| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08855466B2 |
Separate video file for I-frame and non-I-frame data to improve disk performance in trick play
A device has an input circuit to receive a stream of video data, which includes intra-frames (I-frames) and inter-frames. A video frame parser separates the I-frames and inter-frames from the stream of video data. A memory device has a file system thereon, and a processor is configured to process the video data. The processor stores the I-frames in an I-frame file in a contiguous memory region of the memory device and stores the inter-frames in an inter-frame file of the memory device. The processor also stores an index file, which includes information to coordinate a pre-parsed position of each I-frame with at least one adjacent inter-frame. |
| US08855460B2 |
Systems and methods for delivering and exporting edited media in multiple formats
Methods and systems for delivering and exporting edited media in multiple formats. A user may select an export format and the selection of the export format may be recorded. Metadata related to an edit decision list created by a user for the edited media product may be accessed, and the metadata may be applied to a component of each media file to create a clip. The clip may be converted to a temporary conversion format. An effect time in the edit decision list may be accessed, and each clip may be broken into individual frames. Effect images from a library may be appropriately and proportionately combined with each individual frame of each clip, the combined frames may be joined to create a completed media file in an order specified in the edit decision list, and the completed media file may be converted to the selected export format. |
| US08855454B2 |
Bundled fiber optic cables
The present invention relates to a bundled cable suitable for installation in multiple dwelling unit (MDU) applications. The bundled cable includes two or more binders stranded around multiple stranded cable units. The bundled cable not only maintains its integrity on a reel and during installation, but also reduces installation time. |
| US08855453B2 |
Quadratic phase weighed solar receiver
A leaky travelling wave array of optical elements provide a solar wavelength rectenna. |
| US08855452B2 |
Silicon photonic chip optical coupling structures
A silicon photonic chip is provided. An active silicon layer that includes a photonic device is on a front side of the silicon photonic chip. A silicon substrate that includes an etched backside cavity is on a backside of the silicon photonic chip. A microlens is integrated into the etched backside cavity. A buried oxide layer is located between the active silicon layer and the silicon substrate. The buried oxide layer is an etch stop for the etched backside cavity. |
| US08855447B2 |
Scanning laser projector
A scanning projector suitable for projecting an image comprising a plurality of light signals of different wavelengths is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention comprise a beam combiner comprising a planar lightwave circuit that includes a plurality of surface waveguides arranged in define a plurality of input ports, a mixing region, and an output port. Each input port receives a different light signal and provides it to the mixing region. The mixing region combines the plurality of into a single composite output beam that is scanned over a region to create an image in a region. |
| US08855446B2 |
Accelerated video compression multi-tap filter and bilinear interpolator
A set of even interpolated sub-pixels is formed based on a pixel window and a tap coefficient register having a tap coefficient set, the pixel window is shifted and, applying the tap coefficient register a set of odd interpolated pixels is formed. The set of even interpolated sub-pixels and the set of odd interpolated sub-pixels are accumulated, repeatedly, until a termination condition is let. In the accumulating, the tap coefficient register is updated with another tap coefficient set, the pixel window is shifted, and the even interpolated pixels are incremented, the pixel window is then shifted again and the odd interpolated pixels are incremented. |
| US08855440B2 |
Structure-independent analysis of 3-D seismic random noise
A system and method identify and display random noise in three dimensional (3-D) seismic data utilizing a 3-D operator to reduce the effects of seismic structure on noise identification. The 3-D operator is derived using statements of required performance in 3-D. The 3-D operator is applied on a pixel-by-pixel basis to each of the pixels in the 3-D post-stacked data to display images in a 3-D display or to output an estimate of noise that is substantially independent of the image structure. The resulting display is generated in colors to indicate noise amplitude to facilitate location of noisy regions in the original display. |
| US08855439B2 |
Method for determining a localization error in a georeferenced image and related device
The invention relates to a method for determining a localization error (ε) of a point (P0) of a raw image, comprising the following steps: estimating the value of a statistical magnitude (G) characteristic of a probability law (D(X, Y, Z)) of at least one terrain coordinate (X, Y, Z) associated with the point (P0) of the raw image, using a probability law (D(θ1, . . . , θn)) with magnitudes (θ1, . . . , θn) depending on the exposure conditions of the raw image and a localization function, deduced from an exposure function and a terrain model and applied for the image coordinate point (P0) of the raw image; and deducing the localization error (ε) of the point (P0) of the raw image from the statistical magnitude (G). |
| US08855436B2 |
System for and method of selective video frame compression and decompression for efficient event-driven searching in large databases
A method of, and system for, selective video frame compression and decompression is presented. The disclosed technique is particularly suited for efficient event-driven searching in large databases. The technique involves designating certain frames in a video sequence as reference frames, to be compressed using a first compression technique, where the remaining frames are compressed using a second compression technique. The first compression technique may be implemented without requiring data from any neighboring frames. |
| US08855434B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method
A deblocking filter 24 performs filtering of decoded image data obtained by decoding image data encoded for each block, so as to remove block distortion. If at least one of block sizes on adjacent sides of two adjacent blocks is extended larger than a predetermined block size, a filter setting unit 41 sets the tap length to an extended length to increase the strength of distortion removal, or sets a filtering object pixel range to an extended range. When a macroblock having an extended size is used, the degree of smoothing is increased, and pixels including those distant from the block boundary are subjected to filtering. Consequently, even when various block sizes are employed or when blocks of extended sizes are used, images of high image quality can be achieved. |
| US08855433B2 |
Tracking a reference picture based on a designated picture on an electronic device
A method for tracking a reference picture on an electronic device is described. The method includes receiving a bitstream. The method also includes decoding a portion of the bitstream to produce a decoded reference picture. The method further includes tracking the decoded reference picture in a decoded picture buffer (DPB) with reduced overhead referencing based on a designated picture. The method additionally includes decoding a picture based on the decoded reference picture. |
| US08855429B2 |
Method and apparatus for recognizing characters
A method and an apparatus for recognizing characters using an image are provided. A camera is activated according to a character recognition request and a preview mode is set for displaying an image photographed through the camera in real time. An auto focus of the camera is controlled and an image having a predetermined level of clarity is obtained for character recognition from the images obtained in the preview mode. The image for character recognition is character-recognition-processed so as to extract recognition result data. A final recognition character row is drawn that excludes non-character data from the recognition result data. A first word is combined including at least one character of the final recognition character row and a predetermined maximum number of characters. A dictionary database that stores dictionary information on various languages using the first word is searched, so as to provide the user with the corresponding word. |
| US08855427B2 |
Systems and methods for efficiently and accurately detecting changes in spatial feature data
Systems (100) and methods (300) for efficiently and accurately detecting changes in feature data. The methods generally involve: determining first vectors for first features extracted from a first image using pixel information associated therewith; comparing the first vectors with second vectors defined by spatial feature data; classifying the first features into a plurality of classes based on the results of the vector comparisons; and analyzing the first image to determine if any one of the first features of at least one of the plurality of classes indicates that a relevant change has occurred in relation to an object represented thereby. |
| US08855423B2 |
Image capture and identification system and process
A digital image of the object is captured and the object is recognized from plurality of objects in a database. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object. |
| US08855419B2 |
Image rectification using an orientation vector field
This invention is a method for rectifying an input digital image including warped textual information. The method includes analyzing the input digital image to determine local orientations for a plurality of local image regions and determining an orientation vector field by interpolating between the determined local orientations for a lattice of positions. A set of streamlines are determined responsive to the orientation vector field. A global deformation function is formed by interpolating between the streamlines and is used to form a rectified image. |
| US08855416B2 |
Image processing method and image processing apparatus
An image processing method and image processing apparatus for removing noise from an image. The image processing method includes: dividing an input image into a high frequency component and a low frequency component; removing noise from the high frequency component; and combining the low frequency component and the high frequency component from which noise is removed to form an output image. Accordingly, an image in which edge components are well preserved and a degree of color noise is reduced may be generated not only in a general environment but also in a low light level and highly sensitive environment having strong noise. |
| US08855415B2 |
Digital image compression and decompression
A method of compressing a digital image defined by a plurality of pixel values in each of one or more channels includes adjusting each pixel value in each of the one or more channels by an average pixel value for that channel. The method further includes splitting each adjusted channel into one or more image blocks, and converting each image block into a frequency block that is a frequency-domain representation of that image block. |
| US08855413B2 |
Image reflow at word boundaries
Described is a method for identifying text or other information in one or more images and reflowing images of individual elements of text at a word boundary or character boundary on devices of different sizes. The text may be rescaled while retaining the look and feel of the original text. The size may be scaled according to one or more parameters. Text may be captured in a plurality of images and merged together to form a single document or document-like collection. Text may be fully recognized, indexed, sorted and/or be made searchable. Text may be wrapped around objects and features identified as non-text or non-informational elements in an image. Borders or edges between successive elements of text may be smoothed, combined, overlapped and/or blended. Backgrounds of text may be adjusted to make the appearance of successive elements aesthetically pleasing or as close to the original as possible. Fonts may be automatically generated for display of the text on any device in its original form—with breaks in the text at a word or other natural language boundary not found in the original representation of the text. |
| US08855411B2 |
Opacity measurement using a global pixel set
A computing device is described herein that is configured to select a pixel pair including a foreground pixel of an image and a background pixel of the image from a global set of pixels based at least on spatial distances from an unknown pixel and color distances from the unknown pixel. The computing device is further configured to determine an opacity measure for the unknown pixel based at least on the selected pixel pair. |
| US08855409B2 |
Three-dimension image processing method and a three-dimension image display apparatus applying the same
A three-dimension (3D) image processing method is disclosed. A plurality of asymmetric filtering is performed on an input depth map to obtain a plurality of asymmetric filtering results. One among the asymmetric filtering results is selected as an output depth map. A two-dimension (2D) image is converted into a 3D image according to the output depth map. |
| US08855407B2 |
Electronic device and method for adjusting orientation of product model in machine coordinate system
An electronic device and method creates a part coordinate system of a three-dimensional (3D) product model based on dimensional information in a two-dimensional (2D) drawing of the product, determines transformation matrices of the part coordinate system relative to a machine coordinate system of the measuring machine, and automatically adjusts the orientation of the product model in the machine coordinate system, to align the part coordinate system with the machine coordinate system. |
| US08855403B2 |
Method of discriminating between an object region and a ground region and method of measuring three dimensional shape by using the same
A method of discriminating a region and a method of measuring a three dimensional shape are disclosed. The method includes irradiating light onto a substrate having a measurement target formed thereon to capture an image by receiving light reflected by the substrate, setting up an object region in which the measurement target is disposed and a ground region corresponding to a remaining region in an inspection region of the image, irradiating a grating patterned light onto the substrate having the measurement target formed thereon to capture a patterned image by receiving the grating patterned light reflected by the substrate, and obtaining height of each position in the inspection region by using the patterned image to establish a ground height with respect to the measurement target with a height of the ground region. |
| US08855400B2 |
Detection of thin lines for selective sensitivity during reticle inspection using processed images
A detection method for a spot image based thin line detection is disclosed. The method includes a step for generating a band limited spot image from a transmitted and reflected optical image of the mask. The spot image is calibrated to minimize a plurality of optical aberrations from the spot image. The spot image is restored back to a mask image to allow at least one of: a more reliable segmentation between thin line and non-thin line areas on the mask image or a more accurate line width measurement for facilitating segmentation. Thin line features and non-thin lines features are distinguished on the restored mask image. Areas containing thin line features are grown while preventing the thin line growth from encroaching the non-thin line features. |
| US08855397B2 |
Method for detecting clusters of biological particles
The invention relates to a method for detecting clusters of biological particles (12) on a surface (11), comprising steps that involve: a. determining (E1) a topographical representation (20) of said surface; and b. detecting (E3, E4), on said topographical representation, at least one contour defining a region that is likely to correspond to a cluster of biological particles. |
| US08855393B2 |
Three-dimensional X-ray imaging techniques and devices
Embodiments of a system, device, and method used in connection with the capture, processing, and display of radiographic images for use in a three-dimensional radiographic image representation are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a digital x-ray unit is arranged to provide transmission of x-ray energy at a series of determined angles and perspectives. The transmission of x-ray energy may be captured as series of two-dimensional digital x-ray images, and provided to a processing environment. A three-dimensional radiographic image representation may be created from the series of two-dimensional digital x-ray images, and provide for display in various three-dimensional display environments. Suitable three-dimensional display environments include a stereoscopic display provided on a three-dimensional electronic display unit, and a virtual three-dimensional environment simulated with a software user interface provided on a two-dimensional electronic display unit. |
| US08855391B2 |
Operating method for an imaging system for the time-resolved mapping of an iteratively moving examination object
The invention relates to an operating method for an imaging system for the time-resolved mapping of an iteratively moving examination object. First recordings of the object are generated by the imaging system from various angles while simultaneously recording a phase signal. Multiple static 3D-image data sets corresponding to a sequence of defined phases are reconstructed from the first recordings. Three-dimensional motion fields are calculated from the 3D-image data sets, by which two 3D-image data sets are mapped onto one another. Second recordings of the object are generated by the imaging system from various angles while simultaneously recording a phase signal. 3D-image data sets from the second recordings in a previously determined reference phase of the phase signal using the motion fields is generated which is a sequence of motion-compensated 3D-image data sets. |
| US08855389B1 |
Automated patient-specific bone-implant biomechanical analysis
An apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing information for surgical planning based on automated biomechanical analysis of a bone-implant system using finite element analysis of a patient's 3D medical image, including automated biomechanical analysis of bone-implant systems for use in surgical planning both pre-operatively and intra-operatively and for use in research and development studies. |
| US08855385B2 |
Apparatus and method for multi-energy tissue quantification
An apparatus for multi-energy tissue quantification includes an x-ray imaging system comprises an x-ray source configured to emit a beam of x-rays toward an object to be imaged, a detector configured to receive the x-rays attenuated by the object, and a data acquisition system (DAS) operably coupled to the detector. A computer operably connected to the x-ray source and the DAS is programmed to cause the x-ray source to emit x-rays at each of a first kVp and a second kVp toward the detector, acquire x-ray data from x-rays emitted at the first and second kVp through a region of interest (ROI), and perform a first multi-material decomposition based on the acquired x-ray data. The computer is also programmed to quantify a volume fraction of a first material in the ROI based on the first multi-material decomposition and display the volume fraction of the first material to a user. |
| US08855382B2 |
MRI mammography with facilitated comparison to other mammography images
An image processing method generates two-dimensional images, each of which are respectively in accordance with left and right breasts of a subject using three-dimensional image data of the left and right breasts. A comparison two-dimensional combined image is generated, wherein the left and right breast images are disposed symmetrically. The comparison two-dimensional combined image is displayed on a display unit. |
| US08855381B2 |
Fake-finger determination device, fake-finger determination method and fake-finger determination program
The accuracy for determining a fake finger in which a thin film is attached to a surface of a finger is improved. A fake-finger determination device includes an imaging unit 10 that images a reflected light image and a transmitted light image of an authentication object serving as a fingerprint authentication object, a classifying unit 31 that classifies each of the reflected light image and the transmitted light image into a foreground portion having a feature of a skin image and a background portion having no feature of a skin image, based on a hue value of a pixel included in each of the images, a detecting unit 32 that compares the foreground portion of one image of the reflected light image and the transmitted light image with the background portion of the other image to detect an overlapping portion, and a determining unit 33 that determines whether or not a foreign substance is present in the periphery of a finger using the overlapping portion. |
| US08855377B1 |
Method and system for semi-automated setup of accounts within a data management system
Digital images of account related items, such as credit cards, membership cards, ATM cards, checks, etc., are captured. The digital image of the account related items is then converted into electronic account data that is used to auto-fill add account information data fields of add account forms and semi-automatically add the accounts associated with the account related items to a data management system. |
| US08855376B2 |
Finger vein authentication device
The invention provides a finger vein authentication device using plural fingers that enables the plural fingers to be easily presented while maintaining high authentication precision. A finger vein authentication device according to an embodiment of the invention includes light sources that irradiate light onto fingers; imaging elements that photograph light transmitted through the fingers; and an image processing unit that processes the obtained images. The finger vein authentication device further includes a finger placement table that defines a presentation location of the first finger in an anteroposterior direction and other finger placement tables that define locations of all the fingers in a horizontal direction. |
| US08855372B2 |
Methods and systems for content processing
Cell phones and other portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies by which existing functionality can be improved, and new functionality can be provided. Some relate to visual search capabilities, and responding to different image inputs and different contexts. Others relate to processing of image data. Still others concern metadata generation, processing, and representation. Yet others relate to coping with fixed focus limitations of cell phone cameras, e.g., in reading digital watermark data. Still others concern user interface improvements. Yet others concern adapting behavior of a camera-equipped system based on previously-captured imagery. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. |
| US08855371B2 |
Color image processing method, color image processing device, and color image processing program
An object area detection means detects an object area which is an area to be subjected to image processing from an input image. A reflection component reconstruction means calculates color information of the object area and a perfect diffusion component, which is a low-frequency component of the object area, and reconstructs a surface reflection component based on the color information and the low-frequency component. A surface reflection component correction means corrects the reconstructed surface reflection component according to a reference surface reflection component that is the surface reflection component set in advance according to the object area. A reproduced color calculation means calculates a reproduced color that is a color obtained by correcting each pixel included in the input image by using the perfect diffusion component and the corrected surface reflection component and generates an output image based on the reproduced color. |
| US08855370B2 |
Method and device for determining a calibration parameter of a stereo camera
The invention relates to a method and device for determining object property of an object with the aid of images that have been recorded with the aid of a camera. Further, the invention relates to a method for determining a calibration parameter for a stereo camera. For determining the object property of an object, the object is defined in a first image recorded with the aid of the camera. Further, the brightness of a defined object is determined. Each time after a preset time interval, a further image is recorded with the aid of the camera. The object is defined in each of the further images and each time, the brightness of the defined object of each image is determined. Dependent on the brightness curve, an object property is assigned to the object. |
| US08855361B2 |
Scene activity analysis using statistical and semantic features learnt from object trajectory data
Trajectory information of objects appearing in a scene can be used to cluster trajectories into groups of trajectories according to each trajectory's relative distance between each other for scene activity analysis. By doing so, a database of trajectory data can be maintained that includes the trajectories to be clustered into trajectory groups. This database can be used to train a clustering system, and with extracted statistical features of resultant trajectory groups a new trajectory can be analyzed to determine whether the new trajectory is normal or abnormal. Embodiments described herein, can be used to determine whether a video scene is normal or abnormal. In the event that the new trajectory is identified as normal the new trajectory can be annotated with the extracted semantic data. In the event that the new trajectory is determined to be abnormal a user can be notified that an abnormal behavior has occurred. |
| US08855350B2 |
Patterned implantable electret microphone
An implantable microphone that includes a hermetically-sealed, enclosed volume and an electret member and back plate disposed with a space therebetween and capacitively coupleable to provide an output signal indicative of acoustic signals incident upon at least one of the electret member and back plate. At least one of the electret member and the back plate may include a plurality of laterally offset portions located in corresponding spatial relation to a plurality of laterally offset regions including the lateral extent of the space. The output signal may be at least one of weighted and weightable in relation to the plurality of laterally offset portions. The electret member may include the plurality of laterally offset portions, and the laterally offset portions may include at least one positively charged dielectric material portion and at least one negatively charged dielectric material portion. |
| US08855349B2 |
Portable speaker
A portable speaker having a base, a cover, a scissors mechanism, a positioning mechanism, a restoring element, a push-push type mechanism and a speaker module is provided. The scissors mechanism, the positioning mechanism, the restoring element, the push-push type mechanism are disposed between the base and the cover, respectively. The scissors mechanism translates the cover vertically. The positioning mechanism translates the cover to an original position, a first position or a second position. The restoring element repositions the cover from the first position to the original position or the second position. The push-push type mechanism fixes the cover to the original position or the second position. The speaker module is disposed in the base or the cover, wherein the sound from the speaker module is able to be output from the interval between the base and the cover when the cover is at the second position. |
| US08855347B2 |
Hearing device with a vent extension and method for manufacturing such a hearing device
A hearing device comprises an ear-piece which is designed to be worn at least partially in an ear canal of a user of the hearing device. The ear-piece comprises a vent passage connecting the ear canal with the atmosphere. The vent passage has an inner opening towards the ear-canal and an outer opening towards the atmosphere. The ear-piece further comprises a vent extension. The vent extension is a protrusion extending the vent passage beyond the body of the ear-piece. The vent extension is adapted for abutting on a surface of the body of the user and is thereby inconspicuous and/or contributes thereby to retention. A method for manufacturing such a hearing device is also disclosed. |
| US08855346B2 |
Hearing device with reduced acoustic feedback due to vibration-related shortening of the hearing device
A hearing device has a housing, in which a loudspeaker and a battery are disposed. The housing has a first housing part and a second housing part. The housing parts are connected to one another by way of a connection. At least one housing part or an attenuation element provided in the connection between the housing parts is formed of an elastic material. |
| US08855339B2 |
Electret loudspeaker device
An electret loudspeaker device including a diaphragm, a first perforated electrode and a first spacer is provided. The diaphragm includes a first electret, a second electret, a polymer layer and an electrode layer. At least one layer of the first electret or the second electret is formed by expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The second electret is stacked on one side of the first electret, while the electrode layer is stacked on the opposite side of the first electret. The polymer layer is made of a hydrophobic material and is disposed on the second electret. The first perforated electrode is stacked on a first spacer and close to the polymer layer. The first spacer disposed between the diaphragm and the first perforated electrode supports the first perforated electrode over the diaphragm and defines a first chamber. A fabrication method of the electret loudspeaker device is also provided. |
| US08855338B2 |
Transducers employing bowed lamina
A new type of sound transducer, with high output capability and compact size employs a motor in combination with a displacement amplification system using curved lamina. The motor may be electrostatic, such as piezoelectric, or electrodynamic, such as magnetostrictive, or balanced armature. Newer forms of driver materials such as PMN-PT and layered PZT or Galfenol or Terfenol-D are examples. The design exhibits high source levels, smooth frequency response and uniform directivity. Although the application described herein relates to a low frequency sound source for underwater use, the design is not restricted to low frequencies or to an underwater sound source. Both sound production and reception may be conducted. Further, diaphragmatic displacement pumps and sensors may be equipped with curved lamina, which experience a change of curvature upon excitation of their edges, and which may generate displacement of their edges due to changes of their curvature. |
| US08855336B2 |
System and method for biasing active devices
An apparatus for generating a bias voltage for an active device is disclosed, comprising a first voltage source, a capacitive element adapted to generate a charge in response to the first voltage source, and a first switching element adapted to deliver the charge to generate the bias voltage for the active device. The apparatus may comprise a controller adapted to control a capacitive element based on one or more characteristics of the active device. Alternatively, the controller may also control the capacitance of the capacitive element based on a reference voltage that is, in turn, based on one or more characteristics of the active device. The apparatus may also comprise a second voltage source adapted to generate a second voltage from which the bias voltage may be generated. The second voltage may be based on one or more characteristics of the active device. The apparatus may comprise a second switching element adapted to selectively enable and disable the active device. |
| US08855332B2 |
Sound enhancement apparatus and method
A sound enhancement apparatus and method which produce low IMD over a broadband frequency region and performs BSE to offer a sound which is natural to the human ears, are provided. The sound enhancement apparatus includes a preprocessor, a BSE signal generator, and a gain controller. The preprocessor divides a source signal into a high-frequency signal and a low-frequency signal and analyzes the low-frequency signal to obtain prediction information regarding a degree of distortion that will be generated by the low-frequency signal. The BSE signal generator generates a higher harmonic signal for the low-frequency signal as a BSE signal to be substituted for the low-frequency signal, wherein the order of the higher harmonic signal is adjusted based on the prediction information regarding the degree of distortion. The gain controller adjusts a synthesis ratio of the low-frequency signal and the BSE signal adaptively depending on the prediction information regarding the degree of distortion. |
| US08855330B2 |
Automated sensor signal matching
In one embodiment, a method for matching first and second signals includes transforming, over a selected frequency band, the first and second signals into the frequency domain such that frequency components of the first and second signals are assigned to associated frequency bins, generating a scaling ratio associated with each frequency bin, and for at least one of the two signals, or at least a third signal derived from one of the two signals, scaling frequency components associated with each frequency bin by the scaling ratio associated with that frequency bin. The generating comprises determining, during a non-startup period, a signal ratio of the first and second signals for each frequency bin, determining the usability of each signal ratio, and designating a signal ratio as a scaling ratio if it is determined to be usable. |
| US08855328B2 |
Earpiece and a method for playing a stereo and a mono signal
An earpiece for providing an audio signal to two ears of a user, includes an audio interface for providing the audio signal, a bone conduction speaker coupled to the audio interface for outputting an output signal, an adaptive filter with an adjustable impulse response to provide a filtered signal that once played to the second ear of a user, by an in-ear speaker, reduces an audio effect of the leakage signal on the second ear of the user, an in-ear speaker coupled to the audio interface for providing an in-ear audio signal to the second ear of the user, in response to the filtered signal and the second input signal, an in-ear microphone for sensing a sensed audio signal, and a processor for updating an impulse response of the adaptive filter in order to reduce a contribution of the leakage signal to the sensed audio signal. |
| US08855323B2 |
Method for identifying a receiver in a hearing aid
A method for identifying a receiver in a hearing aid of the RITE (Receiver In The Ear) type (1) comprises providing a hearing aid of the RITE-type (1), providing said hearing aid with a receiver (10), measuring the impedance of said receiver (10) using said hearing aid (1), identifying said receiver (10) as one of several predetermined receiver models on basis of said impedance measurement, and issuing a message regarding the result of the identification. The invention also provides a hearing aid and a system for fitting a hearing aid. The hearing aid may comprise the means for measuring receiver impedance. |
| US08855322B2 |
Loudness maximization with constrained loudspeaker excursion
An original loudness level of an audio signal is maintained for a mobile device while maintaining sound quality as good as possible and protecting the loudspeaker used in the mobile device. The loudness of an audio (e.g., speech) signal may be maximized while controlling the excursion of the diaphragm of the loudspeaker (in a mobile device) to stay within the allowed range. In an implementation, the peak excursion is predicted (e.g., estimated) using the input signal and an excursion transfer function. The signal may then be modified to limit the excursion and to maximize loudness. |
| US08855317B2 |
System for protecting an encrypted information unit
This invention relates to system for securing an information unit and applications thereof. The system comprising at least one encrypting means for applying a first encryption key to the information unit thus provided an encrypted information unit, wherein said at least one encryption means is adapted to apply at least two second information encryption keys to the encrypted information unit, said at least two second encryption keys being calculated so as to decrypt the encrypted information unit when all of said first and second encryption keys have been applied to the information unit, the encryption keys being distributed to chosen users of the system. |
| US08855311B1 |
Advanced container security device network protocols
In one preferred embodiment, a set of air interface protocols (AIPs) provides a method for secure wireless-to-IP communication between conveyance-mounted security sensors and one or more remote data consolidation centers employing a global ad-hoc network topology, comprising one or more on-conveyance sensing devices; one or more on-conveyance wireless communications devices; one or more wireless-to-IP bridging devices; one or more internet-addressable remote data centers; wherein the remote data center contains computer instructions for: commanding secure AIP-compliant operations; and maintaining a data base of security sensor-related events interfacing to an encryption key management facility. |
| US08855308B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding security status information
A method of transmitting messages from a sender to a recipient over a wireless channel, the messages including a sequence counter and a frame counter. The method comprises establishing initial values of the sequence counter and the frame counter at the sender. Initial values of the frame counter and the sequence counter are provided to the recipient. The sender sends compressed messages including the value of the sequence counter and not the frame counter and monitors for an acknowledgement of receipt by the recipient. When no acknowledgment is received, the sender sends uncompressed messages until an acknowledgement of receipt is received from the recipient. The sequence counter is incremented and the next value of the frame counter is established as the integer next larger than previous value of the frame counter which is congruent to the sequence counter modulo 256. |
| US08855304B2 |
System and method for generating session keys
The present disclosure describes systems and methods of generating a cryptographic session key based on a known master key shared between a sender communicator and a receiver communicator in a communication network. In one example, a method includes receiving a request from the receiver communicator, by the sender communicator, to establish a communication session between the sender and the receiver communicator. The method further includes generating an open random number signal at the sender communicator and combining the generated open random number signal with the known master key to generate the cryptographic session key. |
| US08855302B2 |
Apparatus and method for Skein hashing
Described herein are an apparatus and method for Skein hashing. The apparatus comprises a block cipher operable to receive an input data and to generate a hashed output data by applying Unique Block Iteration (UBI) modes, the block cipher comprising at least two mix and permute logic units which are pipelined by registers; and a counter, coupled to the block cipher, to determine a sequence of the UBI modes and to cause the block cipher to process at least two input data simultaneously for generating the hashed output data. |
| US08855301B2 |
Coordinating compression information for unreliable encrypted streams through key establishment protocols
In one embodiment, a method includes transmitting compression information from a sender node to a receiver node in a key establishment protocol exchange and transmitting an encrypted compressed packet from the sender node to the receiver node using an unreliable transport. The compression information is used by the receiver node in decompressing the packet received from the sender node. An apparatus is also disclosed. |
| US08855298B2 |
Table lookup operation on masked data
Processing of masked data using table lookups is described. A mask is applied to input data to generate masked input data. The mask and the masked input data are used in combination to locate an entry in a lookup table. The entry corresponds to a transformed version of the input data. |
| US08855290B1 |
Shared call stack in a communications system
A monitoring device 132 provides a shared call stack to a monitored extension and one or more proxy extensions. For example, the monitored extension is a boss' extension in a business environment, and the proxy extension is an extension for a boss' secretary. The monitoring device 132 detects an incoming call for the monitored extension. The incoming call is redirected, by the monitoring device 132, to a shared extension that is associated with the monitored extension. The shared extension has a shared call stack. The shared call stack has a call stack position that is shared with a proxy extension. The incoming call is made available as a call option in the call stack position so that the monitored extension and the proxy extension can user the monitoring device to perform call functions on the incoming call. The monitoring device can also perform call functions on outgoing calls. |
| US08855289B2 |
Automated callback reminder
A call reminder functionality is provided by an arrangement that is operable with a network-enabled communication device in which a reminder to return a phone call can be generated in an automated manner upon the occurrence of a call event. When the call event occurs, an option is displayed on a user interface (“UI”) on the device to create a link between the call and the user's schedule application. If the user selects the option, a callback task is added to the user's task list maintained by the schedule application, and a reminder to make the callback is generated and then displayed on the UI at a future time. The reminder includes pertinent call information and also includes a button that enables the user to place the callback through the UI (i.e., a “one-click call back”). |
| US08855288B2 |
Monitoring and overriding features for telephone service system
A system and method are disclosed for a user to monitor and/or override a forwarded call. Typically, the forwarded call was initially an incoming call from a caller to the user and thereafter forwarded to a remote service system, such as a remote messaging system. The system and method determine a redirecting number from which the incoming call was forwarded. The system and method then initiates a second call to the user and a voice path is established connecting the forwarded call to the second call. Thereafter, the user is notified, for example, with a distinct ring at the user's telephone, of the option that the user may monitor and override the forwarded call. The system and method can also execute procedures to actuate the options elected by the user. |
| US08855283B2 |
Providing enhanced wireline services
Novel tools and techniques that provide enhanced wireline services at one or more known wireline locations. In some cases, these tools and techniques involve determining that a subscriber is at one or more of the known wireline locations based on a detected location of the subscriber's wireless device (e.g., wireless phone, portable computer, etc.). Once the subscriber's presence at that wireline location has been detected, enhanced services can be provided to a wireline telephone at that location. |
| US08855282B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for implementing multimedia ring back tone service
A method, system and apparatus for implementing a Multimedia Ring Back Tone (MRBT) service are provided. The method includes: receiving a call request originated by a calling terminal; parsing a tone playing policy specifying whether to play a caller tone or a callee tone or whether to filter a tone; performing caller tone media negotiation or callee tone media negotiation, or performing no tone negotiation according to the parsing result; and playing the caller tone or the callee tone to the caller, or playing no tone. With the technical solution of the present invention, the caller tone service can be implemented in the IMS domain. Whether a caller tone or a callee tone is played to the caller is determined according to a preset policy. Furthermore, the tone filtering service is also implemented. This gives a user freedom in experiencing the MRBT service. |
| US08855281B2 |
Systems for retrieving content in a unified communications environment
Described are a system and method for processing content in a unified communications environment. As part of an electronic communication session between a first party electronic device and at least one second party electronic device, an identifier is received from the first party electronic device at the at least one second party electronic device. A search is performed for collaborative history data at the second party electronic device using the identifier. Data related to the electronic communication session and/or the collaborative history data is presented at the second party electronic device. |
| US08855278B2 |
Dial up telephone conferencing system controlled by an online computer network
In a telephone conferencing system, a digital communication network such as the Internet is used to establish and control the telephone connections between multiple conferees with the telephone network being the means of exchanging verbal information. Each conferee may have a computer connected to the digital network, and each has an independent telephone instrument connected to the public switched telephone network. An in-charge conferee utilizes his computer containing appropriate software to initiate the conference and to control the participation of the conferees. The in-charge conferee sends digital control signals to a switch interface controlling a telephone switch as a gateway to the telephone network using SS7 control signals. These SS7 control signals include the commands by which the conferee telephones are rung up, brought on line, or dropped from the conference. |
| US08855271B2 |
Intelligent disposition manager
When a communication is directed to an intended recipient, a determination may be made by an intelligent communication disposition manager as to whether one or more available communication devices of the intended recipient are available for routing the incoming communication either based on device availability or routing previously defined by the intended recipient. The intelligent communication disposition manager may utilize presence data of the intended recipient for sending a notification of the incoming communication to one or more of the intended recipient's available communication devices. The intended recipient may select a preferred call routing option for the incoming call/message to be sent. Based on the real-time response from the intended recipient, the call/message may be routed to his/her preferred communication device. |
| US08855267B2 |
Orthovoltage radiosurgery
A radiosurgery system is described that delivers a therapeutic dose of radiation to a target structure in a patient. In some embodiments, inflammatory ocular disorders are treated, specifically macular degeneration. In some embodiments, ocular structures are placed in a global coordinate system, based on ocular imaging, which leads to direction of an automated positioning system. In some embodiments, the position of an ocular structure is tracked and related to a radiosurgery system. In some embodiments, a treatment plan is utilized for a specific disease to be treated and/or structures to be avoided. In some embodiments, a fiducial aids in positioning the system. In some embodiments, a reflection off the eye is used to aid in positioning. In some embodiments, radiodynamic therapy is described in which radiosurgery is used in combination with other treatments and can be delivered concomitant with, prior to, or following other treatments. |
| US08855265B2 |
Correction method for differential phase contrast imaging
The present invention generally refers to a correction method for grating-based X-ray differential phase contrast imaging (DPCI) as well as to an apparatus which can advantageously be applied in X-ray radiography and tomography for hard X-ray DPCI of a sample object or an anatomical region of interest to be scanned. More precisely, the proposed invention provides a suitable approach that helps to enhance the image quality of an acquired X-ray image which is affected by phase wrapping, e.g. in the resulting Moiré interference pattern of an emitted X-ray beam in the detector plane of a Talbot-Lau type interferometer after diffracting said X-ray beam at a phase-shifting beam splitter grating. This problem, which is further aggravated by noise in the obtained DPCI images, occurs if the phase between two adjacent pixels in the detected X-ray image varies by more than π radians and is effected by a line integration over the object's local phase gradient, which induces a phase offset error of π radians that leads to prominent line artifacts parallel to the direction of said line integration. |
| US08855260B2 |
Device for the transportation of nuclear fuel and method for loading/unloading of the said device
The subject of the present invention is principally a transportation device for nuclear fuel which includes a compartment (2) to receive a casing loaded with irradiated fuel, the said compartment (2) including an opening (4) for loading and unloading of the casing (18) from the device and an opening (6) for applying a longitudinal force on the casing (18) causing it to move inside the compartment (2) in the direction of the unloading opening in order to unload it, through a force transmission component (32) which forms a biological shield. |
| US08855257B2 |
Adaptation techniques in MIMO
A method of the multiple input multiple output feedback is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the multiple input multiple output feedback method includes a receiver receiving a reference signal from a base station and calculating a signal to interference and noise ratio from the received reference signal. The method further includes determining a modulation and coding scheme based on the signal to interference and noise ratio and a receiver type. |
| US08855256B1 |
Serial data recovery in digital receiver configurations
An adaptive filtering arrangement for providing bit-synchronous, time-dependent filtering of a time-varying analog input signal taking the form of a time-dependent low pass filter including at least one adaptive resistive element that exhibits a varying resistance value as a function of a time. The time-dependent low pass filter uses as a “control” input a modifying element responsive to a clock signal associated with the received signal for creating a time-varying control signal applied as an input to the adaptive resistive element. The time-varying control signal is created to be synchronous with a baud interval of a created output signal such that the instantaneous bandwidth of the time-dependent low pass filter is synchronous with the baud interval, exhibiting a relatively small bandwidth during a central portion of the baud interval and exhibiting a relatively large bandwidth during a transition from one baud interval to the next. |
| US08855255B2 |
Systems and methods for optimizing timing phase in modem devices
Systems and methods are provided for performing the required phase calculation in a telecommunications system in order to optimize system performance more quickly and with reduced complexity as compared to prior approaches to solving this problem. In accordance with the preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the phase delay of the precursor equalizer (EQ) is calculated off-line and as a result it is not necessary to fill the precursor EQ delay line with the indicated number of symbols as in the previous approach. Additionally, because the precursor EQ is fractionally spaced, both sine and cosine values of the 4kHz tone's initial phase can be achieved simultaneously. As a result, only 36 quick timing sequence (QTS) symbols are needed in order to perform the required estimation. |
| US08855252B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing or removing click noise
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for detecting and correcting input signals regarding click noise, using a first detector unit and a second correction unit, the detector unit differentiates the input signal and extracts the noise signal and compares the sum of two noise samples with a threshold value and in case this sum exceeds the threshold value a click is observed, while the correction unit corrects the input signal in the phase domain and differentiates it prior to outputting the corrected signal. |
| US08855248B2 |
Word boundary lock
In an embodiment, a method for determining a word boundary in an incoming data stream includes initializing an N bit register with initial content, receiving a number of consecutive N bit words of the incoming data stream and processing each of the number of consecutive N bit words. The processing includes performing operations per bit position of the register, including performing an XOR operation on a corresponding received data bit and a next received data bit, performing an AND operation on a current state of the bit position of the register and a result of the XOR operation, and storing a result of the AND operation to update the state of the bit position of the register. The word boundary is defined based on the content of the register following the processing of the number of consecutive N bit words. |
| US08855242B2 |
Data receiving circuit, information processing apparatus, a computer readable storage medium, and data receiving method
A data receiving circuit includes a generating unit that generates multiple clocks with different phases from one another. The data receiving circuit includes multiple acquiring units that acquire data from a received data signal by using different clocks from one another out of the multiple clocks generated by the generating unit. The data receiving circuit includes a determining unit that determines whether the data acquired by the multiple acquiring units are consistent. The data receiving circuit includes a correcting unit that corrects the phases of the multiple clocks in a direction in which data inconsistency does not occur when the determining unit has determined that there is data inconsistent with the other data in the data acquired by the multiple acquiring units. |
| US08855239B2 |
Digital broadcasting transmission/reception system having improved receiving performance and signal processing method thereof
A digital broadcasting transmission/reception system having improved receiving performance and signal processing method thereof. A digital broadcasting transmitter according to the present invention includes a data pre-processor which processed robust data and generates robust data packet of predetermined format, a TS stream generator which combines robust data packet with a normal data packet to generate a TS stream of a predetermined format, a randomizer which randomizes the TS stream output from the TS stream generator, a convolution encoder which performs convolution encoding with respect to the robust data of the data output from the randomizer, and a RS encoder which performs RS encoding with respect to the data output from the convolution g encoder. Accordingly, digital broadcasting receiving performance can be improved in a poor multipath channel, while maintaining compatibility with existing transmission/reception system. |
| US08855235B2 |
Circuit transmission apparatus and transmission method
A transmission apparatus includes: a multiplier configured to multiply a signal provided on a complex plane by a multiplication coefficient corresponding to a number of transmission sub-carriers; and an inverse fast Fourier transformer configured to perform an inverse fast Fourier transform on the multiplied signal. |
| US08855234B2 |
Method and system for baseband predistortion linearization in multi-channel wideband communications systems
An efficient baseband predistortion linearization method for reducing the spectral regrowth and compensating memory effects in wideband communication systems using effective multiplexing modulation technique such as wideband code division multiple access and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing is disclosed. The present invention is based on the method of piecewise pre-equalized lookup table based predistortion, which is a cascade of a lookup table predistortion and piecewise pre-equalizers. |
| US08855231B2 |
Methods and apparatus for signal conditioning for polar transmitters
Methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses for signal condition of polar transmitters are discussed this patent application. According to one embodiment, a frequency limiting mechanism for a polar transmitter can perform minimal distortion frequency limiting to comply with the polar transmitter requirements while meeting emissions specifications. Embodiments of the present invention may be utilized as features or components of wireless communication devices to enable minimal distortion to information carrying signals and to meet emissions specifications. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are claimed and discussed above. |
| US08855229B2 |
Method and device for transmitting/receiving information in closed-loop multi-antenna system
The present invention discloses a method for transmitting information in a closed loop multiple antenna system. The method includes that: a transmission apparatus receives information transmitted from a reception apparatus, wherein the information includes codeword index information; the transmission apparatus selects a corresponding codeword from a double-layer-structure-based codebook according to the codeword index information; the transmission apparatus generates a precoding matrix according to the selected codeword; the transmission apparatus performs precoding for data to be transmitted according to the precoding matrix; the transmission apparatus transmits the precoded data to the reception apparatus. The present invention can enable a formed and used codebook to match channel distribution characteristic of a dual-polarized antenna as much as possible, and minimize performance loss brought by codebook quantization, thereby performance of a precoding system can be effectively improved. |
| US08855215B2 |
Phase/frequency synthesis using periodic sigma-delta modulated bit-stream techniques
A method and a circuit are provided for providing phase or frequency synthesis using sigma-delta modulation bit-stream techniques in which data is encoded utilizing sigma-delta modulation and then digital-to-time conversion (DTC) or digital-to-frequency conversion (DFC). In some embodiments this encoded data stream is further subjected to phase or frequency domain filtering, which in some embodiments is carried out by a higher-order phase-locked loop (PLL). |
| US08855211B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing video transport
A method and apparatus for managing video transport is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to predict visibility to a viewer of packet loss impairment for communicated video content based at least in part on scene information for one or more packets of the video content. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08855210B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding multi-view video using image stitching
Provided is a method and apparatus for encoding and decoding multi-view video data. The encoding method includes: decomposing each view image of the multi-view video into an overlapped region and a non-overlapped region, the overlapped region being overlapped with other view image and the non-overlapped region not being overlapped with other view image; generating a stitched image by combining the non-overlapped region of each view image and a middle view image; encoding the stitched image using a first encoding algorithm; and encoding the overlapped region of each view image, using a second encoding algorithm. Further, the decomposing step includes the steps of estimating disparity information for each view image, based on a predetermined view image; and decomposing each view image into said overlapped region and said non-overlapped region using the estimated disparity information. |
| US08855209B2 |
Apparatus for decoding motion information in merge mode
Disclosed is an apparatus for decoding motion information in merge mode for reconstructing a moving picture signal coded at a low data rate while maintaining a high quality of an image. The apparatus for decoding motion information in merge mode discloses the position of a merge mode candidate and the configuration of a candidate in order to predict motion information in merge mode efficiently. Furthermore, a merge candidate indicated by the merge index of a current block can be efficiently reconstructed irrespective of a network environment by adaptively generating a merge candidate based on the number of valid merge candidate. |
| US08855206B2 |
Method and device for encoding a sequence of images implementing a temporal prediction, corresponding signal, data storage medium, method and decoding device and computer program products
A method and apparatus are provided for coding a sequence of images. The method includes a step of coding at least one block of a current image of the sequence, implementing a prediction associating the block with at least one corresponding block in a reference image. The prediction includes the following steps, for at least one given block of the current image or of the reference image: determination of a plurality of control vectors for the block; at least one splitting of the block into sub-blocks; determination of a plurality of control vectors for the sub-blocks; and determination of a prediction value for at least one point of the current image. Moreover, the method includes a step of inserting, into a signal representative of the sequence, information regarding reconstruction of the control vectors for the given block. |
| US08855203B2 |
Video encoding apparatus and video decoding apparatus
While maintaining a high degree of freedom in choosing partition sizes and transformation sizes adapted for local characteristics of videos, the amount of metadata is decreased. A video encoding apparatus (10) divides an input video into blocks of a prescribed size and encodes the video block by block. The video encoding apparatus is provided with: a prediction parameter determining portion (102) that decides the block partition structure; a predictive image producing portion (103) that generates predictive images, partition by partition, as prescribed by the partition structure; a transform coefficient producing portion (107) which applies one of the frequency transformations included in a prescribed transformation preset to prediction residuals, i.e. the differences between predictive images and the input video; a transform restriction deriving portion (104) which generates the list of transform candidate, i.e. lists of frequency transformations that can be applied to each partition, on the basis of partition format information; and a variable-length-encoding portion (108) which, on the basis of the list of transform candidate and the transformation preset, performs variable-length encoding on transformation selection flags. |
| US08855198B2 |
Moving picture encoding method, moving picture decoding method, moving picture encoding device, moving picture decoding device, and computer program
There is provided a moving picture encoding method based on hierarchical encoding. The method includes the step of encoding a time filtering lower hierarchical signal belonging to a lower hierarchy among signals of respective hierarchies which have been subjected to time-direction filtering and then to hierarchical division and an upper hierarchy time filtering signal obtained by performing time-direction filtering on a signal corresponding to the upper hierarchy of the aforementioned lower hierarchy signal. Thus, decoded signals of all the hierarchies can have image quality equivalent to the decoded image when encoding is performed with a single hierarchy. |
| US08855195B1 |
Image processing system and method
A relatively higher resolution digitized image organized as a plurality of first kernel arrays, each with a plurality of pixels, is transformed into a corresponding relatively-smaller second kernel array of a relatively-lower-resolution image and an associated set of remaining pixels. Down-sampled pixels of the second kernel array are generated from linear interpolation of original pixels of the first kernel array. Associated interpolation coefficients incorporate perturbations to locations of the down-sampled pixels that are symmetric with respect to centers of the first and second kernel arrays. Down-sampled pixels of the second kernel array can be recombined with the associated set of remaining pixels to reconstruct the relatively higher resolution digitized image substantially without loss of associated information, or used directly to reconstruct an approximation thereof, with associated encoding and decoding processes adapted to reduce the susceptibility of image reconstruction errors caused by subsequent image compression. |
| US08855188B2 |
Method of parallel video coding based on mapping
A system encoding and decoding video that uses a parallel encoding and decoding technique. |
| US08855187B2 |
Signal processing method for enhancing a dynamic range of a signal
A signal processing method for enhancing the dynamic range of a signal is disclosed. The method comprises: a) forming an attenuated signal from an input signal; b) filtering each of the input and the attenuated signals such that the sum of their bandwidths is less than or equal to the bandwidth of a transmission channel; c) modulating a first one of the filtered input signal and the filtered attenuated signal, whereby the filtered input signal and the filtered attenuated signal occupy respective non-overlapping frequency ranges within the bandwidth of the transmission channel; and d) combining the modulated signal with the second one of the filtered input signal and the filtered attenuated signal to form a composite output signal. |
| US08855180B2 |
Receiver with enhanced DC compensation
The disclosure relates to a receiver system that employs multiple instances of a DC compensation system to reduce DC offsets in a receiver path. The receiver has a receiver front end configured to receive an RF input signal and to operate on the RF input signal according to a plurality of receiver states to generate a baseband signal having a DC offset that is based upon the plurality of receiver states. A DC offset compensation circuit implements a plurality of instances of DC offset compensation components that respectively generate an estimated DC offset corresponding to a receiver state. A controller controls the receiver state of the receiver front end and operates the DC offset elimination circuit to selectively apply one of the plurality of DC compensation components to the corresponding baseband signal based upon the receiver state. |
| US08855177B1 |
Systems and methods for mitigating radio frequency interference
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally pertain to systems and methods for reducing RF interference in communication systems. A communication system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure comprises an element management system (EMS) communicating through a network with a plurality of network access devices. The EMS is configured to manage at least one network access device such that the device refrains from communicating data or reduces a data rate within a frequency range of a nearby interferer during time periods when interfering activity of the interferer is increased. Accordingly, the effects of RF interference for signals communicated by the device is reduced and degradation of service is prevented to an extent. |
| US08855174B2 |
Frequency agile multiband transmitter using a radio frequency digital to analog converter
Embodiments of the claimed subject matter provide a method and apparatus for generating a first radio frequency digital signal and providing the first radio frequency digital signal to a radio frequency digital-to-analog converter operating at a sampling frequency. The output of the radio frequency digital-to-analog converter includes a first carrier signal corresponding to the first radio frequency digital signal and having a first frequency below the sampling frequency and an image of the first carrier signal having a second frequency above the sampling frequency. The output of the radio frequency digital-to-analog converter is filtered to select the image of the first carrier signal for transmission. |
| US08855172B2 |
Non-redundant equalization
Communication signal processing entails generating an overall signal correlation estimate that reflects overall impairment present in a received signal before despreading. Processing further includes parametrically constructing one or more component-specific correction terms as a function of one or more component signal correlation estimates, each estimate reflecting a particular component of the overall impairment. Combining weights are derived, as a function of this overall estimate and the correction term(s), so that they exclude the contribution of the impairment component(s) to the overall impairment. These weights are used to combine signal samples in an equalization process. As the combining weights exclude the contribution of the impairment component(s) to the overall impairment, the equalization process utilizing the weights exclusively suppresses impairment that is not attributable to the component(s). This advantageously avoids redundant suppression of the impairment component(s), since processing further includes despreading the received signal in a despreading process that suppresses the component(s). |
| US08855168B2 |
Channel electric inductor assembly
The present invention relates to an electric channel inductor assembly and method of forming an electric channel inductor assembly. A nonremovable, hollow, nonmagnetic channel mold is used to form the one or more flow channels of the assembly. A heated fluid medium is circulated in the hollow interior of the mold after the mold is situated in the assembly to heat treat the refractory surrounding the exterior walls of the mold. After heat treatment a liquid is supplied to the hollow interior of the mold to chemically dissolve the mold. |
| US08855167B2 |
Gas discharge chamber
A gas discharge chamber that uses a calcium fluoride crystal which reduces a breakage due to mechanical stress (window holder and laser gas pressure), thermal stress from light absorption, and the like, increases the degree of linear polarization of output laser, and suppresses degradation due to strong ultraviolet (ArF, in particular) laser light irradiation. A first window (2) and a second window (3) of the gas discharge chamber have an incident plane and an emitting plane in parallel with a (111) crystal plane of their calcium fluoride crystal. With respect to an arrangement where laser light entering the calcium fluoride crystal passes through a plane including a <111> axis and a <001> axis of each of the first window (2) and the second window (3) as seen from inside the chamber (1), the first window (2) and the second window (3) are arranged in positions rotated in the same direction by the same angle about their <111> axis. |
| US08855166B2 |
6 KHz and above gas discharge laser system
A system and method of operating a high repetition rate gas discharge laser system. The system includes a gas discharge chamber having a hot chamber output window heated by the operation of the gas discharge laser chamber, an output laser light pulse beam path enclosure downstream of the hot chamber window and comprising an ambient temperature window, a cooling mechanism cooling the beam path enclosure intermediate the output window and the ambient window. The gas discharge chamber can include a longitudinally and axially compliant ground rod, including a first end connected to a first chamber wall, a second end connected to a second chamber wall, the second chamber wall opposite the first chamber wall and a first portion formed into a helical spring, the ground rod providing mechanical support for a preionizer tube. |
| US08855162B2 |
Surface emitting laser device, surface emitting laser array, optical scanning device, image forming apparatus, and manufacturing method of surface emitting laser device
A disclosed surface emitting laser device includes a light emitting section having a mesa structure where a lower reflection mirror, an oscillation structure, and an upper reflection mirror are laminated on a substrate, the oscillation structure including an active layer, the upper reflection mirror including a current confined structure where an oxide surrounds a current passage region, a first dielectric film that coats the entire surface of an emitting region of the light emitting section, the transparent dielectric including a part where the refractive index is relatively high and a part where the refractive index is relatively low, and a second dielectric film that coats a peripheral part on the upper surface of the mesa structure. Further, the dielectric film includes a lower dielectric film and an upper dielectric film, and the lower dielectric film is coated with the upper dielectric film. |
| US08855159B2 |
Surface-emitting laser element, surface-emitting laser array, optical scanner device, and image forming apparatus
A disclosed surface-emitting laser element includes a resonator structure having an active layer, a first semiconductor multilayer mirror and a second semiconductor multilayer mirror configured to sandwich the resonator structure having the active layer, an electrode provided around an emission region of a light-emitting surface, and a dielectric film provided in a peripheral portion within the emission region and outside a central portion of the emission region to make a reflectance of the peripheral portion lower than a reflectance of the central portion. In the surface-emitting laser element, an outer shape of a portion where the electrode provided around the emission region of the light-emitting surface is in contact with a contact layer includes corners. |
| US08855156B2 |
DFB laser diode having a lateral coupling for large output power
The invention relates to a DFB laser diode having a lateral coupling, which comprises at least one semi-conductor substrate (10), at least one active layer (40) that is arranged on the semiconductor substrate, at least one ridge (70) that is arranged above the active layer (40), at least one periodic surface structure (110) that is arranged next to the ridge (70) above the active layer (40) and at least one wave guide layer (30, 50) comprising a thickness ≧1 μm that is arranged below and/or above the active layer. |
| US08855153B2 |
Laser machining control system through feedback
A laser machining control system includes a laser diode, a laser power controller connected to the laser diode, a light transmission-reflection element positioned on a light path of a laser light beam to a workpiece, and an output power meter. The output power meter detects the laser light beam being reflected by the transmission-reflection element and measures an output power of the laser diode. The output power meter gives a signal to the laser power controller if there is a power loss of the laser light beam, and the laser power controller adjusts the voltage and the current input to the laser diode in compensation. |
| US08855152B2 |
Polarization modulation device and laser system for wideband laser
A polarization modulation device for wideband laser comprises a first polarization maintaining optical fiber, a second polarization maintaining optical fiber, and a non-polarization maintaining optical fiber. The non-polarization maintaining optical fiber includes a first polarization controller coupled with the first polarization maintaining optical fiber, and a second polarization controller coupled with the second polarization maintaining optical fiber. |
| US08855150B2 |
Tiled bragg grating and laser systems therefrom
A tiled Bragg grating (BG) includes a plurality of BGs that are paralleled and optically contacted to one another. Each BG includes an optically transparent substrate within a predetermined wavelength or wavelength range having a length dimension and a transverse dimension. The BGs have a grating period along their length dimension. The BGs have optical contact regions along edges in their transverse dimension where the BGs are optically contacted to one another. |
| US08855148B2 |
Multiplexing transmission system, receiver apparatus and module, transmitter apparatus for multiplexing transmission
Digital signals having respective pieces of frequency information different from each other are bundled, and transmitted at high speed. On receiving side, digital signals retaining the respective pieces of frequency information are recovered and separated. Transmitter apparatus divides pieces of transmission data that have the different pieces of frequency information and correspond to respective input channels into data blocks having a fixed length, as valid data, and subsequently multiplexes the data blocks corresponding to the respective input channels and outputs the multiplexed data to a transmission path. A receiver apparatus divides data string received into data flows and subsequently restores the transmission data, from the data blocks consecutive in each data flow and stores the restored data, and outputs transmission data corresponding to the respective data flows in synchronization with clocks generated for these data flows. |
| US08855146B2 |
Synchronous delivery method
A method for, in a radio communication system having at least a content server, plurality of base stations, and plurality of radio terminals, enabling two or more base stations among the plurality of base stations to broadcast or multicast data delivered from the content server to the radio terminals, the method includes: providing a Broadcast Multicast Service (BCMCS) Serving Node between the content server and two or more base stations; the BCMCS Serving Node includes a period number and sequence number into data delivered from the content server and transmits data including the period number and sequence number to the two or more base stations; in case that a synchronization is deviated or data is lost during data delivery from the base stations to the radio terminals, the base stations perform re-synchronization on a basis of the period number and sequence number included in data received from the BCMCS Serving Node. |
| US08855143B1 |
Bandwidth saving system and method for communicating self describing messages over a network
The enclosed system and method provides a means by which metadata-encoded or otherwise self-describing messages can be communicated, stored or otherwise utilized at a greatly reduced message size. This is accomplished for a given message through decomposing it into message metadata and message data, using a hash of the message metadata along with the message data to represent the message while in its decomposed form absent of original message metadata, and subsequently recomposing the message from the message metadata and message data using the hash as a reference. The method disclosed herein exploits detected repetition of sets of metadata, deriving benefit each time a hash is communicated, stored or otherwise used in lieu of a set of metadata, the hash being smaller in size than the set of metadata itself. |
| US08855142B2 |
Coded bit padding
A method is described for adding coded bit padding for a orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) data transmission device. |
| US08855141B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing metadata to detect user datagram protocol (UDP) packet traffic loss
Methods, systems, and computer readable media utilizing metadata to detect UDP traffic loss in a test environment are disclosed. In one example, the method includes generating, at a user datagram protocol (UDP) traffic generation module, a plurality of UDP packets associated with a UDP stream, wherein origination information corresponding to the UDP traffic generation module is included in a payload in each of the plurality of UDP packets and receiving, at a UDP traffic receiver module, at least one of the plurality of UDP packets associated with the UDP stream. The method also includes transmitting, from the UDP traffic receiver module to the UDP traffic generation module, recipient information that identifies the UDP traffic receiver module as the receiver of the UDP stream and receiving, at the UDP traffic receiver module via a lossless environment, stream verification metrics from the UDP traffic generation module. |
| US08855139B1 |
Method and device for receiving and providing programs
A method for providing programs, the method includes: (i) providing a program multiplex to multiple users device; (ii) considering a removal of at least one program from the multiplex in response to program viewing parameters; (iii) allowing at least one user to respond to a possible removal of the program; and (iv) determining whether to remove the al least one program in response to received user removal responses. A user device that includes a transceiver unit that is connected to a controller, wherein the device is adapted to receive a program multiplex, to receive an indication that at least one program is to be removed from the multiplex, and to selectively transmit a program removal response. |
| US08855138B2 |
Relay architecture framework
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate providing relay nodes in wireless networks. In particular, cluster nodes, which can be regular eNBs, can provide wireless network access to the relay nodes over a backhaul link, and the relay nodes can offer access to devices or other relay nodes to expand network coverage and/or provide increased throughput. User equipment (UE) relays can function as UEs according to a cluster node such that UE relays receive network addressing and can tunnel communications through the cluster node using the backhaul link. Cell relays can function as a cell of the cluster node, such that transport layer communications terminate at the cluster node. In this regard, cell relays can define transport layers to use in communicating with the cluster nodes over the backhaul and with other devices over a provided access link. |
| US08855137B2 |
Dual-driver interface
A network interface device capable of communication with a data processing system supporting an operating system and at least one application, the network interface device supporting communication with the operating system by means of: two or more data channels, each data channel being individually addressable by the network interface device and being capable of carrying application-level data between the network interface device and the data processing device; and a control channel individually addressable by the network interface device and capable of carrying control data between the network interface device, the control data defining commands and the network interface being responsive to at least one command sent over the control channel to establish at least one additional data channel. |
| US08855136B2 |
Method and apparatus for increasing spectrum use efficiency in a mesh network
Mesh Network Access Points (APs) points, including gateways and routers, are deployed over a geographic area. The APs monitor the communication channel for other carriers and transmit accordingly. The APs selectively co-transmit when other carriers are sensed, if the efficiency of the mesh network will improve. APs select a transmission rate based on observed carrier-to-interference ratios. APs use directional antennas to increase carrier-to-interference ratios and spectral efficiency. AP transmit schedules are adaptable and adjusted according to observed carrier-to-interference measurements. |
| US08855135B2 |
Method and system for processing session initiation protocol messages
A method and system for processing session initiation protocol messages including receiving a session initiation protocol message by a front end, parsing the session initiation protocol message by the front end, grouping the token types and the token contents in the session initiation protocol message respectively, and setting up corresponding links between the token types and the token contents, wherein the session initiation protocol message, after parsing, is transformed to the session initiation protocol offload engine message with a session initiation protocol offload engine message header part, for storing message level information, a token type part, for storing token type information, wherein it comprises a plurality of fixed-length entries, and a token content part for storing token contents, wherein it comprises a plurality of variable-length entries, and processing the transformed session initiation protocol offload engine message at the server end. |
| US08855133B2 |
System and method for improving the file transmission reliability
The present invention concerns a method at a file server for sending more than one file to more than one receiver, comprising the steps of aggregating the files into a container, splitting the container into more than one packet, and transmitting the more than one packet to the more than one receiver, wherein, the reception of at least one packet of the container enables a receiver to request the reception of lost packets of the container. To this end, the method comprises the steps of receiving an indication of the number of consecutive lost packets of the container per the more than one receiver and adapting the size of the container, in function of the number of consecutive lost packets at the receivers. |
| US08855126B2 |
Fast data packet transfer operations
A fast send method may be selectively implemented for certain data packets received from an application for transmission through a network interface. When the fast send method is triggered for a data packet, the application requesting transmission of the data packet may be provided a completion notice nearly immediately after the data packet is received. The fast send method may be used for data packets similar to previously-transmitted data packets for which the information in the data packet is already vetted. For example, a data packet with a similar source address, destination address, source port, destination port, application identifier, and/or activity identifier may have already been vetted. |
| US08855123B2 |
Gateway apparatus, method and system
When a location of a portable terminal connected to another network beyond a packet communication network side changes, the gateway apparatus that is arranged between a mobile circuit switching network and a packet communication network (IMS network) and that performs mutual conversion between a circuit switching protocol and a packet communication protocol to execute voice communication, exercises control such that at least one of a sequence number and a timestamp in a packet destined to a portable terminal and output to the packet communication network, is made to vary continuously before and after movement of the portable terminal, in case the portable terminal connected to a network beyond the packet communication network side, moves its location. |
| US08855121B2 |
Congestion management in a network
Management of congestion level, in a computer-related context, is disclosed. Also disclosed is a system generating a plurality of computer network-related tables during system operation. A number of the tables are each separately indexed by a different index. The system includes at least one tangible computer-readable medium adapted to store, at each indexed location, a swap count providing an indication of the congestion level of the indexed location. The system also includes insert logic stored as instructions on the at least one medium for execution. When executed, the insert logic is operable to: i) insert, when a predetermined condition has been satisfied, a new entry by overwriting the current entry stored in the indexed location having the lowest swap count; and ii) update the swap counts in each of the indexed locations in a manner that maintains the total swap count at least substantially constant over time. |
| US08855117B2 |
Scalable media access control protocol synchronization techniques for fabric extender based emulated switch deployments
Techniques are provided to prevent switches in a data center fabric path environment with fabric path extension devices from media access control (MAC) address flooding and MAC address table overflow. In such an environment, endpoints associated with virtual port channels are connected to multiple switches which normally would perform MAC address flooding across all switch forwarding engines. The switches in the fabric path exchange MAC synchronization messages based on source/destination specific connectivity such that MAC broadcast messages that advertise source/destination MAC addresses for endpoints do not have to be repeatedly sent and their corresponding MAC lookup tables do not have to be updated or include unnecessary MAC table entries. |
| US08855116B2 |
Virtual local area network state processing in a layer 2 ethernet switch
A method, apparatus and computer-readable storage media are provided for determining, at a physical switch configured to interface with a plurality of physical servers via a plurality of corresponding physical ports of the physical switch, a number of virtual local area networks (VLANs) serviced by the plurality of physical servers, each of which is configured to service one or more virtual machines in one or more of the VLANs. A plurality of VLAN compression groups are automatically defined such that a port VLAN count of the physical switch is reduced, wherein the port VLAN count identifies a number of VLANs that interface with the physical switch via the plurality of physical ports. The one or more VLANs are automatically assigned to one of the VLAN compression groups. |
| US08855114B2 |
Virtualized application acceleration infrastructure
In one example embodiment, a system and method is illustrated that includes processes a first data packet using a first operating system, the first data packet received from a first network. A second operation is shown that processes a second data packet using a second operating system, the second data packet received from a second network. Further, an additional operation is shown that determines a route associated with the first data packet and the second data packet, the route including at least one of a logical route or physical route. Moreover, an operation is shown that parses the first data packet into at least one first logical segment, and parsing the second data packet into at least one second logical segment. An operation is shown that transmits the first logical segment and the second logical segment as at least one data packet across the WAN. |
| US08855113B2 |
Link state identifier collision handling
Methods and apparatus for a network element to handle LSID collisions to prevent different LSAs associated with different routes from sharing the same LSID. According to one embodiment, responsive to determining that a tentative LSID that is generated for a first route that is being added collides with an LSID that is assigned to an LSA for a second route, and that one of the first and second routes is a host route, the host route is suppressed. If the first route is the host route, suppressing includes not originating an LSA for the first route. If the second route is the host route, suppressing includes purging the LSA for the second route and not originating an LSA for the second route. Although the host route is suppressed, network reachability of the range subsuming the host route is provided through the route that is not the host route. |
| US08855110B2 |
Personal video recorder having improved data access and method thereof
A personal video recorder (PVR) system includes a processing unit, a system memory coupled to the processing unit by a system memory bus, and an insertion module being coupled to the processing unit for inserting a packet into a PVR bit stream according to packet information. During a packet insertion operation, the processing unit is for reading data from the system memory, processing the data to generate the packet insertion information, and directly transferring the packet insertion information to the insertion module. By directly transferring the packet insertion information generated by the processing unit to the insertion module, memory bandwidth requirements of the system memory are reduced, and data access of the system memory is improved. |
| US08855109B2 |
Method and device for transmitting data in messages on a bus system
A method for transmitting data in messages on a bus system where the messages are transmitted in transmission time slots at a certain transmission rate, the transmission rate within a transmission time slot being changeable in such a way that the message, allocated to this transmission time slot, may be transmitted repeatedly within this transmission time slot. |
| US08855102B2 |
Wireless communications providing interoperability between devices capable of communicating at different data rates
A method, wireless mesh network and processor-readable storage medium for providing interoperability between devices that are capable of communicating at different data rates are disclosed herein. A start-of-frame delimiter token value in a synchronization header is used to indicate a data rate at which a device is capable of communicating. In certain embodiments, samples are collected around a bit transition and are used to adjust a bit timing of a receiving device to match a bit timing of a transmitting device using a coarse adjustment process and, in some embodiments, a fine adjustment process. In this way, compatibility can be maintained between new devices that can communicate at a relatively fast data rate and legacy devices that communicate at a lower data rate. |
| US08855094B2 |
Methods and apparatus for reducing interference in wireless communication systems
In accordance with a method for reducing interference in a wireless communication system, information about at least one disallowed beam corresponding to at least one served user may be determined. Scheduling decisions for served users may be made so as to avoid transmissions via the at least one disallowed beam. Data may be transmitted to users in accordance with the scheduling decisions. |
| US08855091B2 |
Method for determining ISR deactivation in mobile communications system
The present invention relates to a mobile communications system, and particularly, to a method for determining whether to keep or deactivate an activated Idle mode Signaling Reduction (ISR) feature for a terminal in a mobile communications system. In case of the UE's intra-SGSN mobility and intra-MME mobility, when deciding, by a mobility management node, ISR activation for a UE in an IMS network environment where heterogeneous mobile communications networks (e.g., E-UTRAN and UTRAN/GERAN) interwork with each other, considered are not only whether the mobility management node can support an ISR feature, and whether the UE can use IMS voice, but also conditions (information) on whether each mobility management can support IMS voice over PS session. This may allow an incoming voice call to the UE from the IMS network to be delivered through a first trial, to a domain (PS domain or CS domain) selected with consideration of access network situations. |
| US08855090B2 |
Packet transmission system based on wireless personal area network and method thereof
Disclosed is a network interworking system and method. That is, a header size is minimized through a fragment of an IPv4 packet based IP packet and a header compression and it is implemented such that the IPv4 is loaded in an IEEE 802.15.4 MAC/PHY packet having a small payload, so that it is possible to efficiently transmit an IPv4 packet by using an IEEE 802.15.4 based WPAN. Further, various applications can be executed using the IPv4 while using an IEEE 802.15.4 technology, which is a low power communication technology, in a mobile device. |
| US08855089B2 |
Methods and apparatus for overlapping MIMO physical sectors
A system for communicating with wireless devices. The systems includes radio groups whose MIMO physical sectors overlap. The MIMO physical sectors communicate using different channels. The MIMO physical sectors overlap to form an area of overlap. Each radio group includes directional antennas and radios. Radios are selectively coupled to the antennas. The antennas that are oriented so that the physical sectors of the antennas overlap to operate as MIMO antennas and form the MIMO physical sector for the radio group. The antennas operate as a MIMO antenna. |
| US08855082B2 |
Application load balancing for different domains
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a message associated with a device in a first domain. An identifier is determined for the device. The message is then sent to a load balancer where the message includes the identifier. The load balancer is then configured to send the message to a network device in a plurality of network devices. The network device is configured to process messages from the device. A second message may be received at the load balancer from a second domain. The second message may include the identifier for the device. The load balancer may then send the second message to the selected network device such that the first message and the second message are processed by the same network device. |
| US08855079B2 |
Method and apparatus for, based on communication of a first physical layer device, permitting transmission of data to a second physical layer device collocated with the first physical layer device
A first network device includes a first PHY device that transfers first data on a first channel between the first network device and a second network device via a base station. The second PHY device receives a first request transmitted on a second channel and in response to receiving the first request, determines whether the first PHY device is receiving the first data. The first request is received from the second network device via an access point and requests permission to send second data. The second PHY device, if the first PHY device is not receiving the first data, determines whether the first PHY device is to receive or transmit the first data in respective periods. The second PHY device transmits a response signal to the second network device, on the second channel, if the first PHY device is not to receive or transmit the first data the respective periods. |
| US08855076B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting control information in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for transmitting control information through a PUCCH in a wireless communication system and an apparatus for same comprising the steps of: obtaining a plurality of second modulation symbol streams corresponding to a plurality of SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols by diffusing a plurality of first modulation symbol streams to form the first modulation symbol streams corresponding to the SC-FDMA symbols within a first slot; obtaining a plurality of complex symbol streams by performing a DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform) pre-coding process for the plurality of second modulation symbol streams; and transmitting the plurality of complex symbol streams through the PUCCH wherein the plurality of second modulation symbol streams are scrambled in a SC-FDMA symbol level. |
| US08855075B2 |
Transmission device and transmission method
Disclosed are a transmission device and a transmission method with which it is possible to prevent delays in data transmission and to minimize the increase in the number of bits necessary for the notification of a CC to be used, in cases where a CC to be used is added during communication employing carrier aggregation. When a component carrier is to be added to a component carrier set, a setting section (101) provided in a base station (100): modifies a CIF table that defines the correspondence between code points, which are used as labels for the respective component carriers contained in the component carrier set, and the identification information of the respective component carriers; and assigns a vacant code point to the component carrier to be added, while keeping the correspondence between the code points and the component carrier identification information defined in the CIF table before modification. |
| US08855074B2 |
Multiplexing control and data in one resource block
A method for operating a control node for a wireless communication system. The control node creates a data frame having at least one resource block. The data elements of the resource block are subdivided into at least a first subset and a second subset The first subset comprises first control data for controlling a receiving node The second subset comprises data elements of said resource block not used for control data for controlling said receiving node. The method further comprises checking whether second control data for a second receiving node are to be put into the second subset, scheduling payload data for the receiving node into the second subset if second control data are not to be put into the second subset of data elements, and transmitting the data frame to the receiving node. |
| US08855073B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing contention-based uplink transmission in a wireless communication system
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for performing contention-based uplink transmission in a wireless communication system. A terminal transmits a contention-based uplink signal to a base station. The base station detects a contention-based uplink signal that is transmitted from at least one terminal, and determines whether there exists a terminal corresponding to the detected contention-based uplink signal. The terminal receives an uplink (UL) grant from the base station. The terminal switches from a dormant station into an active state, based on the uplink grant. Here, the dormant state is a state where radio resource control connection is formed between the base station and the terminal but data is not actually transmitted, and the active state is a state where data transmission is actually performed. |
| US08855072B2 |
Relay backhaul resource allocation
The present invention relates to a method for allocating a relay backhaul resource in a wireless communication system and to an apparatus for same. In detail, the present invention provides a signal-receiving method in which a terminal receives a signal in a wireless communication system, and to an apparatus for same, wherein the method comprises a step of receiving, from a base station, information on one or more first resource blocks (RB) allocated for a relay, a step of receiving resource allocation information through a control channel from the base station, and a step of receiving a predetermined resource block indicated by the resource allocation information among logically continuous second resource blocks. The second resource blocks are logically continuous when excluding said one or more first resource blocks from the entirety of the resource block. |
| US08855066B2 |
System and method for using resources in a communication system
In a method for using resources in a communication system, a communication region is divided into inter-sector boundary regions, sector central regions, and a sector common region, and predetermined resources are allocated to the divided regions. |
| US08855064B2 |
Bundled frequency division multiplexing structure in wireless communications
Methods and apparatuses are provided that facilitate allocating a portion of a resource block to a power-limited device for communicating therewith. The power-limited device may not be capable of transmitting over an entire resource block due to power limitations; thus, a portion of the resource block can be assigned thereto, allowing for allocating at least a different portion of the resource block to at least one different device to optimize communications over the resource block. In addition, the portion of the resource block can be allocated across one or more bundled time transmit intervals (TTI) to allow for effective communication of time-sensitive data, such as voice over internet protocol (VoIP). |
| US08855060B2 |
Centralized contention and reservation request for QoS-driven wireless LANs
A method and a system is disclosed for providing quality of service (QoS)-driven channel access within a basic service set (BSS) in a wireless local area network (WLAN). A contention control (CC) frame is sent from a point coordinator (PC) of the BSS during a contention-free period (CFP) of a superframe that includes the contention-free period (CFP) and a contention period (CP). The CC frame contains information relating to at least one of a priority limit for a next centralized contention interval (CCI), a length of the next CCI, a permission probability associated with the next CCI and information relating to a reservation request (RR) frame successfully received by the PC in a previous CCI. A non-colliding RR frame is then received at the PC in the CCI following the CC frame. The received RR frame is sent from a non-PC station in the BSS when at least one centralized contention opportunity (CCO) is available during the CCI after the CC frame. The RR frame indicates that the non-PC station sending the RR frame has at least one buffered data frame for transmission. |
| US08855059B2 |
Method and apparatus for allocation of information to channels of a communication system
Methods and apparatus are described for improving the transmission of information over wireless communication channels. These techniques include determining available communication channels for transmitting information and determining possible physical layer packet sizes of the available channels. An information unit is partitioned into portions wherein the size of the portions are selected so as to match one of the physical layer packet sizes of the available communication channels. Another aspect is partitioning the information into a number of slices that correspond to the number of transmissions that occur during the information unit interval and assigning each partition to a corresponding transmission. The techniques can be used for various types of information, such as multimedia data, variable bit rate data streams, video data, or audio data. The techniques can also be used with various over the air interfaces, such as, Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), or standards based on CDMA such as TIA/EIA-95-B (IS-95), TIA/EIA-98-C (IS-98), IS2000, HRPD, cdma2000, Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), and others. |
| US08855054B2 |
Two-way radio based unified communications system
A system for establishing two-way calls between a radio and a phone system is provided. The system comprises at least one control station for exchanging messages with the radio, at least one interconnect control station, or pair of interconnect control stations, for communicating audio signals to and from the radio over a communication channel comprising respective transmit and receive frequencies, and a gateway for exchanging messages with the phone system, the control station and the at least one interconnect control station, or pair of interconnect control stations, causing the radio to switch to the communication channel whereby audio is transmitted from the phone system to the radio over the transmit frequency and audio as well as DTMF is transmitted from the radio to the phone system for activating special features of the phone system. |
| US08855053B2 |
Sounding mechanism and configuration under carrier aggregation
A method of multi-set RRC signaling for ap-SRS configuration is provided to enhance ap-SRS flexibility. An eNB transmits a plurality of sets of UE-specific SRS parameters to a UE via upper layer messaging in a multi-carrier wireless communication system. The eNB also determines triggering information of a selected set of UE-specific SRS parameters and an indicated carrier for the UE. The eNB then transmits an uplink or downlink grant over a primary carrier, the grant comprises triggering information for the UE to send an ap-SRS over the indicated carrier using the selected set of UE-specific SRS parameters. In one embodiment of joint signaling, the plurality of sets of UE-specific SRS parameters are signaled together in a single RRC transmission. In another embodiment of separate signaling, each set of UE-specific SRS parameters is signaled independently. |
| US08855052B2 |
Attention commands enhancement
An apparatus includes a Mobile Termination (MT) that offers functions related to communication with a network, a Terminal Equipment (TE) that offers services to a user of the apparatus, and a Terminal Adaptor (TA) that allows communication between the MT and the TE using Attention (AT) commands. A packet domain event reporting command (+CGEREP) is one type of AT command that enables or disables sending of result codes from the MT to the TE in case certain events occur in the MT for a packet domain or in the network. One such type of event is a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context activation, for which the MT sends to the TE a result code that includes an integer type parameter to indicate the reason why a context activation request with PDP type IPv4v6 was not granted, and a context id parameter to indicate the capability of Mobile Termination for autonomously requesting a second address bearer, and the result of the second address bearer activation. |
| US08855049B2 |
Mobile switching centre server
MSC server enhanced for rSRVCC from UTRAN/GERAN to E-UTRAN/HSPA, comprising: a reception block (10) configured to receive an rSRVCC capability indication from a user equipment; a decision block (11) configured to determine whether rSRVCC is allowed for a given call based on the rSRVCC capability indication received; and a transmitting block (12) configured to send to a Radio Access Network (RNS/BSS), when rSRVCC has been determined as allowed, an rSRVCC possible indication indicating that a rSRVCC is possible. |
| US08855048B2 |
Method and system for peer-to-peer cellular communications
Aspects of a method and system for peer-to-peer cellular communications are provided in which one or more cellular communication channels may be established between a femtocell and a plurality of communication devices. The femtocell may control routing of data between the plurality of communication devices via the one or more cellular communication channels. The femtocell may enable multicasting and/or broadcasting data from one of the communication devices to two or more remaining ones of the communication devices. The multicast and/or broadcast data may be communicated via the cellular communication channels and may be additionally communicated via an IP connection to the femtocell. Data may be communicated over the cellular communication channels in compliance with 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) standards and/or 3rd generation partnership project 2 (3GPP2) standards. The femtocell may reformat data prior to communicating it to one or more of the plurality of communication devices. |
| US08855045B2 |
Method and system for controlling establishment of local IP access
The present invention discloses a method for controlling establishment of a local IP connection, and the method includes: when an access gateway determines that data or application of a terminal needs to be offloaded, informing the terminal that a local IP connection needs to be established via a mobility management entity and a radio side network element by a bearer modification, or informing a radio side network element or a local gateway of a routing policy via a mobility management entity. The present invention also discloses a system for controlling establishment of a local IP connection. The present invention enables the terminal to instantly acquire whether a local IP connection needs to be re-established, can realize dynamic adjustment of local IP data; meanwhile, the present invention can realize dynamic adjustment of local IP data and dynamic establishment of the local IP connection in the case of the local IP connection. |
| US08855042B2 |
Downlink feedback method for time division dual system and relay link thereof
The present invention discloses a Time Division Dual (TDD) system and a downlink feedback method for a relay link thereof. A relay station and a network side of the TDD system transmit uplink data and downlink feedback through relay subframes, wherein: one or more uplink subframes are selected from uplink subframes of a wireless frame as uplink relay subframes used for uplink data transmission, a downlink subframe is determined for each uplink relay subframe from downlink subframes of the wireless frame as a downlink relay subframe used for downlink feedback or new data indication, wherein the uplink relay subframes and the downlink relay subframes have a fixed timing sequence relationship; the relay station transmits uplink data to the network side through the uplink relay subframes, and receives the downlink feedback or new data indication from the network side through the downlink relay subframes corresponding to the uplink relay subframes. |
| US08855031B2 |
Control channel signalling for triggering the independent transmission of a channel quality indicator
The invention suggests a method for providing control signalling in a communication system, comprising the steps performed by a base station of the communication system of generating a control channel signal comprising a transport format and a channel quality indicator trigger signal for triggering a transmission of a channel quality indicator by at least one terminal to the base station, and transmitting the generated control channel signal to at least one terminal, wherein said transport format is a predetermined format for user data transmission by the at least one terminal to the base station and said control channel signal indicates a predetermined mode for reporting the channel quality indicator to the base station, wherein the channel quality indicator transmission is to be triggered by the at least one terminal based on the channel quality indicator trigger signal. |
| US08855028B2 |
Apparatus and method for bidirectional communication between multi-nodes using relay node
An apparatus for bidirectional communication between multi-nodes using a relay node receives 2M signals, encoded using a nested lattice code chain, from a base station and M user nodes in a predetermined time interval, estimates M pairwise lattice code sum signals between the base station and the M user nodes based on the nested lattice code chain with respect to the 2M encoded signals, encodes the M pairwise lattice code sum signals to broadcasting codewords to generate M encoded signals after the predetermined time interval has ended, and transmits the M encoded signals to the base station and the M user nodes. |
| US08855024B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device including a differential output LNA connected to multiple receive signal chains
A mobile wireless communications device may include an antenna, a wireless radio frequency (RF) receiver, a wireless RF transmitter, and a duplexer connecting the wireless RF receiver and the wireless RF transmitter to the antenna. More particularly, the wireless RF receiver may include a low noise amplifier (LNA) connected to the duplexer and having first and second differential outputs, a first receive signal chain for wireless communications signals having a first signal type connected to the first differential output of the LNA, and a second receive signal chain for wireless communications signals having a second signal type different than the first signal type connected to the second differential output of the LNA. |
| US08855019B2 |
Wireless communication enabled meter and network
A meter enabled for wireless communication and a wireless communication network are disclosed. A meter enabled for wireless communication comprises a metering device, a wireless communication system and an interface between the two. Meter data can be read, and the meter can be controlled via communication with a wireless network using, e.g., the Bluetooth™ protocol. A self-configuring wireless network is also disclosed. The wireless network includes a number of vnodes, and one or more VGATES. The vnodes are devices that are enabled for wireless communication using, e.g., the Bluetooth™ protocol. Vnodes are operative to form ad hoc piconet connections. The one or more VGATES comprise computer network gateways that are enabled for wireless communication using, e.g., the Bluetooth™ protocol. Thus, the VGATES enable the wireless array of vnodes to communicate with a private or public computer network to transmit data or receive commands. The network may also communicate with a VNOC system. VNOC is a universal communications adapter that enables the wireless array of vnodes to communicate (either directly or through a VGATE) with a central control facility via various wireless or wired communication media. |
| US08855016B2 |
Method for maintaining links in a mobile ad hoc network
The present disclosure relates to mobile ad hoc networks, and to ad hoc networks using aircraft in particular. A method of maintaining data links to and from a source node in an ad hoc mobile network is provided. The network comprises nodes including neighbor nodes corresponding to nodes within range for direct communication with the source node. The neighbor nodes comprise active neighbor nodes and inactive neighbor nodes, the active neighbor nodes being connected to the source node via respective active data links and the inactive neighbor nodes having respective inactive data links to the source node. One or more lost neighbor nodes are identified and revised configurations of data links are considered that account for the change in neighbor nodes. A new configuration is selected based at least partly on the cost of sending messages from the source node using the revised configurations. |
| US08855006B2 |
Capacity management in mesh networks
The invention relates to a method for mesh-wide capacity management in a mesh network (1), in particular comprising mesh links (2a, 2b) of different link technologies/with different local properties, the method comprising: signalling from at least one link resource manager associated with a mesh link (2a, 2b) or a group (3) of mesh links of the mesh network (1) to at least one network capacity manager (5) information about a calculation model to be applied for calculating at least one flow performance characteristics, in particular a resource consumption, for establishing at least one packet-based traffic flow on the mesh link (2a, 2b) or on the group (3) of mesh links. The invention also relates to a link resource manager, to a network capacity manager (5), to a signaling system, and to a mesh network (1). |
| US08855001B2 |
Power control for wireless communication systems
Techniques for controlling transmit power of a terminal are described. The terminal may send a first transmission (e.g., for pilot or signaling) on the reverse link, receive feedback (e.g., a power control command or an erasure indicator) for the first transmission, and adjust a reference power level based on the feedback. The terminal may also receive interference information and possibly other parameters such as a pilot quality indicator (PQI), an offset factor, and a boost factor from a sector. The terminal may determine transmit power for a second transmission to the sector based on the interference information, the reference power level, and/or the other parameters. The terminal may receive the feedback from one sector and may send the second transmission with CDMA or OFDMA to the same sector or a different sector. |
| US08854999B2 |
Method and arrangement in a wireless communication system
Method and arrangement in a base station for scheduling radio resources to a user equipment. The method and arrangement comprises receiving a scheduling request from the user equipment, and also a time offset value which value is associated with the moment of time when a frame of data was generated in the user equipment buffer. Also, the moment of time when the frame of data was generated in the user equipment buffer is determined, based on the received time offset value. Thereby the buffer state of the user equipment buffer is predicted by using the determined moment of time when the frame of data was generated in the user equipment buffer. Further, radio resources are granted to the user equipment, based on the predicted buffer state of the user equipment buffer. In addition, a method and arrangement in a user equipment for assisting the base station in scheduling radio resources are described. |
| US08854993B2 |
Interoperability interface for modem control
A system for facilitating interaction with one or more radio modules incorporated within an apparatus. An interface may be provided to supply parameters usable by one or more radio modules for regulating communication. In at least one example configuration, the interface may receive information pertaining to one or more communication flows, may utilize the communication flow information to determine operational conditions for managing the one or more communication flows, and may formulate parameters for controlling one or more radio modules based on the operational condition information. These formulated parameters may then be provided to the one or more radio modules in the apparatus. |
| US08854990B1 |
Multiple concurrent call sessions over a single voice call account
A cordless telephone base unit includes first and second network controllers and a terminal controller. The first network controller establishes concurrent call sessions for a single voice call account with a service provider over the Internet. Each of the concurrent call sessions includes at least one media session. Each of the media sessions has a corresponding software port number. The second network controller wirelessly communicates with cordless telephones, which each have a corresponding IP address. The terminal controller connects each of the media sessions to one or more of the cordless telephones and includes a switch logic that implements a terminal map, and a switch fabric that connects the cordless telephones with the media sessions according to the terminal map. The terminal map associates the corresponding IP address of each of the cordless telephones with the corresponding software port numbers of one or more of the media sessions. |
| US08854987B2 |
Distributing cells on an IMA logical link having inactive IMA sub-links
The invention is directed to a method and system for efficiently distributing Inverse Multiplexing over ATM (IMA) filler cells on IMA logical links having inactive or unusable IMA sub-links. Inactive IMA sub-links are identified during round-robin distribution of ATM data cells to active IMA sub-links. Predefined IMA filler cells are transmitted simultaneously on the identified inactive IMA sub-links when an ATM data cell is transmitted on an active IMA sub-link, thereby reducing the delay between transmitting ATM data cells. |
| US08854982B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing the interconnection between network domains
A control protocol is run in the interconnect region between network domains so that the interconnect region may be managed using a separate control plane. According to an embodiment of the invention, a spanning tree protocol is used to establish a separate spanning tree within the interconnect region. To avoid loop formation within the interconnect region, links interconnecting adjacent edge nodes that are part of the interconnect region and which belong to a given domain are allowed to pass control frames but not data frames. OAM may be used detect link failure of a link between adjacent nodes on a given domain. |
| US08854979B2 |
Radio measurement collection method and radio terminal
A radio measurement collection method using UE configured to perform a process of retaining a measurement log including a measurement result of a radio environment according to a measurement configuration set by a measurement configuration message received from a network includes a step S109 in which the network transmits a UEInformationRequest message to request a transmission of the measurement log to the UE, and a step S110 in which the UE transmits a UEInformationResponse message to transmit the measurement log to the network. In step S110, the UE transmits the UEInformationResponse message to the network even when the measurement log is not retained. |
| US08854974B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for deep packet inspection (DPI)-enabled traffic management for xDSL networks
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for DPI-enabled traffic shaping for xDSL networks are disclosed. According to one method, a DPI node analyzes signaling for an xDSL network access node or a broadband network gateway to determine nodal or link capacities available to nodes upstream from the network access node or the broadband network gateway for delivering downstream traffic to the network access device. The DPI node uses the determined capacities to shape downstream traffic delivered to the network access device. |
| US08854966B2 |
Apparatus and methods for network resource allocation
Methods and apparatus for allocating resources (such as communications bandwidth) using a network access device. In one embodiment, the network includes a wireless network (e.g., WiFi), and the access device includes a wireless router or gateway in communication with a plurality of wireless users. The device includes an administrator function which allows the network administrator to implement one or more resource allocation policies or rules. Using this approach, resources such as bandwidth can be allocated based on any number of different parameters or use classifications, including for example: (i) public versus private use; (ii) security level; (iii) user range from the access device; (iv) type of PHY or air interface; (v) type of channel coding; (vi) air interface mode or application (e.g., data versus voice). In one variant, the allocation policies are manually controlled by the administrator. In another variant, substantially automatic resource allocation is performed by the administrator program. |
| US08854961B1 |
Integrated circuit for network stress testing
An integrated circuit includes a first port configured to receive packets and a packet definition. The packets are transmitted from a network to the integrated circuit. One of (i) the packet definition is transmitted from a central processing unit of a host to the integrated circuit and (ii) the packets include the packet definition. The packet definition identifies characteristics of a packet. A forwarding engine is configured to (i) receive the packets from the first port and (ii) forward the packets to a second port. A packet generator is configured to (i) receive the packet definition and (ii) originate a test packet according to the packet definition. A medium access controller is configured to test the network by transmitting the test packet to the network. |
| US08854959B2 |
Communication apparatus using super frame to reconfigure dynamic protocol, and sensor node and hub device to reconfigure dynamic protocol
Provided is a super frame that may be used to reconfigure a dynamic protocol to synchronize a sensor node with different protocols of a hub device. The super frame enables a hub device to provide a real-time quality of service (QoS) with respect to a plurality of sensor application programs. |
| US08854955B2 |
Mesh restoration and bandwidth allocation systems and methods for shared risk connection groups
A method, a node, and a network include mesh restoration and bandwidth allocation systems and methods for shared risk connection groups for source-based routing control planes. The mesh restoration and bandwidth allocation systems and methods utilize signaling from a node closest to a point of failure to “advise” source nodes about protect paths to be taken for a particular unidirectional or bidirectional connection in the event of mesh restoration. Specifically, the systems and methods include an ability to correlate connection information as Shared Risk Connection Groups (SRCG) to optimally utilize network bandwidth in the event of failure. The systems and methods could also be used to optimally distribute connections in a mesh network as well, trying to utilize maximum bandwidth, in distributed or centralized environments. Effectively, the systems and method distributed path computation in the network away from solely being the responsibility of source nodes. |
| US08854950B2 |
Transmission system, transmission method, and communication device
A transmission system includes a transmission device and a reception device connected with each other via two lines. When the transmission device switches a line, used for transmitting VLAN traffic, from a first line to a second line, the transmission device transmits the VLAN traffic to the second line by switching the line after transmitting a post-switching message to the first line. The reception device includes a first buffer which stores the VLAN traffic received from the first line and a second buffer which stores the VLAN traffic received from the second line. When the reception device receives the post-switching message from the first line, the reception device starts reading of the VLAN traffic from the second buffer after reading the entire VLAN traffic stored in the first buffer. |
| US08854949B2 |
Network relay device and network relay method
A network relay device relays data in a layer 2 network. The network relay device includes first and second communication ports, a snooping module, a transfer information storage unit, a multicast sending module, a failure detector and a port adding module. The snooping module generates snooping information. The snooping information correlates the first communication port set to a multicast transfer port to a destination MAC address. The multicast sending module refers to the snooping information stored in the transfer information storage unit and sends a multicast frame received from the layer 2 network, from the correlated multicast transfer port. The failure detector detects a communication failure in the layer 2 network. The port adding module additionally, in response to detection of the communication failure by the failure detector, set the second communication port, in addition to the first communication port, to the multicast transfer port. |
| US08854947B2 |
Device and method for monitoring a communications system
Disclosed herein is a condition responsive device for connection with a communication system. The device includes a receiver configured to receive a physical parameter status signal from a connector of the communication system, the physical parameter status signal containing data pertaining to a condition of the connector connection. The device further includes a processing circuit configured to analyze the data to determine whether a communications signal adjustment is appropriate, wherein the processing circuit is configured to initiate a communications signal adjustment in the communication system if the processing circuit determines that adjustment is appropriate, based on a predetermined set of parameters. |
| US08854944B2 |
Methods and apparatus for interference cancellation
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for interference cancellation in a wireless communication system. In particular, the disclosed methods and apparatus provide for interference cancellation in a wireless device, including extending linear interference cancellation techniques, such as quasi-linear interference cancellation (QLIC), in the wireless device to a first orthogonal set, which may be a first quasi orthogonal function (QOF) set for a cdma2000 system to cancel interference from that set upon another desired QOF set. QLIC may also be extended to cancellation of signals from non-intended base stations as well. Accordingly, the present methods and apparatus afford reduced interference through QLIC by canceling signals due to either undesired QOF sets or non-intended base stations, which in turn results in an increase in forward link capacity. |
| US08854938B2 |
Optical recording medium, manufacturing method for optical recording medium
An optical recording medium and a manufacturing method for forming the optical recording medium is provided.The optical recording medium includes a bar code-shaped reflection pattern that includes high reflection rate regions and low reflection rate regions and information is recorded with the bar code-shaped reflection pattern. The low reflection rate region is formed with pit strings. The high reflection rate region and the low reflection rate region are formed to satisfy: S+M/2≦0.6H, where a signal level of a reproduction signal obtained from a reflection light in the high reflection rate region is denoted as “H”, a signal level of a reproduction signal obtained from a reflection light in the low reflection rate region is denoted as “S”, and a degree of modulation of the reproduction signal obtained from the reflection light in the low reflection rate region is denoted as “M”. |
| US08854937B2 |
Optical disc and optical disc device
In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method. |
| US08854934B2 |
Recording apparatus, recording method, reproducing apparatus, and reproducing method
There is provided an recording apparatus including a light irradiation unit, a reference-plane tracking control unit, a recording unit that executes recording on the recording medium by independently modulating first and second recording beams when the recording beams radiated by the first and second objective lenses are designated as the first and second recording beams, respectively, a recording-layer tracking control unit that performs tracking control of the first objective lens based on reflected light of a first servo beam and tracking control of the second objective lens based on reflected light of a second servo beam when the servo beam radiated by the first objective lens is designated as the first servo beam and the servo beam radiated by the second objective lens is designated as the second servo beam, and a control unit that controls the reference-plane tracking control unit, the recording-layer tracking control unit, and the recording unit. |
| US08854930B1 |
Slider embedded photodetector for optical power monitoring in heat assisted magnetic recording
Techniques for improving the recording quality during heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) by monitoring the power of a source used to heat a storage medium are described. In one example, a source emits electromagnetic radiation. A waveguide transmits the electromagnetic radiation onto a surface of a magnetic media. A photoresistive material is proximately located to the waveguide. The resistance of the photoresistive material varies based on the intensity of electromagnetic radiation propagating through the waveguide. The power of the source is determined by measuring the resistance of the photoresitive material. The power of the source is adjusted based on the determined power. |
| US08854929B1 |
Disk drive calibrating laser power and write current for heat assisted magnetic recording
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, wherein the head comprises a laser operable to heat the disk while writing data to the disk. An initial laser power of the laser is configured. After a time interval, an operating laser power of the laser is measured, and when the operating laser power falls below the initial laser power, a control signal applied to the laser is first adjusted until the operating laser power substantially matches the initial laser power. After first adjusting the control signal applied to the laser, a quality metric representing a recording quality of the head is measured, and when the quality metric indicates a poor recording quality, the control signal applied to the laser is second adjusted so that the operating laser power exceeds the initial laser power. |
| US08854926B2 |
Multi-lane stop watch
An electronic multi-lane stop watch is disclosed. Said multi-lane stop watch can record multi-athletes' split times and final times simultaneously. Said multi-lane stop watch can also automatically save collected data to files and export/import information and data to/from external devices such as computers or printers. |
| US08854918B2 |
Marine seismic streamer steering apparatus
Marine seismic streamer steering apparatus are described having an elongate body, at least a portion of which is positioned eccentric of a marine seismic streamer, the apparatus having stability features selected from: one or more lateral steering control surfaces providing a center of lift approximately through a vertical streamer axis; one or more buoyancy elements providing a center of buoyancy through the same or a different vertical axis approximately through the center of the streamer; and combinations thereof. The apparatus have improved stability and avoid heeling during use. |
| US08854917B2 |
Column address counter circuit of semiconductor memory device
The column address counter circuit of a semiconductor memory device includes at least one lower bit counter unit configured to generate a first bit of a column address by counting an internal clock, where the first bit is not a most significant bit of the column address, and a most significant counter unit configured to generate the most significant bit of the column address in response to a mask clock, where the mask clock is toggled when the internal clock is toggled by a set number of times. |
| US08854914B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a memory cell, a word line, and a peripheral circuit are provided. In the memory cell, a ferroelectric film is provided for a gate insulating film. The word line is connected to a control gate electrode of the memory cell. In the peripheral circuit, ferroelectric films are provided for gate insulating films and the peripheral circuit is provided near the memory cell. Here, between the same conductive type transistors of the peripheral circuit, a channel impurity concentration of a transistor to which a driving voltage which drives the word line is applied is different from a channel impurity concentration of a transistor to which a voltage which is lower than the driving voltage is applied. |
| US08854913B2 |
Address decoder, semiconductor memory device including the same, method of operating the same
A semiconductor memory device and method of operating the same is disclosed. The semiconductor memory device includes an address decoder including pass transistor groups, a memory block selector coupled in common to the pass transistor groups, and a block decoding section configured to deliver an enable signal through the block word line based on a block group address. The memory block selector is configured to deliver the enable signal to a first pass transistor group selected from the pass transistor groups in response to a block select signal to activate the first pass transistor group. |
| US08854910B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and refresh method thereof
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory core configured to sequentially activate first and second banks in response to first and second bank active signals which are sequentially enabled in response to first and second enable signals when a self-refresh operation is to be performed, select a word line by row addresses, and perform a refresh operation for memory cells which are connected with the word line; and an address counter configured to perform a counting operation for the row addresses in response to a counter signal, and interrupt the counting operation for the row addresses in a case where both the first and second banks are not activated when the self-refresh operation is ended. |
| US08854907B2 |
Semiconductor device for supplying and measuring electric current through a pad
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a semiconductor memory device capable of supplying and measuring an electric current through a pad. The semiconductor device includes a memory cell, a data pad configured to receive data to be programmed into the memory cell or a write current to be supplied to the memory cell from an external device, and output data read out from the memory cell or a cell current flowing from the memory cell to the external device, and a path switching unit configured to set up a path so that the memory cell and the data pad are directly coupled when a test operation is performed. |
| US08854906B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device with improved integrated ratio
A nonvolatile memory device includes a number of page buffer groups each comprising a number of normal page buffers, I/O lines corresponding to the respective normal page buffers, and a column decoder generating a column address decoding signal for coupling the normal page buffers of one of the page buffer groups and the respective I/O lines in response to a normal control clock signal. |
| US08854899B2 |
Methods for sensing memory elements in semiconductor devices
A memory device that, in certain embodiments, includes a plurality of memory elements connected to a bit-line and a delta-sigma modulator with a digital output and an analog input, which may be connected to the bit-line. In some embodiments, the delta-sigma modulator includes a circuit with first and second inputs and an output. The circuit is configured to combine (add or subtract) input signals. The first input may be connected to the analog input. The delta-sigma modulator may also include an integrator connected to the output of the circuit, an analog-to-digital converter with an input connected to an output of the integrator and an output connected to the digital output, and a digital-to-analog converter with an input connected to the output of the analog-to-digital converter and an output connected to the second input of the circuit. |
| US08854895B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A sense amplifier circuit is divided into a plurality of sense amplifier groups. The plurality of sense amplifier groups are each further divided into a plurality of sense units. A sense amplifier control circuit is configured to sequentially select the plurality of sense amplifier groups according to a physical address, and to sequentially select the plurality of sense units included in a selected sense amplifier group. The sense amplifier control circuit is configured to, when there is a defect related to a selected sense unit in a selected first sense amplifier group, select, in place of the first sense amplifier group, a sense unit included in a second sense amplifier group selected following after the first sense amplifier group. 139463 |
| US08854880B2 |
Inter-cell interference cancellation in flash memories
Inter-cell interference cancellation is provided for flash memory devices. Data from a flash memory device is processed by obtaining one or more quantized threshold voltage values for at least one target cell of the flash memory device; obtaining one or more hard decision read values for at least one aggressor cell of the target cell; determining an aggressor state of the at least one aggressor cell; determining an interference amount based on the aggressor state; determining an adjustment to the quantized threshold voltage values based on the determined interference amount; and adjusting the quantized threshold voltage values based on the determined adjustment. The quantized threshold voltage values for at least one target cell are optionally re-used from a previous soft read retry operation. The adjusted quantized threshold voltage values are optionally used to determine reliability values and are optionally applied to a soft decision decoder and/or a buffer. |
| US08854879B2 |
Method of programming a nonvolatile memory device and nonvolatile memory device performing the method
A method of programming a nonvolatile memory device including multi-level cells that store multi-bit data, includes performing a pre-programming operation that programs at least some of the multi-level cells to a plurality of intermediate states which are different from an erased state, and performing a main programming operation that programs the multi-level cells to a plurality of target states corresponding to the multi-bit data. At least some of the intermediate program states have threshold voltage distributions that partially overlap each other. |
| US08854872B2 |
Drift mitigation for multi-bits phase change memory
An RC-based sensing scheme to effectively sense the cell resistance of a programmed Phase Change Material (PCM) memory cell. The sensing scheme ensures the same physical configuration of each cell (after programming): same amorphous volume, same trap density/distribution, etc. The sensing scheme is based on a metric: the RC based sense amplifier implements two trigger points. The measured time interval between these two points is used as the metric to determine whether the programmed cell state, e.g., resistance, is programmed into desired value. The RC-based sensing scheme is embedded into an iterative PCM cell programming technique to ensure a tight distribution of resistance at each level after programming; and ensure the probability of level aliasing is very small, leading to less problematic drift. |
| US08854865B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
To increase a storage capacity of a memory module per unit area, and to provide a memory module with low power consumption, a transistor formed using an oxide semiconductor film, a silicon carbide film, a gallium nitride film, or the like, which is highly purified and has a wide band gap of 2.5 eV or higher is used for a DRAM, so that a retention period of potentials in a capacitor can be extended. Further, a memory cell has n capacitors with different capacitances and the n capacitors are each connected to a corresponding one of n data lines, so that a variety of the storage capacitances can be obtained and multilevel data can be stored. The capacitors may be stacked for reducing the area of the memory cell. |
| US08854864B2 |
Nonvolatile memory element and nonvolatile memory device
A nonvolatile memory element includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a variable resistance layer comprising a metal oxide positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. The variable resistance layer includes: a first oxide layer having a resistivity ρx, on the first electrode; a second oxide layer having a resistivity ρy (ρx<ρy), on the first oxide layer; a third oxide layer having a resistivity ρz (ρy<ρz), on the second oxide layer; and a localized region that is positioned in the third oxide layer and the second oxide layer to be in contact with the second electrode and not to be in contact with the first oxide layer, and is, in resistivity, lower than the third oxide layer and different from the second oxide layer. |
| US08854861B2 |
Mixed mode programming for phase change memory
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device, and more particularly to write performance of a phase change memory. |
| US08854860B2 |
Metal-insulator transition latch
A metal-insulator transition (MIT) latch includes a first electrode spaced apart from a second electrode and an MIT material disposed between said first and second electrodes. The MIT material comprises a negative differential resistance (NDR) characteristic that exhibits a discontinuous resistance change at a threshold voltage or threshold current. Either the first or second electrode is electrically connected to an electrical bias source regulated to set a resistance phase of the MIT material. |
| US08854856B2 |
Methods and apparatus for ROM devices
Methods and apparatus for the encoding of an input sequence of digit data into a sequence of storage cells of a ROM device are disclosed. The input sequence is divided into a first kind of groups and a second kind of groups. A first kind of group comprises a plurality of consecutive first digits, two first kind of groups are separated by a second kind of group, the second kind of group comprises consecutive digits without any consecutive first digits, and the second kind of group has a starting digit which is the second digit. A starting storage cell is programmed to the active state to store the starting digit of the second kind of group. The rest digits of the second kind of group are programmed one digit at a time, based on a shared terminal which has been programmed for the proceeding storage cell. |
| US08854854B2 |
Memory module and memory system
In a memory module including a plurality of DRAM chips which transmit/receive a system data signal with a predetermined data width and at a transfer rate and which transmit/receive an internal data signal having a larger data width and a lower transfer rate as compared with the system data signal, the transfer rate of the system data signal is restricted. Current consumption in DRAMs constituting the memory module is large, hindering speed increases. For this memory module, a plurality of DRAM chips are stacked on an IO chip. Each DRAM chip is connected to the IO chip by a through electrode, and includes a constitution for mutually converting the system data signal and the internal data signal in each DRAM chip by the IO chip. Therefore, wiring between the DRAM chips can be shortened, and DLL having a large current consumption may be disposed only on the IO chip. |
| US08854849B2 |
Power-saving voltage converter system
A voltage converter system having a converter and a connector system may include a control circuit that enables or disables the converter in response to the connection status of the connector system. |
| US08854848B1 |
Power supplying device having programmable current-balancing control
A power supplying device having programmable current-balancing control includes at least two power modules in parallel. Each power module includes a power convertor, a current sensing component, a tuning circuit, a current-balancing control circuit and an output voltage controller. The power convertor provides power to a load via an output end. The current sensing component senses output current of the power convertor to generate a current sensing signal. The tuning circuit generates a tuning signal according to a control signaling from a communicating port. The current-balancing control circuit receives the current sensing signal and the tuning signal. The current-balancing control circuit generates a current-balancing signal according to the current sensing signal. The current-balancing control circuit generates a voltage control signal according to the tuning signal. The output voltage controller tunes an output voltage of the power convertor according to the current-balancing signal or the voltage control signal. |
| US08854846B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a fault current portion in a differential current
When determining a fault current portion IF in a differential current idiff(t) measured by an inverter, an AC voltage uAC(t) applied to an AC output of the inverter is measured and a periodic reference function y(t) of alternating sign is generated as a function of the measured AC voltage uAC(t) in order to determine an AC fault current portion IFAC in the differential current idiff(t). The differential current idiff(t) is multiplied by the periodic reference function y(t), and the product of the differential current idiff(t) and the reference function (y(t)) is averaged over an integral number of periods of the reference function y(t). The reference function y(t), at least for one operating state of the inverter, is generated with a predefined phase offset with respect to the measured AC voltage uAC(t) and/or with a frequency which is an integer multiple of the frequency of the measured AC voltage uAC(t). |
| US08854844B2 |
AC/DC converter with passive power factor correction circuit and method of correcting power factor
An AC/DC converter includes a rectifier circuit and a power factor correction circuit. An input port of the rectifier circuit receives an alternate current. The power factor correction circuit includes a first inductor, a second inductor, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a first diode and a second diode. An end of the first inductor electrically connects to a positive pole of an output port of the rectifier circuit, and the other end electrically connects to a ground terminal of the output port through two parallel series routes which are bridged by the first diode. Wherein a series route contains the first capacitor and the second diode, and the other series route contains the second inductor and the second capacitor. The second capacitor is provided for parallel connecting with a loading. In this way, the input current could be controlled to increase the power factor effectively. |
| US08854840B2 |
Method and apparatus to improve dynamic response of the synchronous rectifying for resonant power converters
A synchronous rectifying circuit for a switching power converter is provided. The synchronous rectifying circuit includes a power transistor, a diode, and a control circuit. The power transistor and the diode are coupled to a transformer and an output of the power converter for rectification. The control circuit generates a drive signal to switch on the power transistor once the diode is forward biased. The control circuit includes a monitor circuit. The monitor circuit generates a monitor signal an off signal to switch off the power transistor in response to a pulse width of the drive signal for generating an off signal to switch off the power transistor. The monitor circuit further reduces the pulse width of the drive signal in response to a change of a feedback signal. The feedback signal is correlated to an output load of the power converter. |
| US08854836B2 |
Transistor outline can with in-line electrical couplings
An example embodiment includes a TO can including a header, an RF pin opening, an internal volume, an RF pin, a submount, and a flex circuit. The header defines the RF pin opening. The internal volume is defined by a TO can housing and an interior header surface. The RF pin extends through the RF pin opening such that a first surface connection is located in the internal volume and a second surface connection is located outside of the internal volume and extends past an exterior header surface. The submount is located in the internal volume and the submount includes a submount trace. The submount trace includes a pin connection portion in-line with the RF pin and electrically coupled to the first surface connection. The flex circuit includes a flex trace further including a flex trace connection in-line with the RF pin and electrically coupled to the second surface connection. |
| US08854833B2 |
Serial advanced technology attachment dual in-line memory module
A serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) dual-in-line memory module (DIMM) includes a circuit board. A control chip and a number of storage chips are arranged on the circuit board. First and second extending boards extend from an end of the circuit board and are coplanar with the circuit board. A space is defined between the first and the second extending boards. A first edge connector is arranged on the first extending board and connected to the control chip. A second edge connector is arranged on bottom edges of the second extending board and the circuit board. A third edge connector is arranged on a top edge of the circuit board opposite to the bottom edge of the circuit board. |
| US08854830B2 |
Semiconductor package substrate in particular for MEMS devices
A semiconductor package substrate suitable for supporting a damage-sensitive device, including a substrate core having a first and opposite surface; at least one pair of metal layers covering the first and opposite surfaces of the package substrate core, which define first and opposite metal layer groups, at least one of said layer groups including at least one metal support zone; one pair of solder mask layers covering the outermost metal layers of the at least one pair of metal layers; and a plurality of routing lines; wherein the at least one metal support zone is formed so that it lies beneath at least one side of the base of the damage-sensitive device and so as to occupy a substantial portion of the area beneath the damage-sensitive device which is free of said routing lines; a method for the production of such substrate is also described. |
| US08854828B2 |
Connecting module and mechanism using the same
A connecting module, disposed at a casing having a through hole, includes a door, a connecting port and an elastic member. The door is rotatably coupled to the casing so as to be located at a first position to cover the through hole or at a second position to open with respect to the casing. The connecting port is disposed at an inner side of the door so as to be disposed inside the casing when the door is located at the first position or exposed outside the casing when the door is located at the second position. The elastic member is rotatably coupled to the connecting port so as to rotate with respect to the connecting port to fasten a plug between the connecting port and the elastic member when the plug is connected to the connecting port. |
| US08854827B2 |
Electronic control unit
An electronic control unit is configured in such a way that the groove-shaped concave portion of the second case member includes a first concave portion, in which a groove width at a bottom surface side is narrow, and a second concave portion, in which a groove width at an aperture surface side is wide, and the first concave portion and the second concave portion are linked by an inclined step portion in such a way that a groove width at the step portion is increased in a direction from the bottom surface side to the aperture surface side, and moreover, a tip of the rail-shaped convex portion of the first case member is fitted into the first concave portion at the bottom surface side of the second case member. |
| US08854826B2 |
Suspension board with circuit
A suspension board with circuit includes a conductive region in which a conductive layer is formed and a mounting region for mounting a slider on which a magnetic head that is electrically connected to the conductive layer is mounted. The mounting region mounts the slider so that the slider is capable of relatively moving with respect to the conductive region, and the conductive region includes an opposing region that is opposed to the slider in the thickness direction at the time of the relative movement of the slider with respect to the conductive region and a damage preventing portion for preventing damage to the opposing region by the slider. |
| US08854812B2 |
Anti-theft device and method and related computer system
The present invention discloses an anti-theft device for a computer system includes a lock; a slot formed on a housing of the computer system for fixing the lock; and a switching module for cutting off power supply for a plurality of external interfaces of the computer system when the lock is fixed to the slot. |
| US08854806B2 |
Memory protection device and computer
A memory protection device and a computer including the memory protection device are disclosed. The memory protection device includes insulating heat-conducting bars which are provided on an upper end of slot arms at two sides of a memory connection base and cover up heat emitting holes of the slot arms. |
| US08854802B2 |
Display with rotatable display screen
A display that includes a rotatable display screen is described. The rotatable display screen for operating in at least a transparent background screen mode and an opaque background screen mode. The rotatable display screen has a first and second surface. The display further includes a support structure for supporting the rotatable display screen in at least a first and a second position. |
| US08854797B2 |
Power source circuit shut off apparatus
A power source circuit shut off apparatus shuts off a circuit of a battery assembly in which plural battery cells connected in series are arranged in parallel. The power source circuit shut off apparatus includes a housing, a pair of bus bars that is arranged in the housing and is connected to the adjacent battery cells respectively, a switch section that is adapted to conduct electrical connection or disconnection between the pair of bus bars, and a retaining member which is formed on the housing and is configured to be retained to a resin frame part of a side surface of the battery cell. |
| US08854796B2 |
Recessed lighting fixture and flexibly attached compact junction box
A recessed lighting fixture includes a lamp housing and a separate compact junction box, which contains a power supply that drives the lamp and serves in part to divide the interior cavity of the junction box into two separate wiring compartments. The junction box has two end walls spaced along an axis and a releasably secured, sleeve-like cover (side wall) surrounding and closing the cavity. The cover can be moved axially in either direction relative to the end walls to open the wiring compartments. The junction box and the lamp housing are mechanically connected only by a flexible conduit and a flexible tether, which prevents undue strain on the electrical connections between the joined components. The lighting fixture is particularly suitable for retrofit installations, especially where small-aperture downlights are desired. |
| US08854795B2 |
Gas Insulated Switchgear
A gas insulated switchgear including a circuit breaker, a first through third switches, a voltage transformer, a cable head, a gas insulated busbar unit, and first and second current transformers is provided. The gas insulated busbar unit is connected with the second current transformer and the first and second switches are connected with a bottom of the gas insulated busbar unit. The third switch is connected with the first current transformer, the cable head is connected with the third switch, and the voltage transformer is connected with a top of the cable head. The first and second current transformers are respectively connected with first and second sides of the circuit breaker. |
| US08854793B2 |
High-load rate supercapacitor electrode and method for obtaining same by extrusion
An electrode paste for a supercondenser. The electrode paste is a mixture containing a polymer formed using a liquid softening agent and an active charge. The paste is in the form of gel having an elasticity module of between 104 and 108 Pascal, at extrusion temperatures, in a range of frequencies of between 0.01 and 100 Hz. |
| US08854789B2 |
Self-defense system
In an embodiment, a self-defense system is disclosed. The self-defense system may include or comprise a material sized to conform to an appendage, and a defense unit coupled with the material and positioned to initiate a defense event in response to an input. |
| US08854786B2 |
System and method for providing surge protection
Methods and systems described herein provide protection for sensitive circuits against power surges on power lines. A surge protector for protecting a load coupled to a power source is provided. The surge protector includes an input having a first node, a second node and a third node to respectfully couple to line, neutral, and ground connections of a power source, an output having a fourth node, a fifth node, and a sixth node for respectfully coupling to line, neutral and ground connections of the load, a first voltage limiting circuit coupled between the fourth node and the fifth node, a first inductor coupled between the first node and the fourth node, and a second voltage limiting circuit coupled between the first node and the second node. |
| US08854785B2 |
Surge protection arrangement
An improved surge protection for protecting an electronic device is disclosed, the device having a closed casing with walls made of a non-conducting material and being internally coated with a thin metallic layer. The device also has at least one connector, being arranged in an opening in the walls and including a connector body, at least a portion of which projects outwardly from the wall and which accommodates an internal coupling device, to which a transmission cable, including a central conductor and an outer shield conductor, is connectable. According to the invention, the connector body is also made of a non-conducting material and strong currents, being present at a conducting protection sleeve, are diverted by at least one conducting diversion member to at least one metallic structure, being in permanent electric contact with ground and having a high capacity of conducting strong currents. In use, the at least one conducting diversion member is in electrical contact with the protection sleeve, and extends radially outwardly from the protection sleeve, through the connector body, to the at least one metallic structure. |
| US08854780B2 |
Protection circuit of battery pack and battery pack using the same
A programmable protection circuit of a battery pack and a battery back are disclosed. The protection circuit includes programmable protection level specifications based on battery characteristics by incorporating a storage unit therein. Accordingly, the protection circuit can be use with various batteries in various battery packs, thereby saving design and manufacturing costs. |
| US08854779B2 |
Integrated circuit
An integrated circuit includes an internal power line, a no-connection (NC) pad, and a switch configured to electrically connect the internal power line with the NC pad to supply a first external voltage to the internal power line through the NC pad in response to a control signal. |
| US08854778B2 |
ESD protection circuit
An electrostatic discharge protection circuit includes an input node coupled to receive an input signal and an output node coupled to output the input signal to an internal circuit. A first inductor is coupled to the input node and to the output node, and a second inductor is coupled to the output node and to a first power supply node through a resistance. A plurality of protection devices are coupled to the first and second inductors and are disposed in parallel with each other. |
| US08854770B2 |
Disk drive suspension and manufacturing method therefor
An actuator mounting section comprises a plate member includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate is formed with an opening which accommodates an actuator element. The second plate comprises a main body portion which overlaps the first plate and supporting portions which support opposite ends of the actuator element. A narrow portion narrower than the first plate is formed at a part of the main body portion of the second plate. A weld seal portion is formed by laser-welding the first plate and the second plate at the narrow portion. Adhesive is provided between the opposite ends of the actuator element and an inner surface of the opening of the first plate. |
| US08854769B1 |
Slide rail system and connecting device used for slide rail assembly
A slide rail assembly includes first and second rails. The second rail, slidable relative to the first rail, has a mounting hole. A connecting device includes first and second units, an engaging element, and an adjusting element. The second unit has a transverse guiding portion located at its counterpart of the first unit. The engaging element, connected to the second unit, has an engaging portion partially located in the mounting hole to connect the connecting device to the second rail. The adjusting element is connected to both units. The second unit is displaceable in response to rotation of the adjusting element, thereby enabling displacement of the engaging portion relative to the mounting hole. |
| US08854767B2 |
Disk drive device
A disk drive device comprises a rotor on which a recording disk is to be mounted and a fixed body rotatably supporting the rotor through a bearing unit. The rotor includes a projecting portion configured to fit into a central hole of the recording disk, a clamper configured to be fixed to the projecting portion, and a seating portion provided radially outward of the projecting portion. The projecting portion and the seating portion are configured such that the seating portion moves with respect to the projecting portion by fixing the clamper to the projecting portion with the recording disk being in between the clamper and the seating portion. |
| US08854766B1 |
Disk drive having a conformal peripheral foil seal having an opening covered by a central metal cap
A novel hermetically sealed disk drive comprises a disk drive enclosure that includes a disk drive base with a bottom face, four side faces, and a top cover. The disk drive also comprises a peripheral foil seal overlapping each of the four side faces and having a first opening therethrough that overlies the upper surface of the top cover. The peripheral foil seal conforms to the disk drive enclosure and is adhered to the top face and to each of the four side faces by a first continuous adhesive layer. The hermetically sealed disk drive also includes a central metal cap completely covering the first opening and being adhered to the upper surface of the top cover through the first opening by a second continuous adhesive layer. The central metal cap is thicker than the continuous metal foil, and the disk drive enclosure is helium-filled. |
| US08854759B2 |
Combined soft detection/soft decoding in tape drive storage channels
In one embodiment, a tape drive system includes a soft detector for executing a first forward loop of a detection algorithm on a first block of signal samples during a first time interval; and logic for executing forward and reverse loops during several time intervals; and logic adapted for outputting a first decoded block of signal samples based on the executing the decoding algorithm on the first block during a sixth time interval, wherein a sum of second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth time intervals are about equal in duration to the first time interval. |
| US08854758B2 |
Track defect map for a disk drive data storage system
A method and apparatus for storing a disk drive media defect table or list. Defect table entries for a subject disk track are stored on the subject track and retrieved for determining defective sectors only when the subject track is accessed for a data read or write operation. |
| US08854755B2 |
Multi-level run-length limited finite state machine for magnetic recording channel
A system is described for constructing maximum transition run modulation code based upon a multi-level run-length limited finite state machine. A processor is configured to receive information from a hard disk drive via a read channel and recover data from the hard disk drive using maximum transition run modulation code. A memory has computer executable instructions configured for execution by the processor to model a magnetic recording channel as a partial response channel, model a source of information to the magnetic recording channel to provide an optimized Markov source, and construct a maximum transition run modulation code to mimic the optimized Markov source based upon a finite state machine having a limited transition run length and a multi-level periodic structure. |
| US08854744B2 |
Optical image lens system
An optical image lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second lens element and the third lens element have positive refractive power. The fourth lens element has refractive power. The fifth lens element with positive refractive power is made of plastic and has a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, wherein at least one surface thereof is aspheric. The sixth lens element with refractive power is made of plastic and has a concave image-side surface, wherein at least one surface thereof is aspheric, and the image-side surface thereof changes from concave at a paraxial region to convex at a peripheral region. |
| US08854743B2 |
Optical element unit
An optical element unit is provided comprising an optical element group for projecting light along an optical axis of the optical element group and a housing having an inner housing part partly defining a first space and a light passageway between the inner housing part and a second space. The inner housing part receives the optical element group. The optical element group comprises an ultimate optical element located in the region of the light passageway. A load-relieving device is provided adjacent to the ultimate optical element, the load relieving device partly defining the first space and the second space and at least partly relieving the ultimate optical element from loads resulting from pressure differences between the first space. |
| US08854740B2 |
Zoom lens
A zoom lens includes a first lens group, a second lens group, a third lens group, an aperture, a fourth lens group, and a fifth lens group in order along an optical axis from an object side to an image side. The first lens group has positive refractive power, and includes four lenses. The second lens group has negative refractive power, and includes three lenses. The third lens group has positive refractive power, and includes one lens. The fourth lens group has positive refractive power, and includes five lenses. The fifth lens group has positive refractive power, and includes one lens. The zoom lens is switched to the telephoto mode from the wide-angle mode by moving the second lens group and the fourth lens group toward the third lens group. |
| US08854739B2 |
Electrowetting device
The invention relates to an electrowetting-on-dielectric device (200). This is an electro wetting device comprising one or more cells, wherein each cell comprises an electrowetting composition of first and second immiscible fluids, the first fluid being an electrolytic solution (240), a first electrode (230), separated from the electrowetting composition by a dielectric (231), and a voltage source (260) for applying an operating voltage difference between the first electrode (230) and the electrolytic solution to operate the electrowetting device. According to the invention, the first electrode (230) of the electrowetting-on-dielectric device (200) comprises a valve metal, and the electrolytic solution (240) is capable of anodizing the valve metal to form a metal oxide at the operating voltage difference. This provides the electrowetting-on-dielectric device (200) with self-repairing properties thereby preventing breakdown of the dielectric. As a result, the electrowetting device can be operated at a low voltage, and it has an improved reliability. |
| US08854738B2 |
Coupling device for detachably connecting an eyepiece of an endoscope optical system with a camera lens
A coupling device for detachably connecting an eyepiece of an endoscope optical system with a camera lens includes a receptacle for the eyepiece, attachment means for securing the eyepiece in the receptacle, and a manually activated handle arranged on the outside for releasing the attachment. The attachment means are controlled by the eyepiece so as to automatically attach the eyepiece in the receptacle while introducing the eyepiece into the receptacle. |
| US08854737B2 |
Collimator device and laser light source
The present invention relates to a laser light source and others for decreasing wavelength-by-wavelength differences of focal positions of focused components in collimating and then focusing polychromatic light with a wide spectrum width. The laser light source includes a collimator device, in which relative positions of emergence of a laser beam emitted from a polychromatic light source and a collimating lens composed of an achromatic lens can be adjusted at a 10 μm level or less. |
| US08854734B2 |
Integrating optical system and methods
An integrating optical system having a chamber, the chamber having an aperture and at least one portion having a diffuse reflective material; a light source; and a diffuse transmissive baffle. The baffle is located in relation to the chamber such that it is also located in an optical path between the light source and a treatable target. A light-ray originating from the light source is diffusely transmitted from the diffuse transmissive baffle and impinges on an interior surface of the chamber before impinging on the treatable target. |
| US08854727B2 |
Optical amplifier and transmission system
An optical amplifier includes: a first amplifier amplifying a signal light by a first excitation light; a variable optical attenuator attenuating the signal light; a second amplifier amplifying the signal light by a second excitation light; a mode selector selecting one of first and second modes; a gain controller, in first mode, controlling first and second excitation lights so that a gain of power of the signal light becomes constant; a first output controller, in second mode, controlling the first excitation light; a second output controller that, in second mode, controlling the second excitation light so that a spontaneous emission light having fixed level is outputted; and an attenuation controller controlling an attenuation of the variable optical attenuator according to an input level of the signal light in first mode, and controlling the attenuation to become a given value larger than a value of first mode in second mode. |
| US08854724B2 |
Spatio-temporal directional light modulator
A spatio-temporal directional light modulator is introduced. This directional light modulator can be used to create 3D displays, ultra-high resolution 2D displays or 2D/3D switchable displays with extended viewing angle. The spatio-temporal aspects of this novel light modulator allow it to modulate the intensity, color and direction of the light it emits within an wide viewing angle. The inherently fast modulation and wide angular coverage capabilities of this directional light modulator increase the achievable viewing angle, and directional resolution making the 3D images created by the display be more realistic or alternatively the 2D images created by the display having ultra high resolution. |
| US08854723B2 |
Display medium and display device
A display medium includes a first substrate that is transparent to light, a second substrate, a spacing member, and a particle dispersion liquid. The second substrate is provided to be opposite to the first substrate and has a plurality of electrodes placed at a predetermined interval. The spacing member (i) is placed between the first and second substrates at another interval different from the predetermined interval of the electrodes, (ii) has a first end portion on a first substrate side of the spacing member and a second end portion on a second substrate side of the spacing member. The first end portion is transparent to light. The second end portion has different transparency from the first end portion to reduces a reflection of light incident through the first substrate onto a first substrate side of the spacing member. |
| US08854722B2 |
Color electronic paper apparatus, display and manufacturing method thereof
A color electronic paper apparatus includes a display layer, a color resist layer, an anti-ultraviolet layer and a protective sheet. The color resist layer is disposed on the display layer. The anti-ultraviolet layer is disposed on the color resist layer. The protective sheet is disposed on the anti-ultraviolet layer. A manufacturing method of the color electronic paper apparatus and a color electronic paper display are provided herein. |
| US08854719B2 |
Surfactant and method of manufacturing an electrowetting display device using the same
A surfactant includes a hydrophobic functional group, a hydrophilic functional group and a linker disposed between the hydrophobic functional group and the hydrophilic functional group, and the linker is connected to the hydrophobic functional group and the hydrophilic functional group. The linker has a cleavable bond with a bond energy lower than a bond energy of a bond included in the hydrophilic functional group and a bond included in the hydrophobic functional group. |
| US08854718B2 |
Electrowetting display device
An electrowetting display device includes a plurality of pixels each including an array substrate, an opposite substrate, and an electrowetting layer. The array substrate includes a base substrate, a barrier wall defining a pixel area, a partition wall partitioning the pixel area into a plurality of sub-pixel areas, a hydrophobic layer disposed in the sub-pixel areas, and an electronic device controlling the electrowetting layer. |
| US08854713B2 |
Power selective optical filter devices and optical systems using same
In an embodiment, a power selective optical filter device includes an input polarizer for selectively transmitting an input signal. The device includes a wave-plate structure positioned to receive the input signal, which includes at least one substantially zero-order, zero-wave plate. The zero-order, zero-wave plate is configured to alter a polarization state of the input signal passing in a manner that depends on the power of the input signal. The zero-order, zero-wave plate includes an entry and exit wave plate each having a fast axis, with the fast axes oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. Each entry wave plate is oriented relative to a transmission axis of the input polarizer at a respective angle. An output polarizer is positioned to receive a signal output from the wave-plate structure and selectively transmits the signal based on the polarization state. |
| US08854709B1 |
Automatic white balance based on dynamic mapping
A method of white balancing an image includes mapping pixels of the image to a color space diagram. Each of the pixels of the image include a red (“R”), a green (“G”), and a blue (“B”) subvalue. A first central tendency of each of the RGB subvalues of pixels mapped in a first pre-defined region of the color space diagram is determined and a second central tendency of each of the RGB subvalues of pixels mapped in a second pre-defined region of the color space diagram is determined. The first pre-defined region is associated with a first illuminating source and the second pre-defined region is associated with a second illuminating source. RGB values of a white pixel are generated based on the first and second central tendencies. |
| US08854708B2 |
Image sensing device for sensing an image on a recording medium
A sensing device including: a sensing section having an illuminating section that illuminates light and a light-receiving section that receives reflected light of light illuminated from the illuminating section, the sensing section sensing an image on a recording medium; a housing that accommodates the illuminating section; a covering member covering the housing, that is freely installed at and removed from the housing, having a transmitting member through which the light from the illuminating section is transmitted; and a setting section disposed at an opposite side to a housing side with respect to the covering member, the setting section being freely installed at and removed from the housing, and having a setting surface that sets a position at which the recording medium reflects light, wherein, at a positioning portion of the setting section, the covering member is positioned at least in a direction perpendicular to the setting surface, is provided. |
| US08854707B2 |
Imaging device analysis systems and imaging device analysis methods
Imaging device analysis systems and imaging device analysis methods are described. According to one embodiment, an imaging device analysis system includes a light source configured to generate a plurality of light beams for analysis of an imaging device, wherein the light beams comprise light of a plurality of different spectral power distributions, processing circuitry coupled with the light source and configured to control the light source to generate the light beams, and an optical interface optically coupled with a light receiving member of the imaging device and configured to communicate the plurality of light beams to the light receiving member of the imaging device. |
| US08854706B2 |
Auto document feeding device
An auto document feeding device includes: a carrying member configured to carry an original from an original setting unit to an image scanning unit; a fixed guide unit configured to change a carrying direction of the original, at between the carrying member and the image scanning unit; a movable guide unit which is movable between the fixed guide unit and the carrying member; and a paper discharge unit configured to discharge the original which passed through the image scanning unit. |
| US08854705B2 |
Carrier and image scanning apparatus having the carrier
An image scanning apparatus includes a base, a transparent plate, a guide rod disposed between the base and the transparent plate, an optical sensor module, and a carrier mounted on the guide rod and including a first support bracket to place the optical sensor module thereto and having a first pivot connecting portion, a second support bracket having a second pivot connecting portion connected pivotally to the first pivot connecting portion, and an elastic member disposed between the first and second support brackets and biasing upwardly the first support bracket so as to keep the optical sensor module in constant contact with the transparent plate. |
| US08854702B2 |
Image reading apparatus and image reading method
An image reading apparatus includes a touch panel that outputs a press position pressed by a finger as coordinate information in a sub-scanning direction, the finger being placed on the surface of the touch panel, a CCD that takes an image of the finger placed on the touch panel from the rear side of the touch panel in a main-scanning direction, and outputs an image signal, and a motor that moves the CCD in the sub-scanning direction so as to follow a rotational movement of the finger based on the movement amount detected by the movement detection unit. |
| US08854698B2 |
Image reading apparatus with at least three reference members arranged along sub-scanning direction for shading correction
An image reading apparatus includes a light source device, a reader, a plurality of strip-shaped density reference members, and a shading corrector. The plurality of strip-shaped density reference members that extend along main scanning direction. The plurality of strip-shaped density reference members are separately disposed in at least three positions including an upstream end portion, a center portion, and a downstream end portion in the moving direction of the sub scanning direction within a readable area of the reader. The shading corrector is configured to calculate shading correction data using density distribution data obtained by reading the plurality of strip-shaped density reference members with the reader and correct image data of the printed document on a pixel to pixel basis, based on the shading correction data. |
| US08854695B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method, and program
An image processing apparatus is provided, which makes it possible to classify and store documents after scanning the documents by intuitive operations such as physically classifying the documents. The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire image data obtained by capturing an image of a document placed in an image capturing area; and a classification unit configured to classify the acquired image data according to at least one of a direction to which the document is framed-out from the image capturing area and a direction from which the document is framed-in to the image capturing area. |
| US08854694B2 |
Communication device and facsimile system
A communication device includes an input unit specifying a transmission destination telephone number, a communication unit transmitting an e-mail to a specified server connected to a network, a mail generating unit generating a facsimile server addressed e-mail, and a control unit. Wherein, the control unit controls the mail generating unit and the communication unit in such a manner that, when a plurality of transmission destination telephone numbers are specified as the one or more numbers of the transmission destination telephone numbers by the input unit, the mail generating unit generates a facsimile server addressed e-mail to which a facsimile server addressed mail address, and the communication unit transmits the facsimile server addressed e-mail to a facsimile server as a destination fewer times than the number of the plurality of the transmission destination telephone numbers. |
| US08854680B2 |
Systems and methods for optimal memory allocation units
Methods for determining an optimal memory allocation unit size for a framebuffer in a single memory pool comprising frame buffer memory and display list memory on printing devices are presented. In some embodiments, a method for determining an optimal allocation unit size for memory allocation units allocated from a memory pool in response to a memory allocation request for a pixmap comprises determining the amount of unutilized memory when the pixmap is stored using a plurality of memory allocation unit sizes, wherein the memory allocation unit sizes are an integral multiple of a base memory allocation unit; and selecting a memory allocation unit size from the plurality of memory allocation unit sizes based on criteria related to the amount of unutilized memory. |
| US08854679B2 |
Image forming apparatus, E-mail server, E-mail facsimile transmission system having the same, and E-mail facsimile setting method of image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, an e-mail server, an e-mail facsimile transmission system having the same and an e-mail facsimile setting method of an image forming apparatus. The e-mail facsimile setting method of an image forming apparatus which transmits an e-mail for facsimile transmission to a facsimile server, includes displaying a parameter setting screen applied to a plurality of facsimile servers, inputting a parameter value depending on the displayed parameter setting screen; and transmitting an e-mail with an identification type to correspond to one kind of facsimile server of the plurality of facsimile servers to the facsimile server based on the input setting value. Thus, a setting screen commonly applied to a plurality of facsimile servers is provided to a user, thereby saving time and cost needed in an e-mail facsimile setting. |
| US08854677B2 |
Push-notification system and method for notifying event message to mobile terminal apparatus
A push notification system includes an image forming apparatus, a mobile terminal apparatus, a push notification server, and a provider that are connected to a network. The image forming apparatus prints print job data transmitted from the mobile terminal apparatus, generates a first event message including a status code, its attribute information, and a device token of the mobile terminal apparatus in the print job data, and transmits it to the provider. The provider generates a second event message including the device token in a record, registered in a subscription table and matching a status type code of the status code in the first event message and the device token, and the status code in the first event message, and transmits it to the push notification server. The push notification server transmits the second event message to the mobile terminal apparatus of the device token in the second event message. |
| US08854675B1 |
Electronic document processing method and device
In the method and device, electronic documents are created from a batch of physical documents of varying lengths. The batch comprises sub-batches of groups of multiple multi-page physical documents with separator sheets on each group. Each separator sheet is marked with a page count for any physical documents in its group. The batch is scanned-in and the resulting image pages are used to form the electronic documents. Specifically, the image pages are analyzed in sequence to identify document sheet image pages and separator sheet image pages. When a separator sheet image page is identified, the page count on that separator sheet image page is read and electronic document(s) is/are created from sequential set(s) of document sheet image pages, which follow the separator sheet image page and have the specific page count, until the next separator sheet image page is identified. This is repeated for all separator sheet image pages identified. |
| US08854672B2 |
Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus including: a connecting unit connected to a management server through a network; a printing unit configured to print of print data received through the network; a receiving unit configured to receive input of a name indicating the printing apparatus; a determining unit configured to determine whether another printing apparatus having a same name as the name received by the receiving unit exists; and a prohibiting unit configured to prohibit the printing unit from performing printing if the other printing apparatus having the same name exists. |
| US08854669B1 |
Printer search and selection for a cloud-based print service
The embodiments provide a print server including at least one processor, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions executable by the at least one processor. The instructions are configured to implement an application manager configured to receive a print request over a network from an application associated with a device, and a printer searcher configured to determine printer search criteria associated with the print request, search a plurality of available printers associated with a user account of a user of the application based on the determined printer search criteria, and determine a subset of available printers based on the search. The application manager is configured to provide, over the network, a print dialog to the user of the application in response to the print request, where the print dialog may be configured to provide a list of the subset of available printers. |
| US08854665B2 |
Information processing system, registration device, and computer readable medium for identifying a user of a printer
An information processing system includes following elements. A first management device manages, for each user, information on a function of a printer that the user is permitted to use therein. A second management device accepts registration of a virtual printer for a set of a printer and a function used in the printer, and manages the registered virtual printer. A registration device registers a virtual printer in the second management device. The registration device identifies a user and a printer regarding a print request, acquires a function that the identified user is permitted to use in the identified printer from the first management device, and registers a virtual printer for a set of the identified printer and the acquired function in association with the identified user. The second management device processes, upon receiving a print instruction from the user, the print instruction based on the corresponding printer and function. |
| US08854662B1 |
Print management system and method for facilitating print job management and monitoring multiple geographically dispersed printers
Embodiments of the invention include a computer-implemented control and monitoring method and system for print shop management. The method may include monitoring multiple print servers and insertion devices for inserting printed material into envelopes. Programmed computer processing components may be used for performing steps including receiving print status data and insertion status data from multiple printing and insertion sites, and matching the print data with the insertion data for each submitted print job and integrating the print status data with the insertion data. The method additionally includes providing a user application including multiple user interfaces displaying the integrated print status data and insertion status data in an interactive format. |
| US08854660B2 |
Virtual print shop management
A method including: maintaining, at a server, a list of print shops that participate in an external workflow managed by the server; receiving, at the server through a network, an order for a variable data campaign defining a plurality of personalized items for end recipients, said order including text and graphics used in the variable data campaign, identifying information of the end recipients that each receive an item of the variable data campaign, and a mapping specification that specifies which graphics correspond to which text for each item of the variable data campaign; generating, at the server, using the mapping specification, the text and graphics received, and the identifying information of the end recipients, a master file for the items of the variable data campaign, wherein the master file includes, for each of the items, images formed of corresponding text and graphics paired together in accordance with the mapping specification for each of the end recipients of the variable data campaign; assigning, at the server, the variable data campaign to one or more of the print shops that participate in the external workflow; and providing, at the server, the one or more print shops with the master file. |
| US08854657B2 |
Requesting through wired communication a diagnostic signal through wireless communication
An information processing apparatus includes: a first communication section which communicates with an external device having a diagnosis function of a network using a first communication method; a second communication section which communicates with the external device using a second communication method; and a transmission section which transmits a diagnosis signal to the external device through the second communication section. The transmission section transmits the diagnosis signal according to a diagnosis request received through the first communication section from the external device. |
| US08854652B2 |
Host device and printing control method thereof
A host device and a printing control method of the host device. The host device includes a print data generation unit to generate print data for each page of a document to be printed, a transmission unit to transmit the generated print data to an image forming device, a menu generation unit to generate a print option setting menu if an interrupt occurs while transmitting the print data through the transmission unit, and a controller to control the print data generation unit to convert the print data after occurrence of the interrupt into print data to which the reset print option is applied. |
| US08854649B2 |
Non-transitory computer-readable medium storing information processing program, information processing apparatus, and information processing method
A medium stores computer-executable instructions. The instructions cause a control unit of an information processing apparatus to: display a setting screen on which setting values for a plurality of setting items are to be set respectively, the plurality of setting items including a first setting item which has one of an enabled state and a disabled state as a first setting value and a second setting item which has a setting value group, which is associated with the second setting item and which includes a plurality of setting values settable for the second setting item; display, on the setting screen, a first sub setting value group in a case that the first setting value is the enabled state; and display, on the setting screen, a second sub setting value group in a case that the first setting value is the disabled state. |
| US08854648B2 |
Printing system and printing control apparatus
A printing system includes a printing control apparatus including a reception unit that receives a print job transmitted from an external apparatus, a first storage unit that stores the print job, and a transmission unit that transmits the print job to a printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus including a reception unit that receives the print job, a printing unit that performs printing in accordance with the print job, and a notification unit that notifies the printing control apparatus that the printing is completed in a case where the printing unit completes the printing in accordance with the print job. The transmission unit transmits information indicating that the printing apparatus is permitted to be shifted to the power saving state upon reception of the printing completion notification. The printing apparatus further includes a control unit that shifts the printing apparatus to the power saving state upon reception of the information. |
| US08854646B2 |
Printing device and control method of printing device
A printing device includes a storage unit configured to store image data transferred from a high level device; a conveyance control unit configured to control conveyance of a printing medium and output a notification of a printable state when the printing medium is conveyed to reach a predetermined printable state; a printing unit configured to print the image data stored in the storage unit on the printing medium in response to the notification of the printable state output from the conveyance control unit; and a printing control unit configured to create print setting information including conveyance control information to control conveyance of the printing medium from printing information specified from the high level device and transmit the print setting information at least to the conveyance control unit. The conveyance control unit controls conveyance of the printing medium in accordance with the conveyance control information included in the print setting information. |
| US08854643B2 |
Printing tape adaptation system, apparatus, method and computer-readable medium
An information processing apparatus used in connection with a tape printing apparatus has a tape information acquisition section which acquires from the tape printing apparatus tape information about a tape mounted therein, a new standardized tape discrimination section which discriminates whether a new standardized tape having a standard different from an existing standard has been mounted or not based on the tape information, a printing parameter acquisition section which acquires a printing parameter corresponding to the new standardized tape in a case that it is discriminated that the new standardized tape has been mounted, and a data transmission section which transmits the printing parameter acquired by the printing parameter acquisition section to the tape printing apparatus. |
| US08854642B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
If pixel segment insertion/extraction control by random number control which is uniform irrespective of a type of image data is performed, in the case of a character or diagram, main scanning positions where the pixel-segment insertion/extraction is executed become discontinuous in a sub-scanning direction, and image quality deteriorates. To solve the above problem, there is provided an image forming apparatus having: a unit for dividing an image into a plurality of areas in the main scanning direction; a unit for setting a reference area for performing pixel segment insertion/extraction control in each of divided areas; and a unit for deciding a position where the pixel segment insertion/extraction control in each of the divided area, in accordance with attribute information of image data in the set reference area. |
| US08854641B2 |
Control device for controlling image processing system, image forming apparatus, image reading apparatus, control method, and computer-readable recording medium
An image forming apparatus 10a includes (i) an image input apparatus 1, (ii) a control section 5a, (iii) a document detecting section 24 including a blank page detecting section and a separator sheet detecting section, and (iv) a file creating section 31 for creating a file of image data. The image input apparatus 1 has a double-side reading function. The file creating section 31 has a blank page skipping function and a separating function. The control section 5a includes a function setting section 51 for enabling the double-side reading function and the blank page skipping function when enabling the separating function. |
| US08854638B2 |
Variable printing control apparatus and control program
A variable printing control apparatus for creating an image data to be printed, using variable printing data containing a plurality of page data in which one of a plurality of parts is arranged in one page, the variable printing control apparatus being configured to implement: a first processing method for rasterizing the plurality of page data, extracting the plurality of parts from each of pieces of raster data, and superimposing the plurality of parts of raster data to create the image data; and a second processing method for converting the plurality of page data into PDL data, extracting the plurality of parts from each of pieces of PDL data, superimposing the plurality of parts of PDL data, and rasterizing the superimposed PDL data to create the image data. |
| US08854636B2 |
Host device with universal image scanning device driver and driver management method thereof
A host device and a driver management method of the host device are provided. The driver management method of the host device includes searching for at least one image scanning device connected to the host device, displaying a list of the at least one image scanning device found as a result of searching, selecting one of the at least one image scanning device from the displayed list, generating a user-specified driver for the selected image scanning device, and adding the generated user-specified driver. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the use of a universal image scanning device driver. |
| US08854633B2 |
Volume dimensioning system and method employing time-of-flight camera
Volume dimensioning employs techniques to reduce multipath reflection or return of illumination, and hence distortion. Volume dimensioning for any given target object includes a sequence of one or more illuminations and respective detections of returned illumination. A sequence typically includes illumination with at least one initial spatial illumination pattern and with one or more refined spatial illumination patterns. Refined spatial illumination patterns are generated based on previous illumination in order to reduce distortion. The number of refined spatial illumination patterns in a sequence may be fixed, or may vary based on results of prior illumination(s) in the sequence. Refined spatial illumination patterns may avoid illuminating background areas that contribute to distortion. Sometimes, illumination with the initial spatial illumination pattern may produce sufficiently acceptable results, and refined spatial illumination patterns in the sequence omitted. |
| US08854630B2 |
Position-measuring device
A position-measuring device is suited for detecting the relative position of a scanning unit and a reflection measuring grating movable relative thereto in at least one measuring direction. The scanning unit includes a primary light source as well as at least one detector assembly in a detection plane. A periodic configuration of point light sources is able to be generated in the detection plane from the primary light source. The primary light source is disposed above the detection plane. |
| US08854627B2 |
Electronically scanned optical coherence tomography with frequency modulated signals
An improved Optical Coherence Domain Reflectometry (OCDR) system is provided. One embodiment of this OCDR system outputs a detector signal carrying image depth information on multiple modulation frequencies, where each modulation frequency corresponds to a different image depth. The image depth information from the detector signal may be resolved by tuning to the desired modulation frequency. Another system for imaging body tissue uses multiple frequency modulators such that the light beam does not travel from an optical fiber to free space. |
| US08854623B2 |
Systems and methods for measuring a profile characteristic of a glass sample
Systems and methods for measuring a profile of a glass sample (300) are disclosed. The method includes scanning a polarization-switched light beam (112PS) through the glass sample and a reference block (320) for different depths into the glass sample to define a transmitted polarization-switched light beam. The method also includes measuring an amount of power in the polarization-switched light beam to form a polarization-switched reference signal (SR), and detecting the transmitted polarization-switched light beam to form a polarization-switched detector signal (SD). The method further includes dividing the polarization-switched detector signal by the polarization-switched reference signal to define a normalized polarization-switched detector signal (SN). Processing the normalized polarization-switched detector signal determines the profile characteristic. |
| US08854620B2 |
Curved grating spectrometer and wavelength multiplexer or demultiplexer with very high wavelength resolution
The present application discloses a system comprising a compact curved grating (CCG) and its associated compact curved grating spectrometer (CCGS) or compact curved grating wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer (WMDM) module and a method for making the same. The system is capable of achieving a very small (resolution vs. size) RS factor. In the invention, the location of the entrance slit and detector can be adjusted in order to have the best performance for a particular design goal. The initial groove spacing is calculated using a prescribed formula dependent on operation wavelength. The location of the grooves is calculated based on two conditions. The first one being that the path-difference between adjacent grooves should be an integral multiple of the wavelength in the medium to achieve aberration-free grating focusing at the detector or output slit (or output waveguide) even with large beam diffraction angle from the entrance slit or input slit (or input waveguide). The second one being specific for a particular design goal of a curved-grating spectrometer. In an embodiment, elliptical mirrors each with focal points at the slit and detector are used for each groove to obtain aberration-free curved mirrors. |
| US08854619B2 |
Multispectral imaging device with MOEMS type filter for satellite observation
A multispectral imaging device for satellite observation utilizing “push broom” scanning over an observed area centered on one or more wavelengths which can be electrically controlled to produce a filtering function wavelength band, thus obviating the need for conventional stacking. |
| US08854618B2 |
Hand-held raman laser device for distant life-death determination by molecular peri-mortem plume fuzzy membership function
Multiple functional systems are integrated to configure a portable handheld decision-aid device for first responder medics. Fuzzy membership functions of “life” and “death” are used to determine the status of fallen people using remote measurements. EO/IR cameras can be used to detect and identify casualties in a mass injury situation, while also estimating body temperature. Using the temperature, along with the remote estimation of a second vital sign, the life membership proportion can be estimated from the ground truth by using a 2D projection of stable vital signs. The other fuzzy membership function, death, can be estimated by the presence or absence of peri-mortem and post-mortem molecules. These molecules are only released after death and provide a certain indication of death. Solid state UV laser resonance Raman backscattering from these molecules allows the device to analyze the molecules present in a plume around the casualty. |
| US08854610B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring a three-dimensional shape
Provided are an apparatus and a method for measuring a three dimensional shape with improved accuracy. The apparatus includes a stage, at least one lighting unit, a plurality of image pickup units and a control unit. The stage supports an object to be measured. The lighting unit includes a light source and a grid, and radiates grid-patterned light to the object to be measured. The image pickup units capture, in different directions, grid images reflected from the object to be measured. The control unit calculates a three dimensional shape of the object from the grid images captured by the image pickup units. The present invention has advantages in capturing grid images through a main image pickup portion and sub-image pickup portions, enabling the measurement of the three dimensional shape of the object in a rapid and accurate manner. |
| US08854604B2 |
Microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
A microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes an optical surface, which may be formed by a plurality of micro-mirrors, and a measurement device which is configured to measure a parameter related to the optical surface at a plurality of locations. The measurement device includes an illumination unit with a plurality of illumination members, each having a light exit facet. An optical imaging system establishes an imaging relationship between an object plane in which at least two light exit facets are arranged, and an image plane which at least substantially coincides with the optical surface. A detector unit measures the property of measuring light after it has interacted with the optical surface, and an evaluation unit determines the surface related parameter for each of the locations on the basis of the properties determined by the detector unit. |
| US08854603B2 |
Gravitation compensation for optical elements in projection exposure apparatuses
A gravitation compensator for mounting optical elements in a projection exposure apparatus and a corresponding projection exposure apparatus are disclosed. The gravitation compensator at least partly compensates for the weight force of a mounted optical element and simultaneously enables a change in the position of the optical element without the compensated weight force being altered in an impermissible manner during the change in position. This applies, in particular, to high weight forces which are to be compensated. Furthermore, the gravitation compensator enables use in different atmospheres and the compensation of corresponding aging effects. |
| US08854601B2 |
Projection optical system, exposure apparatus, and exposure method
An immersion projection optical system having, for example, a catadioptric and off-axis structure, reduces the portion of an image space filled with liquid (immersion liquid). The projection optical system, which projects a reduced image of a first plane onto a second plane through the liquid, includes a refractive optical element (Lp) arranged nearest to the second plane. The refractive optical element includes a light emitting surface (Lpb) shaped to be substantially symmetric with respect to two axial directions (XY-axes) perpendicular to each other on the second plane. The light emitting surface has a central axis (Lpba) that substantially coincides with a central axis (40a) of a circle (40) corresponding to a circumference of a light entering surface (Lpa) of the refractive optical element. The central axis of the light emitting surface is decentered in one of the two axial directions (Y-axis) from an optical axis (AX). |
| US08854598B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus having an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam, a support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam, a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate; and, an actuator arranged to exert a force on an object, wherein the apparatus includes a thermal expansion error compensator configured to avoid an error caused by thermal expansion of the object by any heat dissipated by the actuator or another heat source. |
| US08854596B2 |
Active optical device employing refractive index variable regions
An active optical device includes a substrate; a plurality of refractive index variable regions formed on the substrate; and a voltage applier which applies an electric field to the plurality of refractive index variable regions. |
| US08854593B2 |
Electro-optical device
In an active matrix semiconductor display device in which pixel TFTs and driver circuit TFT are formed on the same substrate in an integral manner, the cell gap is controlled by gap retaining members that are disposed between a pixel area and driver circuit areas. This makes it possible to provide a uniform cell thickness profile over the entire semiconductor display device. Further, since conventional grainy spacers are not used, stress is not imposed on the driver circuit TFTs when a TFT substrate and an opposed substrate are bonded together. This prevents the driver circuit TFTs from being damaged. |
| US08854592B2 |
Liquid crystal display and manufacturing method thereof
A liquid crystal display includes a lower panel and an upper panel facing each other. A liquid crystal layer is interposed between the lower panel and the upper panel. An attachment member attaches the lower panel and the upper panel and encloses the liquid crystal layer. A gate driver is integrated on the lower panel. The gate driver generates a gate signal and includes a plurality of stages. A plurality of control signal lines transmit a control signal to the gate driver. A passivation layer is disposed on the gate driver and the plurality of control signal lines. An alignment layer is disposed on the passivation layer and completely covers the gate driver and the plurality of control signal lines. The alignment layer includes a first region and a second region connected to the first region. The second region extends to an edge of the lower panel. |
| US08854585B2 |
Liquid crystal display exhibiting Kerr effect comprising electrodes having combtooth portions that include a first convex surface with a ridge shape
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal layer exhibiting Kerr effect, a first electrode including combtooth portions, a second electrode, and protruding portions facing a main surface of the liquid crystal layer with at least one of the first and second electrodes interposed therebetween. The combtooth portions each extends in a first direction and are arranged in a second direction. The second electrode includes a portion that faces the main surface and is positioned in a gap between the combtooth portions or faces the main surface with the gap interposed therebetween. The protruding portions each extends in the first direction and are arranged in the second direction. Each of the first protruding portions forms a convex surface having a ridge shape on a surface of the combtooth portion or a surface of the portion of the second electrode positioned at the gap. |
| US08854583B2 |
Semiconductor device and liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal layer exhibiting a blue phase is sandwiched between a first substrate and a second substrate, a pixel electrode layer is electrically connected to a drain electrode layer of a transistor and a common electrode layer is electrically connected to a conductive layer formed through the same steps as the drain electrode layer. The pixel electrode layer and the common electrode layer are over an interlayer film and spaced apart from each other. An opening formed in the interlayer film is filled with liquid crystal, and the liquid crystal layer is formed. |
| US08854577B2 |
Polarizer-protecting film comprising an easy-adhesion layer composition, and polarizing plate and image display apparatus each comprising the polarizing-protecting film
The present invention provides a polarizer protective film capable of suppressing blocking that occurs in taking up the film. The polarizer protective film of the present invention includes a (meth)acrylic resin film and an easy-adhesion layer formed of an easy-adhesive composition including a urethane resin and fine particles. The fine particles include preferably colloidal silica. |
| US08854576B2 |
Semitransparent electronic device
A semitransparent electronic device includes a glassy sheath having an internal cavity and a display unit disposed in the internal cavity. The display unit has an inner display area and an outer display area circumscribing the inner display area. A transparent display device included in the display unit provides at least the outer display area. |
| US08854575B2 |
Electroluminescent displays
A display including an electroluminescent layer, a liquid crystal layer, a barrier layer arranged between the electroluminescent layer and the liquid crystal layer to restrict migration of liquid crystal from the liquid crystal layer to the electroluminescent layer, and a first electrode and a second electrode arranged such that the electroluminescent layer and the liquid crystal layer are disposed between the first and second electrodes and arranged to apply an electric field across both the electroluminescent layer and the liquid crystal layer. |
| US08854574B2 |
Film-shaped lightguide plate unit, planar light unit, display apparatus and electronic device
A film-shaped lightguide plate unit enables reductions in thickness and weight. The film-shaped lightguide plate unit (7) has a film-shaped lightguide plate (6) and a support frame (8) made of a film material to support at least the outer peripheral edge of the film-shaped lightguide plate (6). Optical sheets including the film-shaped lightguide plate, a diffusing sheet, a prism sheet, etc. are disposed inside the support frame. |
| US08854570B2 |
Light-emitting device for liquid crystal display apparatus and liquid crystal display apparatus
The present invention discloses a light-emitting device of a liquid crystal display apparatus, which includes a light bar and a frame. The frame has a surface having a fixing bar protruded therefrom. An extension direction of the fixing bar is parallel with the surface of the frame. A longer side of a main body of the light bar is attached to the fixing bar. Two ends of the fixing bar respectively have a heat-conductive portion mounted thereon. An inner surface of the heat-conductive portion is perpendicular to a length direction of the main body of the light bar and attached to a shorter side of the main body of the light bar. The present invention further discloses a liquid crystal display apparatus. |
| US08854569B2 |
Display apparatus, bonding film used for the display apparatus, and method of manufacturing the bonding film
A display apparatus may include a display panel between top and bottom covers. The display panel has a display area to display an image. The display panel may be inserted in the bottom cover, which includes a bottom surface having a shape corresponding to a shape of the display panel. Lateral sides of the bottom cover extend upward from the bottom surface. The top cover supports edges of the display panel and includes a top surface having a display window to expose the display area. Lateral sides of the top cover extend toward the bottom cover from the top surface. A bonding film may be bonded to the top and bottom covers to fixedly couple the top cover to the bottom cover. |
| US08854568B2 |
Array substrate, liquid crystal panel and display device
Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide an array substrate comprising a plurality of pixel units each of which comprises a gate scanning line, a source scanning line, a thin film transistor (TFT), a storage capacitor, and at least one photosensitive transistor, wherein a gate electrode of the photosensitive transistor and a gate electrode of the TFT are connected with the same gate scanning line, a drain electrode of the photosensitive transistor and a drain electrode of the TFT are connected with the storage capacitor, a source electrode of the TFT is connected with the source scanning line, and a source electrode of the photosensitive transistor is connected with its own gate electrode. In addition, the embodiments of the disclosed technology also provide a liquid crystal panel comprising the array substrate and a display device comprising the liquid crystal panel. |
| US08854566B2 |
Pixel element of liquid crystal display and method for producing the same
The present invention provides a method for forming a pixel element. The method comprises: forming a first patterned metal layer within the pixel area; forming an insulation layer on the first patterned metal layer; forming a semiconductor layer on the insulation layer; patterning the semiconductor layer to form bend seed generation portion; and forming a second metal layer to connect the semiconductor layer. |
| US08854564B2 |
Substrate for a display device and method of manufacturing the same
A mother substrate for a display device includes a display cell, a test pad, an electrostatic preventing pattern and a connecting line. The display cell includes a pad and a signal line. The signal line is extended from the pad and is electrically connected to a pixel. The test pad is disposed out of the display cell and is electrically connected to the signal line of the display cell and receives a test signal. The electrostatic preventing pattern electrically connected to the test pad is disposed adjacent to the test pad and includes a plurality of edges. The electrostatic preventing pattern is formed from a metal pattern. The connecting line is extended from the electrostatic preventing pattern and is electrically connected to the pad of the display cell. |
| US08854563B2 |
Active matrix substrate, liquid crystal panel, liquid crystal display device, liquid crystal display unit, and television receiver
An active matrix substrate is arranged such that each pixel region includes two pixel electrodes, each data signal line extends in a column direction, each column of pixel regions is associated with two data signal lines, one pixel electrode of the pixel region included in the column of pixel regions is connected to one of the two data signal lines via a transistor that is connected to a scanning signal line, the other pixel electrode of the pixel region is connected to the other one of the two data signal lines via a transistor that is connected to another scanning signal line, and one of pixel electrodes included in one of two adjacent pixel regions of the column and one of pixel electrodes included in the other one of the two adjacent pixel regions of the column are connected to an identical scanning signal line via respective transistors. |
| US08854557B2 |
Gesture-based remote control
A method and system for operating a remote-controlled device using a gesture-enabled remote control (RC) includes activating a communication link between the RC and the remote-controlled device. The remote-controlled device may implement a remote control context accommodating gesture commands generated by the RC. The RC may enable a user to generate gesture commands by performing gesture motions with the RC. Command data corresponding to gesture commands, along with selection commands from selection control inputs on the RC, may be sent to the remote-controlled device. |
| US08854553B2 |
Video display correction to provide on-axis view at an off-axis angle
Embodiments describe methods, apparatus and systems to provide video display correction to provide an on-axis view at an off-axis angle so that the display surface displays a rectangular video image. For instance, a device may receive a stream of video data to be displayed on a display surface of a display, the video data having a first rectangular aspect ratio to be viewed from an on-axis location with respect to the display surface. The device may also receive a user selection of an off-axis viewing angle with respect to the display surface. The device may then correct the first rectangular aspect ratio to a second, non-rectangular aspect ratio based on the off-axis viewing angle, so that from the off-axis angle, the display surface appears to display a rectangular video image. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08854546B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying data content
A method of displaying input data content, the input data content comprising video data placed in a video plane and overlay data placed in an overlay plane, said method comprising the steps of: —shifting the video plane compared to the overlay plane so as the overlay plane does not occult the video plane, —mixing the resulting shifted video plane and overlay plane, for generating output data content, and —displaying said output data content. |
| US08854540B2 |
Signal transmission apparatus, signal transmission method, signal reception apparatus, signal reception method, and signal transmission system
A signal transmission apparatus includes: a vertical rectangular region sampling-out control section that obtains vertical rectangular regions, repeatedly performs a process where pixel samples read out from each line of class images are mapped to each line of video data regions of sub-images, maps pixel samples to each line of the video data regions, and repeatedly maps pixel samples to the next line; a line sampling-out control section that samples out the pixel samples every other line from each line of the sub-images to which the pixel samples have been mapped, so as to generate an interlace signal; a word sampling-out control section that samples out for each word the pixel samples which have been sampled out for each line so as to be mapped to video data regions of an HD-SDI prescribed by the SMPTE 435-2; and a readout control section that outputs the HD-SDI. |
| US08854537B2 |
Camera module
A camera module includes a lens of heat-resistant material, a barrel receiving the lens, a baseboard mounted on the barrel by surface mounted technology, an image sensor mounted on the baseboard receiving optical signals from the lens and converting the optical signals into electrical signals, and a transmitting member transmitting the electrical signals to the circuit board. |
| US08854530B2 |
Display apparatus of image pickup apparatus with function to correct phase difference AF
The present invention is intended to display information of a focal length to be corrected or a focus position of a lens on a screen so that the user easily set a proper correction value even when the correction value of the in-focus position of the phase difference AF is different depending on the focal length or the focus position. A display apparatus of an image-pickup apparatus includes a lens information display 510, 531 configured to display lens information including at least one of information relating to a focal length of a lens unit and information relating to a focus position, a scale 503 that represents a correction value for correcting an in-focus position of a phase difference AF, and an indicator 520a-c, 530a-c that is used for setting the correction value corresponding to at least one of the focal length and the focus position. |
| US08854529B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and focus detection method
An image capturing apparatus performs focus detection based on a pair of image signals obtained from an image sensor including pixels each having a pair of photoelectric conversion units capable of outputting the pair of image signals obtained by independently receiving a pair of light beams that have passed through different exit pupil regions of an imaging optical system. In the focus detection, an f-number of the imaging optical system is acquired, the pair of image signals undergo filtering using a first filter formed from an summation filter when the f-number is less than a predetermined threshold, or using a second filter formed from the summation filter and a differential filter when the f-number is not less than the threshold, and focus detection is performed by a phase difference method based on the pair of filtered image signals. |
| US08854528B2 |
Imaging apparatus
A stereoscopic imaging apparatus which uses contrast AF to obviate disadvantages of phase-difference AF, shorten processing time of contrast AF, and improve focusing accuracy. A phase-difference CCD in which object images having passed through different regions in a predetermined direction of a single photographing optical system are pupil-split and imaged subjects the object images having passed through the respective regions to photoelectric conversion to obtain a main pixel image and a sub-pixel image which have a mutual phase difference. Contrast AF is performed using only one of the main pixel image and the sub-pixel image. Which one of the main pixel image and the sub-pixel image will be used for the contrast AF is determined depending on whether the position of an AF area in the angle of view belongs to a main pixel AF area or a sub-pixel AF area. |
| US08854527B2 |
Optical lens having fixed lenses and embedded active optics
An electrically controllable optical lens apparatus makes use of fixed lenses and an active optical element together in a lens enclosure. The enclosure may be a barrel structure that is easily mounted to a camera device having an image sensor. The active optical element, such as a tunable liquid crystal lens, receives an electrical signal from the camera device via electrical conductors integral with the lens enclosure that provide electrical pathways between the active element on the interior of the enclosure and surface contacts on the camera device. The enclosure may be a two-piece structure, and the electrical conductors may be attached to either piece of the structure. The lens enclosure may also be threaded for attachment to the camera device. The electrical conductors may also use spring loaded contact portions or molded interconnect devices. |
| US08854522B2 |
Digital photographing apparatus and control method thereof, and computer-readable medium
A method for controlling a digital photographing apparatus, which includes first and second display units, includes the operations of mapping at least one function to the second display unit, and performing the at least one function in response to a gesture input. The method may further include the operation of displaying a hotkey image, which represents the at least one function, on the second display unit. |
| US08854521B2 |
Solid-state image sensing device and control method of solid-state image sensing device
According to one embodiment, a solid-state image sensing device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element, a signal detection unit, transistors, and a control signal selection circuit to select a control signal applied to the control signal line. The control signal selection circuit sets a potential of the control signal line at a first potential level while the pixel signal is read from the pixel, the control signal selection circuit sets the potential of the control signal line at a second potential level when the pixel is set in an unselected state, and the control signal selection circuit sets the potential of the control signal line at a third potential level after the pixel is set in the unselected state. |
| US08854518B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, method of driving the same, and electronic system including the device
A solid-state imaging device includes: a unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion section, an impurity-diffusion region capable of temporarily accumulating or holding electric charges generated by the photoelectric conversion section, and a reset transistor resetting the impurity-diffusion region by a voltage of a voltage-supply line, and having an impurity concentration such that at least the reset transistor side of the impurity-diffusion region becomes a depletion state; and a drive circuit changing the voltage of the voltage-supply line from a first voltage lower than a depletion potential of the reset transistor side of the impurity-diffusion region to a second voltage higher than the depletion potential while the reset transistor is on. |
| US08854517B2 |
Solid-state imaging device with stacked sensor and processing chips
A solid-state imaging device includes a first chip including a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a light sensing unit generating a signal charge responsive to an amount of received light, and a plurality of MOS transistors reading the signal charge generated by the light sensing unit and outputting the read signal charge as a pixel signal, a second chip including a plurality of pixel drive circuits supplying desired drive pulses to pixels, the second chip being laminated beneath the first chip in a manner such that the pixel drive circuits are arranged beneath the pixels formed in the first chip to drive the pixels, and a connection unit for electrically connecting the pixels to the pixel drive circuits arranged beneath the pixels. |
| US08854510B2 |
Image pickup apparatus, focus detection method, image generation method, and storage medium
An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup element 10 that includes unit cells capable of individually reading signals from pixels that receive light beams transmitting through different pupil positions of an image pickup lens 5, a detector 20 that generates a pair of image signals in a pupil division direction using a signal from a pixel corresponding to each of the unit cells to perform focus detection based on a phase difference, a defective pixel storage unit 22 that stores defective pixel information, and a defective pixel compensating unit 20 that compensates a signal of a defective pixel based on an output of the defective pixel storage unit. The defective pixel compensating unit 20 compensates the signal of the defective pixel using a signal obtained from a pixel disposed in a direction different from the pupil division direction with respect to the defective pixel. |
| US08854502B2 |
Image recording and playback device, and image recording and playback method
An image processing device of the present invention comprises a storage section for storing first image data obtained by imaging in front of the imaging device body or using a telephoto lens, and second image data obtained by imaging behind the imaging device body or using a wide-angle lens; a movement pattern detection section for processing the first image data to detect a movement pattern of the first image represented by the first image data; a movement pattern determination section determining whether or not the movement pattern of the first image is unstable movement; and an image processing section for rewriting a part of the first image data, for which it has been determined by the movement pattern determination section that the movement pattern of the first image is unstable, using the second image data. |
| US08854501B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method for processing spectral image data
An image processing apparatus for processing spectral image data of an object includes a normalization unit configured to normalize spectral data in each pixel of the spectral image data with respect to luminance level, a deviation amount calculation unit configured to calculate a deviation amount between the spectral data of a reference pixel and the spectral data of a target pixel to be clustered, which are normalized by the normalization unit, among each of the pixels of the spectral image data, and a segment determination unit configured to determine an affiliated segment of target pixel in the object of the spectral image data based on the deviation amount calculated by the deviation amount calculation unit. |
| US08854496B2 |
Image pickup device and method of picking up image using the same
An image pickup device includes an image processing unit which processes an image input through the plurality of image pickup units, a plurality of microphones which are spaced apart from each other, an audio processing unit which senses a voice of a photographer using the plurality of microphones, and a control unit which, when the voice of a photographer is sensed through the audio processing unit, controls the image processing unit to combine an image of an image pickup unit corresponding to a location of the photographer with an image of an image pickup unit currently performing photographing. |
| US08854492B2 |
Portable device with image sensors and multi-core processor
A portable device that has first and second image sensors and a central processor. The central processor has a first sensor interface and a second sensor interface for receiving data from the from the first and second image sensors respectively such that the data is simultaneously processed in the multiple processing units. The central processor integrates the multiple processing units and the first and second sensor interfaces onto a single chip. |
| US08854483B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method and image processing program
The image processing device for generating a color image from a color mosaic image obtained with a single chip type imaging element includes: a camera motion detection module (40) which generates a motion correction value for motion between an object and an imaging element (5) from the pixel position of the color image; a sampling coordinate calculation unit (29) which sets sampling coordinates on the color mosaic image corresponding to the pixel position of the color image when the image is deformed; a sampling unit (32) which interpolates/generates a pixel value in the sampling coordinates from the pixel value of the same color light contained in the color plane for each of the planes decomposed by the color plane decomposition unit (21); and a color generation unit (33) which synthesizes the pixel values at the sampling coordinates of the respective color planes so as to generate a pixel signal of the color image. |
| US08854481B2 |
Image stabilization devices, methods, and systems
Image stabilization devices, methods, and systems are described herein. One image stabilization device includes a sensor having an array of pixels, wherein the sensor is configured to track a moving object using a number of the pixels, wherein the number of the pixels track only a particular portion of the moving object, and form an image of the moving object using the number of the pixels and their neighboring pixels that were not used to track the moving object. |
| US08854477B2 |
Signal evaluation system and method
A smart antenna configuration estimator for use in a digital TV receiver comprises data input means operable to obtain an estimate of an impulse response of a channel through which the television signal has passed to the receiver, maximum finding means operable to find the maximum value of the channel impulse response, the maximum value corresponding to a main signal path, averaging means operable to calculate a mean of values of the channel impulse response comprising channel impulse response values corresponding to one or more additional signal paths, and ratio calculating means operable to calculate a quality value as the ratio of the maximum value to the mean of values of the channel impulse response. |
| US08854469B2 |
Method and apparatus for tracking persons and locations using multiple cameras
In a method for locating patterns of movement in a first digital video signal, wherein the first digital video signal comprising at least indirectly succeeding individual digital images is analyzed in real time, it is proposed for the locating of patterns of movement in a first digital video signal, during the occurrence of larger moving object volumes in real time, to assign at least a first location-changing foreground region in a first individual image in a predefined manner with a predefinable number of first markings, to subsequently determine the relative movement of the first markings between the first individual image and a subsequent second individual image, to subsequently associate each of the first markings with a predefinable first environment, to assign the first and/or at least one second location-changing foreground region in a predefined manner with a predefinable number of second markings, to remove the second markings disposed inside intersecting regions of a predefinable number of intersecting first environments, to subsequently determine the relative movement of the first and second markings between the second individual image and a subsequent third individual image, and to output the relative movements of the first and/or second markings as a first pattern of movement. |
| US08854466B2 |
Rearward view assistance apparatus displaying cropped vehicle rearward image
A rearward view assistance apparatus in a vehicle includes an imaging device that acquires a vehicle rearward image by taking a rearview from the vehicle, a control circuit that sets a cropped image by cropping part of the vehicle rearward image in response to a state of a vehicle, and a display device that is provided in a passenger compartment and displays the cropped image. The control circuit preferably overlays a lower portion of the cropped image with a mask. The control circuit preferably displays an indication corresponding to a rear portion of the vehicle on the cropped image. The rearward view assistance apparatus is thus provided to view rearward from the vehicle even when passengers are present on the seats in the second and third rows. |
| US08854463B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating a bird's-eye view image
An obstacle detecting unit detects whether an obstacle exists in an area surrounding a vehicle in the direction a camera installed on the vehicle is pointed. If the obstacle is determined to have a portion at a predetermined height above a road surface with which the vehicle may make initial contact when the vehicle moves toward the obstacle, a virtual projection surface is set to the height of the predicted contact portion and viewpoint conversion processing is performed so as to project pixels of an image captured by the camera onto the virtual projection plane. In this way, the height of the projection plane and the height of the predicted contact portion match each other and the distance between the predicted contact portion and the vehicle is accurately expressed on a bird's-eye view image resulting from the viewpoint conversion. |
| US08854462B2 |
Method of determining the passage of a vehicle through a gap
The invention discloses a method of determining the ability of a vehicle to pass through a restricted gap in the roadway, including the steps of: detecting a restricted gap in the roadway, defining an image of the vehicle, and comparing the vehicle image with the restricted gap. |
| US08854459B2 |
Delivering a supplemented CCTV signal to one or more subscribers
A method and a system are provided for delivering a supplemented CCTV message to subscribers, such as residents of a MDU. A processor combines the signal from a local CCTV camera system with a supplementary message to be provided to subscribers. The supplemented CCTV signal resulting from this combining is inserted into a dedicated channel of an incoming broadcast television feed. For a digital television feed, the supplemented CCTV signal may be forwarded to a central office managing television feeds for this particular location, so that the inserting may take place thereat. |
| US08854453B2 |
Determining geographic position information from a single image
Systems, devices, features, and methods for determining geographic position information from an image are disclosed. For example, one method for determining the geographic position information is used to develop a navigation database. The method comprises capturing a plurality of images of geographic features by a camera mounted on a vehicle or a pedestrian. A single image from the plurality of images is identified or selected. A real-world ground distance between a reference ground point in the single image and a ground point corresponding to an object in the single image is determined based on determined calibration values corresponding to the camera. Real-world geographic position information, such as a latitude coordinate and a longitude coordinate, of the ground point corresponding to the object in the single image is determined based on the determined real-world ground distance. |
| US08854452B1 |
Functionality of a multi-state button of a computing device
Methods and systems for using a multi-state button are described. A computing device may be configured to receive an input associated with a press state of a button. The computing device may be configured to cause an image-capture device to capture an image from a point-of-view (POV) of the computing device based on the input corresponding to a first press state on the button and cause the image-capture device to capture a video from the POV of the computing device based on the input corresponding to a second press state on the button. The computing device may be configured, based on the input corresponding to a partial press state of the button, to cause the image-capture device to capture the image and/or the video; and provide a search query based on the image and/or the video. |
| US08854451B2 |
Automated bubble detection apparatus and method
An automated hydrogen bubble detection apparatus includes a horizontal support surface on which a test coupon can be supported, a transparent tube having an open top and an open bottom and operable to contain a test solution when positioned on a test coupon, a camera arranged to view a test solution in the transparent tube, and a controller in communication with the camera and effective to operate the camera such that at least one video segment is recorded by the camera and analyzed to detect first bubble and continuous bubble generation. A method of evaluating corrosion resistance of coatings on aluminum and steel in acidic solution is also included. |
| US08854449B2 |
Substrate position detection apparatus, film deposition apparatus equipped with the same, and substrate position detection method
A substrate position detection method includes rotating the susceptor so that the substrate receiving portion is moved into an image taking area of a imaging apparatus; detecting first two position detection marks provided in the process chamber so that the first two position detection marks are within the image taking area, wherein a first perpendicular bisector of the first two position detection marks passes through a rotational center of the susceptor; detecting second two position detection marks provided in the susceptor so that the second two position detection marks can be within the image taking area, wherein a second perpendicular bisector of the second two position detection marks passes through the rotational center of the susceptor and a center of the substrate receiving portion; and determining whether the substrate receiving portion is positioned in a predetermined range in accordance with the detected first two and second two position detection marks. |
| US08854448B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image display system, and image processing method and program
There is provided an image processing apparatus which can prevent the case where it is difficult to perform highly accurate diagnosis using combined boundary regions in a combined image.An image processing apparatus includes image data acquisition means, combined-image data generation means, and combined-boundary-region display data generation means. The image data acquisition means acquires multiple pieces of divided image data obtained by capturing images of multiple regions into which a captured area for an imaging target is divided. The combined-image data generation means generates combined-image data on the basis of the multiple divided image data. The combined-boundary-region display data generation means generates display image data to be used for an observer to recognize combined boundary regions in the combined-image data. The combined-boundary-region display data generation means changes at least one of a color and a brightness for all of the combined boundary regions included in a display area. |
| US08854447B2 |
Systems and methods for automatically adjusting audio based on gaze point
Embodiments provide methods and systems for adjusting audio output based on eye tracking input. In some embodiments, a memory stores data defining a boundary based on a coordinate system. The boundary corresponds to a display element of displayed content. An input receives data indicating coordinates of a gaze point location of a user viewing the displayed content. A processor compares the received coordinates of the gaze point location to the boundary corresponding to the display element to determine whether the gaze point location is inside the boundary corresponding to the display element. In response to determining that the gaze point location is inside the boundary corresponding to the display element, the processor adjusts an audio setting of the displayed content. |
| US08854443B2 |
Medical surgery room with coloured lighting
A medical surgery or examination room and a method for illuminating such a room, wherein a substantial part of the room or the entire room is illuminated with colored lighting different from white lighting in order to achieve beneficial psychological effects or, primarily, to improve working condition. For example, green light may be provided behind the monitors used by a surgeon during operation and red light in a zone behind a surgeon during operation or examination. The lighting may be controlled by a computer with a touch screen interface. |
| US08854442B2 |
Retainer for electronic magnification device
Disclosed is a magnification device for use by blind and/or low vision individuals. The device includes an X-Y table upon which an item to be magnified can be placed. A stationary camera arm and a pivotal monitor arm are oriented over the X-Y table. The monitor arm includes a video monitor pivotally mounted at its distal end. The camera arm also includes two laterally disposed lighting arms. A series of controls are provided along a lower edge of the monitor via a mounting bracket. |
| US08854437B2 |
Double-layer switchable stereo liquid crystal display and operation method thereof
A double-layer switchable stereo liquid crystal display includes a timing controller, a microprocessor, a backlight module, a first liquid crystal panel, a controller, and a second liquid crystal panel. The timing controller receives an image signal and generates a left/right eye signal and a two-dimensional/three-dimensional control signal. The microprocessor outputs the image signal, and generates a control signal and a backlight control signal according to output timing of the image signal. The first liquid crystal panel receives and displays the image signal. The controller outputs a voltage control signal according to the control signal. The second liquid crystal panel rotates liquid crystal within the second liquid crystal panel according to the voltage control signal. A period for the second liquid crystal panel rotating the liquid crystal to a second angle is longer than a period for the second liquid crystal panel rotating the liquid crystal to a first angle. |
| US08854434B2 |
Transmission device, receiving device, program, and communication system
There is provided a demultiplexer that receives video data for one of a three-dimensional display and a two-dimensional display. There is also provided an HDMI transmission portion that transmits the video data and display information that pertains to one of the three-dimensional display and the two-dimensional display of the video data to a television receiver through TMDS channels #0, #1, and #2 of an HDMI cable. There is also provided a transmission/receiving portion that transmits the display information to the television receiver through a CEC line of the HDMI cable. |
| US08854433B1 |
Method and system enabling natural user interface gestures with an electronic system
An electronic device coupleable to a display screen includes a camera system that acquires optical data of a user comfortably gesturing in a user-customizable interaction zone having a z0 plane, while controlling operation of the device. Subtle gestures include hand movements commenced in a dynamically resizable and relocatable interaction zone. Preferably (x,y,z) locations in the interaction zone are mapped to two-dimensional display screen locations. Detected user hand movements can signal the device that an interaction is occurring in gesture mode. Device response includes presenting GUI on the display screen, creating user feedback including haptic feedback. User three-dimensional interaction can manipulate displayed virtual objects, including releasing such objects. User hand gesture trajectory clues enable the device to anticipate probable user intent and to appropriately update display screen renderings. |
| US08854427B2 |
Method and system for encoding a video data signal, encoded video data signal, method and system for decoding a video data signal
Video data signals are encoded such that the encoded video data signal includes at least a primary and at least a secondary video data signal. The primary and secondary video data signals are jointly compressed. The primary video data signal is compressed in a self-contained manner, and the secondary video data signal is compressed using data from the primary video data signal. The jointly compressed video data signal is split into separate bitstreams, at least a primary bitstream including data for the primary video data signal and at least a secondary bitstream including data for the secondary video data signal. The primary and secondary bitstreams are multiplexed into a multiplexed signal, and the primary and secondary signals are provided with separate codes. |
| US08854426B2 |
Time-of-flight camera with guided light
A time-of-flight 3D camera and related method for illuminating a camera field of view and capturing return image light are disclosed herein. In one example, the time-of-flight 3D camera includes a light source that emits source light along an optical axis, and a collimator that receives and collimates the source light to create collimated light. A refractive diffuser is tuned to the camera field of view and receives and diffuses the collimated light to create refracted light having a varying intensity profile. The refractive diffuser guides the refracted light to illuminate the camera field of view to reduce wasted source light. |
| US08854425B2 |
Method and apparatus for depth-related information propagation
The present invention relates to an apparatus for and a method of propagating depth-related information from a first depth-map (810) associated with a first image (820) to a second depth-map (860) associated with a second image (830), the first and second image being temporally proximate images in an image sequence. The method comprises generating an intermediate depth-map (840) associated with the second image (830) by propagating depth values from the first depth-map (810) to the intermediate depth-map (840) using pixels of the first image (820) and the second image (830), and generating a motion vector (850) using information comprising depth values in a spatial region around a first location in the first depth-map (810) and depth values in a spatial region around a second location in the intermediate depth-map (840) and generating a depth value for the second location in the second depth-map (860) using information comprising the motion vector (850) and the first depth-map (810). |
| US08854417B2 |
Initiating recording of a videoconference via a single user interaction
A videoconference may be initiated between a plurality of endpoints. At least one of the endpoints may be coupled to a recording server, which may be configured to record the videoconference. A configuration may be selected (e.g., automatically or manually) for performing the recording. The endpoint (e.g., acting as an MCU) may transmit information to endpoints and may transmit recording information to the recording server. The recording information may be different from the videoconference information. For example, it may be in a “streaming friendly” format, at a different bit rate, encoded differently, have different inputs, etc. The manner in which the videoconference is stored and/or recorded may be based on the selected configuration. Clients may be configured to receive and display the videoconference from the recording server and may be configured to change the provided layout to different layouts, e.g., based on user input. |
| US08854414B2 |
Method, application server and system for privacy protection in video call
The present invention discloses a method, an application server and a system for privacy protection in a video call, which are applied in a video call between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the method includes: judging whether to perform privacy protection on the first terminal; and when determining to perform privacy protection on the first terminal, playing a substitute video in a media server as a video of the first terminal to the second terminal. Using the method, the application server and the system disclosed by the present invention when performing a video call between the first terminal and the second terminal not only avoids leakage of a user's own privacy and embarrassment, but also guarantees a normal operation of the video call, thus improving the convenience of 3G services. |
| US08854411B2 |
Laser marking using scalable fonts
A system directs a laser beam to mark a material with an alphanumeric code. Character and quality information corresponding to a mark to apply to the material with the laser beam can be received, a font definition that specifies character segments can be obtained, a set of multiple spaced locations can be generated from the character segments in accordance with the character and quality information, and the material can be marked with the laser beam by directing the laser beam to dwell at the locations and move between the locations without deactivating the laser beam. |
| US08854405B2 |
Printer
A printer with excellent anti-static protection removes static electricity from the paper guide and recording paper and protects a paper detector from static. A printer 1 has a plastic frame 19 disposed facing the paper path A, and a stainless steel anti-static guard member 20 attached to the plastic frame 19 on one edge in the paper width direction X. The anti-static guard member 20 includes a protective plate 21 that shields the area around the detection unit 18a of a paper detector 18 from the paper path A; a paper guide 22 protruding from a side edge of the protective plate 21 to the paper path A side; and a ground part 24 connected to the protective plate 21 through a connecting part 23. The connecting part 23 and ground part 24 form a flat spring pressed against a case-side ground member 25. |
| US08854403B2 |
Image forming apparatus with a TFT backplane for xerography without a light source
Systems and methods are described that facilitate using TFT control of electronic discharge for surface potential reduction and latent image formation on an imaging member. Corona charging is performed to first create a background surface potential, followed by selective discharge of individual pixels using an array of TFTs to supply free charge carriers to reduce the electrostatic surface potential to nearly zero. This is followed by discharged area development (DAD) to develop the latent image on a print medium (e.g., paper). The described systems and methods do not require a HVPS to drive the backplane; therefore, the TFT matrix is electrostatically decoupled from the developer and other system components in direct contact with the imaging member. Accordingly, known addressing systems may be used to address the TFT array. |
| US08854402B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus and a method of driving the LCD apparatus are provided. The LCD apparatus includes a panel unit including at least one pixel having a plurality of sub-pixels and a controller which inserts gray data into at least one pixel of the plurality of sub-pixels based on a frame period and a polarity of a liquid crystal of the at least one pixel. |
| US08854401B2 |
System and method to improve image edge discoloration
Present techniques involve methods and systems for reducing edge discoloration in a display. In one embodiment, the first and last columns of a display are dimmed by adjusting a black mask or reducing transmittance of the relevant pixels. Further, the first and last columns of a display may be entirely covered by the black mask. In some embodiments, using a coupling extrusion on a neighboring sub-pixel can be used to control the coupling between the neighboring sub-pixels to reduce edge discoloration. Display software may also be used to reduce edge discoloration. For example, software may automatically reduce the brightness of the first and last column. In some embodiments, software may be used to detect edges of objects within the display area. Edges of an object are detected, and the last sub-pixel of the background and/or the first sub-pixel of the object are compensated. |
| US08854400B2 |
Method and system for controlling light by using image code
Provided are a method and system for controlling light by using an image code. The method includes displaying an image code on a display unit; acquiring information relating to light settings by recognizing the image code; determining apparatus information and lighting state information by using information relating to the light settings; and transmitting a light request message for requesting light settings according to the lighting state information to the lighting apparatus having apparatus information that is equal to the apparatus information of the image code. |
| US08854399B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
A display device includes a display panel, a gray scale converter, and a scale factor generator. The display panel includes a plurality of pixels. The gray scale converter is for converting gray levels of pixel data signals of a current frame by multiplying the pixel data signals of the current frame by a scale factor of the current frame. The scale factor generator is for comparing a conversion current value with an overcurrent prevention current value to generate the scale factor of the current frame. |
| US08854398B2 |
Waveform observing apparatus and waveform observing system
There are provided a waveform observing apparatus and waveform observing system that solve a problem of displacement of a handwritten comment which occurs with enlargement/reduction in display in such a manner that, when a determination is NO in a process step, namely when a current compression ratio differs from a compression ratio at the time of writing a handwritten comment in displaying the handwritten comment to such a degree as to cause occurrence of non-allowable displacement, a process proceeds to a next process step, and a simple indication indicating the presence of the handwritten comment is displayed in a position associated with a portion of a waveform corresponding to a measured data number. |
| US08854393B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, and program
There is provided an information processing device includes a virtual space recognition unit for analyzing 3D space structure of a real space to recognize a virtual space, a storage unit for storing an object to be arranged in the virtual space, a display unit for making a display unit display the object arranged in the virtual space, a direction of gravitational force detection unit for detecting a direction of gravitational force of a real space, and a direction of gravitational force reflection unit for reflecting the direction of gravitational force detected by the detection unit in the virtual space. |
| US08854392B2 |
Circular scratch shader
A computer-implemented method for generating a circular scratch highlight. The method includes generating a plurality of texture planes, where each texture plane includes a plurality of copies of a scratch texture oriented in the same direction; generating a combined texture by combining the plurality of texture planes at different angles; applying the combined texture to a surface of an object; calculating a specular gradient vector based on a light vector and a reflectance vector, wherein the specular gradient vector points in a gradient direction of a specular highlight; and generating the circular scratch highlight by assigning, for each of a plurality of points on the surface of the object, a separate weight value corresponding to each texture plane in the combined texture based on how closely an orientation of the texture plane at the point corresponds to a scratch vector that is perpendicular to the specular gradient vector. |
| US08854391B2 |
Method and system for providing images of a virtual world scene and method and system for processing the same
A method and systems for providing and processing images of a virtual world scene. The method includes: rendering the scene of the virtual world to generate a plurality of rendering results, generating at least one image stream based on at least part of the plurality of rendering results, and sending the at least one image stream to the client. The system for providing the images includes: rendering means to generate a plurality of rendering results; image stream generation means for generating at least one image stream; and sending means for sending said at least one image stream to a client. After providing the images, the images are processed by receiving means for receiving, at a client, two image streams and merging means for merging the two image streams into a single image stream for playing. |
| US08854384B2 |
Method and system for processing pixels utilizing scoreboarding
In a graphics processing device, a plurality of processors write fragment shading results for order-dependent data to a buffer, according to the order in which the data is received. Fragment shading results for order-neutral data is written to the buffer one batch at a time. The order-dependent data comprises spatially overlapping data. Order-neutral data may not overlap. A scheduler controls the order of reception of one batch of data at a time by the processors. The order for receiving the order-dependent data may be determined. The plurality of processors may process the data in parallel. A writing order for writing results to a buffer from the processing in parallel, may be enforced. A portion of the processors may be instructed to wait before writing results to the buffer in a specified order. Processors signal when writing results to the buffer is complete. |
| US08854382B2 |
Multi-function encoder and decoder devices, and methods thereof
A technique for encoding and decoding video information uses a plurality of video processing modules (VPMs), whereby each video processing module is dedicated to a particular video processing function, such as filtering, matrix arithmetic operations, and the like. Information is transferred between the video processing modules using a set of first-in first-out (FIFO) buffers. For example, to transfer pixel information from a first VPM to a second VPM, the first VPM stores the pixel information at the head of a FIFO buffer, while the second VPM retrieves information from the tail of the FIFO buffer. The FIFO buffer thus permits transfer of information between the VPMs without storage of the information to a cache or other techniques that can reduce video processing speed. |
| US08854379B2 |
Routing across multicore networks using real world or modeled data
The present disclosure relates to a system for routing data across a multicore processing network. The system includes a multicore processing array having a plurality of processing cores, a memory for storing data relating to an object being modeled, the data being associated with coordinate information relating to the object within a coordinate system, and a controller for routing the data from the memory to one or more of the plurality of processing cores of the multicore processing array based on the coordinate information associated with the data. The present disclosure also relates to a method for routing data across a multicore processing network and a computer accessible medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for performing a procedure for routing data across a multicore processing network. |
| US08854372B2 |
Consolidation and visualization of a set of raw data corresponding to a communication between a person of interest and a correspondent across a plurality of mediums of communication
Systems and methods of consolidation and visualization of a set of communication and transaction data associated with a person of interest (POI) and a set of correspondents of the POI are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method may include consolidating the set of communication and transaction data associated with communications between the POI and the correspondent of the POI across a plurality of mediums of communication in an organized reconstruction folder. The method may also include a graphical representation of the communication between the POI and the correspondent of the POI A when the organized reconstruction folder has been created. The method also includes embedding the organized reconstruction folder under the communication link such that the organized reconstruction folder is immediately viewable when an analyst selects the communication link between the POI and the correspondent of the POI A. |
| US08854367B2 |
Computing of a resulting closed triangulated polyhedral surface from a first and a second modeled objects
The invention is directed to a computer-implemented process, in a computer-aided geometric design system, for computing a resulting closed triangulated polyhedral surface from a first and a second modeled objects. The first modeled object is modeled by a first closed triangulated polyhedral surface and the second modeled object is modeled by a second closed triangulated polyhedral surface. The process according to the invention comprises: computing intersections between triangles of the first modeled object and triangles of the second modeled object; splitting triangles of the first and second modeled objects into polygonal facets adjacent to said intersections; computing for each triangle and each polygonal facet two couples of winding numbers p and q, wherein the first winding number of each couple of winding numbers is computed from the first closed triangulated polyhedral surface and the second winding number of each couple of winding numbers is computed from the second closed triangulated polyhedral surface; computing a coefficient k for each triangle and each polygonal facet, the coefficient being computed with a function φ having as inputs the two couples of winding numbers p and q of each triangle and each polygonal facet; selecting triangles and polygonal facets according to the computed coefficients; triangulating said selected polygonal facets; and obtaining the resulting closed triangulated polyhedral surface with the selected triangles and the triangulated selected polygonal facets. |
| US08854363B2 |
Method and apparatus for segmenting an image in order to locate a part thereof
A method is disclosed to automatically segment 3D and higher-dimensional images into two subsets without user intervention, with no topological restriction on the solution, and in such a way that the solution is an optimal in a precisely defined optimization criterion, including an exactly defined degree of smoothness. A minimum-cut algorithm is used on a graph devised so that the optimization criterion translates into the minimization of the graph cut. The minimum cut thus found is interpreted as the segmentation with desired property. |
| US08854362B1 |
Systems and methods for collecting data
Systems and methods for collecting data from an object are provided. In examples, a plurality of sensing components are configured to receive information indicative of one or more characteristics of the object. The information indicative of one or more characteristics of the object can be associated with respective data points of the object. The system is further configured to generate a three-dimensional (3D) view of the object based on the information indicative of one or more characteristics of the object and the association with respective data points. |
| US08854361B1 |
Visually augmenting a graphical rendering of a chemical structure representation or biological sequence representation with multi-dimensional information
In certain embodiments, the invention relates to systems, methods, and apparatus that allow a user to visually augment a graphical rendering of either a chemical structure representation or a biological sequence representation with multi-dimensional information. A user captures a video image using a computing device such as a hand-held smart phone, computerized eye glasses or tablet computer. The video image includes information regarding at least one of a chemical structure and a biological sequence. A processor identifies, within the video image, a graphical representation of at least one of a chemical structure and a biological structure. The processor augments the graphical representation with additional information and provides the video data for presentation upon a display controlled by the computing device. The computing device presents the video data in substantially real time in relation to the capture of the video data by the computing device. |
| US08854359B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, storage medium, and image processing system
An image processing apparatus projecting 3D image data to 2D planar image data includes: an accumulation unit that accumulates the 3D image data having position coordinates and pixel values; an acquisition unit that acquires a display parameter, including a zoom parameter for changing image size, for the 2D image data to be created; a creation unit that creates the 2D image data from the 3D image data with the display parameter by determining a half view angle of the 3D image data and performing inverse projection transformation on the 2D image data while changing, in accordance with a change in the half view angle caused by the change in image size specified by the zoom parameter, an inverse projection transformation method applied to position coordinates used to create the 2D image data; and a display unit that displays the created 2D image data as a 2D planar image. |
| US08854357B2 |
Presenting selectors within three-dimensional graphical environments
Computer-readable media, computer systems, and computing devices facilitate presentation of selectors in three-dimensional graphical environments. In embodiments, an obscured region being obscured by an element appearing in front of one or more elements within a three-dimensional graphical environment is determined. In cases that a selector (e.g., a cursor) is located within the obscured region, the selector is presented in accordance with a depth position of the element associated with the obscured region. Such a depth position can indicate a distance at which the element is intended to appear relative to a display screen. |
| US08854353B2 |
Scan driver and display device comprising the same
A scan driver and a display device including the same. The scan driver includes a plurality of shift registers including an input signal terminal into which an initial signal or an output signal of a previous stage is inputted, two clock signal terminals to which 2 phase clock signals are transferred, two control signal terminals to which a first control signal and a second control signal controlling a driving mode of simultaneously driving or sequentially driving output signals of all stages are transferred, and output signals terminals from which the output signals are outputted, wherein in the sequential driving mode, the first control signal and the second control signal are transferred as a predetermined first level voltage and in the simultaneous driving mode, the first control signal and the second control signal are transferred alternately as the first level voltage and a predetermined second level voltage. |
| US08854350B2 |
Liquid crystal display and driving method thereof
Provided is a liquid crystal display for improving side visibility by calculating a representative value for image data and correcting at least one of a storage voltage Vcst, a reference voltage Vref, and a lookup table LUT according to the calculated representative value. Further, a histogram analysis block is formed inside or outside a signal controller and corrects at least one of the storage voltage Vcst, the reference voltage Vref, and the lookup table LUT based on the histogram analysis block. |
| US08854349B2 |
Display device and method of driving the same
A display device that can reduce power and simplify a manufacturing process includes a display unit and a scan driver. The display unit includes a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of pixels. The scan lines are configured to receive a plurality of scan signals. The scan driver is configured to receive a synchronization signal that is generated in synchronization with a vertical synchronization signal, a first light emitting clock signal, a second light emitting clock signal representing the first light emitting clock signal shifted by a half cycle, a first initialization signal having a first phase delay relative to the second light emitting clock signal, and a second initialization signal having a second phase delay relative to the first light emitting clock signal. The scan driver is configured to generate a plurality of sequential driving signals and the plurality of scan signals. |
| US08854348B2 |
Negative level shifters
A negative level shifter includes a voltage selection unit and at least one voltage level conversion unit. The voltage selection unit may apply a first voltage to a first node and a second voltage to a second node if the control signal CON is the first value and apply a third voltage to the first node and a fourth voltage to the second node if the control signal CON is the second value. The at least one voltage level conversion unit may be connected to the first node and the second node and convert a voltage level of an input signal by using a voltage of the first node and a voltage of the second node. |
| US08854343B2 |
Display device and method for driving the same
A pixel circuit includes an organic EL element, a driving, and a switching provided between the gate and drain of the driving. Upon writing into the pixel circuit, an initial voltage is applied to the gate terminal of the driving, and the switching is temporarily controlled to a conducting state while the driving is in a conducting state, and a data voltage corrected using a gate terminal potential of the driving obtained at that time is applied to the gate terminal of the driving. In at least one embodiment, the human is sensitive to blue chromaticity differences but is insensitive to green chromaticity differences. An initial voltage that increases the accuracy of threshold correction is used for blue pixel circuits, and an initial voltage that reduces power consumption is used for green pixel circuits. By this, a current-driven type color display device with high image quality and low power consumption is provided. |
| US08854342B2 |
Systems and methods for particle-based digital airbrushing
A graphics application for simulating natural media drawing and painting may model a tablet stylus as if it were a virtual airbrush tool that sprays paint on a virtual canvas (tablet). The application may compute a conical shape of the paint spray, a target area in which to create an airbrush mark, and a target distribution of the paint to be deposited within the target area based on values of configurable parameters of the application and on 6DOF data collected from the tablet stylus and the tablet. The target distribution shape may be based on a hardness parameter. The virtual airbrush tool may create the mark using texture projection or by emitting multiple individual paint particles, which may have random sizes and velocity directions. In a hybrid mode, a granularity parameter may control the relative contributions of texture projection and particle emission in creating a given airbrush mark. |
| US08854337B2 |
Optical position detection device, light receiving unit, and display system with input function
An optical position detection device includes a light receiving section receiving detection light reflected from a target object located in a detectable space through which detection light is radially emitted along an XY plane. The light receiving section includes a light receiving element and a concave mirror. A first cross section (XY cross section) of the reflective surface of the concave mirror is an arc, and a second cross section (YZ cross section) perpendicular to the first cross section is a quadratic curve. Therefore, in the in-plane direction of the XY plane, even light incident from an oblique direction with respect to the light receiving section is reflected by the concave mirror to the light receiving element. In the in-plane direction of the YZ plane, however, the range where the light reaches the light receiving element is limited via the concave mirror. |
| US08854336B2 |
Light guide module, optical touch module, and method of increasing a signal to noise ratio of an optical touch module
A light guide module is applied in an optical touch module. A focusing component of the light guide module focuses the light emitted from a light guide component of the light guide module, so that all the light emitted from the light guide component can be convergently distributed in a touch area of the optical touch module. In this way, the light provided by a lighting component of the optical touch module can be effectively utilized, and the signal to noise ratio of the received signal of a sensor of the optical touch module increases. Therefore, the optical touch module can determines the location of the finger or the contacting object more correctly. |
| US08854332B1 |
Foldable display device providing adaptive touch sensitive area and method for controlling the same
A foldable display device and method for controlling the foldable display device are discussed. The method includes detecting a state of a foldable display unit, the foldable display unit being in a folded state when the foldable display device is folded and being in an unfolded state when the foldable display device is unfolded, the foldable display unit being divided into a first area which is a border area, a second area which is a folding area and a third area located between the first area and the second area; and deactivating a touch sensor unit of the first area and activating touch sensor units of the second area and the third area, when the foldable display unit is gripped in the unfolded state. |
| US08854331B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing haptic feedback utilizing multi-actuated waveform phasing
A method and device for generating haptic feedback over a touch surface using multi-actuated waveform phasing are disclosed. A haptic device, in one embodiment, includes a touch surface and a group of haptic actuators. The touch surface is capable of sensing an event, wherein the event can be a contact on the touch surface or a movement nearby the surface. A portion of the haptic actuators, which are coupled to the touch surface, is configured to provide haptic feedback on the touch surface in response to the event. Another portion of the haptic actuators is used to minimize unwanted haptic effect on the touch surface. |
| US08854323B2 |
Operating apparatus, operating method, program, recording medium, and integrated circuit
An operating apparatus (200) which includes: an operation information obtaining unit (204) which obtains, from an input apparatus (203), operation information indicating operations inputted by a user to first and second input units (201 and 202); an operation amount calculation unit (205) which calculates amounts of the operations by the user to the first and second input units (201 and 202), using the operation information obtained by the operation information obtaining unit (204); and an operation region change unit (215) which changes sizes of first and second operation regions (301 and 302) so that areas of the first and second operation regions (301 and 302) corresponding to the first and second input units (201 and 202) increase as the amounts of the operations to the first and second input units (201 and 202) calculated by the operation amount calculation unit are greater. |
| US08854318B2 |
Mode switching
Based on one or more characteristics of a received translation input, a computing device is switched between two or more states. The translation input may be a touch input, for example a drag operation. The states may relate to locked and unlocked states, idle screens, or other suitable examples. |
| US08854312B2 |
Key assembly for electronic device
A key assembly for an electronic device that includes a keycap defining a key that has a non-opaque portion to identify the key that is backlit. The assembly includes a light guide positioned in spaced relation to the keycap. An optical radiation source, such as top-fire light emitting diode, is mounted below the lower surface of the light guide. A mask is disposed on the top surface of the optical radiation source. The mask includes an aperture to allow light from the optical radiation source to pass into the light guide, and the mask blocks at least a portion of the light from the optical radiation source. The mask blocks a portion of the top surface of the optical radiation source that emits tinted light. The light guide is affixed atop the opaque mask such that it is nearly directly affixed to the optical radiation source. |
| US08854311B2 |
Handheld electronic device and method for disambiguation of text input and providing spelling substitution
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software that is operable to disambiguate text input. The device is structured to identify and output representations of language objects that are stored in the memory and that correspond with a text input. The device is additionally structured to identify and output representations of language objects that are stored in the memory and that correspond with a known spelling substitution particular to a language active on the handheld electronic device. |
| US08854308B2 |
Illuminating colored keyboard backlights based on display portions
Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to illuminating backlights based on dominant colors presented on a display. Dominant colors of portions of the display are determined. Backlights of a keyboard are caused to be illuminated to colors based on respective dominant colors. |
| US08854307B2 |
Controlling backlights based on angle of display and keyboard base
Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to turning on backlights of a keyboard. An angle of a display relative to a base or keyboard is determined or monitored. The backlights are turned on based on at least two values of the angle. |
| US08854300B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
An information processing apparatus includes an operating data generation unit and a connection determination unit. The operating data generation unit is configured to acquire detection information generated in accordance with a detection result of a detection unit capable of detecting a change in position of an electronic apparatus including a connection unit which is capable of connecting to a predetermined external apparatus in space and generate operating data based on the detection information. The connection determination unit configured to determine a connection state between the connection unit and the external apparatus. The operating data generation unit generates the operating data based on the connection state determined by the connection determination unit. |
| US08854298B2 |
System for enabling a handheld device to capture video of an interactive application
Methods and systems for enabling a handheld device to capture video of an interactive session of an interactive application presented on a main display are provided. An interactive session of the interactive application defines interactivity between a user and the interactive application. An initial position and orientation of a handheld device operated by a spectator are determined. A current state of the interactive application based on the interactivity between the user and the interactive application is determined. The position and orientation of the handheld device are tracked during the interactive session. A spectator video stream of the interactive session based on the current state of the interactive application and the tracked position and orientation of the handheld device is generated. The spectator video stream is rendered on a handheld display of the handheld device. |
| US08854297B2 |
Interface unit for game machine and game machine
An interface unit 4 for a game machine 1 includes a monitor 10 having a single display surface 10a, and an input module 11 serving as an input device overlaid on the display surface 10a, wherein a plurality of push button panels 16, each of which has a panel main body with enough transparency to allow a screen image on the display surface 10a to be visually seen, partitions the unit 4 into input display parts 4a, which are arranged on partial regions of the display surface 10a in a push-down operable manner, and a multi purpose display part 4b for displaying a screen image with a different purpose from that of the input display parts 4a. |
| US08854296B2 |
Electronic device wireless display
Disclosed herein is an apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing, electronic circuitry, and an electronic component. The electronic circuitry is in the housing. The electronic circuitry includes a first capacitive connection pad. The electronic component is removably attached to an outer surface of the housing. The electronic component includes a second capacitive connection pad located opposite the first capacitive connection pad to form a capacitive connection between the electronic circuitry and the electronic component. |
| US08854294B2 |
Circuitry for independent gamma adjustment points
A display architecture providing independent adjustment of gamma with respect to each color channel of a display is provided. In one embodiment, gamma adjustment circuitry may utilize separate resistor strings for each color channel of the display. Gamma adjustment voltage taps for each resistor string may each be coupled to a respective switching logic block that includes a plurality of switches, each of which may be coupled to different respective locations of the resistor string. Based upon a gamma correction profile defining optimal gamma adjustment points for a particular color channel based at least partially upon its transmittance sensitivity characteristics, appropriate control signals may be provided to each of the switching logic blocks to facilitate the connection of the gamma adjustment voltage taps to desired adjustment points on a respective resistor string in order to optimize gamma correction and provide for increased accuracy in color output. |
| US08854293B2 |
Apparatus and method for driving light source of back light unit
The exemplary embodiment suggests an apparatus and a method for driving a light source of a backlight unit. The apparatus for driving the light source of the backlight unit comprises a plurality of LED columns; a power output terminal and feedback terminals connected to the LED columns; and an LED driver sequentially driving the LEDs according to sequentially delayed PWM signals. The LED driver decides an operable number of LED channel based on the signals input through the feedback terminals, and sequentially delays the PWM signals with the phase difference controlled by the number of LED channel. |
| US08854292B2 |
Gate drive circuit and display apparatus having the same
A gate drive circuit includes a plurality of stages connected one after another to each other. Each of the stages includes a charging section, a driving section, a discharging section, a holding section and a holding control section. The driving section pulls up a high level of a first clock signal to output a gate signal. The discharging section discharges a voltage potential of a first node to a first off-voltage. The holding section holds a voltage potential of the first node to the first off-voltage. The holding control section receives the first clock signal and a second clock signal. The holding control section holds a voltage potential of the holding section to a second off-voltage through a second node in accordance with the second clock signal to prevent floating of the holding section. |
| US08854291B2 |
Gate signal line driving circuit for supressing noise in a gate signal in a display device
A gate signal line driving circuit which suppresses noises in a gate signal and a display device which uses the gate signal line driving circuit are provided. A first basic circuit provided to a gate signal line driving circuit includes a HIGH voltage applying switching element which applies a HIGH voltage to gate signal lines in response to a signal HIGH period, and a LOW voltage applying switching circuit which applies a LOW voltage to the gate signal lines in response to a signal LOW period. In response to a signal HIGH period, a switch of the LOW voltage applying switching circuit of the first basic circuit is turned off based on a signal applied to a switch of the HIGH voltage applying switching element of a second basic circuit which assumes a signal HIGH period earlier than the first basic circuit. |
| US08854290B2 |
Timing controller for liquid crystal panel and timing control method thereof
A timing controller for a liquid crystal panel and a timing control method thereof are provided. The timing controller includes a timing control unit for analyzing an input signal to generate a system state transition voltage (STV) signal and a base STV signal, and the timing control unit outputs a base trigger signal and a switch trigger signal having asynchronous frame rates to a select unit at the same time. A compare unit determines whether frequencies of the two state signals are same, so that the select unit determines to forward the base trigger signal or the switch trigger signal to a level shift circuit. Finally, a signal-time control unit controls an output time of the base trigger signal, and controls an output time of the switch trigger signal, so that a liquid crystal unit connected to each gate line has an equal charge time. |
| US08854289B2 |
Intra-system interface unit of flat panel display
The present invention discloses an intra-system interface unit in a flat panel display comprising: a control IC unit and a driving IC unit. The control IC unit receives an external image data signal and compresses and processes the image signal data. The control IC unit sends the resulting signal to the driving IC unit through an interface therein. The data is decompressed within the driving IC unit and then output. The control IC unit comprises a signal receiver, a gray level data classifier, a data and address encoder, and a differential signal sender. The driving IC unit comprises a differential signal receiver, a data and address separator, a gray level data processor, an address decoder, a channel addresser, and an output circuit. The present invention lowers the repeated transfer of the same gray data in a row, thereby lowering the interface clock frequency, which facilitates transferring data with higher resolution and lowering the electromagnetic interference of the system. |
| US08854284B2 |
Display heat distribution system
A display heat distribution system provides a display assembly. LEDs are mounted in the display assembly and illuminate the display assembly. Heat generation structures are mounted into the display assembly. In addition, heat distribution structures are mounted into the display assembly in a predetermined physically distributed heat management configuration. The heat generation structures and the heat distribution structures are physically located to maintain the LED temperatures at substantially uniform temperatures. |
| US08854282B1 |
Measurement method
A system and method of determining regions of interest via collective gaze of multiple wearable head-mounted displays (HMDs) is disclosed. Each of a plurality of HMDs can be communicatively connected with a communication network, and can transmit respective location-orientation data to the communication network or a server or server system in the network. Location-orientation data from the plurality can be collected and analyzed by the server in order to determine spatial regions that are or appear to be focal points of collective or common gaze of two or more HMDs of the plurality. Information about those regions or about the analysis that identified them may thereafter be provided back to one or more HMDs or other wearable computing devices. |
| US08854278B2 |
Display apparatus
A method and apparatus for a display comprising a first display comprising a base and a first side extending from the base. The apparatus also comprises a second display comprising a first side coupled to the first side of the first display. The displays have a first position, wherein the first side of the first display is aligned with the first side of the second display, and a second position, wherein the first side of the first display is oblique to the first side of the second display. |
| US08854276B2 |
Portable terminal
A portable terminal suppresses reduction of antenna sensitivity. A portable telephone includes an actuating side casing, display side casing, open-close sensor, circuit disposed on the actuating side casing and includes a ground part, power supply part and signal processing part, first conducting part disposed on the actuating side casing and connected to the ground part, second conducting part disposed on the display side casing and connected to the power supply part, antenna element, receiver disposed opposite the antenna element when the telephone is closed, switching part. |
| US08854275B2 |
Antenna apparatus and method for reducing background noise and increasing reception sensitivity
An antenna apparatus includes an electrically conductive section having peripheral edges, an antenna element coupled to the electrically conductive section, which transmits or receives electromagnetic signals, and an electromagnetic absorbing carbon material component. The carbon material component is generally disposed adjacent to the electrically conductive section, and includes a border region extending beyond the peripheral edges of the electrically conductive section. The carbon material component can be constructed of a carbon fiber fabric in which the carbon fibers are arranged to increase the effective signal to noise ratio of the antenna apparatus and enhance antenna performance without increasing the baseline power consumption level. The carbon fibers can be coated with silicone to insulate them externally while enhancing their lengthwise conductivity. |
| US08854274B2 |
Antenna device with choke sleeve structures
An unbalanced antenna includes a non-conductive substrate having one short edge, and two long edges connected respectively to two opposite ends of the short edge and parallel to each other, and an unbalanced antenna disposed proximate to the short edge of the non-conductive substrate and having a ground portion. A ground plane has side edges extending along the long edges of the non-conductive substrate, and is electrically coupled with the ground portion. The length of the ground plane is longer than a quarter of an equivalent wavelength corresponding to an operating frequency of the unbalanced antenna. A pair of choke sleeve structures are symmetrically disposed at opposite sides of the ground plane and spaced apart from the unbalanced antenna by a quarter of an equivalent wavelength corresponding to the operating frequency. Each choke sleeve structure has one end connected to the ground plane, and the other end extending in a direction away from the unbalanced antenna. |
| US08854254B2 |
Ultra-wideband short-pulse radar with range accuracy for short range detection
An ultra-wideband (UWB) radar transmitter apparatus comprises a pulse generator configured to produce from a sinusoidal input signal a pulsed output signal having a series of baseband pulses with a first pulse repetition frequency (PRF). The pulse generator includes a plurality of components that each have a nonlinear electrical reactance. A signal converter is coupled to the pulse generator and configured to convert the pulsed output signal into a pulsed radar transmit signal having a series of radar transmit pulses with a second PRF that is less than the first PRF. |
| US08854250B2 |
Off-diagonal element echo power estimator for polarization weather radar
Embodiments of the invention are directed to improving the sensitivity in polarimetric radar data. In particular, embodiments of the invention improve the sensitivity of such systems with improved post processing techniques. The sensitivity can be improved by using the co-polar elements (off diagonal elements) of the covariance matrix in power and/or reflectivity determinations. This can not only improve the sensitivity but may also enhance identification and improve quantitative estimates of precipitation. |
| US08854241B1 |
Time multiplexer channel corrections
A method and system for monitoring an output of an electronic processing component which detects an out-of-range value in the output of the electronic processing component during one time period during which one channel of input channels of a time multiplexer provides an input signal to the electronic processing component. Corrective actions are performed based on the detected out-of-range value. The corrective actions including excluding further multiplexing of signals from the one channel of the input channels. |
| US08854238B2 |
Asynchronous sampling frequency conversion device, method, and computer program product
An asynchronous sampling frequency conversion device includes: a storage unit configured to store input digital signals; a data specifying unit configured to specify first data and second data based on a ratio of a sampling frequency of the input digital signal to a sampling frequency of an output digital signal, the first data being sampled at a sampling timing immediately before an ith (where i is a natural number) sampling timing of the output digital signal among the input digital signals stored in the storage unit, the second data being sampled at the sampling timing immediately after the ith sampling timing of the output digital signal; and an output data value calculator configured to calculate a value of ith data of the output digital signal based on the first data and the second data specified by the data specifying unit and the ratio. |
| US08854236B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for low-power multi-level encoded signals
Methods and apparatuses for providing multi-level encoded signals are disclosed. An apparatus may include an encoding circuit and a multi-level encoder. The encoding circuit may be configured to receive data and provide encoded data based, at least in part on the data. The multi-level encoder may be coupled to the encoding circuit and configured to receive the encoded data. The multi-level encoder may be further configured to provide the encoded data to a bus as multi-level signal responsive, at least in part, to receipt of the encoded data. |
| US08854228B1 |
System and method for using a single point indicator as a CPU utilization indicator
A computer including a microprocessor, a memory system, a bus system, and a single point indicator. The memory system includes an operating system stored therein. The bus system couples the memory system to the microprocessor. The single point indicator is coupled to the microprocessor and is capable of emitting a single point of light of substantially any wavelength in a visible spectrum. The computer also includes logic that determines a level of a selected operational parameter of the computer and logic that generates a corresponding wavelength of light emitted from the single point indicator. The corresponding wavelength of light corresponds to the level of the selected operational parameter. A method for indicating a level of a selected operational parameter of a computer is also disclosed. |
| US08854223B2 |
Image-based determination of CO and CO2 concentrations in vehicle exhaust gas emissions
What is disclosed is a system and method for image-based determination of concentration of CO and CO2 in a vehicle's exhaust gas in an emissions testing environment. In one embodiment, the present method involves receiving an IR image of the exhaust plume of a motor vehicle intended to be tested for CO and CO2 concentrations. The IR image has been captured using a mid-wave infrared camera with at least one optical filter tuned to the infrared absorption band of CO and CO2. The images are pre-processed to isolate pixels which contain the exhaust plume. The intensity values of pixels in those isolated regions are normalized and concentrations of CO and CO2 are determined via a calibration curve which relates pixel intensities to concentrations. The concentrations are compared to an emissions standard set for the vehicle to determine whether the vehicle is a gross polluter. |
| US08854221B2 |
System to identify viscosity of aspirated material during ophthalmic surgery
An ophthalmic surgical system 10 detects a change in a viscosity of a material being aspirated from an eye 32. The system 10 includes a control module 18 connected to an aspiration pump 20, and a flow meter 19 connected to the control module 18 and the aspiration pump 20. The flow meter 19 provides a flow rate of material aspirated from the eye 32 by the aspiration pump 20. A surgical handpiece 24 connected to the aspiration pump 20 and the control module 18 is inserted into the eye 32 during surgery. The control module 18, during surgery, detects a step change in the flow rate of material aspirated from the eye 32 and the control module 18 further causes the surgical system 10 to alert a surgeon that a change in viscosity of the material being aspirated has been detected indicating that the handpiece 24 has moved from a material of a first viscosity to a material of a second viscosity. |
| US08854220B1 |
Indicating desiccant in night vision goggles
A night vision goggle system includes a housing, and an eyepiece forming a back end of the housing for viewing an object of interest. An optical field-of-view (FOV) is formed through the eyepiece, where the FOV is defined by a cone having an apex formed adjacent to an exit pupil at the eyepiece and tapering outwardly toward the object of interest. A desiccant is disposed within the housing, and located outside the FOV. The desiccant is visible through the eyepiece when viewed from outside the FOV. In addition, when the eye of a user is placed within the FOV, the desiccant is not visible through the eyepiece; and when the eye of the user is placed outside the FOV, the desiccant is visible through the eyepiece. |
| US08854218B1 |
Detection system
Systems and methods for creating a detector network across one or more existing communications systems. In one implementation, a system is provided. The system includes a plurality of hosts, each host hosting one or more detectors operable to detect an occurrence of an event, the hosts including functionality that is not related to the detectors and including communication functionality. The system also includes a management device for managing the detectors and one or more communications networks linking the detectors and the management device using the communication functionality of the respective host. |
| US08854217B2 |
Method and apparatus for operating an electricity meter
A method and apparatus that monitors and controls the operation of an electricity meter, and modifies at least one temperature threshold for determining when an alarm message should be transmitted or an electrical connection in the meter should be disconnected. The method and apparatus includes a plurality of sensors that detect temperatures in various locations within the electricity meter. The method and apparatus compares at least one detected temperature to at least one threshold, and operates an alarm or a switch when the detected temperature exceeds the threshold. The method and apparatus determines an average rate of change for at least one temperature according to a short-term temperature average over a first number of samples of the temperature, and a long term-term temperature average over a second number of samples of the temperature. The second number of samples is different from the first number of samples. The method and apparatus reduces the threshold when the average rate of change exceeds a predetermined amount. |
| US08854216B2 |
Power transmission device, wireless power supply system, and wireless power supply device
A power transmission device includes a power supply unit configured to supply power by a resonance frequency for magnetic resonance; a power transmission resonance coil capable of magnetic resonance with a power reception resonance coil in the resonance frequency, the power transmission resonance coil being configured to supply the power from the power supply unit as magnetic field energy caused by the magnetic resonance; a temperature detector provided in the power transmission resonance coil; and a control unit configured to refer to a table stored in a memory expressing an allowable temperature range, determine whether a detected temperature detected by the temperature detector at an elapsed time is within the allowable temperature range at the elapsed time, and stop an operation of the power supply unit when the detected temperature is not within the allowable temperature range. |
| US08854213B2 |
Beverage container authenticity and provenance devices and methods
An RFID label comprising an RFID circuit and an RFID antenna, and optional secondary security label ensures the authenticity of a beverage contained in a beverage container. The RFID label cannot be removed without destroying the RFID label or rendering it inoperable. A secondary security label may be placed over the closure of the beverage container to provide a secondary measure against tampering as well as a visual indicator of authenticity. It is placed on a portion of the bottle, a portion of the beverage container's closure, and the RFID label. An attempt to remove the secondary security label will also render the RFID label unusable. |
| US08854212B2 |
Radio frequency identification tag identification system
A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed has a conveyor that conveys items through a path of travel, and an antenna disposed proximate the path of travel. Circuitry in communication with the antenna may associate RFID tag data with a package on the conveyor based on a difference signal from elements in the antenna. |
| US08854206B2 |
Sample measuring device and sample measuring system
A sample measuring device according to the present invention includes a measuring unit for performing measurement with respect to a particular component contained in a sample, a measurement data storage unit for storing measurement data obtained by the measuring unit, a display unit for displaying the measurement data, a sensor strip detector for detecting insertion and removal of a sensor strip to which the sample is applied, and a first data transmitter/receiver for transmitting the measurement data via wireless communication. The first data transmitter/receiver performs initial authentication process for wireless communication after insertion of the sensor strip is detected by the sensor strip detector. |
| US08854205B2 |
System and method for countering terrorism by monitoring containers over international seas
The present invention is directed to a system and method for countering terrorism by monitoring shipping containers using an advanced communication system network for tracking and monitoring the container as it travels over international seas. |
| US08854204B2 |
Home appliance
A home appliance is provided. The home appliance includes a main controller for generating a first data signal including status information and a second data signal including operating information, a first sound output device for outputting a first sound signal according to the first data signal including status information to be transmitted through a communication network, and a second sound output device for outputting a second sound signal according to the second data signal including operating information to be perceived by a user. Thus, the sound signal regarding the status information and the sound signal regarding the operating information can be output through the different sound output devices, i.e., the first and second sound output devices. |
| US08854201B1 |
Detachable vehicle taillight and flashlight combination
A safety light system integrated into a vehicle. The safety light system includes a safety light assembly receptacle carried by a body panel of a vehicle. The safety light assembly receptacle includes a light assembly receiving cavity for receiving and temporarily retaining a removable light assembly. The removable light assembly includes elements to provide a user controlled continuous red light, a flashing red light, and a continuous white light. The flashing red light provides a roadside flare configuration. The continuous white light provides a flashlight configuration. The continuous red light in conjunction with the flashing red light configuration provides a driving light configuration. The removable light assembly can include a securing mechanism for attaching the removable light assembly to an object to warn others of the extended object and/or support legs enabling operation as a roadside flare, spotlight, and the like. |
| US08854199B2 |
Driver risk assessment system and method employing automated driver log
A Driver Risk Assessment System and Method Employing Automated Driver Log. The system and method provides robust and reliable event scoring and reporting, while also optimizing data transmission bandwidth. The system includes onboard vehicular driving event detectors that record data related to detected driving events, vehicle condition and/or tasking, roadway environmental conditions, selectively store or transfer data related to said detected driving events. If elected, the onboard vehicular system will “score” a detected driving event, compare the local score to historical values previously stored within the onboard system, and upload selective data or data types if the system concludes that a serious driving event has occurred. The system may respond to independent user requests by transferring select data to said user at a variety of locations and formats. Furthermore, by tracking driver identity and other environmental factors, the system may be configured to generate a driver score, a driver log, and a dispatch log. The driver score can be normalized by consideration of environmental factors related to the strenuousness of the driver's driving or the driving challenges experienced by the driver during his or her driving trip. |
| US08854198B2 |
Forward vehicle brake warning system
A forward vehicle brake warning system includes an incoming message receiving component, an adverse driving condition obtaining component, an incoming message relevancy component, a relevancy adjustment component and a driver warning component. The incoming message receiving component is configured to receive hard brake messages from neighboring vehicles located within a prescribed communication region around a host vehicle. The adverse driving condition obtaining component is configured to receive driving condition information affecting drivability of the host vehicle. The incoming message relevancy component is configured to perform a relevancy determination of the hard brake messages. The relevancy adjustment component is configured to adjust the relevancy determination to selectively filter the hard brake messages received depending upon the driving condition information. The driver warning component configured to alert a driver of the host vehicle. |
| US08854197B2 |
Method of monitoring vehicle surroundings, and apparatus for monitoring vehicle surroundings
A technology is provided for monitoring the surroundings of a vehicle in which a driver approaching the vehicle is recognized, obstacles present in the surroundings of the vehicle are searched for, obstacle information is generated for searched and found obstacles, and the driver outside of the vehicle is notified of the obstacle information. The driver approaching the vehicle can be recognized via communication with a mobile communication device carried by the driver. Additionally, the technology determines whether or not the searched and found obstacle is present in a blind spot area of the driver, and notifies the driver outside the vehicle of the obstacle information related to the obstacle when the obstacle is present in the blind spot area of the driver. |
| US08854196B2 |
Vehicle approach notification apparatus for electric motorcycle
An electric motorcycle includes a front cover for covering a head pipe of a vehicle body frame from a forward direction and a speaker for notifying an individual, such as a walker or the like, of the approach of a vehicle. The speaker has a sound emitting direction directed forwardly on the vehicle body and is disposed at a position on the opposite side to a key cylinder of a main switch, which is disposed in a vehicle body sideward direction of the head pipe, across the head pipe. A front stay support a front carrier disposed on the vehicle body front side of the front cover and is attached to the vehicle body front side of the head pipe is provided on the vehicle body rear side of the front cover. The speaker is disposed above the front stay as viewed in front elevation of the vehicle body. |
| US08854195B2 |
Customizing guest room by transmission of control information corresponding to guest preferences to in-room systems via network of hospitality structure
Methods and apparatus are described for providing access to a network via a first one of a plurality of network access nodes in the network. The network access nodes each have a network address associated therewith which is unique on the network, the first network access node having a first network address associated therewith. The first network address is associated with a first computer while the first computer is connected to the first network access node thereby providing access to the network. When implemented at a hospitality structure such as a hotel, as a guest is checking in or in response to some other appropriate event, information regarding the guest's room environment and other preferences in a database record is transmitted from a head-end module to the network access node in the guest's assigned room. The assigned room is then automatically configured to suit the guest's preferences. |
| US08854194B2 |
Remote monitoring
Remote monitoring and inspection of measurement devices, emergency equipment, parking spaces, and other items is accomplished by using an image sensor (e.g., a CMOS sensor) to capture an image containing information about the monitored item. A signal containing information about the image (e.g., data representing the captured image or data indicating the state of the captured image) is transmitted to a remote central station. |
| US08854189B2 |
Method for a secure non-volatile logging in an active RFID tag of a process in a tagged article
Prior to logging of a process flags for locking at all addresses of a logging area of a tag are set to state 1 by means of an interrogator. A high limit (h) and a low limit (l) of an interval (l-h) of such values (v) of a physical parameter are determined, which are proper for preserving usability of a tagged article. Said values (v) acquired with a sensor and acquisition times related thereto are converted into less numerous data characterizing the process by observing said limits (h, l). Said data characterizing the process are logged in said logging area. Said process log cannot be modified in any way at a later stage. The invention also provides for an efficient observation of longer period of the process in the tagged article in order to inspect the usability thereof. |
| US08854186B2 |
Sheet-of-paper processing device
A paper sheet processing apparatus which can accurately determine whether the paper sheet is legitimate or not even if a conveyor member has a manufacturing error. The apparatus includes: a conveyor roller to convey the paper sheet inserted into an insertion slot; a paper sheet reader to read the paper sheet; a detector to detect an actual measurement value in the predetermined area along a traveling direction of the paper sheet; a storage to store a reference value of length; and an authenticity judgment part to judge the authenticity of the paper sheet based on a comparison of the actual measurement value and the reference value. The reference value is determined based on length calculated by reading a legitimate paper sheet, a theoretical value of the length in the predetermined area, and a predetermined tolerant value for a legitimate paper sheet. |
| US08854183B2 |
System for monitoring component of operating machine
A working machine is provided with a plurality of exchangeable components, and each component is provided with a wireless tag. A component ID is stored in advance in the wireless tag. When, on the side of the working machine, a component exchange timing or an engine starting timing is detected, the component ID stored in the wireless tag is acquired, and is transmitted to a working machine management device. The working machine management device checks the component ID which has been received from the working machine and a component ID which is stored in a component ID storage means against one another. And, if these two component IDs do not match one another, an abnormal state detection means outputs a warning signal. |
| US08854181B2 |
Remote keyless entry transmitter
A remote wireless keyless entry transmitter includes a communications interface for connecting the transmitter directly to an in-vehicle network for registering the transmitter with the vehicle access system. The interface is further connectable to a personal computer to load a set of control codes and programming codes corresponding to a vehicle. The transmitter is programmable to operate multiple functions for multiple vehicles, separately or simultaneously. The transmitter can include a transponder circuit, a display, an accelerometer and a key coupler. A wireless transponder is operationally associated with a vehicle security system by physically connecting the transponder to a vehicle data port with a temporary data link and transferring data between the security system and the transponder over the data link to enable subsequent wireless operation of the security system with the transponder. The transmitter can include an audible signal generator and be programmable to respond to a pager signal. |
| US08854171B2 |
Transverse and/or commutated flux system coil concepts
Electrical machines, for example transverse flux machines and/or commutated flux machines, may be configured to achieve increased efficiency, increased output torque, and/or reduced operating losses via use of a dual wound coil. The coil ends of a dual wound coil can be on a common side, simplifying wiring. The dual wound coil may be configured with a low resistance, reducing resistive losses. |
| US08854164B2 |
Pressure-regulating valve
A pressure-regulating valve includes a magnetic actuator and a housing. Accommodated in the housing is an armature, which is movable in a pole tube. The pole tube is encompassed by a magnetic coil. The armature is supported in the pole tube in a film structure. |
| US08854163B2 |
Operating element having two switching or control stages
The invention relates to an operating element (10) for a regulating and/or switching functionality having at least two switching or regulating stages, comprising: an actuating part (4) which can be actuated manually and thereby moved out of a rest position; at least three permanent magnets (1, 2, 3), comprising: a first movable permanent magnet (1), which is driven synchronously in its range of movement by the actuating part (4); a second movable permanent magnet (2), which, in a first partial range of the range of movement of the first permanent magnet (1), is synchronously entrained by it through magnetic force, and whose further movement is inhibited in at least one second partial range of the range of movement of the first permanent magnet (1) by at least one stop (5a); a third permanent magnet (3), which is stationary relative to the actuating part (4), for generating a magnetic return force on the at least first permanent magnet (1). |
| US08854162B1 |
Method for preventing electrical short in impedance tuners using mechanical stop
Mechanical vertical stops, in form of metallic or plastic screws or dowel pins are introduced as permanent limits and attached on the tuning probes or the vertical axis of slide screw impedances tuners; the vertical stops are adjusted in order to prevent the probes from getting closer to the center conductor than a certain limit; this limit is calculated to prevent corona discharge at a specified maximum RF power and a required maximum reflection factor (Gamma). The adjustment method uses measured data of Gamma as a function of the vertical position of the probe to estimate and adjust for the requested gap to be maintained between the probes (at their lowest position) and the center conductor at any given RF power. The technique can be used in automatic, stepper controlled, as well as in manual, micrometer screw controlled, tuners. |
| US08854158B2 |
Elastic wave device and method for manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing an elastic wave device is provided with a lamination step of forming, on a substrate (1), a plurality of elastic wave devices, each of which includes a lower electrode (2), a piezoelectric film (3), and an upper electrode (4); a measuring step for measuring the operation frequency distribution of the elastic wave devices on the substrate (1); and an adjusting step for forming an adjusting region, in which the thickness of the elastic wave device is different from the thicknesses of other portions in a resonance portion of each elastic wave device, corresponding with the distribution of the operation frequencies. The adjusting region is formed so that the size of the area of the adjusting region of the resonator portion of each elastic wave device is different in accordance with the operation frequency distribution that is measured. Thus, the frequency characteristics of the elastic wave devices are easily adjusted by a small number of steps. |
| US08854156B2 |
Thin-film piezoelectric resonator and thin-film piezoelectric filter using the same
A thin-film piezoelectric resonator including a substrate (6); a piezoelectric layer (2), a piezoelectric resonator stack (12) with a top electrode (10) and bottom electrode (8), and a cavity (4). The piezoelectric resonator stack (12) has a vibration region (40) where the top electrode and bottom electrode overlap in the thickness direction, and the vibration region comprises a first vibration region, second vibration region, and third vibration region. When seen from the thickness direction, the first vibration region is present at the outermost side, the third vibration region is present at the innermost side and does not contact the first vibration region, and the second vibration region is interposed between the first vibration region and third vibration region. The resonance frequency of the primary thickness-longitudinal vibration of the vibration region (40) is f1 at the first vibration region, is f2 at the third vibration region, wherein f1 and f2 satisfy a relationship of f1 |
| US08854154B2 |
Processing signals by couplers embedded in an integrated circuit package
Methods and systems for processing signals via directional couplers embedded in a package are disclosed and may include generating via a directional coupler, one or more output RF signals that may be proportional to a received RF signal. The directional coupler may be integrated in a multi-layer package. The generated RE signal may be processed by an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the multi-layer package. The directional coupler may include quarter wavelength transmission lines, which may include microstrip or coplanar structures. The directional coupler may be electrically coupled to one or more variable capacitances in the integrated circuit. The variable capacitance may include CMOS devices in the integrated circuit. The directional coupler may include discrete devices, which may be surface mount devices coupled to the multi-layer package or may be devices integrated in the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may be flip-chip bonded to the multi-layer package. |
| US08854150B2 |
Resonator and method of controlling the same
A resonator in which in addition to the normal anchor at a nodal point, a second anchor arrangement is provided and an associated connecting arm between the resonator body and the second anchor arrangement. The connecting arm connects to the resonator body at a non-nodal point so that it is not connected to a normal position where fixed connections are made. The connecting arm is used to suppress transverse modes of vibration. |
| US08854149B2 |
MEMS resonator, manufacturing method thereof, and signal processing method using MEMS resonator
A capacitively-driven Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) resonator is provided, in which a piezoresistively differential measurement is used to enable the MEMS resonator to transfer a signal. The MEMS resonator uses a Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) manufacturing process to make its oscillator and piezoresistor to achieve electrical insulation, thereby lowering the level of feedthrough signal. |
| US08854147B2 |
Crystal oscillator with electrostatic discharge (ESD) compliant drive level limiter
A crystal oscillator may be configured to limit crystal drive level in the crystal oscillator by clamping via a diode-resistor branch, voltage applied to a drain pad of the crystal oscillator. The crystal oscillator may incorporate Pierce crystal oscillator based implementation. The crystal oscillator may comprise an on-chip main branch, comprising at least one transistor element; an on-chip drain branch connecting the main branch to a drain pad; an on-chip gate branch connecting the main branch to a gate pad. The diode-resistor branch may be connected to the drain branch, and may comprise at least one diode and at least one resistor element. The at least one diode and the at least one resistor element may be connected in series in the diode-resistor branch. The clamped voltage may be applied from an off-chip drain node, through the drain pad. |
| US08854145B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing frequency pulling in an oscillator circuit
Methods and systems are provided to calibrate an oscillator circuit to reduce frequency pulling as a result of a change in power to a portion of the oscillator circuit. In an embodiment, an oscillator is coupled to a clock buffer circuit and a tuning capacitor configured to tune a frequency of the oscillator to a baseline frequency required for cellular communications. A change in power to the clock buffer circuit initiates a change in an amount of capacitance seen by the oscillator, which negatively impacts the tuning of the oscillator. A register stores a frequency offset caused by the change in power, and the tuning capacitor is adjusted, using the frequency offset, in response to the change in power, such that the total amount of capacitance seen by the oscillator is not changed when the change in power occurs. |
| US08854132B2 |
Amplifier circuit
Class D amplifier circuits for amplifying an input signal. The amplifier has an H-bridge output stage and thus has switches for switchably connecting a first output to a first voltage, e.g. Vdd, or a second voltage (e.g. ground) and for switchably connecting a second output to the first or second voltages. A switch controller is configured to control the H-bridge stage so as to vary between a plurality of states including at least a first state in which the outputs are both connected to the first voltage and a second state in which the outputs are both connected to said second voltage. The switch controller is configured to vary the proportion of time spent in the first state relative to the second state based on an indication of the amplitude of the input signal. The amplifier may therefore have first circuitry for deriving a proportion value (α) based on the input signal (Din) and second circuitry for generating control signals for selecting the first state or said second state based on the proportion value (α). |
| US08854131B2 |
Active transducer probes and circuits
In an example embodiment, a method for bidirectional signal propagation comprises: a) sensing a voltage level of a first signal at a first port; b) coupling the first port to an output of an amplifier with a solid state switch if the voltage level of the first signal is less than a threshold voltage, whereby a second signal applied to a second port coupled to an input of the amplifier is propagated in a first direction from the second port to the first port; and c) bypassing the amplifier if the voltage level of the first signal is greater than the threshold voltage such that the first signal is propagated in a second direction from the first port to the second port. |
| US08854130B2 |
DC-coupled peak detector
Techniques are disclosed relating to peak detection. In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes an amplifier configured to amplify a signal. The apparatus further includes a peak detector DC coupled to an output of the amplifier. The peak detector includes a first comparator stage configured to perform subtraction of a threshold signal from the amplified signal. The peak detector further includes a second comparator stage is configured to amplify a differential output signal of the first comparator stage indicative of a result of the subtraction. In some embodiments, the amplifier and peak detector are included within automatic gain control system in a path for an in-phase or quadrature channel of the receiver chain. |
| US08854126B2 |
Semiconductor device and offset voltage correcting method
A semiconductor device includes: an amplifier circuit that has an inverting input terminal, a non-inverting input terminal, and an output terminal; a first variable voltage source that generates a first bias voltage having a voltage value corresponding to a first set value; a second variable voltage source that generates a second bias voltage having a voltage value corresponding to a second set value; a first resistor whose one end is connected to the inverting input terminal; a second resistor that is connected between the output terminal and the inverting input terminal; a third resistor whose one end is connected to the non-inverting input terminal; and a fourth resistor that is connected between the second variable voltage source and the non-inverting input terminal. The first bias voltage is provided to the other end of the first resistor. An input signal is provided to the other end of the third resistor. |
| US08854125B2 |
Linear amplifier that perform level shift and method of level shifting
A linear amplifier that comprises a signal input terminal that receives an input signal having a first common mode voltage, a voltage amplifier having a non-inverting input terminal that receives a second common mode voltage, a first and a second input resistance connected in series from the signal input terminal to the inverting input terminal of the voltage amplifier, a feedback resistance connected between the inverting input terminal and the output terminal of the voltage amplifier, and a constant current source. The constant current source supplies a constant current to a middle node between the first and the second input resistances. The constant current generates a voltage drop, which is equal to a difference between the first and the second common mode voltages, across the first input resistance. Accordingly, the common mode voltage of the output signal is directly determined by the second common mode voltage. |
| US08854124B2 |
Envelope detector
The envelope detector for detecting an envelope of a digital modulation signal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, includes: a mixer configured to receive the digital modulation signal and output a square signal squaring the digital modulation signal when being applied with bias voltage; a bias voltage applying unit configured to apply the bias voltage to the mixer; and a DC blocking capacitor configured to be connected to the mixer to block DC component included in the square signal. In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide the envelope detector having the simple structure while having the good receiving sensitivity and the wide dynamic range characteristics and detect the envelope of the modulated signal without transmitting the carrier signal in the transmitter and generating the separate signal in the receiver, thereby saving the costs consumed to implement the transceiver. |
| US08854116B2 |
Semiconductor device
In one embodiment, to maintain the operation stability of a semiconductor device even when an external voltage changes. An input signal discrimination unit operates with a power supply potential supplied from a first power supply line VDDI. The input signal discrimination unit compares an input signal VIN with a reference potential Vref. The comparison result is inverted into a signal V0 by an inverter INV1. A power supply sensor circuit monitors the potential of the first power supply line VDDI. If an external potential VDDI falls below a reference potential VX, the power supply sensor circuit turns on a second current source. When the second current source is turned on, an operating current is supplied to a discrimination unit from the second current source as well as a first current source. |
| US08854113B1 |
Current mirror and current cancellation circuit
Techniques are described to mirror currents and subtract currents accurately. In an implementation, a circuit includes a first current source coupled to a first node to provide a current IPD1 and a current mirror coupled to the first node through a first switch T1 to provide a current IREF1. In a closed configuration, the current IREF1 flows from the current mirror into the first node. A sigma delta modulator controls the switch T1 such that over a period of time an average current flowing from the current mirror into the first node is equal to the current IPD1 flowing out of the first node. The sigma delta modulator generates a digital output to control switch T2 to allow a current IREF2 into a second node, thus subtracting a portion of a current IPD2 at the second node over a period of time. |
| US08854111B2 |
RF switch with adaptive drain and source voltage and associated method
A radio frequency (RF) switch includes a common port, a first port, and a second port, a first semiconductor switching element disposed in a first RF pathway between the common port and the first port, a second semiconductor switching element disposed in a second RF pathway between the common port and the second port, a first pair of direct current (DC) blocking capacitors disposed to isolate the first semiconductor switching element in the first RF pathway, and a second pair of DC blocking capacitors disposed to isolate the second semiconductor switching element in the second RF pathway. The respective pairs of DC blocking capacitors allow for different bias voltages to be applied to the respective RF pathways. A charge-discharge circuit may also be employed to decrease transient switching time of the RF switch. |
| US08854109B2 |
Method for controlling two electrically series-connected reverse conductive IGBTs of a half bridge
A method for controlling two electrically series-connected reverse-conductive (RC) IGBTs (RC-IBGT) of a half bridge is disclosed, wherein an operating DC voltage is applied across the series connection and one of the two series-connected reverse-conductive IGBTs operates in IGBT mode and another of the two series-connected reverse-conductive IGBTs operates in diode mode, and wherein each of the two reverse-conductive IGBTs has three switching states “+15V”, “0V”, “−15V”. The RC-IGBT T1 operated in diode mode does not go into the switching state (−15V) of highly charged carrier concentration, but instead into a state of medium charge carrier concentration associated with the switching state “0V”, and not into the switching state “−15V”, as is known from conventional methods. This reduces the reverse-recovery without adversely affecting the forward voltage. |
| US08854108B1 |
Signal transmission circuit, semiconductor integrated circuit, and signal transmission circuit adjustment method
A transmission circuit is formed such that plural driver units of each driver circuit are connected together in parallel. A code setting section detects a voltage Vms output from a replica circuit corresponding to a driver unit of a driver circuit, and detects a voltage Vmo output from a replica circuit corresponding to one driver unit of the driver circuit, and based on a ratio of the voltages Vms, Vmo, sets operation numbers Na to Nd of driver units for each of the driver circuits such that the output resistance value of each of the driver circuits becomes pre-set output resistance values Roa to Rod. The driver circuit has a number of driver units according to the operation number connected together in parallel and operating. |
| US08854105B2 |
Signal receiver and signal transmission apparatus
A signal receiver includes first and second bias circuits that receive an input signal and convert the input signal to respective first and second bias signals. The signal receiver also includes a first inverter comprising a PMOS device and an NMOS device, each device has a source, a drain, and a gate. When the voltage magnitude of the first bias signal is smaller than that of the input signal, the gate of the PMOS device is coupled to the first bias signal and the gate of the NMOS device is coupled to the input signal. When the voltage magnitude of the first bias signal is greater than that of the input signal, the gate of the NMOS device is coupled to the first bias signal and the gate of the PMOS device is coupled to the input signal. |
| US08854104B2 |
Voltage level shifter
A circuit includes a first capacitive device and a first latch. The first capacitive device includes a first end configured to receive a first input signal and a second end coupled with the first latch. The first latch includes a first transistor and a second transistor that are of a first type. A first terminal of the first transistor and a first terminal of the second transistor are each configured to receive a first voltage value. A second terminal of the first transistor is coupled with a third terminal of the second transistor. A third terminal of the first transistor is coupled with a second terminal of the second transistor and with the second end of the capacitive device, and is configured to provide an output voltage for the first latch. |
| US08854089B2 |
Power switch driving circuits and power converters thereof
In one embodiment, a power switch driving circuit can include: (i) an upper switch having a first power terminal coupled to a voltage source, and a second power terminal coupled to a driving signal; (ii) a lower switch having a first power terminal coupled to the driving signal, and a second power terminal coupled to a first voltage level, where the first voltage level is higher than a first ground potential; (iii) an upper switch driving sub circuit configured to receive a control signal, and to drive the upper switch in response thereto; and (iii) a lower switch driving sub circuit configured to receive the control signal, and to drive the lower switch in response thereto, where the upper and lower switch driving sub circuits are coupled to a second ground potential. |
| US08854087B2 |
Electronic circuit with a reverse conducting transistor device
An electronic circuit includes a first transistor device with a control terminal and a load path. A drive circuit includes an input terminal and an output terminal. The output terminal is coupled to the control terminal of the first transistor device. The drive circuit is operable to drive the first transistor device dependent on an input signal received at the input terminal. A polarity detector is coupled in parallel with the load path of the first transistor device. The polarity detector includes a second transistor device and a current detector. The second transistor device includes a load path connected to the load path of the first transistor device. The current detector includes a sense path in series with the load path of the second transistor device and an output connected to the input terminal of the drive circuit. |
| US08854084B2 |
Sense amplifier and electronic apparatus using the same
A sense amplifier according to the present invention for detecting a potential difference of signals input to a first input terminal and a second input terminal, includes a first means for applying voltages corresponding to threshold voltages of first and second transistors to gate-source voltages of the first and second transistors, and a second means for transferring signals input to the first and second input terminals to gates of the first and second transistors. In this case, a threshold variation of the first and second transistors is corrected. |
| US08854081B1 |
Signal path aware routing of supply voltages
Apparatuses and methods of signal-flow aware supply routing are described. A programmable routing system is configured to route supply signals from a supply generator circuit to one or more functional blocks based on signal channels of the functional blocks. |
| US08854075B2 |
Delay-insensitive asynchronous circuit
The asynchronous circuit includes a fork having at least two branches, each branch being connected to a logic gate so that the logic gate receives as input a branch-ending signal. It further includes a circuit for branching the branch-ending signal at the level of each logic gate to form a branched signal, and a blocking circuit comprising a Muller gate and receiving as input at least one branched signal, the blocking circuit being configured to prevent the propagation of an output signal when the branch-ending signals are in different logic states. |
| US08854073B2 |
Methods and apparatus for margin testing integrated circuits using asynchronously timed varied supply voltage and test patterns
Method and apparatus for margin testing integrated circuits. The method includes selecting a clock frequency, an operating temperature range and a power supply voltage level for margin testing an integrated circuit wherein one or more of the clock frequency, the operating temperature range and the power supply voltage level is outside of the normal operating conditions of the integrated circuit; applying an asynchronously time varying power supply voltage set to the selected power supply voltage level to the integrated circuit; running the integrated circuit chip at the selected clock frequency and maintaining the integrated circuit within the selected temperature range; applying a continuous test pattern to the integrated circuit; and monitoring the integrated circuit for fails. |
| US08854072B2 |
High temperature-low leakage probe apparatus and method of manufacturing same
In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus for contacting a plurality of contact locations of a semiconductor device. The apparatus includes a housing, a support member, a plurality of probe members, and an adhesive substance. The housing has a plurality of apertures that provides a low leakage pathway for high frequency signals to reach the semiconductor device through the plurality of probe members. The plurality of probe members are aligned on the support member and the adhesive substance secures the plurality of probe members to the supporting member. The housing, supporting member, and adhesive substance match in thermal expansion to reduce the error in alignment between the plurality of contact locations and the plurality of probe members over a temperature variance. |
| US08854065B2 |
Current measurement in a power transistor
A circuit arrangement includes a load transistor and a sense transistor. The first load terminal of the load transistor is coupled to the first load terminal of the sense transistor. A measurement circuit comprising a current source configured to provide a calibration current, the measurement circuit configured to measure a first voltage between the first load terminal and the second load terminal of the sense transistor in the on-state of the sense transistor, to determine a resistance of the sense transistor based on the calibration current and the first voltage, to measure a second voltage between the first load terminal and the second load terminal of the load transistor in the on-state of the load transistor, and to determine a load current through the load transistor based on the resistance of the sense transistor and the second voltage. |
| US08854064B2 |
Touch sensing method and apparatus
A method for measuring for generating a touch capacitance measurement is provided. Gain and offset control signals are generated, where the gain and offset control signals are adjusted to compensate for base capacitance of a touch sensor. The gain control signal is applied to a touch sensor during a first phase of a clock signal, and the offset control signal is applied to an output circuit during a second phase of the clock signal. The output circuit is coupled to the touch sensor during the second phase of the clock signal. The touch capacitance measurement is generated by compensating for the base capacitance with the gain and offset control signals, and a gain is applied to the touch capacitance measurement. |
| US08854063B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a capacitance and/or change in capacitance of a capacitive sensor element
A method for determining a capacitance and/or a change in capacitance of a capacitive sensor element (C2) comprises the steps of: a) discharging an average value capacitor (C3), and either b1) discharging the capacitive sensor element and c1) charging an operating capacitor (C1) to a charging voltage (VDD), or b2) discharging the operating capacitor and c2) charging the capacitive sensor element to the charging voltage, d) connecting the operating capacitor to the capacitive sensor element, e) connecting the operating capacitor to the average value capacitor, and f) evaluating a voltage established across the operating capacitor or across the average value capacitor in order to determine the capacitance and/or the change in capacitance. |
| US08854062B2 |
Readout circuit for self-balancing capacitor bridge
A capacitive transducer and a readout circuit for processing a signal from a capacitive transducer. The readout circuit includes a high gain circuit element, two summing amplifiers and two feedback path. The high gain circuit element generates an amplified transducer signal, and the summing amplifiers sum the amplified transducer signal with a positive reference voltage and the negative reference voltage, respectively, to generate a first summation signal and a second summation signal. The feedback paths feed back the summation signals to the transducer. Output circuitry generates an output signal based on the summation signals. The high gain circuit element can be a a switched capacitor integrator. The output circuitry can generates the output signal based on the first and second summation signals. |
| US08854059B2 |
Embedded SAR based active gain capacitance measurement system and method
A system for measuring a capacitor (CSENj) precharges a CDAC (23) in a SAR converter (17) to a reference voltage (VAZ) and also precharges a first terminal (3-j) of the capacitor to another reference voltage (GND). During a measurement phase, the CDAC is coupled between an output and an input of an amplifier (31) and the capacitor also is coupled to the input of the amplifier, so as to redistribute charge between the capacitor and the CDAC. The amplifier generates an output voltage (VAMP) representing the capacitance being measured. The output voltage is stored in the CDAC. The SAR converter converts the output voltage to a digital value representing the capacitance being measured. |
| US08854055B2 |
Surface charge reduction technique for capacitive sensors
A differential capacitive transducer system is disclosed that includes first and second capacitive cores and a chopping system. The first core a first input coupled to a first capacitor, a second input coupled to a second capacitor, and a first output. The second core includes a third input coupled to a third capacitor, a fourth input coupled to a fourth capacitor, and a second output. The chopping system has first and fourth inputs coupled to positive signals, and second and third inputs coupled to negative signals. As the chopping system switches between high and low states, it couples the core inputs to different polarity signals reducing charge buildup. The different polarity signals can have substantially same magnitudes. Chopper clock and main clock frequencies can be selected to provide substantially zero average voltages at the core inputs. The system can include an integrator circuit and differential summing circuits. |
| US08854040B2 |
Method for magnetic resonance imaging based on partially parallel acquisition (PPA)
In a method and system for magnetic resonance imaging of an examination subject on the basis of partially parallel acquisition (PPA) with multiple component coils, a calibration measurement is implemented in a first time period and an actual measurement for the imaging is implemented in a subsequent second time period. In the calibration measurement, calibration data for predetermined calibration points in spatial frequency space are acquired with the multiple component coils. In the actual measurement, incomplete data sets are respectively acquired in spatial frequency space with each of the multiple component coils. Complete data sets are reconstructed from the incomplete data sets and the calibration data. The first time period and the second time period are different, and the measurements are implemented when triggered in the two time periods. An essentially identical state of the examination subject or of the measurement system is used as a trigger. |
| US08854038B2 |
Method for R2* quantification with magnetic resonance imaging
A method for measuring transverse relaxation rate, R2*, corrected for the presence of macroscopic magnetic field inhomogeneities with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The method accounts for additional signal decay that occurs as a result of macroscopic variations in the main magnetic field, B0, of the MRI system, and also mitigates susceptibility-based errors and introduction of increased noise in the R2* measurements. Image data are acquired by sampling multiple different echo signals occurring at respectively different echo times. A B0 field inhomogeneity map is estimated by fitting the acquired image data to an initial signal model. Using the estimated field map, a revised signal model that accounts for signal from multiple different chemical species and for signal decay resulting from macroscopic variations in the B0 field is formed. Corrected R2* values for the different chemical species are then estimated by fitting the acquired image data to the revised signal model. |
| US08854033B2 |
Current sensor, inverter circuit, and semiconductor device having the same
A semiconductor device having a lateral semiconductor element includes a semiconductor substrate, a first electrode on the substrate, a second electrode on the substrate, and an isolation structure located in the substrate to divide the substrate into a first island and a second island electrically insulated from the first island. The lateral semiconductor element includes a main cell located in the first island and a sense cell located in the second island. The main cell causes a first current to flow between the first electrode and the second electrode so that the first current flows in a lateral direction along the surface of the substrate. The first current is detected by detecting a second current flowing though the sense cell. |
| US08854030B2 |
Method and device for frequency response measurement
A method is provided for measuring a frequency response of an object, the method involving: generating an excitation signal having relatively fast changing frequency, defined by a time-domain function; generating at least one reference signal, having a waveform corresponding to the excitation signal; introducing the excitation signal into the object, receiving a response signal from the object; analyzing said response signal in a signal analyzer by correlating the response signal with at least one reference signal during a relatively short sliding time-domain window. |
| US08854029B2 |
System and method for space control and remote monitoring
A system and method for space control and remote monitoring is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a frequency modulated signal is emitted from a radioscopic device having an antenna. The frequency of the reflected signal from a target is compared with the emitted frequency modulated signal to obtain a low-frequency signal. The low-frequency signal is processed to form signal pulsations spectrum using a fast Fourier transform. Each spectrum frequency represents a distance to the target. |
| US08854028B2 |
Signal level detector and method thereof
A signal level detector and detecting method are provided. In one implementation a method includes receiving a differential input signal; incorporating two configurable rectifiers of the same circuit topology; configuring a first one of the two configurable rectifiers as a inverting rectifier to generate an inverting end of an output signal in response to an absolute value of the differential input signal; and configuring a second one of the two configurable rectifiers as a non-inverting rectifier to generate a non-inverting end of the output signal. |
| US08854025B2 |
Switching power supply
A switching power supply includes an input terminal, a voltage converter, a feedback circuit, and a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller. The input terminal receives a first direct current (DC) voltage. The voltage converter transforms the first DC voltage into a second DC voltage and provides the second DC voltage to a load via transmission lines. The feedback circuit is configured for detecting voltage lost across the transmission lines. The PWM controller controls the voltage converter to adjust the second DC voltage according to the voltage loss. |
| US08854020B2 |
Multiple-level switched-mode power supply
A circuit for providing at least two power supply voltages from a D.C. voltage provided by a first switched-mode converter between a first and a second terminals, wherein: a second reversible buck-type switched-mode converter is powered with said D.C. voltage; a capacitive dividing bridge connects said first and second terminals, the midpoint of the capacitive dividing bridge corresponding to the output of the second converter and defining a third terminal of provision of an intermediary potential; and said two power supply voltages are respectively sampled between the first and third and between the third and second terminals. |
| US08854010B2 |
Control apparatus and control method for electric storage apparatus
A control apparatus controlling discharge of a secondary battery such that a discharge power of the secondary battery does not exceed an upper limit value has a current sensor and a controller. The current sensor detects a current value during charge and discharge of the secondary battery. The controller calculates an evaluation value for determining a first deterioration component depending on nonuniformity of an ion concentration in an electrolyte of the secondary battery by using the detection result of the current sensor, and reduces the upper limit value when the integral value of the evaluation values exceeding a target value exceeds a threshold value. The controller estimates a second deterioration component depending on the material of the secondary battery and changes the threshold value such that deterioration due to the first deterioration component is permitted in association with the second deterioration component. |
| US08854008B2 |
Combined PI feedback and feedforward cell balancing method
A method and system for battery pack cell state of charge balancing using a proportional-integral feedback control combined with a feedforward control. The proportional-integral feedback control acts on the difference between the average discharge for all cells over a previous driving cycle and the discharge of a specific cell over the previous driving cycle. Thus, the feedback term is based on whether an individual cell discharges more quickly or less quickly than the battery pack average during driving. A cell which discharges more quickly will receive decreased resistive discharge balancing. The feedforward control acts on the difference between an individual cell's state of charge and the battery pack average state of charge at the beginning of a current driving cycle. The overall control effort, which determines the resistive discharge balancing on-time duty cycle for each cell, is the sum of the feedback control signal and the feedforward control signal. |
| US08854007B2 |
Protection circuit for battery pack
A protection circuit of a battery pack capable of detecting the error of a charging device from the battery pack. The protection circuit of the battery pack having a battery cell charged by a charging device, the protection circuit including a charge switch coupled to a high current path (HCP), the charge switch disposed between the battery cell and the charging device charging the battery cell and a controller sensing a voltage or a current of the charging device during a charge stop period stopping a charging of the battery cell and determining whether an error of the charging device occurs according to the voltage or the current of the charging device. |
| US08854004B2 |
Energy storage system and controlling method thereof
An energy storage system and a controlling method thereof are provided. Accordingly, an operation mode of the energy storage system is stably changed. The energy storage system includes: a battery; an inverter for receiving a first power from an external source and generating a second power; and a converter coupled between the battery and both the external source and the inverter. The converter is configured to enter an off mode between a charge mode for charging the battery and a discharge mode for discharging the battery. |
| US08854002B2 |
System and method for programming rechargeable battery characteristics
A method and system for programming rechargeable battery characteristics is provided. The system having: a memory component for storing user profiles; a power management integrated circuit; and a processor for retrieving the user profiles and directing power from the battery to the power management integrated circuit in accordance with the user profiles. The method consists of: determining the type of battery; retrieving user profiles stored in a memory component; and adjusting the battery characteristics according to the user profiles. |
| US08854000B2 |
Rapid energy recharge system for a battery electric vehicle
A charging system is provided for an electric vehicle. A vehicle battery stores electrical energy used to drive the electric vehicle. A refillable storage device is carried by the vehicle for storing compressed fluid from an off-vehicle supply of compressed fluid. An expander is in fluid communication with the refillable storage device. The expander selectively receives the compressed fluid from the refillable storage device when the vehicle battery is in need of charging and generates a rotational energy in response to the compressed fluid flowing through the expander. A generator is rotationally coupled to the expander and electrically coupled to the vehicle battery for converting the rotational energy into electrical energy that is transferred to and stored by the vehicle battery. |
| US08853994B2 |
Analog photovoltaic power circuit
The present invention discloses an analog photovoltaic power circuit, including: a photovoltaic device group for receiving photo energy to generate an input voltage, the input voltage corresponding to an input current; a power stage circuit for receiving the input voltage and generating an output voltage; an optimum current or voltage estimation circuit for receiving a predetermined voltage and estimating an optimum current or voltage point corresponding to an optimal output point according to a direction of variation of the input current and a direction of variation of the power generated by the photovoltaic device group; and an analog comparison and control circuit for comparing the optimum current or voltage with the input current or voltage, to thereby control the operation of the power stage circuit. |
| US08853992B2 |
Method and conveyor system
A conveyor system and a method for driving a conveyor are disclosed. In the method, electric power is supplied to the drive machinery of a conveyor depending on the power requirement with a supply device to be selected from at least two different adjustable supply devices, and the supply device supplying power to the drive machinery is changed on the basis of the power requirement of the conveyor. |
| US08853988B2 |
Control systems and methods for compensating for effects of a stage motor
Embodiments of the invention compensate for one or more effects of a stage motor in a precision stage device. A feedforward module receives an input signal corresponding to the effect of the motor and generates a feedforward control signal that can be used to modify a motor control signal to compensate for the effect of the motor. In some embodiments, a control system is provided to compensate for a back-electromotive force generated by a motor, while in other embodiments, a control system may compensate for an inductive effect of a motor. Embodiments of the invention may be useful in precision stage devices, for example, lithography devices such as steppers and scanners. |
| US08853981B2 |
Driving apparatus for multiplex-winding motor
Provided are a current detection apparatus having sensor sections detecting motor currents flowing in the windings for the phases of the winding groups, a control apparatus calculating voltage instructions with respect to each winding group, based on the motor current detected by each sensor section, a voltage application apparatus applying voltage to each winding group, based on the voltage instructions, and a failure detection apparatus detecting whether or not each sensor section has failed. The control apparatus, when the failure detection apparatus has detected failure of some of the sensor sections, in accordance with the detection, calculates a voltage instruction with respect to the winding group corresponding to the failure of the sensor section, based on motor current with respect to another winding group detected by the sensor section that can normally detect current. |
| US08853979B2 |
Method and system for calibrating rotor position offset of an electric motor
While enforcing a fake position in the data processing system and applying a zero direct-axis current command, positive and negative quadrature-axis current commands are applied sequentially and at approximately same magnitude to urge the rotor toward an enforced position. A processing module measures a positive quadrature-axis current aligned raw position data after application of the positive quadrature-axis current command and measures negative quadrature-axis current aligned raw position data for the rotor after application of the negative quadrature-axis command. An initial position offset calibrator or data processor determines a difference between the raw position data to determine an alignment of a true averaging axis. An initial position offset calibrator or data processor determines a raw averaging axis position data based on an average of the raw position data. An initial position offset calibrator or data processor determines a position offset based on a difference between the determined true averaging axis and the determined raw averaging axis position data. |
| US08853976B2 |
Active control type of vibration absorbing device
The present invention provides a vibration absorbing device. A vibration absorbing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first magnetic force generation member fixed to an external portion that is separated from a vibration source and a second magnetic force generation member provided in one side of the vibration source. When vibration is generated by the vibration source, the direction and magnitude of a magnetic force of one of the first magnetic force generation member and the second magnetic force generation can be controlled such that the second magnetic force generation member can move in a direction for attenuating the vibration of the vibration source. |
| US08853975B2 |
Electrostatic actuator control
In one embodiment, a device is provided that includes: a cascaded electrostatic actuator defining a stack in a substrate having a plurality of gaps between parallel plate electrodes; and a controller configured to drive the cascaded electrostatic actuator to open and close selected ones of the gaps. |
| US08853970B1 |
Electromagnetic coupling multi-output control circuit
Disclosed is an electromagnetic coupling multi-output control circuit having a detection unit, a switching unit and a coupling unit, and the coupling unit is coupled to a side of a transformer of a power driving device to sense and produce a second driving voltage, such that the transformer has a multi-output function. The switching unit is provided for receiving and outputting the second driving voltage to a second driving load, and the detection unit is provided for detecting the second driving voltage to produce a detection value, so that the switching unit analyzes the detection value and switches outputting a frequency of the second driving voltage to stabilize the voltage value of the second driving voltage, so as to flexibly increase the number of output voltages of the power driving device while lowering the cost and expand the scope of applicability. |
| US08853967B2 |
Lamp driver having a shutdown interface circuit
A lamp driver responsive to a control signal that is variable in a predetermined control range includes a circuit operable in response to a value of the control signal within the predetermined control range to develop a first current and a lamp control voltage dependent upon the value of the control signal. A shutdown interface is operable in response to a value of the control signal outside of the predetermined control range to develop a second current to turn off a lamp. |
| US08853966B2 |
Lighting device and illumination apparatus including same
A lighting device includes lighting control units respectively provided for controlling lighting of solid state light emitting element groups irradiating light of different chromaticities and a color ratio setting unit for setting a target output ratio of the solid state light emitting element groups. In an xy chromaticity diagram of an XYZ color system, a straight line connecting chromaticity coordinates of lights irradiated by a first and a second solid state light emitting element group intersects a black body locus. Further, the lighting control units include a first and a second lighting control unit for controlling lighting of the first and the second solid state light emitting element group, and the first and the second control unit perform a feedback control such that an output ratio of the second to the first solid state light emitting element group becomes equal to the target output ratio thereof. |
| US08853965B2 |
Luminary control systems
A system and method for detecting light fixture failure and for enhancing energy efficient operation of multiple light fixtures. The system includes multiple light control modules and a gateway. The light control modules alert the gateway of a bulb or ballast failure based on light fixture power consumption. The light control module can indicate a sudden failure, a slow failure, a striating failure, a stuck relay failure and a start-up failure. The light control modules can include a photo-sensor and an occupancy sensor for measuring brightness and occupancy, respectively, in the vicinity of one or more light fixtures. The gateway can distribute operating instructions to the light control modules based on changes in the ambient temperature and based on the power consumption of nearby light fixtures. |
| US08853964B2 |
Current balancing circuits for light-emitting-diode-based illumination systems
A system including a first transistor, a second transistor, and a comparator. The first transistor is configured to supply a first current to a first load connected to a first terminal of the first transistor. The second transistor is configured to supply a second current to a second load connected to a first terminal of the second transistor, wherein the first current and the second current have a predetermined ratio. The comparator is configured to compare a voltage at the first terminal of the first transistor or a voltage at the first terminal of the second transistor to a reference voltage, and to adjust, based on the comparison, biasing of the first transistor and the second transistor to maintain the predetermined ratio between the first current and the second current. |
| US08853962B2 |
Apparatus and method for circuit configuration for powering light emitting diodes
A circuit configuration for powering electrical loads, especially light emitting diodes, using a DC voltage converter with controllable switching element. |
| US08853961B2 |
Discharge lamp lighting device, projector, and driving method of discharge lamp
In at least one embodiment of the disclosure, a discharge lamp lighting device includes a discharge lamp driving section that drives a discharge lamp and a control unit that controls the discharge lamp driving section. The control unit alternately performs a first-interval DC driving process and a first-interval AC driving process in a first interval, alternately performs a second-interval DC driving process and a second-interval AC driving process in a second interval other than the first interval, and changes a length of at least one of a period during which the first-interval DC driving process is performed and a period during which the second-interval DC driving process is performed so as to be shortened in a stepped manner within a predetermined sub-interval. |
| US08853959B2 |
Method and system for avoiding flicker of SSL devices
This disclosure relates to illumination systems. In particular it relates to a method and system for avoiding flicker (in particular 100 Hz or 120 Hz flicker) in solid state lighting devices such as LED or OLED assemblies. A controller for a driver circuit of a solid state lighting device (SSL) is described. The driver circuit comprises a power converter to convert a varying input voltage into a drive voltage for the SSL device. The input voltage is derived from a rectified AC mains voltage and frequency. The power converter is used with a maximum voltage step-up conversion ratio. The controller synchronizes to the mains frequency and determines a plurality of pulse intervals repeated at a pulse frequency where the pulse frequency is greater than a perceptual frequency of light intensity variations perceivable by a human eye. |
| US08853955B2 |
Device and method for using high efficiency ballasted lamps with electronic transformer
An approach is provided for devices and methods for using high efficiency ballasted lamps with an electronic transformer, especially for the replacement of traditional halogen lamps from the existing fixtures. The method comprises acts of synchronizing a reference signal to a voltage corresponding to an AC voltage from an AC power source, and driving a load at a predetermined duty cycle. Therefore, the present disclosure is able to drive a load with a desired average output power lower than the minimum load requirement of the electronic transformer yet still allow the electronic transformer to work properly. |
| US08853953B2 |
High efficiency LED power supply
There is an increasing need for simple and low cost power supplies to control loads such as battery chargers and LEDs. It is the object of this invention to provide an alternative method for the control of current in such loads with very high efficiency and to reduce the variation of load current with supply voltage. This invention is particularly relevant to LED power supplies or battery chargers and provides an electronic power supply for the control of an electrical load connected to an electrical source, the electrical load comprising a main load with at least one LED and an auxiliary load with at least one LED, the electronic power supply comprising a series compensation block connected in series with the main load and the voltage source, the series compensation block providing a voltage in opposition to the voltage source by directly controlling the power delivered to the auxiliary load and indirectly controlling the power converted in the main load. |
| US08853951B2 |
Method of adjusting brightness by desired run time
A method for determining a light intensity based on current battery charge status and specified run time. |
| US08853941B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display is disclosed. In one aspect, the OLED display includes an at least partially curved display panel and a cover window disposed in an external side of the front side of the display panel, and formed in the shape corresponding to the display panel. The OLED display further includes a set frame disposed in an external side of the rear side of the display panel, and coupled with the cover window. The cover window is not made of a single material. That is, portion covering the display panel and a portion coupled to the set frame are made of different materials, respectively. |
| US08853940B2 |
Display device with seal member
A display device using an organic light emitting element is provided which is structured so as to ensure excellent display performance by avoiding dot defect and improve long-term reliability. The distance between an organic light emitting element and a sealing substrate is controlled using the top of a bank that is placed in a pixel portion and the top of an insulating film that is placed in a driving circuit portion. As a result, a gap is provided between the organic light emitting element and the sealing substrate and a damage to the organic light emitting element can be avoided. Furthermore, the sealing substrate can be as close to an element substrate as possible, thereby keeping the amount of moisture that enters the display device from its sides small. |
| US08853939B2 |
Static and addressable emissive displays
The various embodiments of the invention provide an addressable or a static emissive display comprising a plurality of layers, including a first substrate layer, wherein each succeeding layer is formed by printing or coating the layer over preceding layers. Exemplary substrates include paper, plastic, rubber, fabric, glass, ceramic, or any other insulator or semiconductor. In an exemplary embodiment, the display includes a first conductive layer attached to the substrate and forming a first plurality of conductors; various dielectric layers; an emissive layer; a second, transmissive conductive layer forming a second plurality of conductors; a third conductive layer included in the second plurality of conductors and having a comparatively lower impedance; and optional color and masking layers. |
| US08853932B2 |
Filament including carbon nanotubes and method of making a filament including carbon nanotubes
Techniques described herein generally relate to methods of manufacturing devices and devices including a filament having therein or coated with a catalyst and carbon nanotubes. The device may be configured to produce light with a luminary characteristic having a value higher than a value of the luminary characteristic of a device having an uncoated filament at a same operating condition. The luminary characteristic may include one or more of device irradiance or light efficiency. The filament may be a tungsten filament, and the carbon nanotubes may include multiwall carbon nanotubes or single wall carbon nanotubes. The filament may be coated with the carbon nanotubes using one or more deposition techniques including electric arc discharge, laser ablation and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The filament may be coated with the catalyst using a method including one or more of electroless plating, electroplating, dip coating, spin coating, and radio frequency (RF) sputtering. |
| US08853931B2 |
Electrodeless plasma lamp with modified power coupling
An electrodeless plasma lamp having a lamp body and a power source configured to provide radio-frequency (RF) power via a feed to the lamp body is provided. The lamp includes a first conductive element and a second conductive element. The first conductive element has a first side with a first protrusion. The second conductive element has a second side with a second protrusion. The first side and second side face each other and spaced apart by a first distance and configured to couple the RF power via an electric field to a fill to form at least one plasma arc. The first protrusion and the second protrusion extend towards each other and are spaced apart by a second distance that is less than the first distance. The first and second protrusions may provide localized enhancement of the electric field at the first side and the second side. |
| US08853920B2 |
Piezoelectric ceramic composition consisting of a perovskite-type oxide and piezoelectric element
A piezoelectric ceramic composition including a perovskite-type oxide, wherein the perovskite-type oxide has Na, K, Li, Ba and Sr at the A site and Nb, Ta and Zr at the B site, and has a crystal phase transition in a temperature range of −50 to 150° C., the crystal phase transition being accompanied by an endotherm of no greater than 4 J/g, as well as a piezoelectric element 20 provided with a piezoelectric ceramic 1 that contains the piezoelectric ceramic composition. |
| US08853919B2 |
Ultrasonic sensor device
An ultrasonic sensor device includes a housing, a circuit board disposed at the housing, and a transducer. The transducer includes an electrically conductive casing having a bottom wall and a surrounding wall. A piezoelectric member is disposed on top of the bottom wall. A first connecting pin set is disposed in the housing, and includes a first connecting pin having one end connected to the circuit board and another end connected to the piezoelectric member, and a second connecting pin having one end connected to the circuit board and another end connected to the surrounding wall. A second connecting pin set is disposed in the housing, has one end connected to the circuit board, and another end extended into a connecting portion of the housing. |
| US08853918B2 |
Transducer structure for a transducer probe and methods of fabricating same
A composite ceramic transducer structure for use in the construction of an ultrasound probe includes a substrate and a plurality of piezoelectric transducer posts. The plurality of piezoelectric transducer posts are controllably formed on the substrate in a plurality of spatial positions located on an X-Y plane of the substrate. The plurality of piezoelectric posts includes a plurality of shapes defined in an X-Y-Z plane of the substrate, wherein the plurality of piezoelectric transducer posts are configured to facilitate minimizing shear waves within the ultrasound probe. |
| US08853914B2 |
Segmented stator core with trapezoidal junctions
A stator core capable of improving stator core segments in assemblability, positioning accuracy and rigidity is provided. A stator core includes a plurality of stator core segments, and a yoke part of each stator core segment has a first junction and a second junction joined to other adjacent stator core segments. A protrusion is formed at the first junction, and a recess capable of receiving the protrusion is formed at the second junction. The opening area of the recess increases from a deepest section of the recess to an opening of the recess. In the yoke part, a first caulking site where the stator core segment is caulked in an axial direction is formed on an arc passing through the central part of a radial length of the protrusion and extending in a circumferential direction. |
| US08853913B2 |
Mounting structure for slot paper in a motor stator
A mounting structure for slot paper in a motor stator. The slot paper is embedded in stator slots and includes a paper bottom, a paper side, and a paper front. A lug boss is protruded between two adjacent tooth block segments and protrudes from the inner wall of an outer ring. Two ends of the slot paper extend out of each stator slot. Two ends of the paper bottom are locked between the lug bosses respectively arranged on the upper end insulator and the lower end insulator. One end of each tooth block segment is provided with a clip slot and the paper front near the opening is embedded therein. The structure is simple, has a precise slot paper positioning function, does not occupy space of the stator slot, maximizes the slot filling ratio of the slots, and thus improves the overall performance of the motor. |
| US08853911B2 |
Generator/motor wedge with lamination interface for reduced stress levels
A wedge for use in an electric machine has a central leg extending in a direction that will be radially inward when the wedge is mounted on a lamination stack, The wedge has arms extending in both circumferential directions from the central leg, with a circumferentially outermost part of the arms having a curved surface that will be radially outward, and a flat inner surface that will be radially inward when the wedge in mounted in the lamination stack. A generator/motor rotor and a generator/motor are also disclosed. |
| US08853910B2 |
Three-phase rotary electrical machine and manufacturing method thereof
A three-phase rotary electrical machine including a stator including a stator core including split cores, a rotor, a bobbin attached to each of the split cores, a winding being wound around each split core to which the bobbin is attached, and a bobbin unit including three of the bobbins which are arranged in a circumferential direction of a rotation axis as one unit, wherein the bobbin positioned at a center of the bobbin unit are formed in a bendable manner integrally with the bobbins positioned adjoining to the bobbin positioned at the center, the bobbin unit is sealed with the bobbin unit positioned adjoining thereto, and a cooling passage extending in the axial direction is provided at each clearance between the windings for three phases. |
| US08853899B2 |
Mounting device for disk in spindle motor
A spindle motor including a base, a bearing housing supported on the base, a bearing provided within the bearing housing, a rotating shaft rotatably supported by the bearing, a stator including a core fixed to the bearing housing and coils wound around the core, a rotor including a rotor yoke fixed to the rotating shaft, and a first magnet installed on the rotor yoke facing the stator, a turntable positioned on the rotor yoke, rotating together with the rotating shaft, a center guide member coupled to the rotating shaft at an upper side of the turntable, an elastic member disposed between the turntable and the center guide member for elastically supporting the center guide member. |
| US08853898B2 |
Electrical rotating machine with improved heat sink cooling
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical rotating machine that prevents heat generated from a stator winding from being transmitted to an inverter circuit. A rotor having a field winding, and a stator having a stator winding arranged so as to surround the rotor are provided. One end of a rear bracket is connected to the stator, and arranged inside the rear bracket is a heat sink assembly including a heat sink having switching elements for controlling the field winding and the stator winding mounted thereto. The heat sink assembly is fixed to protruding portions protruding from an end surface of the rear bracket. |
| US08853896B2 |
Rotating electrical machine
A rotating electrical machine includes a stator and a rotor both accommodate in a frame, on which is mounted a control case to house a drive unit including an inverter. In the machine, the control case has a vibration suppression structure that suppresses vibration of the control case. The vibration suppression structure includes honeycombed ribs formed integrally with a wall surface of the control case. |
| US08853894B2 |
Cylindrical linear motor having low cogging forces
Cogging forces of a cylindrical linear motor are reduced with a linear motor having a rotor with eight poles and a stator with 36 toroidal coils (optionally multiples of eighteen toroidal coils) inserted into slots (N1 to N36) (or a multiple of 36 slots). The toroidal coils extend in the circumferential direction of the stator, are of equal size, and are arranged axially one behind the other. All the terminals of the toroidal coils are located in an axially extending connector channel. The two terminals of each coil are connected according to a specific connection scheme. |
| US08853890B2 |
Power supply device, communication terminal device, and non-contact power transmission method
A power supply apparatus including a near-field wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with a plurality of communication terminals, a power transmission unit that sets a plurality of resonance frequencies to transfer power in a non-contact manner to each of the plurality of communication terminals, and a control unit that determines a priority level of each of the communication terminals based on identification information received from the communication terminals and determines an amount of power transmitted at each of the resonance frequencies based on the determined priority levels. |
| US08853887B2 |
Static bypass switch with built in transfer switch capabilities
According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a UPS system comprising a first input, a second input, an output, a power module coupled to the first input, wherein the power module is configured to condition power provided to the input of the power module and provide conditioned power to an output of the power module, and a static bypass switch module selectively coupled to the first input and the second input, wherein, in a first mode of operation, the static bypass switch module is configured to couple the second input to the input of the power module, and provide a second input power to the input of the power module, and wherein, in a second mode of operation, the static bypass switch module is configured to provide a first input power to the output of the UPS system, through the bypass switch module, bypassing the power module. |