding reference signal transmission method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for facilitating an aperiodic transmission of a sounding reference signal (SRS) are disclosed. Transmission resources are allocated to the aperiodic SRS transmission. A portion of a first downlink control message is modified to produce a second downlink control message, where the first downlink control message does not trigger an aperiodic SRS transmission. The second downlink message is transmitted. |
| US08848510B2 |
Efficient control information transmission method and apparatus for supporting multiple antenna transmission technique
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and provides an efficient control information transmission method and apparatus for supporting a multiple antenna transmission technique. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for transmitting downlink hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) information on a uplink multiple codeword transmission comprises the steps of: receiving the uplink multiple codeword transmission; generating HARQ information on each of multiple codewords, on the basis of the result of decoding each of the multiple codewords; modulating the HARQ information; and transmitting the modulated HARQ information through one or more physical HARQ indicator channels (PHICHs). |
| US08848507B2 |
Method and system for discovering isolated network fragments
A computer readable storage medium includes a set of instructions executable by a processor. The instructions are operable to receive a node indication for each of a plurality of undamaged backbone nodes of a communication network; receive a link indication for each of a plurality of backbone links connected between undamaged backbone nodes of the communication network; and assign a fragment identifier to each of a plurality of backbone fragments, each of the backbone fragments comprising one or more of the backbone nodes, wherein the one or more backbone nodes comprising each backbone fragment indicates connectivity between the one or more backbone nodes. |
| US08848502B2 |
Recording/reproducing apparatus having an optical pickup device to read from and record information to disks of different thicknesses
A recording/reproducing apparatus having an optical pickup device which is efficient in light use having little spherical aberration. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes an optical pickup having an objective lens, disposed opposite a disk, having a light passing region divided into central, intermediate and periphery regions corresponding to a near axis area, an intermediate axis area and a far axis area of incident light, where the curvature of the central and peripheral regions is optimized for a thin disk and that of the intermediate region is optimized for a thick disk, a light source irradiating light toward a disk through the objective lens; a photo detector for detecting light reflected from the disk, and a beam splitter, disposed between the objective lens and the light source, for transmitting light from the light source toward the objective lens and for diffracting light reflected from the disks toward the photo detector; and a processing unit to process an information signal to control the incident light generated by the light source, and to process the detected light from the photodetector. Therefore, the optical pickup device can be used for both compact disks (CDs) that are thick using light beam passing the near and intermediate regions of said objective lens, and digital video disks (DVDs) that are thin using light beam passing the near and far axis regions of said objective lens, and detect signals without picking up noise regardless of the thickness of the disk. |
| US08848498B2 |
Optical disk drive and start-up operating method thereof
A start-up method of an optical disk drive, comprising: starting to accelerate a spindle motor after initializing a digital signal processor; starting an laser diode driver of an optical pickup head after the spindle motor starts accelerating; and starting a servo control of the optical pickup head. During the step of starting the laser diode driver, the spindle motor is accelerating. |
| US08848493B2 |
Electronic device, storage medium and method for controlling an alarm function of the electronic device
In a method for controlling an alarm function of an electronic device, an alarm time, an alarm mode, a plurality of control modes of the alarm function and a shaking frequency and an audio file corresponding to each of the control modes are set. If a current time matches the alarm time, the alarm function is started by activating the alarm mode and a monitor unit is enabled to monitor acceleration values of the electronic device. A first shaking frequency in a first predetermined time limit is recorded according to the acceleration values. The control mode corresponding to the first shaking frequency is confirmed, and the audio file corresponding to the confirmed control mode is output. The method further controls the alarm function according to the confirmed control mode. |
| US08848487B2 |
Nonlinear timer
A Nonlinear Timer apparatus characterized by having a display indicator (e.g. hands) with a large plurality of respectively contiguous perceived velocities, said indicator being configured to include predetermined non-zero acceleration for substantially any contiguous intermediate plurality of said respective indicator velocities. The apparatus is for portraying substantially nonlinear temporal frames of reference that are more honestly scaled to the individuals' respective circumstance than to the metronome mechanical tempos of industrial world time-clocks. However, the Nonlinear Timer apparatus is preferably represented according to classical concentrically rotating clock hands; digital or analog. |
| US08848482B2 |
Ultrasound probe and ultrasound diagnostic apparatus
An ultrasound probe connected to an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus configured to transmit an ultrasound beam to a target object is provided. The ultrasound probe includes a switching unit including N/2 channels, each channel configured to switch between a first pole and a second pole, wherein N is a natural number, N/2 first transducer elements connected to the first pole and placed in two-dimensions, wherein a placement is defined in an x-axis direction and a y-axis direction, and N/2 second transducer elements connected to the second pole and placed in two-dimensions, wherein the placement is defined in the x-axis and y-axis directions, wherein a placement of a channel number of the first transducer elements and a placement of a channel number of the second transducer elements differ in the x-axis and y-axis directions. |
| US08848464B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of driving semiconductor device
A semiconductor device which is capable of high-speed writing with less power consumption and suitable for multi-leveled memory, and verifying operation. A memory cell included in the semiconductor device included a transistor formed using an oxide semiconductor and a transistor formed using a material other than an oxide semiconductor. A variation in threshold value of the memory cells is derived before data of a data buffer is written by using a writing circuit. Data in which the variation in threshold value is compensated with respect to the data of the data buffer is written to the memory cell. |
| US08848460B2 |
Semiconductor device having plural data buses and plural buffer circuits connected to data buses
A plurality of buffer circuits and data buses coupled to the buffer circuits are included in a device. Each of the data buses includes first and second portions. The first portions of the data buses are arranged at a first pitch in the second direction, and the second portions of the data buses are arranged at a second pitch in the second direction, the second pitch being smaller than the first pitch. |
| US08848459B2 |
Semiconductor device
To provide a semiconductor device which can perform initialization to a first state of two states of the first state and a second state, and which can generate a signal having a potential corresponding to the initialized first state. The present invention is the semiconductor device which can perform initialization to “0” (a first state) of two states of “0” and “1” (a second state), and which can generate a signal having a potential corresponding to initialized “0”. The semiconductor device 10 includes a plurality of flip-flop circuits 2 that are connected in parallel and which can hold the two states of “0” and “1”; and an AND circuit 3 which generates and outputs a signal having a potential corresponding to “0” when a state held in at least one flip-flop circuit 2 among the flip-flop circuits 2 is “0”. The AND circuit is connected to the flip-flop circuits 2. |
| US08848457B2 |
Semiconductor storage device and driving method thereof
A semiconductor storage device according to the present embodiment includes local word lines and bit lines intersecting the local word lines. Each memory segment includes nonvolatile memory cells. Each memory segment corresponds to a plurality of the local word lines. A sense amplifier corresponds to a plurality of the bit lines. A global word line corresponds to a plurality of the local word lines, and is commonly driven in the memory segments. A decoder is connected between the global word line and the local word lines corresponding to the global word line, and selectively drives a certain local word line from the local word lines. A segment controller is provided in each memory segment, and selects one of the memory segments to be driven. An input/output part outputs read data from the memory segments or receives write data to the memory segments. |
| US08848455B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and method for manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a method is disclosed for manufacturing a nonvolatile memory device. The method can include forming a second stacked body, removing the second stacked body formed in a region where a first memory unit will be formed, forming a first stacked body, and removing the first stacked body formed in a region where a second memory unit will be formed. The method can include simultaneously processing the first stacked body formed in a region where the first memory unit will be formed and the second stacked body formed in a region where the second memory unit will be formed to form a memory cell of the first memory unit from the first stacked body and form a memory cell of the second memory unit from the second stacked body. |
| US08848451B2 |
3D semiconductor memory device
A 3D semiconductor memory device including a plurality of memory cell strings, includes a substrate and a channel that extends from the substrate. Memory cells may be disposed in layers in which the diameter of the channel varies. A programming verification operation may be carried out in a sequence whereby memory cells more likely to fail in programming are verified before attempting to verify memory cells that are less likely to fail programming. In an exemplary embodiment, the verification operation is performed on a memory cell disposed in a layer associated with a larger-diameter channel before performing the verification on a memory cell disposed in a layer associated with a smaller-diameter channel. In an exemplary embodiment, if a verification process detects a programming failure, the verification of subsequent memory cells is cancelled. |
| US08848445B2 |
System and method for minimizing write amplification while maintaining sequential performance using logical group striping in a multi-bank system
A system and method for reducing write amplification while maintaining a desired level of sequential read and write performance is disclosed. A controller in a multi-bank flash storage device may receive host data for writing to the plurality of flash memory banks. The controller may organize the received data in multi-page logical groups greater than a physical page and less than a physical block and interleave writes of the host data to the memory banks with that striping factor. A buffer RAM is associated with each bank of the multi-bank memory where the buffer RAM is sized as equal to or greater than the size of the multi-page logical group. |
| US08848443B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and repair method thereof
A semiconductor memory device includes at least one first semiconductor chip including a plurality of memory cells and a second semiconductor chip including a fuse circuit configured to repair defective cells among the memory cells of the at least one first semiconductor chip. |
| US08848437B2 |
Magnetic random access memory
A magnetic random access memory is configured as a read/write memory and at least a first section of the magnetic random access memory is configured to be converted to a read only memory. |
| US08848436B2 |
Electric element
A temperature dependent electric element includes a phase change portion including at least one conductive phase change material having a predetermined phase transition temperature, a detector portion configured to detect a change in conductivity of the phase change material caused by a temperature change to a detect phase transition of the phase change material based on the detected change in conductivity of the phase change material, a temperature calibration part configured to conduct temperature calibration by adjusting a temperature at which the phase change material exhibits the phase transition detected by the detector portion based on the change in the conductivity of the phase change material to the predetermined phase transition temperature of the phase change material, and a substrate on which the phase change portion, the detector portion, and the temperature calibration part are integrally arranged. |
| US08848431B2 |
Magnetic field sensing using magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) cells
A magnetic field sensing system includes one or more magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) cells, and may be configured to determine one or more of a presence, a magnitude, and a polarity of an external magnetic field incident upon an MRAM cell. In some examples, a control module of the system controls a write current source, or another device, to provide a write current through a write line associated with the MRAM cell to induce a magnetic field proximate to the MRAM cell. The magnetic field may be less than a magnetic switching threshold of the MRAM cell. After initiating the provision of the write current through the write line, the control module may determine a magnetic state of the MRAM cell, and determine a presence of an external magnetic field incident upon the MRAM cell based at least in part on the magnetic state of the MRAM cell. |
| US08848428B2 |
Memory architectures having dense layouts
One embodiment relates to a memory device including a plurality of memory units tiled together to form a memory array. A memory unit includes a plurality of memory cells, which include respective capacitors and respective transistors, disposed on a semiconductor substrate. The capacitors include respective lower plates disposed in a conductive region in the semiconductor substrate. A wordline extends over the conductive region, and a contact couples the wordline to the conductive region so as to couple the wordline to the lower plates of the respective capacitors. The respective transistors are arranged so successive gates of the transistors are arranged on alternating sides of the wordline. |
| US08848426B2 |
Cross-point variable resistance nonvolatile memory device and reading method for cross-point variable resistance nonvolatile memory device
A cross-point variable resistance nonvolatile memory device comprises: a memory cell array; a column decoder and pre-charge circuit which pre-charges a selected word line to a first voltage in a period P1 among the period P1, a period P2, and a period S that are included in this order in a read operation of a memory cell; a low decoder driver which pre-charges a selected word line to the first voltage in the periods P1 and P2 and sets the selected word line to a third voltage different from the first voltage in the period S; a feedback controlled bit line voltage clamp circuit which sets the selected bit line to a second voltage in the periods P2 and S; and a sense amplifier which determines the resistance state in a memory cell at a cross-point of the selected word line and the selected bit line in the period S. |
| US08848423B2 |
Circuit and system of using FinFET for building programmable resistive devices
Junction diodes or MOS devices fabricated in standard FinFET technologies can be used as program selectors or One-Time Programmable (OTP) element in a programmable resistive device, such as interconnect fuse, contact/via fuse, anti-fuse, or emerging nonvolatile memory such as MRAM, PCRAM, CBRAM, or RRAM. The MOS or diode can be built on at least one fin structure or at least one active region that has at least one first active region and a second active region. The first and the second active regions can be isolated by a dummy MOS gate or silicide block layer (SBL) to construct a diode. |
| US08848420B2 |
Variable resistance memory device and data storage device including the same
A variable resistance memory device includes memory cells arranged at a region where word lines and bit lines cross each other, control logic configured to generate a command flag indicative of a program operation mode in response to a program command provided from an external device and configured to control the program operation of the memory cells based on the command flag and a write driver configured to be activated in response to the flag command and configured to supply a program current to the memory cells. |
| US08848418B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment comprises a memory cell array configured from a plurality of row lines and column lines that intersect one another, and from a plurality of memory cells disposed at each of intersections of the row lines and column lines and each including a variable resistance element. Where a number of the row lines is assumed to be N, a number of the column lines is assumed to be M, and a ratio of a cell current flowing in the one of the memory cells when a voltage that is half of the select voltage is applied to the one of the memory cells to a cell current flowing in the one of the memory cells when the select voltage is applied to the one of the memory cells is assumed to be k, a relationship M2<2×N×k is satisfied. |
| US08848413B2 |
Low power register file
Described is an apparatus which comprises: a memory cell with a data port; and a logic gate, coupled to the data port of the memory cell, to generate a data word-line signal according to data on the data port and an asynchronous word-line signal, wherein the logic gate is operable to gate data on the data port during low power mode. |
| US08848409B2 |
Multilevel converter and a control method for operating a multilevel converter
A converter includes an active stage for converting an AC input voltage at an AC input into an intermediate DC voltage, and a DC/DC converter for transforming the intermediate DC voltage into an output DC voltage at a DC output. The DC/DC converter has a resonant transformer formed by a resonant circuit and a transformer. The converter also includes control unit configured to actively operate the active stage only based on an output DC voltage of the DC/DC converter, an input voltage, and an input current of the converter, and to operate the DC/DC converter in an open loop mode. A method for operating such a converter is also provided. |
| US08848400B2 |
System and method for reactive power regulation
A system and method are provided for performing reactive power control. The system includes a power converter and a controller coupled to the power converter. The power converter is configured to convert a first form of electric power generated from the power source to a second form of electric power suitable to be distributed by the electrical grid. The controller is configured to monitor the electric power transmitted between the power converter and the electrical grid. The controller is further configured to decouple a positive sequence component and a negative sequence component from the monitored electric power. The controller is further configured to perform a positive reactive power control and a negative reactive power control with respect to the decoupled positive and negative sequence components. The controller is further configured to transmit a control signal to the power converter based on the positive and negative reactive power control. |
| US08848396B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a metal shield, a housing, a circuit board, an engaging element, and a fixing element. The circuit board is located between the metal shield and the housing. The engaging element is disposed on the circuit board. The circuit board is fixed on the housing and connected to the metal shield via the engaging element. |
| US08848394B2 |
Radio frequency circuit with impedance matching
A radio frequency (RF) circuit is configured for impedance matching, such as for mitigating noise. In connection with an example embodiment, an RF circuit includes a transceiver in a substrate, and a conductive ring-type of material in the substrate and around at least a portion of the transceiver circuit. An upper conductive ring material is over the substrate and separated from the conductive ring-type material by an insulating layer. The upper conductive ring material is configured to generate an inductance that matches input impedance characteristics of the transceiver circuit. In some implementations, the upper conductive ring material connects a gate input pin of the circuit with the gate of an input transistor of an amplifier in the transceiver, and exhibits an impedance that matches the impedance of the input transistor. |
| US08848393B2 |
Electronic apparatus, positioning element and electronic device fixing module
An electronic apparatus includes a housing, an electronic device and an electronic device fixing module. The electronic device includes at least one protrusion. The electronic device fixing module includes at least one fixing structure and at least one positioning element. The fixing structure is integrally connected with the housing. The positioning element is fixed to the fixing structure and contacts the electronic device to prevent movement of the electronic device relative to the housing along a first axis. The positioning element includes a concave portion in which the protrusion is positioned to prevent movements of the electronic device relative to the housing along a second axis and a third axis. The second axis is perpendicular to the first axis. The third axis is perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis. The material of the positioning element is a resilient material. The positioning element is an integrally formed structure. |
| US08848392B2 |
Co-support module and microelectronic assembly
A module is configured for connection with a microelectronic assembly having terminals and a microelectronic element. The module includes a circuit panel bearing conductors configured to carry command and address information, co-support contacts coupled to the conductors, and module contacts coupled to the conductors. The co-support contacts include first contacts having address and command information assignments arranged in a first predetermined arrangement for connection with a first type of microelectronic assembly in which the microelectronic element is configured to sample command and address information coupled thereto through the first contacts at a first sampling rate, and in a second predetermined arrangement for connection with a second type of the microelectronic assembly in which the microelectronic element is configured to sample the command and address information coupled thereto through a subset of the first contacts at a second sampling rate greater than the first sampling rate. |
| US08848390B2 |
Capacitive proximity communication using tuned-inductor
A multi-chip module includes a chip stack package including at least one pair of stacked dies, the dies having overlapping opposing faces, and at least one capacitive proximity communication (CPC) interconnect between the pair of stacked dies. The CPC interconnect includes a first capacitor plate at a first one of the overlapping opposing faces and a second capacitor plate at a second one of the overlapping opposing faces spaced from and aligned with the first capacitor plate. The CPC interconnect further includes an inductive element connected in series with the first capacitor plate and second capacitor plate, wherein the capacitor plates form part of a capacitor and the capacitor cooperates with the inductor element to form a LC circuit having a resonant frequency. |
| US08848387B2 |
Shield case, connector and electronic equipment
The present invention provides a shield case having electrical conductivity and being mountable on a circuit board. The shield case includes a first surface adapted to be placed on the circuit board and a second surface provided continuously with the first surface and extending at an angle or at a right angle with respect to the first surface. A first recess of generally U-shape is provided in a boundary area of the first surface with the second surface and including first and second end portions. A pair of second recesses is provided in a boundary area of the second surface with the first surface and communicating with the first and second end portions of the first recess. The shield case also includes a pad, being defined by the first and second recesses and connectable by soldering to an electrode of the circuit board. |
| US08848386B2 |
Electronic circuit
In order to keep impedance characteristics to desired values across the entire operating frequency band, an electronic circuit of the present invention includes an integrated circuit, a decoupling capacitor, and a multilayer circuit board on which the integrated circuit and the decoupling capacitor are mounted. In the electronic circuit, a planar land is formed on one or both of a power layer and a ground layer of the multilayer circuit board, the land having densely disposed therein a plurality of via holes that connect a terminal of the integrated circuit and a corresponding terminal of the decoupling capacitor, and the land formed on the power layer or the ground layer is discontinuously disposed at a predetermined interval with a gap having a predetermined width provided therebetween. |
| US08848382B2 |
Chassis and data access module having the same
The instant disclosure relates to a data access module, which includes a plurality of data access devices, a circuit board defining a plurality of holes, a base frame, a plurality of partition panels, a cover frame, and a plurality of locking pieces. The base frame includes a bottom plate and a pair of sidewalls. A plurality of fixing pieces and ridges are formed on the bottom plate. The partition panels are directed along the retrieving direction of the data access devices and fixed on the bottom plate. Each partition panel has a hooking portion for engaging the corresponding hole of the circuit board. The cover frame includes a top plate and a pair of side plates. The locking pieces are rotatably disposed on the cover frame. Each locking piece has a pressing portion selectively pressing against the circuit board. A chassis is also discussed. |
| US08848381B2 |
Power semiconductor module and power semiconductor module system
A power semiconductor module includes an electrically conductive connecting element, an accommodating region, and a clamping element which can be brought from a first position into a second position. If the clamping element is situated in the first position, a connecting region of a module-external connecting conductor can be inserted into the accommodating region and be clamped to the power semiconductor module with the formation of an electrically conductive connection between the connection region and the connecting element. For this purpose, the clamping element is brought from the first position into the second position. |
| US08848376B2 |
Lock structure and control mechanism and method thereof
A rack-mounted console module includes a lower unit slideably mounted on a rail and an upper unit pivotally coupled to the lower unit. A locking mechanism includes a first part moveably disposed in the lower unit and a second part fixedly disposed on the rail. When the upper unit is closed and the lower unit slides along the rail to a target position, the first part of the locking mechanism changes from a released state to a locked state where it engages the second part of the locking mechanism to lock the lower unit. When the upper unit is opened, the first part changes from the locked state to a ready-to-released state. When the upper unit is subsequently closed, the first part changes from the ready-to-released state to a released state where it disengages from the second part, and the console module can be slid back into the rack. |
| US08848374B2 |
Method and structure for dissipating heat away from a resistor having neighboring devices and interconnects
A semiconductor structure for dissipating heat away from a resistor having neighboring devices and interconnects. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a resistor disposed above the semiconductor substrate, and a thermal protection structure disposed above the resistor. The thermal protection structure has a plurality of heat dissipating elements, the heat dissipating elements having one end disposed in thermal conductive contact with the thermal protection structure and the other end in thermal conductive contact with the semiconductor substrate. The thermal protection structure receives the heat generated from the resistor and the heat dissipating elements dissipates the heat to the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08848372B2 |
Nanotube-based fluid interface material and approach
A thermal interface material facilitates heat transfer between an integrated circuit device and a thermally conductive device. According to an example embodiment, a thermal interface material includes carbon nanotube material that enhances the thermal conductivity thereof The interface material flows between an integrated circuit device and a thermally conductive device. The carbon nanotube material conducts heat from the integrated circuit device to the thermally conductive device. |
| US08848370B2 |
Inverter for vehicle
An inverter for a vehicle is disclosed. The inverter for the vehicle illustratively includes: a power module provided with a power semiconductor device; a cooling module coupled to the power module and flowing a coolant therethrough; and a capacitor module mounted at the cooling module through a mounting unit and adapted to absorb a ripple current of the power module. |
| US08848368B2 |
Computer with at least one faraday cage and internal flexibility sipes
A computer comprising at least one outer chamber, compartment, or bladder, at least one inner chamber, compartment, or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment, or bladder, at least one internal sipe separating at least a part of said outer chamber, compartment, or bladder and at least a part of said inner chamber, compartment, or bladder, at least one Faraday cage; and the computer being configured to connect to at least one network of computers and comprising at least a first internal hardware firewall configured to deny access to at least a first protected portion of said computer from said network. At least a portion of an outer surface of said outer chamber, compartment, or bladder is proximate to an outer surface of said computer. |
| US08848366B2 |
Holding device and electronic device including the same
A holding device includes a plurality of holding sections each including a recess or an opening through which a hand of a user can be inserted; and a connection section connecting the plurality of holding sections to each other. When the holding device is fixed to two surfaces of an electronic device which are adjacent to each other, a handle that can be held by the user with a hand and a grip belt that can be supported by the user with the hand can be connected to each other via the connection section. Thus, the number of parts can be reduced and management of parts is easy. |
| US08848364B2 |
Daughterboard having airflow path
A daughterboard can include an airflow path or opening. |
| US08848361B2 |
Adjustable docking apparatus
The present solution provides an adjustable docking apparatus configurable to accommodate a variety of mobile electronic devices. The adjustable docking apparatus is removably coupled to a base electronic device. The apparatus further includes an electrical connector movably and removably connected to the adjustable docking apparatus and electrically coupleable to the base electronic device. |
| US08848349B2 |
Housing, a fastening member thereof and a display device incorporating the housing
A housing includes a rear housing segment including a protruding post, a back plate disposed in front of the rear housing segment and including a protrusion, and a fastening member disposed between the rear housing segment and the back plate, and including a positioning cap, a positioning post, and an engaging hook. The positioning cap covers removably the protrusion. The positioning post protrudes from the positioning cap opposite to the protrusion and engages the protruding post. The engaging hook includes a clamping plate that cooperates with the positioning cap to clamp the board member there between, and an engaging block that removably engages an engaging hole in the board member. |
| US08848346B2 |
Power distribution panel with modular circuit protection elements
A power panel and modules for use in a power panel are disclosed. One disclosed chassis includes a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, and left and right sides, and an input power bus having a plurality of connection apertures therethrough. A plurality of circuit modules are mounted within the chassis. Each circuit module includes a circuit protection element including first and second bullet-nosed connectors, and a body element having first and second holes positioned to receive the first and second bullet-nosed connectors. The body element includes a bullet-nosed input connector sized to be received by one of the plurality of connection apertures. Each circuit element also includes an output terminal extending rearwardly from the body element. |
| US08848345B2 |
Switchgear assembly module and switchgear assembly
A switchgear assembly module has a housing, which forms a common gas space for accommodating an insulating gas for the switchgear assembly module. The switchgear assembly module includes a busbar conductor arrangement having three busbar conductor sections, which are accommodated in the common gas space, an outgoing conductor connection group with three outgoing conductor openings and with three outgoing conductor sections, which extend from within the housing towards a respective one of the outgoing conductor openings, and three switch disconnectors, which each connect a respective one of the busbar conductor sections to a respective one of the outgoing conductor sections via a disconnection point. The disconnection point of a first one of the switch disconnectors is arranged on a first side of an outgoing normal plane and the disconnection point of a second one of the switch disconnectors is arranged on a second side of the outgoing normal plane. |
| US08848342B2 |
Multi-layered conductive polymer coatings for use in high voltage solid electrolytic capacitors
A solid electrolytic capacitor capable of exhibiting stable electrical properties is provided. The capacitor contains an oxidized anode and a conductive polymer coating overlying the anode. The conductive polymer coating contains multiple layers formed from a dispersion of pre-polymerized conductive polymer particles. The present inventors have surprisingly discovered that capacitors formed from such conductive polymer dispersions can operate at high voltages and achieve good electrical performance at relatively high humidity and/or temperature levels and that the problem of layer delamination may be overcome by carefully controlling the conductive polymer coating configuration and the manner in which it is formed. Namely, the coating contains a first layer hat only partially covers the anode so that the gaseous bubbles generated within the first layer can escape via the uncoated portion without tearing away portions of the polymer layer, minimizing formation of surface inhomogeneities that could lead to delamination. |
| US08848339B2 |
Capacitor and manufacturing method thereof
A capacitor and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. Two electrodes are disposed opposite to each other. Two electrode protection layers are respectively disposed on inner sides of the electrodes and include carbon particles each covered and bonded with a polymer shell. Active carbon layers are disposed on opposite inner sides of the electrode protection layers. The separator is disposed between the active carbon layers. The electrolyte fills between the electrode protection layers. The polymer shells of each electrode protection layer are bonded to the surface of the corresponding electrode by first and second functional groups. The first functional groups include thiol groups. The second functional groups include epoxy groups or carboxylic groups. The electrode protection layers serve as adhesion layers between the active carbon layers and the electrodes, and protect the electrodes from being corroded by the acid electrolyte solution. |
| US08848335B2 |
Electrostatic chuck
An electrostatic chuck includes: a ceramic substrate; a ceramic dielectric body provided on a top side of the ceramic substrate and having a first major surface where a processing target substrate is to be mounted; and an electrode provided between the ceramic substrate and the ceramic dielectric body. A material of the ceramic dielectric body is a ceramic sintered body. A plurality of protrusions and a groove for supplying a gas are provided on the first major surface of the ceramic dielectric body. A through hole is provided in a bottom face of the groove, the through hole penetrating to a second major surface of the ceramic substrate on a side opposite to the first major surface. A distance between the electrode and the groove is greater than or equal to a distance between the electrode and the first major surface. |
| US08848334B2 |
Electrostatic chuck
An electrostatic chuck for manufacturing a flat panel display is disclosed. In one embodiment, the electrostatic chuck includes i) a base substrate, ii) an insulating layer formed on the base substrate and iii) a conductive layer formed on the insulating layer and electrically connected to a power device. The electrostatic chuck further includes a dielectric layer formed on the conductive layer and including an emboss part and a trench part surrounding the emboss part. The emboss part comprises a plurality of contact parts and at least one protrusion. The trench part includes at least one channel. The contact parts and the protrusion have different shapes. The electrostatic chuck further includes a cooling gas line extending through the base substrate, the insulating layer, the conductive layer, and the dielectric layer. |
| US08848333B2 |
Electronic trip unit for an electrical switch
An electronic trip unit for an electrical switch is disclosed which has at least one electrical connection, and which can be mounted in an electrical switch and in the mounted state interoperates with the latter for the purpose of tripping the switch and where, with the electrical switch in its built-in position, the mounted trip unit has at least one front surface facing towards the front, at least one rear surface facing towards the rear and side surfaces, and whereby with the trip unit in its mounted state at least one of the side surfaces is freely accessible, and where the electrical connection is located on one of the freely accessible side surfaces of the trip unit. |
| US08848329B2 |
Position detecting device
A high-side output transistor and a low-side output transistor of an output circuit control voltages of conductors, which connect a power supply terminal and ground, and outputs a voltage signal to an output terminal through an output conductor. A voltage output circuit detects a voltage applied to the high-side output transistor based on a potential difference of a first resistor provided closer to the output terminal side. A comparator circuit outputs a signal to turn off a first switch and a second switch provided in the conductors, when the output voltage of the voltage output circuit exceeds a reference voltage Vr. |
| US08848326B2 |
Cross-domain ESD protection scheme
A cross-domain ESD protection scheme is disclosed. Embodiments include coupling a first power clamp to a first power rail and a first ground rail; providing a first NMOS transistor having a first source, a first drain, and a first gate; coupling the first source to a second ground rail; providing a first PMOS transistor having a second source, a second drain, and a second gate; coupling the second source to the first power rail; and providing, via the first power clamp, a signal to turn on the first NMOS transistor during an ESD event that occurs at the first power rail. |
| US08848320B1 |
Anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensors and techniques for fabricating same
Novel anisotropic magneto-resistive (AMR) sensor architectures and techniques for fabricating same are described. In some embodiments, AMR sensors having barber pole structures disposed below corresponding AMR sensing elements are provided. AMR sensors having segmented AMR sensing elements are also described. Fabrication techniques that can be used to fabricate such sensors are also described. Fabrication techniques are also described that can reduce the risk of contamination during AMR sensor fabrication. |
| US08848314B2 |
Write head designed for adjusting relative write phase between subtracks of a patterned media hypertrack
A magnetic recording system configured for recording to a bit patterned media using both hypertrack recording and shingled recording. The magnetic recording system includes a write pole with a notched trailing edge that results in a write bubble with a trailing edge that has two outer convex lobes separated by a centrally disposed concave region. By locating one of the lobes over first and second data tracks of a hypertrack, a proper alignment of the relative phase of the two tracks can be maintained. Further adjustment to the alignment can be achieved by adjusting the radial location of the write head. |
| US08848312B2 |
Disk drive device with hub with thinness and suppressed torque decrease
The disk drive device includes a base member, a hub, a bearing unit which is arranged on the base member and which rotatably supports the hub, and a spindle drive unit which drives the hub to rotate. The spindle drive unit includes a stator core having a salient pole, a coil wound around the salient pole and a magnet opposed to the salient pole. The base member includes a wire hole through which a drawing line of a wire for forming the coil passes, and a concavity formed at a bottom surface of the base member at least partly arranged radially outside the outer diameter portion of the magnet. The drawing line passes through the wire hole and is arranged along the bottom surface of the base member and connected to a wiring member at the concavity beyond the outer diameter portion of the magnet. |
| US08848311B2 |
Low temperature catalyst for disk drives article and method
An article and method for degrading volatile organic compounds in an electronic enclosure is disclosed. The method comprises providing a substrate, such as a scrim material, and applying a catalyst to the substrate. The catalyst typically includes a base metal. The substrate and catalyst material are placed into a disk drive (or other electronic) enclosure where they help in degradation of organic compounds, in particular volatile organic compounds. In certain implementations the base metal is selected from the group of manganese, vanadium, nickel, copper, cobalt, chromium, iron, or combinations thereof. |
| US08848310B2 |
Offset correction values on a data storage media
A memory system includes a storage medium having tracks arranged on the storage medium. The tracks include data track portions configured to store data. The tracks have a data track width and offset correction portions having a width that is greater than the data track width of the associated data track. Each offset correction portion stores one or both of positional offset correction values and timing offset correction values. The positional offset correction values are configured to correct for errors that occur in cross track positioning relative to the medium and the timing offset correction values are configured to correct for errors that occur in down track timing relative to the medium. |
| US08848304B2 |
Methods and apparatus for improved detection of servo sector data using single bit error correction
Methods and apparatus are provided for improved detection of servo sector data in a magnetic recording system using single bit error correction. Servo sector data is processed by detecting the servo sector data; determining whether a single bit error occurred in the detected servo sector data; and flipping a bit value of an individual bit in the detected servo sector data having a lowest amplitude sample among the samples of the detected servo sector data when a single bit error is detected in the detected servo sector data. The servo sector data comprises, for example, a servo address mark, Gray data, an RRO address mark and/or RRO data. For example, the bit value can be flipped by changing a binary value of one to a binary value of zero and changing a binary value of zero to a binary value of one. |
| US08848300B2 |
Vehicle lamp
A vehicle lamp includes a lens formed from a resin material and a lens holding member for holding the lens formed from the resin material. The lens and the lens holding member are adapted to be joined together through laser welding. A joining annular portion is provided on the lens holding member to which an outer circumferential portion of the lens is joined. A plurality of welding portions and a plurality of stopper portions are provided on the joining annular portion. The plurality of welding portions project towards the lens and are positioned apart from each other in a circumferential direction. The plurality of stopper portions project towards the lens, are positioned apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and contact the outer circumferential portion of the lens when the lens is joined to the joining annular portion. |
| US08848297B2 |
Lens, optoelectronic component comprising a lens and method for producing a lens
A lens includes a main body and a potting material. The main body includes a first major face, a second major face and at least one cavity arranged on the first major face. The potting material is arranged in the cavity and includes at least one diffuser which scatters radiation of at least one wavelength range. |
| US08848295B2 |
Gradient index lenses and methods with zero spherical aberration
Gradient index lenses with no aberrations and related methods for making such lenses are described. In one aspect, a gradient index lens can be a substantially spherically-shaped lens that has at least one side that is flattened such that a locus of focal points resides on a plane. A method for making a gradient index lens can include forming material layers, each of the material layers defining an effective refractive index, and laminating the material layers together to form a substantially spherically-shaped lens having at least one side that is flattened to a substantially planar surface. The material layers can have a gradient refractive index distribution such that a locus of focal points resides on the substantially planar surface. |
| US08848292B2 |
Optical filter and method for manufacturing optical filter
An optical filter comprising a first substrate, a second substrate having a support portion which supports the first substrate, a first optical film provided on the first substrate, a second optical film provided on the second substrate and arranged to face the first optical film, a first protective film covering at least the first optical film, a second protective film covering at least the second optical film, a first bonding film, a portion of the first bonding film overlapping a surface of the first protective film in a plan view but does not overlapping the first optical film and a second bonding film, a portion of the second bonding film overlapping a surface of the second protective film in the plan view but does not overlapping the second optical film. |
| US08848287B2 |
Adjustment device for optical systems
An adjustment tower for telescopic sights includes a first adjustment device and a second adjustment device, which are capable of rotating independently of one another relative to a base. The first adjustment device can be rotated in an adjustment position and has a secured position in which it is secured against rotation. The first adjustment device is also axially movable relative to the base to a limited extent such that in the adjustment position, the adjustment device projects further out of the second adjustment device than in the secured position. The tower further includes a stored-energy device that exerts an axial force on the first adjustment device from the secured position in the direction of the adjustment position. |
| US08848282B2 |
System and method for voice control of medical devices
A light-based medical diagnostic system includes a plurality of semiconductor diodes with pump beams and a multiplexer capable of combining the pump beams and generating at least a multiplexed pump beam comprising one or more wavelengths. A first waveguide structure is configured to receive at least a portion of the one or more wavelengths and outputs a first optical beam. A second waveguide structure is configured to receive at least a portion of the first optical beam and to communicate at least the portion of the first optical beam to an output end of the second waveguide structure to form an output beam. A lens system is configured to receive at least a portion of the output beam and to communicate at least the portion of the output beam onto a part of a patient's body, such as a patient's blood. |
| US08848279B2 |
Electrophoretic display device
An electrophoretic display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a barrier electrode disposed between the first and second substrates to define a pixel. An electrophoretic material is placed in the pixel. The pixel includes a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode disposed on and insulated from the first pixel electrode. The electrophoretic material moves according to an electric field generated between the barrier electrode and the first pixel electrode and between the barrier electrode and the second pixel electrode, so that a plurality of gray scales is displayed through the pixel. |
| US08848272B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator, variable capacitor, and optical deflection device
A piezoelectric actuator according to an aspect of the invention can include: a first actuator including a first piezoelectric driving part; and a second actuator including a second piezoelectric driving part. A central portion of the first actuator can be supported. The first actuator can be bent and deformed by applying a first driving voltage to the first piezoelectric driving part, so that both end portions of the first actuator can be displaced in a thickness direction of the first actuator. Both end portions of the second actuator can be coupled to the both end portions of the first actuator. The second actuator can be bent and deformed in the opposite direction to the first actuator by applying a second driving voltage to the second piezoelectric driving part, so that a central portion of the second actuator can be displaced in a thickness direction of the second actuator. |
| US08848271B2 |
Apparatus and method for high-speed phase shifting for interferometric measurement systems
Described are a method and apparatus for high-speed phase shifting of an optical beam. A transparent plate having regions of different optical thickness is illuminated by an optical beam along a path of incidence that extends through the regions. The transparent plate can be moved or the optical beam can be steered to generate the path of incidence. The optical beam exiting the transparent plate has an instantaneous phase value according to the region in which the optical beam is incident. Advantageously, the phase values are repeatable and stable regardless of the location of incidence of the optical beam within the respective regions, and phase changes at high modulation rates are possible. The method and apparatus can be used to modulate a phase difference of a pair of coherent optical beams such as in an interferometric fringe projection system. |
| US08848267B2 |
Illuminating device using coherent light source
A laser beam (L50) is reflected by a light beam scanning device (60), and irradiated onto a hologram recording medium (45) where an image (35) of a scatter plate is recorded as a hologram by using reference light that converges on a scanning origin (B). The light beam scanning device (60) bends the laser beam (L50) at the scanning origin (B). Scanning is effected by changing the bending mode of the laser beam so that the irradiation position of the bent laser beam (L60) on the hologram recording medium (45) changes with time. Regardless of the beam irradiation position, diffracted light (L45) from the hologram recording medium (45) reproduces the same reproduction image (35) of the scatter plate at the same position. An illumination spot with reduced speckles is formed on the surface (R) of an illuminating object (70) by the reproduction image (35) of the hologram. |
| US08848266B2 |
Security element and method for producing a security element
A method for producing a security element (55) and a security element (55) in the form of a multilayered film body having a top side facing the observer. The security element (55) has a volume hologram layer, in which a volume hologram is recorded, which provides a first optically variable information item. The security element (55) has a replication layer, in the surface of which a relief structure providing a second optically variable information item is molded and which is arranged above the volume hologram layer. A partial metallic layer is arranged between the volume hologram layer and the replication layer, wherein the metallic layer is provided in one or a plurality of first zones of the security element and the metallic layer is not provided in one or a plurality of second zones of the security element. |
| US08848260B2 |
Transfer of image data using power saving state
An image processing apparatus includes a data output control unit to output image data on a line-by-line basis in response to a line synchronizing signal, and a data output interface circuit to transfer via a bus the image data that is output from the data output control unit on a line-by-line basis in response to the line synchronizing signal, wherein the data output interface circuit makes a transition, together with the bus, from a normal state to a power saving state when a predetermined check period next following completion of transfer, by the data output interface circuit, of image data for one line output from the data output control unit passes before transfer of image data for a next one line, and returns, together with the bus, from the power saving state to the normal state for transfer of image data for the next one line. |
| US08848259B2 |
Media processing device and method of controlling a media processing device
A media processing device improves the recognition rate of magnetic ink character data from magnetic ink characters printed on a medium. The media processing device 1 has a magnetic reading unit 41 that acquires the magnetic data of magnetic ink characters S2 from a check S1; and a front image scanner unit 25 that exposes the check S1 to a front image scanning light and acquires front image data. When at least a magnetic data read command to read magnetic ink characters S2 is received from a computer 80, the front image scanner unit 25 is set to a front image scanning mode 11 that acquires front image data using infrared light as the front image data. The check processing device 1 acquires the magnetic data and front image data, and sends the acquired data to the computer 80. The computer 80 recognizes the magnetic ink characters S2. |
| US08848254B2 |
Halftone screen producing apparatus, print controlling apparatus, image forming apparatus, method of producing halftone screen, method of controlling printing, method of forming image, and computer-readable recording medium
A halftone screen producing apparatus is provided. The halftone screen producing apparatus includes: an input unit to receive screen information, a dot center arrangement unit to arrange dot centers within a screen based on the screen information, a Voronoi calculation unit to calculate a Voronoi value for each dot within the screen in which the dot centers are arranged, a filter calculation unit to calculate a filter value for each dot within the screen in which the dot centers are arranged, and a dot value setting unit to set a dot value within the screen based on the calculated Voronoi value and the calculated filter value. |
| US08848252B2 |
Control device capable of generating binary image data expressing suitable gradation levels
A control device includes a first dither matrix having threshold values assigned to a plurality of cells. The control device converts image data into binary data by using the first dither matrix. The control device converts an input value into ON-pixel or OFF-pixel based on the threshold value. The threshold values in the first dither matrix are arranged such that the ON-pixels grow from a first group of ON-pixels to a second group of ON-pixels as the input value increases. The first group corresponds to cells arranged in M rows and N columns. The second group corresponds to cells arranged in (M+1) rows and (N+1) columns. The second group consists of the first group and a third group corresponding to (M+N+1) number of cells. At least two of the (M+N+1) number of cells are adjacent to each other and have same threshold values. |
| US08848250B2 |
Compression of halftoned digital images
Based on an m×n halftone matrix and an m×n pixel block of an image, an m×n halftone version of the m×n pixel block may be determined. An n-way interleave may be performed on rows of the m×n halftone version to create an mn×1 halftone segment. The mn×1 halftone segment may be compared to one or more halftone segments in a buffer. Based on the comparison, a literal code word and a representation of the mn×1 halftone segment may be output, and the representation of the mn×1 halftone segment may be written to the buffer. Alternatively, a repeat code word and a repeat value may be output, and at least one representation of the mn×1 halftone segment may be written to the buffer. |
| US08848245B2 |
Printing apparatus, method of generating color conversion table, and computer program
There is provided a print data generating device which generates print data for printing using plural kinds of color material. The device includes a processor, and a memory storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes the device to perform acquiring pixel data including grayscale values of plural color components corresponding to the plural kinds of color material, acquiring plural limitation values which are determined for the plural color components in the pixel data, respectively, and according to fixing characteristics of color material of the respective color components, to a print medium, determining a total allowable amount in printing a color represented by the pixel data based on the limitation values, correcting the pixel data such that a total amount of color material for the pixel data does not exceed the total allowable amount if needed, and generating the print data based on the corrected pixel data. |
| US08848238B2 |
Optical writing control device, image forming apparatus, and optical writing control method for controlling the light emitting timing of a light source
An optical writing control device includes: a light emission control unit which controls light emission of multiple light sources for respective different colors and exposes multiple image carriers; and a correction amount calculating unit which calculates a correction amount for each of the different colors on the basis of a difference between a central value of a distribution range of positional deviation amounts in a sub-scanning direction for the respective different colors and the positional deviation amount for a corresponding color. The light emission control unit delays light emitting timing of a light source, which is to be delayed, by delaying reading timing of pixel information stored in a storage medium, and delays timing at which the pixel information about colors other than a color, light emitting timing of a light source for which is to be advanced, starts to be obtained from an image forming apparatus main body. |
| US08848232B2 |
Method and system of performing prepress operations using a shell document
A method of performing prepress operations with respect to a print job may include receiving, by a prepress workflow system, a document to be processed by a workflow, and automatically generating a shell document corresponding to the received document. The shell document may include a plurality of shell pages, and each one of the plurality of shell pages may include an external reference that corresponds to one of the plurality of received pages. The method may include performing, by a processor, one or more first prepress operations on one or more of the shell pages to produce a modified shell document, performing, by the processor, one or more second prepress operations on one or more of the received pages to produce a modified received document and merging the modified received document and the modified shell document to form a merged document. |
| US08848222B2 |
Mechanism for previewing secure print jobs
A computer generated method disclosed. The method includes receiving a print job data stream, determining if the print job data stream comprises a secure print job, and inserting a control operator to designate a secure print job data stream if the print job data stream comprises a secure print job. |
| US08848220B2 |
Devices and methods for using an electronic device as a print job ticket
Devices and methods for using an electronic device for a print job ticket. Such an electronic device may include a network interface, a display, and an input device. The network interface may receive an assignment of the electronic device to a print job from a print service provider controller, receive workflow instructions associated with the print job from the print service provider controller, and send job status information associated with the print job to the print service provider controller. The display may display a representation of the workflow instructions and a user-selectable representation of the job status information. The input device may register a user selection of the representation of the job status information. |
| US08848215B2 |
Method and system for printing documents from a portable device
One embodiment provides a system for facilitating document printing from a portable device. During operation, the system receives a document at a server. Next, the system generates a document optical code corresponding to the document. Subsequently, the system communicates the document optical code to the portable device, thereby allowing the portable device to display the document optical code to a scanning mechanism associated with a printer, Next, the system receives a request, indicating the optical code, from the printer. Subsequently, the system retrieves the document in response to the request, and sends the document to the printer. |
| US08848212B2 |
Printing system, printing apparatus, and job processing method
A printing system has the first operation mode in which printing starts during processing of a target job, and the second operation mode in which printing starts upon completion of processing of the job. It is determined on the basis of the processing status of the job in the printing system whether to switch the operation mode to the first or second operation mode. The operation mode is controlled to switch between the first and second operation modes in accordance with the determination result. |
| US08848208B2 |
Printing apparatus with a reading unit, a drying unit and a presser
A sheet on which a pattern is formed in a plurality of rows is conveyed toward downstream at least until an area having the formed pattern reaches an area to be dried by a drying unit. Subsequently, with respect to the pattern, reading by the reading unit for each row included in the plurality of rows and step-feeding of the sheet toward upstream are repeated. A sheet area to be conveyed to a reading area by step-feeding is forcibly dried by the drying unit before reading the sheet area. |
| US08848206B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming system
An image forming apparatus includes a communication part that performs communication with an external device; an image processing part that processes image data that is received by the communication part and that is for forming an image; an image forming part that forms an image of the image data processed in the image processing part; and a power supply controller that controls power supplied to the communication part, the image processing part, or the image forming part. The communication part includes a memory part that stores status information of the image forming apparatus, and a server part that performs communication with the external device, and the power supply controller supplies power to only the communication part in a power saving mode during a standby period, and the server part responds to a status information reference request and a status information update request from the external device. |
| US08848205B2 |
Information processing apparatus capable of setting insert, image forming apparatus, method of controlling the information processing apparatus, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus capable of realizing setting of an insert including an interleaf sheet and a chapter sheet, on an image forming apparatus, by an intuitive operation similar to an actual insertion operation. An operation terminal includes a touch screen display and a network communication section which communicates with an MFP, and is capable of performing an operation on the MFP concerning document printing, and setting an insert to a printed matter to be printed by the MFP. When a user's drag operation causes insertion of an insert image displayed on the touch screen display between adjacent preview images of pages of the printed matter displayed on the same, the insert image is set as an interleaf sheet, and when the operation causes superimposing of the insert image on a preview image, the insert image is set as a chapter sheet. |
| US08848201B1 |
Multi-modal three-dimensional scanning of objects
Methods and systems for multi-modal three-dimensional (3D) scanning of objects are described. An example method may include receiving, from a scanning system, 3D information associated with an object having a first resolution. A region of interest of the object may be determined by a processor based on the 3D information associated with the object. Additionally, instructions for operating the scanning system to determine additional information associated with the region of interest of the object may be determined. The additional information associated with the region of interest may have a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution. The instructions may be provided to the scanning system to determine the additional information associated with the region of interest of the object. |
| US08848200B2 |
Systems and methods for suppressing coherent structured illumination artifacts
Methods and systems are provided for suppressing speckle and/or diffraction artifacts in coherent structured illumination sensing systems. A coherent radiation pattern forms an interference pattern at an illumination image plane and illuminates an object. Radiation scattered or otherwise emitted by the object is detected to produce a signal, which is integrated in time. Coherent artifact suppression is attained by using a spatial modulator, such as an acousto-optic device, to vary a phase gradient at the illumination image plane during the signal integration time. Various embodiments are provided for purposes including without limitation: preserving the depth of field of the coherent illumination; using the same acousto-optic device for pattern generation and coherent artifact suppression; electronically controlling the effective spatial coherence of the illumination system; and reducing errors due to coherent artifacts in a laser-based three dimensional imaging system. |
| US08848196B2 |
Spectrophotometer having prompt spectrophotometric measurement
A spectrophotometer includes a fixed substrate having a fixed reflecting film, a movable substrate having a movable reflecting film, a tunable interference filter having a static actuator changing the gap distance of an inter-reflecting film gap between the fixed reflecting film and the movable reflecting film, a detecting section detecting the light intensity of a light extracted by the tunable interference filter, a voltage setting section and a voltage controlling section that apply a continuously-varying analog voltage to the static actuator, a voltage monitoring section monitoring the voltage applied to the static actuator, and a light intensity obtaining section obtaining the light intensity detected by the detecting section when the voltage monitored by the voltage monitoring section becomes a predetermined voltage to be measured. |
| US08848193B2 |
Non-destructive inspection device for oxygen concentration in bag-shaped container
A laser emitting section 59A and a laser receiving section 59B for measuring an oxygen concentration are provided on two sides of an inspection area so as to be moved toward and away from a bag-shaped container 1. Gas-filled chambers 61 provided on the end faces of the laser emitting section 59A and the laser receiving section 59B are brought into contact with the gas phase portion of the container 1 to keep a constant thickness of the gas phase portion. A tilting device 81 is provided to press the container 1, which is held by a container holder 16, from both sides with a container pressing member 88 and tilts the container 1 in a vertical plane. When an oxygen concentration is measured, the tilting device 81 tilts the bag-shaped container 1 to measure the gas phase portion at the shoulders of the container 1. |
| US08848192B2 |
Extractive continuous ammonia monitoring system
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for treating and analyzing a gas stream to determine the ammonia concentration. A gas stream is continuously monitored to determine the ammonia concentration by extracting gas samples from one or more locations and sending it to a tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy instrument for analysis. By proper placement of sampling probes within a duct, depending on the particular flow patterns that have been determined by suitable modeling, e.g., computational fluid dynamics or cold flow modeling, the valves can be operated manually or by a controller to take samples at predetermined locations within the duct. This will enable taking samples from particular locations, samples representative of the entire cross section, or samples that are an average of a particular cross section. It will be possible by judicious placement of the probes and operation of the valves to map the concentrations of ammonia at a plurality of load settings and will permit continuous control. |
| US08848183B2 |
Apparatus having nano-fingers of different physical characteristics
An apparatus includes a substrate and a plurality of nano-fingers attached at respective first ends to the substrate and freely movable along their lengths, in which a first set of the plurality of nano-fingers comprises a first physical characteristic, wherein a second set of the plurality of nano-fingers comprises a second physical characteristic, and wherein the first physical characteristic differs from the second physical characteristic. |
| US08848181B1 |
Multi-surface scattered radiation differentiation
An optical inspector includes a radiating source, a time varying beam reflector, a telecentric scan lens, a first and second waveplate, a polarizing beam splitter, a first detector, a focusing lens, a blocker, and a second detector. The radiating source irradiates the first waveplate generating circularly polarized source beam that irradiates a first position of on the time varying beam reflector with a source beam. The time varying beam reflector directs the source beam to the telecentric scan lens, which in turn directs the source beam to a sample. Reflected radiation from a sample is directed to the second waveplate generating linearly polarized beam that irradiates the polarizing beam splitter which directs a portion of the reflected radiation to the first detector. Scattered radiation from the sample is directed by the focusing lens to the second detector. Contemporaneous measurements by the first and second detectors are compared to differentiate. |
| US08848168B2 |
Apparatus and method for maintaining immersion fluid in the gap under the projection lens during wafer exchange in an immersion lithography machine
An apparatus and method maintain immersion fluid in the gap adjacent to the projection lens during the exchange of a work piece in a lithography machine. The apparatus and method include an optical assembly that projects an image onto a work piece and a stage assembly including a work piece table that supports the work piece adjacent to the optical assembly. An environmental system is provided to supply and remove an immersion fluid from the gap between the optical assembly and the work piece on the stage assembly. After exposure of the work piece is complete, an exchange system removes the work piece and replaces it with a second work piece. An immersion fluid containment system maintains the immersion liquid in the gap during removal of the first work piece and replacement with the second work piece. |
| US08848167B2 |
Optical element for UV or EUV lithography with coatings having optimized stress and thickness
To reduce deformations which may be caused by a functional coating on a substrate in an optical element for UV or EUV lithography, an optical element is suggested comprising a functional coating (46) on a first surface (42) of a substrate (41), wherein the substrate (41) comprises a second surface (43) having a common edge (45) with the first surface (42), and the second surface (43) also has a coating (47) and the thickness t2 and the stress σ2 of the coating (47) on the second surface (33, 43) are chosen such that, in combination with the thickness t1 and the stress σ1 of the functional coating (36, 46) on the first surface (32, 42), the condition t 1 · σ 1 t 2 · σ 2 = X is fulfilled, wherein X has a value between 0.8 and 5.0. |
| US08848162B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A system to recycle immersion fluid in an immersion fluid lithographic apparatus is described. A recycling path comprising a plurality of parallel paths, each of which has its own parallel liquid treatment unit optimized to treat fluid which is directed through it, is disclosed. |
| US08848156B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes: first and second substrates facing and spaced apart from each other; a plurality of insulating patterns on an inner surface of the first substrate; a plurality of pixel electrodes and a plurality of common electrodes on the plurality of insulating patterns, the plurality of pixel electrodes alternating with the plurality of common electrodes, the adjacent pixel and common electrodes generating a horizontal electric field according to a driving voltage; and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, the liquid crystal layer including one of a blue phase liquid crystal molecules and a uniform standing helix liquid crystal molecules. |
| US08848154B2 |
Method of manufacturing a display device and intermediate product used therefore
An intermediate product where a pair of inorganic substrates facing each other in an opposed manner is provided and a sealed space is formed by an organic sealing member between the pair of inorganic substrates is prepared. The inorganic substrates are cut outside the sealed space. A circuit for an image display is formed on at least one of opposedly facing surfaces of the inorganic substrates in the sealed space. The intermediate product includes a flow passage which is defined by a surface of at least one of the inorganic substrates and the organic sealing member outside the sealed space. The step of cutting the inorganic substrates includes forming a groove by allowing an etchant for an inorganic material to flow into the flow passage and by etching the surface of at least one of the inorganic substrates along the flow passage. |
| US08848152B2 |
Display substrate
A display substrate includes a plurality of gate lines extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction in a display area of the display substrate, an alignment film formed in the display area and in an end area adjacent to end portions of the gate lines in a peripheral area surrounding the display area, and a plurality of circuit stages formed in the end area to connect to the gate lines and a dummy stage connected to a last circuit stage of the circuit stages. Each of the circuit stages includes a gate driving circuit disposed at the higher portion the gate line corresponding to the circuit stages and a gate connecting line formed in the peripheral area between the display area and the gate driving circuit to connect each of the circuit stages with each of the gate lines. |
| US08848151B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes gate and data lines on a first substrate, wherein the gate lines cross the data lines to define sub-pixels, a thin film transistor to where the gate lines cross the data lines, a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor, a common electrode in a first sub pixel, wherein a first parasitic capacitance between a first data line arranged at the left side of the first sub-pixel and the common electrode is smaller than a second parasitic capacitance between a second data line arranged at the right side of the first sub-pixel and the common electrode; and a second substrate bonded to the first substrate with a layer of liquid crystal molecules therebetween, wherein the pixel electrode overlaps the common electrode and has a plurality of slits. |
| US08848148B2 |
Liquid crystal display device comprising a first alignment film having an alignment treatment in a direction crossing a major axis of a slit of a pixel electrode wherein a liquid crystal layer has a transition temperature of 75° C
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes, a first substrate including a common electrode, a pixel electrode in which a slit facing the common electrode is formed, and a first alignment film, a second substrate including a second alignment film, and a liquid crystal layer which is held between the first alignment film and the second alignment film and is formed of a material having a dielectric constant anisotropy in a range of +3.3 or more to +5.3 or less at a transition temperature of 75° C. |
| US08848143B2 |
Electro-optical device, method of manufacturing electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
An electro-optical device including: a reflection film which is formed at each of a plurality of pixels; a dielectric multi-layer film which is formed over the reflection film; a planarizing isolation film over the dielectric multi-layer film burying a step formed by a reflection film; and a first alignment film which is formed over the planarizing isolation film. The reflection film, the dielectric multi-layer film, the planarizing isolation film, and the first alignment film are formed on the surface facing the second substrate in the first substrate. |
| US08848140B2 |
Display device having plasmonic color filters and photovoltaic capabilities
A plasmonic optical spectrum filtering device is provided that filters electromagnetic waves by optical resonance, for example, by selective conversion between the free-space waves and spatially confined modes in plasmonic nano-resonators. Frequency-selective transmission and reflection spectra are engineered and can be used as spectrum filters for display and imaging applications. A thin film stack color filter is further disclosed, which can be designed to either function as a transmission color filter with efficiency twice that of conventional colorant based color filter; or as a reflective color filter for display devices (e.g., used in an energy harvesting reflective display). In other variations, a novel reflective colored display is viewable under direct sunlight, and can simultaneously harvest both incident light and generate electrical power. Methods of making such plasmonic optical spectrum filtering devices are also provided. |
| US08848139B2 |
Optical member, light source apparatus, display apparatus, and terminal apparatus
An optical member including: a Fresnel lens sheet for deflecting and emitting deflected light, A louver for restricting a direction of light rays, where the louver restricts the traveling direction of incident light from the deflecting element to a direction that is parallel to the optical path of the incident light, and emits the restricted light. The Fresnel lens sheet is disposed so that a machined surface thereof faces the louver. |
| US08848137B2 |
Backlight module and display apparatus
The present invention provides a backlight module and a display apparatus. The display apparatus comprises the backlight module and a display panel. The backlight module comprises a light collector, optical fibers, a fiber light-outputting substrate and a light guide plate. The optical fibers are connected between the light collector and the fiber light-outputting substrate. The light guide plate is disposed at one side of the fiber light-outputting substrate. The light guide plate includes light diffusion recessions, and the light diffusion recessions face the light-outputting openings of the fiber light-outputting substrate. The present invention can use ambient light rays to form a backlight source. |
| US08848136B2 |
Display device having enlarged viewing angle
The present invention provides a display device which can ensure a large viewing angle while maintaining high light source energy use efficiency. The display device 10, which outputs light emitted from a light source 25 to an observer side in a form of an image, comprises: a light guide plate 21 which has a light output face, a back face, and a side face positioned between the light output face and the back face; a light source 25 which emits light to the side face of the light guide plate; an optical sheet 30 disposed on the observer side of the light guide plate; a liquid crystal panel 15 disposed on the observer side of the optical sheet; and a device 40 for enlarging a view disposed on the observer side of the liquid crystal panel. |
| US08848135B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The liquid crystal display device has a liquid crystal display panel, a backlight for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel where the outer shape of the backlight in a plane has at least one corner of which the angle is greater than 90°, and a light guide plate LG having approximately the same form as the outer shape of the backlight, wherein a number of light emitting diodes are aligned along two sides (s1, s3) of the light guide plate LG that form a corner A of which the angle is greater than 90°, and the main light for illumination (L2 to L4, L6 and L7) from the light emitting diodes aligned along the two sides propagates through the light guide plate LG in the same direction. |
| US08848126B2 |
Optical sensor comprising a photodiode having a p-type semiconductor region, an intrinsic semiconductor region, and an n-type semiconductor region
Provided is an optical sensor having such a novel structure that even if an intrinsic semiconductor region has a short substantial length in a direction parallel with a forward direction of a photodiode, a light receiving area can be ensured, whereby light detection sensitivity can be improved; and a liquid crystal panel including the optical sensor. The optical sensor includes: a photodiode (26) provided with a semiconductor film (28) having a p-type semiconductor region (28p), an intrinsic semiconductor region (28i), and an n-type semiconductor region (28n); a first gate line (38a) formed above the intrinsic semiconductor region (28i), a negative voltage being applied to the first gate line; and a second gate line (38b) formed above the intrinsic semiconductor region (28i), a positive voltage being applied to the second gate line, wherein a predetermined clearance is formed between the first gate line (38a) and the second gate line (38b), above the intrinsic semiconductor region (28i). |
| US08848122B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a plurality of pixels. At least one of the pixels includes a gate line, a data line, a first storage line spaced apart from the gate line, a second storage line spaced apart from the gate line and the first storage line, first and second switching devices electrically connected to the gate line and the data line, a first liquid crystal capacitor connected to the first switching device and including the liquid crystal layer as its dielectric substance, a second liquid crystal capacitor connected to the second switching device and including the liquid crystal layer as its dielectric substance, a first storage capacitor connected between the first switching device and one of the first and second storage lines, and a second storage capacitor connected between the second switching device and a remaining one of the first and second storage lines. |
| US08848121B2 |
Display apparatus, liquid crystal display apparatus and television receiver
A display device has two data signal lines provided for each column of pixels (α, β, γ). A data signal line (15q) to which a pixel electrode (17a) contained in a pixel (101) is connected via a transistor (12a) and a data signal line (15Q) to which a pixel electrode (17b) contained in a pixel (102) adjacent to the pixel (101) in a column-wise direction is connected via a transistor (12b) are different from each other. The pixel electrode (17a) contained in the column of pixels (β) forms a capacitance (CaP) with a data signal line (15P) provided for the column of pixels (α) and forms a capacitance (Car) with a data signal line (15r) provided for the column of pixels (γ). This enhances the display quality of a display device having a plurality of data signal lines provided for each column of pixels. |
| US08848119B2 |
Polarization control device, polarization control method, and image display system
A polarization control device includes a first polarizing liquid crystal panel adapted to convert polarization of a first outgoing light of a right-eye image and a second outgoing light of a left-eye image into a second polarization having a polarization direction different by 90° from a first polarization during a specified period of time from a time point when the external device performs a process of switching from either one of the first outgoing light and the second outgoing light to the other, a polarization plate adapted to transmit the first polarization and to cut off the second polarization, and a second polarizing liquid crystal panel adapted to convert the first polarization from the polarization plate into third polarization and fourth polarization having respective polarization direction different from each other in every predetermined period. |
| US08848118B1 |
3D display device and phase retarder film thereof
The present invention discloses a 3D display device and a phase retarder film thereof. The phase retarder film is used to be mounted on a liquid crystal display panel adopting a half-source driving structure and includes a plurality of phase retarder rows arranged side by side. Each phase retarder row has two wave-shaped sides, and each wave-shaped side corresponds in position to one shading row of a black matrix of the liquid crystal display panel. When the phase retarder film is mounted with a positional error, adjacent pixel electrodes in the same pixel row can have the same light-passing area relative to the phase retarder rows having wave-shaped sides so as to avoid a color washout problem. |
| US08848116B2 |
Display, electronic device and display method of display
A display including a display panel and a switchable retarder is provided. The switchable retarder disposed on a light path of a polarized image having a first polarization provided by the display panel and includes a first substrate, first electrode stripes, second electrode stripes, and a retardation medium. The first electrode stripes and the second electrode stripes are disposed between the display panel and the first substrate, and are electrically independent from each other. A retardation region is defined by each first electrode stripe and one second electrode stripe. The retardation medium is located at a side of the first electrode stripes and at a side of the second electrode stripes, and is controlled by an electric field in the corresponding retardation region such that each retardation region provides a retardation. Accordingly, the polarized image having the first polarization is transformed into the polarized image having a second polarization. |
| US08848113B2 |
Mounting methods for digital media players
Some methods include coupling a digital media player to a backside surface of a television. Several methods include coupling a tray to a backside surface of a television, coupling a digital media player to the tray, and electrically coupling the digital media player to the television through an electrical cable. Some methods include orienting a tray base such that sidewalls protrude outward from a backside of a television to couple a digital media player to the backside of the television. |
| US08848111B2 |
Electronic equipment, control information transmission and reception methods having bidirectional communication using predetermined lines
A communication method for performing transmission of video data and audio data, communication of device control data, and local area network communication by using a single cable may include connecting a connectable device to a pair of differential transmission lines; performing the local area network communication through bidirectional communication via the pair of differential transmission lines; and notifying a connection state of an interface with the connectable device by using a DC bias potential of at least one of the differential transmission lines of the pair. The connection state may include a first notification from a first one of the pair of differential transmission lines whether the connectable device is connected to the single cable. |
| US08848110B2 |
Mixed-mode receiver circuit including digital gain control
A receiver circuit includes an analog front-end and a digital processing unit. The analog front-end includes an input for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal, a first control input for receiving a gain adjustment signal, a second control input for receiving a timing signal, and a signal output for providing a digital intermediate frequency (IF) signal. The analog front-end updates gains of a plurality of gain stages according to the gain adjustment signal and in synchronism with the timing signal. The digital processing unit is configured to produce at least one output signal derived from the digital IF signal. The digital processing unit includes a timing recovery circuit configured to generate the timing signal based on the digital IF signal to control timing of the updating gains of each of the plurality of adjustable gain stages. |
| US08848109B2 |
System and method for captioning media
A method for collaboratively captioning media, the media including video and audio, the method including: receiving a first annotation as a caption in a first language for a media segment from a first device, rendering the first annotation as the caption in the first language for the media segment at a second device, receiving a second annotation as the caption in the first language for the media segment from the second device, and in response to a request from a third device to stream the media, streaming the video, the audio, and the second annotation to the third device. |
| US08848102B2 |
Method for processing digital video images
A system or a method comprising comparing two video images and producing a similarity, or differential, value that is used to indicate whether the two video images are either similar or different. An index value is assigned to a current video image being processed based on the similarity, or differential, value. The system or method further determines how to process the current video image based on whether the assigned index value comprises an even or an odd number. The current video image is combined, merged, or scaled with the immediately preceding or following video image based on the assigned index value being an even number or an odd number. The system or method generates at least one output video image that is at least twice the resolution of the current video image being processed. |
| US08848101B2 |
Orientable head for supporting video-photographic equipment
An orientable head (1) for supporting video-photographic equipment comprises: a first articulated joint member (2) on which an attachment means (8) for the video-photographic equipment is provided, a second articulated joint member (3) coupled to the first articulated joint member to permit the orientation of the video-photographic equipment into a preferred position, a level indicator (30) arranged on the first articulated joint member within a stem (5) extending between said attachment means and said second articulated joint member, for indicating the position of the video-photographic equipment with respect to the horizontal plane. |
| US08848098B2 |
Imaging apparatus, imaging method, and program
An imaging apparatus includes an image analysis unit obtaining brightness information for respective hue regions from an image signal of a picked-up image and an exposure control unit carrying out exposure control based on the brightness information obtained in the image analysis unit. |
| US08848095B2 |
Focus detector, and lens apparatus and image pickup apparatus including the same
A focus detector for detecting a defocus amount of an image pickup optical system based on a displacement amount between two images formed by two beams divided from the image pickup optical system and passed through two pupil areas, the focus detector including: two lenses; two phase difference sensors for photoelectrically converting two subject images formed by the two lenses into two image signals; a correlation computing unit for dividing the two image signals based on a reference number-of-pixels to compute an image displacement amount for each divided area; a waveform coincidence computing unit for computing a coincidence degree of the two image signals in the each divided area in which the image displacement amount is computed by the correlation computing unit; and a defocus computing unit for computing a defocus amount based on the coincidence degree of the two image signals computed by the waveform coincidence computing unit. |
| US08848091B2 |
Method and apparatus for compressive imaging device
A new digital image/video camera that directly acquires random projections of the incident light field without first collecting the pixels/voxels. In one preferred embodiment, the camera employs a digital micromirror array to perform optical calculations of linear projections of an image onto pseudorandom binary patterns. Its hallmarks include the ability to obtain an image with only a single detection element while measuring the image/video fewer times than the number of pixels or voxels—this can significantly reduce the computation required for image/video acquisition/encoding. Since the system features a single photon detector, it can also be adapted to image at wavelengths that are currently impossible with conventional CCD and CMOS imagers. |
| US08848090B2 |
Imaging device, imaging method, and a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium
An imaging device comprising: a camera mount; an imaging element; an optical finder capable of observing an optical image of an object which goes through an optical system different from the interchangeable lens; an electronic viewfinder capable of superimposing and displaying a taken image based on the image signal and the optical image; a lens information acquiring unit for communicating with the interchangeable lens mounted on the camera mount and acquiring information concerning the interchangeable lens; a communication determination unit configured to determine whether or not the interchangeable lens is communicable with the lens information acquiring unit; and a first display control unit for causing the electronic viewfinder to superimpose and display the taken image and the optical image if the communication determination unit determines that the interchangeable lens is not communicable with the lens information acquiring unit. |
| US08848089B2 |
Image processing apparatus and recording medium
Without depending on the conventional standard, relationships between a location of user's apparatus and locations where images have been shot affect a display on a display screen. In shooting operation, image data is stored in a memory with image-location data added, which represents locations where images have been shot (step S110). When the user of a digital camera moves from a current location, vectors are calculated, having an initial point at the current location and terminal points at locations represented by image-location data of the image data (step S113). It is judged whether any vector projects from a display target region (display screen) (step S117). The vector projecting from the region is adjusted to fall within the region (step S118), whereby all the thumbnail images fall within the display target region and are displayed at locations represented by the image-location data within a marginal displaying region (step S120). |
| US08848085B2 |
Photographing apparatus capable of communication with external apparatus and method of controlling the same
A photographing apparatus capable of performing communication with an external apparatus and a method of controlling the photographing apparatus. The photographing apparatus can communicate with an external apparatus and store data received from the external apparatus together with a photographed image, even while photographing the image. Additionally, the data received from the external apparatus can be stored in a form of metadata to connect data to the image, and thus it is possible to play back the data received from the external apparatus in a more lifelike manner. |
| US08848084B2 |
Image pickup apparatus capable of easily generating album, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
An image pickup apparatus that is capable of generating an album by laying out desired images in desired positions by a simple operation, while confirming a result of the layout by a photographer when shooting an image. A control section displays a through-the lens-image obtained by shooting an object on a display section by inserting the through-the lens-image in a plurality of frames on a template. When it is detected that one of the plurality of frames has been designated, the control section generates an image file by executing image pickup processing, and stores the generated image file in a storage medium in association with the designated frame of the plurality of frames on the template. |
| US08848076B2 |
Solid-state image capturing apparatus, driving method thereof and electronic apparatus
A solid-state image capturing apparatus including: a pixel array unit including two-dimensionally arranged pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit, a transfer transistor that transfers charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit, and a charge discharging transistor that selectively discharges the charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit; and a driving unit that performs driving for reading signals from each pixel of the pixel array unit, and drives the charge discharging transistor by using a signal for the driving. |
| US08848074B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device
In a single plate type solid-state image pickup device having a color filter with primary color filters, gray filters are disposed at specific pixels of the arrangement of the primary color filters, whereby variation of the sense of resolution with respect to color can be prevented, and outline emphasis is applied to achieve an excellent image. |
| US08848073B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and electronic apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes: an R pixel provided with an R filter for transmitting red-color light; a B pixel provided with a B filter for transmitting blue-color light; an S1 pixel which is provided with an S1 filter with a visible light transmittance independent of wavelengths in a visible light region and has a sensitivity higher than that of the R pixel; and an S2 pixel which is provided with an S2 filter with a visible light transmittance independent of wavelengths in the visible light region and lower than the visible light transmittance of the S1 filter and has a sensitivity lower than the sensitivity of the S1 pixel. |
| US08848070B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and method of controlling the apparatus
An image capturing apparatus and its control method for capturing a moving image. Plural movie capturing modes with different control parameters are set in accordance with an instruction from a user. One of selectable frame rates is selected in accordance with video output setting by the user. Moving image frames are generated based on the selected frame rate and a control parameter corresponding to the frame rate, and recorded as a moving image on a recording medium. |
| US08848069B2 |
Apparatus and method for deciding scanning pattern of an imaging device
There is provided an image processing apparatus including a distortion component calculation unit calculating a distortion component in a time series, based on an image signal indicating a moving image composed of a frame image, for each of a first region corresponding to the whole frame image, a second region corresponding to one region obtained by dividing the frame image, and a third region corresponding to the other region obtained by dividing the frame image, and a decision unit deciding a scanning pattern of an imaging device having captured the moving image, which the image signal indicates, based on a combination of a correlation of distortion between the second region and the first region and a correlation of distortion between the second region and the third region. |
| US08848065B2 |
Pan-tilt camera
A pan-tilt camera is arranged to include a camera head, a stationary unit, an intermediate member arranged between the camera head and the stationary unit, a first rotary joint rotatably connecting the camera head to the intermediate member, and a second rotary joint, rotatably connecting the intermediate member to the stationary unit. A communication path is provided between the camera head and the stationary unit, including an optical waveguide arranged between the camera head and the stationary unit. The optical waveguide has a first end positioned at the first rotary joint to receive light from the camera head through the first rotary joint. The other end of the waveguide is positioned at the second rotary joint and is arranged to send light to the stationary unit through the second rotary joint. |
| US08848061B2 |
Image and video quality assessment
Evaluating coded video by identifying spatial and temporal errors in the reconstructed video. Spatial errors may be identified by evaluating the severity of each individual error and pooling closely located errors to determine whether the collection of errors is noticeable. Temporal errors may be identified by evaluating the quality of each frame and then pooling consecutive frames to determine whether the collection of frames has errors that may be noticeable if the errors persist within the sequence of consecutive frames. The quality of the frames may be analyzed with any conventional analysis metric. In an embodiment, the quality of the frames may be analyzed using a row-column metric. The calculated analysis metrics may be normalized to accurately compare different metric calculations. |
| US08848060B2 |
Synthetic infrared image injection apparatus
A synthetic infrared image injection apparatus for simulating images obtained from an electron optics head and injecting them into a signal process part so as to evaluate the performance of an infrared image seeker. The synthetic infrared image injection apparatus comprises: an image input module for receiving the images from a channel synthetic image generation apparatus and extracting an effective area from the received images; a first pixel process module for performing an image process so as to reflect elements influenced by model characteristic effects of the electron optics head in the images; a second pixel process module for realizing dead and hot pixels and an automatic gain; an image transmitting and receiving module for outputting processing images of each module and real-time images before the output thereof formed at least one module among each module; and a system control module for diagnosing and controlling operations of each module. |
| US08848059B2 |
Systems and methods for receiving infrared data with a camera designed to detect images based on visible light
Systems and methods for receiving infrared data with a camera designed to detect images based on visible light are provided. A system can include a camera and image processing circuitry electrically coupled to the camera. The image processing circuitry can determine whether each image detected by the camera includes an infrared signal with encoded data. If the image processing circuitry determines that an image includes an infrared signal with encoded data, the circuitry may route at least a portion of the image (e.g., the infrared signal) to circuitry operative to decode the encoded data. If the image processing circuitry determines that an image does not include an infrared signal with encoded data, the circuitry may route the image to a display or storage. Images routed to the display or storage can then be used as individual pictures or frames in a video because those images do not include any effects of infrared light communications. |
| US08848051B2 |
Method of scanning biochip and apparatus for performing the same
An apparatus for scanning a biometric device includes a camera that scans the biometric device to generate images, and a computer that extracts data from the images. The computer measures three-dimensional locations of at least three different positions on a surface of the biometric device, determines a virtual approximation plane or a curved surface with respect to the surface of the biometric device based on the measured three-dimensional locations, determines imaging locations of two or more panels disposed on the biometric device based on the virtual approximation plane or the curved surface, obtains individual images of the two or more panels by scanning the biometric device based on the determined imaging locations, and extracts overall data of the biometric device from the individual images of the two or more panels. |
| US08848047B2 |
Imaging device and endoscopic apparatus
An imaging device comprising: in-substrate photoelectric converting devices arranged on the same plane in a semiconductor substrate; on-substrate photoelectric converting devices, formed on the same plane above the semiconductor substrate, each of which corresponds to each of at least a part of the in-substrate photoelectric converting devices and comprises a first electrode formed above the semiconductor substrate, a photoelectric converting layer formed on the first electrode and a second electrode formed on the photoelectric converting layer; a color filter layer that is formed above the semiconductor substrate and transmits a light in a different wave range from a wave range of a light to be absorbed by the photoelectric converting layer; and a signal reading section that reads a signal corresponding to an electric charge generated in the on-substrate photoelectric converting device and a signal corresponding to an electric charge generated in the in-substrate photoelectric converting device respectively. |
| US08848043B2 |
Multi-view 3D image display method
A multi-view 3D image display method is provided, which is mainly to propose a multi-view 3D image combination method and slantwise strip parallax barrier structure design and optimization methods without reducing a sub-pixel aperture ratio during display of a multi-view 3D image by using a planar display screen having sub-pixels in strip configuration and a slantwise strip parallax barrier, so as to achieve objectives of solving a direct cross-talk phenomenon and balancing a phenomenon of asymmetrical left and right viewing freedom at the same time. In addition, for display of a multi-view 3D image having a total view number greater than two, a multiple multi-view 3D image combination and display method is proposed, so as to achieve an objective of alleviating a defect of discontinuous parallax jump. |
| US08848038B2 |
Method and device for converting 3D images
A method and device for converting 3D images are disclosed herein. The method include the steps of analyzing a 2-dimensional (2D) image and generating 2D image information, generating a global depth and a local depth by using the generated 2D image information, the global depth corresponding to 3D effect pattern information of the 2D image and the local depth corresponding to 3D effect information of an object included in the 2D image, and generating a depth map by using the global depth and the local depth, wherein the depth map corresponds to 3D effect information of the 2D image, and generating a 3D image configured of a left-eye image and a right-eye image by using the 2D image and the depth map. |
| US08848036B2 |
Stereoscopic image data transmission device, stereoscopic image data transmission method, stereoscopic image data reception device and stereoscopic image data reception method
[Object] To provide suitable disparity using a disparity information set adapted to the type of superposition information.[Solution] A disparity information set creating unit 131 creates predetermined sets of disparity information sets. Examples of the disparity information sets include general-purpose disparity information sets, and disparity information sets for particular service application. Each set of the disparity information sets that is created at the disparity information set creating unit 131 and transmitted along with stereoscopic image data is added with identification information indicating the type of superposition information regarding which disparity information included in this disparity information set should be used. The predetermined sets of disparity information sets are transmitted to the reception side, for example, by being inserted in a user data region of a video data stream. With the reception side, suitable disparity may be provided to the same superposition information (closed caption information, subtitle information, graphics information, text information, etc.) to be superimposed on a left eye image and a right eye image using the disparity information set adapted to the type of this superposition information based on the identification information. |
| US08848035B2 |
Device for generating three dimensional surface models of moving objects
A device and method for producing a model of the surface of one aspect of a three dimensional object. The model is produced by extracting a three dimensional mesh from a pattern projected on the object. The three dimensional object maybe in motion. |
| US08848032B2 |
Imaging device, imaging method, and computer-readable medium
The imaging device includes a template selector, a synthesis area selector for selecting a synthesis area for panoramic image in the selected template, a moving image acquiring unit, a detector for detecting/outputting the movement of the imaging device as movement information, a panoramic image producer for producing the panoramic image being a still image corresponding to the synthesis area from the moving images and the detected movement, a synthesized image producer for sequentially synthesizing the panoramic image into the synthesis area during moving image acquisition to produce/renew a synthesized image, a display for sequentially displaying the produced/renewed synthesized image on a display screen, and a storage for storing the template and the moving images, the panoramic image, and/or the synthesized image. |
| US08848028B2 |
Audio cues for multi-party videoconferencing on an information handling system
Stereo audio cues are provided at an information handling system to associate audio with its source based upon the characteristics of the image of the source as presented at a display of the information handling system. For example, in one embodiment, a location on a display of a window having a videoconferencing participant is used to create a stereo audio location that correlates audio associated with the participant to the window location. In another embodiment, the size on a display of a window having a videoconferencing participant is used to determine the volume of audio that is associated with the participant. |
| US08848022B2 |
Video conference apparatus, method, and storage medium
An aspect of the present disclosure provides for connection to a video conference apparatus at a remote site. A method includes initiating transmission of an image of shared content to the video conference apparatus at the remote site, the image of the shared content representing data shared with the video conference apparatus; determining, when the transmission of the image is initiated, a first region and a second region in an output image; monitoring the shared content which is being transmitted; determining whether an instruction for full-screen display is issued regarding the monitored shared content; and causing the full-screen display of the image of the shared content to fit in the first region when the instruction for full-screen display is issued. |
| US08848021B2 |
Remote participant placement on a unit in a conference room
A video conferencing system presents video conference feeds of remote participants in different video conferencing units that are located throughout a conference room. Each of the available units is located at a different position within the conference room. At any point in time, a remote participant is associated with one of the units. The remote participant may move and/or be moved to a different unit during the video conference. For example, a presenter may ask the remote participant to “sit” at a particular unit and/or the remote participant may decide to move to a different unit within the room. Each of the units is configured to determine when a local participant is addressing a remote participant that is associated with the unit. When more than one remote participant is associated with a particular unit, the remote participant who is being communicated with may be shown prominently on the display. |
| US08848015B2 |
Method and device for processing text data
A method is provided for processing text data in a telecommunication context between at least one first terminal and one second terminal, comprising, after a processing device receives text data from the first terminal, generating image data integrating the received text data in order to transmit the image data to at least the second terminal. The invention also relates to a corresponding device and to a call system including such a device. |
| US08848009B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
An optical scanning device scanning scan target surfaces in a first direction with light includes: a light source emitting first and second light beams corresponding to two of the scan target surfaces; an optical deflector including a reflection surface on which the emitted first and second light beams are obliquely incident while being separated from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and deflecting the first and second light beams; a scanning lens disposed on respective optical paths of the deflected first and second light beams; and a branching optical element transmitting therethrough most of the first light beam transmitted through the scanning lens, and reflecting most of the second light beam transmitted through the scanning lens. The deflected first and second light beams intersect between the optical deflector and the branching optical element, when projected on a plane perpendicular to the first direction. |
| US08848007B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and method for driving the same
Embodiments of the invention relate to an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display and a method for driving the same. The OLED display includes a data driving circuit configured to output a data voltage to the display panel; a scan driving circuit configured to sequentially output a scan pulse synchronized with the data voltage to a display panel; and a timing controller configured to decide whether or not the multicolor data are inputted, to control the scan driving circuit and the data driving circuit in a normal mode when the multicolor data are inputted, and to control the scan driving circuit and the data driving circuit in a current saving mode when the multicolor data are not inputted. |
| US08848006B2 |
Tensor displays
In exemplary implementations of this invention, an automultiscopic display device includes (1) one or more spatially addressable, light attenuating layers, and (2) a controller which is configured to perform calculations to control the device. In these calculations, tensors provide sparse, memory-efficient representations of a light field. The calculations include using weighted nonnegative tensor factorization (NTF) to solve an optimization problem. The NTF calculations can be sufficiently efficient to achieve interactive refresh rates. Either a directional backlight or a uniform backlight may be used. For example, the device may have (1) a high resolution LCD in front, and (2) a low resolution directional backlight. Or, for example, the device may have a uniform backlight and three or more LCD panels. In these examples, all of the LCDs and the directional backlight (if applicable) may be time-multiplexed. |
| US08848005B2 |
Display device and data driving circuit thereof, driving method of display panel and display system
A display device including a timing controller, a data driving circuit and a display system is provided. The timing controller outputs first pixel data according to input pixel data, wherein a color depth of the first pixel data is a first bit number or a second bit number smaller than the first bit number. The data driving circuit receives the first pixel data and a notice signal, and maps the first pixel data to generate second pixel data according to the notice signal when the color depth of the first pixel data is the second bit number, and directly takes the first pixel data as the second pixel data when the color depth of the first pixel data is the first bit number, and generates at least one driving voltage according to the second pixel data, wherein the color depth of the second pixel data is the first bit number. |
| US08847996B2 |
Mobile terminal and control method thereof
A mobile terminal providing touch input and a control method thereof are provided. The mobile terminal includes: a controller executing a screen editing mode in response to an object generation command, and generating screen position information corresponding to a touched point on a screen when a touch input is detected in the screen editing mode; and a display unit displaying a generated object based on the screen position information when the object corresponding to the object generation command is generated. |
| US08847995B2 |
Mobile terminal device, method for controlling mobile terminal device, and program
A mobile phone includes a first display 11, a second display 21 arranged juxtaposed with the first display 11, and touch panels 12, 22 disposed on the displays 11, 21 for detecting that an icon has been dragged. In response to user's dragging an icon, a CPU 100 executes a reduced screen display processing of reducing in size a display screen of each of the displays 11, 21 to display the reduced display screens on the display on which the dragging operation is being performed. When the dragging operation has finished, the reduced display screens are returned to the display screens having the original size. Then, the CPU 100 displays the icon at a position, on the display screen having the original size, corresponding to the position of the icon on the reduced display screen at a time when the dragging operation has finished. |
| US08847989B1 |
Force and/or motion measurement system and a method for training a subject using the same
A force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly configured to receive a subject thereon; at least one visual display device having an output screen, the output screen of the visual display device configured to at least partially surround the subject disposed on the force measurement assembly, the visual display device configured to display at least one target or marker and at least one displaceable visual indicator, and/or one or more virtual reality scenes, on the output screen thereof; and one or more data processing devices operatively coupled to the force measurement assembly and the visual display device. A method for training a subject disposed on a force measurement assembly is also disclosed herein. A force and motion measurement system including a force measurement assembly, a motion detection system, at least one visual display device, and one or more data processing devices is additionally disclosed herein. |
| US08847988B2 |
Exercising applications for personal audio/visual system
The technology described herein includes a see-through, near-eye, mixed reality display device for providing customized experiences for a user. The personal A/V apparatus serves as an exercise program that is always with the user, provides motivation for the user, visually tells the user how to exercise, and lets the user exercise with other people who are not present. |
| US08847986B2 |
Method of solving page layout constraints
The invention provides for a method of solving a set of page layout constraints by a computer comprising the steps receiving a set of page layout constraints. The method further comprises the step of dividing the set of page layout constraints into a groups dependent upon the type of constraint. Each of the set of page layout constraints is a member of only one of the groups. The method further comprises the step of transforming each constraint of each of the groups into a resource constraint. The method further comprises the step of assigning a priority to each of the groups. The method further comprises the step of solving each of the groups in the order of the priority using a resource allocation algorithm. All members of a group chosen from the groups are solved simultaneously. |
| US08847977B2 |
Information processing apparatus to flip image and display additional information, and associated methodology
A touch screen includes a display unit and an operation input receiving unit that receives a touch. A display control unit allows a state of display on the display unit to transit from a first state in which an image is displayed as a front side of a card to a second state in which an additional information image is displayed as a rear side of the card. In response to a determination that the operation input receiving unit has detected in the first state that a touched location is a border of the image, an additional information access entrance is displayed at the border. When the operation input receiving unit detects a tracing operation in which the touch moves by a predetermined distance while touching the operation input receiving unit, the tracing operation starting from the additional information access entrance, the state of display is forced to transit. |
| US08847975B2 |
Method and device to enhance image quality in digital video processing systems using dithering
A processing chain for a digital image signal (12) applies a dither pattern (14), having a first spectrum, to the image signal at a point in the processing chain. A further noise pattern (10) is applied to the image signal during the processing chain. The noise pattern (10) has a second spectrum which is configured such that the combination of the first spectrum and second spectrum results in a more continuous spectrum. Another aspect describes a noise pattern (10) which can be used as an offset dither pattern for digital images, especially before color bit depth reduction. The noise pattern comprises an array of values which are linearly distributed across a range, with each value in the range occurring an equal number of times. Similar values at extreme ends of the range of values are dispersed within the array. The pattern has a Poisson-disk two-dimensional spectral energy distribution. Values are positioned in the array based on distance to similar values in neighboring repetitions of the array. The array has “magic square” properties. |
| US08847974B2 |
Display processing apparatus
There is provided a display processing apparatus that displays an image represented by image data. The apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store the image data, an obtaining unit configured to obtain surrounding image data representing an image of surroundings in which the display processing apparatus is located, a determination unit configured to determine a color given to a region not smaller than a specific threshold region in a surrounding image represented by the obtained surrounding image data or the type of person determined from a face region of a person included in the surrounding image, a conversion unit configured to convert an image represented by the image data into a specific painting style associated with the determined color or the determine type of person, and a display unit configured to display a converted image represented by the converted image data. |
| US08847973B2 |
Automatic adjustment of computer interface colors using image processing
A method for processing an image such as a computer wallpaper identifies a characteristic color representative of the image. Image pixels with similar colors are separated into groups, and the average value of the R,G,B color components in each group is determined, after filtering out pixels with R,G,B values representing white, black, or grey. The group with the maximum difference between the highest average color component value and the lowest average color component value is identified as the characteristic color. Groups representing a number of pixels less than a certain percentage of all of the pixels are not considered. The characteristic color can be used in other displayed images at an intensity α determined by setting maximum and minimum values of α, with α being the lesser of αmax and αmin plus the average color span of all pixels in the image. |
| US08847972B2 |
Adapting display color for low luminance conditions
A method for adapting color appearance of a display (200) for low luminance conditions includes operating a projection (100) to display images on a display surface (30); detecting ambient light conditions and displayed image brightness; determining low luminance conditions based on the detected ambient light conditions and the detected display brightness; determining changes in color appearance to be applied to the displayed images based on the low luminance conditions, a model of photopic vision of the human eye, and a model of mesopic vision of the human eye; and applying the determined changes in the color appearance to image data using an image processor (130) that alters the image data for the projected images. |
| US08847969B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing local screen data to a sink device
A method and apparatus is provided for providing local screen data of a source device, such as a personal computer, to a sink device, such as a television, game console, or home theatre system, at a rate determined by the sink device. In one example, the method and apparatus responds to requests from the sink device to provide local screen data by serving the local screen data to the sink device from a circular buffer. The local screen data is written to the circular buffer in FIFO order based on the requests from the sink device, and read from the circular buffer based on the requests. |
| US08847962B2 |
Exception processing of character entry sequences
Systems and techniques are described to perform operations including displaying a first character in a user interface in response to a first user input, the first character encoded by a first ordered sequence comprising at least one code point, receiving a second user input, determining if the second user input defines an exception input to the first ordered sequence, in response to determining that the second user input defines an exception input to the first ordered sequence, generating a second ordered sequence comprising at least one code point, the second ordered sequence based on the first ordered sequence and the exception input, wherein the second ordered sequence does not include the first ordered sequence in a predicate sequence, and displaying a second character defined by the second ordered sequence in place of the first character in the user interface. |
| US08847957B1 |
Divide-and-conquer system, method, and computer program product for providing photon mapping
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for hierarchical photon mapping. In use, photons and query locations are generated. Additionally, a bounding volume of the query locations is determined. Further, a set of the photons inside of the bounding volume is determined. It is then determined whether the set of photons and query locations meet predetermined criteria. If it is determined that the set of photons and query locations do not meet the predetermined criteria, the query locations are partitioned, and for each set of the query locations resulting from the partitioning, the above described steps for the hierarchical photon mapping are repeated. Once it is determined that the set of photons and query locations meet the predetermined criteria, a contribution of the set of photons to the query locations is computed. |
| US08847956B2 |
Method and apparatus for modifying a digital image
A digital image (110) which is displayed to a user (118) is modified to include an aspect (120) of a detected at least one characteristic of the user (118) to give the user (118) the impression that the user (118) is present within the scene displayed by the digital image (110). |
| US08847953B1 |
Apparatus and method for head mounted display indicating process of 3D printing
A method for controlling a head mount display (HMD) according to one embodiment comprises the steps of detecting a 3D printer as a first marker through a camera unit; displaying a first augmented reality image of a shape of a 3D object on the basis of the detected first marker before the 3D object is output by the 3D printer; detecting the 3D object, which is output from the 3D printer, as a second marker if the 3D printer starts to output the 3D object; updating the first augmented reality image to a second augmented reality image on the basis of the first marker and the second marker; and displaying the second augmented reality image. |
| US08847949B1 |
Streaming replicated geographic data for display in a three-dimensional environment
An exemplary method for publishing replicated geographic data in a node tree for display in a three-dimensional environment includes ingesting instances, each instance including an instance location and a reference to a geographic model to be displayed at the instance location. The exemplary method also includes determining levels of detail in the node tree for instances based at least on a size of a model referenced by the instances. The exemplary method further includes distributing the instances to a set of nodes in the node tree at the corresponding levels of detail. The exemplary method also includes determining an ancestor node in the node tree for one or more nodes in the set of nodes. The exemplary method further includes generating a collection to be referenced by the ancestor node in the node tree. The exemplary method also includes publishing the node tree with the collection and the instances. |
| US08847947B2 |
Automatic tolerancing of geometrical templates
A system for tolerancing geometrical templates upgrades the geometrical template to include a unique identifier and index corresponding to each sub-feature of the template. The upgraded template is associated to a set of 3D annotations and the association is stored in a catalog which uses the unique identifier as an index. Upon instantiation of the geometrical template, a list of corresponding tolerance templates are retrieved and displayed for selection, and a selected tolerance template is then instantiated onto the geometrical template. |
| US08847942B2 |
Method and circuit for compensating pixel drift in active matrix displays
An apparatus includes a circuit branch electrically connected to a voltage rail and including a light emitting device connected in series with a drain of a dual gate transistor, a switching transistor configured to apply a data voltage to a first gate of the dual gate transistor in response to a scan signal, a capacitor connected between the first gate of the dual gate transistor and the drain of the dual gate transistor, and a conductor for supplying a control voltage to a second gate of the dual gate transistor. A method of operating the circuit is also described. |
| US08847941B2 |
Display device and display control device
A display that includes a display panel, a controller controlling the display panel, and drivers for driving the display panel, the drivers including a most previous stage driver supplying a data signal from a controller to a subsequent stage driver, and an at least one subsequent stage driver supplying a data signal from a previous stage driver to a subsequent stage driver, the driver device including: a detection unit supplying a monitoring signal indicating whether a data signal is supplied to the subsequent stage driver normally to the controller; and a substitution controller supplying a substitution data signal based on a substitution control signal from the controller, wherein the controller supplies a substitution control signal making the substitution controller supply a substitution data signal when it determines that a data signal is not supplied to the subsequent stage driver normally by the monitoring signal. |
| US08847936B2 |
Managing a display of a terminal device associated with a vehicle data bus
A method and system for managing a display of a terminal device comprises supporting communication of the terminal device with one or more first controllers of a first vehicle via a first data bus. A user level is determined of a user of the first vehicle based on an identity of the user as verified by an authentication process. The identity and user level of a corresponding user is stored in the terminal device. Permission data is retrieved on first enabled features and first disabled features for the first vehicle from the one or more first controllers based on the determined user level. The first enabled features are displayed on a display associated with the terminal device consistent with the retrieved permission data. |
| US08847935B2 |
Display device and electronic product having light sensors in plural pixel regions
A display device includes: a screen unit; a drive unit; a signal processing unit; and a selector, wherein the screen unit includes rows of scanning lines, columns of signal lines, matrix-state pixel circuits and a light sensor, the drive unit includes a scanner supplying a control signal to the scanning lines and a driver supplying a video signal to the signal lines, the screen unit is sectioned into plural regions each having plural pixel circuits, the pixel circuit emits light in accordance with the video signal, the light sensor is arranged with respect to each region and outputs a luminance signal in accordance with the light emission, the selector supplies plural luminance signals to the signal processing unit by switching the signals, and the signal processing unit corrects the video signal in accordance with the luminance signals and supplies the video signal to the driver. |
| US08847933B2 |
Display device
To reduce power consumption of a display device including a scan line driver circuit formed using either n-channel transistors or p-channel transistors when the scan line driver circuit outputs, to one of two kinds of scan lines, inverted or substantially inverted signals of signals output to the other of the two kinds of scan lines. The display device includes a plurality of pulse output circuits each of which outputs a signal to one of two kinds of scan lines and a plurality of inverted pulse output circuits each of which outputs, to the other of the two kinds of scan lines, an inverted or substantially inverted signal output from the each of the pulse output circuits. The plurality of inverted pulse output circuits operate with signals used for the operation of the plurality of pulse output circuits. Thus, through current generated in the inverted pulse output circuits can be reduced. |
| US08847927B2 |
Information processing apparatus and computer-readable storage medium having stored therein information processing program
An information processing apparatus includes a pointing device and a display section for displaying an image. A coordinate detection section detects coordinates pointed to by the pointing device. A first change amount calculation section calculates a change amount of the coordinates in a first direction, the coordinates obtained when inputting is continuously performed by the pointing device. A second change amount calculation section a change amount of the coordinates in a second direction, the coordinates obtained when inputting is continuously performed by the pointing device. A first operation section performs a first operation based on the change amount in the first direction, the change amount calculated by the first change amount calculation section. A second operation section performs, based on the change amount in the second direction, a second operation different from the first operation, the change amount calculated by the second change amount calculation section. |
| US08847926B2 |
Touch panel with improved touch position determining capability
A surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch panel with improved touching precision is provided. By forming a matte surface that diffuses a back wave generated by the edge of the SAW touch panel due to discontinuity, the touching precision of the SAW touch panel is improved. |
| US08847924B2 |
Reflecting light
Embodiments of reflecting light off surfaces are disclosed. |
| US08847922B1 |
Calibrating of interactive touch system for image compositing
A chroma-key/matte display screen system with a touch input device that allows a user to interact with the display by selecting or pointing to composite images on the display. Touch input devices include camera based, infrared, membrane, and acoustic. Displays screens include CRT, various flat screen displays such as plasma, LCD, OLED, and various projection display systems. |
| US08847921B2 |
Electronic device with invisible light touch panel
An electronic device with an invisible light touch panel is disclosed in the present invention. The electronic device includes a circuit board, a visible light source, a light guiding plate, a panel and a cover. The circuit board includes a plurality of invisible light emitters and receivers. The light guiding plate includes an active area and an inactive area. The invisible light outputted from the invisible light emitter transmits to the invisible light receiver via the active area, and the visible light outputted from the visible light source can transmit to the inactive area. The cover is disposed above the light guiding plate. A hole is formed on a surface of the cover, and a position of the hole corresponds to the inactive area on the light guiding plate, so the visible light outputted from the visible light source passes through the cover via the inactive area and the hole. |
| US08847916B2 |
Touch panel and electronic device
To provide a touch panel with reduced disturbance of display and with improved mechanical strength by suppressing variation in the space between a pair of substrates which form the touch panel even when in contact with an object to be detected. A pixel portion including a plurality of pixels is provided between a pair of substrates. Each pixel includes a photosensor portion which detects that the object to be detected is in contact with one of the pair of substrates, and a MEMS portion which generates a mechanical displacement in a direction perpendicular to the pair of substrates when a signal based on a detection result of the photosensor portion is input. |
| US08847913B2 |
User interface device for a bath or shower
A user interface system for a vibroacoustic bath is provided. The user interface system includes a resistive touchscreen device configured to display images and to receive touch input via a panel of the resistive touchscreen device. The resistive touchscreen device is configured to display at least one image for use in controlling the vibroacoustic bath. The resistive touchscreen is further configured to receive a user selection relating to the image. The user interface system also includes a control circuit configured to use the received user selection to determine output signals for driving a plurality of transducers of the vibroacoustic bath. |
| US08847912B2 |
Gyroscopic input systems and methods
Gyroscopic input systems and methods are provided. A gyroscopic input apparatus (100) can include a rigid surface (110) having an aperture (120) disposed therein. An input surface (130) can be flexibly attached to the rigid surface via a flexible member (140). The input surface can be disposed proximate at least a portion of the aperture. A gyroscopic sensor (150) can be operatively connected to the input surface. |
| US08847908B2 |
Display device
Disclosed is a display device (50a) that includes a display panel (30) for displaying an image, a touch panel (40) of electrostatic capacitance coupling type that is disposed so as to face the display panel (30), and an adhesive layer (45) that is disposed between the display panel (30) and the touch panel (40) and that bonds the display panel (30) and the touch panel (40) to each other. The adhesive layer (45) is provided with a shield pattern (46a) that is configured to prevent electrical noise generated in the display panel (30) from affecting the touch panel (40). According to this configuration, it becomes possible to prevent the increase in the device thickness, and to prevent a decrease in the position detection accuracy of the touch panel. |
| US08847907B2 |
Display device and display direction switching system
Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device that has a function of detecting the position where light emitted from an input pointer 50 has been inputted to an image display surface 10a of an display panel and that switches the display direction (vertical direction) of a display image on the display panel on the basis of the radiation direction of the light emitted from the input pointer 50. Thus, a display device having a position detection function that enables the display direction of a display image to be switched using a simple structure can be provided. |
| US08847904B2 |
Gesture recognition method and touch system incorporating the same
Methods and systems for implementing gestures with touch sensing device are disclosed. A gesture recognition method includes: determining whether an input gesture matches a predefined universal gesture based on touch information on a touch panel; and generating a corresponding gesture command set according to an event signal when the input gesture matches the predefined universal gesture. |
| US08847903B2 |
Unlocking an electronic device
A method and apparatus for unlocking an electronic device includes displaying (110) a lockscreen with an initial image in an initial region on a touch screen of the electronic device when it is in a locked state (100). Responsive to detecting (120) a first touch contact in the initial region, the electronic device displays (130) an intermediate image in a secondary region of the touch screen. Responsive to detecting (140) a second touch contact in the secondary region, the electronic device displays (150) an action image in a tertiary region of the touch screen. Responsive to detecting (160) a third touch contact in the tertiary region, the electronic device executes (180) an action associated with the action image and transitions the electronic device to an unlocked state (190). |
| US08847901B2 |
Labeling touch regions of a display device
The embodiments herein relate to a method and device for labeling a touch region, in which adjacent raw data are labeled in groups for reducing a labeling time period as well as a memory size for storing the labeled data. |
| US08847898B2 |
Signal-to-noise ratio in touch sensors
In one embodiment, a method includes driving at least two of multiple drive lines of a touch sensor at a time, each with one or more electrical pulses. |
| US08847894B1 |
Providing tactile feedback incident to touch actions
A method, system, and medium are provided for providing tactile feedback in association with contact to a touchscreen display of a mobile device. One embodiment of the method includes receiving a touch input to a touchscreen display area provided by a user of the mobile device. The touch input selects a predetermined region within the touchscreen display area. Incident to the touch input of the predetermined region, a mechanical indicator on the rear of the mobile device is physically manipulated to provide an indication to the user that the predetermined region was selected by the user. |
| US08847892B2 |
Pressure sensitive inductive detector for use in user interfaces
An apparatus for user interfaces is described to measure inductively the deformation of a body (1) comprising at least two laminar conductive elements (3, 4), at least one of which is an AC energized inductor (4), wherein deformation causes relative axial movement between the at least two laminar elements (3, 4) and the maximum deformation distance is limited to prevent damage. |
| US08847886B2 |
Non-contact input apparatus for computer peripheral and method of the same
A non-contact input apparatus for computer peripheral includes an induction module and a pointing module. The induction module includes an electric supply coil and an induction element, and the pointing module includes an energy coil and a non-linear element. The electric supply coil is used to send a first oscillation signal. The energy coil receives the first oscillation signal. The non-linear element converts the first oscillation signal to be a second oscillation signal having multiple higher harmonics. The induction element generates a control signal based on the second oscillation signal. |
| US08847885B2 |
Electronic device and method for relieving visual fatigue using the electronic device
An electronic device includes a visual sensor and a display screen. The visual sensor senses whether a user is looking at the display screen. If the user is looking at the display screen, the electronic device adjusts a font size of a font being displayed on the display screen. If the user looks at the display screen for not less than a first predefined time, the electronic device prompts the user to have a rest and turn off the display screen. After the electronic device has been turned off for more than a second predefined time, the display screen is turned on again automatically. |
| US08847882B2 |
Apparatus for recognizing the position of an indicating object
The present invention relates to an apparatus for recognizing the position of an indicating object. An apparatus for recognizing the position of an indicating object of the present invention comprises: first reflecting means installed along the left, right, and bottom edges of a screen so as to reflect a laser beam emitted from object-detecting means back to the object-detecting means; said object-detecting means, formed as a pair, for analyzing a change in the amount of light in the reflected laser beam over time, and detecting position coordinates of the indicating object on the planar surface of the screen; and fixing means including a housing and a fixing member fixedly installed on an upper portion of the screen and coupled to the housing so as to fix the housing to the upper portion of the screen, the fixing means being intended for facilitating the installation of the object-detecting means on the upper portion of the screen. The apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus for recognizing the position of an indicating object that contacts a screen, wherein the apparatus is easy to transport and store, can protect the object-detecting means from dust and impurities, can easily be installed by a layperson having no expert knowledge, and can be installed without any restrictions in terms of screen size. |
| US08847881B2 |
Gesture and voice recognition for control of a device
A user interface allows one or more gestures to be devised by a user and mapped or associated with one or more commands or operations of a TV or other device. The user can select the command/operation that is to be associated with each gesture that he/she devised or created. The user is not limited to the use of pre-set gestures that were previously programmed into a system and is not limited to using pre-set commands/operations that were previously associated with pre-set gestures. In alternative embodiments, voice commands or other audible signals are devised by a user and are mapped or associated with commands/operations of a device. |
| US08847880B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing motion library
A method and an apparatus for providing a motion library, adapted to a service end device to provide a customized motion library supporting recognition of at least one motion pattern for a user end device. At least one sensing component disposed on the user end device is determined. At least one motion group is determined according to the determined sensing components, wherein each motion group comprises at least one motion pattern. The at least one motion pattern is selected and a motion database to is queried to display a list of the motion groups corresponding to the selected motion patterns and the motion groups are selected from the list. The motion patterns belonging to the motion groups are selected to re-compile the customized motion library, which is provided for the user end device, so as to enable the user end device to recognize the selected motion patterns. |
| US08847878B2 |
Environment sensitive display tags
This is directed to dynamic tags or screen savers for display on an electronic device. The tags can include several dynamic elements that move across the display. The particular characteristics of the elements can be controlled in part by the output of one or more sensors detecting the environment of the device. For example, the color scheme used for a tag can be selected based on the colors of an image captured by a camera, and the orientation of the movement can be selected from the output of a motion sensing component. The tag can adjust automatically based on the sensor outputs to provide an aesthetically pleasing display that a user can use as an fashion accessory. |
| US08847877B2 |
Outdoor readable liquid crystal display device
An outdoor readable liquid crystal display device (200) includes a liquid crystal panel (210), a backlight device (220) and a light source control device. The backlight device (220) includes a plurality of red light emitting diodes (220r), green light emitting diodes (220g) and blue light emitting diodes (220b). The light source control device is used to adjust the backlight device (220) based on the light intensity of ambient light. When the light intensity of ambient light is lower than a predetermined light intensity of the liquid crystal display device (200), the red light emitting diodes (220r), the green light emitting diodes (220g) and the blue light emitting diodes (220b) of the backlight device (220) are sequentially energized to emit lights at a predetermined time lag. When the light intensity of ambient light is higher than the predetermined light intensity, the red light emitting diodes (220r), the green light emitting diodes (220g) and the blue light emitting diodes (220b) of the backlight device (220) are energized to emit lights at the same time. |
| US08847876B2 |
Device and method for driving liquid crystal display device
A device and method for driving a liquid crystal display device, which is capable of improving image quality and reducing power consumption by varying a light emission region of a backlight unit according to brightness characteristics of a display image, is disclosed. The driving device includes a liquid crystal panel, panel drivers, a timing controller for generating control signals to control the panel drivers, analyzing a brightness distribution of externally input image data to set the number of divisional driving regions of a backlight, and generating a dimming control signal to control the brightness of each of the divisional driving regions, and a backlight unit for divisionally setting the driving regions of the backlight according to the number of divisional driving regions and the dimming control signal and driving the driving regions according to the dimming control signal to irradiate light to the liquid crystal panel. |
| US08847873B2 |
Gate line driving module for liquid crystal display and liquid crystal display using the same
A gate line driving module used on a liquid crystal display uses clock signal sources in replacement of a high level gate power source, such that the phenomenon of device characteristic drift occurring in the foregoing related art is avoided. The gate line driving module includes a plurality of odd-pixel gate line driving circuits, a plurality of even-pixel gate line driving circuits, and an auxiliary gate line driving circuit. A pair of neighboring odd-pixel gate line driving circuit and even-pixel gate line driving circuit exchange output signals thereof with each other in a forward or feedback manner for ensuring that each the odd-pixel gate line driving circuit and each the even-pixel gate line driving circuit are driven once. The auxiliary gate line driving circuit is used for ensuring that signal iteration of the gate line driving module is under normal operation. |
| US08847872B2 |
Display for driving a pixel circuitry with positive and negative polarities during a frame period and pixel circuitry
A display, a pixel circuitry and an operating method of the pixel circuitry are provided. The display includes a source driver and a pixel circuitry. The source driver converts a first pixel data to a first polarity data voltage and a second polarity data voltage during a first frame period and converts a second pixel data to a third polarity data voltage and a fourth polarity data voltage during a second frame period. The pixel circuitry is coupled to the source driver. The pixel circuitry stores the first polarity data voltage and the second polarity data voltage during the first frame period, displays the first polarity data voltage and the second polarity data voltage during a first sub-period and a second sub-period of the second frame period respectively, and stores the third polarity data voltage and the fourth polarity data voltage during the second frame period. |
| US08847870B2 |
Voltage conversion apparatus suitable for a pixel driver and methods
Apparatus and methods are disclosed that can provide for voltage translation and conversion that can be applied, as an example, in a microdisplay including a plurality of pixels that are driven at a pixel drive voltage. A pixel is configured to receive a lower pixel drive voltage for one state of the pixel and an upper pixel drive voltage for an opposite state of the pixel. A memory circuit selectively couples the pixel to the lower voltage and the upper pixel drive voltage in response to control signals operable between the lower voltage and an intermediate voltage level that is less than the upper pixel drive voltage. |
| US08847868B2 |
Liquid crystal display and frame rate control method thereof
A liquid crystal display includes a frame rate control (FRC) device which adds an FRC compensation value to digital video data using a plurality of FRC patterns defining subpixels, to which the FRC compensation value will be written, and a data driving circuit which converts the digital video data received from the FRC device into a data voltage and invert a polarity of the data voltage based on a previously determined inversion method. The FRC device counts frame periods and increases a frame count value each time the frame period changes. The FRC device changes to a next FRC pattern in previously determined order in response to the frame count value, and holds or skips the frame count value when the frame period reaches a previously determined time. |
| US08847856B2 |
Moving image display apparatus
A moving image display apparatus includes a display unit which sequentially displays an image pattern in the form of a moving image on a display screen, a storage unit which stores area sectional information and display format information, wherein the area sectional information defines predetermined divided areas corresponding to the image pattern among a plurality of divided areas into which the display screen is divided, and the display format information defines display formats of the divided areas defined by the area sectional information in a time sequential manner, and a display control unit which controls to display the predetermined divided areas corresponding to the image pattern in accordance with the display formats defined by the display format information. |
| US08847855B2 |
Modulating thickness of colored fluid in color display
An embodiment is a display unit. The display unit includes a substrate layer, a layer of colored fluid on the substrate layer, and a transparent actuator element on the layer of the colored fluid. The layer of colored fluid has a thickness and a color. The transparent actuator element modulates the thickness of the colored fluid upon activated by a force such that the colored fluid is changed from a first state to a second state or vice versa. The modulated thickness provides a variable optical density of the colored fluid. |
| US08847853B2 |
Stereoscopic image display device
A stereoscopic image display device comprising: a display device to include a display surface; a first optical unit to be installed in parallel to the display surface adjacently to the display surface of the display device, one surface including a first convex portion via which to form an image of light emerging from the display surface at a first image forming point and a first flat surface portion, and the other surface being a flat surface; and a second optical unit to be installed in parallel to the first optical unit adjacently to the first optical unit, one surface including a second convex portion via which to form the image of light emerging from the display surface at a second image forming point different from the first image forming point and a second flat surface portion, and the other surface being the flat surface. |
| US08847849B2 |
Display apparatus
The present invention relates to a display apparatus comprising front display unit (10) and rear display unit (50), wherein the front display unit (10) and the rear display unit (50) are arranged such that an image on the rear display unit (50) is visible through a portion of the front display unit (10). The front display unit (10) comprise: a display panel (20); a front backlight (30) which is arranged behind the display panel (20), and which includes a first light guide plate (36) having a projection window (16) through which an image on the rear display unit (50) is visible, first light sources (38) arranged along the circumference of the first light guide plate (36), and a reflection sheet (39) arranged at the rear surface of the first light guide plate (36) to reflect light and having an image hole (18) formed at the region thereof that corresponds to the projection window (16); a rear backlight (40) arranged behind the front backlight (30) and including a second light guide plate (42) corresponding to the projection window (16) and second light sources (44) arranged along the circumference of the second light guide plate (42); and a rear optical shutter (48) arranged behind the second light guide plate (24). The rear optical shutter (48) is made of a transparent material, such that the rear display unit and the front display unit cooperate with one another to display a combined image. The entire screen of the front display unit is capable of displaying an image, without any disconnection of the image, when the rear optical shutter is closed. |
| US08847841B2 |
Multi-beam antenna device
Provided is a multi-beam antenna device capable of achieving two independent multi-beam characteristics using a single antenna unit, and enhanced gain. The multi-beam antenna device comprises a first antenna section, a second antenna section, a first Rotman lens section and a second Rotman lens section, which are laminated together in this order to form a planar antenna module. A first multi-beam characteristic is achieved by the first antenna section and the first Rotman lens section, and a second multi-beam characteristic is achieved by the second antenna section and the second Rotman lens section, independently. A Rotman lens in each of the Rotman lens sections is designed such that: β with respect to α is set to satisfy the following relation: β<α, where β is a spatial beam-forming angle of an array antenna, and α is an elevation angle between a center line (208), and a line segment which connects one of an input port and an intersecting point S2; and a shape of a Rotman lens is set to satisfy the following relation: η=(β/α)·(Ln/F)<1, and reduce G to less than a basic value of G when designed under a defined condition of β=α, where: F is a distance between the input port and S2; G is a size of the Rotman lens; and 2 Ln is the aperture length of an array antenna. |
| US08847839B2 |
Resonance-type, receiving antenna and receiving apparatus
A resonance-type, receiving antenna comprising a circular-ring-shaped, magnetic core constituting a closed magnetic path having one gap, one or more coils wound around the circular-ring-shaped, magnetic core, and a capacitor connected in parallel to both ends of each coil; an angle between a straight line extending from a geographical center of the circular-ring-shaped, magnetic core to a center of the gap and a straight line extending from the geographical center to a center of the coil being in a range of 10° to 90°. |
| US08847837B2 |
Antenna and radar apparatus
This disclosure provides an antenna device that includes a horn having a deeper-side portion and an opening-side portion, a feeder line, and an antenna element that is supplied with electric power from the feeder line to generate an electric wave, and radiates the electric wave from the horn. The feeder line is arranged parallel to the radiating direction of the electric wave. |
| US08847832B2 |
Multiple polarization loop antenna and associated methods
The multiple polarization loop antenna includes a circularly polarized loop antenna, which may utilize a loop electrical conductor and two signal feedpoints along the loop electrical conductor separated by one quarter of the length of the loop circumference for a signal feedpoint phase angle input difference of 90 degrees. Each of the signal feedpoints may include a loop discontinuity, so that at least one signal source coupled thereto provides circular polarization from the loop electrical conductor. The circularly polarized loop antenna provides an increase in gain and decrease in size relative to the dipole turnstile. It can provide two orthogonal polarizations from two isolated ports, and the polarizations may be dual linear or dual circular. |
| US08847830B2 |
Microwave ablation antenna radiation detector
A radiation detector disposed on a microwave antenna assembly is disclosed. The radiation detector includes a receiving antenna adapted to receive errant microwave energy and a rectifier coupled to the receiving antenna that is adapted to rectify at least a portion of the errant microwave energy. A filter is coupled to the rectifier and is adapted to convert the rectified microwave energy into a detection signal. |
| US08847828B1 |
Antenna structure with strongly coupled parasitic grounding element
Antenna structures of electronic devices and methods of operating the electronic devices with the antenna structures are described. One apparatus includes a RF feed coupled to a first element and a second element of an antenna structure. The antenna structure also includes a parasitic grounding element coupled to a ground plane and is interleaved with the first element and second element to form at least a dual coupling with respect to the RF feed. The first element and second element are configured to operate as a feeding structure to a parasitic grounding element that is not conductively connected to the RF feed. |
| US08847827B2 |
Communication apparatus
In one embodiment, a communication apparatus includes a substrate, an antenna disposed on the substrate, a first communication part transmitting or receiving a signal at a predetermined frequency via the antenna, a first conductor plate, a terminal disposed on the substrate and connected to the first conductor plate by a conductor line, a second communication part disposed on the substrate, connected electrically to the terminal, and communicating with a communication partner via the first conductor plate, and a second conductor plate connected electrically to the conductor line and having a length of substantially ¼ of the wavelength of the predetermined frequency. |
| US08847826B2 |
Grid node
There is provided a grid node that includes (a) an outer shell made of a non-metal material, (b) an inner shell disposed in the outer shell, and defining a space therebetween, (c) a motherboard in the inner shell, and (d) a multiprotocol antenna array having a connector in communication with the motherboard, where the multiprotocol antenna array is disposed within the space. |
| US08847825B2 |
High-power-capable circularly polarized patch antenna apparatus and method
A circularly polarized patch antenna uses a square quarter-wavelength conductive plate, spaced away from a slightly larger backing conductor. Excitation uses a coaxial feed stem pair, whereof respective inner conductors join the patch at orthogonal locations on a reference circle, and outer conductors intrude past points of joining to the backing conductor to establish gaps that interact with patch and backing conductor size and spacing to jointly establish terminal impedance. A parasitic element in the propagation path broadens bandwidth, while a frame behind serves to define a cavity reflector. A power divider behind the frame converts a single applied broadcast signal into two equal signals with orthogonal phase, which signals are delivered to the feed stems with equal-length coaxial lines. |
| US08847821B2 |
Antenna and radio communication apparatus
An antenna includes an antenna element in which feed and non-feed radiation electrodes are formed on a dielectric base; and a substrate having a non-ground area in which a ground electrode is not formed. The antenna element is provided in the non-ground area of the substrate. Each of the feed and non-feed radiation electrodes has a radiation electrode by which fundamental and harmonic waves resonate, a capacitance-loading terminal is formed at a position of the antenna element where an electric field distribution of the harmonic wave becomes a node, and a power supply terminal is formed at a feed end of the feed radiation electrode. A power supply terminal connection electrode connected to the power supply terminal and a capacitance-forming electrode for causing a capacitance to occur between the power supply terminal connection electrode and the capacitance-forming electrode portion are provided on the substrate. |
| US08847817B2 |
Pulse signal generation device
To provide a microwave/milliwave band high-frequency pulse signal generating device that enables realization of structural simplification, high performance, compact integration, easy design, low power consumption, and low cost. A radiation type oscillator substrate S1 having an inner-layer GND 12 interposed between a front-side dielectric substrate 10 and a rear-side dielectric substrate 11 is provided on the radiation surface side with a pair of axially symmetrical patches 4, 4, a gate electrode 2 and drain electrode 3 of a microwave transistor 1 are respectively connected to the conductor patches 4, 4, DC bias is supplied to the gate electrode 2 through an RF choke circuit 5a, a monopulse from a monopulse generation circuit 7 is supplied to the drain electrode 3 through an RF choke circuit 5b, an impedance line 9 satisfying an oscillating condition is connected to a source electrode 8, and a high-frequency pulse signal of an oscillation frequency/frequency bandwidth determined by negative resistance produced by short-duration operation of the microwave transistor 1 and the resonant cavity structure is generated and simultaneously radiated into space. |
| US08847816B2 |
Calibration of a radar unit with device-specific correction curves
A method for lessening disturbances of a measurement signal in a radar unit for distance measurement by means of frequency-modulated radar in continuous wave operation. The method comprises steps of: registering, in a reference measurement, a reference signal as a function of time; deriving an error correction signal from the registered reference signal, wherein the error correction signal predominantly comprises spectral components caused or influenced by device-specific defects of the radar unit; registering a measurement signal; and correcting the measurement signal in accordance with the error correction signal by means of digital signal processing. |
| US08847815B2 |
Electronic scanning radar apparatus, received wave direction estimating method, and received wave direction estimating program
An electronic scanning radar apparatus mounted on a moving object includes a receiving unit including a plurality of antennas receiving a received wave arriving from a target having reflected a transmitted wave, a beat signal generating unit generating a beat signal from the transmitted wave and the received wave, a frequency resolving unit resolving the beat signal in beat frequencies and to calculate complex data based on the beat signal resolved for each beat frequency, and an azimuth detecting unit calculating a direction of arrival of the received wave based on original complex data calculated based on the beat signal, wherein the azimuth detecting unit includes a data extending unit generating extended complex data by extending the number of data based on the original complex data, and a first computation processing unit calculating the direction of arrival of the received wave based on the extended complex data. |
| US08847811B2 |
Serial-ripple analog-to-digital conversion
Examples are provided for converting an analog signal to a digital output signal using serial-ripple analog-to-digital conversion (ADC). An ADC circuit may include conversion stages coupled in series. Each conversion stage may generate a bit for the digital output signal. A data latch may receive bits for the digital output signal from the conversion stages and to provide the digital output signal based on the bits. A conversion stage may include a comparator circuit and a multiplexer circuit. The comparator circuit may compare a sampled input signal with a reference signal and to generate the associated bit of the digital output signal based on a result of the comparison. The multiplexer circuit may provide an associated reference signal to a comparator circuit of a next conversion stage, where the next conversion stage is subsequent to the conversion stage. |
| US08847805B1 |
Delta-sigma modulator with high input impedance
Measurement circuits having a delta-sigma modulator are disclosed. One example measurement circuit includes a low pass filter coupled to receive an input voltage, a switched-capacitor integrator circuit, and a switched comparator circuit. The measurement circuit may generate a digital output made up of a sequence of logic high and logic low levels that are representative of a scaled value of the input voltage output by the low pass filter circuit. Also, by virtue of its switched-capacitor configuration, the electric charge received by the switched difference amplifier circuit may be returned to the input in a manner such that the input to the delta-sigma modulator takes little to no average current from the voltage it measures. In other words, the delta-sigma modulator may have a high input impedance by virtue of its switched-capacitor circuit configuration. |
| US08847803B2 |
Parallel multibit digital-to-digital sigma-delta modulation
Digital input words are received in parallel by a parallel digital-to-digital sigma-delta modulator. Error words corresponding to quantization error are added in parallel to the input words to form encoded data words. The encoded data words are quantized into parallel output words and the error words resulting from such quantization are distributed across parallel modulator stages to effect a predetermined quantization error spectral distribution. The quantized output words are output in parallel. |
| US08847800B2 |
Buffer offset modulation
One or more techniques for buffer offset modulation or buffer offset cancelling are provided herein. In an embodiment, an output for a sigma-delta analog digital converter (ADC) is provided using an output of a first chop-able buffer (FB) and an output of a second chop-able buffer (SB). For example, the output of the FB is associated with a first offset, the output of the SB is associated with a second offset, and the output of the ADC includes an ADC offset associated with the first offset and the second offset. In an embodiment, buffer offset modulation is provided by modulating the ADC offset using an offset rotation. In an example, the offset rotation is based at least in part on a reference clock and the output of the ADC. The buffer offset modulation mitigates the first offset or the second offset, where such offsets are generally undesired. |
| US08847798B2 |
Systems and methods for data compression and parallel, pipelined decompression
A method of data compression includes obtaining a data set comprising a sequence of data blocks comprising a predetermined number of data items, partitioning said data set into one or more groups each comprising a predetermined number of data blocks, and performing data compression on one or more groups of data blocks. Data compression is performed by associating a control data item with each of said blocks, generating a control vector comprising the control data items assigned to each of said blocks within a group, removing data blocks comprising entirely data items having said specified value, compressing data blocks comprising at least one data item having a value different from said specified value using a fixed-rate compression scheme, providing a compressed data stream comprising said compressed data blocks, and providing an associated control vector stream to enable control of said compressed data stream. |
| US08847796B1 |
Data decompression utilizing pre-expanded dictionaries during decompression
According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method of decompressing compressed data is described. A first decompression dictionary is analyzed, the first decompression dictionary including a plurality of chains each with uncompressed data portions distributed in a non-contiguous manner within the first decompression dictionary based on an addressing scheme, where the uncompressed data portions of each chain form a corresponding uncompressed version of compressed data. A second decompression dictionary is generated by combining the uncompressed data portions of each of the chains in the first decompression dictionary to form uncompressed versions of compressed data and instructions are inserted within the second decompression dictionary to decompress compressed data. The compressed data are decompressed by applying the compressed data to the second decompression dictionary. Embodiments further include a system and computer program product for decompressing compressed data in substantially the same manner described above. |
| US08847793B2 |
Systems and methods using multiple zones of detection as a function of accuracy
Embodiments of the present invention relate to avionics systems, and more particularly, to collision avoidance systems. In one embodiment, a system is delineated comprising a plurality of detection zones for a plurality of aircraft and means for issuing a report based on one or more of the plurality of detection zones. |
| US08847788B2 |
Traffic management
Methods and systems for traffic management are disclosed. Location information and a vehicle identifier for a vehicle are received. A current status of the vehicle is determined. Further, it is determined whether the vehicle is located within a defined distance from a lane intersection. A traffic indicator is generated when the vehicle is located within the pre-defined distance from the lane intersection. The traffic indicator is one of a Right of Way (ROW), Stop, Yield or Null. The generated traffic signal is transmitted back to the vehicle. |
| US08847783B2 |
High speed utility backhaul communication system
A local area utility network includes a utility, a low-speed backhaul between the utility and a utility provider, and a high-speed broadband network interface module in the utility coupling the utility directly to a broadband network. A plurality of utilities is coupled via a wireless mesh home area utility network. The low-bandwidth backhaul is operable to communicate at least one of billing, pricing, and load control events to a utility provider, and the high-speed broadband network connection to a home automation system. |
| US08847781B2 |
Building management system with privacy-guarded assistance mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method for operating a building management system includes: identifying a movement-pattern from a sensed attribute at a first sensor; determining a behavior-pattern at the first sensor when the movement-pattern matches a template-pattern; transmitting the behavior-pattern and the sensed attribute from the first sensor to a second sensor; and tracking the sensed attribute at the second sensor for displaying on a device. |
| US08847777B2 |
Voltage supply droop detector
A built-in self-test (BIST) circuit for detecting power supply droops is disclosed. In one embodiment, the BIST circuit includes a transition circuit configured to launch logical signals into a delay line. The BIST circuit also includes a comparator configured to compare a logic signal based on that input into the delay line with one output from the delay line. A mismatch resulting from the comparison is indicative of a power supply droop. The BIST circuit may also include circuitry for calibrating the delay line. The calibration may be performed by enabling a feedback path between the output of the delay line and its input. Enabling the feedback path may form a ring oscillator utilizing the delay line. A counter may count the number of transitions caused by the ring oscillator in a predetermined time. The resulting count may be used to determine if the delay is in a desired range. |
| US08847776B2 |
System and method of processing sensor information
A system for processing sensor information in a wireless communications device, comprising a sensor processing module for execution by the microprocessor, the sensor processing module being configured to: receive a signal representing the state of the sensor; and process the received signal to determine whether there is a change in a state of the device; wherein processing the received signal includes implementation of a hysteresis. |
| US08847775B2 |
Tangible charge level awareness method and apparatus using augmented batteries
The augmented battery includes an internal motion sensor, charge condition monitor, annunciator and optional wireless communicator. When the augmented battery is installed in a device, it provides augmented capabilities not present in the device when using conventional batteries. The augmented capabilities include responding to implicit commands from the user (by simply lifting the device containing the augmented battery) and explicit commands (such as intentional motion or tapping gestures) by providing audible or vibrational response indicating the charge conditions of the cell within the battery. Wireless communication allows the augmented battery to interact with external devices, such as battery health monitor display devices and also with the device into which the battery is installed, giving the device new augmented functionality. |
| US08847772B2 |
Smoke detector with remote alarm silencing means
A smoke detector employs a receiver and a remote transmitter to silence the audible alarm of the smoke detector in the event the detector was triggered by nuisance smoke. The receiver and transmitter circuits are designed to operate in a no-power or low-power consumption mode until the alarm is activated or the remote transmitter is actuated. |
| US08847770B2 |
System and method for alcohol monitor based on driver status
In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for performing an alcohol monitor in a vehicle based on a driver being one of a primary driver and a secondary driver is provided. The apparatus comprises an electronic device that is positioned within the vehicle. The electronic device is configured to receive a driver status signal indicating that the driver of the vehicle is the secondary driver. The electronic device is further configured to receive an alcohol content measurement from an alcohol monitoring device (AMD) indicative of blood alcohol content for the secondary driver. The electronic device is further configured to compare the alcohol content measurement to a predetermined alcohol content. |
| US08847767B2 |
Health care server and method of operating the same
The inventive concept relates to a health care system, and more particularly, to a health care server of the health care system and a method of operating the same. The health care server includes a symptom collection module collecting clinical information of patient from a hospital server and health information of patient from an individual health record server; an alarm and reaction rule management module generating an alarm rule on the basis of the clinical information and the health information; and an alarm generation module monitoring the health information or the clinical information and generating an alarm when the monitored health information or the clinical information corresponding to the alarm rule. The health care server can provide a different alarm service to a patient having a different health state with reference to clinical information and health information of each patient. |
| US08847764B2 |
RFID system with distributed read structure
A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes a portable RFID reader, and a read infrastructure that includes a distributed read structure, which may be part of a display (such as a shelf) for holding objects. The read structure is used to couple the RFID reader to RFID devices (tabs and/or labels) on or near the structure. The RFID reader and the read structure communicate in a near field or proximity region communication, without any use of a direct ohmic electrical connection. The RFID reader may have an antenna that is configured for near field or proximity communication with a coupler of the read infrastructure. The RFID reader may also have a separate antenna for use in far field communication. The RFID reader may be able to obtain information more efficiently in the near field or proximity mode, allowing information to be received faster and with greater reliability. |
| US08847761B1 |
Anonymous transaction tokens
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for inventory control of items in a location are disclosed. In an embodiment, this comprises an identification tag associated with a transaction authorizing some items to be removed from the location, such as a purchase, an identification tag reader configured to read the identification tag and placed to cover a portion of the location, and a computer configured to process information including the identification tag read by the reader and take action in response, such as issuing an alert. An identification tag reader having erase/reprogram capability may be provided to reprogram identification tags, and the reprogrammed code may include an identification of the transaction. The inventory control system may be further configured to detect when an identification tag is brought back into the location. In some embodiments, encryption is used in reprogramming the identification tag, and authentication is performed when the tag is detected at an egress to the location. |
| US08847754B2 |
Locator beacon and radar application for mobile device
A device, system and method for providing (a) a wireless communications component, configured to send and receive wireless signals such that the device is locatable via a wireless means; the wireless communications component including: (i) a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) module for measuring signal strength of a wireless signal received at the wireless communications component, wherein the device is configured to be tracked by a mobile computing device (MCD) running a mobile application wherein the distance of the device from the MCD is calculated by the mobile application upon receiving between one and three RSSI values, measured by the RSSI module, and sent in a signal by the device to the MCD, wherein the distance is calculated based an average of the received RSSI values. |
| US08847751B2 |
Line status detection apparatus, communication apparatus, and line status detection method
A first communication apparatus 100 transmits a pilot signal which was generated by a pilot signal generation section 14, at predetermined timing, and detects an unbalance component of a transmission line 300 at the time of pilot signal transmission in an unbalance component detection section 13, and controls a transmission signal in such a manner that an unbalance component is reduced by a transmission control section 12 on the basis of the detected unbalance component. |
| US08847748B2 |
Vehicle stopping and movement warning sensor
A sensor for actuating a vehicle warning signal includes a housing, a magnetically activated switch on an outside surface of the housing, and a wireless connection connecting the switch to a warning signaling device. The housing includes a cavity, at least one spring inside the cavity, and a moveable magnetic weight element adjacent the spring. In a first condition the weight element is located in a first resting, non-activating position remote from said switch, and in a second condition, during a deceleration of the vehicle, the weight element moves to compress the spring so that the weight element moves from the first position to a second activating position proximate the switch so that the switch is closed by magnetic interaction with the weight element, the closing of the switch causing the warning signaling device to be activated to provide a warning to following vehicles. |
| US08847747B2 |
Vehicular child alert device
A vehicular child alert device includes a main body housing a pressure switch configured to indicate the status of a vehicle door, a memory configured to store audible notifications, a speaker configured to play the audible notifications, and a processor configured to control the device. |
| US08847743B2 |
Display apparatus for vehicle
A vehicle display apparatus includes a display section, an estimation section, and a controller. The display section has a screen and displays an image on the screen so that a user views a design in the image at a position away from the screen by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the screen. The estimation section estimates whether a movement of a line of sight of the user to the screen from a region outside the screen occurs. The controller gradually increases the distance, when the estimation section estimates that the movement occurs. |
| US08847737B2 |
Transponder and method for wireless data transmission
A transponder and a method for wireless data transmission is provided. The transponder comprises an input circuit with input terminals for connecting an antenna coil for data transmission to a base station by means of inductive coupling, a first controllable switching means, at least one resistor, which is looped in series with the first controllable switching means between the input terminals of the input circuit, and a controller which is designed in such a way that it connects through the first switching means as soon as a voltage applied at the input terminals falls below a first settable threshold value, and again interrupts it as soon as the voltage applied at the input terminals for a settable duration is above the first settable threshold value and/or above a second settable threshold value. |
| US08847736B2 |
Imaging-based radio-frequency identification transponder
The present invention relates to an imaging-based radio-frequency identification (RFID) transponder. Specifically, the transponder includes a photo-responsive cell for capturing an image; and an analysis component. The photo-responsive cell captures images of objects. Once captured, the analysis component is configured to: determine whether the RFID transponder has sufficient power to analyze the image; analyze the image on the RFID transponder if sufficient power exists; and/or transmit data corresponding to the image to an RFID reader for analysis in the event the RFID transponder has insufficient power to analyze the image. Where quality of the image and/or performance of the transponder are less than desirous, any number of corrective approaches can be taken. For example, the setup of the transponder can be adjusted, the range readout can be reduced, the integration time per pixel of the image can be increased, etc. Moreover, the range of the RFID transponder can be increased using any of the approaches discussed in the above-incorporated patent applications. |
| US08847735B2 |
Antenna interface for radio frequency identification circuit
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with radio frequency identification (RFID) circuits are described. According to one embodiment, a radio frequency identification circuit includes an antenna network, including an antenna and an antenna interface coupled to the antenna, wherein the antenna interface includes first and second capacitors, which are coupled in series with the antenna. An integrated circuit includes a first pin and a second pin coupled respectively to a first node and a second node of the second capacitor and configured to operate as a reader and a tag in combination with the antenna network, and an amplifier embedded in the integrated circuit and configured to provide an output admittance determined by a ratio of current and voltage negative feedback signals such that a frequency response of the combined integrated circuit and antenna network is adjustable without increasing power consumption of the RFID when operating as a reader. |
| US08847731B2 |
System and method for communicating with a vehicle
A system for communicating with a vehicle includes a control module equipped with a remote keyless entry (RKE) receiver and configured to control vehicle functions in response to a RKE signal. The system includes a fob equipped with a RKE transmitter and a short range transceiver, such as BLUETOOTH™, IEEE 802.11, or near field communication (NFC). The fob transmits a RKE signal in response to receiving a message from a consumer device, such as a cellular phone, smart phone, tablet computer, or personal computer equipped with a short range transceiver, enabling the user to control the vehicle from the consumer device. The system may be configured to transmit vehicle status information to the consumer device. The control module may include a third short range transceiver that communicates with the consumer device when the distance is between the vehicle and the consumer device is less than the distance threshold. |
| US08847728B2 |
Domestic appliance comprising a measuring unit and method for transmitting a measurement variable
A method and apparatus for transmitting a measurement variable that is detected by a measuring unit and transmitted via a data transmission channel to a main control unit of a domestic appliance that is isolated from the measuring unit is disclosed. The measurement control unit is coupled to the main control unit via a data transmission channel through which a measurement variable detectable by the measuring unit can be transmitted to the main control unit. The data transmission channel is a line having a protective impedance. |
| US08847726B2 |
Method for manufacturing ESD protection device and ESD protection device
In a method for manufacturing an ESD protection device and an ESD protection device, on sheets defining insulating layers, portions defining a first connection conductor and a second connection conductor and a portion defining a mixed portion are formed, then the sheets are laminated and heated. The mixed portion is formed using a mixed portion formation material containing a cavity formation material and a solid component containing at least one of (i) a metal and a semiconductor, (ii) a metal and ceramic, (iii) a metal, a semiconductor, and ceramic, (iv) a semiconductor and ceramic, (v) a semiconductor, (vi) a metal coated with an inorganic material, (vii) a metal coated with an inorganic material and a semiconductor, (viii) a metal coated with an inorganic material and ceramic, and (ix) a metal coated with an inorganic material, a semiconductor, and ceramic. The cavity formation material disappears during heating. |
| US08847723B2 |
Contactless connector for use in a gas turbine
The invention provides a system for monitoring an operational parameter of a gas turbine, including a magnetic coupling between a signal source and a data output terminal. The magnetic coupling comprises a primary coil electrically connected to the signal source and wound around a first magnetic core section, and a secondary coil electrically connected to the output terminal but electrically isolated from the primary coil and wound around a second magnetic core section, wherein the first and second magnetic core sections are physically separated from one another. |
| US08847717B2 |
Mechanism for causing propulsion of a magnet
A propulsion mechanism that relies on magnets and the geometric property of a hole in a magnet in the direction of the polarity that always involves the addition of a directional component in the magnetic field. This additional direction component is benign in terms of pure geometry and non-ferrous materials without an interacting field of force, but when such a hole involves two or more magnets, the magnet not fixed experiences a net thrust away from the other. |
| US08847716B2 |
Integrated interlock feature for overmolded coil and bobbin
An electromagnetic solenoid is provided with a bobbin having a generally cylindrical body and a pair of radially outwardly extending end flanges each disposed at opposite ends of the generally cylindrical body. The pair of end flanges each have an inner face facing one another and an outer face facing away from one another. The inner and outer faces of the pair of end flanges have a plurality of grooves formed in a surface thereof. The grooves provide for enhanced retention of an over-mold that seals a coil within the bobbin assembly. |
| US08847712B2 |
Receptacle type ground fault circuit interrupter with reverse wire protection
A ground fault circuit interrupter comprises a reset key, a reset locking mechanism, a reset mechanism, a reset bracket, a bracket reset mechanism, a bracket homing mechanism, a reset linkage mechanism, and a reset linkage clutching mechanism. A conductive assembly is configured to selectively connect or disconnect electrical continuity between the power input side and the load side. The conductive assembly comprises pairs of short-circuit conductive strips with conductive movable contacts, power input connection assemblies with input conductive stationary contacts, wiring output assemblies, receptacle output assemblies with output stationary contacts, and a first short-circuit conductor and a second short-circuit conductor. A reverse wiring protection device comprises an electromagnetic generating device having a power supply sub-circuit and an electromagnetic actuator bracket configured to selectively close first normally open switch and second normally open switch and further configured to open first normally closed switch and second normally closed switch. |
| US08847710B2 |
Microwave filter with dielectric resonator
A filter of longitudinal axis Z includes: at least one resonant cavity delimited by walls made of a material that has a non-zero expansion coefficient; a dielectric resonator mounted in the cavity transversally to the axis Z; a mechanical device for compensating at least one resonance frequency of the cavity as a function of the temperature. The compensation device comprises: at least one rotationally mobile finger for each mode and for each cavity, the mobile finger penetrating to a fixed depth into the cavity via a pivot link, and an external mechanical actuator mounted parallel to the axis Z and mechanically coupled to the mobile finger, the external mechanical actuator being made of a material that has a coefficient of thermal expansion at least five times lower than that of the walls of the filter. |
| US08847709B2 |
Resonator filter
A tuneable resonator filter consisting of cavity resonators. In the partition wall separating the successive resonators on the transmission path of a resonator filter there is a coupling opening (CPO) with a typically constant width. The coupling strength between the resonators is adjusted by a tuning element which is supported to the partition wall on the opposite sides of the coupling opening so that it can be moved. The tuning element is conductive and grounded so that the impedance between its ends and the partition wall is low. For moving the tuning element, it is linked by a dielectric rod to an electrically controllable actuator being located on the filter lid. By means of the tuning mechanism the bandwidth of a filter can be set automatically. |
| US08847707B2 |
Filter
A filter includes a multilayer body including a plurality of insulator layers stacked on top of one another. Outer electrodes are provided on surfaces of the multilayer body. A first resonator is connected to a first one of the outer electrodes and includes a first coil. A second resonator is connected to a second one of the outer electrodes and includes a second coil. A third resonator includes a third coil that is magnetically coupled with the first and second coils. The first and second coils are respectively defined by coil conductor layers provided on an insulator layer. The third coil is defined by via hole conductors that penetrate through the insulator layer in a z-axis direction. |
| US08847705B2 |
Common mode filter
There is provided a common mode filter capable of allowing an ultrahigh speed differential signal to transmit and hardly allowing a common mode noise to transmit, comprising: a lumped-constant differential delay line DL formed by arranging inductors Lo, being passive series elements, and capacitors Co, being passive parallel elements, in a ladder-shaped differential four terminal network composed of the passive series elements and the passive parallel elements arranged in the differential lines 1, 3. In the lumped-constant differential delay line DL, the capacitors Co, being the parallel elements, are formed of two capacitors connected in series equivalent to each other and having same values with each other such as Co/2 and Co/2, or Co and Co. Inductors L1 to L4 and resistors R1 to R4 for attenuating the common mode noise are connected between connection points T1 to T4 of the capacitors Co/2 or Co connected in series, and a ground potential, thus forming a common mode noise attenuating series resonance circuit together with the capacitors Co/2, Co. |
| US08847704B2 |
Electronic component
In an electronic component, a laminated body includes a plurality of insulator layers laminated on each other. First, second and third LC parallel resonators are loop-shaped LC parallel resonators that include via hole conductors extending in a z-axis direction and conductor layers provided on the insulator layers, and define a band pass filter. Loop planes of the first and third LC parallel resonators and a loop plane of the second LC parallel resonator are parallel to the z-axis direction and not parallel to each other. |
| US08847699B2 |
Composite component
A circuit substrate on which a duplexer is mounted includes a substrate body. First, second and third external electrodes are provided on a first main surface of the substrate body. Fourth, fifth and sixth external electrodes are provided on a second main surface of the substrate body. First, second and third signal paths connect the first, second and third external electrodes to the fourth, fifth and sixth external electrodes, respectively. First and second ground conductors are embedded in the substrate body, and overlap with a mounting area so as to contain the mounting area where the duplexer is mounted, in a planar view seen from the z-axis direction. The first, second and third signal paths extend from the inside of the mounting area to the outside of the mounting area between the first main surface and the second ground conductor. |
| US08847696B2 |
Flexible interconnect cable having signal trace pairs and ground layer pairs disposed on opposite sides of a flexible dielectric
A high speed flexible interconnect cable for an electronic assembly includes a number of conductive layers and a number of dielectric layers. Conductive signal traces, located on the conductive layers, combine with the dielectric layers to form one or more high speed electrical transmission line structures. The cable can be coupled to electronic components using a variety of connection techniques. The cable can also be terminated with any number of known or standardized connector packages. |
| US08847695B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for accurate and stable LC-based reference oscillators
A substantially temperature-independent LC-based oscillator is achieved using an LC tank that generates a tank oscillation at a phase substantially equal to a temperature null phase. The temperature null phase is a phase of the LC tank at which variations in frequency of an output oscillation of the LC-based oscillator with temperature changes are minimized. The LC-based oscillator further includes frequency stabilizer circuitry coupled to the LC tank to cause the LC tank to oscillate at the phase substantially equal to the temperature null phase. |
| US08847694B2 |
Vibrator element, vibrator, oscillator, and electronic apparatus
A quartz crystal vibrator element having the weight section is provided with the intermediate weight section formed to have an arm width W1 larger (thicker) than the arm width W of the vibrating arm section and smaller (thinner) than the arm width W2 of the tip weight section, thereby making the intermediate weight section follow the vibration (the amplitude) of the vibrating arm section. Further, the tip weight section formed to have an arm width W2 larger (thicker) than the arm width W1 of the intermediate weight section is provided, thereby making the tip weight section follow the vibration (the amplitude) of the vibrating arm section and the intermediate weight section. Therefore, the vibration characteristics of the vibrating arm section can be stabilized. |
| US08847688B1 |
Over-voltage protection in a high-swing amplifier
A method for processing signals may include comparing an output voltage signal in an output stage of an amplifier with a reference voltage signal. If the output voltage signal is greater than the reference voltage signal, a comparator voltage signal may be generated. Bias voltage for at least one output stage transistor may be increased by increasing current generated by a first bias current source of the at least one output stage transistor. The current may be increased in proportion to the generated comparator voltage signal. The output voltage signal may be divided prior to the comparing. The at least one output stage transistor may be dynamically biased based on the generated comparator voltage signal. The comparator voltage signal may be generated using at least one differential pair with a current mirror load. |
| US08847686B2 |
Electronic system, RF power amplifier and temperature compensation method thereof
A radio frequency (RF) power amplifier is disclosed. The RF radio power amplifier includes a bias current generating unit, a first impedance unit, a second impedance unit, a third impedance unit and an output stage unit. The bias current generating unit receives a reference voltage. There is a first voltage with negative temperature coefficient between the first impedance unit and the second impedance unit, and the second unit receives a ground current. There is a second voltage between the third impedance unit and the second impedance unit, and the second voltage is a partial voltage of the first voltage. The bias current generating unit outputs a bias current with positive temperature coefficient according to the second voltage. The output stage unit receives an input current. The bias current is a sum of the input current with positive temperature coefficient and the ground current. |
| US08847681B2 |
Combiner for Doherty amplifier
A combiner for a Doherty amplifier includes, on and in a dielectric substrate, a carrier input terminal, a peak input terminal, an output terminal, a combining point for combining an output signal from the carrier amplifier and an output signal from the peak amplifier, a first λ/4 line connected between the carrier input terminal and the combining point, a second λ/4 line connected between the combining point and the output terminal, and a first directional coupler. The first directional coupler includes a third λ/4 line electromagnetically coupled to one, to be monitored, of the first λ/4 line and the second λ/4 line. |
| US08847680B2 |
Enhanced doherty amplifier with asymmetrical semiconductors
Amplifier units and methods of use are described herein. A amplifier unit includes a first amplifier and a second amplifier connected in parallel, the first amplifier and the second amplifier comprising semiconductor devices that are not the same amplifier design. The present application also discloses a signal input line connected to the first amplifier and the second amplifier. A signal output line is also disclosed which is connected to the first amplifier and the second amplifier. |
| US08847678B2 |
Frequency compensation circuit for voltage regulator
A frequency compensation circuit for a voltage regulator is provided in embodiments of the present invention. The frequency compensation circuit mainly includes a first transconductance operational amplifier circuit, a second transconductance operational amplifier circuit, and a third transconductance operational amplifier circuit cascaded sequentially, where the first transconductance operational amplifier circuit receives an input voltage to be compensated, and the third transconductance operational amplifier circuit outputs a compensated voltage; and a primary transconductance negative feedback compensation circuit, connected in parallel between an output end of the second transconductance operational amplifier circuit and an output end of the third transconductance operational amplifier circuit, and a secondary transconductance negative feedback compensation circuit, connected in parallel between an output end of the first transconductance operational amplifier circuit and the output end of the third transconductance operational amplifier circuit. |
| US08847676B2 |
Image rejection for low IF receivers
A system that includes a polyphase filter comprises first and second gm-C filters with first and second variable biasing and a bias controller coupled to the first and second gm-C filters and configured to offset the first variable biasing and corresponding first gm of the first gm-C filter relative to the second variable biasing and corresponding second gm of the second gm-C filter to thus improve image rejection in the system. A corresponding method includes processing a signal in a complex polyphase filter and controlling biasing of the first gm-C filter stage relative to the second gm-C filter stage to provide a mismatched gm and thereby improve rejection of the image signal. |
| US08847674B1 |
Systems and methods for power limiting for a programmable I/O device
A device includes a digital to analog converter (DAC) configured to generate a voltage output or a current output. The device also includes an integrated circuit configured to receive at least one of the voltage output or the current output and transmit the at least one of the voltage output or the current output to a load, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to measure a voltage level or a current level related to the transmission of the at least one of the voltage output or the current output. In one embodiment, a current limiter is included for voltage outputs as a form of power limiting and circuit protection. Additionally, the device includes a controller configured to receive an indication of the measurement from the integrated circuit and determine if the indication of the measurement exceeds a predetermined threshold. |
| US08847665B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of controlling analog switch
A semiconductor device has an analog switch, in which a P channel transistor and an N channel transistor are connected in parallel between an input terminal and an output terminal; a variable voltage circuit, which variably generates, according to an input voltage applied to the input terminal, potentials of a first gate voltage and first back gate voltage of the P channel transistor and of a second gate voltage and second back gate voltage of the N channel transistor; and a control circuit, which supplies to the variable voltage circuit a control signal controlling the analog switch to be conducting or non-conducting. In response to the control signal causing the analog switch to be conducting, the variable voltage circuit outputs the variable-generated first gate voltage and second gate voltage to the respective gates of the P channel transistor and N channel transistor. |
| US08847658B2 |
Overdrive circuits and related method
An overdrive circuit includes a pull-up circuit and a pull-down circuit. The pull-down circuit includes first, second and third transistors electrically connected in cascode between an output node and a low voltage supply node. A capacitor is electrically connected from a gate electrode of the third transistor to a gate electrode of the first transistor. A first mono-directional bias device is electrically connected from a drain electrode of the first transistor to a gate electrode of the first transistor. A second mono-directional bias device is electrically connected from the gate electrode of the first transistor to a source electrode of the first transistor. |
| US08847655B2 |
Binary control arrangement and method of making and using the same
The present description relates to a semiconductor device including an array of two or more switching elements and a controller electrically connected to the array of switching elements. At least one switching element of the array of switching elements has a different electrical resistance than at least another switching element of the array of switching elements. The controller is configured to generate and transmit at least one coarse tuning signal and at least one fine tuning signal. The array of switching elements is configured to alter an electrical resistance of the array of switching elements in response to the at least one coarse tuning signal and the at least one fine tuning signal. The present description also includes a method of making a semiconductor device and a method of using a semiconductor device. |
| US08847652B2 |
Reconfigurable and auto-reconfigurable resonant clock
The present disclosure relates to a resonant clock system having a driver component, a clock load capacitor, and a reconfigurable inductor array. The driver component generates a driven input signal. The clock load capacitor is configured to receive the driven input signal. The inductor array is configured to have an effective inductance according to a selected frequency. The inductor array also generates a resonant signal at the selected frequency using the effective inductance. |
| US08847650B1 |
Generating signal waveforms of a predetermined format
A method and apparatus for generating a wave shaped pulse electronic signal of a predetermined format from a square pulse signal generator. A signal is applied from the square pulse generator to circuitry having a plurality of transmission lines. Each transmission line having a certain length creating a certain signal time delay and signal reflection for a signal applied to the circuitry from the square pulse generator so as to create a delay pulse from each transmission line. Each delay pulse is combined from each transmission line to generate the wave shaped pulse electronic signal of a desired predetermined format. |
| US08847647B1 |
Synchronizer circuits with failure-condition detection and correction
An input signal and a reset signal are provided to respective inputs of a resettable flip-flop. The resettable flip-flop generates an output signal. The output signal transitions from a first logic state to a second logic state in response to corresponding transitions of the input signal and transitions from the second logic state to the first logic state in response to assertion of the reset signal. A warning signal is asserted in response to transitions of the input signal from the second logic state to the first logic state. A logic gate forwards the output signal when the warning signal is de-asserted and provides a signal in the first logic state in response to assertion of the warning signal. |
| US08847643B2 |
Semiconductor device and information processing apparatus
A semiconductor device includes a delay part configured to assign a delay to an input signal, a phase detector configured to detect a phase of an output signal output from the delay part, a setting part configured to set a stable operations range of the phase of the output signal based on phase information output from the phase detector, and an error detector configured to set an acceptable range corresponding to the stable operations range, determine whether a phase of the output signal falls within the acceptable range, and change the acceptable range based on an extraneous factor of an input signal of the delay part. |
| US08847642B1 |
Charge pump phase-locked loop circuits
A charge pump phase-locked loop circuit includes an active loop filter, an adjustable reference voltage source, and a charge pump. The active loop filter includes an amplifier that has a negative input node, a positive input node, and an output node. The adjustable reference voltage source is coupled to the positive input node to provide an adjustable reference voltage. The charge pump is coupled to the negative input node to provide a current to or draw a current from the active loop filter in response to a signal from a phase detector. The charge pump includes a first current source coupled to a first voltage and a second current source electrically coupled to a second voltage, the second current source including a resistor. The second current source is configured such that a current provided by the second current source depends on a resistance value of the resistor and a difference between the reference voltage and the second voltage. |
| US08847641B2 |
Phase comparison device and DLL circuit
A phase detection range is enabled to be expanded to an arbitrary number of times of a cycle of a reference clock, and in the case of application to a DLL circuit, an operation cycle is enabled to be freely selected. A phase comparison device includes a divider that generates a division clock obtained by receiving a reference clock and dividing it by two; an inverter that inverts a phase of the division clock to generate a division inverted clock; a DFF circuit that synchronizes the division inverted clock with a delay clock to generate a synchronized clock; a DFF circuit that synchronizes the clock with the feedback clock to generate a final synchronized clock; and a phase comparator that receives the division clock and the final synchronized clock to compare phases of the division clock and the final synchronized clock. |
| US08847631B2 |
High speed low loss gate drive circuit
A gate drive circuit includes an insulated gate semiconductor switch. A controlled current source is connected to the semiconductor switch gate terminal to provide a gate drive circuit that is responsive to recycled gate charge corresponding to an internal gate capacitance of the insulated gate semiconductor switch. |
| US08847630B2 |
High side driver circuit
A driver circuit is provided that receives an ON or OFF logic control signal and further has: an output arranged to be connected to a load; a power switch, having a control terminal with a first current terminal connected to a first power supply and a second current terminal arranged to be connected to the output to drive the load; a control circuit of a first type arranged between the control terminal of the power switch and a second power supply; and a control circuit of a second type, arranged to couple the control terminal of the power switch to the first power supply when the control signal is in the OFF state. |
| US08847622B2 |
Micro-granular delay testing of configurable ICs
A method for testing a set of circuitry in an integrated circuit (IC) is described. The IC includes multiple configurable circuits for configurably performing multiple operations. The method configures the IC to operate in a user mode with a set of test paths that satisfies a set of evaluation criteria. Each test path includes a controllable storage element for controllably storing a signal that the storage element receives. The method operates the IC in user mode. The method reads the values stored in the storage elements to determine whether the set of circuitry is operating within specified performance limits. |
| US08847621B2 |
Single event transient and upset mitigation for silicon-on-insulator CMOS technology
A circuit and methods for mitigating radiation-induced Single Event Effects (SEE) in Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuits are presented. A primary logic output is generated from a primary logic gate in response to an input. A redundant logic output is generated from a redundant logic gate that duplicates the primary logic output in response to the input if an SEE is not present. An interleaved C-gate output is generated from an interleaved C-gate that emulates an inverter output when the primary logic output and the redundant logic output match, and does not changes its output when the primary logic output and the redundant logic output do not match during the SEE. |
| US08847619B2 |
Apparatus and methods for through substrate via test
A stack of vertically-connected, horizontally-oriented integrated circuits (ICs) may have electrical connections from the front side of one IC to the back side of another IC. Electrical signals may be transferred from the back side of one IC to the front side of the same IC by means of through substrate vias (TSVs), which may include through silicon vias. Electronic apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to test and/or replace defective TSVs. Additional apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed. |
| US08847618B1 |
Circuit board testing device for uneven circuit boards
A circuit board tester and method that precisely aligns the probe plate and circuit board is disclosed. With a circuit board and probe plate mounting within a housing having a top and bottom, hinged together, at closure there may be slight misalignments of the two. By making one of the two plates floating, or laterally slideable with respect to each other, it is possible to make final alignment at closure. One of the two plates can be provided with a pin and the other with a pin receiving alignment block. With the lateral slideability, the pin and block can insure proper probe alignment. Additional systems for correcting misaligned pins or blocks are also disclosed. |
| US08847614B2 |
Electrical combiner box with improved functionality
A combiner box capable of monitoring energy output from a photovoltaic system and having improved troubleshooting functionality, the ability to independently verify utility charges, and a mechanism for reducing incorrect readings of energy output and consumption due to noise and interference. |
| US08847613B2 |
Capacitive sensing system
A capacitive sensing system (1) which includes an electrical charge providing unit (4) like an electret foil for providing a permanent electrical charge at a sensing site (6) of the object (3) and a capacitive sensor (2) including a sensing electrode (5) for generating a sensing signal by capacitively sensing the object (3) at the sensing site (6) of the object (3). By providing a permanent electrical charge at the sensing site (6) of the object (3), the bias between the object (3) and the sensing electrode (5) of the capacitive sensor (2) is intentionally preferentially made large, thereby increasing the sensitivity towards mechanical motions. The resulting sensing signal substantially caused by these mechanical motions between the object (3) and the sensing electrode (5) is generally larger than a signal generated substantially by an electrophysiological field. |
| US08847610B2 |
Method and system for transferring information
The invention relates to a system for transferring information closely connected to an object. The system is characterized in that it comprises a conductor arrangement, which comprises a number of conductor components, that forms an electromagnetic field, as well as a transmitter associated with the object. The aforementioned transmitter is arranged to connect by means of an electromagnetic field to the conductor arrangement and also to modulate the measuring signal formed by means of the field. |
| US08847609B2 |
Pavement material microwave moisture-density measurement methods and apparatuses
A method of obtaining a material property of a pavement material from a microwave field generally includes generating a microwave frequency electromagnetic field of a first mode about the pavement material. The frequency response of the pavement material in the electromagnetic field can be measured, such as by a network analyzer. The measurement of the frequency response permits correlating the frequency response to a material property of the pavement material sample, such as the density. A method of correcting for the roughness of a pavement material divides the pavement into a shallow layer and a deep layer. Two planar microwave circuits measure the permittivity of the shallow and deep layer. The permittivities are correlated to correct for roughness. An apparatus for obtaining the density of a pavement sample includes a microwave circuit and a network analyzer. The network analyzer measures the frequency response to determine the density of the pavement material. |
| US08847608B2 |
System and method for a nondestructive on-line testing of samples
A non-destructive on-line system for detecting a presence of a material in a sample of a substance, including: an MRI device; a flow conduit encompassed by the tunable RF coil of the MRI device and having an input duct and an output duct; a flow of the sample through the flow conduit; a signal detector for detecting frequency-dependent output signals from the MRI device as a function of a frequency variation of the RF tunable coil within a frequency range of an RF resonant frequency of a standard sample of the substance, and a processing unit. |
| US08847604B2 |
Semiconductor device with a test circuit and a reference circuit
Implementations are presented herein that include a test circuit and a reference circuit. |
| US08847601B2 |
Method of determining the maximum temperature undergone by a sedimentary rock, especially in the field of hydrocarbon formation
A method of determining the maximum temperature undergone by a specimen of sedimentary rock during natural heating over a geological process, within the range from 60° C. to 230° C. approximately. The method includes analysis at very low temperature, down to a few kelvin, for example down to 10 kelvin, of the magnetic transitions intended to characterize an iron oxide and an iron sulfide that are formed or destroyed in the specimen by the geological heating of the sediment; and determination of the maximum temperature undergone by the specimen, using a calibration obtained by measuring the same magnetic parameters on the same sediment or on other sediments of the same nature, heated beforehand in the laboratory to known temperatures. |
| US08847600B2 |
Use of autotransformer-like antennas for downhole applications
An apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole, apparatus including: a carrier configured to be conveyed through the borehole; a transducer disposed at the carrier and configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic energy into and/or from the earth formation to estimate the property; wherein the transducer includes a plurality of inductively coupled elements in a series, each element configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic energy and at least a first connection to a first element in the plurality and a second connection to a second element in the plurality with at least one of the first element and the second element being disposed between end transducer elements in the series. |
| US08847599B2 |
Aerodynamically stabilized tow assembly for aircraft for geophysical surveying
A airborne geophysical electromagnetic (EM) survey tow assembly system for use with an aircraft, including a substantially rigid receiver coil frame that defines a central open area, the receiver coil frame forming a continuous internal passageway that extends around the central open area; a receiver coil housed within the internal passageway isolated from the central open area, the receiver coil being configured to measure the response of surveyed terrain to naturally occurring EM events; and a tow cable for suspending the receiver coil frame from the aircraft, the receiver coil frame being formed from rigid members configured to provide aerodynamic stabilization to maintain the receiver coil frame in a desired pitch and yaw orientation relative to a direction of travel and the horizontal when the receiver coil frame is suspended during flight. |
| US08847597B2 |
Magnetic field unit of an MRT system for image capturing a head region
A magnetic field unit of an MRT system for image capturing a head region as the region to be recorded, comprising at least one permanent magnet for generating a main magnetic field, a device for generating a gradient field, and at least one coil for generating and receiving radio frequencies. The magnetic field unit is fastened to a mounting such that a longitudinal axis of the magnetic field unit, together with a vertically extending axis, forms an angle of no more than +45 degrees, and the magnetic field unit and the patient can be adjusted relative to each other such that the magnetic field unit can be moved to a position surrounding the head of the patient. |
| US08847596B2 |
Capillary cartridge for miniaturized nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) devices
A shim coil assembly for positioning shim coils in a narrow gap between magnetic poles of miniature NMR devices around the magnetic center includes electric traces on multiple levels of printed circuit board layers in various, overlapping configurations. Mirror image shim coils can be connected in series in a symmetric sense or connected in series in a antisymmetric sense. |
| US08847595B2 |
Temperature control device for an NMR sample tube
Temperature control device (20) for an NMR sample tube (22), wherein multiple interleaved, concentric flow channels (28, 31; 40, 41, 42; 50, 51) for temperature control fluid extending coaxially with respect to a cylindrical interior space (21) for holding the NMR sample tube are constituted around said interior space (21), wherein said temperature control device is constituted such that it is closed toward the interior space in an axial end region (26) and, an axial end region (23) at the opposite end thereto, open to the interior space for inserting the NMR sample tube into said interior space (21), wherein, in a counter flow region (GB), adjacent flow channels (28, 31; 40, 41, 42; 51) are interconnected through a fluid passage (34, 43, 44) at one axial end in such a way that the direction of a fluid flow in the flow channels of the counter flow region is reversed with respect to the corresponding adjacent flow channel in the counter flow region, wherein the outermost flow channel (28; 51) of the counter flow region has a fluid inlet (32) at one axial end, and wherein the innermost flow channel (31; 42) of the counter flow region has a fluid passage (36) to the interior space at one axial end that faces toward the axial end region that is closed, is characterized in that at least one of the flow channels, in particular, the outermost flow channel (28; 50) of the temperature control device and/or the next outermost flow channel (31; 40; 50) of the temperature control device has a fluid outlet (35) at one axial end, through which at least part (MS) of the temperature-controlling fluid flow that is conveyed along the outermost flow channel (28; 50) of the temperature control device can escape from the temperature control device without passing through all of the flow channels of the counter-low region. With this invention, temperature control of an NMR sample tube can be ensured with low temperature gradients, while achieving a high temperature control performance. |
| US08847594B2 |
Method for reducing artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging
Disclosed are methods for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that reduce the appearance of artifacts in a final image. Also provided are a computer readable medium comprising instructions that when executed by a CPU results in the reduction of artifacts in a magnetic resonance image, and an MRI apparatus comprising the computer readable medium. Also disclosed is a data processing method that provides further reduction of residual artifacts in a magnetic resonance image. The disclosed methods provide a simple and effective approach to ameliorate various artifacts in virtually any type of MRI scanners. |
| US08847593B2 |
Accelerated B1 mapping
A method comprises: performing a number of B i field mapping sequences (24) using a set of radio frequency transmit coils (11) to acquire a B1 field mapping data set wherein said number is less than a number of radio frequency transmit coils in the set of radio frequency transmit coils; and determining coil sensitivities (30) for the set of radio frequency transmit coils based on the acquired B1 field mapping data set. In some embodiments, the performed B1 field mapping sequences are defined by (i) performing a linear transform (40) on the set of radio frequency transmit coils to generate a set of orthogonal virtual radio frequency transmit coils (42) and (ii) selecting (44) a sub-set (46) of the set of orthogonal virtual radio frequency transmit coils that define the performed B1 field mapping sequences. |
| US08847592B2 |
Techniques for magnetic particle imaging
A magnetic particle imaging apparatus includes magnets [106,107] that produce a gradient magnetic field having a field free region (FFR), excitation field electromagnets [102,114] that produce a radiofrequency magnetic field within the field free region, high-Q receiving coils [112] that detect a response of magnetic particles in the field free region to the excitation field. Field translation electromagnets create a homogeneous magnetic field displacing the field-free region through the field of view (FOV) allowing the imaging region to be scanned to optimize scan time, scanning power, amplifier heating, SAR, dB/dt, and/or slew rate. Efficient multi-resolution scanning techniques are also provided. Intermodulated low and radio-frequency excitation signals are processed to produce an image of a distribution of the magnetic nanoparticles within the imaging region. A single composite image is computed using deconvolution of multiple signals at different harmonics. |
| US08847590B2 |
Surface-mountable magnetic field sensor having a semiconductor chip and method for producing a circuit board having a magnetic field sensor
A surface-mountable magnetic field sensor (1) with a semiconductor chip (4), a magnetic field measuring device (30), and in a method for producing and populating a circuit board (24) having a magnetic field sensor (1), the magnetic field sensor (1) has a semiconductor chip (4), which is arranged on a flat-conductor substrate (5). At least three flat-conductor electrodes (6 to 9), which protrude out of a plastic housing side (10), are electrically connected to the semiconductor chip (4). The flat-conductor substrate (5) and the semiconductor chip (4) are embedded in a plastic housing (11). The plastic housing (11) can be inserted with the embedded semiconductor chip (4) into a magnetic field gap (12), with the flat-conductor electrodes (6 to 9) protruding, wherein the flat-conductor electrodes (6 to 9) have bends (13 to 16) at a distance from the plastic housing side (10), the bends being surface-mountable on a circuit board. |
| US08847589B2 |
Magnetic field sensor with suspended stress gauge
A magnetic field sensor including a body including a magnetic mechanism capable of forming a torque applied on the body by action of an external magnetic field to be detected; a connector, separated from the body, mechanically connecting the body to an inlay portion of the sensor by at least one pivot link having an axis perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field to be detected; a detector detecting stress applied by the body by action of the torque, separated from the connector and including at least one suspended stress gauge including a first part mechanically connected to the inlay portion, a second part mechanically connected to the body, and a third part provided between the first and second parts and suspended between the inlay portion and the body. |
| US08847588B2 |
Current sensor
A current sensor includes a current path to be measured, a neighboring current path that is provided in the vicinity of the current path to be measured, first and second magnetoelectric transducers having a main sensitivity axis parallel to a direction of a magnetic field generated by a current to be measured flowing in the current path to be measured, and are provided so that the directions of the magnetic fields generated by the current to be measured are applied in mutually opposite directions, and third and fourth magnetoelectric transducers having a main sensitivity axis being non-orthogonal to a direction of a magnetic field generated by the neighboring current while being orthogonal to the direction of the magnetic field generated by the current to be measured, and are provided so that the directions of the magnetic fields generated by the current to be measured are applied in mutually opposite directions. |
| US08847586B2 |
Inspection apparatus and inspection method of magnetic sensor
A magnetic sensor inspection apparatus has a rectangular frame including a stage, a probe card, and a plurality of magnetic field generating coils. A wafer-like array of magnetic sensors is mounted on the stage, which is movable in horizontal and vertical directions. The probe card includes a plurality of probes which are brought into contact with a plurality of magnetic sensors encompassed in a measurement area. The magnetic field generating coils are driven to generate a magnetic field toward the stage. A plurality of magnetic field environment measuring sensors is arranged in the peripheral portion of the probe card surrounding the probes. A magnetic field controller controls magnetic fields generated by the magnetic field generating coils based on the measurement result of the magnetic field environment measuring sensors. Thus, it is possible to concurrently inspect a wafer-like array of magnetic sensors with the probe card. |
| US08847585B2 |
Magnetic absolute encoder and motor
A magnetic absolute encoder includes: a board-holding assembly mounted to a motor case assembly side; and a flexible printed wiring board which is held, by the board-holding assembly, in the shape of a loop surrounding multipolar and bipolar ring magnets. On the flexible printed wiring board, multipolar-side hall elements and bipolar-side hall elements are mounted and a wiring pattern relating to the hall elements are printed. The assembling work and wiring work of the magnetic absolute encoder provided with a multipolar magnetic encoder and a bipolar magnetic encoder can be performed simply in a short time. |
| US08847584B2 |
Assembly for detecting more than one rotation through a position encoder magnet
The rotational position of an encoder magnet can be scanned over more than 360° by respective sensor elements in that magnets are disposed on different stages of a suitable transmission, in particular of a differential transmission, and the magnets are scanned by separate sensor elements, whose signals are computed with one another and yield a total number of revolutions.In particular, when an assembly of this type shall be built very small, undesirable magnetic interferences for the sensor elements have to be avoided through flux conductor elements since the interferences distort the measurement results. Thus, a differentiation is made between active and passive flux conductor elements. |
| US08847582B2 |
Method of robust position measurement
A method of improving linear position sensing of clutch actuators with magnetic field sensors utilizes a dedicated magnetic field sensor solely to detect the ambient magnetic field. Typical three position hydraulic clutch actuators include a pair of active magnetic field sensors, one of such active sensors associated with each of a pair of pistons in such actuator and an adjacent pair of permanent magnets, one of such magnets associated with each of such pistons. The invention provides an additional magnetic field sensor disposed proximate the active magnetic field sensors which senses the surrounding (stray, background or parasitic) magnetic field proximate the active magnetic field sensors and provides a signal to an electronic circuit or software which actively and in real time corrects the signals from the active magnetic field sensors by cancelling out the magnitude of the stray magnetic field as detected by the additional sensor. |
| US08847567B2 |
DC/DC converter and method for the current control of a DC/DC converter
A DC/DC converter includes an input to which an input current is supplied, an output at which an output current is provided, and a current control circuit coupled to the input and the output includes a unit that provides an instantaneous value signal proportional to the output current of the DC/DC converter with the aid of the input current, an internal input that supplies a reference signal, and a comparison device coupled to the unit that provides the instantaneous value signal and the internal input and comprises an internal output that provides a control signal dependent on a comparison of the instantaneous value signal with the reference signal, wherein the control signal adjusts the output current of the DC/DC converter. |
| US08847566B2 |
Switching power supply with mode transition control
A switching power supply that can suppress output variation at a time of transition of a control mode from a non-linear control mode to a linear control mode. The switching power supply includes instruction value forming circuitry that forms, in a linear control mode, a linear control instruction value for linearly control a switching circuit based on an error of an output voltage, and forms, in a non-linear control mode, a non-linear control instruction value for non-linearly control the switching circuit. The instruction value forming circuitry predicts, in the non-linear control mode, a linear control instruction value suited to the load current in the non-linear control mode, and uses the predicted linear control instruction value for an initial value of the linear control instruction value at a time of transition from the non-linear control mode to the linear control mode. |
| US08847559B1 |
Generator system and method of operation
A generator system includes an AC generator having one or more phases, a transformer having the same number of phases as the generator, and for each phase of the AC generator, a capacitive element having a first terminal electrically connected to an output winding of the AC generator and a second terminal electrically connected to a primary winding of a respective phase of the transformer. A method of operating a generator system includes conveying current between an output winding of each phase of an AC generator and a primary winding of a respective phase of a transformer via a respective series-connected capacitive element having a first terminal electrically connected to the output winding and a second terminal electrically connected to the primary winding. |
| US08847558B2 |
Method and device for operating a generator in a recuperation system of a motor vehicle
A setpoint for a mechanical torque of a generator in a recuperation system of a motor vehicle is specified, and a generator current of the generator for setting the specified mechanical torque of the generator is set. |
| US08847556B2 |
Power storage device and semiconductor device provided with the power storage device
An object is to provide a power storage device provided with a battery that is a power storage means, for safe and accurate supply of electric power in a short period of time for drive power supply voltage without checking remaining capacity of the battery or changing batteries with deterioration over time of the battery for drive power supply voltage. The power storage device is provided with a battery that is a power storage means as a power supply for supplying electric power and a counter circuit for counting charging time of the power storage means. An electromagnetic wave with electric field intensity, magnetic field intensity, and power flux density per unit time which are transmitted from a power feeder are controlled, and the power storage means is efficiently charged using the electromagnetic wave in a short period of time. |
| US08847554B2 |
System for preventing deep battery discharge
A battery management system for managing the voltage of a battery cell, such as a lithium ion battery, is disclosed. The battery management system comprises a semiconductor switch coupled to the battery cell, wherein the semiconductor switch is in an on condition when the voltage across the battery cell exceeds a first threshold voltage, and a microprocessor coupled to the semiconductor switch, wherein the microprocessor monitors the voltage across the battery cell when the semiconductor switch is on, and turns itself off when the when the monitored voltage is less than a second threshold voltage, thereby preventing further current drain from the battery cell. |
| US08847552B2 |
Battery pack and method of controlling the same
A battery pack blocks a current flowing between battery cells coupled in parallel among a plurality of battery cells coupled in series and in parallel while measuring voltages so as to prevent a battery cell in a low-voltage state from being automatically charged through a battery cell coupled in parallel to the battery cell in a low-voltage state, and the battery pack accurately determines whether there is an abnormal battery cell by detecting voltages of battery cells coupled in series, thereby performing accurate measurement. |
| US08847546B2 |
Inductive power supply system with battery type detection
An inductive power supply system to wirelessly charge a remote device based on detected battery characteristics. The system includes an inductive power supply with a primary coil capable of inductively providing power to a secondary coil in a remote device. The inductive power supply and remote device include communication means for wirelessly communicating. The system further includes a remote device, having a battery with detectable battery characteristics. In operation, the remote device is capable of detecting the battery characteristics by applying a qualification charge to the battery. The inductive power supply system is capable of identifying the battery installed in the remote device by analyzing the detected battery characteristics. The inductive power supply system selects an appropriate charging algorithm based on the analyzed characteristics. |
| US08847543B2 |
Secondary battery charging device and secondary battery charging system
A secondary battery charging system includes a secondary battery charging device and a power generation device that generates a charging current. The secondary battery charging device controls the charging a secondary battery, which has a protection timer that counts a first elapsed time from a start of charging. The secondary battery charging device includes a charging switch that controls a supply of the charging current, a time management timer portion that counts a second elapsed time starting from a point at which the charging switch becomes conductive and performs a charging stop determination and that counts a third elapsed time starting from a point at which the charging switch is cut off and performs a charging start determination, and a charging control portion that causes the charging switch to be conductive or cut off based on results of the charging stop determination and the charging start determination. |
| US08847542B2 |
Device and method for controlling motor
In order to lower electromagnetic noise, normally, a carrier frequency of a inverter or controlling drive of a motor mounted on an electrically powered vehicle is changed periodically or randomly within a first frequency range set in advance, as the time elapses. While a vehicle speed is low, the carrier frequency is changed periodically or randomly within a second frequency range set in advance to be wider than the first frequency range and to be equal in central frequency to the first frequency range, as the time elapses. The second frequency range is set to include a resonant frequency of a specific mechanical oscillation system higher in electromagnetic noise generated at a natural resonant frequency, among a plurality of mechanical oscillation systems formed by equipment mounted on the electrically powered vehicle. On the other hand, the first frequency range is set not to include the resonant frequency. |
| US08847541B2 |
Control method and control device of motor inverter
A motor inverter is provided with switching elements for each phase of a 3-phase motor, and driving the motor by turning on and off the switching elements. In an example of a control device of the motor inverter, the control device includes: a stationary phase determination unit for defining a phase in a plurality of phases provided with switching elements for each area as a stationary phase in which a switching operation is not performed, based on current command value of each phase acquired from d-axis current command value and q-axis current command value of the motor, with one rotation in electrical angle of a rotor of the motor divided into a plurality of areas; and a drive unit for performing the switching operation of switching elements of the phases other than the stationary phase determined for each area to perform, and realizing 2-phase modulation control. |
| US08847540B2 |
Control system for single-phase induction motor and control method for single-phase induction motor
A control system for a single-phase induction motor including at least: one electronic control, a main switch, an auxiliary switch, one voltage conditioner block, the main switch being electrically associated to the main winding and the auxiliary switch to the auxiliary winding, the control circuit being electrically associated to the voltage conditioner block and to the switches, the switches being turned on or off by the control circuit, the control system and the motor being electrically associable to an alternating voltage source, the conditioner block is associated in parallel to the auxiliary switch, the conditioner block being capable of accumulating energy when the auxiliary switch is turned off, the conditioner block being arranged to supply electrical power greater than a minimum value to the control circuit, for at least a start-up time, by way of the energy accumulated in the conditioner block, when the switches are turned on. |
| US08847539B2 |
Servomotor drive device that drives servomotor connected to rotating shaft
A servomotor drive device has a first converter, a regenerative resistor circuit having a first switching element and a regenerative resistor, a first connection part configured to connect a second converter in parallel to the regenerative resistor circuit in an attachable and detachable manner, and a first control unit configured to control the on and off states of the first switching element. The second converter has a second switching unit and a second control unit configured to return regenerative energy to an AC power source side by bringing the second switching element into the on state when the second converter is connected to the first connection part. |
| US08847537B2 |
Motor driving device for adjusting motor speed and setting the lowest rotating speed and the driving method thereof
A motor driving device and a driving method thereof is disclosed herein and comprises a PWM converting circuit, an oscillator, a comparator, a controlling unit. The PWM converting circuit converts an analog signal according to an adjustable the highest setting voltage, an adjustable the lowest setting voltage and a controlling signal. The analog signal and a triangular signal generated by the oscillator are inputted to the comparator to compare to output a drive signal to the controlling unit so as to control the motor speed. The motor driving device in the present invention can adjust the motor rotating speed curve to set the lowest rotating speed of the motor so as to achieve the function of changing the motor rotating speed and maintain the lowest torque of the motor to increase the flexibility of the motor speed control. |
| US08847536B2 |
Electric power steering apparatus
An electric power steering apparatus includes a shunt resistor connected to an inverter, a controlling motor current detection circuit connected to two terminals of the shunt resistor in a positive direction, which detects phase currents of a motor and uses the detected phase current as a controlling motor current detection value of assist control, and a diagnostic motor current detection circuit that is connected to two terminals of the shunt resistor in an opposite direction and detects a failure of the controlling motor current detection circuit. Each phase current of the motor is detected by one-shunt type and the assist control is performed, and two systems of a circuit for amplifying a voltage between two terminals of the shunt resistor are provided. |
| US08847535B2 |
System and method to determine the operating status of an electrical system having a system controller and an actuator controller
A system and method to determine the operating status of an electrical system includes a system controller and an actuator controller. The system controller determines if the actuator controller is operating properly and initiates a safe mode of operation if the actuator is not operating properly. In turn, the actuator controller determines if the system controller is operating properly and initiates a safe mode of operation if the system controller is not operating properly. |
| US08847534B2 |
Converter, motor driving module, and refrigerating apparatus
A converter includes three AC reactors, a three-phase diode bridge, a plurality of smoothing capacitors connected in series between a DC output side of the three-phase diode bridge and a DC load, two flywheel diodes connected to positive and negative terminals on the DC side of the three-phase diode bridge, respectively. A reactor is inserted between the midpoint of the two flywheel diodes and the midpoint of the smoothing capacitors, three both-way energizing switches are arranged between the AC side of the three-phase diode bridge and the midpoint of the two flywheel diodes. The three both-way energizing switches are controlled to reduce higher harmonic components of power source current, and by the reactor interposed between the midpoint of the two flywheel diodes and the midpoint of the smoothing capacitors, reverse recovery currents of the three-phase diode bridge during turn-on of the three both-way energizing switches are suppressed. |