| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08855771B2 |
Screening devices and methods for obstructive sleep apnea therapy
Devices and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea by first performing an assessment of the patient that involves observing the patient's upper airway during a tongue protrusion maneuver. The assessment may, for example, be done using endoscopy to observe the upper airway while the patient is awake in the supine position. An adequate response of the upper airway during the tongue protrusion maneuver is indicative of likely therapeutic success with hypoglossal nerve stimulation, and may be used for making clinical decisions. The principles of the present invention may be applied to other therapeutic interventions for OSA involving the upper airway. |
| US08855764B2 |
System and method for detecting atrial activity signal using a monobody lead in a single chamber implantable cardioverter/defibrillator
A single-chamber implantable device for detecting a patient's atrial activity using a monobody lead is disclosed. The monobody lead (10) includes a ventricular coil (16), a supraventricular coil (18), a distal electrode (14) forming three electrodes for detecting depolarization signals. A generator (12) of the implantable device collects a first unipolar signal (20) between the ventricular coil and the generator housing and a second unipolar signal (22) between the supraventricular coil and the generator housing. An independent component analysis is performed to the detected depolarization signals to determine an estimated atrial activity signal from the first and second unipolar signals. |
| US08855763B2 |
Method and apparatus for selecting and timing anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing using cardiac signal morphology
A cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system includes an implantable medical device that delivers anti-tachyarrhythmia therapies including ATP. When a tachyarrhythmia episode is detected, the implantable medical device analyzes the morphology of a cardiac signal to determine whether and/or when to deliver an ATP therapy. In various embodiments, the implantable medical device produces morphological parameters indicative of the likeliness of success of the ATP therapy and selects an anti-tachyarrhythmia therapy mode based on the morphological parameters. In various embodiments, the implantable medical device also controls the timing of the ATP therapy delivery using morphological features of the cardiac signal to maximize the probability that the ATP therapy is delivered into an ATP window during which a tachyarrhythmia episode can be effectively terminated by pacing. |
| US08855760B2 |
Systems and methods for early detection of lead breaches using cross-lead impedances detected by an implantable medical device
Techniques are provided for use with an implantable medical device for detecting breaches in lead insulation or other lead failures. In one example, bipolar impedance is measured along single-lead vectors (i.e. intra-lead vectors) of a right atrial (RA) lead and a right ventricular (RV) leads. Impedance is also measured along various cross-lead vectors (i.e. inter-lead vectors) between electrodes of the two leads. A derived impedance value is then determined from a combination of the measured impedance values, wherein the derived impedance is sensitive to a shunt impedance arising from a breach within the RV lead. A lead breach is then detected relatively early based on the derived impedance by detecting a significant deviation in derived impedance over time. Unipolar impedance measurements are used to confirm the breach. |
| US08855756B2 |
Methods and program products for providing heart rate information
Methods and program products for providing heart rate information are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for providing heart rate information about a user includes the steps of defining a plurality of heart rate zones as ranges of percentages of a maximum heart rate of the user, determining upper and lower limits for said heart rate zones based on the maximum heart rate of the user, associating a color with each of said heart rate zones, receiving heart rate information from the user, and initiating a graphical display in response to receiving heart rate information from the user, wherein a color of a portion of the graphical display corresponds with the color associated with one of said heart rate zones. |
| US08855755B2 |
Distinguishing between treatable and non-treatable heart rhythms
Techniques are described for distinguishing between treatable and non-treatable heart rhythms. A medical device that operates in accordance with the techniques analyzes characteristics over several cardiac event intervals to detect initiation of a sudden rate onset. After detection of the initiation of the sudden rate onset, the IMD analyzes a morphology of an EGM associated with a selected cardiac event within the first several beats after the initiation of sudden rate onset. In one example, the IMD analyzes the morphology of the EGM associated with the first cardiac event immediately subsequent to the initiation of the sudden rate onset. If the morphology of the EGM of the selected cardiac event is abnormal compared to template EGM, the rhythm is classified as treatable. Otherwise, the rhythm is classified as non-treatable. |
| US08855752B2 |
QRS onset and offset detection with adaptive temporal windowing
A heart monitor computes ST segment deviation as the difference in the value of an electrocardiogram signal at the ST and PQ points of a heartbeat. The ST point is found based on slope criteria and temporal criteria. The maximum (positive) slope of the QRS (maxQRS) is located. Within a preset window after the maxQRS point, the processor searches for a sample at which the second finite difference is less than a threshold that is a function of average QRS amplitude. If such a qualifying sample is found, the processor examines its location relative to the location of an adaptive window that is centered on a sample that is an adaptively determined distance from the peak of the R wave. If the qualifying point is within the adaptive window, it is chosen as the ST point. If the qualifying point is after the adaptive window, the ST point is set at the end of the adaptive window. Finally, if the qualifying point is before the adaptive window, the ST point is selected at the beginning of the adaptive window. The adaptive window is then updated according to an exponential average filter based upon the distance between the ST point and the R wave peak. |
| US08855738B2 |
Acoustically induced blood stasis and in vivo optical spectroscopy
Ultrasound-induced blood stasis has been observed for more than thirty years. Most of the literature has been focused on the health risks associated with this phenomenon and methods employed to prevent stasis from occurring during ultrasound imaging. To date, experimental observations have been either in vitro or invasive. The current work demonstrates ultrasound-induced blood stasis in murine tumor and nontumor tissue, observed through noninvasive measurements of optical spectroscopy, and discusses possible diagnostic uses for this previously undesirable effect of ultrasound. |
| US08855737B2 |
System and method for electrically shielding a microelectrode array in a physiological pathway from electrical noise
A system and method for electrically shielding a physiological pathway from electrical noise is disclosed. The method includes the operation of implanting at least one signal microelectrode into a patient such that the signal microelectrode is proximate to the physiological pathway. An additional operation includes substantially enclosing the microelectrode and a section of the physiological pathway with an electrical shielding wrap. The electrical shielding wrap includes a plurality of holes that enable fluid communication of physiological fluids between an inside and outside of the wrap. |
| US08855736B2 |
Safety transcutaneous electrode
Transcutaneous safety electrode assemblies are described that can include a conducting electrode having a sharp end to penetration of the skin of a patient, and a shielding member that is deployable by a user so as to shield the sharp end of the electrode after the electrode is removed from the skin. The shielding member can be deployed by retracting the sharp end of the electrode a protective housing, assisted by spring force provided by the electrode wire so as to self-retract into the protective housing. The deployment and disengagement can be via push button action, and the electrode assembly can be self-retaining on the patient's skin while deployed. |
| US08855734B2 |
Medical sensor and technique for using the same
In an embodiment, a sensor may be adapted to provide information related to its position on a patient's tissue. The sensor may include tissue contact sensors which may relay a signal related to the proper placement of the sensor relative to the tissue of a patient. Such a sensor may be useful for providing information to a clinician regarding the location of the sensor in relation to the skin of a patient in order to provide improved measurements. |
| US08855733B2 |
Substance component detection device
A substance component detection device includes a sensor substrate which is provided inside a concave groove, in which when an opening is closed by a measurement-target skin to form a closed space, and includes a projection group having a plurality of projections, a light source section which emits light toward the projection group, and light-receiving section which detects Raman scattering light generated by the projection group. |
| US08855732B2 |
Non-invasive apparatus and method for measuring human metabolic conditions
In a non-invasive human metabolic condition measuring apparatus and method, a micro-light source emits an incident light having a wavelength from 329 nm to 473 nm to trigger a mitochondrial metabolite of a human mucosa tissue, and the metabolite is excited to generate a fluorescent signal having a wavelength from 405 nm to 572 nm, and the fluorescent signal is filtered by an optical filter, received by a micro receiver, and amplified by an amplification circuit sequentially, and then a filter circuit and an analog/digital conversion circuit of a microprocessing unit are provided for filtering and performing an analog/digital signal conversion respectively, so that the metabolite content can be calculated by the computation to provide human metabolic conditions, and a combination of micro components and circuits is used for miniaturizing the apparatus to provide a convenient carry of the apparatus. |
| US08855730B2 |
Transmission and reception of high-speed wireless communication using a stacked array antenna
Methods of transmitting and receiving wireless signals using a compact antenna having an array of compactly arranged emitters/receivers. Wireless signals are transmitted from an antenna feed to the plurality of emitters/receivers in any appropriate band, such as the 5.15 to 5.85 GHz band and/or the 2.40-2.48 GHz band. The feed is connected to a radio connection point and from there may connect to the plurality of emitters/receivers arranged in a plane (or planes) above an antenna feed connecting the emitting elements to the radio connection point. The antenna feed is positioned between the emitters and a ground plane. Signals (e.g., horizontally and vertically polarized signals) may be emitted from the plurality of antenna radiating surfaces. Methods of manufacturing compact array antennas are also described. |
| US08855728B2 |
Mobile equipment and sliding structure therefor
A sliding structure is for a mobile equipment which includes a second housing and a first housing slidably provided for the second housing. The sliding structure includes a display frame configured to accommodate a display unit of the first housing and having slide grooves provided for side walls parallel to a direction of the slide, and a slide support section provided along side walls of said second housing in parallel to the slide direction such that tip portions of said slide support section slidably engage with said slide grooves. Although having a simple mechanism, the mobile equipment has a small size and high strength, and can take a large stroke length. In this way, the sliding mechanism for the mobile equipment which has high stiffness and the mobile equipment can be provided in which a damage of the display unit can be prevented while maintaining the small size and a thin structure. |
| US08855723B2 |
Temporal incoming communication notification management
Smart phone computer app. The method may include, if a number of an incoming phone call or incoming text message is not temporally allowed, not allowing for notification of the incoming phone call or incoming text according to a normal notification routine and generating a notification of the incoming call or incoming text according to a password-protected masked notification routine of the smart phone, wherein the password-protected masked notification routine of the smart phone includes adding an indication of the incoming phone call or incoming text message to a password-protected phone log or message log of the smart phone and precludes immediately displaying the incoming phone call or incoming text message information on a display of the smart phone, and further precludes adding an indication of the incoming phone call or incoming text message to a default phone log or message log of the smart phone. |
| US08855722B2 |
Integrated handheld computing and telephony device
A method and apparatus for an organizer that may receive a cellular portion to form a cellular telephone is provided. An organizer comprises an organizer component, including a microphone. The organizer further includes an area for receiving an additional component. The area is designed to receive a cellular component, and a connection element is designed to mate the microphone in the organizer component with the cellular component, to use the organizer as a part of a cellular telephone. |
| US08855717B2 |
Radio base station and radio network controller
A radio base station eNB according to the present invention is provided with: a generation unit 12 configured to generate “eNB DIRECT INFORMATION TRANSFER (a message for information transfer)” including an information element “Inter-system Information Transfer Type” to which either one of a first information element “RIM Transfer” including first radio information requested in GERAN and a first forwarding address destined for the GERAN, or a second information element “SON information transfer for E-UTRAN-UTRAN” including second radio information requested in UTRAN and a second forwarding address destined for the UTRAN can be set. |
| US08855713B2 |
Device, network, server, and methods for providing service requests for wireless communication devices
A server stores personal information associated with a user of a wireless communication device. The server also receives from the wireless communication device an image of an item for sale and a price of the item, and appends the image and the price to include the user's email address and the delivery information. |
| US08855702B2 |
Communication system for inter-cell coordination
System and methods for intercell coordination are provided. The system includes a macro terminal and a macro base station that allocate a radio resource for a sounding signal and determine a pattern of a sounding signal, in advance. The macro base station provides a femto base station included in the system with information about the pattern of the sounding signal, and the information about the radio resource of the sounding signal. The femto base station may receive the sounding signal from the macro terminal based on the information, and thus, the femto base station may determine whether the macro terminal exists and may determine a channel between the macro terminal and the femto base station. |
| US08855694B2 |
Interference alignment scheme for use in communication network
A communication network applying an interference alignment scheme with a low or reduced complexity is provided. The communication network may include a plurality of transmit nodes and a plurality of receive nodes. A plurality of combinations of transmit-receive pairs may exist between the plurality of transmit nodes and the plurality of receive nodes. A communication apparatus for the communication network may select, from candidate combinations of transmit-receive pairs, a target combination to be applied with the interference alignment scheme. In particular, the communication apparatus may sequentially decrease a number of candidate combinations to select the target combination with a low complexity. |
| US08855690B2 |
Messaging protocol/service switching methods and devices
Methods, devices, and computer readable media for switching communications from a first messaging protocol/service to a second messaging protocol/service by use of messaging information being embedded in a header of a first message of the first messaging protocol/service to enable the recipient to contact the sender over the second messaging protocol/service, is provided. |
| US08855687B2 |
Cellular communication auto redial for dropped call
A device and method include detecting signal strength received at a mobile cellular communication device. A dropped call is detected between the device and another device as a function of detected signal strength. The dropped call is reconnected when detected signal strength reaches a selected first threshold. |
| US08855685B2 |
Positioning with wireless local area networks and WLAN-aided global positioning systems
Accurate position capability can be quickly provided using a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). When associated with a WLAN, a wireless device can quickly determine its relative and/or coordinate position based on information provided by an access point in the WLAN. Before a wireless device disassociates with the access point, the WLAN can periodically provide time, location, and decoded GPS data to the wireless device. In this manner, the wireless device can significantly reduce the time to acquire the necessary GPS satellite data (i.e. on the order of seconds instead of minutes) to determine its coordinate position. |
| US08855684B2 |
Providing information about relevant elements from maps history based on location
Techniques are disclosed herein that generally involve storing a historical record of a user's maps searches (a maps history), and providing a user with relevant information about elements in their maps history based on the location of a mobile device associated with the user. Such elements can include generic queries, specific queries, direction queries, click entries, places, and so forth. In some examples, the mobile device's location is provided to a server, which in turn processes the user's maps history to determine which elements from the maps history may be relevant to the mobile device's current location. Elements that are determined to be of possible relevance, and/or information relating thereto, can then be presented to the user, in many instances decreasing the time and effort required for the user to locate map-based information for which they are searching. |
| US08855683B1 |
Providing information to a mobile device based on an event at a geographical location
A system, method, and computer readable medium for providing information to a mobile device based on an event comprising detecting an occurrence of the event, determining if the event is a specific event and if the event occurred at or near a geographical location and sending an alert of the event to at least one mobile device if the event is the specific event, if the event occurs at or near the geographical location, and if the at least one mobile device is located at or near the geographical location. |
| US08855682B2 |
System for safe texting while driving
Systems and methods are described to allow safe texting with speech-text conversion for vehicle drivers, with provisions to prevent a user from defeating or bypassing the speech-text conversion. Some embodiments include a special software application in a driver's phone while other embodiments require only software changes at a service provider. If the velocity of a phone exceeds a disable threshold, it is assumed that the user may be texting while driving. That the user is a driver is then determined by one or more of multiple methods including registration. Conventional texting is then disabled for their phone and a safe texting capability is enabled instead. Where persons in the same vehicle utilize different service providers, parameters such as for instance cell phone position, velocity, and direction of travel are time stamped and passed between service providers or alternately made available to other service providers via a central database. |
| US08855680B1 |
Computer system with proximity based selections
A location sensitive to do list on a computer that has location detection capability. The to do list has operations that are ordered by location, and by time of day, and where the priority is increased or decreased based on time of day. |
| US08855679B2 |
Method and system for populating location-based information
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and system for populating location-based information on a portable electronic device. According to one embodiment, a request to create a memory record on the portable electronic device is received from a user. Based on the geographic location of the portable electronic device, relevant location information associated with a plurality of reference fields of the memory record are determined and displayed on the portable electronic device. |
| US08855677B2 |
Nodes and methods for positioning
The present invention relates to a method in an LCS server of a wireless communication system, for positioning of an LCS target. The method comprises obtaining (510) information relating to a first predefined geographical area, wherein it has been determined that a probability that the LCS target is located within the first predefined geographical area is below a threshold. The method also comprises receiving (520) a request for a positioning of the LCS target, and using (530) the obtained information relating to the first predefined geographical area for the positioning of the LCS target. |
| US08855676B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing satellite assistance data
Disclosed is a method for providing satellite assistance data to facilitate determination of the location of a mobile station, particularly for instance a mobile station served by a femtocell. When a positioning server receives a request for the location of a mobile station, the positioning server will determine from the request the mobile station is served by a femtocell and that the positioning server should query a femtocell server for seed data, or the positioning server may otherwise determine from the request that the positioning server should query the femtocell server for seed data. The seed data would preferably be geographic coordinates of a femtocell with which the mobile station is registered. The positioning server may then use that seed data to facilitate obtaining satellite assistance data from a base station almanac, and the positioning serve may provide the satellite assistance data to the mobile station to facilitate location determination. |
| US08855675B2 |
Mobile phone network management systems
A system and methods for maintaining or optimising a mobile phone network by spatially correlating geolocated radio access network (RAN) performance measurement data and geolocated subscriber account data, which in embodiments provides additional technical information on the RAN performance. These data are integrated in a spatial data structure and provided with a spatial querying and data correlation system for identifying, and addressing problem areas of the RAN. |
| US08855672B1 |
Key locator device
The key locator device integrates two forms of locating means therein so as to provide location-based services and/or paging means and alarms for locating the key locator device. The locating means include a GPS locating means and a cellular transceiver such that the location of the key locator device may be determined via GPS whereas a paging function in association with an audible alarm may be accomplished via the cellular transceiver. The key locator device includes a caller ID strip that illuminates to display a phone number when so paged. The GPS locating means may provide location-based data of the key locator device remotely via transceiver to a smart phone or computer. The key locator device may include a vibrating means and/or speaker to produce a vibratory and/or audible alarm when so paged. |
| US08855670B2 |
Dynamic reconfiguration of regulation-compliance mode in cognitive radio networks
A method for dynamically reconfiguring a regulation-compliance mode of a device, belonging to a wireless network and operating under a network-operation mode (311, 321, 322) in a spectrum band with primary users. The method includes periodically determining at least one of: a primary protection capability of the device (501, 502, 704, 705), availability of enabling signal to the device (601, 701), and a frequency of location change of the device (508, 510, 711, 712); and based on the results of such determinations, operating and configuring transmission parameters of the device according to one of a plurality of regulation-compliance modes that are supported by the device. The wireless device includes: a signal transceiver (201) for processing, transmitting and receiving wireless signals from secondary devices; a primary signal sensing module (202) for detecting a primary signal; a spectrum manager (204) for selecting or deselecting an operating frequency channel; and a geolocation module for determining the location of the device. The wireless device may further include a network interface (203) for accessing a TV band database and a geolocation database. |
| US08855668B2 |
Device specific tracking area identity lists
A method and system for providing a User Equipment (UE) (101) with a Tracking Area Identity (TAI) list during a Tracking Area Update (TAU) procedure. The TAI is UE specific and is based on a visitation history (305) of the UE (101). If a pre-existing visitation history of the UE does not exist, a TAI is compiled using other UEs featuring at least one operational similarity as the current UE (101). |
| US08855667B2 |
Method and system for locating a notebook computer
A method for locating a notebook computer by sending a Wake on Wireless WAN (WoW) signal via a wireless network to the notebook computer to switch ON the notebook computer; instructing the notebook computer to determine its own location using GPS if the notebook computer lid is open. |
| US08855666B2 |
Location registration processing method and mobile station
A location registration processing method according to the present invention includes steps of: starting, at a mobile station (UE), the location registration processing on the basis of predetermined system information, when acquiring the predetermined system information among a plurality of pieces of system information broadcasted by a radio base station (eNB), the predetermined system information including information necessary for performing the location registration processing; and acquiring the rest of the plurality of pieces of system information. |
| US08855654B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for tracking and communicating long term evolution (LTE) handset communication capability
The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems and computer readable media for tracking and communicating LTE handset communication capability. One method includes maintaining, in a signaling message routing node, an LTE communication capability database. The database includes identifiers associated with LTE communication capable handsets. The method further includes, intercepting, at the signaling message routing node, a request for routing information. The method further includes, determining, by the signaling message routing node using the LTE communication capability database, whether a B party number associated with the request for routing information is associated with an LTE communication capable handset. In response to determining that the B party number is associated with an LTE communication capable handset, the method includes, responding, by the routing node, to the request for routing information with an identifier for a node in an LTE network for providing LTE service to the LTE capable handset. |
| US08855647B2 |
Method for radio resource control connection reestablishment and terminal
The present invention relates to a method for radio resource control connection reestablishment and a terminal. After triggering the RRC connection reestablishment, the terminal searches for a cell used for RRC connection reestablishment to use the cell as a target cell, and receives an SIB1 message corresponding to the target cell; extracts first base station identification information from the SIB1 message, and compare the first base station identification information with second base station identification information saved by the terminal; if the two pieces of information are consistent, the terminal camps on the target cell and sends an RRC connection reestablishment request message to a base station to which the target cell belongs, so that the base station to which the target cell belongs performs the RRC connection reestablishment with the terminal. |
| US08855645B2 |
Radio communication devices and cellular wide area radio base station
A radio communication device may include a cellular wide area radio communication technology circuit configured to provide a communication according to a cellular wide area radio communication technology; a circuit configured to provide a direct communication device to communication device communication; and a message generator configured to generate a message indicating a request for a handover from an established direct communication device to communication device communication connection with a second radio communication device to a cellular wide area radio communication connection with the second radio communication device. |
| US08855644B2 |
Creating neighbour cell lists
A neighbor cell list is formed, for use in a basestation of a cellular communications network. For each of a plurality of neighbor cells, a value of a first component is assigned, depending on whether or not the basestation can detect signals transmitted from said neighbor cell. A value of a second component is assigned, depending on a history of successful or unsuccessful handover attempts to said neighbor cell. The values of the first and second components are combined to form a weighting parameter, for use in determining a handover priority to be given to said neighbor cell in the neighbor cell list. |
| US08855641B2 |
Wireless communication device capable of efficient radio access technology measurements
A wireless communication device is disclosed that is capable of performing efficient measurements of secondary radio access technologies (RATs). The device includes multiple receiver chains. While operating in a first RAT, the device receives a measurement gap in order to perform measurements. Even though the measurement gap may be too small to adequately measure the other RAT, the device controls one of the receiver chains to measure the other RAT during a time period that overlaps with the measurement gap. In addition, when preparing for an inter-RAT handoff, the device controls one of the receiver chains to perform measurements regardless of whether a measurement gap has been received. In this manner, measurements of alternative RATs are efficiently performed, and handoff latency is significantly reduced. |
| US08855639B2 |
Method of allocating CID for fast handover
A handover performing method and a method of allocating a connection identifier (CID) at the time of handover are disclosed. The method includes transmitting a handover request message to a serving base station, and receiving a handover response message including CID update information used in a target base station from the serving base station. At this time, the CID update information may include a transport CID (TCID) allocation start position and a TCID allocable value used in the target base station. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize service delay of a mobile station by providing a method of updating the CID of the mobile station for performing fast handover. |
| US08855634B2 |
Method and arrangement for optimizing the operational times and cell exchange performance of mobile terminals
The invention at hand involves a method and an arrangement for optimizing the operational times and cell exchange performance of mobile terminals in a mobile communication network having adjacent radio cells. The mobile terminal temporarily stores network specific characteristics for adjacent radio cells which are not suitable for cell exchange when the mobile communication network is in operation and it uses said characteristics as decision criteria for cell exchange, and said information is used, in particular, to exclude said adjacent radio cells from additional radio technical measurements and identification methods. By implementing the terminal performance according to the inventive method, it is possible to significantly increase the operational times and the cell exchange performance of a mobile terminal in specific situations and to improve the service for a mobile radio customer. The inventive device can also be used for mobile terminals according to GSM or UMTS standard, and also for other radio network technology (for example, wireless LAN (W-LAN), cdma2000, WiMAX, WiBro, enhanced UTRAN, etc.). |
| US08855631B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring signal quality in a portable broadcasting network and system supporting the same
An apparatus and method for measuring signal quality information in a mobile broadcasting network are provided, as well as a system supporting the same. A broadcast server provides a reporting condition for signal quality to a mobile terminal using a control message. The mobile terminal, when it satisfies the reporting condition, transmits a reporting message for signal quality to a management server managing signal qualities. The reporting message includes signal quality measurement results at the current location. In this way, information on the low-signal quality area is automatically collected from the mobile terminal, making it possible to rapidly and easily comprehend the sate of the mobile broadcasting network depending on the collected information. |
| US08855615B2 |
Short messaging service for extending customer service delivery channels
A computer implemented method, a computer program product, and a data processing system use short messaging service for extending customer service deliver channels. A message utilizing a short messaging service protocol is received from a sender. Responsive to receiving the message utilizing the short messaging service protocol, the message is parsed into a voice extensible markup language document. A virtual service request is then created from the voice extensible markup language document. Responsive to creating the virtual service request from the voice extensible markup language document, a service is requested from a message recipient, facilitated by using the virtual service request. A non-textual response is then provided to the message sender. |
| US08855614B2 |
Retrieving contact information from multiple devices
A first device may be connected to a synchronization device to allow utilization of the first device through an interface of the synchronization device. The connection may be utilized to obtain contact information from the first device by the synchronization device. If it is determined that the contact information retrieved from the first device does not include desired contact information, the desired contact information may be retrieved from a second device. The contact information obtained from the second device may be utilized to initiate communication via the first device through an interface of the synchronization device. |
| US08855613B2 |
Monitoring mobile phone communications
The specification describes systems, and operation thereof, allowing parents or other parties to monitor mobile device activities of a child. In addition, parent can dynamically control mobile device activities of the child. Software, or network adjuncts, can link a mobile device to a station set or mobile phone under the control of the parent. Calling traffic to and from the mobile device may be routed to a receiver at a location monitored by the parent. In some embodiments, software allows the parent to intervene in the communications of the child. The intervention may take a variety of forms, such as interrupting a call in progress, terminating call activity, interrupting or terminating Internet access. Where the mobile device is provided with pre-programmed restraining software, the intervention may be modifying the restraining software. |
| US08855611B2 |
System for real-time photograph printing service and method for the same
A system for real-time photograph printing service includes a personal terminal, a telecom terminal, and a printing service terminal. The personal terminal is triggered to transmit a digital photograph file and a phone number according to the personal terminal. The telecom terminal fetches a communication address of a user of the personal terminal according to the received telephone number, and the printing service terminal receives the digital photograph file to print out a physical photograph. Finally, the printed photograph is send to the communication address for user by post. |
| US08855610B2 |
Mobile communication terminal, method of generating group picture in phonebook thereof and method of performing communication event using group picture
A mobile communication terminal for providing a group picture of a group in a phonebook, a method of generating the group picture in the phonebook of the mobile communication terminal and a method of performing a communication event using the group picture are provided. The method of generating a group picture in a phonebook of a mobile communication terminal includes selecting an original picture in which an image corresponding to each member of a group is displayed in a predetermined area corresponding to the group member, mapping an address of each group member to the corresponding predetermined area in the original picture and storing the original picture to which the group members' addresses are mapped as a group picture of the phonebook. The present apparatus and method enable easier editing and use of a group of a phonebook and characteristic decoration thereof which allow for more efficient use of the mobile terminal. |
| US08855608B2 |
Information processing system, mobile terminal, linkage server, and information processing method
An information processing system 1 includes an information collection unit 11 that collects information from an outside, a first communication unit 12 that performs a business-operation data communication to perform a business operation using the collected information, a second communication unit 13 that performs a non-preset communication through voice or text message; and a linkage unit 20 that links the first communication unit 12 and the second communication unit 13. |
| US08855604B2 |
Roaming authentication method for a GSM system
A roaming authentication method for a GSM system is disclosed. The method sends an IMSI of a user end to a visitor end, generates a challenge code, and sends the IMSI and the challenge code to a home end. The method further generates a random code, a signature code and a communication key and combines them into an authentication data. The method further generates and sends a response code to the visitor end. The user end generates and sends the authentication signature code to the visitor end for authentication purposes. In another embodiment, the visitor end sends one more challenge code to the home end. The home end generates an authentication key that is stored in the visitor end and used to generate an authentication code. The authentication code is sent to the use end which generates and sends an authentication signature code to the visitor end for authentication purposes. |
| US08855601B2 |
System and method for remotely-initiated audio communication
Mobile devices typically have some form of audio capabilities designed to be operated by the device's user, for example to place phone calls; however, if a device is misplaced or stolen, the user may wish to operate those audio capabilities remotely. Techniques are provided for determining when an audio transmission should be established between a device and one or more clients, and sending a command to initiate the audio transmission. The determination may be based on receiving a request from a client, detecting at a server that the device is lost or stolen, or detecting at the device that the device is missing. The audio transmission may be established without user intervention at the device or in response to user action at the portable electronic device. Device settings such as audio settings at the device may be overridden in connection with the audio transmission. |
| US08855596B2 |
Methods and apparatus for placement of an emergency call
Emergency call placement methods and apparatus for a user equipment in a wireless network are disclosed. The placement method includes detecting initiation of an emergency call during a non-idle connection mode of the user equipment (204), terminating the non-idle connection mode (206) and initiating a new connection for the emergency call (208). This method allows the new connection to use a location methodology to locate the user equipment in response to the emergency call. The disclosed wireless user equipment (102, 500) is configured to implement the disclosed method. |
| US08855590B2 |
Radio frequency signal receiving device
Disclosed is a radio frequency signal receiving device, which includes a low-noise amplifier (LNA) and a mixer. The LNA includes a first inductor and a second inductor. The mixer has a first differential pair and a second differential pair, common ends of the first differential pair and the second differential pair are respectively coupled to the first differential output end and the second differential output end. The first inductor and the second inductor are serially connected between the first differential output end and the second differential output end of the LNA, so as to reduce power consumption and reach suitable frequency response. The first inductor and the second inductor generate a resonance effect with parasitic capacitance on the mixer, so as to effectively reduce flicker noises, and improve a working benefit of the radio frequency signal receiving device. |
| US08855588B2 |
Power amplifying apparatus and wireless signal transmitter utilizing the same
A power amplifying apparatus is provided. A reference signal generator provides a reference signal having an enabling state and a disabling state. A digital power amplifier generates a current based on the reference signal and an input signal. An output signal of the digital power amplifier is related to the current. When the reference signal is in the enabling state, the current is related to the input signal. When the reference signal is in the disabling state, the current is irrelevant to the input signal. During the enabling state of the reference signal, a data generator provides an output alternating between an in-phase signal and a quadrature-phase signal as the input signal to the digital power amplifier. When the reference signal is in the disabling state, the data generator provides a fixed signal as the input signal to the digital power amplifier. |
| US08855587B2 |
Power consumption management based on receiver parameter and method for use therewith
An integrated circuit (IC) includes an RF receiver having an AGC module that generates an automatic gain control (AGC) signal based on a strength of a received signal, and a low noise amplifier that amplifies the received signal based on the AGC signal. A processing module generates a power mode signal based on the AGC signal, the power mode signal for adjusting a power consumption parameter of the IC based on the power mode signal. |
| US08855582B2 |
Mobile communication terminal for PTT and method for processing missed call information thereof
The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal for Push To Talk (PTT) and a method for processing missed call information thereof, which allows a receiver to check why an originator requested the PTT telephone call during the absence of the receiver through missed call information. The missed call information includes the voice of the originator requesting the PTT call, and the voice of the originator is output when confirmation of the missed call information is requested. |
| US08855581B2 |
Integrated circuit package with transformer
Aspects of a method and system for a transformer in an integrated circuit package are provided. In this regard, signals may be transmitted and/or received via an antenna communicatively coupled to a transformer embedded in multi-layer integrated circuit package. The windings ratio of the transformer may be configured based on an impedance of the antenna, an impedance of a transmitter coupled to the transformer, an impedance of an LNA coupled to the transformer, and/or a power level of the received and/or transmitted signals. The windings ratio may be configured via one or more switching elements which may be MEMS switches embedded in the multi-layer IC package. The transformer may comprise a plurality of loops fabricated on a corresponding plurality of metal layers in the multi-layer IC package, and the loops may be communicatively coupled with one or more vias. The multi-layer IC package may comprise ferromagnetic and/or ferromagnetic materials. |
| US08855577B2 |
System and method for assisted open loop multiple input, multiple output communications
A system and method for assisted open loop (OL) multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) communications are provided. A method for controller operations includes: adjusting a transmitter used to transmit information in OL MIMO transmissions, the adjusting based on partial channel information for a channel between a controller and a communications device; and transmitting to the communications device using the adjusted transmitter. |
| US08855571B2 |
Radio communication apparatus, system, and method
A first radio communication apparatus includes receiving antennas, an antenna selection processing unit that selects a transmitting antenna from transmitting antennas included in a second radio communication apparatus, generates a set that includes antenna indexes each indicating each of transmitting antennas, rearranges the antenna indexes in sequence starting from an antenna index indicating the selected transmitting antenna, generates a channel matrix in which a column corresponding to the selected transmitting antenna is located at a top, and a selected-channel matrix composed of the column, multiplies an inverse matrix of the channel matrix by the selected-channel matrix to generate an evaluation matrix, rearranges the antenna indexes in the set according to values of elements in the evaluation matrix, and selects an antenna to be used according to the rearranged antenna indexes, and a transmitting unit that transmits an antenna index indicating the selected antenna to the second radio communication apparatus. |
| US08855567B2 |
Methods and apparatus for successive interference cancellation based on two rate feedback in peer-to-peer networks
In an ad hoc peer-to-peer communication network between wireless devices, a high priory first receiver device is configured to perform successive interference cancellation. A first pilot signal is received by the first receiver device from the first transmitter device. Similarly, a second pilot signal is received from a second transmitter device, the second pilot signal indicating that the second transmitter device intends to transmit a second traffic signal. The first receiver device determines a first and a second transmission rates for traffic transmissions from the first transmitter device. A control message is then transmitted by the first receiver device to the first transmitter device including the first and second transmission rates. Subsequently, the first receiver device wirelessly receives a traffic signal including a first traffic signal from the first transmitter device including a first and a second signal components generated from a first and a second codewords, respectively. |
| US08855563B2 |
Communication apparatus and communication method
A terminal apparatus (M101) includes a terminal unit (M201) and a near-field communication unit (M107). The terminal unit (M201) includes a main memory (M106) that stores operation history information of the terminal apparatus (M101) and a controller (M105). The near-field communication unit (M107) includes a communication control unit (M216) that performs near-field communication with the mobile apparatus (M102) and a near-field communication memory (M215). The controller (M105) stores, in the near-field in communication memory (M215), at least a part of the operation history information stored in the main memory (M106) when a malfunction of the terminal unit (M201) is detected, and the communication control unit (M216) transmits the operation history information stored in the near-field communication memory (M215) is by near-field communication to the mobile apparatus (M102), in accordance with a request from the mobile apparatus (M102). |
| US08855558B2 |
Adaptive inductive power supply with communication
An adaptive inductive ballast is provided with the capability to communicate with a remote device powered by the ballast. To improve the operation of the ballast, the ballast changes its operating characteristics based upon information received from the remote device. Further, the ballast may provide a path for the remote device to communicate with device other than the adaptive inductive ballast. |
| US08855556B2 |
Methods and apparatus for controlling state and functionality of an electronic component through motion-awareness
Methods and apparatus for operating an electronic component, such as an NEC communication device, allow performance of at least one operation based, at least in part, on the relative positions and/or motions of the electronic component over time. Information regarding motion of the electronic component is used to determine one or more actions, or one or more state changes of the electronic component. Such an electronic component is motion-aware. Since this motion-awareness gives the electronic component the ability to take one or more actions, or to make one or more state changes, based, at least in part, on information indicative of its relative position or motions over time, various states and/or functions of the electronic device may be initiated and/or controlled by subjecting it to one or more movements or motions. |
| US08855555B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device providing selective image display based upon near field communication (NFC) and related methods
A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, wireless transceiver circuitry carried by the portable housing, and a first display carried by the portable housing. The mobile wireless communications device may also include a processor carried by the portable housing and coupled to the wireless transceiver circuitry and the first display, and a second display carried by the portable housing. The second display may include an array of pixels. Each pixel may retain a given state between refreshes and without electrical power supplied thereto. The mobile wireless communications device may also include a near-field communications (NFC) device carried by the portable housing and cooperating with the second display to display an image thereon based upon NFC communications. |
| US08855551B2 |
System and method for one cell to cover multiple areas
A system, method and network device for covering a plurality of areas by one cell are disclosed. The system includes: a plurality of radio frequency groups and at least one base band unit. One radio frequency group corresponds to one area of the cell, one radio frequency group corresponds to one date channel, and one base band unit is connected to a plurality of radio frequency groups through a plurality of date channels. The embodiment of the invention reduces the signal interference among each area of the same cell, increases the system capacity, and benefits cell splitting, i.e., benefits increasing the capacity and upgrading during network enhancement. |
| US08855550B2 |
Wireless relay module having emergency call functionality
A system for networked communications between a series of medical devices, wireless relay modules, and a remote device wireless relay network and an internet-accessible wireless communication network. At least one relay module includes a receiver, a first transmitter coupled to the wireless relay network, a second transmitter coupled to the internet-accessible wireless communication network, and a controller. The controller determines whether the internet-accessible wireless communications network is accessible. If accessible, then medical device data is transmitted to a remote device over that network using the second transmitter. If not accessible, then the first transmitter is used to transmit medical device data to another wireless relay module over the wireless relay network. Additionally, the controller analyzes the medical device data to determine whether an emergency condition exists, and transmits the medical device data to an emergency responder if such condition occurs together with location data for an associated medical device. |
| US08855548B2 |
Wireless communications system and method
This invention discloses a method of communicating with a user including wirelessly broadcasting content which is accessible to a multiplicity of users and which includes at least some non-audio content which is not visible to the users without user actuation and which includes product-specific information, enabling a user to select a portion of the content, responsive to a selection by the user, capturing at least part of the non-audio content, corresponding to the portion of the content selected by the user and employing at least part of the captured content to access a contact using a mobile communicator by initially establishing contact with a non product-specific communication facility and employing product-specific information contained in the non-audio content. A system for communicating with a user is also disclosed. |
| US08855545B2 |
Method and system for delivering visual and auditory content
A self-contained system containing a plurality of pages of printed content, incorporating means for detecting which page is being viewed by the reader, and incorporating means for producing supplementary auditory output related to the printed content of the pages, wherein the supplementary auditory content produced for any given page is determined by the sequence of pages previously viewed by the reader. |
| US08855544B2 |
Image forming apparatus with charge eliminating guide member
The present invention provides an image forming apparatus in which a recording paper to which a toner has been transferred is guided by a guide member and transported to a nip region between two rotatable members that are pressed against each other, and the toner on the recording paper is fixed at the nip region. In this image forming apparatus, a conductive or semiconductive region and an insulating region that are to be brought into contact with the recording paper are sequentially arranged in a recording paper transport direction on a guide face of the guide member, the conductive or semiconductive region is grounded, and the insulating region includes an end portion of the guide member oriented in the recording paper transport direction. |
| US08855535B2 |
Toner supply device and image forming apparatus
A toner supply device includes a toner storage section including plural toner containing sections and a dividing part, the plural toner containing sections being arranged from an upstream side to a downstream side in a toner feeding direction and including respective rotating members configured to rotate to feed the toner, the dividing part being formed between the toner containing sections adjacent to each other and including an upper end part. Further, a position of the upper end part of the dividing part is higher than a position of a rotational center of the rotating member included in the toner containing section on the upstream side in the toner feeding direction of the toner containing sections adjacent to each other. |
| US08855533B2 |
Power transmission apparatus and image forming apparatus having the same
A power transmission apparatus and an image forming apparatus are provided. The power transmission apparatus of transmitting driving power to first and second movable members includes a driving unit which receives the driving power from a driving power source, and which rotates in forward and backward directions, a first driven unit which transmits the driving power to the first movable member, an elastic clutch which is provided between the driving unit and the first driven unit to selectively allow the driving power from the driving unit to be conveyed to the first driven unit based on the direction of the driving power, and a second driven unit to convey the driving power to the second movable member regardless of the direction of the driving power so as to allow the second movable member to rotate bi-directionally. The first movable member may be, e.g., a photosensitive body. The second movable member may be, e.g., exit rollers for ejecting processed printing medium out of the image forming apparatus. |
| US08855516B2 |
Image forming apparatus including air blowing member configured to blow air toward a pressing member forming a nip portion with a fixing member
An image forming apparatus includes; an image forming station for forming a toner image on a sheet; a fixing device including a fixing member and a pressing member; an air feeding member for air feeding cooling air toward the pressing member; and a shutter, provided between the air feeding member and the pressing member, for controlling an air feeding region, wherein the image forming apparatus operable selectively in a first mode for feeding the air an entire area with respect to the longitudinal direction of the pressing member, and in a second mode for feeding the air only a non-sheet-passing area when a small size sheet is fed. |
| US08855511B2 |
Multi-compartment storage container for developer, developer detection unit and image forming apparatus
A storage container for a developer, includes: a first storage unit in which a collected developer is stored; a second storage unit which is disposed at an end of the first storage unit, in which the developer conveyed from the first storage unit is stored; a detection member which detects the developer stored in the second storage unit; a full-state determining unit which determines whether the first storage unit is a full state or not, based on a detected result of the detection member; and a conveyance member which is disposed in the first storage unit, and is rotated to convey the developer stored in the first storage unit to the second storage unit, and the conveyance member has: a first region as defined herein; a second region as defined herein; and a third region as defined herein. |
| US08855506B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device. The fixing device includes a rotatable endless fixing member, a nip forming member arranged inside the fixing member, a pressing member in contact with the nip forming member via the fixing member, and a heating source configured to heat the fixing member. When an abnormality occurs in at least one of the fixing device and other devices included in the image forming apparatus, a rotation of the fixing member is stopped prior to stopping a rotation driving of a discharging unit and, after stopping, the fixing member is controlled to rotate. |
| US08855505B2 |
Image stabilization control system and image forming apparatus directed to electrophotographic process for maintaining and improving image quality
An image stabilization control system directed to an electrophotographic process is provided. The image stabilization control system includes a color measuring unit for measuring the color of a toner image after being fixed on a medium. The color measuring unit has an SCE color measuring function of measuring a component excluding specular reflection out of reflected light produced by light emitted from a light source being reflected at the toner image and an SCI color measuring function of measuring the reflected light including the specular reflection. A control value for a fixing step in the electrophotographic process is adjusted based on a first component attributed to a glossiness difference in chrominance, and a control value for a step other than the fixing step in the electrophotographic process is adjusted based on a second component attributed to another factor in the chrominance. |
| US08855503B2 |
Optical receiver and optical transmission system
Optical receiver 300 uses two optical delay detectors 223 (set such that the delay times T are equal to symbol time and the phase differences are zero and 90 degrees) to receive an optical multilevel signal 215 and the output signals are A/D converted, thereafter subjected to retiming processes, and then subjected to a differential phase detection, thereby detecting a differential phase at a symbol center time point. In the receiver, the detected differential phase is integrated for each symbol and thereafter combined with an amplitude component obtained from a separately disposed optical intensity receiver, thereby reproducing an optical electric field. Thereafter, a wavelength dispersion compensation circuit (231) of a time period T is used to compensate for the wavelength dispersion of the transmission path. Moreover, an electric or optical Nyquist filter may be inserted to perform a band limitation, thereby enhancing the wavelength dispersion compensation effect. |
| US08855497B2 |
Optical transmission system
There is provided an optical transmission system including: an optical transmitting apparatus including: a first processing circuit configured to process a transmission signal to be transmitted, a second processing circuit configured to process overhead data, the processed overhead data being multiplexed to the transmission signal, a retaining circuit configured to retain the overhead data, the retained overhead data being multiplexed to the transmission signal; and an insertion circuit configured to generate an identifier to be inserted into the retained overhead data; and an optical receiving apparatus including a detecting circuit configured to receive the transmission signal transmitted from the optical transmitting apparatus, and detect the identifier, wherein, when the overhead data is a predetermined state, the first processing circuit multiplexes the retained overhead data into which the identifier is inserted and the detecting circuit detects the identifier. |
| US08855496B2 |
Optical clock rate negotiation for supporting asymmetric clock rates for visible light communication
A method and apparatus conduct an optical clock rate negotiation to support asymmetric clock rates for visible light communication (VLC) in a VLC device. A first frame that includes a receiver clock rate supported by a first VLC device is transmitted at a predetermined clock rate. A response frame that includes a receiver clock rate supported by a second VLC device is received from the second VLC device. A transmission clock rate of the first VLC device is selected based on the response frame from the second VLC device. Subsequent frames for data communication are transmitted to the second VLC device at the selected transmission clock rate of the first device. Alternatively, when conducting optical clock negotiation in the PHY layer, multiple clock rates are supported within a single frame. |
| US08855492B2 |
Selectable multiple-wavelength access for optical network units in arrayed waveguide based wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network
An optical network unit (ONU) accesses services provided by multiple optical line terminals (OLTs) in a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) passive optical network (PON). The ONU receives downstream signals from a first plurality of OLTs through a designated port of an arrayed waveguide (AWG). At any given time, the bandpass filter module can select any one of a first plurality of AWG cycles allocated to the first plurality of OLTs. Based on received downstream signals, the ONU transmits upstream signals to a second plurality of OLTs through the designated port of the AWG. At any given time, the bandpass filter module and a transmitter of the ONU can select any one of a second plurality of AWG cycles allocated to the second plurality of OLTs. The ONU may be configured with a plurality of receivers and transmitters, whereby it is enabled to simultaneously subscribe to a plurality of AWG cycles. |
| US08855490B2 |
Backward compatible PON coexistence
A network comprising a first optical line terminal (OLT), and a second OLT in communication with the first OLT, at least one first-type optical network unit (ONU), and at least one second-type ONU. Included is an OLT configured to implement a method comprising forwarding a first downstream data from a first-type OLT to at least one first-type ONU, and transmitting a second downstream data to at least one second-type ONU. Also included is a method comprising adding at least one second-type ONU to a passive optical network (PON) comprising a first-type OLT and at least one first-type ONU without removing the first-type OLT from the PON. |
| US08855488B2 |
Optical transmission system
The present invention relates to an optical transmission system to which a spatial multiplexing optical fiber is applied as a transmission line. The optical transmission system performs optical transmission using the spatial multiplexing optical fiber as an optical transmission line for transmission of signal light. Namely, the optical transmission is carried out in accordance with a modulation format in which a Q-factor of the signal light propagating in certain propagation mode light propagating in the spatial multiplexing optical fiber and a ratio of a signal light power to a square of the shortest distance between modulation symbols in the modulation format satisfy a predetermined relational expression. |
| US08855487B2 |
Method and device for obtaining routing information of electro-optical multi-layer network
The present disclosure provides a method and device for obtaining the routing information of an electro-optical multi-layer network. The ports on which an optical transmitter and an optical receiver are located are determined, and the electro-optical conversion information is added to the routing information on a port of the optical layer node side or the electro layer node side on which the optical transmitter and the optical receiver are located. The electro-optical conversion information includes but is not limited to the wavelength tuning capability and signal processing capability. Through the extending of the current Multi-Layer Network (MLN) information model and Wavelength Switched Optical Network (WSON) information model, the present disclosure describes the routing information including the electro-optical conversion information of the present disclosure more accurately, and perfects the electro-optical multi-layer network information model, and improves the accuracy of the path calculation to reach the optimization. |
| US08855479B2 |
Imaging apparatus and method for controlling same
To provide an imaging apparatus and a method of controlling the apparatus that enables improved automatic focus adjustment performance also in relation to an image having a shallow depth of field. An imaging element 103 includes a focus state detection unit for detecting a phase difference. A camera signal processing unit 106 generates a focus adjustment signal based on the imaging signal and outputs the signal to a camera control unit 109. The camera control unit 109 acquires an in-focus lens position in accordance with a focus lens based on a focus deviation amount based on a focus state detection result, calculates distance information related to the in-focus distance on the image screen, and controls the driving of the focus lens 102 based on the distance information and the focus adjustment signal from the camera signal processing unit 106. When a difference between the in-focus lens position and the position of the focus lens at the current time exceeds a threshold, the camera control unit 109 drives the focus lens to the in-focus lens position based on the distance information. When the difference between the in-focus lens position and the focus lens position at the current time is less than or equal to the threshold, the camera control unit 109 executes the in-focus control based on the focus adjustment signal. |
| US08855478B2 |
Lens barrel
At an inner circumferential surface of a cam frame, second cam grooves and an inner gear are formed. A second lens group frame includes a base, extensions each extending from the base in an optical axis direction, and cam pins each outwardly protruding from a tip end part of a corresponding one of the extensions in a radial direction. In the extension, a stepped part is formed. The stepped part overlaps, when each cam pin moves according to a corresponding one of the second cam grooves, with the inner gear as viewed in the radial direction, and is recessed toward the inside in the radial direction as compared to a tooth tip of the inner gear so as not to overlap with the tooth tip of the inner gear as viewed in a circumferential direction. |
| US08855471B2 |
Media generation system
A system generates automatically a highlight summary of a performance, from signals representing a captured version of the performance. The system includes a user operated event logging processor and an ingestion processor. The user operated event logging processor is operable to log event codes, each of which is selected by the user from a set of event codes. Each of the event codes in the set of event codes represents a predetermined event which may occur in the performance, the event codes being selected by the user when an event corresponding to the event code occurs during an observed performance. The ingestion processor is operable to receive the event codes and to receive signals produced by capturing a representation of the performance. |
| US08855470B2 |
Use of multiple embedded messages in program signal streams
Methods of generating video streams including advertisement information sufficient to support advertisement countdown times and other functions such as advertisement auto pause functions are described. In accordance with various embodiments, advertisement duration is determined from one or more messages included in a video stream, e.g., prior to the corresponding advertising segment. A countdown timer is generated from the advertisement information and displayed along with the content of the advertisement segment. Restrictions for different subscribers may be indicated in the advertisement information messages, e.g., with some end users being permitted to fast forward or skip advertisements with other users being required to allow the full normal playback of one or more advertisement segments. The auto pause function, when activated, pauses an ad segment or set of ad segments at a predetermined time before output of the main program resumes thereby making sure none of the main program is missed. |
| US08855465B2 |
Moving image recording apparatus, moving image recording method, and program
A moving image recording apparatus includes: a reading unit configured to read at least part of a file allocation table (FAT) from a recording medium, which is attached to an attachment unit and whose files are managed by a FAT file system, onto a storage unit; a recording medium determination unit configured to determine whether the recording medium attached to the attachment unit is a write-once recording medium; a moving image recordable time calculation unit configured to calculate, if the recording medium determination unit determines that the recording medium is a write-once recording medium, moving image recordable time based on the number of free clusters in the FAT read onto the storage unit by the reading unit; and a moving image recordable time display unit configured to display the moving image recordable time calculated by the moving image recordable time calculation unit on a display unit. |
| US08855462B2 |
Video playback system for enhancing drama effect and related computer program product
A video playback system for enhancing drama effect is disclosed, including: a video playback device having a main display to playback a target video; a first portable communication device having a first screen for displaying a first auxiliary image; and a drama effect enhancing server configured to operably transmit content of the target video to the video playback device via a network and to operably transmit content of the first auxiliary image to the first portable communication device via a network. When the target video playbacked on the main display reaches a first target point of time, the drama effect enhancing server instructs the first portable communication device to utilize the first screen to begin displaying the first auxiliary image. |
| US08855459B2 |
Method and apparatus for prolonging battery life of a media player
A method of operating a media player is provided. In one embodiment the method includes receiving a plurality of initially configured video settings for viewing a video segment on the media player for a desired playback duration. The method further includes determining power required to play the video segment based on the initial video settings and playing the video segment if the required power matches or is less than total power available to the media player. In another embodiment, the method may further include, if the required power exceeds the total power available to the media player, adjusting one or more of the initial video settings, either automatically or by user inputs, to reduce the power required to play the requested video segment for the desired playback duration. |
| US08855456B2 |
Mounting devices for optical devices, and related sub-assemblies, apparatuses, and methods
Mounting devices for optical devices, and related sub-assemblies, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed. The mounting devices may be employed to secure optical devices that are configured to convert optical signals to electrical signals, or electrical signals to optical signals. The mounting devices may be configured to secure optical devices to an electronics board, such as a printed circuit board (PCB) as an example. To preserve signal integrity, the mounting devices may also be configured to align the optical devices with electrical lead connections on the electronics board. The mounting devices may also be configured to improve grounding of the optical devices to provide and improve radio frequency (RF) shielding to avoid degradation of signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios from RF interference from electronic devices on the electronics board and other nearby electronic devices. |
| US08855455B2 |
Fiber optic cable
An arrangement provides for an optical fiber cable having a plurality of fiber optic elements including a glass portion and a UV optical coating portion. A plurality of buffer tubes each contain one or more of the plurality of optical fibers made of a fire retardant polymer. A jacket surrounds the buffer tubes also made of a fire retardant polymer. The fire retardant polymers for the plurality of buffer tubes and for the jacket are selected from PVDF (PolyVinyliDene Fluoride) or FRPVC (Fire Resistance Poly Vinyl Chloride). The ratio of total polymer to UV optical coating of the fiber optic elements, by area, is substantially in the range of 5:1 to 9:1. |
| US08855450B2 |
System and method for measuring properties of a thin film coated glass
A system for measuring properties of a thin film coated glass having a light source, a spectrometer, at least one pair of probes, a first optical fiber switch and a second optical fiber switch. The pair of probes includes a first probe located on one side of a glass sheet and a second probe located on the opposite side of the glass sheet, directly across from the first probe. The first and second optical fiber switches are adapted to couple either probe to the light source and/or the spectrometer. Because the design of the system is optically symmetrical, calibration may be performed without the use of a reference material such as a tile or mirror. Each of the first and second probes has a first leg and a second leg that are separated from each other by a distance n so that angled reflections may be detected. |
| US08855444B2 |
Method for partitioning and processing a digital image
Method for partitioning a digital image into two or more regions where each region is defined using a portion of the digital image. In addition, margin pixels for each region are defined as pixels that correspond to a top margin, a bottom margin, a left margin, and a right margin of each region of the digital image. Margin pixels are generated by using various techniques such as on-the-fly generation, using data information of neighboring pixels to each region, using data information of pixels within each region, or using predetermined data information for a color including black. The pixels of each region are processed with its margin pixels to create a new processed region of the digital image. The processing may include scaling of each region from a first resolution to a second resolution. The data information of each processed region can be displayed using a portion of an electronic display panel, or a monitor having with multiple display regions. The concatenations of the displayed representations using data information from each processed region faithfully reproduce the digital image. |
| US08855442B2 |
Image registration of multimodal data using 3D-GeoArcs
An accurate, flexible and scalable technique for multi-modal image registration is described, a technique that does not need to rely on direct feature matching and does not need to rely on precise geometric models. The methods and/or systems described in this disclosure enable the registration (fusion) of multi-modal images of a scene with a three dimensional (3D) representation of the same scene using, among other information, viewpoint data from a sensor that generated a target image, as well as 3D-GeoArcs. The registration techniques of the present disclosure may be comprised of three main steps, as shown in FIG. 1. The first main step includes forming a 3D reference model of a scene. The second main step includes estimating the 3D geospatial viewpoint of a sensor that generated a target image using 3D-GeoArcs. The third main step includes projecting the target image's data into a composite 3D scene representation. |
| US08855441B2 |
Method and apparatus for transforming a non-linear lens-distorted image
A method and apparatus for image processing a lens-distorted image (e.g., a fisheye image) is provided. The method includes partitioning coordinate points in a selected output image into tiles. The output image is an undistorted rendition of a subset of the lens-distorted image. Coordinate points on a border of the tiles in the output image are selected. For each tile, coordinate points in the lens-distorted image corresponding to each selected coordinate point in the output image are calculated. In addition, for each tile, a bounding box on the lens-distorted image is selected. The bounding box includes the calculated coordinates in the lens-distorted image. The bounding boxes are expanded so that they encompass all coordinate points in the lens-distorted image that map to all coordinate points in their respective corresponding tiles. Output pixel values are generated for each tile from pixel values in their corresponding expanded bounding boxes. |
| US08855438B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method of image processing apparatus, and program
An image processing apparatus includes an intermediate data generation unit configured to generate intermediate data having different attributes by compressing image data of each tile using a lossless compression method or a lossy compression method according to a tile attribute, an intermediate data rendering unit configured to generate raster image data by decompressing the generated intermediate data, and an enlargement unit configured to perform an enlargement process on the image data or the raster image data according to the tile attribute. |
| US08855437B1 |
Image compression and decompression using block prediction
Compression of an image is performed based on prediction of target blocks of an image from candidate source blocks of the image. Heuristics are used for identifying the candidate source blocks, for example, source blocks are selected from within a cluster of similar blocks obtained by K-means clustering. For each target block, a region adjacent to the target block is identified and a set of candidate source blocks along with candidate source regions adjacent to the candidate source blocks are identified. The candidate source regions are ranked based on the differences between the candidate source regions and the target source region. Each candidate source block is described using its rank and residual information describing differences between the candidate source block and the target block. The candidate source block that can be described using a minimum amount of information is selected for predicting the target block. |
| US08855432B2 |
Color component predictive method for image coding
A color component predictive method determines a base color component and uses the base color component to compute offsets for other color components. The block is then able to be coded using the base color component and the offsets of the other color components. For decoding, the base color component is used with the offsets to regenerate the other color components. |
| US08855431B2 |
Method and apparatus for compressed sensing
Method and apparatus for compressed sensing yields acceptable quality reconstructions of an object from reduced numbers of measurements. A component x of a signal or image is represented as a vector having m entries. Measurements y, comprising a vector with n entries, where n is less than m, are made. An approximate reconstruction of the m-vector x is made from y. Special measurement matrices allow measurements y=Ax+z, where y is the measured m-vector, x the desired n-vector and z an m-vector representing noise. “A” is an n by m matrix, i.e. an array with fewer rows than columns. “A” enables delivery of an approximate reconstruction, x#′ of x. An embodiment discloses approximate reconstruction of x from the reduced-dimensionality measurement y. Given y, and the matrix A, approximate reconstruction x# of x is possible. This embodiment is driven by the goal of promoting the approximate sparsity of x#. |
| US08855428B2 |
Computing device and boundary line graph checking method
A method for checking a boundary line graph using a computing device. The computing device adds a segment line between two adjacent endpoints of the boundary line graph, if the two adjacent endpoints are not connected using the segment line. The computing device removes the segment lines of the endpoints corresponding to intersection points, if the number of the intersection points is not equal to the number of the endpoints. The computing device changes label characters of the endpoints to be arranged in a predetermined order, if an order of the label characters of the endpoints is not a predetermined order according to the boundary line vector. |
| US08855421B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for Embedded Media Marker identification
Methods and apparatuses for identifying an image based on Embedded Media Marker (EMM) identification. A hierarchal comparison including a first coarse comparison and a second refining comparison is used. The first coarse comparison compares an image with an EMM to images in a database at a low resolution. The results are fed to the second refining comparison, which conducts a comparison at a higher resolution than the first coarse comparison. By utilizing this hierarchical comparison approach, it is possible to identify the image with fewer false positives. |
| US08855420B2 |
Descriptor determination in a multimedia content
A method and apparatus are provided for determining a descriptor for a region of interest in an image. The method includes defining a grid of points for the region of interest. A respective zone of influence is associated with each point of the grid of points. A representative value is determined for each point of the grid of points as a function of its respective zone of influence. The representative value obtained for each point of the grid of points is compared with at least one reference value. The result of the comparison serves to define a descriptor for the region of interest. |
| US08855417B2 |
Method and device for shape extraction, and size measuring device and distance measuring device
When an image is captured in a wood lumber measuring mode, a distance to wood lumber is detected. An area extracting unit 51 for a component drawing image area extracts component image areas 53A-53L of the wood lumber. A drawing generator 61 for a component drawing image selects the component image areas 53A-53L successively to generate a component drawing image 62. Among shape lines in the component drawing image 62, an eliminator 66 eliminates a paracentral shape line 71, an edge side shape line 72, a peripheral shape line 73 and determined shape lines 74. If a total pixel number of a portion where an estimated elliptical shape 76 generated by a shape estimation unit 67 is overlapped on a residual shape line 75 disposed inside a corrected drawing image 64 is more than a threshold, it is judged that the estimated elliptical shape 76 is correctly shaped. An object shape determining unit 83 extracts the estimated elliptical shape 76 as a shape of wood lumber. A size measuring unit 84 measures a size of the estimated elliptical shape. A size determining unit 85 determines an actual size of the wood lumber according to the size measured by the size measuring unit 84, the distance to the wood lumber and a focal length. |
| US08855402B2 |
Image creation method, substrate inspection method, non-transitory recording medium having program recorded thereon for executing image creation method or substrate inspection method, and substrate inspection apparatus
An image creation method of creating a filter image for removing a pseudo defect to inspect presence/absence of a defect on a substrate includes a filter image creation step of creating the filter image by replacing a picture element value of any one of picture elements located on a circumference of a circle about a center position of a registered image with a maximum value of picture element values of a plurality of picture elements selected from among the picture elements located on the circumference. |
| US08855401B2 |
Methods and systems involving measuring complex dimensions of silicon devices
A method for measuring a dimension of a device includes receiving an image of a portion of the device, receiving a first offset value and a second offset value, processing the image to define a least one graph of a line of pixels, the at least one graph including the brightness level of each pixel in a line of pixels, identifying a location of a first peak and a second peak in the graph, defining a first exclusion area boundary, defining a second exclusion area boundary, setting the brightness level of the pixels between the first exclusion area boundary and the second exclusion area boundary to zero, identifying a first portion of the feature of interest and a second portion of the feature of interest, and measuring a distance between the first portion of the feature of interest and the second portion of the feature of interest. |
| US08855398B2 |
Method of identifying a counterfeit bill using a portable terminal
A method and a portable terminal for identifying a counterfeit bill. The method includes receiving, by the portable terminal, an image of a bill photographed using visible rays and an image of the bill photographed using infrared rays; determining a denomination of the bill by comparing the image photographed using the visible rays with a denomination database; obtaining correction information for making the image photographed using the visible rays correspond to a corresponding bill image in the denomination database; forming a corrected image by correcting the image photographed using the infrared rays using the correction information; binary-coding the corrected image; and determining whether the bill is counterfeit by comparing the binary-coded corrected image with an image of the corresponding bill pre-stored in a genuine bill database. |
| US08855396B2 |
System for detecting an invasive anatomical instrument
A system identifies a stent in an image using luminance density and anatomical information. An X-ray imaging system automatically detects and indicates location of an invasive anatomical device in an image. An interface acquires, data representing X-ray images of patient vessels and data identifying a particular vessel containing a medical device. An image data processor employs a model of anatomical vessels to select a region of interest in a vessel identified by the acquired data and automatically determines a location of the medical device in an acquired image by determining at least a portion of an outline of the medical device by detecting a luminance transition in the acquired image using an image edge detector. A display processor initiates generation of data depicting location of the medical device in the acquired image in response to determining the at least a portion of the outline of the medical device. |
| US08855394B2 |
Methods and apparatus for texture based filter fusion for CBCT system and cone-beam image reconstruction
Embodiments of methods and/or apparatus for 3-D volume image reconstruction of a subject, executed at least in part on a computer for use with a digital radiographic apparatus can obtain a 3D volume reconstruction or projection image by generating a first-filtered set of projection images from a plurality of 2-D projection images taken over a range of scan angles and a different second-filtered set of projection images from the plurality of 2-D projection images. Then, for example, a first 3-D volume image of the subject from the first-filtered set of projection images and a second 3-D volume image of the subject from the second-filtered set of projection images can be combined using different weighting combinations in at least two corresponding portions to generate the 3-D volume image of the subject. |
| US08855392B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and synchronous measurement method
An image with a desired contrast is obtained while suppressing body motion artifacts caused by both random motion and periodic motion of an object. In order to do so, an imaging sequence using a non-Cartesian sampling method is executed so as to synchronize with a biological signal only at the start time and a repetition time (TR), which is an execution interval between shots within the imaging sequence, is maintained. In addition, a time difference between a delay time and a start time of each shot is calculated, and a shot with a predetermined time difference or more is executed again after the TR time. |
| US08855390B2 |
Method for processing radiological images
A method for processing radiological images is provided. The method includes extracting at least two image portions from at least two radiological images of an area to be treated. The method also includes defining an area in a final image for each extracted image portion. The method further includes laying out the extracted image portions in the final image so that each area of the final image comprises an extracted image portion. |
| US08855387B2 |
System for detecting bone cancer metastases
The invention relates to a detection system for automatic detection of bone cancer metastases from a set of isotope bone scan images of a patients skeleton, the system comprising a shape identifier unit, a hotspot detection unit, a hotspot feature extraction unit, a first artificial neural network unit, a patient feature extraction unit, and a second artificial neural network unit. |
| US08855380B2 |
Device for identifying a person by a print thereof
The invention relates to a device (100) for identifying or authenticating a person by a print thereof, the identification or authentication device (100) including: a bearing means (102, 130) including a transparent base (130) and a transparent block (102) supported by said base (130) on which the part of the body carrying the print is pressed, the surface of the transparent block (102) on which the part of the body carrying the print is pressed having a test chart (132), the transparent block (102) being made of a flexible material that deforms and fits the shape of the part of the body carrying the print when the latter is pressed against the former, a means (106, 126) for capturing an image of said print and the test chart (132) through said bearing means (102, 130), a means (108) for analyzing the image of the deformed test chart (132), a means (110) for constructing a template of the print according to the print thus captured and the image of the test chart (132) thus analyzed, a means (114) for verifying the identity of the person or a means (114) for authenticating the person according to the template thus constructed. |
| US08855379B2 |
Saving device for image sharing, image sharing system, and image sharing method
The saving device for image sharing includes an image acquiring unit configured to acquire the images offered by a sharer of the images, a sharee information storing unit configured to store sharee information with respect to at least one sharee, a subject assessing unit configured to assess whether or not a person subject is included in the acquired images, an image associating unit configured to associate the images assessed as not including a person subject with the images assessed as including a person subject, based on the sharee information, and a shared image determining unit configured to determine the images to be shared with the sharee or sharees from among the associated images and the images assessed as including a person subject, based on the sharee information. The image sharing system and an image sharing method use such a device. |
| US08855375B2 |
Systems and methods for mobile image capture and processing
In various embodiments, methods, systems, and computer program products for processing digital images captured by a mobile device are disclosed. Myriad features enable and/or facilitate processing of such digital images using a mobile device that would otherwise be technically impossible or impractical, and furthermore address unique challenges presented by images captured using a camera rather than a traditional flat-bed scanner, paper-feed scanner, or multifunction peripheral. |
| US08855369B2 |
Self learning face recognition using depth based tracking for database generation and update
Face recognition training database generation technique embodiments are presented that generally involve collecting characterizations of a person's face that are captured over time and as the person moves through an environment, to create a training database of facial characterizations for that person. As the facial characterizations are captured over time, they are will represent the person's face as viewed from various angles and distances, different resolutions, and under different environmental conditions (e.g., lighting and haze conditions). Further, over a long period of time where facial characterizations of a person are collected periodically, these characterizations can represent an evolution in the appearance of the person. This produces a rich training resource for use in face recognition systems. In addition, since a person's face recognition training database can be established before it is needed by a face recognition system, once employed, the training will be quicker. |
| US08855368B2 |
Image identification device, image identification method, and recording medium
The invention provides an image identification device that classifies block images obtained by dividing a target image into predetermined categories, using a separating plane learning of which has been completed in advance for each of the categories. The image identification device includes a target image input unit inputs the target image, a block image generation unit divides the target image into blocks to generate the block images, a feature quantity computing unit computes feature quantities of the block images, and a category determination unit determines whether the block images are classified into one of the categories or not, using the separating plane and coordinate positions corresponding to magnitudes of feature quantities of the block images in a feature quantity space, wherein the feature quantity computing unit uses, as a feature quantity of a given target block image, local feature quantities and a global feature quantity. |
| US08855365B2 |
Image processing determining apparatus
An edge image generator in an image processing determining apparatus extracts multiple edges from an image included in display data output from an external device, such as a terminal unit, a navigation unit, or an imaging unit. Then, the edge image generator selects certain edges from the extracted multiple edges by a certain selection method matched with characteristics of the external device to generate an edge image. |
| US08855363B2 |
Efficient method for tracking people
In accordance with one embodiment, a method to track persons includes generating a first and second set of facial coefficient vectors by: (i) providing a first and second image containing a plurality of persons; (ii) locating faces of persons in each image; and (iii) generating a facial coefficient vector for each face by extracting from the images coefficients sufficient to locally identify each face, then tracking the persons within the images, the tracking including comparing the first set of facial coefficient vectors to the second set of facial coefficient vectors to determine for each person in the first image if there is a corresponding person in the second image. Optically the method includes using estimated locations in combination with the vector distance between facial coefficient vectors to track persons. |
| US08855362B2 |
Infra red detector system and method
A detector system is described in which an image of a scene is displaced with reference to a dual waveband detector array. Such ‘scanning’ increases the sampling density, thereby reducing the effective pixel pitch, by moving the image of the scene relative to the detector array by fractions of a pixel pitch in sequential frames. The display is then reconstructed with the data from these frames interleaved relative to the original scan displacement. |
| US08855359B2 |
Method of removing spatial response signature of computed radiography dector from image
Method of removing the spatial response signature of a detector from a computed radiography image by adaptively filtering and spatially warping the characteristic response signature of the detector prior to demodulation. |
| US08855358B2 |
Determining whether or not a digital image has been tampered with
Apparatus and method to verify the integrity of a digital image (i.e., deciding whether or not the entire image or just a portion has been tampered with, and/or finding the doctored area in the image). One first determines the imaging sensor's reference pattern noise, which serves as a unique fingerprint that identifies the imaging sensor that captured the image. To verify the integrity of the content in a region of the image, a correlation detector determines the presence or absence of the imaging sensor's reference pattern noise in that region, thereby verifying whether or not the image has integrity. The correlation detector can also find automatically one or more regions in the image that were tampered with. |
| US08855353B2 |
Headset loop antenna for audio devices
The present invention relates to a headset device, an audio device and methods of receiving a radio signal via the headset device, wherein the headset device comprises at least one first conductor for supplying an audio signal to a respective ear-piece, a second conductor arranged in a loop configuration for providing a magnetic antenna, and a connector (50) having at least one respective first connecting portion (3, 4) for providing a connection to the at least one first conductor (140), a second connecting portion (1) for providing a connection to a first end of the second conductor (70), and a third connecting portion (2) for providing a connection to a second end of the second conductor (70), wherein an output of the magnetic antenna is provided between the second and third connecting portions (1, 2). At the audio device, an impedance transformer (10) is coupled to the second and third connecting portions at its primary side and to an amplifier (20) at its secondary side. |
| US08855348B2 |
Telecoil in a detachable direct audio input accessory
Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for providing a hearing assistance device with a detachable telecoil. One aspect of the present subject matter includes an apparatus for communication with a hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a telecoil and a direct audio input (DAI) connector electrically connected to the telecoil. The DAI connector is configured to detachably attach to a DAI port of the hearing assistance device and to pass a signal from the telecoil to the hearing assistance device, in various embodiments. |
| US08855342B2 |
Hearing aid device for frequency compression
With a hearing aid device suitable for executing a frequency compression, the aim is for different input signals entering the hearing aid device to be easily distinguishable even after frequency compression. To this end it is proposed that form factors should be determined from source frequency bands in which the signal components of the input signal present therein are not included in the output signal, these being included in the amplification of selected frequency bands, the signal components of which are included in the output signal. |
| US08855340B2 |
Apparatus for reproducting wave field using loudspeaker array and the method thereof
Provided is an apparatus and method for reproducing a wave field using a loudspeaker array. A loudspeaker array may be configured in front of and behind a listener, and a wave field synthesis rendering and a three-dimensional sound image localization rendering may be performed based on a position of a sound source. |
| US08855337B2 |
Microphone and accelerometer
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a micromachined microphone and an accelerometer from a wafer 1 having a first layer 2, the method comprising the steps of dividing the first layer 2 into a microphone layer 5 and into an accelerometer layer 6, covering a front side of the microphone layer 5 and a front side of the accelerometer layer 6 with a continuous second layer 7, covering the second layer 7 with a third layer 8, forming a plurality of trenches 9 in the third layer 8, removing a part 10 of the wafer 1 below a back side of the microphone layer 5, forming at least two wafer trenches 11 in the wafer 1 below a back side of the accelerometer layer 6, and removing a part 12, 13 of the second layer 7 through the plurality of trenches 9 formed in the third layer 8. The micromachined microphone and the accelerometer according to the invention is advantageous over prior art as it allows for body noise cancellation in order to minimize structure borne sound. |
| US08855333B2 |
Ultrasonic speaker system
An ultrasonic speaker system has a first variable gain block, a modulation block, a second variable gain block, an ultrasonic actuator, and a controller, wherein the controller controls gain of the first variable gain block so that a modulation degree of a modulated signal becomes a predetermined value, and when the controller raises the gain of the first variable gain block, the controller lowers the gain of the second variable gain block, while when the controller lowers the gain of the first variable gain block, the controller raises the gain of the second variable gain block. |
| US08855331B2 |
Audio analysis apparatus
An audio analysis apparatus includes the following components. A strap has an end portion connected to a main body and is used to hang the main body from a user's neck. A first audio acquisition device is at the end portion or in the main body. Second and third audio acquisition devices are at positions separate from the end portion by substantially the same predetermined distances, on the respective sides of the strap extending from the user's neck. An analysis unit discriminates whether an acquired sound is an uttered voice of the user or another person by comparing audio signals of acquired by the first and second or third audio acquisition devices and detects an orientation of the user's face by comparing the audio signals acquired by the second and third audio acquisition devices. A transmission unit transmits the analysis result to an external apparatus. |
| US08855327B2 |
Sound emission and collection device and sound emission and collection method
Provided is a sound emission and collection device capable of estimating the azimuth of a sound source (such as a main utterer) precisely without any processing load. The sound emission and collection device (1) is connected with another sound emission and collection device via a network or the like. The sound emission and collection device (1) receives a sound signal from another sound emission and collection device, as a sound emission signal (FE), and emits the same from a speaker (SP). The sound emission and collection device (1) collects the sound at microphones (MIC1 to MIC3), and produces sound collection beam signals (NE1 to NE3) of different azimuths. The sound emission and collection device down-samples the individual sound collection beam signals (NE1 to NE3), and filters out the echoes of the down-sampled sound collection beam signals (DNE1 to DNE3). The sound emission and collection device selects the sound collection beam signal (DNE1′) of the highest signal level from the echo-filtered sound collection beam signals (DNE1′ to DNE3′). The sound emission and collection device filters out the echoes of a sound collection beam signal (NE1) from the sound collection azimuth (D1) of the sound collection beam signal (DNE1′), and transmits the same to another sound emission and collection device. |
| US08855325B2 |
Method for synthesizing an engine noise and device for carrying out the method
The invention relates to a method for synthesizing an engine noise, in particular of an internal combustion engine, wherein the engine noise is generated by at least one electromechanical transducer, in particular an actuator or a loudspeaker, by means of a signal value corresponding to an electrical transducer excitation signal. According to the invention, at least one signal sample (A) having function values (9) is stored in a data memory (3) as a digital data series, such that at signal sample support points (8) following each other in succession at intervals (7), function values (9) are retrievably stored, and such that in accordance with detected and/or pre-definable guide variables as operating parameters of the engine, optionally of a vehicle driven by the engine, function values (9) are retrieved from the data series adapted to the rotational speed and are allocated, level-matched, to signal values in a computing unit (1), and directly or indirectly supplied to the at least one transducer as transducer excitation signals. A device for carrying out the method is also claimed. |
| US08855324B2 |
Systems, methods, and article of manufacture for configuring a hearing prosthesis
The present application discloses systems and methods for determining one or more configuration settings for a first hearing prosthesis based on configuration data associated with a second hearing prosthesis. In some embodiments, determining the one or more configuration settings for the first hearing prosthesis may include determining an acoustic operating range associated with the first hearing prosthesis based on whether a configured gain at one or more frequencies for the second hearing prosthesis meets or exceeds a target gain at the one or more frequencies. Some embodiments may also include storing the determined configuration settings in a tangible computer readable memory associated with the first hearing prosthesis. |
| US08855320B2 |
Apparatus for determining a spatial output multi-channel audio signal
An apparatus for determining a spatial output multi-channel audio signal based on an input audio signal and an input parameter. The apparatus includes a decomposer for decomposing the input audio signal based on the input parameter to obtain a first decomposed signal and a second decomposed signal different from each other. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a renderer for rendering the first decomposed signal to obtain a first rendered signal having a first semantic property and for rendering the second decomposed signal to obtain a second rendered signal having a second semantic property being different from the first semantic property. The apparatus comprises a processor for processing the first rendered signal and the second rendered signal to obtain the spatial output multi-channel audio signal. |
| US08855316B2 |
Quantum cryptography apparatus
The method involves exchange of a quantum signal between a first quantum node and a second quantum node as is usual in known quantum key distribution (QKD) scheme. The first quantum node communicates details of the quantum signal it sent or received with a first remote node. The first remote node thus has all the information to required to take the place of the first quantum node in the key agreement step with the second quantum node. The first quantum node may be arranged to transmit the quantum signal to the second quantum node, in which case the invention provides a distributed quantum transmitter with the control logic in the first remote node being distributed remotely from the actual quantum transmitter in the first quantum node. Communications between the first remote node and first quantum node may comprise or be protected by a quantum key derived by conventional QKD. |
| US08855314B2 |
Hierarchization of crytographic keys in an electronic circuit
A method of obtaining, in an electronic circuit, at least one first key intended to be used in a cryptographic mechanism, on the basis of at least one second key contained in the same circuit, the first key being stored in at least one first storage element of the circuit, the first storage element being reinitialized automatically after a duration independent of the fact that the circuit is or is not powered. Also described are applications of this method to encrypted transmissions, usage controls, as well as an electronic circuit implementing these methods. |
| US08855310B2 |
System and method for exchanging encryption keys between a mobile device and a peripheral device
Systems and methods for providing additional security for data being transmitted across a wireless connection that has been established using a known wireless protocol (e.g. Bluetooth) are described. An encryption key is exchanged between a computing device (e.g. a mobile device) and a wireless peripheral device (e.g. a keyboard, a printer). In some embodiments, the encryption key is generated at one of the two devices. Data associated with the encryption key is output at the one device, which can be input by the user at the other device. The encryption key is then recovered at the other device from the input, thereby completing the key exchange. The encryption key can then be used to encrypt and decrypt data transmitted over the established wireless connection, providing additional security. |
| US08855307B1 |
Validation service portal for wireless location management
A method, system, and medium are provided for validating the identity or authority of a user of a wireless device to consent to providing geographic locations of their respective wireless device to a third-party application. Upon receiving a request to validate the authority of a user to consent to providing of geographic locations, the user is automatically redirected to a validation service portal. The validation service portal verifies the identity or authority of the user to consent by requiring the user to provide identification information. The identification information is compared to identification information in one or more databases to determine if the user has the authority to consent. An indication is provided by the validation service portal to the third-party application of whether the user has the authority to consent. The third-party application then initiates location-based services based on the indication. |
| US08855303B1 |
Cryptography using a symmetric frequency-based encryption algorithm
Systems and method for implementing an encryption technique by combining matrix mathematics, audio frequencies, and symmetric key. Data encryption/decryption may be performed using symmetric key based implementations, with the encryption keys being derived from unique sequences of frequencies (e.g., either in written or audible form). In this regard, the encryption key may be derived from a reference signal, which may comprise a plurality of different frequencies, and the generating of the encryption key is based on assigning values to the plurality of different frequencies and/or to one or more attributes associated with the reference signal or elements (e.g., particular portions, such as notes or frequencies) thereof. The data may then be encrypted based on the generated encryption key, wherein the encrypting of the data comprises encrypting plaintext values. The encryption/decryption may be performed directly, based on the symmetric frequency-based key generation, and/or in conjunction with existing encryption algorithms (e.g., AES). |
| US08855299B2 |
Executing an encryption instruction using stored round keys
Embodiments of an invention for executing an encryption instruction using stored round keys are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes instruction logic, encryption logic, a storage region, and control logic. The instruction logic is to receive an encryption instruction. The encryption logic is to perform, in response to the instruction logic receiving the encryption instruction, an encryption operation including a plurality of rounds, each round using a corresponding round key from a plurality of round keys. The storage region is to store the plurality of round keys. The control logic is to fetch, for use during each of the plurality of rounds, the corresponding round key from the storage region. |
| US08855296B2 |
Data processing systems with format-preserving encryption and decryption engines
A data processing system is provided that includes format-preserving encryption and decryption engines. A string that contains characters has a specified format. The format defines a legal set of character values for each character position in the string. During encryption operations with the encryption engine, a string is processed to remove extraneous characters and to encode the string using an index. The processed string is encrypted using a format-preserving block cipher. The output of the block cipher is post-processed to produce an encrypted string having the same specified format as the original unencrypted string. During decryption operations, the decryption engine uses the format-preserving block cipher in reverse to transform the encrypted string into a decrypted string having the same format. |
| US08855293B2 |
Frame injected DSL via face fed protector module
The disclosed embodiments include a surge protection module that includes an overvoltage protection component and a ground pin configured on a bottom end of the surge protection module. The ground pin is in electrical communication with the overvoltage protection component. The surge protection module also includes a pair of outside plant tip and ring pins configured on the bottom end of the surge protection module. The pair of outside plant tip and ring pins in electrical communication with the overvoltage protection component. The surge protection module is configured to receive a wire wrap pair consisting of a central office tip wire and a central office pin wire. The central office tip wire and the central office pin wire are configured to be in electrical communication with the overvoltage protection component. |
| US08855292B1 |
Agent-enabled queue bypass to agent
A contact center is provided that has (a) a database 114 operable to contain customer records; (b) a plurality of agent communication devices 134-1 to -N corresponding to a plurality of agents; (c) a switching fabric 110, 130 to connect incoming contacts with agent communication devices; (d) a plurality of contact queues 208a-n to enqueue contacts awaiting servicing by an agent; and (e) a queue bypass module that receives, from a first agent of a contact center, a queue bypass request for a specified first customer and updates a set of data structures associated with the specified first customer to indicate that the first customer is entitled to bypass queue positions when the first customer again contacts the contact center. |
| US08855291B2 |
Limiting contact in a networked contact center environment
This document discusses, among other things, limiting contact to a networked contact center that is a host to multiple tenants. In an example embodiment, a communication is received by a networked contact center. In determining whether to allow the communication to reach contact center resources, a contact rate value may be examined. The contact rate value may represent an allowable quantity of contact within a time interval. For some example embodiments, a determination of whether the network contact center is to accept or reject the communication is made based on the contact rate value. |
| US08855286B2 |
Audio conference device
An audio conference device receives and emits sounds to perform transmission/reception of audio signals via communications. The device has a speaker array with a plurality of speakers arranged on the lower surface of an elongated main housing, and a microphone array with a plurality of microphones arranged on the side surface of the main housing along the longitudinal direction. Legs are attached to the main body to support the main housing at a prescribed height above the resting surface and to secure good sound emission characteristics of the speaker array. The device further controls directivity of the microphones. |
| US08855279B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling communications to and from utility service points
An apparatus and method control transmission of messages over a fixed bandwidth link from fixed position communication devices to a central controller in a load management system. The messages include information relating to electric power consumption by power consuming devices located at service points that include the communication devices. In one embodiment, the central controller determines an identifier associated with each communication device, a reporting period during which the messages are to be transmitted by the communication devices, and transmission increments within the reporting period. The controller allocates each transmission increment to a respective group of communication devices. The controller then determines a transmission time for a message from a particular communication device based on the identifier for the particular device, a duration of a transmission increment allocated to a group of communication devices that includes the particular device, and a quantity of communication devices in the particular device's group. |
| US08855275B2 |
System and method for regulating overlapping media messages
The described systems regulate the transmission and playback of multiple streams of audio data, e.g., for a multiplayer game, and provide sequential playback of audio, buffered while the listener is listening to a different stream, time-compressed if necessary. The systems thus solve a problem of users “talking over each other” by: (1) regulating access to audio channels; and (2) treating the spoken audio as distinct blocks so as to play the messages, e.g., from multiple channels, sequentially to users. The messages may be played back at a later time at time-compressed rates or aborted as directed by the user or by a separate automated process. |
| US08855273B1 |
Email to fax processing system
An email-to-facsimile (fax) processing system efficiently services requests issued by customers of the system in a fair and impartial manner. The system illustratively includes a plurality of components configured to provide email-to-fax processing services over a network. The components of the email-to-fax system include computer nodes executing software processes and/or services embodied as one or more FaxEmail routers, FaxEmail pollers, Rendering servers and Fax assemblers. The email-to-fax processing services provided by the components illustratively include email storage and retrieval services, email-to-fax conversion services and fax organizational transmission services. One or more of these services may be performed by the components in a randomized fashion to ensure that the customer requests, such as email-to-fax requests, may be fairly and impartially processed by the system. |
| US08855272B2 |
System and method for implementing multimedia calling line identification presentation service
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for implementing a CLIP service, which includes: a resource storage entity used for storing multimedia resources subscribed by a calling terminal; a resource playing entity used for downloading the multimedia resources from the resource storage entity and playing the multimedia resources; a CLIP service management entity used for obtaining a storage address of the multimedia resources and sending the storage address of the multimedia resources to the resource playing entity. Embodiments of the present invention further provide a method and apparatus for implementing the CLIP service. The system, method and apparatus for implementing the CLIP service in the embodiments of the present invention enable the calling terminal to subscribe to the multimedia resources for a called terminal. |
| US08855270B2 |
Antiwetting coating for liquid metal bearing and method of making same
An x-ray tube includes a frame enclosing a high vacuum, a cathode positioned within the enclosure, a bearing assembly a stationary component comprised of a first base substrate, the first base substrate having a first surface, a rotatable component comprised of a second base substrate, the second base substrate having a second surface, wherein the rotatable component is positioned proximate the stationary component such that a gap is formed between the first surface and the second surface, a liquid metal positioned within the gap, and an antiwetting coating attached to at least one of the first surface and the second surface, the coating includes titanium nitride attached to the at least one of the first surface and the second surface, and an oxide of titanium attached to the titanium nitride. |
| US08855269B2 |
Medical image display apparatus and X-ray computed tomography apparatus
According to one embodiment, a medical image display apparatus includes an image storage unit configured to store data of a series of medical images constituting a moving image associated with an object, and a reproduction control unit configured to perform read control of the image storage unit to alternately and repeatedly reproduce and display some of the series of medical images corresponding to a partial period in one cycle associated with cyclic motion of the object in a forward direction and a backward direction. |
| US08855268B1 |
System for inspecting objects underwater
A method and apparatus for operating an inspection system is provided. A housing with an x-ray system located inside of the housing is moved in an environment with water relative to a location on a surface of an object to be inspected. The location on the surface of the object is submerged in the water in the environment. A number of components for the x-ray system are cooled using the water around the housing. |
| US08855264B2 |
Method for estimating effective atomic number and bulk density of rock samples using dual energy X-ray computed tomographic imaging
A method for estimating effective atomic number and bulk density of objects, such as rock samples or well cores, using X-ray computed tomographic imaging techniques is provided. The method effectively compensates for errors in the interpretation of CT scan data and produces bulk densities which have lower residual error compared to actual bulk densities and produces bulk density—effective atomic number trends which are consistent with physical observations. |
| US08855262B2 |
X-ray photographing device
An X-ray photographing device comprising a turning means for turning an x-ray source and an X-ray sensor around a subject is provided with an arcuate movement means for arcuately moving the X-ray sensor around an arcuate movement center axis, and a control unit. The control unit continuously performs a first photographing step for detecting an X-ray flux while turning the X-ray sensor in a first arcuate movement range around the arcuate movement center axis by the arcuate movement means, a shifting/turning step for shifting/turning an arcuate movement arm around the subject by the turning means, and a shifting/photographing step for detecting the X-ray flux while turning the X-ray sensor in a second arcuate movement range around the arcuate movement center axis by the arcuate movement means in the state shifted from the first arcuate movement range by a very small angle in the shifting/turning step. |
| US08855261B2 |
Spacer and a fuel unit for a nuclear plant
A spacer for holding fuel rods includes cells formed by a sleeve having an upper edge and a lower edge and a number of abutment surfaces. The lower edge has a wave shape with wave peaks aligned with a respective one of the abutment surfaces, and wave valleys located between two adjacent ones of the abutment surfaces. The upper edge has a wave shape with wave peaks, which are aligned with a respective one of the abutment surfaces, and wave valleys located between two adjacent ones of the abutment surfaces. Each of the abutment surfaces extend from a respective one of the wave peaks of the upper edge to a respective one of the wave peaks of the lower edge. The sleeves abut each other in the spacer along respective connection areas to make the abutment surfaces rotatable with respect to a center point of the connection area. |
| US08855259B2 |
System and method for detecting leakage of nuclear reactor coolant using laser induced emission spectrum
System and method for detecting and/or predicting in a field the leakage of nuclear reactor coolant that may occur at the pressure boundary of the primary system of a nuclear reactor. The system and method for detecting the leakage of nuclear reactor coolant uses a laser induced emission spectrum. The leakage of coolant is detected by detecting boron (B), a main component of the coolant, in corrosive products generated at the nuclear reactor pressure boundary on the basis of laser spectroscopy. An embodiment of the system for detecting leakage of nuclear reactor coolant may include a laser generator, a laser focusing lens, an emission collector, and emission spectrum analyzer. |
| US08855258B1 |
Transmitters and receivers using a jitter-attenuated clock derived from a gapped clock reference
A system and method are provided for resynchronizing a transmission signal using a jitter-attenuated clock derived from an asynchronous gapped clock. A first-in first-out (FIFO) memory accepts an asynchronous gapped clock derived from a first clock having a first frequency. The gapped clock has an average second frequency less than the first frequency. The input serial stream of data is loaded at a rate responsive to the gapped clock. A dynamic numerator (DN) and dynamic denominator (DD) are iteratively calculated for the gapped clock, averaged, and an averaged numerator (A and an averaged denominator (AD) are generated. The first frequency is multiplied by the ratio of AN/AD to create a jitter-attenuated second clock having the second frequency. The FIFO memory accepts the jitter-attenuated second clock and supplies data from memory at the second frequency. A framer accepts the data from the FIFO memory and the jitter-attenuated second clock. |
| US08855253B2 |
Error prediction for two-stage receivers
Apparatus, methods, and programs products are disclosed that perform the following techniques: in a receiver comprising first and second stages, each stage at least decoding information corresponding to a user equipment, wherein the second stage performs decoding only if the first stage completes decoding with a fail, predicting whether decoding performed by the second stage for the user equipment will complete with a pass or fail; and prior to completion of the second stage, sending an indication of the predicted pass or fail to the user equipment. |
| US08855247B2 |
Wireless receiving apparatus and method
According to one embodiment, a wireless receiving apparatus includes a receiver, a phase rotation module and a demodulator. The receiver receives a first signal, the first signal being processed a bit conversion, a scramble and an M-phase shift keying modulation processes. The phase rotation module multiplies a first symbol obtained from the first signal with an amount of phase rotation determined by a scramble sequence used for the scramble, to obtain a second symbol. The demodulator demodulates the second symbol by referring to signal points of N-PSK replica signal generated based on a data rate and the bit conversion process and calculates a likelihood obtained from demodulation as a soft decision value. |
| US08855246B2 |
Demodulating a data packet based on a detected sync word
In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving a first portion of a sync field of a packet at a receiver. The sync field includes the first portion and a second portion. The packet includes the sync field and a payload field. The method includes detecting a sync word associated with the packet. The sync word is detected based on the first portion of the sync field and prior to receiving the second portion of the sync field. The method initiates a demodulation stage of the receiver prior to receiving an initial bit of the payload field. Initiating the demodulation stage prior to receipt of the initial bit of the payload field enables a demodulator to perform initial demodulation activity prior to demodulation of the payload field. Demodulation continues if, after the second portion is received, the entire received sync field matches the detected sync word. |
| US08855244B2 |
Digitally demodulating a minimum-shift keying (MSK) signal
A two stage process is applied for recovering the modulating content from the received I-Q waveforms of a MSK modulated signal. In the first stage, at each incoming symbol the I-Q waveform segments of the input belonging to the three most recently received symbols are used in hypothesis testing. A matched filter bank produces ratings for each of the possible three symbol modulating patterns in proportion to the likelihood that the combination in question may have produced the current but by now impaired input segment. While the three symbol window slides symbol-by-symbol over the input the successive hypothesis tests are not independent as each symbol is involved in three consecutive tests. The dependence thus created lays the foundation and provides the branch metrics for applying the Viterbi algorithm for the determination of the modulating symbols in the second stage. |
| US08855241B2 |
Apparatus for decoding global navigation satellite systems navigation data and associated method
An apparatus for decoding GNSS navigation data to generate at least a target string or subframe includes a demodulator and a processing unit. The demodulator is utilized for demodulating a received signal to generate at least a plurality of strings or subframes having a same string index or subframe index.The processing unit is coupled to the demodulator, and is utilized for determining the target string or subframe according to the plurality of strings or subframes. |
| US08855240B2 |
Channel estimation and data detection in a wireless communication system in the presence of inter-cell interference
Channel estimation and data detection in a wireless communication system in the presence of inter-cell interference is provided. In one embodiment, a method for channel estimation and data detection in a wireless communication system, comprising receiving a signal, wherein said signal is composed of a data signal, a desired reference signal and an interference reference signal; selecting a channel estimator using said desired reference signal, said interference reference signal or both; applying said selected channel estimator to said desired reference signal, said interference reference signal or both to generate one or more reference signal channel estimate weights; generating one or more data channel estimate weights using said reference signal channel estimate weights; selecting a data detector using said reference signal channel estimate weights, said data channel estimate weights or both; and detecting said data signal using said selected data detector, wherein said selected data detector uses said reference signal channel estimate weights, said data channel estimate weights or both. |
| US08855238B2 |
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. |
| US08855232B2 |
Transmission apparatus and transmission method
A transmission apparatus includes a signal processing unit to perform a distortion compensation process on a transmitting signal based on a distortion compensation coefficient, and an updating unit to update a transmission power of the transmitting signal subjected to the distortion compensation process in certain processes, to transmit the transmitting signal at the updated transmission power. The signal processing unit may set a referring range of the distortion compensation coefficient stored in a storage unit, based on the transmitting signal before performing the distortion compensation process and the transmitting signal having the transmission power thereof updated by the updating unit. |
| US08855225B2 |
Frequency selective and frequency diversity transmissions in a wireless communication system
Techniques for efficiently supporting frequency selective scheduling (FSS) and frequency diversity scheduling (FDS) are described. In one design, a first transmission for an FSS user may be mapped to a subband selected for this user from among at least one subband in a first frequency region of the system bandwidth. The first transmission may be mapped to a fixed portion or different portions of the selected subband in different time intervals. A second transmission for an FDS user may be mapped across multiple subbands in a second frequency region of the system bandwidth. The second transmission may be mapped to different subbands or different resource blocks in the second frequency region in different time intervals. Each time interval may correspond to a symbol period, a slot, a subframe, etc. The frequency hopping may be performed based on a fixed hopping pattern or a pseudo-random hopping pattern. |
| US08855222B2 |
Codes and preambles for single carrier and OFDM transmissions
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for generating a frame structure suitable for use in both single carrier (SC) and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) transmission modes, while ensuring accurate channel estimation at a receiver. |
| US08855218B2 |
Method and apparatus for data communications over power lines
A computer-implemented method of transferring data from a source to a destination on an alternating current (AC) power waveform propagating over a utility power distribution network, where the computer includes a processor operatively coupled to the utility power distribution network via a power supply, includes sending a request over the power distribution network to create a virtual communication channel between the source and the destination on the power distribution network. The method further includes generating, by the processor, a data packet to be transmitted from the source to the destination via the virtual communication channel, and modulating the power drawn from the power supply to encode a series of static pulses onto the AC at predetermined intervals according to a function of frequency that is unique to the virtual communication channel. |
| US08855216B2 |
Method for supplying at least one bus user
A method for supplying at least one bus user via a control unit, in which data are transmitted to at least one bus user during at least one phase for data transmission and power is transmitted during at least one phase for power transmission, the at least one phase for data transmission and the at least one phase for power transmission being provided alternately, and the lengths of the phases for data transmission and/or the lengths of the phases for power transmission being set variably. |
| US08855214B2 |
Multidimensional video processing
A method and system for multidimensional video processing comprises preprocessing a video signal in at least two of horizontal, vertical and temporal dimensions of the video signal to reduce an amount of information of the video signal to obtain an information-reduced signal and filtered components that are separated from the video signal; and using the information-reduced signal to generate simulated filtered components, and generating support signals based on a difference between the filtered components and the simulated filtered components. |
| US08855213B2 |
Restore filter for restoring preprocessed video image
Embodiments of the present invention provides a method and device for processing a source video. The method and device may provide computing an artifact estimation from differences among pixels selected from spatially-distributed sampling patterns in the source video; filtering the source video to produce a filtered version of the source video, computing a blending factor based on the artifact estimation in the source video, and computing an output video by blending the source video and the filtered version of the source video based on the blending factor. |
| US08855212B2 |
System and method for AV synchronization of encoder data
A device is provided for use with an encoder, source video data and a source video clock. The encoder can encode video data at a timebase corrected video clock and can encode audio data at a timebase corrected audio clock. The source video data includes a video data portion and an audio data portion. The device includes a video processing portion, an audio processing portion and a clock generating portion. The video processing portion is arranged to receive the source video data based on the source video clock. The audio processing portion is arranged to receive the source video data based on the source video clock. The clock generating portion can generate the timebase corrected video clock and can generate the timebase corrected audio clock. The video processing portion can provide, to the encoder, the video data portion of the source video data based on the timebase corrected video clock. The audio processing portion can provide, to the encoder, the audio data portion of the source video data based on the timebase corrected audio clock. |
| US08855208B2 |
Image coding method, image decoding method, image coding apparatus, and image decoding apparatus
An image coding method includes: deriving a candidate for a motion vector predictor from a neighboring motion vector; adding the candidate to a list; selecting a motion vector predictor from the list; coding a current block; and coding a current motion vector. In the deriving, the candidate is derived according to a first derivation scheme when each of a current reference picture and a neighboring reference picture is determined to be a long-term reference picture, and the candidate is derived according to a second derivation scheme when each of a current reference picture and a neighboring reference picture is determined to be a short-term reference picture. |
| US08855207B2 |
Image coding method for encoding a difference motion vector into a bitstream
An image coding method includes coding a motion vector difference indicating a difference between the motion vector and a predicted motion vector, wherein the coding includes: coding a first portion that is a part of a first component which is one of a horizontal component and a vertical component of the motion vector difference; coding a second portion that is a part of a second component which is different from the first component and is the other one of the horizontal component and the vertical component; coding a third portion that is a part of the first component and is different from the first portion; coding a fourth portion that is a part of the second component and is different from the second portion; and generating a code string which includes the first portion, the second portion, the third portion, and the fourth portion in the stated order. |
| US08855205B2 |
Method of predicting motion vectors in video codec in which multiple references are allowed, and motion vector encoding/decoding apparatus using the same
Initial value is selected when motion estimation is performed using predicted motion vector in video codec in which multiple references are allowed, and coding amount of motion vectors is reduced using predicted motion vector. Motion vector encoding apparatus includes predicted motion vector generator that generates adjacent motion vectors of current block with respect to each of reference pictures and generates each predicted motion vector of the current block from the generated adjacent motion vectors, motion estimator that determines final motion vector of the current block and final reference picture corresponding to the final motion vector with regard to search regions of the reference pictures, differential unit that obtains difference between the final motion vector of the current block and final predicted motion vector corresponding to the determined final reference picture among the predicted motion vectors, and unit for encoding information about the final reference picture and the difference. |
| US08855204B2 |
Method of predicting motion and texture data
The invention relates to a method for generating for at least one block of pixels of a picture of a sequence of interlaced pictures at least one motion predictor and at least one texture predictor from motion data, respectively texture data, associated with the pictures of a sequence of low resolution interlaced pictures. |
| US08855202B2 |
Flexible range reduction
Techniques and tools are described for flexible range reduction of samples of video. For example, an encoder signals a first set of one or more syntax elements for range reduction of luma samples and signals a second set of one or more syntax elements for range reduction of chroma samples. The encoder selectively scales down the luma samples and chroma samples in a manner consistent with the first syntax element(s) and second syntax element(s), respectively. Or, an encoder signals range reduction syntax element(s) in an entry point header for an entry point segment, where the syntax element(s) apply to pictures in the entry point segment. If range reduction is used for the pictures, the encoder scales down samples of the pictures. Otherwise, the encoder skips the scaling down. A decoder performs corresponding parsing and scaling up operations. |
| US08855201B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding video and method and apparatus for decoding video by considering skip and split order
A method of encoding a video includes: splitting a picture into a maximum coding unit; for the maximum coding unit, determining coding units having a tree structure including coding units of coded depths and determining encoding modes for the coding units of the coded depths by performing encoding based on coding units according to depths, the coding units according to depths obtained by hierarchically splitting the maximum coding unit as a depth deepens; and outputting information about a maximum coding unit size and, for the maximum coding unit, information indicating an order of split information and skip mode information which is selectively determined for the coding units according to depths, information about the encoding modes for the coding units of the coded depths including the split information and the skip mode information which are arranged according to the order, and encoded video data. |
| US08855197B2 |
Method and apparatus for aligning IDR frames in transcoded multi-bitrate video streams
A video stream is transcoded to provide a plurality of primary profiles. Individual frames of the video stream have a Presentation Time Stamp (PTS). A PTS is used as a token to identify particular frames to be encoded as Instantaneous Decoder Refresh (IDR) frames in each profile. An IDR frame period is determined, indicative of a desired number of video frames between two IDR frames. An IDR frame is inserted into each profile every IDR frame period. The IDR frames of each profile are aligned with the same IDR frames of the other profiles. The PTS of each IDR frame in each profile is monitored. Upon determining that a PTS is out of alignment, the next PTS of the affected profile is aligned with the corresponding PTS of remaining profiles. Backup transcoders produce backup profiles that are maintained in alignment with each other and with the primary profiles. |
| US08855196B2 |
Adaptive motion information cost estimation with dynamic look-up table updating
Adaptive motion information cost estimation is achieved in processing video information. A transmission cost is estimated that is associated with encoding a motion vector difference (mvd) in motion vectors that describe a motion characteristic of the video information. The mvd is encoded based on minimizing a rate estimation mismatch associated with the motion vectors. The encoding step includes computing a bit count associated with the mvd using CABAC. A value is indexed that corresponds to the cost from one or more entries in the lookup table. The cost relates to context or content characteristics associated with the video information. The lookup table is adaptively updated based on a change in the contextual information or content characteristics. The value is dynamically adjustable based on the change. |
| US08855194B2 |
Updating non-shadow registers in video encoder
A video processor controlled by a set of non-shadow registers is provided. A list of updates for one or more of the non-shadow registers may be prepared in a memory module. A frame buffer is updated with video data for a display coupled to the video processor. A blanking interval is detected after updating the frame buffer. A direct memory access engine is triggered to transfer the list of updates from the memory module to the non-shadow registers during the blanking interval. |
| US08855193B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method for converting divisional code streams into packets using header information
Disclosed herein is an image processing apparatus, including, a header information production section configured to produce, regarding each of divisional code streams obtained by dividing a code stream having a structure of a progression order produced by coding image data, header information at a start and an end of the divisional code stream, the header information including a characteristic amount of an image of the image data, and a packet production section configured to convert each of the divisional code streams into a packet using the header information produced by the header information production section. |
| US08855191B2 |
Parallelization of high-performance video encoding on a single-chip multiprocessor
High-quality video encoding may be implemented using a single-chip multiprocessor system. Video encoding may be parallelized to take advantage of multiple processing elements available on a single-chip multiprocessor system. Task level parallelism may comprise parallelizing encoding tasks, such as motion estimation, compensation, transformation, quantization, deblocking filtering, and the like across multiple processing elements. Data level parallelism may comprise segmenting video frame data into macroblock partitions and slabs adapted to provide data independence between parallel processing elements. Data communications and synchronization features of the single-chip system may be leveraged to provide for data sharing and synchronism between processing elements. |
| US08855190B2 |
Communication system with compressive sensing
Systems and methods for communication systems with compressive sensing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of signal processing includes receiving a data packet at a processor. The data packet includes compressively measured data in wavelet transform coefficients of a signal. The signal is reconstructed using a clustering property of the wavelet transform coefficients. |
| US08855189B1 |
Multi-stream transcoding system with cache memory management
Both live and offline transcoding of media is managed for storage in a cache. Requests for media are made by a client on a network and media taken from the cache and transcoded for delivery to the client. Media is also transcoded and stored in memory during idle request in anticipation of future requests during idle transcoder time between client requests. A prioritizer manages at least offline transcoding requests. A high priority queue operates at a higher priority than the low priority queue. The high priority queue receives live transcoding requests from a client on the network. A low priority queue receives offline transcoding requests. A media transcoder primarily transcodes media in accordance with requests from the high priority queue for delivery to a client on the network and then secondarily transcodes media in accordance with requests from the low priority queue when the high priority queue is empty. According to alternative embodiments the media transcoder transcodes media into segments and to modify frames when necessary to insure that they are decodable without accessing other segments. |
| US08855185B2 |
Equalization device, reception device and equalization method
This equalization device and method, while preventing an expansion of circuit size, enable high-speed detection of a CIR in order to effectively achieve frequency domain equalization even when the phase of the received signal is significantly different from the phase of the known signal, and when the transmission channel has large temporal variations. A reference signal extraction unit (112) extracts both a real part component and an imaginary part component from the portion of the received signal including the known signal. A CIR detection filter unit (120) filters the known signal to generate a first processed signal and a second processed signal, detects real part filter coefficients by updating a first filter coefficient used in filtering the known signal in such a way that the first processed signal converges to the real part component, and detects imaginary part filter coefficients by filtering the known signal in such a way that the second processed signal converges to the imaginary part component. A CIR output unit (140) uses either the real part filter coefficients or the imaginary part filter coefficients to identify the channel impulse response. |
| US08855182B2 |
Optimization method of optimally setting emphasis and optimization device for optimally setting emphasis
In an emphasis optimization device, a calculating unit calculates an inverse characteristic of an amplitude characteristic based on the amplitude characteristic of a transmission path, and an inverse Fourier transform unit performs an inverse Fourier transform on the inverse characteristic to obtain an impulse response. An extracting unit extracts, from the obtained impulse response, an impulse response corresponding to the number of taps necessary for emphasis to be added to a digital signal to be transmitted on the transmission path. An emphasis amount calculating unit converts the extracted impulse response into a value of the emphasis to calculate an emphasis amount. |
| US08855179B1 |
Measuring impairments of digitized signals in data and timing recovery circuits
On-chip at-speed eye measurements of digitized signals in data and timing recovery circuits are disclosed. Eye diagrams and jitter measurements are used to evaluate signal quality and bath-tub Bit Error Rate characteristics in baseband communication systems. This disclosure describes a method and apparatus for digitally sampling a received signal at speed to produce an eye diagram of the received signal. This involves adding a small amount of circuitry to the existing prior art systems that use an interpolator for timing recovery and data recovery. In the present disclosure a temporary offset is applied to the interpolation index of the interpolator to obtain interpolated samples between the baud center and baud edge. The eye diagram can be produced from the received digitized and interpolated signal before equalization, or alternatively from the equalized signal. |
| US08855178B2 |
Signal transmitter and signal transmitting method for transmitting specific data bit with different predetermined voltage levels
An exemplary signal transmitter includes a checking circuit and a driving circuit. The checking circuit is arranged for checking a plurality of successive data bits to be transmitted and accordingly generating a checking result. The driving circuit is arranged for referring to the checking result and transmitting a specific data bit with a plurality of different predetermined voltage levels. An exemplary signal transmitting method includes: checking a plurality of successive data bits to be transmitted, and accordingly generating a checking result; and transmitting a specific data bit with a plurality of different predetermined voltage levels according to the checking result. |
| US08855175B2 |
Low complexity all-digital PIM compensator
The present disclosure relates to compensation for Passive Intermodulation (PIM) distortion in a receiver. In one embodiment, a communication device includes a transmitter that is configured to receive a digital input signal and output a radio frequency transmit signal, a main receiver configured to receive a radio frequency receive signal and output a digital output signal, and a PIM compensation subsystem. The radio frequency receive signal includes PIM distortion that is a non-linear function of the radio frequency transmit signal output by the transmitter. In order to compensate for the PIM distortion, a PIM compensation subsystem receives the digital input signal of the transmitter, generates a digital PIM estimate signal that is an estimate of the PIM distortion in the digital output signal of the main receiver, and subtracts the digital PIM estimate signal from the digital output signal of the main receiver. |
| US08855169B2 |
Methods and apparatus for RFID tag communications
The present invention provides backscatter interrogators, communication systems and backscatter communication methods. According to one aspect of the present invention, a backscatter interrogator includes a data path configured to communicate a data signal; a signal generator configured to generate a carrier signal; and a modulator coupled with the data path and the signal generator, the modulator being configured to spread the data signal to define a spread data signal and amplitude modulate the carrier signal using the spread data signal, the modulator being further configured to phase modulate the carrier signal. |
| US08855165B2 |
Laser apparatus
The present invention employs a laser apparatus including: a cavity provided with reflecting means and output means; a gain member placed on an optical path between the reflecting means and the output means; a wavelength dispersion mechanism that disperses a light beam passing through the optical path; and a wavelength selecting mechanism including a wedge prism which is movable relative to the optical path and changes a traveling direction of a light beam, the wavelength selecting mechanism being configured to change a wavelength of a light beam to be outputted from the output means by being given a gain by the gain member in accordance with a position of the wedge prism, the wavelength dispersion mechanism including a prism which is positioned on the optical path to allow a light beam traveling on the optical path to become incident on the prism at Brewster's angle. |
| US08855158B2 |
Two-dimensional photonic crystal surface emitting laser
Provided is a two-dimensional photonic crystal surface emitting laser that enables easy laser oscillation with two-dimensionally symmetric intensity distribution, using a photonic crystal of a lattice structure having different lengths of primitive translation vectors in plane, realized in a two-dimensional photonic crystal surface emitting laser including an active layer, and a two-dimensional photonic crystal having a two-dimensionally periodic refractive index profile disposed in a vicinity of the active layer. The two-dimensional photonic crystal has a lattice structure where two primitive translation vectors in plane have different lengths, a shape of a member forming lattice points included in a unit cell of the lattice structure has anisotropy with respect to directions of the two primitive translation vectors, and the anisotropy of the shape of the member permits a difference of a coupling coefficient to be smaller than a case where the shape of the member is isotropic. |
| US08855154B2 |
Circuit and method for controlling light-emitting components
Circuit arrangement or circuit, in particular driver circuit, and a method for controlling at least one light-emitting component, such as an electro-optical transducer, a light-emitting diode (LED), an electroluminescent diode, a laser, or a semiconductor laser, by switching a switching element between a first switching position and a second switching position, and the voltage supply is effected by a supply element, such as a voltage source or a current source supported by a decoupling capacitor on the output side, so that current drain and output resistance are as low as possible, so that the highest possible frequency or switching speed as well as the highest possible output voltage for the light-emitting component can be achieved, the light-emitting component is controlled by varying its operating voltage, in particular by switching between the switching positions, and the first and second switching positions are of low impedance for the operating frequency. |
| US08855149B2 |
Dynamical Fabry-Pérot tuneable filter device
A Fabry-Pérot tunable filter device is described with reflecting elements separated by an optical path length to form an optical resonator cavity. A first actuator means is directly or indirectly coupled with a first reflecting element. And the first actuator means is configured to modulate the optical path length between first and second reflecting elements by a modulation amplitude to thereby sweep the optical resonator cavity through a band of optical resonance frequencies with a sweep frequency of 70 kHz or more. And the mechanical coupling between selected elements of the arrangement is sufficiently low such that when operated at the sweep frequency, the selected elements act as a system of coupled oscillating elements. In addition or alternatively, the first actuator means is directly or indirectly coupled with the first reflecting element so as to substantially drive the first reflecting element only. |
| US08855147B2 |
Devices and methods to communicate data streams
A method includes receiving, at a transmit site, a first stream of packets addressed to an end user device in a first address space. The first stream of packets is encapsulated to form a second stream of packets addressed in a second address space. A first packet of the second stream of packets is assigned to a first radio frequency channel of a plurality of radio frequency channels. A second packet of the second stream of packets is assigned to a second radio frequency channel of the plurality of radio frequency channels. The first packet is transmitted via the first radio frequency channel and, in parallel, the second packet is transmitted via the second radio frequency channel. |
| US08855145B2 |
Jitter buffer
Method, transmitter and computer program product for transmitting data of a real-time communication event from the transmitter to a jitter buffer of a receiver. Jitter buffer state information is received at the transmitter from the receiver, the jitter buffer state information indicating a state of the jitter buffer. At least one processing parameter is controlled based on the received jitter buffer state information, the at least one processing parameter describing how data is to be processed for transmission from the transmitter to the jitter buffer in the real-time communication event. Data is processed for transmission from the transmitter to the jitter buffer in accordance with the determined at least one processing parameter. The processed data is transmitted from the transmitter to the jitter buffer of the receiver in the real-time communication event. |
| US08855140B2 |
Method and apparatus for configuring minimum guaranteed bit rate in wireless communication system
A method for configuring bit rate in a user equipment (UE) for use in a wireless communication system includes receiving guaranteed bit rate information comprising one or more bit rates which are supported by a base station (BS) for communications with the UE, selecting a minimum guaranteed bit rate responsive to user input received at the UE, the minimum guaranteed bit rate being a bit rate identified by the guaranteed bit rate information, generating a first request message requesting the selected minimum guaranteed bit rate, transmitting the first request message from the UE to the BS, the first request message including a request for receiving communications from the BS at the selected minimum guaranteed bit rate, receiving a response message from the BS in response to the first request message, and receiving data from the BS at a bit rate which is at or greater than the selected minimum guaranteed bit rate when the response message comprises an acknowledgement (ACK) message. |
| US08855132B2 |
Component carrier activation and deactivation using resource assignments
This invention relates to a proposal of an uplink resource assignment format and a downlink resource assignment format. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the new uplink/downlink resource assignments in methods for (de) activation of downlink component carrier (s) configured for a base station and a mobile terminal. To enable efficient and robust (de) activation of component carriers, while minimizing the signaling overhead, the invention proposes a new uplink/downlink resource assignment format that allow the activation/deactivation of individual downlink component carriers configured for a mobile. The new uplink or downlink resource assignment comprises an indication of the activation state of the configured downlink component carriers, i.e. indicate which downlink component carrier (s) is/are to be activated or deactivated. This indication is for example implemented by means of a bit-mask that indicates which of the configured uplink component carriers are to be activated respectively deactivated. |
| US08855131B2 |
Transmission device, transmission power control method and transmission determination method
Provided is a transmission device, wherein even when the transmission device performs noncontiguous band allocation transmission, the same level of coverage and gain as when the contiguous band allocation transmission is assumed can be maintained. A transmission power control unit (110), in a second mode, calculates first power on the basis of the transmission power control method using, as the bandwidth of the contiguous bands in the first mode, the bandwidth of a first band with the lowest frequency in a cluster allocated to the lowest band among a plurality of clusters and the highest frequency in a cluster allocated to the highest band among the plurality of clusters as both ends thereof, and calculates the transmission power using the ratio between the bandwidth of the first band and the bandwidth of a second band to which the plurality of the clusters are allocated, and the first power. |
| US08855130B2 |
Method and apparatus for demultiplexing, merging, and duplicating packetized elementary stream/program stream/elementary stream data
Presented herein are system(s) for demultiplexing, merging, and duplicating packetized elementary stream/program stream/elementary stream data. In one embodiment, there is presented a system for processing data. The system comprises a first circuit and a memory. The first circuit receives transport packets carrying the data. The memory stores data and comprises at least one context. The first circuit maps the data associated with at least one channel to the at least one context. |
| US08855128B2 |
Enhancement of end-to-end network QoS
A network endpoint system and related method and computer program product for use in a network to support enhanced end-to-end QoS in the network. The network endpoint system is adapted to receive network data of varying priority on behalf of a data consumer operating at the application layer of a network protocol stack implemented by the network endpoint system. The network endpoint system includes a network interface controller adapted to receive network frames containing the network data, plural network data handling channels each having an associated priority, and priority processing logic adapted to transfer the network data from the network interface controller to the plural data handling channels on a prioritized basis according to the network data priority. Also disclosed are a network interface controller and a network node to support enhanced end-to-end QoS in a network. |
| US08855125B2 |
Handling of NRS and BCM in PCRF and GW
A method, apparatus, and machine readable storage medium is disclosed for handling Network-Request-Support (NRS) and Bearer Control Mode (BCM) at a Policy and Charging Rules Node (PCRN) and a Evolved Packet Core (EPC) gateway node. Embodiments maintain corresponding buffers for NRS values at the PCRN and the gateway and maintain synchronization between them. A gateway sends a credit control request (CCR) message to a PCRN and updates a local NRS buffer at the gateway when a successful credit control acknowledgement (CCA) response is received from the PCRN. Similarly, the PCRN updates a local NRS buffer at the PCRN when a successful credit control acknowledgement (CCA) response is sent to the gateway. |
| US08855124B2 |
Forwarding inter-switch connection (ISC) frames in a network-to-network interconnect topology
Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for forwarding Inter-Switch Connection (ISC) frames in a Network-to-Network Interconnect (NNI) topology, for example, via a network switch which includes a first physical switch port to receive a physical switch link from a second network switch; logic to implement a first logical ISC and a second logical ISC′ connection to the second network switch via the physical switch link; a second physical switch port to receive an interface connection from a third network switch; and switch forwarding logic to forward frames received at the first network switch to the second network switch via the logical ISC or logical ISC′ based on whether or not the physical switch link is part of an active topology upon which the network switch operates or is not part of the active topology upon which the network switch operates. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08855122B2 |
Backbone provider bridging networks
An edge device is used to support a backbone provider bridging network to facilitate interconnection of a plurality of networks. The edge device is coupled between the backbone and a first one of the networks, and is operable to encapsulate data units received from the first network with a header, and to forward the encapsulated data unit to the backbone. The header is indicative of a tunnel that is used to support traffic from the first network to a second network over the backbone. The edge device also de-encapsulates data units received from the backbone that are destined for the first network. |
| US08855119B2 |
Method and apparatus for setting up network for IP communication in mobile terminal
Methods and apparatus are provided for setting up a network for IP communication between mobile terminals. A first mobile terminal determines a second mobile terminal that will communicate with the first mobile terminal. The first mobile terminal generates a network setup message including network setup information of the second mobile terminal. The network setup message is sent from the first mobile terminal to the second mobile terminal. The first mobile terminal IP communicates with the second mobile terminal, which performs network setup based on the network setup information received from the first mobile terminal. |
| US08855118B2 |
Source discovery for non-flooding multicast using openflow
Provided is a method of source discovery for non-flooding multicast using OpenFlow. A data packet is received from a source address on a network device. The data packet is routed from the network device to an OpenFlow controller. The OpenFlow controller identifies a rendezvous point (RP) of the network device, maps a random address to the source address in a port used for connecting with the rendezvous point (RP), generates a flow message containing a rule for handling the data packet, transmits the flow message to the network device and adds a flow entry in the network device based on the rule for handling the data packet. |
| US08855112B2 |
NoC system and input switching device
An input switching device is provided between a plurality of functional blocks (NoC routers or IP) connected to a specific router among a plurality of NoC routers of a NoC system and the specific router. The specific router includes a plurality of first buffers that temporarily store flits from the input switching device. A plurality of second buffers in the input switching device correspond to the respective one of the plurality of functional blocks, and temporarily store the flits from the functional block. A controller selectively sets one of the plurality of first buffers as output destination of the flit stored in each of the second buffers based on a free space of the plurality of first buffers. A distributor outputs the flit stored in each of the second buffers to output destination set for the flit by the controller. |
| US08855108B2 |
Apparatus and method for synchronous hardware time stamping
Methods and apparatus that may be used to provide timestamps to physical layer devices are provided. One method includes obtaining a time value from a clock associated with a physical layer device that is communicatively coupled to a primary data packet switch. The method further includes adding a processing time to the time value to generate a timestamp and transmitting the timestamp to a multiplexer circuit. The method further includes writing the timestamp in parallel from the multiplexer circuit to a plurality of external physical layer devices that are communicatively coupled to a secondary data packet switch and are located external to a housing of the secondary data packet switch. |
| US08855103B2 |
Personal network access control system and method
A server is provided that includes a processor such that for a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) request containing a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) identifying the first device, the processor is programmed to promote adding a URI and redirecting the SIP request to a second device. The added URI used by the second device to invoke a Personal Network Management (PNM) Controller function. |
| US08855101B2 |
Methods, systems, and apparatus to synchronize actions of audio source monitors
Systems, methods, articles of manufacture and apparatus are disclosed to align actions of audio source monitors. An example method disclosed herein includes invoking an audience monitor to transmit a radio frequency (RF) initialization packet to a base unit, receiving an indication that the base unit has received the RF initialization packet at a first time, and invoking the base unit to transmit an RF acknowledgement packet to the audience monitor. The example method also includes receiving an indication that the RF acknowledgement packet is received by the audience monitor and waiting for an end to a delay period having a first value, identifying whether the audience monitor has finished processing the RF acknowledgement packet when the delay period ends at a second time, and incrementing the delay period to a second value when the audience monitor is still processing the RF acknowledgement packet and the delay period has ended. |
| US08855100B2 |
System and method for supporting higher-layer protocol messaging in an in-band modem
Detecting an acknowledgment signal sent from a destination terminal at a source terminal in an in-band communication system is disclosed. A first synchronization sequence followed by a low layer acknowledgement message and a second synchronization sequence followed by a high layer acknowledgement message is detected. |
| US08855099B2 |
Selective phase connection establishment
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate multiple-phase selective connection establishment in wireless communications networks. Radio resource control (RRC) layer communications can be instantiated between a mobile device and base station. Additional information can be required by a downstream network component regarding the mobile device. Accordingly, the RRC resources can be utilized to transmit the additional information from the mobile device to the network component to facilitate the multiple-phase establishment. This can be accomplished using non-access stratum (NAS) messages. Further, the information can relate to authorization, security re-configuration, context re-synchronization, an identity of the mobile device, and the like. |
| US08855098B2 |
Transmitting/receiving system and method of processing data in the transmitting/receiving system
A transmitting/receiving system and a data processing method of the same are disclosed herein. The receiving system may include a receiving unit, a first processing unit, and a second processing unit. The receiving unit receives a broadcast signal including mobile service data and an FIC segment from at least one slot. Herein, a transmission frame may be configured of a plurality of sub-frames for receiving at least one ensemble and at least one mobile service, and a sub-frame may be configured of a plurality of slots. The a first processing unit extracts FIC segments each having a different FIC chunk major protocol version from the broadcast signal, and acquires a number of the corresponding FIC segment, a number of the last FIC segment, and FIC chunk major protocol version information from each segment header of the extracted FIC segments. The second processing unit obtains an FIC chunk including signaling information between at least one ensemble and at least one mobile service frame from respective payloads of the FIC segments, based upon the acquired number of the corresponding FIC segment, number of the last FIC segment, and FIC chunk major protocol version information. |
| US08855097B2 |
Method using a blanking signal to reduce the leakage transmitter-receiver
It is described a communication end device comprising (a) a radio transceiver comprising a receiver for receiving radio signals from a transmitting network entity of a cellular telecommunication network and a transmitter (110, 120, 130) for transmitting radio signals to a receiving network entity of the cellular telecommunication network, (b) a further receiver (140) for receiving a further radio signal, and (c) a control circuit (150, 162, 164), which is coupled to the radio transceiver and to the further receiver (140). The control circuit (150, 162, 164) is configured for generating a control signal for controlling the operation of the further receiver (140). Thereby, the control signal is based on a synchronization signal being related to a time dependent transmission scheme of the transmitter (110, 120, 130) and on an information about the current operational state of the radio transceiver. It is further described a method for controlling the operation of such a communication end device (100) and a program element and a computer-readable medium having stored such a program element, which is adapted for controlling and/or for carrying out this operation control method. |
| US08855096B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting channel quality indicator and acknowledgement signals in SC-FDMA communication systems
A method and apparatus for transmitting information symbols in a communication system are provided. The method includes determining a Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) and acknowledgement information, in response to data reception; generating a first symbol based on the CQI and a second symbol based on the acknowledgement information; and transmitting the first symbol and the second symbol. A first code is applied to the second symbol, when the acknowledgement information is negative, a second code is applied to the second symbol, when the acknowledgement information is positive, and the first code is applied to the second symbol, when the acknowledgement information does not exist. |
| US08855095B2 |
Method and apparatus for a component carrier deactivation timer in a wireless communication system
A method for a Component Carrier (CC) deactivation timer in a wireless communication system includes receiving a first Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) for CC Management to activate a first Secondary CC (SCC) that has been already activated by using a second MAC CE for CC Management. The method then includes restarting a deactivation timer for the first SCC based upon the first MAC CE for CC Management. |
| US08855093B2 |
Method and system for chip-to-chip communications with wireline control
Aspects of a method and system for chip-to-chip communications with wireline control may include initializing a microwave communication link between a first chip and a second chip via a wireline communication bus, wherein the initializing comprises adjusting beamforming parameters of a first antenna array communicatively coupled to the first chip, and of a second antenna array communicatively coupled to the second chip. The first chip and the second chip may communicate data via said microwave communication link. The microwave communication link may be routed via one or more relay chips, when the first chip and the second chip cannot directly communicate satisfactorily. Control data may be transferred between the first chip, the second chip, and/or the one or more relay chips, which may comprise one or more antennas. The relay chips may be dedicated relay ICs or multi-purpose transmitter/receivers. |
| US08855087B2 |
Wireless access point supporting control by multiple applications
A computing device configurable as a wireless network access point that can be controlled from multiple applications. The computing device provides an interface through which applications may input commands to change the state of the access point. The interface responds to these commands and other events, such as association or disassociation of a wireless client, in a manner that does not disrupt the applications or devices using the access point. To determine an appropriate response to any event, the interface may maintain state information, including a count of the number of applications and/or wireless devices that have taken action indicating an operating state of the wireless access point. |
| US08855085B2 |
Wireless local area network handover method based on fuzzy rules
A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) handover method is provided. The method comprises a mobile station receiving probe frames sent in a predefined time interval from a current associated access point and an adjacent access point during a preset time period. The station obtains and stores a signal strength for each access point based on the beacon frames. The station performs fuzzy processing of the signal strengths and change rates of the signal strengths to obtain fuzzy data characterizing levels of the signal strengths and the change rates. The station performs fuzzy reasoning based on the fuzzy data to obtain reasoning outputs. A target access point is determined by the station based on the reasoning outputs. The station authenticates with the target access point, and sends a re-association request frame to the target access point. Re-association is established after a re-association response frame is received by the station. |
| US08855084B2 |
Preventing loss of IP continuity when transitioning between different networks
Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for preventing loss of IP continuity when transitioning between networks. Certain aspects provide methods that generally include initiating a first timer upon attempting to transition from a first RAT network to a second RAT network during an IP session and initiating a second timer if a channel in the second RAT network is successfully acquired. According to aspects, a device may transfer context of the IP session to the second RAT network if a session is successfully negotiated in the second network prior to expiration of the second timer and the first and second networks share a common core network for IP services. |
| US08855080B2 |
Method, device, and data frame for spectrum sensing
A method, device, and data frame for spectrum sensing. The method for spectrum sensing includes: determining configuration information of a spectrum sensing guard interval in a guard period (GP) used to prevent interference; setting a quiet period in the guard period according to the configuration information of the spectrum sensing guard interval; and performing the spectrum sensing in the quiet period. In the present invention, effectively avoiding the interference caused by the signal transmission to the spectrum sensing, and the spectrum sensing is performed in the condition that the signal transmission is not affected. |
| US08855078B2 |
System and method for managing resources in heterogeneous network
A system and method for managing resources in a heterogeneous network, which includes a primary system and a secondary system, and in which a communication coverage range of the primary system is divided into a plurality of regions, the system including: a heterogeneous network resource management module configured to collect and manage resource usage status within a managed region; and a secondary system resource management module configured to acquire the resource usage status of each region from the heterogeneous network resource management module and to allocate resources to the secondary system by utilizing the acquired resource usage status of each region in accordance with a priority determined based on an efficiency of resource multiplexing between the primary system and the secondary system in each region. The system and method improve resource usage efficiency. |
| US08855071B1 |
Handling errors in subscriber session management within mobile networks
In general, techniques are described for handling errors in subscriber session management within mobile networks. A downstream mobile gateway comprising a forwarding unit and a service unit may implement the techniques. The forwarding unit receives a packet that includes a destination address for a subscriber and a tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID). The service unit determines whether the TEID is associated with one of a number of subscriber records that store session data for current sessions associated with subscriber devices to communicate with the mobile network. In response to determining that the TEID is not associated with one of the subscriber records, the service unit generates a message that includes the TEID and the destination address and indicates that the downstream mobile gateway has determined that the TEID is not associated with one of the subscriber records. The forwarding unit then sends the message to the upstream mobile gateway. |
| US08855070B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for improved long term evolution (LTE) hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processing
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for performing long term evolution (LTE) hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processing are disclosed. According to one method, the method occurs at a multi-UE simulator. The method includes receiving downlink control channel data for a plurality of user devices being simulated. The method also includes decoding HARQ data for each user device of the plurality of user devices. The method further includes performing at least one HARQ data verification step for each user device of the plurality of user devices and acting on the verified HARQ data for each user device of the plurality of user devices. |
| US08855068B2 |
Method and system for coordinated transmission and a mobile terminal and network side device
A method and a system for coordinated transmission, and a mobile terminal and network side device are provided. The method for coordinated transmission includes: reporting by the terminal of a signal measurement result; determining the coordinated transmission state of the terminal according to the signal measurement result; and providing transmission service for the terminal according to the determined transmission state. |
| US08855065B2 |
Wireless access device with wildcard SSID response enabling association by client device requesting any SSID and system and method thereof
A variety of techniques are described in which wireless access points or base stations are deployed in wireless networks to achieve geographic isolation, i.e., distinct zones of operation having well-defined geographic boundaries, and increased overall capacity in an area having a high population of access and client devices. |
| US08855062B2 |
Dynamic selection of subframe formats in a wireless network
Techniques for dynamically selecting subframe formats in a wireless network are described. In an aspect, a base station may dynamically switch between different subframe formats to support communication for different types of user equipments (UEs). In one design, the base station may declare a set of subframes as multicast/broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) subframes for first/legacy UEs. The base station may send signaling conveying the set of subframes as MBSFN subframes to the legacy UEs. The base station may dynamically select the formats of the set of subframes for second/new UEs, e.g., on a per subframe basis. The format of each subframe may be selected from a plurality of formats, which may include at least one regular subframe format, at least one MBSFN subframe format, and/or at least one blank subframe format. The base station may send transmissions in the set of subframes based on the selected formats. |
| US08855061B2 |
System and method for transmitting power headroom information for aggregated carriers
A method for reporting power headroom for a plurality of aggregated carriers. The method includes reporting the power headroom for a number of the aggregated carriers that is less than or equal to the total number of aggregated carriers. |
| US08855058B2 |
Wireless architecture in support of voice and data communications
A wireless access network including a wireless base station configured to, for Iu-CS voice traffic, act as a network controller, by, terminating Iu-b signals from user equipment, and relaying the voice traffic over Iu-CS via an IP sec tunnel. And for data traffic, wireless base station is configured to act as the network controller, by, terminating Iu-b signals from the user equipment, striping IP payload, and sending the data traffic inside IPsec. Further, the wireless access network includes a wireless gateway configured to act as a security gateway for Iu-CS voice traffic, by, establishing the IP sec tunnel with the femtocell base station without the support of a GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) as defined over Iu-PS. Also receiving and forwarding the tunneled Iu-CS voice traffic to a mobile switching center, and for data traffic, encapsulate the IP payload and send it via Gn to GGSN. |
| US08855057B2 |
Method and system for transferring data between wireless devices
A device for transferring data. The device includes a processor operable to process a header portion of data without processing a payload. Processing the header portion generates a processed header. The processor may signal a direct memory access (DMA) unit to access the payload of the data. As a result, the DMA accesses and passes the payload to a wireless interface for transmission to a destination electronic device based on the processed header. The processor used to process the header portion may be a processor of an electronic device, e.g., a cellular phone, a PDA, etc. Alternatively, the processor may be a processor of a removable memory component. In one embodiment, the processor may be a processor of a module adapted to receive a removable memory and further adapted to couple to an electronic device, e.g., a cellular phone, a PDA, etc., where the removable memory includes its own processor. |
| US08855056B2 |
Method for processing degradation of radio link quality in a wireless communication system supporting relays
A method and apparatus for processing degradation of radio link quality in a wireless communication system supporting relays are disclosed. The method includes determining quality of a radio link between the first node and the communication apparatus, recovering the radio link between the first node and the communication apparatus, when the quality of the radio link between the first node and the communication apparatus is decreased to or below a predetermined threshold, and transmitting to the second node a signaling to control communication on a radio link between the second node and the communication apparatus, when the quality of the radio link between the first node and the communication apparatus is decreased to or below the predetermined threshold. |
| US08855055B2 |
Method for receiving information on peripheral legacy base station in terminal of legacy support mode
The present invention relates to a broadband wireless access system, and more particularly, to a method for an advanced mobile station to efficiently obtain information on a peripheral legacy base station in a mobile communication system in which a legacy system and an advanced system coexist. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides a method for a mobile station to receive information on a peripheral base station from a serving base station that operates in a mixed mode in the mobile communication system in which the legacy system and the advanced system coexist, and the method comprises the steps of: receiving a second message that includes first time information for indicating a time when a first message is broadcasted, in a first region for the legacy system of the serving base station through a second region for the advanced system of the serving base station, and receiving the first message from the first region by using the first time information. |
| US08855051B2 |
NAS communication method and apparatus in mobile telecommunication system
A method and apparatus for supporting Non-Access Stratum (NAS) communication between a User Equipment (UE) and a Mobility Management Entity (MME) efficiently by addressing signaling problems occurring between the UE and the MME in a situation where it is necessary for a network node to identify the UE information, from another network node to which the UE has been attached, are provided. The method is implemented with a UE, an MME, and an old MME or an old Serving General Packet Radio Service Support Node (SGSN) to which the UE has been attached before so as to facilitate discovering a best node using the UE information acquired from the old MME or old SGSN during communication between the UE and the network, resulting in a reduction of a communication delay between the UE and network and an improvement of communication efficiency. |
| US08855043B2 |
Relay node and reconnection method
A relay node of a communication system includes a communication unit that initiates a session by executing an initial connection procedure for retrieving a cell list indicating one or more donor base station candidates from a maintenance node after establishment of an initial communication link among the relay node, a base station, and a switching center, and for establishing a communication link to a donor base station in the cell list and a switching center connected to the donor base station; a storing unit that stores the cell list; and a reconnection control unit that selects, when a radio link with the donor base station is lost, a donor base station satisfying a predetermined criterion in the cell list, and that causes the communication unit to establish a communication link to the selected donor base station and a switching center connected to the selected donor base station. |
| US08855041B2 |
Radio relay station and radio relay method
A radio relay station provided with: a donor-side transceiver unit which transmits and receives a donor-side signal, at which a first frequency band is used, to and from a radio base station; a service-side transceiver unit which transmits and receives a service-side signal, at which a second frequency band adjacent to the first frequency band is used, to and from a radio terminal; and a control unit and a control unit which control the donor-side transceiver unit and service-side transceiver unit respectively. The donor-side transceiver unit, when the service-side signal has been received, measures the signal level of the service-side signal at the first frequency band. The control unit and the control unit adjust the shift amount for the second frequency band at the frequency shifter so as to lower the signal level. |
| US08855040B1 |
Cross-cell MIMO
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for implementing interference cancellation across base stations. Communications information for transmitting to a receiving device is received from a first base station at a second base station. At the second base station, second communications information is generated for transmission to the receiving device from the second base station. The second communications information comprises data to reduce interference with the first communications information. |
| US08855039B2 |
Method, system and device for channel content alternation notification and channel re-detecting
A method for channel content alternation notification and channel re-detecting is provided. The method is: a base station determines that the configured carried content of multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) point to multipoint control channel (MCCH) is altered, and transmits the notification about alternation of the carried content of MCCH to a terminal through a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); the terminal re-detects MCCH according to the notification after the terminal received the notification. A system and a device for channel re-detecting are provided. The terminal can recognize whether the carried content of MCCH is altered, and re-detect MCCH in case of altered without re-detecting MCCH periodically, therefore it is beneficial to save the resources of terminal. |
| US08855037B2 |
Scheduling processing method for multimedia broadcast and multicast service and lower-layer network element
A scheduling processing method for a MBMS service and a lower-layer network element are provided. The method is used for each lower-layer network element to perform scheduling processing for data of an MBMS service received from an upper-layer network element, in which the lower-layer network element receives information sent by a designated network element, the information is used for indicating a scheduling period of the MBMS service; then the lower-layer network element performs scheduling processing for the data of the received MBMS service according to the scheduling period of the MBMS service. |
| US08855036B2 |
Digital distributed antenna system
A digital distributed antenna system (DDAS) that regains the capability to perform simulcast to multiple simulcast groups while using a base station's direct digital output is provided. The User Plane data is adapted for simulcast and also for eliminating time delay ambiguities across multiple simulcast digital radios. In addition, the Control and Management Plane is aggregated across multiple remote units to allow a non-modified donor digital base station to control simulcast groups. The result is a low cost digital DAS that can efficiently distribute the capacity of a digital base station to solve coverage and capacity requirements in a manner similar to that now accomplished using a traditional base station with RF in/out. |
| US08855035B2 |
Access control for a service subscription
A subscription to a service provided in a communication network is managed by a first terminal. The communication network includes a second terminal, and the service includes transmission of digital information. An access is capable of obtaining a maximum rising throughput value allocated to the first terminal and a descending throughput value allocated to the second terminal. On the access of the network, an access request is received for subscribing the second terminal to the service provided by the first terminal. Then, a decision about access to or refusal of subscription of the second terminal is made on the basis of the maximum rising throughput value allocated to the first terminal and on the basis of the descending throughput value allocated to the second terminal. And finally, a response indicating the decision is sent. |
| US08855033B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing power consumption using packet filtering in portable terminal
An apparatus and a method for reducing power consumption using packet filtering in a portable terminal are provided to allow a modem to filter a packet in order to prevent an Application Processor (AP) from waking up from a sleep mode due to an unnecessary packet. The portable terminal includes an AP for providing a list of packets required in the AP itself to a packet determiner, and the packet determiner for filtering a packet included in the list provided from the AP and for providing the packet included in the list to the AP. |
| US08855032B2 |
System and method for uplink resource utilization
A system and method are described for providing an efficient uplink resource utilization wireless communication system. The system and method include determining an on duration during which a user equipment is awake, based on a discontinuous reception; and scheduling a reference signal transmission from the user equipment to occur during the on duration, wherein the reference signal is to maintain uplink resource synchronization. |
| US08855025B2 |
Management unit network for collaboratively managing a plurality of multiservice communication devices
A management unit includes a communication device interface for facilitating a bidirectional data communication with multiservice communication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound control data sent to at least one of the multiservice communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the multiservice communication devices. At least one of the multiservice communication devices includes a collaboration module. A network interface receives network resource data from a plurality of networks. A management processing unit processes the inbound control data and the network resource data and that generates the outbound control data in response thereto to collaboratively establish at least one device setting of at least one of the multiservice communication devices via the collaboration module. The wireless control channel may be separate from the communication between the multiservice communication devices and the networks or embedded in network communications. |
| US08855022B2 |
Method and system for increasing throughput in a hierarchical wireless network
A method and system for increasing throughput in a hierarchical wireless network is described. The hierarchical wireless network includes a plurality of nodes and each of the plurality of nodes has a primary path to the root node. First, one or more channels from a plurality of available channels are allocated to each disjoint sub-tree associated with the root node. Then, alternate one or more disjoint paths from at least one node in the plurality of nodes to the root node through alternate disjoint sub-trees associated with the root node are determined. Next, data from the at least one node is sent to the root node through a primary path and one or more alternate disjoint paths. |
| US08855020B2 |
Automatically maximizing network link utilization using virtual networks
A system and method for automatically configuring a network so that each switch in the network is aware of the Multiple Spanning Tree Instances (MSTI) of each other switch and the Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) that each switch uses. This is achieved through the use of controllers connected to each switch. A master switch is elected and the master switch monitors messages to determine if a switch should be using an alternative MISTI. If so, the master switch instructs a switch to use an alternative MSTI. Either a switch or a node connected to the switch may determine which VLAN to use in sending messages, subject to configuration from the controller of the master switch. Messages are periodically sent by each controller to educate other controllers to aid in learning which node is part of a group connected to a switch, the switch in turn connected to a controller. |
| US08855018B2 |
Method for realizing convergent WAPI network architecture with split MAC mode
A method for realizing a convergent Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) Authentication and Privacy Infrastructure (WAPI) network architecture with a split Medium Access Control (MAC) mode involves the steps: a split MAC mode for realizing WLAN Privacy Infrastructure (WPI) by a wireless terminal point is constructed through separating the MAC function and the WAPI function of the wireless access point apart to the wireless terminal point and an access controller; integration of a WAPI and a convergent WLAN network system architecture is realized under the split MAC mode that the wireless terminal point realizes WPI; the association connection process is performed among a station point, a wireless terminal point and an access controller; the process for announcing the start of performing the WLAN Authentication Infrastructure (WAI) protocol between the access controller and the wireless terminal point is performed; the process for performing the WAI protocol between the station point and the access controller is performed; the process for announcing the end of performing the WAI protocol between the access controller and the wireless terminal point is performed; the secret communication process is performed between the wireless terminal point and the station by using WPI. |
| US08855017B2 |
System and method of building an infrastructure for a virtual network
A network resource module communicatively interfaces a resource manager with one or more network nodes in a communications network. Each network node provides one or more network resources that may be used to create a virtual infrastructure for a virtual network. The network resource module detects the network nodes, abstracts the resources associated with the network nodes at a desired granularity (e.g., node level or flow level) into Virtual Resource Objects (VROs), and then publishes the VROs in a registry. Thereafter, Virtual Network Operators (VROs) select desired VROs from the registry to build the virtual infrastructure for the virtual network. |
| US08855013B2 |
Dynamic management of signal routing capacity for satellites using a digital transparent processor having rapid reconfiguration
The present invention relates to a device for managing signal routing on board a satellite, and use of “agile” digital transparent processors. The device decorrelates the spreading band of the uplink to said satellite from the instantaneous useful band of each signal, used for routing on board the satellite and on the downlink. For a given protection dictating the spreading width of the uplink signals, the device makes it possible to optimize connectivity, i.e. the number of routes through said satellite, as well as the total capacity of the satellite by means of individualized control of the gain of each route. The routing band is limited to the instantaneous useful communication band and is not extended to the spreading band of the uplink. The band used in the downlink by each signal can also be limited to the instantaneous useful band or possibly widened by a new frequency spread. |
| US08855011B2 |
Distributed transforms for efficient data gathering in sensor networks
Devices, systems, and techniques for data collecting network such as wireless sensors are disclosed. A described technique includes detecting one or more remote nodes included in the wireless sensor network using a local power level that controls a radio range of the local node. The technique includes transmitting a local outdegree. The local outdegree can be based on a quantity of the one or more remote nodes. The technique includes receiving one or more remote outdegrees from the one or more remote nodes. The technique includes determining a local node type of the local node based on detecting a node type of the one or more remote nodes, using the one or more remote outdegrees, and using the local outdegree. The technique includes adjusting characteristics, including an energy usage characteristic and a data compression characteristic, of the wireless sensor network by selectively modifying the local power level and selectively changing the local node type. |
| US08855010B2 |
Assigning gateways for heterogeneous wireless mobile networks
Systems and methods are provided for assigning gateways for heterogeneous wireless mobile networks. A method includes exchanging routing and connectivity information between a plurality of nodes. Each node is respectively included in a corresponding one of a plurality of mobile ad hoc networks. The information excludes global positioning satellite information. The method further includes determining, for a given node, whether a particular set of gateway functionalities of the given node are redundant with respect to one or more other nodes, based on topology information derived from the information. The method also includes dynamically assigning the given node as a gateway or a non-gateway by respectively turning on or turning off the particular set of gateway functionalities of the given node when the particular set of gateway functionalities of the given node are respectively determined to be non-redundant or redundant with respect to the one or more other nodes. |
| US08855009B2 |
Method and a device for providing communication data, data gathering system for a mobile object, a device on the mobile object for the data gathering system, a network system for organizing vehicles, and a on-vehicle device for the system
There are provided a method and a device for providing communication data that provide communication data for identifying a device on a mobile object that communicates through an LAN in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol to the device on a mobile object installed on a mobile object without a communication data provision problem caused due to a manual operation, a data gathering method and a system for a mobile object using the method and the device, the device on a mobile object for the system, a network system for organizing vehicles, and an on-vehicle device for the system. |
| US08855005B2 |
Co-channel operation systems, methods, and devices
Co-channel operation systems, methods, and devices are discussed in this document. Some embodiments can include remote stations configured for co-channel operation with one or more other remote stations. Remote stations can generally comprise a processor and a memory in electronic communication with the processor. Instructions can be stored in the memory, and when executed by the processor cause a remote station to receive a first data sequence from a first base station; use the first data sequence to distinguish a first signal transmitted by the first base station from unwanted signals transmitted by one or more other base stations; and demodulate the first signal. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described. |
| US08855003B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing end to end virtual private network performance management
A method and apparatus for managing a virtual private network are disclosed. For example, the method collects performance data for at least one parameter from a plurality of customer edge routers and a plurality of provider edge routers associated with the virtual private network. The method correlates the performance data for identifying one or more performance exceptions based on a threshold for each of the at least one parameter, and performs a trending analysis using the one or more performance exceptions to predict a potential problem that will impact the virtual private network. |
| US08855002B2 |
Channel information feedback device and method thereof, and mode switching method, communication terminal device, and base station system using same
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly to a device for feeding back channel information in consideration of interference according to connection of an additional terminal and a technique for switching a mode by enabling a base station and the like to determine the connection of the additional terminal using the communication system. |
| US08854996B2 |
Accelerating data packet parsing
Mechanisms are provided for a network processor comprising a parser, the parser being operable to work in normal operation mode or in repeat operation mode, the parser in normal operation mode loading and executing at least one rule in a first and a second working cycle respectively, the parser in repeat operation mode being operable to repeatedly execute a repeat-instruction, the execution of each repeat corresponding to one working cycle. |
| US08854994B2 |
Method for mitigating outages in heterogeneous networks
The present invention provides a method for mitigating outages in wireless communication systems using feedback for control channels formed by aggregating groups of resource blocks or resource elements, the method. One embodiment of the method includes generating control channel feedback at user equipment. The control channel feedback is generated using one or more measurements performed on signals received at the user equipment over a downlink control channel at a current aggregation level. The method also includes transmitting the control channel feedback over an uplink channel and using this information for the optimal implementation of Cell range expansion by the network. |
| US08854992B2 |
Artificial delay inflation and jitter reduction to improve TCP throughputs
A method, a system and a base-station for automatically determining delays of data transmitted via Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and inflating these delays in order to reduce jitter and improve TCP throughput in a communications network. A Dynamic Jitter Reduction (DJR) logic/utility operating within a communications node measures delays on a rolling basis in order to capture the delay profile. Based on the delay profile, the DJR utility determines a delay target. The DJR utility ‘inflates’/augments future/expected delays toward the delay target by performing on one or more of the following: (a) using a delay based factor in the scheduler metric for TCP applications; (b) performing fine-tuning of link adaptation schemes; (c) delaying transmission of packets at the transmit or receive buffer; and (d) delaying transmission of a received TCP ACK signal from the media access control (MAC) sub-layer to TCP layer. |
| US08854989B2 |
Receiver, transmitter, feedback device, transceiver and signal processing method
The present invention provides a receiver, a transmitter, a transmitter feedback device, and corresponding methods. The feedback device includes: a multi-channel frequency selection band-pass circuit, configured to receive a multi-frequency band feedback signal, and output a feedback signal of each frequency band in a time-division manner; a feedback local oscillator, configured to provide feedback local oscillation corresponding to each frequency band in a time-division manner; a mixer, configured to mix the feedback signal of each frequency band from the multi-channel frequency selection band-pass circuit and the feedback local oscillation corresponding to each frequency band from the feedback local oscillator, and output an intermediate frequency signal of each frequency band in a time-division manner. A solution in which only one set of signal processing channels is used to process the signals of multiple frequency bands in the uplink, the downlink or both the uplink and downlink is provided. |
| US08854988B2 |
Global flow tracking system
A device may obtain a flow signature, identify a destination collector to which packets bearing the flow signature are sent, obtain a list of potential source collectors that may have sent the packets bearing the flow signature to the destination collector, and identify a source collector, among the potential source collectors, that sent the packets to the destination collector. In addition, the device may output information related to a path from the source collector the destination collector. |
| US08854976B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing discontinuous reception and/or discontinuous transmission for a multi-carrier/multi-cell operation
Method and apparatus for multi-carrier/multi-cell discontinuous reception (DRX)/discontinuous transmission (DTX) operations, autonomous deactivation of the secondary carrier(s)/cell(s), and explicit activation/deactivation of DRX/DTX and secondary carriers/cells are disclosed. A user equipment (UE) may configure at least one state variable for controlling DRX and/or DTX on a plurality of cells and perform an DRX and/or DTX operation on a subset of cells based on a state variable associated with the subset of cells on a cell group basis. The UE may activate or deactivate DRX and/or DTX based on an order from a network for all cells, a group of cells, or an individual cell. The UE may deactivate the secondary cells autonomously based on activity on the cell(s). |
| US08854975B2 |
Scaling OAM for point-to-point trunking
A shared (proxy) OAM session is performed in a packet-based network on behalf of a plurality of connections. First and second connections are each routed between respective nodes of the network for carrying data traffic. The second connection shares a portion of the routing of the first connection. The shared OAM session is performed along a path which is co-routed with at least part of the shared portion of the routing of the first connection and the second connection. Failure notification signalling is propagated to an endpoint node of each of the first and second connections when the shared OAM session indicates a failure has occurred. The use of a shared OAM session reduces processing at nodes and reduces OAM traffic. Each connection can be a trunk, such as a PBT/PBB-TE trunk, or a service carried within a trunk. |
| US08854970B2 |
Flow control CA allocation correction factor based on scheduling policy, mobility, load or radio channel type
The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement in a communication network node (15) of achieving an optimal use of a scheduler buffer for a given user equipment (18) communicating with said first communication network node (15). Said communication network node (15) comprising a flow control entity (83) adapted to control the flow of data in respect of said given mobile terminal (18) between a second communication network node (10) and said first communication network node (15) in a communication network system. The method comprises the step of providing, to a capability allocation message used for controlling the flow of data in respect of said given mobile terminal (18) between said second compensation network node (10) and said first communication network node (15) in said communication network system, a first compensation factor based on at least one of: scheduling policy, mobility, load and radio channel type. |
| US08854969B2 |
Method and system for adaptive resource allocation
Methods and systems for adaptively allocating resources within a communication network, such as adaptive zone allocation in a wireless backhaul network. |
| US08854967B2 |
Per-class scheduling with rate limiting
Providing network access is disclosed. Use of a provider equipment port via which network access is provided to two or more downstream nodes, each having one or more classes of network traffic associated with it, is scheduled on a per class basis, across the downstream nodes. The respective network traffic sent to each of at least a subset of the two or more downstream nodes is limited, on a per downstream node basis, to a corresponding rate determined at least in part by a capacity of a communication path associated with the downstream node. |
| US08854965B1 |
Flow label systems and methods
Network edge devices receive IPv6 packets from source devices. These packets may or may not contain values in their flow label fields. The network edge devices apply a value to the flow label field. This value may include a flow identifier established by the network edge device. The value may also include an additional information element pertaining to QoS, security status, subscriber identity, content rating. |
| US08854964B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a transport bit rate for a Multiprogram transport stream
Method and apparatus for determining a transport bit rate for a multiprogram transport stream (MPTS) is described. In one example, a plurality of transport bit rates is computed for a respective plurality of programs in the MPTS. A highest transport bit rate and a lowest transport bit rate are selected from the plurality of transport bit rates. An average transport bit rate is computed from the highest transport bit rate and the lowest transport bit rate. The average transport bit rate is provided as an initial transport bit rate for the MPTS. Jitter in the MPTS may be compensated using the initial transport bit rate. |
| US08854962B2 |
Methods for coupling information handling systems through a communications stack
A method of coupling multiple information handling systems (IHSs) through a communications stack includes establishing connection between a first IHS and a second IHS at a layer 1 of the communications stack. The method further includes receiving a message indicating a layer 3 protocol of the second IHS and determining whether to establish the connection between the first IHS and the second IHS at a layer 2 of the communications stack, based on the layer 3 protocol. |
| US08854958B2 |
Congestion induced video scaling
Access nodes and methods adjust a bit rate of a data stream in a communication network. The access nodes and methods have a packet inspection unit configured to inspect one or more of the data packets to determine that the data stream includes video data. A congestion unit is coupled to the packet inspection unit and is configured to determine a level of congestion in the communication network, the level of congestion associated with a capacity of the wireless channel, the level of congestion capable of varying over time, and the capacity of the wireless channel capable of varying with the level of congestion. A video scaling unit is configured to adjust the bit rate of the data stream responsive to the packet inspection unit and the congestion unit. |
| US08854957B2 |
Packet retransmission control system, packet retransmission control method and retransmission control program
A packet retransmission control system includes an application processing module on which an application for executing communication processing operates, a retransmission control determination module which determines whether to execute high-speed retransmission control by a lower layer based on a predetermined rule with respect to a packet whose sending is requested by the application processing module, a packet processing branching module which allocates a packet determined to be subjected to high-speed retransmission control and a packet determined not to be subjected to high-speed retransmission control, an MAC retransmission control module which executes retransmission control of a transmission packet by a retransmission time-out shorter in time than a protocol of a transport layer with respect to a packet determined to be subjected to high-speed retransmission control, and an external output module which externally outputs a packet sent from the MAC retransmission control module or the packet processing branching module. |
| US08854951B2 |
Dynamically updating routing information while avoiding deadlocks and preserving packet order after a link error
A system for allowing dynamic changing of routing information of a network interconnect while avoiding deadlocks and preserving packet ordering. A network resiliency system detects when an error in the network interconnect occurs and dynamically generates new routing information for the routers that factors in the detected error. The network resiliency system then generates new routing information that factors in the failure. The network resiliency system then directs the network interconnect to enter a quiescent state in which no packets are transiting through the network interconnect. After the network interconnect enters the quiescent state, the network resiliency system directs the loading of the new routing information into the routing tables of the network interconnect and then directs the network interconnect to start injecting request packets into the network interconnect. |
| US08854948B2 |
Fault tolerance and synchronous failover for broadcast video across the network
A system and a method are disclosed for detecting a multicast stream fault condition at a variety of points within a digital broadcast video distribution system. In addition, a method of seamless switchover from a primary to a redundant multicast stream is provided. |
| US08854946B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating standard cancellation signalstandard cancellation signal
A method and an apparatus for generating a standard cancellation signal includes: setting weight values according to frequency points of a current cell and its neighboring cells; according to the frequency points of the current cell and neighboring cells and the weight values of the frequency points, performing Fourier transform to obtain a corresponding time-domain signal; and performing highest amplitude normalization on the time-domain signal and performing a cyclic shift to obtain a standard cancellation signal. The embodiments generate a standard cancellation signal according to frequency points of the current cell and its neighboring cells, so that the current cell and its neighboring cells share the peak clipping noise, and therefore helping improve the peak clipping performance of the current cell or reduce the EVM distortion. |
| US08854935B2 |
Disk drive device
A front-end unit 2 includes: a communication unit 8 and a local storage 9 to be used by a CPU 4b on the board in which the front-end unit itself is arranged; and I/F units 10a, 10b that make connections in an accessible manner from the CPU 4b to the communication unit 8 and the local storage 9 in the front-end unit 2. |
| US08854933B2 |
Information processing apparatus, drive unit, detection circuit and control method
An information processing apparatus includes a connector electrically connected to a drive unit in a state where the drive unit is connected to the information processing apparatus, a detector configured to detect an operation performed on a specific button disposed on the drive unit based on a change in a voltage of a specific pin of the connector in a state where the drive unit is connected to the information processing apparatus and an operational voltage is not applied to the drive unit and a power controller configured to start applying the operational voltage to the drive unit via the connector in response to the operation detected by the detector. |
| US08854932B2 |
Head-gimbal-assembly capable of inhibiting effects of deterioration in lateral balance of heat-assisted magnetic recording head
There is provided a head-gimbal-assembly for use in heat-assist magnetic recording, excellent in the heat-release characteristic of a laser diode, by inhibiting effects of deterioration in lateral balance, and wind turbulence without adversely affecting efforts to lower a profile of a magnetic disk unit. For this purpose, a sub-mount with a laser diode attached thereto is mounted on either of the right and left lateral faces of a head slider. Further, of two lengths of lead wires for power supply to the laser diode, one length of the lead wire is routed to a lateral face of the head-slider, on the opposite side of a lateral face with the sub-mount attached thereto, after circling around the outer periphery of a head-slider electrode, formed on the gas-outlet side of the head slider. |
| US08854931B2 |
Polarization converter including a jagged diagonal line in plane orthogonal to propagation direction of electromagnetic wave
A polarization converter of the invention includes a core part that wave-guides an electromagnetic wave and a cladding part that is provided around the core part. The core part includes a conversion part converting a polarization state of the electromagnetic wave. A cross-sectional shape of the conversion part in a plane orthogonal to a propagation direction of the electromagnetic wave is a shape formed by cutting off a portion of a rectangular or square shape along a jagged diagonal line. |
| US08854924B2 |
Method, a device and a system for executing an action at a predetermined time
A method of executing an action at a predetermined time by a device is disclosed. The device has a latency time between initiation of the execution of the action and the actual execution of the action. The method includes advancing the initiation of the execution of the action by the latency time. A device in which the method is implemented and a system including the device are also disclosed. |
| US08854923B1 |
Variable resonance acoustic transducer
A transducer assembly is provided for projecting acoustic signals into a medium. The assembly includes a support member having first and second layers of piezoelectric material mechanically linked to the support member. The first and second layers are joined to electrical drive circuitry such that one layer receives a driving voltage signal while the other layer receives the driving voltage with a stiffening voltage. The transducer assembly can use both the 3-1 and 3-3 drive modes. Multiple configurations are supported, and both bender bar and slotted cylinder configurations are shown. |
| US08854921B2 |
Method and device for actively detecting objects in view of previous detection results
A method for detecting an object within a surrounding area of a vehicle, includes: repeatedly transmitting wave pulses into the surrounding area; repeatedly receiving wave pulses, which correspond to the transmitted wave pulses reflected by the objects; detecting the object with the aid of a signal representation of the received wave pulses, and ascertaining at least one signal characteristic of a first received wave pulse. The detecting of the object includes: comparing the curve in the form of the signal characteristic of the first received wave pulse to the curve of a further received wave pulse, which was received after the first received wave pulse, location information of the object being corrected in light of the comparison. |
| US08854920B2 |
Volume rendering of 3D sonar data
Sonar imaging data obtained by sending multiple sonar pings towards an object is reduced by assigning values measured by each sonar ping to bins, where each bin is fixed in World Space, and calculating the opacity of each bin to produce an image of the object. A normal vector associated with each bin is used to calculate the light reflected from a model constructed from the data. The most preferred normal vector is calculated from the vector sum of normals calculated from each ping. |
| US08854915B2 |
Clock mode determination in a memory system
A clock mode configuration circuit for a memory device is described. A memory system includes any number of memory devices serially connected to each other, where each memory device receives a clock signal. The clock signal can be provided either in parallel to all the memory devices or serially from memory device to memory device through a common clock input. The clock mode configuration circuit in each memory device is set to a parallel mode for receiving the parallel clock signal, and to a serial mode for receiving a source synchronous clock signal from a prior memory device. Depending on the set operating mode, the data input circuits will be configured for the corresponding data signal format, and the corresponding clock input circuits will be either enabled or disabled. The parallel mode and the serial mode is set by sensing a voltage level of a reference voltage provided to each memory device. |
| US08854912B2 |
Semiconductor module including module control circuit and method for controlling the same
A module control circuit includes an input unit configured to receive a plurality of data signals from a plurality of data input/output pins and output an identification signal and an internal command signal. A latch unit is configured to latch the identification signal in accordance with a first enable signal to output a first group identification signal, latch the identification signal in accordance with a second enable signal to output a second group identification signal, and latch the internal command signal in accordance with the second enable signal to output a group command signal. A comparator is configured to compare the first group identification signal with the second group identification signal, and generate a selection signal. A multiplexer is configured to select one of the group command signal and a module command signal as an input command in response to the selection signal. |
| US08854911B2 |
Memory and method of refreshing a memory
A memory includes a determination circuit, a plurality of refresh counters, and a plurality of banks. The determination circuit receives a refresh command. The plurality of refresh counters are coupled to the determination circuit. Each refresh counter of the plurality of refresh counters corresponds to one bank of the plurality of banks. The determination circuit detects whether a first bank of the plurality of banks is enabled or a number counted by a first refresh counter of the plurality of refresh counters corresponding to the first bank is equal to a predetermined value. Then, the determination circuit optionally refreshes one bank of the plurality of banks according to a detection result. Thus, the memory still refreshes an idle bank according to a refresh command even if the plurality of banks are not all idle. |
| US08854904B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of repair fuse units configured to program repair target addresses respectively for repair target memory cells, wherein at least one of the repair fuse units is programmed with data information used for different purposes from the repair target addresses, a plurality of address comparison units each configured to compare an access target address with a corresponding address of the repair target addresses and determine whether to perform a repair operation or not, and a data transfer unit configured to transfer the data information to a corresponding circuit of the semiconductor memory device. |
| US08854903B2 |
Data alignment circuit
A data alignment circuit includes: a select transmission unit configured to selectively transmit a first pulse or ground voltage as a first control pulse and selectively transmit a second pulse or ground voltage as a second control pulse, in response to a control signal; and a data latch unit configured to latch data in response to the first and second pulses and the first and second control pulses, and generate first to fourth data. |
| US08854897B2 |
Static random access memory apparatus and bit-line voltage controller thereof
A static random access memory apparatus and a bit-line voltage controller includes a controller, a pull-up circuit, a pull-down circuit and a voltage keeping circuit. The controller receives a bank selecting signal and a clock signal, and decides a pull-up time period, a pull-down time period and a voltage keeping time period according to the bank selecting signal and the clock signal. The pull-up circuit pulls up a bit-line power according to a first reference voltage within the pull-up time period. The pull-down circuit pulls down the bit-line power according to a second reference voltage within the pull-down time period. The voltage keeping circuit keeps the bit-line power to equal to an output voltage during the voltage keeping time period. The voltage keeping time period is after the pull-up time period and the pull-down time period. |
| US08854896B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises multiple memory strings each including a plurality of first and second groups of serially connected memory cells, and a back gate transistor serially connected between the first and second groups of memory cells, a plurality of word lines, each word line being connected to a control gate of a different memory cell in each of the memory strings, a voltage generating circuit configured to generate control voltages of different voltage levels, and a control circuit configured to control application of control voltages to the word lines and the back gate line. A control voltage applied to the back gate line may be varied depending on how far a selected word line is from the back gate line, and a control voltage applied to unselected word lines may be varied depending on how far the unselected word line is from the selected word line. |
| US08854894B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and program method thereof
A program method of a semiconductor memory device includes performing a verify operation on selected memory cells by applying a selected word line voltage to a selected word line, continuously increasing the selected word line voltage without discharging the selected word line after the verify operation, and performing a program operation on the selected memory cells when the selected word line voltage reaches a program voltage level. |
| US08854893B2 |
Flash multiple-pass write with accurate first-pass write
An indication to store a data value in Flash memory is received. An accurate coarse write is performed on the Flash memory, including by: storing a first voltage level in the Flash memory and setting a configuration setting of the Flash memory to a first setting. The first voltage level, when interpreted using the configuration setting at the first setting, corresponds to the data value. A fine write is performed on the Flash memory, including by: storing a second voltage level in the Flash memory and setting the configuration setting of the Flash memory to a second setting. The second voltage level, when interpreted using the configuration setting at the second setting, corresponds to the data value. |
| US08854892B2 |
Lifetime markers for memory devices
The present disclosure includes lifetime markers for memory devices. One or more embodiments include determining a read disturb value, a quantity of erase pulses, and/or a quantity of soft program pulses associated with a number of memory cells, and providing an indicator of an advance and/or retreat of the read disturb value, the quantity of erase pulses, and/or the quantity of soft program pulses relative to a lifetime marker associated with the memory cells. |
| US08854891B2 |
Method of operating semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is operated by, inter alia: programming selected memory cells by applying a first program voltage which is increased by a first step voltage to a selected word line and by applying a first pass voltage having a constant level to unselected word lines, and when a voltage difference between the first program voltage and the first pass voltage reaches a predetermined voltage difference, programming the selected memory cells by applying a second program voltage which is increased by a second step voltage lower than the first step voltage to the selected word line and by applying a second pass voltage which is increased in proportion to the second program voltage to first unselected word lines adjacent to the selected word line among the unselected word lines. |
| US08854890B1 |
Programming time improvement for non-volatile memory
Disclosed herein are techniques for providing a programming voltage to a selected word line in a non-volatile memory array. This may be a 3D NAND, 2D NAND, or another type of memory array. The programming voltage may be quickly ramped up on the selected word line, without the need for adding a stronger charge pump to the memory device. The voltage on the selected word line may be ramped up to a target voltage during a channel pre-charge phase. The target voltage may be limited in magnitude so that program disturb does not occur. Next, during a channel boosting phase, the unselected word lines are increased to a boosting voltage. The voltage on the selected word line is also increased during the boosting phase to a second target level. Then, the voltage on the selected word line is charged up from the second target level to a program voltage. |
| US08854889B2 |
Flash memory device and reading method thereof
A flash memory device and reading method of the flash memory device. The reading method includes determining a read voltage set of memory cells corresponding to a first word line from at least one of flag cell data of the first word line and flag cell data of a second word line adjacent to the first word line, and reading the memory cells corresponding to the first word line according to the determined read voltage set. |
| US08854887B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and method of programming the same
A method of 4-bit MLC programming a nonvolatile memory device includes inputting an mth program operation command and sequentially executing first to fourth logical page program operations according to first to fourth logical page program start voltages, each stored in first to fourth logical page program start voltage storage units, wherein a program voltage, which is applied at a time point at which a memory cell programmed higher than a lowest verify voltage while a program operation of each logical page is performed occurs for a first time, is updated to each logical page program start voltage. |
| US08854885B2 |
Apparatus and method for reduced peak power consumption during common operation of multi-nand flash memory devices
System and method for executing a global memory command in a multi-chip non-volatile memory device having a plurality of non-volatile memories. The global memory command is received at each non-volatile memory concurrently. The memory command is initiated at different times relative to receiving the global memory command for at least two of the plurality of non-volatile memory to mitigate peak power consumption. |
| US08854884B2 |
NAND flash architecture with multi-level row decoding
A NAND flash memory device is disclosed. The NAND flash memory device includes a NAND flash memory array defined as a plurality of sectors. Row decoding is performed in two levels. The first level is performed that is applicable to all of the sectors. This can be used to select a block, for example. The second level is performed for a particular sector, to select a page within a block in the particular sector, for example. Read and program operations take place to the resolution of a page within a sector, while erase operation takes place to the resolution of a block within a sector. |
| US08854881B2 |
Circuits and techniques to compensate memory access signals for variations of parameters in multiple layers of memory
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to semiconductors and memory technology, and more particularly, to systems, integrated circuits, and methods to implement circuits configured to compensate for parameter variations in layers of memory by adjusting access signals during memory operations. In some embodiments, memory cells are based on third dimensional memory technology. In at least some embodiments, an integrated circuit includes multiple layers of memory, a layer including sub-layers of semiconductor material. The integrated circuit also includes an access signal generator configured to generate an access signal to facilitate an access operation, and a characteristic adjuster configured to adjust the access signal for each layer in the multiple layers of memory. |
| US08854876B2 |
Perpendicular magnetization storage element and storage device
A storage element includes a storage layer which has magnetization perpendicular to its film surface and which retains information by a magnetization state of a magnetic substance, a magnetization pinned layer having magnetization perpendicular to its film surface which is used as the basis of the information stored in the storage layer, an interlayer of a non-magnetic substance provided between the storage layer and the magnetization pinned layer, and a cap layer which is provided adjacent to the storage layer at a side opposite to the interlayer and which includes at least two oxide layers. The storage element is configured to store information by reversing the magnetization of the storage layer using spin torque magnetization reversal generated by a current passing in a laminate direction of a layer structure including the storage layer, the interlayer, and the magnetization pinned layer. |
| US08854873B1 |
Memory devices, architectures and methods for memory elements having dynamic change in property
A memory device can include at least one array comprising a plurality of elements programmable between at least two different states, each state having a different time to a change in property under applied sense conditions; a read circuit configured to apply the sense conditions to selected elements and detect changes in property of the selected elements to generate read data; a latch circuit configured to store read data from the read circuit; and a transfer path configured to provide a parallel data transfer path between the read circuit and the latch circuit. |
| US08854871B1 |
Dynamic control of spin states in interacting magnetic elements
A method for the control of the magnetic states of interacting magnetic elements comprising providing a magnetic structure with a plurality of interacting magnetic elements. The magnetic structure comprises a plurality of magnetic states based on the state of each interacting magnetic element. The desired magnetic state of the magnetic structure is determined. The active resonance frequency and amplitude curve of the desired magnetic state is determined. Each magnetic element of the magnetic structure is then subjected to an alternating magnetic field or electrical current having a frequency and amplitude below the active resonance frequency and amplitude curve of said desired magnetic state and above the active resonance frequency and amplitude curve of the current state of the magnetic structure until the magnetic state of the magnetic structure is at the desired magnetic state. |
| US08854868B2 |
Sense amplifier
Embodiments of the invention provide a sense amplifier, a SRAM chip comprising the sense amplifier and a method of performing read operation on the SRAM chip. The sense amplifier according to embodiments of the invention comprises an additional driving assist portion, which further takes a global data bus as input, the driving assist portion is configured to enable the sense amplifier to provide assisted driving for other sense amplifiers. With the solution according to embodiments of the invention, driving capability of a sense amplifier on global data bus can be enhanced. |
| US08854867B2 |
Memory device and driving method of the memory device
A memory device which can reduce power consumption and a driving method thereof are disclosed. In a memory element including an inverter and the like, a capacitor for holding data and a capacitor switching element for controlling store and release of charge in the capacitor are provided. The capacitor switching element is designed so that the off-state current is sufficiently low. Therefore, even when power supply of the inverter is stopped after charge corresponding to data is stored in the capacitor, data can be held for a long period of time. In order to return data, potentials of output and input terminals of the inverter are set to a precharge potential, then charge in the capacitor is released, and power is supplied to the inverter. A switching element for supplying the precharge potential may be provided. |
| US08854863B2 |
Arrays of nonvolatile memory cells and methods of forming arrays of nonvolatile memory cells
An array of nonvolatile memory cells includes a plurality of vertically stacked tiers of nonvolatile memory cells. The tiers individually include a first plurality of horizontally oriented first electrode lines and a second plurality of horizontally oriented second electrode lines crossing relative to the first electrode lines. Individual of the memory cells include a crossing one of the first electrode lines and one of the second electrode lines and material there-between. Specifically, programmable material, a select device in series with the programmable material, and current conductive material in series between and with the programmable material and the select device are provided in series with such crossing ones of the first and second electrode lines. The material and devices may be oriented for predominant current flow in defined horizontal and vertical directions. Method and other implementations and aspects are disclosed. |
| US08854862B2 |
Device for storing a frequency and method for storing and reading out a frequency
The disclosure relates to a device for storing a frequency, wherein the device comprises (i) a comparator having an input, an output, a supply voltage input, and a supply voltage output, and (ii) a memristor connected between the input and the comparator and the output of the comparator. |
| US08854855B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing the same
The present technology includes a semiconductor memory device and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device includes insulation patterns and cell word lines alternately stacked on a substrate. A cell channel layer is formed through the insulation patterns and the cell word lines. A select channel layer is connected to the cell channel layer, and the select channel layer has a resistance higher than a resistance of the cell channel layer. A select line surrounds the select channel layer. |
| US08854853B2 |
Technology of memory repair after stacking of three-dimensional integrated circuit
A three-dimensional integrated circuit (3-D IC) includes a controller chip and at least one memory chip, in which, besides an original storage capacity, the memory chip further includes multiple spare memory cells and an address translation circuit with an external activation/enablement function. After the memory chip and the controller chip are stacked, the controller chip may still activate/enable a spare in the memory chip to repair a damaged or deteriorated memory cell in the memory chip through at least one vertical interconnect (for example, through-silicon via (TSV)), regardless of whether the damaged or deteriorated memory cell has been repaired or not before the controller chip and the memory chip are stacked. |
| US08854852B2 |
Multi-priority encoder
A multi-priority encoder includes a plurality of interconnected, single-priority encoders arranged in descending priority order. The multi-priority encoder includes circuitry for blocking a match output by a lower level single-priority encoder if a higher level single-priority encoder outputs a match output. Match data is received from a content addressable memory, and the priority encoder includes address encoding circuitry for outputting the address locations of each highest priority match line flagged by the highest priority indicator. Each single-priority encoder includes a highest priority indicator which has a plurality of indicator segments, each indicator segment being associated with a match line input. |
| US08854850B2 |
AC power supply apparatus
In an AC power supply apparatus, first and second switching circuits connected in series to an input terminal to which a DC input power supply is connected include first and second rectification elements, respectively. A capacitor, an inductor, and a capacitive load are equivalently connected in series to the second switching circuit. The capacitor is charged after the first switching circuit is turned on before the second rectification element is turned off and the charged capacitor is caused to discharge after the second switching circuit is turned on before the second rectification element is turned off. The above operations are periodically repeated. The voltage of the capacitive load is reversed with current flowing during the charge and the discharge of the capacitor to adjust the on and off periods of the first and second switching circuits in order to supply desired AC voltage to the capacitive load. |
| US08854845B2 |
System and method of over-voltage protection
In one aspect, a method for over-voltage protection is provided. The method includes connecting a first winding of a saturable reactor to a direct current (DC) source; connecting at least one phase of an alternating current (AC) electrical system to ground through a second winding of the saturable reactor; and controlling DC current flow from the DC source to the first winding of the saturable reactor in response to an over-voltage event, wherein energy is shunted to ground from the at least one phase of the alternating current electrical system through the second winding of the saturable reactor. |
| US08854842B2 |
Digital communication link between secondary side and primary side of switching power converter
A switching power converter provides a communication link between a secondary side and a primary side of the switching power converter. During a messaging mode, the communication link enables information to be transmitted from an electronic device coupled to the secondary side to a controller on the primary side. The communication link may be used to transmit operating parameters related to powering the electronic device. The switching power converter may then adapt its switching operation to achieve different regulated output voltage and/or current to accommodate the detected electronic device. |
| US08854841B2 |
High-speed reflected signal detection for primary-side controlled power converters
A controller for a power converter includes a clamping circuit, a switching circuit and a pulse generator. The clamping circuit is coupled to an input terminal of the controller for detecting a detection signal from a transformer. The switching circuit generates a switching signal to switch the transformer in response to the detection signal for regulating the power converter. A maximum level of the detection signal is clamped to be under a level of a threshold voltage during an off-period of the switching signal. Since the maximum level of the detection signal is clamped and the oscillating energy of the reflected signal is discharged, the speed of detecting the detection signal is increased. Therefore, the regulation of the primary-side controlled power converter can be improved accordingly. |
| US08854838B2 |
Power supply control device, power supply system and eletronic device
An electronic device includes a power supply system and a load circuit connected to the power supply system. The load circuit mutually switches between the first mode and the second mode. In the first mode, the load circuit operates with electric power supplied from the power supply system. On the other hand, in the second mode, the load circuit is brought into the state where the electric power does not need to be supplied from the power supply system. In response to the fact that the mode of the load circuit is switched from the first mode to the second mode, a power supply control device causes an AC/DC converter to stop. |
| US08854829B1 |
Standoff mounting system
In certain embodiments, a mounting apparatus includes one or more standoffs adapted to maintain two panels at a spaced apart distance from one another. The standoff includes a first end having a first threaded fastening member and a second end having a cavity in which a torque restraining member is disposed. The torque restraining member is coupled to a second threaded fastening member. The relative sizes of the torque restraining member and the cavity allow movement of the torque restraining member within the cavity. |
| US08854824B2 |
Modular UPS
A modular UPS system is provided wherein UPS systems may be constructed using a number of different frame components. In one example, a core UPS frame is provided that can accept different combinations of power and battery modules, and an extension frame is provided that can be combined with the core frame to provide a larger UPS system. According to one example, both the core and extension frame types may be used in either a standalone or rack-mounted configuration. Another aspect relates to packaging of UPS components such that the UPS frame need not include serviceable items. In another aspect, a rail system is provided that allows for easier installation of heavy components into rack-mount systems. |
| US08854823B2 |
Handle latching mechanism
An assembly can include a base with a front side, a back side, a hinge axis, a hinge end, an opposing end and a beveled surface disposed intermediate the hinge end and the opposing end where the beveled surface includes an opening; a handle, configured for rotation about the hinge axis, with a front side, a back side, a hinge end and a swing end where the swing end includes an angled frame that defines an opening for access to a surface; and a latch with a pivot axis, a spring, a prong biased by the spring about the pivot axis and an actuation surface where, for a latched orientation, the prong extends through the opening of the beveled surface and into the opening of the angled frame to access and contact the surface of the handle and to bias the swing end of the handle toward the base. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US08854822B2 |
Data center equipment cabinet information center
A cabinet frame enclosure is provided having a first side wall, a second side wall, a first opening and a second opening each in combination defining an interior space for accommodating a plurality of equipment, the equipment being removable through the first opening. A plurality of functional modules are provided such as: an asset tracking module for detecting the presence or absence of the equipment from the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure, the asset tracking module disposed in the first side wall adjacent the first opening; an access control module for providing electronic locking and access control to the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure; an environmental management module for monitoring and controlling environmental conditions within the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure; a power management module for monitoring and controlling power distribution to equipment located in the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure, the power management module disposed in one of the first side wall or second side wall and adjacent the second opening; and a cabinet control module (CCM) for providing consolidated connectivity to the plurality of functional modules, wherein the CCM presents a single network connection for managing the equipment located in the cabinet frame enclosure. |
| US08854821B2 |
Backplane wiring for an input-output panel used for front or rear access
According to one embodiment, an input-output (I-O) panel is transformed. The I-O panel is configured to couple to an array of first midplane connectors of a first shelf configured according to a first format, where the first shelf has rear access. The I-O panel comprises an array of I-O panel connectors and defines an xy-plane. An array of second midplane connectors of a second shelf is transformed to substantially align the second midplane connectors with the I-O panel connectors. The second shelf is configured according to a second format, where the second shelf has front access. The array of second midplane connectors is arranged in columns defining a midplane column axis and rows defining a midplane row axis. |
| US08854819B2 |
Cooling device
A cooling device includes a heat sink base plate for mounting on a circuit board to absorb waste heat from a heat source, a radiation fin unit consisting of a set of radiation fins, mounted on the heat sink base plate opposite to the circuit board and defining a plurality of heat-dissipation passages between each two adjacent ones of the radiation fins, a cooling fan unit mounted on the radiation fin unit for creating currents of air toward the heat-dissipation passages, a plurality of thermal tubes supported on the heat sink base plate and fastened to the radiation fins. Each radiation fin has first wind guiding wall portions and second wind guiding wall portions respectively tilted in reversed directions to facilitate the flow of air through the heat-dissipation passages. |
| US08854817B2 |
Electronic device having fixing member
An exemplary electronic device includes an electronic component, a heat dissipation device, a fixing member and a casing contained the electronic component, the heat dissipation device and the fixing member therein. The heat dissipation device thermally contacts the electronic component. The fixing member includes a main body and an engaging portion extending from the main body. The engaging portion fixes the heat dissipation device to the fixing member. Fasteners extend through the casing and engage the main body of the fixing member to secure the fixing member on the casing. |
| US08854815B2 |
Apparatus for externally changing the direction of air flowing through electronic equipment
A first conduit is externally attached to one of two opposing sidewalls of electronic equipment and a second conduit is externally attached to the other of the opposing sidewalls. Each conduit has an open end, a closed end, and a side having a vent that is aligned with a vent in the sidewall of the electronic equipment to which that conduit is attached. The first conduit takes air in through its open end, channels the air in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of air flowing through the electronic equipment, and directs the air into the electronic equipment through its aligned vents. The second conduit receives air from the electronic equipment through its aligned vents, channels the air in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the direction of air flowing through the electronic equipment, and exhausts the air through the open end of the second conduit. |
| US08854813B2 |
Adjustable air suction device
The present disclosure relates to an adjustable air suction device, comprising a driving structure, an air suction structure, and a link structure. The driving structure and the air suction structure are disposed on a housing of an electronic device. The link structure is disposed inside the housing. Both ends of the link structure correspond to the driving structure and the air suction structure, respectively. The driving structure drives one end of the link structure to move towards a first direction, and drives the other end of the link structure to move towards a second direction. The other end of the link structure pushes the air suction structure, and projects from the housing. Besides, the air suction structure corresponds to a heat dissipating device of the electronic device and draws a great deal of fluids into the electronic device for dissipating the heat of the electronic components in the electronic device. |
| US08854810B2 |
Portable computer having removable access panel
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a portable computer 100 having a removable access panel 108 for accessing data processing components stored within the portable computer. In one embodiment, the portable computer includes an upper housing 102 pivotably connected to a base housing 104. The base housing accommodates the data processing component and includes a top side that faces the upper housing and a bottom side opposite the top side. Furthermore, the access panel is formed to have substantially similar dimensions as the bottom side of the base housing, while also being configured to tool-lessly and releasably attach to said bottom side so as to expose or cover the removable component and an entire area of the bottom side of the base housing. |
| US08854809B2 |
Modular data center
A data center includes a modular building structure forming an enclosure having a bottom side. An external support system extends from the modular building structure. A series of heat sinks are each configured to extend from an interior to an exterior of the enclosure and protrude below the bottom side of the modular building structure into a fluid. Electronic components and devices are housed within the enclosure. |
| US08854808B2 |
Fitting for flexible manifold system
A fitting includes a body, a first connection member provided on the body, a second connection member provided on the body opposite to the first connection member, a third connection member provided on the body generally perpendicular to the first and second connection members, and a flange extending from the body substantially perpendicular to the first, second, and third connection members. The flange includes a captive mounting fastener configured and disposed to secure the fitting to a substrate. |
| US08854803B2 |
Buffer assembly and application method thereof
A buffer assembly includes a buffer body and an adhesive layer on the buffer body. The buffer body includes a buffer portion and a mounting portion surrounding the buffer portion. The adhesive layer includes a first adhesive portion and a second adhesive portion surrounding the first adhesive portion. The first adhesive portion and the second adhesive portion respectively correspond to the buffer portion and the mounting portion. A first cutting line is disposed between the buffer portion and the mounting portion such that the mounting portion is separable from the buffer portion along the first cutting line. A second cutting line is disposed between the first adhesive portion and the second adhesive portion such that the second adhesive portion is separable from the first adhesive portion along the second cutting line. The second cutting line superposes the first cutting line. |
| US08854799B2 |
Flux fountain
Flux fountain techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a cover configured to be disposed over at least a portion of a display device of a computing device that is configured as a tablet and a connection portion attached to the cover using a flexible hinge. The connection portion is configured to be physically coupled to the computing device using a magnetic coupling device. The magnetic coupling device includes a first magnet that is disposed in the connection portion such that a magnetic field is aligned along an axis and second and third magnets are disposed in the connection portion at opposing sides of the first magnet from each other. The second and third magnets have respective magnetic fields that are aligned along a respective axis that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the magnetic field of the first magnet. |
| US08854794B2 |
Mobile electricity generator using solar panels
A mobile electricity generator comprising a telescopic boom, a first retractable support leg, and a base. The telescopic boom comprises a first end and a second end. A wind turbine is attached to the second end of the telescopic boom and the wind turbine is capable of transforming wind into electricity. The first end of the telescopic boom and the first retractable support leg are attached to the base. The electricity generator has a movable solar panel assembly that may be stored in the base and deployed to a use position and a pair of doors each equipped with a solar panel swing having solar panels. The mobile electricity generator can further comprise a battery in electric communication with the solar panels for storing the electricity. |
| US08854791B2 |
Voltage controlled variable capacitor and voltage controlled oscillator
There is provided a voltage variable capacitor that can be formed on a semiconductor circuit, has a large variable ratio of capacitances and a high Q value, and achieves a highly linear relation of a control voltage and an oscillation frequency when the capacitor forms a VCO. The voltage variable capacitor is formed of a plurality of MOS capacitance elements (CM1 to CMn) having lower electrodes connected in common, the same number of non-variable capacitors (C1 to Cn) having one ends connected to upper electrodes of the plurality of MOS capacitance elements and the other ends connected in common, and a unit (VB1 to VBn and resistors) applying different fixed bias voltages to connection points of these MOS capacitance elements and non-variable capacitors, in which a control voltage is applied to the lower electrodes connected in common of the plurality of MOS capacitance elements. |
| US08854790B1 |
Electrostatic chuck assembly
The present invention generally relates to an electrostatic chuck assembly for uniformly processing a wafer in a semiconductor wafer processing process, more particularly to prevent a byproduct formed from leakage of wafer processing materials from depositing between a wafer and the electrostatic chuck assembly.The electrostatic chuck assembly has a wafer holding member for holding a wafer; a shadow ring in engagement with the wafer holding member; and an insert ring disposed between the shadow ring and the wafer holding member.The wafer holding member has a wafer mounting surface and may preferably have a conical head having a tapered peripheral wall and a cylindrical portion. Alternatively, the wafer holding member is cylindrical and extends downwardly from the wafer mounting surface. The insert ring has an inner wall for sealably engaging the wafer holding member and preferably, is removable to allow for easy cleaning of the electrostatic chuck assembly. |
| US08854787B2 |
Bond lead
A bonding lead comprising a core; and a sheath bonded to the core. The core comprises a substrate of fibers coated with nano-objects with at least one dimension between 1 nm and 200 nm. The nano-objects form a continuous electrically conductive network from one end of the bonding lead to the other with some of the nano-objects coating the fibers and others forming bridges between adjacent fibers. The nano-objects may be carbon nanotubes and the core may be woven or knitted. A conductive connector is provided at each end of the bonding lead, for instance a tab formed from an electrically conductive polymer. The lead can be used to dissipate static charge and/or lightning current between components, typically within an aircraft fuel tank. |
| US08854783B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack that can quickly transfer heat from a battery cell to a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) to quickly cut off a current when the battery cell is heated to a high temperature. A battery pack includes: a battery cell including a cell tab; a protective circuit module including an internal terminal connected to the cell tab, a PTC connected to the internal terminal, and an interconnection pattern between the internal terminal and the PTC and electrically connecting the internal terminal to the PTC; and a heat transfer member including a surface contacting the interconnection pattern, and opposite sides respectively connected to the internal terminal and the PTC. |
| US08854777B2 |
Systems and methods for ESD protection for RF couplers in semiconductor packages
ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection for radio frequency (RF) couplers included in the same semiconductor package as other integrated circuits, such as integrated circuits having power amplifier (PA) circuitry, is disclosed along with related systems and methods. The disclosed embodiments provide ESD protection for RF couplers within semiconductor packages by including coupler ESD circuitry within an integrated circuit within the semiconductor package and coupling the connection ports of the RF coupler to this coupler ESD circuitry. Further, this coupler ESD circuitry can be implemented using two sets of serially connected diodes so that the signal connected to the coupler ESD circuitry can swing around ground without being clipped by the ESD circuitry. Still further, the ESD diodes can be formed in deep N well structures to improve isolation and to reduce parasitic capacitance associated with the ESD diodes. |
| US08854775B2 |
Transformer assembly and methods of use
A transformer assembly is described. Embodiments of the transformer assembly are adapted to facile disconnection and removal of a transformer from the transformer assembly without disconnecting service lines from the transformer assembly. Moreover, embodiments of the transformer assembly are adapted to de-energize the transformer without interrupting primary power to downstream devices, and to safely and easily park energized or de-energized connectors such as loadbreak elbows during transformer maintenance. Methods of using the transformer assembly are also described. |
| US08854773B2 |
Side shield biasing layer separated from an air bearing surface
Various embodiments may configure a data storage device with at least a magnetic element having a magnetic stack that is configured with an air bearing surface (ABS) and is separated from a side shield. The side shield can be biased by a biasing layer that contacts the side shield and is separated from the ABS. |
| US08854772B1 |
Adhesion enhancement of thin film PZT structure
A microactuator, for example for a disc drive, comprising a substrate, a sandwich structure on the substrate, and a passivation layer over the substrate and the sandwich structure. The sandwich structure has a bottom electrode formed from noble metal, a piezoelectric layer, and a top electrode formed from noble metal. The microactuator further has one or both of a bottom adhesion layer present between the bottom electrode and the passivation layer, and a top adhesion layer present between the top electrode and the passivation layer. That is, the microactuator may have only the bottom adhesion layer, only the top adhesion layer, or both the bottom adhesion layer and the top adhesion layer. |
| US08854765B2 |
Regulating distribution of power in a hard disk drive following a power loss
Applicant has recognized and appreciated the desirability of powering an actuator using power drawn from one or both of an energy storage device and a spindle motor. In some embodiments, following a loss of external power to a hard disk drive, the hard disk drive (or one or more components thereof) determines whether to provide the actuator with power drawn from the spindle motor or to provide the actuator with power drawn from the spindle motor and from the energy storage device. In some embodiments, the hard disk drive (or the component(s) thereof) may additionally or alternatively determine whether to charge the energy storage device using power drawn from the spindle motor. In some embodiments, the drive may make the determinations based on an amount of power that the actuator is to consume at a time and an amount of power that the spindle motor can provide at the time. |
| US08854763B2 |
Systems and methods for managed operational marginalization
Systems, methods, devices, circuits for data processing, and more particularly to data processing including operational marginalization capability. |
| US08854762B2 |
Systems and methods for X-sample based data processor marginalization
Systems, methods, devices, circuits for data processing, and more particularly to data processing including operational marginalization capability. |
| US08854760B1 |
Systems and methods for preventing adjacent track erasure
A data processing circuit includes a subtraction circuit operable to subtract an ideal version of a data pattern from a sampled version of a data pattern to yield a difference signal, an error calculation circuit operable to calculate an error between the ideal version of the data pattern and the sampled version of the data pattern based on the difference signal, and a comparator circuit operable to compare the error with a threshold value and operable to assert a track refresh signal if the error is greater than the threshold value. The track refresh signal is operable to trigger a magnetic storage device to refresh data on a data track. |
| US08854754B2 |
Systems and methods for local iteration adjustment
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. As an example, a data processing circuit is disclosed that includes: a data decoder circuit and a local iteration adjustment circuit. The data decoder circuit is operable to perform a number of local iterations on a decoder input to yield a data output. The local iteration adjustment circuit is operable to generate a limit on the number of local iterations performed by the data decoder circuit. |
| US08854753B2 |
Systems and methods for auto scaling in a data processing system
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. As an example, a data processing circuit having a data detection circuit is disclosed that includes: a scaling circuit, a soft output calculation circuit, and a factor calculation circuit. The scaling circuit is operable to scale a branch metric value by a scaling factor to yield a scaled output. The soft output calculation circuit is operable to calculate a soft output based at least in part on the scaled output. The factor calculation circuit operable to modify the scaling factor based at least in part on the soft output. |
| US08854752B2 |
Systems and methods for track width determination
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for read sensor characterization. As an example, a data storage device is disclosed that includes a storage medium, a read/write head assembly disposed in relation to the storage medium, and a track width setting circuit. The track width setting circuit is operable to: write data to at least a first track and a second track on the storage medium, read data from the second track, determine an estimated track offset where interference from the data written to the first track is insubstantial, and modify at least the second track width based at least in part on the estimated track offset. The first track is a first track width and the second track is a second track width. |
| US08854751B2 |
Reducing errors resulting from width variability of storage media write tracks
Various approaches that reduce the width variability of storage media data tracks are described. First and second data tracks are written so that the second track overlaps the first track. After writing the second track data to the second track, an effective width of the first track is determined. The effective width of the first track is the portion of the first track that is not overlapped by the second track. One or more additional write operations to the recording medium are performed to compensate for the effective width of the first track being less than a threshold. The additional write operations may include one or more of rewriting the first track data to a third track on the storage medium and writing additional redundancy information to supplement the coding of the first track data. |
| US08854750B2 |
Saturation-based loop control assistance
The present inventions are related to systems and methods for data processing, and more particularly to data processing using distortion-correction loops with saturation-based assistance. |
| US08854748B2 |
Lens barrel and image pickup apparatus
In a lens barrel including an image pickup optical system containing plural lens groups and a barrel member for holding the image pickup optical system and conducting protruding and retracting, the lens frame holding a prescribed lens group of the image pickup optical system is swung so that the prescribed lens group is moved to a position where the optical axis is different from those of other lens groups at the time of the retraction, and in the process of changing from the protruded state to retracted state, the lens frame is swung by engagement with a cam-shaped portion of a first engagement member, and is then engaged with a second engagement member. |
| US08854746B2 |
Image capturing optical lens system
An image capturing optical 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 and a fifth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second lens element with negative refractive power has a concave object-side surface. The third lens element has refractive power. The fourth lens element with refractive power has a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface. The fifth lens element with refractive power has a concave image-side surface, wherein an object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fifth lens element are aspheric, and the fifth lens element has at least one inflection point on the image-side surface thereof. |
| US08854745B1 |
Imaging lens assembly
An imaging lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a stop, 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 with negative refractive power has a concave image-side surface. The third lens element has refractive power. The fourth lens element has refractive power. The fifth lens element has refractive power. The sixth lens element with refractive power has a concave image-side surface at a paraxial region thereof, wherein the image-side surface of the sixth lens element has a convex shape at an off-axis region, and both of the surfaces of the sixth lens element are aspheric. The imaging lens assembly has a total of six non-cemented lens elements with refractive power. |
| US08854742B2 |
Lens barrel
A lens barrel includes an optical system including a first lens group having at least one lens; a cam frame including a first cam groove; and a first movable frame including a first cam follower engaged with the first cam groove. When the first movable frame relatively rotates with respect to the cam frame, the first movable frame relatively moves with respect to the cam frame in an optical axis direction together with the first lens group. A region of the first cam groove, through which the first cam follower passes when a focal distance of the optical system is changed from a wide-angle end to a tele end includes first and second regions adjacent to each other. The first region has a groove width narrower than that of the second region. |
| US08854741B2 |
Zoom lens adjustment structure
A zoom lens adjustment structure includes a substrate, a focus device and a driving device. The focus device is mounted on the substrate, and includes a stationary lens barrel, a outside guide lens barrel, and a cam lens barrel. The outside guide lens barrel is received in the stationary lens barrel, the cam lens barrel is set at the inner side of the outside guide lens barrel, and plurality of active lens barrels are sandwiched between the outside guide lens barrel and the cam lens barrel. The active lens barrel includes a lens set. The driving device includes a motor and a gear group, which is positioned laterally to the stationary lens barrel, to drive the focus device adjusting the position of the active lens. |
| US08854733B2 |
Optical lens
An optical lens made of resin, which includes a molded body made of a molding material containing a transparent polyamide such as polyamide 12 and a stabilizer, which has total light transmittance of at least 60% when the molded body has a thickness of 2 mm, and has total light transmittance of at least 50% after the molded body maintained at 80° C. was irradiated with light in an amount of 1000 W/m2 for 500 hours by using a xenon lamp, which is lightweight, highly transparent, and resistant to discoloration, deformation, aging, and the like due to irradiation with light emitted from a xenon lamp, a blue-violet laser or the like serving as a light source, and which is suitable for use in a light emitting device of a flash lamp and the like, is provided. |
| US08854732B2 |
Light-guiding substrate and optical system provided with same
Provided is a light-guiding substrate that can propagate light, which has been emitted by means of a light emitting device, in a confined state with an efficiency as high as possible. An optical system provided with the light-guiding substrate is also provided. The light-guiding substrate (5) generates 0-order light and +− first-order light by diffracting, by means of a first sub wavelength diffracting grating (12), light which has been inputted from the light emitting device (7) via a collimation lens (8), generates +− first-order light by reflecting/refracting, by means of a second sub wavelength diffracting grating (15), the 0-order light that has passed through the first sub wavelength diffracting grating (12), and propagates the +− first-order light, which has been generated by means of the first sub wavelength diffracting grating (12); and the second sub wavelength diffracting grating (15), in the direction that orthogonally intersects the thickness direction, while totally reflecting the light by means of both the surfaces (10, 11) of the substrate main body (5a) in the thickness direction. |
| US08854731B2 |
Carbon dioxide laser light optical component
At least one surface of a plate member made of ZnSe has a concave-and-convex structure in which a projecting section and a groove section are formed at a spatial cycle equal to or lower than the wavelength of carbon dioxide laser light to thereby provide a substrate body. On a surface of the concave-and-convex structure, an antireflection film is layered that has a lower refractive index than that of ZnSe to carbon dioxide laser light. By this configuration, the polarization state of transmitted carbon dioxide laser light is converted from a linear polarization to a circular polarization or the like. |
| US08854726B2 |
Method for controlling signal gain of a Raman amplifier
A Raman amplifier comprisinga gain control unit adapted to control a pump power of an optical pump signal in response to at least one monitored optical feedback signal reflected back from a transmission line fiber connected to said pumped Raman amplifier. |
| US08854721B2 |
Components and testing methods for use in the production of electro-optic displays
A laminate comprising a solid electro-optic medium and an electrically conductive layer is tested by passing it over a pair of electrodes at different potentials, with the electrically conductive layer lying on the opposed side of the electro-optic medium from the electrodes. An article which can be tested by this method, and which is useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays, comprises a layer of a solid electro-optic medium and a release sheet comprising an electrically conductive layer. |
| US08854720B2 |
Tri wavelength diffraction modulator and a method for modulation
The present invention relates to a tri wavelength diffraction modulator (TWDM) and a method of tri wavelength diffraction modulation. The tri wavelength diffraction modulator includes: a stationary substrate with a bottom electrode plate formed on top of the stationary substrate; a first electrode plate comprising a first suspended beam suspended in parallel above the stationary substrate and a first connection anchored onto the stationary substrate; and a second electrode plate comprising a second suspended beam suspended in parallel above the first electrode plate and a second connection anchored onto the stationary substrate. The diffraction modulator and the method for diffraction modulation are suitable to projection system. |
| US08854717B2 |
Electrowetting display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
An electrowetting display apparatus includes a first base substrate, a second base substrate which faces the first base substrate, a first electrode on the first base substrate, and a second electrode on the second base substrate, where the second electrode faces the first electrode. A barrier wall is on the first electrode, where the barrier wall defines a storage area. A surface of the first electrode and the barrier wall is overlapped by a barrier layer. In addition, a water-repellent layer is on the barrier layer which is in the storage area. First and second fluids are in the storage area, the first fluid is separate from the second fluid, and the first fluid or the second fluid has a polarity. |
| US08854716B2 |
Reflection type variable optical attenuator
An input/output port, a birefringent element, variable polarization rotator, and a reflector are arranged along an optical axis in the order named. The variable polarization rotator includes permanent magnets for applying a fixed magnetic field to a Faraday rotator in an in-plane direction to magnetically saturate the Faraday rotator and a solenoid coil for applying a variable magnetic field to the Faraday rotator in a direction of the optical axis. A fixed magnetic field is applied in the <211> direction, in which the Faraday rotator is likely to be magnetically saturated. The Faraday rotator can be saturated with a low magnetic field of about 100 Oe. The permanent magnets may employ ferrite permanent magnets, which have weak magnetic forces. A variable magnetic field may also be reduced. Therefore, an air-core coil can be used. |
| US08854712B2 |
Display device provided with MEMS light valve and forming method thereof
A display device provided with an MEMS light valve, comprising: a substrate, a fixed optical grating located on the substrate, an MEMS light valve for controlling the opening and closing of the fixed optical grating, the MEMS light valve comprises a first light valve and a second light valve; the opening and closing of the fixed optical grating is controlled via controlling the movement of the first light valve and the second light valve, and the moving directions of the first light valve and the second light valve are opposite. Also disclosed is a method for forming a display device provided with an MEMS light valve. Thus the sensitivity of the MEMS light valve is improved. |
| US08854711B2 |
Microelectromechanical system with reduced speckle contrast
The present disclosure describes, among other things, a reduced speckle contrast microelectromechanical system. One exemplary embodiment includes micromechanical structures configured to form a uniform reflective surface on a substrate, an elastic substance coupled to the substrate, and an energy source that applies a voltage to the elastic substance to alter the shape of the surface of the substrate, for example, by about 10% to about 25% of a wavelength of light projected onto the substrate at a frequency of at least 60 Hz. Another exemplary embodiment includes micromechanical structures formed on a surface of a substrate, a reflective diaphragm connected to the substrate, an elastic substance coupled to the diaphragm, and an energy source that applies a voltage to the elastic substance to vibrate the diaphragm at a frequency of at least 60 Hz. |
| US08854704B2 |
Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes a light source unit, an image sensor, an attenuator, an analog processor and an A/D converter. The attenuator generates a second analog signal by voltage-dividing a first analog signal by two resistors. The analog processor generates a third analog signal by amplifying the second analog signal with a predetermined gain. The A/D converter converts the third analog signal into a digital signal. A voltage-dividing ratio of the attenuator is not higher than a ratio of a maximum value of the amplitude of a signal inputtable to the analog processor to a maximum value of the amplitude of a signal having a possibility of being output from the image sensor. |
| US08854703B2 |
Document reading device
A document reading device for reading a page of a passport includes a mounting surface, a camera, an illumination light source for radiating illumination light that is, and an ultraviolet light source for radiating ultraviolet light to activate a fluorescent material on the page. The illumination light source is at a first edge perpendicular to a binding edge on the page and radiates illumination light in the direction intersecting with the first edge. The ultraviolet light source is at a second edge parallel to the binding edge and radiates ultraviolet light in the direction intersecting with the second edge. The illumination light source includes an infrared light source and a white light source. The document reading device has both an illumination light source and an ultraviolet light source, and can avoid image capturing in the specular reflection condition when the document is deformed. |
| US08854693B2 |
Image editing apparatus, image editing method, and recording medium
An image editing apparatus configured to perform ganging of a plurality of content images on a printing plate capable of transferring ink onto an output medium, includes: a region dividing unit that two-dimensionally divides a predetermined region on the printing plate into a plurality of sub regions; a priority order giving unit that gives an order of priority of disposition to each of the sub regions in a descending order of relative transfer amounts of the ink onto the output medium; a usage amount estimating unit that estimates respective usage amounts of the ink according to two or more content images out of the plurality of content images; and a disposition determining unit that determines respective disposing positions of the content images according to a disposition rule for sequentially disposing the content images of which the usage amount is estimated to be large in the sub regions having high priorities. |
| US08854692B2 |
Printing device and printing method generating watermark information
The present invention provides an information printing method and a printing device, which assure a higher level of security when outputting printed matter. The present invention provides a printing device comprising a document storage means for storing electronic document data generated at a printing instruction issuing terminal operated by a printing instruction issuer and transmitted from the printing instruction issuing terminal, an ID setting means for setting a print retriever ID of a print retriever who is to execute processing for outputting the electronic document data stored at the document storage means onto paper, a watermark information superimposing means for superimposing the print retriever ID having been set at the ID setting means as watermark information onto the electronic document data and a printing means for outputting the electronic document data having the watermark information superimposed thereupon by the watermark information superimposing means onto paper. |
| US08854688B2 |
Raster image processor configuration determination based on per page color determination
A system comprising a host processor and a raster image processor (RIP). The host processor is to determine whether each page in a multi-page document contains color, partition a print job into a plurality of print sub-jobs, and determine a separate configuration for the RIP for each print sub-job. |
| US08854683B2 |
Apparatus and methods to code print data
A method to code print data where print data to control a print head of a printer is received, where a coding strategy to change the size of the print data is determined based on at least one characteristic of a print mode of the printer, and the size of the print data is changed using the determined coding strategy. |
| US08854681B2 |
Image recording apparatus and control method for an image recording apparatus
In an image recording apparatus, when a photograph image to be printed on a printable surface area of a circular recording medium is selected, a margin area for writing a title or a description is set. Once the margin area has been set, the photograph image is arranged in an area of the printable surface area of the recording medium excluding the margin area. Then, the photograph image is printed in the area excluding the margin area of the recording medium as arranged. |
| US08854670B2 |
Printing system and print control method
A client apparatus, after inputting a print job to a print service server apparatus, delivers a multicast message including information relating to an execution apparatus that executes the print job and information relating to a proxy apparatus managed by the print service server apparatus that manages the execution apparatus. When an image output apparatus receives the message, the image output apparatus determines whether the apparatus itself executes the print job or requests the proxy apparatus to execute the print job for the apparatus itself, based on a content of the message. If the image output apparatus determines to request the proxy apparatus to execute the print job for the apparatus itself, the image output apparatus requests the proxy apparatus to execute the print job. |
| US08854668B2 |
Providing access to images from electronic and/or hardcopy publications
A method, device, and system maintain a database of electronic and/or hardcopy publications within a first computerized device. The first computerized device receives from a second computerized device a request for at least one of the printable images within an electronic and/or hardcopy publication. The request has an identifier of the electronic and/or hardcopy publication and at least one page number of the electronic and/or hardcopy publication. The first computerized device transmits display information to cause the second computerized device to display one or more of the printable images appearing on the page number of the electronic and/or hardcopy publication. The first computerized device receives an image selection from the second computerized device that identifies selected images from among the printable images displayed by the second computerized device. The first computerized device provides the selected images to the second computerized device, or to a printer or print shop. |
| US08854667B2 |
Enabling status information of an image forming apparatus to be notified to a computer to which the connection from the image forming apparatus has failed
An image forming apparatus connected to a first network has a log notification part that transmits a communication failure log in response to a connection from a computer connected to a second network. The communication failure log contains status information planned to be transmitted by an image forming apparatus that is connected to the first network, to a computer to which the image forming apparatus failed in a connection, or location designation data for designating a location in the first network where the status information is stored. The computer has a log receiving part for receiving the communication failure log transmitted from the image forming apparatus, and a status information notification part for transmitting the status information or the location designation data contained in the received communication failure log to other computers connected to the second network. |
| US08854666B2 |
Mobile device, image forming apparatus, notification server and control methods thereof
A mobile device, an image forming apparatus, a notification server and control methods thereof in which, when it is desired to connect the image forming apparatus with the mobile device, it may be directly network-connected with the mobile device using identification information of the mobile device. The mobile device includes a mobile device input unit to receive an image forming apparatus application install command, a mobile device communication unit to, if an image forming apparatus application is installed, send identification information of the mobile device to the notification server and receive product information of the image forming apparatus to be connected from the notification server, and a mobile device controller to, if the product information of the image forming apparatus is received from the notification server and a command for connection with the image forming apparatus is input, network-connect the mobile device with the image forming apparatus. |
| US08854659B2 |
Image processing apparatus controlling execution of a job without intervention of a web server, control method thereof, and storage medium storing a program therefore
An image processing apparatus of the present invention includes a display control unit that displays an operation screen based on screen information provided from a Web server, and transmits input information for the operation screen to the Web server, and an execution control unit that executes a job according to an execution request received from the Web server. The execution control unit, when starting execution of the job, notifies the Web server of a corresponding job ID. The display control unit displays, based on screen information received from the Web server together with the job ID, an operation screen related to the job which is being executed. When an instruction related to the job is input via the operation screen, the display control unit, upon determining that a predetermined condition is satisfied, instructs the execution control unit to control execution of the job without the intervention of the Web server. |
| US08854654B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling routing of print jobs
A computer-implemented method for controlling routing of print jobs, the computer-implemented method includes determining whether a print job meets at least one predetermined criteria and sending a notification based on a result of the determination. |
| US08854653B2 |
Pull print supporting image forming system, server, computer readable medium storing image forming program and image forming method
A server includes a data converting unit, a converted data storage unit, and a converted data transmitting unit. The data converting unit converts, based on device information of each image forming apparatus, print data to converted data allowing image formation by each image forming apparatus, for each image forming apparatus. The converted data storage unit stores the converted data in correspondence with information specifying the corresponding image forming apparatus. The converted data transmitting unit transmits, in response to data request from the image forming apparatus, the converted data corresponding to the image forming apparatus stored in the converted data storage unit, to the image forming apparatus. |
| US08854650B2 |
Network printing system executing printing by comparing certification information in a database
In a system including a client, a print server, an image forming device and a database, when the print server verifies a certificate transmitted from the image forming device upon performing TLS communication, verification of certificates that are registered in advance with the database is accelerated. A search key, which is for acquiring information of a desired image forming device from data stored in the database, is set in the print server. Certificate information is registered with the database in association with the search key. In this way, the certificate information can be searched for using the search key and verification can be accelerated. |
| US08854640B2 |
Electronic device, control method for an electronic device, and recording medium
An electronic device that supports multiple command systems embodies a function for switching from one to another of the multiple command systems regardless of the specifications of the command system being used. A hybrid device 10 that operates based on commands sent from a host computer 200 sets a specific transition condition for changing to another command system after the last command system change corresponding to a switching command sent from the host computer 200. When the set transition condition is met, the computer returns to the command system used before the command system was last changed or changes to another command system. |
| US08854635B2 |
Document processing device, method, and recording medium for creating and correcting formats for extracting characters strings
A document processing device comprises: a document data acquiring part for acquiring document data; a character string extracting part for extracting character strings satisfying a predetermined condition for character string extraction from the document data acquired by the document data acquiring part; a format creating part for deriving the respective features of the character strings extracted by the character string extracting part, and for creating a format containing the derived features in the form of data; a display part on which the character strings extracted by the character string extracting part are displayed in a list form, and on which the format created by the format creating part is displayed; and a format correcting part for correcting the format displayed on the display part. The character string extracting part extracts character strings again to conform to the format corrected by the format correcting part. |
| US08854634B2 |
Transfix roller with adjustable crown for use in an indirect printer
An indirect printer includes a system for alternating the pressure in a transfer nip by manipulating the transfer roller. The system includes a pair of pivotable collars mounted about the ends of the transfer roller. The collars are pivoted towards or away from one another to bend the transfer roller and to increase or decrease, respectively, the pressure in the longitudinal center of the nip. |
| US08854632B2 |
Pattern forming apparatus, mark detecting apparatus, exposure apparatus, pattern forming method, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
While a wafer stage linearly moves in a Y-axis direction, a multipoint AF system detects surface position information of the wafer surface at a plurality of detection points that are set at a predetermined distance in an X-axis direction and also a plurality of alignment systems that are arrayed in a line along the X-axis direction detect each of marks at positions different from one another on the wafer. That is, detection of surface position information of the wafer surface at a plurality of detection points and detection of the marks at positions different from one another on the wafer are finished, only by the wafer stage (wafer) linearly passing through the array of the plurality of detection points of the multipoint AF system and the plurality of alignment systems, and therefore, the throughput can be improved. |
| US08854631B1 |
Filter device for helicopter blade tracker
A sunlight filter device for a helicopter blade tracker includes a filter housing, a filter assembly and a mounting system. The filter housing has a first opening, a second opening and a receiving cavity formed between the first opening and the second opening. The filter assembly is mounted in the receiving cavity of the filter housing, and is adapted to block sunlight. The mounting system extends from the filter housing to securely mount the filter housing on the helicopter blade tracker. |
| US08854629B2 |
Optical coherence tomography system and method
A method of analysis of a sample, including the steps of: (a) splitting an input optical beam into a probe beam and reference beam; (b) utilizing the probe beam to interrogate a sample and obtaining a return sample beam there from; (c) manipulating the reference beam into a predetermined polarization state; (d) mixing the return sample beam and reference beam producing a series of mixed beams; and (e) analyzing the polarization components of the series of mixed beams. |
| US08854625B2 |
Vacuum apparatus including a particle monitoring unit, particle monitoring method and program, and window member for use in the particle monitoring
A particle monitoring apparatus includes a housing disposed on a gas exhaust line, a laser beam source for emitting a laser beam to particles in the gas exhaust line, a window member disposed at the housing for monitoring the particles in the gas exhaust line. The window member has a transparent base which is formed of a transparent resin or glass containing silicon and has a gas contact surface which faces a gas within the gas exhaust line, and a surface treatment layer formed on the gas contact surface of the transparent base, wherein the surface treatment layer contains one material selected from the group consisting of yttrium and calcium fluoride. |
| US08854624B2 |
Photonic crystal spectrometer
Apparatus and methods can include an optical waveguide coupled to a photonic crystal comprising a dielectric material, the photonic crystal located on an exterior surface of the optical waveguide and comprising a first surface including a first array of periodic features on or within the dielectric material, the array extending in at least two dimensions and including an effective dielectric permittivity different from the surrounding dielectric material. In an example, the periodic features include a specified lattice constant, the periodic features configured to extract a portion of propagating optical energy from the waveguide through the photonic crystal, the portion determined at least in part by the specified lattice constant. |
| US08854622B2 |
Systems, devices, and methods including a dark-field reflected-illumination apparatus
Systems, devices, and methods are described that modulate a specimen-background dark-field micrograph contrast. |
| US08854621B1 |
Systems and methods for determining nanoparticle dimensions
In one embodiment, the dimensions of nanoparticles are determined by focusing light on a sample of nanoparticles suspended in a solution, collecting light scattered by the nanoparticles, measuring translational and rotational decay rates of the collected light, calculating a ratio of the rotational decay rate to translational decay rate, and estimating a first dimension of the nanoparticles based upon the decay rate ratio. |
| US08854617B2 |
Compounds and markers for surface-enhanced Raman scattering
The present invention relates to compounds and markers for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), and methods for the preparation of the SERS markers. The present invention further relates to compositions, methods and uses, wherein the present SERS markers are employed. |
| US08854616B2 |
Visual inspection apparatus for glass substrate of liquid crystal display and inspection method thereof
Disclosed is a visual inspection apparatus for a glass substrate of a liquid crystal display, comprising an inspection platform and at least two slide rails. The glass substrate for inspection is fixedly located on an inspection platform main body. The slide rails are installed at two adjacent sides of the main body leastwise. Length directions of the slide rails are parallel with a level of the main body. The lengths of the two adjacent slide rails are mutually perpendicular; the visual inspection apparatus further comprises a coordinate reader. The coordinate reader is slidably jointed to the slide rails and employed to cross above the level of the main body to form a locating point. An inspector reads a coordinate of the locating point to acquire a corresponding coordinate of the glass substrate. The present invention also provides an inspection method for a glass substrate of a liquid crystal display. |
| US08854614B2 |
Methods of thermally treating a semiconductor wafer
A method of thermally treating a wafer includes loading a wafer into a process chamber having one or more regions of uniform temperature gradient and one or more regions of non-uniform temperature gradient. A defect is detected in the wafer. The wafer is aligned to position the defect within one of the one or more regions of uniform temperature gradient. A rapid thermal process is performed on the wafer in the process chamber while the defect is positioned within one of the one or more regions of uniform temperature gradient. |
| US08854613B2 |
Surface defect inspection apparatus and surface defect inspection method
A surface defect inspection apparatus includes a light source that emits light to a first position on a surface of a target at an angle inclined with respect to the surface of the target, a first photodetector that detects first reflected light of the light from the light source, the first reflected light being reflected at the first position, a second photodetector that detects second reflected light of the light from the light source, the second reflected light being reflected at a second position, the second position being closer to the light source than the first position and being separated from the surface of the target by a given distance, and a determining unit that determines whether or not foreign matter is present on the surface of the target on a basis of detection results obtained from the first photodetector and the second photodetector. |
| US08854612B2 |
Optical system for measuring orientation with cubic wedge and mask
The field of the invention is that of optical systems for detecting the posture of a mobile object in space. The system comprises an electro-optical fixed device of known orientation comprising a first point emission source, a telecentric emission/reception optic and a photosensitive matrix sensor. An assembly comprising an optical cubic wedge is disposed on the mobile object. The input face of the cubic wedge comprises a mask in the shape of a parallelogram, each side of the parallelogram comprising a geometric marking making it possible to identify it, the image of the mask projected on the photosensitive matrix sensor, by reflection on the faces of the cubic wedge, being the intersection of the projection of the mask and of the projection of its image inverted with respect to the centeR of the cubic wedge. Analysis of this image makes it possible to determine the orientation of the cubic wedge. |
| US08854609B2 |
Integrated optical time domain reflectometer
An optical time domain reflectometry system is described which provides low-power, low weight, optical fiber system integrity measurements in an in-situ optical fiber system. The system can be integrated within the transmitter component to allow both data transmission and OTDR measurement functions. A method of providing several different modes of OTDR measurement through external control is also disclosed. |
| US08854608B2 |
Optical fiber sensing system
An optical fiber sensing system carries out accurate measurements while avoiding measurement noise factors. For example, effects of the emission power of a light source, fiber insertion loss, fluctuations in the sensitivity of a photo detector, fluctuations in the amplitude of an amplifier, the loss of optical energy due to bending of an optical fiber, the loss of optical energy due to connecting two or more optical fibers, and gain fluctuations of electric circuitry provided on a platform do not affect measurements. A reflective sensor is connected to an end of an optical fiber connected to a light source. The light source outputs physical measurement light and reflected light coming from the reflective sensor is separated into two beams of light. Information on the physical quantity of a measurement target object is detected on the basis of an intensity ratio of the two beams. |
| US08854607B2 |
Controller, lithographic apparatus, method of controlling the position of an object and device manufacturing method
A controller is provided that controls an actuator system having a plurality of actuators arranged to act on an object. The controller uses a gain balancing matrix to convert a first control signal, representing a set of forces desired to be provided to the center of gravity of the object into a second control signal, representing an equivalent set of forces to be provided by the plurality of actuators. The system is further configured such that a first gain balancing matrix is used at a first frequency band and a second gain balancing matrix is used at a second frequency band. |
| US08854605B2 |
Illumination optical system, exposure apparatus, and device fabrication method
The present invention provides an illumination optical system which illuminates an illumination target surface with a light beam from a light source, the system including a plurality of adjustment units each having one of a reflectance distribution and a transmittance distribution to adjust an incident angle distribution of the light beam which impinges on the illumination target surface, the plurality of adjustment units including an adjustment unit which adjusts differences between light amounts, in a first direction, of incident angle distributions of light beams at a plurality of points on the illumination target surface, and light amounts, in a second direction, thereof, and an adjustment unit which adjusts at least one of light amount differences, in the first direction, of the incident angle distributions of the light beams at the plurality of points on the illumination target surface, and light amount differences, in the second direction, thereof. |
| US08854595B2 |
Constricted convection cooling system for an electronic display
Preferred embodiments provide a cooling system for an electronic display. A constricted convection channel is used to force cooling air against a posterior surface of the electronic display. Fans may be used to propel or pull air through the constricted convection channel in a substantially uniform manner. A refrigeration unit or thermoelectric module may be employed to cool or heat the air traveling through the constricted convection channel. Some embodiments include a closed loop which extracts heat (or adds heat) to the front display surface. |
| US08854591B2 |
Display panel and method for narrowing edges and increasing edge strength thereof
An edge narrowing method for a display panel is disclosed. The display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a sealant and a light-shielding area. The sealant is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The light-shielding area is disposed between the first substrate and the sealant. The method includes the steps of providing the display panel, a grinding apparatus and a polishing apparatus; tilting the display panel so that the first substrate and a grinding member of the grinding apparatus have a first grinding angle therebetween; grinding the first substrate and the light-shielding area with the grinding apparatus while the display panel is tilted at the first grinding angle, thereby forming a first grinding end surface; stopping grinding of the first substrate and the light-shielding area when the width of the light-shielding area is between 0.35 and 1 mm; and polishing the first grinding end surface with the polishing apparatus to form a first end surface. |
| US08854590B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a terminal group including terminals for supplying a signal to scanning signal lines or the video signal lines via first terminal wiring. Each of the terminals includes: a first portion, which is formed at an end portion of the first terminal wiring, the first portion having an exposed planar terminal surface; and a second portion, which is provided adjacent to the first portion and is formed around the first portion. The second portion is formed of a conductive thin film covered with an insulating film and formed in the same layer as the first terminal wiring or formed in a different layer from the first terminal wiring, and the second portion is electrically connected to the first terminal wiring at a position spaced apart from a connection portion of the first terminal wiring and the first portion. |
| US08854589B2 |
Conducting film or electrode comprising a dielectric intervening layer having electrically conductive pathways disposed between first and second transparent or semi-transparent conductive layers
A conducting film or device electrode includes a substrate and two transparent or semitransparent conductive layers separated by a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer. The intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers to help reduce interfacial reflections occurring between particular layers in devices incorporating the conducting film or electrode. |
| US08854587B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device, in which each pixel region includes a plurality of first electrodes electrically connected to each other, a plurality of second electrodes electrically connected to each other and a plurality of third electrodes electrically connected to each other; the third electrodes are arranged in parallel with the second electrodes approximately and are electrically connected with the first electrodes; the first electrodes and the second electrodes are located in different layers respectively and there is an insulation layer therebetween; the first electrodes and the third electrodes intersect with each other to define a plurality of unit regions; there are two second electrodes passing through inside each unit region, and the first electrode between the two second electrodes is provided with a protrusion-shaped pattern in a position not overlapping with the second electrode. The LCD device has a wider viewing angle and lower operating voltage. |
| US08854584B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and pixel electrode thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel comprises scan lines, data lines and a plurality of switch units, and a pixel electrode disposed in a pixel region formed by the scan lines intersecting with the data lines. The pixel electrode comprises a peripheral portion, branch portions and an opening portion located inside the peripheral portion. The branch portions include a first branch portion having plurality of first branches parallel with each other and a second branch portion having a plurality of second branches parallel with each other. The opening portion comprises a first opening and a second opening perpendicularly connected with the first and second branches respectively. The first and second openings are located on midperpendiculars of the first branches and the second branches respectively. Extension lines of the first and second openings intersect with one scan line and one data lines to form a right triangle respectively. |
| US08854582B2 |
Method for fabricating a liquid crystal display device comprising an alignment film that includes polyamide acid ester with 80% or more of which is polyamide ester including cyclobutane
A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display device having a TFT substrate in which an alignment film is formed over a pixel including a pixel electrode and a TFT, an opposing substrate which faces the TFT substrate, and liquid crystals sandwiched between the TFT substrate and the opposing substrate, the alignment film on the TFT substrate including a first and a second alignment film. The method includes depositing a mixture liquid of polyamide acid ester, 80 percent or more of which is polyamide acid ester including cyclobutane, and polyamide acid not including cyclobutane onto the TFT substrate and the opposing substrate, and after drying and firing the TFT substrate and the opposing substrate to harden the alignment film, irradiating the alignment film with ultraviolet light for photo-alignment of the alignment film and, thereafter, heating the TFT substrate and the opposing substrate, thereby forming the alignment film. |
| US08854580B2 |
Method of producing spatially variable pretilt angles across a liquid crystal cell
A method of producing spatially varying pretilt angles across a liquid crystal cell coats a substrate with a polyimide alignment layer and a layer of photoalignment material on top of the polyimide layer. An applied beam with variable light dosage spatial or temporal profiles is then used to achieve a corresponding pretilt angle distribution. |
| US08854571B2 |
Backplate, backlight module using the same and liquid crystal display device
This invention discloses a backplate comprising a sheet metal member with a hollow structure and an aluminum extrusion heatsink connected to the end of the sheet metal member. This aluminum extrusion heatsink includes a lateral light source connection portion provided with a light source and a sheet metal member connection portion connected to the lateral light source connection portion, wherein the latter is in contact with the sheet metal member. The aluminum extrusion heatsink further includes two heat-dissipation extension portions respectively arranged at both ends of the sheet metal member connection portion and extending in a length direction of the sheet metal member. Herein, the heat-dissipation extension portion at both ends of the aluminum extrusion heatsink can enhance the heat dissipation effect at the corner region. When the backplate is applied to a liquid crystal display device, it can reduce the stress concentration degree at the corner region thereof. |
| US08854561B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel with charge sharing scheme
A LCD panel in which a pixel has a first sub-pixel area and a second sub-pixel area, each area having a storage capacitor. Each pixel has a first gate line for providing a first gate-line signal for charging the first and second storage capacitors, and a second gate line for providing a second gate-line signal for removing part of the charges in the second storage capacitor to a third capacitor after the first gate-line signal has passed. The width of the first and second gate-line signals and their timing can be varied so that the first gate-line signal provided to a row can be used as the second gate-line signal to one of the preceding rows. In some embodiments, a pixel in each row has a duplicate pixel arranged to similarly receive the first and second gate-line signals, but data signals are received from different data lines. |
| US08854559B2 |
Display unit and barrier device
A display unit includes: a display section displaying an image; and a liquid crystal barrier section having a plurality of liquid crystal barriers extending in a predetermined direction, each of the liquid crystal barriers including a liquid crystal layer and a barrier electrode to transmit and block light, wherein the barrier electrode includes a stem portion extending in the predetermined direction, and a plurality of branch portions extending from the stem portion, and the liquid crystal barrier section includes one or more groups of the liquid crystal barriers, the one group of the liquid crystal barriers including the barrier electrodes with patterns different from each other. |
| US08854556B2 |
System and method for simplified setup of a universal remote control
A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances, via an interactive instruction set and associated programming. The programming is accessible by a STB or other controllable appliance and is configured to appropriately display interactive instructions and prompts to a user during a user initiated set up procedure for configuration of another controllable device (e.g., DVD, VCR, DVR, etc) available to the user. Appropriate set up data, generally in the form of command library codes, is displayed to the user by the interactive instruction set and associated programming for entry and trial by the user in set up of the desired appliance(s). |
| US08854555B2 |
System and method to toggle between two or more television channels
Systems and methods for toggling between television channels that appear on a display. A listing of channels is received from a user, with the channels being prioritized in an order of preference. One or more toggle types are also received from the user, with each toggle type further including a toggle trigger. In use, a channel is displayed on the display until a toggle trigger is detected. Once detected, the channel on the display is changed to another channel from the list of channels. This process may continue with the detection of another toggle trigger causing another changing of the displayed channel. |
| US08854552B2 |
Object-based audio-visual terminal and bitstream structure
As information to be processed at an object-based video or audio-visual (AV) terminal, an object-oriented bitstream includes objects, composition information, and scene demarcation information. Such bitstream structure allows on-line editing, e.g. cut and paste, insertion/deletion, grouping, and special effects. In the interest of ease of editing, AV objects and their composition information are transmitted or accessed on separate logical channels (LCs). Objects which have a lifetime in the decoder beyond their initial presentation time are cached for reuse until a selected expiration time. |
| US08854551B2 |
Video signal processing apparatuses
A video signal processing apparatus may include a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to convert an analog video signal into a first digital video signal according to a first clock; and/or a second ADC configured to convert the analog video signal into a second digital video signal according to a second clock that is different from the first clock. The first and second clocks may have a first phase difference in a first section of the analog video signal, such that the first and second ADCs operate alternately, first ADC then second ADC, and the first and second clocks may be generated to have a second phase difference, that is different from the first phase difference, in a second section of the analog video signal that is different from the first section, such that the first and second ADCs operate alternately, second ADC then first ADC. |
| US08854550B2 |
Data processing device and method
A data processing device includes a clock converter, a data converter, and an error detector. The clock converter is configured to receive a first clock signal, convert the first clock signal into a second clock signal, and output the second clock signal. The data converter is configured to receive first data, convert the first data into second data using the second clock signal, and output the second data. The error detector is configured to check whether the first clock signal is in a first clock state or a second clock state upon the first data transitioning to a first data state, and output an enable signal to the clock converter upon determining that the first clock signal has transitioned to the first clock state from the second clock state. |
| US08854545B2 |
Television functionality on a chip
A television on a chip (TVOC) system that provides a cost effective approach for providing television functionality on a single integrated circuit chip is disclosed. A TVOC includes the functionality necessary to receive and display television signals in a variety of input and output formats. A TVOC can be used in set-top boxes for cable and satellite television, or directly within a television. All functionality provided can be provided on a single integrated circuit. TVOC includes a data transport module, an IF demodulator, a digital audio engine, an analog audio engine, a digital video engine, and an analog video engine. The TVOC also includes three sets of interfaces including output interfaces, control interfaces and ancillary interfaces. Further features and embodiments provide enhanced functionality and increased efficiencies. |
| US08854543B2 |
Transmission system, transmission apparatus, and transmission method for transmitting video data
An HDMI® source determines whether or not an HDMI® sink can receive a sub-signal based on VSDB of E-EDID. When the HDMI® sink can receive the sub-signal, the HDMI® source adds a sub-signal to pixel data of a main image composed of pixel data whose number of bits is smaller than that of transmission pixel data transmitted by a transmitter, thereby constructing transmission pixel data. This data is transmitted by the transmitter through TMDS channels #0 to #2. Furthermore, the HDMI® source transmits a general control packet containing sub-signal information indicating whether or not the sub-signal is contained in the transmission pixel data in the control period of a vertical blanking period. The present invention can be applied to, for example, HDMI®. |
| US08854541B2 |
Video demodulation device
A demodulator of a video demodulation device includes an analog-to-digital converter converting an analog IF signal into a digital IF signal, a luminance gain adjuster performing gain adjustment of a luminance component included in the digital IF signal such that a maximum of the luminance component within a predetermined period becomes equal to a predetermined reference value, and a synchronization corrector receiving as input a result of the gain adjustment, correcting a signal corresponding to a signaling period of the horizontal synchronizing signal, and outputting the signal as a CVBS signal. The synchronization corrector outputs, as the CVBS signal, a composite signal containing the luminance component and a color component included in the gain adjustment result when the composite signal is smaller than the reference value, or the reference value when the composite signal is equal to or greater than the reference value. |
| US08854536B2 |
External device operable in synchronization with camera wirelessly connected thereto, and camera operable in synchronization with external device wirelessly connected thereto
The external device, for example, an electronic flash device, is wirelessly connectable to an information communication device, for example, a camera. The external device includes: a synchronization data creation unit that outputs synchronization data for synchronization of timing of processing related to photography; a packet creation unit that creates a communication packet including control information; and a packet output unit that outputs the communication packet to the exterior by wireless communication. The packet creation unit includes a packet reception unit that receives the communication packet; a detection unit that detects the synchronization data before all of the received communication packets received by the packet reception unit has been read in; and a signal output unit that outputs a synchronization signal used for establishing synchronization of the timing of the processing related to photography on the basis of detection by the detection unit of the synchronization data. |
| US08854535B2 |
Imaging device with ambient light sensors
An imaging device includes a fixed focus lens, an image sensor having an image matrix of a plurality of pixels arranged on a semiconductor substrate and supplying image data, and an electronic circuit for reading the image matrix. The image sensor also includes at least two ambient light sensors arranged on the semiconductor substrate on opposite sides of the image matrix, and configured to capture an ambient light intensity through the fixed lens, and the electronic circuit is also configured to read the two ambient light sensors and to supply ambient light data and the image data. |
| US08854532B2 |
Imaging apparatus, imaging method, and program
An imaging apparatus includes: an optical system that forms an image corresponding to subject light incident through a lens; an imaging device that produces a signal corresponding to the subject light incident through the lens and outputs the signal as a captured image; acquisition means for acquiring the distance to the subject; and correction means for correcting blur in the captured image outputted from the imaging device based on an imaging characteristic of the optical system specific to the subject distance acquired by the acquisition means. |
| US08854531B2 |
Multiple remote controllers that each simultaneously controls a different visual presentation of a 2D/3D display
Remote control devices that can be used to independently modify multiple visual presentations that are simultaneously displayed by a screen assembly are described, wherein at least one of the visual presentations is observable by a first viewer but not a second viewer. The remote control devices can also be used to independently select media content upon which each of the multiple visual presentations is based and to control the manner in which such media content is delivered to the screen assembly. In accordance with certain embodiments, at least one of the visual presentations comprises a three-dimensional visual presentation. Display systems that include such remote control devices and methods of operating the same are also described. |
| US08854525B2 |
Imaging device, imaging system, and imaging method
An imaging apparatus of the present invention includes: a lens optical system including a lens and a stop; an imaging device including at least a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels on which light having passed through the lens optical system is incident; and an arrayed optical device arranged between the lens optical system and the imaging device, wherein: the lens optical system includes, in a plane vertical to an optical axis, a first area that transmits therethrough light of a first wavelength band and a second area that transmits therethrough light of a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band; and the arrayed optical device makes light having passed through the first area incident on the plurality of first pixels and light having passed through the second area incident on the plurality of second pixels. |
| US08854523B2 |
Photographing apparatus, photographing control method and photographing control program for providing enhanced photos and animations
An electronic device and method of controlling the electronic device in which the electronic device includes a digital camera function. A touchless screen is configured to display an image. A control unit is configured to sense an operation member held over an area of the touchless screen without the operation member touching the touchless screen, and the control unit is further configured to determine at least one of a size or a position of the operation member held over the area of the touchless screen, and to control at least one digital camera operation based on the sensed at least one of size or position. |
| US08854520B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and camera system
A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array with unit pixels each having a photoelectric conversion device arranged in a matrix. Column signal lines are wired with respect to one column in the pixel arrangement and pixels are regularly connected to the column signal lines in accordance with rows in which pixels are positioned. A pixel signal reading unit has a column processing unit that reads pixel signals in units of plural pixels from the pixel array and performs column processing to read signals on a column basis, wherein the pixel signal reading unit includes a column input unit which can connect one or plural column signal lines arranged at a corresponding column to an input of one column processing unit through plural capacitors connected in parallel The column input unit has switches which can change a connection state between capacitors and column signal lines corresponding to the column. |
| US08854514B1 |
Pixel array having wide dynamic range and good color reproduction and resolution and image sensor using the pixel array
Provided is a pixel array having a wide dynamic range, good color reproduction, and good resolution and an image sensor using the pixel array. The pixel array includes a plurality of first type photodiodes, a plurality of second type photodiodes, and a plurality of image signal conversion circuits. A plurality of the second type photodiodes are disposed between the first type photodiodes which are two-dimensionally arrayed. A plurality of the image signal conversion circuits are disposed between the first type photodiodes and the second type photodiodes to process image signals detected by the first type photodiodes and the second type photodiodes. An area of the first type photodiodes is wider than an area of the second type photodiodes. |
| US08854513B2 |
Imaging device to output an electric signal and vary gain based on temperature of an imaging element
According to an embodiment, an imaging device includes a first CCD which converts a first color component into a first electric signal, a second CCD which converts a second color component different from the first color component into a second electric signal, a third CCD which converts a third color component different from the first and second color components into a third electric signal, and a heat sink having first to third radiators which radiate heat from the first to third CODs. The first to third radiators are maintained at the same temperature by the function of the heat sink. |
| US08854512B2 |
Process, apparatus and computer program for enhancing detail visibility in an input
In the technical field of video cameras gamma correction is an often used technique to compensate the non-linear effects of the CRT (cathode ray tube), in order to enhance visibility in images to be displayed. Gamma correction is—by way of example—expressed by the gamma function: A process for enhancing detail visibility in an input image comprising a step of applying a first transfer function (11) to the input image, thereby generating an intermediate image; a step of performing a statistical measurement (12), Mmt (2) on the intermediate image; a step of applying a second transfer function (14) to the intermediate image, thereby generating an output image; a step of performing a statistical measurement (15), Mmt (3) on the output image, a step of determining gain parameters gg, gk for the first and the second transfer function (11, 14) on basis of the statistical measurement results (8, 12, 15), Mmt (1), Mmt (2), Mmt (3) is proposed. |
| US08854509B2 |
Image pickup apparatus, method of performing image compensation, and computer readable recording medium
An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit to continuously pick up a plurality of images having mutual displacement using an image pickup device, a storage unit to store a position of a defect area of the image pickup device, and an image compensation unit to compensate for the defect area in one of the plurality of picked images using the other picked image. |
| US08854505B2 |
Dust-removal optical device, a dust-removal imaging device, and method of manufacturing an optical device for removing dust
An optical device comprises a vibration member 20 provided on a substrate 36 transmitting light so as to vibrate said substrate, a driving circuit 29 for driving said vibration member so as to generate nodes of vibration 99 on said substrate, a plurality of electrodes 42, at least one part thereof provided at neighbor of said nodes of vibration which transmits light, and an output circuit 28 to output voltage to said plurality of electrode so as to change an electric field of a surface of said substrate. |
| US08854504B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus having the same
A zoom lens includes first to fifth lens unit having negative, positive, positive, negative, and positive refractive powers, in an order from an object side to an image side, an interval of each lens unit is configured to be changed in zooming, the first lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, consists of one or two negative lenses and one positive lens, the second lens unit consists of one lens component that moves to the image side in focusing on an object at an infinite distance to a short distance object, and an interval D23, combined focal lengths D23w, f23w, and f4Rw, and a length D2 are appropriately set. |
| US08854503B2 |
Image enhancements through multi-image processing
Embodiments of imaging devices of the present disclosure automatically utilize sequential image captures in an image processing pipeline. In one embodiment, control processing circuitry initiates a sequential capture of a plurality of images by an image sensor; and image processing circuitry generates a composite image comprising at least portions of the images. |
| US08854500B2 |
Imaging apparatus, image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An imaging apparatus includes: an image generation section that generates at least one of a first captured image having a predetermined size and a second captured image having an aspect ratio different from that of the first captured image; a recording control section that, when an instruction operation to record the generated captured image is received, records the generated captured image based on the instruction operation; and a display control section that, when a captured image to be displayed at the time of displaying the recorded captured image on a display section is the second captured image, displays the second captured image and an enlarged image of a specific region in the second captured image are displayed on the display section in a correlated manner. |
| US08854498B2 |
Image pick-up apparatus and control method thereof
The image pick-up apparatus has an image pick-up unit that picks up an image and outputs RAW still image data; a creation unit that creates, when the RAW still image data is picked up, a development parameter that is a parameter used in development processing of the RAW still image data; and a saving unit that saves, in a storage unit, the development parameter created when the RAW still image data is picked up as a first development parameter which can be used in development processing of the RAW still image data, and further saves, in the storage unit, a development parameter created at other time as a second development parameter which can be used in development processing of the RAW still image data, when saving the RAW still image data outputted from the image pick-up unit in the storage unit. |
| US08854497B2 |
Webcam capable of generating special sound effects and method of generating special sound effects thereof
A webcam capable of generating special sound effects includes an image device, a sound device, a multiplexer, a microprocessor, and a universal serial bus device. The image device is used for capturing and processing an image to generate a processed image. The sound device is used for capturing and processing sound to generate processed sound. The multiplexer is coupled to the image device and the sound device for receiving the processed image and the processed sound. The microprocessor is used for controlling the image device and the sound device. The universal serial bus device is used for controlling the multiplexer to read the processed image from the image device and read the processed sound from the sound device according to a command of a host, and transmitting the processed image and the processed sound to the host. |
| US08854491B2 |
Metadata-assisted image filters
This disclosure pertains to devices, methods, systems, and computer readable media for generating and/or interpreting image metadata to determine input parameters for various image processing routines, e.g., filters that distort or enhance an image, in a way that provides an intuitive experience for both the user and the software developer. Such techniques may attach the metadata to image frames and then send the image frames down an image processing pipeline to one or more image processing routines. Image metadata may include face location information, and the image processing routine may include an image filter that processes the image metadata in order to keep the central focus (or foci) of the image filter substantially coincident with one or more of the faces represented in the face location information. The generated and/or interpreted metadata may also be saved to a metadata track for later application to unfiltered image data. |
| US08854488B2 |
Image capture apparatus and image capture method in which an image is processed by a plurality of image processing devices
An image capture system is provided that increases processing speed after an image is captured and also increases the rate at which data is read from an image capture device during a shooting sequence. The image capture system includes an image capture device for capturing an object image and converting the captured object image into an electrical signal, a plurality of image processing devices, and a distribution device for distributing the electrical signal from the image capture device to the plurality of image processing devices. The plurality of image processing devices generate image signals by processing the electrical signal output from the distribution device and are provided in parallel with each other. Each of the plurality of image processing devices concurrently processes the electrical signal for one frame. |
| US08854487B2 |
Imaging apparatus and imaging method
A focusing operation is started before desired exposure according to a second program diagram is obtained when a program diagram is switched from a first program diagram to be used in a first mode to the second program diagram to be used in a second mode based on a light metering value. |
| US08854485B1 |
Methods and systems for providing functionality of an interface to include an artificial horizon
Methods and systems for providing functionality of an interface to include an artificial horizon are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving information indicating a range of motion of a camera on a device, and providing an interface on a second device remote from the device. The interface may be configured to receive an input indicating a command for an orientation of the camera on the device. The method may further include based on the information indicating the range of motion of the camera, providing an artificial horizon at a fixed position on the interface that indicates the range of motion of the camera on either side of the artificial horizon. The fixed position of the artificial horizon may be associated with an orientation of the camera having a tilt value of about zero or having a pan value of about zero. |
| US08854484B2 |
Systems and methods for establishing communication between a plurality of imaging apparatuses
An imaging apparatus includes a first communication unit configured to communicate with a control apparatus using a first communication protocol, an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a subject to obtain image data in response to an image capturing instruction from the control apparatus in a controlled state, a second communication unit configured to communicate with an external apparatus using a second communication protocol, and an activation unit configured to activate a function of receiving access using the second communication protocol from the external apparatus and transmitting the image data stored in the storage medium to the external apparatus. |
| US08854479B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method
A personal computer holds data of a plurality of types in a content storage unit and transfers items of data related across the types of data to a digital camera as group data. The digital camera stores the group data, which is received from the personal computer, in a content memory unit. |
| US08854478B2 |
Digital camera
A digital camera includes a communicator that communicates with other digital camera, a receiver that receives a camera information of another digital camera and an imaging device that forms a digital image of an object. The digital camera further includes a processor that creates a digital image data from the digital image based upon the camera information. |
| US08854475B2 |
System and method for sensor failure detection
A novel image sensor includes a pixel array, a row control circuit, a test signal injection circuit, a sampling circuit, an image processing circuit, a comparison circuit, and a control circuit. In a particular embodiment, the test signal injection circuit injects test signals into the pixel array, the sampling circuit acquires pixel data from the pixel array, and the comparison circuit compares the pixel data with the test signals. If the pixel data does not correspond to the test signals, the comparison circuit outputs an error signal. Additional comparison circuits are provided to detect defects in the control circuitry of an image sensor. |
| US08854467B2 |
Vehicle-mounted camera
A vehicle-mounted camera includes a camera module mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, and further includes a mirror occupying at least a part of an imaging range of the camera module. The camera module may be arranged to face a forward vehicle traveling direction. The mirror may occupy a lower part of the vertical direction in the imaging range. The camera module and the mirror may both be disposed in the vehicle. |
| US08854465B1 |
Vehicle security surveillance system and method for surveillance of a vehicle
A vehicle security surveillance system includes a camera installed within a vehicle's interior a memory device coupled to the camera, an external device interface coupled to the memory device, a wiring interface coupled to a power supply, a network interface module, and an image packet application. The camera is normally rendered in a “stand-by” mode until trigger activated to generate digital images of the interior of the vehicle. An image packet application facilitates, generation of at least one vehicle interior image packet. On receiving a trigger from the motion sensors, the camera is rendered to record digital images to the memory device and the image packet application initiates generation of at least one vehicle interior image packet including the recorded digital images and encrypts each digital image. The at least one vehicle interior image packet is sent from the vehicle security surveillance system via the network interface module. |
| US08854460B2 |
Image providing apparatus, image displaying apparatus, image transmitting system and image transmitting method using the same
An image providing apparatus, an image displaying apparatus, an image transmitting system and an image transmitting method thereof. The image providing apparatus includes a storage unit, a transceiver to receive transmission request information and a stored image, and a controller to process the image using extracted information. Accordingly, a waste of resource required for data processing at an external device is reduced and an image optimized for display is provided to the external device. |
| US08854457B2 |
Systems and methods for the autonomous production of videos from multi-sensored data
An autonomous computer based method and system is described for personalized production of videos such as team sport videos such as basketball videos from multi-sensored data under limited display resolution. Embodiments of the present invention relate to the selection of a view to display from among the multiple video streams captured by the camera network. Technical solutions are provided to provide perceptual comfort as well as an efficient integration of contextual information, which is implemented, for example, by smoothing generated viewpoint/camera sequences to alleviate flickering visual artifacts and discontinuous story-telling artifacts. A design and implementation of the viewpoint selection process is disclosed that has been verified by experiments, which shows that the method and system of the present invention efficiently distribute the processing load across cameras, and effectively selects viewpoints that cover the team action at hand while avoiding major perceptual artifacts. |
| US08854450B2 |
Alignment method for assembling substrates in different spaces without fiducial mark and its system
An alignment method for assembling substrates in different spaces without fiducial mark and its system are provided, and the alignment method has steps of: pre-defining partially standard character regions of two substrates; capturing at least two partially actual images of two substrates in different waiting spaces, respectively; comparing to obtain at least two partially actual character regions of the two substrates, respectively; building actual coordinate systems of the two substrates, respectively; comparing the actual coordinate systems of the two substrates with each other to obtain a set of offset values; moving the two substrates from the different waiting spaces to an alignment-and-installation space based on the set of offset values and a predetermined movement value, respectively; and stacking the two substrates with each other to finish the alignment and installation in the alignment-and-installation space. |
| US08854444B2 |
Information processing apparatus and capsule endoscope system
An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores data of the in-vivo images and information which is associated with the data of the in-vivo images and related to a position of a capsule endoscope in an inside of a subject; a positional information obtaining unit that obtains positional information of the capsule endoscope in capturing the in-vivo images based on the information related to the position; and a sequence changing unit that changes a sorting sequence of the in-vivo images based on the positional information obtained by the positional information obtaining unit. |
| US08854441B2 |
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. |
| US08854440B2 |
Three dimensional image display device and a method of driving the same
A three dimensional image display device, including: a display panel that alternately displays a left eye image and a right eye image, wherein a common voltage synchronized with a voltage reset signal is applied to the display panel and the voltage reset signal is maintained at a high level for a predetermined time before the voltage reset signal is input to the left eye image or the right eye image. |
| US08854439B2 |
Stereoscopic picture display, method of manufacturing the same and stereoscopic picture display method
A stereoscopic picture is viewable from all directions with high reproducibility without complicating a stereoscopic display mechanism, compared to related art. A cylindrical rotation section 104 rotating around a rotation shaft as a rotation center, a two-dimensional light-emitting element array 101 mounted in the rotation section and having a light-emission surface formed of a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a matrix, and a slit 102 arranged in a circumferential surface of the rotation section in a position facing the light-emission surface are included. As the two-dimensional light-emitting element array 101, a two-dimensional light-emitting element array including a curved portion with a concave surface which is formed as a light-emission surface is used. The plurality of light-emitting elements emit light, which corresponds to orientation of the light-emission surface, to outside of the rotation section through the slit 102. |
| US08854438B2 |
Display system, display apparatus and control method thereof
Provided is a display apparatus which includes a display unit; an image processor which scans a three-dimensional image including a left or right eye image to the display unit; and a controller which adjusts a blanking time, during which neither the left eye image nor the right eye image is scanned, to be different from a reference time and controls the image processor to alternately scan the left and right eye images to the display unit based on the adjusted blanking time. |
| US08854435B2 |
Viewpoint navigation
Viewer interaction herein triggers switching from a first view point to a second view point and thereby controls presentation of video sequences. Each video sequence comprises a sequence of images of one and the same subject and is associated with a respective view point. Images are obtained from a first video sequence associated with a first view point and are provided for presentation. Viewer input information is received that indicates a desire to present a second view point. In response, a start position within a second video sequence associated with the second view point is determined, and the obtaining of images from the first video sequence is discontinued as of the determined start position. Images are then obtained from the second video sequence associated with the second view point, starting from the determined start position, and are then provided for presentation. |
| US08854430B2 |
Image data processing
A method for processing image data of a sample is disclosed. The method comprises registering a first and a second images of at least partially overlapping spatial regions of the sample and processing data from the registered images to obtain integrated image data comprising information about the sample, said information being additional to that available from said first and second images. |
| US08854429B2 |
Display apparatus, 3D glasses, and control method thereof
Disclosed are a display apparatus, three-dimensional (3D) glasses and a control method thereof. The method of controlling three-dimensional (3D) glasses for a display apparatus includes: synchronizing clocks for communicating with the 3D glasses; generating drive timing information for driving shutters of the 3D glasses from the synchronized clocks and a frame sync signal of a displayed image; and transmitting a glasses control message, comprising the drive timing information, to the 3D glasses. |
| US08854428B2 |
Method for processing three dimensional (3D) video signal and digital broadcast receiver for performing the method
A method for processing a 3D video signal and a digital broadcast receiver for performing the processing method are disclosed. A method for receiving a 3D broadcast signal includes receiving signaling information of at least one stream for a 3 Dimension TeleVision (3DTV) service and a two dimensional (2D) video stream, demultiplexing at least one stream for the 3DTV service and the 2D video stream based on the signaling information, decoding at least one demultiplexed stream for the 3DTV service and the demultiplexed 2D video stream, and outputting a 3D video signal by formatting at least one decoded stream for the 3DTV service and the decoded 2D video stream. |
| US08854423B2 |
Multiplanar volumetric three-dimensional display apparatus
A multiplanar volumetric three-dimensional display apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a variable lens and an object source. The variable lens is capable of switching its radius of curvature between a number of states, thereby varying its focal power. The object source provides light for the generation of three-dimensional images. Light from the object source is transmitted through the variable lens and focused at an image plane. As the focal power of the variable lens is varied, the location of the image plane is changed. The object source and variable lens are synchronized and refreshed at a sufficient rate such that an observer may perceive light focused at multiple image plane locations simultaneously, thereby creating the appearance of a three-dimensional image. A reflective pointer may be positioned at the image plane locations wherein light from the object source may be reflected by the pointer back through the variable lens and directed to a detector array. In this fashion, the position of the pointer may be calculated and an observer controlling the pointer may interact with the three-dimensional image. An imaging medium, such as a liquid vapor, may be disposed at the image plane locations in order enhance the visibility of the three-dimensional image. |
| US08854418B2 |
Integrated media gateway processing and control to reduce latency for 2-way video conference applications
In a media gateway (MG) that enables communication with a plurality of client devices, at least a portion of video conferencing (VC) processing during a VC call between at least one of said plurality of client devices and at least one other VC client may be handled by the media gateway. The portion of the VC processing handled by said media is offloaded from a centralized VC multipoint control unit (MCU). The MG may handle one or more VC MCU functions, which may comprise video conferencing call control and/or management and/or audio/video (A/V) transcoding. The MG may adaptively control and/or configure latency associated with handling and/or communication of data by the media gateway's client device during the video conference call. The adaptive latency control and/or configuration may be based on determination of end-to-end latency associated with exchange of data during the video conference call. |
| US08854415B2 |
Motion responsive video capture during a video conference
A mobile communication device that is outfitted with motion detection mechanisms is used to construct a viewport on audio-visual data. As the communication device is moved along a spatial trajectory, the viewport is positioned accordingly. A virtual space can be constructed such that the spatial trajectory is mapped into the virtual space and the user can navigate the virtual space by suitable movement of the communication device. Accordingly, a user can use natural body movements to navigate the virtual space through the viewport. |
| US08854413B2 |
Communicating with an endpoint using matrix barcodes
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by an endpoint from a client, an image generated by the client. The endpoint determines that the image generated by the client includes a matrix barcode. The endpoint decodes the matrix barcode to determine one or more instructions associated with text encoded within the matrix barcode. The method further includes performing the one or more instructions associated with the encoded text. |
| US08854406B1 |
Collective marking of a surface by steering multiple laser beams generated by a laser controller
Disclosed are methods, systems, and/or apparatus for the collective marking of a surface by two or more laser beams generated by a laser controller. A method includes receiving one or more input signals from a controller of the laser system. The method also includes adjusting a first mirror through a first galvanometer scanner, a second minor through a second galvanometer scanner, a third mirror through a third galvanometer scanner, and a fourth mirror through a fourth galvanometer scanner based on the one or more input signals. The method further includes steering, through the first mirror and the second mirror, a first laser beam generated by the controller and transmitted to a marking head through a beam delivery vessel; and steering, through the third mirror and the fourth minor, a second laser beam generated by the controller and transmitted to the marking head through another beam delivery vessel. |
| US08854397B2 |
Photo selection for mobile devices
In one embodiment, a server receives from a mobile device a request for one or more images. The server adjusts one or more of the requested images, based at least partly on the display capabilities of the mobile device, to have a landscape orientation or a portrait orientation, then sends the adjusted image to the mobile device. |
| US08854395B2 |
Method for producing artistic image template designs
A method for storing a pre-designed digital template having a number of digital openings for displaying at least one digital image within each opening. Each opening has stored required image attributes associated with it for finding appropriate images to place in the opening. At least one of the non-primary image files has a satisfactory required image attribute score as computed by the computer system which is based on a required image attribute for an associated opening where an image of the at least one other of the non-primary image files will be displayed. The required image attribute itself is based upon at least one of the image attributes of the primary image file. |
| US08854389B2 |
Apparatus and method for hardware-based video/image post-processing
A method and apparatus for hardware-based anamorphic video scaling. In one embodiment, the method includes the fetch of zero or more new input pixels according to an entry of an input control memory corresponding to a current output pixel. Once fetched, the zero or more new input pixels replace at least one stored input pixel of N, input pixels. Using the updated N, input pixels and an N, coefficient set selected according to an entry of a coefficient memory corresponding to the current output pixel, a pixel computation, such as, for example, an anamorphic scaling computation, is performed. In one embodiment, the anamorphic scaling is performed by subdividing an X×Y pixel frame into X/M M×Y pixel subframes. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08854387B2 |
Bundle-based CPU/GPU memory controller coordination mechanism
A system and method are disclosed for managing memory requests that are coordinated between a system memory controller and a graphics memory controller. Memory requests are pre-scheduled according to the optimization policies of the source memory controller and then sent over the CPU/GPU boundary in a bundle of pre-scheduled requests to the target memory controller. The target memory controller then processes pre-scheduling decisions contained in the pre-schedule requests, and in turn, issues memory requests as a proxy of the source memory controller. As a result, the target memory controller does not need to perform both CPU requests and GPU requests. |
| US08854385B1 |
Merging rendering operations for graphics processing unit (GPU) performance
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for rendering using a graphics processing component (GPC). A computing device can receive GPC instructions, with each instruction associated with a portion of a canvas. For each instruction: a first portion of the canvas can be determined and an instruction buffer can be searched to identify a mergeable instruction for the instruction. After identifying the mergeable instruction at a mergeable position within the instruction buffer, one or more instructions in the instruction buffer that include the mergeable instruction can be searched for overlap in the canvas with the first portion. In the event that the one or more instructions do not overlap with the first portion of the canvas, then the instruction can be merged with the mergeable instruction. Each instruction in the instruction buffer can be provided to the GPC for performing the instruction. |
| US08854383B2 |
Pixel value compaction for graphics processing
In general, aspects of this disclosure describe example techniques for efficient usage of the fixed data rate processing of a graphics processing unit (GPU) for a variable data rate processing. For example, the GPU may be coupled to a pixel value processing unit that receives pixel values for pixels in an image processed by the GPU. The pixel value processing unit may determine whether the pixel values are for pixels that require further processing, and store the pixel values for the pixels that are required for further processing in a buffer. |
| US08854381B2 |
Processing unit that enables asynchronous task dispatch
A processing unit that includes a plurality of virtual engines and a shader core. The plurality of virtual engines is configured to (i) receive, from an operating system (OS), a plurality of tasks substantially in parallel with each other and (ii) load a set of state data associated with each of the plurality of tasks. The shader core is configured to execute the plurality of tasks substantially in parallel based on the set of state data associated with each of the plurality of tasks. The processing unit may also include a scheduling module that schedules the plurality of tasks to be issued to the shader core. |
| US08854378B2 |
System and method for simulating hair and cloth using polyhedral-based constraints
Systems and methods are disclosed to create a realistic and dynamic model of an animated object, such as hair or cloth, by employing control vertices and control entities that make up an animated object. The control vertices are used as polyhedral vertices in the creation of a polyhedral mesh, such as a tetrahedral mesh, and a constraint is employed during simulation in which the polyhedral volume is preserved. Using the systems and methods, the workflow may be significantly improved and costs significantly lowered. |
| US08854376B1 |
Generating animation from actor performance
A motion library can be created by generating motion feature vectors for at least some of multiple frames of a video sequence using a 3D mesh, each motion feature vector corresponding to characteristics of the body deformation in one of the frames. The A user can select a subset of the frames. For each frame in the subset, the user can define settings for controls of an animation character, the settings selected by the user to correspond to the body deformation in the respective frame. Mappings are generated using the settings and the motion feature vectors, the mappings regulating the controls based on multiple motion feature vectors. The motion library can be used to generate an animation from an actor performance. |
| US08854375B2 |
Method and system for generating gray dot-matrix font from binary dot-matrix font
A computer-implemented method is disclosed for transforming a binary dot-matrix font to a gray dot-matrix font. The method includes generally five steps. First, a binary dot-matrix outline shape is received, which is designed to render a binary dot-matrix character image on a binary dot-matrix display. The binary dot-matrix outline shape includes one or more curve segments. Second, the received dot-matrix outline shape and the binary dot-matrix character image that can be rendered based on the received outline shape are placed on a lattice coordinate system composed of a plurality of dots. Third, for each of the one or more curve segments, intersecting points at which the curve segment intersects with the plurality of dots in the lattice coordinate system are recorded. Fourth, an anti-aliasing operation is performed on the binary dot-matrix outline shape placed on the lattice coordinate system to obtain a target gray value for each of the dots that are intersected by the one or more curve segments. Fifth, a collection of the target gray values for all of the intersected dots are recorded as a gray dot-matrix image font. |
| US08854374B2 |
Tessellation patterns
Methods, systems, and computer readable media embodiments are disclosed for generating primitives in a grid. Embodiments include generating a set of vertices in a section of the grid, selecting one or more vertices in the set of vertices in an order based on a proximity of the vertices to a boundary edge of the grid, and generating primitives based on the order of the selected vertices. |
| US08854371B2 |
Method and system for generating a columnar tree map
A method and system to generate a columnar tree map of a hierarchical structure is provided. An example system comprises a memory, at least one processor coupled to the memory, a data access module configured to access a hierarchical data structure, and a tree map generator to generate a tree map using at least one processor. The tree map generator generates and renders a tree map for a target data set based on the size and dimensions of a viewing area provided on a target display device, the values associated with categories in the data set, and a predetermined column width. |
| US08854369B2 |
Systems and methods for concurrent ray tracing
For ray tracing scenes composed of primitives, systems and methods can traverse rays through an acceleration structure. The traversal can be implemented by concurrently testing a plurality of nodes of the acceleration structure for intersection with a sequence of one or more rays. Such testing can occur in a plurality of test cells. Leaf nodes of the acceleration structure can bound primitives, and a sequence primitives can be tested concurrently for intersection in the test cells against a plurality of rays that have intersected a given leaf node. Intersection testing of a particular leaf node can be deferred until a sufficient quantity of rays have been collected for that node. |
| US08854366B1 |
Automated geometric representation of discrete point sets
A system and method of creating a smooth analytical representation of a geometry using a discrete set of points. A meshfree representation of the geometry is generated. The representation includes a set of points. A starting point and an edge length range are then used to generate a set of vertices from the set of points. The vertices are used to generate a coarse mesh, which, in turn, is used to generate a Reproducing Kernel Element Method (RKEM) representation of the geometry. The points of the meshfree representation that were not included in the set of vertices are then applied to the RKEM representation. The quality of the RKEM representation is assessed and compared to a predetermined standard. Additional sets of vertices from the meshfree representation are generated repeatedly and all remaining operations are repeated until the quality of the RKEM at least meets the predetermined standard. This provides a smooth, analytical RKEM representation of the geometry. |
| US08854365B2 |
Rendering parametric surface patches
A method for rendering parametric surface patches on a display screen includes receiving, at a processing unit, a computer-implemented representation of a first parametric surface patch, wherein the first parametric surface patch is a portion of a three-dimensional computer-implemented model that is desirably displayed at a first viewing perspective on the display screen. The first parametric patch is subdivided in the parameter domain to generate a plurality of subpatches, which are stored as quadtree coordinates in a memory. Thereafter, at least one pixel on the display screen is rendered based at least in part upon the quadtree coordinates in the memory. |
| US08854360B2 |
Water surface generation
Terrain data that represents earth features for a geographic area is received. The following meshes are generated based on the terrain data: (i) a water surface mesh including a first plurality of geometric primitives and (ii) a water bottom mesh including a second plurality of geometric primitives. Portions of the water bottom mesh appearing above the water surface mesh are identified. At least one of the water surface mesh and the water bottom mesh are corrected to cause the water surface mesh to appear above the water bottom mesh. |
| US08854358B2 |
Computer-readable storage medium having image processing program stored therein, image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing system
Provided are a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein an image processing program executed by a computer of an image processing apparatus capable of outputting an image in a stereoscopically visible manner, the program causing the computer to function as sections configured for: acquiring setting information about a virtual stereo camera configured for imaging of a virtual space to provide images for right and left eyes in a stereoscopically visible manner; designating the position of a first object in the space, including a depth-directional position defining the imaging direction; using the information and the depth-directional position to calculate a displacement for a stereoscopically visible image of the object; and translating from a position, the object associated with the above-designated position, along a plane perpendicular to the depth direction, to generate images for right and left eyes each of which includes an image of the translated object, based on the displacement. |
| US08854356B2 |
Storage medium having stored therein image processing program, image processing apparatus, image processing system, and image processing method
An image taken by a real camera is repeatedly obtained, and position and orientation information determined in accordance with a position and an orientation of a real camera in a real space is repeatedly calculated. A virtual object or a letter to be additionally displayed on the taken image is set as an additional display object, and based on a result of recognition of a sound inputted into a sound input device, at least one selected from the group consisting of a display position, an orientation, and a display form of the additional display object is set. A combined image repeatedly generated by superimposing on the taken image the set additional display object with reference to a position in the taken image in accordance with the position and orientation information is displayed on a display device. |
| US08854355B2 |
System and method of visualizing features in an image
An imaging system includes a detector configured to receive data that can be reconstructed into a three-dimensional (3D) image of an object, and a computer programmed to obtain 3D image data of the object, the 3D image data including an internal structure of the object, define a longitudinal dimension of the internal structure from the 3D image data along a length of the structure, extract a first set of parameter-of-interest data related to the internal structure from the 3D image data along a first ray extending from a first location along the length of the structure and at a first angular orientation with respect to a base vector that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension, and plot the extracted first set of parameter-of-interest data at a pixel location of a two-dimensional (2D) plot that corresponds to the first location and corresponds to the first angular orientation. |
| US08854347B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device for improving the yield and for reducing or minimizing manufacturing costs. The organic light emitting display device includes: a data driver coupled to data lines that are formed on the panel; a scan driver mounted on the panel and coupled to scan lines that are formed on the panel; input lines for receiving clock signals from the outside; first connecting lines overlapped with a cathode electrode and electrically coupled to the input lines and for supplying the clock signals to the scan driver; second connecting lines electrically coupled to the input lines; and third connecting lines for electrically coupling the first connecting lines to the second connecting lines. |
| US08854346B2 |
Pixel circuit and display device
In a display device including a pixel circuit having a transistor with a low electron mobility, low power consumption is realized without decreasing an aperture ratio. An liquid crystal capacitor element (Clc) is formed between a pixel circuit (20) and a counter electrode (80). One ends of the pixel electrode (20), a first switch circuit (22), and a second switch circuit (23) and a first terminal of a second transistor (T2) form an internal node (N1). The other end of the first switch circuit (22) is connected to a source line (SL). The second switch circuit (23) has the other end connected to a voltage supply line (VSL), and is a series circuit of transistors (T1 and T3). A control terminal of the transistor (T1), a second terminal of the transistor (T2), and one end of the boost capacitor element (Cbst) form an output node (N2). The other end of the boost capacitor element (Cbst) and the control terminal of the transistor (T2) are connected to a selecting line (SEL) and a reference line REF, respectively. A control terminal of the transistor (T3) is connected to the selecting line (SEL) through a delay circuit (31). |
| US08854340B2 |
Touch device with force feedback function
A touch device includes a touch sensing unit, a vibrator and a vibration transmitting unit. The vibrator is used for generating vibration energy. The vibration transmitting unit is installed on a backside of the touch sensing unit and connected with the vibrator for transmitting the vibration energy to the touch sensing unit. The vibration transmitting unit includes a vibration-homogenizing plate. The rigidity of the vibration-homogenizing plate decreases as the distance from the vibrator increases. |
| US08854335B2 |
Electronic apparatus having touch sensing ability and non-touch sensing ability and control method thereof
A control method of an electronic apparatus includes the following steps: detecting a touch sensing event to generate a touch detection result; detecting a non-touch sensing event to generate a non-touch detection result; and enabling the electronic apparatus to perform a specific function according to at least the touch detection result and the non-touch detection result. An electronic apparatus includes a touch detection unit, a non-touch detection unit and a control unit. The touch detection unit is arranged to detect a touch sensing event to generate a touch detection result. The non-touch detection unit is arranged to detect a non-touch sensing event to generate a non-touch detection result. The control unit is coupled to the touch detection unit and the non-touch detection unit, and is arranged to enable the electronic apparatus to perform a specific function according to at least the touch detection result and the non-touch detection result. |
| US08854333B2 |
Polar sensor patterns
Patterns of sensor elements that can be used in capacitance sensing devices are described. A plurality of sensor elements extends in a radial direction from a shared center. A first subset of the sensor elements extend like spirals in a clockwise direction, and a second subset of the sensor elements extend like spirals in a counterclockwise direction. |
| US08854330B1 |
Transaction automation and archival system using electronic contract disclosure units
A system is provided for controlling, real-time logging, and archiving complex commercial transactions such as the purchase and financing of an automobile. An electronic contract disclosure unit or ECDU includes a digitizing display for imaging documents involved in the transaction and a digitizer for manual interaction with images on the display. A computer controls the transaction, and may for instance, control the order of presentation of documents to a vehicle purchaser, receive the purchaser's signature on the displayed documents when required, offer choices of various packages that can be accepted or declined by the purchaser, and insures that the entire transaction is carried out properly. The ECDU logs the transaction for future review and preferably records video and audio. Fingerprint readers allow participants to select between options by pressing their thumb or finger on the readers. |
| US08854327B2 |
Display apparatus with pixel-aligned ground micro-wire
A display apparatus includes a display having an array of pixels formed in rows and columns. The rows of pixels are separated by row inter-pixel gaps and the columns of pixels separated by column inter-pixel gaps. A touch-screen includes a transparent dielectric layer having a row side and an opposed column side located over the display, the touch screen having row electrodes spaced apart by row inter-electrode gaps located on the row side of the transparent dielectric layer and column electrodes spaced apart by column inter-electrode gaps located on the column side of the transparent dielectric layer. The row and column electrodes are separated by the transparent dielectric layer. Ground lines are located on the row side between neighboring row electrodes in the row inter-electrode gaps and between the pixels in a row inter-pixel gap. |
| US08854326B2 |
Touch panel and touch-sensitive display device
A touch panel structure and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed, in which the manufacturing method includes the steps of: providing a bonding layer; and forming a conductive pattern layer on the bonding layer; wherein the conductive pattern layer is composed of at least one first and at least one second major conductors with an insulation layer interposed between the first and the second major conductors. Comparing with the prior art for manufacturing touch panels, the disclosure is advantageous in material cost, production cost, and production yield; moreover, the panel lamination process can be simplified and the touch panel structure can be joined to a planar or curvy panel and facilitate the design of a thinner product. |
| US08854324B2 |
Information processing control device
An information processing device that includes a display, a touch panel that detects a gesture operation, a memory that stores a correlation between each of a plurality of effects that can be applied to an object displayed on the display and one of a plurality of gesture operations, and a processor that applies one of the plurality of effects that corresponds to the detected gesture operation to an object displayed on the display, and controls the display to display the object to which the one of the plurality effects is applied. |
| US08854317B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program for executing processing based on detected drag operation
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a display section capable of displaying information on its display surface, a touch panel capable of detecting a position in the display surface where an operation tool has contacted with as a contact position, a pressure value detection section detecting a pressure value which is a size of a pressure applied to the contact surface by a contact between the operation tool and the contact surface, a process control section specifying a first processing or a second processing as a processing subject to be executed in accordance with a change of the detected pressure value, a first processing section executing the first processing when the first processing is specified to be a processing subject to be executed, and a second processing section executing the second processing when the second processing is specified to be a processing subject to be executed. |
| US08854316B2 |
Portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display and navigation device and method
A method includes detecting a touch at a location on a touch-sensitive display, receiving an input by a navigation device, and performing a function associated with at least one of the touch and the input in response to elapsing of a time period between detecting the touch and receiving the input. |
| US08854315B2 |
Display device having two touch screens and a method of controlling the same
A mobile terminal may include a first touch screen to display a first object, a second touch screen, and a controller to control the first and second touch screens. The mobile terminal may receive a first touch to the first object, and may receive a second touch to a position on the second touch screen while the first touch is held to the first object. The mobile terminal may further display content or information based on the first object on the second touch screen in response to receiving the second touch. Other embodiments may also be provided. |
| US08854314B2 |
Universal interface device with housing sensor array adapted for detection of distributed touch input
A universal interface device comprises a housing having a curvilinear or other shape, and processing circuitry disposed within the housing. The housing incorporates a sensor array substantially surrounding the processing circuitry and configured to receive touch input from points distributed over an outer surface of the housing. The sensor array generates sensor signals responsive to the touch input and the sensor signals are converted by the processing circuitry into commands associated with a communication function supported by the communication device. In an illustrative embodiment, the housing has a spheroidal shape, and the sensor array is configured to receive touch input from points distributed over substantially the entire outer surface of the housing. The points distributed over the outer surface of the housing from which the sensor array receives touch input are undefined from a point of view of a user providing at least a portion of the touch input. |
| US08854313B2 |
Sensor-integrated illuminated key sheet
There is provided a technique which can reduce the entire thickness of a push-button switch while securing the brightness of the illumination and can increase the sensitivity and accuracy of a slide input. Use of a light guide sheet separating from a surface-type capacitance sensor is excluded, thereby being able to reduce the entire thickness of a sensor-integrated illuminated key sheet while a light guide sheet serves to secure the brightness of the illumination. A surface sheet is provided so as to contact the operation surface side of the light guide sheet as the substrate of the surface-type capacitance sensor. The distance between the operation surface of the surface sheet and the surface-type capacitance sensor can therefore decrease, which can enhance the sensitivity and accuracy of the slide input. |
| US08854310B2 |
Portable electronic apparatus and operation detecting method of portable electronic apparatus
Mobile electronic apparatus includes a first sensor element group G1 and a second sensor element group G2 respectively having sensor elements R1˜R4, L1˜L4 for detecting a contact and arranged continuously in an annular shape as a whole; and a control unit 320 capable of performing a first control in which each sensor element group is individually controlled. The control unit 320 can perform a second control different from the first control by detecting a contact detection started by a sensor element in any one sensor element group, continuous contact detections by sensor elements adjacent to the start sensor element continued to end portion of the sensor group, and then continuous contact detections from an end portion of another sensor group adjacent to the end portion of said one sensor group. |
| US08854306B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal includes: a light-transmissive actuator having a dome-like shape; a conductive coating layer formed to be light-transmissive and formed at an inner side of the actuator; a light-transmissive base including a first light-transmissive electrode pattern and a second light-transmissive electrode pattern formed thereon, the first light-transmissive electrode pattern being configured to contact with the edge of the actuator, and the second light-transmissive electrode pattern being configured to contact with the central portion of the actuator when the actuator is pressed; and a display unit disposed under the light-transmissive base and configured such that visual information is seen thereon through the actuator, the coated layer and the base. |
| US08854305B2 |
Transformable cursor controlling apparatus
A transformable cursor controlling apparatus includes a pair of housings which are a first housing and a second housing. The first housing has a first joint surface, and two sockets received therein and exploded outside the first joint surface. The second housing has a second joint surface corresponding to the first joint surface of the first housing. The second housing has an electrical connector protruded from the second joint surface and selectively inserted into one of the two sockets. A cursor controlling module is disposed in one of the pair of housings for controlling a cursor of computer. When the second housing is rotated 180 degrees related to the first housing along an axil line on the first joint surface of the first housing, the electrical connector can be inserted in the other socket. |
| US08854304B2 |
Image generation system, image generation method, and information storage medium
An image generation system includes an image information acquisition section that acquires image information from an image sensor, a motion information acquisition section that acquires motion information about an operator based on the image information from the image sensor, an object control section that moves an object in a movement area based on the motion information about the operator, and an image generation section that generates an image displayed on a display section. The object control section limits movement of the object so that the object does not move beyond a movement limiting boundary set in the movement area even when it has been determined that the object has moved beyond the movement limiting boundary based on the motion information. |
| US08854301B2 |
Handheld electronic device with text disambiguation
A method of disambiguating an input into a handheld electronic device storing a plurality of objects includes a plurality of word objects is described. The method may include detecting an ambiguous input, outputting a number of first character permutations of the ambiguous input that each correspond to one of the word objects, and determining that the first character permutations are fewer in quantity than a predetermined number. The method may further include outputting a number of second character permutations of the ambiguous input that each correspond to an artificial variant. |
| US08854295B2 |
Liquid crystal display for displaying an image using a plurality of light sources
There is provided a liquid crystal display, including: a backlight having a plurality of light sources; a liquid crystal panel configured to display a video picture in a plurality of illumination regions corresponding to the light sources; an intensity value calculator calculating representative intensity values of the illumination regions based on an input video signal; a weight calculator performing a smoothing process on the representative intensity values by using first weights and to calculate second weights of the illumination regions having values which become larger as smoothed values of the representative intensity values becomes smaller than the representative intensity values; an intensity value corrector correcting the representative intensity values of the illumination regions based on the second weights and performe a smoothing process on corrected intensity values by using the first weights to obtain light source intensity values of the light sources. |
| US08854288B2 |
Tangent angle circuit in a liquid crystal display driving system having a charging and discharging module for the scan line driving circuits
A tangent angle circuit is connected to a plurality of scan line driving circuits and comprises: a charging module integrated on a control board to receive input of a direct current (DC) driving voltage and output a cut-in voltage to charge the scan line driving circuits; and a plurality of discharging modules integrated on the scan line driving circuits respectively to control the corresponding scan line driving circuits to discharge. In the present invention, by distributing the discharging modules on each of the scan line driving circuits respectively, the burden of load discharged charges on the discharging modules is reduced to avoid occurrence of an overhigh temperature; and the discharging modules are spatially separated, which is further favorable for reducing the temperature, releasing the space of the control board and reducing the area of the control board. |
| US08854287B2 |
Vertical alignment display device with enhanced contrast
A vertical alignment liquid crystal display includes two sub-pixels each with a variable capacitor. A pixel is bisected into a high gray sub-pixel and a low gray sub-pixel through forming a variable capacitor at each sub-pixel. With this structure, the sub-pixels express different grays so that lateral visibility is enhanced. It is not required in bisecting a pixel into two sub-pixels to form separate wires for applying different signals thereto, and the amount of data to be processed at the driver for driving the display device is reduced. Furthermore, a pixel is bisected into two sub-pixels with variable capacitors in a simplified manner, and it is not required to form additional wires and elements, so the aperture ratio is enhanced. |
| US08854285B2 |
Detachable liquid crystal display device
A detachable liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal module and a cradle. The liquid crystal module includes a liquid crystal panel, an optical sheet provided on a rear surface of the liquid crystal panel, an interface disposed on a rear surface of the liquid crystal panel, a power receiver disposed on the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel, a memory card and a timing controller for receiving second image data from external devices and permitting the first image data stored in the memory card to be displayed in the liquid crystal panel. The cradle includes a lamp emitting light, an inverter for supplying alternating current to the lamp, a connector for receiving third image data from external equipment, and an interface converter for applying the third image data to the interface of the liquid crystal module. |
| US08854283B2 |
Display apparatus, pixel layout method for display apparatus, and electronic device
In a display apparatus, a plurality of pixels are disposed in an array. Each pixel includes: an electro-optical element; a write transistor that writes a picture signal; a drive transistor that drives the electro-optical element according to the picture signal written by the write transistor; a hold capacitor, connected between the gate and source electrodes of the drive transistor, that holds the picture signal written by the write transistor; and an auxiliary capacitor, connected between the anode of the electro-optical element and a fixed potential node. Each auxiliary capacitor is formed straddling the boundary between specific pixel pairs adjacent in the pixel layout direction on a pixel row. An island metal pattern is formed between pixel pairs other than the specific pixel pairs, at a site corresponding to that of the auxiliary capacitor. |